Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 19

Ye Xuejin was silent for a moment, then softly asked, “Does it hurt?”

Yun Chi subconsciously straightened her back: “Actually, it doesn’t hurt much.”

That’s a lie. I was nearly killed by the pain.

Ye Xuejin pursed her lips: “Use a little more force next time. I am not a good actress, and it will only be convincing if I am truly hurt.”

Just now, Yun Chi looked like she was hitting her hard, but in reality, it was all sound and fury. She only messed up Ye Xuejin’s hair, the slaps landed on her shoulder, and she even quietly reminded her to scream…

Yun Chi paused: “Are you suspicious that Zeng Laosan saw through our acting?”

Ye Xuejin thought for a moment: “Perhaps there is another reason.”

Yun Chi looked confused. Another reason?

The night was deep, and the cold wind blew in gusts.

Ye Xuejin looked up at the bright moon in the sky and said slowly, “I should be even more miserable, even die miserably on the road, only then can his wish be granted.”

“Who is he?” Yun Chi instinctively asked.

Ye Xuejin turned her head to look at Yun Chi: “Who do you think, Princess Consort? Who dares to treat this Princess this way?”

Under the moonlight, she looked no different than usual, her gaze tranquil, her expression mild. Yet, her whole demeanor was distinctly different from her normal self.

It was as if she had removed her mask, no longer submitting to the role of the long-suffering victim. In this solitude, she straightened her spine, revealing her true self: confident and composed.

Yun Chi’s heart tightened. If Ye Xuejin had said, “Who would,” she might not have understood.

But Ye Xuejin said, “Who dares.”

She suddenly understood. No wonder she felt something was wrong after reviewing the original host’s memories.

The embroidered ball just happened to fall into the original host’s hands, the Emperor happened to be traveling incognito, and with one phrase, A sovereign’s word is law, Ye Xuejin’s Princess Consort could only be a beggar.

So, the Emperor was the one acting suspiciously!

The person who wanted Ye Xuejin dead was the Emperor!

Yun Chi was stunned. If the mastermind was the Emperor, how did the female protagonist later convince the Emperor to change his mind and clear Ye Xuejin’s name?

Seeing that Yun Chi seemed to have figured it out, a trace of self-mockery flashed across Ye Xuejin’s beautiful face.

“Princess Consort, do you still believe that my injustice can be cleared now?”

Yun Chi did not take that bait, but instead asked, “Do you have a close female friend who is the beloved daughter of the current Prime Minister?”

Ye Xuejin frowned, unsure why she was bringing up her friend, but still nodded.

“She is not only like a sister to you, but also had a romantic relationship with the Emperor? Is this true?”

“That is indeed true.”

Yun Chi was slightly relieved. Thankfully, when her cousin complained about the plot, she mentioned who helped clear Ye Xuejin’s name.

That was the female protagonist of this novel—the Prime Minister’s daughter, who was like a sister to Ye Xuejin.

Regardless of how the protagonist achieved it, since this person truly existed, the plot should not go wrong.

Thinking this, Yun Chi still said: “After tonight, there are still eleven days. Your name will be cleared.”

Ye Xuejin stared steadily at her: “The reason?”

Yun Chi repeated the same phrase: “You trust me.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Xuejin stopped asking.

The two were silent for a while before walking towards the city gate.

A moment later, two figures emerged from the trees not far away.

“Father, the Princess Royal, she…” Zhou Qishan looked astonished, stopping mid-sentence.

Old Censor Zhou understood: “You didn’t see wrong. That is the Princess Royal. Or rather, that is the true Princess Royal.”

The commanding and intimidating Princess Royal He’an.

He had almost completely misjudged her.

After their conversation, the father and son were preparing to return but saw Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin walking toward them hand-in-hand. Hesitating, they did not reveal themselves rashly.

Zhou Qishan was a little slow to react: “You suspected this all along?”

Old Censor Zhou stroked his beard and nodded: “I wasn’t thinking much at first. It was when the Princess Royal stepped out to protect the Princess Consort that I realized something was wrong.”

If one did not know the truth, they might truly believe the Princess Royal was a weak woman, blinded by love and utterly confused.

But as a court official, and having personally witnessed the farce of the embroidered ball, he knew perfectly well that there was no real affection between Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi.

If someone said Ye Xuejin was simply defeated by the blow and was always submissive as a result, he would believe it.

But if someone said Ye Xuejin was deeply in love with this beggar-turned-Princess Consort, going so far as to face the officers’ wrath for her, he would not believe it.

Zhou Qishan shook his head, feeling more confused: “What about the Princess Consort then?”

From what those two said, was the so-called cursing and beating just an act?

Old Censor Zhou’s eyes suddenly darkened: “Let’s wait and see. Just let your sister proceed as she wishes for now.”

Perhaps their Zhou family would have a chance to return to the capital someday…

Zhou Qishan’s breath hitched: “This son understands.”

The night grew deeper, and the cold wind blew incessantly. Everyone huddled together, shrinking their bodies, and their sleep was tortured.

Some prisoners were so cold they couldn’t sleep and couldn’t help but complain in low voices.

“This damn weather.”

“I’m going to freeze to death.”

Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin were both wearing thermal underwear, making their situation relatively better, but they were still pressed tightly against each other.

Just then, a shower of pebbles flew out one after another, accurately striking everyone on the back of the neck.

The surroundings instantly went quiet.

Shi Niang scanned the area, got up, walked to Yun Chi, grabbed her by the collar, and pulled her away.

Behind them, Yu Lu opened his palm, dropping the pebbles to the ground, and quietly followed.

Chasing them all the way to the river, he saw Shi Niang holding Yun Chi by the neck, trying to push her into the water.

“Stop!” Yu Lu yelled, drawing his saber and slashing toward Shi Niang’s arm.

Shi Niang was forced to let go and dodged in time.

“Sir Yu is a true master, concealing his abilities,” she said. He was able to dodge my sneak attack.

Yu Lu replied: “The same to you.”

Shi Niang curled her lips, smiling strangely under the moonlight: “I grew up in a protection agency, so I only have a little bit of shallow skill. I am nowhere near the level of the Sir.”

“Why did you try to harm her?”

“I just can’t stand the evil act of bullying women.”

Yu Lu’s brow twitched. He probed: “This official can promise that Her Highness will not suffer abuse from her again, at most, she will have some unpleasant noise in her ears.”

In other words, Yu Lu would intervene if Yun Chi tried to physically harm Ye Xuejin again.

After a moment of eye contact, Shi Niang fell silent.

Yu Lu assessed her for a few moments, then quietly sheathed his saber: “If you are a smart person, you should know that killing her is not a wise move.”

If Yun Chi died, Zeng Laosan and the person behind him would undoubtedly come up with new schemes.

It was better to keep her alive, as it would make it easier to counter any moves they made.

Shi Niang’s tone softened: “I had no intention of killing her. I just wanted to ask her a few questions.”

She was not a fool and naturally understood the principle that an open threat is easier to avoid than a hidden one.

At this point, although neither of them explicitly stated the factions they belonged to, they understood that their goals aligned: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Upon hearing her words, Yu Lu provided an opportunity: “Ask your questions. This official will watch.”

As long as this woman didn’t cause him trouble, having another ally was a good thing.

“Sir, you might as well listen in too,” Shi Niang said meaningfully, then walked towards Yun Chi.

Unexpectedly, the person who should have been unconscious suddenly scrambled to her feet.

“I’m awake! If you have something to say, just say it! And don’t come any closer!” Yun Chi crossed her arms in front of her, looking utterly terrified.