Blame the Villain – Chapter 207

Villainous Emperor (7)

The Emperor intended to isolate Jiang Ruoyu from her mother so that Jiang Ruoyu could only rely on him, thus becoming a tool he could wield at will.

The Emperor originally thought that Jiang Ruoyu’s mother would be strongly opposed to Jiang Ruoyu leaving the palace for training. Fearing the woman’s madness, he did not go himself but instead sent his trusted eunuch, Eunuch Wang, as a persuader.

Eunuch Wang, with his silver tongue, prepared countless arguments beforehand. However, as soon as he mentioned letting Jiang Ruoyu go outside to train, a strange light flickered in the eyes of the woman, who was nearly half-paralyzed and mad, and she decisively nodded.

Eunuch Wang, experienced in reading people, found himself unable to understand this madwoman in that moment.

He couldn’t pinpoint what exactly it was about her, as the feeling had been forgotten for too long. He only felt presumptuous and fearful—he, the most cautious and smooth of men, actually stared at a woman for such a long time.

After reporting the madwoman’s attitude to the Emperor, the Emperor also breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the madwoman was unexpectedly sensible. Therefore, he relaxed the rules and allowed Jiang Ruoyu to leave the temple a day early, and after she left, he personally sought her out.

No one knew what Jiang Ruoyu and the Emperor discussed; everyone only knew that she was quietly sent out of the palace the next morning, after which the Emperor immediately went to the palace of Jiang Huan’s mother, Consort Wang.

Upon receiving the Emperor’s subtle warning, “I have promised the Sixteenth to ensure her mother’s peace and health,” Consort Wang’s face stiffened, and she ultimately abandoned her series of plans against the Jingxin Pavilion.

The Emperor’s authority was immense, and after Jiang Ruoyu spent half a month at the Chongwen Hall, no one knew where he sent her, nor dared to ask.

After Jiang Ruoyu disappeared, Jiang Xin returned to her usual life. The Emperor seemed to hold no grudges against her, and her beauty and talent gradually spread, making her a renowned princess in the capital, admired and praised by men. Her beauty, status, and talent were unparalleled, making her the envy and model for all noblewomen in the capital.

More importantly, Jiang Xin learned the art of competing for favor from her mother.

She once wanted to act against the person in Jingxin Pavilion, but her mother strictly forbade her. Furthermore, it seemed that after Jiang Ruoyu disappeared, that woman became utterly disheartened, began fasting and reciting scriptures daily in front of the goddess statue, and even shaved her head.

Such a person would not be a threat to Jiang Xin and her mother, so Jiang Xin left her alone.

Since Jiang Ruoyu left the imperial palace, the Emperor would go to the villa every summer to pray for the nation. Strangely, during the months he was at the villa, many problems troubling the country would resolve: floods suddenly receded, droughts received rain, corrupt officials’ private treasuries were exposed… Even when locust plagues occurred, countless magpies would fly over and peck the locusts to death.

The Emperor became increasingly convinced that Jiang Ruoyu, training at the villa, was the “Imperial Companion Star”.

Over the years, Jiang Ruoyu endured various high-pressure educations arranged by the Emperor. Her age was somewhat too old for martial training, and she suffered a lot initially, often bruised all over. The Emperor was determined to train her into a weapon with some independent thought but obedient only to his orders, surrounding her with loyal guards and ministers to indoctrinate her…

If an ordinary six-year-old child were placed in such a high-pressure environment, they might become utterly devoted to the Emperor or break down under the strain. However, Jiang Ruoyu persisted in such an environment without ever slacking off. Although she wasn’t fond of talking, Jiang Ruoyu was extremely meticulous and courteous in her interactions, gradually growing into a cold but independent beauty, just as Song Xuyi had hoped.

Song Xuyi was immensely proud as she watched Jiang Ruoyu grow up!

The Emperor believed he had severed Jiang Ruoyu’s ties with the outside world, unaware that Song Xuyi would educate Jiang Ruoyu at night, instilling in her the correct “Three Views” (referring to values, worldview, and outlook on life). Occasionally, Song Xuyi would create dreams so Jiang Ruoyu could reunite with her mother in them…

In front of the Emperor, Jiang Ruoyu became a silent and highly skilled blade, trained in various military strategies. Yet, with Song Xuyi, she remained talkative and dependent as always.

Even knowing that Song Xuyi could hear her innermost thoughts, Jiang Ruoyu never restrained herself. Over the years, Song Xuyi always heard Jiang Ruoyu’s heart, with Jiang Ruoyu sharing all her feelings with Song Xuyi. If there was any change, it was that Jiang Ruoyu’s inner term for the Emperor shifted from “Father Emperor” to “Old Emperor Man,” as she grew day by day…

Time flies, and the life of an immortal is incredibly long. To Song Xuyi, it felt like a moment, yet Jiang Ruoyu had suddenly grown to fourteen.

The fourteen-year-old girl had a jade-like nose and red lips, her eyebrows and eyes like a painting. Under the Emperor’s deliberate cultivation, Jiang Ruoyu exuded the dignity of a ruler, with an expressionless demeanor. When she sat there quietly, even the flowers seemed to lose their color.

In the capital, Jiang Xin began to look for a husband at this age, but Jiang Ruoyu received her first command from the Emperor—to go to Guozhou and eliminate the remnants of the Dong Kingdom, which had begun to stir again.

Dong Kingdom was Jiang Ruoyu’s mother’s homeland. Typically, those in charge of such missions avoid people with connections, especially since Jiang Ruoyu was inexperienced.

The Emperor understood this, but he was too anxious, causing him to abandon his longstanding principles.

During this period, whenever the Emperor visited the villa to see Jiang Ruoyu, he would hear endless praise. Initially, he was pleased, thinking it was due to his unique insight, but eventually, doubts arose in his mind…

As an Emperor with a military background and a reputation for brutality, he relished the fear in others’ eyes when they looked at him. However, Jiang Ruoyu’s gaze was always clear, no different than when she looked at anyone else, making him feel no control over her at all.

Thus, the Emperor deliberated and decided to assign Jiang Ruoyu this task: if she succeeded, it would prove her loyalty, and he could trust her with more power. If she showed favoritism towards the remnants of Dong Kingdom… well, the Emperor hadn’t only cultivated Jiang Ruoyu as a weapon…

The Emperor had calculated well. However, when Jiang Ruoyu heard the Emperor’s mission requirements, she maintained her calm demeanor. She bowed to the Emperor without objection, only requesting to return to the palace to see her mother before heading to Guozhou.

Naturally, the Emperor would grant this small request of Jiang Ruoyu.

Thus, after eight long years apart, only able to meet in dreams, Jiang Ruoyu finally reunited with her mother, Dong Rou.

She knew her mother was doing well. Over the years, the Emperor had forgotten Dong Rou’s existence, but he hadn’t mistreated her. However, the years in the Cold Palace had taken a toll, leaving Dong Rou frail and often ill.

Nevertheless, upon learning in dreams that it was the Goddess’s protection that allowed the mother and daughter to reunite, Dong Rou devoted herself to worshiping the Goddess, praying for Jiang Ruoyu’s well-being.

When the spy reported back about the close relationship between the mother and daughter, the Emperor felt both pleased and uneasy. He was pleased because Jiang Ruoyu still cared about her mother, meaning as long as he held Dong Rou’s life in his hands, Jiang Ruoyu wouldn’t betray him. But he was uneasy because Dong Rou was from Dong Kingdom; under her persuasion, Jiang Ruoyu might indeed show leniency to the remnants of Dong Kingdom…

Regardless of the Emperor’s inner turmoil, news of Jiang Ruoyu’s return to the palace quickly spread throughout the imperial grounds.

Jiang Xin could hardly contain her curiosity and rushed to see Jiang Ruoyu’s current state. Knowing well the Emperor’s nature, Jiang Xin imagined that Jiang Ruoyu, having been taken away for training, would be utterly miserable, perhaps even emaciated like her mother, Dong Rou…

Recalling the grudge from the slap in the Chongwen Hall, Jiang Xin eagerly went to witness Jiang Ruoyu’s downfall, only to be stunned by her beauty, which made those around her seem dull in comparison.

Jiang Xin’s provocations and hatred were like the wind against the palace walls to Jiang Ruoyu, blowing past without leaving a trace in her eyes.

Even when Jiang Xin lost her temper and ordered the eunuchs to seize Jiang Ruoyu, Jiang Ruoyu swiftly overpowered them, her gaze remaining calm and unruffled…

It felt as if all the grudges Jiang Xin had harbored over the years were nothing but a joke.

Jiang Xin returned to her palace in tears.

Never before had she so desperately wished for someone to disappear: Jiang Ruoyu was too dazzling. Just by standing there, doing nothing, she drew all eyes to her. If only Jiang Ruoyu would disappear, Jiang Xin could once again become the most radiant person within these palace walls.

So, as Jiang Ruoyu cherished her rare time with her mother, Jiang Xin began a hunger strike. After three days, Consort Wang finally agreed to use her family’s influence to help Jiang Xin eliminate Jiang Ruoyu, on the condition that Jiang Xin would agree to marry a certain disliked member of the Wang family…

Jiang Huan bit her lip tightly but eventually nodded in agreement.

Thus, with a military unit assigned by the Emperor and Wang family assassins following in secret, Jiang Ruoyu set out on her journey to Guozhou.

Even riding fast horses, the journey to Guozhou would take over a month. Besides Jiang Ruoyu leading the team, another trusted leader, a guard commander surnamed Wei, accompanied the group.

Over the years, Song Xuyi had been trying to minimize disasters in Jiang Kingdom, striving to improve the lives of its people. Her efforts had significantly reduced the internal chaos in Jiang Kingdom. However, Song Xuyi’s endeavors could not counter the Emperor’s aggressive militarism and blind expansion. Perhaps even the heavens disapproved of Jiang Kingdom’s prolonged prosperity, leading to frequent natural disasters. Shortly after Jiang Ruoyu set off, the southwest of Jiang Kingdom was struck by earthquakes and accompanied by a plague.

Song Xuyi had to use her magic to minimize aftershocks locally and control the spread of the plague.

This required a great deal of energy from Song Xuyi. Even though she was concerned about Jiang Ruoyu’s situation, the crisis in the disaster area was urgent, and all her efforts were focused on alleviating the disaster in the southwest.

Over the years, Jiang Ruoyu had grown accustomed to Song Xuyi’s busyness, and she continued to share her innermost thoughts with Song Xuyi as usual—

“The Old Emperor thinks I don’t know his schemes. But Dong Kingdom has no ties with us at all. My mother also said that from the day she entered the palace, she became a discarded pawn of Dong Kingdom, so I can proceed without worry…”

“I made Jiang Xin cry! Indeed, as long as I ignore her, she can’t stand it.”

“There’s a tail following our team. I don’t know which faction sent them, or if there are many factions, but it’s impossible to find out anything with such fanfare. I’ve discussed with Commander Wei and plan to leave the team first, head to Guozhou to investigate, and then act according to circumstances…”

Song Xuyi was momentarily stunned when she heard this thought. However, by the time she projected her consciousness onto Jiang Ruoyu, Jiang Ruoyu had already set her plan in motion—

Jiang Ruoyu seemed to have sensed something, detached from the main force, and rode ahead. When Song Xuyi looked over, several dark figures were leaping from treetops in all directions to attack Jiang Ruoyu.

Jiang Ruoyu clearly restrained her strength, leading the attackers to a cliff, adopting a posture that appeared to be struggling against them. After a brief skirmish, she seemed to be overwhelmed and was forced to fall off the cliff—

Commander Wei and others, realizing the situation too late, arrived and captured the attackers in one fell swoop.

Commander Wei was panic-stricken and dispatched soldiers to search below the cliff, appearing extremely anxious…

However, the cliff was towering and the river below was rapid, leaving little chance for anyone to survive the fall.

Commander Wei’s convoy set up camp at the site, seemingly intent on searching for Jiang Ruoyu…

And this news quickly spread back to the capital and Guozhou through certain special channels.

“Ruoyu!”

When Jiang Ruoyu jumped off the cliff, she grabbed a rope hidden on the cliff and smiled brightly at Song Xuyi’s voice. Song Xuyi sighed in exasperation, “You really gave me a scare…”

Jiang Ruoyu swung on the rope and landed gracefully on a small path she had already scouted at the edge of the cliff. Her movements looked incredibly elegant, but the dangerous stunt made Song Xuyi break out in a cold sweat involuntarily.

Unable to resist, Song Xuyi appeared beside Jiang Ruoyu and tugged on her ear, “Ruoyu, you’re being reckless again!”

Song Xuyi didn’t know when it started, but Jiang Ruoyu developed a liking for thrilling and stimulating activities. Even though she seemed to prepare thoroughly each time, Song Xuyi would always feel extremely nervous watching her.

“Goddess Sister, I won’t dare next time,” Jiang Ruoyu pleaded as she winced in pain, turning to Song Xuyi with a grin despite her words of supplication. “You’re finally here; you haven’t visited me in sixteen days!”

“You’ve made that promise so many times,” Song Xuyi said, stern-faced. “Every time you say you won’t dare next time, but in reality, there’s nothing you’re afraid to do. You’re braver than anyone…”

Despite her words, looking at Jiang Ruoyu’s pretty face, Song Xuyi couldn’t bring herself to keep pinching her ear. She reluctantly withdrew her hand and continued sternly, “If there’s a next time, I’ll tell your mother!”

Jiang Ruoyu pouted.

Song Xuyi clearly heard a thought float through her mind: “My mother wouldn’t mind; she wants me to live freely.” However, Jiang Ruoyu sincerely said, “I understand, Goddess Sister. There won’t be a next time!”

“Jiang, Ruoyu!”

Song Xuyi gritted her teeth and frowned, feeling that the child seemed to be getting less endearing with her rebellious phase. On the other side, Jiang Ruoyu seemed to realize that Song Xuyi could hear her thoughts. She blinked awkwardly, then moved closer to cling to Song Xuyi’s arm, starting to act coquettishly—

“Goddess Sister, I didn’t do it on purpose. I promise I won’t recklessly do dangerous things in the future,” Jiang Ruoyu said, sneaking a glance at Song Xuyi. “It’s just that whenever you’re not around, some things get out of hand, and I end up doing them unintentionally…”

“Goddess Sister, if you spend more time with me, I promise I won’t put myself in danger when you’re by my side…”

“We’ll see how you behave!”

Song Xuyi huffed in exasperation.

She had intended to give Jiang Ruoyu a stern lesson, but over the years, this little troublemaker had figured out Song Xuyi’s temperament. She relied on her charm, clinging to Song Xuyi’s arm while acting sweet and innocent. Looking at her beautiful face and anxious expression, Song Xuyi couldn’t muster any anger and let the matter drop.

“System, I only forgave her because she looked so pitiful,” Song Xuyi said, not forgetting that the system was still present. She cleared her throat, feeling a bit guilty for some reason. “Besides, she seems to have learned her lesson.”

“Sure, you just think she’s learned her lesson,” the system responded sympathetically, noting Jiang Ruoyu clinging to Song Xuyi like a boneless child. “It’s not because you find her attractive, your tendency to favor good looks kicking in, making you reluctant to punish her, or even thinking she’s cute like this…”

The system prided itself on being considerate, always speaking from Song Xuyi’s perspective. However, after it finished speaking, it noticed that Song Xuyi wasn’t responding anymore. It called out to her several times, but Song Xuyi pretended not to hear.

The system was puzzled, eventually consoling itself: perhaps it’s because the villain is in their teenage years, leading to Xuyi catching the unpredictable moods typical of that age.

Song Xuyi, touched on a sore spot by the system, felt a mix of embarrassment and anger. Unable to vent her frustration directly at the system, she pursed her lips and changed the subject, asking Jiang Ruoyu—

“Given the situation, what’s your plan next?”

“That depends on whether you’re willing to help me, Sister!” Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes, full of a smiling allure, were fixed on Song Xuyi. “Guozhou is different from our capital. People in our capital are discerning and worship you. But Guozhou used to be Dong Kingdom, and back then, they worshipped the ‘Yin God’ (referring to a malevolent deity or spirit).”

“I’ve heard that the rioters are using the Yin God as a pretext, fabricating various miracles to incite followers into rebellion.”

“If you’re still mad at me and unwilling to help, I’ll dismantle their schemes one by one myself,” Jiang Ruoyu said, though she clung tightly to Song Xuyi’s arm, her eyes filled with anticipation. “If you’re willing to help, that would be the best! There’s no way they could deceive your sharp eyes with their trickery…”

Song Xuyi pressed her lips together.

This wasn’t the first time she’d encountered the term “Yin God.”

The Yin God was a malevolent deity that had emerged in the last hundred years, a mindless and filthy entity, unlike all naturally born spiritual deities. The Yin God can absorb all human malice and grow rapidly.

The male protagonist, Jiang Bai, foresaw that the Yin God would develop into a catastrophe and captured it before it fully formed. Jiang Bai’s reason for descending to the mortal world to refine and restore his divine soul was because he had imprisoned the Yin God in the Divine Suppression Tower, which had damaged his foundation.

Song Xuyi was surprised to find that worship of the Yin God had spread among the people.

Even though the Yin God is still confined in the Divine Suppression Tower, such worship remains a potential threat.

Moreover, those worshipping the Yin God might have some strange methods. Worried that Jiang Ruoyu might suffer, Song Xuyi agreed, “I’ll accompany you on this journey.”

Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes immediately lit up.

She pulled Song Xuyi out of the narrow path, clearly well-prepared. At the end of the path, a horse was already waiting. Jiang Ruoyu whistled, and the horse trotted over—

On the horse was a bundle, and Song Xuyi initially thought it might contain something important. But when Jiang Ruoyu opened it, it was filled with women’s clothing and accessories—

“Sister, you can’t be floating in the air all the time,” Jiang Ruoyu said, moving closer with a slight smile, her eyes intensely focused on Song Xuyi. Song Xuyi felt there was something hidden in those dark eyes, making her inexplicably uneasy, yet she didn’t hear Jiang Ruoyu’s thoughts.

“I understand!” Song Xuyi tried to remain calm as she turned around and, in a blink, changed into the clothes Jiang Ruoyu had prepared.

When Song Xuyi turned back, Jiang Ruoyu’s eyes brightened, and she smiled, “Sister, you look really beautiful like this!” She was always sweet-talking, leading the horse forward and gesturing for Song Xuyi to mount first, adding, “You always look beautiful.”

Song Xuyi sighed inwardly: Despite her efforts to maintain a high, divine demeanor in front of Jiang Ruoyu, and knowing that Jiang Ruoyu’s mother, Dong Rou, wasn’t the talkative type, how did Jiang Ruoyu end up as such a chatterbox whenever she was around her…

Song Xuyi even felt a bit nostalgic for the days when Jiang Ruoyu was shy and bashful.

It had been a long time since Song Xuyi rode a horse, and not wanting to handle the reins, she sat at the back of the horse, letting Jiang Ruoyu sit in front.

Without Jiang Ruoyu’s constant chatter, Song Xuyi’s thoughts quickly wandered. She remembered that the news of “Jiang Ruoyu’s disappearance” would likely reach the court, and the Emperor might keep it secret from Dong Rou. Song Xuyi closed her eyes again, sending a dream to Dong Rou, and checked on the disaster in the southwest. She saw the male protagonist, Jiang Bai, appearing amidst the disaster, rallying the people to begin rebuilding their homes… Song Xuyi sighed with relief and opened her eyes.

It was then that Song Xuyi noticed the horse had stopped at some point.

Song Xuyi met Jiang Ruoyu’s gaze, which carried that slightly awkward look, but still, she heard none of Jiang Ruoyu’s thoughts.

Jiang Ruoyu pouted, her eyes showing a hint of grievance, and cautiously spoke, “Sister, it’s uncomfortable sitting in the front. Could we switch places…?”

Song Xuyi didn’t notice anything unusual and moved to the front. It wasn’t until Jiang Ruoyu leaned forward to handle the reins, almost enveloping Song Xuyi from behind, that Song Xuyi felt a bit uncomfortable.

Fortunately, as a divine being, Song Xuyi could manipulate her form to become slimmer, avoiding physical contact. However, this only made it seem like she was more enveloped in Jiang Ruoyu’s embrace.

Song Xuyi was extremely unaccustomed to this posture. Over the years, even though Jiang Ruoyu often acted coquettishly, it was usually just by tugging on Song Xuyi’s sleeve, never as intimate as this…

It was then that Song Xuyi realized—Jiang Ruoyu had grown into a young woman.

She tried to ignore the strange feeling in her heart, closing her eyes in meditation. But, as fate would have it, the very thing she dreaded happened. Jiang Ruoyu’s slightly shy thought suddenly echoed in Song Xuyi’s ear—

“Goddess Sister smells so nice, so soft…”

---

The author has something to say:

Song Xuyi: …?!

---

LP: Re-translated on December 01, 2024

---

---