Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 63

“And one more thing,” Ye Xuejin’s voice paused. “From now on, seeing the Consort is like seeing This Princess.”

Her gaze lingered on Yu Lu and Shi Niang’s faces, her expression cold and steady.

Shi Niang felt inexplicably uneasy. Although Her Highness was looking at both of them, she felt the words were directed at her.

She remembered that earlier, when the Consort came looking for Her Highness, only Shi Song had spoken up and opened the door.

Her Highness must have seen it all…

But she had only thought that Her Highness meeting this lady privately must be for important matters, and she hadn’t been instructed that the Consort could know about it.

Shi Niang sighed lightly, watching Ye Xuejin and Shushui’s retreating figures. She thought that the status of this Lady Shushui in Her Highness’s heart was probably higher than her and Yu Lu’s.

After all, Her Highness was personally escorting her to the kitchen to settle her in.

“Did they show any disrespect toward the Consort?” Shushui had been by Ye Xuejin’s side for many years and knew her well.

Her Highness had been a little displeased since earlier, whether it was because of the Emperor’s misappropriation of the national treasury or the Consort’s intention to leave.

But no matter the reason, Her Highness was not the type to randomly take out her anger on others.

Therefore, Shushui had made this guess.

Ye Xuejin dismissed everyone in the kitchen, accompanied Shushui to the small table, and motioned for her to eat first.

Only after Shushui was full did Ye Xuejin explain: “Shi Niang was sent by Qianhua.”

“Lady Tao? That’s quite thoughtful of her.” Shushui was surprised, not expecting Shi Niang to be from the Prime Minister’s residence.

After a moment’s thought, she understood. The Consort was originally a beggar, and at first, she and Her Highness shared no affection.

Now, although Her Highness had taken the Consort to heart, to uninformed outsiders, the difference in status between Her Highness and the Consort was vast. It was inevitable that those with better origins would harbor some slight disdain.

Especially those from the Prime Minister’s residence. Since Lady Tao was a noble daughter, the people around her naturally held some pride.

Ye Xuejin nodded: “This is a time when we need capable people…”

She spoke about Shi Niang’s personality and conduct, then held Shushui’s hand: “It’s good that you’ve come.”

Shushui understood her best. Just like earlier, with only one meeting, she could tell that her attitude toward the Consort was different.

With Shushui here, she could worry less in the future.

Shushui patted her hand: “Don’t worry, Your Highness. This servant will help you get what you desire.”

After speaking, she winked playfully.

Ye Xuejin gave her a side-eye: “You’re always so cheeky. You should rest in my room tonight.”

There were no empty rooms left in the relay station, and the other ladies’ rooms all had more than one person, none of whom Shushui knew.

Besides, the mistress and servant had been separated for many days, and it would be good to catch up.

Shushui also laughed: “Then this servant will respectfully accept the offer.”

It’s a good chance to see how far Her Highness and the Consort have progressed. I can start making arrangements.

That’s right, she intended to play matchmaker.

It wasn’t just that Her Highness had taken the Consort to heart; it was also because Her Highness needed the Consort’s help.

Ye Xuejin pursed her lips: “Too much of a good thing is bad. Don’t make her unhappy.”

The ‘her’ naturally referred to Yun Chi.

Shushui guaranteed sincerely: “Don’t worry. Who am I? I’m Your Highness’s female Zhuge Liang. I’ll certainly be mindful of the boundaries.”

Ye Xuejin smiled helplessly and didn’t continue the topic.

If it were anyone else, she definitely wouldn’t have opened up about this.

But even with Shushui, discussing her innermost feelings so directly made her feel a little self-conscious.

After the mistress and servant returned to the room, it was time to go to sleep.

When Yun Chi learned that Shushui would be squeezing in with them for the night, she had no objections and consciously took the outermost position on the bed.

The little maid was so loyal to Ye Xuejin. Even in prison, she couldn’t bear to eat a wowo tou herself and even hid her most prized jade pendant inside it, which eventually got Ye Xuejin a bottle of wound medicine.

Now, she had ridden hard to catch up, covered in dust from travel. How could she be made to sleep on the outside?

Seeing this, Ye Xuejin took the middle spot.

Shushui, however, firmly refused to sleep on the inside: “This servant’s sleeping habits are poor; I’m used to sleeping on the outside. The Consort should sleep on the inside.”

As she spoke, she subtly glanced at Ye Xuejin, with a meaningful look.

Her Highness is usually so calm and wise, but she’s so clueless about matters of the heart. If she sleeps on the inside, how am I supposed to set them up?

Although Ye Xuejin didn’t quite grasp the meaning of her hint, she still played along: “Consort, you should sleep on the inside.”

Yun Chi stopped being difficult. Actually, she was quite afraid of being pushed off the edge, especially after Shushui mentioned her bad sleeping habits.

Only then did Shushui blow out the candle and walk to the bed, relying on the moonlight.

The three lay side-by-side. The room was utterly quiet. Occasionally, a breath would deepen, but it was hard to tell whose it was.

Just then, Shushui turned her back.

Ye Xuejin couldn’t help but turn her head to look.

In the dark, the mistress and servant exchanged a silent glance.

Shushui decisively reached out and placed her hand on Ye Xuejin’s shoulder.

Before Ye Xuejin could react, Shushui pushed her onto her side, facing Yun Chi.

She seemed to understand what the little maid was up to.

Understanding was one thing; acting was another.

Just as she hesitated whether to tacitly allow the little maid to mess around, she felt a strong push on her back again.

Ye Xuejin quickly stabilized herself, barely avoiding falling onto Yun Chi. She was instantly both embarrassed and amused. This little maid probably wants to push me right into the Consort’s arms.

Behind her, Shushui silently grinned. Her Highness didn’t stop me, so that means tacit approval.

With this thought, she exerted more effort and gave another push.

Yun Chi was squeezed so tightly that she had to lift her arm. With another push, she could only turn onto her side as well.

But being so close to Ye Xuejin was too awkward, so she turned her back to her.

In this way, Ye Xuejin ended up embracing her from behind. There was virtually no gap between the two, pressing tightly against each other.

Now, not only was Yun Chi embarrassed, but Ye Xuejin felt awkward too.

Another push came from behind. Ye Xuejin couldn’t help but softly call out: “Shushui!”

“—Hoo—” The reply was a deliberate and forced snore.

Ye Xuejin: “…” I’ve been too indulgent with this little maid.

Yun Chi: “…” The little maid’s sleeping habits really are bad. Luckily I didn’t sleep on the outside, or I’d probably be squeezed under the bed by now.

Shushui pretended to turn over and squinted to check the situation.

She struggled to keep her smile from showing, barely managing not to laugh out loud. Was I called the female Zhuge Liang for nothing? With just a subtle move, the Consort ended up in Her Highness’s arms.

If I try one more time…

Shushui thought she could try a little harder. Why is the Consort turning her back? Face-to-face is much better.

Ye Xuejin was suddenly pushed again. She clenched her fingers: “Shushui…”

Unexpectedly, as soon as she started speaking, her hand was grasped.

“Consort…” Ye Xuejin froze.

Yun Chi struggled to turn over, lowering her voice: “Let her sleep. We’ll just hug a little closer.”

Ye Xuejin was stunned, being held in her embrace. She opened her mouth, her voice low and hoarse: “This is improper.”

It’s too close…

Does the Consort know what she’s doing?

Yun Chi didn’t insist. Hearing her, she suggested: “How about I sleep on a mat on the floor?”

As soon as she said this, Shushui immediately moved outward, terrified that Yun Chi might actually sleep on the floor. If that happened, what kind of female Zhuge Liang would she be? She’d be a muddled idiot only causing trouble.

Since Yun Chi had already turned over, she didn’t miss Shushui’s movement.

Hmm? She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow: “Is she really asleep?”

“—Hoo—” Another snore.

Yun Chi: “…” Confirmed. The little maid is faking it.

Ye Xuejin paused, then moved away a little.

Yun Chi collected her thoughts. She didn’t hold back when she had a question and asked directly: “Was she doing that on purpose?”

Shushui instantly held her breath, listening intently, not daring to miss a sound.

Seeing her trying too hard to pretend, Ye Xuejin simply didn’t deny it: “Shushui means well.”

Yun Chi didn’t understand: “What good intentions?”

Ye Xuejin raised her hand and gently stroked the hair by Yun Chi’s temple: “Is the Consort truly not understanding, or are you pretending to be ignorant?”

They were legally married, and intimacy between them was not improper.

Yet, this person was determined to leave but still didn’t avoid this closeness. Was she truly completely unaware?

Yun Chi fell silent, vaguely sensing something but unable to grasp it fully.

In modern times, she could be described as having her ears blocked to the outside world. Before graduation, she focused entirely on her studies. After graduation, she focused entirely on work, and she didn’t even have a close relationship with anyone.

Unable to figure it out, Yun Chi simply asked again: “What should I be understanding? I’m not pretending to be ignorant.”

Her tone was sincere, sounding genuine.

Ye Xuejin’s breathing hitched slightly. She suddenly realized a problem: her Consort might truly be unaware, or perhaps she was emotionally obtuse and hadn’t matured in matters of the heart.

“Consort.” Her finger dropped, gently rubbing Yun Chi’s earlobe, her voice soft and slow. “We performed the marriage rites. Logically speaking, the next step is…”

“The wedding night?” Yun Chi finished her sentence, following her words.

The usually calm and clear-headed Ye Xuejin was momentarily stunned, unable to recover.

To her surprise, Yun Chi, as if her crucial channels were suddenly opened, dropped another bombshell: “She wants us to consummate the marriage!”

Shushui could no longer hold it in and exclaimed excitedly: “That’s right, that’s right! The Consort is clever!”

Ye Xuejin: “…”

She suddenly felt that the little maid’s arrival was not a relief, but rather a bit of a nuisance.