Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 26

26:

Upon hearing her words, everyone was somewhat puzzled, not understanding why she made such a request. Did it matter who fed the child?

Could it be that she was worried the Zhou family might covet her water pouch…

Regardless of their thoughts, everyone tactfully remained silent.

Zeng Laosan, however, cast a sinister glance at Yun Chi. He remembered that the water pouch had been hanging at Yun Chi’s waist, yet now Ye Xuejin was using it to win people’s favor.

This beggar was indeed dishonest. Fortunately, he had anticipated this possibility and found another way.

Hmph, just wait. He would soon complete his task, and by then, all these people would die without a burial place.

Old Censor Zhou immediately stepped aside. “Thank you for your trouble.”

Saving the child was the priority, and at this moment, no matter what Ye Xuejin requested, he would agree.

Besides, it didn’t matter who fed the child.

Under silent gazes, Ye Xuejin calmly stepped forward, bent down, and gently supported Xiao Ying’er’s head. Her movements were meticulous and earnest. When she saw Xiao Ying’er begin to swallow and drink the water, the Zhou family collectively let out a sigh of relief.

Thank heavens, the child was saved!

A cold wind blew, lifting Ye Xuejin’s robe, as if trying to break the frail body beneath the thin prisoner’s garb.

Yet Ye Xuejin maintained her posture of feeding the water, her head slightly lowered. Though her expression was hidden, everyone recalled her usual demeanor.

Her features were cool and clear, her expression indifferent, like snow atop a high mountain—untouched by the sun’s warmth, unmoved by wind or rain.

For some inexplicable reason, everyone seemed to forget her usual timid and unresisting demeanor. In their minds, only her calm and composed actions at this moment remained, her figure unshaken by the cold wind.

In the silence, Xiao Ying’er opened her eyes and murmured dazedly, “Fairy Sister, it’s so sweet.”

“Ying’er!”

“Ying’er!”

Joyful cries rang out one after another as the Zhou family drew closer. Ye Xuejin stood up in time, stepping back a couple of paces.

“Your High—Sister Ye, thank you.” Zhou Qiyue’s eyes were red with tears as she fell to her knees.

“Thank you.” Old Censor Zhou checked Xiao Ying’er’s pulse, then turned and gave a deep bow.

“Thank you.” Old Madam Zhou and Zhou Qishan knelt directly before Ye Xuejin, their gazes filled with gratitude.

At this moment, they couldn’t address her as “Your Highness,” but they could express their gratitude through the act of kneeling.

“Thank you.” Seeing the family’s actions, the old steward led the Zhou family servants to kneel as well.

“We’re all traveling together; we should help each other. There’s no need for this.” Ye Xuejin spoke softly and returned to Yun Chi’s side.

The escorts exchanged glances, momentarily silent.

Especially Xiao Gao and a few others, who felt an odd sensation. Why did he feel like kneeling too?

Yu Lu fixed his gaze on Ye Xuejin for a moment before looking away.

In the past, his status had kept him from interacting with the Princess. What he knew of Princess He’an was mostly hearsay.

Even when he was assigned to this task, with repeated instructions from his superior, his impression of Ye Xuejin had been vague.

But just now, he felt as if he had glimpsed a fraction of the true Princess He’an.

In that frail silhouette, he saw: calmness, steadiness, restraint.

She wasn’t as weak and easily bullied as she appeared…

Ye Xuejin noticed the scrutinizing gazes mixed among the crowd. A flicker of hesitation passed through her eyes before she softly said, “Perhaps I shouldn’t have taken credit for the consort’s deed.”

Yun Chi shrugged nonchalantly. “What’s the big deal? I was just…”

“Just what?”

“Nothing.”

It was all to change your doomed fate. Only if you survive will I avoid being taken down by the female lead. So, credit or no credit doesn’t matter.

Ye Xuejin didn’t get an answer and didn’t press further, only quietly looking at Yun Chi.

In truth, this person hadn’t understood her meaning. At the start of their exile, she might not have wanted to explain or even entertained such thoughts.

But now, she wanted to talk more with this person, because this person had given her hope.

Ye Xuejin lowered her gaze slightly, took Yun Chi’s hand, and walked a bit farther.

“Consort.”

“Speak.”

Meeting her gaze, Ye Xuejin said slowly, “When I said I shouldn’t take credit, I meant—”

“What?”

“The dragon lies hidden, biding its time.”

Yun Chi didn’t understand. “What does that mean?”

Ye Xuejin tilted her head slightly, looking at the dark night sky, and said unhurriedly, “Before my mother passed, she said those words to me…”

She had understood then that her mother meant for her to conceal her talents and bide her time.

She just hadn’t fully grasped what she had that others feared. She had never cared for the throne, and her younger brother, the emperor, cherished her deeply.

Still, she followed her mother’s words, acting even more detached, barely concerning herself with court affairs.

Yet, she hadn’t anticipated how unpredictable human hearts could be. She fell from grace overnight and had no choice but to hide her sharpness and bide her time.

Or rather, there was no sharpness left to hide, for she saw no hope of survival.

Until Yun Chi gripped her hand tightly and said, “On this journey, I will never abandon you.”

It was the consort who brought her hope.

Yun Chi, still confused, said, “You mean you shouldn’t stand out.”

Ye Xuejin nodded. “This exile journey is long and uncertain. I shouldn’t draw attention.”

Yun Chi laughed. “You’re overthinking it. In nine days, you’ll clear your name. Besides, even if you act cautious and weak, the attention that’s meant to come will come.”

Ye Xuejin pursed her lips slightly, shook her head, and said no more.

It was different, but that difference was just a small spark, not yet enough to share with others.

Seeing her shake her head with a meaningful look, Yun Chi pondered her words.

The dragon lies hidden, biding its time… Dragon!

It couldn’t be what she was thinking, could it? How was this plot different from what she’d heard?

Yun Chi’s heart jolted, but she quickly relaxed. Whatever Ye Xuejin planned for the future had nothing to do with her.

As long as Ye Xuejin didn’t die on this exile journey, that was enough.

Thus, whether by tacit understanding or avoidance, they didn’t continue the topic.

The night deepened. Since this was just an open clearing with no cave to shield from the wind or rain to obscure sight, Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin couldn’t use their cotton blanket. They could only huddle together, braving the cold wind.

“Achoo…”

Someone sneezed, setting off a chain reaction, and sneezes echoed endlessly.

The mountain was too cold. Even sitting around a fire couldn’t dispel much of the chill, let alone allow for sleep.

Worried the prisoners might catch cold, Yu Lu lit more fires, letting everyone huddle closer. He also permitted free movement.

Moving around would generate warmth.

But with empty stomachs and no water, who had the energy to move?

Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin sat with the five Zhou family members around one fire. Though their gazes occasionally met, no one initiated conversation.

Through the firelight, Xiao Ying’er stared at Ye Xuejin, still savoring the sweet water she’d tasted upon waking. So sweet, so sweet.

She wanted more. She was still so hungry.

“Ying’er, what are you staring at?” Zhou Qiyue noticed her niece gazing fixedly across the fire, worried she might faint again from exhaustion, and struck up a conversation.

Xiao Ying’er, fixated on Ye Xuejin’s face, murmured, “Fairy Sister has sweet water.”

Zhou Qiyue smiled and corrected, “You should call her Aunt Ye, or Fairy Aunt.”

Otherwise, if she called the Princess “Sister Ye” and her niece called her “sister” too, they’d be of the same generation.

“I like Fairy Aunt.” Xiao Ying’er obediently changed her address. “I want to play with Fairy Aunt.”

Zhou Qiyue was about to refuse, but seeing her niece’s hopeful face, she couldn’t bear to.

“Go if you want, but Ying’er, be good and don’t trouble your Fairy Aunt.”

Xiao Ying’er’s face lit up, and she ran toward Ye Xuejin.

Seeing the little girl, emaciated from hunger after just five or six days, Ye Xuejin’s heart softened. She hugged her. “Does Ying’er still feel unwell?”

Xiao Ying’er shook her head. “Not anymore, just hungry and thirsty.” Then, glancing toward her family as if afraid they’d hear, she leaned close to Ye Xuejin’s ear and whispered, “Fairy Aunt, can I have one more sip of sweet water? Just one. I want to taste it again.”

She really, really wanted to drink it. That sweetness was something she couldn’t even dream of.

Ye Xuejin’s heart ached. Turning to Yun Chi, she spoke without lowering her voice, “Consort, shall we take Ying’er for a walk? It’ll warm her up.”

Yun Chi readily agreed. The three held hands, big hands holding small—and walked a bit farther.

Behind them, Old Censor Zhou said in a low voice, “Dalang, go keep an eye on them. Stay at a distance, don’t disturb.”

Though the prisoners wouldn’t dare act out, just in case, he felt uneasy, as if this hurried journey resembled a desperate escape.

Zhou Qishan nodded, got up, and followed, keeping a discreet distance without interfering.

Meanwhile, Ye Xuejin, seeing they were out of earshot, asked Yun Chi, “Consort, can we give Ying’er a few more sips of water?”

She had only fed her half earlier, and since Yun Chi hadn’t drunk any, there should be some left.

Yun Chi unhooked the water pouch and bent down to hand it to Xiao Ying’er. “Of course, drink up.”

Xiao Ying’er timidly took it, bowing politely. “Thank you, Consort Aunt. Thank you, Fairy Aunt.”

Only after thanking them did she treat the pouch like a treasure, taking a small sip before quickly handing it back.

“I just wanted a taste. Ying’er isn’t greedy.”

Her tone was cautious, almost guilty, as if she’d done something wrong by asking for even that sip.

Yun Chi didn’t take it back, smiling gently. “It’s fine, finish it. There’s more.”

Ye Xuejin smiled too, softly saying, “No one will blame Ying’er. Drink it all.”

Xiao Ying’er stared at them, dazed. Fairy Aunt was so beautiful, and Consort Aunt was so pretty. They were such kind people.

Seeing the girl freeze, Ye Xuejin crouched down, hugged her, and guided her hand to drink. “Drink without worry, and eat this too.”

In her palm was the compressed biscuit Yun Chi had given her earlier that day.

She hadn’t felt hungry, so she had not eaten it.

Xiao Ying’er, stunned, drank the remaining glucose in the pouch and took the biscuit, unable to believe there was food too.

Instinctively, she hid it in her clothes, wanting to save it.

Ye Xuejin gently patted her head. “Ying’er, be good. Eat it quietly when you’re back, don’t let outsiders see, but you can let your grandparents know.”

Xiao Ying’er nodded vigorously. “Thank you, Fairy Aunt! Thank you, Consort Aunt!”

With that, she turned and ran off.

Wonderful! She could eat it and let her grandparents taste it too.

Though puzzled, Yun Chi didn’t stop Ye Xuejin. Only when Xiao Ying’er was gone did she ask, “Do we need to hide it from the Zhou family anymore?”

Ye Xuejin gave her a deep look. “Why hide it?”

If you do a good deed, people should know who to thank.

Yun Chi paused. “As long as you’ve thought it through, I’m fine with it.”

In the dark, she couldn’t see Ye Xuejin’s expression clearly, but she felt a strong intuition that those usually calm, indifferent eyes now held something more.

Ye Xuejin looked away, gazing at the fire in the distance, concealing the startling ambition in her eyes.

“Consort, let’s go back.”

Back to see if she’d bet correctly.

Meanwhile, as Xiao Ying’er ran back, she saw her father standing there watching her. She paused, not stopping to greet him, and dashed off.

Fairy Aunt said only her grandparents could know, not her father.

Zhou Qishan scratched his head, confused. “Why’s she running? Did she not see it was me in the dark?”

Soon, Xiao Ying’er reached the fire, tugged at her grandparents’ sleeves, and whispered, “Grandfather, Grandmother, come here. Ying’er has something to tell you quietly.”

The couple exchanged a glance, humoring their granddaughter by leaning in.

“What does Ying’er want to whisper?”

Above them, Zhou Qiyue loomed, blatantly eavesdropping. Was there anything in this family she couldn’t know? Absolutely not.

Xiao Ying’er, acting like a little adult, glanced around cautiously, then pulled out the food Ye Xuejin had given her from her clothes.

In the firelight, seeing what it was, her eyes sparkled. “Fairy Aunt has food from the immortals too!”

She remembered the pastry from that night, which her grandfather said was from an immortal. It looked just like this one.

Seeing what their granddaughter held, Old Censor Zhou’s breath caught, and he tugged his beard hard.

Old Madam Zhou quickly covered Ying’er’s hand, glancing around warily. Seeing no one noticed, she relaxed.

Above them, Zhou Qiyue bent nearly ninety degrees, barely containing her excitement. “Ying’er, who gave you this?”

Old Censor Zhou asked more precisely, “Who’s this Fairy Aunt? Did you see a fairy?”

Could it be that the one granting food wasn’t The Literary Star Lord, but a fairy goddess?