Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 116

The sun gradually sank toward the west, and the sky began to dim.

Yun Chi stood alone in the study, caught between avoidance and indecision, rooted to the spot for a long time. She hadn’t returned to their room, as if by lingering here, she could delay facing Ye Xuejin’s emotions.

Unexpectedly, Ye Xuejin pushed open the study door at dusk. She glanced at the figure standing blankly by the window, walked to the desk, and struck a fire starter to light a candle. The bright flame chased away the gloom.

In the candlelight, Yun Chi saw her clearly. Ye Xuejin’s expression was neutral, devoid of any discernible emotion. After a brief moment of eye contact, the Princess lowered her gaze and walked to the desk.

Yun Chi watched her every move—watching her grind the ink, lift the brush, and write something with calm, steady composure. Once she finished, she looked over and called softly, “Consort.”

Yun Chi’s heart panicked. “What… what is it?”

Ye Xuejin tapped the desk lightly. Beneath her fingertips lay the paper she had just written upon. “Come and see if there is anything you wish to add.”

Yun Chi froze. Add something? Her heart sank like a stone. It’s the divorce papers, she thought. Because of my secrecy, because of my lack of honesty…

She tried to move her feet, but they felt heavier than ever before. But why? Shouldn’t she feel relieved? Hadn’t she sought a letter of divorce since the very beginning? To be free under the wide sky, loving only liberty and wealth—it was exactly what she had dreamed of.

So why did she feel no joy? Instead, an inexplicable bitterness and ache filled her chest.

Seeing her hesitation, Ye Xuejin smiled faintly. “What is wrong with the Consort?”

Yun Chi felt even worse. This woman can still smile? Royal ruthlessness, indeed.

She stayed where she was and spoke rapidly, “Your Highness can just leave it there. I trust you.”

Regardless of how much gold was promised or withheld, she would accept it. She had over a dozen empty wine bottles in her storage space; according to Qi Mingyan, a single bottle was worth a thousand pieces of gold. Even if she left with nothing but the clothes on her back, she wouldn’t lack for money.

Bah! What do I mean, ‘left with nothing’? Yun Chi sighed inwardly, her thoughts becoming more tangled by the second. It turned out she wasn’t ready to leave so soon. She truly had developed feelings for Ye Xuejin…

A flicker of confusion crossed Ye Xuejin’s eyes. “The Consort should read it over. If anything is incorrect, I can still amend it.”

Yun Chi remained silent for a moment. “Write whatever you wish. I will accept it all.” She didn’t want to look at it. She was afraid she would lose her composure the moment she saw the words “Letter of Divorce.” Since the Princess was acting so casual about it, it would be embarrassing to show how much she cared.

Ye Xuejin sensed something was wrong but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. She insisted, “Consort, this is no small matter. It cannot be neglected. Please, check it carefully.”

Yun Chi finally snapped. “It’s just a letter of divorce! What is there to check? Write it however you like; I’ve already said I’ll accept it!”

This time, Ye Xuejin finally understood what was wrong. She pursed her lips, her fingers pressing hard against the desk. “Does the Consort truly wish for me to write a letter of divorce so badly? To the point that you assume that is what this is without even looking?”

Yun Chi stared at the floor, her voice muffled. “Is it not?” Besides a divorce, what else would require her to “add” or “check” anything?

Ye Xuejin lowered her eyes, her lips curling into a self-deprecating smile. A letter of divorce… She repeated the words in her mind, her fingers clenching together unconsciously. Suddenly, she looked up and stared straight at Yun Chi.

“The Consort has yet to answer. Do you truly wish for me to write a divorce letter?”

So, the Princess thought, this person stayed in the study all this time just to ponder a divorce…

Yun Chi wanted to say she didn’t want it that badly, but saying so would make her look clingy. “And what if I do?”

Ye Xuejin’s gaze froze. Her heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cellar. After a long time, she heard her own voice say, “Then nothing.”

She rose slowly and forced a smile. “The Consort may have whatever she desires. Write it however you wish; I shall accept it all.”

With that, Ye Xuejin stopped looking at Yun Chi and walked out of the study with a composed gait.

Yun Chi looked at the desk in a daze. Why is she asking me to write it now? Wasn’t it already done? Suddenly, she rushed to the desk and grabbed the paper.

[First, soak the wood ash to make soda ash, then find limestone and…]

It was… the formula and steps for manufacturing glass! It was a combined version of the one she had provided and the one Zhu Yan had written.

It wasn’t a letter of divorce! Yun Chi stood stunned, her heart flooded with a complex mixture of emotions.

Meanwhile, Ye Xuejin reached her room and ran into Shushi, who was returning with a stack of books.

Shushi was so eager to present her “treasures” that she didn’t notice the Princess’s expression. “Your Highness! I found quite a few! Some are subtle, others are quite bold—”

“Burn them,” Ye Xuejin cut her off icily.

Shushi blinked. Burn them? “Your Highness…” She stopped herself immediately upon seeing Ye Xuejin’s face—it was as cold as frost and deathly pale.

Shushi’s heart jumped. She quickly tucked the books into her robes and followed her mistress inside. Inside, Ye Xuejin stood with her back to the door, her posture perfectly straight and regal. Yet Shushi could sense a profound sadness and loneliness radiating from her.

Shushi wanted to ask what happened, but she knew the Princess’s temperament; she wouldn’t speak of it. When she was unhappy, she preferred silence and solitude. Hesitating, Shushi turned to leave, but she was called back.

“Shushi.”

“I am here.”

Ye Xuejin’s voice was calm and steady. “I should prioritize the people. I should prioritize the realm. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“I must not indulge in love, and I certainly must not force others against their will. Correct?”

“Correct.”

“I still have much to do. Many, many important things…”

“Yes.”

“I carry a heavy burden. I know what I must and must not do.”

“Yes.”

“Shushi…”

“I am here!” Shushi answered, her nose growing inexplicably itchy with tears.

Ye Xuejin’s tone remained level. “I should not be sad, and I should not be obsessed with a single person. Correct?”

Shushi opened her mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to say “correct.” Ye Xuejin continued, her voice finally wavering with a hint of strain. “I understand. You may leave.”

Shushi turned to leave, her hand on the doorframe, but she stopped. She took a deep breath, turned back, and knelt on the floor. “If Your Highness feels unwell, please do not suppress it. It will only harm your mind and body. Furthermore… to want to cry or laugh is only human. There is no ‘should’ or ‘should not’ about it, Your Highness…”

“Leave.”

Shushi rose dejectedly. She had been with the Princess for many years and understood her well. She knew that right now, her mistress wanted to bury her emotions deep inside, just as she had when the Emperor and Empress passed away. Back then, she had locked herself away for days, as if the room were a mountain crushing her down—solitary and silent.

That version of the Princess made Shushi’s heart ache. And just now, she had seen that version of her mistress again.

“Shushi, where is Her Highness?”

Shushi looked up in a daze. Seeing Yun Chi, a spark of light ignited in her eyes. “Prince Consort! You’ve come at the right time. I don’t know what’s happened, but Her Highness looks terribly heartbroken.”

Yun Chi’s footsteps faltered, her face stiffening. “Is that so? I’ll go in and see her.”

“Wait!” Shushi’s mind raced. she pulled the books from her robes and shoved them into Yun Chi’s arms. “These are the books Her Highness asked me to find for you!”

The Princess was too modest and shy, especially in this situation. How could she burn the “Spring Palace” illustrations Shushi had risked her face to find at the bookstore? Better to give them to the Consort directly. Perhaps they would be put to use tonight—a young couple should be affectionate and stay together.

Yun Chi was surprised. What kind of books would Ye Xuejin want me to read? However, now was not the time for reading. She tucked the books under her arm and knocked on the door.

“Leave,” a cold, condensed voice came from within.

Yun Chi hesitated, then spoke carefully. “It’s me. I want to say a few words to you. I’ll leave right after.”

There was a long silence. Just as Yun Chi thought there would be no response, the door opened.