The Villainess Always Wants to Cuddle With Me [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 11

“You don’t need to worry about this. Let me think of a solution,” Guan Qigui said, stroking Ling Jun’s soft hair. A strange heaviness settled in her chest. Though Ling Jun disliked Feng Yi, hearing her say she was going to marry him still stirred an unbearable bitterness within her. She couldn’t explain it—perhaps it was her possessiveness acting up?

Over the past few days, Ling Jun had lowered her guard around Guan Qigui. She began to see her not as an irredeemable villain, but as a surprisingly warm person.

“Qi Gui… are we friends now?” Ling Jun asked cautiously. She had never truly had a close friend before, and now she longed to start with friendship.

Guan Qigui raised an eyebrow, considering the question. “I suppose… we are?” They had helped each other through difficult times, comforted each other like friends—surely that counted as friendship?

But… Guan Qigui’s brow furrowed again. They had already shared the intimacy of mirror-grinding, a practice forbidden by society but undeniably the act of wives. If they were just friends… then what were they? Guan Qigui froze, startled by her own thoughts. What am I even thinking? This isn’t the time for such frivolous thoughts. I have more important matters to attend to.

Hearing Guan Qigui’s response, Ling Jun grew even more fond of the aura surrounding her.

Though she felt a bit embarrassed to say what came next, Ling Jun thought of her trembling legs and the “crimes” she had committed the previous night. Guan Qigui bit her lip, a blush rising on her cheeks, and hesitated before saying, “Ling Jun… you should take off your trousers. I…”

Take off her trousers?! Ling Jun shoved Guan Qigui away in disbelief, stumbling back several steps. Her lips parted slightly, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Her rosy lips trembled, and a wild rose blush crept across her cheeks. Her almond-shaped eyes glared warily at Guan Qigui.

After a long, stifled moment, she finally spat out in humiliated anger, “Guan Qigui! I’m not some toy for you to use for your own pleasure, to summon whenever you please!”

What was she thinking?! Guan Qigui choked, though she couldn’t entirely blame Ling Jun for misunderstanding—her words had indeed been poorly chosen. She fumbled in her sleeve for an oval-shaped blue-and-white porcelain bottle, stammering, “No… you’ve misunderstood. I just wanted to help you apply medicine… I was too reckless last night…”

So it was just medicine… Ling Jun took a deep breath, but why did a lingering sense of melancholy persist in her heart? Her face flushed crimson as she nodded hesitantly, tugging at Guan Qigui’s sleeve and shuffling forward with obvious reluctance.

Seeing her reluctance and slow pace, Guan Qigui pressed her lips together and swept Ling Jun into her arms. Before Ling Jun could even protest, Guan Qigui had swiftly opened the medicine bottle, leaving her no chance to object.

“Undress yourself,” Guan Qigui said in a husky voice, her delicate hand trembling slightly as she held the porcelain bottle, the tips of her ears tinged pink. So she has this side to her too… Ling Jun couldn’t help but marvel.

The tips of Ling Jun’s ears flushed as red as ripe persimmons. She couldn’t resist retorting, “Can’t I apply the medicine myself?”

“Can you even see where it’s swollen?” Guan Qigui shot back immediately, then, realizing she sounded a bit too eager, hastily added, “Hurry up. I have important matters to attend to soon.”

The room filled with a renewed sense of intimacy. Ling Jun reluctantly pulled down her trousers. Though they had already seen each other naked, this… who could possibly feel comfortable with this? She averted her gaze, unable to look at Guan Qigui, and paused before saying, “Hurry up…” Who could possibly endure this?!

Determined to finish the task in one go, Guan Qigui lightly dabbed a generous amount of ointment onto her delicate fingers and applied it in several circular motions. Yet, when it came time to actually apply the medicine, she hesitated. If only I’d let her do it herself! she thought. Suppressing the heat rising in her lower abdomen, she reached down. Ling Jun bit her lip, enduring the strange sensation with a soft groan. When Guan Qigui withdrew her hand, the sticky residue left on her fingers left her speechless.

Noticing Ling Jun’s flushed cheeks, Guan Qigui swallowed awkwardly and muttered, “All done…”

The other woman, struggling to maintain her composure, quickly pulled up her trousers. She glanced at Guan Qigui and asked, “Do you want me to help you?”

A sudden wave of dizziness washed over Guan Qigui. Beauty can be deceiving! Beauty can lead to ruin! Her face burning crimson, she shook her head violently and fled from the room as if escaping.

Ling Jun stood frozen in place, suddenly realizing she had been tricked. In a fit of shame and anger, she punched her pillow.

At yesterday’s Flower Viewing Assembly, both Ling Jun and Guan Qigui had only made brief appearances. Given their lack of status, no one paid them much attention.

Feng Yi, also present, had no interest in participating. Yuchi Yanqing, however, clung to him relentlessly. The Empress Dowager, with her sharp eyes, quickly discerned Yuchi Yanqing’s intentions. But what she needed wasn’t a devoted young man; despite Yuchi Yanqing’s modest favor, Yuchi Lingjun remained the easier to control. More importantly, Ling Jun harbored no affection for the young Feng Yi.

If Yuchi Yanqing were truly to marry him, though she wouldn’t likely cause any major trouble, it was still best to remain cautious.

The Flower Viewing Assembly was undoubtedly Empress Zuoqiu’s grand affair, designed to showcase the talents of noble sons in floral-themed poetry and artistry. This would allow the Empress to select promising candidates for future imperial consorts.

Meanwhile, the three Imperial Princes remained under house arrest, a punishment Yuchi Gong intended to last at least three months.

Despite his confinement, the Second Prince continued to dispatch his men to gather intelligence, monitor court affairs, and meticulously prepare evidence to implicate the other two princes, according to his plan.

In the days that followed, Ling Jun found her life considerably more comfortable. The Empress Dowager’s directive for her to minimize outings suited her perfectly, allowing her to enjoy peace and quiet. She spent her remaining time at Zhenshan Temple, studying under the Imperial Preceptor.

After spending some time together, the Imperial Preceptor realized that while Ling Jun’s eyes were clear and her mind sharp, her vision was severely impaired. He noticed her repeatedly reaching for distant cups, only to grasp at empty air. It finally dawned on him that she couldn’t see clearly at a distance and needed objects brought close to her face to discern them properly.

Thus, the Imperial Preceptor not only taught her principles of history, governance, and ethics but also occasionally shared amusing anecdotes from his years of wandering the realm before becoming Imperial Preceptor. He would vividly describe the shapes of objects and the unique characteristics of local delicacies, painting vivid pictures with words for her.

When they weren’t talking, Ling Jun would wander around, observing her surroundings. She admired the trees and leaves, counted the petals of wildflowers, and traced the veins on leaves.

These childlike, repetitive actions often brought tears to Xiao Mei’s eyes. She had initially believed the princess had suffered from her eye ailment for over a decade. Heaven had finally shown mercy, but the reality was far more complex.

Since the Flower Viewing Assembly, Xiao Mei’s attitude toward Ling Jun had changed significantly. Ling Jun now considered her one of her own, allowing her to follow closely during lessons and while admiring the trees. Yet Xiao Mei insisted, “Princess, I appreciate your kindness, but you needn’t do this. How could a servant like me presume to eavesdrop on the Imperial Preceptor’s teachings? Your Highness is truly humbling me.”

Eventually, Ling Jun relented, respecting Xiao Mei’s caution. After all, the world was governed by intricate rules, and Xiao Mei was simply being prudent.

One day, Xiao Mei mustered the courage to ask, “Has Your Highness’s eye ailment not fully recovered?”

“Such a clever Xiao Mei,” Ling Jun replied with a faint smile. She had never intended to hide the truth from her. Wearing a mask all day would only exhaust her. Xiao Mei was her closest attendant, and while caution was important, Guan Qigui had assured her that Xiao Mei was one of their own, someone she could trust. Guan Qigui had no reason to deceive her, and Ling Jun believed her.

Xiao Mei trembled at Ling Jun’s calm demeanor, feeling deeply for her mistress. “Why do others enjoy health and prosperity, while the Princess has suffered such hardship since childhood?” she lamented. “Losing her mother at a young age—Consort Yan died by Your Majesty’s decree. Throughout her upbringing, Your Majesty remained indifferent, never celebrating her birthdays, to the point where even the Princess herself forgot them. I thought the Princess’s life was already unbearably tragic, yet the other princesses mock you, and the Fourth Princess abuses you at every turn… How can you remain so composed?”

Xiao Mei’s voice choked with emotion, tears streaming down her face. Ling Jun, ever perceptive, understood Xiao Mei’s genuine concern.

She stepped forward to wipe away Xiao Mei’s tears, smiling gently. “There’s no need for such distress,” she said. “Why dwell on these things? Lian Chen is alive and well, able to experience the world’s beauty, even if she can’t fully comprehend it. That alone is a blessing from Heaven. Why burden ourselves with sorrow? Didn’t Lian Chen say, ‘Do not anticipate the future, do not dwell on the present, do not cling to the past’? Do you remember those words?”

Though Xiao Mei had received some education at Ye Manor, studying the classics and learning to read and write, she struggled to grasp the deeper meaning of Lian Chen’s words. “Xiao Mei is foolish,” she confessed. “What do they mean?”

“This saying comes from a patriotic and virtuous scholar, and it teaches us different attitudes toward the past, present, and future.

Do not cling to the past. What’s gone is gone. Why dwell on what cannot be changed? Even if we spend every day mired in regret, the past will remain unaltered.

Do not be distracted by the present. The present moment is what truly matters. It is our most precious resource. Living in the present means focusing on the task at hand, maintaining a calm and focused mind, free from distractions.

Do not anticipate the future. We can plan for the future and set goals, but to achieve them, we must work diligently in the present. This gives our lives purpose and momentum.

Xiao Mei, do you understand?” Ling Jun’s eyes shone as she spoke, her entire being radiating a luminous charm.

Such an enlightened mindset… Xiao Mei’s lips parted slightly in silent awe. Do not cling to the past… Do not be distracted by the present… Do not anticipate the future… Ah…

As if struck by sudden clarity, Xiao Mei knelt upright and declared, “Your words are worth more than ten years of study. This humble criminal, Ye Yunmei, has received your teachings!”

“Why do you call yourself a criminal?” Ling Jun asked, surprised. She had never expected Xiao Mei to refer to herself in such a way.

“Having spent so many years in the Imperial Harem, the Princess is naturally unaware of the turmoil in the mortal realm. Xiao Mei is the legitimate daughter of Ye Huixiao, the former Vice Minister of War. The Ye Clan once saved the Zuoqiu Clan from certain death. During the coup d’état, Your Majesty implicated the Ye Clan in treason, punishing nine generations of our relatives. Over two hundred members of my family perished without escape.

Before his death, my father entrusted Xiao Mei and me to the Zuoqiu Clan, begging them to spare our lives. I believed the Zuoqiu Clan acted out of compassion, risking everything to protect us. But who could have imagined that they would betray our trust and turn against us? The brutal deaths of over two hundred members of the Ye Clan were all orchestrated by Empress Zuoqiu herself! The charge of treason was a complete fabrication!

My father lived a life of integrity. If Young Master Guan hadn’t revealed the truth, I would still be deceived by the Zuoqiu Clan, trying to repay their nonexistent kindness!” Xiao Mei’s voice trembled with emotion, her eyes burning with hatred. It wasn’t that she hadn’t reached the point of tears; her tears had long since dried up when the Ye Clan was annihilated.

So that’s how it was… The Zuoqiu Clan… Ling Jun pressed, “Is this the same Zuoqiu Clan as the current Empress?”

“Exactly!” Xiao Mei nodded fiercely, continuing, “I was blinded by shame and guilt, forced to harm the Princess for the sake of the Zuoqiu Clan. I am deeply ashamed. Please forgive me, Your Highness.” Xiao Mei kowtowed, the gentle breeze calming her turbulent emotions. Words she had once struggled to speak now poured forth freely.

“Rise, Xiao Mei. Lian Chen doesn’t blame you. Just stay by her side from now on.” Ling Jun had assumed Xiao Mei’s loyalty to the Empress stemmed from a desire for a better future. After all, in the Imperial Harem, following a powerless princess like herself would inevitably lead to being swallowed by its complexities. She never imagined there was this hidden layer…

Xiao Mei had mentioned a younger sister earlier. Ling Jun asked anxiously, “Where is your sister now? Is she safe?”

“Your Highness need not worry. Young Master Guan has already arranged for my sister to be safely hidden. The Zuoqiu Clan won’t suspect a thing.”

Ling Jun nodded. “That’s good.”

So it was Guan Qigui who had handled everything so meticulously. Ling Jun felt a pang of melancholy. She murmured softly, “Guan Qigui… it’s been so long since we last met…”

I wonder if she’s doing well… if she’s in danger…

Rumors had been circulating in the palace lately about Guan Qigui’s close relationship with the Second Prince, with whispers suggesting Prince Lan had found a new male consort.

Though these were merely rumors, Ling Jun knew the truth. Yu Chi Lan had a penchant for male companionship—a fact she had witnessed firsthand and been threatened into silence about.

It was Yu Chi Lan who had drugged her that day, Guan Qigui had later revealed. Even without being told, Ling Jun understood the purpose behind a man drugging a woman with aphrodisiacs. And Yu Chi Lan’s preference for men…

Ling Jun felt uneasy, a strange discomfort settling in her heart. Though Guan Qigui… was no simple person, a sourness lingered in her chest. She couldn’t quite explain it—perhaps it was worry for her friend?