After Transmigrating into a Novel, I Turned on Easy Mode - Chapter 24

Her head throbbed. Wu You rubbed her forehead and slowly sat up, suddenly parched. As the thought formed, someone handed her a cup of water.

She thanked them, drained it, then turned to give the cup back to a maid—only to realize the person who’d poured it wasn’t a maid at all, but last night’s assassin.

A jolt of adrenaline snapped her fully awake. She struck without a word.

The “assassin” seemed a little surprised; she caught Wu You’s wrist in a clamp and, puzzled, said, “Wild girl, you don’t recognize me?”

Her hand trapped, Wu You tugged twice, failed to break free, and forced herself to calm down. From that voice—she clearly knew her. She sifted through the original owner’s memories.

Found it. Relief loosened her shoulders. It was Zhang Wenqi.

In those memories, this woman loved to “test” the original Wu You’s martial arts, always in some outrageous way. But this time was way over the line! Breaking in at midnight through a window? That could scare a person to death. Wu You bristled.

“Why are you back in the capital, Aunt Zhang?” she asked, unamused.

She didn’t care much about the answer. Sensing the girl’s displeasure, Zhang Wenqi felt a twinge of regret—yes, she’d gone too far.

She released Wu You’s wrist, a little apologetic. “Sorry, girl. I pushed it this time.”

Wu You rubbed her wrist and said flatly, “It’s fine,” though anyone could tell she wasn’t happy.

Zhang Wenqi tried to steer past it. “I came back because my niece is getting married. Thought I’d be here for it.”

Wu You let out a noncommittal “oh” and kept massaging her wrist.

Zhang Wenqi grew anxious—and curious. The girl seemed… different. The old Wu You would’ve cursed her out by now, not stew in sullen silence.

“You’ve changed, wild girl.”

Wu You’s hand paused. “Have I?”

Zhang Wenqi nodded. “Before, you’d have torn into me for this. Not sit there sulking.”

Wu You opened her mouth to explain, but Zhang Wenqi’s eyes lit with understanding. “So you have gotten together with the Yongding Marquis’s daughter. You’ve even gone gentler.”

Wow, she even supplied the reason… How do I answer that? We’re together? We’re not?

Unsure how to respond, Wu You stayed quiet. Zhang Wenqi took it for shyness—and was frankly amazed. This wild girl can blush? Huh.

Curiosity piqued, she suddenly wanted to meet that Yongding girl. She had no ties to the Marquis’s household—but then remembered Zhang Boyu. If she didn’t, her nephew did; the brat was thick as thieves with the Marquis’s son.

Then she recalled an errand from Wu Zhan and brightened. “Wild girl, your father asked me to pass a message. He’ll rush back to spend the New Year with you.”

Wu You’s heart lurched.

Zhang Wenqi had expected delight. Instead she saw panic, and her brows knit. “Did you get into trouble again?”

Catching herself, Wu You shook her head. “No, Aunt Zhang. I’m just… excited. When will Father arrive?”

It still felt off—Wu You had a history of trouble, and maybe she didn’t want Dad to know. Zhang Wenqi decided not to meddle. “Before New Year’s Eve. Get ready—and don’t make a mess.”

Thinking she owed a make-good for last night’s stunt, she added, “Hurry up and wash up. Aunt Zhang’s taking you out for a proper meal.”

Wu You had been fretting over how to fake her way through with Wu Zhan. That one sentence flung the worry ten li away.

She sprang up, dressed at speed, then grabbed Zhang Wenqi’s hand, grinning brilliantly. “Let’s go, Aunt Zhang!”

Dragged along, Zhang Wenqi had to laugh. That part hasn’t changed—promise her good food and every mood vanishes.

—

At the Yongding Marquisate, Yungu was reporting recent matters. When she mentioned Wu You being attacked last night, Zhao Qingzi—who’d been calm—grew anxious.

“She’s all right? Did you catch the assassin?”

“She’s fine. The ‘assassin’ was Zhang Wenqi—just a prank.”

Zhao Qingzi exhaled. With Zhang Boyu’s sister about to be wed, Zhang Wenqi must have returned for that.

Her thoughts slid to the bandits near Jinzhou. Their mountain stronghold was too well-guarded; investigation had hit a wall.

It was the first time she’d met something this tricky—and she found it… interesting.

Now that Zhang Wenqi was back, perhaps she could approach her and fish for information.

She shut her eyes briefly, fingers tapping the table. “Any news from Jiang Hong?”

“She’s successfully blended in at Mo Ziyi’s side. Nothing unusual yet.”

Another dead end? Zhao Qingzi thought for a moment. “Have her keep watching. Report anything out of the ordinary.”

Yungu withdrew. Zhao Qingzi considered how to get close to Zhang Wenqi. Zhang Boyu would likely invite her brother to his sister’s wedding; perhaps she could tag along.

Having decided, she gazed out the window, drifting. What is Wu You doing now?

—

Zhang Wenqi watched the girl across from her eat with zero decorum, privately amused—and charmed. She teased, “What, did your father cut off your allowance?”

He’d given money— the original Wu You had just burned through it. And she’d never dare make a scene in Tengyun Zhai; rumor said the backers were formidable.

Wu You said nothing and kept eating.

Unbothered, Zhang Wenqi went on, “I know—you spent it all on weapons. Hide them better this time so he doesn’t find out.”

Wu Zhan had always opposed his daughter practicing martial arts, wanting a proper young lady. That ship had sailed—she’d loved blades and spears since childhood.

The irony: a general forbidding his daughter to learn the art. Wu You’s skills existed mainly because Zhang Wenqi had secretly taught her; Wu Zhan disapproved but couldn’t stop it.

Wu You glanced at the handsome, martial woman opposite her and, remembering the original plot where this person died in battle, felt a sudden, suffocating weight. Her brows knit; she pressed a palm to her chest.

Startled, Zhang Wenqi blurted, “What’s wrong, wild girl?”

Wu You waved it off. After a moment, the tightness ebbed. Weird. Does this body have some hidden ailment?

Seeing her steady, Zhang Wenqi relaxed. “If you’re unwell, don’t bottle it up.”

Wu You blinked, then answered softly, complicated feelings stirring. “Mm.”

Then she lifted a bright smile. “Thanks, Aunt Zhang.”

That sunshine made Zhang Wenqi sigh—this child was far more endearing than her rigid father. She pictured Wu Zhan’s stiff face and could only shake her head.

Those two together always argued; neither would yield. The girl seemed milder now. Maybe things would go better this time.

She couldn’t resist a nudge. “When your father gets back, don’t fight him again. You see each other once or twice a year and quarrel every time.”

Not this time. Wu You intended to avoid him, not argue. She nodded firmly.

That reaction only sharpened Zhang Wenqi’s curiosity about the Zhao girl.

“You confessed to Miss Zhao, didn’t you? What did she say?”

Are all ancients this nosy? Why does everyone think we’re together!

Wu You rubbed her temple. “A-Zi… hasn’t answered me.”

“Then what about you?” Zhang Wenqi pressed. “Any next steps? Don’t let some other person steal your bride.”

Wu You drew breath to explain, but Zhang Wenqi barreled on.

“You should go on the offensive. One failure is nothing. Try a few times—I don’t believe you won’t succeed.”

And that’s how you coached the original to pester Zhang Boyu, right? Wu You grumbled under her breath, “You’ve never even dated…”

Zhang Wenqi froze, then flicked a knuckle squarely onto Wu You’s forehead.

“Ow!” Wu You clutched her head. She hadn’t held back.

Exactly! But Wu You didn’t dare say it aloud. Thirty-five and unwed was odd in this era—who knew why.

Zhang Wenqi sat back down. “Haven’t eaten pork, but I’ve seen pigs run. What do you know?”

Running pigs? From a career in army camps? Wu You thought, then said, “Aunt Zhang, feelings aren’t about clinging. If they like you, persistence works; if they dislike you, it just annoys them.”

Zhang Wenqi felt a headache coming on. Commanding troops is easier than this. She waved it off. “Fine. Handle it yourself.”

Thinking of that Zhao girl brought a different figure to mind; Zhang Wenqi sighed.

Watching the girl lower her head and resume eating, Zhang Wenqi’s lips softened into a fond smile.