Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 74

Ye Xuejin looked at Yun Chi for a long time, remaining silent. In the depths of her eyes, there was disbelief, but also a sadness she could not hide.

Yun Chi’s heart began to race again—a flurry of panic followed by a wave of complex emotions. She didn’t know how things had escalated to this point. Perhaps humans simply have moments where their minds are clouded by impulse and irrepressible feelings.

“Ye Xuejin, that was just an accident,” Yun Chi said. “Don’t take it to heart. Let’s both just forget it happened.”

Ye Xuejin stared into her eyes and spoke slowly, “Does the Consort truly not care?”

Yun Chi forced a smile. “Of course. It’s not like it was a life-altering event.”

Despite her words, her mind was a mess, like countless strings pulled so tight that the slightest touch would cause them all to snap.

Ye Xuejin lowered her head in silence for a moment. When she looked up again, a faint, enigmatic smile played on her lips. “Very well. This Princess has forgotten.”

Yun Chi: “…” That was fast. I almost believed her.

Yet, Ye Xuejin acted as though she truly had moved past it. She washed up with a composed expression and sat by the stove, her back to Yun Chi, drying her damp, long hair.

Seeing this, Yun Chi grabbed a stool and sat across from her. Her own hair wasn’t dry yet, either. Besides, the atmosphere was strange; she felt a desperate need to smooth things over. They didn’t know how long they would be stuck in this tiny hut, so it was best to keep their relationship harmonious.

“Ye Xuejin, what are your plans? How long do you intend to stay in Yangzhou?”

Ye Xuejin didn’t look at her. Her slender, pale fingers toyed with a lock of hair. Her voice was cool. “Rest assured, Consort, I won’t delay you for long. If you feel this ‘transaction’ is no longer profitable, I can provide you with more gold.”

Yun Chi fell silent. That wasn’t what she meant, but… “Sure, everything is negotiable.” Who would say no to gold?

Ye Xuejin’s fingers stilled. She shot a quick, deep look at Yun Chi. “So long as the gold is sufficient, the Consort is open to ‘negotiating’ anything?”

Sensing the tension thawing, Yun Chi nodded quickly. “As long as it’s within my power, we can talk about it.”

Ye Xuejin turned around. She pinned up her mostly dry hair, revealing the stark white of her neck. Her collar was slightly damp and darkened by water, clinging to her skin and emphasizing her cold, noble elegance. But that touch of dampness also hinted at a hidden, evocative beauty beneath her aloof exterior. It was a mixture of the forbidden and the alluring that made Yun Chi’s heart skip a beat.

Yun Chi scrambled to look away. That was close. I almost lost myself again.

Across the small stove, through the hazy warmth of the firelight, Ye Xuejin watched Yun Chi calmly. She didn’t miss the fleeting flash of admiration in Yun Chi’s eyes.

A faint smile touched her lips. “What if I wish for the Consort to truly act as my Consort during these days?”

She didn’t want to think about leaving or the future. She wanted to cherish every day they had together.

Yun Chi went silent, her breathing slowing down. She understood the implication, yet she was uncertain. Surely it’s not what I think? Ye Xuejin didn’t seem like the type to seek fleeting pleasures. But as soon as that thought crossed her mind, she instinctively touched her lips.

But she did just kiss me first…

Should she agree? Technically, she could. They were both adults, they had performed the wedding ceremony, and their status was legitimate. But they were destined to only walk this path together for a short while. If the premise was an inevitable separation, was it okay?

Was it better to escape the ending and enjoy the “now,” or face the ending and finish with regret? But even with the “now,” would the future be less regrettable? What if it made her even more reluctant to leave?

Yun Chi’s brow furrowed as her thoughts spiraled. Seeing her deep frown, Ye Xuejin’s hand clenched at her side. “If the Consort is unwilling, then forget I spoke.”

“I’m willing!” Yun Chi blurted out. Immediately, she looked at the floor in a daze. Dammit, I answered too fast. I look so desperate.

A flash of surprise crossed Ye Xuejin’s eyes. She lowered her lashes. “Thank you, Consort. It is late. Let us rest.”

“Uh… you’re welcome,” Yun Chi replied dryly. Her eyes were fixed on the stove, but her peripheral vision followed Ye Xuejin’s every move—watching her get into bed, pull up the blanket, and lie down with her back to the room.

Yun Chi took a few deep breaths, her head buzzing. She stood up and walked toward the bed, her movements stiff and uncoordinated. It felt too fast. Her mind was a chaotic mess of “should I” and “shouldn’t I.” More importantly, she had zero experience. What if she was terrible at this?

God… this is so nerve-wracking.

As soon as Yun Chi lay down, she yanked the blanket over both their heads, as if hiding would lessen the tension.

Ye Xuejin, drifting on the edge of sleep, instinctively tried to pull the blanket down, only to have her wrist caught.

“Consort?” she asked, her voice airy and weak with drowsiness.

Beneath the dark canopy of the blanket, Yun Chi raised Ye Xuejin’s wrist and pressed down on her shoulder, gently rolling her onto her back. The weight descending upon her caused Ye Xuejin to snap awake. She gasped in disbelief, “Consort—”

She was about to struggle, but the words whispered in her ear made her freeze. She felt as though she were surrounded by torches, her entire body burning.

“Close your eyes. Don’t speak. I’m nervous,” Yun Chi said, her heart feeling like it was about to leap out of her chest. She felt like she was going crazy—a mixture of helplessness and secret anticipation. In her extreme state of nerves, she didn’t know how to proceed.

Time seemed to stop. It was impossible to tell whose breathing was heavier or whose pulse was faster.

Ye Xuejin was still in a state of shock. Realizing what the person before her intended to do, she could no longer maintain her composure. A wave of unspeakable shame washed over her, mingled with threads of longing.

They stared at each other in the darkness, letting their breath and heartbeats descend into chaos.

Suddenly, Ye Xuejin arched her head back and broke free, yanking the blanket down. In the flickering firelight, she looked as if she were suffocating, her breath ragged and trembling. Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead, and the stray hairs at her temples were damp.

Yun Chi froze. She propped herself up with one hand while the other moved to soothe Ye Xuejin’s chest. She rambled incoherently, “Don’t be nervous, just relax. I haven’t even started yet! Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous…”

As she spoke, her hand was caught. Ye Xuejin gripped the meddling hand, her slender white fingers trembling with the force of her hold. She stared intensely into Yun Chi’s eyes, her red lips parting as she spoke in a low, husky voice, “Consort… have you thought this through?”

Yun Chi nodded awkwardly. She had. She was willing to enjoy the present with Ye Xuejin.

Seeing the nod, Ye Xuejin let go, stunned. She covered her eyes with both hands and fell silent.

Yun Chi was baffled again. She closed her eyes, trying to stabilize herself, but it was no use.

A long silence followed…

Ye Xuejin bit her lip and moved her hands away. She reached up to grasp Yun Chi’s shoulders and pulled her down, pressing her lips against the mouth that was pursed with tension.

Yun Chi’s eyes flew open. A roar like the wind filled her ears, nearly drowning out her heartbeat. Gradually, she began to sink into the sensation, shifting from passive to active. Her wandering hand finally found its direction, reaching for the overlapping layers of the other’s collar.

“Consort…” Ye Xuejin interrupted hurriedly, catching her hand again. “Don’t.”

Don’t? Yun Chi blinked blankly. Calling a timeout now is a bit much!

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flickered with emotion for a moment before she actually pushed Yun Chi away, turning her back and curling into a ball. “I am sorry…”

Yun Chi’s heart softened instantly, and any lustful thoughts vanished. “Don’t say sorry. I wasn’t ready either.”

It was the first time she had seen Ye Xuejin look so fragile—even more so than before. Ye Xuejin seemed to be crying, her voice breaking as she spoke. “I am sorry…”

“Are you silly? Why are you apologizing?” Yun Chi turned on her side and held her gently.

Ye Xuejin only shook her head. Suddenly, she turned around and buried her face in Yun Chi’s chest. She grabbed Yun Chi’s hand and placed it firmly on her own waist.

Yun Chi’s breath hitched. She felt that something was slightly off. She rested her other hand on Ye Xuejin’s head and said hesitantly, “Are you afraid? Honestly, I am too. Maybe we just aren’t ready. Let’s… let’s talk about it next time.”

Ye Xuejin remained silent. After a long while, she took Yun Chi’s hand again and guided it toward her own collar.

“Consort… close your eyes, please.”