Transmigrated as the Imperial Princess's Scumbag Alpha Ex-Wife - Chapter 29

Behind the cold, silver-white door, Zhu Yu couldn’t be sure if Bai Shuzhou could hear her, but she still made a solemn introduction, hoping to seize any opportunity through the crack.

The Emperor had issued no explicit command. She would never openly declare, “Don’t let Zhu Yu near Bai Shuzhou.” Instead, she had simply ordered the Snow Leopard Knights to protect Bai Shuzhou.

Where there is protection, there is danger.

Yet the girl who had fought her way here now suppressed her usual defiance. Her eyes were slightly reddened, her clear features devoid of any hostility. With her arms wrapped around the Snow Leopard Knights who desperately tried to block her, she edged forward inch by inch, showing no resistance or defiance, but rather pushing through them like kneading dough—slowly and persistently.

The Snow Leopard Knights were agile Alphas, chosen from among thousands, their figures heroic and imposing. Even their tails possessed formidable strength.

Zhu Yu secretly tickled their tails to exploit their ticklishness.

It was a despicable tactic, but surprisingly effective. These proud Snow Leopard Knights, who had spent their lives upholding honor and dignity, had never encountered such a low-class trick and involuntarily flinched aside.

Pressing close to the door, Zhu Yu pressed her burning cheek against the crack, her bl00d still surging. She strained to make her voice carry through the wind:

“If you’ve lost your memories, we can get to know each other all over again. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“If fate closes a door for you, we’ll just open it again. That’s what doors are for.”

“Just open the door, and you’ll see me—”

The Snow Leopard Knight finally reached her breaking point. Any more leniency, and this slippery little fish might just wriggle through the crack. This was getting far too audacious.

One of the guards clamped a hand over Zhu Yu’s mouth, his face stern as he threatened, “Stop shouting. The Princess can’t hear you. If you keep causing a scene, you’ll only disrupt public order.”

Around the corner, a researcher who had been glancing at the commotion quickly ducked back into the shadows, feeling the Snow Leopard Knight’s fleeting gaze.

Such a lively scene was rare at the Academy of Sciences; it was hard to ignore.

The reporters who had swarmed after Zhu Yu had already sealed off the area outside. The Executive Guard, rushing to reinforce the perimeter, momentarily froze, thinking for a split second that the Federation had launched an attack.

Zhu Yu blinked, estimating the wall’s thickness. The soundproofing seemed remarkably effective, and her burning confidence gradually dwindled.

Yet no one moved to stop her, and no one threatened lethal force. Could this mean the higher-ups tacitly approved? This rekindled Zhu Yu’s cautious hopes, causing her carefully guarded thoughts to flutter anew.

What’s the worst that could happen? If I don’t try, I’ll never know…

A master of reading people, Zhu Yu had gradually learned to push her boundaries. Realizing Bai Shuzhou truly couldn’t hear her, she abruptly shifted her demeanor.

When the Snow Leopard Knight tried to drag her out, she clung desperately to the door handle, abandoning her refined, magnetic voice for a brazen defiance:

“I’m not leaving! If you’re so tough, just kill me!”

“Even if I die, I’ll guard my wife here!”

She deliberately emphasized “my wife,” both leveraging the awkwardness of their relationship to deter rash action and using it as a bluff, once again proclaiming their bond to the world.

The Snow Leopard Knight: …

You promised you wouldn’t make things difficult for us!

Zhu Yu’s arrival at this critical moment was like a ticking time bomb.

It wasn’t just about killing her. If she so much as tripped here, got a scratch on her face, and then walked out, the public would immediately suspect the royal family or the Academy of Sciences of abusing their authority and using torture to conceal some earth-shattering secret.

The Snow Leopard Knights nervously gripped Zhu Yu, terrified she might suddenly punch herself in the face, leaving them utterly unable to explain.

On the hospital bed, the woman blinked faintly.

Though she couldn’t see the scene outside, her hearing was sharp. She vaguely conjured an image of “Zhu Yu” in her mind.

At first, she pictured a soft, steaming bun, freshly served with a sweet rose-and-red-bean filling. Her voice was slightly raspy, yet deeply magnetic.

A gentle squeeze would leave a soft, yielding indentation.

But this image didn’t last long. The bun abruptly splattered onto the ground, its voice changing—”If you’re so tough, just kill me.”

Like a rogue or hooligan, yet still soft and pliant, lacking any real menace.

Strange and novel.

The Snow Leopard Knights’ attitude, the fact that she had been brought here, and the faint trace of her own pheromones clinging to Zhu Yu…

Bai Shuzhou slowly frowned, a hint of confusion and suspicion crossing her face.

She seemed to recognize the voice, but the content was strange. A sharp pain shot through her nerves as she struggled to recall something. Was it calling out… “Mommy”?

Her cold, vertical pupils widened in surprise. This was utterly bizarre.

Moreover, a faint, inexplicable displeasure stirred within her. This term of endearment couldn’t possibly be directed at her.

The Imperial Palace operated under strict order, where everyone manipulated power within rigid frameworks. Bai Shuzhou had never encountered such behavior before.

Even their own mother, after raising two children, had never used such intimate and loud terms like “wife” or “darling” to address her partner.

She pressed her lips together slightly, silently forming a judgment in her mind.

The Academy of Sciences’ Executive Guard arrived at a leisurely pace. Before the Snow Leopard Knight could even register a flicker of hope, she realized these bastards were here to take sides.

On the surface, they pretended to mediate impartially, assigning equal blame to both parties. In reality, their approach resembled saying, “Why are you nobles bothering with someone from the Star of the Plains? Just let it go—we’re all citizens of the same nation.”

Naturally, Feng Jiyan’s influence was behind this maneuver.

Through Fang Xie’s coordination, the Academy of Sciences reluctantly agreed to allow Zhu Yu to visit for ten minutes each evening to jointly monitor the progress of the Academy’s treatment.

The outcome was unexpectedly smooth.

Zhu Yu had prepared for the worst, but she never imagined the fox—truly worthy of being her future wife’s capable right-hand woman—would pull this off.

I shouldn’t have doubted her, she thought, feeling a pang of guilt.

But this guilt quickly gave way to anger.

When Zhu Yu had mentioned the human experimentation to the reporters, her intention was to keep Feng Jiyan in check.

Yet Feng Jiyan had brazenly semi-publicized the experiment, grandiosely welcoming the “long-lost” White Bird Phoenix back to the Academy of Sciences.

The bird, afflicted with a severe genetic disease that should have claimed its life long ago, had miraculously thrived to this day—a true scientific marvel.

During the chaotic night of the auction, the escaped Phoenix and Little Birds were rescued by the Federation. After negotiations with the Empire and reaching some agreement, they were returned.

Human experimentation, deemed unethical, had been strictly prohibited for years. The Phoenix’s existence now served as a damning piece of evidence.

After Zhu Yu outmaneuvered the cunning fox, the die was cast. The fox swiftly launched a new propaganda campaign, striving to convince the public that they were genuinely fighting to conquer genetic diseases.

In a sense, Abilities were indeed genetic diseases, only manifesting in a select few.

The ten-minute nightly visits were far too brief, especially since they were never alone. By the time Zhu Yu was finally allowed in, the Princess had already fallen asleep.

Gazing at her pale, sleeping face, Zhu Yu couldn’t bear to disturb her.

But she had only six days left. If Bai Shuzhou didn’t regain her memories or refused to stay with her by then, Zhu Yu’s fate seemed grim.

Bai Qianze made no further attempts to interfere, his contemptuous indifference suggesting he was certain Zhu Yu would fail.

In this fragile state, Bai Shuzhou was sensitive and wary, trusting only Bai Qianze. Even Izalia, her childhood friend, received no special privileges.

The next day, when Zhu Yu entered, Bai Shuzhou was still asleep.

Zhu Yu stared longingly for ten minutes, wanting to speak but afraid of waking her. She could only mumble to herself, counting the Princess’s curled eyelashes.

Feng Jiyan desperately wanted Zhu Yu to stay. She was a useful pawn, currently more advantageous than problematic.

Feng Jiyan possessed a keen intuition, believing Zhu Yu might be the only one capable of driving a wedge between Bai Shuzhou and Bai Qianze.

Yet during these critical two days, Zhu Yu had made no progress whatsoever, wasting precious opportunities by merely watching Bai Shuzhou sleep. This infuriated Feng Jiyan to no end.

“How did Your Highness the Princess ever fall for you?” Feng Jiyan sneered, her disappointment palpable.

The tips of Zhu Yu’s ears flushed red. “Actually, I’d like to know that too.”

Feng Jiyan: “No one’s complimenting you.”

As a last resort, Feng Jiyan proposed involving her professional team. But when Zhu Yu heard their extreme and risky methods, she recoiled in horror, waving her hands frantically.

If she actually followed Feng Jiyan’s plans, there were only two possible outcomes: either Bai Qianze would eliminate her, or she would tread the same path to ruin as her predecessor. Either way, it was a dead end.

Ha, ha, Zhu Yu even began to suspect that Feng Jiyan might have secretly pushed the original owner of her body toward self-destruction.

This fox is truly terrifying!

Every night, after Zhu Yu left and the lights went out, the woman who should have been sleeping peacefully would subtly lift her eyelids.

Zhu Yu noticed, but she never mentioned it.

Just before leaving, she would whisper, “You’re so cute.”

The woman’s long eyelashes would flutter slightly, and her breath would pause for two seconds.

Zhu Yu had counted this many times, so she knew she couldn’t be mistaken.

Bai Shuzhou seemed determined to hide the fact that she was pretending to sleep. She was skilled at deception and fiercely protective of her privacy and boundaries.

One day, standing in the long corridor, Zhu Yu deeply regretted impulsively pulling back Bai Shuzhou’s blanket. Bai Shuzhou was too proud to let anyone see her wounds, and Zhu Yu should have respected her choice.

Since losing her memory, Bai Shuzhou had become even more withdrawn, always appearing burdened by unspoken thoughts, cold and distant toward everyone.

The aloofness had softened, replaced by sharper edges and a defensive posture.

Feng Jiyan attributed this to the medication, but Zhu Yu sensed something deeper. Bai Shuzhou couldn’t feel safe here, so any slight disturbance triggered her defensive aggression. She was simply protecting herself.

Bai Shuzhou trusted only Bai Qianze and reserved her smiles solely for him.

With Feng Jiyan’s subtle assistance, Zhu Yu racked her brains trying to get closer to Bai Shuzhou. But even when they passed face-to-face, and Zhu Yu bent down to greet her, Bai Shuzhou would walk by without a glance, as if she were completely invisible.

Feng Jiyan could only turn a blind eye, then another, until both eyes were practically asleep, tacitly allowing Zhu Yu to be a little bolder during Bai Qianze’s absence.

During the day, Bai Shuzhou underwent treatment. Zhu Yu, heartbroken by her increasingly gaunt appearance, borrowed the researchers’ kitchenette to prepare many of her favorite dishes, filling a thermal lunchbox with steaming delicacies.

According to intel from a helpful source, Bai Shuzhou would unusually be dining outside that day.

To allow the soup to simmer properly, Zhu Yu arrived a bit late, secretly tucking some candies beneath the lunchbox.

But from a distance, she spotted another familiar figure sitting across from Bai Shuzhou.

White Bird was there too!

The ornate square table was laden with delicacies. Zhu Yu, clutching the heavy lunchbox, suddenly felt her own preparations seemed rather meager, even insufficient for sharing.

Just as she hesitated whether to approach, she saw Bai Shuzhou smile faintly and personally use serving chopsticks to place some food on White Bird’s plate.

Ah.

This was the first time Zhu Yu had seen Shuzhou show affection to someone other than Bai Qianze since losing her memory.

To be precise, it wasn’t just since the amnesia.

Even back in their rented apartment, Bai Shuzhou had never once served her food.

Bai Shuzhou was a bit of a neat freak with a strong sense of personal space. If others frequently touched a dish, she might refuse to eat it.

So Zhu Yu always prepared her own separate portion.

Do Bai Shuzhou and White Bird know each other?

Zhu Yu felt she should go over and say hello, pat White Bird on the shoulder, and ask, “How have you been lately? What happened after that night? Did Feng Jiyan bully you?”

They were practically sisters in adversity, having survived a near-death experience together.

But her nose felt stuffy. The Academy of Sciences’ air conditioning seemed particularly harsh on her, almost giving her a cold. She felt a bit uncomfortable.

She glanced up at the exotic delicacies they were eating, then down at her own stainless steel lunchbox, suddenly feeling deeply embarrassed.

Dragons loved splendid, glittering things, but she had none.

Like Bai Shuzhou, White Bird had beautiful white hair and looked very well-behaved. She was also an Ability User who could spit small fireballs.

It seemed… quite natural that Bai Shuzhou would like her.

Well, I’ll figure something out after I finish eating. It’s too good to waste. The girl’s bright eyes dimmed slightly.

Zhu Yu found a spot neither too close nor too far from the others, opened her lunchbox, and decided to eat alone.

A passing researcher glanced over. “Oh, Your Highness Zhu Yu, did you make this yourself?”

The meal was prepared in Bai Shuzhou’s portion size, covering nearly an entire table when spread out. Unable to finish it all herself, Zhu Yu invited the researcher to join her. Soon, small groups gathered around the table.

Zhu Yu thought these researchers were rather like stray cats. In the office, they were all arrogant geniuses, but when they came out to eat, they became much more docile. Once one was invited, a whole group would appear, spreading out like ripples.

As more and more people gathered, almost crowding around Zhu Yu, compliments showered down on her, making her feel flustered and bewildered.

Zhu Yu didn’t realize that most of the researchers were also born on the Star of the Plains. To them, she was like “the most successful college student from our village.”

Though the researchers initially hesitated to approach her due to her perceived status as a genius, once a crack in the facade appeared, they gradually realized that the Star of the Plains, so approachable on the big screen, was genuinely unpretentious. Moreover, her cooking was surprisingly delicious.

Zhu Yu had been cooking for a long time, and the ingredients on the Imperial Star were notoriously expensive. She felt a pang of reluctance to indulge, but since everyone had already assumed she was Bai Shuzhou’s family member, addressing her as “Your Highness” and showering her with extravagant praise, refusing would seem petty.

Determined not to be petty, Zhu Yu devoured the food with a vengeance, quickly finishing her meal. She set down her utensils and began generously serving the researchers, thinking, At least nothing will go to waste, and it proves my cooking skills aren’t half bad.

This was the first time Zhu Yu had been surrounded by such effusive praise, and she felt a giddy sense of self-importance.

If Bai Shuzhou doesn’t like me, when I escape, besides being a repair technician, maybe I could also work as a part-time chef.

Lost in these gloomy daydreams, she suddenly sensed a cold, piercing gaze fixed on her. She glanced around, but saw nothing.

As a top-tier warrior and the Star of the Plains, Zhu Yu feigned leisurely movements as she ladled two bowls of soup for the people beside her.

Then, she abruptly turned her head and caught the Snow Leopard Knight lurking nearby, trying to steal a taste.

A group of researchers followed Zhu Yu’s sudden movement, their heads snapping up in unison as they all stared at the Snow Leopard Knight. Zhu Yu’s actions were so dramatic, they practically served as a signal for rebellion.

Sneaking around like a cat? This isn’t the proper conduct for a Noble.

“Ahem.” The Snow Leopard Knight, who had been standing on tiptoe, froze. Slightly embarrassed at being discovered, she cleared her throat and waved a graceful hand. “I’m merely asking on behalf of myself—is it good?”

Merely asking on behalf of myself. This claim sounded particularly suspicious, like someone trying to hide the sound of a bell while stealing it.

Is it good?

Eat?

Eat!

Zhu Yu understood immediately. She turned to look at Bai Shuzhou and found Your Highness the Princess resting her chin lightly on one hand, casting a casual glance her way—as if she had just happened to turn her head.

Cold and emotionless.

Yet Zhu Yu inexplicably straightened her spine, instinctively stood up, and gripped her pair of broken wooden chopsticks tightly in her hand.