Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 19

This was a fatal question, yet Fu Guiyi could answer it effortlessly. From birth until now, she had only ever been moved by one person.

Fu Guiyi understood herself well.

She wasn’t fickle, nor did she fall for every new face.

Forever.

The simple word, uttered from her thin lips, carried immeasurable weight and sincerity.

It made Shen Li’s heart tremble.

Shen Li hadn’t expected such a response, especially since her conquest points had barely budged.

Of course, Shen Li could sense the truth and falsehood in Fu Guiyi’s words. The conquest points spoke for themselves. Yet even if this declaration was partly impulsive, it was enough to stir her heart.

As the words settled softly, Fu Guiyi noticed the maid’s silence, her eyes betraying a hint of… disbelief.

Fu Guiyi savored the moment, confirming that the maid didn’t quite believe her.

You don’t believe me?

Fu Guiyi’s temper wasn’t particularly good. She reached out and gently hooked Shen Li’s chin. After several days of rest and care, Shen Li’s skin had become even more delicate, like a piece of warm, lustrous jade, perfect for caressing.

This servant dares not, Shen Li replied.

She regretted her lapse in expression management. She should have looked flattered and surprised, not suspicious.

How foolish of me! she cursed herself inwardly.

I know you servants don’t believe me, but you’re different, Shen Li, Fu Guiyi said. I want you by my side.

Fu Guiyi lowered her head, her warm words mingling with the scent of incense as they drifted into Shen Li’s ear, stirring ripples in her heart.

I want you to be like me, without any difference in status.

Is the Young Mistress really this kind? Shen Li wondered. Could such a small amount of conquest points really be enough to make the villainous boss bare her heart?

Just as Shen Li’s doubts resurfaced, Fu Guiyi’s next words shattered all her tender illusions.

So, starting today, a private tutor will come to teach you to read and write.

You must study diligently. One day, you’ll be able to help Wen Qing with her duties.

Then I can confidently keep you by my side.

Ha, studying!

Shen Li knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. It wasn’t that she was a poor student, but ancient Chinese characters were notoriously difficult to learn.

The strokes curved and twisted, resembling a tiny dancing figure.

After waiting in vain for the maid’s response, Fu Guiyi was somewhat surprised. After all, every maidservant yearned to climb the social ladder. Logically, they should have cherished the opportunity to learn to read and write.

Just as Fu Guiyi’s patience was about to run out, a knock came from outside the door.

Young Mistress, Steward Xu requests your immediate presence. Prince Qi has already entered the manor.

The maid’s voice trembled with nervousness, clearly terrified of Fu Guiyi.

Understood.

Fu Guiyi rose to her feet, her gaze lingering on Shen Li. A pang of reluctance tugged at her heart. Lowering her head, she mimicked the gesture Shen Li had taught her earlier.

Her soft lips pressed gently against Shen Li’s. The kiss was neither urgent nor excessive, merely a fleeting touch.

Yet even this brief contact sent Shen Li’s face flushing crimson, her heart racing. She covered her lips with the back of her hand.

Y-Young Mistress…

Rest well. I must go meet Prince Qi.

Fu Guiyi’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she stood up and left the room.

Host, how utterly useless can you be? Flustered by your target’s advances, yet Fu Guiyi’s conquest points haven’t budged even a fraction!

The usually indolent System couldn’t resist intervening. Finally logging in, it began scolding Shen Li.

After all these years as a System, this was the first time I’d seen a Host so flustered by a target’s advances that she couldn’t even react. Tsk, tsk, tsk—how embarrassing.

Shut up! Shen Li cursed under her breath, vowing to herself that she wouldn’t let Fu Guiyi gain the upper hand.

In the original novel, the Fifth Prince ultimately ascended to the throne. As the Second Male Lead, he had secretly harbored feelings for the female protagonist for years.

Unfortunately, his reserved nature prevented him from seizing the perfect moment to confess, allowing the Male Lead to swoop in and steal the opportunity.

If we were to follow the timeline strictly, the female protagonist initially favored the Fifth Prince.

But none of that mattered now.

What mattered was finding a way to secure Fu Guiyi’s support for the Fifth Prince. Only then could Shen Li ensure her own survival.

If Fu Guiyi became her ally, the animosity between her and the protagonists would vanish, restoring harmony to this world.

Shen Li thought to herself with satisfaction as she rose to dress and prepare for the day.

Ever since the Young Mistress had rushed to town on horseback to buy candied fruit for someone, the maids and servants in the manor understood that Shen Li was now Fu Guiyi’s intimate companion—and that their relationship likely went beyond mere treatment for a cold.

After all, sleeping in each other’s arms could easily lead to deeper feelings.

As a result, Shen Li now had dedicated attendants to assist with her grooming and dressing.

Just a few months ago, she wouldn’t have dared to imagine such treatment.

Although Shen Li, being a modern woman, wasn’t accustomed to such elaborate servitude, she had to admit that the intricate traditional robes were much easier to put on with help.

Otherwise, she’d waste precious time just trying to tie a single knot.

Her jet-black hair was styled into an elegant updo, secured with a jade hairpin adorned with coral and jadeite. Shen Li then dabbed a touch of rouge onto her lips.

After carefully examining her reflection in the bronze mirror to ensure her appearance was flawless, Shen Li rose to her feet.

Her mind began to strategize: how could she persuade Fu Guiyi to side with the Fifth Prince?

Meanwhile, Fu Guiyi remained unaware of Shen Li’s schemes.

Though she was accompanying Prince Qi on a stroll through the mansion, her thoughts had long since drifted far beyond the clouds.

Fu Guiyi wondered why the young maid wasn’t as warm toward her as she had been in the mountain cave.

Back then, when Shen Li had applied medicine to her wounds, her earlobes and cheeks had flushed crimson. But just now, Shen Li had seemed distracted, almost dazed.

What could be the reason?

I’ve heard, Miss Fu, that you’ve recently taken a liking to one of the maids, Prince Qi remarked.

So, Miss Fu has no interest in young gentlemen, but she does have an eye for beauty.

Prince Qi’s words were somewhat presumptuous. Fu Guiyi frowned but didn’t respond directly, nor did she deny the implication.

This was uncharacteristic of her.

Normally, if someone said something she disliked, she would immediately bristle with anger. But now, the silence that followed her lack of response clearly implied tacit agreement.

Prince Qi secretly rejoiced.

After all these years, Fu Guiyi’s weakness had finally been discovered.

When I came to oversee the army, I brought several well-trained maids from the Imperial City. They all come from scholarly families, but unfortunate circumstances forced them into servitude.

Your Highness, you need say no more. I have no interest in these maids, Fu Guiyi finally interrupted, unable to contain herself.

These princes are truly something, she thought. The moment I show the slightest interest in something, they swarm around me like bees to honey.

First, they kept trying to shove handsome men at her. Now that they realized their mistake, they’re trying to shove beautiful women at her instead.

It’s utterly absurd!