Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 17

The bitter medicinal broth flooded Shen Li’s throat, overwhelming her senses. Already averse to bitter tastes, she choked slightly from being fed too quickly.

Cough… cough… ugh.

The dark brown liquid trickled down her crimson lips, the stark contrast creating a mesmerizing effect. No wonder the Young Mistress was so captivated by this woman.

Shen Li was truly stunning. With more than half the bowl remaining, she refused to drink another drop, her tongue already numb with bitterness.

Shen Li, how can you recover quickly if you don’t take your medicine? Xu Wenqing narrowed her eyes, her tone laced with threat.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached the door.

Greetings, Young Mistress!

The maids rushed to pay their respects, their voices deliberately loud, clearly meant to alert Xu Wenqing.

Xu Wenqing immediately released her grip, retrieving a handkerchief to leisurely wipe the spilled broth from Shen Li’s lips.

Wenqing, what are you doing?

Fu Guiyi entered, clutching something in one hand while pressing her other arm, clearly in pain.

Young Mistress, your wound has reopened.

Xu Wenqing approached with a frown. Why is Fu Guiyi still so careless about her own health? she wondered.

Just as Xu Wenqing was about to examine the wound, Fu Guiyi stepped back, shaking her head while clutching her arm.

It’s nothing. I’ll just apply some medicine tonight. The ointment Shen Li gave me works wonders.

Xu Wenqing’s gaze swept downward, noticing a box of candied fruit in Fu Guiyi’s hand. It was clear Fu Guiyi had ridden out to buy this for that lowly maid, Shen Li.

That’s why the wound had reopened—the jolting ride on horseback was hardly as smooth as level ground.

Xu Wenqing’s displeasure simmered.

She had never seen the Young Mistress care so deeply for anyone, not even her own mother. Fu Guiyi would never disregard her own injuries to buy something for someone else.

This was truly a unique and exclusive favor.

Shen Li desperately wanted to complain and cry about her mistreatment, but she didn’t dare.

The reason was simple: in the novel, Xu Wenqing was one of Fu Guiyi’s most trusted confidantes, completely loyal to her.

Even later in the novel, Xu Wenqing would prove to be a valuable asset to Fu Guiyi.

Therefore, Shen Li couldn’t—she couldn’t allow any rift to form between Fu Guiyi and Xu Wenqing. She would have to bear the bitterness of the forced medicine alone.

Did you take your medicine?

Fu Guiyi sat beside Shen Li, opening a box of candied fruits. Inside were plums and peaches preserved in sugar, their sweet, fruity aroma filling the air.

I did, but it was too bitter. I couldn’t finish it.

Shen Li didn’t whine or complain, which surprised Xu Wenqing. The little maid seemed more sensible than she’d expected.

I knew the doctor’s prescription would be bitter, so I bought these for you.

Fu Guiyi rarely referred to herself as Young Mistress. She was the type who didn’t care much for titles—unless you failed to address her properly.

Then you’d witness the Young Mistress’s true colors.

Open your mouth. I’ll feed you some.

Seeing Shen Li’s timid demeanor, Fu Guiyi reached out, her slender fingers pinching a piece of candied fruit. The cool, sweet treat touched Shen Li’s lips, and a delicate sweetness spread across her tongue.

Shen Li opened her mouth and bit down, her soft, pink lips brushing against Fu Guiyi’s fingers—whether intentionally or not, Fu Guiyi’s heart skipped a beat.

She quickly masked her reaction.

Host, your conquest points have increased by 1.

If not for the System’s notification, Shen Li would never have known that her fleeting touch could stir such turbulent emotions in the Young Mistress’s heart.

Fu Guiyi’s ink-black hair cascaded down, but a keen observer could still spot the faint flush on her ears.

Drink your medicine first, Fu Guiyi said with a light cough, then left the room.

She hurried to her study, where a servant had been waiting for some time.

Young Mistress, the servant said, wiping sweat from his brow and gesturing to a stack of books and scrolls on the desk. These are all the books and scrolls I could find. It’s truly difficult to find materials about women and women.

The servant trailed off, realizing he had overstepped. The Young Mistress detested servants discussing her personal affairs.

Understood. Go to the treasury for your reward.

Fu Guiyi nodded and reached for the sketchbook. She flipped it open, and in an instant, the faint blush that had faded from her ears returned.

The delicate canvas depicted two women. Their pale pink dresses were so sheer that their fair, tender skin shimmered faintly beneath the fabric. One woman rested her hand on the other’s wrist, gazing at her with eyes as gentle as water.

Fu Guiyi hastily flipped through the pages, her fingers trembling.

This was something she had never encountered before.

Until now, her childhood had been filled with learning to read and write, practicing martial arts, and helping her brother test medicines. As she grew older, she focused solely on studying military strategy.

Fu Guiyi had never been exposed to such things.

Now that she had opened the sketchbook, she couldn’t stop turning the pages. Time slipped away, and her body gradually grew cold. Even the candlelight seemed to dim.

Fu Guiyi stood up, placed the sketchbook back in the chest, and left the study. She needed to check on her little maidservant.

She hoped Shen Li’s condition hadn’t worsened.

Fu Guiyi crossed the courtyard to her bedroom. Shen Li was already feeling much better; after all, the medicine’s effects were only temporary.

Shen Li was browsing the System Shop. As the saying goes, With points in hand, there’s no need to panic. She was pondering when to redeem a portion of fried chicken to try.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps—steady and measured, unmistakably belonging to one person: the Young Mistress.

Shen Li immediately curled up in her quilt, feigning a sickly appearance.

Fu Guiyi harbored no suspicions, though Shen Li had nearly given herself away several times that day.

But as the saying goes, concern clouds judgment.

Thus, Fu Guiyi’s usual keen perception had deserted her.

Feeling any better?

Fu Guiyi reached out, her cool palm tentatively pressing against Shen Li’s forehead. The warmth and delicate texture of her skin reminded her of the scenes in the illustrated album.

A faint blush crept up Fu Guiyi’s neck.

She felt a pang of embarrassment. Though she knew what she wanted, Shen Li was still unwell. She shouldn’t overstep.

So Fu Guiyi restrained herself, pushing aside those improper thoughts.

The skin beneath her palm was no longer scorching, merely warm. Shen Li’s fever had clearly subsided.

Fu Guiyi finally let out a sigh of relief.

When did the estate’s physicians become so skilled? she murmured to herself. In the past, their prescriptions had always taken weeks to work. How could a single dose have such a dramatic effect today?

I should reward them handsomely, she thought.

Shen Li felt a twinge of guilt. Little did Fu Guiyi know, Shen Li had been faking her illness all along, primarily to interrupt Fu Guiyi’s meeting with the male lead.

Sometimes, even the most despicable methods proved remarkably effective.

Normally, Shen Li would assist Fu Guiyi with changing her clothes. But today, confined to bed by her feigned illness, she couldn’t rise.

Fu Guiyi reached for her sash, slowly untying it herself.