After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Turned on Easy Mode - Chapter 16

Another half-month of snow went by, sealing everyone into tiny pockets of livable space. Wu You was no exception—her “enforced homebody” era had officially begun.

The cold made her cling to her warm quilt even more. It was nearly noon, and she still refused to get up. With no visitors expected, why make life hard? Better to burrow back under and sleep.

She wrapped herself up, tight as a dumpling, breathed a satisfied sigh… and then a prickle of guilt. She really was getting lazier.

She tried sticking a hand out. A blast of icy air made her jerk it back under the covers at once. “Forget it, forget it—lazy it is,” she thought, surrendering.

When Zhao Qingzi arrived, the first thing she saw was someone sprawled in bed, not moving a muscle. It made her want to laugh. Wu You had told the servants before: if Miss Zhao came, let her straight in without announcing it. So Wu You had no idea Zhao Qingzi would show up today and was thoroughly unprepared.

The faint scrape of wheels on the floorboards alerted the “sleeper.” Guessing who it was, Wu You poked her head out of the quilt and glanced toward the door—only to find Zhao Qingzi wrapped in a pink cloak today, with two little fur pom-poms at the ends of the tie.

Cute? Since when was she doing cute? But the outfit did give her a more lively charm, softening the usual stillness.

Wind and snow had followed her in; even with a maid holding an umbrella, a dusting clung to her. Wu You, meanwhile, suddenly felt a bit mortified at being caught in such a sloth state.

Mortification or not, she hopped up and wheeled Zhao Qingzi inside. The braziers were lit (the maid at least was diligent), but Wu You herself was still in just an underrobe. She didn’t think much of it—nothing showed, and compared to modern clothes this was positively conservative.

Times differed, though. Zhao Qingzi flushed at the sight. Among women it wasn’t a big deal, but because of certain extra thoughts, her mind drifted elsewhere.

Once Zhao Qingzi was settled, Wu You began to feel the chill prickling her arms into gooseflesh and hurried to the wardrobe to pull on proper layers.

Seeing her dressed, Zhao Qingzi felt—just a flicker—of regret. Then she noticed Wu You hadn’t done her hair, long black silk falling loose down her back.

“You’re really something—sleeping till this hour.”

Wu You shrugged, helpless. “The snow’s locked us in; up or not, there’s nothing to do. If I’d known you were coming, I wouldn’t have lazed about.”

“Oh? So it’s my fault now?” Zhao Qingzi’s eyes smiled. “Look at your hair—uncombed. What if outsiders see you?”

Wu You waved fast. “I’m not blaming you. It’s just… hair is a lot of work. I’m not going out anyway. And you’re not an outsider. Let it be.”

No one in their right mind would “blame” you, oh great final boss, she grumbled inwardly. Zhao Qingzi, however, only heard the last part—“you’re not an outsider”—and her mood brightened.

Smiling, she eyed that waterfall of messy hair. Disheveled had its own allure, but her fingers itched to fix it.

Wu You noticed the look and thought she’d offended some hair standard. She truly couldn’t manage anything beyond a ponytail.

“Should I call a maid to—”

“Let me.”
Both spoke at once, paused, then laughed.

Since Zhao Qingzi wanted to help, Wu You happily handed over the comb and set the dressing box within easy reach, then knelt and turned her back.

Her hair was very long. Feeling its smooth weight between her fingers, Zhao Qingzi’s heartbeat picked up. She suppressed the shamefully feral urge to take a deep breath of that clean scent, blinked herself steady, and set to work.

Because Wu You was kneeling, Zhao Qingzi worried her legs might go numb, so she chose a simple “spirit-serpent” bun and pinned it deftly. Fingers brushing the box, she was surprised to find as few hair ornaments as her own. She picked a couple of pretty pieces and set them in place, then asked Wu You to stand.

Wu You lifted the bronze mirror and sighed in real admiration. “You’ve got such clever hands, A-Zi. I can’t do anything this delicate.”

“It’s nothing,” Zhao Qingzi said, tidying the box. “Your strengths are in your martial skills. I doubt there are many in the capital who could best you.”

Wu You came to help put things away, then sat beside her. The roads outside were still half-frozen; travel wouldn’t be easy. So why had Zhao Qingzi braved the weather today?

She did some quick mental math. Today… might be her birthday. Could the big bad have come to celebrate? No way…

She didn’t dare ask outright—like hinting for a present.

While she was overthinking, Zhao Qingzi’s voice landed softly: “It’s your birthday today. Why are you letting it pass so carelessly?”

That smile, those crescent eyes—something tugged inside Wu You. She hadn’t expected anyone to remember.

Zhao Qingzi glanced at the dressing box again and sighed. “Did General Wu fail to give you spending money? Why so few ornaments?”

“It’s not that,” Wu You said quickly. “I… bought weapons instead. Hahaha.”

That drew a laugh from Zhao Qingzi. If her jewelry was sparse, then the thing she’d brought today was just right.

She gestured, and the maid entered carrying a lacquered box. Taking it herself, Zhao Qingzi placed it in Wu You’s hands. “Open it. My gift to you.”

A gift—really? Warmth popped in Wu You’s chest. She lifted the lid… and was nearly blinded.

A full set of gold jewelry. She could get married in this. The maker’s mark? Fujinyun.

Heavens. Did she just land herself a rich patroness? Rich lady, hug me.

Catching the heat in Wu You’s gaze, Zhao Qingzi suddenly felt shy. Was it too gaudy? Anxiety pricked. She’d never given a woman a present and had no idea what to choose. Her brother always sent jewelry to that silly princess—so she’d copied him.

“You don’t like it?” she asked, uneasy. “If not, I’ll exchange it.”

“No! I love it.” Wu You clutched the box like someone might snatch it. “Don’t change a thing.”

After carefully stowing the treasure, a new worry hit: gifts go both ways. When it was the villain’s birthday, what on earth could she give that would measure up?

Ask directly.

She resettled beside Zhao Qingzi. “A-Zi, is there anything you particularly like? Or need?”

What did she truly want? Zhao Qingzi sifted through her mind. She didn’t lack for things, nor crave any one object.

If anything…

She lifted her gaze to the bright, unpainted face in front of her—the simple bun she’d tied herself, beauty a touch less sultry but more natural for it. Her heart thumped. She knew suddenly what she wanted… but that, she couldn’t say.

Wu You noticed that look again—an emotion flitting in those eyes too quickly to catch. Just as she was about to break the silence, Zhao Qingzi finally spoke.

“I know what I want. But it’s not convenient to say. Come closer—I’ll whisper it.”

What kind of secret desire was this? Curiosity hooked, Wu You scooted her stool nearer.

“Lean in,” Zhao Qingzi signaled.

Obediently, Wu You dipped her ear close. Mischief curved Zhao Qingzi’s lips. She breathed against that sensitive ear and murmured, “Not telling.”

The warmth of her breath made Wu You’s ear tingle. Only then did she realize she’d been played—again.

Petty. “Fine, don’t tell me. I’m not curious anyway,” she huffed, dragging her stool a little farther, throwing her a wounded look.

Zhao Qingzi broke into helpless laughter, laughing till she bent. Wu You, sharp-eyed, noticed something at her neck—she’d never seen her wear anything there before.

Following the glance, Zhao Qingzi lifted the item from inside her collar.

Half a broken comb. Jade, with a tiny drilled hole threaded by a red cord. Wu You realized what it must be.

“It was my mother’s,” Zhao Qingzi said.

“Why only half?” Wu You frowned. “Is the other piece with your brother?”

“No. It’s missing. I don’t know where.”

Seeing the shadow that crossed her face, Wu You let the topic drop. She looped the jade half-comb back on its cord and tucked it inside Zhao Qingzi’s collar, patting her shoulder with a smile. “Then let it be lost. It carries too much sorrow anyway.”

“…Mm.” Zhao Qingzi tucked it carefully against her skin.