Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 67

In just a few steps, Shushui had already planned what to say in her mind. She stood firm in front of Yun Chi and first performed a deep courtesy: “This servant offers greetings to the Consort.”

“There’s no need for this.” Yun Chi saw Ye Xuejin, who had walked a few steps towards them but then stopped three meters away, and silently withdrew her gaze.

Ye Xuejin did not move closer. This distance was sufficient for her to hear unless they intentionally spoke quietly.

Although Shushui’s temperament was a bit eccentric, she understood Ye Xuejin’s mood best and was quick-witted in her actions, never having done anything inappropriate. She likely wouldn’t avoid her to say anything.

The next moment, Shushui moved half a step closer to Yun Chi, deliberately lowering her voice.

Ye Xuejin: “…” It seems Shushui doesn’t understand her that well either.

On this side, Shushui spoke frankly: “The Consort is not an outsider, so this servant will not beat around the bush.”

Yun Chi raised her eyebrows: “Go on.”

Shushui smiled: “Her Highness has always been calm and self-possessed, composed and unhurried, capable of strategic planning…”

“Ahem, I know Her Highness is excellent. Just get straight to the point.” Yun Chi lightly coughed, interrupting the maid’s continuous praise.

Shushui immediately stopped speaking, showing a very obedient expression: “Then this servant will be direct. Her Highness is not only exceptionally talented in the capital, but she is also born with the beauty of a celestial being, possesses a noble character, and worries for the country and its people…”

Yun Chi’s mouth twitched slightly. Good heavens, this girl couldn’t have come just to praise Ye Xuejin, could she?

Shushui exhausted all the words she could think of in one breath, and then said earnestly: “Her Highness has never been this concerned, this flustered, or this sad about anyone else. So, where exactly does the Consort find fault with Her Highness? This servant truly cannot understand.”

Yun Chi was silent. She didn’t think Ye Xuejin was bad; Ye Xuejin was excellent.

If she had been born in ancient times, if she didn’t possess a clear sense of self, she might have felt overwhelmed and supremely honored by the favor Ye Xuejin showed last night.

But she was not. Her beloved should be her equal, walking side-by-side, with only each other.

And Ye Xuejin’s status and the responsibilities she would have to bear clearly could not give her this sense of security.

Yun Chi’s attitude towards relationships was self-centered, but she couldn’t bear to be selfish towards Ye Xuejin.

She could not accept becoming anyone’s appendage, nor did she want Ye Xuejin to be put in a difficult position.

To go their separate ways was the best outcome for them.

Yun Chi smiled helplessly: “Shushui, I don’t feel Her Highness is bad; we are simply not compatible.”

Shushui frowned, puzzled: “Why are you not compatible? Her Highness is devoted. This servant believes Her Highness will give the Consort unique favoritism.”

Yun Chi sighed softly: “Why unique favoritism, and not exclusive commitment?”

Therefore, if she insisted on this point, which even an outsider understood, it would only put both of them in a difficult position.

Shushui was startled, her face complicated: “So the Consort wants to be Her Highness’s only woman.”

Yun Chi looked at her calmly: “That’s impossible, isn’t it?”

Now it was Shushui’s turn to be silent. She didn’t know how to respond to that.

She knew Her Highness’s character well; she was certainly not someone who would start a relationship only to abandon it later. But precisely because she understood this, she was speechless.

Because she was also clear that if it came down to Da Shao (the state) on one side and the Consort on the other, Her Highness would surely choose the former.

After a moment of silence, she was still unwilling to give up: “Since the Consort also cares for Her Highness, why not ask Her Highness what she thinks? Her Highness also has her own difficulties and times when she has no other choice.”

Yun Chi gave a bitter smile: “I know all that, and I understand it, but I absolutely cannot accept it.”

How could she not want to ask? How could she not want to speak her mind?

But if some things were asked, would that guarantee a resolution? And if there was a resolution, could she believe it?

They had only known each other for a little over ten days, and feelings had developed due to sharing hardships. Naturally, at this moment, they felt anything was possible, and their emotions were at their most passionate.

But what about a decade or more from now? If their feelings faded, one would be sitting in the imperial court, governing the realm, while the other would be confined within the palace walls of the inner garden.

She would have no room left for choice or refusal.

That kind of life was not what she wanted.

Seeing Yun Chi unwilling to compromise, Shushui grew anxious: “Then is the Consort willing to just let this opportunity slip away? If nothing else works, just take it one step at a time!”

When their love ran deep, she didn’t believe the Consort could bear to leave.

Yun Chi shook her head without speaking and looked again at Ye Xuejin, who was a few steps away, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She had once felt speechless about the protagonists in some stories: Since both people have feelings, why don’t they just talk it out? What are mouths for?

Now that it was her turn, she understood how difficult some words were to say, and how awkward things would become once spoken.

Their eyes met, and Ye Xuejin pursed her lips, silently turning away.

Shushui was helpless and could only retreat for now, planning to fight again once she devised a better strategy.

She turned dismally and walked up to Ye Xuejin: “Your Highness, this servant is incompetent.”

“It’s alright.” After a moment of silence, Ye Xuejin spoke softly.

Shushui felt bad. She glanced at Ye Xuejin and racked her brain for an idea.

“Your Highness, the Consort just told this servant herself that she has feelings for you; she is just afraid that you will take others later.”

Ye Xuejin stared at her intently, then suddenly smiled: “There’s no need for that. This Princess is not that fragile.”

She had never considered herself someone constrained by romance. She had more important things to do.

Since she couldn’t keep her, then let her Goddess fly away freely, higher and farther…

Shushui was truly anxious this time: “Your Highness, why don’t you believe this servant? This servant absolutely would not speak nonsense!”

Ye Xuejin lowered her gaze: “The barrier of love is difficult to pass, but once passed, every subsequent barrier is passable. Shushui, you should understand This Princess.”

She slightly bowed her head, concealing her expression. Her tone was low but slow and resolute.

These words were spoken to others, and also to herself.

Shushui was numb. Did this count as dying before success could be achieved?

The dignified female Zhuge Liang entered the fray, only for one party to declare that she had moved past the barrier of love and the other to declare absolute non-acceptance.

Alright, she was tired.

The night was quiet and somber. Everyone vaguely sensed something was wrong and lowered their voices when speaking.

The people who used to fall asleep embracing each other every night were, for the first time, sleeping back-to-back, like unfamiliar strangers. Neither one drew close to the other again.

The next day, as soon as it was light, Zhou Qiyue woke up and went to find Shushui.

“Good Sister Shushui, does what you said last night still count?”

Shushui blinked blankly: “What did I say?”

Zhou Qiyue smiled: “That everyone would definitely be able to eat breakfast.”

Shushui suddenly realized: “Oh, that matter? Don’t worry, Her Highness definitely won’t forget.”

She had already moved past the barrier of love. What was there left to fret about?

The facts were just as Shushui expected. After Ye Xuejin got up, she looked at Yun Chi with a normal expression.

“Consort, it’s almost time for the meal. This Princess would like some hot soup.”

“Alright.” Yun Chi was surprised for a moment, then also returned to her usual self, revealing a relieved smile. “Then let’s go chat up ahead.”

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved slightly, but her gaze was indifferent and calm: “Then I must trouble the Consort for her effort.”

The tone was unfamiliar and polite, like newly acquainted collaborators.

Yun Chi felt an indescribable discomfort in her heart, but she also knew this was probably how things would be from now on. She immediately forced a smile and nodded: “It’s no trouble. Your Highness is not refusing to pay the reward, after all.”

The two walked away together, but unlike usual, they did not hold hands, walking one in front of the other instead.

The eyes of the crowd followed their retreating figures, their expressions a mix of confusion and excitement.

Why does it feel like the Consort and the Eldest Princess are still having an argument? But at least the Eldest Princess didn’t forget them this time.

After the two had walked a distance, Yun Chi first tallied the supplies in her storage space. For food, only over three hundred compressed biscuits and six watermelons remained, one of which had been given to Ye Xuejin before.

She thought for a moment, took out a watermelon, noting that late autumn was dry, and decided to have rock sugar, white fungus, and pear soup.

Ye Xuejin asked nothing, calmly took it, showing trust and cooperation just like when they first started, and her face was as distant and detached as it was initially.

[One watermelon delivered. Please select reward: Ten bowls of Rock Sugar, White Fungus, and Pear Soup OR Five bowls of Rock Sugar, White Fungus, and Pear Soup]

Yun Chi rolled her eyes inwardly. Did she look like a fool who couldn’t count? She decisively chose ten bowls.

She delivered the rest of the watermelons in one go, and the thirty-one bowls of pear soup were ready.

Yun Chi put all the watermelons away: “Wait a moment. I’ll go call Shi Song and Zhou Qiyue.”

The necessary formalities still had to be observed, to help Ye Xuejin establish her authority and to increase the cohesion of the exiled group.

“Wait.” Ye Xuejin reached out, paused just as she was about to grab Yun Chi’s hand, and then pulled it back. “Consort, retrieve a few more sets of bulletproof vests and some electric batons.”

Yun Chi stopped and asked: “How many of each?”

Ye Xuejin thought for a moment and said slowly: “Eleven sets of bulletproof vests, sixteen electric batons.”

Yun Chi was surprised. This time, she couldn’t help but ask: “That many!”