Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 51
The old general sighed. Though his aged eyes had lost some of their former sharpness, they still burned with piercing intensity when he looked at people, instantly seeing through Fu Guiyi’s hidden thoughts.
Enough. Your mother doted on your brother, yet he complained about the hardships of the frontier. Only you… you’re just like your father…
The old general reminisced about his former comrade-in-arms.
Together, they had fought countless bloody battles, repelling countless barbarian invasions.
The fact that you came to visit me shows your sincerity.
After their heartfelt conversation, the old general’s spirits lifted considerably. It was then that Fu Guiyi voiced her request.
General, I have a cherished one I wish to protect. I humbly request permission to borrow a female guard to ensure her safety.
Fu Guiyi was not one to beg favors, so her voice trembled slightly as she made the request. The old general merely stroked his silvery-white beard.
Assigning you a guard isn’t difficult, but I’m curious, Guiyi—what makes this little girl so concerned?
Besides, you have the Black Armor Army. Why come to Beiyan City to borrow a guard?
Faced with the old general’s questions, Fu Guiyi answered honestly.
I do have the Black Armor Army, but they all know the woman’s origins. I fear they might harbor resentment…
Just because she was born of humble origins, so…
Fu Guiyi’s words trailed off, and the old general immediately understood. To become a cavalryman, let alone an elite one, required exceptional talent. How could such a person willingly serve as a guard for someone of lowly status?
The fault lay with Fu Guiyi for not bringing ordinary guards on this trip. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to ask the old general for help.
The old general fell silent for a moment. Just as Fu Guiyi was about to rise and take her leave, assuming he would refuse, she was about to stand up.
Fu Guiyi wasn’t one to persist in asking favors. Once she’d made her request and been turned down, she wouldn’t press the matter further.
Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I never said I disagreed, the old general chuckled.
He then remarked with a hint of melancholy, I never imagined Miss Fu would have someone she cared for.
General, my heart isn’t made of stone. Naturally, I’m capable of affection, Fu Guiyi replied with a polite smile.
She stepped outside, passing through the general’s garden, where she saw Shen Li surrounded by a dense, impenetrable formation of Black Armor Army soldiers.
Fu Guiyi was pleased to see the Black Armor Army soldiers dutifully following her instructions. As she approached, she overheard their conversation.
The Eldest Miss isn’t as fierce as you all make her out to be. She may seem stern on the surface, but she’s actually quite gentle. As long as you don’t provoke her, why would she ever be harsh with you?
Despite her missing leg, Shen Li leaned on a crutch and tapped the soldiers’ helmets, producing crisp, metallic clangs.
Miss Shen, that’s not quite right. Even when we obey the Eldest Miss to the letter, she never shows us any warmth.
She only treats you specially.
This left Shen Li speechless.
Just then, footsteps sounded behind them. The Black Armor Army soldiers turned around, each breaking into a cold sweat.
It turned out Fu Guiyi had returned unnoticed, her footsteps utterly silent.
What are you discussing?
Fu Guiyi didn’t glance at her subordinates, her gaze fixed solely on Shen Li.
Nothing much, Shen Li replied, clutching her cane self-consciously. She suddenly realized her earlier posture—brandishing the cane to strike people—was terribly unladylike and utterly uncharming.
She quickly corrected herself, planting the cane on the ground and adopting a frail, delicate demeanor.
Stop pretending. I saw you.
Fu Guiyi approached slowly, the Black Armor Army soldiers scattering like leaves in the wind, terrified the Eldest Miss might misunderstand their interactions with Miss Shen as something improper.
Warm lips brushed against Shen Li’s ear, but the words whispered made her heart skip a beat.
What does the Eldest Miss mean by this?
Could she be jealous again?
Shen Li’s heart raced with sudden panic. Her leg hadn’t fully healed, making it impossible for her to properly serve the Eldest Miss. If she were subjected to another ordeal, her broken leg might never recover.
So, no matter what, never offend the villain.
If her target hadn’t been Fu Guiyi, Shen Li doubted she would have had the courage to take that step—the step toward becoming Fu Guiyi’s bed-warming maid.
Miss, what did you see?
Suppressing her inner turmoil, Shen Li feigned nonchalance.
You don’t need to act so demure around me. If you want to be wild, just be wild, Fu Guiyi said, poking Shen Li’s cheek.
She had secretly observed Shen Li countless times, through the vibrant autumn leaves and amidst the blooming wild chrysanthemums. She had witnessed the little maid’s lively spirit—skipping and hopping as she walked, twirling the token hanging from her belt.
But the moment Shen Li saw her, every movement became rigidly proper.
Wild?
Shen Li’s cheeks flushed crimson.
How could she possibly be wild? Responding to the Eldest Miss in the carriage was already the greatest compromise a modern person like her could make.
If she had to do anything more outrageous, Shen Li simply couldn’t.
Who said ancient people were conservative? They were anything but!
Fu Guiyi had no idea where this girl’s mind had wandered.
Fu Guiyi thought she had caught Shen Li off guard, assuming the girl was simply embarrassed.
However, she had more pressing matters to address. Fu Guiyi turned aside, creating an opening, and Shen Li finally noticed the woman standing behind the Eldest Miss.
The woman wore a black, form-fitting outfit with two swords hanging at her waist, radiating a sharp, heroic aura. Yet compared to Fu Guiyi’s rebellious spirit, her presence felt somewhat subdued.
This is the guard I’ve hired for you, Fu Guiyi announced.
As soon as the words left her lips, the woman nodded and bowed deeply.
I am Cheng Zhiyan. From this day forward, I will be responsible for Miss Shen’s safety.
Shen Li was stunned. She never expected a mere servant girl to receive such treatment and found herself speechless.
Don’t be shy, Fu Guiyi said, patting her cheek. I hired her to protect you, Shen Li. I can’t bear to lose you. I don’t want you to die.
Fu Guiyi would never utter such sentimental words.
Yet despite her restraint, Shen Li couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter.
Damn it! I’m not the one capturing her—she’s capturing me!
And I’m losing miserably.
Winter seemed to arrive sooner than Fu Guiyi had anticipated, forcing her to accelerate her journey.
The caravan rushed onward, pushing their horses to the brink of exhaustion. Several steeds collapsed and died along the way, a common occurrence in ancient times. Urgent messages requiring 800-li couriers often claimed the lives of over a dozen horses.
Finally, after more than a month, Fu Guiyi reached the northern capital. Winter had already set in, though snow hadn’t yet fallen. The joint invasion by nomadic tribes and barbarian forces was imminent.
During this month, Shen Li had been recuperating from her injuries, leaving her with little opportunity to accumulate Strategy Points. The System, unable to pressure her, could only wait patiently.
After all, the System had endured Shen Li’s three years of slacking off before. A few more days wouldn’t make much difference.