Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

“Your Majesty, Liang Pin is flogged under Mu De Fei’s order. She has fainted.”

They were dismissed only recently. Why did a problem arise so soon?

A while ago, Mu De Fei was in a good mood after bragging that Ouyang Feilong had given her a flower, making other consorts’ eyes green with envy. The news of her being alone with the emperor for almost one shichen in the royal garden was heard throughout the inner court and had shaken Bai Yu’s throne. Today, she chose to sit and watch as Mu Qilin boasted about the sliver of favor that the emperor had given her.

As she listened, Bai Yu felt nothing but amusement. How could a man who had never cherished flowers pick a flower for some woman? Despite her disbelief, it was still undeniable that the two had spent time together in the garden. Bai Yu did not know what happened, but she did not concern herself with it. Ouyang Feilong must have a good reason. She would later grill him about it the next time they met.

“What happened?”

As she had said, Mu Qilin seemed to be today’s victor. Yet why would she lash out on a small rank consort?

“Your Majesty, a while ago, Liang Pin blocked the path of Mu De Fei’s palanquin. They argued, and Mu De Fei claimed that she had to hurry to visit Empress Dowager. She said Liang Pin was acting like a nuisance, so she ordered her to be punished.” Xiao Xi was as impressive an informant as usual.

“Your Majesty, this is…”

.....

Xiao Chang seemed to want to say something with a solemn face, but Bai Yu nodded before she could. “Bengong knows.”

This was too much for a woman who was still inferior to her. She had only received imaginary flowers from Ouyang Feilong. It was not yet proven that her words were true or not, even, but she dared to use her power so freely already. Furthermore, she dared use Empress Dowager Wei as her excuse. It seemed that the latter was taking her side as well. Bai Yu had intended to wait until the two women acted indisputably out of line before striking them both in one fell swoop. Had they reached that breaking point now?

“Prepare the palanquin. Bengong shall have an audience with Mother.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xiao Chang was in full support of her. If Bai Yu let this problem go on, soon the empress might become mere decoration.

Soon, Bai Yu’s palanquin was ready. She headed to Empress Dowager Wei’s palace without thinking twice. Mu Qilin’s actions were starting to bother others, and as the mistress of the inner court, Bai Yu had to rein her in.

That’s right. She was the ruler of the inner court, not Empress Dowager Wei or Mu De Fei!

“Your Majesty, Empress Dowager is resting and does not wish to entertain a guest.”

When her palanquin arrived in front of a familiar palace, Xiao Xi had not announced her presence before the maid in front of the palace spoke to Bai Yu. It was what she had heard once already.

“Bring it here.” Bai Yu disregarded the maid. She walked forward, elegantly and fearlessly, despite not being welcomed by this palace. Xiao Chang followed her mistress with a medicine packet on a tray while Xiao Xi headed to open the palace door for Bai Yu. The sound of conversation from an elderly woman could be heard as soon as she stepped inside.

“Aijia shall make it so that you don’t have time to rest.”

“Mother is exaggerating.”

Mother? I had not used this word more than three times since my marriage, yet this woman let it roll off her tongue so easily. Hmph!

“Blessings from Yu-er to Mother.”

Bai Yu ignored the closeness between the two women before her. She politely curtsied and gave a sweet smile to Empress Dowager Wei on the throne before turning to Mu Qilin, who was sitting beside her in the seat so familiar to Bai Yu. Should she consider this upsetting?

“Did aijia not forbid anyone from disturbing aijia’s rest?” Empress Dowager Wei did not come to help her up, nor did she tell her to relax. Her tone was cold and distant, the complete opposite of her laugh for Mu Qilin.

So this was what Ouyang Feilong had to face for as long as he could remember? How much strength did he need to stand before this woman who hated as fiercely as she could love?

“I must apologize for ‘intruding’ on Mother’s time.”

Mu Qilin revealed a satisfied smile when she saw Bai Yu having to back down in front of Empress Dowager Wei.

“I heard that lately, Mother has been looking for tonics from the medicine bureau. I’ve received a fine medicine, so I wish to deliver it and immediately leave. However, I never expected to see Mu De Fei here.” Bai Yu was smiling, though her eyes were empty as she looked at Mu Qilin.

“Yu-er must apologize for Mu De Fei’s disturbing Mother’s rest like this.” Her head, wearing the phoenix crown, slightly bowed as her lips held a light smile. Instead, the two listeners’ lips were flat.

“This…” Empress Dowager Wei was going to explain, but Bai Yu did not let her.

“I am the mistress of the inner court. No matter how I am overcome by worry, I must respect Mother’s wish to have a peaceful rest in the palace…” A sorrowful gaze full of love was sent to her mother-in-law.

“Yet Mu De Fei disrupts Mother’s rest again and again. As the empress, I cannot let her further sabotage Mother’s health.”

“This…” Mu Qilin was going to explain herself, but Bai Yu did not let her.

“Mother please be assured and continue your rest in the palace. I shall forbid others from disturbing Mother again.”

“You…” Empress Dowager Wei realized that she was being indirectly grounded by Bai Yu. At the same time, Mu Qilin also understood that she was going to be punished for bothering Empress Dowager Wei, the woman whom even the empress could not bear to displease.

“Mother please take care of yourself. I shall take my leave here.” The medicine packet she had prepared was handed to Lin Mama. Bai Yu curtsied to farewell before turning to speak to Mu Qilin in a strict tone. “You, follow bengong. Never ‘request an audience and disrupt Mother’s rest’ again without bengong’s permission.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Mu Qilin replied through gritted teeth.

“Oh.” Bai Yu thought of something. “Could you copy ‘Noble Manners of the Royals’ for bengong? Two or three copies are enough. And take your time; don’t get on your palanquin and be a nuisance to anyone else.”

“Y…Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Very well.”

Then she flicked her skirt and left the palace in a flash. This time, Bai Yu came and went like a breeze of wind. Indeed, a true victory.

——————

“Wei Wang has been waiting, Your Majesty.”

Bai Yu received a report as soon as she returned to her palace. She nodded in acknowledgment before hurrying inside without uttering another word. Her mood was not so good right now. The longer she thought, the more frustrated she felt. Mu De Fei’s punishment did not fit the crime of disrespecting her at all!

As for Empress Dowager Wei… For the sake of old times, she was already being too merciful!

“Get out, all of you.” Seeing Ouyang Wenrou sitting and waiting for her, Bai Yu dismissed the royal maids from the room. Even though her actions risked creating a negative effect on her own reputation, it needed to be kept secret what she was going to speak about with him.

“Did someone anger Your Majesty?” The man bowed to her as a formality before smilingly asking.

Seeing his wasteful smile, Bai Yu felt frustration rising. Ouyang Wenrou chuckled at how her gaze was turning into a glare.

“Can you take your face out of bengong’s sight?”

Everything irritated her!

“That seems to be impossible. Your Majesty is the one who summoned me here.”

“Then hurry up and leave.” She extended her arm toward him, not even caring to sit down and talk first. The feeling of her back soaked with sweat from sitting on a palanquin under the hot sun fueled her anger further.

“Please relax and sit down first, Your Majesty.” Ouyang Wenrou now understood why Bai Yu summoned him here. However, to check the pulse, calmness and focus were needed. He was able to do it while standing, but the result might not be accurate.

“After that, I’ll immediately leave.” The sharp glare made Ouyang Wenrou hurriedly promise.

Bai Yu sighed, then sat down and put her arm on the table. Ouyang Wenrou was seated in front of her and calmly spoke. “Where does Your Majesty feel ill?”