Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 36

36:

Under the flickering firelight, Ye Xuejin’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she gazed steadily at the person before her.

How could someone as unworthy as her be favored by an immortal?

Yun Chi smiled lightly. “What’s there to thank me for? Eat up.”

Sigh. For no reason at all, Ye Xuejin let out a soft sigh in her heart. Watching the lively crowd, her heart felt inexplicably calm.

In seven days, it would be the day Ye Xuejin’s wrongful accusations would be cleared…

The festive atmosphere lingered for a long time. It wasn’t until everyone finished their meals, handed their empty lunch boxes to the guards, and watched the boxes vanish without a trace that the mood shifted.

The air fell silent for a moment before erupting into unprecedented liveliness again.

“In my whole life, I’ve never eaten such delicious braised chicken with mushrooms,” a Zhou family servant said, his face full of lingering satisfaction.

The old steward sitting beside him glanced over and said earnestly, “You’re just a stablehand who feeds horses, what good food could you have tasted? If you ask me, the braised pork belly was the best. Fragrant but not greasy, so tender it melts in your mouth. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

The servant pouted. “If only we could eat it again.” Next time, he hoped to try some red-braised pork and see which was better.

The old steward shot him a look, cautiously glancing at Ye Xuejin before lowering his voice. “Use your brain when you speak. What if the immortal is listening from above?”

The servant’s expression changed slightly, but he couldn’t help himself. “Don’t you want to eat it again, old man?”

The steward shook his head. “The master said it all depends on the immortal’s whim.”

Besides, the immortal had only bestowed the food because of their connection to Her Highness, the Princess. No matter how much he craved it, he didn’t dare say anything reckless.

Hadn’t they seen how Miss Zhou was practically losing her mind?

Zhou Qiyue, whom everyone thought was going mad, was staring at Ye Xuejin with a silly grin.

“Heh… hehe… hehehe…”

“Auntie, stop laughing. You’re scaring me,” little Ying’er said timidly, tugging at Zhou Qiyue’s sleeve.

Old Madam Zhou quickly pulled her granddaughter into her arms, swatting Zhou Qiyue with disapproval. “Snap out of it! You’re frightening Ying’er.”

Grinning like a complete fool, what a sight.

Zhou Qiyue withdrew her gaze, whispering mysteriously, “Mother, let me tell you, from now on, I’m Her Highness’ loyal person. I swore an oath to the immortal!”

Her Highness had said that if something like this happened again, she’d still choose them.

Her Highness also said she’d always trust and value them.

Old Madam Zhou gave her a sidelong glance. “You saw the immortal?”

Most likely not. With her daughter’s personality, if she had, she would probably be bouncing around like a monkey by now.

Zhou Qiyue was about to say no but caught herself in time, declaring confidently, “I’m utterly loyal to Her Highness. I won’t tell anyone else.”

Old Madam Zhou couldn’t help but twist her arm. “Even your own mother is an outsider now?”

Zhou Qiyue winced in pain but stood her ground. “I’m loyal to Her Highness, and nothing you say will change that. I won’t tell anyone.”

Pfft. Old Madam Zhou couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Look at you, acting so high and mighty. Do you even know which way is north? Behave yourself, or Her Highness might not choose you next time.”

“Impossible!” Zhou Qiyue raised her head proudly. “Her Highness has a discerning eye. I’m not like the others.”

She was a gem, and Her Highness had the vision to see it.

“I think your tail’s about to wag its way to the heavens. Don’t float away,” Old Madam Zhou said, shaking her head with a smile. Oh, her silly daughter.

Nearby, Old Master Zhou tugged at his beard. Her Highness had a discerning eye for talent…

But there was no shortage of gold in this world, it just depended on whether it would be discovered.

With his daughter’s temperament, she was, at best, a piece of broken gold.

Ahem. He, on the other hand, was the real deal—a solid gold nugget.

With that thought, Old Master Zhou made up his mind, stood up, and started walking toward Ye Xuejin.

But someone else reached her first.

Old Master Zhou paused mid-step and sat back down.

Shiniang approached Ye Xuejin and knelt halfway to the ground. “Shiniang has sinned.”

Her kneel drew every eye in the vicinity, finally quieting the lively chatter.

Ye Xuejin looked at her, her gaze calm and unreadable, saying nothing.

Shiniang lowered her head slightly and continued, “I shouldn’t have doubted the sincerity of the Princess’ Consort. I beg Your Highness to punish me.”

Her words caused a ripple of unease among the crowd. Many of them had expressed similar doubts at the time.

Ye Xuejin regarded her for a moment before standing and helping her up. “The unaware bear no fault. The immortal believes you were only thinking of everyone’s well-being. It’s cold and dewy, rest early.”

“Your Highness…” Shiniang’s expression was complicated.

“Go ahead.” Ye Xuejin gave her a faint smile.

Shiniang finally relaxed and returned to the group of young women.

The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief, thinking to themselves that Her Highness, the Princess was truly kind and magnanimous. What a pity—though what exactly was a pity, they couldn’t quite say.

Yu Lu glanced at Ye Xuejin, then at Yun Chi, and finally at Shiniang, exchanging a meaningful look with her before walking off into the distance.

Shiniang’s heart stirred, and she followed.

The atmosphere lightened again. Though it was already midnight, everyone was still immersed in the memory of that delicious meal, eagerly discussing it.

Amid the lively chatter, two people remained silent, not speaking for a long time.

Seeing Yu Lu and Shiniang leave one after another, Mu Er couldn’t hold back any longer. “Big Brother, what do we do now?”

Mu Da glanced in Ye Xuejin’s direction and said heavily, “We do what we must.”

“But… but the Princess can communicate with an immortal! What if the immortal protects her?”

“A county magistrate holds more sway than a distant emperor. You heard it yourself, mortals and immortals are worlds apart. An immortal wouldn’t truly punish us for her sake.”

“But…”

“Shut up and stop overthinking. Go to sleep.” Mu Da snapped irritably, though he was panicking inside. After all, they’d just eaten that food, and there really was an immortal.

But did they have any other choice?

Their wives and children were still waiting for them…

Mu Er lowered his head, silent, clearly thinking of his family too. But the Princess really had an immortal’s protection.

An immortal! If it was an immortal, could they help them?

“Big Brother, my stomach’s acting up,” Mu Er said, clutching his abdomen.

Mu Da frowned. “Go and come back quickly.”

Mu Er nodded and headed off into the distance.

Mu Da sighed softly. His younger brother was a martial arts fanatic with impressive skills but little courage. Otherwise, why would he need to drag him into this?

Rubbing his brow, Mu Da stared at the fire, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he shot to his feet and strode after Mu Er, in the same direction Yu Lu and Shiniang had gone.

Someone nearby muttered in confusion, “What’s wrong with him? Scared me half to death.”

Not far away, Yun Chi squeezed Ye Xuejin’s hand. “What do you think they are up to?”

Her primary concern was Ye Xuejin’s safety. She desperately wanted Ye Xuejin to survive until her vindication so she could retire in peace.

Otherwise, if anything happened to Ye Xuejin, she, as the Princess’ Consort, would likely be implicated.

Just like in the original story, where she was hunted down and tortured to death by Ye Xuejin’s close friend—the female lead of the novel.

So, Yun Chi kept a close eye on suspicious people like the Mu brothers.

Ye Xuejin squeezed her hand back and shook her head lightly. “I don’t know either. Let’s wait and see.”

Elsewhere.

On the mountain path, Yu Lu paused briefly, and Shiniang caught up.

“Lord Yu, do you have something to say to me?”

Yu Lu, holding his sword, got straight to the point. “Shiniang, whose side are you really on?”

Shiniang froze, then dodged the question. “Of course, like you, I’m on Her Highness’ side.”

Yu Lu didn’t press further, instead shifting the topic with a sigh. “Hef Highness can communicate with an immortal.”

Shiniang looked at him, puzzled. And then?

Yu Lu glanced at her and continued, “They say the Emperor is the incarnation of a true dragon. Do you think the Emperor can communicate with immortals?”

Shiniang’s mouth fell open, and she stumbled back a step.

She studied Yu Lu for a moment, hesitating to speak. Of course not.

That incompetent ruler was no true dragon Emperor.

“That person wants to kill Her Highness, but the immortal wants to protect her. Could it be that the immortal is opposing that person?” Yu Lu’s words were shocking.

Zeng Laosan was dead, and he’d already botched the job. Things had reached a point of no return, but a bold idea kept surfacing in his mind.

What if he could turn death into a chance for survival?

Besides, the old lord had always favored the Princess.

Shiniang fell silent. She didn’t represent just herself, behind her was the Prime Minister’s household. She didn’t know what to do next.

At that moment, footsteps approached from behind.

Both turned to look, their hands quietly gripping their sword hilts.

Mu Er hurried over, practically running.

“Lord!” Ignoring Shiniang, Mu Er rushed toward Yu Lu.

Yu Lu instinctively drew his sword. “Stop.”