The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 7

Han Shui nodded instinctively, then caught the threatening glint in the Eldest Princess’s eyes and shook her head frantically. “Princess, your judgment is the best! Choosing that Qi Yu to be the Consort is perfectly suitable.”

The Princess chuckled. “You… go back and rest. Let Qi Yu be for now. Once the wedding is over, she won’t be able to escape the ‘Five-Finger Mountain’ of our Princess’s Estate.”

Early spring in the capital had begun to warm up, but Qi Yu had no time to enjoy the changing seasons. She walked straight into the “Loushang Lou” (The Building Above Buildings), only to find her usual seat already occupied—and by an old acquaintance.

She frowned slightly, pretending not to see him as she moved to the other side. The State Preceptor’s Estate had sent a message earlier to arrange a lunch meeting, yet that fellow Chu Chanyi still hadn’t shown up.

Weighed down by heavy thoughts, Qi Yu found an empty seat and sat down, ordering some tea and snacks while she waited.

Not far away, Fang Hai adjusted his robes and stood up. If it weren’t for the Second Prince’s orders, he wouldn’t deign to associate with such a low-class woman. Correction: Qi Yu’s former status indeed wasn’t worth his attention, but now? She was a soon-to-be member of the Imperial Family.

“Miss Qi, I hope you have been well.”

“I have not.” Because of her foul mood, Qi Yu spat out these three cold words. No wonder Chu Chanyi hated this man so much; even she couldn’t stand him now. The road is wide, we each walk our own path. Why do you always have to come over and make yourself a nuisance?

Fang Hai: “…”

He rarely dealt with people like Qi Yu. Usually, they’d exchange a few barbs at most, and he mostly interacted with Chu Chanyi. He hadn’t expected this “useless trash” to speak so harshly. Truly lacking in manners, he thought.

“Is Miss Qi alone? Would I have the honor of sharing a few drinks with you?”

Qi Yu looked up. Can this man not understand human speech, or can he just not read a room? “This seat is taken.”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Fang Hai’s face, but remembering the Second Prince’s command, he suppressed his anger and smiled. “No matter. I will just speak a few words and then leave.”

Without waiting for an invitation, he sat down opposite her.

“Young Master Fang, isn’t it? First, we aren’t close. Second, I’m in no mood for small talk.”

Fang Hai’s smile vanished. He had never met someone so uncooperative. Usually, women scrambled to get near him; this Qi Yu was truly like a stone—hard and impenetrable.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and forced another smile. “Miss Qi, don’t be so quick to chase me away. Perhaps what I have to say next is something you’ll be very interested in?”

Qi Yu remained silent, turning her head away to sip her tea. She treated this annoying man like thin air. Originally, she thought Fang Hai was the “Villainous Prince Consort,” but the role had fallen to her instead. Her feelings were complicated, to say the least.

“Miss Qi, although you are now an honorable Prince Consort, everyone knows the Eldest Princess has no chance at the throne. As the saying goes, ‘a wise bird chooses its tree.’ Do you not want to secure a bright future for the Preceptor’s Estate and yourself?”

Fang Hai dropped his smile, his eyes shining with a self-important “sincerity.” If he could pull this woman into the Second Prince’s camp, it would be like planting a spy right inside the Princess’s Estate. Once the grand cause was achieved, he could simply kick this useless “wooden stake” aside. How satisfying that would be.

Qi Yu rolled her eyes. Another person trying to recruit me. The position of Prince Consort was certainly a hot commodity, but she had no ambition. Surviving is hard enough; why would I go looking for more trouble?

“I don’t,” she said tersely. She stood up, unwilling to waste any more time.

Seeing her leave, Fang Hai jumped up and blocked her path with his arm, his temper finally breaking. “Qi Yu! I came to find you out of kindness. I advise you not to be ungrateful!”

Qi Yu sighed and sidestepped him. She was going to be “ungrateful” then. Kindness? You mean joining the Second Prince? She had no good impression of the male lead, who was obsessed with beauty and would eventually surrender to the enemy.

Fang Hai, receiving no answer, instinctively followed and reached out to block her again. But just as his arm went up, it was knocked back by a folding fan.

“Can you not see this lady doesn’t want to talk to you? Why must you be so pushy? It’s beneath your dignity.”

The speaker was a woman wearing a veil, revealing only delicate eyes and brows. Her elegant “distant mountain” brows, even slightly furrowed, could not hide her grace.

Fang Hai froze for a moment, then, feeling he had lost face, he stepped forward to block both women. He glared at the veiled woman and sneered, “Does this little lady know who I am? There are matters you shouldn’t interfere in.”

The woman chuckled and tapped him with the fan. “A good dog doesn’t block the way.”

“Ow! Where did this shrew come from? How dare you attack me in broad daylight!” Fang Hai clutched his arm, hissing in pain. Was that fan made of iron? It felt like being hacked by a blade. If they weren’t in public, he would have rolled up his sleeve to see if she’d hit the bone.

“If you block us again, it won’t be your arm I hit. Watch your legs, Young Master; it would be quite unfortunate if you had to crawl out of here,” the woman said, her eyes turning cold. She grabbed Qi Yu’s sleeve and led her up to the third floor.

“Just you wait!” Fang Hai shouted before fleeing. A “wise hero” doesn’t take losses on the spot; he needed to check his arm and bring back reinforcements to teach these two a lesson.

Qi Yu watched Fang Hai’s retreat in silence. She had forgotten to pull away and was led to the third floor by the mysterious woman.

“Would you like a seat out here, or shall we find a private room?” The woman discreetly let go of her hand and stepped back half a pace.

Qi Yu bowed with her hands clasped. “Thank you for your help, Miss. However, that man is no ordinary person. You should leave quickly before he returns with trouble.”

Fang Hai was small-minded and vengeful. She didn’t want this stranger to suffer for helping her.

The woman chuckled. “I… I have traveled the Jianghu. I do not fear such rats.”

The veil obscured her face, but Qi Yu looked at those eyes—clear as spring water—and felt a jolt of recognition. She had seen those eyes just yesterday on the viewing platform of the martial arts field.

Wait. Isn’t this the ‘wheelchair-bound’ Eldest Princess? But she’s standing! In the book, the Princess’s legs weren’t actually broken. So, what’s this situation?

Two “villains” meeting in private? Should she pretend she didn’t recognize her, or pretend she really didn’t recognize her?

Qi Yu cleared her throat and took an instinctive step back. “Mountains and rivers meet. I have urgent business, so I’ll take my leave. Until we meet again!”

She was worried for nothing. Why would the Great Princess of Baiyue fear Fang Hai? I’m the one who should be scared right now!

The Princess watched her scurry away and sank into thought. This Qi Yu is acting very strange today.

“Princess? Princess? She’s gone, stop staring.” Han Shui approached and saw the Princess gazing downstairs. With that longing look, anyone would think she was seeing off a lover.

Actually, Qi Yu was the destined Consort. Wait, maybe she IS the Princess’s secret crush? They came out to shop, the Princess saw her and followed, then performed a “hero saves beauty”—well, “beauty saves coward.” When did the Princess’s heart get stolen? Her taste is truly mediocre.

The Princess retracted her gaze and lowered her voice. “Han Shui, is there anything wrong with my dress today?”

“No, it’s the same as usual.” Han Shui looked exasperated. So it’s come to this? Worrying about her appearance? They say a woman dresses for the one she likes… the Princess is deep in it.

The Princess pondered, still uncertain. “Why do I feel that Qi Yu saw through my identity?” That look of realization on Qi Yu’s face… she didn’t think she was mistaken.

Han Shui rolled her eyes. Not only is she deep in it, she’s overthinking it. “Princess, did you forget? You are standing. You aren’t in your wheelchair. In all of Baiyue, besides your most reliable maid, who knows you’re faking it? Does Qi Yu have the same prophetic powers as the former Preceptor?”

If she did, she’d be treated like a deity. Would the Preceptor’s Estate be in its current sorry state?

The Princess’s expression returned to calm. “It seems I overthought it.”

Back at the Preceptor’s Estate, Qi Yu finally met the late-arriving Chu Chanyi.

“I’ve been waiting for you! Loushang Lou isn’t safe today. Let’s talk here. I feel like nowhere is safe.”

Actually, even the Preceptor’s Estate wasn’t safe—like the masked man who came and went last night. In this “cursed” ancient world, knowing martial arts was basically like having a cheat code.

“You look so flustered. What happened?” Chu Chanyi drank half a pot of tea before catching her breath.

Qi Yu opened her mouth, then closed it. “It’s a long story. Let me think about where to start.”

Chu Chanyi acted like a reliable sister, but Qi Yu knew that “sisterhood” belonged to the original host. If Chanyi found out she was an imposter, how would she explain it?

“Tell me,” Qi Yu said finally. “Is there any way… to not become the Eldest Princess’s Consort?”

Cough, cough, cough! Chu Chanyi nearly sprayed her tea. “You want to back out now? The imperial edict has been announced to the whole world! What can you do? Unless…”