Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 78

Occasional voices drifted in from outside, but those inside the room had forgotten to speak.

Yun Chi felt her heart skip a beat, then suddenly accelerate. She stared blankly at Ye Xuejin’s lips for a long time, until Ye Xuejin gently shook her hand.

“Prince Consort?”

Yun Chi snapped back to her senses. Her first instinct was to withdraw her hand, but as the thought arose, she changed her mind. Not only did she keep her hand there, but she reached out both arms to encircle Ye Xuejin’s waist, pulling her into an embrace.

Ye Xuejin’s frame was already naturally slender, but after the recent severe injuries and the hardships of exile, she had grown even thinner. Yun Chi’s hands met as they locked around that delicate, narrow waist, and she silently tightened her hold. Consequently, Ye Xuejin involuntarily stood on her tiptoes, her entire body nearly falling into Yun Chi’s chest.

“Prince Consort…”

She was twenty-six years old. Although she had never experienced such intimacy, she was not entirely ignorant. She could see the heat in Yun Chi’s eyes and feel the longing beneath her gaze. Yet, she didn’t know what to do. Or perhaps she did know, but she couldn’t ignore the reserve hovering in her heart—a mixture of expectation and hesitation.

Yun Chi slowly lowered her head, her voice light and airy. “I… I’ll just hold you for a moment.”

At the very instant their lips were about to touch, she abruptly turned her head away. She rested her chin on Ye Xuejin’s shoulder, holding her tightly. She felt as if she were ill; she clearly wanted this, yet it felt as if an invisible wall were blocking her. She couldn’t climb over it, nor could she break through. It felt as if once she crossed this wall, she would never be able to leave—she would be tethered to Ye Xuejin forever.

Ye Xuejin vaguely sensed the hesitation in Yun Chi’s movements. Her heart instantly felt swollen and sour, an emotion so sudden it left her at a loss.

Has my Prince Consort regretted staying again?

“Prince Consort, come walk with me outside.”

Yun Chi let out a soft breath, unsure if it was relief or disappointment. “Alright.”

When the two went out, the female prisoners had already become acquainted with the Zhou mother and daughter. They had even pooled their rations together to cook breakfast.

“Your Highness, Prince Consort, I’ll bring yours inside for you,” Zhou Qiyue called out when she saw them, hurrying to serve the soup.

“No need. The Prince Consort and I will walk nearby; you all eat first,” Ye Xuejin declined calmly, taking Yun Chi’s hand and walking toward the hillside.

Those who frequently mined copper knew a three-word proverb: “Copper falls in the trough.” It meant the best location for copper mining was in the low-lying areas between mountains, where ore could usually be found by digging twenty or thirty meters down. Thus, where they were staying was a very wide valley.

The two walked hand-in-hand, gradually moving further away. Recalling what happened earlier, Ye Xuejin stopped and looked at Yun Chi. “Prince Consort, I wish to ask you something.”

Her deity’s attitude seemed to be wavering. She wanted to be certain of the deity’s heart.

Meeting her focused and calm gaze, Yun Chi felt inexplicably nervous. “What is it? Speak.”

Ye Xuejin suppressed the trepidation in her heart, striving to maintain her composure. She was just about to speak when she was interrupted by a sudden voice.

“Your Highness! Your humble subordinates pay their respects!” Yu Lu and Shiniang jumped out from behind the bushes together.

Ye Xuejin’s gaze paused, and she looked at them composedly. “What is it?”

Yu Lu and Shiniang looked at each other. What is it? Shouldn’t it be the Princess instructing them on their next move?

Yu Lu was the first to react, cupping his hands. “After returning to the city yesterday, this subordinate met up with Shiniang and the others. We came today to see if Your Highness has any orders.”

Shiniang followed immediately. “I have also made inquiries in secret. The commoners of Yangzhou City say Governor Zhou is a corrupt official, but when they mention Chief Secretary Zhu Yan, everyone praises him.”

Hearing this, Yu Lu peeked at Shiniang. It seemed the Princess had already given her tasks to do. When he had looked for Shiniang earlier, she had said the Princess hadn’t ordered anything—she was being far too insincere.

Noticing his gaze, Shiniang lifted her head without changing her expression. The Princess had instructed her, but she had also said to investigate in secret. Naturally, she couldn’t tell just anyone, otherwise, how could it be considered “secret”?

Ye Xuejin didn’t care about their silent bickering. She looked at Shiniang first. “Ordinary commoners may not know the inner workings. Find a way to start with the people at the yamen (government office) and investigate further.”

Based on her observations yesterday, Governor Zhou seemed to be controlled by others and did not seem to be the primary decision-maker of Yangzhou City. Thinking of this, she looked at Yu Lu. “After you return, find an opportunity to infiltrate the Governor’s manor at night. Meet Governor Zhou in my name. Remember, avoid everyone.”

If she hadn’t misread him, that Governor Zhou seemed to have something he wanted to say to her.

“Yes!” The two felt the weight in their hearts lift once they received their assignments. This feeling of being commanded by the Princess was what truly gave them peace of mind.

Watching them leave, Ye Xuejin looked at the quiet Yun Chi beside her. “Prince Consort.”

“Yes?” With the interruption from Yu Lu and Shiniang, Yun Chi no longer felt nervous.

Ye Xuejin looked at her for a moment, her eyes complex and obscure. “It’s… nothing.”

Yun Chi naturally took her hand and said warmly, “Is there anything you still can’t tell me directly?”

Ye Xuejin pursed her lips and gave a faint smile. “Just walk with me.” Seeing she didn’t want to speak, Yun Chi didn’t ask again.

They walked further and saw a wooden shed in the distance, likely the resting place for the miners. Ye Xuejin turned her steps, pulling Yun Chi back the way they came.

Just as they turned, Yun Chi’s heart jumped. She gripped Ye Xuejin’s hand tightly and looked toward the roadside bushes. They were shaking unnaturally, as if someone were there. Ye Xuejin stopped, her eyes fixed on the spot.

They exchanged a look. In the next instant, Yun Chi handed Ye Xuejin an electric baton and held one herself. Then, she shouted boldly, “Who’s there? Come out!”

The atmosphere turned silent. A figure stood up from behind the bushes.

“Your Highness, Prince Consort, it is I.” Zhou Qishan looked somewhat embarrassed. He bowed to them with cupped hands and stood where he was.

Ye Xuejin frowned. “Why is Lord Zhou here?” Before his demotion, Zhou Qishan had been a Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue, a fifth-rank official.

Zhou Qishan gave a wry smile. “To answer Your Highness, I came out for some fresh air. Hearing footsteps, I hid. I didn’t expect it to be Your Highness and the Prince Consort.”

He had been wandering around for half the day but hadn’t found Madam Qi or his son. Instead, he had seen Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi. Even more unexpectedly, he had seen the Prince Consort produce two divine artifacts with a mere reach of the hand.

So, the Prince Consort is indeed like the Princess—able to communicate with immortals.

Hearing his explanation, Ye Xuejin gave a slight nod and left with Yun Chi. Halfway back, Yun Chi looked back with concern. “Do you think he heard anything?”

Ye Xuejin considered it. “Yu Lu and Shiniang are martial artists with keen senses. If he had been there then, they would have discovered him. It was likely a coincidence.”

However, he had probably seen the Prince Consort take out the electric batons. Still, there was no need for excessive worry.

Yun Chi was still uneasy. “I feel like he’s acting strange.” He wasn’t as straightforward as Zhou Qiyue. That girl had eight schemes in her heart and wore all eight hundred of them on her face—simple and easy to understand. But Zhou Qishan was always silent and unreadable.

Ye Xuejin said thoughtfully, “The Zhou family does indeed have some secrets, but we’ll discuss it after we return.” As long as they didn’t interfere with her affairs, it was of little importance. Everyone had their own difficulties; if they didn’t wish to speak, so be it.

“Mm, let’s go back.” Yun Chi smiled and stopped thinking about it.

Meanwhile, in Yangzhou City, at the Chief Secretary’s manor:

“My Lord, please save your subordinate! There’s a ghost haunting the new female prisoners…” Lord Zhang, the mine overseer, threw himself on the ground. He still hadn’t recovered from his fright. As for the talk of “immortal protection,” he didn’t mention it. He knew that the Chief Secretary always styled himself as the “Messenger of Immortals” and certainly wouldn’t be happy to have someone stealing that title.

Besides, who would want to share their livelihood with a prisoner? However, while the Chief Secretary’s status as a messenger was fake, the female prisoner’s power was very real!

Zhu Yan sat on a carved red sandalwood chair, unhurriedly sipping tea. “It’s just some petty illusions. Take ten more bailiffs, go back and teach them a lesson, and they will behave.”

“Be off with you.” Seeing Lord Zhang wanted to say more, Zhu Yan’s expression darkened, his face turning cold. Lord Zhang shuddered and quickly scrambled up.

The group left the city in a hurry. As they neared the mine, Lord Zhang stroked his goatee and instructed a young bailiff, “Go to the miners’ side and tell them this…”

The bailiff was confused. “Are we really not patrolling tonight?”

Lord Zhang glared at him. “Just tell them we aren’t patrolling. Then, take a few brothers, change your clothes, and follow them.”

The young bailiff blushed and said dryly, “My Lord, I’m not married yet.” His mother had told him he was still young and couldn’t run wild with those hooligans at the mine, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to have children when he married a wife later.

“Look at how useless you are. Fine, stay with me in the shadows.” Lord Zhang turned and looked at the ten newly joined bailiffs, smiling as he explained his plan.

The bailiffs laughed and joked together. Although they didn’t work at the mine, they had heard plenty about it. Many of the women at the mine were once noble madams or young mistresses of prominent families. Now it was finally their turn, and it didn’t cost a penny. Such a rare opportunity—who would refuse?

As for “immortal protection,” they didn’t believe a word of it.

Lord Zhang smiled too. At his age, he could easily see that the Chief Secretary wanted to use his hand to test the Immortal’s true capabilities. He valued his own life and wouldn’t take the risk himself, so he would let these greenhorns be the vanguards.

Whether it was a ghost or an immortal, an illusion or a miracle—it would be decided tonight.

With this plan in mind, Lord Zhang didn’t go to the mine shaft. He only sent the young bailiff to spread the news.

“Lord Zhang has business at home and has returned to the city with the others. Only I am staying behind tonight. All of you behave and don’t disturb me while I drink.” After saying this, the bailiff took his wine flask and returned to his room. He didn’t come out all evening, and no lights were lit.

Late at night, the brawny man who had been whispering earlier gathered a few people and crept out.

Old Censor Zhou tugged at his beard in thought for a while, then called Zhou Qishan over. “Eldest Son, pick a few skilled men and follow them quietly to see what’s happening.” He had heard words like “women” and “no patrols,” and he felt uneasy. Zhou Qishan nodded and followed with his men.

It was past the Start of Winter, so the sky turned dark very early, and the mountain wind was bone-chilling. But the brute and the other miners were burning with excitement. Midway, they even met a group of like-minded people who had come from the city. The two groups, sharing the same vile interests, quickly reached an understanding and headed toward the row of wooden huts where the women were resting.

At the wooden huts, half an hour earlier:

Seeing the sky grow dark, the women had not gone inside. They stood together in the courtyard, staring toward the mine shaft. Gradually, their faces became more panicked, each one as pale as snow.

Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin sensed something was wrong and were in no hurry to enter the huts.

“Lu Shang.” Outside, Ye Xuejin no longer used titles and called her by name.

“Your Highness, please go inside,” Lu Shang hurried to Ye Xuejin and said in a muffled voice.

“What are you all doing?” Ye Xuejin looked at her, her gaze gentle.

Lu Shang immediately knelt. “Your Highness, you and the Prince Consort should go inside and rest. We will stand guard out here.”

“Do not hide things from me. Speak the truth.”

Lu Shang hesitated, finally lowering her head in defeat. “In the past, if there was a day when the miners worked particularly hard, or if the bailiffs felt like it, there would be no patrols at night. They… they would… they would come…”

As she spoke, she couldn’t continue. “Your Highness, please go inside. It’s enough for us to stay here.”

Ye Xuejin’s face instantly turned as cold as still water, and her gaze became sharp and icy.