The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 6

Late at night, at the Second Prince’s Estate.

Fang Hai was still brooding over his confusing disqualification from earlier that day. “Your Highness, why didn’t you let me speak to His Majesty? That competition was clearly unfair.”

The Second Prince rhythmically turned the jade ring on his right index finger, his voice low. “Fang Hai, what do you consider fair? As long as my Imperial Sister chose it, and as long as Imperial Father permitted it—that is fairness.”

After all, that daughter had always been the Emperor’s favored “good child,” while he would never receive such grace. Fairness didn’t exist in this world because human hearts were always biased.

“But I failed Your Highness’s…” Fang Hai started to say, but Li Chuanlian, standing nearby, stopped him.

“Brother Fang, do not be overcome with guilt. His Highness’s actions surely have deeper meaning.”

The Second Prince chuckled. “There wasn’t much ‘deeper meaning’ to it. Having you participate was merely a trial. You are my strategist and exceptionally talented; not being selected is a blessing. This way, you can continue to advise me. When my grand ambition is achieved, your contribution will be remembered.”

If Fang Hai had won, entering the Princess’s Estate would have been the icing on the cake. Now that he hadn’t, it wasn’t a major loss. After all, the person chosen was the young lady of the State Preceptor’s Estate—a daughter with an empty-titled father and no skills of her own. It would be a wonder if she didn’t cause trouble, let alone provide any help. He truly didn’t know what his Imperial Sister was plotting.

Fang Hai was moved to tears. He knelt quickly. “Thank you for your favor, Your Highness. I am at your service until death.” Nothing was more fulfilling than recognition from the one you served.

The Second Prince stepped forward and personally helped him up. “Get up, Fang Hai. I have an important task for you.”

“Please speak, Your Highness. I shall do my utmost.”

“From now on, that Qi Yu will be my sister’s pillow partner. Keep a close eye on the movements of the Preceptor’s Estate. When the chance arises, test her. See if she can be turned to our use.” The Second Prince’s eyes grew dark. If she could be a friend, she was a tool; if she was an enemy, she couldn’t be allowed to remain—not even a small fish could be ignored.

After arranging Fang Hai’s tasks, Li Chuanlian was kept behind.

“What are your orders, Your Highness?”

The Second Prince glanced outside and sighed. “Many strategists have come and gone through these doors, but you are the only one I truly trust. You’ve been my study companion since we were ten. I’ve seen all your hard work over the years. Fang Hai is capable, but he is impulsive and lacks meticulousness. Watch over him. Also, look at this letter. If one day we can utilize this…”

Li Chuanlian took the letter, read it, and frowned. “Is the information in this letter true? If so, the Preceptor’s Estate could be a powerful chess piece.”

“I have verified it; it is absolutely true. We’ll see how Fang Hai progresses. If she cannot be recruited, then the eighth of next month—their wedding day—will be the day we strike. I’ll leave it to you to arrange who handles it.”

An auspicious day? My dear Imperial Sister, if Qi Yu is just a shield you found, I’ll help you tear away the blindfold. If she truly is your beloved… then don’t blame your brother for choosing righteousness over family.

At the State Preceptor’s Estate, a black-clad man knelt before the Second Prince back at the manor—no, wait. A black-clad man had just entered Qi Yu’s room.

Qi Yu was flipping through the notes she had made about the “book” when a knock startled her. She hid her booklet and asked, “Who’s there at this hour?”

“Young Master, may we speak further?”

The muffled voice of a middle-aged man came from outside. Qi Yu was stunned by the title. Young Master? Everyone in the manor called her “Miss.” What kind of plot is this? Does the original host have a secret identity?

She opened the door. If this person was connected to the original host, ignoring them would only raise suspicion.

“What is it?” Qi Yu tried to stay calm, but she nearly screamed when she saw the visitor. A masked man in black. How exciting, just like a TV drama. Stay steady.

The man closed the door and knelt. “Young Master, now that you have successfully been chosen as the Prince Consort, have you reached a decision regarding the matter I discussed with you last time? The brothers are waiting day and night for you to take this token and lead us to a comeback.”

Take a token? It sounded like the man was begging her for something the original host hadn’t agreed to yet. Qi Yu tested the waters: “And if I don’t take it?”

“Young Master, everything I said last time was from the bottom of my heart. Only you can take up this burden now.” The man looked up, his eyes full of earnest pleading.

Qi Yu: “…”

How am I supposed to answer that? Wasn’t the original host just a nameless side character? Why is there so much plot? How do I fish for more information without sounding suspicious?

“I still find it hard to believe your words,” Qi Yu said vaguely, waiting for him to reveal more.

The man lowered his head. “Young Master, your grandmother had the power of prophecy. To protect your identity, we stayed hidden for years without telling the Preceptor. Now that your grandmother has passed, we no longer fear the secret being peeked at. It was out of necessity that the Preceptor was kept in the dark all these years. If you feel it’s necessary, I will inform him of the truth immediately—that you two are the descendants of the Former Crown Prince. But since the Preceptor was raised under your grandmother’s teachings, if his views differ from ours, our grand cause may be difficult to achieve.”

Qi Yu’s breath hitched. She was a descendant of the former dynasty’s Crown Prince? And her father didn’t even know? Then this man’s identity… a remnant of the former dynasty!!

So… you’ve got to be kidding me…

How did the book put it again? The ‘Villainous Prince Consort’ conspired with remnants of the former dynasty, and after failing to restore the throne, turned traitor to the country. So, the ‘Villainous Prince Consort’ who conspires with the remnants is me—Qi Yu!

She breathed deeply, her lips trembling. The original host wasn’t a background character; she was the Grand Villain?

Well, great. She didn’t have to worry about “getting a lunch box” (dying) before the wedding anymore, because she was destined to live a long time—only to be eventually executed by being torn apart by five horses.

No, stay steady.

“Go back for now. Let me think about it.” Qi Yu rubbed her temples. This cursed transmigration. Of all the people to be, I had to be the villain who ends up dismembered. How am I supposed to go through with this wedding?

Seeing her troubled expression, the man thought his work was done for the night and quietly retreated.

As the man left the Preceptor’s Estate, another figure in black emerged from the roof directly above Qi Yu’s room and vanished into the night. This figure was much slimmer and faster, heading straight for the Princess’s Estate.

“Back so soon? What did our ‘Great Consort’ have to say?”

The figure pulled down her mask, revealing the Eldest Princess’s personal maid: Han Shui. And the one asking was the Eldest Princess herself.

“I arrived at a bad time; I didn’t get a chance to speak with her.” Han Shui thought about what she had just witnessed. The Princess’s taste in people is truly… questionable.

The Princess frowned. “What do you mean? Were you discovered?”

Han Shui recounted the entire conversation she had overheard. Instead of letting a wolf into the house, she felt the Princess should face the reality of her “wrong” choice. They thought they had picked an easy-to-control “little loser” for a marriage of convenience, but she turned out to be a “little loser” with a dangerous, complicated background.

The Princess fell silent. She had originally sent Han Shui to deliver a “pre-nuptial agreement” (Three Rules) to ensure the girl wouldn’t cause trouble before the wedding. She hadn’t expected Qi Yu to be the trouble.

A descendant of the former Crown Prince?

The Princess mused, “You said she hasn’t agreed yet? Then is it possible the man was lying, attempting to use the Preceptor’s Estate for his own ends?”

Han Shui frowned. What is the Princess thinking? She doesn’t want to change candidates? She ruthlessly crushed the Princess’s hope. “The possibility is extremely low. The Preceptor’s Estate has no standing in court anymore; the Preceptor is just a ceremonial figurehead in the Office of Astronomy. Furthermore, Qi Yu herself has nothing worth plotting for.”

She basically said they were both useless “trash” with an empty estate—not worth anyone’s effort to trick.

The Princess sighed softly. “Then I must keep her by my side even more. My Imperial Brother’s suspicion is one thing, but these remnants are another. Whether she is a wolf or a fox, I can only know if she’s playing tricks if I keep her under my very eyes.”

She had no desire for the throne and acted weak to avoid internal strife. But external threats were different. As the Eldest Princess of Baiyue, her actions should be for the country and its people. If she could lure these rebels out and wipe them out once and for all, it would be a blessing for the court and the commoners.

Therefore, this “Great Consort” had to be Qi Yu.

Han Shui blinked. Why can’t I talk her out of this? “Princess… you haven’t actually started to like her, have you?”

“Nonsense. Is my taste really that bad?