Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 42
Host, Conquest Points +5!
The System notification chimed as Fu Guiyi’s words faded.
Shen Li wasn’t surprised at all; this was all part of her plan. However, she hadn’t expected the Young Mistress to be so bashful and timid.
Truly adorable.
It was a pity her leg hurt; otherwise, she could have teased Fu Guiyi even more.
Climbing the slope was difficult, but Fu Guiyi didn’t utter a single groan until they reached the top.
Only then did Fu Guiyi set Shen Li down.
I’ll carry you onto the horse in a moment. Be careful of your leg.
Fu Guiyi’s voice was gentle, but her breathing was slightly labored, clearly showing the exertion from the climb.
Mm, Shen Li nodded obediently.
Immediately, she felt Fu Guiyi’s hand supporting her waist. Afraid Shen Li might fall, Fu Guiyi also steadied her by the hip.
This light touch made Shen Li blush deeply, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.
The Big Black Horse stood obediently still, as if sensing its mistress’s concern and wanting to protect Shen Li from further injury.
After helping Shen Li onto the horse, Fu Guiyi swung herself up behind her. She didn’t dare urge the horse into a gallop, instead wrapping her arms around Shen Li’s waist.
Gripping the reins, she gave a gentle tug, and the horse began to walk forward at a slow, steady pace, causing only a slight rocking motion on its back.
Were those bandits after you specifically? Fu Guiyi asked, her chin resting against Shen Li’s delicate neck. The moment was intimate and tender, yet her question was utterly serious.
Mm-hmm.
This servant suspects someone wants me dead, Young Mistress. They believe I’m bewitching the master.
Hah… Fu Guiyi scoffed dismissively, clearly scornful of such childish notions.
Is that so? But I think… it’s me who craves you.
Mindful of Shen Li’s injury, Fu Guiyi refrained from any bold moves, only pressing a soft kiss to her earlobe.
Her cool lips felt like ice, yet the sensation was different. Ice was hard, but Fu Guiyi’s lips were soft.
A delicate fragrance filled the air.
Shen Li felt herself drowning in this intoxicating moment.
No!
Shen Li! You need to have some backbone!
You’re the one doing the conquering, not the one being conquered!
Reminding herself of this, Shen Li finally broke free from the Young Mistress’s alluring trap and regained her composure.
After walking for the time it takes to burn several incense sticks, the group finally returned to camp.
Xu Wenqing had followed Fu Guiyi from afar the entire time, watching the two women embrace. Her fingers clenched so tightly around the reins that bl00d welled up in her palms, the nails digging into her flesh.
It doesn’t matter…
She told herself. If I fail this time, there will be another chance.
As long as I’m here, Shen Li won’t live to see another day.
The Young Mistress doesn’t need someone like her. She has me, and that’s enough!
Sensing she was being watched, Shen Li’s hairs stood on end. She turned her head, but saw nothing.
Are you scared?
Fu Guiyi lifted Shen Li into her arms and carried her directly into the carriage. She pulled over a blanket and gently laid Shen Li down on the cushioned seat.
This servant keeps feeling that Steward Xu’s gaze is sending chills down my spine.
If she could still consider the novel’s plot and forgive Xu Wenqing after the first attempt on her life,
To be attacked a second time and still not retaliate would make you a complete fool.
Is that so? Fu Guiyi merely nodded, her eyes betraying no surprise.
Wen Qing has that kind of personality. I suspect he hired the bandits.
Shen Li inwardly agreed. Young Mistress, you don’t need to guess—it was definitely him! But outwardly, she feigned shock.
Why would he do that?
Because he can’t stand you.
Fu Guiyi reached out and tapped Shen Li’s upturned nose, then leaned closer, her gaze fixed on the little maid’s curious eyes.
Wen Qing and I once swore that we would never fall in love. Because if you love someone, they become your weakness.
He asked what I would do when it was time to marry.
I said I’d either find a random man to marry into the family, find someone who could match me, or remain unmarried for life, forever my father’s daughter.
Shen Li’s heart pounded wildly. These were lines from the original novel—the very words Fu Guiyi had used to confess to the Male Lead.
After saying this, she had confessed:
Li Huaifeng, you stand as my equal. I admire you. Marrying you would be no loss!
Even though Shen Li knew these were just lines from the original story, her heart still felt like a jar of new vinegar had been overturned—bitter and sour.
One thing that comforted her was that the Young Mistress was speaking to herself.
Could this be a roundabout confession?
The thought eased the jealousy in her heart, replacing it with a surge of joy.
But now, I’ve broken my promise.
If I were to fall for you, it would mean having a weakness.
That’s why Xu Wenqing had plotted to eliminate Shen Li.
Asking Fu Guiyi to kill Xu Wenqing was impossible. Fu Guiyi wasn’t some heartless demoness who had severed all ties of affection.
As for Xu Wenqing, who had been by her side since childhood, Fu Guiyi harbored complex emotions. But none of those emotions included love. Otherwise, how could Shen Li have slipped in during her moment of vulnerability?
After they had talked for a while, the physician arrived with his medicine chest. Fu Guiyi withdrew, needing to resolve the Xu Wenqing situation and ensure she would no longer target Shen Li.
Yet, as she reached the carriage door, unease tugged at her. She turned back to watch the physician expertly clean Shen Li’s wounds. Only then did Fu Guiyi finally exhale in relief.
Treat her well. There will be a reward for a proper recovery.
Fu Guiyi delivered these icy words before departing again, leaving the physician trembling in her wake.
How could he not treat her well? If he failed to heal the Young Mistress’s darling, his days would be numbered. His old bones might not withstand the Black Armor Army’s clubs.
After dismounting from her carriage, Fu Guiyi turned to a Black Armor Army guard standing sentry.
Fetch my bow and arrows, she instructed. A short bow, not a long one.
If she drew a longbow to its full extent, Xu Wenqing wouldn’t survive. Fu Guiyi merely wanted to teach her trusted aide a lesson.
No matter how much she loved Shen Li, she would never sever her own arm for her sake. Such an act would be foolish.
Xu Wenqing possessed considerable talent and, more importantly, managed her granaries and treasuries. Killing her would make it nearly impossible to find a capable replacement for such a critical position in the short term.
Soon, a lightweight short bow was placed in her palm.
Fu Guiyi nocked an arrow and drew back the string, her movements even faster than when she had shot the Wolf King.
She aimed at Xu Wenqing, who was standing dazed in the forest, and with a sharp thwack, the arrow struck its mark.
Xu Wenqing clutched her shoulder, instinctively reaching for the dagger hidden at her waist. But then she noticed the character Fu engraved on the arrowhead piercing her shoulder.
A chill ran through Xu Wenqing’s heart.
She turned to see the Young Mistress standing in the forest, having appeared as if from nowhere.
Does it hurt? Fu Guiyi asked. Wen Qing, Shen Li’s broken leg hurts far more than this.