Transmigrated into an Ancient M-Preg Novel as the Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 4
Yun Chenghuai had experienced the coldness of human relationships early on. When her parents died unexpectedly, she was still a minor and needed a guardian.
None of her relatives wanted the trouble of taking her in.
She was fifteen then, just starting high school. She grew up almost overnight and wasn’t particularly saddened by no one wanting to be her guardian.
She had already grieved enough over her parents’ deaths; she didn’t care that no one was looking after her.
However, some matters weren’t about willingness. Minors must have guardians, and it was a rule that had to be enforced.
She was forced to live with her aunt, who was her closest bl00d relative. God knew, her aunt was only twenty-two, fresh out of college, and now had to take on her, an extra burden. Her monthly salary was simply not enough.
Her aunt was neither warm nor cold towards her, but she never lacked anything. Not close, but not unkind either.
She provided a place to live, gave her enough for daily meals, and rarely spoke a word. Their relationship was simply that.
Fortunately, after she turned eighteen, her parents’ compensation money was deposited into her account. She repaid her aunt double the money.
After college, she moved into a dormitory and worked part-time during holidays. She heard her aunt bought a house and moved. She sent a congratulatory message, but her aunt didn’t reply and didn’t give her the new address.
She knew then that her aunt didn’t want her to know her new address, probably feeling that they were even now.
Thankfully, they didn’t have much emotional attachment; otherwise, she would probably have been sad for a long time after transmigrating.
It was precisely because there was nothing to miss that she could quickly step into the role of the villainous female supporting character.
Though, what she wanted was to change her image and no longer be this villainous female supporting character.
—
On her first day in the world of the novel, Yun Chenghuai was still the villainess in the female lead’s eyes.
In her current situation, changing her image in others’ eyes primarily meant changing how Shen Liunian saw her.
And a drastic change in personality would certainly arouse suspicion. Moreover, during the succession struggle, the original owner’s elder and younger sisters were all watching. Even a slight misstep would be seized upon for attack.
Coincidentally, Shen Liunian was pregnant. She could entirely use her wife’s pregnancy to explain her change.
Both in this era and in her modern time, it was widely believed that a person could mature after having a child.
Such people exist, but whether someone is immature isn’t truly because of a child, but she could use this excuse.
Yun Chenghuai awkwardly finished dressing and styling herself. Noticing Shen Liunian’s unfriendly gaze, she offered a simple, harmless smile.
She didn’t know that her single sentence had thoroughly infuriated Shen Liunian.
Who would want her child? The pregnancy itself was a result of Shen Liunian being manipulated into consummating the marriage with the original owner.
Shen Liunian only felt disgusted, wishing she could immediately take a miscarriage potion to get rid of this child.
Even if it meant irreversible consequences for her body.
Yun Chenghuai, having experienced the coldness of human nature and knowing the novel’s content, naturally understood the depth of hatred in Shen Liunian’s eyes for her.
In the novel, Shen Liunian escaped to Northern Qi while pregnant. Due to the rough journey, she couldn’t keep the child.
Shen Liunian’s body developed chronic illnesses. Later, going to the Yiren Valley to remove the mark made her even more frail and sickly.
Even years later, when she gained control of most of Southern Qin and became the first Kun Ze Emperor in history, she ultimately met a premature end due to her poor health, having paved the way for others.
The original owner made Shen Liunian suffer so much, so it was understandable for her to be hated. Who told her she inherited this body?
Yun Chenghuai saw Shen Liunian’s attitude towards her and secretly sighed. She had only been here for one day; what could she do?
Three days certainly wouldn’t change Shen Liunian’s perception of her. What she needed to do was keep Shen Liunian in the princely manor. Once she dissuaded the other party from wanting to kill her, then they could talk about the future.
She pretended not to understand Shen Liunian’s gaze and worriedly instructed, “The Princess Consort has injuries on her knees. Call her personal maid to attend to her.”
“Also, the Princess Consort will move to the main courtyard from now on. Call all her maids and wet nurses over to take good care of the Princess Consort.”
The main courtyard was originally the Princess Consort’s courtyard. The original owner had chased her to another courtyard, monopolizing the main one.
In ancient times, a lord didn’t have their own bedroom. If they weren’t in the main courtyard or another concubine’s courtyard, they usually rested in the study.
The original owner was obsessed with contending for the throne, her mind constantly thinking about showing off and how she could become the Crown Princess after the current one died. She had no concubines or personal maids who shared her bed, so she was relatively self-disciplined.
This was also due to Southern Qin’s strict rules: before having a legitimate wife, even if there were two personal maids who shared her bed, there absolutely could be no concubines.
Even personal maids who shared her bed couldn’t exceed three. If there were more than three, people outside would start to consider whether to marry their daughters to her.
Legitimate daughters of Qian Yuan from prestigious scholarly families typically only took concubines if they had no heir by forty.
Noble families were slightly more lenient, but of course, if someone took a concubine before marriage, no one would dare marry their daughter to them, and they would end up marrying into a lower-ranking family.
Southern Qin valued propriety, and even the imperial family had to abide by it. The original owner wanted an in-law family that could help her, so keeping her surroundings clean was essential.
Yun Chenghuai finally appreciated one point about the original owner: that she had no concubines or personal maids who shared her bed, saving Yun Chenghuai the trouble of dismissing those people.
However, there were too many maids in the original owner’s courtyard, a chattering crowd that gave her a headache just by looking at them.
After all, the original owner was just a villainous female supporting character. Only important characters were described, those who had previously troubled the female lead. Everything else relied entirely on the original owner’s memories.
And the original owner’s memories didn’t provide a clear understanding of the people around her.
Essentially, Yun Chenghuai could only recognize people based on the original owner’s memories; anything beyond that relied on herself.
When she had time, she could sort through the original owner’s memories and discover some clues.
However, she was the Princess. As the Princess, if she issued an order, even if the people around her had other masters behind them, they wouldn’t dare to disobey her on the surface.
With her detailed instructions, Shen Liunian’s wet nurse and personal maids all came.
These people were already waiting outside the main courtyard, ready to barge in if Shen Liunian called out from inside.
Shen Liunian had one wet nurse and three personal maids.
Fortunately, the room was large enough that over a dozen people inside didn’t make it feel crowded.
Yun Chenghuai sent her own maids out and sat on the chaise lounge, watching Shen Liunian’s maids help her wash and dress.
Outside the courtyard, dozens of people were performing their duties, not daring to make a sound.
A short while later, Lan Ping brought tea. Yun Chenghuai leaned back on the chaise lounge, sipping her tea, looking utterly idle.
Shen Liunian’s wet nurse stood nearby, glancing at her from time to time, her gaze filled with fear and confusion.
She must have heard Yun Chenghuai’s previous instructions and was starting to question her intentions, also worried about her young mistress’s situation.
They had just learned of Shen Liunian’s pregnancy and were completely shocked, unsure how to react for a moment.
Yun Chenghuai averted her gaze, leaning back on the chaise lounge. Her hair was entirely tied up, like a bun, secured with a coronet and hairpins. One hand supported her body, the other held her teacup. In her noble and refreshing appearance, she also exuded an air of carefree freedom.
She was wondering what else she should do besides clinging to Shen Liunian.
“Your Highness, it’s time for a meal.”
Just as she was pondering, Lan Ping reminded her.
Yun Chenghuai looked at Shen Liunian, who hadn’t finished getting ready. “Wait for the Princess Consort.”
“Prepare more of what the Princess Consort likes to eat. If the manor cooks are unsure, ask those around the Princess Consort.”
Lan Ping was silent for a moment, then said, “Yes.”
Yun Chenghuai ignored whatever Lan Ping was thinking and instructed the other maids, “Have someone accompany Wet Nurse Wei and move all of the Princess Consort’s belongings to the main courtyard. This will be the Princess Consort’s courtyard from now on.”
Wet Nurse Wei was with Shen Liunian and was very loyal and protective of her mistress.
She added, “Open my treasury. Pick out some good things from inside and send them to the Princess Consort.”
Her continuous instructions startled several people around Shen Liunian.
When did the Princess become so considerate? Is she trying to torment our young lady again?
This was because the original owner’s malevolence had already deeply ingrained itself in people’s minds.
After washing up, Shen Liunian’s mind was clear. Someone who could ascend to the throne as a Kun Ze in the future was naturally no ordinary person.
It was just that Yun Chenghuai’s sudden change was shocking, but once the shock passed, she regained her composure and already had a plan in mind.
No matter what Yun Chenghuai intended to do, a deposed princess could probably only lord it over her own princely manor.
Once she secured a way out for those around her, Yun Chenghuai would be nothing more than a paper tiger in front of her.
She wanted to see what kind of act Yun Chenghuai was putting on. If the act wasn’t good, it could be deadly…