Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 45

Their hair was disheveled, and their faces were as pale as paper. Only the bandit leader maintained a fearless demeanor, as if unafraid of death itself.

The executioner, clad in a cyan robe embroidered with a gentleman’s orchid, raised the execution token and proclaimed the prisoners’ crimes:

These bandits have incited rebellion, committing arson, murder, and plunder. According to the laws of Great Zhou, they shall be executed immediately!

Normally, most criminals would be held until the autumn executions. However, the severity of these bandits’ crimes warranted immediate execution, bypassing the usual delay.

The executioner, bare-chested despite the crisp autumn air, stood muscular and dark-skinned, wielding the heavy Ghost Head Saber with ease.

He raised the Ghost Head Saber.

As a modern person, Shen Li had never witnessed such a scene before. An indescribable mix of emotions churned within her.

Seeing the bandits executed naturally pleased her.

The Ghost Head Saber flashed in the autumn sunlight, momentarily blinding her. Shen Li’s thoughts drifted, only to be interrupted by a cold palm covering her eyes.

Don’t look. You’ll have nightmares.

Immediately afterward, the clamor of the crowd rose in her ears. The Big Black Horse stamped its hooves uneasily, clearly startled.

Fu Guiyi turned the horse around.

They left the scene of chaos behind.

The general stationed at Beiyan City is a friend of my father’s, so I must pay him a visit today.

Shen Li, I’m worried about you being alone. I’ll find you a guard.

Young Mistress, how can that be? I’m just a servant. How could a servant have a guard protecting her?

Wouldn’t that be turning the world upside down?

Throughout history, those who became guards have always possessed exceptional martial skills, making them rare and valuable in ancient times.

I’ve told you before, you’re not a servant to me.

Fu Guiyi lowered her head, resting her chin on Shen Li’s delicate neck, savoring the faint warmth that pressed against her icy skin.

Though they couldn’t act freely on the bustling street, this intimate closeness was enough to satisfy Fu Guiyi’s heart.

Fu Guiyi returned to the caravan’s temporary lodging at the post station. As she lifted Shen Li down from the horse, she saw Xu Wenqing hurrying toward them.

A faint bandage was visible on Xu Wenqing’s neck. Her face was even paler than Shen Li’s, a clear indication that Fu Guiyi’s arrow had not been restrained.

Young Mistress, Prince Kang has come to visit, Xu Wenqing announced.

Compared to her previous disdainful glances at Shen Li, Xu Wenqing now avoided even looking at her.

These annoying pests, Fu Guiyi muttered under her breath.

It hadn’t been long since the Fifth Prince had sought her out, and now the Fourth Prince was hopping over. Did they really think the old emperor was blind?

Princes were forbidden from leaving the palace without permission. Prince Kang’s visit to Beiyan City was ostensibly to oversee the repairs of the city walls.

With the emperor growing old and frail, his sons were vying fiercely to prove their worth.

It had to be said that, aside from Fu Guiyi, the person under the greatest pressure was the Crown Prince. His younger brothers were exceptionally talented, leaving him constantly anxious about losing his position.

Rumor had it he was throwing daily tantrums in the Eastern Palace.

Shen Li had gleaned these details from the book she’d read. Fortunately, she preferred savoring each page rather than skimming through them; otherwise, missing such crucial information before transmigrating would have been disastrous.

Seeing the Young Mistress verbally berating the prince, Shen Li immediately reached out to cover her lips. The thin, cool lips pressed against her palm, sending an odd sensation through her.

The touch reminded Shen Li of the night before, and her waist began to ache again.

Miss, you shouldn’t say such things even in private. If someone overheard, it could cause trouble.

In the book, Fu Guiyi’s downfall—abandoned by all—stemmed from her arrogance, her disdain for others, and her refusal to restrain herself.

The tallest tree in the forest is the first to fall. Everyone understood this principle, but putting it into practice was far more difficult.

If anyone else had dared to caution Fu Guiyi in this way, they would have faced a particularly grim fate.

But for Shen Li, Fu Guiyi would listen. She fell silent, not uttering another word.

Fu Guiyi dismounted first, then stood beside the horse, one hand steadying the saddle while the other gently wrapped around Shen Li’s waist. Her movements were careful, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Fu Guiyi was terrified of bumping Shen Li’s broken leg.

Unbeknownst to her, Xu Wenqing saw this tender display as evidence that Fu Guiyi had been bewitched by an evil spirit.

She desperately wanted to kill Shen Li.

But… but the Young Mistress had warned her not to touch this maid.

How could she accept this? It was so unfair!

Why should the newcomer surpass her?

Despite these thoughts, Xu Wenqing dared not show her true feelings. She knew the Young Mistress’s temper all too well.

Because walking on one leg was difficult, Fu Guiyi simply scooped Shen Li into her arms.

Young Mistress, isn’t this inappropriate? Shen Li protested, glancing at the people still lingering at the inn’s entrance.

Then walk yourself, Fu Guiyi replied coldly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The thought of hopping all the way back on one leg—the image was too absurd for Shen Li to even contemplate.

Fine…

She conceded, wrapping her arms around Fu Guiyi’s neck and letting herself be carried back to their room.

Throughout the journey, Shen Li felt countless eyes on them. She immediately buried her face in Fu Guiyi’s neck, leaving only her flushed earlobes visible.

A pair of emerald earrings dangled from her earlobes, swaying gently with each step Fu Guiyi took, like shooting stars streaking across the night sky.

The sight made the maids’ teeth ache with envy.

Those emeralds were probably worth four or five years of their monthly wages.

Fu Guiyi had originally intended to take Shen Li to her temporary guest room, but before she could take more than a few steps, a hearty voice rang out.

I heard Miss Fu had fallen into a gentle embrace. It seems the rumors were true.

Fu Guiyi turned, her moon-white gown swirling with the motion. Before her stood a tall, handsome man with a face as flawless as jade.

A jade hairpin, carved with a magnolia blossom, adorned his hair.

His demeanor was warm and gentle, his eyes always crinkling with a smile when he looked at people, perfectly befitting his mother’s title as Noble Consort Wen.

Prince Kang’s mother was none other than Noble Consort Wen.

By birthright, he was even more noble than the Fifth Prince, Qi Wang, and a popular contender for the throne. Unfortunately, in the novel, the male and female leads had chosen Prince Qi.

Bathed in the protagonist’s aura, the Fifth Prince naturally ascended to the throne, becoming the unwavering support behind the leads.

So what if I do?

Prince Kang, who I like is none of your concern.

Fu Guiyi’s tone was sharp, showing the same disdain for both Prince Qi and Prince Kang.

From the beginning, Fu Guiyi had no intention of participating in the succession war. She refused to waste her energy on such matters, knowing that no matter who became emperor, the Tiger Tally of the Black Armor Army would remain in her hands.

Whoever ascended the throne would have to bow to her.

Naturally, Prince Kang replied, his eyes curving into a smile as he snapped open his jade-boned fan with a swish. However, I’ve never heard of Miss Fu having a fondness for beautiful men. Therefore, I’ve brought some gifts with me.

Shen Li glanced up at the Fourth Prince, inwardly scoffing.

Fanning yourself in the middle of autumn? Why don’t you freeze to death?