The Villainess Always Wants to Cuddle With Me [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 12

Rumors spread like wildfire through the capital: Prince Consort Feng Yi was not in love with Princess Lianchen, but rather with Fourth Princess Yu Chi Yanqing.

The rumors grew increasingly detailed, with some claiming to have witnessed Crown Prince Fengyi and Yuchi Yanqing chatting intimately at the Flower Viewing Assembly. The stories were so vivid, they seemed to have been witnessed firsthand.

In Lifu Palace, the woman seated on the throne possessed delicate, arched eyebrows, long, flowing hair, and an elegant, cloud-like updo adorned with luxurious hairpins. A maid approached and whispered something in her ear. The woman’s face flushed with anger as she snatched up a nearby teacup and smashed it to smithereens.

The maid immediately knelt, her voice trembling with concern. “Your Majesty, please calm yourself. These are just rumors, nothing more. Your health is paramount.”

“Ha! What a joke! Lüqing, summon that rebellious daughter of mine at once!”

Another porcelain plate shattered against the floor. Lüqing dared not utter another word. She rose and hurried to find Yuchi Yanqing.

Consort Shu glared at the shattered fragments before her, her voice icy. “Guards! Clean up this filth immediately!”

When Lüqing brought Yuchi Yanqing to Consort Shu, the princess trembled as she entered the palace, her face pale. Kneeling before Consort Shu, she murmured cautiously, “Imperial Mother…”

Consort Shu slapped her across the face with such force that the sound echoed through the room. A clear palm print instantly swelled on Yuchi Yanqing’s cheek.

“Did I give you permission to speak?!” Consort Shu’s eyes burned with fury as she glared at the attendant maidservants. Lüqing waved her hand, dismissing them all.

“Lüqing, tell the princess exactly what kind of ‘good deed’ she’s done!” Consort Shu raised her hand, repeatedly rubbing her reddened, swollen palm—a clear indication of a pyrrhic victory.

“Rumor has it that Prince Consort Feng Yi and the Fourth Princess are a match made in heaven, a rare pair destined to be together. The Third Princess… is said to have torn apart this fated union…” Lüqing watched Consort Shu’s expression darken, her brow furrowing with concern for Yuchi Yanqing. It seemed the Fourth Princess couldn’t escape her punishment this time.

“You may leave,” Consort Shu waved her hand, dismissing Lüqing.

“Yes…”

Lüqing had just left the chamber and closed the door when pleas for mercy echoed from within. Lüqing sighed heavily.

“Imperial Mother… I was wrong… I know I was wrong…” Yuchi Yanqing begged, enduring the sharp pain in her arm.

Consort Shu’s fury burned beneath a calm facade. She asked coldly, knowing the answer, “Oh? What exactly did you do wrong? These rumors circulating in the capital are baseless. What do they have to do with you?”

As she spoke, Consort Shu tightened her grip, twisting Yanqing’s forearm viciously. Yanqing instinctively tried to pull away, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Consort Shu seized her wrist, yanking her back and glaring fiercely. If Yanqing dared to resist, she would never leave Lifu Palace alive!

“It was me… I spread the rumors… I was wrong, Imperial Mother…” Yanqing knelt weakly on the floor, her left arm already bruised purple from the earlier twisting. Consort Shu now gripped her right arm, twisting it with equal force. How perfectly symmetrical…

“I warned you long ago, keep your petty schemes hidden. When General Kang Sheng was still alive, I wouldn’t have objected if your efforts to please him had led to Feng Yi marrying into our family. But now that the Feng Clan’s power has waned, you dare bring this out into the open! Are you trying to anger me to death?”

The Feng Clan is now vulnerable to anyone’s whims. Consort Shu has only one daughter. If Yanqing truly marries Feng Yi into the family, what future would she have left? Zuoqiu, that vile woman, would tear her apart, leaving her humiliated and the laughingstock of the court!

“Whatever Imperial Mother says, I will obey. I would never dare to complain again. I will marry whomever Imperial Mother chooses…” Yuchi Yanqing’s eyes were as dark as night, the light that once flickered within them now extinguished. She could only watch helplessly as Lian Chen, that wretched woman, celebrated her wedding to Feng Yi, sharing his bed in life and his coffin in death. How could she bear it?

Consort Yan, hearing these words, no longer felt the same overwhelming anger. Her temper had cooled considerably as she rubbed her crimson-lacquered fingertips, which still stung slightly. She seemed inclined to forgive Yanqing. “That’s my good child. Go now. I need time to consider this matter. I’ll help you resolve this crisis. I’m tired. Get out.”

Yuchi Yanqing, sprawled on the ground, closed her eyes in sorrow. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she scrambled to her feet, her face pale, and hurried out of the palace gates.

Yuchi Yanqing hadn’t always been prone to striking or scolding others. But ever since she saw Princess Lianchen living so freely and comfortably alone in Changyang Palace, she had been consumed by envy and jealousy. Though her Imperial Mother was Consort Shu, one of the six consorts, she would have preferred to be someone else’s child. Wiping away the tears on her face, she set off alone for Zhenshan Temple.

Inside Zhenshan Temple, Ling Jun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, pondering the question posed by the Imperial Preceptor. Xiao Mei burst into the courtyard, her brow furrowed with worry, her voice urgent and panicked: “Princess! This is terrible!”

“What is it?” Ling Jun slowly opened her eyes, noticing Xiao Mei’s frantic state. She had never seen her so agitated before.

“The Fourth Princess has come to Zhenshan Temple!” Xiao Mei grabbed Ling Jun’s wrist, trying to pull her away.

Too late!

Ling Jun trembled, her eyes widening as she stared at the figure slowly approaching through the doorway. Her face drained of color in an instant. She wanted to flee with Xiao Mei, but her legs felt like jelly, rooted to the spot.

Xiao Mei glanced back, her gaze freezing in horror as if a fishbone had lodged in her throat. Though her cheek remained unmarked, it stung as if she had been struck.

Yuchi Yanqing approached them. Ling Jun’s gaze fell upon the shocking palm print on her face, and she suddenly recalled a memory from the original Yuchi Lingjun’s memories: hearing Yuchi Yanqing sobbing. Back then, the more lively Yuchi Lingjun had rushed to comfort her.

But instead of gratitude, the girl had shoved her to the ground and subjected her to a brutal beating.

That’s right! Ling Jun’s lips parted slightly, her mind reeling. I remember now! It was Yuchi Yanqing…

“Are you pleased now that I’m in this state, Princess?” Yuchi Yanqing’s face was dark with resentment. She raised her hand to strike Ling Jun, but the searing pain in her arm forced her to lower it weakly.

As if the movement had aggravated her injury, Yuchi Yanqing winced and gasped sharply.

Seeing Yuchi Yanqing’s raised hand, Xiao Mei closed her eyes tightly and stepped in front of Ling Jun. Through the gap between Xiao Mei’s body, Ling Jun glimpsed the mottled bruises on Yuchi Yanqing’s arm beneath her sleeve.

Understanding dawned on Ling Jun. So this is why Yuchi Yanqing treats me this way… It’s all because of Consort Shu. Who else in the palace would dare strike a princess but her own Imperial Mother…?

“Lian Chen doesn’t want to marry Crown Prince Fengyi… Lian Chen doesn’t like… you… You’ve been beaten again…” Ling Jun wasn’t a saint; she couldn’t forgive Yuchi Yanqing for the harm she had caused. Yet she also felt sympathy for her. She had always imagined Yuchi Yanqing to be arrogant and domineering, but she never realized the princess’s private life was so miserable—unloved by her father and mother, and subjected to brutal beatings by her Imperial Mother… Sigh…

Yuchi Yanqing’s pupils constricted. She assumed Ling Jun’s keen sense of smell had detected the faint scent of bl00d and medicinal herbs on her, leading to her deduction. Gritting her teeth, she flung her sleeve violently, the movement triggering a sharp pain from her injuries. Frowning fiercely, she snapped, “None of your business! This is the Princess’s affair! It has nothing to do with you!” With that, she turned and fled toward the incense-burning altar.

For some reason, after enduring all she had today, Yuchi Yanqing desperately wanted to see Ling Jun. She had expected mockery and scorn, but how could Ling Jun still harbor the same feelings as when they first met? Why didn’t she hate her?

Guan Qigui had instructed Black Hawk to send her daily reports on all matters in the Imperial Harem, ensuring she remained informed of Ling Jun’s every move. As she read the latest letter, Guan Qigui’s cold eyes narrowed, and she sneered inwardly. It was time to tighten the net. After years of meticulous planning, it was time to stir up some chaos.

The recent floods in Southern Anhui had been devastating. Just as the three Imperial Princes’ confinement was lifted, they were confronted with this crisis during the morning court session.

Despite multiple imperial allocations of silver, the floods in Southern Anhui only intensified. Refugees poured into neighboring towns, while dams and canals were repeatedly repaired only to collapse again.

Emperor Yuchi Gong, unable to sleep due to the crisis, his eyes shadowed with dark circles, surveyed the assembled officials. He pinched the pressure point between his brows wearily and asked, “Esteemed Ministers, you are all aware of the severity of the floods in Southern Anhui. I am deeply troubled. Why have my silver allocations proven utterly ineffective? Is it due to the incompetence of local officials and their inability to manage water resources? Can any of you enlighten me on this matter?”

The Left Censor-in-Chief, sensing the Emperor’s intent, replied, “Your Majesty, I believe Magistrate Lin of Lin County’s prolonged failure to manage water resources holds deeper implications. I urge Your Majesty to consider the underlying reasons.” The Emperor’s mind was as clear as a mirror, merely requiring a nudge to bring the truth to light.

Academician Yan of the Grand Secretariat bowed deeply and declared loudly, “Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!”

Yuchi Gong waved his hand. “Granted.”

“Your Majesty, I concur with the Left Censor-in-Chief’s assessment. We should dispatch an envoy with silver to Southern Anhui to expose and apprehend these corrupt officials!”

“Oh? And whom do you propose I send?”

“Your Majesty is wise and discerning. With utmost audacity, I recommend three Imperial Princes for this task.”

Crown Prince Yuchi Chang frowned, his heart pounding with unease. While resolving the flood crisis presented an excellent opportunity, his Imperial Father’s temperament had grown increasingly volatile in recent days. To accept the mission would be perilous; to refuse would be equally dangerous…

“Crown Prince,” Yuchi Gong said, his gaze fixed on the Crown Prince with keen interest. “What do you think of me sending you?” But the calculation in his eyes was so ruthless that Yuchi Chang felt a sudden chill of dread.

“This humble subject has been unwell recently and is unfit for such a long journey,” Yuchi Chang replied, kneeling in the center of the hall. He coughed twice for emphasis.

Yuchi Gong nodded slowly, his gaze shifting to the Third Imperial Prince, Yuchi Heng. His dark eyes turned icy as he asked, “Heng’er, what are your thoughts?”

Yuchi Heng’s face lit up with delight. Seeing the Crown Prince decline, he knew this was a golden opportunity. To let such a chance slip through his fingers would be a waste. If this task fell to Prince Lan, wouldn’t he be handing public favor to his rival? Raising his voice slightly, he declared, “This humble subject is willing to brave fire and water for Your Majesty! I will be the blade in Your Majesty’s hand, striking wherever you command!”

Hearing this, Yuchi Gong’s eyes turned cold, and a cruel smile curled his lips. “Very well, then Prince Lan shall go.”

Yu Chi Lan was stunned. He had never intended to go, but now that the matter had been decided, he had no choice but to stiffen his resolve and respectfully reply, “Your son will not fail your Imperial Father’s expectations!”

After the morning court session adjourned, Yu Chi Lan returned to his residence and racked his brains, trying to understand why his Imperial Father had sent him to Southern Anhui.

Unable to figure it out himself, he decided to seek help from others. Yu Chi Lan dispatched his personal eunuch, Zhang He, to summon Guan Qigui. Guan Qigui’s residence was within the palace walls, where comings and goings were constantly monitored. If anyone saw her entering or leaving, rumors would surely spread.

However, Zhang He was resourceful and knew of a secret passage within the palace that led to the outside world. To the uninformed, the passage appeared to be a normal section of wall.

This hidden passage served as a clandestine route for illicit trade and communication with the outside world. Though everyone was aware of these minor subterfuges, they chose to turn a blind eye.

As for the Emperor’s attitude toward these matters, he remained oblivious and never inquired about them. The Iron Bl00d Hand never proactively interfered in the Emperor’s affairs, only drawing their swords when commanded.

As Guan Qigui returned, Yu Chi Lan feigned urgency, secretly hoping to take advantage of the moment. Guan Qigui subtly evaded his advances, then produced several pieces of “evidence” from her sleeve. “Your Highness wishes to know why His Majesty sent you south?”

“Young Master Guan’s perception is keen,” Yu Chi Lan replied, unfazed by the awkwardness. He withdrew his hand, turned his back, and maintained his composure. “Indeed, that is my question.”

“After casting such a wide net these past few days, and with Your Highness’s own administration of mind-altering drugs, the evidence was laid bare before His Majesty. How could he not suspect the Crown Prince and Third Prince of harboring treacherous ambitions? Naturally, he would dispatch Your Highness, who was granted the title of Imperial Prince early on, to handle the matter.”

Yu Chi Lan remained puzzled. While all the events were factual, he couldn’t fathom how Guan Qigui had convinced his Imperial Father of the Crown Prince and Third Prince’s secret collusion. Narrowing his eyes, he pressed, “How did you manage to present this ‘evidence’ to Father? Or is it… that you’re keeping something from me, Guan Qigui?”