The Villainess Always Wants to Cuddle With Me [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 14

After several days, Ling Jun rose early, washed and dressed meticulously, and adorned her ears with the green agate earrings Guan Qigui had given her. She set out for Guanglan Palace, determined to get to the bottom of things. Why?

But when she reached the palace gates, Guan Qigui’s servant greeted her with a apologetic expression. “Princess, please return. The Young Master has said she doesn’t wish to see you.”

What?! Guan Qigui refused to see her! Ling Jun pressed her crimson lips together, her eyes brimming with sorrow. She looked up and spoke again, “Please, would you relay a message? What if… your Young Master would be willing to see Lian Chen?”

No matter what Ling Jun said, the servant maintained a pained expression, his face etched with distress. His Young Master hadn’t slept at Guanglan Palace for several days. How could he possibly deliver her message?

“If it’s inconvenient, then Lian Chen will take her leave…” Ling Jun’s eyes stung with hurt. Had Guan Qigui grown so disgusted with her that she refused to even see her? But she hadn’t done anything wrong! Could it be that Guan Qigui found the idea of two women… repulsive? But that reaction seemed far too delayed. What other explanation could there be?

Ling Jun didn’t want to return to the palace, nor did she wish to go to Zhenshan Temple. For the first time, she longed to leave the palace, to wander freely and clear her mind…

Gazing at the towering palace walls, Ling Jun felt a pang of sympathy for the concubines trapped within. What a miserable existence, devoid of freedom…

Leaving the palace was surprisingly simple. The Empress Dowager had once given Ling Jun an exit pass and never asked for it back. Since the old woman didn’t want it, Ling Jun saw no reason to return it.

Stepping outside the palace gates, Ling Jun took a deep breath, savoring the bustling energy of Kyoto.

Shops lined both sides of the palace entrance, but Ling Jun paid them little attention, her interest waning. She turned into a side alley, hoping to find street vendors, but there were none.

After walking for some time, the sounds of hawkers gradually filled the air, their voices melodious and inviting.

“Guobianhu! Shengjian! Three coins!”

The savory aroma of food wafted through the air, making Ling Jun’s mouth water. She realized she was quite hungry.

She sat down at a wooden table and called out, “Boss, one guobianhu and four shengjian, please.”

“Coming right up!”

In just a few minutes, the owner placed a steaming bowl of guobianhu on the table, his face beaming with genuine warmth. He returned with four shengjian. “Enjoy your meal, miss.” Then he turned to serve other customers.

The shop was popular, located just a short walk from the alley entrance. Most patrons were laborers, drawn by the owner’s honesty and the generous portions of guobianhu and shengjian for just three coins.

Guobianhu, a popular street food, was said to have originated when someone had the bright idea to grind rice into a slurry. This slurry was then simmered with shredded pork, clams, daylily buds, wood ear mushrooms, and dried scallops in a clear broth. The rice slurry was swirled around the pot’s edge, and within fifteen minutes, pot after pot of guobianhu was ready.

Ling Jun took a deep breath, the fragrant aroma filling her nostrils without being greasy. She scooped up a spoonful, savoring its smooth, delicate texture and refreshing taste. She followed it with a bite of pan-fried bun, its crispy exterior giving way to a juicy, savory filling. Her eyes sparkled like stars as she felt utterly healed by the meal.

After finishing her meal, she left three coins on the table and continued her journey.

Ling Jun wandered through numerous shops, her curiosity piqued by everything around her. Originally drawn by the promise of hidden culinary gems, she ventured deeper into the alleyways. But when she reached the end, she discovered it was a dead end. As she turned to leave, she noticed several figures approaching her from a short distance away.

Damn it! This alley is a dead end, and there are no houses on either side. They’re clearly after me!

The burly leader spoke with a thick accent as he strode forward and forcefully grabbed Ling Jun’s Mystic Staff, sneering mockingly, “This staff marks her as blind. What rotten luck.”

Ling Jun’s face turned deathly pale. This is straight out of a novel! But reality wasn’t a novel. She was alone, her fists no match for their numbers. She bit her lower lip, struggling fiercely with the burly man for the Mystic Staff.

“Oh? Still got some fight in you, huh? We’ll sell you to the Wind and Moon Pavilion later. See how much fight you have left then!” The lead thug glanced back at his men.

Two of them understood immediately. One moved forward to restrain Ling Jun, who struggled desperately but couldn’t break free. The other pressed a coarse cloth over her mouth and nose.

A wave of helplessness surged through Ling Jun. Darkness flooded her vision, and her hands went limp at her sides.

The thugs dragged her to the Wind and Moon Pavilion’s back courtyard. When the madam saw them hand over the Mystic Staff, she sneered, “So she’s blind too?”

“Hey! What are you saying? She’s got extraordinary beauty and captivating looks. If you train her well, she could easily become a top-tier courtesan!”

Hearing his flowery words, the madam scoffed inwardly. By the time you’ve trained her for a few years, she’ll be past her prime. She tossed two silver ingots at them and waved dismissively. “The merchandise is accepted. Now get out.”

Holding the silver ingots, the lead thug’s face darkened. “Are you trying to cheat us?” he roared. “This kind of beauty deserves more than this pittance!”

Sensing trouble, the madam narrowed her cold eyes and shouted behind her, “Ba Yi! Ba San! We’ve got trouble!”

Seeing the madam summon two burly men from the Wind and Moon Pavilion, the three men knew they were outmatched. These men, hailing from the border regions, possessed genuine martial skills and were formidable fighters. With a knowing glance, the trio slipped away, not forgetting to hurl a few curses at the madam for her heartless greed.

When Ling Jun awoke, she felt strangely weak. She glanced around the unfamiliar room: red candles, silk curtains, a painted screen depicting court ladies… It was a chamber she didn’t recognize.

She stepped down from the bed, finding her weakness didn’t hinder her movement. Lowering her gaze, her eyes darkened… Her clothes had been changed.

After a brief search, she realized her Mystic Staff was missing from the room.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, accompanied by a woman’s sharp, high-pitched voice: “Oh, you’re awake?”

Ling Jun turned, her brow furrowing. “Where am I?” she demanded.

The woman fanned herself with a painted fan, a smirk playing on her lips. “The Wind and Moon Pavilion.”

“A brothel!” Ling Jun exclaimed, her face paling. Her eyes blazed with fury as she raised her voice: “How dare you! Release me at once! Return all of Lian Chen’s belongings!”

“A princess traveling without attendants? Especially a blind one? I’ve heard rumors of a princess with an eye ailment in the palace, and indeed, her name is Lian Chen. But… Princess Lianchen never leaves the palace. You’d best accept reality and abandon this delusion!”

Ling Jun bit her lower lip, realizing she had been careless and reckless.

Seeing her silence, the woman stepped forward and reached out to stroke Ling Jun’s cheek. Ling Jun slapped her hand away, spun back two steps, and glared at her warily.

Undeterred by the rejection, the woman pulled a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and placed it on the table. “You can call me Sister Xiao,” she said. “You’re lucky—a young master took a liking to you right away. He’s keeping you for six months. I’m giving you a way out. This bottle contains something to spice things up. If you’re worried about pleasing him, drink it. You won’t be dismissed. Make the most of it.”

Ling Jun’s lower lip, bitten until it bled, tasted of metallic sweetness. Her eyes filled with despair. What should I do…?

As night fell, the porcelain bottle had vanished from the table. Ling Jun had secretly hidden it away. She stood pressed against the door, clutching the pearl hairpin from her hair, waiting calmly. If it comes to it, I’ll fight to the death. If I can’t save this crumbling world, I’ll end it all.

Creak.

The door opened, but the person outside didn’t enter the room. Ling Jun frowned. Why aren’t they coming in?

Tap, tap…

As the footsteps drew closer, Ling Jun gripped the pearl-inlaid hairpin tightly, a fine sheen of sweat beading on her forehead.

The person closed the door. The moment they appeared, Ling Jun lunged forward, stabbing with the hairpin.

Her attacker reacted swiftly, deflecting the blow with a casual flick of the wrist. The hairpin clattered to the floor.

Ling Jun was pinned against the wall, her face pressed against the cold stone as she fought to suppress the pain.

“Lost your tongue?” The person tightened their grip, their voice deliberately muffled, making it difficult for Ling Jun to discern the words.

“Just give me a quick end,” Ling Jun said, closing her eyes in despair. Yet even in this moment, she couldn’t shake the hope that Guan Qigui would appear from some unexpected corner to rescue her. Ha… just wishful thinking.

“Why abandon your life as a princess to end up here?” The person mocked her, and Ling Jun’s eyes snapped open again.

This person knows me!

“Who are you?”

The person leaned closer, whispering in her ear, “Why don’t you… guess?”

Suddenly, as the person drew near, the crisp, refreshing scent of white tea—like a pack of wolves descending on their prey—flooded Ling Jun’s senses. Her eyes widened in shock and pain. “Guan Qigui!”

Ling Jun felt the person behind her stiffen, their limbs locking into place. For a moment, there was no response.

“Guan Qigui, you’re probably scrambling for a retort right now, aren’t you? I know it’s you! I can smell it—it’s your scent!”

That dog’s nose! Guan Qigui’s ears flushed crimson, burning like fiery orbs. She released Ling Jun from her grip, her expression a strained smile. “Princess, are you a dog? Your sense of smell is truly remarkable.”

Now that they were face-to-face, Ling Jun found herself at a loss for words, biting her lip. She couldn’t be sure if Guan Qigui still harbored any feelings for her.

“You were so talkative just moments ago. Why are you suddenly mute?” Guan Qigui sneered, gripping Ling Jun’s chin and scrutinizing her face. The longer she stared, the more her anger flared. What an infuriatingly beautiful face!

“If you truly didn’t care for me, why would you come here?” Ling Jun’s eyes darkened, her obsidian pupils fixed intently on Guan Qigui.

This Second Princess really knows how to provoke me! Guan Qigui’s teeth ached with frustration. “If I hadn’t come, how would you have escaped this place?” she snapped.

I knew you were stubborn, but your heart still yearns for me. Ling Jun felt like she had grasped something, yet she dared not presume the depth of Guan Qigui’s lingering affection.

“If it had been anyone else just now, I would have taken my own life. If I were to merely cling to life here, my worthless existence…” Ling Jun lowered her gaze, unable to meet Guan Qigui’s eyes. Her voice grew increasingly despondent, her tone earnest and devoid of jest.

“Shut up, Yuchi Lingjun! You truly have a remarkable talent for infuriating people!” Guan Qigui couldn’t bear to hear another word. Each syllable Lingjun uttered felt like a knife twisting in her heart, stealing her breath. If she had arrived even a moment later… she shuddered at the thought.

Without giving Lingjun a chance to retort, Guan Qigui swept her up into a horizontal embrace and vanished into the night toward Changyang Palace.

Lingjun seized this golden opportunity, naturally wrapping her arms around Guan Qigui’s neck and pressing close against her chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat and inhaling her intoxicatingly pure fragrance.

“Let go!” Guan Qigui’s neck felt like a furnace, the heat flushing her cheeks crimson like winter plum blossoms, their beauty surpassing even the splendor of spring.

“Never!” Lingjun grinned, noting the feverish flush on Guan Qigui’s face. Such a hypocrite!

The beautiful woman in her arms, her delicate brows furrowed, her eyes blazing with anger yet utterly helpless, her crimson lips pressed into a tight line—Lingjun relished this sight. Unable to resist, she blurted out, “Phoenix eyes curved like amber, cherry lips like a single ruby.”

“Shut up!” A vein throbbed on Guan Qigui’s forehead, her reddened earlobes resembling ripe cherries. She abruptly pressed Lingjun’s head against her chest, silencing her “lies.”

Landing in the courtyard of Changyang Palace, Guan Qigui immediately tried to escape the moment she released Lingjun. But Lingjun grabbed her sleeve and held out her hand.

“What?” Guan Qigui frowned, puzzled.

“Lian Chen’s Mystic Staff… you should return it,” Ling Jun said, licking her lips, a hint of nervousness in her voice. If I did that, would Guan Qigui despise me?

Guan Qigui handed her the Mystic Staff, her gaze dropping to Ling Jun’s fingers, which still clung to hers. “Let go,” she said coldly.

Ling Jun stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Guan Qigui’s neck. She rose on tiptoe, pressing her lips toward Guan Qigui’s crimson mouth. Guan Qigui’s eyes widened abruptly, her fingers trembling at her side.

Seeing no response, Ling Jun’s kiss grew more fervent, yet still yielded nothing. She opened her eyes, meeting Guan Qigui’s gaze—those dark, unfathomable eyes. Releasing her, Ling Jun looked up with a final flicker of hope. “Qi Gui,” she whispered, “I love you.”

What was Guan Qigui suppressing? Her suspicions and unease. Her fingers trembled, her throat tightened, her body remained motionless. She forced herself to remain cold, her lips parting slightly as she said, “It’s late, Princess. Please return to your quarters.”

Ling Jun froze as if struck by lightning, tears welling in her eyes. Does she feel nothing for me? We have everything… yet we have nothing…

Unable to bear the sight of her distress, Guan Qigui turned and fled. She pressed a hand to her wildly beating heart, realizing how close she had come to succumbing to Ling Jun’s allure…