Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 54

54:

Without thinking, Yun Chi said, “Don’t worry about me. Your safety is the most important.”

As long as Ye Xuejin stayed safe for these five days, Yun Chi would be fine.

After that, the sky would be hers to soar, and she’d have no need for a bulletproof vest.

Ye Xuejin’s eyes lifted abruptly, her lips parting slightly. A thousand words swirled in her heart, but she only murmured, “Consort…”

“What’s wrong?” Yun Chi nudged the bulletproof vest toward her, urging her to take it, while silently wishing for another.

“Nothing.” Ye Xuejin took it dazedly, her heart soft and bittersweet, stirred by an unfamiliar emotion.

Come rain or shine, she would walk with the Consort.

[Gave a bulletproof vest. Please choose a reward: one bulletproof vest or one bulletproof vest.]

As expected, a one-for-one trade, no depreciation.

Yun Chi relaxed. Zhu, the sniper, needed protection too. Though Yun Chi didn’t plan to stay, she hoped Ye Xuejin’s path would be smooth.

She hoped Ye Xuejin would achieve her wishes, and that all ambitious women could do the same.

Seeing Ye Xuejin still lost in thought, Yun Chi waved a hand before her eyes: “What are you thinking? Put it on.”

Ye Xuejin nodded lightly, and Yun Chi considerately helped her hold and adjust the vest.

Afterward, they went to the riverbank to wash up briefly before returning.

The exile convoy was quiet, everyone asleep except Yu Lu and Shiniang, each clutching a blade, leaning against trees.

Seeing Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi return, Yu Lu relaxed, signaling Shiniang to rest.

They had agreed: he’d take the first half of the night, she takes the second.

Shiniang shook her head and approached Ye Xuejin.

With thirty people in the convoy, they’d lit eight fires, arranged for four per fire.

Only Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin were together, slightly set apart.

Seeing Shiniang approach, Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin exchanged a glance, stopping to wait for her.

“Your Highness.”

Ye Xuejin looked at her: “What is it?”

Shiniang glanced toward Shi Zhu, lowering her voice: “I plan to intensify Zhu’s training and keep her by my side. How does that sound?”

The young girls were still immature, not thinking far ahead.

But Shiniang, having traveled with an escort agency for years and later trained by the Prime Minister’s household, had broader insight.

With a divine tool like the sniper crossbow, Zhu, the most gifted sniper, became critical.

Her suggestion was twofold: to give Shi Zhu more self-defense skills and to protect her at all times.

Ye Xuejin pondered, glancing at the girls: “Zhu alone isn’t enough. Who else among them could go to the battlefield?”

Now was a time for trusted allies.

Shiniang thought: “Except Shi Lan, the other three could.”

Shi Mei was resolute, hardworking, and can endure hardship.

Shi Ju was steady and reliable.

Shi Song was brave, fierce, and skilled.

Only Lan, from a scholarly family, was reserved and timid, with a frail constitution, better suited for literature than martial arts.

Ye Xuejin nodded slightly: “Except Lan, have all four follow you. Teach them as much about killing as possible.”

Her tone grew heavy on the word “killing.”

Shiniang replied solemnly, “Understood.”

“Turn around,” Ye Xuejin said, looking at Yun Chi and touching her left wrist.

Yun Chi understood instantly, taking out the remaining two sleeve crossbows and wishing for more bulletproof vests.

Ye Xuejin’s words implied that, except Shi Lan, the girls would face battle and kill.

They were only in their teens, yet soon they’d face such dangers.

As a woman, Yun Chi’s heart softened.

[Gave two sleeve crossbows. Please choose a reward: two bulletproof vests or two bulletproof vests.]

Now, besides Ye Xuejin’s vest, there were three in storage.

She’d keep saving, hoping each girl could have one.

Taking the sleeve crossbows, Ye Xuejin called Shiniang back: “You and Shi Song are skilled in close combat and can protect yourselves. Give these to Mei and Ju. Zhu already has hers.”

Shiniang, delighted, examined the compact yet refined sleeve crossbows—surely divine tools, capable of firing three bolts at once. Excellent.

“Go rest.”

“Yes.”

Ye Xuejin turned to Yun Chi, naturally taking her hand: “Consort, let’s rest too.”

By the firelight, her eyes were gentle, her lips curved, like an ordinary wife returning home at dusk.

It wasn’t the first time Yun Chi saw Ye Xuejin so tender, but she still felt dazed. If their identities were ordinary…

Ugh, what was she thinking?

She shook her head, banishing those thoughts.

Ye Xuejin was the Princess, their statuses worlds apart, bound only by the dog emperor’s decree.

Now, Ye Xuejin was set on an extraordinary path. Some things shouldn’t even be considered.

“Why are you shaking your head?” Ye Xuejin asked, seeing her do so as they settled by the fire, lying under their quilt.

Yun Chi tried to focus, wanting to say it was nothing, but somehow the words disobeyed, and she blurted, “After your exoneration, will you return to the capital, or do you have other plans?”

Ye Xuejin turned to face her, not answering but asking, “What does the Consort think?”

Yun Chi paused: “You won’t go back, will you?”

Ye Xuejin didn’t reply, posing another question: “Does the Consort still think I’ll be exonerated?”

Before Yun Chi could answer, she continued, “I’ve always wondered why the Consort is so certain I’ll be exonerated. As you said before, after tonight, only four days remain, and then I’ll be exonerated, right?”

Yun Chi nodded. If her cousin hadn’t been joking, that’s how the original plot went.

Ye Xuejin’s gaze sharpened, but she dropped the topic, saying instead, “Let me guess: the Consort asked about my return to the capital because you’re worried about our future?”

Yun Chi blinked, confused. Their future?

Was that it?

Honestly, she didn’t know why she’d asked, just inexplicably.

“What do you mean, our future?”

What future did they have?

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved slowly: “The Consort once asked me to promise two conditions. I think I know what they are.”

Yun Chi was surprised: “You guessed them?”

She knew Yun Chi wanted a peaceful divorce and some real gold and silver?

Ye Xuejin gazed deeply, her hand resting on Yun Chi’s chin: “I wasn’t sure before, but hearing your question today, I understand. I promise you.”

“Really?” Yun Chi’s smile widened, ignoring Ye Xuejin’s hand on her face in her joy, eagerly asking, “Tell me, then.”

Silver or gold? How much?

Ye Xuejin lowered her eyes: “Is the Consort worried that, if I succeed, I’ll take many consorts?”

So she cared whether Ye Xuejin would remain an idle Princess or ascend to that high position.

Yun Chi froze. What?

Snapping back, she shook her head: “I’m not worried!”

Ye Xuejin raised her eyes, no longer hiding her tenderness, her voice soft and lingering: “I understand. The Consort is thinking that, if that day comes, I can favor you alone, taking no other consorts.”

The Consort always trusted her, treated her sincerely, and believed in her sincerity.

Yun Chi was dumbfounded. The more she heard, the less she understood.

“Your Highness is quite the joker, haha.”

“I wasn’t joking. I’m willing. I promise you.”

Yun Chi’s smile froze, unable to laugh, her expression out of control.

Seeing no joy on her face, only shock—more accurately, fright—Ye Xuejin paused, a sudden unease rising.

“Did I get it wrong?”

Yun Chi, acting on instinct, nodded vigorously.

You’re wrong. Completely wrong.

Ye Xuejin’s breath hitched, uncertain: “Does the Consort also want that position?”

Yun Chi shook her head frantically. No, no, no, even more wrong.

Ye Xuejin frowned, confused: “Then what are the Consort’s conditions?”

Even as slow as she was, Yun Chi realized Ye Xuejin was thinking…