Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 12
Shen Liunian had originally planned to nap for a while, but due to Yun Chenghuai’s ridiculous antics, a quarter of an hour passed, and she still hadn’t fallen asleep.
Yun Chenghuai indeed didn’t climb into the bed. She had the trundle bed pulled out from under the main bed, spread thick bedding on it, and comfortably settled down.
She was still unfamiliar with ancient clothing and took a good while to get undressed.
All the maids in the main courtyard belonged to Shen Liunian; if she didn’t call for them, naturally no one would come to serve her.
She simply undressed herself and burrowed into the covers.
The charcoal fire in the room burned fiercely, making it very warm, but it was still cold once her outer clothes were removed.
She wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, with only her head peeking out, looking as docile and cute as a kitten.
“Madam, aren’t you going to sleep?” Yun Chenghuai saw Shen Liunian standing to the side, not taking off her heavy outer garments for a nap even after a long time.
Nan Ling stood there, unsure whether to stay or leave, or whether to help her mistress undress.
Shen Liunian took a deep breath. The courtyard she previously lived in had been emptied, and for now, she could only sleep in the main courtyard.
From Yun Chenghuai’s demeanor, it seemed she was determined to sleep in the same room as her.
Since that was the case, Shen Liunian saw no need to inconvenience herself. “Nan Ling.”
Shen Liunian stretched out her arm, and Nan Ling skillfully helped her remove her clothes and assisted her onto the bed to rest.
Yun Chenghuai lay on the trundle bed. If Shen Liunian wanted to get onto the main bed, she would have to step over Yun Chenghuai.
“……” Shen Liunian took a deep breath, deliberately stepped on Yun Chenghuai’s arm, and then twisted her ankle hard before finally getting onto the bed.
Yun Chenghuai winced in pain. “Hiss~ Madam, that hurts!”
She cried out in pain. In reality, the quilt was thick, and Shen Liunian was light, so she didn’t feel much.
She just wanted to satisfy Shen Liunian’s desire for revenge. After all, the original owner had bullied her so many times; letting Shen Liunian bully her a few more times to vent her frustration would help her plan proceed more smoothly.
Indeed, after stepping on her and causing pain, Shen Liunian’s expression improved significantly; it was no longer so grim.
Yun Chenghuai lay flat in the covers, wondering whether to say something, but there was already no movement from the bed.
She propped herself up to look, seeing Shen Liunian with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
She lay down dejectedly, closing her eyes in thought. She had inexplicably transmigrated into a novel, becoming an early cannon fodder on the female lead’s path to emperorship. If she weren’t quick-witted, she might end up even worse than the original owner.
Although she knew the novel’s plot, this world was real, with events happening constantly, not just revolving around the female lead as in a novel.
She closed her eyes and let her mind wander. Perhaps it was the full stomach, but drowsiness soon overcame her, and she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
••••
Meanwhile, reports of events at Princess Chuxiang Manor were being delivered to the Eastern Palace, Princess Han’s Residence, Princess Wei’s Residence, and other influential factions.
The difference was that some knew more, and some knew less.
At the Eastern Palace, Crown Princess Yun Chengji listened to the shadow guard’s report. Her deep, frail voice spoke, “Are you saying Ah Huai allowed Shen Liunian to manage the princess manor?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Last night, Her Highness Princess Chuxiang disregarded the bitter cold and personally carried the Princess Consort back to her room. Afterwards, it was discovered that the Princess Consort was pregnant. Today, Her Highness had the Princess Consort move into the main courtyard and entrusted her with managing the household.”
“Later, Her Highness Princess Chuxiang was alone in the study, writing something unknown, which she personally burned.”
A figure from the shadows, with a voice as cold as a machine, calmly recounted the events at Princess Chuxiang Manor.
Yun Chengji leaned on the luohan bed. The room was heavy with the smell of medicine, a scent everyone had grown accustomed to.
Seven years ago, the Crown Princess’s health began to decline day by day. The imperial physicians were helpless, able only to prolong her life.
The Crown Princess’s ailing health was the reason for the unrest among many imperial daughters. If the Crown Princess had been in good health and considering her achievements, no one would have dared to harbor ambitions for the succession.
“Ah Huai probably thinks that with a child, Her Majesty will give her a chance, but she doesn’t know how heartless her Imperial Mother truly is.”
The imperial family had no emotions. Killing one’s mother or child, killing one’s elder or younger sister—those who hadn’t experienced it firsthand could hardly imagine the danger.
A palace official, dressed in internal palace attire, said with a pained expression, “Your Highness, Her Highness Princess Chuxiang has always opposed you. Perhaps let her suffer a bit to learn her lesson?”
“Otherwise, she will bring you more trouble.”
“Slap your mouth.” Yun Chengji’s cold voice rang out.
In the quiet room, the sound of slapping continued. After about twenty or thirty slaps, Yun Chengji called for a halt.
“Ah Huai and I are both children of the Empress Mother. She is not trouble. I do not wish for anyone in the Eastern Palace to harbor such thoughts, do you understand?” Yun Chengji warned. Her voice, which should have been stern, sounded soft and gentle due to her illness.
But no one dared to take her words lightly. She was enfeoffed as Crown Princess the year after the Emperor ascended the throne and had held the position for over twenty years. Even in grave illness, her imperious aura from her high position was enough to awe everyone.
The palace official had truly slapped herself hard, showing no mercy. Upon hearing Yun Chengji’s words, she frantically knelt down, her speech becoming unclear. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Yun Chengji’s voice softened slightly. “This matter is not to be mentioned again. Go apply medicine.”
“Yes, your servant takes her leave.”
After the palace official withdrew, Yun Chengji spoke again. “Shadow Leader, for Ah Huai’s side, dispatch a few more shadow guards for her protection.”
She casually placed a chess piece, murmuring, “The wind, it is about to rise.”
A response came from the shadows, with no intention of a second word.
Yun Chengji seemed to speak to herself, “If Ah Huai were to be confined, would she behave?”
••••
Yun Chenghuai was sleeping when she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her arm. She abruptly opened her eyes and saw Shen Liunian, who had just passed by.
Shen Liunian appeared oblivious, allowing Nan Ling to help her out of the room.
Shen Liunian was definitely doing it on purpose. Both arms—a kick before sleep, and another upon waking. Yun Chenghuai truly had it rough.
She didn’t react for a while, which made Shen Liunian turn back and glance at her.
Perhaps she was wondering why Yun Chenghuai didn’t retaliate after being stepped on.
Yun Chenghuai had just woken up and was still in a daze. In her hazy state, she remembered that she needed to cling to Shen Liunian’s leg. How could she possibly retaliate against her “leg”? She could only rub her arm and crawl out of the covers.
Nan Ling broke into a cold sweat seeing her young lady step on the Princess. Fortunately, the Princess wasn’t angry and even gazed at her young lady with a resentful look.
Shen Liunian’s lips curved slightly. She never believed in a person’s sudden change. One could pretend when awake, but it was impossible to pretend even in their sleep.
Upon waking, a person’s reactions were the most genuine. Yun Chenghuai’s reaction just now was clearly a mix of confusion and helplessness, coupled with a sense of knowing it was Shen Liunian and still doting on her.
There was a hint of cuteness, and eyes that were inexplicably captivating.
She refused to believe that Yun Chenghuai, the one who had brought herself to this state, could change her nature overnight.
So, had Yun Chenghuai been pretending all along? Or was Yun Chenghuai no longer Yun Chenghuai?
Then, she laughed at her own thought. If Dog Yun isn’t Dog Yun, then who could she be?