Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

187 Congratulations. At least…you could marry now Part II

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

The first half of the princess’ life was spent within the palace walls, while the latter half was spent traveling the martial world and cultivating in the divine valley. She might not be particularly strong, but she had confidence from her experiences within the martial world and had absorbed the straightforwardness of the martial artists. These were the qualities Bai Yu respected in Chu Jiaoxin’s sincerity. However, they became weak points when she lived in the palace. Thus, the first princess’ mannerisms were clearly not received well by Ouyang Feilong’s many consorts. Despite being intimidated by her powerful gaze, they still attempted to glare back. The interaction was already heated upon the first meeting. If the consorts knew about how the princess had tried to offer marriage to Ouyang Feilong, the fight would surely be even more satisfying.

Bai Yu smiled as she remained comfortable in her high seat, enjoying the view of tigresses fighting each other.

“Rise, princess,” Ouyang Feilong said politely and in an affable tone.

“Many thanks, Your Majesty.” When Chu Jiaoxin moved, the dangling accessories in her hair swayed. Bai Yu watched various hairpieces that finely came together in wonder. She wanted them… But she only had these phoenix adornments. She might have to start designing more accessories now.

Bai Yu’s eyes turned to Xu Luanle at the thought. She needed her friend to do the legwork for her yet again. But from the look he had in return, it seemed that her friend was thinking about something different than her. Xu Luanle’s eyes, which were unusually clean of eyeliner, glared back at her. His gaze felt as if it contained daggers.

Bai Yu raised an eyebrow in confusion. Xu Luanle gestured at Chu Jiaoxin, who was talking with Ouyang Feilong about Chu Zhaoran, who was now Da Chu’s emperor. All eyes were fixed on the princess, who had an air of sharpness and wickedness in the perfect combination, and so none noticed the two friends who were apologizing to each other through eye contact. It seemed Bai Yu had forgotten to tell Xu Luanle that the foreign guniang at that time was the first princess.

“Your Majesty, I have come today not to sightsee but to relay the emperor’s words.” A bundle of golden cloth was handed to Chu Jiaoxin. She took it before giving it to Ouyang Feilong’s personal eunuch. Shortly, Chu Zhaoran’s decree was in his hand.

Ouyang Feilong opened it and read the message within. His calmness was a stark contrast to everyone’s impatience. Other than them, no one knew that Chu Zhaoran was an ally and not an enemy. Though the war had ended, the generals and courtiers could not feel fully assured. Especially now that Da Chu had sent emissaries, they must keep a close eye on the guests, especially women. When a woman was within a group, there was only one interpretation that could be made.

.....

“A diplomatic marriage, huh?” Ouyang Feilong’s murmur could be clearly heard by all in the area. Again, the sounds of exclamation were sparked by the word marriage.

Bai Yu’s smile froze.

Chu Zhaoran had not given up on this kind of thought? He even sent Chu Jiaoxin here. There was no doubt who would marry whom!

With her status, Chu Jiaoxin would not marry a common general or a young master. The problem of Ouyang Mingxian had yet to be resolved, and the Chu people had sent another to knock on her door. Bai Yu secretly took a deep breath in an attempt to hold herself back from cursing out loud like she would have done in her past life. Still, she could not help her thoughts…

That blond guy… Damn him!

“This…” Ouyang Feilong frowned. This matter could not be delayed, as it would be rude to the emissaries. But at the same time, he could not act rashly.

Bai Yu looked at her husband’s face as she internally bellowed. Refuse. Refuse.

“This was discussed between zhen and your emperor when we agreed to form a peace treaty.”

What? When did they have that talk?!

“Since I am the only female royalty, the emperor has entrusted me with his message.” Her lips, dyed red with rouge, revealed a smile and a direct, challenging gaze toward Bai Yu.

To put it simply, Chu Jiaoxin came for a diplomatic marriage.

Bai Yu faked a sweet smile in response before turning to Ouyang Feilong. Her tone dripped with honey, hiding the stress under its coat. “Your Highness, this matter…” She still maintained a smile while staring at the man beside her, who did not seem surprised by the woman in red and the marriage proposal from afar. Of course, you two have planned this already!

Ouyang Feilong looked at her with an amused gaze. He lightly patted the back of her hand. “Empress, you’re already aware of this, are you not?”

When had she heard about this?!

“Zhen let you decide on this marriage a long while back. Don’t you remember?”

Huh?

“Apologies to First Princess. Zhen already gave Zhen’s word to the empress in regard to this marriage. Zhen cannot go back on it,” Ouyang Feilong turned to speak to Chu Jiaoxin, who was as stunned and speechless as Bai Yu.

“But that…” Chu Jiaoxin had no words for what Ouyang Feilong said to her in front of the crowd. That was an agreement Bai Yu and Ouyang Feilong had had while at an inn in Da Chu. Now she remembered! If the marriage was to happen, Ouyang Feilong would let her help him decide. Still, judging from the glint in his eyes right now, the word ‘help’ might not be necessary.

“Bengong and First Princess, we are quite familiar with each other. Bengong is glad that we can become a family,” Bai Yu smiled and spoke sweetly, ignoring how Ouyang Feilong was hiding a smile at her abrupt and drastic change in expression.

From the smooth voice, hiding a slight strain beneath, suddenly became a warm, honeyed tone. Ouyang Feilong finally let out a chuckle. His laughter was low, while his face was tense with an attempt to suppress a smile.

This man… He was the evilest!

Everything was the plan he had laid out without her realizing it. Furthermore, he intended to trick her with an extremely serious matter. Originally, this banquet was held to celebrate Ouyang Feilong’s coronation, but because of the new emperor’s distaste for social gatherings, he had tacked on an award ceremony for the soldiers who had taken part in the war with Da Chu as well. The banquet continued smoothly until the emissaries ‘coincidentally’ arrived at the same time that Ouyang Mingxian requested a marriage.

And ‘coincidentally,’ the envoy also came with Chu Jiaoxin, carrying the royal message. In truth, Da Chu could send any young lady from any family as long as she was given the title of princess. With the title, she could marry without a point of objection. However, Chu Jiaoxin herself came, as Ouyang Feilong had expected, and so he passed on the decision to Bai Yu by using their conversation back in Da Chu as an excuse. He already expected her to see through Chu Jiaoxin’s intended marriage partner. At the same time, he also knew she would never let him take this foreign woman as consort!

She knew that she reeked of vinegar, but was this not going a little too far?!

If it was not Ouyang Feilong, then the other men who had high enough status to marry the first princess would be Ouyang Mingxian, who had just asked for the marriage, and Ouyang Wenrou, who did not come despite having contributed to the war as well. She would have to ask Ouyang Feilong for a reason for his absence later.

If Ouyang Mingxian had asked to marry Xu Peipei, it could have been thwarted by the first princess’ arrival. Chu Jiaoxin’s status could alter the marriage he had requested. And even though Ouyang Mingxian wished for marriage with Bai Hua instead, the problem with the Bai family’s power would be lessened by Da Chu’s influence that came with Chu Jiaoxin.

No matter who Ouyang Mingxian asked to marry, Ouyang Feilong already had a plan in place to counteract it. However, he himself could not be the one to refuse marriage to Chu Jiaoxin. Thus, the only person who could help complete this plan was Bai Yu, who was not informed in advance at all. Ouyang Feilong knew that she would never agree to it. And he was right. Who would agree? It seemed the villainess had to grace the public with her renowned cruelty yet again…

“For the princess’ honor, bengong cannot let you marry any man other than bengong’s valiant nephew…” Bai Yu smiled as she glanced at Ouyang Mingxian, the nephew who was older than her. Silence took over the banquet while Bai Yu’s heart pounded loudly. She knew she was going to interfere with the lovers’ red string again because of her own selfishness. But she did not care.

“Mm.” Ouyang Feilong pretended to nod in agreement amidst the stressful silence.

“The first princess is not familiar with Da Yang’s culture and traditions. Can bengong entrust her to Miss Bai Hua’s care?” Bai Yu took advantage of Bai Hua’s natural kindness at the moment when she was still stunned by the confusion from ambiguous words.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

My dear heroine, I will have to apologize to you again in this life.

“Then, Princess Chu Jiaoxin shall marry into Qin Wang’s palace as first consort, and Miss Bai Hua shall be second consort. What does Your Majesty think?”

“Very well.” Ouyang Feilong immediately nodded with a satisfied smile. “Let that be done. Zhen shall order a grand marriage that befits the princess’ honor.”

“What are you doing? Hurry and thank His Majesty.” Bai Yu looked at the three and spoke. Her delighted tone was not simply a mask, but an indication of her true feelings.

“Your Majesty is most gracious.”

Congratulations. At least…you could marry now.

Hmph!