Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 53

53:

Ye Xuejin looked at the father and son causing a commotion, her feelings complex.

When she first decided to take that step, the Zhou family, particularly Old Censor Zhou, was the ally she most wanted in the exile convoy.

Firstly, Old Censor Zhou was a veteran of two reigns, handpicked as the top scholar by her father when he ascended the throne, achieving the rare “three firsts” in the imperial exams. Hailing from a prominent family, his scholarly reputation was renowned from youth, ensuring his knowledge was exceptional.

Secondly, Old Censor Zhou had served diligently in the Censorate for years, earning a sterling reputation. He was demoted for speaking up for female officials in court, making him, in a sense, a kindred spirit.

But later…

Ye Xuejin recalled that time when Old Censor Zhou clearly hesitated, weighing pros and cons.

Now, he seemed resolute, but resolve alone wasn’t enough.

She needed trustworthy people, but whether they could be entrusted with great responsibilities depended on their abilities.

So far, the Zhou family was usable but lacked anyone she could truly rely on.

Especially with Old Censor Zhou’s latest outburst, wasn’t it deliberately for her to see?

What was he expressing? The Zhou family’s unwillingness or resentment?

Ye Xuejin withdrew her gaze: “What does the Consort think?”

Yun Chi thought for a moment: “I think giving them one wouldn’t hurt. It could calm them down, especially since the Zhou family has so many members.”

As soon as she spoke, she felt her words were off.

Ye Xuejin gave her a deep look: “Is the Consort wary of the Zhou family?”

Yun Chi shook her head: “Not really, just that unity would be better.”

Only five days remained. She just wanted to get through them smoothly.

Ye Xuejin, thoughtful, silently grasped Yun Chi’s hand: “Consort, give me a sleeve crossbow.”

The Zhou family wasn’t entirely without merit, and some were worthy.

Yun Chi nodded, handing it over while thinking of a ghillie suit, excited about Shi Zhu’s potential as a game-changer.

With the sniper crossbow and a near-invisible ghillie suit, assassinating enemy commanders would be effortless.

Sensing a grass-green ghillie suit in her storage space, Yun Chi was satisfied.

Before leaving, she’d invest more in Shi Zhu.

It would be a trump card for Ye Xuejin.

Back to Ye Xuejin, she took the sleeve crossbow and approached Zhu: “Come with me.”

Shi Zhu hurriedly followed.

Old Censor Zhou caught this in his peripheral vision, paused, and continued chasing his son to scold him.

Moments later, Shi Zhu returned with Ye Xuejin, her hands empty.

The divine tool, the stun baton she cherished, was now in Ye Xuejin’s hand.

Ye Xuejin walked straight to Zhou Qiyue: “Qiyue, take it. Don’t let your father and brother make a fuss.”

Her words silenced the atmosphere.

Old Censor Zhou stopped berating his son, stunned, unable to process.

Zhou Qiyue glanced at Shi Zhu, her face flushing: “Your Highness, I don’t want it.”

This was clearly Zhu’s stun baton, earned for her outstanding performance.

It had been hers for barely half a day, and now the Princess was giving it to her.

What was this? Something her father and brother had caused a fuss over?

She couldn’t bear the shame.

Ye Xuejin subtly glanced at Old Censor Zhou, feigning ignorance, her tone firming: “If I tell you to take it, then take it.”

Zhou Qiyue knelt, overwhelmed by shame: “Your Highness, I don’t want…”

“Take it.”

Zhou Qiyue’s nose stung, unable to tell if it was grievance or embarrassment. Taking the stun baton, she bowed her head to the ground, eyes closed, not daring to look at anyone.

Ye Xuejin’s expression remained calm: “Now, the divine tool is yours. Your brother is more skilled; you may give it to him if you wish.”

Old Censor Zhou, hearing this, tugged his beard, his lips twitching. Selfishness prevailed, and he said nothing.

Zhou Qishan was at a loss. Was he getting a divine tool?

“Your Highness,” Old Madam Zhou suddenly knelt beside Zhou Qiyue, taking the stun baton and raising it overhead, “I beg Your Highness to retract this order. Qishan and Qiyue lack virtue and ability, unfit for the immortal’s divine tool.”

She saw it clearly now, her husband had made a foolish move.

Old Censor Zhou gripped his beard, torn between refusing and accepting.

Ye Xuejin looked at Old Madam Zhou with surprise, sighing softly: “Old Madam, rise. I have decided, the divine tool now belongs to Qiyue.”

“Your Highness…” Old Madam Zhou began, but Zhou Qiyue interrupted.

“It’s fine, I’ll take it.” Zhou Qiyue snatched the stun baton from her mother, stood abruptly, and ran off.

“Qiyue!” Old Madam Zhou gasped, then her gaze softened with relief and pride.

Old Censor Zhou remained silent, watching heavily.

Zhou Qiyue strode to Shi Zhu: “Sister Zhu, I’m giving it back.”

Shi Zhu, slightly stunned, looked at Ye Xuejin—Her Highness had predicted this.

Seeing Shi Zhu glance at Ye Xuejin, Zhou Qiyue, fearing she wouldn’t take it, said urgently, “Her Highness said the divine tool is mine to give to whomever I choose. If you don’t take it, Sister Zhu, I’d rather die here.”

If she didn’t return it, she’d never have peace.

What difference was this from stealing? How could she face anyone?

Zhu smiled, accepting it: “Then I’ll respectfully comply.”

She raised the stun baton, addressing the five officers besides Yu Lu: “Now the divine tool is mine again, and I can decide its fate. I know no martial arts, so keeping it would be a waste. Do any of you officers wish to pledge loyalty to Her Highness? I’ll give the divine tool to them.”

She already had the subtler, more surprising sleeve crossbow for defense, and Ye Xuejin had other plans for this stun baton.

The officers exchanged glances, unprepared for this turn.

The atmosphere fell silent again.

Ye Xuejin returned to Yun Chi, whispering and hiding another sleeve crossbow in her sleeve.

Seeing no officer step forward, she looked at Zhou Qiyue calmly: “Qiyue, come with me.”

When they returned, Zhu’s stun baton had a recipient—the only officer to step forward, Xiao Gao.

The convoy quieted again, people huddling by the fire, pondering the events.

Zhou Qiyue returned, her expression calm, a faint excitement in her eyes.

Old Censor Zhou sighed heavily, closing his eyes, feeling powerless.

All that fuss, only to pave the way for others and earn the Princess’ disdain.

Seeing him sigh, Zhou Qiyue bit her lip, unable to resist: “Father, Her Highness praised me for doing well.”

And she’d been granted a sleeve crossbow, another divine tool from the immortal. Her Highness valued her.

Old Censor Zhou snapped, “She praises you once, and you’re satisfied?”

He’d humbled himself, and the Zhou family still got nothing.

“You’re the one who’s muddled,” Old Madam Zhou said coldly, seeing him blame their daughter.

Old Censor Zhou glared: “Muddled? Who am I doing this for?”

Old Madam Zhou’s voice grew heavy: “Do you think Her Highness is someone who can be coerced?”

The old man was getting on in years, his vision narrower, his heart unsteady, unable to see it.

Every moment of that scene was clearly under the Princess’ control…

“You’re making a fuss. Where did I coerce…” Old Censor Zhou stopped mid-sentence, his face stiffening, yanking his beard, speechless.

He coerced the Princess? He had actually coerced her!

He was done for, he was truly muddled…

Meanwhile, Yun Chi saw through it too, whispering to Ye Xuejin: “You knew Zhou Qiyue would return the stun baton to Shi Zhu, didn’t you?”

Ye Xuejin nodded slightly: “Qiyue is kind-hearted and proud. She’d never accept it.”

And Old Madam Zhou was a sensible woman.

“How were you so sure she’d give it to Shi Zhu? What if you misjudged?”

“I trust I didn’t misjudge her.”

Ye Xuejin’s gaze swept over Zhou Qiyue, landing on Old Madam Zhou.

Initially, when no one in the convoy knew the truth, Zhou Qiyue was the only one who bravely stood up, firmly supporting her, even fighting Yun Chi and taking lashes while still speaking righteously.

Later, when Old Censor Zhou was weighing pros and cons, Old Madam Zhou, in the Zhenshan County post station, knelt privately, her heartfelt words moving.

Ye Xuejin needed capable people and valued those with real skills.

But sincere, kind, and righteous hearts couldn’t be overlooked.

Especially in times of crisis, such hearts were precious.

Yun Chi understood: “Shi Zhu’s actions were your idea too, right?”

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved: “I said that in five days, they’d have no more worries. Though only two days have passed, those who dare step forward before then are the ones I truly want to use.”

Beyond ability and sincerity, she valued courage and boldness.

Seeing her smile, Yun Chi grinned too, feeling lighter, and said casually, “Then do I catch Your Highness’ eye? Can I be of use?”

Her smile was clear, her eyes warm and pure, like a soft cloud brushing the heart, stirring ripples.

Ye Xuejin was momentarily lost, then answered softly, “The Consort is beyond compare…”

Yun Chi’s smile widened. Her efforts hadn’t been in vain, asking for a few tens of thousands taels of gold shouldn’t be hard.

“Being so valued by Your Highness, I’d be ashamed not to step up.”

She took Ye Xuejin’s hand and stood.

Ye Xuejin pursed her lips: “The Consort need not prove anything. You’ve already helped me greatly.”

Yun Chi smiled mysteriously: “Come with me.”

When she’d given the second sleeve crossbow, she thought self-defense weapons weren’t enough. If Shi Zhu was too focused while sniping and didn’t react in time, she’d be done for.

Something protective, like a bulletproof vest, would be ideal.

Initially, Yun Chi thought of it to protect Shi Zhu, the sniper, but after getting the vest, she changed her mind.

In the next five days, Ye Xuejin’s safety was paramount.

She’d nearly gotten her priorities wrong.

They walked a distance away, and Yun Chi took out the bulletproof vest: “This can block blades and arrows, especially from a distance, keeping you unscathed. Wear it underneath.”

Ye Xuejin didn’t take it, her eyes lowering to the vest: “Does the Consort have one?”