Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

104 As much beauty and wealth Bai Yu possessed, her friend from the Xu family could match them all! Part I

Two days later, the news of Ouyang Mingxian’s return was heard all over the capital. The illustrious Qin Wang came back from quelling the bandits with a beauty from the Bai family who had saved his life. The Emperor was greatly pleased, and so he bestowed various rewards to Bai Hua, the savior of his favorite son.

There was also a rumor that the Emperor had intended to give a small, insignificant title to Bai Hua to include her in the royal family, but Empress Dowager Wei stopped him. Bai Hua remained the third miss of the Bai family just like before. The only change was the reputation she had gained for her medical achievement, as well as her black level magic, which was surprisingly progress. Bai Yu only smiled as Xiao Xi reported to her the new rumor that had completely overtaken the ones about her.

Someone else might be suspicious of the source of Bai Hua’s power, but Bai Yu knew that the one month Bai Hua had at the ancestral temple was crucial in opening up an opportunity for her to restore her magic. Bai Hua was never magic-less, it was only that her magic was sealed by poison since she was in the womb. As for the person behind Li Rong’s poisoning, it was not Bai Yu and her mother as everyone else had thought.

Bai Yu and Yue Mei were not the only people who hated and picked on Bai Hua. The third Furen and Bai Xue, too, did not like Bai Hua very much. Li Rong was pregnant around the same time Bai Xue was going to be born. The third Furen could not bear the thought that a concubine’s child might become a competition to her daughter, so she poisoned Li Rong. Everything was in Yue Mei’s sight, but she did nothing to stop it since poisoning Li Rong’s child would benefit Bai Yu as well.

Bai Yu knew this from the series she had starred in. Whether Bai Hua would know this or not...did not concern her.

In the story, Padma was a genius doctor. When she became Bai Hua and was able to stay at the temple, away from others’ prying eyes, she was able to find a way to use her magic while using the potion she brewed to hasten her progress. That, coupled with her medical knowledge from her two lives, enabled Bai Hua’s magic to become higher than hers.

If it was not for her character as the eye candy villainess while Bai Hua was the capable one, she would have asked for the potion recipe from Bai Hua. And if this was the past her, she would have tried using all means possible to have a higher level of magic than Bai Hua. But now she knew who her true rival was, so Bai Hua’s magic was not a concern for Bai Yu at all.

Competing with others will not make her bigger, competing with herself was the true growth. Someday, she would grow big enough to be noticed by that person who had shown her the way.

“Miss, Master Xu would like to see you.”

.....

“Where is he?”

“In the parlor room.”

“Mm.”

Bai Yu gently wiped Bai He’s face, then handed the small piece of cloth to Xiao Chang and adjusted his blanket before standing up from the bed that used to be hers. She headed for the parlor room in the Meihua building.

“How is Master Bai?”

“Still sleeping. Thank you Master Xu for your concern.” Bai Yu pretended to curtsy to the man in front of her. “I’ve made Master Xu expend great efforts finding the news about my brother.”

Bai He’s condition was known only within the Yue family. Xu Luanle must have put in quite an effort. There were no families other than the Xu who would have the ability to discover this secret.

“I also know that someone is grounded. Ohohoho.” Xu Luanle did not react when he was caught prying Yue and Bai family’s secrets. He even proudly announced it out loud by mentioning her being grounded by her mother. He laughed as he daintily covered his mouth with his feathered-fan.

“Good. So you’ll understand that I can’t meet you outside to discuss the design or sewing.” Bai Yu did not take her friend’s action to heart. She knew that this man cared about nothing else other than other people’s business and sewing. Though their families were balancing each other’s power and influence, Xu Luanle had no intention of revealing the secret and damaging the Bai family. Bai Yu could trust him with the truth of Bai He’s condition.

“I know you can’t go outside. That’s why I bring this.”

Xu Luanle used his fan to point at a golden fabric bundle on the table. Bai Yu knew at a glance what was inside. She had to thank him, otherwise, she would have forgotten that she had agreed to order a dress for the Empress.

“Pei-er will be the one to take you to the palace tomorrow.”

Bringing the dress, and also a way to enter the palace while she was grounded...Master Xu truly came prepared.

“Thanks, queen.” Bai Yu did not take a single look at what was inside. She was the one who had designed this dress, so she was sure of how eye-catching and exquisite it was. Especially with Xu Luanle’s sewing skill, there was no possibility of error. She promptly handed the bundle to Xiao Xi to prepare to give to the Empress tomorrow.

Before leaving, Xu Luanle said that after she returned from the palace, he would have his servants bring his sewing kits here. Since she could not leave, it would be more difficult for them to continue their joint business project. Xu Luanle then had to come and stay here as the anonymous master, to which Bai Yu agreed. If Xu Luanle was here, she would be able to both do her work while taking care of Bai He at the same time.

They planned to reveal their dresses before the Meihua Lady competition started. First, because reputation was crucial for the competition. Second, it would be the opportunity for them to create a good reputation to cover up her bad rumors. At first, Bai Yu only aimed for the former, but after everything that had happened, the latter would also benefit her very well.

Beautiful and rich, and also clever...She was so proud of herself.

——————-

Bai Yu headed to the palace in Xu Peipei’s carriage. She went to ask Yue Mei for permission, using various excuses. Considering the Xu family’s position, Yue Mei had to let Xu Peipei take Bai Yu to the palace.

Originally, Empress Wang had organized a small tea party to thank Bai Hua for saving Ouyang Mingxian, who was her son by law. Obviously, participants were limited to high-ranking young ladies and the royal consorts.

On the surface, the Empress wanted to thank Bai Hua. However, the truth beneath was that she wanted to see the girl who had messed up her plan!

As for Bai Yu, she and Xu Luanle wanted to hand the dress designed by her and sewn by Xu Luanle to the Empress at the party. They intended to receive a word of praise from her in front of young ladies who were their main target. This would greatly promote both her clothes and the anonymous master shop.

Two misses from the two major families walked side by side along the palace corridor. There were many times that Bai Yu and Xu Peipei would walk together like this or talk while at various banquets. However, despite the harmonious appearance, no one knew that the two families could never be friends. Their power within the court made them enemies. Still, there was a different air between them today. The answer to ‘how’ it was different was known only to the two.

“Thank you,” Bai Yu said smilingly.

“I’m doing it for my brother.” Xu Peipei lifted her chin. The string of pearls on her hairpin, designed by Bai Yu, swung along with her movement.

Today Xu Peipei wore a green dress, her favorite color. The cold weather of winter deprived her of an opportunity to show off her assets. But even while being fully covered up, the curves of her body could still show, making her as alluring as ever.

Bai Yu was still wearing a dark blue dress as usual. Its dark color contrasted well with her white skin. She also wore a sable fur coat of the same color for warmth. It was as if this had become her signature color.

An image of a reserved young lady in a dark blue dress, her appearance was beautiful as expected of her title as the number one beauty. The air of sophistication and gentleness elevated her to another level of grace. Beside her was another beauty in a light green dress that was easy on the eye. Her white fox fur did nothing to hide her protruding bosom. The allure she carried was unequaled.

The two misses of major families elegantly curtsied and gave blessings to the Empress.

This party was a gathering of the Emperor’s royal consorts who were all eye-catching in their own styles. At the same time, the young ladies who came to participate were also dressed up to the nines, aiming to catch the Empress’s eyes so that they might have the chance to be wed to some prince in Da Yang.

However, when the two beauties stepped into the party, every word was reduced to silence. All eyes were drawn to Bai Yu and Xu Peipei as if they were enchanted by magic.

After formalities, Empress Wang gave her and Xu Peipei seats beside each other, according to the status of their families. Bai Hua was the star of the show this time. The Empress even arranged for her seat to be equal to Bai Yu, despite her being a concubine’s child. Still, it was undeniable that the current Bai Hua was unrivaled, not even Bai Yu who was born from the first Furen.