Quick Transmigration: The Villain Is Too Pampered and Alluring - Chapter 379

In a luxurious and spacious dining room, two servants stood not far away. An aunt brought out a bowl of soup from the kitchen, placing it on a rosewood dining table.

Sheng Nuan sat at the table. Next to her, separated by one seat, was a young man wearing a white shirt, black trousers, and a gray vest. He carried the proud demeanor of a noble scion, along with a scholarly air, his face full of dissatisfaction.

This was none other than the original host’s fiancé, Xu Yunqian, the second young master of the Xu family.

Sitting across from Xu Yunqian was the head of the Xu family, the warlord dominating the Yunmu Three Provinces, Marshal Xu Zhengqing.

He wore a dark blue military uniform, every button fastened meticulously to the top. His features bore a certain resemblance to Xu Yunqian’s outstanding looks but were far more stern and imposing.

Hearing Xu Yunqian refuse to honor the engagement, Xu Zhengqing set down his chopsticks and looked at him, his voice calm, “The Xu family keeps its word and never breaks its promises.”

Xu Yunqian laughed in anger, “Then why don’t you marry her yourself? A feudal, overbearing old-fashioned tyrant, and a traditional, conservative lady of a large and respectable family—aren’t you just the perfect match?”

Before the words were fully out, Xu Zhengqing raised his hand and lightly slapped him across the face… A crisp smack echoed as Xu Yunqian clutched his cheek and sank back into his seat, furious.

Xu Zhengqing cast him a cool glance, picked up his chopsticks, and resumed eating, “It’s not your turn to make decisions in the Xu family.”

Xu Yunqian rubbed his face and sneered, “I will only make my own decisions.”

With that, he pushed his chair back, stood up, and strode out without looking back… as if afraid that if he were even a second slower, he would be dragged back for a beating.

Xu Zhengqing, however, had no intention of dragging him back. He understood his younger brother well and knew that Xu Yunqian could not escape his grasp. He simply did not want to push too hard right now, fearing it would backfire.

That slap had only been to punish him for his reckless, disrespectful words.

The dining room fell silent again. The servants lowered their heads, not daring to speak. Sheng Nuan looked at the cold, upright man across from her who continued eating calmly. After a moment’s pause, she spoke softly, “Eldest Cousin, may I speak with you?”

Because the original host was only a fiancée and thus had a somewhat awkward status living in the Xu home—especially since Xu Yunqian did not want to fulfill the engagement—Xu Zhengqing had the servants address her as Miss Sheng.

In turn, the original host addressed the Xu brothers as “Eldest Cousin” and “Second Cousin.”

Hearing Sheng Nuan’s request, Xu Zhengqing replied flatly, “Come to my study after the meal.”

After finishing the meal, Xu Zhengqing returned to his study. A moment later, Sheng Nuan knocked on the door and entered.

Xu Zhengqing’s study, like the man himself, exuded a sense of strictness and authority. Solid wooden bookshelves reached the ceiling, a matching desk stood before them, and opposite the desk were a sofa and coffee table, simple but grand.

“Sit,” Xu Zhengqing motioned to the sofa opposite him.

Sheng Nuan glanced at him and then sat down meekly.

As if guessing what she wanted to say, or perhaps worried she would be too embarrassed to speak, Xu Zhengqing spoke first, “Rest assured, this household does not run according to his whims. The Xu family never goes back on its word. You don’t need to worry about the engagement.”

Previously, he had heard that Miss Sheng, who had grown up in the back courtyard, was well-educated and sensible but also conservative and timid. So he spoke in a relatively mild tone.

But as soon as he finished, he heard the Sheng family’s young lady speak up.

“Eldest Cousin, actually… I am not necessarily set on the Second Young Master.”

Xu Zhengqing paused and looked up from his desk. He met Sheng Nuan’s gaze—shy yet unusually bold…

The young lady from the scholarly Sheng family, who had seemed timid and obedient since her arrival, now looked directly at him. Her gaze was so fervent it almost felt presumptuous.

She spoke softly, “I have long heard of Eldest Cousin’s dignified and upright bearing, an unparalleled talent. Only after meeting you these few days did I realize the rumors do not capture even a fraction of your true qualities. I cannot help but feel admiration…”

Before she could finish, Xu Zhengqing interrupted her coldly, “Your engagement is with Xu Yunqian, the second young master of the Xu family. Miss Sheng, what you have just said does not match your status. I will pretend I did not hear it this time, but do not repeat it.”

Xu Zhengqing never expected that this seemingly traditional and conservative Miss Sheng would dare say such things to his face.

So her previous timidness was all a façade?

While Xu Zhengqing was still uncertain, he heard Sheng Nuan’s disappointed tone ask, “Then, Eldest Cousin, can you help me win back the Second Young Master?”

Xu Zhengqing replied coolly, “That is something the Xu family is obliged to do.”

With that, he effectively dismissed her, “If there is nothing else, Miss Sheng, you may go. I have official matters to attend to.”

He then saw Sheng Nuan bite her lip and give him a soft look before rising and saying gently, “Then I will not disturb Eldest Cousin further.”

Xu Zhengqing acknowledged with a hum. In the next moment, the sound of high heels tapping the floor filled the study.

Sheng Nuan rose and walked out of the study…

After Sheng Nuan left, Xu Zhengqing frowned, uncertain what to think.

Did Miss Sheng say such things only because she felt insecure by the second young master’s refusal to fulfill the engagement and was grasping at straws? Or was she not as virtuous as she appeared to be?

Xu Zhengqing leaned more toward the former explanation, but the woman’s gaze—so bold it was almost brazen—stood in stark contrast to her simple and elegant appearance, making it difficult for him to fully believe it.

If she truly was just pretending to be virtuous while harboring restless thoughts, the Xu family would have to reconsider this marriage.

The Xu family’s strict household rules would never tolerate a woman who was not properly behaved…

The next day passed peacefully.

When Xu Zhengqing returned from the barracks, he saw Sheng Nuan sitting on the sofa teaching the maid, Sister Lian, to do embroidery. She held a fine needle, her profile quiet and graceful, radiating a refined scholarly aura.

Xu Zhengqing’s suspicions diminished considerably. He went upstairs to change his clothes.

Just as he finished changing, there was a knock at the door.

Xu Zhengqing opened it to find Sheng Nuan standing in the doorway, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Eldest Cousin, my shower is broken and there is no hot water… the repairman can only come tomorrow. May I borrow your bathroom?”

Although the Xu family was wealthy, they were not wasteful, and the guest rooms without regular inhabitants were not supplied with hot water.

Xu Zhengqing was about to suggest she use Xu Yunqian’s bathroom since he was not home, but Sheng Nuan added, “Second Cousin’s room shares the same water line as mine. Uncle Zhong says they both need fixing.”

In front of him stood a woman blushing with embarrassment, head bowed low, revealing a stretch of fair neck.

Xu Zhengqing paused, then reached for the jacket beside him, “Go ahead.”

After saying that, he headed straight downstairs to his study…

He worked in the study for nearly two hours. Night had fully fallen when Xu Zhengqing finally left and went upstairs.

At the threshold of his bedroom, he paused briefly to ensure there was no sound inside before pushing open the door.

Sheng Nuan had already left… there were no signs of impropriety.

Xu Zhengqing’s expression relaxed slightly… but when he turned the handle of the bathroom door, his face instantly hardened.

On the white marble sink lay two pieces of dark red lingerie.

A lacy bra and a pair of panties with minimal fabric, left in a slightly messy state, three parts seductive chaos… seven parts flaunting provocation…

T/N: Woahh, Sheng Nuan is starting off strong…