Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

186 Congratulations. At least…you could marry now Part I

As soon as Ouyang Mingxian’s voice ceased, the sound of exclamation from the crowd echoed. Only Bai Yu and Ouyang Feilong sat still, not uttering a word.

She was certain that Ouyang Feilong had not prepared himself for such a request since the story between the two protagonists was known only to a few. Ouyang Mingxian’s asking for Bai’s daughter instead of Xu’s must have been so surprising that Ouyang Feilong had to stop to think.

Ouyang Mingxian wished to marry Bai Hua instead of Xu Peipei. This was a good thing and would mean that Ouyang Mingxian had let go of his ambition. Even if there were ten more Empress Dowager Weis, no one would be able to go against Ouyang Feilong, who was on the throne now.

Bai Yu glanced at the women of the Bai family who were sitting not too far from her.

Bai Hua politely held her head low. It was difficult to predict what emotion she had from her hands that were holding each other tight. Still, Bai Yu suspected that her half-sister must be overjoyed right now.

As soon as Bai Yu turned to her mother, their eyes instantly met. Yue Mei now had a mannerly smile on her face, though her eyes clearly revealed worry. Bai Yu was quite certain that her mother was not worried about Bai Hua, the concubine’s child she hated, climbing up the social ladder. The last time she went back to visit Bai Mansion with Ouyang Feilong, she saw how much Yue Mei and Bai Han’s relationship had improved. Distance might have played a factor in bringing their hearts closer. They might not be lovebirds, but at least there were smiles between the two. Smiles that were not only on the lips but could be seen in the eyes. Her mother was worried about something that Bai Yu could not think of yet.

Her eyes moved from the female side to the male. It seemed her father had been waiting because Bai Yu’s gaze immediately met with Bai Han’s. Strangely, both her father and mother had the same look in their eyes. She knew her father secretly cherished Bai Hua, so why was he so worried here?

Bai Yu frowned slightly at the question without an answer until Bai Han slowly shook his head, and his face was unusually expressionless. Bai Yu instantly understood that the marriage Ouyang Mingxian requested was not entirely a good thing.

When she looked at Bai He in an attempt to gauge his reaction regarding Bai Hua’s marriage, she had to pull her gaze back. Currently, Bai He was gazing at the Xu family’s daughter, completely ignoring that his sister was turning to him. Oh well, she would let her brother off the hook for today.

.....

The moment of eye contact between family members lasted no more than a few seconds, yet it gave Bai Yu a headache trying to find the cause of her parents’ worry. Even Ouyang Feilong went quiet. In terms of fate, Ouyang Mingxian’s being with Bai Hua was the most appropriate thing to happen. However, right now the throne was not Ouyang Mingxian’s like in the series, so there must be something more complicated…

Now she got it!

Beneath the appropriateness was something that Bai Yu could not look past. Something that her father and mother, who had lived their lives with power, could see in a single glance… The Bai family might cause a problem for Ouyang Feilong.

It started with how her family’s power helped Ouyang Feilong become emperor, and now positions in the court had seen many changes.

The head of the Bai family, Bai Han, was still the senior chancellor. He was the former emperor’s confidant and, at the same time, the current one’s father-in-law. Practically, Ouyang Feilong had to be quite respectful to Bai Han while in court.

The family’s eldest son, Bai He, controlled half the military. If he married a daughter of a major family in the future, then the Bai family’s power could reach even heaven.

Bai Yu, who was the family’s eldest daughter, was the empress consort, the woman who represented the Bai and Yue families’ combined authority. Currently, no family could rival hers.

Bai Xue, the second daughter, was formerly a De Fei, greatly favored by the late emperor. Though she did not produce a son or daughter, she now held the position of Tai Fei and was one of the old pillars of power in the inner court, further emphasizing the Bai family’s influence.

And if Bai Hua married and became first consort to Ouyang Mingxian, a close relative of the emperor… All in Da Yang would surely be jeering at Ouyang Feilong!

He would become an emperor who had to fear his empress’ power. Then, the only way for him to counterbalance the Bai family would be to take a consort from a reputable family in order to increase his own allies.

Bai Yu could swear that those of the Bai family would never betray Ouyang Feilong. However, outsiders could never know that, and they would never trust the ‘power’ possessed by the Bai family that was now at its peak. To create a balance of power and maintain peace within the court, Ouyang Feilong would soon be pressured to take consorts from various families to intimidate the Bai family! And if that came true, she would not be able to accept it.

This would not do! Her mother and father feared that painting a target on the Bai family’s back. Bai Yu now felt the same way as well, while also frightened that her husband would have to marry more consorts… She had to nip it in the bud!

“Your Majesty…” She did not want to interfere with anyone’s red string of fate anymore, but she also could not let Bai Hua be Ouyang Mingxian’s first consort. The entanglement of power was too complicated to be judged by morality alone. She might have created a karmic debt again, but she wanted at least one life where she could have her happy ending!

“Your Majesty…” Seeing how Ouyang Feilong did not reply, she repeated her words to call his attention. Right now, everyone was looking at her, the empress, and waiting to see whether she would support her sister or not. If she did, she would instantly become a power-hungry empress.

Bai Yu did not know whether Ouyang Feilong’s thoughts had reached the point of paranoia or not, and so she had to hurry and tell him what she feared. First, because he was the emperor. And second, because she could not bear to share him with anyone else. She could not find a way to handle the current consorts yet. If the number were to increase now, she would have to wake up every morning with a headache.

However, it seemed like Ouyang Feilong did not hear her voice at all. Golden eyes stared straight in front of him, not reflecting an ounce of worry or hesitation. Now Bai Yu started to suspect that he had a plan. She decided to be quiet and followed his line of sight.

Ouyang Feilong was not looking at Ouyang Mingxian. He was looking in the direction where a group of strong magic currents was heading.

“Truthfully, we have guests from far away,” Ouyang Feilong said in a low voice, only for the both of them to hear. The familiar sense of magic currents combined with the word ‘far away’ clued Bai Yu in on the identity of the newcomer.

“Your Majesty, Da Chu’s emissaries have arrived.” No matter how important Ouyang Mingxian’s reward was, welcoming the nation’s guest was a considerably more significant matter. Thus, the man who was kneeling in the middle of the stage stood up and walked slightly to the side when he saw that the diplomats from Da Chu had arrived at the banquet. Despite the confusion of the sudden arrival, Bai Yu still maintained an amicable smile for the person leading the group.

The eldest princess Chu Jiaoxin!

“Blessings to the Emperor. May you live and reign for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years.”

The princess was wearing a red dress with intricate embroidery that rivaled the clothes worn by other young ladies at the banquet. Her fierce eyes were painted to emphasize their features, harmonizing with her oval face and creating a kind of fatal beauty. Whomever her gaze swept past had to look away. As expected of the eldest princess, who was a younger disciple of the three-eyed seer Yue Nan.

Bai Yu’s eyes met Chu Jiaoxin’s after she stood up from giving Ouyang Feilong a curtsy. The princess might have come as an emissary, but they had no intention of being on good terms.

Chu Jiaoxin slightly lifted her chin before curtsying and greeting. Her tone clearly lacked the sweetness she had when speaking to Ouyang Feilong mere moments ago. “Blessings to Empress. May you live and reign for a thousand years, a thousand years, thousands of thousands of years.”