Chapter 2
It was no wonder Yuli couldn’t remember the plot. It had been far too long; she had even forgotten the novel’s title.
She vaguely recalled reading it during her freshman year of university. Having just survived the hellish final year of high school, university felt like heaven. She had plenty of time to kill, discovered a host of new hobbies, and reading melodramatic romance novels was one of them.
Back then, she could still stomach angst-ridden novels. But later, in her junior year, securing a recommendation for graduate school became a lost cause. In her senior year, she failed both the postgraduate and civil service entrance exams. Unable to find a suitable job, she stayed home for a second attempt at the civil service exam, only to fail again.
Her parents had hoped she would land a secure, official position, but she couldn’t even get into a state-owned enterprise. In the end, under her parents’ disappointed gazes, she left for a first-tier city to eke out a living.
She found a job with a nine-to-six schedule, but the commute was three hours each way. Every day was a lifeless cycle of leaving early and returning late. How could she possibly read angsty novels anymore? She could only console herself with so-called “pampered wife” stories.
She used to wonder who read those pampered wife novels. It was only then she realized it was people like her, whose lives were a constant series of failures.
Later, the economy took a downturn, and the company’s profits suffered. The boss laid off the receptionist and assigned the duties to her. She was already struggling to finish her own work and had to work overtime; now, her schedule became nine-to-nine, six days a week, and sometimes she even had to go in on Sundays.
Alone in the big city, terrified of being laid off and forced to return home to her parents’ nagging, she swallowed her pride, trying to please her boss while searching for a new job.
But with the economic downturn, many companies were downsizing. Good jobs were not easy to find.
After a series of failed job-hopping attempts, she couldn’t even bring herself to read novels anymore. She could only numb herself with absurdly funny videos to keep going.
She never thought of dying, and her health was decent. She died in a car accident one night while working overtime until she was dazed. After she died, she ended up here.
She couldn’t remember the personalities of the male and female leads in this novel. Now, in her shock, she only recalled that the male lead had schemed to marry Song Yi. After a period of push and pull, Song Yi, who had someone else in her heart, remained cold and resistant toward the male lead. Not only did she not fall in love with him, but she grew to despise him.
The male lead then killed Song Yi’s “white moonlight.” Song Yi tried to assassinate him, and he drugged her and took her for the first time… What followed was an escalating cycle of “she flees, he pursues” torment.
In a flash, Yuli remembered. The first time the female lead, Song Yi, escaped, the male lead chained her up. The second time, he personally carved the words “Xie Yao’s Slave” on her chest. The third time, he killed her closest handmaiden…
“We ran into a snake. Miss was frightened, that’s why she ran.”
Xiyun’s shaken voice broke through her thoughts. This was the excuse they had concocted while squatting down earlier. Yuli returned to the present and tightened her grip on Xiyun’s hand.
She turned to the man before her. Xie Yao was dressed in a simple white scholar’s robe with a cyan jade headband, the attire of an ordinary young nobleman.
But Yuli remembered. He was clearly the regent who held absolute power.
“So that’s what happened.” Xie Yao stared at her. Yuli felt a chill run through her, as if she had truly encountered a snake, a cold, slithering serpent climbing up her body along his gaze.
“Yes, I wasn’t trying to escape,” she said, only realizing how foolish she sounded after the words left her mouth. He hadn’t accused her of trying to escape; wasn’t this an unsolicited confession?
Fear flooded Yuli’s mind. She thought of many ways to remedy her words, but it seemed she would only make things worse.
Seeing her nervousness and panic, Xie Yao didn’t press the issue. “You even lost your robe. It seems you were truly frightened. Go back to the carriage, lest you catch a chill.”
Only then did Yuli come to her senses. Her forehead was beaded with sweat from running, and a gust of wind made her shiver uncontrollably.
She and Xiyun turned and walked back, hand in hand. Behind them were only the two maids and a few guards. She remembered the commotion being much louder, as if many men and horses had arrived.
The woods were quiet, both inside and out. It must have been her imagination.
As Yuli and Xiyun walked back, Xie Yao followed behind, making Yuli feel as if she had thorns on her back. Xiyun, however, had shed her earlier unease and was filled with a sense of relieved joy.
Once they were back in the carriage and the curtain was lowered, blocking Xie Yao’s line of sight, Yuli let out a long sigh of relief.
It had been over two years since she had transmigrated to this time. Why was she only just now discovering that she was in a novel? If she had known earlier, she wouldn’t have saved him.
Her mind drifted back two years. She had just arrived in this world, barely fifteen. Her father had already found her a decrepit old man to be his second wife. Naturally, she refused. After several struggles, Song Zhu agreed to give her two years, but she had to earn fifty taels of silver for her younger brother’s betrothal gift.
She rented a small storefront and started a breakfast business.
She didn’t have many skills, only knowing how to make some pastries. She chose to make custard buns, which didn’t exist in this world. However, she had no golden finger, and despite waking up early and working late, she didn’t earn much.
Not long after, she came across a homeless man lying in an alley for two days without anyone helping him. Children were even throwing stones at him. Death came too easily in this world, and she didn’t want to get involved. But she couldn’t bring herself to see someone die without helping. So, one early morning, she dragged him back to her shop.
He was blind, mute, and couldn’t move. His face was covered in burn-like wounds, which was terrifying.
She only fed him some food and bought some ointment for his wounds. It didn’t cost much money or effort. Later, she discovered he wasn’t blind and was about to urge him to become self-reliant when he disappeared a few days later. She was afraid he would become a burden and was actually relieved.
If she had known then that this man was the psycho male lead, she would have stayed far away from him and wouldn’t have meddled, not even if it killed her.
Looking at Xie Yao now, he bore no resemblance to that homeless man. Back then, he looked like he was on the verge of death. Now, he had recovered so well. Not only was he tall and distinguished, but his face was also completely unscarred. Yuli couldn’t connect the man she had just seen with that person from her memories.
“Miss, have some water.”
Xiyun’s smiling voice interrupted Yuli’s thoughts.
Yuli took the cup and noticed that Xiyun’s smile was quite relaxed, revealing her white teeth. Her voice was bright, as if she were about to hum a tune.
Xiyun said, “So it was a good deed you planted in your early years, Miss. I was wondering why there would be such a strange marriage. Young Master Xie is so handsome. Miss, you are truly blessed.”
Handsome? That’s because he’s the male lead. There’s no romance novel where the male lead isn’t outrageously handsome.
“Miss is also a beauty. You two are truly a perfect match.”
Right, the female lead must also be beautiful. That explains why my parents and brother are so plain-looking, while only I am strikingly beautiful. It must be the author’s biased pen.
Xiyun’s gloom from the past few days had vanished, replaced by anticipation for the future. Yuli, on the other hand, though no longer fearing the unknown, was now faced with a definite sense of dread.
According to the usual transmigration novel tropes, a system should be appearing to assign me tasks. Don’t tell me it’s going to force me to follow the original angsty romance plotline?
Will I have to reject the male lead’s advances, try to assassinate him, be drugged and abused, and then repeatedly escape, causing Xiyun’s death?
She would rather be put out of her misery now.
Yuli’s brow was furrowed with worry. They entered the capital at dusk. The clamor of voices from outside reached her, but she had no heart to look. It wasn’t until they entered a quiet street and the carriage stopped that Xiyun, smiling, got out and helped her down.
Yuli alighted from the carriage and looked around, but didn’t see Xie Yao. Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, she felt a oppressive presence behind her. She turned to see Xie Yao, his expression unreadable, standing two steps away.
Xiyun was all smiles, and Yuli managed to force one as well.
With Xie Yao behind her, Yuli felt thorns on her back the entire way. She couldn’t remember how far they walked, nor did she take in any of the pavilions or rockeries. As it was early spring, the residence was quite desolate, which seemed to suit Xie Yao.
They arrived at a small courtyard as the sky darkened. Lanterns under the eaves cast halos of light. The courtyard was neat and spacious, paved with cold, hard stone slabs. The room inside, however, was warm, bright, and clean, with two maids waiting.
Yuli stood in the room, looking dazed, waiting for the system to assign her a task.
Xie Yao waved his hand slightly, and the two maids curtsied and left.
Xiyun, being Yuli’s personal maid, didn’t understand his signal and remained standing at the door.
Seeing that they were the only two in the room, Yuli watched as Xie Yao approached her. She subconsciously retreated. Xie Yao stopped, and she felt she was being overly cautious. She wanted to say something to him, but looking at his dark and inscrutable face, the words died in her throat.
“Why are you afraid of me?” Xie Yao asked.
His voice was low and deep. Though it was devoid of emotion, Yuli heard an accusatory tone.
It was just like in her past life when her balding boss asked her why she was leaving work on time. It was perfectly reasonable, but he was displeased. She couldn’t talk back to her boss then, and she certainly couldn’t displease Xie Yao now.
Yuli paused. There was no system notification. Only then did she say, “The person I took in bore no resemblance to you. Besides, I was forced into the bridal sedan by my father. I’m just not used to being alone in a room with a strange man.”
What she said was reasonable, but she placed all the blame on herself. This way, he would likely just say a few words in response to her self-recrimination and let the matter drop. As long as she didn’t repeat the mistake, it would be fine.
But Xie Yao didn’t reprimand her as she expected. He said, “It is my fault. I should have come to your home in person to propose, prepared the three letters and six rites, and then married you properly.”
Yuli found it hard to believe his words. She looked at him and saw him staring back, his eyes deep and unfathomable, his lips a straight line, devoid of a smile.
How terrifying. Yuli steadied herself.
Xie Yao continued, “When I left back then, I left behind a jade cong, engraved with the character ‘Yao.’ Do you remember?”
She remembered. Her father had seen the jade cong and seemed to have sold it. Yuli nodded.
Xie Yao: “I admire you. But I have been very busy recently. Your father wanted to marry you off to a dying man to ward off ill fortune, which is why I was in such a hurry to ask for your hand. If you mind, we can perform the six rites again. Would that be alright?”
Yuli remembered this part of the plot. In the original novel, when Xie Yao was trying to marry Song Yi, the court was in turmoil. Xihe County was five hundred li from the capital, so he couldn’t go in person to propose. He had intended to be there for the wedding, but the emperor died that night, and he had to rush back to the capital.
The original female lead, unaware of the circumstances, scoffed at this, saying that since he felt guilty and she had saved his life, he should just cancel the marriage and give her back her freedom.
At this moment, Yuli also thought, If you want to repay a kindness, just give me money. Why use a false identity to force a marriage? I’d be a fool to believe him.
Yuli lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment before forcing a perfect eight-toothed smile. “No need. This is fine.”
After she said this, Xie Yao looked at her, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. He had just told her he admired her and even offered to hold the wedding ceremony again, but Yuli showed no joy.
Yuli heard no system notification and was a little surprised.
“I have wronged you. From now on, we are husband and wife. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly. I will give you the best of everything,” Xie Yao said.
This was different from the original text. It was probably because Yuli hadn’t provoked him. Given the original female lead’s temperament, she would have probably immediately said, “Then let me go. I want freedom.”
Yuli wasn’t stupid. Since there was no system forcing her to follow the angsty plotline, it was best to maintain peace.
Yuli nodded politely. “Mm, okay.”
Xie Yao watched her for a moment, then suddenly stepped closer. Yuli’s professional smile froze, replaced by wariness and distance.
Xie Yao took a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and pointed down at the back of her collar. “It’s chafed your skin here. Let me apply some medicine for you.”
Yuli touched the back of her neck. It had been uncomfortable all day. So it was chafed. Xie Yao opened the porcelain bottle and approached. Yuli couldn’t help but take two steps back. “Let my maid do it.”
She wasn’t a professional receptionist, after all. She couldn’t maintain the fake smile, and her defensiveness showed through again.
Xie Yao paused and withdrew his hand.
Yuli’s smile returned somewhat.
Xie Yao told her to rest well and turned to leave.
Xiyun immediately came up to her. “Miss, why are you still afraid? I think the Young Master is very nice.”
Was my fear that obvious? Even Xiyun could see it.
Watching Xie Yao walk away, Yuli let out a long breath. If Xiyun knew that he would kill her in the near future because of her escape attempt, she wouldn’t think so.
Yuli was afraid of scaring her, so she said nothing.
Xiyun was still chattering, “The Young Master is young, handsome, and considerate. I didn’t even notice the injury on your neck, Miss, but the Young Master did.”
Yuli remained silent, thinking, It seems there’s no system. I can make my own decisions. In that case, I must not go against Xie Yao. I’ll go along with whatever he wants. Please, no angst.
After nightfall, someone came and called Xiyun away. Although there were other maids in the room, they were all so respectful they seemed like mannequins, making her feel as if she were alone.
Xie Yao had gone somewhere. By the time the maids brought dinner, he still hadn’t appeared.
Yuli’s nerves were still frayed. Everything she ate tasted like wax. She was afraid Xie Yao would return, yet she didn’t dare ask where he was, remaining lost in a state of panic and unease.
*
Xiyun followed the maid for a long time, seemingly crossing half the residence. The lights flickered in the night, and she could only sense that the buildings were getting shorter and smaller.
She felt a little uneasy, but then she thought, Young Master Xie is so handsome and meticulous. He may not smile much, but he probably has a gentle nature. Besides, Miss Song saved his life. He wouldn’t do anything to me, a mere dowry maid.
With a smile, Xiyun was led to a row of remote houses. Many people, all dressed in black, stood in the small courtyard. One of them was Song He.
One room was brightly lit, and the sound of a woman’s sobbing came from within. Xiyun felt a chill run down her spine.
She was taken to the brightly lit room. The two maids who had shouted about their escape during the day were kneeling on the floor. Before them stood the handsome, picture-perfect Young Master Xie.
No one told her to kneel, but Xiyun’s knees gave way, and she knelt beside them.
Xie Yao hadn’t finished his questioning and didn’t look at Xiyun.
“The mistress ran so far. Why didn’t you give chase?” Xie Yao asked.
His voice was calm and gentle, as if he were just having a casual chat. The two maids stammered, crying as they spoke.
“We didn’t, we didn’t expect the mistress to run.”
“You were the ones who shouted that the mistress had run away.”
“There was no path there. We thought the mistress couldn’t get far and that Lord Song He would surely catch her when he arrived.”
“You were not diligent in your duty to the mistress.”
The two cried and denied it, but couldn’t give a proper explanation.
Xie Yao turned to Xiyun. “Why did the mistress run away?”
Xiyun remained calm and repeated, “The mistress was not trying to run away. We saw a snake and were frightened.”
Xie Yao sneered. Xiyun’s scalp tingled. She remembered how Yuli, in her attempt to escape, had untied her sash and stretched it between two trees to trip Song He’s horse. This was not easy to explain.
But during the day, in front of Yuli, Young Master Xie had clearly let the matter drop. Why was he bringing it up again now? Could it be that he had never believed them from the start?
As Xiyun was pondering, she didn’t see Xie Yao gesture to Song He. Two guards in black stepped forward and stood behind the two maids. In front of Xiyun, they twisted their necks.
The sobbing stopped abruptly. Xiyun turned to see their faces completely turned toward their backs, their eyes and mouths wide open. She screamed in terror.
Someone came and covered her mouth while simultaneously gripping the back of her neck.
Tears streamed down Xiyun’s face, and her breath caught in her throat.
But the person behind her did not act.
Xie Yao asked again, “Why did she run away?”
The person behind her released her neck and mouth. She was too frightened to scream.
She was terrified. She might be about to die, but she still said, “Miss was not trying to run away.”
Xie Yao: “Willing to die to protect her. Not bad. I won’t kill you.”
His voice betrayed no emotion, and Xiyun dared not believe his words.
“Serve her diligently from now on, and you will be safe. If you have any other intentions, you will end up like them.”
Having just walked through the gates of hell and back, Xiyun truly appreciated being alive. She cried and agreed.
Xie Yao walked past her, then seemed to remember something. “By the way, from now on, call her ‘Mistress.'”
His expression was normal. The two dead maids lay at his feet, and he stepped over them lightly and walked out.
Xiyun trembled uncontrollably. This was no gentle and considerate man. This was a dark, cruel, and twisted monster.