The Birth of a Villainess

Lin Xiaofei sighed when she heard what he had to say. The terms she laid out to him was to make sure to restrict his time out there in the northern borders and to make him come back as soon as possible. 

Although she said she will marry someone else, but Lin Xiaofei know that no one could replace him anymore. However, no one knows what will happen if that tiny chance of him not coming back happen. Both of them knew that with the people eyeing both the Qu and Lin family, it is possible that more will covet things that was not theirs, after all, what can a single woman whose husband do, anyway?

Regardless of Qu Xing Xu's existence in her life, if things were to go awry in the north and he was rendered wounded and unable to come back, the imperial palace, the nobles, and everyone who wanted to make Lin Xiaofei and Qu Xing Xu pay for whatever grievances they had towards them will use this chance to separate them.

This, Lin Xiaofei knew because it happened a few times in the past even until now. 

"You have to promise that you will return before the deadline." Lin Xiaofei stared into his eyes. She couldn't help but feel anxious about what was going on in the capital. 

It was true that she had her ways to protect herself and retaliate to her enemies in countless ways, but that didn't include the people that has now become a part of her life. 

Qu Xing Xu looked down at her and reached his hand out to pat the top of her head. No one has ever done this before to her. Not even her parents whom Lin Xiaofei had little recollection had done this to her. 

"You worry too much." Qu Xing Xu said, "Nothing in this world can hurt you. I will never allow that."

And that's exactly what she's scared of. Nothing can hurt her, but what about him? What about the people she deemed important to her? 

With these thoughts, Lin Xiaofei was once again poured with a huge dose of uncertainty and anxiousness. However, that didn't last long as it suddenly turned into a huge ball of determination to grow stronger.

Lunch arrived soon and the servants in the residence scurried around to prepare the masters of the residence's meal. 

When Lin Xiaofei found out about it, she was skeptical but still went along with his whimsical decisions.

Since they will eat in the West Pavilion, near another garden inside the residence, she decided to let her maids braid her long hair to the side. Her hair was styled with fresh flowers of many colors and accented with jewels, making it seem to appear that she was a fairy that played in the garden. 

As for her dress, she was made to wear a lighter color dress. The fabric was soft and exquisite, making her fair skin fairer and translucent. The design of the dress was simple, neat, and elegant.

"Young miss, you look stunning!" Bai Lu stuck her thumb out at her, clearly amazed by their handiwork.

"The Duke will surely fall in love with you when he sees you."

"Exactly! No one under these heavens can compare to how beautiful young miss is!" 

Lin Xiaofei couldn't help but flush in embarrassment when her maids started to rain her with compliments. She ignored it and did not allow them to get in her head. Lin Xiaofei stared at herself in the mirror.

Inside the mirror, there stood her reflection staring back at her. 

Lin Xiaofei was an acclaimed beauty that could bring down a country in her past life. She was proud of it when people sung her name in their mouths. But compared to the youthful beautiful face and grace of the young woman before her, Lin Xiaofie could finally say that she was too blind and stupid believe that she was the most beautiful woman in the empire.

"Let's go." 

The maids followed Lin Xiaofei as they made their way towards the garden where the pavilion was located. 

However, just before she arrived there, she saw three men walking ahead of her and was facing her.

As the men continued to walk towards her, Lin Xiaofei stopped in her tracks and owlishly blinked her eyes. She wondered who were these young men and how did they get in the residence. After all, not everyone could freely enter the Qu residence without permission.

"Young miss…" Shen Mo stood guard in front of her and glared at the three approaching young men.

Bai Lu and Su Tang also raised their guards and curiously stared at them. 

When the men finally stopped before her, they had a smile on their lips. Their eyes raked over the beautiful woman standing behind the two female maids and guard and it twinkled in admiration.

"That sly bastard hid her well." One of the men said and walked closer. There was a tinge of hurt in his voice as if he was betrayed.

"Stand down! Do not make another step forward." Shen Mo released a thick and suffocating deadly aura from his body. If these men didn't do as he warned and stepped closer again, he will strike them down!

"Who are you?"

"H-how did you get in?" 

Su Tang and Bai Lu questioned them.

"Through the gate." Ni Zixuan answered them innocently and flashed them a handsome smile. 

Both the maids blushed when they saw his smile and finally noticed that all three men were remarkably handsome and outstanding. But they didn't show their shock in their faces as they looked at him alarmingly.

Jiang Sheng was impressed by them and nodded at Lin Xiaofei when their eyes met.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

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