The Entire Harem has Transmigrated - Chapter 29

Ruan Qingqing didn’t lay a hand on Jiang Li, but she turned and walked away immediately.

The painting of a bathing beauty remained in its place. The girl’s exquisite butterfly bones were strikingly beautiful, and the half-turned profile revealed her lovely eyes, brimming with gentle smiles.

Now, Ruan Qingqing’s face was expressionless. She passed by Jiang Li without even glancing at her.

She shouldn’t be like this.

She wouldn’t normally act this way.

The thought inexplicably surfaced in Jiang Li’s mind, and she instinctively reached out to stop her.

But Ruan Qingqing had already left.

The hem of her white dress brushed lightly against Jiang Li, leaving behind a fleeting, fragrant breeze before vanishing without a trace.

By the time Jiang Li regained her senses, Ruan Qingqing had already left the room.

Her half-raised hand still hung in the air, grasping at nothing. The person she wanted to hold back hadn’t even left her a glimpse of their retreating figure.

“Why is she suddenly angry?” Jiang Minhui, flustered, summoned Xiao Li, the driver, for questioning. “Didn’t you say you saw Miss Ruan hugging and embracing Jiang Li, and even saying how much she missed her?”

It was this report that had led Jiang Minhui to believe Ruan Qingqing harbored feelings for Jiang Li.

But now, it seemed there was nothing of the sort.

“Well, she did hug her…” Xiao Li scratched his head. “But I can’t remember exactly what she said. Besides, I was quite far away, so I didn’t hear everything clearly…”

“You!”

“Grandma, you wouldn’t start playing matchmaker based on Xiao Li’s words, would you?” Jiang Li’s inner turmoil was masked by an increasingly icy demeanor and a low, resolute tone. “There’s no need for that.”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Minhui demanded.

Jiang Li glanced in the direction Ruan Qingqing had left, her voice indifferent. “That day, her warmth and initiative toward me were simply a case of mistaken identity. In reality, I’m not the person she’s looking for.”

Her memory was infallible.

She remembered every detail of the past nineteen years with perfect clarity. In her story, Ruan Qingqing had never existed.

As for the notion of past lives and reincarnation, it was utter nonsense.

“I’m feeling a bit unwell. I’ll go upstairs to rest,” Jiang Li said, withdrawing her gaze and turning toward the staircase.

Jiang Minhui slammed her cane against the floor, shouting, “Jiang Li, you’re going to drive me to an early grave!”

Regardless of the circumstances, Ruan Qingqing was a woman of considerable influence. Even if she couldn’t become Jiang Minhui’s granddaughter-in-law, she couldn’t afford to make an enemy of her.

Moreover, Jiang Minhui still needed Ruan Qingqing’s help.

She slapped Xiao Li on the back of the head, ordering him to fetch the car, then charged toward the door, cane raised, muttering, “Hurry, chase after her! We have to catch Miss Ruan!”

Ruan Qingqing couldn’t understand, nor could she figure it out.

Why?

The painting Jiang Li had created depicted the hot springs behind Weiyang Palace in Great Qian.

Every detail—the trees, flowers, furnishings, and jade-paved ground—was rendered with meticulous brushstrokes, capturing the scene as vividly as if it were still the same as it had been years ago.

But why did she remember the palace’s old scenery, those insignificant inanimate objects, yet fail to recognize Ruan Qingqing, a living, breathing person?

Was she unwilling to remember?

Or did she remember perfectly well, yet refuse to acknowledge it?

But why?

Ruan Qingqing walked forward in a daze, unaware that tears had already traced long streaks down her cheeks. At that moment, Jiang Minhui finally caught up, pulling her car to a stop beside her. Leaning heavily on her cane, she hobbled out and pleaded, “Miss Ruan, I was wrong. I apologize. I’m so sorry for what happened earlier. Just… just chalk it up to my old age and forgetfulness…”

Snapping back to reality, Ruan Qingqing felt the blur before her eyes. She wiped away the tears and turned to face Jiang Minhui calmly. “Grandma Jiang, this isn’t your fault. Perhaps Jiang Li and I were destined to walk separate paths in this lifetime. Only by never seeing each other again can we achieve a perfect ending. So, let’s just leave it at that.”

“I’ll delete your contact information too,” Ruan Qingqing said firmly. “From now on, I won’t have anything to do with the Jiang Family.”

Ruan Qingqing spoke with such resolve that she never expected Jiang Minhui to suddenly drop to her knees with a thud, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed, “To be honest, Miss Ruan, I do have a request. Before this, I tried every possible solution for Jiang Li’s situation, but nothing worked. You may be the only one who can save her now…”

Ruan Qingqing couldn’t bear such scenes and softened slightly. “Please get up and speak properly.”

Jiang Minhui shook her head, insisting on performing a full bow, her voice choked with emotion. “What I’m about to ask may be difficult, so please allow me to pay my respects first.”

Ruan Qingqing sidestepped the bow and forcefully helped Jiang Minhui to her feet, her voice cold. “Grandma Jiang, there’s no need for this. I act solely according to my mood and my own will, not based on what others do. If I want something, I’ll climb mountains of knives and wade through seas of fire to get it. But if I don’t want something, even if you smash your head against the ground until it bleeds, I won’t soften even a fraction.”

Ruan Qingqing gave Jiang Minhui a final warning: “No one can force me, and I despise being coerced. Speak plainly, and don’t waste your time on meaningless tactics.”

Jiang Minhui was taken aback by Ruan Qingqing’s reaction. Until now, aside from that violent ghost-hunting incident, Ruan Qingqing had always presented a gentle and approachable demeanor.

Though startled, Jiang Minhui dared not protest. She waved her driver back and quickly explained her request.

“I want you to protect Jiang Li,” Jiang Minhui said gravely. “Before her father passed away, he cast a divination that predicted she would die in July of her 19th year, torn apart and devoured by countless ghosts. Only a world-shattering power could save her; otherwise, no matter what measures are taken, her fate is sealed.”

Now it was Ruan Qingqing’s turn to be stunned.

“In this lifetime,” she asked Jiang Minhui, “does Jiang Li truly possess no ghost-hunting abilities whatsoever?”

Jiang Minhui shook her head bitterly.

Not only did Jiang Li lack ghost-hunting skills, but she also had a constitution that attracted spirits like a magnet. If not for her short-lived son’s exceptional metaphysical talents, who had discovered a method to suppress this vulnerability, Jiang Li likely wouldn’t have survived her first nineteen years.

“How could this be?” Ruan Qingqing murmured, pressing her lips together in confusion.

In her previous life, Jiang Li possessed heaven-defying abilities. Whenever she was by Ruan Qingqing’s side, demons and monsters dared not approach even an inch.

Why was that?

Ruan Qingqing pondered the Imperial Preceptor of her past life and the Jiang Li she knew in this one, even wondering if they were truly the same person.

For a moment, she desperately wanted to rush back and confront Jiang Li, but remembering Jiang Li’s hostile attitude, Ruan Qingqing stopped in her tracks.

She couldn’t forget Jiang Li’s words: “Even if I were to act like a rogue, I’d never do it to you.”

How could she say such a thing?

At this thought, Ruan Qingqing lowered her gaze and said to Jiang Minhui, “It’s not yet April.”

Jiang Minhui paused, then replied, “That’s right, it’s still before April…”

Ruan Qingqing said coldly, “Since there’s still so much time until July, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Her willingness to return tomorrow indicated there was still a chance to resolve the matter.

Jiang Minhui breathed a sigh of relief and was about to offer to see Ruan Qingqing off when she noticed Ruan Qingqing retrieve two talismans. After drawing something on them, she affixed one to each leg and vanished with the wind, moving faster than a rabbit.

From a distance, Xiao Li saw Ruan Qingqing leave and hurried over, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Did I just see that right? Miss Ruan actually ran so fast she left afterimages? Is it even possible for a human to move at that speed? She could probably win the world championship!”

Jiang Minhui sighed. “With her extraordinary abilities, she can’t be compared to ordinary people.”

The powerful figure Jiang Li’s father had mentioned could only be Miss Ruan. Jiang Li’s life now hung entirely on Miss Ruan’s whims.

“If only Jiang Li had a bit more backbone…” Jiang Minhui lamented after getting into the car.

A girl as beautiful and formidable as Miss Ruan would be a perfect match for their family. Marrying her would not only secure their lives but also bring glory to their ancestors and revitalize the Metaphysical Sect.

What a pity, she thought, that my useless granddaughter can’t even grasp such an opportunity.

“Useless! Utterly useless! How did I raise such a worthless granddaughter?!”

Jiang Minhui’s anger flared anew, and she slammed her cane against the ground with a thunderous crash.

Ruan Qingqing had used a Swift Foot Talisman to escape, but the aftereffects were clear: she was utterly exhausted.

Knowing Fu Yeqiu might be busy, Ruan Qingqing called Ye Shiyu instead.

When the two stunning beauties arrived at the location Ruan Qingqing had sent, they found her sitting on a roadside step.

Li Qianxuan was driving, with Ye Shiyu in the passenger seat. Ruan Qingqing happened to be on the passenger side.

Ye Shiyu was the first to get out of the car. She swiftly scooped up the visibly exhausted Ruan Qingqing into her arms, carrying her horizontally. Raising an eyebrow, she instructed Li Qianxuan, “Noble Consort, would you be so kind as to open the car door for me?”

Ruan Qingqing rested her hand on Ye Shiyu’s shoulder, unable to suppress a sigh. “How is it that everyone can carry me so effortlessly?”

The Empress could, the Noble Consort could, and now even the seemingly delicate and refined Ye Shiyu could.

Of course, Jiang Li definitely couldn’t.

Because Jiang Li would never even try to carry her.

Li Qianxuan ground her teeth at Ye Shiyu, wanting to lash out, but the sight of Ruan Qingqing’s exhaustion softened her resolve.

She huffed, opened the car door, and watched as Ye Shiyu placed Ruan Qingqing in the back seat. Without hesitation, Li Qianxuan opened the opposite door and swiftly slid into the car, settling into the seat next to Ruan Qingqing.

Ye Shiyu: “……”

Heh, I miscalculated.

But Ye Shiyu wasn’t one to give up easily.

She tossed her chestnut-brown hair back and flashed Ruan Qingqing her most gentle smile. “Your Majesty, could you move over a bit?”

The backseat was spacious, and the three slender women could easily fit across it.

However, the driver’s seat remained empty.

If they were all in the back, who would drive?

Ruan Qingqing certainly couldn’t. Her exhaustion was only part of the problem; more importantly, she didn’t have a driver’s license.

Li Qianxuan crossed her arms and sneered, “Virtuous Consort, aren’t you supposed to be an excellent driver? Why don’t you show us your skills today, Qingqing?”

Ye Shiyu’s eyes curved into a smile, but she didn’t budge. “I think Your Noble Consort’s driving skills are even more exceptional. Since you drove us here, it’s only logical that you drive us back, don’t you agree?”

Li Qianxuan had no patience for her nonsense. “Cut the crap! I drove here, you drive back. Taking turns is the only fair way!”

“Qingqing,” Ye Shiyu said, gently nudging Ruan Qingqing’s arm, her eyes soft and serene. “Who do you think should drive?”

Ruan Qingqing, the Master of Balance, had no desire to resolve this conflict. She merely offered a suggestion: “Why don’t you settle it with rock-paper-scissors?”

Li Qianxuan abruptly pulled Ruan Qingqing into a tight hug, stubbornly declaring, “I’m not driving this car! Whoever wants to drive can drive!”

“Ah,” Ye Shiyu sighed dramatically, casting a pitiful glance at her reflection. “To be honest, I rushed out so quickly that I forgot my driver’s license. According to the law, driving without a license is punishable as unlicensed driving, which carries a fine of 200 to 2,000 yuan and up to 15 days of detention. Qingqing, you wouldn’t want me to be arrested, would you?”

Ye Shiyu then clasped Ruan Qingqing’s hand, blinked her eyes imploringly, and pleaded in a mournful voice, “Fifteen days! Your Majesty, how could Xiao Yu possibly endure such hardship?”

Since they were in this era, they had to abide by its laws and regulations. This was a matter of principle. Ruan Qingqing turned to Li Qianxuan and said, “Qianxuan, you can’t drive without a license. Let’s just go back and have you drive.”

Li Qianxuan gritted her teeth, pointed at Ye Shiyu, and snarled, “Fine! You win this time!”

Yet she remained motionless, not even moving to the driver’s seat.

After all, in this advanced society, even if you didn’t want to drive yourself, you could simply use your phone to summon a ride-hailing service—quick, convenient, and a perfect solution to Li Qianxuan and Ye Shiyu’s argument.

“Just wait,” Li Qianxuan said, rubbing Ruan Qingqing’s hand. “I’m not going anywhere anyway. I’ll just sit here beside you.”

Ye Shiyu pulled Ruan Qingqing’s other hand over, adding, “Then I’ll sit on Qingqing’s right.”

Ruan Qingqing tried to pull her hands away, but they were firmly held.

Whether it was Li Qianxuan or Ye Shiyu, they seemed determined to keep their grip, as if locked in a silent contest.

Ruan Qingqing sighed inwardly.

It now seemed that the long speech she had given Jiang Minhui had been somewhat exaggerated.

In reality, her cold, unyielding heart was reserved only for outsiders.

When it came to people like Li Qianxuan and the others, even when they bullied and coerced her, Ruan Qingqing found herself unable to retaliate.

All she could do was try to reason with them, her voice soft and gentle. “Sisters, my hands are getting numb. Could you please let go so I can use my phone for a bit?”

“Want to watch a video? Or browse the forums?” Ye Shiyu asked gently. “Qingqing, it must be tiring for you to do it yourself. If you want to watch a video, I can pick one for you. If you want to browse the forums, I can do that too.”

Li Qianxuan suddenly perked up, “How about watching videos of my old boxing matches? You know, I was super cool when I used to box.”

Ruan Qingqing: “Uh…”

Ye Shiyu: “I also have videos of my speeches and public lectures. Oh, and Qingqing, I was even on a science and education TV show once, talking about the clothing culture of the Qian Dynasty. Would you be interested in hearing that?”

Ruan Qingqing: “I…”

The two stunning women looked at her expectantly.

Ruan Qingqing closed her eyes, leaned back, and declared, “I’d rather just sleep.”

Sleeping was the safest option—no choices to make, and the least effort required.

Since she wanted to sleep, Li Qianxuan and Ye Shiyu couldn’t argue. They glared at each other before settling into a tense silence, waiting for the designated driver to arrive.

But before the driver could arrive, the woman with waist-length hair approached the car.

With a mere glance at the women flanking Ruan Qingqing, she calmly summoned her bodyguards. Targeting the weakest link first, Ye Shiyu, she pulled Ye Shiyu away and swiftly occupied her seat, leaning into the car.

“Qingqing,” Fu Yeqiu murmured, gently stroking Ruan Qingqing’s soft, dark hair.

Ruan Qingqing was genuinely asleep.

The moment she opened her eyes, she met Fu Yeqiu’s long, elegant phoenix eyes. A subtle smile curved Fu Yeqiu’s lips as she extended her hand. “Come, let me take you home.”

Ruan Qingqing placed her hand in Fu Yeqiu’s.

Li Qianxuan still clung to her arm, protesting vehemently, “I was here first! I was here first! Why should you go with her?”

“And me!” Ye Shiyu shook off the bodyguard, stretched her arm, and deliberately addressed Ruan Qingqing, “President Fu, aren’t you being a bit too aggressive and domineering? Even if you’ve forgotten our past, I’m Qingqing’s friend now. What’s the meaning of laying hands on me?”

Ruan Qingqing’s mind felt hazy. She turned to Fu Yeqiu. “Did you really hurt Xiao Yu?”

“It’s a misunderstanding,” Fu Yeqiu replied smoothly, her expression remaining gracious and gentle. “I’ll explain later.”

“Oh,” Ruan Qingqing mumbled, still drowsy. She didn’t press further, simply asking, “Qiuqiu, can you drive? Do you have your license?”

“Yes,” Fu Yeqiu replied. “And I brought it.”

“Then I’m going with you!” Ruan Qingqing shook off Li Qianxuan’s hand and tried to stand, but her legs were still wobbly, and she nearly fell. Seeing this, Fu Yeqiu draped her arm around his neck and half-carried her out.

“Qiuqiu,” Ruan Qingqing said, a little embarrassed, “I can walk on my own.”

“Alright,” Fu Yeqiu said, reluctantly releasing her. He maintained a casual demeanor. “Then I’ll help you.”

“Okay.”

The designated driver Li Qianxuan had called finally arrived, late as usual. Furious, Li Qianxuan tossed him the keys and stormed into Fu Yeqiu’s car with Ye Shiyu.

“Don’t be angry,” Ruan Qingqing said from the passenger seat, turning to address the back. “It’s your own fault for arguing about who would drive.”

Ye Shiyu, still fuming, seized the opportunity to complain. “And what was with the Empress ordering her men to attack me?”

Fu Yeqiu offered a weak explanation. “I only wanted them to ask you to move aside, but the guards misunderstood. Don’t worry, I’ll punish them when we get back.”

Ye Shiyu sneered, “I originally thought the Empress was a woman who dared to take responsibility for her actions, someone worthy of respect. But now, to achieve your own desires, you’re making your subordinates take the blame. It’s fortunate your bodyguard isn’t Dou E; otherwise, the sky might darken instantly, and goose-feather snow would fall in a blizzard.”

Li Qianxuan exclaimed, “Well said!”

For once, she found Ye Shiyu somewhat agreeable and even cast her an approving glance.

Previously, Li Qianxuan had believed Ye Shiyu had truly defected to Fu Yeqiu’s camp. Now she realized Ye Shiyu had simply chosen the most advantageous path at the time.

There would never be genuine allies between them.

Their shared goal was singular and indivisible—a prize each coveted exclusively.

Cooperation was temporary; the struggle for dominance was eternal.

They might form alliances, but in reality, each fought their own battles.

Having grasped this, Li Qianxuan temporarily sided with Ye Shiyu, jointly condemning Fu Yeqiu. Fu Yeqiu endured their accusations, driving steadily without so much as a flicker of her eyelids.

At the red light, the two in the back seat were still demanding justice. Ruan Qingqing had to intervene, soothing them with, “Alright, alright, Xiao Yu, Qiuqiu was definitely in the wrong. I’ll apologize on her behalf first, then give her a pinch for you. Let’s just put this behind us, okay?”

With that, Ruan Qingqing raised her hand, approached Fu Yeqiu’s cheek, and gave it a completely gentle pinch.

“See? I’ve avenged you,” Ruan Qingqing declared sternly. “Now, no more arguing.”

Li Qianxuan protested, “How is that enough?”

“It’s not,” Fu Yeqiu agreed, turning to Ruan Qingqing with an even gentler smile. She offered her other cheek, saying, “This side needs one too.”

Ruan Qingqing used both hands to pinch Fu Yeqiu’s cheeks simultaneously.

“Now, is that better?” Ruan Qingqing asked, spreading her hands.

Li Qianxuan was furious and simply closed her eyes, refusing to watch.

Ye Shiyu, however, gave a strained smile. “All I see is Your Majesty becoming increasingly biased.”

Ruan Qingqing was genuinely puzzled. “How am I being biased?”

Coaxing women is truly difficult.

Especially when it came to coaxing these beautiful and demanding women.

The red light turned green again. Fu Yeqiu told Ruan Qingqing to buckle up and sped off once more.

Li Qianxuan, still annoyed, nevertheless reclaimed her spot beside Ruan Qingqing as soon as they returned, settling in to watch TV with her. Ye Shiyu picked up her book again, pretending to take notes with a serious expression.

Only Fu Yeqiu excused herself, claiming she had urgent business to attend to.

Ruan Qingqing glanced left and right before finally asking, “Don’t you all have anything better to do?”

Ye Shiyu closed her book and looked at her. “Now that Your Majesty mentions it, I do remember something I need to do.”

“What’s that?” Ruan Qingqing asked.

Ye Shiyu prepared a plate of fruit, arranging it meticulously before bringing it over.

She delicately inserted toothpicks into the fruit with graceful movements and a gentle smile. “Xiao Yu’s duty is to serve our Majesty, of course.”

Ruan Qingqing sighed and rubbed her forehead.

She ate a cherry and earnestly advised, “Wake up! The Great Qian Dynasty has been gone for ages. This is a new era where everyone is equal. I don’t need anyone to serve me anymore.”

“Mm,” Ye Shiyu said, taking the book and flipping it open to continue reading. She replied calmly, “I know, but I’m doing this willingly.”

Ruan Qingqing hesitated. “But…”

Before she could finish, Ye Shiyu sighed mournfully. “We promised to be best friends, sisters. Are you already tired of me, Qingqing?”

Ruan Qingqing shook her head vigorously. “Our bond is deep! Of course I’m not tired of you. It’s just… don’t you two have anything more important to do?”

She had already persuaded Yu Yunfei to leave. Surely she could convince at least one of these two to go as well.

Having company wasn’t bad—it was lively and fun. But their constant bickering and forcing Ruan Qingqing to choose sides was becoming a real headache.

Ruan Qingqing racked her brain for the right words. “Look, not all close friends have to be glued together all the time, right?”

Ye Shiyu sighed again. “You’re just tired of us.”

Ruan Qingqing raised her hand. “No, really! I swear!”

Ye Shiyu smiled but remained silent.

Seeing Ruan Qingqing still hesitating, Li Qianxuan said, “I’m genuinely on vacation. Even if I weren’t here, I’d just be idling around. So, don’t worry about holding me back.”

Ruan Qingqing felt a little relieved, thinking, Then it’s okay to have Xiao Yu keep me company.

With that thought, Ruan Qingqing turned to Li Qianxuan, her eyes glistening. “What about you?”

“I…” Li Qianxuan hesitated, a hint of guilt in her voice. “I’ve retired, so I have nothing pressing to do.”

This was a lie.

Even after retiring, she had plenty of commitments, but she had postponed them all to be with Ruan Qingqing.

Ruan Qingqing caught Li Qianxuan’s momentary hesitation and was about to press further when Li Qianxuan cut her off. “Do whatever you want. Your sisters aren’t stopping you, are they? Draw talismans, catch ghosts, sleep all day—do whatever makes you happy. I just want…”

“Hmm?” Ruan Qingqing prompted.

Li Qianxuan placed her hand on Ruan Qingqing’s head, her striking features softening with a smile. “I just want to see you every day, like we used to.”

“Alright…” Ruan Qingqing replied.

She always found herself softening towards these older sisters.

She had planned to read alone for a while, but Fu Yeqiu’s message arrived just then, summoning her to the rooftop pool.

What could she want?

Ruan Qingqing’s legs still ached from the aftereffects of the Swift Foot Talisman. It had been too powerful; she wouldn’t use it again unless absolutely necessary.

Despite the lingering soreness, she went to the rooftop.

After all, it wasn’t far, and what if Qiuqiu had something urgent?

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Fu Yeqiu swept her into her arms and settled her on a lounge chair. “Wait here,” she said, gathering her long hair into a bun and pulling up a chair beside Ruan Qingqing.

Ruan Qingqing watched her, puzzled.

“I have several essential oils here that can relieve fatigue and relax your muscles,” Fu Yeqiu said, shaking the small bottles. “Which one would you like to use, Qingqing?”

Ruan Qingqing hadn’t quite caught on. “What are these for?”

“I’ll give you a massage,” Fu Yeqiu said, placing her hand on Ruan Qingqing’s leg and gently pressing. “I could tell your leg was bothering you, so I wanted to help.”

Ruan Qingqing couldn’t help but feel touched.

She had completely forgotten about the possibility of a massage, but Fu Yeqiu remembered for her.

She obediently rolled up her skirt, revealing her slender, fair leg, and smiled at Fu Yeqiu with pure sweetness. “Having a sister like you is wonderful.”

Fu Yeqiu suppressed the predatory glint that flashed in her eyes and said in a husky voice, “Having a little sister like you is wonderful too.”

Her words carried hidden intentions, but Ruan Qingqing remained oblivious.

In the end, Ruan Qingqing chose the rose-scented essential oil.

With her clear mind, she hadn’t thought much about it initially. But when those slender, delicate hands touched her skin, she couldn’t help but purse her lips.

She remembered how she had been injured before, and back then, it was always Jiang Li who applied medicine and massaged her.

In those days, Jiang Li was the only one who could help her.

But now, everyone except Jiang Li could help her.

How had things changed so drastically?