When the Female Lead Becomes Obsessive – Chapter 50

Volume Three: Those Years I Was a Wangye¹

It seems an old friend has returned

The 32nd year of Jianing².

Early summer.

Within Jiajing City, swallows chattered and orioles sang everywhere³, and the brilliant sun shone brightly.

But what made people’s hearts feel brightest was that the Xian Wang⁴ of Jianing Country, Xu Wen Nuan⁵, had returned.

One year ago, the Xian Wang had a sudden whim, saying she wanted to travel far and wide, to roam the jianghu⁶, she said she wanted to be a single flat-bottomed boat⁷ amidst great rivers and mighty waves, drifting with the current⁸.

But some people knew the real reason the Xian Wang left the city was because of a conflict with the eldest young miss of the Lin Residence, Lin Tinghan⁹, who was also the wealthiest in Jianing Country.

It was precisely because of this conflict that their many years of affection turned to smoke and clouds¹⁰; from then on, their bond was severed and ties cut, like a broken mirror and a split hairpin¹¹.

From that moment on, Lin Tinghan’s personality changed drastically, from her previous gentle, kind, and benevolent nature to her current chillingly harsh, cold, and indifferent demeanor.

And the Xian Wang, Xu Wen Nuan, was also heartbroken and devastated¹² by this conflict, leaving Jiajing City, this place of sorrow, and entered the jianghu without looking back. No one knew of her whereabouts thereafter.

Until today, someone saw the Xian Wang’s figure entering the city at the North City Gate. Moreover, the city guards all knelt and kowtowed¹³, making the common people in the city even more certain that the Xian Wang, Xu Wen Nuan, had returned.

And today, as it happened, was also a fine day; after a whole season of spring rain, it suddenly cleared up today.

The beautiful sun hung high in the sky, shining brilliantly.

“Xian Wang, someone from the palace has come to receive you.” The city gate captain¹⁴ walked into the city tower, knelt, and requested instructions.

Wen Nuan closed the fan in her hand, rose, and walked out of the city tower. Looking at the imperial female official¹⁵ bowing before her, she smiled faintly, “Nüguan¹⁶ Rong, long time no see.”

Nüguan Rong was Jianing Country’s chief seal-holding female official¹⁷, a favorite before the Empress¹⁸. All matters, big and small, in the imperial palace were decided by Nüguan Rong, and she managed hundreds of palace attendants¹⁹ under her.

Rong Qing²⁰ looked at the white boots before her, knelt, and kowtowed, “This servant²¹, Rong Qing, pays respects to Your Highness, Xian Wang.”

“Rise. We haven’t seen each other for a year, yet you’ve become much more polite.”

Wen Nuan’s relationship with Rong Qing was quite good; after all, they had played together since childhood. Although their statuses were vastly different, they could still drink and chat freely in private.

Rong Qing raised her head to look at Wen Nuan, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes, and sighed, “You… have lost a lot of weight.”

Although the jianghu was vast and free, eating in the wind and sleeping in the dew²² was a common occurrence. After a year of travel, Rong Qing saw that Wen Nuan had become much thinner.

“Is that so?” Wen Nuan touched her cheek. “It’s alright, I haven’t lost much. I’ll gain it back after staying here for a few days.”

She looked at Rong Qing and smiled, “A year no see, did you miss me?”

Rong Qing nodded, “Very much so.”

“Good. When you’re not busy someday, Rong Qing, come to my residence, and we’ll drink and chat.” Wen Nuan patted her shoulder and walked towards the horse carriage.

Rong Qing arranged the carriage stool and lifted the curtain. Seeing Wen Nuan settle into the carriage, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, “This servant looks forward to it very much.”

The carriage slowly made its way towards the imperial palace, taking Changning Avenue²³, coincidentally passing by the prominent Lin Residence.

Only two guards stood before the mansion’s entrance. The large black and gold gate looked somewhat oppressive, making one feel that the mansion was a bit gloomy and cold.

Rong Qing saw Wen Nuan looking towards the Lin Residence. “Does Xian Wang wish to go see Young Lady²⁴ Lin?”

Wen Nuan lowered the curtain. “No, let’s go to the palace first to pay respects to Imperial Sister.”

“Very well.” Rong Qing instructed the driver at the front to speed up.

【Shouldn’t you go see the female lead first?】the System asked, puzzled.

Wen Nuan: “Why should I go see her?”

【To eliminate her blackening value, ah?】the System said in astonishment, 【Right now, the female lead’s blackening value is already 9.2. If you don’t eliminate it soon, it’s about to reach its maximum.】

Wen Nuan gave a self-deprecating smile, “If I go look for the female lead now, do you believe her blackening value will instantly max out?”

The System aske, puzzled: 【Why?】

“Didn’t you tell me when you gave me the plot just now that Fang Yongsi²⁵ is still at the Lin Residence?”

【En en²⁶, but as the female lead’s fiancé, isn’t it normal for Fang Yongsi to be at the Lin Residence?】

“No, it’s very strange.” Wen Nuan sighed. “Think about it, after what happened a year ago, for Lin Tinghan to still allow Fang Yongsi to stay at the Lin Residence, what does that imply?”

The System was shocked: 【You mean to say, the female lead deliberately kept Fang Yongsi at the Lin Residence to trap a turtle in a jar²⁷?】

Wen Nuan: “…..Who are you scolding?”

【Then let me rephrase, an ambush from all sides²⁸?】

“…..” Forget it, Wen Nuan couldn’t be bothered with the System’s choice of words. “The fact that Lin Tinghan is still keeping Fang Yongsi and hasn’t expelled him from the Lin Residence doesn’t mean Lin Tinghan is kind and magnanimous. It’s because Fang Yongsi is still useful to her. Based on my understanding of her, she has reasons for everything she does.”

“As for Fang Yongsi’s usefulness, it’s definitely to deal with me,” Wen Nuan said faintly.

【Deal with you?】the System asked, not understanding, 【Why deal with you?】

Wen Nuan looked troubled: “Think about it, if your good friend slept with your fiancé, wouldn’t you want to kill her?”

System: 【…..】

Right, forgot about that.

【Then whose fault is that!?】the System roared, 【I told you to do the mission properly, but you wouldn’t, insisting on taking deviant paths. Now look, the blackening value in this world will definitely be hard to eliminate.】

“No need to be so pessimistic. There’s still a chance for a turnaround in this matter. Besides, don’t you already know whether I slept with the female lead’s fiancé or not?”

【What’s the use of me knowing? I can’t help you explain it to the female lead, can I?】

Wen Nuan’s eyes narrowed: “You can’t, but someone can.”

The system of this mission world was female-dominant and male-subordinate²⁹, and men gave birth.

When she first arrived, Wen Nuan was still a bit unaccustomed, but after adapting, she found that this world had quite a lot of fun, like her usual favorite pastime: visiting brothels³⁰ to appreciate songs and listen to music, being a carefree and happy idle royal highness.

She met the female lead five years ago at a poetry convention³¹ organized by scholars and literati. Her appearance gilded this otherwise ordinary poetry convention. Everyone was guessing why the Xian Wang had come to this place; after all, this idle royal highness’s favorite places were brothels and pleasure boats³², and she would never come to such a pedantic poetry convention.

Later, people learned that the Xian Wang went to the poetry convention for the number one beauty, Lin Tinghan, who was renowned for both her talent and looks.

If one were to speak of the number one beauty in the world, regardless of gender, it would be the Lin Residence’s eldest young miss, Lin Tinghan.

A place of concentrated spiritual energy producing outstanding talent³³, pure as ice and jade³⁴.

Clearly possessing an ethereal and refined temperament³⁵, cold as ice and frost³⁶, yet she was born with a pair of enchanting and passionate phoenix eyes³⁷. The gentleness revealed when her eyes opened and closed was intoxicating, especially the tear mole³⁸ under her right eye, which made her even more bewitching.

This peerless face caused many young ladies to mistake her for a young master, and they flocked to the Lin Residence to propose marriage.

Although Lin Tinghan appeared cold-hearted and difficult to approach, she was respectful, gentle, and amiable. Faced with those young ladies who mistook her for a young master and wanted to marry her, she did not get angry but gently persuaded them to return, earning her the title of “Number One Beauty” and a reputation for being as gentle as jade³⁹ in Jiajing City.

After Lin Tinghan took charge of the Lin Residence, relying on her stunning beauty and gentle personality, she often gained the favor and admiration of business partners, causing the Lin family’s enterprises to grow larger and larger. She even became Jianing Country’s most glorious imperial merchant⁴⁰, becoming the wealthiest person in the land.

The poetry convention in Jiajing City was held once every three years. The organizers specially invited Lin Tinghan as one of the managers of the poetry convention, to engage in liushang qushui⁴¹ with numerous talented scholars and beauties, discuss poetry and songs⁴², and chat about lofty ambitions.

Wen Nuan pretended to have heard the romantic rumors in the city and, using the excuse of being drunk and wanting to meet the beauty, barged into the poetry convention to get close to the female lead. She deliberately mistook the female lead for a handsome young master and flirted with her a few times, only to be directly slapped by the female lead.

Everyone also found it novel and surprising, not expecting that this unrestrained Xian Wang, who only knew how to play, could anger the gentle Lin Tinghan into raising a hand.

Just when everyone thought the Xian Wang would be furious because of this, the Xian Wang came out with another line: “To die under a peony flower, even as a ghost, is romantic”⁴³, which directly angered Lin Tinghan into slapping her again, leading to the two becoming acquainted through fighting.

It must be said that Wen Nuan also made indispensable contributions to the female lead’s ability to make the Lin family’s businesses bigger and stronger, and even become an imperial merchant.

After all, with her help, coupled with the female lead’s own determination, becoming the wealthiest in the land was only natural.

Wen Nuan’s plan while doing the mission was very simple: she would first pave the way for the female lead, then send her to meet the male lead. When the time came, the two would meet, fall in love, marry, have children, and grow old together⁴⁴ – how wonderful.

However—

The female lead had a childhood engagement, which was her fiancé, Fang Yongsi.

Back when the Lin family fell into hardship, they received support from the Fang family. The two children were born around the same time, and their parents arranged the marriage. When the children came of age, with jade pendants as proof, the two children were to marry.

Later, the Fang family’s business declined, and both Fang family’s matriarch⁴⁵ and the Fang family’s husband⁴⁶ died of illness. The Fang family’s old master entrusted Fang Yongsi to the Lin family, asking Lin Tinghan to marry Fang Yongsi after he reached the age of jiji⁴⁷.

In this world, women could marry many husbands. It would have been fine if Lin Tinghan married Fang Yongsi and then met the male lead, but alas, this Fang Yongsi was not a good sort.

Caustic and sarcastic⁴⁸, prone to jealousy and stirring up trouble⁴⁹, and also a restless individual. Not only was he ambiguously involved with other women, but he also privately tried to seduce Wen Nuan, dreaming of becoming the Xian Wang’s principal husband⁵⁰.

Wen Nuan couldn’t be bothered with him and had little contact with him, but on one occasion, she saw him having an illicit affair with another woman.

Thinking that he shouldn’t be allowed to harm the male and female leads, Wen Nuan privately sought him out, intending to talk to him, give him a sum of money, and have him leave the Lin Residence, stay away from the male and female leads, and not interfere with her mission.

Who knew that Fang Yongsi was also a schemer with ulterior motives. He deliberately drugged her, lured people over, and made it look like he had slept with her.

When Lin Tinghan saw that the shougong sha⁵¹ on Fang Yongsi’s arm was gone and felt the lingering amorous atmosphere in the room, Lin Tinghan was furious, annulled the engagement with Fang Yongsi, and completely broke off with her.

Fang Yongsi deliberately framed her. If it were the old Wen Nuan, she definitely wouldn’t have tolerated it, but thinking that this would at least resolve the trouble that was Fang Yongsi and make it easier to promote the great harmony between the male and female leads, Wen Nuan tacitly allowed everything. Even when Lin Tinghan questioned her why she did it, she remained silent and didn’t explain, and then received another slap from the female lead.

Afterward, Wen Nuan used this incident to perform a jinchan tuoqiao⁵².

She feigned traveling far and wide to leave Jiajing City, thus detaching herself from this mission world.

The time she returned was one year after that incident, and also the plot point where the male lead was about to appear.

Wen Nuan had already thought of a solution. Her fallout with Lin Tinghan was because the female lead thought she had slept with Fang Yongsi, which was why she got angry and her blackening value increased.

If the truth of this matter came to light, then the female lead’s blackening value would also decrease significantly. After the male lead appeared, she would then facilitate the female lead and male lead’s meeting, acquaintance, and falling in love. Once the blackening value was completely cleared, she could then retire with her mission accomplished.

Wen Nuan followed Rong Qing into the imperial palace. The palace attendants, maidservants, ministers, and langjun⁵³ on the way all knelt and kowtowed the moment they saw Wen Nuan.

Rong Qing led Wen Nuan to the Imperial Study. At this time, the Empress had already finished the morning court session and was reviewing memorials⁵⁴ in the Imperial Study.

Someone had already reported Wen Nuan’s arrival in advance, so Rong Qing opened the main door and invited Wen Nuan in.

“Xian Wang, Her Majesty the Empress has been waiting for you inside for a long time.”

Wen Nuan sighed, “Rong Qing, how has Imperial Sister’s mood been lately?”

Rong Qing paused, “Not very good. Recently, the floods in Wangfu City⁵⁵ have been severe, and Her Majesty the Empress has been worried about it for a long time.”

“….” Wen Nuan sighed again. “If you don’t see me come out in half a shichen⁵⁶, go call the Phoenix Lord⁵⁷ to rescue me, understand?”

Rong Qing’s eyes were serious as she nodded, “This servant will do her best.”

Wen Nuan lifted the hem of her robe, stepped over the threshold, and the large door behind her was closed.

Suddenly, there was a sound of something cutting through the air. Wen Nuan quickly turned aside, looking at the memorial that had smashed against the door and fallen apart. It wasn’t hard to see how much force the person who threw it had used.

“You still know how to roll back, huh?” A sharp, anger-filled voice sounded from the front.

Wen Nuan picked up the memorial. “Isn’t it because I missed Imperial Sister? I specially rushed back to celebrate Imperial Sister’s birthday.”

She placed the memorial in front of Xu Wenlu⁵⁸, smiling, “Is Imperial Sister happy?”

Xu Wenlu glared at her. “You still remember Zhen’s⁵⁹ birthday? Zhen thought you were playing around so much you’d forgotten everything.”

“How could I? As the saying goes, an elder sister is like a mother. Even if I forgot my own birthday, I wouldn’t forget yours, Imperial Sister.” Wen Nuan walked to Xu Wenlu’s side, thoughtfully massaging her shoulders. “Imperial Sister, don’t be angry. Haven’t I returned?”

Xu Wenlu, feeling comfortable from Wen Nuan’s massage, closed her eyes. “You’re quite good at hiding. Zhen sent so many secret guards⁶⁰ and still couldn’t find a trace of you. Where did you run off to go wild?”

“Just casually walking around, not staying in one place, so Imperial Sister’s secret guards couldn’t know my whereabouts in time.” Wen Nuan couldn’t say she had directly left this world. She had placed the original body in a scenic cave, and even left a note saying that if found, Xu Wenlu could be informed to come and bury her body.

The original owner of this body in this mission world had actually died long ago, in the 25th year of Jianing. In the struggle for the throne, imperial daughters fought and assassinated each other. The original owner died for Xu Wenlu. Wen Nuan transmigrated over shortly after the original owner had just died.

After the palace coup, Xu Wenlu ascended the throne with the legitimate status of Crown Princess. As soon as she sat on the dragon throne⁶¹, Xu Wenlu employed iron-fisted tactics⁶², annihilating all imperial daughters who opposed her, leaving no survivors.

Of more than a dozen imperial daughters, only the original owner was left.

This was only because the original owner was young, had no ambition for power, and had nearly lost her life for Xu Wenlu. From then on, Xu Wenlu doted on and trusted this full-blooded younger sister immensely.

“You,” Xu Wenlu pulled Wen Nuan in front of her, looked her over carefully, and sighed. “A little devil⁶³ since childhood. If I didn’t watch you for a moment, you’d be up on the roof tearing off tiles⁶⁴. Father-Consort⁶⁵ was often dizzy with anger because of you. And you were very good at assessing situations⁶⁶. Seeing Father-Consort angry, you would immediately kneel, act cute, feign grievance, and beg for mercy, such a little rogue, leaving Father-Consort at a loss⁶⁷. He wanted to scold you but couldn’t open his mouth, wanted to hit you but couldn’t bring himself to do it. He could only say a few words to make you behave. You’d nod and agree quickly, but after a few days, you’d turn around and forget the promises you made, still up on the roof tearing off tiles, never settling down.”

Wen Nuan smiled.

“Now that you’re older, you can run even further. What? Is the outside world so good? The great Jiajing City can’t hold you?” Xu Wenlu poked Wen Nuan’s forehead lightly.

Wen Nuan rubbed her forehead, chuckling, “I was wrong, Imperial Sister. I won’t go out anymore. I’ll stay in the imperial city and accompany you, okay?”

“Then you must keep your word. If you go back on it, Zhen will definitely punish you. At that time, even if you cry and beg for mercy, Zhen will not spare you,” Xu Wenlu said, feigning anger.

Wen Nuan nodded, “En en, I’ll definitely be obedient this time, and I’ll be good and stay in Jiajing City, under Imperial Sister’s nose.”

“Alright, you just know how to say nice things to make Zhen happy.” Xu Wenlu brought over a plate of pear blossom crisps⁶⁸ from the side. “Here, you haven’t eaten since you came back, right? Pear blossom crisps, freshly made. Eat them while they’re hot.”

Wen Nuan’s eyes lit up. She took a piece and started eating. “Thank you, Imperial Sister, for the reward.”

“As long as you’re obedient, Imperial Sister will reward you every day in the future.” Xu Wenlu raised her hand to wipe the crumbs from the corner of Wen Nuan’s mouth. “Did you go see Lin Tinghan when you came back this time?”

Wen Nuan paused, “…Not yet. I came back to see you first after returning to the city.”

“Lin Tinghan is in the palace right now. She’s currently liaising with the Bureau of Imperial Attire⁶⁹ about gold-thread gauze⁷⁰ and brocade silk⁷¹. Want to go see her?” Xu Wenlu asked.

Wen Nuan didn’t speak, silently eating the pear blossom crisps.

Seeing her like this, Xu Wenlu didn’t continue.

Wen Nuan and Lin Tinghan being on good terms was something she was happy to see. The taxes Lin Residence paid annually filled the national treasury, and the imperial palace and Lin Residence had cooperated for many years. All their food, clothing, and daily necessities were top quality. Xu Wenlu greatly admired Lin Tinghan’s ability to manage the industries under the Lin family’s banner in an orderly manner.

She had thought of marrying several imperial sons who had reached jiji to her, but Lin Tinghan had no intention of marrying and politely declined her.

Xu Wenlu was not one to force others; she wouldn’t use imperial power to coerce Lin Tinghan into submission. Seeing she didn’t like it, she didn’t bring it up again.

Xu Wenlu still had official duties to attend to and didn’t chat with her for long. Wen Nuan ate a few pieces of pear blossom crisps and then left.

Rong Qing saw Wen Nuan come out safely, even carrying a plate of pear blossom crisps. “Xian Wang, all is well⁷²?”

“All is well,” Wen Nuan passed the plate over. “Have some?”

Rong Qing took a piece, placed it on a handkerchief, and wrapped it carefully. “Many thanks for Xian Wang’s reward.”

Wen Nuan handed the whole plate to Rong Qing. “You eat it all.”

Pear blossom crisps were the Xian Wang’s favorite snack, the kind she could never get enough of. Seeing her give the whole plate away, Rong Qing was somewhat astonished, “What’s wrong with Xian Wang? Are you feeling unwell?”

Wen Nuan shook her head, “It’s nothing, just a bit full, can’t eat anymore.” She looked at the evening clouds in the distance. “Alright, I should be leaving the palace.”

“This servant will see you off.” Rong Qing held the pear blossom crisps.

Wen Nuan smiled, “No need. I want to take a walk by myself. The Imperial Study isn’t far from the palace gate. I’ll just stroll out. You stay with Imperial Sister. She’s probably going to get angry again today. Brew her some snow pear soup⁷³ to cool her temper⁷⁴.”

Rong Qing nodded, “Xian Wang, take care.”

The Imperial Study was very close to the North Palace Gate. Walking along Anning Palace Road⁷⁵ for half a shichen would lead out of the palace.

Wen Nuan saw Lin Tinghan ahead, talking to a female official from the Bureau of Imperial Attire. She turned her steps, hid behind the palace gate, and peeked at Lin Tinghan through the crack.

【Why are you hiding?】the System asked, puzzled.

“The female lead is ahead. What if her blackening value rises if I appear in front of her?” Wen Nuan hid carefully.

The System nodded: 【That’s true, hide well.】

Through the crack in the door, Wen Nuan could see Lin Tinghan completely and also hear her conversation with the female official.

She hadn’t changed much, not as thin as the female leads from the previous two worlds.

Today, she wore a deep orchid-blue⁷⁶ brocade long dress. Her slender waist, which one could encircle with one hand⁷⁷, was cinched by a pure white belt. Her waist-length black hair⁷⁸ cascaded down her back. Her willow-leaf-like curved eyebrows and passionate, deep phoenix eyes were not as bright as in the past. Her nose was well-defined yet delicate, her beautiful face and smooth jawline outlined a pointed chin.

Fair-skinned and beautiful, elegant and refined, with a cold and ethereal temperament. It was just that her eyes were faint, and a hint of coldness emanated from the corners of her brows, making her seem unapproachable.

Wen Nuan felt the female lead hadn’t changed, but upon closer inspection, she had changed a lot.

The female official escorted Lin Tinghan to the palace gate and smiled, “Young Lady Lin, I’ll see you to here. If you follow Anning Palace Road, you’ll see the North Palace Gate. Outside the North Palace Gate is Changning Avenue.”

Lin Tinghan nodded, “Many thanks.”

The female official, seeing Lin Tinghan about to leave, remembered she had just seen the Xian Wang, and the Xian Wang and Lin Tinghan had always been on good terms.

She thought that perhaps she could leave a good impression on the Xian Wang in the future, hoping Lin Tinghan would put in a few good words for her, so she added an extra sentence: “Her Highness, Xian Wang, is in the palace. If Young Lady Lin wishes to catch up with Xian Wang, you could….”

“No need.” Lin Tinghan looked up, her gaze chillingly sharp. “My status and Xian Wang’s are vastly different. How can there be any talk of catching up? I hope Nüguan will be discreet in her words and actions⁷⁹.”

The female official was silent: “….”

It seemed the rumors were not entirely false; Lin Tinghan and Her Highness, Xian Wang, had probably truly severed all ties.

Wen Nuan, seeing Lin Tinghan’s resistant attitude, thought to herself that eliminating the blackening value this time would likely be difficult.

【Yi⁸⁰?】the System said in surprise.

Wen Nuan: “…What’s wrong?”

The System said, disbelievingly: 【The blackening value has decreased! The female lead’s blackening value is now 8.8!】

Wen Nuan: “….”

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The author has something to say:

Wen Nuan: Why did the blackening value decrease?

Female Lead: Because I was waiting for you.

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