Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 102

When A-Yue went missing, the usually composed Mu Wanzi completely lost her composure.

Amid the bustling crowd, finding a child proved nearly impossible.

“Wei… Wei Nian,” her voice trembled as she tightly grasped A-Wu’s hand, calling out for Wei Nian.

She didn’t even notice A-Wu wincing from her tight grip.

“Your Highness…” Wei Nian was equally frantic, wanting to reassure Mu Wanzi, but words failed her after that initial call.

In the chaos, Wei Nian’s attention had instinctively focused entirely on Mu Wanzi.

Though she knew the young mistress needed protection more, years of ingrained habit were hard to break.

By the time she snapped back to reality, A-Yue had already been swept away by the crowd. Liao Yang, likely in the same predicament, had reacted faster and was already searching for A-Yue.

But ultimately, it was their dereliction of duty. They absolutely couldn’t fail to protect Her Highness and the young mistress again.

“Your Highness, let’s first escort the young mistress back. Liao Yang is already searching—A-Yue will be fine.”

She could only try to reason with the rarely flustered Mu Wanzi.

Fortunately, after a brief lapse of reason, Mu Wanzi regained her calm.

Wei Nian was right—she couldn’t let anything happen to A-Wu now.

Holding A-Wu close, she left the jostling crowd under Wei Nian’s escort and hurried straight to the inn where they were staying.

The journey back was steady, with A-Wu obediently clinging to her neck, burying her little face against Mu Wanzi’s chest.

Softly, the child whispered in her ear, “Mama, where’s Jiejie?”

Mu Wanzi’s heart ached, but she could only pat A-Wu’s back and say, “Jiejie got distracted playing. Mama will bring her back soon.”

“Don’t be scared, A-Wu. Jiejie will return soon.”

In her heart, she kept repeating—A-Yue will come back soon…

Only after handing A-Wu over to Zhi Miao and the wet nurse did Mu Wanzi stop her silent mantra, rushing out anxiously.

She didn’t even pause to explain what had happened.

It was Wei Nian, following behind, who clarified the situation before chasing after the distraught Mu Wanzi.

While carrying A-Wu back, Mu Wanzi had suppressed her emotions to avoid upsetting the child. But now, standing outside the inn with no idea where to search for A-Yue, she finally broke.

Her eyes reddened, tears stubbornly held back.

Seeing this, Wei Nian’s guilt deepened unbearably.

From now on, no matter what, she would prioritize the young mistress above all else. If anything happened to them, it would destroy Her Highness.

Overcome with remorse, Wei Nian dropped to her knees before Mu Wanzi. “This servant deserves punishment. Please reprimand me, Your Highness.”

But finding A-Yue mattered more than reprimands. Mu Wanzi instinctively wiped at nonexistent tears, urging Wei Nian up with a trembling voice.

“A-Yue has always been mischievous. She probably wandered off after something fun. Wei Nian, we must find her.”

Mu Wanzi repeated the words vaguely several times before leaving the inn with Wei Nian.

Though frantic, a quiet certainty tugged at her heart.

Most of the guards and envoys were already searching, and A-Yue hadn’t been missing for long. Chances were, she’d already been found.

But until she saw her daughter safe, Mu Wanzi couldn’t settle.

When they returned to the earlier spot, the crowd had dispersed. The officials posting notices were gone, leaving only the glaring characters announcing the Selection Ceremony behind—unnoticed by Mu Wanzi’s unseeing gaze.

Because one glance would only deepen her self-reproach, she forced herself not to look.

Behind her, Wei Nian remained unaware and instinctively glanced a few times. When her eyes caught the four large characters announcing the Selection Ceremony, they widened in shock.

Seeing Mu Wanci’s slightly bent posture, she suddenly understood why Mu Wanci had abruptly stopped earlier.

So it was…

She took another deep look at the notice before quickly following after Mu Wanci.

They walked all the way to the docks, then separated to continue searching.

After two hours of combing through half the city, there was still no trace.

By March, Xingcheng was already sweltering. Watching Mu Wanci drenched in sweat, Wei Nian couldn’t help but advise, “Your Highness, please rest here for a while. This servant—”

“No need. Until A-Yue is found, I cannot sit.”

Indeed, she couldn’t sit still—she didn’t even pause while replying, quickly putting several paces between herself and Wei Nian.

Her mind was wholly consumed by thoughts of A-Yue.

This child she’d regained after losing—she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him again.

They’d checked every possible location except one…

After only a moment’s consideration, Mu Wanci headed east toward Xingcheng’s new capital.

The grandeur here surpassed even the imperial capital. Layers of towering walls surrounded the palace grounds—it was said one needed to walk two hours from the outermost Jingyuan Gate to reach the imperial gates, such were the stringent defenses.

For Mu Wanci to enter would be no simple matter.

Nor did she believe A-Yue would have gone there… yet they’d searched everywhere else he might be.

Unless he’d been…

She dared not finish the thought. Despite her pallid complexion, Mu Wanci pressed onward eastward.

Only when nearing the new capital did her steps finally halt, her gaze lifting toward the towering walls…

“Your Highness!”

Just as she prepared to advance, Liao Yang’s voice called out from beside her.

Mu Wanci instinctively smiled, expecting to see A-Yue with him—only to find him alone.

“Your Highness—”

“Where is A-Yue?” Mu Wanci interrupted, her eyes still desperately scanning beyond him.

Liao Yang lowered his head. After a long silence, he finally said, “The young master… was taken through the palace gates.”

“By whom?!” Mu Wanci’s eyes widened in disbelief. She rushed forward, grabbing Liao Yang’s collar with surprising strength for a Kunze. “Who took him?!”

Liao Yang understood her desperation, but… he couldn’t identify the culprit. Moreover, the new capital’s gates were like impenetrable fortresses—venturing in would likely mean no return. Yet as the academy’s special envoy and Mu Wanci’s most capable protector, if he didn’t go, no one else could shoulder this burden.

“Your Highness, the young master is still small. If he’s entered there, most likely he…”

Though the Yue Kingdom had fallen, addressing Mu Wanci as “Your Highness” remained a discreet honorific. As master of the Purple Mist Academy, her life held even greater value than when she’d been Yue’s princess. And as for A-Yue being the young master… some words simply couldn’t be spoken aloud.

Yet upon learning A-Yue’s whereabouts, Mu Wanci displayed unexpected calm. Gazing at the palace gates, she stated plainly: “The eunuchs. I understand.”

“Many eunuchs in the imperial palace were sold into service at A-Yue’s age.”

Having grown up in the palace herself, how could Mu Wanci not know these truths?

Upon entering the palace, young eunuchs would be given long-term medication that almost prevented them from developing into Qian Yuan. Most would become Zhong Yong, while only those destined to be Kun Ze could remain unaffected. Those unfortunate few who still developed into Qian Yuan would be exiled from the palace—either to the imperial mausoleum or a detached palace.

Due to prolonged medication, even if they did become Qian Yuan, they wouldn’t be normal ones. Their temperament and physique would change, and their pheromones would be nearly nonexistent, making them more likely to become playthings for the nobility.

“Liao Yang, I’m entering the palace.”

“A-Yue… A-Yue can’t become a eunuch.”

“Your Highness…” Liao Yang called softly, seeing her reddened eyes.

Mu Wanci turned to look at her, but her vision was blurred.

She was crying again.

These past few months…

No, ever since she began searching for Jiang Si, she often wept in solitude—sometimes out of fear that Jiang Si might be dead, other times from guilt over abandoning A-Yue and A-Wu.

At first, she didn’t notice, but over time, she realized that after crying, her vision would always grow hazy.

She couldn’t clearly see Liao Yang’s expression, but she heard her words distinctly: “Your Highness, let me scout the palace first and find the young master.”

As a shadow agent, Liao Yang’s lightness skill was exceptional. Even if the new capital were an impenetrable fortress, she could come and go as she pleased.

But bringing A-Yue along would be risky.

More importantly, she didn’t want Mu Wanci to take that risk.

A-Yue was extremely important to Mu Wanci, but to Liao Yang, she wasn’t worth one ten-thousandth of Mu Wanci.

Besides, Mu Wanci’s journey would inevitably be slower. Though it bordered on disrespect, Liao Yang had to say it: “Your Highness, if you wish to enter the palace, I know it wouldn’t be difficult for you. But since no one in the palace knows the young master’s identity, any delay would mean…”

Her words struck Mu Wanci’s heart. Her expression shifted slightly before she instructed, “Be careful.”

“Understood.” Liao Yang nodded, then directed two other agents to guard Mu Wanci before slipping into the palace.

What she expected to be an impenetrable fortress turned out to be surprisingly easy to breach.

After descending the city wall, Liao Yang knocked out a eunuch, stole his clothes, and gathered intelligence. She learned that the newly arrived young eunuchs would be force-fed their first dose of medicine at the hour of Yin.

Checking the time, she realized she could make it and hurried toward the Inner Court Office.

Dodging patrols, she reached the office and falsely relayed orders from the chief eunuch to take the group of newly arrived children away.

Among them was A-Yue.

Her eyes were red—clearly from crying—but she knew tears were useless and quietly followed without realizing it was Liao Yang leading her.

Just as they neared the outer court, Liao Yang encountered someone she couldn’t avoid—Qiu Han, Su Xun’s former deputy and now the commander of the imperial guards.

In the Hall of Deliberations, Jiang Si, clad in a black brocade robe, was flipping through a bridal registry while complaining to Su Xun.

She had been away for a year and expected complications upon her return. Yet Su Xun and Ye Chan had kept Xingcheng secure. With the new capital established, Jiang Si, wary of alerting the enemy, withdrew her troops after capturing several western cities and returned to court.

She carried on as usual, rewarding Mu Shuyang for her merits and rewarding the soldiers, treating Nangong Xuan the same way, even placing her on the list of potential brides as desired.

What surprised her, however, was that several officers from the Jingyuan Army also sought to send their Kunze sons and daughters into the palace.

“Keep a close eye on these few. Lately, you’ve spent most of your time searching for me, neglecting many other matters.”

Su Xun frowned, staring at the familiar names in confusion.

For over a year, she had been away on campaigns while Ye Chan remained in Shangjing, ostensibly to pacify the remaining Yue court officials but in reality to monitor Mu Shuyang and Nangong Xuan, gathering ample evidence.

Yet when Jiang Si returned to Cucheng to find her, it all came to an abrupt halt—Jiang Si ordered the surveillance to stop.

After returning to Xingcheng, she actively supervised the construction of the new capital, and Ye Chan was also recalled from Shangjing.

“What exactly is Your Majesty planning?” Su Xun only knew warfare; she had no patience for intrigue. If Mu Shuyang and Nangong Xuan dared to scheme, they should simply be executed.

Why ennoble them and bring them into the palace?

“Things are different now. Do you know how many Yue court officials Mu Shuyang has bribed during my year in the western frontier? Shangjing still bears the Mu name.”

“Granting her a princely title isn’t to make her think I can’t touch her.”

“Mark my words—before long, she may even declare herself emperor.”

“Your subordinate—no, your subject—doesn’t understand!”

Su Xun’s frown deepened, but her mind still couldn’t grasp the reasoning. Just then, a voice sounded outside the palace gates:

“Pigs must be fattened before slaughter. Surely the Marquis of the Northern Border knows this?”

“Crude as it sounds, that’s the truth.”

The speaker was Lan Yu, who still wore her black robes and bamboo hat within the palace, offering no salute to Jiang Si.

At first glance, Su Xun sensed something devious about her, but since Lan Yu was Jiang Si’s savior, she restrained herself and stood to greet her politely. “Lady Lan.”

Lan Yu gave a slight curtsy before taking a seat beside Jiang Si.

Jiang Si merely glanced at her before handing over the selection roster.

“Take a look. Do you see any rivals?”

The roster included portraits of eligible Kunze candidates. Lan Yu skimmed through them before pausing at Nangong Xuan’s image.

“I understand how to deal with Mu Shuyang, but has Your Majesty developed a soft spot for this Nangong princess?”

Unlike others, Lan Yu’s use of “Your Majesty” carried a teasing tone, which visibly displeased Su Xun. Jiang Si, however, remained unfazed as she took back the portfolio.

“If I select Nangong Xuan as a bride, Nangong Xiao will surely come.”

“Since the old King of Nanliang passed, the Nanliang estate has kept a low profile, remaining in their capital—hard to strike at.”

“Besides… Nangong Xuan may not be as innocent as she seems. When the time comes, she’ll suffer for it.”

Jiang Si chuckled lightly, and Lan Yu joined in.

Yet her laughter was far from pleasant—it carried an eerie, unsettling edge.

Su Xun’s brow twitched in irritation, disliking the cryptic exchange. In her view, Mu Shuyang and Nangong Xuan had caused enough harm—they deserved death.

“Su Xun, don’t act recklessly.”

“Your time to strike will come.”

Su Xun’s subtle movements didn’t escape Jiang Si’s notice. With just one glance, she understood exactly what Su Xun was thinking—and truth be told, she shared the sentiment. But the timing wasn’t right yet. If they acted now, both Mu Shuyang and the Nanliang Prince’s estate would suffer minimal losses.

“On the eve of the coronation ceremony, Su Xun, you will go to Nanliang…” Before Jiang Si could finish speaking, she noticed a palace attendant appearing at the door, bowing deeply with downcast eyes. “Your Majesty, Commander Qiu requests an audience.”

Jiang Si and Su Xun exchanged a glance before Jiang Si waved her hand dismissively. “Summon him.”

“As you command.” The attendant withdrew, and soon Qiu Han entered, escorting a prisoner. Outside the hall stood a group of rather young children.

“Your Majesty, this person abducted newly recruited attendants from the Inner Court Pavilion and was apprehended at the Grand Main Gate. She claims… to be an old acquaintance of yours.”

“Which old acquaintance? Why won’t you raise your head?” At Jiang Si’s words, Liao Yang finally looked up.

Jiang Si studied her face for a long moment before recognition dawned. This was the shadow operative who had accompanied Mu Wan.

Jiang Si was well-informed about the covert agents of the Purple Mist Academy. She knew Liao Yang must possess extraordinary lightness skills—after all, the academy’s supremacy across nations wasn’t unearned. Had Liao Yang wished, she could have roamed freely throughout the new capital.

Yet she’d allowed herself to be captured by Qiu Han.

Jiang Si’s gaze shifted to the children outside. The oldest couldn’t be more than eight or nine, while the youngest had barely learned to walk. The older ones might be of some use, but the younger were merely being raised idly until they developed useful skills.

Though Jiang Si held the centuries-old practice of selecting attendants in contempt, she’d ordered Lan Shao to personally oversee the process, diverting children most likely to differentiate into Qian Yuan to the Imperial Guards’ camp—sparing them the archaic training.

Yet Qiu Han reported they’d all come from the Inner Court Pavilion.

“Did I not decree that all children selected for palace service be sent to the Imperial Medical Pavilion? Have my words fallen on deaf ears?”

Her voice remained calm, but the sternness in her expression carried undeniable authority. Years of rulership had taught Jiang Si how to command fear.

A nearby attendant trembled visibly before dropping to his knees. “This humble servant was negligent—my subordinates acted without orders…”

“Without orders?” Jiang Si’s lips curled. “As chief attendant, your words apparently carry more weight than your emperor’s.”

“I dare not! I beg Your Majesty’s punishment.”

“Very well. Thirty lashes—administer them yourself.”

The attendant froze in shock. Jiang Si watched with amusement—he’d clearly expected mere reprimand after some groveling. How naive.

Since the new capital’s establishment, these attendants had been sent from the old palace by Ye Chan. They were merely transitional figures—Jiang Si had no intention of keeping them. Yet capable hands were sometimes necessary, especially with this one so obviously wearing Mu Shuyang’s influence like a glaring hat.

The attendant’s wails echoed from the council hall as Su Xun dragged him away, only then allowing Jiang Si to focus on Liao Yang.

“Your name?”

“Liao Yang.”

“What brings you to my new capital?”

Throughout the exchange, Liao Yang kept her head lowered until this final question. When she finally looked up, her gaze immediately sought the children outside. “Among them… is someone I must take away.”

“Then why haven’t you?” Jiang Si asked pointedly. Liao Yang answered with equal directness: “Because escape is impossible.”

Her sole purpose in coming here was to find A-Yue. Only after learning about the local customs did she dare to seek out Jiang Si.

“This is my master’s…” Liao Yang’s words were cut short as Jiang Si commanded, “Take her away. And… hand over the person she wishes to take with her.”

Clearly, the mere mention of “master” made Jiang Si understand exactly why Liao Yang had come.

Her hands trembled uncontrollably within her sleeves as she gazed outward.

Even if she could see… she probably wouldn’t recognize anything from this distance—too far, too unfamiliar.

It wasn’t until imperial guards announced another visitor at the gate that Jiang Si straightened her posture.

“Your Majesty, an old acquaintance requests an audience at the palace gates.”

“Another old acquaintance? You’re quite popular today,” came Lan Yu’s mocking voice. Jiang Si glanced sideways at her before ordering the visitor be turned away without admission.

This time, the visitor…

She knew it was Mu Wanci.

Since this concerned the child, she would personally deliver them.

Rising to her feet, Jiang Si strode out without another glance at Liao Yang. Only Su Xun followed behind—Lan Yu remained, allowing Jiang Si to secretly exhale in relief.

Though she’d publicly announced the imperial consort selection ceremony, it was merely to give Lan Yu a suitable status. Yet the woman constantly hovered nearby.

It was irritating.

Especially when met with others’ peculiar stares.

Jiang Si had no intention of becoming one of those emperors with three thousand concubines. In this lifetime, she’d already given her heart away—there wasn’t a second one to spare.

Outside the city gates, Mu Wanci waited until mao hour ended before approaching the palace entrance.

The late hour worried her—would Liao Yang succeed? Was A-Yue safe?

Most agonizing was the torment of waiting outside.

Approaching the gates, guards barred her way—new recruits from the past year’s Jingyuan Army who didn’t recognize her. Only when veteran soldiers spotted her was she permitted to speak.

“Inform Jiang Si an old friend requests an audience.”

After an interminable wait, Mu Wanci saw a crowd emerge—adults and children gathered together.

Liao Yang stood beside Qiu Han while Jiang Si…

Led A-Yue forward by the hand.

Mu Wanci’s composure shattered. She lunged forward despite the guards’ blockade.

The startled sentry respectfully blocked her path, murmuring, “My apologies, Your Highness. Please step back.”

With Jiang Si’s ascension to emperor, protocols had changed drastically. The entire Jingyuan Army tread carefully, terrified of missteps—hence their cautious treatment of Mu Wanci.

Heeding the warning, Mu Wanci regained her poise, watching Jiang Si from afar.

And Lan Yu, who’d mysteriously appeared among the crowd.

Jiang Si meant to speak, but noticing Mu Wanci’s gaze had landed on Lan Yu, her heart sank.

This woman—always breaking promises!

She shot Lan Yu an exasperated glare, though Mu Wanci misinterpreted the gesture.

Lowering her eyes, Mu Wanci couldn’t bear to look.

She only wanted A-Yue back.

When Jiang Si stood before her, Mu Wanci kept her head bowed, tears glistening.

Neither spoke first. It was A-Yue, long standing beside Jiang Si, who broke the silence.

The child—terrified into mute obedience after being taken, too stunned to react even upon seeing Liao Yang—now desperately tried to burrow into Mu Wanci’s embrace at the sight of her.

But A-Yue was being held by Jiang Si’s hand, and since Jiang Si hadn’t let go, she couldn’t squeeze in no matter how hard she tried.

Frustrated, A-Yue burst into tears: “Mama! Wuwu… she… she…”

A-Yue had always been bold, but now, seeing Jiang Si, she was like a mouse spotting a cat. Mu Wanci seemed to realize something, her face instantly paling a few shades.

And it wasn’t just her—Jiang Si had the same thought.

Her grip on A-Yue’s hand gradually loosened. She raised her hand, signaling for Liao Yang to be released, then looked down at the noisy A-Yue.

Coldly, she said, “Shut up.”

Her tone was far from gentle—if anything, it was harsh. A-Yue immediately pursed her lips, too afraid to cry anymore.

Jiang Si’s heart finally eased a little as she spoke to Mu Wanci again: “I’ve brought your people and the child to you.”

“The palace gates of Xindu run deep. It won’t be so easy to leave if you come again.”

Her words were somewhat vague as she spoke, her eyes shifting between Mu Wanci and A Yue.

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—they looked… so alike.

As if carved from the same mold.

She intended to let them go, but as she turned, her calf was lightly kicked.

Turning her head, she saw no one at first—until she looked down and spotted the fuming A Yue.

“Don’t you dare bully Mother!”

“Jiang Si…!”

The two voices rang in Jiang Si’s ears, making them ache.

Her expression grew even more terrifying than when A Yue had kicked her.

She knew it herself—seeing A Yue put her in an awful mood. Even though this was her own child, Jiang Si was acutely aware…

This child and her…

They seemed like natural adversaries. A Yue feared her, yet couldn’t resist kicking at her.

Just as she, knowing this was her own child, couldn’t feel any closeness—not even the faintest ripple of emotion compared to what stirred in her when she saw Mu Wanci.

And so, she was misunderstood by this mother and daughter.

Especially by Mu Wanci.

Mu Wanci had already stepped past the imperial guards, rushing through the city gates to embrace A Yue before they could leave.

Again like this. Jiang Si watched coldly as Mu Wanci shielded A Yue behind her, instinctively straightening her posture in obvious defense against her.

Memories of past events in the East Sea flashed through Jiang Si’s mind, making her tremble uncontrollably, her head splitting with pain.

Staggering a few steps, she braced herself against the high wall and shouted without regard for others: “Lan Yu!”

Lan Yu moved with lightning speed. Before anyone could react, she was at Jiang Si’s side.

Supporting her, pressing close—to onlookers, their posture appeared extremely intimate. And conveniently, no one could see as she slipped a pill into Jiang Si’s mouth.

Meeting again, she had made her cry, and she had provoked her illness.

Not too cruel, is it?