Chapter Text
Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky tries not to fumble at Luo Binghe’s unexpected arrival into her quarters. He never visits her, and to be honest she likes it that way. Being around the protagonist is bad for her nerves. “Lo- Lord Luo?”
Luo Binghe has too many wives to bother with apologising for his absence, especially to her, who was never favored.
He still shows up with a hair ornament encrusted with finer jade than anything he has given her before.
Fuck. Shit is going down.
She thanks Luo Binghe for the gift without fumbling too much. Success!
Luo Binghe smiles, obviously willing to entertain her fussiness, so hey, whatever it is that demands bribery, it’s probably not so bad! “Is there something this Qiyu can help you with?”
“I’ve heard you have grown quite close to Huilang.”
Airplane instantly freezes. Cucumber-bro, what have you done now? “We share common interests.” Not even a lie! Cucumber-bro loves reading his newest novels and giving him criticisms live, no matter what he says. Which is a good thing, because as a forgotten wife, Wen Qiyu has more time than she knows what to do with, and that means writing. A lot. In fact, her marriage gave birth to the perfect writing conditions. All the food she could want is provided to her. She’s got quiet and luxury and no obligations.
“It is… an unexpected match.”
Yeah, Wen Qiyu can see that. She, an unmemorable cultivator from a minor sect who only married Luo Binghe after getting caught in a bad fetch quest and consequently sex pollened. Ling Huilang, the star disciple of a much more important sect, if not one of the big four, famous for her cool beauty and cooler temperament. While Wen Qiyu had been incredibly grateful for Luo Binghe’s offer, Ling Huilang had pretty much been married off by her sect, who had been unwilling to oppose Bing-ge’s suit out of fear of offending him. Her seduction had happened after the wedding and had been more drawn out. On the… spicier side, let’s say.
As far as Airplane knew, Cucumber-bro had no desire to act out that plotline. He was perfectly fine with folding and being forgotten the way Airplane himself had been. After all, the chances were that if there was no conquest to be had, Bing-ge would just move on to the next wife.
Obviously something went wrong, or their husband wouldn’t be visiting. “We met by chance. Is our continued acquaintance a hindrance to my lord?” That would be annoying as fuck, it’s not like Airplane can replace his only fellow transmigrator that easily, but it’s better than dealing with an angry Bing-ge.
“No, of course not. My duties keep me from giving you the attention you deserve. I would not stop you from seeking companionship elsewhere.”
Wen Qiyu does not choke, but it’s a close one.
It’s not even that far-fetched. His readers know he wrote more than one side relationships between wives for titillation. As long as at the end of the day, they were still into Bing-ge, his readers ate that shit up.
It’s just really, really not like that between them. Ling Huilang is super hot, no arguing about that, but everyone is, even Wen Qiyu herself. Ling Huilang is much more beautiful than her, of course, but she’s still in Luo Binghe’s harem. She’s probably a 9.8 while Ling Huilang is a 11.4.
Liu Mingyan is a 14.3.
Luo Binghe himself is a 15.
The point is, it’s not like that, and anyway why does Bing-ge ever care? “Ling Huilang has been a good friend, my lord.”
Luo Binghe stares before nodding. “I see. So you wouldn’t mind telling me about her? Huilang can be very… skittish.”
The. fuck.
Luo Binghe does not need help seducing his conquests. They fall for him without him having to work for it.
Then again, if anyone could manage to confound Bing-ge, it’s probably Cucumber-bro. For one of his most voracious readers, he can be surprisingly innocent.
How this innocence managed to survive sharing Luo Binghe’s bed multiple times, he can’t even begin to fathom. “Surely Ling Huilang would answer any of our husband’s questions herself.” She doesn’t wanna be a snitch! But if Bing-ge insists, she 100% will be, sorry Bro! Her survival is on the line!
“She is very good at obfuscation.”
Wen Qiyu is impressed Cucumber-bro dared to try his bullshit on Luo Binghe. “What does my lord want to know?”
Luo Binghe looks around the room. “She likes reading?”
Does she now. “Yes.”
“What kind of books?”
“A little bit of everything. She’s very fond of bestiaries.” Easier to share than stallion novels, preferably without the porn.
“I noticed she was very learned.”
You can say that. “Indeed.”
“A talented cultivator, too. Very skilled at the guqin.”
“…Yes.”
“Good with the little ones, too. She will be a great mother.”
Wen Qiyu’s brain freezes. She’s pretty sure Cucumber-bro wouldn’t agree with that last one. In fact, she knows she wouldn’t, because Wen Qiyu has been slipping her contraceptives.
It is possible Wen Qiyu has been using her knowledge of this world she’s inhabiting to secure her own future. She hadn’t wanted to become pregnant against her will. Sue her.
It is also possible she has been using these preparations to solidify her own position in the harem. She might be providing others in her position with whatever they need. It’s a bit risky, because who knows how Luo Binghe would take it, but less so than being without allies in this viper’s nest.
Still, he has no idea how to respond to that one. Deflect, deflect. “I’m sure she would be honored to hear you say so.”
Is that… a sigh? Did Luo Binghe just sigh? “I hope I could share your conviction.”
Cucumber-bro, you’re fucking shit up! Luo Binghe isn’t sure of your affections! What if he turns on you? “Has Ling Huilang done something to displease my lord?”
“No. She has been perfectly pleasant.” He sounds annoyed.
“Is that bad?”
“She wasn’t like this when I married her. Her change of personality is disconcerting.”
Well, yeah. Ling Huilang was supposed to be cold and uninterested, but still unable to resist the protagonist’s more… physical charms. Cucumber-bro didn’t see the point in fighting a war he was sure to lose. Might as well act like a besotted wife and be quickly forgotten. “She was always nice to me.” Maybe the biggest lie she’s ever told. “Isn’t this a good thing?”
“It is. I only wonder why it happened. I thought maybe you had something to do with it.”
“No.” Please stop implying we’re having an affair. Cucumber-bro is going to kill me if he hears about that.
“I see.” Luo Binghe rises from his chair. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.”
He turns just before leaving. “But, if Qiyu hears about anything relevant, she will inform her husband, won’t she?”
Wen Qiyu swallows. “Of course, my lord.”
Luo Binghe’s answering smile is blinding. “I knew I could count on Qiyu.”
She’s fucked.