Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 103

Just then, the Zhou family arrived. When Qi Mingyan and Zhou Qiyue had gone to invite them previously, they had refused to come. This time, however, Zhou Wu alone had succeeded in bringing the whole lot of them.

“Greetings, Prince Consort. May I ask where Her Highness is?” Old Censor Zhou approached Yun Chi, bowing as he spoke.

Yun Chi replied indifferently, “Her Highness is currently discussing matters with the Military Counselor. You two will have to wait a moment.”

Old Censor Zhou frowned at this. After a moment of hesitation, he led Zhou Qishan to stand off to one side. The Zhou servants followed their lead, remaining separate from the rest of the group. With their arrival, Shisong and the others fell silent, the atmosphere suddenly losing the relaxed comfort it had possessed moments before.

Inside the room, as Qi Mingyan finished speaking, her lips were pulled into a tight line, and she could no longer hide the torrential hatred in her eyes.

Ye Xuejin gazed at her and spoke with the weight of a vow. “Mingyan, I will see to it that you get your wish.”

Qi Mingyan nodded but remained silent. Knowing her heart was heavy, Ye Xuejin did not press the matter further, turning instead to their upcoming plans.

“I have instructed Zhou Wu to summon the Zhou father and son… Mingyan, you shall wait in the rear with the other women.”

Qi Mingyan listened quietly, her expression gradually smoothing out as she immediately grasped Ye Xuejin’s intention. “Your Highness does not intend to reveal these women to the world so soon. Do you wish to keep them as a trump card?”

Ye Xuejin said in a low voice, “I need a ‘surprise battalion’ to deter any small-minded opportunists at a critical moment. Mingyan, they will follow you from now on. They are your personal attendants, your trusted partners, and the guards who will protect your life.”

This move was both a sign of high regard and a test. It was intended to diminish the perceived presence of the other women while highlighting Qi Mingyan’s status—though it also made Qi Mingyan a target for those in the shadows.

Qi Mingyan looked Ye Xuejin in the eye and said slowly, “I shall give my utmost effort.”

Ye Xuejin looked back at her deeply. “I have not misjudged my Military Counselor.”

At this moment, she did not call her by name; she called her Military Counselor. This was the highest-ranking, most relied-upon position beneath the commander—the strategist who sits in the rear, deciding victory from a thousand miles away without ever stepping onto the battlefield.

Qi Mingyan was dazed for a moment before she suggested thoughtfully, “If Your Highness trusts me, I have a plan. If it goes smoothly, we may win without shedding the blood of a single soldier.”

Ye Xuejin smiled faintly.

About fifteen minutes later, as dusk began to fall, the two finally stepped outside.

“Your Highness.” Everyone bowed in unison.

Yun Chi walked directly to Ye Xuejin’s side and naturally took her hand. Ye Xuejin gave a slight nod and turned her gaze toward Qi Mingyan.

“Mingyan, you shall make the arrangements.” After saying this, she squeezed Yun Chi’s hand and called for Shizhu to join them inside. Tomorrow, the one who would need to exert the most effort was Yun Chi, and the most critical hidden card was Shizhu.

Once the door closed, Qi Mingyan had Shushi and Shi Niang summon the other women to gather in the clearing before the wooden houses. Her gaze swept across each of their faces before she began to lay out the assignments in a measured tone.

Yu Lu and the five guards, along with the dozen Zhou family men, would be responsible for the outer flanks. Shi Niang and the others would be positioned in the center to personally protect the Princess and the Prince Consort. Among this group, every person was equipped with an electric baton and a set of body armor. Additionally, the women each had a concealed sleeve-crossbow.

“Zhou Wu, you are to lead Su Da and follow at the rear of the formation. If he acts out of turn, you have my permission to take his head.”

“Yes!” Zhou Wu answered loudly, causing Su Da’s legs to tremble. He truly regretted everything; had he known it would come to this, he would have been better off dying in a fit of passion earlier.

After these instructions, Qi Mingyan turned to the elderly Madam Zhou. “You and Ying’er shall follow Zhou Wu.”

“I understand,” the old woman replied.

Finally, Qi Mingyan looked at the twelve remaining noblewomen. “You are, in the end, delicate women. From now on, you will remain with me in the rear.”

The women looked at one another, stunned. They had practiced with their sleeve-crossbows for two days, only to be labeled “delicate women” who wouldn’t even get a chance to take the field.

Under the desperate and aggrieved gazes of the others, Lu Shang boldly raised an objection. “Military Counselor, we—”

“This matter has been decided by Her Highness,” Qi Mingyan interrupted sternly. “From now on, you are only responsible for my daily needs. Like you, I will not be going onto the battlefield, lest I hold everyone back.”

At these words, Lu Shang and the others fell silent. Old Censor Zhou felt a sense of relief; Her Highness still intended to use them for the heavy lifting. That was good.

After agreeing on a meeting time for the next morning, the Zhou family departed first to rest at the mines. The remaining people busied themselves with cooking and preparing the empty rooms.

Seeing Qi Mingyan packing her things to stay in a separate room, Madam Zhou hesitated before leading Ying’er over to follow her. “Mingyan, let Ying’er stay with you tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Ying’er called out expectantly, “Mother.”

Qi Mingyan remained unmoved, saying only, “This is Her Highness’s order.”

Madam Zhou had no choice but to give up on the idea. However, as she watched the old and the young turn away in disappointment, Qi Mingyan pursed her lips. “Mother, let Ying’er stay with me tonight.”

Madam Zhou turned around instantly. “Ah, good, good! Ying’er, go stay with your mother.” Fearing Qi Mingyan might change her mind, she turned and left immediately, closing the door behind her. She was old; whether there was a mountain of knives or a sea of fire ahead, she wasn’t afraid. But her granddaughter was small, and she feared she couldn’t protect her.

Inside the room, Ying’er stood obediently, her small eyes looking timidly at Qi Mingyan. After watching her for a moment, Qi Mingyan raised her hand. “Come here.”

“Mother!” Ying’er’s eyes crinkled into a smile as she threw herself into Qi Mingyan’s arms. She loved her mother, but her mother never seemed to like her…

In this rare moment of solitude, Qi Mingyan stroked the child’s head and asked calmly, “Are you afraid to watch everyone fight the enemy?”

Ying’er shook her head. “I’m not afraid. Mother, I am brave.”

In truth, she was terrified. She had seen killings on the road to exile and had nightmares because of it, but she never told anyone. Back in the capital, on the day her mother left with her brother, she had told her, “Ying’er, you must be brave.” She had to be brave. Even if she was scared, she would hide it; she wanted her mother to know she was strong.

A complex emotion flickered in Qi Mingyan’s eyes as she tightened her embrace. “Ying’er, you must be brave. I cannot help you much; you must rely on yourself. Even if you are afraid, you must endure it. Do you understand?”

She knew these words were cruel for a five-year-old. But she had to say them, for Ying’er had no choice. This was the path laid out for her.

“Mm, I am very brave,” Ying’er smiled, leaning greedily into her mother’s warmth. She loved being held like this; it was the first time her mother had ever held her so tightly.

As night fell completely, everyone finished dinner and retreated to their rooms. Outside, the cold wind blew, leaving only Shi Niang, Yu Lu, and a few others to exercise in the clearing.

Seeing that Ying’er had fallen asleep, Qi Mingyan sighed softly and stepped outside. Her heart felt far too heavy.

Outside, Shisong finished a set of punches with Yu Lu and then sat down, cradling her blade like a treasure as she wiped it with a cloth.

“Shisong, that’s a fine-looking blade,” Shi Niang remarked, looking at it curiously. The blade looked different from ordinary ones; its edge seemed even sharper than an official military saber.

Shisong raised an eyebrow with pride. “This Heng blade was a gift from the Prince Consort. It is a divine artifact bestowed by the immortal.”

Shi Niang’s eyes flashed with surprise. “A divine artifact? Let me see.”

Shisong hesitated, then slowly held it out. Shi Niang handled it for a moment before returning it. “Truly a divine artifact. A magnificent sword.”

“Shisong, let me see too,” Shushi added, leaning in. Again, Shisong held it out, her movements even slower this time. Once Shushi finished, Yu Lu’s voice boomed, “Let me also catch a glimpse of this divine blade.”

Shisong paused, then silently handed it over. Seeing this, the other guards crowded around Yu Lu, excitedly observing the weapon.

Shisong’s shoulders slumped. She walked gloomily toward the steps of the wooden house, only to find Qi Mingyan standing there.

“The Military Counselor isn’t sleeping either?” Shisong forced herself to sound cheerful, sitting at Qi Mingyan’s feet with a cautious tone.

Noticing her anxiety, Qi Mingyan’s expression softened. “I’m not sleepy. Just standing here for a bit.”

“Oh.” Shisong started to speak but didn’t know what to say, falling into a daze with her chin in her hands. She looked despondent, her eyes fixed on the group around Yu Lu, her lips pressed into a straight line.

Qi Mingyan’s heart softened inexplicably. She said gently, “I am not angry with you. I simply dislike being too close to others. It is my own issue.”

Shisong turned her head and blurted out, “But I’m not ‘close’ to you!”

Qi Mingyan was taken aback, then looked away. “I understand.”

But when she had heard the girl say things like “The Counselor is best to me” and “The Counselor will look after me,” she had overreacted. She was the same age as Ye Xuejin—twenty-six—and understood the ways of the world. Because she understood, she had seen the hidden affection in Zhou Qiyue’s approach. But she only saw Zhou Qiyue as a sister, and she was destined to become an enemy of the Zhou family.

Hearing Shisong say things so similar to what Zhou Qiyue once said, she had let her thoughts run away with her. She didn’t want the same situation to happen twice—especially since she hadn’t handled it well the first time, merely keeping Zhou Qiyue at a cold distance.

Shisong didn’t reply, her gaze drifting back to Yu Lu and the guards.

Qi Mingyan paused, then asked softly, “Do you dislike them looking at your sword?”

Shisong shook her head, her voice muffled. “Not really. It’s just… I felt like that sword was mine.”

The Prince Consort had given it to her. But as soon as everyone heard it was a “divine artifact,” it was as if they assumed anyone could play with it—that anyone could take it from her hand with a single word. She knew she shouldn’t be so petty, but she couldn’t help feeling a sense of loss.

Sensing the gloom in the girl’s voice, Qi Mingyan thought for a moment and walked over. “Master Yu, I would like to borrow Shisong’s blade for a look.”

Yu Lu blinked and hurriedly handed it over. “Of course.”

Qi Mingyan took the sword, glanced at Shisong, and went straight back into her room. Shisong immediately followed, pacing back and forth outside the door, feeling lost and confused.

A moment later, Qi Mingyan pushed the door open. “Here. This is your name: Shisong.” Knowing the girl was illiterate, she made sure to say the name aloud.

Shisong’s eyes lit up. She took the blade with a gasp of surprise. She traced the two characters carved onto the scabbard over and over again, too excited to even speak.

This was her name. This was her blade.