Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 107

There were nearly forty people in the courtyard, and Zhu Yan had ordered five large square tables to be prepared. Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin sat at the head table, which already seated six people, not counting little Ying’er.

Nearby, Old Censor Zhou stood tugging at his beard, his eyes fixed on the main table like a hawk. His son and daughter stood behind him, clearly harboring their own designs on those seats. At a time like this, sitting at the head table signified closeness and favor.

Zhu Yan knew he had to keep his place; he couldn’t compare to those who had followed the Princess from the start. However, he was still the Governor-Secretary and the true power behind Yangzhou City; surely he deserved a seat at the main table. If not, it would be too much of a snub. Had he not been terrified of Ye Xuejin’s ability to summon lightning, he would have flipped the table long ago.

But he couldn’t. It was precisely because of those supernatural methods that he had been reduced to such a humble state. Life was fickle. Yesterday, he was a local king who answered to no one. Today, he was a servant running errands, forced to yield his position to people he considered nobodies. He was suffocating with resentment, yet he had to force a smile.

Ye Xuejin glanced at him, then at Shushi, who stood nearby waiting to serve. “Take Master Zhu to his seat,” she said tonelessly. “You shall join us as well.”

The implication was clear: the final two seats at the head table belonged to Zhu Yan and Shushi. Shushi’s face lit up with a smile, and her tone toward Zhu Yan became noticeably warmer. “Master Zhu, please.”

Zhu Yan let out a sudden breath of relief. Thank heavens, at least I’m at the table. “After you, Miss Shushi.”

With that, almost everyone was seated, leaving only three people standing awkwardly to the side. Madam Zhou looked toward Qi Mingyan. In this setting, she couldn’t speak up, but Mingyan, who was highly regarded by the Princess, could. The old woman had given up hope on her husband and son, but she couldn’t abandon her daughter.

Qi Mingyan, however, kept her lips pursed and her eyes lowered, offering no response. Regarding the Zhou family: she had lived with Madam Zhou for years, and the old woman had treated her well. There was genuine affection there, which was why she had called Madam Zhou to her side. As for Zhou Qiyue, she viewed her as a younger sister and had given her plenty of advice. If Zhou Qiyue failed to improve and insisted on following her father and brother into ruin, it was her own doing. Qi Mingyan knew where to draw the line. Calling Madam Zhou over was within the bounds of reason; favoring the other Zhous any further would be an overstep.

Sensing this, Madam Zhou stiffened, not even daring to look back at her children. The Princess saw everything; she had to remain steady.

At that moment, Old Censor Zhou began to step forward. Zhou Qishan followed silently behind him. He didn’t believe he was inferior to anyone at that table. Why shouldn’t he sit there? If he didn’t fight for himself now, he would have no status later—and without power, everything would be difficult.

Zhou Qiyue looked hesitantly at Qi Mingyan, but Qi Mingyan didn’t look back. Her mother’s back was toward them, her hands clenched into fists on the table. Zhou Qiyue paused, then strode forward, grabbing the Old Censor’s arm and dragging him toward an empty seat at a side table.

“Father, you’re confused again,” she said with a forced laugh. “Everyone is waiting for the feast to begin. Her Highness has already raised her glass; let’s take our seats.”

The Old Censor wanted to argue, but when he heard “Her Highness has raised her glass,” he hesitated. In that moment of hesitation, Zhou Qiyue pulled him to the table. Zhou Qishan wanted to say something, but lacked the courage. He lowered his head and followed gloomily.

Ye Xuejin had indeed raised her cup, but only slightly. Seeing the Old Censor pulled away, she let a faint smile touch her lips and officially toasted the start of the banquet.

While the atmosphere in Yangzhou was one of celebration, thousands of miles away in the Imperial Palace, the young Emperor sat on pins and needles. He couldn’t focus on his work. He set down his brush and looked at the head eunuch.

“Is there still no news from Yangzhou?”

The head eunuch, named Fugui, felt his heart skip a beat. “Your Majesty, Yangzhou is far. Perhaps the decree hasn’t arrived yet.”

He remembered the Imperial Guards returning recently—hundreds had gone, but only the leader returned. The Emperor had flown into a rage and had the man beaten to death on the spot. Fugui sighed inwardly. It was suicide to return to this master after failing a task.

The Emperor took a sip of tea. “Fugui, do you think there are truly immortals in this world?”

The question was airy, but Fugui answered carefully with a flattering smile. “Your Majesty is joking. There are no immortals, only parlor tricks to fool the ignorant. Even if there were, they would protect Your Majesty, for you are the True Dragon, the Son of Heaven.”

The Emperor smiled, clearly pleased. “You see things clearly. Ye Xuejin must be at her wit’s end to use such low-class tricks. Laughable.”

Fugui relaxed slightly. “Your Majesty is wise. Once the decree arrives, the Grand Princess will have nowhere to run.”

The Emperor’s face turned ice-cold. “I don’t recall Dashao having a ‘Grand Princess’ anymore.”

Fugui froze and immediately knelt, slapping his own face until it bled, pleading for mercy. He didn’t stop until the Emperor snorted and walked out of the study. Outside, people saw him as a favorite; inside, he lived in terror. He knew the Emperor’s “kindness” was a mask for a temper that had only grown worse since the Princess had been exiled.

Late at night, back in Yangzhou, the banquet had ended. Qi Mingyan visited Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi.

“Your Highness, this man is useful, but he cannot be trusted,” Qi Mingyan said, referring to Zhu Yan. She had seen through his cunning at the table.

Ye Xuejin smiled. “Do not worry, Mingyan. I understand.” She paused, then lowered her voice. “Will Ying’er be staying with the Zhou family from now on?”

Qi Mingyan’s fingers tightened. “I don’t plan to keep her by my side. Let her stay with them.” It was safer that way.

Ye Xuejin sighed. “I am not heartless. You are mother and daughter; you don’t need to avoid her so strictly to show your loyalty.”

Qi Mingyan shook her head. “It’s not that. I truly cannot feel close to her. It’s better to stay distant.”

After Qi Mingyan left, Yun Chi asked, “What was that about?” She felt there was a hidden meaning she had missed.

Ye Xuejin smiled and took her hand. “I’m tired.” She led Yun Chi toward the inner chamber.

Yun Chi teased her, “So Her Highness doesn’t even trust me now? My, how feelings fade. It used to be ‘Consort this’ and ‘Consort that,’ now it’s just ‘I’m tired.’ Hearts are fickle things.”

Ye Xuejin laughed softly. “I only meant it’s cold out here and late. I wanted to tell you in bed. How could I not trust you? Consort… Consort…”

She repeated the name softly, her eyes full of affection. Yun Chi felt a tug in her chest, her breathing quickening. The walls of the Governor’s Mansion were thick; she wondered about the soundproofing.

Ye Xuejin began to speak, “Consort, let me tell you—”

Before she could finish, Yun Chi caught her hand and gently pushed her back onto the bed, looming over her. “I want to hear you say something else now.”

Yun Chi’s finger traced Ye Xuejin’s lips, her eyes burning with a sudden, fierce heat.