When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 143

Volume Seven: The Years I Was a General

Bring Out Your Skills

“So noisy.”

In the water prison, there was no sun or sky. Wen Nuan also didn’t know how much time had passed. The System, because of the increase in the blackening value, was shouting back and forth in her mind, giving her a headache.

【You actually dare to say I’m noisy?!】 The System looked at Wen Nuan in disbelief, its tone sorrowful, its expression tragic.

It covered its mouth, as if it had received a great shock, and roared with tears streaming down its face, 【I have shared thick and thin with you, worrying myself sick every day for the reduction of the blackening value, living in fear. Now you actually scold me and say I’m noisy. It seems my feelings and efforts for you have ultimately been misplaced!】

“….” Wen Nuan was mentally exhausted. “Can we watch a little less TV? Can you be a bit more serious? Do you have to be so dramatic?”

A life-taking triple combo¹.

The System put away its lighting board, wiped away non-existent tears, and said seriously: 【Isn’t it because renjia² was bored staying in the water prison? I was just acting for you to ease the current tense atmosphere.】

Wen Nuan twitched the corner of her mouth and offered fake praise: “Haha, your acting skills are truly unparalleled in heaven and on earth. I was so moved that tears streamed down my face. I feel that this life has no regrets, haha.”

System: 【….】

You hypocritical liar.

“What time is it now?”

Ever since Xiao Chuyu left, no one else had appeared in the water prison. Even the person who delivered meals daily had disappeared. Fortunately, Wen Nuan was used to being hungry; skipping a few meals wouldn’t kill her.

System: 【It has been twelve hours since the female lead left. The current time is 1:45 PM³. According to the usual schedule, the jailer should be giving you your meal at this time.】

“Has the blackening value changed again?”

The System shook its head: 【No, it just rose that one time last night. After that, there have been no other changes.】

“Alright.”

【The bet you made with the female lead, when you count it up, who won?】

Originally, it thought Wen Nuan had won. After all, by the end of the entanglement, the female lead had already collapsed in Wen Nuan’s arms, letting her control her at will, and the blackening value had also decreased a little.

But after a while, the female lead’s blackening value suddenly rose back up. Although the specific reason was unclear, the female lead’s blackening value still had a direct or indirect relationship with Wen Nuan.

Wen Nuan said: “I won.”

【If you won, why didn’t the female lead release you from the water prison?】 the System asked, puzzled.

“It might be related to the reason for the sudden increase in the blackening value.”

Wen Nuan didn’t think that her forcefully kissing Xiao Chuyu was what caused the blackening value to increase. After all, her reflex arc wasn’t so long that it would take two shichen (4 hours) for her to react to being forcefully kissed, thus getting angry and causing the blackening value to rise.

Something must have happened in between that caused a drastic change in Xiao Chuyu’s emotions, stimulating the increase in the blackening value, and also causing twelve hours to pass with Xiao Chuyu still having made no move regarding her.

Whether it was taking her out of the water prison or ordering her immediate execution, Xiao Chuyu was acting too calmly, making her feel in a trance that this was the quiet before the storm.

【Then can you deduce what the reason is?】

The System’s permissions were not high. Apart from having the plotline of the mission world, all other permissions were only open with respect to the host herself; it couldn’t interfere with other characters in the mission world.

Wen Nuan couldn’t figure out the reason. After all, she had been away from this mission world for too long. When she suddenly tried to think about many details, her mind was a blank slate.

Unless a person or event she had experienced before reappeared in front of her, only then could she pick up some of her previous memories.

“I don’t know. I can only slowly try to understand. Now that the blackening value has risen, there’s nothing I can do while locked in the water prison,” Wen Nuan looked at the shackle on her wrist. “If Xiao Chuyu doesn’t come, I can’t get over there either.”

Her wrist was already bruised purple from the restraint. The wounds on her body were also slowly scabbing over, all thanks to the special nature of her body. Her powerful recovery ability allowed her to catch her breath.

【Then are we just going to wait here like this?】

With the sudden rise in the blackening value, the System was very anxious.

“We won’t have to wait too long. She will come.” Although Wen Nuan was unclear about the reason for the increase in the blackening value, she was certain that Xiao Chuyu would definitely come again.

As long as she came, she would have a way to lower Xiao Chuyu’s blackening value.

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The sound of metal clashing came from a distance, startling the drowsy Wen Nuan. She raised her head and looked forward. The firelight dispelled the darkness.

This time, Wen Nuan saw clearly who had come.

The Jinyiwei⁴ Zhihuishi⁵, Ji Bei⁶.

Ji Bei was wearing night-traveling clothes. Only when he arrived in front of Wen Nuan did he pull down his face mask. “Little General, This Humble Duty⁷ has come to save you.”

He drew his long saber, just about to slash at Wen Nuan’s handcuffs.

“Ji Bei, stop,” Wen Nuan looked into Ji Bei’s eyes and berated him, “A dignified third-rank⁸ commander, knowing the law and breaking it, coming to stage a prison break. Are you trying to die?”

Ji Bei’s movement paused. He said emotionally, “Little General, my life was saved by you. That This Humble Duty could become a commander was also due to the Little General’s promotion. This Humble Duty will never forget such kindness for as long as I live. Now that the Little General is in trouble, how can This Humble Duty be a head-shrinking turtle⁹?”

He said in a deep voice: “Anyway, I’m the only one left in the Ji family. It doesn’t matter if I die. The Little General absolutely cannot die.”

“Bullshit! Ji Bei, Laozi¹⁰ doesn’t need you to save me. Hurry up and get back to being your commander. Don’t get involved in my affairs, understand?” Wen Nuan said sternly.

This person, Ji Bei, was someone she had supported. His temperament was gentle and kind, and he was loyal and devoted, but he had a one-track mind. The things or people he set his mind on, he would obey absolutely.

Ji Bei knelt on both knees and said in a pained voice, “Little General, This Humble Duty cannot do it. This Humble Duty cannot bear to see you die.”

“Enough. A grown man, stop crying and sniveling,” Wen Nuan sighed. “It’s enough that I know your intentions. Go back! Act as if tonight’s events never happened. Don’t leave a handle for others to grasp.”

Ever since she entered the zhaoyu, she had seen many people, but the one person she hadn’t seen was Ji Bei, who managed the zhaoyu. Wen Nuan knew Ji Bei was hiding from her, or rather, didn’t dare to see her. Wen Nuan didn’t mind, but she hadn’t expected this guy to actually be planning something big, wanting to stage a prison break under the Son of Heaven’s nose.

Ji Bei refused to leave. “Little General, let’s go. Tonight, the zhaoyu is conducting a city defense drill. This Humble Duty has transferred everyone away from the water prison. Now is a good time to leave.”

After Ji Bei entered the water prison, the surroundings became quiet. Although Wen Nuan believed that Ji Bei’s authority could transfer everyone in the zhaoyu away, she still faintly felt that something was not right. “Ji Bei, from the moment you entered the zhaoyu to arriving here at the water prison, you didn’t see a single guard along the way?”

Ji Bei paused, not understanding why Wen Nuan was asking this. He quickly said, “Yes, This Humble Duty has already transferred all the guards away. No one will stop the Little General.”

A sense of foreboding flashed in Wen Nuan’s heart. She was being held in this zhaoyu water prison. It was impossible for Xiao Chuyu to casually arrange a few guards who could be easily transferred to stand watch.

Moreover, Xiao Chuyu knew that Ji Bei and she were good friends in private, so Xiao Chuyu probably knew long ago that this person, Ji Bei, would come to break her out of prison.

And at this moment, Ji Bei appeared before her without any obstruction. That could only mean one thing: Xiao Chuyu was luring the snake out of its hole¹¹, to catch a turtle in a jar¹².

【Ahem?】 The System’s tone twisted. 【Catch a turtle in a jar?】

Wen Nuan: “….I’m talking about Ji Bei, not me.”

The System chuckled: 【You’re feeling guilty.】

Wen Nuan: “…..”

Really knows how to seize every opportunity.

Thinking of Xiao Chuyu’s scheme, Wen Nuan immediately said, “Ji Bei, leave quickly. The Emperor may have placed secret guards in the zhaoyu, just waiting for someone to stage a prison break. You doing this is no different from a sheep entering a tiger’s mouth¹³!”

She could not harm Ji Bei.

Ji Bei’s brows furrowed tightly. “Little General, you mean….”

“No more talk, leave here quickly!” Wen Nuan anxiously shooed him away.

Seeing Wen Nuan so nervous, Ji Bei also realized the seriousness of the problem. He immediately pulled up his mask, got up, and left. Just as he walked out of the water prison, he was surrounded by the Jinjun¹⁴ who had burst into the zhaoyu.

Wen Nuan closed her eyes and sighed, “It’s over.”

Two Jinjun soldiers stepped forward and placed their long sabers on Ji Bei’s neck, forcing him to kneel on both knees.

The rest of the Jinjun retreated to the side, clearing a path. Ji Bei raised his head to look and saw Xiao Chuyu walking over with a gloomy face, her gaze, however, falling on Gu Wen Nuan behind him.

Wen Nuan spoke first, “Commander Ji was just coming to interrogate me. I hope the Emperor will investigate clearly.”

Xiao Chuyu sneered. “Gu Wen Nuan, do you think Zhen is easy to fool?” She lowered her eyes and looked at the kneeling Ji Bei. “Truly worthy of being Commander Ji, truly of red-guts and loyal-heart¹⁵. Truly worthy of being Zhen’s good minister.”

Ji Bei lowered his head, his body instantly tensing, sweating like rain as he said, “This Humble Minister, would not dare.”

“How could you not dare? Zhen sees that you are brave and resourceful, with extraordinary courage. This act of yours is truly an eye-opener.” Xiao Chuyu rubbed the thumb ring on her thumb, again and again.

Ji Bei’s heart pounded with fear from Xiao Chuyu’s praise. “This Humble Minister, would not dare.”

Xiao Chuyu’s lips curled into a transparent cruel smile. “Men, drag him out and behead him.”

“Yes!”

Ji Bei had no complaints and let the Jinjun take him into custody.

“Your Majesty——” Wen Nuan shouted, “This Guilty Minister begs you, spare Commander Ji’s life.”

Xiao Chuyu raised her hand, and the Jinjun stopped where they were.

She walked up to Wen Nuan, her cold fingers viciously pinching Wen Nuan’s chin. Her gaze was fierce, but her tone was as gentle as a lover’s whisper.

“On what grounds?”

“What qualifications do you have to interfere with Zhen’s decision?”

“Gu Wen Nuan, Zhen said you colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, and offended your superior. Are you really planning to try it?”

Wen Nuan looked into her cold eyes. “Does Your Majesty want This Guilty Minister to try?”

“What?” Xiao Chuyu’s eyes narrowed. “To save Ji Bei, you plan to commit regicide?”

“I won’t. This Guilty Minister cannot bear to kill Your Majesty.”

Xiao Chuyu felt that every word of goodwill Wen Nuan spoke was like telling her plainly that she wanted to make her heart soften in order to escape from her and go roost and fly together with someone else.

Her gaze was dark and paranoid. She took a deep breath and looked down at Wen Nuan from above. “A glib tongue won’t save Ji Bei’s life. Gu Wen Nuan, where are your real skills?”

Wen Nuan smiled faintly. “As long as Your Majesty lets Ji Bei go, whatever Your Majesty wants This Guilty Minister to do is fine.”

Xiao Chuyu gave Wen Nuan a deep look, then turned and left.

Ji Bei was taken away by the Jinjun, and Wen Nuan was also taken out of the water prison and sent to “Qiongyao Pavilion¹⁶.”

A group of people washed and scrubbed her. Even though they saw Wen Nuan’s body, their expressions did not change, as if they were puppets carrying out designated tasks, not daring to ask or say more.

Wen Nuan wore the clothes that Yuan Qi had prepared for her. They were incredibly sheer; upon a closer look, everything could be seen.

Very amorous.

Yuan Qi brought Wen Nuan to Zhongming Hall, sent her in, and closed the hall doors.

The wounds on her body had been treated with medicine, but the scars were still visible. Now, veiled by the light gauze, it gave her a kind of hazy beauty and allure.

Wen Nuan walked into the hall and saw Xiao Chuyu sitting neatly dressed on the edge of the bed. The two looked at each other.

Xiao Chuyu looked Wen Nuan up and down, her gaze finally landing on Wen Nuan’s chest, her brow furrowing slightly.

“As long as you can save Ji Bei, you are willing to give up everything, is that right?”

Wen Nuan did not like to harm the innocent. Ji Bei had been completely devoted to her; she could not repay kindness with enmity. “Yes.”

“You like him?”

If Gu Wen Nuan was a woman, with countless brave, resourceful, handsome, and elegant men around her, she would surely develop feelings of admiration.

Perhaps it was Ji Bei, or perhaps someone in the military camp.

Xiao Chuyu thought of Fengyan, her gaze gradually deepening.

Perhaps she did not discriminate between men and women.

Wen Nuan paused. “No. This Guilty Minister is saving him only because I do not want to harm the innocent.”

“A fine ‘not wanting to harm the innocent’,” Xiao Chuyu sneered. “Gu Wen Nuan, if you want Zhen to spare Ji Bei’s life, it’s very simple.”

“As long as Zhen is happy, I can spare his life.”

Wen Nuan looked at her slightly red eyes and the empty wine pot on the table. “How can Your Majesty be happy?”

Xiao Chuyu rubbed her jade thumb ring, her tone both ambiguous and cold.

“Pleasure Zhen.”

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