After Transmigrating Into A Love-Brained Scumbag Villain - Chapter 24

The Prince of Yiyang did not understand why Wang Yaoshuang looked somewhat unhappy. Inwardly, he muttered, “They all say this Seventh Sister-in-law comes from a famous noble clan and is a proper young lady of a great family. Why is she so petty?”

Zhao Shangrong also did not quite understand, but she did not blame Wang Yaoshuang. Instead, she tried to analyze the reason from this matter—judging from Wang Yaoshuang’s reaction, what Wang Yaoshuang minded was not whether Zhao Shangrong would personally enter the field to take part in the flying-boat regatta, but the flying-boat regatta itself.

“Eighth Brother, why don’t you go back and prepare first? I’ll give you an answer later,” Zhao Shangrong said, issuing the Prince of Yiyang an order to leave.

The Prince of Yiyang could tell that the married couple had family matters to resolve, and that it was inconvenient for him to get involved, so he tactfully left.

Once the outsider was gone, Zhao Shangrong asked directly, “Does the princess consort not want me to participate in the flying-boat regatta, or does she not want me to participate in the flying-boat regatta organized by Eighth Brother against the noble clan youths?”

Wang Yaoshuang’s head buzzed. She had not expected His Highness to be so sharp.

The change in His Highness’s self-address made her feel a trace of pressure.

“This concubine merely feels that the flying-boat regatta is too bloody and violent. I worry something may happen. Even if Your Highness does not personally enter the field, it is still Your Highness’s flying boat. If something happens, you will certainly be implicated.”

Zhao Shangrong suddenly understood, then immediately laughed. “The princess consort and I thought of the same thing.”

Wang Yaoshuang felt His Highness’s unpredictability for the first time in a long while and did not dare casually express her opinion again.

Zhao Shangrong said, “If someone deliberately wants to cause trouble, then no matter what kind of competition method is used, accidents will still happen. What we can do is improve the competition rules, not worry over how villains might make trouble.”

Following her description, Wang Yaoshuang imagined the scene of rowing dragon boats and discovered that if it was done this way, the conflict and development from her previous life would indeed be very difficult to repeat.

It seemed there was truly no way to persuade His Highness not to participate. She could only hope that nothing unexpected would happen during this year’s flying-boat regatta.

Moreover, His Highness was trying so hard to persuade her, which clearly meant she wanted to participate in this flying-boat regatta. The flying-boat regatta was not something outrageous or wicked, so Wang Yaoshuang had no standing to stop His Highness from doing what she wanted.

Wang Yaoshuang: “…”

“Mm. It is a long boat shaped like a dragon, and it can seat anywhere from dozens to a hundred people. Dragon boat racing means setting a starting point on a river, and placing a colored marker at the finish line. According to different teams, multiple dragon boats are assigned. Everyone holds oars and rows with all their strength. The first to reach the finish line and seize the colored marker wins. In this process, if two boats collide and one capsizes, it counts as elimination. This way, it will not be considered crude.”

Wang Yaoshuang lifted her eyes and looked at her, suddenly realizing that she had fallen into a misunderstanding.

Zhao Shangrong described it in great detail.

She said, “What if some family’s son suddenly gets excited and wants to board the boat, only to be knocked into the water amid the chaos? Once someone who does not know how to swim falls into the water, that would be dangerous.”

Seeing that Wang Yaoshuang’s expression still seemed somewhat dispirited, Zhao Shangrong added, “At worst, before the competition begins, every side must submit a list of participants. Anyone not on the list who enters the field will directly have their result disqualified!”

“This method has never been tried before, so it will not be easy for anyone to tamper with it. It is fair to everyone. Also, right now, there is not a single dragon boat to be found in Jiankang City. Everyone participating in the dragon boat race will have to have people build new dragon boats, right? They will also have to find people to train, coordinate with one another, and figure out what kind of rhythm can make the dragon boat move faster… After all that trouble, how would they still have the mind to cause trouble?”

“Dragon boat racing?”

His Highness had already considered things to this extent, so Wang Yaoshuang’s previous reasons for opposing His Highness’s participation in the flying-boat regatta were no longer useful.

“Your Highness has considered this very thoroughly.”

She paused, then added, “However, the princess consort’s concerns are not without reason, so lanes can be divided. Every dragon boat must move within its own lane. If it crosses the lane, it will be directly disqualified!”

Only, with the impulsive temperaments of the Prince of Yiyang and Xu Zhan—who would lose their heads as soon as someone fanned the flames—even with this kind of competition format, it was hard to say that they would not personally enter the field.

What she needed to do was prevent His Highness from doing outrageous or harmful things, but she could not assume that after His Highness became implicated in the flying-boat regatta, she would definitely transfer her anger onto the people around her.

Originally, Zhao Shangrong did not think she had gone back on her word, but seeing Wang Yaoshuang look as if she had been deceived, she began to struggle over whether she had violated her promise after all.

The next day, the Prince of Yiyang was completely unaffected by this matter and came running over carelessly.

“Seventh Brother, have you thought it through or not? Once you have, we need to go have the shipwrights build the dragon boats!”

Zhao Shangrong explained, “I also think the original flying-boat regatta is too crude, so I suggested to Eighth Brother that if this two-army confrontation style of regatta were changed into a dragon boat racing method to determine victory, would that not be much more civilized and elegant? It would also be more entertaining to watch. Of course, this is just my one-sided idea. The other people participating in the regatta still need to agree…”

Zhao Shangrong yawned and asked him, “Who has gotten involved? Did you submit a report to His Majesty?”

“Does this matter need to be reported to His Majesty?”

“Otherwise, all the imperial relatives and noble clans in Jiankang will be building boats and gathering private retainers to train. What if His Majesty thinks we’re planning a rebellion?”

The Prince of Yiyang was so frightened that his hand trembled. His wine cup rolled off, and the wine splashed all over him.

“Seventh Brother, it isn’t that serious, is it?”

“So you do know fear. That’s why, even though this matter was privately agreed upon between you and Xu Zhan, on the surface, you still need to report it to His Majesty, lest you be impeached by the censors.”

The Prince of Yiyang wilted. “Got it. I’ll go report it to His Majesty in a bit.”

He then stared at Zhao Shangrong for a while and said, “I say, Seventh Brother, you really are… People say one can fly into a rage for a beauty. You are angry, yes, but you are still so calm and rational. If I didn’t say anything, who would believe you’re doing this for Seventh Sister-in-law?”

Zhao Shangrong nearly sprayed the wine from her mouth.

How was she flying into a rage for a beauty? This chuunibyou youth’s imagination was too rich!

She waved her hand. “Enough. Hurry and go report this to His Majesty. Don’t let anything go wrong. I’m a little sleepy and want to take an afternoon nap.”

When the Prince of Yiyang was driven out by her, he ran into Wang Yaoshuang and perfunctorily called out, “Seventh Sister-in-law!”

Wang Yaoshuang asked curiously, “Just now, outside, I heard Eighth Brother say His Highness flew into a rage for a beauty. Which beauty was His Highness doing it for?”

Although the Prince of Yiyang disliked Wang Yaoshuang’s fussiness over whether they should participate in the flying-boat regatta, he still could not do something that would ruin his brother and sister-in-law’s relationship. He said, “Yes. Seventh Brother originally had no interest in the flying-boat regatta, but that fellow Xu Zhan said bad things about you, Seventh Sister-in-law. Seventh Brother could not swallow that anger, so he decided to join me and show Xu Zhan a thing or two!”

Wang Yaoshuang froze.

The Prince of Yiyang continued, “But Seventh Sister-in-law, you really are capable. Seventh Brother has never liked gathering among women since childhood, yet you actually managed to persuade him to accompany you in holding a Dragon Boat Festival banquet and entertaining the women of various families.”

Wang Yaoshuang’s heart was slightly moved.

She smiled and said, “Eighth Brother has not yet taken a princess consort, has he? Why don’t you come over on Dragon Boat Festival too? Perhaps you will take a liking to some family’s young lady.”

At the mention of marriage, the youth suddenly blushed. “So that was your plan, Seventh Sister-in-law. I won’t fall for it!”

After saying that, he quickly ran off.

Wang Yaoshuang watched his back and sighed. Who knew how long this willful and arrogant young imperial prince could continue living so freely and unrestrainedly?

Inside the hall, Zhao Shangrong, who had just been about to sleep, faintly heard Wang Yaoshuang’s voice outside, and she instantly became alert. Before Wang Yaoshuang even came in, she put her outer robe back on, casually tied it with a belt, and walked out again.

Wang Yaoshuang happened to enter at that moment. Her gaze circled over His Highness, and she guessed that His Highness must have just been preparing to rest.

“This concubine…”

Zhao Shangrong darted in front of her in three steps and smiled. “Princess Consort, you came at just the right time!”

Wang Yaoshuang was startled by her sudden approach, but thinking of what the Prince of Yiyang had said just now, she held back the urge to step away.

Zhao Shangrong poked her head out and looked outside. Seeing that the Prince of Yiyang had really left, she said, “Last night, I spent the whole night thinking of a method that doesn’t count as breaking my promise to you and also leaves Old Eight without any complaints.”

“Huh?” Wang Yaoshuang was confused. What riddle was His Highness playing?

Zhao Shangrong smiled slyly and said, “Since I promised Old Eight that I would participate in the flying-boat regatta with him, it would not be good to go back on my word. So I had him report this matter to His Majesty. Think about it. His Majesty has always been benevolent and magnanimous, hopes for harmony between court and commoners, and is frugal by nature, disliking extravagance and waste. His Majesty will certainly advise against their behavior. When the time comes, no one will be able to participate in the flying-boat regatta, and Old Eight will not be able to blame me, right?”

Although she did not know whether these words would reach the emperor’s ears, there was never anything wrong with flattering the emperor a little more.

Wang Yaoshuang thought that His Highness’s move of diverting disaster elsewhere was truly wicked.

She asked helplessly, “Your Highness stayed awake all night just for this?”

Looking at His Highness’s pale face and slightly darkened eye circles, and then thinking that His Highness had been so conflicted all in order to fulfill her promise to Wang Yaoshuang, a part of Wang Yaoshuang’s heart softened.

“I slept, just not for very long.”

Wang Yaoshuang said, “Then… this concubine has not yet taken an afternoon nap. Would Your Highness accompany this concubine to sleep for a while?”

After saying these words, she regretted them somewhat. However, seeing His Highness’s shocked expression, she knew His Highness had already heard them. If she denied it now, it would seem like she was trying to cover things up.

What she did not know was that Zhao Shangrong was also full of internal conflict at this moment. She was worried that sharing a bed with Wang Yaoshuang would expose her disguise, but there was an unnamed emotion stirring trouble in her heart, making her unable to refuse for a long time.

Since she did not speak, Wang Yaoshuang took it as agreement.

When they reached the bedside, Wang Yaoshuang began to worry whether she should sleep fully dressed or, as usual, remove her outer ru garment.

The maidservants by her side did not know what she was struggling over. Familiar with the routine, they smoothly helped her undress.

She turned her head to look at His Highness and saw that His Highness looked so nervous she did not know where to put her eyes. It was truly too cute.

Under His Highness’s strong contrast, Wang Yaoshuang suddenly felt she had nothing to be conflicted about.

She felt like teasing His Highness and asked, “Your Highness, why are you not undressing?”

Zhao Shangrong clutched at her own clothes. “Ah? Uh, it’s just an afternoon nap. There’s no need to undress, right?”

Only after saying this did she react: she had never agreed to accompany the princess consort for an afternoon nap!

“But if you do not undress and sleep fully clothed, what if creases are pressed into your clothes? At home, it would still be fine, but if you need to enter the palace to meet the emperor and empress, or meet guests, wearing creased clothing would count as being improperly dressed.”

Zhao Shangrong: “…”

Her wooden dullness and slowness made Wang Yaoshuang’s tense nerves relax a great deal more.

Wang Yaoshuang looked at His Highness and suddenly laughed sweetly. “However, Your Highness is the master of the prince’s manor. If your clothes are wrinkled, that is something the servants should worry about. Your Highness should do whatever is comfortable.”

Zhao Shangrong pretended to nod steadily. “Of course!”

She saw Wang Yaoshuang lie down and leave a rather large space, ensuring that even after Zhao Shangrong lay down, they would not touch. Only then did Zhao Shangrong undo her belt and lie down with her back facing Wang Yaoshuang.

Aside from the maidservants waving fans, everyone else withdrew so they would not disturb the two masters’ rest. The two fan-waving maidservants also did not dare make any extra movements and worked hard to reduce their presence.

There was enough empty space between Zhao Shangrong and Wang Yaoshuang for another person to lie down. Seeing that His Highness seemed unwilling to come near her, Wang Yaoshuang smiled and did not force it. Or rather, this distance also made her feel at ease. Although His Highness’s recent temper and attitude had been so gentle that Wang Yaoshuang could not help lowering her guard and prejudice, she had not completely untied the knot in her heart yet. So every day, she remained in this contradictory state of mind.

She did not know whether His Highness had fallen asleep. She only suddenly wanted to speak some of the thoughts in her heart to His Highness. “This concubine heard that Your Highness decided to participate in the flying-boat regatta to vent anger on this concubine’s behalf. My heart is both happy and troubled… This concubine does not hope that Your Highness will bear more unknown troubles because of this small decision.”

His Highness did not react. Wang Yaoshuang thought His Highness had fallen asleep and had not heard. While feeling disappointed, she also quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, the next moment, Zhao Shangrong turned over and lay on her side facing her. “You seem to have been worrying about something all along?”

Wang Yaoshuang’s heart thumped.

His Highness was truly too sharp.

Zhao Shangrong yawned and said drowsily, “As husband and wife, we should discuss things with each other. Next time something like this happens, I will discuss it with you first. I will not do things that make you worry.”

After saying this, she fell deeply asleep.

Wang Yaoshuang gazed at His Highness.

Husband and wife?

They had not even bowed in the wedding hall. How could they be considered husband and wife… Ah, no. She should not feel resentful about this.

Speaking of which, across two lifetimes, this was her first time sharing a bed and pillow with His Highness!

In her previous life, this would also have been absolutely impossible.

His Highness had allowed her to do so many things that would have been impossible in her previous life. Was that not the most inconceivable thing?

The person lying before her was not the Prince of Yingchuan, was she?

Author’s Note:

Princess Consort: We have not even bowed in the wedding hall. We do not count as husband and wife!

His Highness: Immediately calculating an auspicious date to bow in the wedding hall!