Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

42 Seemed evil, just because she’s a villainess Part II

“First mother.” While waiting for the two women who were summoned, a soft voice from a young maiden in white drew everyone’s attention. Bai Yue started acting on her own plan.

“Lately, third sister’s health is not very good. I am afraid that she will be a burden to our big sister when they are in the palace. Big sister herself also just got back from a faraway village, she must be tired...” Her big round eyes like a young doe were full of meaning when she gazed at the first Furen. “...Can mother please allow me to go and help her third sister?”

At first, she wanted to dress up to attract the eyes of two Wangyes. But now that there was an opportunity to enter the imperial palace and even visit the Empress Dowager’s palace, she could not help but become ambitious. Even a former maid’s child like third sister could go, then why could a second Furen’s daughter like her not?

Bai Yue guessed that Yue Mei must be thinking that Bai Hua was going to cause trouble for Bai Yu. Her first mother never wanted anyone to be seen on the same level as her daughter, so Bai Yue took advantage of that thought and implied in her question that she would help hold third sister back. However, she actually wanted to be noticed by the Empress Dowager and Qin Wang.

She was always prevented from receiving Qin Wang. This time she used an excuse that she was going to see her father off at the front gate and could finally, coincidentally, meet Qin Wang who arrived at the same time.

“Yue-er is such a clever child.” Yue Mei fell for the doe-eyed girl’s trick. She asked for permission from Qin Wang to let Bai Yue follow, and was easily permitted. Ouyang Mingxian did not see a problem with allowing so, since he himself only wanted to see Bai Hua, while Ouyang Wenrou who came with his brother also only wanted to talk to the woman with whom he got along well.

It was not long before Qin Wang and Wei Wang’s row of carriages started moving toward the imperial palace. In the cavalcade, there was the Bai family’s carriage included as well. Within its grand and spacious interior, three women were sitting without saying a word to each other. It was an unusual sight, different from how women would normally start gossiping when they gathered.

Bai Yu was sitting in the middle, with Bai Hua and Bai Yue on both sides.

“What does big sister think the Empress Dowager summoned you for?”

.....

“It’s none of your business,” Bai Yu brusquely answered Bai Yue.

“I hope big sister isn’t saying that because you’re angry. This time you entered the palace with two daughters born from concubines. It’s not just you who’s the first Furen’s daughter anymore.”

Bai Yu and her mother used to say that it would be almost impossible for a concubine’s child like them to visit the palace, but this time, lower-born children like them were right here in her carriage. This really hurt!

Bai Hua and Bai Yue did not even have the right to come near Bai Yu’s carriage. But because Yue Mei wanted to make her seem generous in front of Ouyang Mingxian, she had to let them sit with her.

“No matter how I hear it, you both were just following me, not formally summoned.”

“But the Empress Dowager ordered to see third sister too.”

“Yet your name isn’t in the Empress Dowager’s order.”

Bai Yue immediately shut up. Bai Yu wearily shook her head. Did her mother send this fake doe to help her or to be a hindrance?

“The palace is full of royals, and the nobles who have close blood relations to the royal family. You two are just daughters from a secondary branch, so you should be careful...” Bai Yu stopped to glance at Bai Hua who was also looking at her. “...When you walk, you have to be both reserved and graceful. Always lower your head slightly. And don’t look directly at the face of those who have higher ranks than you. Ever. Unless you receive permissions.”

The villainess told her two half-sisters sternly.

“I know that both of you came to the palace once for the banquet last time. But this time is different because we’re going to the inner court, which is where the Empress Dowager’s palace is. There’s a high chance you’ll meet royal consorts, so you have to always mind your manners.”

As an older sister, Bai Yu advised them in a calm but serious tone.

Bai Yue was only innocent and talkative when she was faking. In truth, this fourth sister of hers was both arrogant and hot-headed. She would easily lose her composure when things did not go her way.

As for the transmigrated Bai Hua, obviously, she would not have the perfect manners of this ancient era. She might have knowledge about some etiquettes, but Bai Yu was still worried that she would try to apply the sense of equality here and forget to control herself when she was faced by the royal who loved mocking others, namely, Empress Dowager Wei.

Bai Yu was uncertain whether the Empress Dowager would take a liking to Bai Hua or not. If things went according to the series, then the answer would be no. Even worse, in the future she would continue to find ways to hinder the heroine, leading to Ouyang Mingxian being more sympathetic and protective of Bai Hua toward his own grandmother.

Bai Yu knew full well how the two’s love life would plan out. Still, she had no intention to stop it like the original body did. As long as she did not have to witness it with her own eyes, she could still suppress this heartache.

—————————-

When they arrived at the imperial palace, Ouyang Mingxian and Ouyang Wenrou separated from them and went to the meeting at the throne hall. It seemed that the two royals only escorted them because of the Empress Dowager’s order, not caring about the reason why they were summoned.

It was because Ouyang Mingxian was so oblivious like this that Bai Hua in the series had to struggle alone against Empress Dowager Wei for quite some time.

A eunuch had been waiting for them to arrive. When the two royals went the other way, the eunuch then came to lead the three women to the inner court where Empress Dowager Wei, Empress Wang, and other consorts and concubines resided. Bai Yu who had been here countless times already knew the way so having a eunuch to lead her was merely for formality.

Royal maids were stopped by the scene of three young ladies walking along the trimmed path amidst the sheer white of the imperial palace in the snow. They could not help but stare at them with admiration.

These three young misses all possessed different styles of beauty.

They were familiar with the one in the front. She was the first miss Bai Yu, a woman who was graceful and refined in all her manners. On that beautiful face was an ever-present slight smile that made her look like an angel with endless mercy for all living things. Furthermore, she was also known for her skills and high level of magic, making her famous among the maids in the imperial palace.

The woman in white behind her was distinct with her big, round eyes. Even while slightly lowering her face, her delicate features could attract attention. Though she was not as sophisticated as the first miss Bai Yu, she had an image of an innocent fairy.

She was different from the miss who was walking beside her. The light pink dress that she wore might not be as elegant as the other two, but it still could not detract from her beauty. If that first miss Bai Yu was the dignified one, then this Bai Hua who they had met once at the banquet was the gentle beauty. Her slender form invoked protectiveness in those who saw her, and her peach blossom eyes that looked around discreetly could easily charm anyone.

In terms of beauty, it was a tight competition. But in terms of birth, obviously Bai Yu won by a wide margin!

“Informing Empress Dowager, Miss Bai requests your audience.”

“Let her in.”

The voice from inside replied almost immediately after the maid called out. Before stepping through the door, Bai Yu glanced at Bai Hua for a brief moment.

Good luck to the heroine. The villainess right here will be taking the front-row seat.

“Blessings to Empress Dowager. May you live and reign for a thousand years, thousand years, thousands of thousands years.”

Three figures curtsied, greeting with voices that were loud and clear. Empress Dowager Wei saw those who came to her summon, and though she was surprised to see the fourth miss, she did not pay much mind to her.

“No need for such formality.” The woman in a Chinese phoenix embroidery dress came and took Bai Yu’s hands. Her action reflected both familiarity and care toward the recipient. As usual, the Empress Dowager was careful of her decorative nail guards as to not hurt Bai Yu’s skin with its sharp ends. This time when she told them to relax, she was talking only to Bai Yu. On top of that, she also took her by the hand to lead her to sit on the same long chair like last time. From the beginning to the end, Empress Dowager Wei did not spare a single glance toward the other two.

So you’re going to do it like this?

“Aijia already heard that you came back with Qin Wang. Aijia was so worried when there was news that you were in the area of the disease.”

“Your Majesty, originally, I just went to my ancestral temple. There was a day that I handed out congee to the villagers, so when the disease broke out, I had to remain there to contain the spread.”

“Ming-er was so worried that he volunteered to go to the village to stop the disease. Aijia was proud to see you both united your strength to save the villagers.”

“It is nothing much, Your Majesty.” Bai Yu faked a shy reaction. She was beginning to understand why Empress Dowager Wei summoned Bai Hua together with her today. It was because she wanted to show the heroine that Ouyang Mingxian belonged to Bai Yu alone.

“There’s no need to be humble, Yu-er. You and Ming-er are close since you’re young. To aijia, you are the only one that’s worthy of title Qin Wang Fei.”

Empress Dowager Wei said with a voice louder than usual. Even while talking to Bai Yu, her eyes did not leave Bai Hua who was standing still in the same place.

“And these...”