Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 8
By the time they returned from the bathhouse, the sky had grown even darker. Stone lanterns flickered in the courtyard, their candlelight dancing softly.
Fu Guiyi walked briskly, forcing Shen Li and the other maids to scurry after her in quick, mincing steps.
Though the Fu Guiyi of the novel was a valiant female general, she wasn’t wearing heavy armor at the moment, only a woman’s long skirt. Upon closer inspection, one could discern a distinctly feminine allure in the Eldest Miss’s eyes and features.
The maids were left outside the room, Shen Li being the only one allowed inside.
None of them dared to look at her.
Rumors had been spreading among the servants that Shen Li had successfully climbed into the Eldest Miss’s bed, explaining why Fu Guiyi had defended her so fiercely that day, punishing the maids who had gossiped behind her back.
Fu Guiyi sat on the bed, and Shen Li expertly removed her shoes.
Is sweeping tiring?
The room was ablaze with candlelight. Ornate, gilded candlesticks, each capable of holding over twenty candles, stood throughout the room.
Even at night, the room remained as bright as day as long as Fu Guiyi didn’t order the candles extinguished.
The candlelight cast a warm, yellowish glow, tinting everything it touched with a golden hue.
I’m not tired, Shen Li replied.
In truth, she often complained of exhaustion to her fellow maids while sweeping the floors daily. But in front of the Eldest Miss, she dared not utter such words.
Really? Fu Guiyi asked. But the calluses on your hands are so rough. They’re uncomfortable to hold.
After Shen Li removed both her shoes, Fu Guiyi suddenly took her hand, scrutinizing her palm. The skin on the back of her hand was delicate and smooth, but a thin layer of calluses had formed on her palm, undoubtedly from years of manual labor.
But Eldest Miss, you have calluses too! Shen Li couldn’t help but grumble inwardly, though her timidity prevented her from voicing the thought aloud.
Don’t work anymore, Fu Guiyi said, a smile curving her lips and a hint of amusement in her eyes. She reached for the medicinal cream on the table and opened the jar.
A fragrant aroma wafted through the air as Fu Guiyi scooped out a small amount with her finger and carefully applied it to Shen Li’s palm.
Shen Li’s fingers trembled slightly, but she dared not pull away, forced to endure the gentle manipulation of her hand.
Fu Guiyi’s fingers were beautiful. Without the scars, they would have been even more striking. The scars marred their aesthetic perfection, yet they also added a touch of wildness.
The icy fingertips pressed against Shen Li’s palm, creating a sensation so peculiar it defied description. A tingling numbness spread through her heart.
Shen Li had never imagined anyone’s hands could be so cold. Yet, when Fu Guiyi applied the ointment, she did so with meticulous care.
As the fingertips scraped across her palm, Shen Li bit down hard on her lower lip, suppressing any sound.
That would be too strange.
This ointment is commonly used by noble ladies in the capital. Regular application will make your skin even softer. Use it for now.
Eldest Miss, this is too precious…
Overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, Shen Li hastily prostrated herself. Remembering the ointment on her hands, she extended her palms forward, only to accidentally press them against Fu Guiyi’s knee.
Shen Li !
Heaven, let me die.
This is utter social suicide.
It’s not precious, Fu Guiyi said calmly. Just keep it.
Instead of anger, Fu Guiyi lowered her head and helped Shen Li to her feet.
Fu Guiyi was no saint her actions were driven by selfish motives. She had already come to view Shen Li as her personal possession.
For someone suffering from insomnia, a maid who could lull her to sleep simply by being held was an absolute godsend. How could she possibly let go?
Host, Strategy Value increased by 2!
By the way, I recommend you try out the new Cupid’s Arrow I’ve given you. Let’s see how effective it is!
What? Shen Li couldn’t believe it.
She had merely brushed against the Eldest Miss’s knee, yet her Strategy Value had increased so dramatically!
This was truly bizarre. Could physical contact actually increase Strategy Value?
A daring idea flashed through Shen Li’s mind, but she immediately suppressed it. No…
She couldn’t go that far. If the Eldest Miss stabbed her to death in bed, it would be utterly mortifying.
However, the System’s suggestion was worth considering. The Cupid’s Arrow had a new scent now she wondered if it would actually work.
Shen Li didn’t dare dream of truly conquering Fu Guiyi, but she desperately hoped to avoid returning to her previous bland, colorless existence.
Living like that would be worse than death.
Fortunately, the item provided by the System could be activated from within the System’s inventory. Shen Li promptly clicked Use.
Then, her heart pounding with anxiety, she watched Fu Guiyi.
Fu Guiyi had already reclined on the bed, beckoning Shen Li to come closer.
She watched the little maid cautiously crawl onto the bed, inching toward her like a fox.
A fox about to beg for affection.
At that moment, Fu Guiyi seemed to understand why the current emperor was so infatuated with beauty.
She reached out and pulled Shen Li into her arms. Through the thin fabric, Fu Guiyi could feel the little fox’s feverish warmth radiating against her.
She closed her eyes.
Only this kind of warmth could dispel her own icy chill. It was truly incomparably comforting.
Fu Guiyi sighed softly.
Shen Li’s body temperature was warmer than three or four braziers combined.
Just then, Fu Guiyi seemed to catch a faint, unfamiliar scent in Shen Li’s hair. Having inherited her father’s keen senses, she immediately recognized it as different from the incense Shen Li usually used.
Didn’t I tell you not to use any other incense?
Shen Li was about to close her eyes when a chilling voice rang in her ear.
Her heart nearly leaped out of her chest in fright. Shen Li cursed the System inwardly, but dared not argue with it now.
Her immediate priority was to appease the Eldest Miss.
This servant finds the fragrance quite pleasant. Does the Eldest Miss not care for it?
At this point, pretending she hadn’t changed the incense was out of the question. In the original novel, Fu Guiyi despised liars above all else.
Shen Li waited for what felt like an eternity after speaking, but no further words came. Just as she braced herself for the Eldest Miss to kick her off the bed, Fu Guiyi suddenly leaned closer. Though the main candle had been extinguished, a small night candle remained lit for convenience.
In the dim, yellow light, Shen Li clearly saw Fu Guiyi’s expression—serious and intent. Her slender, cool fingers parted Shen Li’s collar, sending a chill down her neck.
The next moment, Fu Guiyi’s nose pressed against Shen Li’s neck, the ticklish sensation making her toes curl involuntarily.
It is quite fragrant, Fu Guiyi murmured, inhaling deeply. She seemed to detect the lingering scent of flower petals on Shen Li’s skin.
Next time, I’ll have the maids wash me with rose petals, she thought. Perhaps I’ll dream of roses if I sleep while embracing her.
E-Eldest Miss… Shen Li’s heart pounded wildly, like a frightened deer darting in every direction.
Fu Guiyi tapped Shen Li’s nose with a finger, her voice growing increasingly intimate as she whispered against her ear, each word deliberate What are you afraid of? I’m not going to eat you.
The burning breath sent goosebumps erupting across Shen Li’s ears and neck.