I’ll Definitely Play the Stand-in Villain

Chapter 6: Princess Consort Yu Chenyu

Deep within the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion, in the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard.

Inside a tranquil bamboo pavilion surrounded by vast stretches of dark green bamboo.

A woman in a palace gown, her cloud-like hair coiled high to reveal a fair and slender neck, sat quietly before a plain zither.

Her delicate fingers plucked gently at the strings, sending forth a melodious and clear tune.

Brightly feathered birds perched upon the bamboo tips and within the grove, chirping in harmony with the music.

Her bearing was dignified and stunning, her figure graceful and elegant.

Though she appeared to be just past thirty, the traces of passing years lingered faintly at the corners of her brows and eyes.

Deep within her gaze, her expression remained cold and detached, as though untouched by any emotion.

“Princess Consort, today the heir went to the Wu Residence, and at the gates, he had Elder Mo humiliate a young man named Shen Tian…”

A maid, bowing low, leaned closer and reported softly.

“Shen Tian?”

The woman in the palace gown was none other than the current Princess Consort of the Demon Suppression King, Yu Chenyu.

At the words, her fingers on the strings stilled.

Her brows, like distant mountains, arched slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

“Yes, it was the very same youth whom the Prince mentioned to you many times after returning to the mansion some time ago,” the maid replied.

“He had quite the reputation in the Southern Border, building merit time and again. The Prince even accepted him as an adopted son, holding him in high regard.”

Yu Chenyu remained silent.

She only lifted a slender, translucent finger, white as peeled scallion, to tuck aside the strands of hair at her forehead.

On that dignified and stunning face, such a simple motion carried with it an indescribable charm.

“Lately, the heir has acted far too arrogantly, drawing the displeasure of many in the capital. That Young Master Shen Tian is known for his steady and resolute character, loyal and righteous. Within the Demon Suppression Army, he holds considerable prestige. I fear that if word of this incident spreads to the army, it will stir up more criticism.”

“Because of the heir, the army often mocks him as a ‘tiger father, dog son.’ Some generals even joke that Young Master Shen Tian resembles the Prince more in his younger days.” The maid lowered her voice.

Yu Chenyu still said nothing, merely nodding slightly.

The maid beside her parted her lips, as though wanting to say more.

“Honored Mother, your son has come to pay respects to you.”

At that moment, a light and somewhat frivolous voice suddenly rang from outside the bamboo grove, breaking the stillness.

Yu Chenyu looked slightly surprised, her gaze shifting outward.

She saw a refined young man in a plain white robe, fan in one hand and his sleeve clasped in the other, striding quickly up the bamboo steps.

First, he bowed deeply to her with utmost respect.

Then he lifted his hands to his chest, left hand outside, right hand within, and bent down earnestly.

All the maids inside the bamboo pavilion looked on, visibly astonished.

For so many years, the heir Shen Yanzhou had never once taken the initiative to pay respects to the Princess Consort—let alone with such proper and complete courtesy.

Had the heir suddenly changed?

Yu Chenyu, too, was taken aback.

She carefully studied Shen Yanzhou for a moment before nodding slightly and saying, “Zhou’er, you’ve taken the initiative to greet your mother today. That is thoughtful of you. Rise.”

Shen Yanzhou stood with a cheerful smile, stepping closer.

“If it pleases Mother, your son will come pay respects to you every day.”

Yu Chenyu gently shook her head.

“Every day won’t be necessary. I cannot endure your pestering. Speak, what is it this time?”

Shen Yanzhou feigned innocence.

“Can your son not simply miss his mother and wish to see her?”

Yu Chenyu pressed her fingers to her brow, looking faintly troubled.

Seeing this, Shen Yanzhou hurried forward with eagerness, reaching out to knead her shoulders and massage her arms.

Yu Chenyu’s expression revealed a trace of helplessness, but she still allowed his attentiveness.

“Offering flattery without cause… surely you have stirred up trouble again.”

She lifted the fragrant tea at her side and took a light sip.

Shen Yanzhou chuckled softly, then shook his head and said quietly, “Mother has misunderstood her son.”

“I know I often acted foolishly in the past, leaving you disappointed and angry. But I, too, had no choice. These past twenty years, the one I’ve been most grateful to is you. In this vast but cold and lonely mansion, only you have remained by my side. Yet I am incompetent, and I fear I will have few chances to accompany you from now on.”

“In these coming days, I only wish to remain by your side as much as possible, to make up for the filial piety I failed to fulfill over the past twenty years.”

His words were earnest, his usual frivolous air replaced by sincerity.

Yu Chenyu had thought he came today because he had once again caused trouble, needing her to intercede and smooth things over—going so far as to learn a proper greeting ceremony to placate her.

But she had not expected him to abandon his usual careless demeanor and utter such words, as though facing an impending fate…

The hand holding her teacup froze abruptly.

She lifted her gaze, truly studying the son she had raised for twenty years.

His brows and eyes were clear and refined, his features soft, his gaze gentle.

The usual arrogance and domineering air were gone, as though he had washed away the dust and emerged anew.

Yet the familiar aura assured her this was still the same son she had raised for twenty years.

But the former wastrel who sought only pleasure and indulgence could never have spoken such words.

Such a drastic change in mere days?

Or had it been that, these past twenty years, he had seen everything clearly, even foreseeing what was to come?

That the facade of a profligate had been nothing more than an act for survival?

And now, knowing that Shen Tian had returned to the capital and what would soon unfold, he had simply chosen to drop the disguise?

“Zhou’er, what nonsense are you spouting? If you wish to pay respects to your mother, who could possibly stop you?” Yu Chenyu sighed faintly, reaching out to tap him lightly.

Shen Yanzhou bent obediently, letting her pat him as he smiled softly.

“I was only thinking that perhaps one day I will no longer see Mother again. So while I still can, I wish to speak my heart.”

“You child, what foolishness is this?”

“Zhou’er, for what reason did you humiliate Shen Tian?”

Yu Chenyu cast him a sidelong glance before turning her gaze upon the maid standing nearby, her tone cool and steady, as though jade striking stone or clear water flowing over rock.

“Replying to Princess Consort, the cause was that the heir took a liking to the female top scholar of the Wu Residence and went there in person. But he happened to encounter Wu Ruyue returning to the capital together with Shen Tian, which incensed him.” The maid who had reported earlier hurried to answer.

“If Zhou’er was displeased, then humiliating him was as it was. Could it be that some in this mansion wish to champion Shen Tian, sending you to whisper in my ear, hoping I will chastise Zhou’er?”

Yu Chenyu’s voice was mild and even, yet it carried an authority impossible to ignore.

Cold sweat broke out upon the maid’s brow.

She immediately dropped to her knees with a thud.

“This servant dares not…”

Yu Chenyu spoke faintly, “Whatever intentions the Prince may harbor, I care not. But in this mansion, I am still the one who makes the decisions. Certain people ought not overreach their hands.”

“Yes.”

The maid, drenched in cold sweat, withdrew.