How Dare You?! 成何体统 (Cheng He Ti Tong)
By 七英俊 Qi Ying Jun
Translation by Spider
She is a corporate drone, not a middle school girl. She had long since passed the age where she thought the world revolved around her. Everyone caught in this trap was like a drowning person and whoever floating above water had to rely solely on their own abilities. To say nothing of the fact that she didn’t even tell Xiahou Dan that she had met with Xiahou Bo face-to-face and took her a turtle drawing as a token.
Yu Wanyin waved her hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, I understand.”
Xiahou Dan was silent for a long time before saying, “I won’t betray you.”
Yu Wanyin replied perfunctorily, “Mm-hmm, you won’t, you won’t. You’re a good person.”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
The Empress Dowager’s faction detained one of General Luo’s sons but was still unsatisfied. They then charged another one of his deputy generals with violating military discipline and exploiting the common people, taking advantage of this to insert a civilian official into the Ministry of War.
Prince Duan’s advisors were gathered in a heated debate. Some said the Empress Dowager had finally managed to take control of the Emperor, which explained her arrogance. Others argued that the Emperor’s public execution of the Minister of Revenue showed he was not in the Empress Dowager’s camp and that he had simply gone mad.
Xiahou Bo sat quietly at the head of the table, listening to the arguments with a smile. “The situation is unclear,” he said calmly. “But some plans can still proceed. It’s time to take down Imperial Tutor Wei.”
Xu Yao’s heart stuttered.
“Is everything ready?” Xiahou Bo asked him.
Xu Yao, whose family had fallen from grace and who had been rescued by Prince Duan, had been secretly keeping an eye on Imperial Tutor Wei, intending to take revenge. But Imperial Tutor Wei was extremely cautious and one of the few intelligent members of the Empress Dowager’s faction, never showing any weaknesses.
Recently, Xu Yao finally caught hold of something against him and, through great difficulty, found a witness.
“The witness is being protected,” Xu Yao said.
Xiahou Bo smiled gently, “Imperial Tutor Wei is a smooth talker, and he has the Emperor completely fooled. A single witness may not be enough to convict him. I’ll find additional evidence soon. This way, we can avenge your father.”
Hearing him mention his father, Xu Yao’s face turned even paler. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Xiahou Bo patted him kindly on the shoulder, “When Imperial Tutor Wei falls, I’ll arrange things so that your father can return.”
Xu Yao hung his head, not letting Xiahou Bo see his expression.
The tyrant’s words echoed in his mind, “Only I dare to bring Elder Xu back. Prince Duan won’t, because he has a guilty conscience and fears the truth being revealed. Once you’ve outlived your usefulness, your father will ‘coincidentally’ die in exile. Do you believe that?”
Does he believe it?
His father, who had served the late Emperor and was a stubborn loyalist, had always supported the tyrant wholeheartedly, yet ended up in such a miserable state. Xu Yao hated the Emperor’s foolishness and hated Imperial Tutor Wei’s treachery even more.
But he had never considered how someone as cautious as Imperial Tutor Wei had the confidence to openly challenge and frame his father back then.
A few days later, on the young Crown Prince’s birthday, the Empress Dowager organised a grand banquet for him.
Prince Duan also attended.
Upon his appearance, none of the Empress Dowager’s faction spoke to him. Xiahou Bo remained humble and polite, gracefully reciting a congratulatory message to the young prince before excusing himself and leaving early.
He wandered through the night, eventually arriving at a desolate small courtyard near the Cold Palace.
This was the secret meeting place agreed upon with Xie Yong’er. His Shadow Guards had already scouted the area, confirming it was safe, and signalled for him to proceed.
Xiahou Bo entered the long-abandoned house.
The room was dark, with no lights. Xie Yong’er stood by the window, she turned to smile at him. “Your Highness.”
Xiahou Bo said tenderly, “Yong’er, it’s been a while. How have you become so thin?”
In the dense weeds underneath the window, Yu Wanyin thought disdainfully, “As expected of Prince Duan.”
Yu Wanyin had been lying in the grass for an hour. She was there before the Shadow Guards had arrived. There was a slight evening breeze this evening, as she serenely lay on the ground, her steady breath covered by the sound of the wind.
Though this meeting place was indeed hidden, it couldn’t escape Yu Wanyin’s knowledge from reading the story.
This rendezvous was detailed in ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ which she happened to remember. If everything followed the original text, Xiahou Bo would soon mention Imperial Tutor Wei to Xie Yong’er.
Sure enough, bits of conversation drifted out from the window, “…Recently, Imperial Tutor Wei’s son rode his horse recklessly in the streets and killed a commoner. That commoner had come to the capital to file a complaint against the corrupt local salt inspector for corruption and extortion.”
“Is obstructing a petition a serious crime?” Xie Yong’er asked.
“Indeed it is.” Xiahou Bo replied, “The salt inspector, knowing this, had privately contacted Imperial Tutor Wei, and wanting to protect his son, conspired with him to cover up the matter. We want to expose this case and convict Imperial Tutor Wei, but we need a piece of evidence.”
“What kind of evidence?”
“A priceless treasure, a Buddha Sarira*. This item was listed in the salt inspector’s ledger as a bribe for Imperial Tutor Wei. However, my men searched the Wei residence and couldn’t find it. It may have been sent to the palace and given to his sister, Noble Consort Wei…”
舍利子 shèlìzi: Basically a small Buddhist relic which looks like a crystal or a pearl that are found in the cremated ashes of monks and spiritual masters. It’s used to ward off evil and invite blessings.
As Xie Yong’er listened, she recalled that in ‘A Thousand Trees Bloom at Night in the East Wind’ it was mentioned that Noble Consort Wei had a carved ivory puzzle ball in her temple room. Hidden in her inner sanctum, this ornament with its exquisitely crafted five concentric spheres, actually contained the relic.
“I’ll steal it for you,” Xie Yong’er offered.
Listening from the weeds, Yu Wanyin, “…….”
You are way too dedicated.
Even those who are considered to be female protagonists work so hard. Those who are better than you are still putting in more effort.
Though, judging from Xie Yong’er’s infatuated tone, it seemed she might be genuinely smitten by Xiahou Bo.
Yu Wanyin silently lamented.
Xiahou Bo chuckled, “Steal it? How can Yong’er be so sure that the relic is with Noble Consort Wei?”
Xie Yong’er hesitated, then stammered, “Since Your Highness deduced it, it must be true.”
“You’re giving me too much credit,” Xiahou Bo said with a smile.
In the grass, Yu Wanyin pinched her thigh. Not to stifle laughter, but to stay calm.
She suddenly realised something: Xiahou Bo couldn’t be a transmigrator.
If he were on the same level, having read ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ and transmigrated here, he would have recognised Xie Yong’er as a fellow transmigrator and ally with her immediately. There was no reason not to.
Even if he had only read ‘A Thousand Trees Bloom at Night in the East Wind’ he would have understood everything at a glance. Xie Yong’er had no grievances against him in that book, so they would have teamed up in that case too.
But they still spoke in the overly formal, archaic way, with Xie Yong’er still trying to deceive him as if he were the original character.
So he must be the original Xiahou Bo.
Their conversation matched the text in ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ confirming that neither of them deviated from the script.
In other words, Yu Wanyin’s last hope of all four transmigrators putting aside their differences and coming together to play mahjong was shattered.
Still, one question remained: If Xiahou Bo was the original goods, why did he specifically seek her out?
Was it simply because she had become the Emperor’s favourite concubine?
Or did Xie Yong’er, in an attempt to sever any potential romantic ties between them, said something and had inadvertently piqued his interest by speaking ill of her?
Lost in thought, Yu Wanyin momentarily forgot to control her breathing and suddenly heard footsteps approaching through the grass.
She held her breath, breaking out in sweat.
The footsteps grew closer, and someone with a flickering torch entered her line of sight. Through the blades of grass, she vaguely recognized a familiar face.
It was Xu Yao.
Xu Yao, still in disguise as one of Prince Duan’s guards, stood over her. As Yu Wanyin prayed he would pass her by, he stopped, lowered his gaze, and locked eyes with her through the grass.
Yu Wanyin held her breath, her heart about to burst.
A calm voice came from the house, “What is it?”
Xu Yao paused, then extinguished the torch, “Your Highness, it seems a palace servant is approaching.”
Xiahou Bo sighed and reluctantly said goodbye to Xie Yong’er.
Once everyone had left, with even Xie Yong’er’s footsteps fading, Yu Wanyin finally gasped for air, clutching her chest tightly.
Xu Yao had seen her but chose to deceive Prince Duan. Their plan to sow discord was a great success!
Yu Wanyin tried to recall the original text, wondering how Xie Yong’er would infiltrate Noble Consort Wei’s palace to steal the relic. But the next day, her maid Xiao Mei indignantly reported, “I heard that Concubine Xie and a few others went to visit Noble Consort Wei and kept bad-mouthing you!”
Yu Wanyin, “…”
So they rely on badmouthing me.
Badmouthing me while stealing the relic, you’re something else, Xie Yong’er.
By the afternoon, the situation took a dramatic turn. Noble Consort Wei made a big fuss, leading a team of guards on a search through the inner palace. She searched every consort she had hosted that morning, causing a great commotion, even alarming the Empress Dowager.
When asked, Noble Consort Wei claimed she had lost a piece of jewellery and suspected theft. She then spoke privately with the Empress Dowager. It was obvious the relic was missing.
The Empress Dowager, realising the gravity of the situation, turned a blind eye, allowing her to continue the commotion.
As a result, countless eunuchs were whipped, and countless maids were slapped.
Yu Wanyin did not go to watch the chaos, instead, she stayed in a side hall eating melon seeds. Unexpectedly, a maid came to report that a thief had been caught in her courtyard.
Yu Wanyin went to the courtyard and saw a strange little eunuch cornered, trembling with his head down, refusing to say why he had sneaked in.
Yu Wanyin, having become accustomed to suspecting Xie Yong’er first in any situation, quickly guessed the plot.
She glanced at a slightly disturbed patch of soil by the eunuch’s feet.
Yu Wanyin smiled and kindly let the little eunuch go, then dismissed everyone. Once alone, she dug up the soil and found an irregularly shaped bead.
Hiding the stolen goods in my palace, so if discovered, the blame could be shifted. You’re something else, Xie Yong’er.
Later, Consort Wei’s commotion grew larger and eventually arrived at Yu Wanyin’s residence.
Noble Consort Wei brought the largest entourage against Yu Wanyin, with one team digging three feet deep in the courtyard, another team ransacking her inner chambers, and another team holding Yu Wanyin to pat her down.
“The Emperor answers to the Empress Dowager now.” Noble Consort Wei sneered, “No one can save you now, you little wench!”
“How unexpected, I have retired early for the day.” Xiahou Dan said.
Noble Consort Wei, “?”
Noble Consort Wei was dragged away.
Late at night, Yu Wanyin handed a food box to her maid, “Take this to Concubine Xie, tell her it’s a midnight snack I made for her.”
When Xie Yong’er opened the food box, it was a plain white bun.
She crumbled the bun and found the relic inside.
The next morning at court, a representative from Prince Duan’s faction accused Imperial Tutor Wei of embezzlement and obstruction of justice, with conclusive evidence and witnesses.
He was sent to the Imperial Court of Justice, and Noble Consort Wei was sent to the Cold Palace.
On her way to the library, Yu Wanyin encountered a group of consorts, with Xie Yong’er among them.
For years Xiahou Dan had either ignored or killed his concubines and everyone had silently endured it. But with the sudden emergence of Yu Wanyin, whose favour starkly contrasted their misery, caused great resentment to grow within them.
Seeing her, the most senior Consort Shu started, “Ha, with Noble Consort Wei fallen, someone must be feeling smug. But who knows how long these good days will last…”
Instinctively, Yu Wanyin looked around to see if Xiahou Dan would suddenly appear to drag someone away.
Xiahou Dan was not there.
Consort Shu grew more sarcastic, “Is Consort Yu waiting for someone? Do you really think so? “
“Elder sister, mind your words.”
It was Xie Yong’er who spoke.
The consort felt embarrassed for being advised in such a nonchalant manner, glared hatefully at Yu Wanyin, before leaving with her entourage.
Xie Yong’er lingered at the end, glancing back at Yu Wanyin.
Yu Wanyin smiled kindly.
Xie Yong’er hesitated before mouthing, “Thank you.”
That day, Yu Wanyin and Xiahou Dan deeply analysed the eavesdropping incident during their work at the Silk Spider Cave, concluding that Prince Duan was still the original character.
“That makes it easier,” Xiahou Dan said, “He doesn’t know the script, so we can fully exploit this advantage.”
“Also, Xu Yao will go easy on me,” Yu Wanyin added, “He’s clearly having doubts about Prince Duan. In the original, he was a strategist favoured by him. If we can get him to work for us, he’d be worth ten men.”
Xiahou Dan agreed, “But we need to thoroughly estrange them.”
Yu Wanyin continued, “Now that Imperial Tutor Wei is in prison, Xu Yao would surely investigate his father’s case and might even interrogate Imperial Tutor Wei himself. If we want to frame Prince Duan, we need to prepare in advance to avoid mistakes. Why don’t you go to the Imperial Court of Justice and bait him into a confession?”
“That sounds feasible. Actually, my men have already found Elder Xu, but he’s old and weak. After being tormented into madness during his exile, he’s unable to recognize anyone.”
“Tragic.”
“Very tragic.”
Yu Wanyin sighed, “He shouldn’t suffer in vain. Let’s frame Prince Duan for poisoning Elder Xu on his way back, and that’s what made him like this?”
Xiahou Dan praised the idea, “Brilliant.”
The villains high-fived.
The prison of the Imperial Court of Justice, used for detaining high-ranking officials. Security grew increasingly tighter as one went deeper. The deepest cells were pitch dark, lit only by a few torches.
Imperial Tutor Wei huddled in a corner. Hearing footsteps, he looked out and saw two embroidered dragon-embroidered court boots.
Imperial Tutor Wei was stunned, hurriedly knelt, and entered the stage of pleading with the tyrant, “Your Majesty, I was wronged! I have been loyal and only wished to ease Your Majesty’s worries, but those villains…”
Xiahou Dan cut him off after a few words, fast-forwarding, “Do one last thing for me, and I will ensure your family’s safety.”
Imperial Tutor Wei knew he was doomed and hastily squeezing out tears, “Please hear my plea! At that time, the Salt Inspector…”
“Do you know who betrayed you?” Xiahou Dan interrupted again.
Imperial Tutor Wei, “…”
Imperial Tutor Wei, trembling, looked up. The Emperor’s face was shrouded in darkness, a mere silhouette. Yet, he was certain that the expression on this face was not that of the tyrant he knew.
“The one who betrayed you,” Xiahou Dan continued, “was ordered by Prince Duan, and the evidence collected by Xu Yao. You might not remember him, he is Elder Xu’s son, now a strategist for Prince Duan. He is very skilled in scheming.”
Imperial Tutor Wei was shocked, “He’s still alive?”
Xiahou Dan sneered, “When Elder Xu fell from grace, Prince Duan secretly saved Xu Yao, grooming him to see you as a lifelong enemy. They’ve been plotting for years to bring you down.”
Imperial Tutor Wei lowered his head, biting his lips until they bled.
Xiahou Bo!
He heard the Emperor’s cold, almost bored voice, “Funny isn’t it? My good Imperial Brother used you to eliminate the Xu family, and now he’s using the Xu family to eliminate you. Truly balanced, beyond comparison.”
Imperial Tutor Wei felt faint.
The Emperor knew.
The Emperor knew?!
Years ago, when he joined the Empress Dowager’s faction, he was too timid and useless to rise to any power. Prince Duan had been the one to privately advise him to impeach Elder Xu, even helping forge flawless evidence.
In his career, Imperial Tutor Wei had only done one thing where he could gain wealth in the midst of danger.
And he had succeeded, gaining favour with the Empress Dowager and rising to power.
And all this time, the Emperor watched everything quietly as if watching a play?
Imperial Tutor Wei shivered, utterly despondent, losing the courage to defend himself, “I deserve to die… I have no way out. I only ask, how did Your Majesty know about this?”
Had the tyrant, whom they had all been treating as a fool, been feigning madness?
But if he knew everything, why endure and let them eliminate the loyal ministers?
“Oh, I was just guessing. Got you to admit it, didn’t I.”
Imperial Tutor Wei, “…”
Imperial Tutor Wei, “?”
Xiahou Dan walked away, “If Xu Yao asks, tell him the truth. Consider it for your family’s sake.”
Yu Wanyin was at the library as usual when a servant came upstairs to report, “Lady Yu, someone downstairs without a permit says he has urgent business with you. He has refused to give his name, saying you’ll recognize him upon meeting him.”
Yu Wanyin descended a few steps and saw a strange, handsome young man looking up at her.
Yu Wanyin, “…”
Bro, who are you?
The young man bowed, “Consort Yu.”
Yu Wanyin, “!”
That bitter voice. It was Xu Yao!
Xu Yao had come without disguising himself, showing his true face.
Yu Wanyin’s heart sank, she had a bad feeling about this.
“Come on up.” She turned and dismissed the palace servants, and got straight to the point, “What’s the matter?”
She hadn’t expected him to arrive so quickly. Just earlier today, she had been discussing the details of bringing back Elder Xu with Xiahou Dan. The staged ambush hadn’t even been arranged yet.
Most importantly, they hadn’t prepared an escape route for Xu Yao yet, allowing for him to switch sides and join another faction safely.
This guy was in a hurry, not even disguising himself this time. Could it be that there are pursuers behind him?
As soon as Xu Yao spoke, he seemed to confirm her ominous suspicion, “I urgently need to see His Majesty. Can you facilitate that, Lady Yu?”
Yu Wanyin replied, “I don’t have the authority to bring people into the palace. We’ll be stopped. How about you wait here while I’ll go fetch His Majesty. The library is guarded, and no one can enter without an order. You’ll be safe here.”
Surprised that she hinted at pursuers, Xu Yao asked, “Lady Yu also knows too?”
“If it’s about Elder Xu,” Yu Wanyin said, “I have some idea.”
Xu Yao sighed, “The Lady is truly trusted by His Majesty. I have been investigating my father’s wrongful case from years ago, but it seems Prince Duan has long been prepared to eliminate me. Just now, when I returned to my own bedchamber, I drank a sip of tea and noticed an odd taste. I then felt a burning pain in my abdomen. I realised I had been poisoned…”
“Wait a moment! You’ve been poisoned?” Yu Wanyin examined Xu Yao carefully and noticed his forehead was covered in cold sweat.
Yu Wanyin abruptly stood up, “Let’s not talk about this now. I’ll go find the imperial physician.”
Xu Yao grabbed her arm, “Prince Duan has already decided to kill me. I have no way out. I stole a carriage and escaped through the back door, temporarily evading my pursuers, but I couldn’t enter the palace directly. I had no choice but to come here. Lady Yu, I have only one request before I die.”
“Let’s calm down first. You’ll be fine,” Yu Wanyin tried to reassure him.
Xu Yao staggered, blood oozing from his lips.
Yu Wanyin was about to call for help again when Xu Yao firmly held her back, speaking quickly he said, “I’ve served Prince Duan for many years. I know all his plans. If His Majesty can save my father, this Xu Yao will surely repay this favour.”
Yu Wanyin hurriedly reassured him, “Don’t worry, His Majesty’s word is trustworthy. Elder Xu is already on his way home.”
Tears welled up in Xu Yao’s eyes, “My father… My father has always hoped that His Majesty would be a good Emperor. If he returns, he will surely devote his life’s knowledge to assisting His Majesty.”
He seemed afraid they would renege on their promise and was eager to prove his father’s worth.
Yu Wanyin felt a pang of sadness but didn’t tell him that Elder Xu had already gone senile. She gently replied, “His Majesty values Elder Xu’s talent greatly.”
Xu Yao nodded, suddenly coughing up blood. “The pursuers will be here soon. Lady Yu, I’ve written many of Prince Duan’s plans in a book…”
Suddenly, screams from the palace servants downstairs interrupted them, “Fire!”
Xiahou Bo had not sent anyone to kill Xu Yao.
Xiahou Bo had simply set a fire, intending to burn down Xu Yao, any secrets he might carry, and the library where he sought refuge, leaving nothing behind.
Yu Wanyin looked out the window and saw that the fire spread evenly. It encircled the library without leaving any gaps.
A few guards lay dead nearby. Clearly, it was a team from Prince Duan’s elite forces who set the fire, quickly overpowering the guards and doused the wooden structure in oil. The fire spread rapidly, fanned by the wind, and began rapidly climbing up towards the second floor.
Far away, some servants were bringing buckets, but with antiquated firefighting equipment, they were more likely to save themselves than to save others.
Yu Wanyin was choked by the smoke, tears streaming down her face, as she returned to Xu Yao. “It’s all on fire downstairs, we can’t jump from the window. We must go down the stairs and run out!”
Recalling fire evacuation tips from school, she peeled off a layer of clothing and doused it with a teapot, then began to strip Xu Yao’s clothes. “Take them off!”
Xu Yao was already unsteady and collapsed when she pushed him.
Yu Wanyin, “…”
The library was full of flammable materials, and downstairs was a sea of fire with constant cries from the attendants.
Xu Yao continued to cough up blood but remained surprisingly composed. “Prepare while you listen to me.”
Yu Wanyin’s eyes welled with tears as she trembled, reaching for her handkerchief and dampening it as instructed.
Xu Yao continued, ‘Prince Duan didn’t expect that I hadn’t brought that book with me. It’s in the Wei residence, where I casually hid it when I was investigating.’
The scalding hot tea had cooled. Yu Wanyin wrapped her wet clothes around herself and covered her nose and mouth with a damp handkerchief.
Xu Yao added, “In the kitchen, three feet outside the back window, you can dig down. Prince Duan will be watching you so don’t go immediately, wait at least seven days…”
Yu Wanyin bent down to run down the stairs.
Xu Yao’s voice grew fainter. “Escape, don’t linger if you meet anyone. Go find His Majesty… survive…”
The library was built near water to prevent fires.
Now, palace attendants were pouring water from the pool towards the main entrance, barely holding back the blaze there. The flames, fanned by the wind, swiftly ascended, threatening the second floor.
At that moment, palace servants fetched water from the pool, pouring it on the flames at the main entrance. Finally, they managed to contain the fire, shouting into the building. Suddenly, a figure dashed out, clothes already aflame.
Yu Wanyin passed all the palace attendants and jumped straight into the pond.
“Consort Yu!” The palace attendants hurriedly reached out, pulling her back to shore.
Yu Wanyin’s hair was scorched, and her skin stung painfully in several places. standing there in shock, her eyes vacant. The voice of Xu Yao echoed in her ears, “Don’t linger if you meet anyone…”
An alarmed palace maid approached to assist her.
Yu Wanyin saw everyone around her as grotesque figures, pushing away the palace maid and staggered towards the palace.
She didn’t know where she was running to, only that she couldn’t stop, like there was a flood of fierce beasts at her heels.
Exhausted, Yu Wanyin stumbled and fell, barely maintaining consciousness.
As she lifted her head, she saw someone she least wanted to encounter.
Xie Yong’er was stunned by her appearance.
Previously, unable to evade the search by Noble Consort Wei, she had to send someone to hide the relics in Yu Wanyin’s courtyard. The best case was if it was not discovered at all but if it was, then Yu Wanyin could take the fall.
Her plan was well thought out, but she didn’t anticipate the inexperienced eunuch who ended up getting caught in the act.
Upon hearing the tearful report from the eunuch, Xie Yong’er knew she had lost. Yu Wanyin would surely suspect her, given her prior offences. With Consort Yu’s favour and affection from the Emperor, she could seal her fate with just one word.
However, Yu Wanyin didn’t accuse her.
She had even returned the relic to her.
Why?
Did Yu Wanyin truly not want to contend with her?
Was it because I altered the storyline, preventing her from falling in love with Prince Duan, so she simply didn’t blacken?
If she didn’t blacken, wouldn’t that mean that I have become the biggest villain?
Xie Yong’er felt extremely conflicted.
While she had been wrestling with thoughts of Yu Wanyin, she suddenly heard the maidservant say the library was on fire. Xie Yong’er was shocked, hadn’t Yu Wanyin been compiling books there?
Was the main character’s storyline leading straight to a fatal ending?
Unable to believe it, Xie Yong’er ran towards the book depository and encountered the dishevelled Yu Wanyin on the way.
Their eyes met, and Yu Wanyin seemed to weigh her options then, trembling as she reached out, she gasped, “Sister, help me.”
Xie Yong’er was taken aback but slowly walked over to help her up.
Yu Wanyin said, “Take me to see His Majesty…”
“Are you injured?” Xie Yong’er replied, ‘This won’t do, I’ll go call someone to carry you.’
“Don’t go, don’t leave me.” Yu Wanyin clung to her desperately.
“?”
Do we have this kind of relationship?
“Ladies.” A warm voice behind them suddenly said.
Yu Wanyin felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. Her legs weakened, barely holding herself up with Xie Yong’er’s support to avoid collapsing on the spot.
Yu Wanyin felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head. Her knees went weak and the only thing stopping her from collapsing was the support of Xie Yong’er.
Xiahou Bo approached them with concern, assisting Xie Yong’er in supporting Yu Wanyin, “I heard about the fire at the library and sent guards to help extinguish it. Fortunately, Your Ladyship is blessed and managed to escape. Where are you injured?
Yu Wanyin’s lips trembled, unable to speak.
Xiahou Bo simply lifted her up, his movements purposeful, as if he wanted to check her for something hidden under her clothes. “I’ll take Lady Yu back to rest.”
Yu Wanyin looked into his calm eyes for a long time before finally finding her voice, “… Thank you, Your Highness.”
Xiahou Bo carried her for a few steps while Yu Wanyin struggled to look back at Xie Yong’er.
Your man is holding me in his arms. Aren’t you jealous? Hurry up and stop him! I’m begging you!
Xie Yong’er lowered her eyes, concealing her envy, she gently said, “Your Highness is considerate. I will accompany you.”
Yu Wanyin: Thankyouthankyouthankyou, please don’t leave.
Xiahou Bo said gently, “No need. Please go find a physician, Lady Xie.”
Xie Yong’er glanced at him, visibly hurt but didn’t want to show too much jealousy And reluctantly said, “Okay,” before turning away.
Yu Wanyin’s heart beat loudly in her ears..
Xiahou Bo continued calmly, “Lady Yu seems to be trembling.”
Yu Wanyin struggled to gather her remaining composure. “…my burns hurt a bit.”
“My Lady has suffered. I was too late.”
Why couldn’t you have been more later?
Yu Wanyin felt she was on the verge of a mental breakdown. On the one hand, she was guarding against him from strangling her at any moment, while on the other, she had to pretend to have the original good’s lovestruck demeanour, gently leaning into him, “You came, so I’m feeling better.”
Xiahou Bo smiled. “I thought Lady Yu had changed a lot after entering the palace, but it seems that she’s still the same.”
“Does Your Highness want me to change?” Yu Wanyin complained.
Xiahou Bo glanced at her and said calmly, “I hope Lady Yu will stay the same as when we first met, unafraid of me.”
Yu Wanyin: ‘…’
Who was the one who almost burned me to death huh?
“Accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger.” Xiahou Bo said calmly, his words carrying a hint of danger. “Rather than me, Lady Yu should fear His Majesty. Birds of a feather flock together, and those who share the same heart suffer together. If Lady Yu can treat me with sincerity, I will do my utmost to protect her.”
Yu Wanyin tilted her head, “What is Your Highness saying? I don’t understand.”
I understand, I understand you loud and clear. This guy stopped short of saying ‘watch where you stand, join me and prosper or oppose me and perish’
Yu Wanyin pretended to be stupid, and Xiahou Bo smiled, “Lady is indeed clever. By the way, I forgot to return the favour for the ink drawing treasure I requested from you last time…”
Their conversation was interrupted by hurried footsteps.
Yu Wanyin turned her head to see a group of guards surrounding Xiahou Bo.
The tyrant with a frosty face walked in the front. “Let her go.”
Dead silence.
Really, that line was way too cliche. Two more cheesy lines popped into Yu Wanyin’s cliche mind in response. One was ‘if you want to see her alive, get me a car and a million in cash. Come alone.’ and ‘Ha, come on and fight me if you dare, you can’t match my looks.’
Xiahou Bo did not go the cheesy route.
He gently put down Yu Wanyin and bowed, “Seeing the Lady injured, I lost my manners in my haste. My apologies, Your Highness…”
Xiahou Dan didn’t bother listening and strode forward, taking off his outer robe to wrap around the soaked Yu Wanyin.
Yu Wanyin, a mere corporate sheep, had never faced such a situation before and had only been barely holding on until now. She relaxed when she finally saw her ally and let out a breath. Just as she did so, her vision went dark as if someone had turned off the lights, and she was instantly engulfed in darkness.
Her last memory was falling straight into Xiahou Dan’s arms.
Yu Wanyin drifted in and out of consciousness for several days with a mild fever. When she woke, she was lying in her own side hall, her throat parched to the point of cracking.
The sky was dark and it was pouring outside. A flickering bronze lamp hung by her bed where Xiahou Dan sat with his back towards her, stirring a bowl of bitter medicine with a spoon.
This back view had never brought her such peace.
Yu Wanyin stared at him for a while, then shifted her gaze to the palace lamp, following the flickering candlelight.
Xiahou Dan turned his head and was taken aback, “You’re awake? That’s great. You have minor burns and was soaked in dirty water. I was really worried their medicine wouldn’t prevent an infection. Fortunately, your wounds are small and are already healing.”
Yu Wanyin said nothing.
Xiahou Dan helped her sit up. “Quick, drink the medicine. Just think of it as drinking water to reduce the fever… Hey, why are you crying?”
“Thank goodness you transmigrated here too.” Yu Wanyin choked up.
Facing death* up close for the first time, the impact was too much, and she felt like she’s been traumatised.
*Original text was 她PTSD了 which directly translates to ‘she’s PTSD already’ but I think it means that she’s been traumatised.
Since arriving in this hell place, she’s felt like she had been floating in a sense of unreality, like sleepwalking on a cloud. But now, with the dream shattered, she clearly saw the abyss beneath her feet.
If she didn’t have someone like him by her side, she didn’t know whether fear or loneliness would crush her first.
Even his few words provided immense comfort. His words referred to a familiar yet distant homeland, like a blurry coastline in a telescope. Though unreachable, it was a coordinate, making her believe she hadn’t gone mad.
Even his few words brought immense comfort. His choice of words pointed to a familiar yet distant homeland, like a blurry coastline seen through a telescope. Although it was unreachable, it was at least something tangible, letting her know that she hadn’t gone mad.
Xiahou Dan tried to console her but couldn’t stop her tears, so he quietly watched her cry.
In the stormy weather and a dim lamp light, he looked as despondent as she felt.
After she calmed down a bit, Xiahou Dan scooped another spoonful of medicine and handed it to her, speaking gently, “Several palace servants from the library escaped and have been sent for treatment. Xu Yao… the coroner said he died from poisoning before the fire burned him, so he didn’t suffer twice.”
Hearing Xu Yao’s name, Yu Wanyin felt another pang in her heart.
Xiahou Dan continued, “They caught the arsonist, but he’s just a scapegoat we can’t trace back to Prince Duan. Elder Xu has been retrieved and placed in a suburban manor. He poses no threat to anyone now and should live out his remaining years in peace. By the way, it was indeed Prince Duan who framed him.”
He recounted the conversation he had with Imperial Tutor Wei in the prison.
”So, we intended to frame Prince Duan, but it turns out it was actually his fault all along?” Yu Wanyin asked.
“That’s right.”
For a moment, Yu Wanyin had a vague thought: How could Xiahou Dan guess so accurately? He hadn’t even read the original story and had deduced the hidden truth, which wasn’t even mentioned in the original, just from the little information she provided. Was this the prowess of a domineering CEO?
But the thought quickly passed. Yu Wanyin realised it wouldn’t hurt to assume the worst about Prince Duan.
Originally, she had grand ambitions of becoming the greatest villain in this story, but after a few rounds with Xiahou Dan, she found she had a long way to go.
Yu Wanyin said, “Xu Yao mentioned he left us a book that could deal with Prince Duan.”
She softly relayed Xu Yao’s last words, and Xiahou Dan listened silently, his face pale.
He turned to the candle light. “What happens to Xu Yao in the original story?”
“I think he stays with Prince Duan and becomes a civil official.”
Xiahou Dan laughed mockingly. “So, we killed him.”
Yu Wanyin, who had just finished blowing her nose, felt her nose sting again, “Don’t think like that. If we followed the original, he would be kept in the dark all his life, working like a horse for his enemy.”
Xiahou Dan still looked dejected, rubbing his temples he said, “I didn’t monitor the situation properly and you got hurt for nothing…”
Yu Wanyin didn’t understand why he seemed more downcast than she was, so she mustered the courage to comfort him. “It wasn’t all for nothing. At least we got Xu Yao’s clue. In a few days, we can retrieve the book. Hopefully, his notes are detailed enough because I don’t remember the original text’s details.”
“I was wondering,” Xiahou Dan muttered, rubbing his temples, “does anything we do actually matter? In this novel, the villain’s fate seems predestined don’t they? The more we struggle, the more pathetic it is. Maybe we should just eat, drink, enjoy ourselves and wait for the end…”
No, no, no, bro you can’t give up so soon. I don’t want to die yet!
Yu Wanyin panicked, searching for words to persuade him. “It matters, of course it does. We can’t let the world fall into the hands of villains. Your fate is in your own hands, not the heavens! There are still many chances to turn things around! Like the drought in the original. We can surely find drought-resistant crops. “
She was stumped.
The library burned down. Where would she find information now?
Yu Wanyin felt dejected, “On second thought, living carefreely until the end isn’t so bad.”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
“Why don’t you hold on a bit longer.” Xiahou Dan suggested.
The Empress Dowager deigned to visit her in person to offer her sympathy.
The specific condolence process was as follows:
Empress Dowager said, “I heard you’ve suffered a lot. Do you know who set the fire? Your prominence has aroused jealousy. After this, you should realize the Emperor won’t protect you…” She launched into a classic speech.
“I heard you’ve suffered a lot this time. Do you know who started the fire? Your prominence has attracted too much attention and envy. After this ordeal, you should understand that the Emperor won’t protect you…” (the next 500 lines of cliche dialogue are omitted)
Yu Wanyin, “?”
“Yes, yes.” Yu Wanyin said.
The Empress Dowager loudly sighed, “In this inner palace, every woman who gains a bit of favour thinks she’s made it, but they don’t understand how fickle the Emperor’s heart is…” (the next 500 lines of cliche dialogue are omitted)
Yu Wanyin couldn’t fast-forward her, so she zoned out, nodding mechanically.
“You don’t think you can take the place of Noble Consort Wei just because she’s fallen, do you? Noble Consort Wei could flaunt her power because she had a strong family backing and my protection. Even when she got into trouble, she only had to stay in the Cold Palace for a while. What official position does your father hold? Keep in mind…” (the next 500 lines of cliche dialogue are omitted)
“Right right.”
The Empress Dowager poked Yu Wanyin’s cheek with her lacquered nail. “A woman must live wisely. A good bird chooses the right tree. Listen to me, and I’ll take care of you.”
“Okay, okay.” Yu Wanyin nodded.
The Empress Dowager left Yu Wanyin’s side hall in the morning and by the afternoon, heard the palace servants report, “His Majesty has promoted Consort Yu to Noble Consort.”
Empress Dowager, “?”
Noble Consort Yu was personally escorted to the Noble Consort’s residence by the Emperor.
This palace originally belonged to Noble Consort Wei and was the most luxurious place in the harem. Now, to welcome its new owner, it had been redecorated from top to bottom, looking like a palace of pearls and jade, lavish and magnificent, like a fairy-tale mansion.
Yu Wanyin had come so far, and all the palace servants who had been coldly watching to see when she would fall now changed their attitudes, starting to seriously study her every word and action, trying to figure out what extraordinary abilities she possessed to so firmly capture the tyrant’s heart.
But it was the tyrant who spoke along the way.
“Beloved consort, this place is heavily guarded and I’ve assigned Shadow Guards to you. No one will have the chance to harm you again.”
Yu Wanyin knew he was speaking for the surrounding palace servants to hear, “His Majesty is so good to me.”
They had compiled the list of Shadow Guards during a meeting last night. Xiahou Dan said, “Let’s upgrade security for now. Did the original text mention a few imperial guards who were always loyal to me?”
Yu Wanyin tried hard to recall, “Those imperial guards who help you execute people. They never betrayed you and died protecting you.”
And so, the Shadow Guards were assigned overnight.
Xiahou Dan said, “Beloved consort, look at this courtyard, is it spacious enough? Do you need it expanded? If you get tired of hotpot, you can raise some fish in this pond and set up a grill nearby for barbecues.”
Yu Wanyin, “?”
Is this beloved consort you’re talking about yourself?
Yu Wanyin clapped her hands in agreement, “How did Your Majesty know that I love to eat?”
The surrounding palace attendants secretly sneered. Such an act of cuteness and innocence was way too low-class. Even a newly entered talent in the palace wouldn’t act like this anymore, let alone a femme fatale consort who could bring disaster to the country.
Xiahou Dan smiled, “My beloved consort has a pure heart.”
The attendants’ breathing quickened.
The tyrant was not fit for high-level play!
After a few days of indulgence, eating, drinking, and having fun at her heart’s content, Yu Wanyin felt uncomfortable all over. A workaholic like her had never been one to be a layabout for so long. With no modern entertainment in these ancient times, lying in the sun every day made her back ache.
She cursed her fate for not being born to enjoy luxury and felt even more envious when she saw Xiahou Dan enjoying himself so much.
After finishing their barbecue and drinking, Yu Wanyin said, “President Dan, let’s go out of the palace.”
“To have fun?” Xiahou Dan asked.
“No, I’ve figured out a way to bypass Prince Wang and to get Xu Yao’s book.” Yu Wanyin replied
Xiahou Dan frowned at her, “Weren’t we going to wait around to die?”
“Waiting to die is also quite boring, why not struggle a bit more?”
“……”
Yu Wanyin, “Look, if we sneak out of the palace in disguise now, Prince Duan will definitely tail us. But we can fake him out by not going to the Wei manor first, instead, we’re going to look for someone else.”
“Who?”
“Last time we talked about those loyal to you, I thought of him. In these kinds of novels, there’s usually a character with extraordinary martial skills, and fortunately, he has a deep connection with you in this book.”
An hour later, two impoverished looking scholars walked into the bustling market streets, followed by several highly skilled Shadow Guards who were also disguised as scholars.
After disguising himself, Xiahou Dan’s face looked sallow. Using a paper fan to cover his mouth, he whispered, “Although theoretically, the Empress Dowager and Prince Duan haven’t settled their scores and wouldn’t dare to act recklessly yet, is it really okay if we walk around like this? We’re practically sitting ducks.”
Yu Wanyin, “It’s not, but there’s no other way. but to find that person, you have to show up personally.”
Yu Wanyin observed him. He not only looked impoverished but also malnourished.
“This person is called Bei Zhou. He was childhood friends with your mother, the late Empress Cizhen, and served as her bodyguard when they were young. He probably always secretly loved her. That chapter was too melodramatic, so I just skimmed through it. Anyway, after your mother entered the palace, she suddenly died. Bei Zhou believed someone in the palace harmed her, so he left. Filled with hatred, he left for the countryside, had some adventures, and became an unparalleled martial arts master.”
Yu Wanyin took a breath, “In ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ he returned to the capital to see the son of his old friend. i.e., you. But he found the situation chaotic, so he stayed hidden in the capital, looking for opportunities to protect you. However, he appeared too late and couldn’t change the ending despite causing some trouble for Prince Duan.”
“So you want to find him in advance?”
“Yes, because Xie Yong’er only has the script of ‘A Thousand Trees Bloom at Night in the East Wind’ and doesn’t know the plot of ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort.’ or that Bei Zhou exists. You can consider him a secret weapon to steal the book from the Wei manor. With his skills, he should succeed.”
Actually, there were other uses for this person, but Yu Wanyin didn’t want to explain everything to him.
Yu Wanyin stopped, “We’re here.”
Xiahou Dan looked up.
The Red Delight House.
Xiahou Dan, “?”
“Let’s go in.” Yu Wanyin turned and waved to the Shadow Guards, “Don’t be shy, all of you come in.”
Shadow Guards, “?”
“So when you said he was hiding in the capital, you meant…”
“The book said he was in a brothel.” Yu Wanyin said.
“This… isn’t right.”
“Aiya, it’s fine. It also serves to mislead Duan Wang into thinking you’re living in debauchery. Let’s go, let’s go, I’m not scared, so what are you afraid of?”
As Xiahou Dan was pulled through the door by her, a strong scent of powder immediately hit their faces. Stood by the door was an old madam who looked like those classic matchmakers with a beauty mark on her face. With a handkerchief in her hand, she disdainfully eyed them up and down. “Did you two come to the wrong place?”
Yu Wanyin looked around and shyly handed her a handful of silver, “We’re here to take the imperial exams and wanted to broaden our horizons.”
The madam’s face lit up with a smile, “Alright, please head upstairs young masters!”
Yu Wanyin waved grandly and led the guards to a private room.
“…How are you so good at this?” Xiahou Dan asked.
“Maybe because I read too much trashy literature.” Yu Wanyin replied.
Moments later, they were surrounded by fragrant and soft women.
In Yu Wanyin’s arms was a young beauty who fed her grapes as she let out a practised, lecherous laugh.
Xiahou Dan’s mouth twitched as he whispered to her. “How long do we need to stay? How do you plan on finding Bei Zhou?”
“I don’t remember his physical description, but there are only a few men in this brothel so it shouldn’t be too difficult. Plus, according to the novel, you look a lot like your mother. He should be able to recognize you.”
Xiahou Dan pointed to his sallow fake face, “Do you see the problem here?”
Yu Wanyin, “…”
Yu Wanyin turned to the little beauty in her arms, “How many male attendants do you have here?”
The little beauty was surprised, “Why is this master asking? I can’t remember exactly, four or five at most.”
“Are any of them relatively new and well-built?” Yu Wanyin continued asking.
A dark light flashed in the young beauty’s eyes.
She smiled coyly, “I joined later, so I’m not sure. Sir, have some wine.”
She turned to pour Yu Wanyin some wine.
In those few seconds, many things happened.
The little beauty exchanged a look with another girl.
The Shadow Guard sitting nearby noticed her hand movements and was about to act.
Yu Wanyin hurriedly poked Xiahou Dan.
Xiahou Dan shot a warning glance, signalling them to stay calm.
The Shadow Guards remained seated, exchanging looks.
The little beauty finished pouring the wine and handed it to Yu Wanyin.
Yu Wanyin pretended to take a sip, “Good, good.”
Other guests in the room were also served wine. The Shadow Guards discreetly sniffed it, detected something but pretended to drink, listened to music for a while, then ‘fainted’.
Yu Wanyin and Xiahou Dan saw their reactions and guessed it was a knockout drug, so they followed suit and collapsed.
The little beauty stood up and coldly said, “Go get mama*.”
*妈妈: it’s mama as in referring to you mum. In this case they’re not blood related but they’re close enough to call each other that.
The madam soon arrived with others. “Tie them up then wake them with cold water.” She ordered.
Yu Wanyin was surprised. They were just inquiring about a male attendant, why such a big reaction from the brothel? Could it be that others here knew of Bei Zhou’s identity? It shouldn’t be. According to the book, Bei Zhou kept his identity well hidden.
She felt something was off and wanted to observe more, so she kept quiet. The Shadow Guards, awaiting orders, continued to play dead.
A basin of cold water was splashed on them, making Yu Wanyin cough and open her eyes.
“Who sent you?” The Madam asked.
Xiahou Dan looked at Yu Wanyin and angrily said, “We were just asking randomly, is this how you treat guests?”
The Madam sneered, “You won’t answer? Then you’ll stay here until you do.”
She left them in the room, ordering the door to be locked.
Once the others left, the Shadow Guards pulled out short daggers from their sleeves, cut each other’s ropes, and then knelt down to untie Xiahou Dan and Yu Wanyin.
Xiahou Dan rubbed his wrists and sat back in the chair, “What next?”
“Climb out the window to find him?” Yu Wanyin suggested
“…Alright.”
A Shadow Guard quickly said, “Your Majesty and Noble Consort, please rest here. We will search.” Two of them climbed out, while the rest stayed by the door and window.
Yu Wanyin looked at Xiahou Dan, “You’ve been away from the palace for too long, you should go back. I’ll stay here and check things out.”
“No rush. If we find him, I’ll need to reveal my face to him.”
Yu Wanyin sat next to him, picked up a fruit plate and started eating the grapes, “Want some?”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
“Why do I feel like you’re having fun?”
Just days ago, she looked half-dead. How did she get her energy back so quickly?
“Whether you’re happy or not, a day is still a day. That’s the rule of survival for us corporate sheep.”
She patted Xiahou Dan, “President Dan, you’re too used to the world revolving around you. The psychological gap is too big. Unlike us, we’re used to working for three months for feedback like ‘the first draft was better’. Keep a calm mind and we’ll survive to the end, okay?”
Yu Wanyin waited for a response but got none. She didn’t mind and started cracking melon seeds. Before she could offer some, he suddenly said, “Alright.”
“Alright what?” Yu Wanyin asked.
Xiahou Dan smiled but said nothing.
The lookout guard suddenly pressed his ear to the door and whispered, “Someone’s coming.”
The people from the brothel are back so soon? Without having time to think, everyone in the room quickly sat back in their original positions, hands behind their backs, with only a small segment of the rope showing, pretending to still be tied up.
“What about the two who went out the window?” Yu Wanyin hissed through her teeth.
Before Xiahou Dan could answer, the door opened.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t the same people from before, but an old man holding a broom and with a cloth draped over his shoulder, sweeping the floor.
The old man glanced at them lethargically, then lowered his head and started cleaning up the melon rinds and fruit peels, seemingly uninterested in why there were people tied-up in the room.
Yu Wanyin relaxed her breath, only to tense up again.
She quietly tugged at Xiahou Dan’s clothes and signalled with her eyes: It’s him!
Xiahou Dan: ?
Yu Wanyin frantically blinked: He is Bei Zhou!
Only a true working person can recognize another. This old man had eyes that didn’t belong to an ordinary sweeper. The moment he averted his gaze, the fleeting look in his eyes was like that of a lone wolf.
So Bei Zhou was disguised as an old man in the brothel?
Xiahou Dan seemed to have a suspicion as well. After hesitating for two seconds, he called out, “Hey.”
The old man didn’t lift his head, continuing to wipe the table.
Xiahou Dan raised his voice, “This brother* you look quite familiar.”
*兄台 Xiongtai: brother (polite appellation for a friend one’s age)
The old man stopped his movements and looked at him.
Xiahou Dan continued, “Since fate has brought us together, why don’t we meet honestly and have a frank talk face to face?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the old man’s expression changed. He froze, staring straight at Xiahou Dan. After a few moments of intense eye contact, he put down the cloth and slowly walked towards them.
Seeing the wariness and hint of hostility in his eyes, Yu Wanyin quickly forced a friendly smile, “Don’t misunderstand, we’re all friends here.”
She nudged Xiahou Dan with her shoulder. Xiahou Dan raised his hand to remove his human skin mask, “I am-“
In that split second, many things happened.
As Xiahou Dan moved, the old man suddenly realised he wasn’t tied up and his eyes filled with a fierce light.
Yu Wanyin was startled by the intensity of this light, and in the next moment, the old man had a sharp blade in his hand, aiming straight at Xiahou Dan!
“Watch out!” Yu Wanyin screamed.
A loud crash sounded as the door shattered.
Yu Wanyin reached out to push Xiahou Dan, while the Shadow Guards immediately jumped up to shield him.
But right before their eyes, the old man’s body twisted strangely, as if lifted by an invisible force, and he fell to the side, motionless.
Looking down, a shaken Yu Wanyin saw that a dagger was embedded so deeply in the old man’s neck it almost pierced through to the other side.
The Shadow Guards firmly encircled Xiahou Dan and turned to look at the door.
A big hole had been broken in the door. Everyone was horrified. The dagger had been thrown from outside the door, broke through the wooden door, and still hit the old man’s neck with unerring accuracy, killing him instantly!
What kind of brutal internal strength was that?!
The door was then pushed open.
As they came face-to-face, a dead silence fell over the scene.
Standing outside was the busty, classic-looking madam with a beauty mark on her face.
Everyone, “…”
The madam stared at Xiahou Dan, her voice trembling, “You…”
When she spoke, it was in a man’s voice.
Yu Wanyin looked over and saw that Xiahou Dan had already removed his human skin mask.
A ridiculous thought popped into Yu Wanyin’s head, and she looked at the madam incredulously. “You…”
“Dan’er?” The madam asked.
“Bei Zhou?” Yu Wanyin asked.
Bei Zhou reached up and pulled off the matchmaker’s beauty mark with a pop. His bones cracked as his body visibly grew taller, revealing his true male form in an instant.
Yu Wanyin had read about such bone-shrinking techniques in novels, but the visual impact in real life was still overwhelming.
She was so shocked her brain stopped working, “You- you- you’re Bei Zhou?”
“Dan’er, how did you know I was here?” Bei Zhou asked.
Yu Wanyin looked at the man on the ground, “Who is he? Why did he try to kill us?” she asked.
“Wait, how do you know about me?” Bei Zhou asked.
“Stop. One question at a time.” Xiahou Dan said.
A moment later, everyone sat around a table.
“Answering Uncle Bei’s question first.” Xiahou Dan was quite reading the situation. After seeing Bei Zhou’s skills earlier, he naturally called him ‘uncle’.
“I knew about Uncle Bei because my mother mentioned you in her will*.” Xiahou Dan lied without hesitation.
*Not sure how to translate this. 遗书 Yi Shu seems to translate to ‘suicide note’, ‘final letter’ and ‘posthumous letters’. I just assume these are just letters written by her before she died.
Bei Zhou’s face showed a hint of nostalgia, “What did Nan’er write about me?”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
Yu Wanyin quickly composed an 800-word essay in her mind, full of poetic sentiments and dramatic emotions. with lines like “ten years of dreams to return home,” “longing for each other but unable to be together,” and “even though the mountain alliance exists, the brocade letter is hard to send.”
She signalled Xiahou Dan with her eyes, trying to transfer her thoughts to him, hoping he would understand the spirit of what she had in mind.
Xiahou Dan nodded in understanding.
“She said if I’m ever in danger, I should find you.” Xiahou Dan said.
Yu Wanyin, “…”
What a stupidly straightforward answer! Why not just say ‘Bei Zhou, very useful’?
Bei Zhou’s eyes reddened, “She remembered me.”
Yu Wanyin, “?”
“After I ascended the throne, I sent people to look for you everywhere.” Xiahou Dan explained. “It took many years, but we recently received a lead on your whereabouts, so I decided to try my luck today.” Seeing that this explanation was accepted, he quickly changed the topic, “Uncle Bei, who is the person on the ground?”
“He has been sweeping here for two years.” Bei Zhou answered. “I only became suspicious of him a few days ago because I found this in his room.”
He handed Xiahou Dan a stack of letters.
Yu Wanyin leaned in to look and saw the paper covered with tiny intricate characters, but they weren’t in Chinese characters. It was in some other, unknown language.
“This man is a spy from the Yan Kingdom. His orders were to assassinate nobles and provoke internal conflict in our country. After discovering his correspondence, I secretly observed him these past few days. When you came inquiring about the male workers here today, I thought you were looking for him, so I decided to interrogate you. I didn’t realise something was wrong… until he tried to kill you.”
Xiahou Dan understood, “So he tried to kill us because we were vague, making him think we were here to expose him?”
Yu Wanyin remembered that there was indeed such a spy in the original story, but he ultimately failed. Under Prince Duan’s covert guidance, he assassinated a prominent minister from the Empress Dowager’s faction, benefiting others. He had a miserable ending too, after being captured, he was drawn and quartered.
“The Yan Kingdom has been restless these years,” Bei Zhou said, “it seems they are getting truly desperate. You need to be careful, there may be others like him.”
“Fortunately, Uncle Bei saved me today.” Xiahou Dan sighed sadly. “To be honest, my situation in the palace is very dangerous now, I’m surrounded by enemies…”
Bei Zhou immediately said, “I returned to the capital to protect you, I feared you might not have needed my protection. Don’t worry, Nan’er’s child is my child.”
Yu Wanyin: ?
Bro, aren’t your words a bit dangerous?
Bei Zhou, with a strong sense of chivalry, acted promptly. He transformed back into the madam’s shape, stuck the beauty mark back on, and went outside to tender his resignation.
During his time hiding in the brothel, he had taken care of the unfortunate women there, so he was well-liked. Now, as he said goodbye, the young beauties cried out for “Mama.” with tears in their eyes.
The little beauty who had drugged Xiahou Dan earlier seemed to be his trusted confidante, or perhaps a romantic interest, tearfully asked, “Where are you going? Can you take me with you?”
Bei Zhou frowned. He was going to the palace to protect Xiahou Dan and couldn’t take anyone with him.
Xiahou Dan whispered to him, “I’ll send someone to redeem them and ensure their safety.”
“You are just like Nan’er, as kind as she was.” Bei Zhou was touched.
When they left the brothel. Xiahou Dan put his human skin mask back on, while Bei Zhou washed off his makeup and changed into men’s clothes, blending in with the Shadow Guards. His true appearance was rather elegant and heroic, with the demeanour of a chivalrous warrior
“Uncle Bei, you are truly handsome.” Yu Wanyin praised.
“I prefer being a woman though.” Bei Zhou regretfully said.
Xiahou Dan, “…”
Yu Wanyin, “…”
Did he just say something shocking?
Yu Wanyin couldn’t help but sneak another look at Bei Zhou.
Wasn’t his character supposed to have unrequited love for Xiahou Dan’s mother? Did he suffer so much heartache after his beloved entered the palace that he wandered the world, then…
Yu Wanyin shivered.
While Yu Wanyin was only thinking it in her thoughts, Xiahou Dan however, directly asked, “Uncle Bei, could you tell me about your relationship with my mother?”
“Nan’er is the only one in the world who understood me. She never looked down on me and treated me like a good sister.”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
Yu Wanyin, “…”
“It’s a pity she left so young, leaving you all alone.” Bei Zhou lamented as he looked affectionately at Xiahou Dan, “With Nan’er gone, from now on, this uncle will be your mother.”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
Xiahou Dan, “Thank you, Uncle.”
The group returned to the palace. Bei Zhou was somewhat surprised, “You want me to stay in the Noble Consort’s Palace?”
“Yes, there may be spies around me. The Noble Consort’s Palace has fewer people, which makes it easier to talk freely.” Xiahou Dan said.
Bei Zhou followed behind them, observing the numerous Shadow Guards deployed around the Noble Consort’s Palace, and chuckled, “I didn’t expect the rumours on the streets to be right sometimes.”
“Hmm?” Yu Wanyin said.
Bei Zhou scrutinised her closely, “Dan’er really holds this Noble Consort in his heart.”
“……” You’ve misunderstood. He just needs what I remember in my brain.
Wait, how far has her reputation as a demon consort spread? Was it because she rose through the ranks too quickly?
Yu Wanyin laughed nervously and hid behind Xiahou Dan, lowering her eyes to appear shy.
Unexpectedly, Xiahou Dan seemed even more into the act than her. He reached out and held her hand, earnestly saying to Bei Zhou, “Uncle Bei saw right through us. Let’s not hide much anymore. Please treat her as you would treat me and ensure her safety.”
Yu Wanyin, “?”
Do you need to go that far?
Glancing left and right, Bei Zhou revealed an expression that looked like the maternal smile of an aunt, “Rest assured I will.”
Yu Wanyin’s strange and awkward embarrassment didn’t fully dissipate until late into the night.
Bei Zhou had already gone to the Wei manor to retrieve the book. Xiahou Dan asked if he needed help, but Bei Zhou waved him off, “Bringing more people would only slow me down. Don’t wait up for me, just rest assured.”
Bei Zhou had already gone to Wei Residence to fetch the books. Xiahou Dan asked if he needed help, and Bei Zhou waved him off, “Bringing more people would only slow me down. Don’t wait up for me, just relax and go to bed.”
This sentence finally revealed a hint of arrogance that came from being at the pinnacle of martial strength.
Thus, the ‘Spider Cave Duo’ could only wait for news inside the Noble Consort’s Palace. However, after finishing their candlelit meal and late-night snack, Bei Zhou still hadn’t returned.
Yu Wanyin was getting restless, but Xiahou Dan remained calm as he sipped his wine. “Various forces are watching Wei Residence. He’ll wait until everyone is most relaxed before sneaking in, likely in the latter half of the night.”
“I understand the reasoning. It’s just that since we’ve transmigrated here, many plot points have changed, so I’m feeling uneasy.”
Xu Yao wasn’t supposed to die, and Bei Zhou had lived a long life in the original novel, but who could say for certain?
“Don’t worry. At worst, it’s just one death.” Xiahou Dan said.
“…Thank you, I feel so comforted.” Yu Wanyin replied.
Xiahou Dan chuckled softly with his head down. With a slight blush from the wine, his pale face finally had some colour in it. Under the lamplight, Yu Wanyin stared at him for a few more seconds, feeling a strange sensation rising in her chest again.
Under the soft light, a three-point beauty could be magnified to up to ten points, let alone originally being a fox spirit, who was now on the verge of ascension.
Perhaps it was because she had drunk a little wine with her late-night snack, or because of her full belly, or perhaps it was because of Bei Zhou’s exaggerated reaction earlier.
She suddenly felt that Xiahou Dan was just too good-looking.
Yu Wanyin understood aesthetics, but she dared not indulge in it. Survival came first, and all beauty and ugliness could be ignored.
For example, Prince Duan. Who could say he wasn’t handsome? But whenever Yu Wanyin saw his handsome face, it was like seeing a big red flag* and she just wanted to run away.
*鲜艳的蘑菇: Brightly coloured mushroom, very poisonous.
Strangely, in front of Xiahou Dan, the true villain, her timid prey-like vigilance were becoming weaker and weaker, and she was almost unable to maintain them by instincts alone.
Translation by Spider
Next: Chapter 4
Previous: Chapter 2