Chapter 136

Chapter 136

[Isn’t the Villain Tempting? Not Really – 6]

Hu Jiaojiao’s already crimson cheeks grew even hotter. She wished she could bury her head between her shoulders. Her fingers anxiously pinched the corner of her clothes, and she dared not look at her mother’s or brother’s expression.

Seeing her like this, Lady He felt completely reassured. Children always possessed limitless room for forgiveness before their mothers. Unless they committed some monstrous crime, a mother would always leave them a path back, no matter what circumstances they faced.

Besides, her daughter was only eight years old and carried Hu blood. Although she had not been favored in the Hu Family, her circumstances had still been incomparably better than Lady He’s relentless suffering. Demanding that the girl immediately accept that her uncle had killed her grandmother and father-and even cut out her father’s heart and liver-would be far too harsh.

Her son’s intelligence and understanding naturally delighted Lady He. Her daughter had become trapped in a narrow corner for a moment, but after listening to her brother’s persuasion, she could come to understand the principle as well. That comforted Lady He even more.

Hu Jiaojiao remained red-faced and silent. Lady He did not force her. She gently stroked the top of her daughter’s head. “It is all right. Mother understands. We are family. We need only speak openly when something troubles us. Mother fears only that you will bury everything in your hearts until the three of us grow distant from one another.”

The thought stirred Lady He’s emotions, and tears began to fall.

Guilt and heartache filled Hu Jiaojiao. She sobbed quietly, “Mother, don’t cry! It was my fault. I made you sad!”

Lady He wiped away her tears and shook her head with a smile. “Your maternal grandfather was heartless. What does that have to do with you?”

After a pause, she continued, “Your aunt by marriage is kind and has already prepared a courtyard for the three of us. Your uncle is also willing to shelter us for as long as we need. But we must understand proper conduct. We cannot truly thicken our faces and live there forever. I thought that because we will be strangers to the capital and know none of its families, staying temporarily in your uncle’s residence will be fine. But after a year or two, once we understand the capital, we should find another place to settle. Kanglin must marry someday, and Jiaojiao will need a match as well. It would be improper for outsiders to see an entire family shamelessly living in their uncle’s home.”

Hu Jiaojiao was still young and felt little embarrassment when her mother spoke of marriage. Hu Kanglin instead nodded and said, “Mother has thought far ahead.”

Lady He smiled tenderly and rested a hand upon his shoulder. “The capital is a wonderful place. Many renowned scholars and great teachers live there. Once we arrive, Mother will ask your uncle to help choose someone and send you to study. That applies to Jiaojiao too. No matter the time or place, learning more is always beneficial.”

Hu Kanglin nodded solemnly, while Hu Jiaojiao looked equally serious. “We understand, Mother.”

Sunlight blazed outside, as though it could warm them all the way to their hearts. Lady He placed their three hands together and said earnestly, “What your uncle gives us will never be the same as something we earned ourselves. His consideration for us is one matter, but we must not rely upon his influence to behave lawlessly outside and bring shame upon him. Both of you must remember that! Once we reach the capital, the three of us will stand as one. We must never begin fighting among ourselves and allow our own flesh and blood to be divided!”

Hu Kanglin and Hu Jiaojiao exchanged a glance, then answered together, “Mother, we will remember!”

…

Emperor Gaozu and his guards traveled on horseback, while Lady He and her children rode in a carriage. After half a month on the road, they arrived safely in the capital.

Lady He allowed the servants to help her from the carriage and brought her children down behind her. Somewhat nervous, she entered the residence with her brother. Before they had gone far, a group of female servants approached around a valiant-looking woman. Two boys, one older and one younger, followed behind her. Lady He guessed this must be her sister-in-law, Lady Zhu, and quickly curtsied in greeting.

At their first meeting, Lady Zhu returned the courtesy, then took Lady He’s hand and smiled with concern. “Little Sister, you must be exhausted after such a long journey. The meal has been ready for some time. Rest first, then eat. Now that you have returned home, there is no need for restraint…”

Then she instructed both boys to kowtow to their aunt.

Lady He secretly relaxed when she saw how warm and considerate her sister-in-law was. She presented the gifts she had prepared in advance, then signaled for her children to greet their aunt by marriage.

After they exchanged pleasantries, Lady He quietly studied her sister-in-law. Lady Zhu’s features were upright and dignified rather than exceptionally beautiful. Her face was round as a silver plate, and her figure was slightly full, nothing like the slender willow beauties currently celebrated by fashion. A firm and unyielding air marked her brows.

Only a woman like this could have taken her gravely wounded father’s place upon the city walls and held them against an enemy.

Approval filled Lady He’s heart and unconsciously showed upon her face. In the capital, Lady Zhu had seen too many arrogant noblewomen who disdained her military origins and robust appearance, yet bowed and flattered her because they feared her husband. Seeing her sister-in-law’s reaction made her like Lady He even more.

Lady Zhu had always been straightforward and made no attempt to hide her thoughts. She immediately laughed. “Forgive me for saying something rude, Little Sister. Before we met, I asked my husband what you looked like. He said you looked about the same as him. I thought, oh no! If he brings back another tall, sturdy woman, she will attract as many stares outside as her sister-in-law does!”

Lady He could not help laughing. Then she said sincerely, “Sister-in-Law possesses both filial devotion and righteousness. You defended a city for the country and rendered meritorious service to its people. How could any ordinary woman compare with you? Just now, I was thinking that had Sister-in-Law been in my place, you would never have become trapped in the Hu Family as I did.”

Lady Zhu had already heard about the Hu Family from her husband, and further letters had returned from Xing’an. Now that Lady He said this, Lady Zhu’s expression turned solemn. She gently shook her head. “In peaceful times, a young woman like you lives better. But when the realm falls into chaos, a woman like your sister-in-law holds the advantage.”
After speaking, Lady Zhu looked toward Hu Kanglin and Hu Jiaojiao with unmistakable envy. “Little Sister was blessed with beauty, and your two children look like a golden boy and jade maiden. Unlike my two brats-they take after their father, all big bones and thick limbs. Who knows what they will look like once they grow up? Besides their studies, both boys train in martial arts with a master every day. It is tiring, but it can only benefit them. If you wish, your son and daughter can join them.”

Lady He naturally had no reason to refuse. “Then I must thank Sister-in-Law in advance!”

While the adults spoke, the children went into the courtyard to play together.

The twins were only one year younger than He Zhenkui’s elder son, He Shaojun, and three years older than his younger son, He Shaobo. At first, Hu Kanglin and Hu Jiaojiao remained somewhat restrained. But after He Shaobo led them racing wildly around the courtyard, they gradually relaxed as well.

Emperor Gaozu hastily ate a few bites before leaving for the government offices to handle official business, leaving the sisters-in-law to talk. Once Lady He finished eating, Lady Zhu rose and led her toward the courtyard prepared for her and the children. As they walked, she said, “My mother died early, and my father refused to remarry. I was the only child in the family, without a single brother or sister. You understand my husband’s family affairs better than I do. Other than you, he has no close relatives. This enormous residence used to contain only the four of us. It was so empty that ghosts could have run wild in broad daylight! Now that you and my niece and nephew have arrived, the place will finally grow lively!”

The Great General’s residence was built according to his rank, leaving the inner quarters spacious enough to race horses. Her brother had taken no concubines either. How could it not feel empty?

Lady He smiled at her sister-in-law’s humorous words. When they reached the prepared courtyard, she found everything already in order. The grounds were clean, the flowers and plants fragrant, and every piece of furniture and equipment of fine quality. Lady Zhu had clearly devoted great care to it.

Lady He wanted to thank her, but Lady Zhu gave her no opportunity. Her eyes swept over Lady He, and she spoke first. “We are one family, so stop speaking as though we belong to two households. Even if you aren’t tired of thanking me, I am tired of hearing it! You must be exhausted from the journey. Rest for now. This evening, the kitchen will roast a lamb, and we will all celebrate together!”

Lady He saw her sister-in-law out, then lay alone upon the couch, her heart completely at peace. She suddenly felt as though she had returned to the years before her marriage.

No. This was even better.

Back then, she had still been anxious about her stepmother Lady Pan and her future after marriage. The road ahead had seemed uncertain. Only now did she truly possess a place where she could take root and solid ground beneath her feet. She was like a weary swallow that had flown through wind and rain for far too long and finally found a roof of her own to shelter her from every storm.

How wonderful.

…

After Hu Kanglin and Hu Jiaojiao had lived in their uncle’s residence for half a month, they changed their surname under their mother’s guidance. Their given names remained the same, but from that day forward, they became He Kanglin and He Jiaojiao.

The Great General’s full sister and her children had arrived in the capital. Their presence was hardly something shameful that needed to be hidden, and they would inevitably enter society. Rather than change their names after meeting everyone, it was better to make the matter clear from the beginning.

Several days later, Lady Zhu held a banquet in the residence and invited the capital’s noblewomen from eminent families. She had her sister-in-law, niece, and nephew dress formally, then introduced them solemnly to everyone in the capital.

The Hu Family had possessed some renown, while the He Family had equally distinguished foundations. Lady He and both children carried themselves well. Whatever the guests privately thought, hosts and guests enjoyed the banquet. Lady He, He Kanglin, and He Jiaojiao formally entered the capital’s social circle.

Meanwhile, hundreds of miles from the capital in Pingcheng, Zhou Shuhui opened her eyes in a daze.

The previous night, Zhou Shuhui had been unable to sleep and scrolled through Weibo on her phone. By chance, she discovered a novel whose heroine had exactly the same name as her.

Intrigued, she searched for the story and took a look. Wow, it was remarkably long-several million words!

Zhou Shuhui lacked the patience to read it carefully, so she searched online for a plot summary. The supposed romance between the male and female leads did not attract her. Instead, the great villain captured all her attention.

In the popular language of online fandom, the great villain was the perfect example of a man who was beautiful, tragic, and powerful.

He was a scion of the imperial clan named Yu Sixian. His sinister beauty was unsurpassed in the age. Cold and cruel by nature, he employed ruthless methods. His childhood experiences had filled him with malice toward the entire world, while his heart remained fixed upon climbing upward by any means necessary. His lifelong ambition was to reach the imperial throne and look down upon the realm. Then, halfway to his goal, he met the heroine, that fragile little white flower, and became trapped by love. He even lost the empire that had nearly fallen into his hands.

Zhou Shuhui had no interest in the male lead. She skimmed a few passages, then followed the table of contents to find the chapters about Yu Sixian. The more she read, the more irresistibly charming the villain seemed-decisive in killing, cold, and brilliant.

Yu Sixian met the married heroine and fell in love at first sight…

Yu Sixian seized her by force, threatening her family until she agreed to remarry him. He received her with all the rites due a principal consort and even fell out with the noble young women who admired him for her sake…

Did the heroine think she had not already dragged her family into enough trouble?!

Sure enough, Yu Sixian killed the heroine’s father to vent his rage.

Zhou Shuhui nearly died of anger. She skimmed further. The heroine escaped, and Yu Sixian personally led men after her. She jumped into the water to hide, miscarried as a result, and was ultimately found by Yu Sixian anyway.

Zhou Shuhui stared in disbelief.

So after all that turmoil, her escape had accomplished absolutely nothing?

Or had she run away solely to lose the child?!

That was the baby Yu Sixian had longed for with all his heart-the baby for whom he had already chosen a name!

Then Zhou Shuhui read, “Yu Sixian sat motionless in his study for a long while, his eyes bloodshot and his gaze shattered. Before him lay the jade pendant he had prepared for the child long ago…”
Heroine, you have no heart!

The more Zhou Shuhui read, the angrier she became.

In the end, the heroine still returned to the male lead. Worse, she exploited Yu Sixian’s feelings for her to help the male lead’s faction kill him, then lived happily ever after with the male lead?!

Was that something a human being would do?!

Zhou Shuhui had not been sleepy in the first place. Now sleep became even more impossible. She searched out every passage involving Yu Sixian and read them again and again until her eyes turned red. Following a link, she found the fan community that like-minded readers had created especially for him.

“My Yu Sixian, the noble princely heir with a dark, ruthless nature and beauty unsurpassed beneath the heavens! If he hadn’t wanted to die, who could possibly have killed him?”

“So-called justice and righteousness didn’t kill him. He willingly allowed the woman he loved to kill him, and embraced it like the sweetest pleasure!”

“The heroine is truly vile. She didn’t love him but still used him. If Yu Sixian hadn’t cared about her, she would have died eight hundred times over! The favored one is always fearless!”

“Yu Sixian is guilty, but his love is innocent. It is purer than anything else!”

“If only everything could begin again. If only Yu Sixian hadn’t suffered so many setbacks and hardships in his youth, and had met Zhou Shuhui before the male lead did. How wonderful would that have been…”

Zhou Shuhui was deeply moved and pitied Yu Sixian even more.

Who was born cold and cruel?

He had merely suffered far too much. No one had ever taught him how to love another person, so he could only feel his own way forward. Wasn’t that worthy of sympathy?

The hour was already late. She yawned and went to bed. When she opened her eyes again, she discovered in shock that she had transmigrated into the novel’s heroine, another Zhou Shuhui with exactly the same name.

The saintly male lead could get lost. Villain, here I come!

Zhou Shuhui had not gone far before servants stopped her and took her directly to Madam Zhou.

When Zhou Shuhui looked up, she froze. Madam Zhou possessed exactly the same face as her mother in the real world. Even her voice and manner of speaking were identical!

Had her whole family transmigrated together?

Zhou Shuhui was beside herself with excitement. Before long, she saw her father and younger sister as well. Although none of them remembered anything from the real world, the familiarity and closeness developed over years together could not be erased.

Her family was here, and Yu Sixian was here. What reason remained to hesitate?

Time to charge ahead!

Zhou Shuhui had skimmed only a rough summary of the original novel. She merely knew much more about Yu Sixian than anything else.

The original heroine was eight years old this year. Judging by the timeline, the saintly male lead should already have gone to the capital with his uncle, shouldn’t he?

Yu Sixian was six years older than the heroine, making him fourteen. He was probably in Jingzhou?

According to the original timeline, the story had not officially begun yet. None of these trivial details had been recorded at all!

Frustration weighed upon Zhou Shuhui. She could only wait. The power of fate was immense, after all. One day, the heroine and villain would inevitably meet.

Yu Sixian, you had better wait for me!

The Zhou Family’s status was neither especially high nor particularly low. She was the heroine, after all. Even if she had been a courtesan, she would inevitably turn out to be the lost daughter of some great household.

Zhou Shuhui initially struggled to adapt after her arrival. But with her familiar family around her and servants waiting upon her every need, she swiftly adjusted to her new life. Each day, she made delicacies, took walks, and devoted herself to awaiting her destined meeting with Yu Sixian.

At fourteen, Yu Sixian must have turned completely dark long ago, right?

No, that was not quite accurate, Zhou Shuhui thought. He had never been particularly white to begin with!

The outstanding youth she had lamented so many times would finally appear before her in reality. How could Zhou Shuhui suppress her excitement and delight?

She would give him endless love and endless warmth. She would never leave him, remaining at his side for an entire lifetime!

…

In a secluded residence within Jingzhou, several attendants in fitted martial clothes reported to their master with their heads bowed, silent as cicadas in winter.

“News has arrived from the capital. The Great General appears to be preparing a campaign against Chuzhou.”

Behind a thin curtain sat a boy of fourteen or fifteen. His figure had not yet fully matured, but his features already possessed breathtaking beauty. Deep-set eyes and a sharp gaze added the air of drawn blades to his face, balancing its excessive loveliness and producing another kind of peerless splendor.

A cold smile touched Yu Sixian’s lips. “The Great General’s ambitions do not end at remaining Great General. His heart desires far more!”

His subordinates acted as though they had heard nothing, keeping their heads down without daring to answer.

Yu Sixian did not make things difficult for them. He merely asked, “Have you cleared every road north?”

One subordinate answered, “An Assistant Governor surnamed Zhou was transferred here just before the new year. We have no dealings with him, but we cannot easily bypass him either. I fear we will need more time…”

Yu Sixian did not even lift his eyelids. “There is no need for so much trouble. Find an opportunity and eliminate him.”

The subordinate had clearly grown accustomed to such orders and did not change expression. He merely asked respectfully, “And his family?”

Yu Sixian answered indifferently, “If they become an eyesore, kill them too.”

The subordinate bowed with perfect respect. “Yes.”