Nonsense! She’s Not a Bad Woman! - Chapter 76

The endless horizon looked like a massive piece of black silk, swallowing all the gentle sunlight from the day.

Joe Wanyan sat before the bronze mirror, studying her reflection. These past few days in the Pharmacist Valley, Aunt Zhang had been cooking meals with herbs carefully chosen under Yun Heng’s instructions. As a result, her complexion had become noticeably rosy, radiant and vibrant.

Fair-skinned with a natural blush, glowing with vitality.

“Miss, your relationship with Yun Heng is getting better, isn’t it? Why not secretly ask him not to prepare the antidote for Joe Yihuan?”

Earlier, Joe Yihuan had ingested a large amount of mandrake and had nearly died from the poisoning. The imperial physicians had pulled her back from the brink of death, but they couldn’t purge the lingering toxins from her body. That was why she had come all the way to the Pharmacist Valley—a trip that, by some twist of fate, had given the young lady a connection with the world-renowned healer Yun Heng.

Perhaps a blessing in disguise.

Or perhaps, if the lingering poison couldn’t be removed, she would die anyway…

“If Joe Yihuan dies, Miss wouldn’t have to worry about anyone stealing the Prince. Who in the capital could take him from your hands?”

This was what Ziyuan thought, though she didn’t understand why Miss had never struck Joe Yihuan before.

Opportunities had surely presented themselves; if Yihuan died, even if the blame fell on Miss, Father would protect her.

Joe Wanyan narrowed her eyes at the golden hairpin in her hand, slowly suppressing the murderous intent rising in her chest.

She couldn’t bring herself to kill Joe Yihuan.

Merely striking her—and not by her own hand—had already sent her into a faint.

If she truly killed Joe Yihuan, she couldn’t be certain how long she’d remain unconscious—or if she would wake at all.

Perhaps, even if she struck her, Joe Yihuan might not actually die.

In the dream following that faint, she had wondered if the heavens would still favor Yihuan should she turn into a villain, no longer the gentle, kind little white flower.

The mist hadn’t answered, instead changing the subject.

Thus, she still had the chance to alter her own fate.

If a person didn’t act for themselves, they were doomed. She was born noble, mastering music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette—everything meant to earn her the highest glory.

Why should she sacrifice her life for some so-called “Heavenly Dao girl”?

Fairness? She didn’t care whether she was on the unfair side.

There was never fairness in this world, no right or wrong—only winners and losers.

Only the winner had the right to write laws and judge right from wrong.

A hundred years after the founding of the Great You Dynasty, the previous emperor had not been foolish or cruel, merely incompetent. Yet, an ancestor of the He family had rebelled under the pretense of rescuing the people from the emperor’s misrule.

What really happened didn’t matter; a century later, would the common people even know the truth? Even if they did, what could they do?

Joe Wanyan gently smoothed her long hair and smiled at her reflection.

“Ziyuan, I am a kind and compassionate person—how could I possibly ignore my sister?”

Ziyuan frowned. She still didn’t understand. Miss was certainly clever, but compassionate? Hardly.

Joe Wanyan smiled and added, “I will certainly seek the antidote for my sister in front of everyone, but whether the antidote she receives truly cures the lingering poison—who knows?”

Ziyuan was about to speak but swallowed her words. Suddenly, she turned toward the door, rushing over in a few quick steps to open it.

“Stop right there!” she barked sharply.

Liu Yanran had only taken two steps outside when she reluctantly halted, feeling both awkward and annoyed.

She had come hoping to have an honest conversation with Joe Wanyan, wanting to understand whether Wanyan herself was also a transmigrator. Otherwise, how could Lu Jinye, who was supposed to be at Yihuan’s side, be appearing with her? And why would Yun Yao, who should rely on and trust Yihuan, also show up beside Wanyan?

Even the Crown Prince, who should have been indifferent and cold toward her, was now paying attention to her.

And the life-saving favor—Yihuan blocking an arrow for the Crown Prince—seemed to have transferred to Joe Wanyan.

This was all wrong. Unless Wanyan was also a transmigrator who had advanced knowledge of the story, stealing what should have been Yihuan’s opportunities, nothing else could explain it.

If Wanyan was indeed a transmigrator like her, she would at least advise her, as a fellow countrywoman, not to go against Yihuan.

The heroine was the heroine. Opposing her only led to being trampled underfoot, family ruined, and a miserable death.

Better to be obedient, follow the heroine, and even if one couldn’t get the meat, at least one could sip the broth.

Ziyuan led Liu Yanran into the room and closed the door behind her. “Miss, Liu Yanran was acting suspiciously at the door. I have no idea what she was plotting!”

Joe Wanyan wore a pale lotus-pink nightgown, the gossamer fabric drifting lightly as she rose, ethereal and graceful.

Bare-faced and untouched by makeup, her long hair cascaded down like black silk. Even Liu Yanran had to admit, the malicious supporting female in these old novels always possessed breathtaking beauty.

Yet no matter how beautiful, it could never compare to the heroine’s luck—effortlessly loved by everyone.

“Imperial Jade Liquor,” Liu Yanran suddenly uttered, a statement that was entirely unexpected.

Joe Wanyan didn’t even glance at her. She seated herself in the Grand Tutor’s chair, lifted the tea cup, and sipped with casual nonchalance. “No need for tests. If you have something to say, just say it.”

Imperial Jade Liquor? Throwing out such a line could only mean either madness or a cautious probe.

As for what she was probing, Wanyan didn’t know—but she could not afford to show weakness.

Perhaps something interesting might be revealed.

A lowly common girl, and yet she dared to try and pry into her words. Did she think that being raised in a noble household meant she wasn’t taught anything by her parents?

Liu Yanran was slightly surprised. She had expected that Wanyan would either pour her a cup or reveal a confused expression at such a comment.

Yet now, she could not tell.

But Wanyan’s composure, with no counter-question, made her suspect even more—surely, she was also a transmigrator who chose not to play along with secret signals.

Otherwise, how could she remain so calm?

Liu Yanran continued cautiously, “Do you know who the heroine is?”

Joe Wanyan’s hand paused in mid-air, holding the tea. Her gaze lifted slowly toward Liu Yanran, eyes deep and unfathomable.

“I do not like beating around the bush. I prefer speaking plainly. Your answer will determine whether I continue this conversation with you,” Liu Yanran said solemnly.

Wanyan set down her tea cup, her eyes locking onto Liu Yanran without blinking.

After a moment, she spoke, “Joe Yihuan.”

Liu Yanran furrowed her brow. Just as she suspected—Wanyan was also a transmigrator!

She was using her knowledge of the story to seize everything that rightfully belonged to the heroine.