Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 111

Ye Xuejin’s mind was flooded with doubts. Her Consort’s origins, their speech, and their mannerisms—none of it suggested someone who had grown up as a beggar.

She remembered the Consort asking, “According to your rules?”—as if they didn’t include themselves in the world of Dashao. She remembered their absolute certainty that she would be exonerated, and their claim of occasional “prophetic visions.” And, of course, there were the “divine methods” they summoned at will.

There was too much she didn’t understand. Yet, every time she sought clarity, Yun Chi simply asked for her trust without providing an answer.

“Consort,” Ye Xuejin said with a faint smile, looking directly into Yun Chi’s eyes. “You mentioned before that you occasionally see flashes of the future. Have you seen anything new lately?”

If they had, why hadn’t they mentioned it? If they hadn’t, why were they so quick to believe every word Wu Hu said?

Yun Chi felt conflicted. To speak or to remain silent—it was a difficult choice. After a moment of heavy thought, she said steadily, “It’s a coincidence, actually. I saw a few flashes just as Wu Hu was speaking to you. That’s why I believe her.”

Originally, when she first heard Qi Mingyan talk about Zhu Yan’s background, she had suspected something. But those suspicions were vague—until now. Hearing that Zhu Yan held a massive stockpile of gunpowder made that blurry feeling take shape. This Governor-Secretary’s past was likely extraordinary, perhaps even similar to her own.

Yun Chi turned serious. “Setting everything else aside, the most important thing is to uncover Zhu Yan’s full hand. We cannot let this drag on.”

In an era of cold steel, gunpowder was a “dimensionality-reducing” weapon. Just as Wu Hu had seen in her dream, Zhu Yan used it to crush Mozhou and Caozhou, dominating the southern border as the “King of Yangzhou.”

Ye Xuejin’s smile faded. She felt torn between her obsession with the Consort’s lack of transparency and her need to prioritize the greater good. Unable to maintain her composure under the strain, she simply nodded and remained silent.

Yun Chi was consumed by worry. While she could provide advanced melee weapons and summon wind or lightning, those powers could only harm one or two people at a time. Gunpowder was the true weapon of mass destruction in the ancient world.

She gripped Ye Xuejin’s hand. “We must find out how much gunpowder he has and where it’s stored. We need to do it now.”

Ye Xuejin looked down at their joined hands, her voice softening slightly. “Leave this to me. The Consort need not worry.”

With that, she pulled her hand away, walked out, and gave instructions to Qi Mingyan. She ordered the Counselor to summon Zhu Yan to the study and told Wu Hu to rest in the wing.

When she turned back, her expression was flatter and more tranquil than usual. To handle the situation, she had to be completely calm. She knew Wu Hu was telling the truth because, in the girl’s dream, the southwest province of Caozhou rebelled first.

That aligned perfectly with Ye Xuejin’s secret agreement with Wen Yi. Once the decree to abolish female officials was issued, they were to rise in the twelfth month. Wen Yi was a Commandery Princess appointed by the late Emperor, holding real power over the Caozhou Guard. No one could take those troops from her without a direct order from the late Emperor himself. Given Wen Yi’s temper and her military strength, an uprising was only logical.

Once Caozhou rebelled, Mozhou would be caught in the middle, followed closely by Yangzhou. Time was running out.

“This humble official pays respects to Her Highness, the Prince Consort, and the Military Counselor.” Zhu Yan arrived at the study, slightly out of breath. He appeared eager to please.

Ye Xuejin watched him with a half-smile, neither telling him to rise nor speaking immediately. Zhu Yan grew uneasy. He stole a glance upward. “May I ask why Your Highness has summoned me so urgently?”

From the moment he welcomed her into the city until now, he had been flawless. Logically, he had nothing to fear. Yet, under her gaze, a chill ran down his spine. It felt as though someone had him by the scruff of the neck, a blade poised to fall at any second.

Ye Xuejin’s expression turned icy. “Master Zhu, you truly do cover the sky with one hand in Yangzhou. Had an ‘immortal’ not pointed the way, I wonder how long I would have been deceived by you.”

Zhu Yan’s heart skipped a beat. He slammed his forehead against the floor. “I would not dare! Everyone in Yangzhou follows Your Highness’s lead. I am but a beast of burden working for you; I would never dare deceive you!”

Beside her, Yun Chi’s eyebrows shot up. Beast of burden? The modern slang “Niu Ma” sounded strangely familiar.

Ye Xuejin laughed. It was a melodic sound, but it carried a razor-sharp edge. Zhu Yan looked up carefully and met eyes that were devoid of warmth, filled with a regal disdain that seemed to look right through a mortal’s petty tricks.

“Your Highness, please forgive me! I do not know where I have lacked. Please, enlighten me!” Zhu Yan was terrified. His mind raced through every scheme he had laid over the years. He kept kowtowing, not daring to look up again.

The atmosphere became suffocating. Even Yun Chi shifted her gaze from Zhu Yan to Ye Xuejin. This was the first time she had seen the Princess like this. Her eyes were like carved ice; beneath her usual coldness was the absolute majesty of a ruler that allowed no offense.

“Zhu Yan,” Ye Xuejin said, “I will give you only one chance. The ‘immortal’ has spoken. It depends on whether you wish to live.”

Zhu Yan kowtowed repeatedly. “I want to live! I want to live! Please, Your Highness, give me a chance…”

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flashed. “Then lead the way. Let us see if your ‘black gunpowder’ is truly enough to accomplish anything.”

“Yes, I will—” Zhu Yan broke off, realizing his secret was out. He slammed his head down again. “Your Highness, forgive me! I did not intend to hide it, but the matter was so grave I hadn’t decided how to report it yet. I was going to tell you soon!”

In his heart, only one thought remained: I’m finished. My only trump card has been flipped.

“Lead the way,” Ye Xuejin commanded.

The group left the city and headed toward the mountains. After an hour of travel, Zhu Yan pulled his horse to a stop. “Your Highness, we have arrived.”

Zhu Yan walked to a cliff face and pressed several protruding stones. The rock wall opened like a door, revealing a well-lit tunnel guarded by dozens of armed soldiers. Seeing Zhu Yan, the soldiers sheathed their blades and bowed.

“Retreat,” Zhu Yan ordered. He turned to Ye Xuejin. “Your Highness, these are my most trusted personal guards. They not only guard the place but are the ones who manufacture the powder.” He felt a sudden pang of dread, a premonition that something terrible was about to happen.

“Lead on,” was all Ye Xuejin said.

Zhu Yan walked a short distance, then realized no one was following him. He spun around. “Your… Your Highness?”

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved slightly. Her voice was clear and firm. “I ask the ‘immortal’ to disarm them.”

Yun Chi immediately concentrated. In the next instant, every soldier lost their weapons and armor. Even their shoes and hats vanished into thin air.

Ye Xuejin looked at Zhu Yan, her words falling one by one like heavy stones. “Leave not a single one alive.”

“Yes!” Yu Lu, Shi Niang, and the others charged. The battle was over in seconds. Against unarmed men, it was as easy as slicing melons.

Watching his most trusted guards fall, Zhu Yan collapsed in terror. “Your Highness!” he cried, kowtowing for mercy. “I really was going to tell you today!”

Yu Lu didn’t wait for orders; he pressed his blade against Zhu Yan’s neck and hauled him up.

“Lead the way,” Ye Xuejin repeated, ordering the group forward.

Zhu Yan’s lips trembled, his legs turning to jelly. No, I cannot die. I have to save myself!