Delicate Beauty Steals the Spring [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 4

Liu Yanran turned around, her eyes narrowing as she looked straight at Yu Luo from not far away.

Yu Luo was talking to one of the guards of the residence.

Such a scene was far too rare.

Everyone knew that the Eldest Miss Yu was not someone with a good temper. She had always been arrogant and contemptuous, looking down on anyone of low birth.

The maids and old servants of the household—even guards who had rendered great service and been promoted—were all people Eldest Miss Yu despised.

She considered herself noble, above all others, while seeing everyone beneath her as nothing but lowly dirt.

For her to speak peacefully with a servant, rather than pick up a whip and beat them viciously, was something that almost never happened.

Living as a dependent in the Yu family, Liu Yanran liked to win people’s hearts, making sure she knew everyone in each courtyard.

She quickly recognized that the guard Yu Luo was speaking to was the very one beaten half to death by her yesterday evening—the one named Li Zhao.

Afraid Yu Luo might notice her, Liu Yanran didn’t dare look for long. After a quick glance, she hurried away.

When Yu Luo returned to her courtyard, she saw the male lead, Li Xiao, again in the rear garden.

She sent Biyong and Ziming off to the kitchen to check on breakfast, then quietly circled behind a rockery, wanting to see how badly the male lead was injured.

Li Xiao’s arm was exposed to the cold air. His muscles were clearly defined, yet not overly bulky, carrying a clean, refreshing sense of youth balanced between boyhood and manhood.

Though his arm was covered in wounds, whip marks still seeping bl00d, his expression remained cold and indifferent. He exuded a natural authority that commanded awe and submission, leaving no impression of weakness or pity.

Even fallen into such a state, he still radiated the presence of one born to imperial nobility.

Having read The Tyrant’s Road from start to finish, Yu Luo could now understand why so many women in the story were infatuated with Li Xiao, willingly entering his harem.

The Li Xiao in the book was domineering and proud, standing at the very peak. No matter how cruel fate was, he always rose from the mud to reclaim the summit.

Even the picky male readers admired him, filling the review section with “Brother Xiao is awesome” and “Long live His Majesty.”

If only his nature wasn’t so cruel and bloodthirsty…

The thought of herself one day being tied to a burning-hot pillar and whipped by the male lead made Yu Luo shiver.

She turned to leave, but at that moment, Li Xiao suddenly looked back.

In truth, the moment Yu Luo appeared, Li Xiao had already sensed someone nearby.

He had gone to the battlefield at the age of thirteen, holding countless titles—heir to Prince Qin, young general. Ten years of bl00d and iron had allowed him to expand the Jing Dynasty’s borders to unprecedented breadth.

A lifetime of war had sharpened his instincts to the point where he could detect the smallest disturbance.

As for the arrogant and vicious Eldest Miss Yu, Li Xiao hadn’t paid her much mind.

Now, in this period where he was hiding his identity, the greatest achievement was to do nothing that might draw the court’s attention.

From the moment she raised a whip against him, Eldest Miss Yu had already been a dead person in his eyes.

Yet this morning, with just one glance, he felt she seemed… different.

Her gaze, once sharp and venomous like a cold-blooded snake, now looked more like a bewildered little beast wandering into unfamiliar territory.

As someone born to rule, Li Xiao was too perceptive—how else could he master the hearts of men?

Strangely, no one else in the Yu residence seemed to notice.

He turned fully, watching as the young lady of the Yu family instinctively stepped back two paces.

In her eyes flickered an emotion—surprise, even fear.

Li Xiao found it amusing. Tilting his head slightly, he regarded her.

The girl wore embroidered silks, her black hair cascading like piled mist. Her snow-white, delicate face was exquisitely lovely.

It was his first time truly studying the young lady of the Yu family.

Yu Luo: “!!!”

Of course Yu Luo knew the male lead’s intelligence was extraordinary.

The author of The Tyrant’s Road had personally admitted that Li Xiao was the character with the greatest plot armor: his intellect, looks, and martial prowess were all at their peak.

To avoid exposing her own change of character and to keep from standing out too suddenly, Yu Luo stepped back again.

She shifted her gaze aside. “…You’re blocking this young lady’s path!”

Li Xiao moved aside without a word.

To him, at this moment, she looked like a little beast pretending to be fierce—completely unlike the girl who had lashed him mercilessly with a whip days ago.

Yu Luo had no idea that in this very first encounter, she had already given herself away before the male lead.

Taking two more steps, she said, “You’re covered in wounds. Don’t take duty these next few days. Rest in your quarters properly. Otherwise, if outsiders see, they might think our marquisate enjoys mistreating its servants.”

Having said this, Yu Luo felt her reasoning sound enough. In fact, it even fit the persona of the arrogant Eldest Miss.

She walked toward her rooms but, after a few steps, couldn’t resist glancing back at Li Xiao.

—As a loyal reader of The Tyrant’s Road, Yu Luo had been a fangirl of Li Xiao herself, one of those who spammed “Brother Xiao!” in the comments.

But the moment she remembered she had become the villainess who abused him—and would meet a tragic end—her starry-eyed admiration vanished. She only wished never to cross paths with him at all.

When she turned back, she found Li Xiao’s gaze fixed on her.

Though his true appearance was hidden, his eyes were still deep and unreadable, betraying no hint of emotion.

Yu Luo: “…”

Was this dark and vengeful man planning to whip her a thousand times?

She hurried back to her quarters.

Before long, breakfast was delivered.

The marquisate’s morning meals were always exquisite: a pale-green porcelain bowl of light rock sugar bird’s nest porridge, two or three tasty side dishes, and a plate of assorted cakes—everything looked very appetizing.

Yu Luo thought for a moment.

The male lead had spent a night in the rain—who knew if he’d eaten anything.

But worse than hunger were his rain-soaked wounds.

In this era without antibiotics, an infected wound could linger endlessly before healing.

After finishing her meal and rinsing her mouth, Yu Luo slowly rose from her seat.

Suddenly she slipped, her waist bumping hard against the table. “Ouch!” she cried.

Ziming was startled, rushing over in a panic to help her.

Luckily, today the Eldest Miss was in a good mood, and even in pain did not beat or scold them.

Once she was settled on the bed, Ziming lifted her garment and found her waist already bruised purple.

Daughters of noble houses were delicate, untouchable creatures. Even their baths were attended with the utmost care.

Ziming was terrified. “It’s this servant’s fault! I didn’t serve you properly, Miss!”

Rubbing her waist, Yu Luo thought carefully and spoke in the tone of the Eldest Miss: “What use is it to say that now? Go fetch the medicine. Bring every ointment we have—I’ll look at them myself.”

“Yes, Miss!”