In a Fantasy World as Cannon Fodder, I Got Entangled with the Heroine - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: I Knew She Was Up to No Good!

Translation by: Weebsread👹

“Huh?” The three of them stared at her in stunned disbelief.

Jiang Qian was the first to speak. “Didn’t you already side with the Crown Prince?”

“No, when did I ever say I joined his faction?” Jiang Zixuan waved a hand dismissively, her brows knit in genuine confusion.

Chen Shimin jumped in, “But at the exchange meeting, weren’t you sitting with the Crown Prince’s group?”

“Oh, that?” Jiang Zixuan replied with utter nonchalance. “Senior Brother Duan just invited me over for some food. That’s all.” Her explanation was so natural even Chen Shimin found himself wavering.

Jiang Qian eyed her suspiciously. “But I remember seeing you agree to help the Crown Prince that day.”

She laughed, sly and teasing. “Oh? When did that happen? Were you secretly watching me, then?”

As she sauntered in Jiang Qian’s direction, Bai Piaoxue stepped between them, blocking her with a protective glare.

Jiang Zixuan backed off with a helpless shrug. “Sheesh, you’re all so cautious—I promise I mean no harm.”

...

...

“I never agreed to anything with the Crown Prince,” Jiang Zixuan said, making herself comfortable atop the carriage. “Sure, his offer was tempting. But honestly? I just don’t like him.”

Wait—Jiang Zixuan didn’t join the Crown Prince’s faction?

That’s not how the story’s supposed to go!

I didn’t meddle with that plotline at all… So why did everything change?

As Jiang Qian wrestled with confusion, Chen Shimin sidled over and whispered, “Senior Brother, what do we do about this?”

Jiang Qian gave Jiang Zixuan a sidelong glance and whispered back, “It’s fine. She’s powerful—could be a strong ally when things turn rough.”

As for why she defected and the plot suddenly twisted, I’ll have to figure that out myself later.

Satisfied, Chen Shimin grinned. “Ha! Since the Holy Maiden is willing to join us, how could we not welcome her?”

“In that case,” Jiang Zixuan smiled radiantly, standing tall, “looks like we’re allies now.”

…

Night settled over the Azure Mountain Sect, painting the world in silence.

Jiang Qian crept through the stillness to Jiang Zixuan’s residence.

“Cousin, open up! I need to talk to you—this is urgent.” He knocked, his voice tight with anxiety.

Moments later, a slender jade hand opened the door and—without warning—yanked him inside.

The door snapped shut behind them.

Jiang Zixuan eased into a chair, pouring him hot tea with a gentle smile. “Cousin, what brings you here so late?”

Jiang Qian wasted no time on small talk. “Why didn’t you join the Crown Prince’s faction?”

She sipped her tea, looking unconcerned. “Didn’t I already explain that earlier? Was I not clear?”

Jiang Qian’s brow furrowed. “Let me rephrase… Why side with King of Qin? You stand to gain nothing from that alliance.”

She hummed, thoughtful. “If there’s nothing to gain, why get involved at all? If it were me, I wouldn’t want any part of this messy power struggle.” Jiang Qian picked up the teacup, swirling it absently.

Jiang Zixuan’s gaze sharpened, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes. “It’s because of you, Cousin. I joined King of Qin for your sake.”

“What—cough, cough!” Jiang Qian nearly sprayed his tea, caught completely off guard. Scalding tea splattered on the door as he choked and sputtered.

Because of me? Don’t tell me—are you trying to get close so you can backstab me?

He forced himself to calm down, wiping his mouth and muttering, “Cousin, please… jokes like that’ll stop my heart.”

“I’m not joking.” She smiled playfully. “I just think things are much more interesting when I’m with you.”

Jiang Qian opened his mouth to retort—

When suddenly, someone knocked at the door.

“Junior Sister, are you there? I need to talk to you.” Duan Yuqing’s voice rang out from outside.

Crap! What’s he doing here at this hour?

If he catches me here, he’ll blow a gasket!

And with him out there, slipping away now was impossible.

Jiang Qian hadn’t expected this—escape was no longer an option.

Jiang Zixuan motioned toward the wardrobe and whispered, “Hide.”

The wardrobe? Why did this feel like one of those soap-opera scenes where someone’s about to get caught cheating?

He swallowed his pride and squeezed inside.

Once Jiang Qian was hidden, Jiang Zixuan opened the door.

Duan Yuqing’s sharp gaze swept the room—and immediately landed on the two teacups. “Junior Sister, did you have company?”

“Xiaoxiao was here earlier,” Jiang Zixuan answered smoothly. “She was upset about missing the exchange, so she came to ask me what happened.”

She sat down, serene as a pond.

Duan Yuqing joined her, but his eyes soon caught the tea stains on the door. “Did Xiaoxiao do that too?”

“Mhm. She heard about your fight with Bai Piaoxue, got so startled that she spit tea everywhere.” Jiang Zixuan remained utterly composed, her lies like second nature.

Inside the wardrobe, Jiang Qian twitched at her effortless fabrication.

If Chen Xiaoxiao finds out she took the blame, who knows what she’ll think…

But Duan Yuqing accepted the excuse and nodded. “Ah, I see.”

He shifted topics. “Junior Sister, is it true you don’t intend to join the Crown Prince’s faction?”

Jiang Zixuan shook her head firmly. “As I said before: I won’t join his side.”

“But… the Crown Prince knows where your birth parents are!”

“There’s no need. I’ll find that out on my own,” she answered calmly. “Besides, I just don’t like him.”

From the wardrobe’s narrow crack, Jiang Qian could hear every word—his mind racing.

So Jiang Zixuan really hasn’t switched to the Crown Prince’s side. But why? This is all wrong according to the original plot!

Duan Yuqing, sensing her resolve, sighed. “Alright. I won’t press.”

He stood to leave. “Then, Junior Sister, I’ll let you rest.”

But just as he reached the door, Jiang Zixuan called out sweetly, “Senior Brother Duan, could you help me fetch my sect robe from the wardrobe?”

For a split second, her eyes sparkled with wicked glee.

Inside the wardrobe, Jiang Qian’s heart leapt into his throat.

Damn it! So this was her real plan all along!

I knew it—she’s absolutely up to no good!