Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess (Quick Transmigration)

“The Prince was drunk last night. He probably feared his alcohol breath would offend me, so… he didn’t come to my chambers,” Shen Wan answered softly, her face showing unease and a pitiful expression.

Saving face for a scoundrel was impossible. Since he had no shame, she had even less need for this facade. Given how fiercely she had beaten him yesterday, He Xiyan likely wouldn’t have the strength to visit her room for two months even if he wanted to. Just thinking about it made her quite happy.

Pft——

Hm?

He Qingning had been surprised that her Third Brother hadn’t consummated the marriage on their wedding night. She disapproved of how the daughter of the mighty General Shen appeared so weak and delicate. For an Eldest Daughter to be so timid was infuriating. She wondered if General Shen would be angered in his grave to see such a daughter.

Suddenly, He Qingning noticed Shen Wan smile briefly. When she looked more closely, Shen Wan had resumed her cautious, uneasy demeanor, no different from before. He Qingning shifted her gaze away.

“Imperial Physician Chen, please go in and examine my Third Brother. See what ails him. He’s always been in good health, so for him to be too ill to leave his room, it must be serious. We can’t delay.”

Imperial Physician Chen bowed slightly and approached the bedside with his medicine box. The bed curtains were drawn, with only a vague silhouette visible inside. Earlier, when a doctor had tried to open the curtains, He Xiyan had scared him away with a harsh “Get out!” Chen didn’t dare to open the curtains directly, instead standing by the bed and asking softly.

“Your Highness, may I take your pulse? The Princess is right, we shouldn’t let an illness linger untreated.”

“Everyone leave. I’m fine. No need to examine me.”

He Xiyan lay in bed, truly furious. Never in his life had he been so humiliated, especially by a mere woman. Not only had she kicked him painfully in a sensitive area, nearly taking his life, but she had also beaten him while he was wrapped in a blanket. Worse still, that woman had stripped off his clothes, tied him up like a dumpling, and hung him from a tree branch.

He had struggled all night to free himself. Even though he could have used a secret signal to summon help, how could he let his subordinates see him in such an embarrassing state? After struggling all night, he finally broke free of the cloth ropes at dawn, cursing the high quality of his clothes that had made it so difficult. Mainly, his entire body ached, especially that indescribable area which had nearly made him faint from pain.

After freeing himself, he had snuck back to his room. His first act was to examine his body, finding bruises everywhere, especially his face which was swollen beyond recognition and bore long fingernail scratches. That particular area… was agonizingly painful. Shen Wan, he would remember this. That detestable woman.

“188, I think I hear teeth grinding. Do you think He Xiyan is recalling last night and grinding his teeth in hatred of me?”

[188: “Wan Wan, once he recovers, he’ll seek revenge.”]

“I’m incredibly strong. One punch from me could split his head open. Let him try.”

188: Oh, his host was truly formidable.

Seeing that Imperial Physician Chen’s pleas were ineffective, He Qingning said, “Third Brother, just extend your wrist and let Imperial Physician Chen examine you. If your illness is serious, Father Emperor will surely worry when he hears about it.”

“I’m fine.”

He Xiyan endured his body’s pain, inwardly cursing. Why wouldn’t these people leave? How could he go see a doctor if they didn’t leave? He knew he needed medical attention when ill!!

“Yes, Your Highness. The Princess is right. Illnesses should be treated, lest a minor ailment becomes serious. Your aversion to doctors isn’t good,” Shen Wan chimed in. “If Your Highness has some private condition, there’s no need to worry. Doctors are bound by confidentiality. You can instruct Imperial Physician Chen not to disclose your condition to others.”

Imperial Physician Chen and He Qingning’s expressions turned strange. Was this girl stupid? Even if He Xiyan had no such condition, her words would make people speculate endlessly about what secret ailment he might have.

He Qingning suddenly recalled Shen Wan mentioning that they hadn’t consummated the marriage on their wedding night. Her expression turned to shock. Could her Third Brother truly have some hidden condition, and that’s why he hadn’t gone to the bridal chamber? The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Perhaps her Third Brother had only discovered this last night? Come to think of it, despite his age, she had never heard of him having any intimate servants. Only male attendants served him.

He Qingning sensed Shen Wan looking at her and met her gaze. Their eyes connected briefly before quickly looking away, as if they both understood what the other was thinking.

Now Imperial Physician Chen truly didn’t dare to diagnose He Xiyan. Seeing the prince’s continued refusal, he only asked a few questions. Hearing He Xiyan’s strong voice, it seemed there was no major illness. He hastily excused himself, carrying his medicine box.

This Prince Yan was also known as King Yan (King of Hell).

He had no wish to provoke this King of Hell. If he truly diagnosed some private condition, who knew if he might be stabbed in the back later? He valued his life.

Seeing that He Xiyan adamantly refused medical attention, He Qingning was at a loss.

She glanced at Shen Wan and approached her, saying softly, “Let’s talk in your chambers.”

Shen Wan thought: Talk about what? If it’s about whether He Xiyan is capable, she could guarantee he wouldn’t be for at least two months. As for later, she shouldn’t be the one to ask; it would be more appropriate to ask Shen Shi. Of course, if it was about matters between the two of them, she would be quite willing.

188 sensed that his host’s gaze had been strange ever since she saw He Qingning. Based on past experience, his instinct told him that in this small world, He Qingning was the one his host had set her sights on. But why was his host so certain that something would happen between her and He Qingning?

They were in ancient times, even if it was an alternate history. It wasn’t as open as modern times. She was now He Xiyan’s consort, and He Qingning was a princess. He thought it would be very difficult for them to develop any relationship. But seeing his host’s determination, 188 chose not to interfere. His host knew what she was doing; he only needed to silently support her.

“Your Highness.”

Shen Wan first approached the bedside, with no intention of opening the curtains. She called out in a sweet voice, making He Xiyan’s entire body ache.

This shrew!

Last night her voice had been fierce and vicious, her actions brutal. Now she was acting like a delicate young woman, and quite convincingly too.

He wouldn’t fall for it.

This two-faced woman.

“What is it?” He Xiyan asked coldly. “If it’s about seeing a doctor, there’s no need. I’m fine. You should all leave and not concern yourselves with me. I’ll be better in a couple of days.”

Shen Wan thought: More like it’ll take two months to recover.

“Then I shall take my leave. Your Highness is blessed; surely nothing serious will befall you,” Shen Wan said in a lowered, shy voice. “I’ll be waiting for you to…”

He Xiyan interrupted: “You may go.” Consummate the marriage? Keep dreaming. It would never happen in this lifetime. This woman could remain a living widow forever.

Afterward, Shen Wan left with He Qingning. As they walked to her courtyard, neither spoke.

[188: “Wan Wan, may I ask a question? Have you taken a liking to He Qingning?”]

Shen Wan kept a straight face. “188, you’re overthinking. I’m now He Xiyan’s consort, and He Qingning is a princess.”

[188: “But I sense that your gaze towards her is unusual, as if you’ve confirmed she’s the one you’re looking for.”]

Having been bound to Shen Wan for so long and completed several missions, he noticed that each of her mission completions felt like a roller coaster ride. If he weren’t a young system, his heart might not be able to take it. Although the roller coaster seemed dangerous and thrilling, she always managed to complete the mission well in the end.

What puzzled him was how in every small world, Shen Wan could find a young lady to pursue a relationship with, and they would always end up deeply in love with each other. It seemed unrealistic. It was as if there was always one character in these books created just for her, only coming to life when she arrived. After each mission, she underwent memory erasure, but even without it, different worlds and appearances should mean encountering different people. Yet when she first laid eyes on certain characters, it always gave him the impression of that earlier phrase: “confirming it’s you.”

“Did Third Brother really not come to your room last night?”

He Qingning asked directly, true to her nature. She was the most favored among the Emperor’s daughters, as the Xiyun Kingdom’s Empress was the Emperor’s most beloved. As for why she was so close to He Xiyan, it was because He Xiyan’s birth mother had died in childbirth. The Empress, being frail, had given birth to He Qingning and was then forbidden by the Emperor from conceiving again for her safety. She happened to take in He Xiyan and raise him as her own. Unfortunately, the Empress’s health declined in the following years, and she passed away.

“He didn’t,” Shen Wan answered honestly, believing that He Xiyan would never want to come to her room again in this lifetime. The mere thought of her would probably cause him unbearable pain all over his body.

He Qingning blinked and said in a low voice, “Don’t spread word of today’s events.”

“Oh…” Shen Wan looked at He Qingning and responded very obediently.

He Qingning felt a bit strange. Previously, she had thought Shen Wan was like useless mud that couldn’t stick to a wall. She disliked women who were too frail, mainly because of her late mother. She always believed that overly delicate women wouldn’t live long. General Shen had sacrificed himself for the country, leaving behind only one legitimate daughter and an insignificant illegitimate one. This legitimate daughter couldn’t uphold the family’s reputation, which was why she had some dislike for her.

Now, looking at Shen Wan’s bright, lively eyes and energetic demeanor, she didn’t feel as much aversion. As they had walked here, Shen Wan’s steps had been steady, not at all like someone who could be blown over by the wind. It was quite different from her previous impressions.

“Well…” He Qingning paused before continuing, “Regardless, you are my Third Brother’s consort. Yesterday was your wedding night, and you were indeed wronged. I’ll think of a way to persuade my Third Brother to see a doctor, no matter what.”

Shen Wan thought: Wouldn’t it be better if He Xiyan became a eunuch?

If it wouldn’t cause such big trouble to castrate him directly, she would have seriously considered snipping him off yesterday.

“I understand. Whether or not the Prince has a hidden condition, I am his consort for life. This fact cannot be changed,” Shen Wan said wistfully. “It’s all fate. I will be a proper consort and absolutely won’t bring shame to the Prince.”

He Qingning felt a bit uncomfortable. Although her actions and demeanor often seemed unforgiving, she wasn’t actually an overly harsh person. As a princess, she often couldn’t afford to appear weak. Just dealing with her group of sisters was headache-inducing, forcing her to be a bit fierce. After all, she was favored, so why not use her power? Now, seeing Shen Wan’s docile behavior, she wondered if she had scared her earlier by being too intimidating.

“If you face any grievances in the future, come to me. I’ll support you.” If her Third Brother truly had issues, wouldn’t that be unfair to Shen Wan? Shen Wan was even younger than her, and given her previous impression, she couldn’t bring herself to call her “Third Sister-in-law,” nor did she want to address her as such.

Shen Wan: “188, He Qingning already suspects He Xiyan is impotent.”

[188: “Wan Wan, now’s your chance to strike while the iron is hot. Gain her sympathy, and then whoosh whoosh whoosh…”]

“Whoosh your hammer!” What rubbish.

As they were talking in the room, Hong Zhu ran in and whispered in Shen Wan’s ear, “Princess Consort, the Second Miss has come to the Prince’s mansion. She went directly to the Prince’s quarters.”

He Qingning, being close by, also heard. Shen Shi? That’s the General’s illegitimate daughter who looks like she could be blown over by a breeze, with an eternally pale face?

“My Second Sister must be very concerned about the Prince’s health. After all, in her heart, the Prince is like a big brother to her.”

In the Xiyun Kingdom, social customs were relatively open. There were no restrictions on women going out, nor on men and women meeting. Unmarried men and women often participated in poetry gatherings to showcase their talents.

This Shen Shi lived up to her name, possessing some artistic talents. She and He Xiyan likely connected through various poetry gatherings. Since they became involved, Shen Shi had been enthusiastic about attending these gatherings, as was He Xiyan. They publicly got to know each other through mutual acquaintances. To avoid gossip, Shen Shi later began bringing the original Shen Wan along. Unfortunately, the original Shen Wan had no interest in the four arts of the scholar, and while not naturally frail, she pretended to be delicate in front of He Xiyan out of admiration for him.

Hearing Shen Wan’s words, He Qingning’s expression turned strange. Big brother? Her Third Brother was a prince, the Emperor’s son, raised under her mother’s name since childhood. When did he become a mere illegitimate daughter’s big brother?

Seeing Shen Wan’s carefree demeanor, she couldn’t help but stand up and grab Shen Wan’s hand. “Come with me to see what’s going on.”

188: They’re holding hands already? It seems this world won’t require much worry. Perhaps it won’t be long before whoosh whoosh whoosh…

As soon as they entered the room, Shen Wan heard Shen Shi’s soft crying. She glanced over to see Shen Shi sitting outside the curtain, indicating that He Xiyan hadn’t allowed her to see his condition either. Shen Shi’s eyes were red from crying, like a little rabbit, evoking pity.

“Second Sister?”

Shen Wan coughed lightly, walked over, and patted Shen Shi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, the Prince is still alive. He’ll be fine. Don’t cry so heartbrokenly. Your crying made me think the Prince had… Pah! What am I saying? The Prince is perfectly fine. How could anything happen to him?”

“Elder Sister, how did the Prince fall ill? He was perfectly fine just a day ago when he married you. This illness is truly strange.”

Well done, implying she was a husband-killer in one sentence.

He Qingning also frowned. Indeed, sickly people were so annoying. Shen Shi seemed to sense He Qingning’s gaze and quickly looked up. Seeing her piercing look, she was truly startled.

“Shen Shi pays respects to Princess Qingning.”

“Why are you here?” He Qingning asked coldly. “Crying and wailing so early in the morning. If my Third Brother wasn’t ill before, your crying would surely make him sick.”

“I… I was just so worried about the Prince, so…” She expressed herself quite plainly; He Qingning wasn’t a fool.