After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Turned on Easy Mode - Chapter 21

Led by Zhao Qingzi’s hand, Wu You relaxed at last—Qingzi didn’t look angry. Because she hadn’t entered “properly,” she had dust on her clothes. She bent to pat it off, then glanced around the spotless room and felt a twinge of guilt for spoiling its neatness.

Seeing Wu You come in and hover without sitting, Zhao Qingzi wondered what was wrong—until she noticed a smudge of ash on Wu You’s cheek. She suddenly understood and told a maid to bring a basin.

After tidying herself up, Wu You sighed inwardly. The villainess really is considerate.

“Don’t be so stiff,” Zhao Qingzi said. “Sit. When have I ever disliked you?”

Reassured, Wu You took the stool beside her and looked around—much nicer than her own room. A bookcase stood against the wall, packed full. What does the villainess read, anyway? she wondered.

The tea set on the table gleamed. With graceful movements, Zhao Qingzi poured a cup; fragrance rose and tugged Wu You’s attention back. “Thank you, Qingzi.”

“Why be polite with me?” Qingzi smiled, setting the pot aside. “So—what brings you here? It’s your first time.”

Wu You knew she’d been a bit remiss. With Zhao Qingshu’s attitude, she hadn’t dared call, and because Qingzi often visited the general’s manor, she’d subconsciously avoided initiating. She set down the cup. “You didn’t come for days. I thought you were angry. And when I reached your gate today, I was blocked.”

It hurt more than she’d expected. If Qingzi hadn’t meant to snub her, then the culprit had to be Zhao Qingshu. All because of the original Wu You’s awful reputation—time to clean up that mess.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Qingzi’s gentle voice slid into her ear. Elbow on the table, chin propped in hand, she watched Wu You with smiling eyes. The irritation in Wu You’s chest eased.

“I was thinking about my bad name,” she said, grinning. “If it were even a little better, your brother might not fight me visiting you.”

Remembering her brother’s words earlier, Zhao Qingzi’s lips curved; the smile in her eyes deepened. “No need to worry anymore. He won’t stop you. Come whenever you like.”

Surprise, then delight. No more sneaking over walls. When she’d first slipped in, she’d noted the many servants but no sign of Qingzi’s father. Curiosity pricked, but she knew better than to ask.

She sipped. Bitter—not her taste. She set the cup down and changed the topic. “New Year’s Eve is soon. Any preparations?”

Watching every flicker of expression, Zhao Qingzi caught that tiny frown at the tea. Change the blend next time, she decided. New Year’s… a shadow crossed her heart. If he comes back, everything turns stifling. She wouldn’t burden Wu You with that.

“The steward handles everything,” she said lightly. “I don’t really know.”

Wu You propped her chin on her hands, finding the posture comfy. “Same at my place. Father probably won’t come back this year either—I’ll be spending it alone again.”

Her feelings were tangled: afraid of being found out if General Wu returned… yet the thought of being alone on the holiday scraped at her. She drifted into memories of her past life—family gathered around the TV, fireworks blooming like colored flowers. Dad’s childish competitiveness, Mom’s indulgent eye-roll, she and her little sister on stools under the night sky—

Are they alright without me? Choked to death—what a ridiculous ending.

The weight pressed down; she rubbed her eyes and let out a slow breath.

Sensing the dip, Zhao Qingzi grew anxious. With a father often away, perhaps Wu You would be alone again this year. Best change the subject. Her gaze slid to the bookcase and brightened.

“Let’s not talk about that. You look bored—there are some storybooks on the shelf. A few are unique copies—you won’t find them elsewhere.”

There was a trace of proud mischief in her soft tone. Wu You almost laughed—adorable. Curious about this era’s “novels,” she agreed and walked over. The first book she pulled wasn’t a story at all but an illustrated herb compendium—thorough, precise, and well beyond her knowledge. The next, also medical. A whole shelf dominated by medical texts, with a sprinkling of dance manuals; storybooks were few.

She glanced back. Zhao Qingzi was watching her, smiling as if everything in the world were just right. Wu You didn’t need to ask why the medical books were there. Her chest tightened.

She grabbed a storybook at random and sat. Words hovered at her lips, then vanished.

Leaning over, Zhao Qingzi saw which one it was—the current hit: a courtesan’s love story. Princess Yingying had recommended it, bawling as she did; Qingzi had rolled her eyes—what’s there to cry about?—then found herself drawn in anyway. The heroine’s temperament felt… familiar.

Maybe she could ask Wu You what she thought after she finished. A flutter of anticipation, and a pinch of nerves.

“It’s a good one—just long,” she said. “If you don’t finish, take it with you. Twisty on the way, but the ending’s… pretty good.”

For some reason, Wu You heard a tiny expectancy in her voice. She looked over—Qingzi’s face and posture were perfectly normal. Must’ve imagined it.

The volume was thick enough for a week. With nothing pressing to do, it would kill time nicely.

They chatted idly. Both led simple, mostly indoor lives—unless it was visiting the general’s manor, which Qingzi never minded. The talk drifted to Li Yingying. When Qingzi imitated the princess’s tearful hype for the novel, the description was so vivid Wu You burst out laughing; it reminded her of a college roommate who’d sob-plead her to read favorites while shoving tissues at herself.

Laughing, she suddenly sighed.

“What is it?” Qingzi asked.

Flicking through pages, Wu You found a neat excuse. “Nothing. I just think I owe Princess Yingying an apology for the trouble I caused her before. If there’s a chance, I’d like to say it to her face.”

The original Wu You had hassled Yingying plenty—never too far, given the princess’s status, but the snide barbs had been cruel enough. Picked-up wild girl… The ugly line foreshadowed the novel’s title: The Princess Sent to Wed.

Qingzi lowered her eyes, then smiled. “If you truly feel bad, I’ll invite my cousin out sometime. We can meet together and you can apologize in person.”

Before Wu You could answer, she added, “She’s simple-hearted. If you’re sincere, she won’t mind.”

To Qingzi, that “simple-hearted” was closer to foolish. She lived by eye-for-eye, drop-for-drop. But she wouldn’t say that to Wu You.

Wu You nodded. It would help mend her reputation. “That works—sorry to trouble you.”

“No trouble. She can’t stand being cooped up in the palace. If someone calls, she’s eager as a sparrow.”

Wu You chuckled. Dusk gathered outside. She stood to take her leave.

Zhao Qingzi accompanied her to the gate and watched her mount and ride off, gaze following until the red figure vanished. Only then did she tell the maid to take her back to her room.