Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 120

Yun Chi was momentarily startled. She looked at Ye Xuejin, the words she had been about to blurt out catching in her throat.

Ye Xuejin exchanged a quick glance with her, regained her composure, and said calmly, “Please show Lord Zhu in.”

The door opened, and Zhu Yan took in the scene at a glance—the Princess Consort was also present. Feeling relieved, he performed a formal kneeling salutation, then untied a small bundle he had brought, placing its contents on the ground.

“Your Highness, here is refined fine salt, a newly crafted glass cup, and smelted fine iron. These documents detail the methods used to create them.”

Ye Xuejin spared a brief glance at the items before looking at him with an indifferent gaze. “When did you first enter officialdom, Lord Zhu? And how long has it been?”

Still kneeling, Zhu Yan replied, “To answer Your Highness, I passed the provincial examinations at twenty-four and served as a lowly scribe for three years. When the Southern Border suffered from floods, I was promoted after offering a strategy. I have served as the Chief Secretary (Changshi) for eleven years now.”

These were facts easily verified; there was no need for deception. However, he wondered why the Eldest Princess would suddenly ask such a thing.

Ye Xuejin studied him, her voice heavy with hidden meaning. “And in which year did you acquire these specialized skills?”

She did not plan to dispose of Zhu Yan just yet, but to control such a cunning man, she had to tighten the leash occasionally to ensure he didn’t slip away.

Zhu Yan’s nerves tightened, yet he maintained a composed tone. “Your Highness may not know, but during those three years as a scribe, I had far too much idle time. Having nothing to do, I began to tinker with these gadgets. By sheer luck, I managed to stumble upon some results. I hope I haven’t made a fool of myself.”

In the eleven years since he had transmigrated to this era, he had used his modern memories to navigate every situation with ease. He believed he possessed a certain “destiny” and had spent years plotting for the perfect opportunity. But since the Eldest Princess arrived in Yangzhou, his luck had run dry. He had lost his capable subordinate, Sima Chen, dozens of his most trusted guards, and most importantly, his gunpowder.

Ye Xuejin spoke slowly, “By sheer luck? You are indeed a fortunate man, Lord Zhu.” Her tone was neutral, yet it made Zhu Yan’s scalp tingle, as if his innermost thoughts were being laid bare. He gave a stiff smile and wisely remained silent.

After a moment of silence, Ye Xuejin signaled that he could leave. However, Zhu Yan remained on the ground, emboldened to make a request. “During such critical times, I am so worried I cannot sleep. I wonder if I might stay within the Inspector General’s Manor to better serve Your Highness?”

Ye Xuejin’s voice sank. “Can you not serve me unless you are within this manor?”

“I am terrified!” Zhu Yan immediately kowtowed, his arms shaking with exaggerated fear.

Quite the actor, Ye Xuejin thought. “Since you are so devoted, I shall grant it.”

“Thank you for your immense grace. I will stay in the study of the outer courtyard,” Zhu Yan said, retreating as if he had received a grand reprieve.

Once the door closed, Yun Chi examined the items. “The goods are fine, and the methods seem correct.”

Ye Xuejin arranged for Shimei and Shiju to test the methods in secret. Among the girls, Shisong was brave and versatile, Shizhu was a skilled sniper, and Shilan preferred military strategy. Shimei and Shiju, however, were patient and observant—perfect for this task.

As Yun Chi left the study, Zhou Qiyue followed her. After delegating tasks to the girls, Zhou Qiyue whispered, “Princess Consort, Chief Secretary Zhu stopped me. He wishes to speak with you privately; he is waiting in the corridor.”

Yun Chi’s eyes sparked with interest. “Let’s go see him.”

Upon seeing her, Zhu Yan beamed. “Princess Consort, might we have a word in private?” He gestured toward his temporary quarters in the outer study. Yun Chi agreed, curious about his motives and wanting to confirm if he was the “male lead” from the original book.

Inside, Zhu Yan was overly hospitable, pouring tea and even suggesting they address each other as “Brother” and “Sister,” citing their age difference.

“I’ll call you Big Brother Zhu, then,” Yun Chi replied. She was technically eighteen years younger than him in this world.

Zhu Yan sighed with feigned emotion. “Time flies. Eleven years have passed in the blink of an eye.”

Yun Chi’s heart skipped a beat. She feigned curiosity. “Why specifically eleven years?”

Zhu Yan watched her closely. “To be honest, I lived aimlessly before that. It was eleven years ago, during the floods, that my mind finally cleared.”

Confirmed, Yun Chi thought. He’s testing me. Zhu Yan had likely transmigrated during that flood. He was suspicious of her origins because of the modern inventions she had introduced.

Zhu Yan then tried to probe into her past as a beggar, but Yun Chi played along, rambling about the hardships of poverty and her desperate climb for power. Seeing that his verbal testing was yielding little, Zhu Yan pivoted. He produced a thick stack of banknotes—thirty thousand taels—and pushed them toward her.

“A small token from your elder brother,” he smiled.

Yun Chi hesitated, then smiled and tucked the money away. “Since you put it that way, Brother Zhu, I would be rude to refuse.” To catch a wolf, one had to run with the pack.

After Yun Chi left, Zhu Yan’s smile vanished. He had already confirmed his suspicions. A true ancient person would have asked what he meant by “mind clearing,” but Yun Chi had immediately latched onto the “eleven years.” Furthermore, her sudden shift into rambling was a clear sign of evasion.

“She’s the one,” he mused, sipping his tea. “It’s good that she’s a person of talent. Humans have weaknesses; unlike gods, they can be manipulated.”

Back in the inner courtyard, Yun Chi showed the thirty thousand taels to Ye Xuejin.

“The man is incredibly wealthy,” Yun Chi joked.

Ye Xuejin, however, was concerned. “Keep the money, but avoid being alone with him. He is treacherous and has clearly grown suspicious of your origins.”

“He only suspects,” Yun Chi argued, but seeing the genuine worry in Ye Xuejin’s eyes, she softened. “Alright, I promise. No more private meetings.”

Night fell, and the manor grew quiet. As they prepared for bed, Ye Xuejin discovered a “black-covered book” hidden under Yun Chi’s pillow—an instructional manual on “intimate arts” provided by their maid, Shushi.

Yun Chi, blushing, tried to act nonchalant. “I haven’t even looked at it. Why don’t we look at the pictures together?”

“You… rogue,” Ye Xuejin whispered, her face flushing crimson as she turned away.

The playful banter soon turned into a heated embrace. Yun Chi’s breath hitched as she kissed her. In the haze of passion, Yun Chi suddenly remembered something.

“Your… monthly cycle…” She looked at Ye Xuejin with longing.

Ye Xuejin bit her lip, her eyes closed, her breath ragged. “Not yet…”

A roar of “fireworks” went off in Yun Chi’s mind, but she forced herself to pull back, holding Ye Xuejin tightly to suppress her desire. “Which day is it?” she asked hoarsely.