Transmigrated as The Cannon Fodder Bride of The Villainess

Luo Jinxiao had no idea what was happening. Seeing Qu Weiyin coughing so violently, she hurriedly stepped forward to pat her back, only to be blocked by Qu Weiyin’s hand.

“What did you say?” Qu Weiyin asked, her face still flushed, her eyes wide.

Luo Jinxiao fumbled for an explanation. “Well, you see… they’re so loud, and I can’t sleep…” she stammered, gesturing towards her assigned room with a helpless shrug.

Holding her bedding, her eyes were filled with sincerity.

Qu Weiyin realized she had misunderstood and felt even more embarrassed. She couldn’t bring herself to refuse Luo Jinxiao now. She cleared her throat, composing herself. “Fine,” she said, picking up the book she had tossed aside earlier and nodding curtly.

Luo Jinxiao didn’t expect Qu Weiyin to agree so quickly. She was overjoyed, and with a quick turn, she rushed inside, spread out her bedding, and flopped onto it in one swift motion.

“Your room is so much nicer than ours, Junior Shishu,” Luo Jinxiao remarked, fluffing her pillow. “So spacious and well-decorated. It’s been ages since I’ve shared a bed with anyone. I’m not quite used to it.”

“Didn’t the Luo family treat you rather poorly?” Qu Weiyin asked casually, turning a page in her book.

Luo Jinxiao’s hand stilled momentarily before she resumed smoothing out her blankets. “Even so, they could at least afford a bed,” she said with a nervous laugh.

Qu Weiyin didn’t respond. Luo Jinxiao snuck a glance at her, relieved that she hadn’t pressed further. Explaining her past life was proving to be more complicated than she had anticipated.

A comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the soft crackling of the oil lamp and the gentle rustling of pages. These soothing sounds soon lulled Luo Jinxiao to sleep. The faint scent of flowers lingered in the air, adding to the sense of calm that enveloped her.

Qu Weiyin finished her book and glanced up to see Luo Jinxiao fast asleep, her blanket tossed to the floor. With a gentle flick of her wrist, she summoned the blanket, guiding it back over Luo Jinxiao.

True to form, Luo Jinxiao thrashed in her sleep, flinging the blanket aside once again. Qu Weiyin sighed softly and, with a touch of spiritual energy, guided the blanket back into place.

It was kicked off again.

Qu Weiyin’s patience finally wore thin. With an exasperated sigh, she extended her hand, and the blanket shot forward, wrapping snugly around Luo Jinxiao, cocooning her like a caterpillar in spun silk.

Peace, at last.

Qu Weiyin approached Luo Jinxiao, pausing for a moment before turning away. Her crimson robes swirled gracefully around her ankles as she conjured a bed of soft, golden light. It hovered in the air, shimmering faintly like a mirage.

She settled onto the makeshift bed, casting a glance at Luo Jinxiao. The girl slept soundly, her long lashes resting softly against her cheeks, lips slightly parted. Even in sleep, she possessed a delicate, captivating beauty.

Qu Weiyin found herself wondering what Luo Jinxiao would look like when she fully blossomed into womanhood.

She was grateful, truly grateful, that Luo Jinxiao was alive in this life. It would have been a shame otherwise.

Qu Weiyin closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. The lamplight flickered and died, a wisp of smoke curling into the air.

Luo Jinxiao slept extremely well that night, though she found it a bit hard to breathe. When she awoke, it was already morning. The soft morning light filtered through the window, gently waking her.

She went to stretch, but her arms were pinned to her sides, her body tightly bound. It took her a moment of struggling to wriggle free from the confines of her own blanket.

“What an unladylike way to sleep,” Luo Jinxiao muttered, rubbing her stiff limbs. Qu Weiyin was nowhere to be seen.

Luo Jinxiao found paper and brush, carefully composing a thank-you note before quietly slipping out. Back in her own room, Lu Fanzhi was just starting to stir.

“Jinxiao, you’re up early,” Lu Fanzhi mumbled, yawning as she struggled into her outer robe.

“Where did you go, Sister? I woke up, and you were gone.” Luo Ning entered, carrying a tray laden with breakfast dishes. She set the tray down carefully, picking up a bowl of porridge. “Here you go, Sister.”

Before Luo Jinxiao could take it, Yan Ying materialized out of thin air, snatching the bowl and settling down gracefully. Luo Ning lunged for the bowl, but it was too late.

“I hope it burns your tongue!” Luo Ning huffed.

Yan Ying raised an eyebrow at Luo Ning with interest, which instantly set Luo Ning off. The two nearly started fighting again, but Luo Jinxiao quickly intervened, grabbing them both by the arm and separating them. Her head was starting to throb. “Can you two stop for a while?”

“Let go of me!” Yan Ying snapped, throwing Luo Jinxiao a withering look.

Luo Jinxiao released her grip, “accidentally” loosening her hold a little too much. Yan Ying, caught off guard, stumbled, the scalding porridge sloshing over her hand. She yelped, jumping back.

Luo Jinxiao pretended not to notice and sat down to enjoy her breakfast leisurely.

“Sister, today’s the Ten Directions Gathering,” Luo Ning said. “People get hurt, even killed, at these events. You should eat more so you’ll have enough strength.”

“What’s the point of eating? Not everyone is chosen for the Ten Directions Gathering. I doubt she’s even qualified to enter,” Yan Ying scoffed, dabbing at her burned hand.

“Neither are you,” Lu Fanzhi retorted, reaching for a steamed bun. “I heard this year’s prize is quite something: a mystical pill, said to be crafted by the founder of the Wuhui Sect himself. It’s said to enhance one’s cultivation significantly. I imagine everyone will be fighting tooth and nail for it.”

“A pill?” Luo Jinxiao’s ears perked up. Pill refinement was a rare and complex art. A high-quality pill was a treasure indeed. If she could get her hands on one, her cultivation would skyrocket.

“It won’t be easy,” Lu Fanzhi said, shaking her head. “Last time, several participants were seriously injured.”

Soon, the sun rose higher, warming the air. Luo Jinxiao, accompanied by Luo Ning and Lu Fanzhi, joined the throng of cultivators heading towards the heart of the Xumi Manor. Excitement buzzed in the air as disciples from various sects chatted and laughed amongst themselves.

“Did anyone from the Wuhui Sect participate in the last Ten Directions Gathering?” Luo Jinxiao asked.

“Of course. They even ranked quite high. But they’re all out on their own cultivation journeys now, so you wouldn’t have met them, Sister,” Luo Ning replied.

“What about Junior Shishu Qu? Did she participate?”

“No. Junior Shishu Qu, despite her high cultivation, never participates in these events. She prefers to keep to herself. Besides, both she and you arrived late this year, so we missed the deadline for registration. I submitted your name, but not hers,” Luo Ning explained.

Luo Jinxiao didn’t press further, a flicker of unease passing through her at the thought of facing this challenge without Qu Weiyin by her side.

I used to handle things on my own, she reminded herself. Qu Weiyin’s constant presence and protection these past few days had made her a little too reliant.

This won’t do, she thought, squaring her shoulders. How else am I supposed to protect others if I can’t even stand on my own two feet?

The crowd came to a standstill. Luo Jinxiao stretched her neck, trying to see what was happening. A group of white-bearded elders stood in a circle, their heads bowed as they chanted in unison.

With a few exclamations, the previously smooth ground seemed to melt, revealing a large hole filled with starlight, like a galaxy.

“Here it is! The entrance! I wonder who will claim victory this time,” Lu Fanzhi exclaimed, shaking Luo Jinxiao’s arm excitedly.

“Lin Anyu, Tianji Pavilion!”

“Bai Liu’er, Tianji Pavilion!”

“Chi Yi, Qingyan Palace!”

The masked woman from Pingxi Town emerged from the crowd, her face now unveiled. Her beauty was striking, eclipsing even the renowned beauties of the Tianji Pavilion.

As Luo Jinxiao’s gaze lingered on Chi Yi, the woman turned, her eyes widening in recognition. She smiled and nodded politely.

Before Luo Jinxiao could return the gesture, another voice rang out.

“Luo Jinxiao, Wuhui Sect!”

Luo Jinxiao’s ears twitched. While she desired the pill, she hadn’t actually expected her name to be called. She wondered what criteria they used for selection. If it was based on her publicly known cultivation level, which was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, she shouldn’t have qualified.

As she stood there, stunned, Lu Fanzhi gave her a firm shove. “Go on!”

Luo Jinxiao stumbled forward.

“Nice to see you again,” Chi Yi said, falling into step beside her, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Nice to see you too. Do you know how these names are chosen?” Luo Jinxiao asked, lowering her voice.

Chi Yi, true to her straightforward nature, didn’t hesitate to answer. “They cast our birthdates and names into a formation, selecting those deemed worthy. We were running late, so we had one of our fellow disciples deliver our names in advance.”

Luo Jinxiao nodded, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. Qu Weiyin was nowhere to be seen. She hadn’t seen her all morning.

What if something happened? A wave of unease washed over her.

The last of the names had been announced. Dozens of cultivators stood in a line, each undergoing a final inspection by the white-bearded elders before they jumped down one by one.

“What’s in your pouch?” A frail-looking elder with sharp eyes stopped Luo Jinxiao, pointing at the pouch hanging from her waist.

Luo Jinxiao glanced down, untying the pouch and revealing the slumbering Qionqi within. “My spirit beast,” she explained, “and a few other things.”

The elder peered at Qiongqi, his wrinkled neck bobbing with each shaky breath. “A big cat.”

Luo Jinxiao coughed, deciding not to correct him. As the elder examined the contents of her pouch, she scooped Qiongqi into her arms, nuzzling its snout affectionately.

The beast, however, seemed unusually agitated. It thrashed its head, trying to pull away, its eyes narrowed into a menacing glare.

“What’s gotten into you today?” Luo Jinxiao murmured, planting a quick kiss on its head. “Though I must admit, you look rather impressive when you’re being fierce.”

Qionqi’s protests only intensified. It bared its teeth, nearly taking a chunk out of Luo Jinxiao’s nose.

“Alright, off you go,” the elder said, handing her back the pouch. “It’s not often you see a cultivator with a pouch like this. It must have been a gift from someone special.”

Luo Jinxiao’s teeth worried her bottom lip. She hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Something like that,” she mumbled.

To her surprise, Qiongqi, which had been squirming relentlessly just moments ago, suddenly went still, snuggling into her arms.