Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess (Quick Transmigration)

Three days later, the rain stopped.

He Qingning, Shen Wan, and their entourage continued toward their destination. Shortly after their departure, two figures appeared around the small inn, circling it several times, searching for something.

The Little Hen, having experienced various trials alongside Shen Wan and He Qingning, though initially frightened, continued to lay eggs daily. The grim-faced guards found their mood lightened by the hen’s daily clucking. From initially thinking Shen Wan’s hen-raising was insane, they now eagerly competed to feed it and take it for walks.

The journey remained tumultuous. Every few days, they faced assassination attempts. The smallest group numbered ten, the largest fifty. When surrounded, all the guards felt their scalps tingle. Their gaze inevitably fell on the petite figure standing beside He Qingning.

Seeing her unperturbed expression as she instructed them to protect He Qingning before charging into the crowd, their hearts leaped into their throats. They followed her instructions, shielding He Qingning in the center. The outcome was never in doubt; she dispatched assassins with single punches. No matter their martial prowess, a blow to the face left them twitching on the ground before expiring.

In no time, corpses littered the ground around her small figure. The guards stared at her dumbfounded, their eyes drawn to her tiny fists as they swallowed hard. How much strength was needed to fell assassins with single punches?

After each such encounter, He Qingning would approach her, ignoring the surrounding bodies. She’d grasp Shen Wan’s wrist, produce a handkerchief, and carefully wipe the blood from her small fists.

“They’re all death squads,” Shen Wan remarked, glancing at He Qingning cleaning her hands. Inwardly thrilled, she controlled her urge to smile broadly. “So I killed them all; we couldn’t get any information. These death squad members were quite skilled. It must have cost a fortune to train them. I wonder if tomorrow they’ll send a hundred or so. We’ll see if my fists are harder or their death squads more numerous.”

“You’ve eliminated quite a few death squads lately. They probably won’t use this method again,” He Qingning said, holding Shen Wan’s hand. She turned and called, “Bring water.”

Soon, a young guard brought a wooden basin. They had grown accustomed to this routine. After each time Shen Wan dealt with assassins, the princess would order water and meticulously clean her hands, washing them spotless.

Especially peculiar was how that woman maintained an expressionless face, seemingly oblivious to their princess’s tenderness, as if it were expected. The scene was truly bizarre.

188: What do you know? With his host’s nature, she was probably overjoyed inside. If not for fear of breaking character, she might be rolling on the ground with glee.

After cleaning Shen Wan’s hands, He Qingning led her to the carriage. She called for food to be brought and placed before Shen Wan. “Eat something first. You just dealt with quite a few people, and we don’t know what we’ll face next.”

Many people probably didn’t want her to return to the capital alive now. Not because they had discerned her ultimate goal, but because her current actions were touching many people’s interests. Yet she had to continue; she was still far from achieving her set objectives.

“Is Princess worried?”

“What do I have to worry about with you here?” He Qingning smiled, then added, “With you around, I’m not concerned no matter how many come today.” Noticing Shen Wan eyeing the food without moving to eat, though clearly wanting to, she asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

Shen Wan held out her pristine palms. “I just killed quite a few people. I don’t want to touch the pastries with my hands.” As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on He Qingning’s face. Inwardly, she was screaming, ‘Feed me! If not now, when? Little princess, hurry and feed me. I’m getting anxious with hunger.’

“Then I’ll feed you,” He Qingning said instinctively. After speaking, she paused briefly, noticing Shen Wan’s expectant look. Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she picked up a pastry and held it to Shen Wan’s lips. “Eat.”

Shen Wan opened her mouth, biting into the pastry. It melted instantly, sliding down her throat. She then looked at He Qingning with longing eyes. Unable to resist that ‘feed me’ gaze, He Qingning picked up another piece and brought it to Shen Wan’s mouth. Shen Wan ate it in one bite.

[188 snorted: “Wan Wan, have you achieved your goal? Satisfied?”]

Shen Wan: “Extremely satisfied. I’m so happy I could faint on the spot.”

The plate of pastries, not small in portion, was soon emptied through He Qingning’s feeding. Shen Wan showed no self-awareness; if the little princess were feeding her, she could eat ten more plates!!!

“Have some water.”

Shen Wan nodded quickly. Yes, she needed water after eating so much. She hadn’t felt it before, but now that He Qingning mentioned it, she did feel a bit cloyed.

She gazed at He Qingning expectantly, as if she had no hands, waiting for He Qingning to bring the cup to her lips without lifting a finger. She drank it clean, her lips pressed against the cup’s edge.

Shen Wan: “188, help me monitor the surroundings. If any assassins come, let me know in advance.”

[188, lifeless: “Understood.”]

Shen Wan: “I hope they send more death squads. Killing them means enjoying the little princess’s feeding. Oh, 188, am I being unethical thinking this way? Even if they’re just characters, having such shameless thoughts for my own purposes… It’s truly a moral decline, a loss of humanity. 188, don’t learn from me. Wanting to kill others’ death squads just to gain love is wrong. Don’t follow me… I’ve already fallen. I don’t want to see my little buddy you fall into the abyss too.”

His host had discovered another opportunity to be cared for by the little princess. Indeed, it was a moral decline and loss of humanity. Very well, his host had set a terrible example for him and was leading him down this path. But he was an emotionless system; how could he possibly learn from her?

He wouldn’t.

He wasn’t that kind of misguided system.

Forget it, he wouldn’t communicate with his host. He’d just help her watch for any little assassins around.

If little assassins came, he’d notify her to quickly crush them.

He hoped she and the little princess would soon reach the pinnacle of life, sweetness all the way, then whoosh, complete their lives perfectly, finishing the mission.

He was waiting to update to a new version.

Hmph, he was an emotionless system. He wouldn’t fall for love. What was love? He didn’t understand!

For the next several days, He Qingning encountered no more assassins.

The people she had secretly dispatched were very discreet. Even if those others had suspicions, they couldn’t guess where she might appear. And having lost so many death squads recently, they couldn’t think of a way to deal with her for the time being.

When He Qingning reached her destination, she still handled everything with lightning speed. Corrupt officials were still executed on the spot. Then she would report the matter, and by the time the capital received the news, she had already left that place.

The Emperor read the reports with a delighted smile, while the ministers below kept their heads bowed, secretly glancing at each other. They all understood now that Princess Qingning was a sharp sword in the Emperor’s hand, striking wherever she went. Moreover, the people she targeted weren’t high-ranking officials, and the evidence of their crimes was enough to warrant confiscation of property and execution of three generations of their families.

Could they say Princess Qingning was indiscriminately killing innocents? They couldn’t.

Every report she sent back contained evidence of the executed individuals’ crimes, not just evidence, but also bloodied handprints of local civilians. If they dared to object, the Emperor would likely immediately suspect their motives, thinking they were connected to those criminals. Even if they were connected, would they dare to express it?

Eventually, the Emperor’s expression darkened.

The courtiers sensed the change in atmosphere and bowed their heads even lower. They heard the Emperor’s voice, “This month, Qingning has helped me root out many corrupt officials who oppressed the people. I am very pleased, but I never expected that Qingning would face assassination attempts every three days during this time.”

The Emperor’s imposing gaze swept over the civil and military officials. He chuckled coldly, his aged voice carrying a chill, “I’m very curious as to who wants to take my Qingning’s life.”

“Your Majesty, since Princess Qingning has been exposed, for her safety, why not issue an edict recalling her to the palace?” One minister stepped forward. “If this continues, we are truly worried about Princess Qingning’s well-being.”

“Really?” The Emperor glanced lightly at the kneeling minister, who naturally dared not say it wasn’t true and could only repeatedly express his concern for He Qingning’s safety.

Seeing this, most of the court officials knelt down, begging the Emperor to recall He Qingning. They stated that if this continued, He Qingning’s situation would become increasingly dangerous.

He Qingning’s brothers, the princes capable of competing for the throne, also knelt down one by one, their expressions showing concern, saying they were very worried about He Qingning’s safety. With so many brothers expressing their intentions, He Xiyan naturally couldn’t not make a request. In reality, he sensed that his brothers weren’t truly concerned about He Qingning; they probably hoped she would die outside. After all, if she died outside, she wouldn’t be able to support him anymore.

“I also want Qingning to return, but Qingning doesn’t want to come back,” the Emperor said. “She told me she wants to travel around more, to help me see which parts of this realm are experiencing similar issues. Qingning said that as a princess, having enjoyed honor for over a decade, she should use her power as a princess to do something. Since Qingning likes doing this, I’ve allowed it.”

“I’ve decided to send more people to protect Qingning and investigate who wants to take her life.” After saying this, his gaze fell on the entire court, his eyes filled with meaning as he said, “I hope it’s just some remnant forces.”

After the court session, many officials’ backs were soaked with sweat. The Emperor had singled out this matter, showing no intention of recalling Princess Qingning. This implied a warning to them. Those with guilty consciences hurriedly left, their minds racing to recall if there were any loose ends.

“Third Brother, what do you think of this matter?”

He Xiyan stopped walking and glanced at his brothers, who had never gotten along with him. “This is what Qingning wants to do. Father has always doted on her, and those who oppress the people indeed should be punished.”

“Third Brother must be very happy now? Although Qingning’s situation is a bit dangerous, her position is no longer what it used to be.”

He Xiyan didn’t take offense at the acidic remarks. It was true that He Qingning’s actions had been so significant that his brothers were getting restless. But what they said was also true; the more powerful He Qingning became, the more beneficial it was for him, as they were in the same boat. He Qingning supported him, so at least when she returned safely to the capital, Father would surely favor his side.

Thinking this, He Xiyan made a decision. He would have to secretly arrange protection for He Qingning. If anything happened to her, it would be all disadvantages and no benefits for him.

Before long, Shen Wan and He Qingning discovered an interesting thing. Several times before a crisis arrived, someone would secretly warn them, and they even found some assassins who had already been dealt with.

“Princess, could it be that the Emperor is worried about you and secretly eliminated these little assassins for you?” Shen Wan said with a straight face, inwardly very unhappy. She hadn’t crushed a single little assassin recently and couldn’t find an excuse for the little princess to feed her food. This Emperor was really meddling.

He Qingning shook her head. “It’s not Father. This style doesn’t seem like Father’s people. Father must have sent people to follow me, but they definitely wouldn’t act like this. Unless I was truly in mortal danger, his people wouldn’t care about my situation. If I were still the princess of before, perhaps even a small assassin would make Father’s people appear. But now, Father is treating me as an equal to my brothers.”

“In cultivating the future heir, Father won’t be so merciful. Even if he dotes on me more, if I can’t stand on my own, he won’t choose me.”

Shen Wan thought this made sense. “Then who is it?” Suddenly, her pupils dilated, and at the same time, He Qingning’s expression showed realization. Their eyes met, and they both burst into laughter.

“Princess, is it…?”

“It should be.” He Qingning’s lips curled into a smile. “My returning to the capital alive is disadvantageous for most people. Many don’t want me to return alive, but Third Brother is different.”

Shen Wan laughed. “Princess, then we shouldn’t disappoint Prince Yan’s kindness.” So it was that scoundrel He Xiyan. Haha, that guy was really surprising, reaching out so far. But this time it was a good thing, so he was somewhat tolerable.

“Princess, now that He Xiyan has made a move, your other brothers probably won’t be able to hold back. They probably don’t want you to return.”

He Qingning nodded, then smiled. “Don’t worry about it too much. He Xiyan will clash with them. We’ll just do our own thing.”

These matters were actually within her expectations, but she hadn’t thought He Xiyan would act so early. He Xiyan’s abilities were not weak, and her other brothers were also quite capable.

Her sudden rise would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among several factions. They would put aside their differences and try to bring down this princess first. Therefore, her plan was to let them fight each other first. When they were both wounded, she would seize upon their mistakes. By the time she stepped forward, they would have no strength left to compete.

“Princess, you’re really so bad.” Shen Wan’s eyes were full of mirth. “But such a princess is very admirable.”

Seeing Shen Wan’s expression, He Qingning couldn’t help but move closer. The distance between them was very small, barely a hand’s width apart. Her voice softened, “Just admirable?”

Shen Wan: “188, the little princess is… flirting with me!!!”

[188 sighed and replied: “Then hurry up and flirt back.”]

How annoying!

Don’t call him out to feed dog food every time something like this happens.

“Of course not.”

He Qingning’s heart stirred, and she asked quickly, “Then what else?” At this moment, could she hear the words she wanted to hear from Shen Wan’s little mouth? Though Shen Wan had never hidden her gaze, its blatant meaning each time made He Qingning very impulsive, wanting to grab Wan Wan’s hand and confess her feelings on the spot.

But now was not the time.

Asking Father to bestow marriage upon them was even more inappropriate.

She had never thought of exposing her feelings to Father. Everything would wait until she ascended to power. Once she controlled this realm, she could naturally give Wan Wan an explanation. By then, she would be the highest authority, and no one would dare oppose.

He Qingning arched her beautiful brows, her gaze never leaving Shen Wan for a moment. She sat across from her, their faces close enough to clearly see each other’s slightest expressions.

Shen Wan: Of course, I really like the little princess.

Shen Wan’s eyes brightened, and she grasped He Qingning’s wrist, making the latter somewhat nervous.

“Worship!” When Shen Wan uttered these two words, He Qingning was taken aback. “Worship?”

“Yes, worship!” Shen Wan said with a straight face. “Princess makes me want to worship you.”

“Is that all?” After anticipating for so long, it turned out to be worship. He Qingning could still see the undisguised fondness in Shen Wan’s eyes, which made her happy again. Perhaps Wan Wan was more reserved, and being both women, she was too shy to speak of such things.

188: Re… reserved???

He Qingning took Shen Wan’s small hand and patted it gently. “I won’t pressure you. I understand.”

Shen Wan: What does the little princess understand?

“I didn’t expect you to have such a shy and reserved side to your personality.”

Shen Wan: She had never been reserved, and as for shyness, how could someone with skin as thick as city walls ever be shy?

“I won’t let you down,” He Qingning said very seriously this time. “You’re willing to brave dangers for me, your hands stained with blood. In the future, I’ll grant you peace and lifelong honor.”