Transmigrated into a Scummy Alpha Playboy in Ancient Times (GL) - Chapter 15

Shen Xingyue had no idea that in just the brief moment she paused, Su Muyu had already spiraled into a web of inner overthinking. All Shen Xingyue wanted to do was make sure Su Muyu didn’t catch a cold. She grabbed a black cloak from the nearby rack and walked over to her.

While draping it over Su Muyu’s shoulders, she gently reminded her, “Don’t rush off. Your body’s still weak—make sure you dress warm.”

As if remembering something else, she turned to Cui Zhu and instructed,
“Cui Zhu, if I’m not home and Yu’er needs to go outside, make sure she wears a cloak to keep warm.”

Cui Zhu was momentarily stunned by the unexpected concern, but quickly gathered herself and bowed with a trace of joy,
“Yes, I’ll remember, Your Grace.”

Then Shen Xingyue turned to Yiliu.
“Go have someone light the braziers in the study, then have the others return to their posts. With Cui Zhu there, Yu’er will be fine.”

“Yes, I’ll send someone now.” Yiliu nodded and had two maids head over to prepare the brazier.

While Shen Xingyue gave her instructions, she also helped Su Muyu adjust the cloak and tucked her long hair out neatly.
“Alright, now you can go.”

“Mm.” Su Muyu glanced at her once more but didn’t say anything else. She then left the room quickly, pulling Cui Zhu along.

By the time they reached the study, the two braziers had already been lit, warming the otherwise empty room. Cui Zhu tugged Su Muyu’s sleeve with a hint of excitement.
“Miss, don’t you think Her Grace seems… different lately?”

Cui Zhu felt that the princess had become more gentle, especially toward her mistress. Even her voice had softened. When Cui Zhu sneaked a glance earlier, it almost looked like Shen Xingyue was coaxing Su Muyu.

“Different? I don’t think so.” Su Muyu replied flatly, though she, too, had noticed Shen Xingyue treating her with a certain tenderness these past few days. Still, she didn’t dare overthink it. She had once been pushed into the mud by this very person—how could she trust her now? At best, she was a temporary amusement. She couldn’t afford to take it seriously.

“She is! Her Grace has been treating you very well lately. Even the maids in Feixue Courtyard have started talking…” Cui Zhu trailed off.

“Talking about what?” Su Muyu looked up.

Cui Zhu hesitated, then cautiously said,
“They say you’ve gained favor, that they should start treating you like a true princess consort.”

Su Muyu let out a soft scoff and shook her head.
“People have always been like that—opportunistic. And who knows how long this so-called favor will last? They’re wasting their efforts on me.”

Seeing her mistress speak so cynically, Cui Zhu hurried to comfort her.
“Maybe things won’t be as bad as you think. Let’s just hope for the best, Miss.”

Su Muyu lowered her gaze again and didn’t answer. All she wanted now was to get this letter to her mother. As long as her mother and sister could be safe and warm, she could accept a little suffering.

She sat down at the desk and began writing her letter. Line after line, Su Muyu wrote freely, making sure to hide any pain and only deliver good news. She told her mother that Shen Xingyue had treated her kindly, and asked them to take care of themselves and live well.

Once she was done, she folded the letter and sealed it.
“Cui Zhu, when you go to the Su residence this afternoon with Steward Li, make sure you deliver this letter into Mother’s hands yourself. If she asks, just say everything is well here.”

“Don’t worry, Miss. I know what to say. I really do hope Her Grace keeps treating you like this.” Cui Zhu sighed.

“Don’t rely on hope. Let’s just use these days to rest and recover while her mood is good.” Su Muyu didn’t say the rest, but Cui Zhu understood. Her excitement dimmed somewhat. After all, Shen Xingyue’s temper was notoriously unpredictable. Who could say what would happen next?

Su Muyu gave Cui Zhu a few more instructions, and the two of them returned to the bedchamber.

Shen Xingyue was lounging near the brazier on a soft couch, reading the same book from before—“The Lady Scholar’s Cold-Hearted Wife.” When she noticed them return, she looked up and asked,
“All done?”

Su Muyu’s gaze landed on the book in her hand. Remembering how Shen Xingyue had held her ankle that morning, her ears turned slightly red. She already knew Shen Xingyue was a bit shameless, and that title sounded as frivolous as ever.

Trying to keep her expression neutral, she replied,
“Mm. Just some greetings and well wishes—nothing more.”

“Good.” Shen Xingyue nodded and returned to her book. She’d stopped at an exciting part and was eager to get back to it.

Su Muyu looked at her and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
Sure enough, this woman was still a shallow, idle troublemaker. Back in the Su household, she’d heard that Shen Xingyue only held a title in the Ministry of Works but spent her days running wild with the capital’s other spoiled nobles. Still, she hadn’t stepped out these past few days, which was oddly… responsible.

After lunch, Steward Li came to fetch Cui Zhu. Shen Xingyue and Su Muyu, meanwhile, prepared for an afternoon nap. With snow piling up outside and no real entertainment indoors, Shen Xingyue preferred curling up in bed—especially if it meant cuddling Su Muyu.

But maybe because of what happened earlier that day, Su Muyu didn’t turn to nestle into her arms this time. Instead, she faced the wall, her back toward Shen Xingyue.

Shen Xingyue cast a glance at Su Muyu, feeling a bit wronged. Her Yu’er was really heartless—just this afternoon, she had helped send some things to her mother’s side, and now she was ignoring her entirely? Not even a hug?

Shen Xingyue inched closer and wrapped her arms around Su Muyu’s waist.
“Yu’er, why aren’t we sleeping cuddled up like before?”

Su Muyu hadn’t expected Shen Xingyue to say something so bold and direct about hugging and cuddling. Her ears instantly turned red—she just knew Shen Xingyue wasn’t the serious type!

Without turning around, Su Muyu pressed her lips together and closed her eyes.
“No. Didn’t you say we wouldn’t consummate the marriage?”

“I did. But can’t we even cuddle while sleeping? I just helped you, didn’t I? And now you’re bullying me like this?” Shen Xingyue whispered in Su Muyu’s ear. Su Muyu could feel the warm, gentle breath tickling her, leaving her helpless. In the end, she turned over like always and buried herself in Shen Xingyue’s arms.

Only then did Shen Xingyue feel satisfied. Holding Su Muyu close, she let herself drift toward sleep. As she dozed off, she vaguely heard Su Muyu mumbling—

“Who’s bullying whom?”

Shen Xingyue wasn’t very sleepy. She woke up after just half an hour. Su Muyu, on the other hand, was sound asleep in her arms. Not wanting to disturb her, Shen Xingyue held her gently with one arm and used the other to pick up the book she’d been reading. There were just over twenty pages left, and she was determined to finish it. It really was a page-turner.

Reading with interest, Shen Xingyue’s lips curled into a smile as she came to a particular passage:
“The lady scholar pinned Xiao’er down on the bed, her delicate kisses trailing from Xiao’er’s brow all the way down, finally falling upon her soft lips. The red candle flickered…”

Su Muyu had actually been awake in Shen Xingyue’s arms for a while. She glanced at the book, curious, but after reading just two lines, her face turned crimson. Shen Xingyue was reading that kind of book in broad daylight?!

Her ears and cheeks flushed bright red. She tried to wriggle out of Shen Xingyue’s arms. Shen Xingyue, puzzled by her expression, asked,
“What’s wrong? Why’s your face so red? The room’s not even warm.”

“It’s nothing. Let me go. Shen Xingyue, you’re shameless!” Su Muyu struggled to get up, but Shen Xingyue had her arm around her lower back, making it impossible to escape.

Shen Xingyue couldn’t help but laugh. Here she was, dutifully playing the role of a cuddle pillow, and yet she still ended up being labeled shameless?

She gently ran her hand down Su Muyu’s lower back, the way one would soothe a kitten. Su Muyu’s legs instantly went weak.

“What did I even do to be called shameless?” Shen Xingyue asked with a teasing smile.

“Don’t touch my waist. I’ve got no strength left!” Su Muyu tried to struggle again, but failed. Glaring at Shen Xingyue, she added,
“You were reading that indecent book in broad daylight. Isn’t that shameless enough?”

Shen Xingyue looked back at the book with a smile. Honestly, the most risqué part of the story was just a kiss between the two female leads. Everything else was vague and suggestive at best—like those censored novels. She actually thought it was rather tame. Who would’ve thought Su Muyu would get so flustered after just a glance?

Still holding Su Muyu in her arms, she chuckled and asked,
“What exactly is indecent about this? Is it the line ‘The lady scholar pinned Xiao’er down on the bed’ that’s improper, or the line ‘Her delicate kisses trailed from Xiao’er’s brow downward’?”

Su Muyu’s eyes filled with panic, and she quickly clapped her hand over Shen Xingyue’s mouth, terrified she might read another line aloud.

Seeing that she had pushed Su Muyu too far, Shen Xingyue gently pulled her wrist aside, uncovering her mouth. In a soft voice, she coaxed,
“It’s my fault. I was being inappropriate. Don’t be mad, okay? If you sit up properly, I’ll let go. Be careful.”

Su Muyu’s chest rose and fell in frustration, but her legs were too weak. Clutching Shen Xingyue’s sleeve, she leaned against her for a moment before she could sit up straight.

Shen Xingyue quickly apologized:
“I’m sorry. Please don’t be angry. I won’t do it again, I promise. I’ll listen to everything Yu’er says, alright?”

“Hmph.” Su Muyu huffed coldly. She didn’t believe a word of Shen Xingyue’s sweet talk anymore. Not only was this woman shameless—she loved teasing her way too much.