The Villainess Always Wants to Cuddle With Me [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 5

“It’s a cold night. Time to pack up!”

At the sound of the shout, the merchants seated in the Fragrant Full House’s ground-floor hall drew their blades, brandishing them as they roared, “Robbery! Everyone else, clear out!”

The moment the blades flashed, the guests panicked and scrambled to flee. But at that single command, the common folk scattered far and wide, none willing to risk their lives.

Guan Qigui charged through the entrance, dagger in hand, and slashed at the armed guards, each strike aimed at their throats. The moment she entered, the waiter slammed the main doors shut.

The innkeeper retrieved the Three-Element Dust-Breaking Sword from beneath the counter and hurried upstairs, sword in hand. As soon as he reached the second floor, he spotted Guan Qigui wiping her dagger on the fan handle and shouted, “Young Master, catch!”

Guan Qigui caught the sword, drew it, and pointed the blade at General Kang Sheng, who was surrounded by guards. “General Kang Sheng, still hale and hearty, I see,” she sneered. “How careless of you to dine out without taking precautions. You’re barely past forty—why does your mind seem to grow younger with each passing year?”

General Kang Sheng had brought only guards who had never seen battle. Frowning, he accepted the Ever-Victorious Blade from a guard, pondering for a long moment before asking, “Who are you?”

“The tributary prince who came because of you!” Guan Qigui’s heart burned with excitement. She had waited years to personally execute Kang Sheng, and finally, an unmissable opportunity had arrived.

General Kang Sheng’s face paled. “You command such a vast network in the capital?” He could no longer underestimate his opponent. If this youth wasn’t eliminated today, he would surely become a future menace. The fact that the Fragrant Full House’s manager addressed him as “Young Master” spoke volumes.

“The hour has come. Send General Kang Sheng on his way!” Guan Qigui declared. At her command, the crowd swarmed forward, engaging Kang Sheng’s guards in fierce combat. Within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the guards lay in pools of bl00d. Kang Sheng’s wife cowered by the window, while Kang Sheng himself brandished his blade, slashing down at Guan Qigui. She dodged the blow, driving her right knee into his abdomen. Kang Sheng staggered backward in pain.

Today was Qiqiao Festival, and Kang Sheng had left his armor at home, leaving himself vulnerable to a bloody ambush.

Seizing the moment, Guan Qigui lunged forward, aiming for his kidneys. But Kang Sheng was no ordinary man. He was the legendary general who had led the Rin Kingdom to victory over the Lu Kingdom, forcing Guan Qigui to become a tributary prince to secure peace. Reacting instinctively, he parried Guan Qigui’s thrust. Thwarted, Guan Qigui retreated to regroup and seek another opening.

“If you kill me, the Emperor will investigate. The truth can’t be concealed forever, and you’ll be exposed sooner or later. I don’t understand—you’re cutting off your own escape route!” Kang Sheng glanced back at his wife, who had never witnessed such a scene before. Terrified, tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered, “Husband…”

“Cutting off my escape route?” Guan Qigui scoffed. “Since I’m sending you to the afterlife, I’ll let you die with a clear understanding. If I dare to act, my escape routes are naturally numerous and well-prepared. This Guan never fights unprepared battles! You’ve already heard him call me ‘Young Master,’ so it shouldn’t be difficult to deduce my other identity.”

General Kang Sheng roared with laughter, tearing off a strip of his robe to bind his wrist. “I never imagined you were that mysterious and unpredictable Pavilion Master! I underestimated you. If I had known, I would have had you killed on the road back to the capital!”

“Too late!” Guan Qigui moved with the agility of a wolf in the forest, shifting her stance as she lunged at Kang Sheng. Her footwork was deceptive and lightning-fast, overwhelming even Kang Sheng’s extensive combat experience. After taking several strikes, he wiped the bl00d from his mouth and spat out a mouthful of clotted bl00d, his eyes burning with fanatical fervor. “Your martial arts… you learned them from him…”

“Few in the world understand such things. Truly, you live up to your title, General Kang Sheng,” Guan Qigui said, lunging forward with her sword again. Her shifting, deceptive footwork made it impossible for Kang Sheng to predict her next move. He held his breath, focusing intently on the air currents—behind him!

Too late!

“Ah… you little devil! To die by your hand… at least Zhu has finally crossed blades with the Sage of Hidden Heights! My lady… let us be husband and wife again in the next life…” Kang Sheng’s neck was dislocated by Guan Qigui’s strike, followed by a thrust into his waist. Now utterly defenseless, he spoke his final words as Guan Qigui’s sword pierced his chest, extinguishing his life.

Wiping the warm bl00d from her cheek, Guan Qigui tossed the Three-Element Dust-Breaking Sword back to the innkeeper and strode toward the third floor. “Clear the area. Begin the operation.”

As her words echoed, Kang Sheng’s wife joined him in the underworld.

Though the commotion inside Fragrant Full House was extraordinary, those nearby had fled long ago when the bandits shouted their signal. Those farther away couldn’t hear the disturbance. As for the disguised merchants, their bold shouts of the code phrase would hardly arouse suspicion among the local populace.

The third floor of Fragrant Full House housed an elegant suite. The reception area was screened by folding screens, behind which a hidden door led to Guan Qigui’s private quarters. She hurriedly washed away the bloodstains from her struggle with Kang Sheng. A shallow but painful cut marred her left forearm, requiring a period of rest and recuperation.

Wasting no time, she changed into clean clothes and rushed back to find Ling Jun. Ling Jun, still fretting over the ten taels she’d spent on the embroidered pouch, sat listlessly at a small table in the embroidered pavilion’s main hall, her eyes fixed on the entrance, terrified of missing Guan Qigui’s sudden reappearance.

A figure approached the entrance. Too far away to make out the person’s features, Ling Jun watched as they walked directly toward her. Her grip on the pouch loosened slightly, and she grumbled, “If you abandon me here, I’ll spread the rumor of your true gender across the capital tomorrow.”

“But I’m back, aren’t I?” Guan Qigui replied, noticing the pouch clutched tightly in Ling Jun’s hand. Her sharp eyes spotted the gold thread edging the pouch—she’d really spared no expense.

Ling Jun rose and pulled Guan Qigui toward the street. In the crowded, watchful streets, no one would notice them. She dangled the pouch embroidered with green bamboo in front of Guan Qigui’s eyes before carefully tying it around her waist, taking the opportunity to stealthily poke Guan Qigui’s soft flesh.

This time, Guan Qigui didn’t slap her hand away. As soon as Ling Jun approached, she caught a faint metallic scent of bl00d. Judging by Guan Qigui’s earlier demeanor, she must have been… Don’t overthink it, Ling Jun. This has nothing to do with you. The less you know, the longer you’ll live.

Ling Jun looked up at Guan Qigui’s expression and asked earnestly, “Do you still like it?”

Why stare so intently while asking? Guan Qigui pulled Ling Jun toward the imperial palace, muttering over her shoulder, “It’s… acceptable.”

That means she does like it, Ling Jun thought, returning the grip on Guan Qigui’s hand and walking beside her.

“Do you want a sugar figurine?” Guan Qigui suddenly asked.

“Huh?” Ling Jun didn’t immediately understand.

“Sugar…” Guan Qigui suddenly remembered that the princess, due to her eye condition, had never left the palace since birth and had no attendants to care for her. She probably didn’t even know what a sugar figurine was. Without further explanation, Guan Qigui led Ling Jun to a vendor and bought two sugar figurines. The vendor’s skill was remarkable; in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, miniature sugar versions of Ling Jun and Guan Qigui appeared on the sticks.

“These are sugar figurines, a common street snack. They’re sweet,” Guan Qigui explained, handing Ling Jun the figurine that resembled her.

The bright yellow sugar figurine was remarkably lifelike, capturing Ling Jun’s features perfectly. She leaned closer to examine it, studying it intently.

Knowing Ling Jun’s poor eyesight made it difficult for her to see clearly, Guan Qigui patiently waited for her to get a good look before gently pulling her along. Ling Jun offered her own sugar figurine. “Let me see yours.”

“What’s there to see?” Guan Qigui impatiently snatched the figurine, not quite understanding.

Ling Jun smiled shyly, tears glistening in her eyes. “It’s so sweet.”

“You haven’t even tasted it yet,” Guan Qigui retorted, her palm warm. She realized it had been a long time since she’d been out like this.

“I can taste it in my heart,” Ling Jun replied. She thought Guan Qigui might not be a good person, but she had at least been kind to her. Even if there were ulterior motives, it was still a kindness she had never experienced before. Suddenly, she longed to warm Guan Qigui’s heart…

Guan Qigui felt her heart, like a walnut, crack open again. She wasn’t being particularly kind to Ling Jun; she just saw a reflection of her former self in her. This was the last flicker of kindness left within her.

Tonight was special. For the first time, Ling Jun witnessed the vibrant energy of the human world—the bustling street vendors, the lifelike sugar figurines. Though they didn’t release lanterns or solve riddles, they exchanged gifts. If… if there were a next year, she wanted to… celebrate Qiqiao with Guan Qigui again.

Returning to the palace meant retracing their steps. Guan Qigui’s forearm was injured, and when she carried Ling Jun in a princess carry, the pressure fell directly on her wound, staining her robes crimson. Ling Jun’s keen nose and sensitive touch immediately registered the dampness seeping through the fabric. She subtly lifted her legs, trying to ease Guan Qigui’s discomfort.

As soon as they reached Guanglan Palace, Guan Qigui set Ling Jun down and hurried to a hidden compartment beneath the bed. She grabbed a bottle of Golden Wound Medicine, haphazardly poured it over her forearm, and began wrapping the gauze. The moment the fabric touched her skin, it turned red with bl00d. Frustrated, she tore it off and started again, repeating the process several times. Finally, she compromised by wrapping the gauze in extra layers, the crumpled fabric knotted so tightly it seemed she had no intention of ever unwrapping it.

Ling Jun watched everything. She edged closer, sat on a wooden chair, and, without pausing her movements, called out, “Come here.”

Guan Qigui didn’t move.

Ling Jun sighed, rose, and walked toward Guan Qigui. Distracted, she tripped over the bottle of Golden Wound Medicine Guan Qigui had discarded, nearly falling. Guan Qigui rushed forward to steady her. Ling Jun pressed her lips together, hating this feeling of helplessness. She forced a smile. “Thank you, Young Master.”

Guan Qigui frowned. Why had she suddenly reverted to such formal etiquette?

Guan Qigui helped Ling Jun to a stool and resignedly went to fetch fresh gauze. Ling Jun remained silent as she unwrapped the bloodstained bandage Guan Qigui had tied so clumsily. She gently wiped away the seeping bl00d and began rewrapping the wound with meticulous care, her touch delicate and soothing.

Guan Qigui couldn’t quite grasp her own feelings. This was the first time someone had ever tended to her injuries. Ling Jun hadn’t asked a single question about how she’d gotten hurt or where she’d been during her absence. Ah… She almost wished Ling Jun would ask. What was this silence supposed to mean?

“Lian Chen has a request,” Ling Jun said after a long pause. Even with money, her impaired vision made it difficult to acquire trustworthy subordinates. Asking Guan Qigui for help would be far better than relying on spies planted by others.

“What is it?” Guan Qigui raised an eyebrow, studying Ling Jun’s gentle features. Her delicate, exquisite face seemed to soften, as if she were speaking to Guan Qigui for the first time. Ling Jun shyly licked her lips, her gaze drifting uncertainly.

“Help me find some good servants,” Ling Jun said. “Even those who apply eyeliner would do.”

“That maid by your side is the Empress’s person,” Guan Qigui said, pinching Ling Jun’s cheek to make her look directly at her. “Aren’t you afraid of my people?” She truly wanted to know what was going through Ling Jun’s mind. Was she trying to win her favor? Did she really want to get involved with her?

“You wouldn’t harm me,” Ling Jun insisted, staring intently into Guan Qigui’s eyes. “At least not now.”

Again with this, Guan Qigui thought. This princess’s eyes aren’t weak at all. Why does she look at me with such intensity? How amusing. She released Ling Jun, scooped her up, and prepared to take her back.

“Be careful of your wound…” Ling Jun murmured, instinctively wrapping her arms around Guan Qigui’s neck. She suddenly realized how terrifying habits could be. After only a few encounters, she already felt accustomed to Guan Qigui’s embrace. This wasn’t a good sign.

“Chatterbox…” Guan Qigui said, her expression betraying nothing, though the walnut in her chest felt like it was being constantly tapped, leaving her somewhat flustered.

Guan Qigui neither agreed nor refused to help Ling Jun. In any case, Ling Jun wasn’t holding out much hope. She would just have to wait and see.