Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 19

In the original owner’s memory, Shen Liunian’s attitude towards her had always been poor. The fact that she was willing to sit down and talk was already quite a concession.

It seemed Shen Liunian didn’t accept her reasoning.

Yun Chenghuai took a deep breath. “Shen Liunian, let’s talk about a collaboration.”

“Collaboration?” Shen Liunian finally looked up, interested.

While washing up earlier, Yun Chenghuai had thought a lot in the bath. Given Shen Liunian’s personality, she probably wouldn’t trust her.

Appealing to emotions or reasoning was useless with Shen Liunian. Someone who had been on a battlefield would never believe there was any logic or emotion in an enemy’s words.

If feigning weakness or disguise couldn’t make Shen Liunian lower her guard, then she had only one path left: seeking cooperation.

Shen Liunian was the most crucial link in her changing destiny. The other’s departure was the reason for her confinement, and meeting again would be her death.

To prevent the Emperor from finding an excuse to confine her, she definitely had to keep Shen Liunian.

But how could she keep Shen Liunian? Threaten her with imperial power? She couldn’t do such a thing, and Shen Liunian wouldn’t fall for it.

She couldn’t forcefully keep the person, nor could she deceive her into staying, and she didn’t want to reveal her origins.

After a day of interaction, she understood that Shen Liunian also longed for freedom and couldn’t be coerced.

Since Shen Liunian could cooperate with Li Zhaoxian, she could also cooperate with Yun Chenghuai.

In the bath, Yun Chenghuai weighed her advantages, just like preparing for a lawsuit, listing them one by one in her mind, deciding to be frank with Shen Liunian.

Sincerity is always the ultimate weapon. She considered herself less adept at scheming than ancient people. Arrogantly fooling others might result in being fooled herself in the end.

Shen Liunian was a pitiable person, whose ten years of misfortune led to her eventual path as the Kun Ze Emperor. She already had a strong bias towards Shen Liunian as the female lead.

She understood Shen Liunian’s character. If she had to choose a partner in this unfamiliar world, she would definitely choose her.

As for why Shen Liunian would choose her over Li Zhaoxian, she thought her only advantage might be her obedience and ease of control.

“Yes, cooperation.”

Yun Chenghuai’s hand neared the brazier. She couldn’t help but marvel at the wisdom of the ancients; there were so many types of charcoal stoves.

Ordinary braziers were placed in well-ventilated outer areas, while sealed ones were placed indoors, like large hot water bottles.

Placing a few indoors quickly warmed up the room, and there was no risk of poisoning.

However, such items were only affordable to royalty and nobles. Even slightly less wealthy aristocratic families probably couldn’t afford them.

Yun Chenghuai casually picked up a hand warmer, thickly wrapped in fur. She touched it in her hand, felt it wasn’t hot, then stood up and placed it in Shen Liunian’s lap.

“With your intelligence, you should be able to see my current predicament. It might only take one excuse for me to be confined again, just like now. If things go well, it might be a month; if not, it could be five, ten years, or even a lifetime.”

“If the current Crown Princess ascends the throne, I might still have a chance to get out. But her health is poor; who can be sure she’ll live to ascend?”

If Yun Chengji truly ascended and had no Qian Yuan, she would have to choose an Imperial Sister, giving the original owner another path to the throne. But that idiot, the original owner, had cut off all her own paths.

She took a sip of tea and continued, “For my freedom, I want to go to my fiefdom.”

Once on her own fiefdom, far from the Emperor’s reach, why stay in the capital, in the vortex of succession struggles, where she could be crushed at any moment?

Shen Liunian’s hand rested on the hand warmer, feeling its warmth. She said coolly, “Since it’s a collaboration, what benefit do I get?”

Li Zhaoxian wanted to collaborate with her, and now unexpectedly, Dog Yun also wanted to.

There was a difference between the two. Collaborating with the former was scheming with a tiger. Collaborating with the latter… seemed much easier?

Dog Yun was at most a dog, far from a tiger or wolf. She would more easily gain the upper hand, provided she got what she wanted.

“Once I reach my fiefdom, I will allow you to return home. Later, we can find an excuse to divorce.”

They could be considered to be achieving each other’s goals. Both wanted freedom. She would gain freedom in her fiefdom, and then she would grant Shen Liunian freedom.

Upon hearing the word “divorce,” Shen Liunian genuinely became interested.

Qian Yuans divorcing their wives was common, but a divorce instigated by the wife was usually mocked, unless the Kun Ze had family support and a background not inferior to the Qian Yuan’s.

Dog Yun is willing to divorce me? Shen Liunian wouldn’t easily believe it. “You dream of the throne; are you really content with going to a fiefdom?”

“Madam, do you think I can still contend for the throne? The Crown Princess is alive and is the widely acclaimed heir. The Fourth Imperial Princess, Princess Yong, has a maternal family that includes the current Prime Minister. The Seventh Imperial Princess, Princess Xing, born to the current Empress, has a maternal grandfather who is one of the eight great dukes, commanding a hundred thousand troops, and also has the highest popular support.”

“And what do I have? Her Majesty’s disfavor, no power in the court. All I can rely on is the child in your womb, but who can be certain the child will be a Qian Yuan? Instead of being framed in the capital, it’s better to go to a fiefdom where the sky is wide for a bird to fly. When trapped in a complicated situation, it’s always wise to prepare more escape routes for oneself.”

Yun Chenghuai analyzed calmly. Staying in the vortex of succession struggles meant certain doom if she wasn’t careful. Leaving was the best option.

She possessed the largest fiefdom among the imperial princesses; an entire Xiangzhou was her territory. Although its grain production wasn’t as high as areas like Jianghuai, it was still above average.

Once in her fiefdom, she wouldn’t starve and could even develop her own forces. If she put her mind to it and started some businesses, it would surely be more comfortable than living in the capital.

Shen Liunian stared at her. “If you were this smart earlier, seizing the throne might not have been impossible.”

Then, Shen Liunian looked at her thoughtfully. “If I didn’t disbelieve in ghosts and gods, I would truly suspect if you are still Yun Chenghuai.”

Uh… she is Yun Chenghuai, but not the previous Yun Chenghuai.

Her eyes flickered, and Shen Liunian accurately caught the discomfort in her gaze.

Fortunately, Yun Chenghuai reacted quickly. She immediately said, “After such a drastic change, if I didn’t change, I’d only face death in the succession struggle. In the face of life and death, I cannot afford not to change.”

“Collaborating with Madam is not my only choice, but it is the best choice.”

Shen Liunian seemed a bit sleepy, her eyes slightly narrowed, and she asked doubtfully, “Why is it the best choice?”

“Madam is my Princess Consort, the mother of my future child, and Madam has the ability to help me go to my fiefdom.”

How could someone who could become an Emperor as a Kun Ze in the future be without ability?

She was only speaking pleasantries. More importantly, Shen Liunian was the female lead of this world. According to the novel, everyone who opposed her would ultimately come to no good end.

“How do you know I have the ability?” Shen Liunian’s questions were always brief, yet each carried a hint of probing.

Yun Chenghuai understood that, apart from the fact that she was a transmigrator, she had to be honest with Shen Liunian; otherwise, the other party wouldn’t trust her.

“The great name of Silver-Masked Shen, I’ve heard of it even in the capital.” A smile played on her face, as if she were saying something insignificant.

Shen Liunian’s eyes snapped open. The reason Silver-Masked Shen was called Silver-Masked Shen was because she always wore a silver mask when out. Only those close to her knew her identity. How did Dog Yun know?

Murderous intent flashed in Shen Liunian’s eyes. Yun Chenghuai retreated a few steps, quickly saying, “Madam, no one else knows about this.”

“Then how do you know?” Shen Liunian’s imposing aura pressed down on her.

“I found out by accident.”

“An accident?”

Shen Liunian couldn’t possibly believe such a thing as an accident. But everyone had their secrets. They only needed to clarify the benefits of their cooperation.

However, the fewer people who knew she was Silver-Masked Shen, the better. If she couldn’t kill Yun Chenghuai now, her dagger would already be plunged into the other’s heart.

“Divorce does attract me, but it’s not enough.” Shen Liunian concealed her murderous intent, saying coldly.

Yun Chenghuai paused, then stated all the conditions she had prepared. “I can leave with nothing.”

Shen Liunian: “?” What does that mean?

“You want to become a eunuch?”

Huh? A Qian Yuan leaving with nothing means destroying their glands. Dog Yun, the Imperial Princess, has had enough of being a Princess and wants to become a eunuch?

Yun Chenghuai: “???” That’s ridiculous.