Now that I’ve got the second chance…I won’t be the villainess who loses again! Part I

Yoknapha internally complimented Bai Yu and her mother…

The plan was to put the guqin in Bai Hua’s carriage, then Bai Yu would pretend to be hurt while playing it so that she could accuse Bai Hua of ordering her maid to apply the poison on the strings. Bai Yu’s maid, meanwhile, was told to plant the poison case on Bai Hua’s maid. She even chose the poison that could be found from that maid’s home region in order to make it more believable.

Going as far as to poison herself…this beauty does have some guts.

It’s a shame that this series’ heroine was a better schemer and much more intelligent than the real villainess. In the story, Bai Hua would make Bai Yu pay for every evil deed she had ever done to her.

Bai Yu being exposed by Bai Hua right now was also according to the script.

In the series, Bai Yu would then be punished by Empress Dowager for the crime of deceiving the royalty. The whole city would call her an envious woman and a liar. Her position as ‘Meihua Lady’, or ‘Lady of the Plum Blossom’ which hinged on popularity, would then be taken away. And there were still many more scenarios of the protagonist getting back at the villainess as per the tradition of transmigrated novels. This kind of novel got so popular that it received a television series adaptation, which she ended up playing in.

That was the fate of the old Bai Yu as dictated in the story. But for this new Bai Yu, no matter right now or in the future…if everything was truly fate, then she would overcome that fate as the transmigrated villainess!

As the new Bai Yu, she would never let her life end up like in the series!

“Lies!” It was Yue Mei’s voice that first pierced the silence after Bai Hua’s words. She could not bear to see this lowly child born from a concubine ruined her plan and her daughter’s reputation.

“In order to prove my claim, may I ask for Your Majesty’s permission to let the royal doctor compare the traces of poison in my sister’s fingers to the ones on the guqin strings?” Bai Hua let go of Bai Yu’s hand before turning to the Empress Dowager, all without sparing a single gaze toward Yue Mei. Her indifference made Yue Mei tremble with hatred for the woman.

Bai Yu took her mother’s hand and squeezed it once, slowly shaking her head with a slight smile in an attempt to soothe her.

“If what you said is true, your sister will be punished for the crime of deceiving the royalty. But if it is not, then you yourself will face the punishment, Miss Bai,” Taizi said to Bai Hua while looking slyly at her, seemingly satisfied to see an intelligent woman.

“Answering Taizi, I am sure.” Bai Hua lowered her head to escape the leering eyes. Her voice remained firm.

Seeing Bai Hua’s insistence, Empress Dowager Wei nodded as permission. Another royal doctor, along with the one who was called earlier, approached Bai Yu to test the poison on her fingers. However, Yue Mei did not let go of her grip on her daughter’s hands. Beads of sweat on the Furen’s forehead clearly reflected her unease.

Yet Bai Yu was still calm. She remembered how this scene took so many takes because it was shot during the first snow of the year, how she had to sit, shivering in the cold, and wait until the director was satisfied. As she repeatedly recited the lines, she also thought about the plot, and that was how she realized that Bai Yu’s plan had one flaw. The flaw that the protagonist did not mention but used it to her advantage.

“Third sister…” Bai Yu deliberately used a gentle tone filled with sadness while calling her half-sister, who stood in front of her, confident, no different from the day they shot this scene in the cold.

Her dark eyes were brimming with unshed tears that were ready to fall at any moment. The villainess gazed at the heroine with disappointment, before changing it to a worried look when she saw her sister’s white hands, folded over each other in the manner of a noble lady.

“…Jiejie* understands that you are anxious and wish to end this situation quickly…” Bai Yu emphasized with a loud voice. “…Whether it is you who ordered the maid, or me who poisoned myself as you said, at least…”

The guests within the banquet followed Bai Yu’s line of sight. Small red dots started appearing on Bai Hua’s fingertips in front of them all.

“…At least jiejie wants you to take care of your wound first.”

As soon as her words ceased, red droplets of blood dripped onto the floor. The surprised Bai Hua hurriedly looked at her hands with widened eyes and found that her fingers were full of small, shallow cuts caused by the guqin strings.

Oh, Bai Hua…You’re smart for figuring out my plan, but you’re still one step too late.

“That’s blood!”

“Is it from when she plucked the strings?”

“So there really is poison on the guqin.”

“Miss Bai Yu was poisoned by her!”

Amidst the surprise when the truth was exposed, the two female leads of the scene quietly exchanged a look. Bai Yu raised the corner of her mouth in a victorious smile to Bai Hua.

“Miss Bai, do you have any more excuses?” Empress Dowager Wei asked the figure that stood in silence. It seemed that she really could not do anything to save herself this time.

To tell you the truth…you almost did it, Bai Hua. But instead of testing for poison on my hands, why don’t you search for the poison I am carrying? if I could apply the poison to my own hand, then it would be possible to also put it on the guqin during the commotion!

Although that handkerchief was starting to dry, there was enough poison on it to cause cuts on Bai Hua’s hand. And even though Bai Hua had to touch the strings twice, even though it took longer to take effect, it was still a win!

“Soldiers! Apprehend her!”

Bai Yu hid a smile as she watched Bai Hua being taken away.

Now that I’ve got the second chance…I won’t be the villainess who loses again!

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The new Bai Yu knew that her actions would undoubtedly create a ripple effect on the story. But who cares? It’s just a television series based on a popular novel, not a real historical record.

“Your Majesty, Miss Bai asks for an audience with you,” the royal servant of Empress Dowager Wei’s palace loudly notified her master when saw Bai Yu approaching. She came according to the Empress Dowager’s order after receiving the antidote and treatment for the cuts.

“Let her in.” The door opened as soon as the voice of authority within the inner court ordered. Bai Yu was a little tense at the thought of meeting the Empress Dowager one-on-one in such a personal setting.

The slender figure slowly stepped inside. Her pace was not fast nor slow, and her face was not lifted nor lowered. Her back straightened, befitting the image of a noble lady. Her hands were clasped in front of her stomach, all ten fingers wrapped in a soft white cloth. Bai Yu knew the manners of this time due to her experience of acting in the series. Even though not every action was according to a textbook, at least they were good enough to not arouse suspicion.

“Blessings to the Empress Dowager. May you live and reign for a thousand years, thousand years, thousands of thousand years.” Bai Yu curtsied and paid respect according to tradition.

“No need for such formalities.” Empress Dowager Wei waved her hand with a smile. Her gesture suggested great favor toward Bai Yu.

The Empress Dowager was from the Wei family, yet she was partial toward a girl from the Bai family. This could only mean that…Empress Dowager Wei planned to have Bai Yu married into the Ouyang royal family.

“Come here, let aijia* take a look at your wound.” Empress Dowager Wei patted the space next to her on the phoenix throne.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Bai Yu replied with a sweet smile. She moved forward while lightly lowering her head as a greeting to Lin mama, the senior royal servant of Empress Dowager Wei, before sitting down beside the senior.

“Your Majesty, the royal doctor took care of my wound very well. It will take no longer than two weeks to be completely healed.”

“Good. Very Good.” Soft hands with wrinkles that showed the effect of time took hold of Bai Yu’s hands, lightly patting them. “…Aijia will send the royal doctor to look at your hands often. We need to make sure there will be no scars left.”

“You are most gracious, Your Majesty.” She bowed her head again with a delighted smile. Mu, the royal doctor who treated her, was one of the top doctors within the institute. Coupled with the fact that this world had ‘magic’, Bai Yu did not have any worry about scars which were considered a severe defect for women in this time.

“Your Majesty, Qin Wang requested an audience.” Before Bai Yu could open her mouth again to say the request she had been longing to make, the royal maid interrupted.

“Quick, let Ming-er come in.” Empress Dowager Wei said with a wide smile. She even turned to Bai Yu, her hands continued patting Bai Yu’s with the obvious glee.

Please be careful of my wound, Your Majesty!

“Blessings to grandmother.” A man wearing a court official attire embroidered with the pattern of a black Qilin stopped in front of her.

This man wearing black…he was the one who made her heart race at the banquet.

“Oh, dear grandson, rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Blessings to Qin Wang.” Bai Yu stood up to curtsy to the man who held a higher position than hers. Even though she was already tired of how the people here greeted each other back and forth, this was the reality of the world of aristocracy filled with noble ranks and hierarchy that she could not escape until she died or return to her own world.

“Mm.” The man only made an obscure sound of acknowledgment before turning to Empress Dowager Wei who was his own grandmother. Bai Yu discreetly scowled. Her heart did not react to him this time. She did not care about his callous attitude.

“Is there anything grandmother wishes of me? This grandson is always ready to fulfill your order.”

“Ming-er, I only want to ask a small favor of you,” Empress Dowager Wei spoke to him with familiarity. Her eyes fully reflected fondness.

So this Qin Wang is the favorite grandson, huh?

“Yu-er here has just been treated with an antidote. She lost a lot of blood but still insisted on keeping me company. I already told Bai Furen to go back, so I’d like you to accompany her back to the Bai mansion.”

Qin Wang who was suddenly entrusted with an escort mission briefly glanced at Bai Yu before retracting his gaze. His voice was calm when he replied. There was no indication of willingness or pleasure within it. “I understood.”

He’s obviously not willing…

Is this body not a beauty? Why wouldn’t he be honored to escort her home!

“Then…”

“Empress Dowager!”

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*Jiejie: Older sister (can both be used to address self (by the older sister) or used to call someone an older sister as well)

*Aijia: A first-person honorific used by Queen Dowager to call herself. It means “This miserable one” (because she is a widowed woman)