ARC 3 STORY LINE
ARE YOU A PRINCESS? THE KIND WITH A RUINED REPUTATION
Disclaimer: This is an MTL translation that has been edited to make the story flow smoothly which may cause the translation to not be 100% accurate. The Chinese novel: Abused Female Lead And Beautiful Villainess is not owned by me. This is only a fan translation by Idiot Goggle Translations.
Chapter 3
“When I got up early in the morning, I heard that the prince was sick. I was very worried about the prince’s condition, so I came over anxiously.” Shen Shi used a handkerchief to wipe tears from her eyes. “I was really worried, so I couldn’t help but come over.”
He Qingning sneered, “You just couldn’t help yourself, huh.” ¹ The voice coming from the princess made Shen Shi tremble in knee crippling fear. She didn’t know that Princess Qingning would be here. Now that she knew that this person is here, she will definitely have to avoid her and until she leaves.
He Qingning raised her eyes to glance side-ways at Shen Wan, angry once more. Another woman from the General’s Mansion visiting the prince merely two days after his wedding. Not only that, what this woman said was clearly dubious. This isn’t something that can be taken lightly, but here Shen Wan was, consoling the woman who ran to her and look as if nothing was going on with her third brother. She knew Shen Wan couldn’t be depended on.
Shen Wan saw He Qingning’s soft eyes suddenly take a turn and became disgusted. She didn’t even do anything, why was she despised again?
“My third brother refused to seek medical treatment. You are Shen Shi, is that right? I heard that on weekdays, you and my third brother often go to poetry meetings. You seem to have a good relationship with him. Just now, Shen Wan told me that you have always regarded my third brother as your elder brother.” He Qingning said this in a voice that made Shen Wan feel ice run through her veins. Oh my god, she’s deathly scary. “Since this is the case, you have to urge my third brother to see a doctor. He has to be treated lest his disease become serious. Having a serious illness is not something the Palace wants to see.”
Shen Shi was stumped.
A few moments ago she did try to convince He Xiyan, but he did not listen. She wasn’t even allowed to lift his bed curtains and was only allowed to sit beside the bed. Now He Qingning is telling her to persuade him again. Will she be able to convince him?
He Qingning looked at Shen Shi as if she were stupid. The corners of her lips were raised mockingly while she lazily fiddled with the beautiful jade bracelet on her wrist. Her elegant eyebrows gently lifted and her red lips hissed out another sentence, “Persuade my third brother. I will give you the medicine. Once my third brother agrees to see a doctor, you can leave. If my third brother is willing to see a doctor, then the Palace will reward you handsomely with gold and silver jewelry and even silk and satin.”
Shen Wan: He Xiyan is afraid of death. She assumes that he will wait for all of them to leave and go out to see a doctor secretly, but now he won’t be able to. She wants to die laughing.
Her Royal Highness is a blessing from the divine! This is great.
He Qingning suddenly realized that something was wrong. She turned around and saw Shen Wan looking at her with a pair of shiny eyes. The sight made a strange feeling in her heart. Recalling the scene when the woman didn’t say a word about Shen Shi’s actions, she shook the feeling away and maintained her disgusted expression. She didn’t even bother to hide it.
Shen Wan: Huh, what’s the problem this time?
Shen Shi felt conflicted. She knew He Xiyan. She knew the man was serious when he refused her before since he was obviously very unhappy. If she’s unable to complete the task given by Princess Qingning, wouldn’t she be humiliated?
However, this is an opportunity for her. Even if she can’t convince He Xiyan, she can stay with him here all day. Wouldn’t he be happy? Listening to his voice earlier, it didn’t seem like his illness was all that serious. It may be because of this that he didn’t want a doctor to bother with it. It is more likely that he did not want to see Shen Wan and felt sorry for her…… so he’s pretending to be sick?
Yes, why didn’t she think of this? He Xiyan must be pretending to be sick. When Shen Shi thought about it, according to what she heard, the two didn’t sleep together the other night and now the prince is sick again. If it really was a serious illness, wouldn’t the prince have enough sense to take care of himself first? Why would he refuse getting checked by a doctor?
Although her heart was set on a decision, Shen Shi hesitated and approached Shen Wan. She whispered, “Elder sister, Princess Qingning ordered me to persuade the prince to see a doctor. I can’t defy the words of the princess. Please forgive me, elder sister. Don’t cause any misunderstandings with the prince.”
“Second sister, I understand.” Shen Wan grabbed Shen Shi’s hand holding the handkerchief and squeezed. Oh, very good. When she wiped her eyes earlier, she thought the other woman was a little teary-eyed. It turns out that this red-eyed rabbit only has red eyes, but no tears. ² She only pretended to be crying by wiping her tears. “Second sister, do your best to convince the prince. He appreciates you so much on the days when you’re together. You can read poetry and play the piano for him later. Perhaps his mood will get better and he’ll be willing to let a doctor look at him.”
Shen Shi was giddy inside and nodded in a serious manner, “I am relieved to hear you say so. I will do my best. I’ll get the prince to agree about seeing a doctor immediately.”
The prince must be pretending to be sick for her. If the prince has been pretending to be sick, then she can accompany him every day. It’s a pity that the circumstances of her birth will never let her become the prince’s wife.
He Xiyan hiding behind the bed curtain heard the two women whispering and almost fainted. He needed to wait until these people left before he can secretly go out and find a doctor. As long as he told them not to disturb him, then no one would dare come in. When Shen Wan and He Qingning left, he was about to do just that, but he didn’t expect Shen Shi to visit him.
He didn’t blame Shen Shi. He felt that all this misfortune was because of Shen Wan. If Shen Wan didn’t brutally beat him last night, would he have to suffer this torture today? Shi’er cared too much for him that she couldn’t help visit him. When Qingning ordered her, naturally she’d follow through. Still, he cannot tell Shen Shi. It would be a blow to his dignity. He can’t let Shen Shi know about his plans yesterday. Shi’er is so simple and kind. If she knew that he did it for her, she would definitely feel sad and guilty.
“Then the prince is all yours, second sister.”
“Elder sister, rest assured, I will definitely persuade the prince.”
He Qingning stared at the polite appearance of the two sisters and was in a particularly bad mood. She turned and walked out the door. Shen Wan hurriedly followed. Thinking about how He Xiyan will be enduring pain while Shen Shi tries to be romantic, she couldn’t hold back a laugh and quickly bowed her head.
He Qingning abruptly stopped and stood still. She turned around to say something scathing, but did not expect the sight she saw. Shen Wan had her head bowed low, her shoulders trembling. It seems that she was crying. She looked at the flimsy woman in front of her who couldn’t help, but cry after walking out of the prince’s room. She swallowed back her harsh words.
“You are a daughter from the General’s Mansion.
“Even if General Shen has passed, you are still a daughter from the General’s Mansion. Now you’re the third prince’s wife and the third princess with a noble status. How can you let yourself be bullied?”
Shen Wan: What is she talking about?
Shen Wan didn’t look up, she couldn’t stop laughing. She was a little confused listening to He Qingning.
“Today is the second day of your wedding. Shen Shi came to see my third brother in the palace. Even if you are confused, you should still understand what’s happening. You appear like a good sister to Shen Shi, when you, as one of the ladies in the palace, should be angry instead. What do you think you should do in front of her?”
Shen Wan: “…” She… she really didn’t understand.
“Since you turned into the third princess, it is natural to use your status and present yourself as the third princess. How can you be easily pressured by this girl?”
When He Qingning saw that Shen Wan did not so much as lift her head, she shouted, “Raise your head and don’t bow all day. You are not a servant. Can’t you even look like a princess?”
Shen Wan: Don’t be so mean. Fortunately, they were in her yard. No one is here at the moment. Didn’t she care about how people see her?
He Qingning stopped talking, apparently waiting for Shen Wan to raise her head.
Left with no choice, Shen Wan used all of her strength to raise her head and hide her smile. When her face was revealed, she was flushed red and there were tears in her eyes from laughing. No matter how He Qingning looks at her, she’ll only see Shen Wan’s flushed face and teary eyes.
He Qingning, seeing Shen Wan’s down-trodden appearance, couldn’t bear to lash out any longer. She took out her handkerchief and handed it to Shen Wan, “Wipe it.”
Shen Wan stared at the handkerchief presented by this lovely jade and did not hesitate to take it. Although she did not know why He Qingning is asking her to wipe something, the handkerchief was given by Her Royal Highness. She couldn’t refuse it.
“I’m going back to the palace, but I will be coming over for the next few days. If there’s anything wrong or you get bullied, you must tell me.” This is General Shen’s daughter. She deserves to be taken care of. Shen Wan’s mother died early and the general died in the war two years ago. The General’s Mansion is currently supported by an old woman. Shen Wan is also quite pitiful.
“Take care, Your Highness.”
“I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Presently, she didn’t know how her third brother felt about this, but having Shen Shi here is not a good thing. When she interacted with her, Shen Shi spoke as if she was harmless, but it’s obviously a ploy to block Shen Wan. She didn’t like Shen Wan because she’s not someone dependable, but she hates Shen Shi all the more for her fake innocent act.
Shen Wan waved the small handkerchief and stared at He Qingning’s back reluctantly.
[188: “Okay, Wan Wan. Stop waving your hanky. She’s gone now, but she’ll be back tomorrow. You have all the time to get along, don’t worry. Now you should think about what you’ll do in the future.” Shouldn’t she be thinking about a plan? How can two princesses be together with a happy ending? It’s worrying him to death.
“All will be well.”
He Qingning hates her right now. The main thing to worry about is He Xiyan. He Qingning will be coming every day, so she can work some things out. After He Xiyan gets better, he’ll surely find a way to take her blood.
How did the original owner get her blood taken again? Oh… After her innocence was taken, the whole city knew that the new princess was frivolous due to the drunken prince. The prince did not give up on the new princess and was kind enough to let her stay in the palace. The original owner was humiliated that her innocence was stolen and her heart broke. She thought that she was no longer pure and was sorry for He Xiyan.
Even when Shen Shi took this opportunity to barge in, she couldn’t stop it. She could only grit her teeth, endure the pain, and maintain a smile on her face. When He Xiyan stated that he needed her blood, she actually felt glad that she could finally do something for him. Despite the pain in her heart, she willingly gave him a small bowl of blood every day. Later on, she found that it was all for Shen Shi and was overwhelmed with sadness. She came to know from Shen Shi that they both had known each other and her heart became numb and desperate.
“Her love is so humble.”
Shen Wan muttered, “What’s the point of a self-effacing love without honor? If you like each other, then it needs to be mutual and bring joy to you both. Otherwise your love will only bring you hurt and you’ll get taken advantage of. It’s stupid.”
[188 didn’t hold back, “What about you? Like you don’t behave like a moth.”] ³ There are some secrets he has yearned to inquire about.
“I’m different.” Shen Wan came back to herself, “188, get out! I don’t need you listening in on my little secrets. My love is only sweet. You don’t see me doing things that can kill people’s heart and soul. Can you say the same to them?”
In the afternoon, Shen Wan went to see Shen Shi and found that she was playing the piano for He Xiyan. She wanted to laugh like crazy.
She couldn’t see He Xiyan’s expression, but she could imagine the man gnashing his teeth.
She then returned to her room and slept all afternoon, only to get up after dark. Hong Zhu didn’t understand this routine, so she asked Shen Wan if she was alright. Shen Wan just said that she didn’t have a good rest and was a little sleepy.
After dinner, she came to He Xiyan’s room, “Second sister, you can go home for now.”
“Yes, Shi’er. You can go back. You don’t even have to come here tomorrow. I’m feeling very good.” He Xiyan finally felt that Shen Wan had some use after all.
If Shi’er kept worrying about his condition, she will definitely stay here with him. Once Shi’er left and the night fell silent, he could disguise himself and go see a doctor.
Shen Shi understood that she couldn’t stay, so she wiped her tears and left with some reluctance.
When He Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief, Shen Wan said with a smile, “Tonight, I will be staying outside the prince’s room. When the prince is willing to see the doctor, just yell and I’ll be able to hear.”
“I’m really worried about the prince’s condition, so I have to stay vigilant at all times. I’m afraid that the prince is tired, so I’ll just stay outside.”
He Xiyan: “…” Rage!
Shen Wan asked someone to move a chair outside the prince’s room. She slept all afternoon so she can stay up all night without a problem. All this to make He Xiyan more uncomfortable.
He Xiyan was annoyed all night!
In the morning, He Qingning came back to visit the prince. When she arrived, she saw Shen Wan sitting outside He Xiyan’s room, yawning. Her face twitched.
To be continued…
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¹T/N: This sentence is actually much shorter (using 4x MTL sites), but I felt that with the original, our villainess sounded more like a brat, so I tinkered with it and made her sound more like a thug instead. Lel.
²T/N: On the second chapter, He Qingning also compared Shen Shi like a ‘crying rabbit’, but I didn’t follow through with it because being compared to a rabbit wasn’t that much of a norm when it comes to English novels, so I used ‘crying like a baby’ instead. Here on chapter 3, Shen Wan actually makes the comparison logical since Shen Shi supposedly had irritated ‘red’ eyes and white rabbits have red eyes as well.
³T/N: Moth to a flame is what 188 means. If you don’t know the expression, it means that you obsess over your attraction to the point of death… I think. So 188 says Shen Wan is basically the same as the person she’s talking about when it comes to love.
T/N: If yall have a spec of understanding about Chinese and have read the novel, you should have realized already that I translate the Chinese expressions on this novel into an English version instead of keeping them as is like most Chinese translation sites. It’s because as a reader myself, I often get confused and annoyed that I have to look up certain things I don’t understand, especially when I’m in the middle of reading the good stuff. If you don’t like that, then sucks to be you.
T/N2: Have you guys noticed how much of a savage babe He Qingning is in this chapter? Like every scene she’s in, all I kept thinking is, “YASSS QUEEN!”
Idiot Goggle Translations 