Chapter Text
If you ask Shen Yuan, Butterfly Empress’s Proud Romance is a D-grade trash novel that deserves not even the notoriety it gained. Taking the light novel scene by storm, the novel is a trashy bastardization of a famous classical tale, a slap of mud in the face of literature, shattering one’s three world views completely. Parents everywhere, how come you haven’t banned this kind of book yet? The cultural committee, why is this title still allowed to be hosted on such an influential platform?
Regardless of Shen Yuan’s anguished rants, Butterfly Empress’s Proud Romance leisurely reigns as the number one title in [novel aggregation web name]’s list, with equal amounts of fans and haters alike.
Such a depraved story, full of poor writing and plot holes enough to drive one’s ancestors into becoming a vengeful ghost out of anger. How come she’s transmigrated into this hack of a story?!
Currently inhabiting the body of the story’s infamous villainess, Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan is internally trying not to piss herself from sheer rage and panic. Not only transmigrated into a shitty novel but as one of the shittiest character in it?!?! FUCK! What kind of karma she has to land her in this kind of situation?
This family’s young lady, if you hate it so much, why are you reading it la? If someone asks her that, Shen Yuan, of course, already prepared a whole ass thesis about her obsession.. ehem.. fixation on the goddamn cheap writing.
Butterfly Empress’s Proud Romance started off as a quite decent story with lots of potentials. Clearly using ‘Butterfly Lovers’ as inspiration for the story, the novel started out like a pure and straightforward romance novel. Set in a vaguely described ancient world, the protagonist of this story is called Luo Binghe, a servant’s daughter. Luo Binghe’s master is a wealthy city magistrate with a dim-witted and lazy son one year younger than Luo Binghe.
The master, unwilling to accept the ridicule to his son, decided to concoct a crazy scheme in order for people to acknowledge his useless son, told Luo Binghe to dress as a man and attend a well-known academy to earn fame under the son’s name, Yun Xue. In exchange for this, Luo Binghe would earn education a woman of her stature could only dream of and a lot of dowries to marry her off to some good family. While Luo Binghe was not interested in riches, in order to ensure her mother got a good life she agreed to the offer and disguised herself as a boy to enter Cang Qiong academy for young scholars.
After entering the academy, the disguised Luo Binghe meets a serious but poor young scholar, Gongyi Xiao and quickly becomes friends with him. The two similarly talented young ‘men’ happily become ‘brothers’, as well as rivals and have their achievements become famous even to the capital. Their fame, unfortunately, is heard by the prime minister who told his son to compete with the ‘brothers’, this arrogant son of the prime minister, Liu Qingge was finally beaten in four arts by the brothers, finally acknowledges the scholars and is interested in the protagonist’s talent and determination.
Why is it unfortunate?
See, the prime minister’s son had a fiancée. More precisely, the prime minister’s son had a very shitty, very cheap, trashy, and pain in the ass fiancee. Shen Qingqiu is the capital’s top 4 beauty, proficient in 4 arts herself and famed throughout the land for her sharp and cutting poems and essays, and also famous as a poisonous woman. Shen Qingqiu is the daughter of Marquis Shen’s concubine, the spoiled rotten daughter of the estate. She is also happens to be a certified trashy villainess.
Despite the high spec in her introduction, this shameless, black-hearted niangniang is a bonafide brainless cannon fodder! After knowing her fiance was interested in the brothers, she began to harass the two using her influence. Thanks to her half-sister, the king’s consort, who’s a backer of the academy, she made the two brother’s life difficult, inadvertently before finally exposed Luo Binghe’s secret.
Instead of telling others, she instead blackmailed Luo Binghe and made her into an attendant in the guise of tutoring her, but in fact treating her worse than a dog, constantly harassing her for years until finally decided to expose her in front of the emperor in order to make him execute Luo Binghe and every collaborator in her deception.
And then the novel’s quality suddenly took a sharp nosedive into the super cliched, trashy, badly plotted, hodgepodge of face slapping arcs, sudden introduction of magic and supernatural elements that are never once being mentioned in the first 50 chapters or so, and IQ downgrade for all the cast except for the protagonist. The sworn brother and the secondary rival both become a love interest, competing for her attention and throwing the ‘maybe I’ll get executed for falsifying my identity’ plot in two short throwaway paragraphs. TWO!
EMPEROR, SHOULDN’T YOU BE LESS INCONSEQUENTIAL?
Thanks to the newest addition of Luo Binghe’s harem, the crown prince, Shen Qingqiu’s backer, the emperor’s consort was swiftly thrown into prison and stripped of her rank, the minister’s family was exiled, the canon fodders are gloriously face slapped into oblivion. The previously pure protagonist turned into a scheming and shrewd character while keeping her innocent mask, fully utilizing her lotus halo.
In the next arc, the annoying villainess was swiftly dealt with, exposing her as a promiscuous and immoral woman. Then it turns out that the minister’s concubine was having an affair behind the minister’s back, and the result of the affair was none other than the villainess! The favored daughter quickly fell from grace, was sent to marry an old creep. Shen Qingqiu, in an attempt to preserve her dignity, pleaded to her fiance to take her. Too bad the protagonist was there too and convinced Liu Qingge not to listen to the snake’s words and rejected Shen Qingqiu. In her rage, Shen Qingqiu stabbed Luo Binghe and got killed by Liu Qingge and his guards in return.
The next arcs are… just total depravity. Injured Luo Binghe was brought to meet a genius healer who later fell in love with her. Some warrior was captivated by her, the crown prince, the beast king, etc, etc. by the 2102nd chapter Luo Binghe already collected enough husbands to fill the teams needed to hold private FIFA world cup.
Where're the initial feelings of pure love? The romance flags? The developing feelings and promises between the protagonist and his ‘brother’? The initial setting is all thrown away in favor of yet another exotic male specimen! What plot? What setting? Those were thrown away in favor of yet another conquest with almost identical storylines about the protagonist charming yet another love interest, forcibly got married to the said guy, and then turning them into henpecked husband and seized their power and territories while getting rid of any remotely opposing voices.
NO MORAL! CHEAP!
Shen Yuan, eh.. Shen Qingqiu slowly fans herself, hiding her turmoil behind a flat expression. According to her prior observation, the protagonist must already under the villainess’s thumb in this point. The scummy woman had subjected the protagonist into various forms of bullying and humiliation. That doesn’t bode well for Shen Qingqiu’s future! In order to avoid her ultimate bad end, she must! Do! Something! To remove all these! Death flag!
But to suddenly hugging the protagonist's thigh would also seem suspicious is it not? After all, the protagonist is clever and sharp, Shen Qingqiu’s drastic change would only make her wary.
[In order to retain suspension of disbelief, esteemed host should act in accordance with the story progress.]
Fu****g
In other words, acting as Holy Mother Shen would look too jarring. Does she really have to find a way to still safely curry her favor with the protagonist while making the original’s previous shitty actions make sense?!
Just when Shen Qingqiu almost throws up all over the floor, a haughty attendant opens the door of the quarter. Behind her, a small figure clad in worn down scholar robes follows timidly. Aiya, dear ancestors.. this descendant will die for sure!
The protagonist’s face! Her face aahhh!!! There’s no way someone who injured the protagonist’s face would be allowed to live safely!! Also, original goods, aren’t you too excessive?! The protagonist’s tender white face is marred with bruises, swollen terribly until it makes one’s heartache. And even then, she still looks so good ah! What a lovely little thing! Even though she’s dressing up as a boy and beaten so severely, the protagonist’s beauty truly is unparalleled!!
The attendant kicks Luo Binghe ‘s leg, forcing her to kneel in front of Shen Qingqiu. Keeping her face still, Shen Qingqiu weeps inside, shaking to the bone. She has to do something to remove all those death flags aahhh!! Why should she follow those shitty character settings?
“Mistress.” Luo Binghe chirps weakly, making Shen Qingqiu even more distraught. Ahh.. poor child.. Right now the protagonist is not yet a scheming empress. Look at her! She’s just a small tender bun!
it’s okay! This big sister is going to think up something to get out both out of this shitty situation!
“You may rise.” Shen Qingqiu says flatly, slowly fanning herself as she looks down at the kneeling girl. Ming Fan, the attendant scoffed at the direction of Luo Binghe, her homely face distorted in distaste. Shen Qingqiu frowns at Luo Binghe’s appearance, suddenly overcome by an idea. “Ming Fan, prepare for a hot bath.”
“Yes, mistress!” Hot bath! Is the mistress going to boil and drown that cur Luo Binghe? “This servant will prepare it right away!”
“Prepare a dress in Luo Binghe’s size too.” Shen Qingqiu adds, ignoring Ming Fan’s horrified expression and Luo Binghe’s pale face. As Shen Qingqiu’s lackey numero uno, Ming Fan is naturally aware of Luo Binghe’s secret and also deathly jealous of the protagonist’s beauty. Ah, miss, don't you know this mistress is trying to save both of our asses? Look a little more grateful! Don’t you know villainess’s lackey either die a crazy cat lady or some pig bastard’s wife?
“Mistress…” Luo Binghe, still kneeling with an ashen face. The mistress had promised to keep her identity a secret. Is she finally decided to go back on that and exposed Luo Binghe? Shaking with anger, Luo Binghe bites her lips, holding back the tears formed on the corner of her eyes. If she’s caught.. what will happen to mother.. “Mistress, this servant cannot..”
“You are not allowed to talk back.” Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but be impressed by her acting skills! However, one look at Luo Binghe’s devastated expression guilt begins to well up inside Shen Qingqiu’s heart. She hastily adds, trying not to make Luo Binghe pass out from stress. “This mistress allows you to wear a veil.”
Like a doll whose strings have been cut, Luo Binghe sags in relief. Hidden by the curtain of her hair, Luo Binghe bites her lip, face scrunched up in a mix of confusion and fear. She really doesn’t know what the mistress is planning. It was as clear as day that the mistress detests her and always planned to bully Luo Binghe for some unknown reason.
And yet, despite waiting for more beating and torture, what she gets after is a bathtub filled lightly perfumed warm water. Luo Binghe blinks in confusion when Ming Fan fumingly leads her to the bathing chamber adjacent to the mistress’s room, looking like she’s holding back her bile.
“Spill anything and I’ll wipe the floor with your tongue.” Ming Fan spat. “Just you wait for mistress’s punishment! Ptui!”
Luo Binghe doesn’t know what to reply when Ming Fan slams the door behind her, not willing to spare Luo Binghe’s any glance. She gingerly shed her rough cotton robes and dips her feet on the water. Ever since she entered the academy, no, even before, Luo Binghe never once had the luxury of properly using a bath. As a servant’s daughter, she wiped herself using cold well water like other servants. While as a student, she doesn’t dare to use the public bath, afraid to reveal her identity to other students and had to make do with using groundwater to clean herself.
And now, submerged in a fragrant hot bath, Luo Binghe could feel her muscles slowly relax, almost dizzy from the sheer comfort and luxury. No.. no she shouldn’t enjoy this too much. After all, this is the mistress’s order, if she makes more mistakes, who knows what punishment she would get?
Ah, but.. the fragrant oils smells like the mistress, clean and yet alluring smell of osmanthus and bamboo, lulling her. Slapping her own cheek to stay focused, Luo Binghe cleans every inch of her body, trying not to miss any spot. She dries herself in a haste afterward, making sure to wipe most of the spilled bathwater on the floor. The clothes Ming Fan brought are a simple attendant dress, the mistress’s courtyard has several sets of dresses for the attendants for when they accompany the mistress to different occasions and parties.
Luo Binghe puts them on with racing heartbeat, shuddering at the softness of the fabric against her skin. She feels like a different person as she walks down the hallway to the mistress’s room, the length of the dress swipes her legs, she feels clumsy and awkward in them.
“It suits you.” Luo Binghe who expected the mistress to look at her with scorn whips up her head in surprise at the mistress’s words. But your hair looks to plain for my attendant.”
Shen Qingqiu takes out something from her paulownia and mother of pearl box and handing it to Luo Binghe’s still trembling hand. “Mistress, this servant wouldn’t dare!” The beautiful ji made of ivory and kingfisher’s feather feels like a hot coal on Luo Binghe’s hand. Such a precious thing! Even her mother and her work all their lives, they wouldn’t be able to buy one!
Still, in a daze, she could only obey and gathers her hair into a simple style similar to Ming Fan’s. Luo Binghe’s heart almost stops when she hears Shen Qingqiu’s appreciative hum. The mistress.. what is she planning? Today has been so weird.
Luo Binghe’s confusion grows as the mistress signs her to follow into the well-furnished coach, it seems that the mistress is taking her somewhere? Ah.. she’s looking at Luo Binghe? Is that.. is that a smile?
[host, this action would cause massive point reduction]
Shen Qingqiu internally curses while keeping her expression befitting of the original good’s reputation as cool and aloof beauty.
Reduction, reduction. It’s all you can say! Didn’t you say I have to be faithful and follow the character’s setting? Isn’t scheming the original good’s specialty? Exposing the protagonist to danger to keep my own reputation intact, how is that OOC?
In the original novel, Shen Qingqiu had many rivals and enemies who later either faced Luo Binghe or become her allies. The novel briefly mentioned the beginning of Shen Qingqiu’s feud with her in-laws to be, Liu Mingyan. Jealous of Liu Mingyan’s reputation as DongYue Pagoda’s number one literary beauty, Shen Qingqiu had joined their weekly writing competition and tried to beat Liu Mingyan’s essay. The juries were torn before deciding Liu Mingyan’s essay to be the superior one, humiliating Shen Qingqiu who foolishly accused them of being biased to their goddess and bribed by Liu Mingyan.
Of course, the crowd was angered by the accusation, so does the Liu family, further souring their families’ relationships. But.. what if.. Shen Qingqiu makes use of the protagonist’s talent! If Luo Binghe loses then Shen Qingqiu won’t lose anything! If she wins.. well.. It’s still not Shen Qingqiu’s responsibility, no one could directly blame her for not giving face to Liu family’s daughter! She can just say that she didn’t think her lowly attendant would beat the illustrious Liu Mingyan. After all, she only meant to give some experience to her charge.
Hehe.. How’s that, system?
[... reasoning accepted]
666!!!
The truth is.. Shen Qingqiu just wants Luo Binghe to think she at least upholds her role as a good master. The protagonist’s flushed face and flustered expression are way better than her miserable and terrified face! The bruises on Luo Binghe’s face are covered by a veil, she will send the poor kid some ointment. Hey system, Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t want people to know she beats her people right?
[affirmative]
Luo Binghe’s face gets redder when Shen Qingqiu leisurely tossed a tub of ointment and telling her to apply them to her wound. “Many thanks to mistress.” She says quietly, wincing as she applies the cold cream to yellow and purple bruises on her cheek.
“I will give more of it if you prove your worth today.” Shen Qingqiu peeks from the carriage window, looking at the scenery with serene eyes. Luo Binghe doesn’t dare to ask what does she mean by proving the worth, clutching at the medicine tub.
The DongYue pagoda is the capital’s most prestigious hub for artists and scholars. Surrounded by a peach orchard and BiLu lake’s cerulean waters, the pagoda at spring is one of the capital’s scenic wonders. Luo Binghe follows the mistress, trying not to look too astonished by the scenery. Pale pink blossoms and nobles in finely embroidered clothes, the DongYue Pagoda feels like the land where immortals reside.
“Luo Binghe.” The mistress’s crisp and melodious voice breaks her daze. Adding to her surprise, this is the first time the mistress addresses her with her name. “Do not dawdle and get separated from me.”
“Ye.. yes mistress.” In her hurry, Luo Binghe steps on the hem of her long skirt and stumbles forward. Instead of falling flat to the ground on her face, Luo Binghe bumps into something soft instead. Holding her by the arm, the aloof mistress only looks mildly inconvenienced at Luo Binghe’s face still pressed to her chest.
“Get up.” Shen Qingqiu helps Luo Binghe straighten up, patting the creases on the front of her daxiushan caused by Luo Binghe’s face. “Did this mistress not warn you not to be so clumsy?”
Luo Binghe is at a loss for words when Shen Qingqiu seizes her by the wrist and drags her to enter the elegant building. Ah.. the mistress’s hand is truly soft, so different from Luo Binghe’s rough servant’s hands.
[host, hand holding is considered OOC. 10 points are reduced from the overall score. The score is now 80]
F*** another deduction! First, a smile and now hand holding is also OOC?!
[the protagonist’s goodwill is increased. 20 B-points is added as well]
… I don’t understand how you guys calculate those things. But, whatever! More points are always welcomed!
Ding!
[New mission alert- The Battle of BBB event is unlocked. Does the host accept this mission?]
Wait.. new mission? What the fuck is BBB?
[Bitch-ass Brainy Beauties.]
….. System, I’ll report you to women’s rights advocate group.
[Host please accept the mission]
“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Lady Shen.” A young woman clad in lavender robes suddenly approaches them. The veil covering her face doesn’t fully hide the elegant features of her face and her lovely peach blossom eyes. Looking at Shen Qingqiu and her attendant, she neither looks pleased nor displeased. “After all, you refused our family’s invitation to attend the spring banquet before.”
[Since the host takes too long to answer, this system accepts it in the place of the host]
F**k
……….
Mentally sandwiched between two ridiculous veil wearing beauties works wonders to make Shen Qingqiu sweats. One beauty is currently looking at her like she’s looking at a centipede and the other who seemingly expects her to whip the newcomer to death ah! Luo Binghe, even the original goods is not that hardcore to start a catfight in public!
A group of admirers trails behind Liu Mingyan, most of them young civil officers and scholars with some rich daughters mixed in. In the book, Liu Mingyan is said to be the capital’s number one beauty, excluding the protagonist of course! This upright and cultured young lady is unfortunately reduced to a mere canon fodder for the protagonist’s ‘awesomeness’ in the end.
In the cheap original work, most of the female side characters are either the ones who worship the protagonist or bitches for the protagonist to face slap. Miss Liu’s specs were just too high for the author to hold back and want to one-up her. The phrase ‘compared to Liu Mingyan’ appeared so often during the course of the novel that it became a meme among the novel’s haters and fans alike. In the end, the author seemingly realized that Liu Mingyan had too much presence and wrote 200 chapters of dogblood arc where she got engaged to some second rate villain who picked a fight with one of Luo Binghe’s lovers and got killed off offscreen. Shen Yuan had raged for a week full and hurling all kinds of rants in the forum, cursing the author’s lack of integrity and their cheap plot.
“DongYue pagoda in this time of year is simply too enchanting.” Shen Qingqiu finally replies, her heart filled with pity to this fellow canon fodder. “I feel like it’s a pity to pass on the chance to enjoy such a beautiful sight leisurely.”
Liu Mingyan’s eyebrow twitches at what Shen Qingqiu’s word insinuates. It’s simply, going here with the Liu family cannot be counted as leisure but a chore!
“Is that so.” She replies frostily, eyes sweeping around, finally catches sight of the young attendant behind Shen Qingqiu. How unusual, Shen Qingqiu usually either appears by herself or accompanied by a group of her servant with a lot of fanfare. “Then this one hopes lady Shen would be able to enjoy her visit.”
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t dare to breathe until Liu Mingyan is out of her sight. Beside her, Luo Binghe’s eyes are still glued to the direction where Liu Mingyan had gone off too, no doubt too mesmerized with sister Liu’s goddess-like aura. How is that child? Too different compared with your scummy mistress?
Only when Shen Qingqiu starts to walk away she finally broke off from her daze, hurriedly chasing after Shen Qingqiu with a panicked expression. “Mistress, this servant apologize for being slow, beg the mistress to punish her!”
“I have no time for that now.” Shen Qingqiu doesn’t slow down her strides, ignoring Luo Binghe’s profuse apologies. Like she would give herself more death flag! “Do not dawdle further and embarrass me.”
On the third floor, there’s a famous tea shop run by the palace’s imperial tea purveyor. With her stature, Shen Qingqiu easily got herself a table, strategically chosen so that she’ll be able to watch the garden below where the poetry competition is being held.
Luo Binghe doesn’t dare to sit, awkwardly standing near the table and looking unsure of herself. While she’s doing so, coupled with Shen Qingqiu’s appearance, they attracted quite an attention from their surroundings.
“What are you doing?” Shen Qingqiu sips her tea, her eyes coldly sweep the onlookers, making them turn away in embarrassment. “Don’t be stupid and sit.”
Luo Binghe is not familiar enough with how an attendant should act and yet she feels like she’s doing something improper when she obediently sits across Shen Qingqiu. The luxurious establishment and the elegant people around them make a mere servant’s daughter like her extremely nervous. She feels like she’s one step away from embarrassing herself, afraid that they’ll kick her out if they know who she truly is. People like mistress and the lady they met in the lobby, they feel like heaven and earth compared to Luo Binghe’s lowly self.
Luo Binghe is still not daring to move when the servants came and served a plate full of gorgeous snack in front of them. The mistress gracefully picked a flower shaped white bean dumpling, humming with approval as she chews it daintily. After a while she finally notices Luo Binghe sits unmoving, keeping her head down.
“You may eat the sweets.” Shen Qingqiu pushes the plate towards Luo Binghe, trying not to smile when she sees the girl’s disbelief. “Don’t make people think I treat you badly and starve you.”
Hearing that, Luo Binghe hesitantly pick one of the smaller pastry and softly thanks Shen Qingqiu before taking small bites. Shen Qingqiu watches the girl’s eyes brighten as soon as she bites into the sweets and then glances to look outside the window. On the courtyard, a few scholars who already finished their pieces begin to gather and discuss the works displayed on the wall of the garden.
“Binghe.” Luo Binghe jumps at the mention of her name, from the mistress’s mouth nevertheless! “Call the proprietor. Tell him Shen Qingqiu’s asked for him.”
The proprietor is a middle aged man with fox-like eyes. He doesn’t dare to anger the infamous lady Shen and quickly follows Luo Binghe to Shen Qingqiu’s table.
“The Feng society’s poetry competition.” Shen Qingqiu doesn’t waste any words and quickly tells the proprietor her intention. “The registration is still open, I assume?”
“Yes milady.” The proprietor senses trouble brewing from Shen Qingqiu’s words but wisely keep his mouth shut. Everyone in the capital knows that Shen Qingqiu dislikes the fact that Feng society had picked Liu Mingyan’s piece as the winner for the last 3 competition. “Submission will be closed after the sun reaches mount Yan’s peak.”
“Bring me a scroll, weasel brush and ink.” Shen Qingqiu takes out pieces of silver from her sleeves and push them towards the man, confirming the proprietor’s bad premonition. “This is the registration fee. I want to register my attendant’s name.”
“Yes milady, of cou-” Wait. attendant?
“Mistress?!’ Luo Binghe unconsciously raises her voice from surprise. No.. if people know who she is.. If the academy finds out she participated as a girl.. They would expel or even report her to the authorities! “Mistress, this servant cannot..”
“Her name is Luo Binghe.” Shen Qingqiu ignores Luo Binghe’s panic and continues to talk to the confused proprietor. Across her seat Luo Binghe finally stills, realizing that by using her real name, as long as no one sees her face, it won’t make any difference to her identity as Yun Xue the student. “Sign her name up and bring me the stuff I asked.”
“Do not embarrass me.” Shen Qingqiu tells Luo Binghe as soon as the proprietor no longer within earshot. “You may use your name but they would still find out that I was the one who sponsored you.”
Luo Binghe bites her lip, unsure what to say. This opportunity is truly a precious one, for the Feng society is famous for being an elite society that’s famous for being strict with their submission. Only those who have similar or even higher stature than Shen Qingqiu would be able to be accepted without question. When the stationery comes, Luo Binghe glances at the mistress, trying to figure out what the mistress truly expects from her. Is she truly entrusting Luo Binghe with such an important task? Doesn’t she hates and thinks lowly of Luo Binghe?
“You must win this.” The mistress plainly says as she gazes below at the courtyard. Her words doesn’t abate Luo Binghe’s nervousness. Is she going to be punished if she perform below the mistress’s expectation?
With turbulent heart, Luo Binghe picks up the inkstone and water, started to begin the familiar routine. Ever since the mistress picked her up, there were almost no chance for her to polish her art. Even if her heart feels stuffy with fear, Luo Binghe couldn’t help but rejoice for the chance.
Shen Qingqiu props her chin on her hand, leaning against the window as she waits. With no words spoken between them, Luo Binghe becomes more aware of every movement however small that is. Bathed in afternoon sun, Shen Qingqiu looks like an elegant cat. Luo Binghe watches the spring wind blows strays petals past the windowsill, rustling fine hairs above Shen Qingqiu’s pale earshell. Luo Binghe feels her face heats up as she steals small glances towards the mistress. Mesmerized by the sight, Luo Binghe’s hands moves quickly, streams of words flows freely from the tip of her brush.
“Done?” Shen Qingqiu tilts her head when she notices Luo Binghe stops writing. The child’s face is faintly pink, is it from excitement? The protagonist is indeed still too green, Shen Qingqiu should guide her from now on so that she doesn’t get exposed to bad influences and turn out like the original! “Let me see.”
“No.. No mistress!” Luo Binghe unexpectedly turns pale, immediately pulling back the finished scroll away with even more panicked expression. “Thi.. this servant apologizes! My writing is unsatisfactory! I.. I will redo it right away!”
“What are you saying? The time is almost up.” Shen Qingqiu sighs, perplexed by the sudden change of attitude. Why is the protagonist suddenly turns rebellious? “Fine, fine.. No need to show me. Give your piece to the proprietor, he’ll pass it to the judges.”
Luo Binghe wastes no time to bolt away with her scroll, when she returns she still doesn’t dare to look up and see Shen Qingqiu in the eye. Down at the garden, more people started to gather, noisily discussing the competition, their voices heard clearly by the master and attendant pair. Some of them brazenly betting on Liu Mingyan, others speculated that a young, renowned scholar from Hu Zhou that just came to the capital will finally end the goddess’s winning streak.
Their chattering comes to a halt when the head of the society, an old man with snow white beard goes up into a prepared podium, a scroll on his hand. Their confusion only grows when the man announces a name no one ever heard of before as the winner. Up on the third floor, Shen Qingqiu’s mouth quirked upwards.
Hehehe, so this is the power of the protagonist’s golden finger. Ah, the winning poem will be displayed at the entrance for half a year! Luo Binghe, ah.. What are you acting modest on? That’s really a pity that I didn’t get to read it before!
On her own part, Luo Binghe could only gapes at the announcement. In her wildest dream she would never expect herself to join such a prestigious competition, much less winning the first prize! She glances at the mistress only to find a gentle smile directed at her.
“You’ve done very well.” The mistress congratulates her with a sincere voice. “To even beat Liu Mingyan, it’s what I expected from you.”
The mistress.. Praises her.. Luo Binghe feels like her heart suddenly feels light and aching. Pinpricks of tears starts to gather behind her eyes, she couldn’t even gather her voice to thank the mistress.
The mistress… believed in her? The mistress think highly of her all along.. Does that mean.. The harsh treatment she received thus far is a test?
Just when Luo Binghe is going to let out her voice, a group of angry looking man suddenly rushes into the tea house. Luo Binghe recognizes some of their faces as Liu Mingyan’s admirers from earlier today.
“So it’s true!” One of them, a man with thick lips points his finger accusingly at Shen Qingqiu. “I know it must be your doing you whore!”
Luo Binghe recoils at the crude remarks. How come scholars like them act like some ruffian? The mistress doesn’t seem to be ruffled by the insult, the only sign of displeasure on her face is the tightness of her jaw. The pleasant feeling that she got from the mistress’s acknowledgment instantly gone, replaced with anger. How dare they!
“This humble one failed to understand this gentleman's words.” Shen Qingqiu replies icily, her tone is completely polite and yet something in her voice makes people flinch nevertheless. “Ganging up on this humble one and throwing rude words with no good reason. Why does this gentleman think that I deserve such anger in the first place?”
The man’s face turns into a shade of red either from anger or embarrassment. Looking at his state, another man from the group steps forward. “Don’t try to evade our questions! Shen Qingqiu, you are trying to make Lady Liu lose her face today!”
“He’s right! That Luo Binghe, isn’t she a mere servant, how is she able to win Feng society’s competition!” Another chimed in, successfully redirecting the attention to Luo Binghe. Angry glances are now focused on her, the men’s sneer makes her nauseous. “Shen Qingqiu, how much you bribed the officials? Or did you loose women seduce them?”
“Luo Binghe is my disciple.” Shen Qingqiu answers frostily, half of her face hidden by her silk fan and yet her disgust is palpable in the air. “We don’t need to resort to such desperate measures. My disciple won fair and square.”
“That is correct.” Someone suddenly chimes in, her voice elegant and yet firm. From behind the angry crowd, Liu Mingyan unhurriedly walks towards them. “There’s no foul play.”
“Lady Liu?” Shen Qingqiu didn’t expect Liu Mingyan to speak up on her behalf. In the original word, after Shen Qingqiu accused her, Liu Mingyan neither deny or confirm Shen Qingqiu’s accusation. Her lofty composure contrasted with Shen Qingqiu’s pathetic jealous outburst.
“Lady Shen.” Liu Mingyan bows to greet Shen Qingqiu. “My congratulations to your disciple.”
Shen Qingqiu returns her bow and pulls Luo Binghe closer, the girl is still scowling at the group of angry mob charas while clutching at the hem of her skirt. Ah that’s not good! Frowning is not good even for such a young girl like Luo Binghe! Protagonist is still not exempt from having wrinkles!
“My Binghe is a very talented girl.” Shen Qingqiu smiles broadly, ignoring the glaring contest between her disciple and the gang of mob charas. “I believe she could even reach a greater height.”
[host.. OOC..]
Shut up! The original also wouldn’t miss a chance to taunt Liu Mingyan, right? Right?
[host, you’re being too forceful. 5 points reducted.]
WHY?!
[for hurting the system’s feelings.]
……. can I exchange this whiny system?
[minus..]
Okay okay.. shut up!
Luo Binghe’s eyes goes round at the praise, her head swishing towards Shen Qingqiu in disbelief. Even higher? The mistress planned something great for her.. as Luo Binghe.. not for Yun Xue.
“What’s her background?” Someone snorted derisively from behind the big lips guy. “To even copy Lady Liu’s veil, Shen Qingqiu, isn’t your disciple too shameless? Did you pick her from some brothel?”
A hot rage bubbles inside Luo Binghe’s chest, threatening to burn everything and burst out from her body. She wants to be stronger! Stronger so she wouldn’t be looked down like this! Stronger so she would make mother proud!
“You shut up.” Shen Qingqiu cuts the crowd’s ugly laugh tapping her fan against her hand. “Is that how a proper gentleman treats a lady of their peers? Lady Liu, could you control your followers? If I were you I’d avoid such boorish companies.”
Liu Mingyan’s face turns stiff, her mouth pursed in dislike. But before she could reply, the men behind her already raises their voice in protest.
“Big words for a cheater!” Mob A’s face turns purple. The others quickly follows suit and starts shouting.
“Lady Shen’s attendant is not cheating.” Liu Mingyan’s clear, cool voice cuts the riotous shouts. “Naturally, I was curious about the piece that beat mine and asked the judges to show me. Congratulations, lady Shen, you cultivated such a promising student.”
Shen Qingqiu’s smile turns stiff, feeling suddenly guilty and indignant towards herself. What teaching? The original goods didn’t do shit! Today is this substitute niangniang’s first day at the job!
“Lady Liu is too humble.” Shen Qingqiu bows towards Liu Mingyan to hide her flustering. Luo Binghe didn’t cheat but she kinda is! Taking credit for the protagonist's golden finger this feels so embarrassing aahh!
After returns the bow, Liu Mingyan walks away with most of her admirers trailing after her. Unfortunately, not every one of those trouble makers decided to follow her. One particularly well dressed man and people that looks like his followers stays, his eyes fixed on Luo Binghe as he licks his lips vulgarly.
A bad premonition rises to Shen Qingqiu’s head and true enough, the young man suddenly approaches the two of them.
“Liu Mingyan is indeed an old news. Acting lofty, hah! In the end she’s just a woman!” Goodness, why is that she has to meet such pig so early on? Poor Liu Mingyan had to deal with people like this too huh, Shen Qingqiu mentally light candles for her. The shitty guy’s hand suddenly shoots out to grab Luo Binghe. “This one seems like a more obedient one. What do you say, little servant? If you become my concubine you won’t be sorry! I happen to like talented woman like you!”
Shen Qingqiu swiftly slapped the lecher’s hands right before he touch Luo Binghe. This pea brained pig is so bold despite not memorable enough to be named in the novel! Such rotten character is truly a staple in every novel! Setting his own death flag so quickly! “Do not forget she’s still an attendant of mine. Someone with your position as low as yours should know your place.”
“Shen Qingqiu you arrogant woman!” The man angrily shouts, unsheathing his short sword. “Don’t think my Chen family is afraid to you!”
“Luo Binghe.” Ignoring the red faced man, Shen Qingqiu turns back to face Luo Binghe. The girl was looking at the group of men with cold, disgusted eye before turning into her usual shy look as she meets Shen Qingqiu’s eyes. “Do you want to go with this gentleman? This mistress won’t stop you if you’re willing.”
“Mistress.. this servant don’t dare!” Luo Binghe quickly salutes, when she looks back up her eyes are resolute. “This servant would never choose someone who have no merits whatsoever!!”
“You little bitch!” The young master who looks like his ancestors just KO-ed by a young girl roars in anger.
So dogblood ah. Truly, the villains of this world have an IQ of 40 on average. DongYue pavilion is still an upper class establishment frequented even by royals, Chen family or not, causing disturbances here would result in punishment doesn't he realize?
“Put down your sword!” The previously silent proprietor suddenly joins the fray. “We don’t tolerate violence in this establishment!”
“Shut up!” The raging mob, eh young master Chen, swings his sword haphazardly, knocking some decoration to the proprietor’s horror. “Just a servant and dared to reject me?! Don’t be so arrogant! I’ll make so that you’ll be rejected by everyone!”
The young master lunges forward towards Luo Binghe angrily before anyone could stop him, intent to injure her face. Before she could think, Shen Qingqiu steps between them, colliding with the man’s sword.
“Mistress!!” Luo Binghe’s shout is the last thing she remembered before she passes out.