The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 40

Someone came from Pingman Province. The Grand Elder wants to see me,” Qi Yu said after sitting down, forcing herself to ignore the Eldest Princess’s overly thin attire and concisely stating her purpose.

The Eldest Princess frowned slightly. “They likely suspect you know about my secrets but haven’t revealed them. Now that they’re contacting you again, they either want to continue playing dumb—in which case we’ll play along to see what they’re up to—or…”

She paused, her voice slowing down significantly. “There is another possibility. Their goal is to clear out a traitor and… silence the Prince Consort.”

Qi Yu was instantly alarmed. “Then what should I do?” She felt utterly innocent. Can everyone stop being so violent?

“This time, let Han Shui stay directly by your side. I’ll also arrange more guards in the shadows. Whatever happens, we must ensure your safety.” The Princess glanced at Qi Yu, her gaze unreadable.

“Right, the Princess is wise!” Qi Yu nodded emphatically. Regarding her own safety, she was in total agreement with the Princess’s arrangements. Although Han Shui was a bit of a headache to have around, one couldn’t deny her high level of martial arts. For the sake of her life, Qi Yu would endure it.

The Princess nodded and remained silent, her index finger and thumb lightly rubbing against each other in her sleeve—the only way to keep her mind calm.

As silence filled the room, Qi Yu hesitated for a moment before speaking up. “Regarding Chanyi’s matter, thank you for your help, Princess.”

The Princess’s fingers paused, and her eyebrows twitched, a faint smile flashing through her eyes that even she didn’t notice. “I didn’t help you with anything. I only kept her for the sake of the big picture. Do not overthink it, Prince Consort.”

She had said she wouldn’t help, so she wouldn’t. Speaking up in court was merely to share the Emperor’s burdens; there was absolutely no personal motive.

Qi Yu sighed inwardly. Why didn’t I notice before that the Princess is such a ‘tsundere’ (stubbornly awkward) person? She chuckled softly. “Has the Princess heard the phrase ‘a knife-like tongue but a tofu heart’? Some people might not even realize it themselves, but they actually do possess kindness.”

Perhaps it was the charming night, or perhaps the Princess before her possessed a rare softness, but Qi Yu found herself relaxing and speaking more casually.

Hearing this, the Princess’s earlobes turned hot. Looking at the smiling person before her, a surge of shy annoyance rose in her heart. She said coldly, “Has the Prince Consort ever heard the term… ‘seeking death’?”

The smile on Qi Yu’s face froze. Her heart, which had just settled, leaped back into her throat. She had been careless; she forgot this was a fickle villain. There was no such thing as sitting down for a nice chat.

She didn’t dare stay to say another word of thanks, rushing out with a quick farewell, fearing that if she moved too slowly, her life would be forfeit.

Once the door closed, the Princess was left alone. She reached out to touch her still-burning earlobe, and her thoughts gradually settled.

Three years. It wasn’t long, but it wasn’t short either. Some things couldn’t be forced; continuing to be obsessed would only make her a laughingstock. She was the Eldest Princess of Baiyue; she could not allow herself to be mocked. Thus, when facing this person in the future, she had to be not only calm but also ruthless. That was the only way to maintain her dignity.

It’s just a Prince Consort. If we divorce, I can just find another one. Her expression grew complex at the thought. Then, she squeezed her eyes shut. I will definitely find one that is even more pleasing to the eye than this one.

The Village Meeting

Early the next morning, Han Shui arrived outside Qi Yu’s room as ordered. Along with Han Feng, they followed Qi Yu out of the manor.

The carriage traveled out of the city gates and headed toward the outskirts. Qi Yu looked at the familiar road with suspicion until they passed a familiar courtyard. She realized: Isn’t this the small yard owned by the National Teacher’s Manor?

The carriage didn’t stop, traveling another half-hour past that yard before coming to a halt.

Qi Yu alighted and instinctively looked back toward the National Teacher’s yard, mentally calculating the distance. If one rode a horse fast, they could probably get there in twenty minutes.

Before her was a sparsely populated village, with houses scattered in small groups. She left Han Feng to wait with the carriage and took Han Shui along to follow the guide.

The Grand Elder was in a house at the entrance of the village, somewhat far from the other homes. An odd feeling flashed through Qi Yu’s mind, though she couldn’t quite pinpoint its source.

The Grand Elder was alone in the room. The guide reached out to stop Han Shui. “Young lady, our master only wishes to see the Prince Consort.”

Han Shui’s brows went horizontal as she said haughtily, “I am the Prince Consort’s trusted maid. I never leave his side. Who do you think you are? Move aside.”

The guide looked indignant but turned to look into the room.

The Grand Elder stood up shakily and walked over. “What does the Prince Consort think?”

Qi Yu was worried. What can I think? Although the Grand Elder looked old and weak, she had seen enough “pig eating a tiger” martial arts movies to be wary. What if this was a hidden master?

She instinctively shifted her gaze to the annoying but reliable girl beside her.

Han Shui immediately gave her a glare, then glared at the Grand Elder, and finally glared at the guide. After her “triple glare” performance, she lifted her head. “I am the Prince Consort’s person in life and his ghost in death. I cannot lose sight of him for a second. Either leave the door open so I can see him, or let me in to serve him.”

Qi Yu’s eyes lit up. She said with a difficult expression, “Why don’t we leave the door open? We’ll speak softly; don’t mind this girl.”

She then winked at the Grand Elder and whispered, “I’m in a tough spot too. She was sent by the Eldest Princess to watch me. Ever since that trip to Pingman, that woman has been guarding me very closely.”

The Grand Elder didn’t seem used to such secretive talking. He gestured to the guide not to close the door, then led Qi Yu inside a few steps. After they sat, he coughed. “The Young Master says that woman has been guarding you closely since Pingman?”

Could it be we overthought it? Qi Yu hasn’t defected?

“Yes, she sends people to follow me everywhere. It’s truly inconvenient.” Qi Yu wore a face of dissatisfaction. This wasn’t a lie—wasn’t she being followed “for protection” everywhere?

The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes. “Did the Young Master already know that Zhou Shile’s face and legs were healed?”

“Who is Zhou Shile?” Qi Yu asked instinctively. Was it the Princess? I feel like I’ve heard that name before.

“It’s the Eldest Princess.” The Grand Elder privately disliked using titles like Princess or Prince, but seeing Qi Yu’s confusion, he became even more puzzled. If she truly defected, would she not even know the Princess’s name?

Qi Yu acted surprised. “I haven’t heard her mention it, so I didn’t react. I only found out after returning from the fortress last time. It turns out the Princess… that woman Zhou Shile has been lying to me all along.”

The Grand Elder frowned. If Qi Yu was telling the truth, their plan needed to change. If she was lying, the plan also needed to change. He had no idea what the Second Prince was up to, insisting they feign surrender to the Princess’s Manor. These siblings were a nightmare to deal with. He felt a wave of exhaustion and a hint of regret for collaborating with the Second Prince.

“Has the Young Master considered that if we could cooperate with the Princess’s Manor, our future actions might be easier?”

“Hmm? Cooperate? Real or fake?” Is this the ‘fake’ cooperation that drags the Princess down in the book?

Looking at the distressed Grand Elder, Qi Yu thought of the “god-tier” terrible plays by these former dynasty remnants. These people aren’t here to cooperate; they’re sent by the heavens to drag the villainous Princess down!

The Grand Elder choked. Of course it was a fake cooperation. He stroked his beard. “A real cooperation, of course. As long as the Princess’s Manor agrees, the brothers will follow her lead.” Not.

Qi Yu pursed her lips and thought for a while before saying as if she’d reached a conclusion, “Fine. Since the Elder thinks there’s a future in it, I’ll find a chance to test the Princess when I get back.”

Testing her is impossible. Thinking of a counter-strategy with her is the real plan.

The Grand Elder nodded, then stared at Qi Yu as if waiting for something. Qi Yu remained silent for a bit before asking, “Then… I should go back now?”

“Oh? Does the Young Master have nothing else to ask?” Last time, Qi De failed his assassination and showed his face. Aren’t you curious that someone looks exactly like you? The Grand Elder was secretly suspicious.

Qi Yu was equally puzzled. “Nothing to ask. Is there something you haven’t said, Elder?” As the Art of War says: If the enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move. Only then can you hold the initiative.

In Qi Yu’s mind, this was simplified to: Play Dumb.

The Grand Elder became even more confused. Did we really overthink it? Is the Princess keeping everything from Qi Yu? Even the assassination?

He observed her expression and asked indirectly, “After leaving the fortress that day, did nothing happen with the Princess?”

“I was drunk. I didn’t wake up until the next day. The Princess was busy and had no time for me, so we returned to the capital. Why? Did something happen?” Her being drunk was true. Waking up the next day was true. But her saying the Princess ignored her was a lie.

Qi Yu still remembered the feeling of being “ravaged” when she woke up. Does the Princess really have no leanings in that direction? She remained deeply suspicious. Especially now knowing the woman had a crush on her—who wouldn’t do something when their crush is unconscious?

Thinking of this, Qi Yu felt a chill. The Princess definitely has S&M hobbies. I must protect myself in the future.

Seeing that Qi Yu didn’t seem to be faking, the Grand Elder reconsidered telling her the truth. He’d much rather discuss strategies with “his own person” than play games with a potential traitor. But what if this was all an act?

“It’s nothing. Be careful on your way back, Young Master.” The Grand Elder decided to wait and see.

On the way back, Qi Yu passed the National Teacher’s yard again. She suddenly looked back, finally realizing where the “odd feeling” in her heart came from.

Using the yard as a central point and looking toward the village where the Grand Elder stayed, the houses were distributed in a fan shape. Or rather, using the yard as the center of a circle, the village houses were arranged in a semicircle around it.