After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Turned on Easy Mode - Chapter 20

Counting the days, the villainess hadn’t come for six whole days. Wu You felt off—like something was missing. Unlike before, the post-disaster bustle meant Zhao Qingshu was busy and no longer free to block Zhao Qingzi from going out.

A thin thread of loss slid through her. Had she done something wrong that day? Panic pricked—this time not from fear that Zhao Qingzi might harm her, but from fear of losing her.

In this world, Zhao Qingzi was probably her only friend. Thinking how it was always Qingzi who came to her first, Wu You raked her hair in annoyance. Maybe this time she should be the one to visit. And today, Zhao Qingshu likely wouldn’t be home.

Decision made, a smile lifted her face. She mounted her black horse and headed straight for the Yongding Marquis’s estate. Villainess, I’m coming!

“I’m sorry, my lady is unwell today and not receiving visitors. Miss Wu, please return.”

Staring at the maid answering at the gate, Wu You swallowed a snub. For some reason it stung. With no reason to hurry back, she led her horse and walked slowly homeward.

Stallkeepers lowered their voices as she passed. Normally she wouldn’t care, but now it only made her feel worse.

Lost in thought, she ran straight into someone. Rubbing her forehead, she looked up as the other person turned.

Wow. Did people in this world eat beauty for breakfast? The woman wore a lotus hairpiece—large, but not gaudy—only setting off her delicate charm.

It was her fault for bumping into someone. Wu You hurried to apologize. “I’m sorry, miss—are you alright?”

Liniang’s brows knit, but at the apology she answered softly, “I’m fine.”

Then she lifted her gaze to the bright beauty before her, eyes lighting. “Might you be Miss Wu You?”

Wu You blinked. This seemingly frail girl wasn’t afraid of her—in fact looked a touch excited. “Yes, I’m Wu You. And you are?”

With a gentle smile: “I’m called Liniang. My status is humble—of course Miss would not know me. Did you come out today to see Miss Zhao?”

That surprised Wu You even more. And the name “Liniang” rang a bell—the courtesan of Drunken Red Pavilion; her original body’s scoundrel friends had often mentioned her.

But how did this woman know she’d come to see Zhao Qingzi? “How do you know that’s who I’m visiting?”

Liniang’s eyes widened slightly, then she covered her lips and laughed. “Miss Wu must be out of touch with the capital’s gossip. Your matter with Miss Zhao is already known throughout the city.”

…Oh. Heat crept up; she truly hadn’t known. With her foul reputation, who would dare chatter in front of her? And now the villainess was avoiding her for who-knew-what reason… She fretted.

Noting the crease between Wu You’s brows, Liniang hazarded a test. “Miss seems worried. Did you quarrel with Miss Zhao?”

A quarrel? …Sort of. Wu You nodded.

“Does Miss Wu have other business today? If not, might I invite you to sit for a moment?”

Wu You eyed the frail figure—she didn’t look dangerous—but stayed cautious. “And why invite me?”

Hearing the wariness, Liniang looked faintly disappointed and smiled helplessly. “I thought I might help. This street is full of ears—no place to talk. You needn’t worry; I’ve no strength to threaten you.”

Wu You half-believed her, but they were strangers, so she declined and moved to pass. As their shoulders brushed, Liniang’s voice drifted lightly:

“Perhaps Miss Wu needn’t rush home. I passed the Imperial Academy today—heard people say Miss Zhao’s elder brother didn’t report for duty.”

Zhao Qingshu absent today? Then today’s refusal likely wasn’t Qingzi’s idea. The cloud in her chest lifted.

It was odd that this woman seemed to know exactly what weighed on her, but Wu You still wanted to verify. She glanced back—Liniang still smiled gently, as if truly happy for her.

Wu You frowned, murmured thanks, and turned toward the Yongding Marquis’s gate again.

Inside, Zhao Qingzi was anxious too. She’d been angry at Wu You’s behavior that day, yes—but never planned to bar her at the door. In truth, she’d been delighted she’d come.

She just hadn’t expected her brother to skip work today—and for Wu You to be turned away to her face.

Zhao Qingshu stared at his sister’s placid expression, reading the urgency beneath it. He knew she was angry: she blamed him for driving Wu You off.

He sighed. “Zier, is Wu You really that important to you?”

She’d been fuming, but that question gave her pause. “She is.”

The voice was gentle, the resolve beneath immeasurable. He frowned, troubled. “I know you’re angry. But everyone in the capital knows what kind of person Wu You is. I can’t hand you to her with an easy heart.”

There was one thing he didn’t say: when Wu You had wounded Zier that day and he’d gone to confront her, she’d declared she loved Zier—yet he’d sensed no real love in her. He thought of their mother, fingers slowly curling into fists. If Wu You didn’t truly love his sister, he would end this doomed fate before Zier suffered the same pain.

Zhao Qingzi wanted to refute him, then saw her brother lower his head into old grief, fists tight, and her heart softened.

“I know what you’re afraid of, brother. But I can feel she’s not the person the rumors say.”

She remembered Wu You taking her hand, telling her to try trusting her. She had seen true pity in those eyes.

Taking his hand, gaze firm: “Trust Wu You—or trust me this once.”

He looked into her eyes, seeing a color he hadn’t seen in years. Since that confession, his sister had grown livelier. He couldn’t remember the last time she’d cared about anything. Since she’d lost the use of her legs, she’d been detached from everything.

Something in him relaxed. Enough. Isn’t this forcing things, too? I’ll keep watch regardless.

After much struggling, he relented. “Very well. But don’t force what doesn’t fit. If you’re incompatible, you part. Understand?”

She hadn’t expected him to yield so easily. Surprise—then joy.

Her smile bloomed brighter; even her voice lifted. “Thank you, brother!”

He smiled with his eyes. “Silly girl. Whatever happens, I’m always here.”

Warmth filled her. She was glad she wouldn’t have to sneak out anymore. Dosing her brother with wine was bad for his health, after all.

Seeing her no longer frowning, Zhao Qingshu remembered work at the Academy and took his leave.

Wu You squatted outside the Marquis’s estate for ages before Zhao Qingshu finally left. Relief! She didn’t dare use the main gate—what if he’d left orders?

Good thing she had martial skills. A wall climb was nothing. Once inside, she froze—she had no idea where Zhao Qingzi’s quarters were.

She genuinely wanted to bonk her head on a wall. Fine—keep looking. She’d find it.

In truth, the moment she slipped in, someone reported it to Zhao Qingzi—including the part where she got lost.

Amused—and surprised she’d come on her own; she’d expected her to sulk back home—Zhao Qingzi ordered her guided in subtlety, lest she blunder into the wrong courtyard or the wrong person.

While Wu You wandered, she suddenly spotted the maid who often pushed Qingzi’s chair. If she tailed the maid, she’d find her—right?

She shadowed her through twists and turns until the maid entered a small courtyard and didn’t come out. This marquis’s house is huge, Wu You thought. So this is what noble families are like.

When the maid finally left, Wu You slipped into the courtyard. She didn’t know how a simple visit had turned into something that felt like an assassination.

The yard was big—but she wasn’t here to sightsee. She tapped the door and, thief-like, whispered, “Qingzi, are you there? I came to see you.”

Zhao Qingzi was right behind the door. Hearing the whisper, she nearly laughed aloud, and put on a mock-stern tone: “Why are you here? Didn’t they say I was unwell today?”

She really is angry. Wu You’s face went pale. Disappointment pinched; her voice turned urgent: “Are you mad at me?”

Hearing that waver, Zhao Qingzi dropped the tease. She opened the door and snorted a laugh. “Come in. I lied.”

Wu You didn’t even think to be angry—just patted her chest in relief. “You scared me to death!”

Seeing how shaken she looked, Zhao Qingzi felt a twinge of remorse—then realized: so she really did matter like that.

Smiling, she took Wu You’s hand. “Come in first.”