Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 27

In truth, Fu Guiyi wasn’t an unreasonable person. She had no intention of punishing the servant; her question was merely meant to warn Shen Li.

She reached out, her fingertips brushing against Shen Li’s soft waist, sending shivers through her entire body.

Remember this, Shen Li: I despise those who are impure.

You must not love anyone but me.

These words were undeniably domineering, but considering Fu Guiyi’s status?

After falling in love with the Male Lead, even a few words exchanged between him and the Female Lead could provoke her displeasure.

Therefore, this display of possessiveness was actually restrained.

Warm breath ghosted across Shen Li’s cheek as Fu Guiyi lowered her head, her nose pressing against Shen Li’s face. Fu Guiyi’s lips were neither thin nor full—perfectly balanced.

Their crimson hue possessed a uniquely feminine allure, starkly contrasting with the sharp, heroic air of her brows and eyes.

Such lips were irresistibly kissable.

Their breaths mingled, creating an intoxicating intimacy.

Time flowed slowly, the candlelight dimming as wax dripped from the edges of the candle, accumulating in layers on the candlestick like a cluster of white flowers.

Fu Guiyi finally pulled back slightly, her breathing quickening.

In the dim candlelight, she could clearly see Shen Li’s porcelain-white skin.

Why is your skin so flawless?

I remember when Wen Qing brought you into the manor, you were the fairest and most delicate of them all.

Fu Guiyi’s palm slowly pressed against Shen Li’s waist, the icy touch making Shen Li turn her head away, unable to meet the young mistress’s gaze.

A blush stained Shen Li’s cheeks as she wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, her current appearance indescribably alluring.

This servant was born this way.

Is that so?

Fu Guiyi merely nodded, sat up, and drew the curtains closed. She had originally intended to claim the little maid’s promised favor tonight.

However, Shen Li’s contact with that servant had left Fu Guiyi deeply displeased.

Even though she knew the servant had only been rescuing her, and even though Fu Guiyi had already rewarded Lei Er handsomely, even promoting him to a minor managerial position, jealousy still burned in her heart.

That night, Shen Li suffered terribly, reduced to crying out for the young mistress in a tearful voice.

Between being thrown into the water and enduring such exertion, her voice eventually grew hoarse.

The next day, the sun hung high in the azure sky. Fu Guiyi stood before her desk, practicing calligraphy. As she frequently needed to write memorials to the emperor, having elegant handwriting was essential. Yet years of military campaigns and strategic planning had inevitably led to neglect, requiring constant practice.

Xu Wenqing silently ground ink for her, but a careful observer would notice her hands trembling slightly.

Wenqing, I questioned Shen Li last night after returning. Fu Guiyi began by writing four characters: The highest good is like water. Each stroke was impeccably formed, the strokes perfectly balanced.

Really? What did she say?

She claimed she accidentally twisted her ankle and fell into the lake.

The Young Mistress’s moods were notoriously unpredictable. Xu Wenqing had braced herself for a severe reprimand, especially since that little harlot Shen Li had survived the lake. She was certain Shen Li would report her to the Young Mistress. Yet she clung to the hope that their childhood friendship would prevent Fu Guiyi from taking a servant’s word over hers.

How strange…

I tried to harm Shen Li, yet she’s protecting me?

I examined her ankle. The skin was smooth and delicate, with no signs of twisting or injury.

I can’t understand…

With a flick of her wrist, Fu Guiyi wrote the character 殺 kill on the gold-flecked Xuan paper.

The servants claim they saw you by the lake that night.

Finally, the character for kill was complete. Fu Guiyi raised her eyes to stare at Xu Wenqing, approaching him step by step.

Today, she wore no golden hairpins, only a simple jade hairpin. Her appearance was plain, yet the murderous aura radiating from her grew increasingly intense.

Wenqing, you’ve been by my side since childhood. You know my temper, you know I can’t live without Shen Li. Why would you do this?

Each word dripped with the certainty of knowing the true culprit.

Xu Wenqing merely lowered his head, silent.

I have no desire to argue with you. Out of respect for our past friendship, I won’t punish you. But…

You are forbidden from ever harming Shen Li again.

With that, Fu Guiyi lifted her brush, her slender fingers gripping the brush tightly. As she prepared to write another character for kill, Xu Wenqing’s voice, tinged with grief and resentment, rang in her ears.

Young Mistress, you’ve changed. You hesitate over a mere servant girl. This is wrong.

What is Shen Li? Just a lowly maid who seduces her master. Women like her belong in brothels, serving men day and night!

Shut your mouth.

Fu Guiyi could bear no more. Ink dripped onto the gold-leafed paper, obscuring the two characters for kill.

Slap!

She whirled around, her strike merciless as she struck Xu Wenqing across the face.

Xu Wenqing, you shouldn’t say such things, Fu Guiyi said, her brow furrowed.

With that, she left the study without a backward glance, leaving Xu Wenqing stunned, clutching her cheek. Her nose stung, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She recalled her childhood memories. Back then, Madam controlled Fu Manor, her entire focus fixed on the Eldest Young Master. The Young Mistress was almost completely ignored.

Xu Wenqing had been the least favored child in the family. Her sisters and cousins had fought tooth and nail to be near the Eldest Young Master. Only she, because of her lack of favor, had been assigned to serve the Young Mistress.

In those days, she had cried incessantly, convinced she would end up like the others said—serving the Young Mistress meant a lifetime without prospects, destined to become a mere dowry maid.

On her first day in the Young Mistress’s courtyard, she did almost nothing but play with her doll.

It’s beautiful. Is this your doll?

A young girl in Cloud Brocade silk approached, slightly taller than Xu Wenqing.

Young Mistress… Xu Wenqing sniffled, feeling embarrassed. After all, no child could smile when caught slacking off.

Does she have a name? Fu Guiyi asked, still smiling. Seeing someone admire her doll, Xu Wenqing immediately held it out.

Yes, I call her Pearl.

Because her eyes are made of pearls.

Fake. They’re seashells.

The Young Mistress glanced at the doll and ruthlessly revealed the truth, nearly bringing Xu Wenqing to tears.

Don’t cry. I have real pearls.

Fu Guiyi raised her hand, removed the hairpin from her hair. The hairpin was intricately woven with gold wire and adorned with genuine pearls, making it exceptionally delicate and beautiful.

For years, Xu Wenqing’s memory had remained fixed on that moment. Back then, the Young Mistress had been rosy-cheeked and tender, holding the pearl hairpin in one hand while frantically rummaging for a handkerchief with the other to wipe away his tears.

But now, the Young Mistress had changed.

Her eyes were now completely focused on that damned maid.