Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 109

Early that morning, before the sun had even risen, Zhu Yan arrived at the Inspector-General’s estate. He waited in the corridor outside the inner courtyard, craning his neck in anticipation.

“My Lord, should I announce your presence?” a guard from the original estate staff asked hesitantly.

Zhu Yan straightened his expression and cleared his throat. “Do not take such initiative. Let Her Highness rest well. It is only right that I wait as long as necessary.”

Shi Niang had just walked into the courtyard when she overheard this. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Master Zhu was certainly a master of superficiality. If he knew the Princess needed rest, then who was he putting on this early-morning show for? Hypocrite.

Seeing Shi Niang look his way, Zhu Yan immediately flashed a smile, acting as if he hadn’t noticed her eye-roll. He said in a fawning tone, “Sister Shi Niang, you’re awake! Are you hungry? I have already ordered a spread from Jinyun Pavilion; it will be delivered to the front hall momentarily.”

“Who is your ‘sister’? Stop talking nonsense,” Shi Niang snapped.

Zhu Yan kept smiling. “Yes, yes, I have overstepped. Please do not be angry, Shi Niang. I only thought that since we will be colleagues from now on, we should familiarize ourselves with one another to make working together more convenient.”

Shi Niang glared at him. “I am just a person of spears and clubs; there is no need for me to be ‘familiar’ with you.”

“Of course, of course, whatever you say.” Zhu Yan’s smile remained fixed, maintaining an air of perfect patience.

Shi Niang fell silent and turned toward the front hall. Zhu Yan’s expression shifted for a split second before another door opened. He immediately greeted the newcomers with a beaming face. “Aha! This must be Sister Shimei, and you are Sister Shisong—am I correct?”

Shimei and Shisong exchanged a glance and nodded instinctively. Zhu Yan bowed slightly and gestured. “Sisters, please head to the front hall. The food will arrive soon. If you are hungry, feel free to start eating. I have separate arrangements for Her Highness.”

Shimei and Shisong nodded. Shimei went straight to the hall, but Shisong remained stationed outside Ye Xuejin’s door. Her primary duty was the personal protection of the Princess.

One by one, the residents emerged. Zhu Yan greeted every single one tirelessly, never losing his smile. As the saying goes, “one does not strike a smiling face.” Like Shimei, the other women simply nodded and headed to the front hall.

The women in the inner courtyard rose early, while the men in the outer courtyard woke a bit later. Zhu Yan stood in the corridor between the two sections, missing no one.

In the outer courtyard, Yu Lu and Xiao Gao felt unsettled by his flattery and could only offer polite formalities. “We are all serving Her Highness; there is no need for this, Master Zhu.”

Zhu Yan chuckled. “Brother Yu Lu, you are new here; it is only right that I play the host.”

However, some were far from polite. Old Censor Zhou, specifically, was fuming. While Zhu Yan bowed and scraped to everyone else, he treated the Zhou family with cold indifference.

“The food has been sent to the front hall. Help yourselves,” Zhu Yan said tonelessly.

None of the Zhou men had made it to the main table last night, and they had even caused trouble for the Military Counselor. In Zhu Yan’s eyes, those who were neither valued by the Princess nor clever enough to stay quiet were not worth his time.

The Old Censor tugged at his beard. He had heard the man playing the part of the dutiful servant to everyone else, but when it came to him—Hmph! The man actually had the gall to give him the cold shoulder! Outrageous!

“Cunning villain! I am ashamed to be in his company!”

Zhu Yan looked away with complete lack of interest. To him, talking to such a senseless old fool was beneath his dignity. Seeing himself ignored, the Old Censor felt slighted and was about to snap back when Zhu Yan suddenly sprinted toward the inner courtyard, his voice turning cloyingly sweet.

“Oh! Military Counselor, did you sleep well? If there is anything you find uncomfortable, please do not hesitate to command me.”

Qi Mingyan replied with a faint smile. “I am well. Thank you for your concern, Master Zhu.”

“The Counselor is too kind,” Zhu Yan beamed. “I wonder what Her Highness’s arrangements are for today?”

Just as Qi Mingyan was about to answer, the door opened. Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi walked out together.

“What a coincidence! Your Highness, please. Prince Consort, please. Counselor, after you.”

Ye Xuejin gave a slight nod, and the group headed to the front hall. Behind them, Old Censor Zhou followed silently, his eyes flickering. He knew that after failing to secure a seat at the head table last night, he would be looked down upon. He cursed his wife and daughter for being “ignorant” and siding with Qi Mingyan. The future of the Zhou family is in peril, he thought.

He quickened his pace, trying to walk inconspicuously behind Ye Xuejin. He planned to sit directly at her table; surely, given her temperament, she wouldn’t drive him away.

To his surprise, Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi didn’t set up a separate table. They sat directly with Shushi and Shi Niang. Once they were seated, only one empty chair remained.

Without hesitation, Ye Xuejin looked at Qi Mingyan. “Mingyan—”

She broke off as Old Censor Zhou suddenly lunged forward. Her tone immediately cooled. “Censor Zhou, I have matters to discuss with Mingyan.”

The Old Censor’s hand froze on the back of the chair. He gave a strained smile. “I was only helping Mingyan with her chair. Mingyan, come quickly and speak with Her Highness.”

Qi Mingyan gave him a flat look and took her seat calmly. The atmosphere turned eerily quiet. From across the room, Zhu Yan called out, “I have an empty seat over here, Brother Zhou. Stop making a nuisance of yourself.”

Old Censor Zhou barely maintained his composure as he walked toward Zhu Yan. Once he sat down, Zhu Yan picked up a wine pot and stood up, moving to pour drinks for Yu Lu and the other guards to build rapport. “I am a few years older than you, so I’ll call you ‘brothers.’ Come, let’s have a proper chat.”

The Old Censor’s face was black with rage as he picked up his chopsticks. Everything he tasted felt like ash.

After breakfast, Ye Xuejin called Qi Mingyan to the study privately. Once they were gone, the Old Censor could no longer keep his temper in check—especially since Zhu Yan was intentionally provoking him.

“Old Master Zhou, is it?” Zhu Yan said. “I really shouldn’t have to tell you this, but Her Highness’s table was all women. What were you thinking, trying to squeeze in? Even if you want to curry favor, you have to pick the right time.”

The Old Censor stood up so fast his chair screeched. He pointed at his own nose in disbelief. “I? Currying favor?”

The shout was so loud that everyone turned to look. Zhou Qiyue started to move forward to intervene, but Madam Zhou caught her arm and glanced toward the door. Standing there was Yun Chi, who had intended to head out for a walk but had run into this scene.

Zhou Qiyue stopped. Her mother had warned her last night: stay out of her father’s and brother’s business, especially in front of the Princess and the Consort, or the Zhou family would truly be finished.

Zhu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So the Old Master wasn’t trying to curry favor with Her Highness?” What a fool, he thought. This old man isn’t even worthy of being my opponent.

The Old Censor was nearly laughing with rage. “I am a man of integrity! I am not like some cunning villains who have no real talent and only know how to flatter and fawn!”

Zhu Yan burst out laughing. “Fine, fine! You are a man of unyielding character. You are certainly not like me, who relies on Her Highness’s favor. Of course I have to say things that make her happy! When Her Highness is happy, we subordinates have a future. Ah, truly, people are just different.”

The Old Censor froze. What does this brat mean?

Zhu Yan, sensing his thoughts, ignored him and walked over to Yun Chi, asking solicitously, “Is the Prince Consort heading out? Do you need more guards? Should I accompany you? Security is paramount; only then can Her Highness be at ease, and only then can we be at ease!”

Yun Chi couldn’t help but smile. “In that case, Master Zhu, please arrange the guards and a carriage.”

“At once! I shall arrange it immediately!” Zhu Yan beamed, making sure to shoot a final glance at the Old Censor.

See? That is how a clever man acts. He never hid his sycophancy. Rulers liked people who bowed to them; he enjoyed providing that. Clearly, the Princess and the Consort didn’t mind his way of getting close. Unlike some people who thought themselves too “noble.”

Yun Chi did not fully trust Zhu Yan. Security was indeed the priority. In addition to the guards Zhu Yan provided, she brought Shisong. The young girl was an expert in close-quarters combat and, with her new blade, was a match for almost anyone.

When they reached the bustling market, Yun Chi and Shisong stepped down from the carriage. The driver followed slowly while the guards fanned out. Suddenly, Shisong nudged Yun Chi’s shoulder with her elbow.

Before Yun Chi could ask what was wrong, Shisong whispered, “Someone is watching us.”

Yun Chi’s heart skipped a beat, but she kept her expression neutral, looking at Shisong as if chatting. “Are you sure? Can you see who it is?”

Shisong shook her head slightly. “You keep walking, Consort. I’ll test them.”

With that, she turned toward a clothing shop, waving a hand back at Yun Chi. Yun Chi gave a hearty laugh. “Catch up soon!”

The guards stayed with Yun Chi, as their duty was to protect her alone. Though she looked calm, Yun Chi was worried. Shisong had acted too fast, leaving the group alone. If there was danger, what would happen? The girl is too reckless, she thought. If we get through this, I need to give her a proper talking-to.

Fortunately, Shisong encountered no trouble and successfully caught the person.

“Consort, it’s this one.”

Shisong was certain; this person had been tailing them. The person whose arm she had pinned was a youth of seventeen or eighteen, with fair skin and delicate features.

“Let go of me! Let go!” the youth struggled. Seeing people looking over, he raised his voice.

Yun Chi made a split-second decision. “Gag him, get him in the carriage, and go back to the estate.”

“Yes.”

Inside the carriage, the youth thrashed about, his eyes fixed intently on Yun Chi. After a moment’s thought, Yun Chi signaled Shisong to remove the gag.

The youth spoke immediately, his voice filled with urgency. “You are the Prince Consort—the Consort of Princess He’an, right?”

Surprise flashed across Yun Chi’s face. Why did the voice sound like a girl’s? She looked closer… there was no Adam’s apple.