How Dare You?! 成何体统 (Cheng He Ti Tong)
By 七英俊 Qi Ying Jun
Translation by Spider
Zhang San’s eyes flew open, his heart pounded wildly.
The sunlight was dazzling, and a voice not too far away was calling out, “Your Highness…”
Zhang San suspected he was dreaming. Five minutes ago, he had been dozing off in math class, secretly scrolling through his phone to stay awake.
Zhang San suspected he was dreaming. Five minutes ago, he had been dozing off in math class, trying to stave off sleepiness by secretly scrolling on his phone. He had randomly clicked on what seemed to be a link to a web novel titled ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ which clearly looked like trash.
Bored, Zhang San glanced at the synopsis and was about to exit when suddenly, the world spun, and his vision went black.
“Your Highness,” the voice calling him grew closer, “Crown Prince?”
With a sense of foreboding, Zhang San looked up to find himself sprawled over a writing desk.
A worried-looking young eunuch was staring at him. “Your Highness, please don’t sleep anymore. The Empress Dowager will come to check on your studies soon.”
Zhang San, “…”
Crown Prince? Empress Dowager?
Just as he was pinching his thigh in disbelief, a woman dressed in luxurious clothes, and an imposing demeanour, walked in, coldly asking, “How has the Crown Prince’s study been today?”
The young eunuch bowed and called out, “Empress Dowager.”
Zhang San, “…”
He was done for.
He was just a middle school student goofing off in class, how was he supposed to know how ancient people spoke?
The Empress Dowager looked displeased at his silence. “Why do you not answer?”
Zhang San’s heart was about to leap out of his throat. With trembling hands, he pushed the half-written scroll in front of him towards her and hesitantly said, “Just… just this.”
The woman glanced at the paper a few times. Whether she was satisfied or not was unclear, she spoke some words in a flat tone. Zhang San could only catch a few phrases like ‘emperor’, ‘diligence’ and ‘integrity’ amidst the archaic language.
Half-listening, with his mind in a whirl, he could only ponder three questions: What happened? Can I go back? What should I say to avoid death?
The woman was the Empress Dowager, and he was the Crown Prince, so they must be grandmother and grandson, right? That should be correct?
Seeing that the woman had finished speaking and was waiting for his response, he braced himself and stammered, “Yes, thank you, Imperial Grandmother.”
Three long seconds passed.
The woman nodded, then left.
Zhang San let out a long breath, realising his back was drenched in cold sweat.
So, where should he start learning how to speak properly?
Yu Wanyin couldn’t remember the names of those candidates no matter how hard she tried.
However, she thought of another way.
Bei Zhou was now living in the Imperial Concubine’s palace, besides being her close bodyguard, he also trained their Shadow Guards in his spare time.
That day, Yu Wanyin knocked on his door, “Uncle Bei, what are you busy with?”
“Making cloaks for you and Dan’er.” Bei Zhou lovingly said.
“… Uncle, you are truly skilled inside and out. Uncle, you’ve wandered the martial world for so long and mingled in brothels too, do you have any serum that can make people speak the truth?”
Bei Zhou thought for a moment, “I do have some drugs, but their effects are just a bit stronger than hard liquor. They can make people babble incoherently, but whether they speak the truth can’t be guaranteed.”
“If someone drinks it, will they remember what they said when they wake up?” Yu Wanyin asked.
“That’s tricky. To ensure amnesia, the dosage must be high, but such a high dose in tea or wine will have a noticeable taste, making it hard to conceal.”
“No problem, I have a way.” Yu Wanyin said.
She felt like she was a genius and had everything under control.
After taking the drug from Bei Zhou, she went to the Imperial Study to find Xiahou Dan. Now, everyone in the palace knew that the Noble Consort Yu was at the peak of her power and she was seldom stopped from going anywhere.
Xiahou Dan was reviewing memorials. “The Empress Dowager’s faction has impeached your father, accusing him of bribery under the guise of gambling. It seems the Empress Dowager wants to deal with your father. Should we address this?”
Yu Wanyin was indifferent, “Address it if you like, just demote him.”
“Wow, so ruthless?”
Yu Wanyin shrugged, “He’s not really my father, I don’t even know him, and he plays no role in the plot. Demoting him today might relax the Empress Dowager’s guard, maybe spare him from worse suffering later.”
“Fair enough.” Xiahou Dan said.
And so, they happily made the decision.
Xiahou Dan picked up the red brush to write his comments on the memorial. He wrote slowly but neatly.
Yu Wanyin glanced curiously, “You’ve practised calligraphy?”
“Not well, but enough to fake it. I only dare to write short sentences now. Want me to teach you?”
Yu Wanyin quickly said, “Yes, yes, I need to learn quickly too.”
Realising they were getting off topic, she suddenly remembered her purpose for coming. “By the way, can you summon Xie Yong’er to serve tonight?”
Dead silence.
Xiahou Dan stared at her for a long time without speaking, his brush suspended mid-air, dropping a blot of ink.
Yu Wanyin, “?”
Xiahou Dan asked enunciating word by word, “You want to have another woman attend me?”
Yu Wanyin, “…”
Why did this atmosphere feel so strange? It felt like she was a heartless scoundrel kicking her wife out to work. with Xiahou Dan playing the wife.
Yu Wanyin’s scalp tingled, “She’s not actually serving you. When she comes, give her the drug, then get her to talk. The thing is, I can’t remember the candidates’ names, but she does. She’s read ‘A Thousand Trees Bloom at Night in the East Wind’ and knows which talented candidates would die unjustly. The list of people Prince Duan will recruit next year was also provided by her.”
She explained her plan in detail.
Xiahou Dan reluctantly agreed, “Alright, but you must stay nearby, and watch the whole process, don’t leave.”
He cast her a resentful glance as he spoke.
Yu Wanyin’s scalp tingled even more.
When did Xiahou Dan start acting strangely? After thinking it over, she figured it was after the brothel adventure.
It must be the suspension bridge effect*, it must be.
*When in a dangerous situation, it causes the body to exert symptoms such as heart racing, nerves, sweating etc. this also overlaps with signs of attraction. So, the suspension bridge effect is that you might find a person more attractive than you normally would during a dangerous situation. In psychology it’s called misattribution of arousal
If someone here had to be love-struck, it shouldn’t be Xiahou Dan.
Yu Wanyin usually read romantic novels to pass the time but she had long outgrown believing in the “domineering CEO falls for me” trope. As a working woman, she understood the true nature of the world. There are barriers between social classes, and CEOs are very rational and are not inclined to uplift the poor without reason.
Unless, because this was a game of survival, and her value, knowing the plot, was slightly higher than that of an ordinary worker?
So he felt like he needed to establish a closer connection with her, she concluded as she analysed the situation coldly to suppress the untimely fluttering in her heart.
Yu Wanyin hesitated for a moment and gently said, “President Dan, you don’t need to do this. We’re in this together, I’ll help you to the end.”
Xiahou Dan, “…”
Xiahou Dan didn’t say anything more, waving her away, “I still have some memorials to read, you go back first.”
Yu Wanyin took a few steps out and turned back to look, feeling that his posture revealed a hint of loneliness.
Xie Yong’er was sewing a new sachet when the emperor’s chief eunuch, An Xian, came to deliver a message, “Tonight, His Majesty summons you to attend him, prepare yourself.”
Xie Yong’er was stunned.
Since Yu Wanyin’s rise, Xiahou Dan had not summoned anyone else.
Her first reaction was that something had happened to Yu Wanyin. After sending a maid to find out, she learned the latest news: Yu Wanyin’s father had been demoted, and that she herself had fallen out of favour.
Xie Yong’er inwardly sneered, emperors truly were heartless.
Yet this heartless emperor wanted her to serve him.
Xie Yong’er was annoyed. Over time, her private interactions with Xiahou Bo had already made her develop feelings for him. Yet, this highly intelligent male lead did not fall in love with her as easily as she imagined. Instead, he remained ambiguous and distant.
She was already feeling down, and this imperial decree only added insult to injury.
Just then, a maid announced, “The Noble Consort Yu has arrived.”
Yu Wanyin sat in the hall, looking deeply devastated.
Xie Yong’er lightly asked about her father, only to see her tear up and say, “I’ve always said that we’re all just helpless duckweed drifting in this palace. Sister Yong’er, I heard you are to serve tonight?”
Here it comes, Xie Yong’er thought. What palace drama play is this?
To her surprise, Yu Wanyin’s next words were, “You must be feeling very bitter right now.”
Xie Yong’er, “…”
Xie Yong’er was almost touched.
She had to repeatedly remind herself: a character in a novel doesn’t understand me psychologically. Pretending to understand is just her acting.
Yu Wanyin continued, seeing Xie Yong’er’s expressions, “Listen to me, if anything in the emperor’s bedchambers tastes strange, don’t drink it.”
“Why do you say that?” Xie Yong’er asked.
Yu Wanyin whispered, “Have you ever wondered why the emperor only has the Crown Prince? The Empress Dowager exerts pressure. Every consort who enters the bedchamber must drink the contraceptive medicine. When the time comes, pretend to drink it and find an opportunity to pour it out. Otherwise, you will never be able to conceive…”
I’ll definitely drink it, Xie Yong’er thought.
The Empress Dowager’s maid was instructed to make Yu Wanyin take the contraceptive medicine.
The formula for this forbidden medicine was somewhat complex, with several ingredients that could not be openly obtained. Fortunately, the chief palace maid had experience in such matters and quickly prepared a packet of powdered medicine. All that remained was to add it to soup or tea, and whoever consumed it would be unable to conceive for at least a year.
But she never found the opportunity.
Yu Wanyin now exclusively took her meals and tea in the Imperial Consort’s palace. And the security around the Noble Consort’s palace was even stricter than around the Emperor’s own bedchamber, making it impossible to act.
The palace maid was worried. Suddenly, she heard news that Yu Wanyin had left the Noble Consort’s palace and was headed for the Emperor’s bedchamber.
Wasn’t Concubine Xie serving today? Wasn’t it foolish to vie for favour and flatter the Emperor when he was already tired of her?
The palace maid snuck through the back door of the bedchamber, and found a familiar junior palace maid. “Did His Majesty let Noble Consort Yu in?” She asked in a hushed tone
“Yes, His Majesty allowed her to enter.” The junior palace maid whispered back
The chief palace maid was stunned.
What was happening? Calling for both consorts at the same time, could it be… the Emperor wanted to play tricks on them?
Thinking of how the previous concubines had been treated, the chief palace maid shivered and dared not speculate further.
The junior palace maid handed over the powdered medicine. “Elder sister, who should drink the infertility medicine?”
It was an unexpected situation. The palace maid had only one packet of powdered medicine on hand. After a moment of hesitation, she decided that obeying the Empress Dowager’s orders should shield her from responsibility. “Give it to the Noble Consort Yu.” she said.
Xie Yong’er hadn’t arrived yet so Yu Wanyin put on a show of jealousy and reluctance to let go of the Emperor in front of the palace attendants.
Xiahou Dan waved impatiently. “Then you stay too, the two of you together.”
Yu Wanyin pouted. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The palace attendants were astonished.
Yu Wanyin, having deceived the palace attendants, then softly leaned against Xiahou Dan’s ear, whispering, “I brought the drug.”
Xiahou Dan nodded. “Okay.”
Yu Wanyin sat next to him, and a junior palace maid obediently brought a cup of hot tea.
The junior palace maid’s hands trembled slightly, but Yu Wanyin was preoccupied and didn’t notice.
Xiahou Dan dismissed the palace maid and watched as Yu Wanyin took the drug from her sleeve and poured it into the hot tea in front of her.
“Remember to make her drink it.” Yu Wanyin reminded him.
“I’ll try. What if she refuses?”
“Tell her to. She will.” Yu Wanyin said confidently.
She carefully stirred until the powder was completely dissolved, only then did she carry the cup to the back of the bedchamber and put it on the small table in front of the dragon bed.
As she turned to walk back to the front of the hall, the junior palace maid emerged from the corner and looked at the cup of tea with a terrified expression.
Not only did Noble Consort Yu not drink the tea, but she also wanted to give it to Concubine Xie to drink? Could it be that she had already seen through the contraceptive medicine scheme? That was impossible. The medicine was difficult to detect because it dissolved seamlessly into teas and left no unusual taste. Even if she drank it all, she wouldn’t detect anything wrong.
Or perhaps Noble Consort Yu was deeply cunning and had suspected that the Empress Dowager was up to something, so she let Consort Xie take the drink and be the scapegoat?
The junior palace maid held the chief palace maid’s handle and didn’t dare to disobey. Seeing that the mission was about to fail, she gritted her teeth and approached cautiously, picking up the cup of tea.
This junior maid’s leash was in the senior maid’s hand and she dared not go against her orders. Seeing that her task was about to fail, she gritted her teeth and approached cautiously, picking up the cup of tea.
Yu Wanyin had already prepared the drug and returned to sit with Xiahou Dan for a while. Seeing that it was getting late and the time for Xie Yong’er’s arrival was soon approaching, she said, “I’ll hide in the side hall for a while so she doesn’t suspect anything. Call me out when the drug kicks in.”
“Then you sit back and relax, and let them serve you tea and refreshments.” Xiahou Dan replied.
Yu Wanyin sat behind a screen at the side of the hall while the junior palace maid quickly brought in refreshments.
Yu Wanyin waved away the attendants and leisurely started cracking melon seeds.
Xie Yong’er had finally arrived. She greeted the Emperor with graceful manners.
Xiahou Dan leaned lazily in front of the hall, still displaying his unhinged and dangerous demeanour. He cast a gloomy glance at her, did not greet her and spoke a simple, “Come.”
Xie Yong’er humbly followed him deeper into his inner chambers. Xiahou Dan sat on the bed and with his pale fingers, pointed at the teacup on the table, “Drink.” He said gruffly.
Here it is. The contraceptive tea, Xie Yong’er thought.
Xie Yong’er eagerly took it and drank it all in one go.
Xiahou Dan, “……”
Wow she was really eager huh?
Xie Yong’er swallowed the tea but didn’t detect any strange taste, silently criticising Yu Wanyin for her misleading description.
Seeing her drink so readily, Xiahou Dan raised his eyebrow in a bored ‘are you ready now?’ expression. Looking in the face of death, she was about to take her clothes off when he hastily said, “Concubine Xie.”
Xie Yong’er paused her movements. “Your Highness?”
Xiahou Dan, “……”
Couldn’t you have drunk it slower and give the drug some time for it to kick in?
Xiahou Dan had to speak up “At the palace banquet that day, your performance had been unforgettable. Since Concubine Xie is so fond of elegant music, how about singing a song to liven up the mood?”
Xie Yong’er inwardly sneered. Can you even appreciate the songs I sing?
After a moment of thought, she opened her mouth and began to sing, “When will the moon clear and bright, with wine in hand I ask the clear sky…*”
The song is 但愿人长久 by 王菲. The lyrics are from a poem written in the Song dynasty. It’s hilarious because it’s usually performed during the mid-autumn festival. I suppose the equivalent is like her singing All I want For Christmas is You. You can listen to it here
Xiahou Dan began pinching his thigh again.
Xie Yong’er’s voice echoed through the empty chamber, drifting towards the side hall.
Yu Wanyin, who was munching on melon seeds, choked. She covered her mouth and coughed a few times. She picked up her tea cup, and took a sip.
“Pfft.. ”
After half a song, Xiahou Dan saw that Xie Yong’er’s eyes were still clear and her demeanour remained unchanged. He couldn’t help but glance at the tea cup she drank from.
Faint coughs suddenly came from the side hall.
Xiahou Dan paused and stood up.
Xie Yong’er’s abruptly stopped singing and looked at him in confusion. Xiahou Dan casually said, “Wait here,” and walked out.
He walked quickly behind the screen in the side hall and asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong?”
Yu Wanyin coughed as she spoke, “Big problem! The cup Xie Yong’er drank from wasn’t drugged, it’s this one. I only just realised it after taking a sip!”
“Why?”
“I don’t know either, I had clearly- never mind, now is not the time to dwell on this.” Yu Wanyin handed him the tea cup. “Luckily, I only had one sip, so it shouldn’t be a big deal. Quickly go and have her drink it while it’s hot.”
“She’s already drunk one cup, now you want me to give her another? Do you think she’s stupid?”
Half a minute later.
“Drink.” Xiahou Dan said.
Xie Yong’er took the new tea cup, tilted her head back, and gulped it down.
“?”
This time, Xie Yong’er noticed the taste was wrong, thinking this time, the drug was the real deal.
But then again, could the previous cup have been a mistake? Does this tyrant have an IQ problem? Was this part of the original text…
As this thought crossed her mind, her vision began to blur.
After a few seconds, Xiahou Dan waved his hand in front of her, “Consort Xie?”
Xie Yong’er woozily replied, “Mn.”
“What day is it today?”
“Do you really have a problem with your intelligence?” Xie Yong’er asked in astonishment.
“….”
Xiahou Dan turned and called out to Yu Wanyin, “Come out, she’s lost it.”
Yu Wanyin had only taken a sip of the drugged tea and so far, still felt nothing. This drug was merely a potent version of hard liquor. It’s pseudo-science to talk about toxicity in terms of dosage. And she had just taken a small sip so it shouldn’t be a big deal.
Hearing Xiahou Dan call for her, she put on the fox mask she had prepared earlier, and gracefully approached Xie Yong’er. Speaking in a deep voice she said, “Ma Chunchun, how have you been?”
Xie Yong’er sat herself on the ground, hiccupping, “Who are you?”
Yu Wanyin squatted down, looking at her, as if dealing with a scam call, “You don’t even remember me?”
Xie Yong’er stared at the mask for a long time, as if realising something, she said, “You know my name, you must be the author of ‘A Thousand Trees Bloom at Night in the East Wind’?”
Yu Wanyin was surprised: This guy’s imagination is quite wild.
“That’s right.” She continued, “Who would have thought you would transmigrate into my book and kick up such a storm-”
“How are my parents?” Xie Yong’er suddenly interrupted.
Yu Wanyin, “……”
“They’re fine. You should be more concerned about yourself. I didn’t expect you to stir up such a storm…”
“How did my idol place in the competition later?” Xie Yong’er interrupted again.
Yu Wanyin turned to look at Xiahou Dan, who mouthed, “Tell her what she likes to hear.”
“First place.” She replied.
With a loud noise, Xie Yong’er angrily threw the cup, “No way! That dog water platform would never treat him well, you’re lying!”
“……”
Wasn’t this person’s character too elaborate for a mere NPC?
Yu Wanyin recomposed herself, trying to maintain her authority. “Let’s talk about business. I didn’t expect you to stir up such a storm, bluffed Prince Duan into such a frenzy and even disrupted the original plot of the book. How do you intend to take responsibility?”
Xie Yong’er scoffed. “If I had followed your plot, I’d have died like a cannon fodder long ago.”
“You shouldn’t have leaked the names of those failed candidates to Prince Duan.” Yu Wanyin tried to gently steer the conversation. “He kept them as officials, which saved them from injustice, but deprived them of the opportunity to grow through adversity. As the saying goes, Heaven assigns great tasks to capable individuals…”
“You stupid author, do you think I don’t remember the original plot?” Xie Yong’er burst out.
“What about the original plot?”
“After Li Yunxi and Yang Duojie exposed that scoundrel emperor’s corruption, they were tossed in a sack and beaten to death as soon as they left the examination hall. Er Lan, disguised as a man, was humiliated and expelled from the capital, then, committed suicide in despair, and there’s more…”
Yu Wanyin turned around and frantically gestured to Xiahou Dan: Write that down, write that down!
Xiahou Dan: I’m writing, I’m writing.
Xie Yong’er rattled off five or six names in one breath “What great task from heaven? They are just like me, merely cannon fodder you created and then killed off. And we’re not allowed to resist?”
However, Yu Wanyin was no longer listening to her impassioned speech.
Yu Wanyin leaned close to Xiahou Dan and glanced at the names he had just written down, saying with satisfaction, “That’s right, it’s them. Find these talents, and with them, we can achieve a grain yield of eighteen hundred units per acre, impervious to drought and flood.”
Sitting on the floor, Xie Yong’er drunkenly shouted, “You dog author! Got nothing to say now?”
“But these ambitious scholars must loathe the corrupt emperor, or they wouldn’t be so easily swayed by Prince Duan. We need to figure out how to trick them into working for me before the Imperial Examination.” Xiahou Dan said.
Xie Yong’er looked around, “Where is everyone?”
“Coming!” Yu Wanyin perfunctorily called out, then whispered to Xiahou Dan, “I’ve thought it over. We’ll have to rely on your acting skills. And once we’ve gained their trust, you’ll need to convince them to change their names. Otherwise, as soon as they enter the court, Xie Yong’er, who already knows who they are, will notice something is amiss.”
“Dog. Author. You’ve. Ruined. Me. So. Badly. ” Xie Yong’er started crying as she shouted.
Yu Wanyin felt a headache forming. “ I’m coming, I’m coming.”
She had no experience comforting a drunk person, so she squatted down and patted Xie Yong’er’s shoulder and stroked her head. “Don’t cry, you’re better off than some. That Yu Wanyin is the one who’s truly suffering.”
The more Xie Yong’er was comforted, the sadder she became
Her crying was so loud that Yu Wanyin feared the palace attendants would hear. Just as she was about to cover Xie Yong’er’s mouth, she suddenly heard her mutter something indistinctly.
“Prince Duan doesn’t trust me, I’m just a tool…” Xie Yong’er cried.
In that instant.
In that instant, all the blood in Yu Wanyin’s blood ran cold.
She turned her head slightly, glancing at Xiahou Dan.
Xiahou Dan was deeply engrossed in pondering over the names he had just written down, paying no attention to the commotion.
Yu Wanyin’s heart pounded like a drum as she leaned in close to Xie Yong’er, “What did you just say? Good girl, say it again.”
“I said he doesn’t trust me… sob, I clearly instructed him to drug the deputy commander, but I overheard him telling his strategist that he plans to poison the man’s horse…”
In the plot of ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ Xie Yong’er advised Prince Duan to instigate Deputy Commander Zhao into turning on the Crown.
According to the original plot, Prince Duan was supposed to take her suggestion and drug the Deputy Commander with an aphrodisiac. Then lure him to molest the favourite concubine of the Commander of the Imperial Guards. Finally, the Commander would catch them in the act, resulting in enmity between him and the deputy commander.
The Deputy Commander, being a brainless fool, would have no choice but to ally with Prince Duan in order to survive. He would eventually kill the Commander and take his place. Through him, Prince Duan would gain control over the imperial guard’s forces.
Yu Wanyin remembered the betrayal plot but couldn’t recall the specifics. Hearing Xie Yong’er now, she remembered that Prince Duan had indeed executed the plan as described in the original story.
Then, why did Xu Yao’s records show a different plan?
After her drunken outburst, Xie Yong’er fell asleep.
With one person holding her arms and the other holding her feet, Yu Wanyin and Xiahou Dan carried her to the dragon bed. They also rumpled up the bedsheets and her clothes to a scene that looked like the aftermath of a scene.
“She drank so much of the drugged tea she won’t be able to remember anything when she wakes up.” Yu Wanyin said. “You can just scold her a bit and say that she got so off last night and spent the whole night raving in fear. Just make it believable for her.”
“She won’t believe that. If she went crazy and I didn’t execute her, she’d be suspicious.”
Yu Wanyin’s head started to spin a little. She waved her hand impatiently saying, “Then just act that part, you know, ‘Woman, no one has ever dared to treat me this way, you have caught my attention.’ stuff like that.”
“…..are you serious?” Xiahou Dan said.
“Feel free to improvise… I’m tired, I’m heading to bed.”
Yu Wanyin hurried back to the Noble Consort’s Palace.
Her hands trembled as she flipped through Xu Yao’s book, clinging onto the faintest hope, but it was shattered.
Xu Yao had indeed recorded it this way: ‘Inviting Deputy Commander Zhao for drinks, poisoned his horse, causing the crazed horse to trample the ceremonial guard bestowed by the late emperor to Prince Duan, which was displayed in the courtyard of Prince Duan’s mansion.”
The crime of destroying an imperial gift far surpassed ‘playing with the concubine of a commander’. This was definitely enough to frighten Deputy Commander Zhao.
Yu Wanyin closed the book and stared blankly at the flickering candles.
Why?
Why did Prince Duan deviate from the original plot, no longer trusting Xie Yong’er, and even modified plans that should have followed?
She shook her head in disbelief, trying to shake off the increasing dizziness, and flipped through the book again, meticulously reviewing every line.
More than one plan had been altered.
The changes were all minor details, like delaying actions originally set for the Mid-Autumn Festival by a day, or shifting the location of an assassination from one villa to another.
If not for tonight’s events, she might never have noticed these subtle changes. Even if she had, she might have dismissed them as the fault of her own memory.
If she hadn’t obtained Xu Yao’s book, she would have been left following the plot of ‘Transmigrated: the Devil’s Beloved Consort’ and commanding Xiahou Dan to strike left and right, attempting to thwart Prince Duan’s conspiracy, but forever missing the mark on the details, and ultimately facing irreversible doom…
Yu Wanyin realised she was trembling. She reached towards the candle to warm her hands, but they only shook harder.
Why?
She thought she had already anticipated her opponent’s moves. Why could Prince Duan predict her predictions?
Could it be that while she thought she was at the highest level, Prince Duan stood on an even higher plane, looking down at her with a smile?
Did he know all of this?
In his eyes am I also just a character in a novel?
He had pretended to be ignorant before? Was that all part of his ruse to confuse her?
Would tonight’s events also be seen by him? clear as day, like reading a book?
And then, with just another change of date or place, they would once again be mice played with under a cat’s paw.
Yu Wanyin slumped in her chair, feeling her body sinking into the dark quagmire…
Suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder.
The hand gently patted her. “What’s wrong with you?”
Yu Wanyin stared blankly, “I’m finished, the games over, GG*.”
*GG: Good Going
“Why do you say that?”
Ignoring the question, Yu Wanyin muttered to herself, “Just wait for death, don’t struggle. Prince Duan is the real person, but us? We’re just a few lines of text, easily erased with a press of the delete key…”
Xiahou Dan circled around from behind her to the front, furrowing his brow as he observed her expression.
The effects of that bit of drug was finally taking hold. Perhaps due to some interaction with the antidote, the potion now surged aggressively. Yu Wanyin had only taken a sip, yet she felt as if she were lost in a fog, completely unaware of her surroundings.
She heard a calm voice ask, “So, do you want to give up?”
“I…” Yu Wanyin struggled to think, a sudden inspiration struck her, “I still have one option. I could surrender now and defect to Prince Duan! Do you think he would accept me?”
There was no reply.
Yu Wanyin suddenly remembered something else, and feeling disheartened continued, “No, he already knows everything. He doesn’t need me at all.”
The silence persisted for a while.
Then that voice said, “Perhaps you can make him fall in love with you.”
庾晚音笑道：“夺回属于我的女主剧本？哈哈哈不行的啦，他有谢永儿了。”
“Take back the female lead plot that belonged to me? Hahaha, that won’t work, he already has Xie Yong’er.” Yu Wanyin laughed.
“Xie Yong’er is not as good as you.”
“That’s true.” Yu Wanyin nodded quite objectively, “Your suggestion isn’t entirely unfeasible.”
Xiahou Dan quietly gazed at her, “So, are you going to try?”
“Um…” Yu Wanyin fell into thought.
The wait felt as though a century had passed. She looked perplexed, “I don’t think I’m very willing.”
“Why?”
“He’s too frightening.” Yu Wanyin lowered her head, “I’m sure he can easily make me fall madly in love with him just by playing a little game of wits, and then I’ll sacrifice everything for him, exhaust all my remaining value, and finally jump in front of him to take a blow, or an arrow, and then die in his arms without regret.”
She fluttered the wings of her imagination, painting herself in a pitiful light with tears streaming down her face, “And then he shed a few tears and gave me a lavish burial, before turning back to find Xie Yong’er… Men are all like this when it comes to major matters!”
“….”
Xiahou Dan reached out and wiped away her tears, extremely slowly and gently asking, “And what about Xiahou Dan?”
“Him? He won’t. He said so himself.”
Previously, Yu Wanyin rose to power, the entire Yu family, along with the chickens and dogs, ascended to heaven too.
Junior Secretary Minister Yu had been a completely ineffective old transparent figure in the court, barely counted as a supporter of Prince Duan, yet was still ostracised.
Seeing Yu Wanyin rise swiftly to the position of Noble Consort, the once deserted Yu Manor suddenly bustled with activity. People who had previously ignored them now came to inquire and offer compliments.
Minister Yu, who had been transparent for so many years, and now receiving a little flattery, couldn’t help but float up, starting to dream of a future with promotions and honours. Thus, he began to cultivate relationships with a few high-ranking officials, even dabbling in bribery under the guise of gambling.
Never would he have thought that the next day, the Empress Dowager caught wind of his tail, and he was summarily dismissed.
And with his fall from grace, the Yu Manor returned to being deserted.
A room full of people sighed and lamented, when suddenly they heard an announcement from outside, “Prince Duan has arrived. “
Minister Yu was pleasantly surprised by this.
At a time like this, how could the noble Prince Duan deign to visit? Could it be that he still held some unexpected value for him?
Xiahou Bo remained the same gentle and modest gentleman. After taking his seat, he gently inquired, “How has Lord Yu been of late?”
Minister Yu wiped away his old tears, “I’m doing alright, just worried that the… the Noble Consort might lose favour and face hardship…”
Xiahou Bo comforted him in agreement, “I’ve heard that Noble Consort Yu is intelligent, elegant, and deeply favoured. Next time I enter the palace, I will also inquire about her on your behalf.”
Lord Yu expressed a thousand thanks, eagerly awaiting his next words.
However, there were no more words to follow. Xiahou Bo exchanged pleasantries for the duration of the tea break, then politely took his leave. From beginning to end, Minister Yu failed to grasp the true intention behind the visit of this esteemed figure.
Once Xiahou Bo left the Yu Manor, two shadows immediately followed closely behind him and boarded the carriage.
“Did you find it?” Xiahou Bo asked.
His subordinate presented a small piece of paper, “This was found in Lady Yu Wanyin’s bedchamber.”
On the paper was a collection of poems and writings transcribed by Yu Wanyin before entering the palace.
Xiahou Bo glanced at it, then his subordinate presented another piece of paper, “This was found in the library.”
After the fire in the library had subsided somewhat, Prince Duan had his men rush in under the pretext of firefighting, partly to confirm Xu Yao’s death and partly to see if there was any incriminating evidence nearby.
They found nothing on Xu Yao, but retrieved a charred sheet of paper from Yu Wanyin’s desk.
The edges of the paper were slightly charred with a few blotches of ink staining it.
Xiahou Bo compared the two pieces of paper and smiled faintly, “Do you see it?”
“…. were these two really written by the same person?” the subordinate asked.
Xiahou Bo nodded at the papers, “It seems it’s time to meet her in person.”
Yu Wanyin opened her eyes, then closed them again, then flipped over and buried her head under the pillow.
She had only taken a small sip of the mind-confounding drug last night, so she hadn’t blacked out. On the contrary, she remembered the entire conversation clearly.
Prince Duan might be from a higher plane than them.
She originally intended to investigate this matter without letting Xiahou Dan know, but ended up telling him herself, “I could surrender and join him…”
Luckily, she had ultimately shown her loyalty to Xiahou Dan, otherwise, she might already be buried by now.
However, the way she showed that loyalty…
Yu Wanyin buried her head under the pillow like an ostrich.
After saying, “He won’t, he said so himself,” she had completely passed out and collapsed onto Xiahou Dan.
Yu Wanyin had no idea how to face him now. She found it inconceivable.
Since her arrival, Yu Wanyin had reminded herself three thousand times not to trust anyone. She couldn’t afford to. She couldn’t act on impulse, couldn’t live life like it was a game. If the protagonist died, the story would be cut short; if she died, the story would at most lose three pages.
So when exactly did she subconsciously sell herself out?
And not only did she sell herself out, but she also let him know! It was like waving a handkerchief at Xiahou Dan: I’m a foolish pawn, come and use me.
This can’t go on…
“Miss?” Xiao Mei, the maid, urged from beside the bed, “It’s time to get up, today you have to see the Empress Dowager.”
While Yu Wanyin was getting dressed and made up, Xiao Mei chatted on the side, “I heard that this morning, a young maid in the Emperor’s bedchamber was harshly interrogated and then dragged out. It seems she put contraceptive medicine in the tea, Miss, are you alright?”
Yu Wanyin went over the details of that cup of tea in her mind and figured out the cause and effect.
“Don’t worry, I only drank a little bit. Most of it was drunk by Concubine Xie.”
Xiao Mei was stunned for a moment, then politely said, “She is now Consort Xie.”
“……”
Xiao Mei’s eyes turned red, “How could His Majesty be so ridiculous, making the two of you… on the same night… and then promote her to consort! How heartbroken my Lord and Lady must be, boohoo…”
Oh yeah, Yu Wanyin remembered she had told Xiahou Dan to put on the ‘domineering CEO falling in love with me’ act for Xie Yong’er.
Xiao Mei was still indignant, “I heard she even pretended to be fearful and refused multiple times, and then His Majesty said he had never seen a woman as special as her.”
“……”
Xiahou Dan was indeed playing the part.
When the consorts gathered to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager, he appeared again, but this time he did not give Yu Wanyin a single glance, and sat directly next to Xie Yong’er.
Xie Yong’er uneasily moved aside, and he squeezed closer.
When Xie Yong’er offered him tea, he deliberately brushed their hands together as he took it.
Sitting quietly to the side, Yu Wanyin instantly felt numerous glances sneakily aimed at her, including the Empress Dowager’s. She lowered her head sorrowfully, fully immersed in her role.
The Empress Dowager was contemplating the need to prepare more contraceptive medicine.
“The Flower Festival is approaching, does the Emperor have any plans?” The Empress Dowager asked.
“When the time comes, let’s have Consort Xie perform a dance.”
He squinted his eyes in a smile at Xie Yong’er, “I’ve heard Consort Xie play music and sing, but I have yet to see your dance.”
Yu Wanyin thought: If she performs something like ‘Gokuraku Jodo’Can Xiahou Dan keep a straight face?*”
Gokuraku Jodo by GARNiDELiA. You can watch it here
At that moment, Xiahou Dan made eye contact with her, as if he imagined a similar scene, his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Yu Wanyin quickly averted her gaze to avoid laughing.
No matter what, Xiahou Dan, as an ally, was far more reliable than Prince Duan.
After sitting for a while, Xiahou Dan left.
When Xie Yong’er followed the other concubines out, she noticed that An Xian hadn’t left with the Emperor but was waiting outside.
Seeing her come out, An Xian smiled and said, “Consort Xie, this servant will escort you back.”
The chief eunuch by the Emperor’s side had placed his bet on Xie Yong’er!
Yu Wanyin once again felt numerous gazes on her. She smiled sadly and walked away alone.
In the original story, this old eunuch had flattered Yu Wanyin by stepping on Xie Yong’er when she fell from favour. Later, when Xie Yong’er won the power struggle, An Xian tried to curry favour with her but was sent to prison.
Now that the fall from favour hadn’t happened, Xie Yong’er hadn’t developed a grudge against him. Instead, she had wisely aligned herself with him.
After all, Xie Yong’er was the original demon consort, though she didn’t like that she was being favoured, she still had to fully utilise it.
Why not use An Xian to get rid of a few thorns in her side first?
After the two walked a bit, Xie Yong’er asked pitifully, “Eunuch An, can you tell me what exactly His Majesty sees in me?”
“The Emperor said that last night, seeing you acting crazily, there was a vividness about you that set you apart from the other consorts. This morning, your disdain for the position of consort made you appear so pure and adorable.” An Xian answered.
“……”
SO CLICHE!
Yu Wanyin ignored this cheesy little drama and wandered to the library.
The library was being rebuilt on the old site, but rebuilding was progressing quite slowly.
She stared blankly at the craftsmen working meticulously, pondering Prince Duan’s affairs, when suddenly someone called out, “Noble Consort Yu.”
Yu Wanyin turned her head to see a man dressed as a craftsman beside her. He wordlessly handed her something, “Please take this.”
Puzzled, Yu Wanyin looked down at it. It was a letter, with no signature on the envelope.
“What is this…” She looked up, but the person had disappeared.
Yu Wanyin walked to a secluded spot and opened the letter. There were only a few words written on it, ‘Midnight, Imperial Garden, behind the rockery.’
There was a drawing of a turtle at the bottom.
The guards patrolling the Imperial Garden seemed to have been dismissed. Yu Wanyin didn’t bring a lantern, navigating by the moonlight until she heard a gentle voice behind the stone hill call out, “Wanyin.”
Sure enough, Xiahou Bo was waiting there, dressed in white and looking like an immortal in the moonlight.
Going to the meeting alone made Yu Wanyin a bit nervous. She had wanted to bring someone for safety, but whether it was Bei Zhou or the Shadow Guards, they would definitely report this to Xiahou Dan. So she had to sneak out alone.
She had to know what level he was on to decide her next move. So, she took a deep breath, calmed herself, and got into character. “Your Highness, why are you calling me that?” she blushing shyly.
Xiahou Bo smiled without answering and said, “I met with Minister Yu earlier today. He was quite concerned and wanted to know how you are doing in the palace.”
Yu Wanyin let out a long sigh, “The Emperor conferred the title of Consort on Xie Yong’er this morning.”
At the mention of this name, she glanced at Xiahou Bo, but in the dim light, she couldn’t see any change in his expression.
So she directly asked, “What does Your Highness think of Consort Xie?”
“She is the Emperor’s consort, I dare not comment.”
“…..Then what about me?”
“You?” step by step, Xiahou Bo slowly approached her, “Wanyin, we’ve known each other for so long, isn’t it time to be honest with each other?”
Yu Wanyin pretended to be affectionate, “For example?”
The Prince also looked at her affectionately, “For example, who are you really?”
Hold steady, Yu Wanyin thought.
Xiahou Bo continued, “And who is the Emperor, who is Xie Yong’er?”
Yu Wanyin couldn’t help but take a step back.
Her worst suspicion was confirmed.
Perhaps because in Xie Yong’er’s love-struck haze, she had let something slip. And he had seen through her due to some slip-up on her part. But seeing through the master-class actor that was Xianhou Dan was impossible.
That meant that he could only be from a higher plane.
Xiahou Bo smiled, “There’s no need to be so tense. I’ve never had any ill intentions towards you. If you can foresee some things, you should understand that choosing me is the wise choice.”
“You…. if you already know everything, then what do you need me for?”
Xiahou Bo was stunned for a moment. “You misunderstand, I didn’t come to learn anything from you, but because I have feelings for you.”
Yu Wanyin found that absurd, “We’re not even the same species. How could you have feelings for me?”
Xiahou Bo seemed to pause for a moment. “That doesn’t matter.”
“Huh? So you like me as a character?”
“That’s why I came to you from the beginning.” Xiahou Bo smiled gently.
In the bedchambers, a single lamp flickered.
“Consort Yu went to the imperial garden. I followed and saw her having a private meeting with the Prince,” Bei Zhou straightforwardly reported, “I didn’t hear what they were saying from a distance, but the atmosphere seemed quite intimate.”
“……”
“Dan’er, if she has already defected, wouldn’t it be better to deal with her? I know you have feelings for her, but she’s your bedfellow. “Dan’er, if she has already defected to the enemy, wouldn’t it be better to deal with her? I know you like her, but she is your confidante. If she harbours any disloyalty, it would be too dangerous.” Bei Zhou said worriedly.
Xiahou Dan flicked the candle flame with his fingertip and said nothing.
A Shadow Guard kneeling nearby asked, “Shall I take care of it?”
“Have you ever considered that from her perspective, following Prince Duan might be more secure?” Xiahou Dan slowly said.
Bei Zhou was puzzled, “Why? Haven’t you already uncovered Prince Duan’s plans?”
Xiahou Dan smiled wryly.
Last night, Yu Wanyin had hurriedly taken her leave, stumbling back to the Consort’s residence, only to discover Prince Duan’s secret. She hadn’t planned on telling him, but the truth serum she had taken made her confess.
She trusted him, but she was too afraid of Prince Duan.
“Wanting to survive is only human.”
Bei Zhou sighed, “You shouldn’t let personal feelings cloud your judgement… Is that woman really so important?”
“She is my lifeline.” Xiahou dan replied.
The Shadow Guard and Bei Zhou exchanged bewildered looks.
How did she become a lifeline?
The Shadow Guard, unfamiliar with such a scenario, tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, should I… bury her?”
“If you ask one more word, I’ll bury you.” Xiahou Dan said coldly.
Yu Wanyin stumbled toward the Consort’s quarters, each step feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Her mind was a muddle, all plans, ambitions, and even her self-awareness shattered into countless fragments.
This can’t go on, how can I continue playing this game?
Perhaps he had truly liked her as a character in a book, as odd as it sounded. But it was definitely an advantage for her. He had extended an olive branch, so she might as well switch sides and show some sincerity…
However, a sense of unease lingered deep in her consciousness.
Her steps grew slower until she finally stopped.
That wasn’t right.
Her fear-addled brain struggled to restart.
If Xiahou Bo was truly on a higher level, why would he let them see Xu Yao’s book?
Going through the trouble of forging a book, intentionally letting them see it to create doubts about his identity. How did that benefit him?
The simplest way to defeat Xiahou Dan would be to keep them in the dark.
So why not just destroy that book?
Like a crack in the ice, once this doubt arose, more questions followed.
If he knew she was from another world, why not just tell her directly? Why probe her multiple times?
When she mentioned ‘not the same species’ tonight, did he pause?
……
Yu Wanyin began walking again, faster and faster.
There was another explanation for all this: Prince Duan was still a character in a book.
However, he had somehow sensed something was amiss and guessed something had changed in them at the core.
To him, they might seem like demi-gods with foresight, capable of predicting the future and knowledge of some of his secrets.
So the Prince didn’t trust her, Xiahou Dan, or Xie Yong’er. To him, the three of them were all the same.
Xu Yao’s book showed that Xie Yong’er’s advice had all been subtly altered. Was this a test to see how far their foresight extended?
But he wasn’t sure his modifications would escape their foresight.
So he tried to get close to her, to trick her into revealing herself, to turn her against Xiahou Dan…
But there was still one thing: how did a character in a book come up with the advanced concept of a ‘changed consciousness’?
Even Xie Yong’er hadn’t identified her fellow transmigrators, but he suspected three.
Could this really be explained by superior intelligence?
Without more evidence, it was impossible to determine what he truly was.
Deep in thought, Yu Wanyin made a firm decision.
Translation by Spider
Next: Chapter 6
Previous: Chapter 4