[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain":3,"chapter-i-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain-i-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain-chapter-417":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Became the Rich Second-Generation Villain",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1868588,2476,"Chapter 30.1","i-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain-chapter-417",417,"\u003Cp>Chu Shanyi’s face was a mask of panic. Facing her close friend, she ultimately found herself unable to utter a lie. She could hide, and she could avoid this meeting indefinitely, but once they were face-to-face, the falsehoods she had rehearsed for so long died in her throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu spoke expressionlessly, “If this is a private matter, I will not pry. However, if you have encountered something difficult or provoked a dangerous person, it is better for two people to consult one another than for one to shoulder the burden alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Shanyi remained silent, her gaze drifting toward the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dull. This Princess shall simply come out then,” a voice rang out from behind the bed curtains. A figure dressed as a maid of the Prime Minister’s residence stepped forward; it was Ai Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu froze. It was actually the female lead. She stared, dumbfounded, as a troubling suspicion took root in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the “Protagonist’s Law,” wherever the female lead appeared, the male lead was never far behind. Could it be that the Second Prince had also come? Was he here for the female lead, or was he targeting the Eldest Princess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were here for Ai Ye, their tryst was their own business. But if his target was the Eldest Princess, then he surely harbored ill intent. The Princess was in danger—and by extension, Qi Yu, acting as the bait, was no longer safe either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ai Ye reveal herself, Chu Shanyi sat down in resignation. “I only discovered her after I boarded the carriage. As for why she wants to go to Pingman Province, let her tell you yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Ye pulled back the curtains and sat directly on the bed. “I find your Second Prince disagreeable, yet he keeps pestering me. I found it tiresome, so I thought I’d tag along for a trip and head back to the Western Isle while I’m at it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.Qi Yu suddenly snapped to her senses. Did they take her for a fool? They were headed for Pingman Province in the Southern Border, whereas the Kingdom of the Western Isle lay across the sea to the west of Baiyue. It wasn’t “on the way” by any stretch of the imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Ai Ye had other motives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu looked at Chu Shanyi. As a native of Baiyue, she should have a basic understanding of her own country’s geography. Had she failed her studies so miserably that she didn’t know where the Western Isle was?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the Western Isle not across the sea to the west of Baiyue? Our journey takes us to the Southern Border. It is hardly on the way,” Qi Yu noted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Chu Shanyi glanced at Qi Yu before looking back at Ai Ye. The answer to this question was even more preposterous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Ye looked slightly uncomfortable. Her gaze swept over the two of them before settling on the window. “This Princess does not wish to return so early. In short, consider me a traveler along for the ride to broaden my horizons. Do not tell your Eldest Princess, lest it cause trouble and make things difficult for you two to explain. My presence here must remain an absolute secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ai Ye still remembered how this Prince Consort had covered for her at the Princess’s manor. Though she didn’t understand why, her intuition told her this person meant no harm. Thus, she treated Qi Yu as a friend, just as she did Chu Shanyi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes, “One more friend is one more path.” Since she had run away with no one to rely on, she intended to make as many allies as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Chu Shanyi remained silent in apparent agreement, Qi Yu glanced at Ai Ye’s face and declared her stance. “We can only leave it at this for now. You two be careful. We are about to depart; I shall head back first so the Eldest Princess does not become suspicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Shanyi said nothing, and Ai Ye gave a noncommittal nod. Qi Yu pushed open the door and walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she was a safe distance away, she broke into a sprint, heading straight back to the Eldest Princess’s room. She burst through the door and slammed it shut in one fluid motion. Facing the shocked Eldest Princess and Han Shui, she panted, “Princess, something has happened! The Second Princess of the Western Isle is hiding with Shanyi! The Second Prince might be nearby as well. we must be extremely cautious on the road.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute secret? Help the female lead? Am I a fool?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu felt a flash of disdain. She knew exactly which side she was on. Regardless of what the future held, she and the Eldest Princess were currently in the same boat. Ai Ye’s reckless deception might work on a girl like Shanyi, but she was dreaming if she thought she could trick Qi Yu into defecting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shui was still in a state of shock. She had just received orders to keep an eye on Chu Shanyi, and before she could even act, the Prince Consort had delivered the results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eldest Princess recovered her composure and said calmly, “Han Shui, notify the commander of the Imperial Guard to increase patrols along the route. As for the Second Princess of the Western Isle, do not alert her for now. Let us see what her true intentions are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Shui cupped her hands. “Rest assured, Princess. This servant shall arrange it immediately.” She glanced at Qi Yu; she had been careless this time, failing to notice the anomaly with Chu Shanyi, and had to rely on the Prince Consort to solve the problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the next part was her specialty: ensuring the Princess’s safety—and, by extension, protecting the Prince Consort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a voice came from outside. It was time to set off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eldest Princess nodded to Han Shui, signaling her to make the arrangements. The task of pushing the wheelchair fell to Qi Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the side of the carriage, she and the Eldest Princess looked at each other.How does Han Shui usually help this woman into the carriage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu pressed a hand to her forehead. She realized she had never paid attention. What now?Princess, don’t just stare at me without speaking—give me a hint!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, she and the Eldest Princess did not share a psychic link; they possessed zero chemistry. The Princess simply waited silently for Qi Yu to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aware of the eyes around them, Qi Yu rolled up her sleeves. She hooked one arm under the Princess’s knees and the other around her waist. In a somewhat clumsy “princess carry,” she gritted her teeth, hoisted her up, and placed her into the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eldest Princess was surprisingly heavy. If Qi Yu hadn’t spent time exercising in that small courtyard on the outskirts of the capital after transmigrating, she likely wouldn’t have been able to lift her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The move was so sudden that the Princess’s lips trembled slightly. Mindful of the guards watching, she lowered her head and tacitly accepted the gesture. Once placed in the carriage, she supported herself with her hands and quickly moved inside, seemingly afraid the Prince Consort might do something else unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They traveled for over ten days, passing through Tian’an Prefecture until they reached Honglü Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu looked at the towering city gates, upon which the three characters for “Honglü Prefecture” were carved. Entering Honglü meant they had reached the border of the Southern Territory. Beyond this city lay Pingman Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Pingman Province had surrendered to the empire, this ancient city served as Baiyue’s first line of defense in the South. Now, Pingman Province held that position. Qi Yu wondered just how reliable this autonomous province truly was after all these years of submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eldest Princess had Han Shui pass down the order: the party would rest in Honglü Prefecture for two days before departing. Their destination was within sight, and the true contest was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ghosts and monsters lurking in the shadows had likely been waiting for a long time. Once they left Honglü two days from now, they would truly need to watch their backs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After settling in, Qi Yu washed up and changed her clothes, only to see Chu Shanyi approaching with a dark expression, inviting her to stroll through the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu gave a few instructions to Han Shui and headed out with Han Feng. Situated in the South, Honglü was a land of frequent rain, lakes, and rolling hills. Compared to the dry air of the capital in the Central Plains, the environment here was far more pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weeping willows swayed in the breeze along the roads. Qi Yu watched Chu Shanyi, who was walking ahead in silence with her head down. She signaled for Han Feng to keep his distance and stepped up beside her friend. “What’s wrong? You look like you have a heavy heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Shanyi had come to visit her father; their paths would diverge once they left Honglü. In two days, they would have to say goodbye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Shanyi walked a few more steps in silence before stopping abruptly. “That woman has disappeared again.” Her tone was laced with annoyance; she felt used—discarded as soon as her purpose was served.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That woman? Ai Ye?Qi Yu looked into Chu Shanyi’s slightly dimmed eyes and understood. The female lead definitely had business in the South. Fortunately, Qi Yu had been clever enough to inform the Eldest Princess; by now, Han Shui likely knew exactly where Ai Ye was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Han Shui could be annoying, she was undeniably reliable. Qi Yu felt a strange sense of trust in the Princess and her maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She patted Chu Shanyi’s shoulder gently. “Don’t let it trouble you. Some people are simply not meant to walk the same path as us. It’s better that she’s gone. Have you found your father? Will you return to the capital afterward? Perhaps we can travel back together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve sent word to him; I’ll go to see him tomorrow. I should be returning to the capital eventually, but I don’t know if our schedules will align,” Chu Shanyi said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on her father’s letters to Uncle Chu, it seemed he also had plans to visit the capital. If so, they likely wouldn’t wait to travel with the Eldest Princess’s party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Han Feng, who was following behind them, had a change in expression. He quietly lagged behind and ducked into an alleyway. He had spotted a servant of the Great Elder; presumably, there were instructions for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the evening, Qi Yu returned to their lodgings. She was thinking of asking Han Shui if they had lost track of Ai Ye when she saw Han Feng, who had been missing all afternoon. He gestured to her mysteriously, indicating they should speak inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu paused for a moment before heading straight to her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the door was closed, Han Feng asked, “Young Master, do you know where our people and our strength are concentrated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu didn’t answer, waiting for him to continue. She knew, of course—the book mentioned that those from the former dynasty who refused the current government’s resettlement fled to the South and colluded with the Barbarian tribes. After Pingman Province surrendered, they entrenched themselves there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pingman was an autonomous province; as long as they paid “tribute” money, they could occupy land for their bases. The headquarters of those dreaming of restoring the former dynasty was undoubtedly within Pingman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Feng, seeing her silence as ignorance, continued, “The Imperial Court claims to offer us amnesty, but in truth, they seek to drive us to extinction. That is how the Crown Prince was killed. The Elders had no choice but to establish our base in Pingman Province. The local officials there turn a blind eye, allowing everyone a moment to breathe…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu remained silent, thinking to herself that this boy was beyond saving by brainwashing. Did he believe everything the Elders said? The Court clearly intended to treat the former dynasty’s people well—look at Song Qingyi, a descendant of the former royal family whose business was thriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there was the famous Hou Song Street in the capital. The book stated many old officials lived there peacefully, making an honest living. Where was the “extermination”? As for the former Crown Prince, he died because his rebellion failed and he was caught like a rat in a trap inside the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Feng continued, “Therefore, the Great Elder wishes to meet you. Once we leave Honglü, people will be sent to receive us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qi Yu felt a surge of panic.Going to the nest of those former dynasty rebels?She thought for a moment and asked, “Can I bring someone else with me besides you?” For instance, Han Shui. With that girl around, she would feel much safer.\u003C\u002Fp>",2162,"2026-06-10T05:40:46.403Z",1,"novelbin.me","c3aef781b29d9e097f491631d021129ff0755444e1f71b1a06497e54575aff08","i-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain-chapter-418","i-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain-chapter-416",428,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-became-the-rich-second-generation-villain-cover.jpg"]