Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 84

Very well, I shall take you to pay respects to Her Highness and see Mother immediately,” Zhou Qiyue said, her voice trembling as she tightly gripped Qi Mingyan’s arm. She found herself mindlessly repeating her sister-in-law’s words, her mind a chaotic blur.

Neither of them spoke again as they walked. The journey was somber and slow, yet the road was short, and they eventually reached their destination.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Who is it?” Ye Xuejin’s voice drifted from inside, cool and light.

Zhou Qiyue glanced at the neighboring door and intentionally raised her voice. “Your subordinate, Zhou Qiyue, has brought my sister-in-law, Qi Mingyan, to pay her respects to Your Highness.”

Footsteps approached, and both cabin doors opened simultaneously. Madam Zhou looked at Qi Mingyan with a face full of joy. “Mingyan, you’ve come!”

Qi Mingyan exchanged a brief look with Madam Zhou before performing a perfect, formal salutation toward Ye Xuejin. “This subject’s daughter, Qi Mingyan, pays her respects to the Grand Princess He’an. May Your Highness live for a thousand years, and ten thousand more.”

In the hierarchy of Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, and Teacher, the Sovereign comes before the Parent. By addressing Ye Xuejin as the Grand Princess, Qi Mingyan purposefully placed the Princess’s status above even that of her mother-in-law.

Realizing the protocol, Madam Zhou instinctively moved to bow as well. “This old woman—”

Ye Xuejin quickly supported her arm. “Madam, there is no need for such ceremony.” Her gaze then shifted to Qi Mingyan. “Mingyan, you may also dispense with the formalities.”

Only then did Qi Mingyan rise. She moved to support Madam Zhou. “Mother, please return to your room and rest for a moment.”

Madam Zhou nodded repeatedly. “Very well, I shall wait for you in the room. Speak well with Her Highness.”

Ye Xuejin glanced at Qi Mingyan and led the way back into her own cabin. Qi Mingyan, however, turned to Zhou Qiyue. “Xiaoyue, go and stay with Mother.”

Zhou Qiyue lowered her head, her feet glued to the spot. She clearly had no intention of leaving. A flash of helplessness crossed Qi Mingyan’s face. “Xiaoyue, be good.”

Zhou Qiyue shook her head violently, her nose wrinkling as tears began to fall. Qi Mingyan’s expression hardened, her tone becoming stern. “Xiaoyue!”

With that, Qi Mingyan turned and entered the Princess’s room, closing the door firmly behind her. Zhou Qiyue stood stunned. Usually, the moment she cried, her sister-in-law would give in to her—but not this time.

Inside, seeing that Yun Chi was also present, Qi Mingyan performed another disciplined bow. “Qi Mingyan pays respects to the Grand Princess and the Consort.”

Ye Xuejin observed her subtly. “Rise and take a seat. I am no longer a Grand Princess; there is no need for this, Mingyan.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Qi Mingyan acted as if she hadn’t heard the disclaimer. Her every word and gesture remained strictly observant of court etiquette.

Ye Xuejin’s gaze deepened. She decided to go straight to the heart of the matter. “Since you are so observant of protocol, why do you still address me as Your Highness? Why perform such a grand salute to one who has been reduced to a commoner?”

If her guess was correct, this woman had come to Yangzhou not just for a family reunion, but specifically for her.

Qi Mingyan remained composed, her voice steady as she replied, “Because Your Highness is still Your Highness.”

Ye Xuejin met her gaze for a moment before moving on. “Do you have something you wish to say to me?”

Surprised by such directness, Qi Mingyan hesitated for a heartbeat before nodding. “Indeed, I do.”

Qi Mingyan’s eyes flickered with a sudden realization. She spoke decisively. “I am of humble talent, but I possess some literacy and have been well-versed in the Law since childhood. Perhaps I may be of use. If Your Highness does not disdain me, I am willing to follow you unto death.”

A flash of understanding crossed Ye Xuejin’s eyes. “And what does Mingyan want in return?”

Qi Mingyan spoke clearly, one word at a time: “I want the lives of two people.”

Ye Xuejin did not hesitate. “Granted.”

Qi Mingyan was astonished by the speed of the response. “Does Your Highness not wish to ask who they are?”

Ye Xuejin countered with her own question: “Is Mingyan not afraid of failure?”

The two women looked at each other in silence. Nothing more was said, yet it seemed every question had been answered. Yun Chi sat nearby, completely baffled. Was this the legendary ‘understanding without words’? A clash of high-level players?

After Qi Mingyan left, a small smile played on Ye Xuejin’s lips. She seemed satisfied with the exchange.

“Was she just… offering her soul to you?” Yun Chi asked uncertainly.

Ye Xuejin nodded. “Her loyalty comes with conditions, but I appreciate her candor.”

Yun Chi was still in a fog, feeling as though she had missed half the conversation. Seeing her confusion, Ye Xuejin smiled gently. “Does the Consort know why I granted her condition and accepted her so easily?”

Yun Chi shook her head honestly. She really didn’t.

“The Consort grew up in the marketplace, so it is natural you haven’t heard of Qi Mingyan,” Ye Xuejin explained.

Even if Ye Xuejin had never paid much attention to the Zhou family, she knew of Qi Mingyan. She was the daughter of the prestigious Qi Clan—one of the three great families of the capital. Before she married into the Zhou family, her talent and reputation were equal to Ye Xuejin’s. Together, they were known as the “Twin Beauties of the Capital.”

“I had only heard the rumors before,” Ye Xuejin said, her eyes filled with admiration. “Seeing her today, I know the rumors were true. She is incredibly observant and quick-witted. The moment I nodded, she understood there was no need to hide anything from you, Consort. She went straight to the point, stated her value, and named her price. To maintain such calm in these circumstances is rare.”

There was one more thing Ye Xuejin didn’t say: a woman as rational as Qi Mingyan would never act on impulse. She must have been observing the situation in Yangzhou for days before deciding to reveal herself.

Yun Chi felt her brain was reaching its limit. “So you’re saying she’s both useful and trustworthy?”

Ye Xuejin shook her head slightly. “Whether she is trustworthy is something we needn’t decide in haste. But for now, I believe her intentions are genuine.”

Yun Chi: “…” Smart people really love talking in circles.

Seeing Yun Chi’s frustrated frown, Ye Xuejin reached out and gently smoothed her brow. “The Consort needn’t think too much. Simply trust me.”

“So what’s the plan now?” Yun Chi asked.

Ye Xuejin’s expression turned serious. “News from the capital should arrive soon. In three days, the survivor from the city gates will have returned to the capital. Within four days, there will be movement in Yangzhou and the neighboring cities. And as for the events of last night… officials will come to investigate by tomorrow at the latest. The opportunity I’ve been waiting for is almost here.”

Yun Chi rubbed her forehead. She wasn’t just low on brain cells; she was physically exhausted from listening. Seeing her fatigue, Ye Xuejin’s voice softened. “If the Consort is tired, you should rest.”

Yun Chi replied offhandedly, “Do you want to come and sleep with me?”

Ye Xuejin’s breath hitched. Her voice dropped to a soft whisper. “Very well. I feel a bit weary myself.”

Their eyes met, and a strange tension filled the air.

“Uh… I’m going to sleep first,” Yun Chi said, quickly looking away as she noticed the faint blush on Ye Xuejin’s cheeks. Why is she blushing? I was just talking about actual sleep!

“Alright,” Ye Xuejin whispered, her voice uncharacteristically soft.

Yun Chi dove under the covers and pulled them over her head. That voice is a hazard, she thought. It makes your whole heart tingle.

“Sleep well, Fuma,” Ye Xuejin said tenderly as she reached out and pulled Yun Chi into her arms.