Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

181 Benwang has never suddenly fallen over, but benwang can make you suddenly fall over Part III

“Sit down.” Bai Yu put down the brush and gestured at the seat in front of her. Xiao Chang, as clever as ever, came to pour their tea.

“Wang Fei is most gracious.” Xu Peipei sat down. Her manners were impeccable, as could be expected from one of high birth. To others, there was nothing unusual about this young lady.

But Bai Yu could see that her friend’s prominent chest was heaving from the quickened breath, even though her expression had remained calm from the start.

“You can leave,” Bai Yu said to her two maids as she leisurely drank from her teacup. It seemed that they were going to have a conversation with close friends. Xu Peipei, too, smiled and lifted her cup.

Her making her maids leave was obvious. She knew Xu Peipei had an important matter that made her hurry here. As soon as they were alone, Xu Peipei instantly revealed her anxiousness.

“Last time you came because of my marriage. I guess this time is yours.” Both the words and tones uttered by the first consort reflected no conceit nor self-importance.

“You heard?” Xu Peipei’s eyes slightly widened.

Bai Yu shook her head. “Only a guess.”

“Then you guessed correctly.” Xu Peipei sighed. “Empress Dowager wants me to marry Qin Wang.”

.....

“That is expected.”

This was the final sliver of hope Empress Dowager had in giving Ouyang Mingxian’s eligibility to the throne. And even if he could not be emperor, at least the Xu family’s power could prevent Ouyang Feilong from freely subjugating Ouyang Mingxian.

Bai Yu knew a man like Ouyang Feilong would never hurt his own nephew, but others did not have the same thoughts. One of those ‘others’ was even her husband’s own mother. There was no doubt that Empress Dowager Wei favored Ouyang Mingxian over her son. The Empress Dowager would surely not let Ouyang Feilong ascend the throne instead of Ouyang Mingxian, who she had always supported.

Thus, marriage between Ouyang Mingxian and Xu Peipei would be her last resort in fighting Ouyang Feilong and Bai Yu’s family’s power. This might be a small card, but Empress Dowager Wei had no thoughts of giving up. These were the predictions Bai Yu had as soon as she woke up. She knew from the series how much Empress Dowager Wei loved Ouyang Mingxian. Her giving up easily was nigh impossible. And so, Bai Yu had to write down everything that happened in the series in a language that only she would understand.

Bai Yu’s not getting up to explore the palace was because she spent the whole day recalling and predicting future events. One of the things she anticipated was Empress Dowager Wei’s struggle through marrying Xu Peipei to Qin Wang. Still, she was unsure of the reason she would use…

“This is still a secret. Brother accidentally learned about it, so he told me to ask for your advice.”

“Isn’t this marriage to your liking?” Bai Yu faked a smile, teasing the woman who so favored green dresses.

“Wang Fei please do not tease me so.” Her words were respectful, though her glares were as sharp as daggers.

Bai Yu let out a soft chuckle. Xu Peipei’s mouth curved down in frustration. “What do you want me to help with?” She pretended to ask after seeing the tension in her friend’s slightly eased.

“Help me prevent my marriage with Qin Wang.”

“Not helping you marry the Bai family’s first master?”

“I can manage that on my own!” Despite her reddened face, her words showed confidence that differed from those of typical women of this era… She had taken after her brother quite a lot.

“I can’t promise that until I know the reason Empress Dowager will use to marry you to Qin Wang.”

Bai Yu had some guesses regarding the situation but still could not figure out Empress Dowager Wei’s excuse or method, so she did not dare give her words.

If she wanted to issue another illogical decree, like what she did to her, then that would not be possible. Both Empress Dowager Wei and Ouyang Mingxian would surely become a laughingstock for all in Da Yang.

“War.”

“Hm?” Bai Yu raised her eyebrow at her friend.

“With his feats in the war, Empress Dowager wants Qin Wang to ask for a marriage.”

If that was the reason for another royal decree, then the marriage was possible. A reward for this decree of feats should be bestowed by an emperor, but now the throne was still empty. Ouyang Feilong had also not shown any sign of ascending the throne. On top of that, the courtiers who supported him were all silent, with not a single petition being issued.

Bai Yu was slightly worried. If Ouyang Feilong had not taken the throne, then she was uncertain whether she could help her friend or not. Especially in the case that Empress Dowager released the royal decree before his coronation, she would not be able to do anything.

“I’ll try to talk about it with Wangye.”

Xu Peipei nodded, understanding Bai Yu’s predicament. But without Bai Yu, she saw no way of escaping being Qin Wang Fei…a title for which she and Bai Yu had been fighting each other for many years.

“I never thought there’d be a day I’d have to ask for your help.”

“And I never thought you’d ever come to talk to me like this.”

Was this a good thing?

Xu Peipei returned to Xu Mansion with the question ringing in her head. A noble lady such as her was born with her family’s power. She was superior to other women in that she would surely marry a good, high-ranking husband in the future. At first, she never knew what ‘love’ was. She only knew, from her mother’s teaching and her family’s prestige, that she must be Ouyang Mingxian’s consort. She had been chasing this title for so long until the day came when she saw her rival had forfeited it in order to ‘choose’ her own marriage.

Women in Da Yang could not easily choose their spouses. But today, she saw how one woman had taken rein over her own life. Xu Peipei wanted to choose a path for herself too, but this selfishness… Was it a good thing?

——————-

“Is something the matter?”

When Ouyang Feilong returned to the palace, it was long dark. Although today was their first day as spouses, she did not receive special treatment from her husband. Still, Bai Yu did not take it to heart. She was not the kind of woman who enjoyed being overly pampered, and with a man who was unadept at cherishing flowers like Ouyang Feilong, she had no such expectation for him. She only wished for every ordinary day with him beside her.

On the second day of sharing the bed with Ouyang Feilong, Bai Yu was carefully serving him, who was silent as usual. However, she could sense something different beneath that silence. Finally, she asked while combing the hair of the person who unconsciously frowned as soon as they were alone.

“Mother summoned us.”

Bai Yu paused.

“At first, benwang’s going to bring you to see her after taking care of something, but it seems like Mother is rushing. She has a plan in mind.”

“Does it involve Ouyang Mingxian?”

Ouyang Feilong’s frown tightened. His whole figure turned around to face her. Her husband’s enchanting face was as expressionless as ever, except for a slight annoyance in his golden eyes. Bai Yu watched the change in him, bemused.

What was he irritated about?

“You never call him by name.”

His name? “Qin Wang?”

“You called him Qin Wang.”

“Back then, I was only a young lady from a family. It’s only natural that I call him that.” Bai Yu suppressed a smile. “But now I’ve married Wangye. In a practical sense, we are relatives now. Can I not call him by name?”

Ouyang Feilong became quiet. “You can.”

After two curt words, he turned back to let her continue combing his hair. Bai Yu stole a glance at his expressionless face in the bronze mirror and could not stop herself from smiling.

“But it displeases benwang.” The next sentence made her giggle.

“Oh.” She remembered he had teased her with this word before, so now she only let out a short ‘oh.’

Ouyang Feilong sighed loudly. “You’re in a good mood. Not scared?”

“Scared of what, Your Highness?” She asked, her hands gently combing through his soft hair.

“Having an audience with Mother.”

“Will Wangye be there with me?”

“Mm.”

“Then there’s nothing for me to be scared of.” She had been a villainess for many years, so how could she not have learned some tricks from the roles she had played? Having an audience with a woman of the same kind as Empress Dowager Wei was a trivial matter. Furthermore, she had Ouyang Feilong beside her.

If she was still scared…then do not call her a villainess!