Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 30

Is that so?

Fu Guiyi didn’t care. Frankly speaking, few generals were truly kindhearted, as those who were soft-hearted rarely achieved great things.

Though she lacked the formal title of general, Fu Guiyi’s influence on the frontier rivaled only Commander Li’s.

Seeing no sign of remorse from the Young Mistress, Shen Li grew anxious. She had no desire to harm Lei Er; while he might harbor feelings for her, loving someone was not a crime in itself.

Young Mistress, I have no interest in him. Please don’t make things difficult for him. Lei Er is fine as a servant, but how could he ever be a soldier?

Even with her waist aching, Shen Li continued to plead.

Even commoners can become soldiers. Why can’t he?

Fu Guiyi was like a cat toying with a mouse, not yet ready to devour it. Instead, she released the creature, watching it scramble away in terror.

Just as the mouse thought it had escaped the cat’s claws and was secretly celebrating its escape, the massive paw pinned it down by the neck again, followed by a swift bite that severed its head.

If you plead properly, I might let him go.

Fu Guiyi braced herself on the bed with both hands, looking down at Shen Li from her superior position. Then she pointed to her cheek, the meaning unmistakable.

Fine… fine.

Shen Li took a deep breath and pressed her soft lips against Fu Guiyi’s. It wasn’t a fleeting peck; she lingered, her lips sensing the Young Mistress’s delicate skin and its icy touch.

Her tongue lightly traced the surface.

That single touch was enough to stir chaos in Fu Guiyi’s heart.

Fu Guiyi gripped the silk quilt tightly, suppressing the trembling desire within her.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity without any response from Fu Guiyi, Shen Li had no choice but to abandon her modesty and practically cling to Fu Guiyi.

First, she warmed the other woman’s icy body.

Then, she gazed up at Fu Guiyi with those pitiful, tear-filled eyes.

Are you satisfied now, Young Mistress?

The use of the honorific made Fu Guiyi chuckle softly. She finally nodded.

Good.

I’ll have him exiled to another estate, but he’ll never set foot in Fu Manor again.

As long as everyone was safe, Shen Li didn’t mind if she never saw them again. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, Fu Guiyi’s arm wrapped around her waist.

Let’s continue, Fu Guiyi whispered teasingly in her ear.

Exhausted from the previous night, Shen Li had no energy left today.

Young Mistress, could we continue tomorrow? I’m a bit…

Shen Li trailed off, finding it too embarrassing to admit she hadn’t fully recovered yet.

What’s wrong…?

Fu Guiyi paused mid-sentence, suddenly realizing she might have been too rough the night before and Shen Li might be injured.

I’m not a man, how could you possibly…

Before she could finish, Fu Guiyi noticed Shen Li’s face had flushed as red as the hawthorn berries hanging on the branches—ripe hawthorns, their tartness mellowed by sweetness.

Plucking one and placing it in her mouth, she savored the grainy pulp and delicate sweetness spreading across her tongue. Only a hint of sourness remained, making it even more appetizing.

Right, right, you’re not a man, but which man could keep up with your stamina, Fu Guiyi?

Shen Li dared only to grumble inwardly, never daring to voice such thoughts aloud.

With Xu Wenqing absent today, the maids mustered their courage, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door.

What is it?

Fu Guiyi had been about to check Shen Li’s injuries when she was interrupted, her irritation evident.

Hearing the Young Mistress’s angry tone, the maids grew even more nervous, but they still managed to reply in strained voices, Miss Mu has come to visit, saying she wants to thank Sister Shen Li.

They really know how to pick their timing, Fu Guiyi thought. Not earlier, not later, but right now?

Despite her annoyance, Fu Guiyi had no choice but to withdraw. Shen Li was injured, and she needed to find some medicinal ointment to apply later that evening.

I actually hurt her, Fu Guiyi mused. I’ll have to restrain myself next time.

She examined her palm, then flipped her hand over to study the back. Her fingers were long and slender, like jade or bamboo, marked with a few scars from her time defending Cloudsea City.

Cloudsea City was Great Zhou’s most formidable stronghold against barbarian tribes and mounted bandits, making it an exceptionally dangerous post.

Fu Guiyi pressed her fingers together, fragments of last night’s memories flashing through her mind. A pang of regret struck her—perhaps she had gone too far.

Since Mu Siyu had specifically requested to see Shen Li by name, Fu Guiyi refrained from intruding. Instead, she sent a few maids to accompany Shen Li.

Fu Guiyi herself went to consult the estate physician, seeking a box of the mildest medicinal ointment, preferably one without a particularly unpleasant odor.

Shen Li resignedly gathered her scattered robes from the floor, slowly dressed, and tidied her appearance.

Only then did she step out of the room.

Mu Siyu had already finished two cups of tea in the main hall. Fortunately, she was a patient woman. Had it been another young lady, even one’s savior would have earned her displeasure for such a delay caused by a mere servant girl.

At last, she saw the young maid who had saved her life. Though not particularly young, the girl’s figure had fully matured.

Much more pleasing to the eye than those bean sprouts, Mu Siyu thought.

Greetings, Miss Mu, Shen Li said, bowing gracefully.

We’re practically old friends by now, Mu Siyu replied. There’s no need for such formalities.

Little did Shen Li know, Mu Siyu paid no attention to such formalities. She simply waved her hand, and Shen Li, mindful of their difference in status, dared not sit down.

I came here specifically to see you. Why are you still being so distant? Mu Siyu asked, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she reached out and pulled Shen Li down beside her. She raised her hand, and a Mu Family servant who had accompanied her immediately brought over a red sandalwood treasure chest.

The chest was exquisitely crafted, adorned with carved dragons and phoenixes.

I’ve always believed in repaying kindness, Shen Li. No one wants to be a servant forever. So, this is the ransom I’ve prepared for you.

As Mu Siyu finished speaking, the servant opened the chest. The box was filled with gold ingots, their dazzling brilliance nearly blinding. Shen Li couldn’t even imagine how many bushels of grain this could buy.

Eldest Miss Fu has never been willing to release her servants. But with this many gold ingots, she’ll surely agree, the servant said.

No, Miss Mu, there’s no need for you to go to such expense, Shen Li said, her fingers trembling as she closed the chest. She herself had never realized she was worth so much.

I won’t leave the Young Mistress.

Mu Siyu: ?

Her suspicious gaze locked onto Shen Li, making the servant feel immense pressure. Mu Siyu reached out and poked Shen Li’s forehead.

Seriously, Shen Li? Has your brain been fried?

Countless servants across the land yearned to become free citizens—it was their lifelong dream, and some even saved their entire lifetime’s wages for it.

As slaves, they were bound to their servile status for life, forever inferior, and subject to arbitrary sale and trade.

Free citizens, on the other hand, enjoyed the protection of the government and possessed basic human rights.

How could anyone be so foolish as to abandon readily available freedom and continue to live as a slave?