Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

217 This is the last fate of the transmigrated villainess Part II

“Is that…purple jade?” As her eyes swept past her sister’s wrist, Bai Xue immediately asked about the purple jade bracelet that she had only now noticed.

Bai Yu arched an eyebrow at her sister, who suddenly mentioned an accessory on her body. Bai Xue never showed any interest in what she wore.

“That thing…” Bai Xue tore her eyes away from Bai Yu’s wrist. Her back straightened as she recalled the meaning of the purple jade to the Ouyang dynasty. “…Do you know its meaning?”

“Its meaning?”

Bai Yu frowned at her purple jade bracelet. Ouyang Feilong explained nothing as he gave it to her, and so she only saw it as a living gift from him and nothing else.

However, Bai Xue did not have the same thought as her. If one carefully considered it, purple jade to the Ouyang dynasty would mean…

“Your Majesty, there is a summon from the Empress Dowager.”        

The interruption in their conversation made Bai Yu’s frown tighten. She had already gone to visit Empress Dowager Wei in the morning. What could have made that senior woman want to see her again before noon?

“You can pass this matter on to General Yue Huiling. Let her continue the investigation.” Bai Yu left one last order for the most important matter to her sister before going to prepare herself.

.....

Bai Xue nodded, brushing the purple jade out of her mind. If Bai Yu did not care, then she should not have stirred anything up. “If you’re going to keep it a secret, you might have to continue to play a mind game with that person.”

“Not for long.”

She would let anyone know whatever they wished. They could squirm all they wanted now that they knew. Because, above all…she was in bliss.

——————

“Aijia wants to invite you and Taizi Fei to have a conversation together, as a family should.”

“I am more than happy to, mother.” Bai Yu faked a smile.

“Grandmother is most gracious.” Chu Jiaoxin forced a smile.

The two young women could only lower their heads and lie when faced with Empress Dowager Wei’s intention of summoning them both today. Bai Yu could understand why she could not trust Empress Dowager Wei. At the same time, it seemed to her that Chu Jiaoxin did not have an entirely amicable relationship with her grandmother-in-law.

One was a deceitful woman.

Another was a straightforward woman.

Despite Ouyang Mingxian being the link, it was impossible for them to get along.

“Aijia got this tea from Da Fu. It will make it easier for you to get pregnant.”

“Thank you.”

Bai Yu and Chu Jiaoxin raised the full teacup to politely smell its fragrance. Bai Yu used her other hand to cover her mouth before pouring the sweet-smelling drink into the dark fabric of her sleeve.

This tea was beneficial for a normal woman, though it could be harmful to a pregnant woman. The effect might not have been too severe, but Bai Yu did not want to take the risk.

Thus, Empress Dowager Wei’s simple trick was thwarted by Bai Yu’s equally simple trick.

Today, she wanted to make ‘that person’ that Bai Xue meant to know that she was pregnant so that there would be no more tricks, schemes, or tests that could only cause her a headache.

“Anyway, aijia has to thank you for taking care of the second consort and giving good news to the royal family.” A wrinkled hand lightly patted the back of Bai Yu’s hand. It was a familiar touch, yet it felt more distant than ever.

“Mother is exaggerating.” Bai Yu smiled sweetly. “This is all because Taizi Fei takes good care of her sister.”

“I do not dare.” Chu Jiaoxin’s smile did not reach her eyes.

“Alright, alright.” Empress Dowager Wei waved her hand to end the topic. “You both deserve aijia’s praise. Today, Empress Bai has time to keep company with the elderly. Why don’t you help aijia take a look around the garden you’re renovating?”

“Gladly, mother.”

Before Lin Mama could move, Bai Yu went forward to help support Empress Dowager out of habit. Three figures of noble ladies strolled along the path in the royal garden, lit by the late morning sunlight that was not too harsh.

“Xin-er, what flower do you like?”

Empress Dowager Wei asked as they were walking along the path decorated with flowers that Bai Yu had put there temporarily for the scenery. If they continued further forward, they would reach the area she had prepared for Empress Dowager Wei’s banquet.

“Grandmother, I am a strange woman. I don’t prefer any flowers in particular.” Chu Jiaoxin, who was helping support Empress Dowager Wei’s on the other side, answered truthfully.

“Then aijia might be a strange woman.” She stopped to gaze at the plum blossom tree that still stood despite winter having already passed. Its flowers bloomed beautifully amidst the air of spring.

“When aijia likes a flower, aijia takes good care of it. But when its season has passed, aijia will grow a new flower so that it can bloom at the right time.”

“In terms of beauty, growing flowers according to seasons would be as Grandmother says.”

“True.” Empress Dowager Wei turned away from the blooming plum blossoms to Bai Yu as she smiled. “And winter has passed.”

Chu Jiaoxin said nothing in response. Though she did not understand, she knew that these words were not directed at her, and her grandmother-in-law was not talking about normal flowers.

The Empress Dowager did not continue, only turned away from Bai Yu to speak to Chu Jiaoxin.

“Today’s sunlight makes aijia dizzy.”

“Please let me accompany Grandmother back.” When spoken to directly, how could the former first princess not understand?

“Very well.” Empress Dowager Wei pulled her hand away from Bai Yu before putting it over Chu Jiaoxin’s. The elderly woman then spoke to her with a smile. “Empress has already walked this far. You can continue to check on the renovation’s progress. There’s no need to follow aijia.”

“Farewell from Yu-er to Mother.” Bai Yu curtsied without uttering a word of complaint.

It was clearer than clear that Empress Dowager Wei wanted to tell Bai Yu that she was no longer her favorite. The past friendliness was only an opera scene that Empress Dowager Wei showed to find out about Bai Yu’s pregnancy. It seemed the next step in her plan was to find a new woman to replace Bai Yu, who was no longer in the Empress Dowager’s palm.

Bai Yu held out her palm to a plum blossom petal that flew down in front of her. What did she mean, harsh sunlight? The breeze felt nice. The wind of the inner court would blow a major change to Da Yang.

“Blessings to Taizi.”

Xiao Xi’s voice pulled Bai Yu’s thoughts back to the man in front of her. Ouyang Mingxian seemed confused to meet her here, though he could not stand still and not come to greet her.

“Blessings from Ming-er to Aunt Empress.”

Bai Yu nodded with a smile. She was going to ask why a man like him would come to visit a flower garden. There was nothing of interest that would cause a cold person like him to come to relax here. However, before she could utter a word, her eyes became blurry, and her strength was suddenly sucked out of her body all at once. She could no longer maintain her balance.

“Yu-er!”

A familiar name came from the man who swiftly held her body. Bai Yu could only see the signature black clothes of the protagonist, then a purple jade pendant on his waist appeared in her sight. But before she could look more closely at it, Ouyang Mingxian tightened his arms to prevent her from falling onto the ground.

He accidentally called out her name like before, but in such a situation, no one paid any attention to it.

“I…” I am fine.

“Call the royal doctor!”

Ouyang Mingxian’s voice drowned out Bai Yu’s weakened one. Xiao Xi ran out without him having to repeat because right now, Bai Yu’s face was frighteningly pale. She could not find a shred of strength in herself and could only wrap her arms around the larger body that was supporting hers.

Her eyes were half-closed as her consciousness slowly drifted. Ouyang Mingxian adjusted his embrace in an attempt to carry Bai Yu up. She was panting hard. He could not waste a moment more!

“Yu-er!” A familiar name was called once again. This time, it was from a newcomer.

Bai Yu forced her eyes open to find the owner of that voice. She tried to focus on the golden shadow of a tall man.

Ouyang Feilong was standing in front of a long row of courtiers. They were heading to the royal study to continue the discussion that could not be settled in the throne hall. However, the scene in front of them made the hurried footsteps halt in their places.

The empress consort was embracing the man who was once a recipient of her love, renowned throughout Da Yang. Though they were now an aunt and a nephew, the intimacy they displayed was not what their title suggested!