Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 21
The light was extinguished.
Shen Li’s wrist was trapped. Fu Guiyi, a martial artist, might be a woman, but her strength far surpassed Shen Li’s frail frame.
Under the dim candlelight, Shen Li could see Fu Guiyi’s eyes—vulnerable, fragile, and filled with a fear that Shen Li might escape.
Young Mistress…
Shen Li trembled slightly, knowing that pleading would be futile.
She had never experienced anything like this before. Though she could tease others with practiced ease, when faced with such a situation, Shen Li was the one who was truly terrified.
Whether man or woman, you mustn’t harbor such thoughts. You belong only to me.
Fu Guiyi’s icy fingers traced Shen Li’s cheek, sending shivers down her spine.
She lowered her head and pressed an uncontrollable kiss.
Their breaths mingled as Fu Guiyi revealed her true nature. Shen Li, dazed and breathless, could only gasp for air in the brief intervals.
Young Mistress, I was wrong. I truly was.
The pale, weak apology failed to stop Fu Guiyi.
She wanted to make this little maid understand the consequences of defying her.
Knowing you were wrong won’t change anything. I’m already angry.
Her lips descended to Shen Li’s neck, continuing the greedy invasion.
Shen Li, disoriented, could only repeat I was wrong again and again, her voice growing fainter and hoarser with each repetition.
After an indeterminate amount of time, Shen Li heard birds chirping outside her window.
Her wrist felt slightly cold; she realized she had unconsciously extended her hand out from under the covers. She shifted slightly, and her entire body ached.
Even with her eyes closed, the sensual images from the previous night flashed through her mind. Fu Guiyi, who supposedly had as little romantic experience as she did, had learned so quickly.
Could this guy have been secretly practicing behind my back? Shen Li wondered groggily. Just then, her System notified her of a new email.
She opened it immediately.
Host, your conquest points increased by 20 last night. However, due to privacy concerns, I can only notify you via email.
Wishing you a pleasant day!
Damn System!
Shen Li curled up in her blanket, her ears burning crimson.
It wasn’t that she disliked Fu Guiyi; in fact, she quite liked her. But Fu Guiyi’s terrible personality was undeniable.
After all, she was the villainess—there was no way she’d have any genuine kindness or virtue.
Especially after last night… she had been utterly exhausting.
Shen Li had no desire to get up. Since no one was urging her, she decided to feign sleep a little longer.
She promptly drifted back to sleep, only waking again in the afternoon, still groggy.
Oversleeping inevitably left her mind foggy. After a long moment of gathering her wits, Shen Li finally prepared to get out of bed when the door suddenly swung open.
Fu Guiyi had already changed into a set of Hu-style riding attire. Compared to her usual long skirts, she now exuded a more martial air.
A black silk headband secured her hair, preventing strands from flying about. Unlike the gemstone-encrusted headbands favored by other wealthy families, Fu Guiyi’s was simple and understated.
Sweat glistened at her temples, a clear sign that the Young Mistress couldn’t stay idle now that her arm had healed.
Why are you still in bed? Fu Guiyi asked. Are you feeling unwell?
Fu Guiyi was surprised to find Shen Li still in bed. She sat on the edge of the mattress, scrutinizing her personal maid.
Shen Li’s cheeks, neck, collarbone, and even further down were faintly marked with traces of the previous night’s passion.
The Young Mistress’s temper truly changes faster than flipping a page in a book, Shen Li thought. Last night she was furious, but after a night to cool down, she’s clearly forgiven me.
No, Shen Li shook her head.
The next moment, Fu Guiyi clapped her hands, and several maids entered in single file, each carrying a tray.
On the trays lay oval-shaped fruits, resembling melons, with deep green skin and reticulated white markings that unmistakably identified them as Hami melons.
In this frontier region, though closer to the melon’s origin, transporting and preserving these delicacies remained a considerable challenge.
I had this specially brought out from the ice storage.
Fu Guiyi lowered her head, aware that her temper was sometimes difficult to control.
Last night, she had lost her composure.
She hadn’t held back, and Shen Li must have been deeply hurt. Today, the usually proud Fu Guiyi humbled herself.
I let my anger get the better of me last night.
Fu Guiyi reached out, her icy hand grasping Shen Li’s. Recognizing her own mistake was already a significant step forward.
The maids sliced open the cantaloupe. Fresh from the ice storage, it still radiated a faint chill. The overripe fruit carried a fermented aroma, reminiscent of wine.
But consider the era:
This was ancient China, a time when even a single bite of sugar was as rare as ascending to heaven.
Such a cantaloupe was truly a delicacy beyond compare.
Fu Guiyi scooped up a piece with a silver spoon.
Try it?
After you eat, don’t be angry anymore.
Shen Li: ……
Why is the Young Mistress trying to pacify me like a child?
Still, food offered to her lips shouldn’t be wasted. Shen Li opened her mouth and devoured several slices of cantaloupe in quick succession, finally easing her lingering frustration.
Are you still angry with me? Fu Guiyi asked patiently.
How could I not be? Don’t think you can bribe me with a few slices of melon, Young Mistress.
To Fu Guiyi’s surprise, Shen Li remained unmoved.
Then what will it take for you to forgive me? Fu Guiyi asked, already lowering herself to this extent. She hoped the little maid wouldn’t be so ungrateful.
If I tell you, will you actually do it? Shen Li asked, a hint of triumph in her voice. She was beginning to understand what it felt like to be spoiled and pampered. No wonder the emperor’s harem was full of such petty schemers. Who wouldn’t let it go to their head with such adoration?
Yes, Fu Guiyi replied truthfully.
Shen Li was special to her. It had started that night in the cave, when Shen Li had shielded her from the assassins’ arrows. No one had ever treated her like this before. No one had ever helped her so selflessly.
The affection had sprouted in her heart, then grown wildly unchecked. By the time Fu Guiyi realized it, thorns had already wrapped around her heart, and flowers had bloomed amidst the pain.
Alright then, Shen Li said, leaning closer and tapping Fu Guiyi’s nose. I want the Young Mistress to let me tease her too…
Absurd— Fu Guiyi began, but she abruptly stopped herself.
Shen Li was right, in a way. If Fu Guiyi had teased her, she deserved to tease back.
Alright, Fu Guiyi said, her earlobes and cheeks flushed crimson.
If that’s what you want, I’m willing.
Fu Guiyi had always believed she would remain unmarried her entire life, solely to protect the Tiger Tally her father had entrusted to her. But now, she could still choose to remain unmarried for life.
However, she had already found someone she wanted to spend her life with.
Still, her little maid’s temperament needed further cultivation.
If she was already so unruly now, what would she become in the future?
Shen Li showed no fear whatsoever when facing the Prince—this simply wouldn’t do.
What if one day…
What if she fell in battle one day? Shen Li needed to learn to carry on alone.
Fu Guiyi had always prepared for the worst.
Even though she cherished Shen Li, she couldn’t ignore the possibility of her own death on the battlefield.
After all, no one survives defending a city forever.