When the Villainess Transmigrates as the Heroine of a Sadistic Novel [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Wuxia Arc

Nether Palace, North Pavilion.

Xie Yushu took the herbal soup from the maid and smiled slightly. “Thank you, miss. May I know your name?”

The maid’s face reddened, and she lowered her head. Seizing this gap, Xie Yushu pulled a silver needle from his waist and stealthily dipped it into the bowl. Seeing the needle remain unchanged, he quickly retracted it and took a sip. He mused to himself: The way the Nether Palace ignored me for a while must have been a test.

Now that they treat me with courtesy, I must have passed, causing them to lower their guard. At this rate, as long as I can gain the trust of the two sisters, I can use poison or assassination to rid the martial arts world of this scourge. However…

Xie Yushu’s brow furrowed into a small “river” as he thought of the two women he saw last night. His gaze suddenly softened: The two Palace Mistresses of the Nether Palace are truly heavenly beauties. It would be a great pity if they died. He had always been a protector of the “fragrant and the jade,” and had a weakness for delicate beauties, but the “Righteous Path” of the martial arts world had sent him here to eliminate the evil. He couldn’t easily fail his mission.

“Sigh.” The worried Master Xie let out a sigh. Seeing the maid looking at him with concern, he suddenly had an idea. He tried to fish for information. “You haven’t spoken a word since you arrived. Did I do something impolite to offend you?”

The maid remained silent. She looked up and met Xie Yushu’s starry eyes, her lips parting as she prepared to speak. Suddenly, a cold snort echoed through the room. Terrified, her body trembled, and she prostrated herself on the floor. “Great Palace Mistress!”

Jiang Chenyue walked in with graceful steps, not even sparing a glance for the maid. She simply said, “Go to the Second Palace Mistress and request your punishment.”

“Yes.” The maid rose and stumbled out.

Seeing Xie Yushu staring blankly at the maid, an inexplicable fire of anger rose in Jiang Chenyue’s heart. She was about to strike at the maid’s back when Xie Yushu stood up and flashed a smile at her. “So, you are the Great Palace Mistress of the Nether Palace. Hearing of you is not as good as meeting you—you truly are transcendent, like a fairy from another world.”

Martial arts legends said the smile of the third son of the Xie family was enough to bewitch the world. Jiang Chenyue was momentarily dazed by that smile, her eyes fixed on him. Although her heart stirred slightly, her cultivation of the “Nether Divine Art” kept her heart as still as water. On the surface, she remained indifferent and unperturbed.

Xie Yushu, an old hand in the “forest of flowers,” saw that his charm was working and bowed again. “I have been impolite. I hope the Palace Mistress does not take offense.”

“Mhm,” Jiang Chenyue hummed softly. Unskilled in flirting, she lacked topics for conversation. To avoid embarrassment, the veteran Xie Yushu continued to hook her in. “The Palace Mistress is my savior, yet I still do not know your name.”

“Jiang Chenyue.” The martial-obsessed Palace Mistress’s reply was concise. Xie Yushu was stunned for a moment; it was his first time meeting a girl so difficult to engage. However, she was high-born and cold; if she weren’t a “female devil,” he might have wanted to marry her.

“A name that puts the moon to shame and makes the flowers hide. A beautiful name, Miss Jiang,” Xie Yushu chatted with a smile.

These common idioms actually made Jiang Chenyue feel quite delighted. It was the first time anyone had dared to speak to her like this. Moreover, his voice was as warm and gentle as his person. Keeping him in the palace was much more interesting than keeping a hawk or a hound. Jiang Chenyue glanced at the man and replied flatly, “Mhm.”

While Xie Yushu was engaged in an awkward conversation, the lucky maid who escaped, Yun Shi, ran to the side hall of the Nether Palace. The moment she saw Ning Yunqing sitting at the head of the hall handling affairs, her legs buckled, and she knelt. “Second Palace Mistress…”

She was panting heavily, having clearly run the whole way. Ning Yunqing was reviewing documents and asked casually, “Aren’t you a maid guarding the North Pavilion? Why have you come to me?”

Yun Shi prostrated herself, trembling. “Second Palace Mistress, your servant Yun Shi begs for your help.”

“Oh?” Ning Yunqing circled something in red ink and looked up at her. “Did the Great Palace Mistress send you?”

Yun Shi replied, “Yes. I was caught talking with Master Xie by the Great Palace Mistress, and she ordered me to come to you for punishment.”

Ah, a poor cannon-fodder girl. Ning Yunqing nodded and asked leisurely, “Did you speak with Master Xie?”

“I did not dare cross the line. I didn’t respond to Master Xie’s words, but…” Yun Shi bit her lip and said through gritted teeth, “But when the Great Palace Mistress arrived, she saw me looking at Master Xie.”

Seeing her “pet” making eye contact with another woman it would be strange if Senior Sister wasn’t angry. No wonder this girl was in a panic and came here for help. Ning Yunqing glanced at her, propped her chin on her hand, and returned to her documents.

After a while, Yun Shi’s knees were aching from the hard floor. She couldn’t help but sway slightly, but she immediately forced herself to straighten up. She peeked at Ning Yunqing, seeing that she was still handling palace business, and breathed a secret sigh of relief. But in an instant, she trembled with fear again.

“Why is she here?”

A chilling voice entered the room. Ning Yunqing stood up and greeted her with a smile, “Senior Sister, please take the seat of honor.”

Jiang Chenyue walked up the steps and took Ning Yunqing’s seat. Looking at the mountain of documents on the desk, she suppressed her temper and asked coldly, “Has she been punished according to the rules?”

Ning Yunqing smiled. “That maid offended you, Senior Sister. I am having her kneel here in reflection.”

“That’s all?” Jiang Chenyue looked at Ning Yunqing sideways. Ning Yunqing explained, “Senior Sister, although that maid is annoying, she hasn’t actually violated any palace rules.”

This was a fact, but in the Nether Palace, Jiang Chenyue’s word was more terrifying than the rules. Anyone who offended her usually met a grizzly end. In the past, if Jiang Chenyue sent someone over, Ning Yunqing would at the very least send them to the Pavilion of Discipline to lose a layer of skin. This leniency surprised the Palace Mistress.

“You seem to have become much more kindhearted lately,” Jiang Chenyue said flatly, thinking to herself: Could it be that this girl’s ‘monthly visitor’ still hasn’t left?

Ning Yunqing didn’t have her period at all. She was doing this because reducing the villain’s body count earned bonus points. To avoid being exposed, she used an excuse. “It is likely because I am currently gaining insights into the Nether Divine Art.”

Practicing the Nether Divine Art required a heart as still as water. Jiang Chenyue accepted this explanation and leaped out of the hall. “Then let me see how much you have progressed lately.”

Ning Yunqing followed her out. As they sparred, they brought about gusts of cold wind. As a “potential” expert, Ning Yunqing once again lost to her “peerless expert” sister. Stumbling back two steps, Ning Yunqing clutched her chest, secretly regulating her breathing. “Senior Sister…”

“It seems your insights haven’t been good lately,” Jiang Chenyue landed gracefully, brushing her sleeves as she looked down at Ning Yunqing with a calm expression. “It’s been two years, and you still haven’t broken through to the eighth level. At your age, I had already passed the ninth level.”

And that’s why you’ve been stuck at the ninth level for four years? Ning Yunqing kept the sarcasm to herself and lowered her head in shame. “Yunqing is dull. I have disappointed you, Senior Sister.”

Jiang Chenyue’s lips curved slightly. “No matter. Diligence can make up for a lack of talent. Put aside your duties and go into seclusion.”

Talking about “striking while the iron is hot”—she wants me to go today. Ning Yunqing asked hesitantly, “What about you, Senior Sister?”

“I told you, if you want to practice hard, why do you need me there?” Jiang Chenyue said indifferently. She glanced at the expectant girl and said with a hint of a smile, “Don’t worry, I will find time to give you pointers. Remember, you are not allowed to leave seclusion until you have reached the eighth level.”

“…Yes,” Ning Yunqing nodded, feeling a lingering sense of regret.

Returning from the outer courtyard, Ning Yunqing glanced at the trembling Yun Shi and said softly, “Stand up.”

Yun Shi was shocked. “Second Palace Mistress?”

Ning Yunqing looked down at her. “Yun Shi, to save you, I’ve been sent into seclusion by my sister. How will you repay me?”

“Second Palace Mistress…” Yun Shi looked at the woman timidly, not knowing how to respond.

Ning Yunqing smiled faintly. “Don’t be afraid. I don’t want your life. I just want you to keep a good eye on the North Pavilion for me.”

Yun Shi was a bit confused. Ning Yunqing said helplessly, “I thought you were a clever girl. Why can’t you see my intention?”

Yun Shi looked around and said carefully, “I cannot repay your great kindness. I will watch the North Pavilion for you!” So that you have a chance to be alone with Master Xie!

Though she didn’t say it, Ning Yunqing understood her meaning and sighed. “Don’t overthink it. I have no interest in Master Xie. You may go. In the future, be careful with your words and actions. Don’t let the Great Palace Mistress see any faults.”

“Yes, I understand.” Yun Shi stumbled out, thinking to herself: The Second Palace Mistress is so restrained. She clearly likes Master Xie but can’t say it. Sigh, I must help her more.

Due to the incident with Yun Shi, the maids of the Nether Palace became wary of the third son of the Xie family. No matter how much they loved his face, they didn’t dare spare him a second glance. Xie Yushu was very depressed. Since coming to the Nether Palace, his vast world had shrunk to a single bedroom.

Whenever he stepped onto the stairs, someone would ask him to go back and rest. If he wanted a breath of air, he could only stand by the window and sigh. Every day, a constant stream of girls came to his room, but not one of them looked him in the eye. If it weren’t for the Great Palace Mistress occasionally visiting, he would have suspected he was disfigured.

“Truly, when Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a man…” Xie Yushu looked at the crescent moon outside and sighed gloomily. “Why hasn’t that girl from the other day come back?”

“Master Xie.” Just then, a soft call came from behind. Finally, someone dared to speak to him! Xie Yushu immediately turned around to see an unfamiliar maid walking in with dinner. He nodded and smiled. “Who are you, miss?”

For martial artists, seclusion was like a scholar’s intense study. While there were no chains or needles to keep one awake, there were no fresh fruits or delicacies either just a simple, empty room with a manual. Ning Yunqing sat in the empty room holding the manual, yet her mind was constantly on her lover, and she was constantly worried that her lover would “get closer to the pig” (Xie Yushu) while she was away.

With these complicated feelings, she practiced for two days. Though it was short, she broke through the bottleneck and reached the eighth level. This was largely thanks to her experience being a “Boss” in a previous wuxia world, which gave her a certain knack for training. She solved the original owner’s difficulties and, in just two days, narrowed the gap with her martial-obsessed sister to just one level.

Normally, at this stage, Ning Yunqing could have left seclusion. But achieving in two days what hadn’t been done in two years would surely raise suspicion. To prevent her sister from becoming jealous of her brilliance and going into seclusion herself, she decided to endure for another five days.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t last five days and secretly snuck out. Using her light-body technique to reach the North Pavilion, Ning Yunqing saw Yun Shi guarding outside and approached her quietly. “Is Senior Sister in the building?”

Yun Shi shook her head. “Rest assured, Second Palace Mistress. The Great Palace Mistress has only come twice these past few days, and she didn’t stay long each time.”

She must be annoyed by that mountain of palace business. Ning Yunqing gave a light laugh and asked, “Has there been anything unusual?”

“Since the Great Palace Mistress visited that day, I have only stayed outside. I am not very clear on what happens inside. However, I feel the maid responsible for bringing food to Master Xie has been coming quite frequently lately,” Yun Shi said sincerely.

Ning Yunqing nodded. “How many times a day does she come?”

Yun Shi thought for a moment. “About four or five times. Besides the three meals a day, she also brings him pastries and soup from time to time. When I asked her, she said it was the Palace Mistress’s order to take good care of Master Xie. Perhaps I am overthinking things.”

Seeing the Second Palace Mistress still deep in thought, she added, “Second Palace Mistress, should I find an opportunity to warn her?”

“Very well,” Ning Yunqing agreed, thinking: I’ll give this reckless little girl one chance. If she still goes her own way, then let her have her death wish.

With a mountain of scrolls before her, Jiang Chenyue’s brow was slightly furrowed. She really didn’t know there were so many daily affairs in the palace.

“Does that girl do all this every day?” Flipping through the scrolls, a faint smile appeared on Jiang Chenyue’s face. “No wonder she has no time to practice.” Standing up, she walked out of the hall.

The moonlit night was silent. Jiang Chenyue quietly landed outside the seclusion room and walked in with light steps. As a martial arts fanatic, she felt that everyone in seclusion should be like her—no food or water, no sleep, ears closed to the world, and heart focused only on high-level skills. So, when she saw Ning Yunqing, she was utterly disappointed.

Even though it was a time for seclusion, her sister Ning Yunqing was leaning against the couch with her chin in her hand, seemingly sound asleep. How diligent, Jiang Chenyue let out a cold laugh. “Heh.”

The laugh wasn’t loud, but it was enough to wake the sharp Ning Yunqing. “Senior Sister?” With misty eyes, Ning Yunqing slowly sat up, looking confused.

Jiang Chenyue gave a cold, angry laugh and struck out at Ning Yunqing with her palm. Ning Yunqing was startled and leaped to avoid it. With a loud bang, the soft couch in the room was reduced to a pile of scrap wood. Seeing Ning Yunqing looking at her in shock, Jiang Chenyue felt better. “Are you awake now?”

Ning Yunqing nodded blankly. Jiang Chenyue asked, “Do you want to be locked in here forever?”

This meant that if she didn’t reach the eighth level, she would never leave. Ning Yunqing, who had just snuck out, was startled and looked at her sister timidly. “Senior Sister, I… I didn’t mean to sleep. It’s just… there are some parts I can’t quite grasp.”

Jiang Chenyue glanced at her, ran her fingers over several of her major acupuncture points, and then said, “Try your internal work again.”

Ning Yunqing had already broken through the eighth level, but to avoid stimulating her sister into another seclusion, she pretended to practice once and put on a look of joy, looking at Jiang Chenyue gratefully. “Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister.”

Jiang Chenyue hummed and left without another word. Looking at her lover’s departing back, Ning Yunqing smiled softly. “Even in another world, she’s still so ‘tsundere’.” But now, she could finally leave the room openly.

Three days later, on the seventh day of Ning Yunqing’s seclusion, because she was too worried that her sister would “get the pig,” Ning Yunqing left seclusion under the cover of night and headed straight for the North Pavilion.

It was a bright night with few stars. The maids guarding the North Pavilion couldn’t resist the hazy moonlight and were nodding off. Frowning slightly, Ning Yunqing moved lightly. Just as she was about to leap into the pavilion, she saw a black figure jump out from the building. Ning Yunqing followed.

Due to the gap in their cultivation, she captured the black-clad person in just a few steps. Stepping in front of her, Ning Yunqing pulled off the black mask and found the face familiar it was the sword-maid who had been with Jiang Chenyue that day. Recalling the sword-maid’s strange behavior, Ning Yunqing grabbed her shoulder and, in one movement, brought her back to her own quarters.

Her whole body was thrown onto the floor. The woman in the night suit let out a soft groan and immediately knelt, pleading, “Second Palace Mistress, spare my life! I only saw that gentleman was pitiful and brought him some food.”

“Pitiful?” Ning Yunqing leaned back on the couch, her chin in her hand as she watched her with a playful smile.

The woman bit her teeth and replied, “Because Sister Yun Shi was punished recently, we were all afraid to have contact with Master Xie. I was afraid Master Xie would go hungry, so…”

“So you go four or five times a day, bringing late-night snacks on top of the three meals?” Ning Yunqing said with a smile.

The woman was stunned. She looked up at Ning Yunqing in surprise and suddenly changed her attitude. “I remember the Second Palace Mistress was supposed to be in seclusion. Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Great Palace Mistress that you snuck into the North Pavilion?”

“Not afraid,” Ning Yunqing replied leisurely. With a flick of her hand, she struck the woman, sending her sprawling. Looking at her coughing up blood, Ning Yunqing smiled with curved lips. “I will kill you before you can say a word. Now tell me, who are you?”

“Your servant is Lily of the Valley, the Great Palace Mistress’s sword-maid.” Lily panted, looking at Ning Yunqing warily. “Since Yun Shi requested to guard the North Pavilion, I was moved inside to be responsible for Master Xie’s meals.”

“That’s not what I want to hear.” Ning Yunqing looked directly at the maid. She wasn’t angry, yet the sight made Lily tremble.

“Second Palace Mistress…” Lily avoided her gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t know?” Ning Yunqing looked at her fingernails and struck out again.

“Pfft.” Another mouthful of blood sprayed out. Lily propped herself up with one hand, her eyes full of resentment. Seeing Ning Yunqing raise her hand again, her courage failed, and she shouted out: “Great God Ning, spare my life!”

As expected. Ning Yunqing didn’t lower her hand. She stared at the woman and asked, “Who are you really?”

Lily took a deep breath and said helplessly, “I am the author of the previous world, Duan Linglan.” She then collapsed to the floor in exhaustion.

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