Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 118

Yun Chi was immersed in the faint, lingering fragrance surrounding her—a scent so clear and ethereal that it was tempting to lose herself in it.

But she couldn’t…

Yun Chi pulled back abruptly, rolling away to give herself space. She grasped Ye Xuejin’s hand and pressed it to her lips, using the gesture to steady her racing heart.

“What should I do?” she murmured. She felt as though she could no longer leave.

Ye Xuejin’s breathing had not yet steadied, and her gaze was somewhat unfocused. What does she mean, ‘what should I do’? She slowly looked up, her eyes filled with confusion as she gazed at Yun Chi.

“Consort…” As soon as the word left her lips, Ye Xuejin stopped and bit her lip, her ears turning hot.

Yun Chi’s breathing grew heavy; the voice falling against her ear was more languid and tender than ever before. It was an enchanting tone that tugged at one’s soul. But she truly couldn’t…

After a long time, Yun Chi let out a soft breath. She tightened her grip on Ye Xuejin’s fingers, her voice full of struggle.

“What am I supposed to do?” Can I really still walk away?

Ye Xuejin regained her composure, her eyes still clouded with doubt. “Consort,” she said, her voice having recovered its strength, “what exactly do you mean?”

Yun Chi hesitated for a moment before deciding to be frank. “If the day of our separation truly comes… what if I find I cannot bear to leave?”

They had reached an agreement long ago, and she had made up her mind: at the latest, she would leave when Ye Xuejin returned to the capital. But now, she felt she might not be able to follow through. Just seeing Ye Xuejin’s red-rimmed eyes made her heart ache. How could she possibly endure a final parting?

Ye Xuejin froze, a look of bewilderment flashing in her eyes. “The day… of separation? What do you mean?” She spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.

Yun Chi kissed her fingers. “Did we not agree? I help you with your uprising, you grant me gold, and once the task is finished, we go our separate ways.”

Ye Xuejin’s eyelashes trembled, and her gaze turned dark and heavy. She pulled her hand back with a wooden expression and sat up silently.

“What’s wrong?” Yun Chi sat up as well, asking with concern as she noticed the shift in the Princess’s mood.

Ye Xuejin turned her head, studying Yun Chi carefully for a moment. Her expression gradually grew cold. “Has the Consort always intended to leave?”

Yun Chi nodded instinctively. Hadn’t they already reached a consensus on this?

Ye Xuejin’s gaze sharpened. “Then why…”

“Why what?”

“Why…” Ye Xuejin lowered her brow, her fair, slender fingers clenching her sleeves tightly. “Why did you promise to stay with me always?” Her voice was heavy, as if a stone were pressing against her throat, making it difficult to speak.

Yun Chi was stunned. “I promised?” Did I ever promise that? Wait… was it back then? “I said I would stay with you, I didn’t say always—”

“Is the Consort playing word games with me?” Ye Xuejin interrupted coldly, her eyes full of sarcasm. “If the Consort has no heart, then why bother provoking me again and again?”

Every kiss, every embrace—what did they mean?

Without giving Yun Chi a chance to speak, she pressed on icily, “Is it fun? Does the Consort find it amusing to fool me like this?”

Yun Chi stared at her blankly, unable to react in time. Wait, wasn’t this a mutual thing?

Seeing her silence, Ye Xuejin closed her eyes and rose to leave.

“Wait a moment! We might both have misunderstood each other.” Yun Chi grabbed her sleeve.

“Let go.”

Panic flared in Yun Chi’s heart. She loosened her grip slightly, then grabbed hold even tighter. “Ye Xuejin, I thought your meaning was… that we are both adults, taking what we need from each other.”

Hadn’t they agreed on the exile path? Hadn’t they repeatedly discussed the reward? Where did it go wrong? Her mind was a mess, and her heart was even worse.

Ye Xuejin shot her a cold look and yanked her sleeve away. Yun Chi’s mind went blank. Seeing Ye Xuejin about to walk out, she blurted out, “Wait! Let’s talk this through clearly!”

But Ye Xuejin did not wait. Her pace quickened, and in the blink of an eye, she had reached the outer room. Yun Chi knitted her brows as she slowly began to understand. So, I was the one who misunderstood?

She had assumed Ye Xuejin was willing to simply enjoy the process. Ye Xuejin had misunderstood as well, thinking Yun Chi stayed because she wanted a lifelong result. Realizing the crux of the issue, Yun Chi rubbed her brow and rushed out after her.

“Ye Xuejin!”

Just as Ye Xuejin was about to push open the door, Yun Chi lunged forward and grabbed her wrist. Ye Xuejin stood with her back to her, her lips tight, her eyes cold yet fragile. She refused to turn around.

“I understand now. Miss Yun need not say more.”

Yun Chi slapped her own forehead and moved to stand in front of her. “What exactly do you understand?” Calling me “Miss Yun”? I’m really going to lose it!

Ye Xuejin looked down, avoiding her gaze. “We shall simply take what we need from each other. As for… I am not someone who covets temporary pleasure. Miss Yun, please conduct yourself with self-respect.”

If she hadn’t intended to spend a lifetime with this person, if she hadn’t decided to grow old together, how could she have allowed her to act so recklessly? She found it impossible to accept; the bitterness in her heart was so intense it was almost numbing, making it hard to breathe.

Yun Chi sighed softly. “Let’s speak clearly.”

Ye Xuejin’s lips curled into a cold sneer. “I have made myself very clear.”

Yun Chi nodded. “And I’ve made myself clear too. I simply misunderstood. I never intended to fool you.”

Ye Xuejin lowered her gaze and remained silent, hiding her emotions. Yun Chi gripped her hand firmly, her expression serious. “I truly hadn’t made up my mind before. I didn’t know what the future would hold. But if you are willing, I want to stay by your side. I will stay with you always.”

Fine, I give up struggling. Her heart had moved, and she had to admit it.

Ye Xuejin looked up blankly, her eyes searching. “Miss Yun had better think twice before acting.” Because if I take you seriously, I will never let you go again.

Yun Chi gave a helpless smile. “How can I say it so you’ll believe me? Or should I think about it some more?”

Ye Xuejin’s expression stiffened, and she tried to pull her hand away again. Yun Chi, feeling certain now, simply wrapped her arms around the Princess’s waist and pulled her into a hug.

“I’ve thought it through. I’m not leaving. But I have one condition.”

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flickered slightly. She uttered a single word: “Speak.”

“In the future, you cannot trap me anywhere. My freedom must be guaranteed. Also, if you are with me, you can only be with me.” Yun Chi spoke solemnly. She didn’t want to be trapped in palace walls, nor did she want to be just one of many concubines.

At this point, she had played all her cards and handed over her heart. If things didn’t work out in the future, she would accept the loss.

Ye Xuejin met her gaze. The coldness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a deep intensity. “That is two conditions.”

Yun Chi tightened her embrace, her chin nuzzling the side of the Princess’s ear. “Yes, I have these two conditions. So, does Your Highness agree?”

Ye Xuejin lifted her chin with poised dignity and said calmly, “I shall consider it for a time.”

Yun Chi burst out laughing. “Fine. Your Highness must think thrice. Do not agree on impulse.”

She suddenly felt that all her previous hesitation and inner conflict had been a waste of time. She should have decided this long ago. If she had, she would have felt this joy much sooner.

Ye Xuejin silently curved her lips, then suppressed the smile, but her eyes held a genuine, dense radiance. This time, her “deity” had truly promised to stay. Even if it weren’t true, it didn’t matter. She had given the deity a chance to leave; she would never let go now.

An boundless joy bloomed in Ye Xuejin’s heart. Her gaze grew increasingly soft, until she suddenly paused, her eyes falling on the table nearby. Those books looked very familiar… they seemed to be the ones Yun Chi had just set down.

“Consort, what are those books?”

“Oh.” Yun Chi turned and led her to the table. “Shushi gave them to me. She said you instructed her to find them for me to read. I haven’t had a chance to look yet.”

As she spoke, she picked up the top book and flipped open a page at random.

“Consort!” Ye Xuejin suddenly stood up, her voice panicked. “I… I have business to attend to!”

With that, she turned and strode away, the door slamming shut behind her. Yun Chi stood there dazed. What happened? How can a person just run away like that?

She felt a hunch and looked down at the book in her hand. The first page had only a few words: “Eighteen Forms for Beginners.”

This is…

Yun Chi flipped another page and her eyes widened instantly. The yellowed paper had no words, only a vivid, lifelike illustration. It was practically three-dimensional!

She closed the book in disbelief, the image of the cold and dignified Ye Xuejin flashing through her mind. Yun Chi was stunned. Are these definitely meant for me? Ye Xuejin ordered this? Is there some mistake?

To verify, she flipped through a few more pages. Each new illustration brought another image of Ye Xuejin to her mind. The eighteen pages were thin, and she finished them quickly. Her heart pounded against her ribs.

With a clap, she slammed the book shut. Feeling an inexplicable sense of guilt, she looked around, stepped toward the door, then turned back to grab the books. She walked into the inner room and hid them under her pillow. Only then did she feel a sense of relief as she walked out.

Outside, Shushi saw her and asked with concern, “Prince Consort, what is wrong with Her Highness? She won’t even acknowledge me.” She had called out twice, but Ye Xuejin had ignored her, walking away in a hurry.

Yun Chi cleared her throat and said solemnly, “It’s nothing. Which way did Her Highness go?”

Shushi pointed toward the study. “How is Her Highness’s mood?” she asked. Ye Xuejin had been moving so fast Shushi couldn’t tell.

Yun Chi glanced at her but didn’t answer. As she started to walk away, Shushi asked again, “Is Her Highness still sad? Did the Consort not coax her? Consort, you really can’t be ‘incapable’ like this!”

Hearing this, Yun Chi was displeased. Incapable? “Everything was fine until those books of yours caused a stir. Her Highness thinks I’m indecent now.”

With that, she hummed a happy tune and headed for the study.

Shushi: “!!!” I am guilty. No, she didn’t believe it. “The books are innocent. It must be that the Consort is ‘incapable’.” Shushi muttered to herself, nodding as if she had confirmed a great truth.

In the study, the corners of Ye Xuejin’s lips were lifted in an unconscious smile. She took the formula for glass that Yun Chi had verified and began to transcribe a clean copy in a fluid script.

“Your Highness, Wu Hu seeks an audience,” Zhou Qiyue’s voice called from outside.

Shushi was in charge of Ye Xuejin’s daily life, while Shi Niang and Shisong handled study matters and personal security. Since Qi Mingyan had taken the sisters to Mozhou, she had instructed Zhou Qiyue to wait outside the study for orders.

Ye Xuejin suppressed her smile and regained her composure. “Enter.”

“This subject’s daughter, Wu Hu, pays respects to Your Highness—”

“Rise and speak.”

“Yes.” As Wu Hu stood up, Zhou Qiyue’s voice rang out again.

“Your Highness, the Prince Consort seeks an audience.”

Ye Xuejin frowned slightly. She stood up and personally opened the door. “In the future, when the Consort comes to see me, there is no need for an announcement.”

Zhou Qiyue complied nervously, her face dimming. She felt she had made another mistake. Seeing her distress, Ye Xuejin’s expression softened. “Xiaoyue, from now on, you shall attend to the Consort. Shushi alone is enough for me here.”

Zhou Qiyue’s eyes lit up, and her voice rose in excitement: “Yes!”