Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 73

“Alright,” Ye Xuejin cooperated, picking up a piece of compressed biscuit.

Yun Chi paused for only a second before urging, “Take another.”

As long as food wasn’t exchanged for other food, it wouldn’t lose its value; in fact, it would only appreciate. She had accumulated over five hundred packs of compressed biscuits—it was incredibly easy. She no longer had to worry about careful calculations; she felt her current abilities were borderline terrifying.

As Ye Xuejin took the biscuits one by one, the empty room began to fill with furniture. A combined tatami-style bed and cabinet, pots, pans, a small stove… everything they needed appeared. Ye Xuejin looked at the many unfamiliar objects but didn’t ask questions, quietly observing instead.

Yun Chi scanned the room with satisfaction and bent down to light the small fire stove. “Once the water is hot, we can wash up and soak our feet. We can finally get some proper rest.”

The small hut was now fully equipped, looking cozy and comfortable. The young woman stood by the stove with her hands on her hips, high-spirited, her smile bright and warm.

Ye Xuejin’s gaze softened unconsciously. “The Consort has worked hard.”

Her look was devout and focused. In those habitually indifferent eyes, her usual coldness seemed to have shattered into fragments, melting into a pool of tender affection.

Yun Chi’s breath hitched. Feeling slightly self-conscious, she shifted her gaze away and turned to stare at the stove. “It’s not hard… it’s what I should do.”

“I know,” Ye Xuejin suddenly laughed, her smile radiant and moving. “I must give the Consort gold.”

She knew there was only a transaction between them; her Consort only wanted gold. No matter. She would give it to her.

Yun Chi continued to stare at the stove, her voice airy. “It’s good that Your Highness remembers.”

Ye Xuejin watched her back for a moment before stepping forward slowly and wrapping her arms around her from behind.

Yun Chi’s body stiffened. She looked down blankly at the pair of hands resting on her waist. What… what is happening now? Didn’t we just talk about the gold?

In the cramped room, with the stove burning, the temperature seemed to climb in leaps and bounds. Yun Chi felt her back growing hot. The embrace pressed against her was like a flame, carrying an unknown heat that crawled up her spine and through every joint, leaving her feeling lost, helpless, and nervous.

“Consort.” Ye Xuejin loosened her arms and moved around to face Yun Chi, tilting her head up slightly. “I find I am a little homesick.”

Her voice was soft, her expression dejected. She rarely showed such a fragile side. Yun Chi’s heart immediately turned to mush. Not knowing what to say to comfort her, she simply pulled the woman into a gentle hug.

Ye Xuejin hugged her back, rubbing her cheek against Yun Chi’s chin. “Consort, I didn’t mean to be like this, but your arrangements were so thoughtful that I couldn’t help but think of home.”

Yun Chi sighed inwardly and held her tighter. “You’ll be able to go home soon.”

Ye Xuejin remained silent. She no longer had a home. Her father and mother were gone, and her own brother was bent on her death. She had lost her home long ago. Yet, at this moment, in this tiny wooden hut, she somehow felt homesick… even though she had nowhere left to go.

After embracing in silence for a while, Ye Xuejin looked up. Very, very lightly, she kissed the corner of Yun Chi’s lips—a fleeting touch, like a dragonfly skimming the water, as if testing the depths.

Yun Chi’s eyes snapped wide. She stared blankly at the person in her arms. Ye Xuejin was also frozen, her eyes gradually filling with panic and regret. Like an autumn leaf swirled by the wind, she didn’t know where to land.

Their eyes met. Yun Chi’s mind was a tangled mess, and she let out an involuntary sigh.

Hearing that sigh full of helplessness, Ye Xuejin bit her lip and stepped back out of the embrace. “I was out of line. I… I won’t do that again.”

She didn’t know what had come over her to make such a shameful and rude gesture.

Yun Chi opened her mouth and stiffly changed the subject. “The water is hot. You wash first. I’ll go outside and guard the door.” With that, she moved the wooden tub, pulled the door shut behind her, and let out a long breath in the cool air.

She was panicked, yet there was an indescribable trace of secret joy. Looking at the darkening sky, Yun Chi covered her burning cheeks. For the first time, she faced her own heart: she did like Ye Xuejin, and she liked Ye Xuejin’s kiss.

Inside the house, Ye Xuejin remained motionless for a long time until the water began to boil. Outside, Yun Chi heard the sound of splashing water, and the heat that had just left her face came rushing back.

“Consort? What are you doing out there? Aren’t you cold?” The neighboring door opened, and Zhou Qiyue walked out, spotting Yun Chi immediately.

Yun Chi cleared her throat, acting serious. “I have too much internal heat; I came out to catch the breeze.”

Zhou Qiyue looked at her suspiciously. With that blushing, guilty face, had she been kicked out by the Princess? “Then continue your breeze-catching. Is Her Highness inside?”

Yun Chi blocked the door. “It’s not a convenient time. If you need something, just tell me.”

Zhou Qiyue stayed back. “It’s nothing major. I figured since it’s getting dark, if it’s inconvenient for the Immortal to bestow blankets, I’d go find my father and brother to think of something.”

Yun Chi thought for a moment. “Go back inside. The Immortal just sent a message to the Princess saying blankets and other items will be provided. As for your father and brother, it is indeed inconvenient for the Immortal at the moment.”

The maximum range for her storage placement was only sixteen meters; she could only look after the next-door neighbors for now.

Zhou Qiyue nodded and hurried back. It was the Start of Winter, and the evening air was biting. Unlike Yun Chi, she did not have “too much internal heat.”

Yun Chi immediately sensed the location and dropped two blankets, a small stove, two large jugs of water, and various kitchenware into the next room.

“Ah!” Almost simultaneously, a scream erupted from next door.

Yun Chi couldn’t help but smile. The young girl couldn’t keep her cool; she was screaming with excitement. In the hut next door, Zhou Qiyue sat on her straw mat, clutching her foot and grimacing.

“The Immortal didn’t even give a warning!” That massive jug of water had landed right on her toe, making it swell instantly.

Old Madam Zhou touched the new items with wonder, smiling. “Qiyue, come look at how to use these.” Zhou Qiyue forgot her pain and leaned in to investigate.

While the next room was full of joy, Yun Chi was still “lingering in the wind.”

“Achoo!” The sky had turned dark, and the wind was growing colder. She couldn’t help but sneeze. Just then, there was a knock on the door behind her.

Yun Chi stepped back and opened it. “You’re done washing? Then you go out—no, stay inside. It’s cold out. You just turn around.”

Ye Xuejin was silent for a moment but tried to walk out anyway.

“Stay in the room, it’s really cold.” Yun Chi grabbed her wrist, pulled her back, and shut the door, sliding the wooden tub back into place.

The stove glowed in the room; while not bright, it was enough to see without candles. Yun Chi put the used basin and towels into her storage and took out a new set for herself. She finished cleaning up quickly. Ye Xuejin didn’t turn around once, facing the door the entire time.

“I’m done.”

Only then did Ye Xuejin react, turning around, though her eyes remained cast down. Yun Chi poured out the used water and prepared two fresh basins of hot water. “Let’s soak our feet. It’s been a long, exhausting journey.”

Ye Xuejin remained silent, sitting on the edge of the bed without moving to take off her shoes.

Yun Chi rubbed her brow and took her hand. “I don’t blame you. Don’t take it to heart. Just act like nothing happened.”

Are our roles reversed? she wondered. I’m the one who was kissed, so why is she the one acting all moody and sulky?

Ye Xuejin tightened her fingers and slowly looked up. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

Yun Chi panicked, reaching out to wipe her eyes. “I really don’t blame you! If it makes you feel better, I’ll let you kiss me back—no, I mean, I’ll kiss you back!”

Ye Xuejin bit her lip, avoiding her hand in shame. “I am sorry. I…” How could she be so despicable? How could someone like her be worthy of a deity?

“I’m fine, really. You don’t need to care. I don’t blame you at all.” Yun Chi interrupted her. Seeing her still filled with self-reproach, she straightened Ye Xuejin’s shoulders and said seriously, “If you really feel that bad, then me kissing you back will make us even, okay?”

With that, Yun Chi reached up, cupped Ye Xuejin’s chin, and pressed a kiss onto her lips. She then pulled back with a smile. “There. Now we’re even. You can forget about it now.”

Ye Xuejin stared fixedly into those smiling eyes, lost for words.

How could she possibly forget this…