Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 88

Never mind that she couldn’t see; even if she could, she wouldn’t look. She was a person of principles, after all.

Recalling the previous misunderstanding and meeting Ye Xuejin’s gaze—which was a mix of bashful annoyance—Yun Chi couldn’t help but offer a few more words of explanation.

“The last time I saw you, it truly was an accident. Besides, I only saw your back, and even then, not clearly.”

Ye Xuejin arched an eyebrow, her face maintaining a facade of calm. “Does the Consort still wish to see ‘clearly’?”

Why did it feel like there was a hint of regret in this person’s tone?

Yun Chi nodded subconsciously, then shook her head violently. “No, I don’t.”

Ye Xuejin knit her brows, her dark eyes watching her intently.

Their gazes met. Although Ye Xuejin said nothing, Yun Chi could detect a sliver of displeasure from that deep stare.

She frowned and asked tentatively, “Then… I do want to?”

Ye Xuejin’s heart skipped a beat, her tone deepening. “What exactly does the Consort want?”

Yun Chi was speechless. Wasn’t this just asking what she already knew? Truly, why couldn’t clever people speak more directly instead of circling around like this? Did she want her to “want” to, or “not want” to?

Seeing Yun Chi’s silence, Ye Xuejin suppressed her emotions and seamlessly pulled the conversation back to the main topic. “This Princess estimates that the yamen will send between ten and twenty people. Their primary goal will be to investigate the whereabouts of the mine guards. Even if they discover something, they won’t act on the spot. They should be easy to handle.”

Originally, the battle outside the city gates wasn’t unavoidable. The reason she chose to make such a scene was to plant a seed of dread within the Yangzhou yamen, making them wary of acting rashly. Therefore, she was not worried about tomorrow.

Seeing her turn to serious business, Yun Chi pulled her stray thoughts back and confirmed, “You mean we just need to detain everyone the yamen sends tomorrow? Are we using the same method as before?”

Ye Xuejin nodded. “Correct. Leave not a single one behind. Those who surrender shall be spared.”

In other words, there was no need to show mercy to those who put up a desperate resistance.

“Alright, I’ll follow your lead.” Yun Chi earnestly noted Ye Xuejin’s words, feeling a bit more relaxed. By asking clearly in advance and having the “answer key,” she would surely understand everything tomorrow without feeling dazed.

Seeing the look of joy on her face, Ye Xuejin blinked in confusion. “What is the Consort thinking about?” Why was she suddenly so happy?

Yun Chi smiled. “Nothing. Shouldn’t we have dinner? I wonder if the others have eaten.” Honestly, her stomach was starting to growl.

Ye Xuejin nodded slightly. “The women should still have some rations left. As for the Old Lady and Xiao Yue, Mingyan will look after them.”

The women had been starting their own fires to cook over the last two days, so it was evident they had stored some food. As for the room next door, Qi Mingyan was meticulous and would certainly take care of them.

“Is there anything you want to eat?” Yun Chi asked casually.

“The Consort may prepare according to her own taste.”

Ye Xuejin was not a picky eater by habit, and certainly not now. Moreover, she found herself wanting to know what the person before her liked to eat. This thought came quite unexpectedly—under their current circumstances, personal preferences were trivial matters. Yet, a strange curiosity had bubbled up from the depths of her heart, leaving her feeling a mix of confusion and something else entirely.

It was marvelous and difficult to describe.

Yun Chi thought for a moment and pulled out a dozen or so compressed biscuits, dropping them onto the table. Then, she took Ye Xuejin’s hand and sat her down. “Then I’ll think about what to eat, and you think about what needs to be prepared in advance for tomorrow.”

When the time came, the yamen officials would surely be watching their every move. It wouldn’t be appropriate to “make a wish” for rewards right in front of them. Although she could still secretly slip biscuits into Ye Xuejin’s hand via her sleeve, it would be troublesome if an emergency arose or if she failed to get the specific reward they needed. To be safe, they should minimize the number of “real-time” wishes and finish their homework beforehand.

Ye Xuejin glanced at Yun Chi with surprise. “The Consort is very considerate. Thank you.”

She didn’t know much about Yun Chi’s “Golden Finger”; much of her knowledge was based on speculation. Those “Immortal methods” seemed to require passing through her hands to perform a sort of resource exchange, and most of it happened urgently on the spot. She hadn’t known they could prepare in advance.

Yun Chi chuckled. “No need for thanks between us. I just want to save some trouble. How about a bowl of porridge?” In the dead of winter, nothing beat hot porridge.

Ye Xuejin smiled. “Whatever the Consort decides is fine.”

Hearing this, Yun Chi decisively took two compressed biscuits, silently chanted “clay pot seafood porridge” in her mind, and handed them to Ye Xuejin.

[Two compressed biscuits offered. Please choose your reward: Two bowls of clay pot seafood porridge OR Two bowls of seafood porridge.]

Yun Chi resolutely chose the clay pot version.

Inside the steaming bowls were various dried scallops, bright shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and preserved vegetables. It looked delicious at a glance. She pushed a bowl toward Ye Xuejin. “Quickly, try it.”

After saying that, she picked up her own spoon and took a small, careful sip after blowing on it. The rice was soft and waxy, and the seafood flavor was incredibly fresh.

Yun Chi tilted her chin slightly, looking at Ye Xuejin as if seeking credit. “My noble Eldest Princess, are you satisfied with this porridge?”

Ye Xuejin was stunned for a moment, then looked at her deeply. “The fragrance is peerless. This Princess is… extremely satisfied with the Consort.”

Yun Chi beamed and began to eat contentedly. As for the reward for this “wish,” she had planned ahead and successfully obtained another riot helmet. It had to be said, her own safety was important too.

Once they finished eating unhurriedly, Ye Xuejin set down her utensils, her eyes full of inquiry. “Besides the method of fetching objects from thin air, can the Consort do anything else?”

Yun Chi followed the prompt. “What do you mean by ‘anything else’?”

The Golden Finger seemed to be restricted by certain laws; it couldn’t grant modern firearms, but food, daily necessities, and cold weapons were all possible. She felt that as long as it wasn’t something too absurd, they could give it a try. As for success, that depended on whether the Golden Finger allowed it.

Ye Xuejin hesitated. “Can you… summon wind, rain, thunder, or lightning?”

Yun Chi: “…” Good heavens, now that’s a bit too far.

No firearms, yet we’re jumping straight to controlling the weather! Not even considering if the Golden Finger would grant such a god-like reward—even if it did, how would she store it in her space?

However, it wasn’t impossible to try. Yun Chi didn’t reject the idea immediately. She thought to herself: What if?

“We can try.”

Ye Xuejin smiled. If she could try, there was hope. “Then let us try.”

Trial it is. Yun Chi took a light breath, picked up a compressed biscuit, and silently prayed: I want a gust of wind!

The moment she handed over the biscuit, she was dazed. Familiar large characters appeared, though the content was a bit abstract.

[One compressed biscuit offered. Please choose your reward: A gust of cold wind OR A gust of hot wind.]

Yun Chi was shocked. It actually worked! She chose the cold wind and immediately felt a current of air added to her storage space.

Ye Xuejin watched the changes in her expression closely, a faint sense of anticipation rising in her heart. “Consort… did it work?”

Yun Chi nodded uncertainly. “Let’s go outside to test it.”

She didn’t know if this “gust of cold wind” could manifest physically or what the effect would be. To be safe, they should release it outdoors. Otherwise, if it was a gale, it might blow the roof off.

“Alright.” A rare look of eagerness appeared on Ye Xuejin’s face as she grabbed Yun Chi’s hand and headed out.

To their surprise, as soon as they stepped out, they saw a figure standing in the open space, gazing up at the night sky. Hearing the door, the figure turned and saluted gracefully. “Mingyan pays respects to Your Highness He’an and the Consort.”

Yun Chi couldn’t help but look at Ye Xuejin, her eyes asking: Are we still doing this?

Ye Xuejin gave her a look that told her to stay calm, then straightened her expression. “Mingyan, no need for such ceremony. Why haven’t you rested yet?”

Qi Mingyan reacted quickly, deciding it was time to head back. “I was just about to.”

The Princess and the Consort clearly intended to do something; it would be inconvenient for her to remain.

Seeing her about to leave, Ye Xuejin spoke up to stop her. “Mingyan, wait. This Princess has some matters to discuss with you. Go into my room and sit for a moment.”

Qi Mingyan complied and quickly entered the room. She sat by the fire with her back to the door, leaving it open—her every move was very proper, given that this was the bedroom of Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi.

Ye Xuejin trusted her completely. She nodded silently to Yun Chi, signaling that they could begin.

Yun Chi gripped her hand, feeling a bit nervous. This was wind! If she succeeded, she really could summon the elements. The thought was exhilarating.

The next instant, a dozen meters in front of them, a massive gust of wind suddenly roared past. The cold was piercing, like the door to a freezer had suddenly been swung open.

It really was a cold wind!

Yun Chi instinctively looked at Ye Xuejin. Their eyes met, both unable to hide their excitement.

“Consort…” Ye Xuejin opened her mouth and slowly smiled. “The Consort truly is a person of divine capability.”

Yun Chi shook her head modestly. “No, no. It’s all thanks to you.” Ye Xuejin was the one who came up with the idea, and the reward from the Golden Finger couldn’t be triggered without her. Her words were sincere.

Hearing this, a look of emotion appeared in Ye Xuejin’s eyes, her gaze burning. “How fortunate this Princess is…”

Fortunate to be favored by the Immortals, and fortunate to have a deity by her side. Her gaze was deep and devout, her tone incredibly tender.

Being stared at like that, with such soft words falling on her ears, Yun Chi’s heart pounded wildly. She struggled to remain calm and sighed with feigned gravity, “Fortunate indeed.”

To even think of such a god-like reward and have it come true was almost frightening.

Ye Xuejin’s eyes became even more affectionate, her voice impossibly soft. “Consort, let us return to the room.”

Inside, as soon as Qi Mingyan saw them enter, she stood up, ready to receive orders.

Ye Xuejin gave a shallow smile. “Mingyan, please sit. This Princess wishes to hear your thoughts on a certain matter.”

Qi Mingyan sat down. “Please speak, Your Highness. Mingyan will tell you everything she knows.”

Ye Xuejin thought for a moment and said gently, “Tomorrow, this Princess intends to detain everyone the yamen sends. What do you think the reaction within Yangzhou City will be?”

Qi Mingyan thought for a bit before answering, “Since Your Highness has such a plan, then no matter how many people Yangzhou City sends over the next two days, they must all be detained.”

Their thoughts aligned perfectly. Ye Xuejin showed a look of approval, but she asked one more question: “Why does Mingyan only care about these next two days?”

Beside her, Yun Chi nodded subconsciously. Right, why only mention these two days?

Wait… why did she feel like these two were starting to chat in code again?!

Even though she had asked about Ye Xuejin’s plans beforehand and had the “answer key” ready, why did she once again feel like her brain wasn’t quite big enough?