Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 24

With no retreat possible, Fu Guiyi decided to take the initiative. Ignoring the blush creeping across her cheeks and ear tips, she leaned closer to Shen Li.

Do you know? she whispered. I can’t stand seeing you with other girls. It makes me uneasy, like they’re going to steal you away.

The Young Mistress’s rare moment of vulnerability startled Shen Li, but she simply smiled softly.

How many people like us could there possibly be in the world? Shen Li replied. Most women still yearn for men.

Shen Li caught a glimpse of the Young Mistress’s reddening earlobes in her peripheral vision, and a sense of satisfaction bloomed within her. So even this formidable villain is easily flustered, she thought.

Licking her lips, Shen Li considered teasing Fu Guiyi further, just to see her face flush even deeper.

Just then, a gentle cough sounded behind them.

Young Mistress, this place is crowded and full of prying eyes. You should return to the carriage.

Xu Wenqing’s interruption was perfectly timed. She had watched the little maid practically clinging to Fu Guiyi, and a wave of resentment washed over her.

Xu Wenqing had known Fu Guiyi since childhood, yet the latter had never shown her such affection. Now, this maid had appeared just a few months ago and already captured the Young Mistress’s complete attention.

Commoners loved gossiping about the private affairs of the wealthy and powerful. Fu Guiyi nodded; she had no desire to become the subject of their street corner chatter.

She stepped into the carriage.

Extending a hand, her icy fingers were surprisingly beautiful. Though her palm was pale, her touch felt strangely comforting.

Come in too, Fu Guiyi said, looking at Shen Li.

With the Young Mistress’s invitation, Shen Li couldn’t refuse. She placed a foot on the stool and decisively boarded the carriage.

As she climbed in, she felt a chill down her back. Turning around, Shen Li caught sight of a face twisted with jealousy—a veritable reincarnation of a night demon.

Xu Wenqing’s expression was dark and stormy, like thunderclouds gathering on the horizon, or a black tide about to engulf a city.

The original novel had only mentioned Xu Wenqing’s willingness to risk life and limb for Fu Guiyi. Shen Li remembered one scene vividly:

The Male Lead’s men were hunting Fu Guiyi relentlessly, driving her to the brink of death, all to avenge the Female Lead’s crippled legs.

By then, Fu Guiyi was gravely wounded and barely conscious. Xu Wenqing swapped their clothes, mounted Fu Guiyi’s black horse, and rode off in the opposite direction.

And then…

Xu Wenqing had been shot with over a dozen arrows by assassins sent by the Male Lead, bleeding to death.

Therefore, even if Xu Wenqing’s attitude toward Shen Li was harsh, Shen Li could understand it.

What are you looking at?

Just then, a pair of icy hands gripped Shen Li’s wrist. Before she could react, she was pulled into the Young Mistress’s cold, fragrant embrace.

You’re soaked to the bone. Don’t you know to change your clothes? Fu Guiyi sighed softly. She’s barely recovered from her cold, yet she’s already neglecting her health again.

The carriage carried emergency clothing, though they were all Fu Guiyi’s personal garments. Unbothered, she opened the carriage’s storage chest.

The clothes inside carried a faint, woody scent.

Change out of your wet clothes, Fu Guiyi said gently. But as soon as the words left her lips, Shen Li felt a wave of embarrassment.

She glanced left, then right, and even tugged at the carriage curtain.

Young Mistress, must I change here?

The carriage wheels rumbled over the bluestone-paved road, the slight jostling causing them to sway. Outside the curtain, the cries of the crowd mingled with tearful laughter.

After the night’s fire, scenes of human tragedy lay scattered everywhere.

What choice do we have? It would take at least an hour to return. Do you want to catch another cold? Fu Guiyi asked softly.

Knowing it would be rude to refuse again, Shen Li nodded. Just moments ago, she had flustered the Young Mistress until her face and ears flushed crimson. Now the tables had turned.

Young Mistress, could you please turn around? Shen Li asked cautiously, her eyes as bright and innocent as a fawn’s. There was even a hint of timid pleading in her voice.

Are you embarrassed? Fu Guiyi, with her keen insight into human nature, immediately sensed the maid’s discomfort.

Mmm… Shen Li nodded. She had never changed clothes in front of anyone before, not even the Young Mistress.

But I’ve already seen everything there is to see. What’s there to be embarrassed about? Fu Guiyi couldn’t understand. As a child, she had always been attended to by servants for her grooming and dressing. After acquiring scars in adulthood, she had grown reluctant to be served.

It just feels… strange… Shen Li trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

Strange how? Fu Guiyi’s gaze was earnest and sincere, genuinely wanting to understand Shen Li’s feelings.

Strange and… shameful.

Since Shen Li had put it that way, Fu Guiyi, never one to force others, closed her eyes. Her voice was gentle, tinged with helpless compromise and indulgence.

Alright, I’ll keep my eyes closed. No peeking.

Few could persuade Fu Guiyi to agree to something unconditionally like this, not even the princes.

Seeing that the Young Mistress had truly closed her eyes, Shen Li cautiously began untying her sash.

As the robe slipped down to her waist, her delicate, rosy shoulders became almost irresistible. Shen Li wasn’t a native of this ancient world; she had been pampered since childhood, her skin even finer than that of some noble ladies.

While she was focused on changing, Shen Li’s gaze inadvertently drifted to the Young Mistress’s neck, noticing it had turned red.

Realizing something was amiss, Shen Li leaned closer to investigate, her other hand still slowly draping the outer robe over her shoulders.

Were you peeking?

No.

Fu Guiyi’s reply was swift, but her breathing had begun to quicken.

Young Mistress, you shouldn’t be like this.

Shen Li wasn’t foolish; she could easily tell that Fu Guiyi had broken her promise. Growing bolder, she reached out and cupped Fu Guiyi’s cheek in her palm.

You lied to me.

I only opened my eyelids a tiny bit.

Fu Guiyi lowered her head, inwardly despising herself for abandoning all decorum. Yet the person before her was simply too beautiful, too utterly captivating. She had never understood her mother’s warnings about femme fatales when forced to study the classics.

I used to wonder if any emperor could be foolish enough to abandon his empire for a woman.

But now, having experienced it firsthand, I understand the emperor’s dilemma.

Shen Li truly is a femme fatale—my own personal femme fatale.

Even a tiny peek would count, Young Mistress. You broke your promise.

Shen Li’s tone was earnest, as if she were genuinely angry.

Yes, I broke my promise, Fu Guiyi nodded.

But Shen Li, what can you do about it? You belong to me, body and soul. Your indenture is in my hands.

Fu Guiyi raised an eyebrow, a chilling smile playing on her lips—the kind of smile only a villain could wear.

Shen Li couldn’t do anything to the Young Mistress, but she refused to back down. Instead, she turned her head away, her brow furrowed in clear anger.