The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 5

Chu Chanyi’s mouth hung open as her internal monologue screamed: As expected of my best friend! That “prone-to-the-earth” surrender was utterly shameless. But didn’t we agree to face things together? Why didn’t you tell me we were forfeiting? I wouldn’t have had to take this fall! Hiss… that hurts.

The crowd at the martial arts arena wasn’t the only group stunned by Qi Yu’s display; the VIP stands were equally silent.

“Utterly disgraceful,” the Emperor muttered. “My daughter must never choose her.”

“Pfft—” This came from Hanshui, standing beside the Eldest Princess. She couldn’t suppress a laugh and quickly clamped her hand over her mouth, though her mind didn’t stop racing: The Princess is perfect in every way, but her taste in people is truly questionable. This Qi Yu is an embarrassment.

As the martial trials concluded, only five victors remained on the field. Qi Yu looked at Fang Hai, who still held the top spot, and sighed inwardly. It seems the plot of “The Villainous Consort” is following the inevitable flow of history after all. Fang Hai is the one.

The spectators shared her sentiment. With two first-place finishes and a rumored crush on the Eldest Princess, Fang Hai was the presumed winner. Even the Emperor found the handsome and talented Fang Hai to be the most suitable candidate.

At that moment, Hanshui began to slowly push the Eldest Princess’s wheelchair forward.

“My child,” the Emperor said warmly, “why don’t you make the final decision?” As a doting father, he would be satisfied with Fang Hai or any of the four sons of his generals.

The officials held their breath. Beneath her veil, the Eldest Princess’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“I thank Imperial Father for his grace,” she said softly. “However, I have always admired those with outstanding literary talent. Therefore…”

She paused for a dramatic breath. While everyone was tense, the result seemed obvious: Fang Hai, one of the two great scholars of the capital and the top scorer of the civil exam, had surely caught her eye.

“Therefore, I request that the top three candidates from the civil examination be brought forward to participate in this final selection.”

Silence fell over the stands. What did this mean? The first-place winner was already standing there. By demanding the top three, she was signaling that Fang Hai was not her only choice—and perhaps not even her preferred one.

The Emperor’s brow furrowed. He remembered the second-place name was Qi Yu—the woman who had just surrendered without a fight. If his daughter chose her, it would be a headache. Third place was Chu Chanyi; though her father had a history of corruption, she was a somewhat acceptable, if eccentric, choice.

Either is better than that bottom-feeder from the State Preceptor’s Manor, the Emperor thought. He wanted to refuse, but he had already given his word. Looking into his daughter’s eyes, the doting father couldn’t bring himself to say no. He waved a hand at the Head Eunuch. “Lin, do as the Princess asks.”

Down on the field, the candidates were equally baffled. Chu Chanyi limped over to Qi Yu, clutching her sore waist. “Qi Yu, I’m doomed. I suspect the Princess has a secret crush on me. Why else would she stop the cutoff exactly at the third-place rank? My martial rank was second-to-last!”

Qi Yu rolled her eyes. “Then I suspect she has a crush on me. I was dead last in the martial rank.”

Once the candidates were kneeling before the stands, the Emperor spoke: “My child, now that they are all here, choose the one who suits your heart.”

His gaze nervously drifted to Qi Yu. For some reason, he had a deeply unsettling premonition.

Hanshui turned the wheelchair to face the seven candidates. The Eldest Princess looked down, her voice calm. “Raise your heads.”

Her eyes immediately locked onto one person, refusing to look away.

Chu Chanyi, kneeling in the back, widened her eyes. It’s over. The Princess’s taste is truly unique… she really does have a crush on Qi Yu!

Qi Yu, meeting that gaze directly, was bewildered. Am I blind, or does she have a squint? Is she actually looking at Fang Hai at this angle?

She knew the Princess was beautiful and her disability was a ruse, but the book said she was a doomed villain. Qi Yu closed her eyes for a moment. I must be seeing things. I’m nearsighted. I’m hallucinating. But when she opened them, she was still met with those tender, affectionate eyes. This isn’t scientific!

Seeing Qi Yu blink, the Princess nearly broke her “deeply affectionate” facade. “Qi Yu, is it? Are you willing to be my Consort?”

Qi Yu froze. Do I even have the right to refuse? If I say no, is that a capital offense? Has my transmigration collapsed the plot? What do I say?

“This humble subject… is very willing,” Qi Yu stammered.

The Emperor groaned internally. My premonition has never been this accurate.

With a glint of joy in her eyes, the Princess turned to her father. “Imperial Father, I want Qi Yu as my Consort.”

Stunned silence followed. Fang Hai, who had been certain of his victory, stepped forward to protest, but a sharp look from the Second Prince stopped him in his tracks.

“Congratulations, Imperial Sister,” the Second Prince offered smoothly. Only then did the officials snap out of it, offering a chorus of scattered, awkward congratulations.

On the Carriage Home

Qi Yu sat in a daze. Something was wrong. Maybe this was a dream.

“Ow! Qi Yu, why are you pinching me?” Chu Chanyi rubbed her arm and pinched back in retaliation.

“Hiss… so it’s not a dream! This is impossible!” Qi Yu rubbed her arm, still unable to accept reality. Had her arrival changed the course of history? Was she now the “Villainous Consort” instead of Fang Hai?

“Are you shocked by the joy or the horror?” Chu Chanyi asked.

Qi Yu’s expression was a mess of conflict. Should I go with the flow and guide the Princess toward the path of righteousness? Or am I just a stepping stone? In the original plot, if I’m the Consort, does that mean I’m the one who ends up dead?

“Qi Yu, talk to me! You’re scaring me.”

“Don’t touch me,” Qi Yu muttered, dodging another pinch. “I’m thinking about a major matter. A matter of life and death.”

Back at the State Preceptor’s Manor, Qi Father was uncharacteristically warm. “I am most gratified. The future glory of the Qi family rests on your shoulders. The Imperial Decree has arrived; the Imperial Observatory has set the wedding for the 8th of next month. Stay home and prepare for the grand marriage.”

Qi Yu suddenly remembered a plot point: the villainous consort had deep ties to the remnants of the previous dynasty. She couldn’t help but ask, “Father, does Minister Fang’s family have any connection to the previous dynasty?”

A flicker of unnaturalness crossed her father’s face. “How would I know? Why are you asking such things? It’s late; go rest.”

Qi Yu left, feeling uneasy. She realized it was only dusk—they hadn’t even had dinner. Is he so happy he’s lost track of time?

A knock came at her door. Nanny Li entered, weeping with joy. “Congratulations, Miss! I knew you could do it! If the Mistress were still alive, she would have drunk two jars of wine to celebrate.”

“Nanny Li,” Qi Yu said seriously, “does our Manor have any connection to the previous dynasty?”

Nanny Li blinked. “What previous dynasty? How could we have any connection to them?”

Qi Yu exhaled in relief. Maybe I’m overthinking. But that made it even more dangerous. If she wasn’t the “traitorous” consort from the book, did that mean she was just a placeholder who would be killed off so Fang Hai could take her place?

“Nanny Li,” she whispered, “can we… can we cancel an Imperial marriage? What if I can’t marry her?”

Nanny Li dropped her wine cup. “Miss, stop these foolish thoughts! The Princess may be plain and crippled, but marrying her makes you Imperial kin! Marrying her means…”

Qi Yu sighed. I should have kept my mouth shut.