The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 4

The Pavilion of Pavilions

Qi Yu followed Chu Chanyi back to the second floor, taking their usual seats at the elegant terrace.

“Why don’t we sit inside a private room?” Qi Yu asked. Chu Chanyi didn’t seem like someone lacking silver, and as the only daughter of the State Preceptor’s Manor, Qi Yu’s own monthly allowance was substantial. Wouldn’t a private room be more appropriate?

Chu Chanyi shot her another puzzled look. “What is wrong with you today? Didn’t you always insist that the view here is better for watching the ‘excitement’ in the streets?”

Qi Yu’s eyes flickered. She took a sip of tea to hide her expression and replied nonchalantly, “Is that so? Perhaps I stayed in the countryside too long; I’ve grown unaccustomed to the bustle of the city.”

“You’ve only been gone a month and you’ve already changed your stripes,” Chu Chanyi teased. Suddenly, she pointed downward. “Look! Our old ‘acquaintances’ have arrived.”

A large group of about ten people swarmed into the tavern, led by Fang Hai and Li Chuanlian. Qi Yu observed them; they were clearly all candidates for the Imperial Consort selection, most likely hailing from wealthy or influential families.

Fang Hai, walking at the front, immediately scanned the second-floor corridor. Seeing the person he was looking for at the terrace seat near the stairs, he cleared his throat, exchanged a look with Li Chuanlian, and led the group upstairs.

“Qi Yu!”

Fang Hai’s shout was so sudden that Qi Yu nearly dropped her teacup. Ten men surrounded their table, causing the atmosphere to tighten instantly.

“What is it?” Qi Yu steadied her nerves. She reminded herself: Stay calm. He’s just a villain. Even if he is the antagonist of the novel, he hasn’t caught the Eldest Princess’s eye yet. Then a darker thought occurred to her: Unless they’ve already conspired together? This man eventually commits treason and costs thousands of soldiers their lives.

Qi Yu looked up, meeting his gaze directly. She appeared calm, though her heart was racing.

Surprised by her composure, Fang Hai hesitated. He had planned his performance, but starting a confrontation directly felt a bit beneath his status. During his hesitation, someone in the crowd, sensing the awkward silence, cupped his hands and called out: “Qi Yu, you must do your best!”

“Yes, yes! Chu Chanyi, you must work hard too!”

“Qi Yu, I see the stars of romance shining upon you. This position of Imperial Consort is surely yours!”

Chu Chanyi rolled her eyes. “I know your elders work at the Imperial Observatory, but since when do they teach you how to read faces?”

Realizing they were only there to mock her, Qi Yu relaxed. She replied indifferently, “Who the Eldest Princess chooses is up to her. But thank you for the encouragement. I will indeed try my best.”

You all want me to win? she thought. How coincidental. I want to win too. Let’s see who gets the last laugh.

The crowd’s smirks faltered. Her lack of resistance made their mockery feel empty, like “lifting a stone only to drop it on one’s own feet.”

Suddenly, Fang Hai bellowed, “Qi Yu, you insignificant wretch! How dare you profane the dignity of the Imperial family? The Princess is a branch of gold and a leaf of jade—not someone an incompetent fool like you can covet! Today, I shall not let you off easy!”

Fang Hai was frustrated. Usually, Qi Yu would react violently, shouting things like “I’ll never marry an ugly cripple!” Why was she acting so diligent today? He decided to stick to his script.

“The Princess is like the bright moon in my heart,” Fang Hai continued, his voice echoing. “A person like Qi Yu is unworthy of her. Only someone like… like myself, is a fitting match!”

Silence. Li Chuanlian, who knew the plan, felt his eyebrow twitch at Fang Hai’s over-the-top performance. Chu Chanyi and the others stared in shock. Has Fang Hai lost his mind?

Only Qi Yu wasn’t surprised. As I suspected, she thought. The two villains are already in league. The rumors of the Princess being ugly and crippled were likely false—smokescreens that Fang Hai was already privy to. She decided it was best not to provoke this major antagonist yet. Survival was the priority.

“Then I wish Young Master Fang every success,” Qi Yu said with mock sincerity. “Keep it up. I’m rooting for you!”

Fang Hai: “…”

Though he was “enduring humiliation” for the Second Prince’s grand ambitions, being cheered on by Qi Yu felt incredibly stifling. He forced a smile. “Many thanks, Miss Qi. I shall certainly have my heart’s desire.”

The Martial Arts Venue

The civil exam results were out. Out of nearly a hundred candidates, only ten had passed. The officials, eager to keep their own children safe from the “ugly” Princess, had intentionally failed them.

Fang Hai was ranked first with a perfect score. To her horror, Qi Yu was second, and Chu Chanyi was third.

At the martial trial, the atmosphere was heavy. The Emperor sat on his throne, looking ready to execute someone’s entire lineage. Beside him was the Eldest Princess, veiled and seated in a wheelchair.

The candidates, who had planned to “fake” their way through the fight to lose, suddenly realized they had to take this seriously or face the Emperor’s wrath.

Qi Yu looked at her opponent—a burly man who was clearly a “Heaven-sent” warrior. On the other side, Chu Chanyi’s opponent was even larger. It was clear that the few who had actually passed the civil exam were mostly from military families who actually wanted the prestige of the Imperial connection.

The drums rolled. The sounds of battle cries filled the air.

“Chanyi, let’s give it our all!” Qi Yu shouted to her friend.

“Aaaah! Let’s do it!” Chu Chanyi rolled up her sleeves and charged forward—only to be kicked to the ground instantly. Thud. She was defeated in a single move.

“Ow… that hurts…” Chu Chanyi groaned. Fearing for Qi Yu, she looked over, only to be struck dumb by the sight.

Qi Yu, who had just shouted “give it our all,” hadn’t moved an inch. Seeing her friend get flattened, she didn’t wait for her opponent to reach her.

The burly warrior charged at her. He saw a delicate, fair-faced woman who wasn’t dodging. He steeled his heart; on the battlefield, there are only enemies, no women! He raised his fist—

But before the punch could even begin its descent, the match was over.

Witnessing Chu Chanyi’s fate, Qi Yu had unceremoniously dropped to the ground in a prone position.

“I forfeit! I forfeit!” she shouted at the top of her lungs.

She became the fastest person to lose in the history of the trial, successfully securing the dead-last rank in the martial arts examination.