Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 31

Mowan Ci knew she was not being rational. In fact, she was letting her personal emotions completely dictate how she interacted with Jiang Si.

It was not fair.

From the earliest days of cautious testing, to their brief moment of reconciliation, and now to this—

She no longer had a solid reason to treat Jiang Si the way she did.

The bowl of ham and preserved vegetable porridge was still warm, steam curling from its surface.

Mowan Ci knew the taste well. It was lightly salted and soft, a flavor she genuinely liked.

But knowing it had been made by Jiang Si, she drank only a little and even had Zhi Miao tell her not to prepare it again.

Jiang Si truly was different from what she had expected. She was not quick to anger. If she were, the fact that Mowan Ci refused to eat her food and sent someone to tell her not to cook anymore would surely have triggered her rage.

Yet Jiang Si did not object. She still insisted on bringing the porridge herself.

Now, if Mowan Ci refused to drink it, wouldn’t that make her the unreasonable one?

“My Lord, you are very considerate. I should—”

Hearing the formal tone and knowing where the conversation was going, Jiang Si placed the bowl on the table and cut her off.

“The porridge is still warm. Drink it while it’s hot.”

“I have military matters to attend to, so I will not stay long.”

Jiang Si’s words were meant to make Mowan Ci realize that she was not the person Mowan Ci thought she was, not the one she remembered or assumed.

But Mowan Ci seemed entirely unaware, continuing with the same polite but distant phrases Jiang Si didn’t care to hear.

Jiang Si had no interest in dragging out a conversation that neither of them wanted.

Still, as she was about to leave, she couldn’t resist saying one last thing.

“Dreams are not reality. If they haven’t happened, they shouldn’t be treated as truth. We should live in the present.”

On the day the Ice Festival opened, Jiang Si and Mowan Ci had not seen each other for two full days.

After they parted, Jiang Si had stayed inside, reviewing military affairs in the northern region.

Normally, these matters were handled by Su Xun. Jiang Si only cared about the final outcome. But now, with only a wall between her and Mowan Ci, she could not settle down. She asked Su Xun to bring all the paperwork to her current residence.

She could have returned to the marquisate, but she had promised to let Mowan Ci experience the Ice Festival. She did not want to break her word.

The performance was scheduled for the evening, and after lunch, Jiang Si went out to ride.

Riding on ice helped improve control and technique. Jiang Si believed she had talent, but battlefields were chaotic. Without practice, she never felt fully confident.

She was accompanied by Ye Chan.

Ye Chan, who was in charge of the cavalry, had exceptional riding skills. That much was unquestionable. And after several months of guarding the city gates, she had become more composed than she once was.

She still had a tendency to get carried away during discussions, but her skills were solid.

It was a waste to leave her guarding the gate.

“My Lord, there’s someone in the civilian team for this year’s ice performance that I think is quite impressive. You might want to pay attention,” Su Xun said quietly as he walked up during a break.

Su Xun had been busy with military work for days. When had he found time to scout talent?

Jiang Si was surprised, but she trusted Su Xun’s judgment and gave a small nod.

In previous years, Jiang Si always used her duties as an excuse to avoid attending the festival. Even if she showed up, she would only stay briefly before leaving. But today, she arrived before the performances began and waited patiently in her seat.

Crowds of commoners surrounded the ice rink, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, curiosity, and even fear.

The people of the North remembered the Marquis of Jiajing as a fierce and unpredictable warrior. The murmurs quickly grew into chatter.

Even though Jiang Si sat quite far from the crowd, she could still hear snatches of their conversation.

She sat upright on the platform, occasionally glancing to her side at Mowan Ci. When she saw that Mowan Ci remained calm, she let out a quiet breath and chuckled at herself.

How could a little crush make her so concerned with everything Mowan Ci did?

It was ridiculous.

But the performance soon began, and Jiang Si put away her thoughts to focus on the event.

The ice show was divided into three groups. The first to perform was the civilian Ice Performance Society of Ling Shang City. Most of them were young men and women, either Qianyuan or Zhongyong, with a few rare male Kunze.

Female Kunze almost never appeared at the Ice Festival. It was not that they were banned from joining, but rather because none wanted to.

The performance was smooth and safe, with no risky moves. It was proper and standard.

But this was Jiang Si’s first time watching an ice performance, and she found it thrilling. She worried about showing too much emotion, so she subtly pinched her own face to stay calm.

The second group was the city’s guard squad. Though smaller in number, they had a standout performer: Ye Chan.

Once Ye Chan started, her moves were leagues above the rest.

The performance was clearly on another level.

Jiang Si had grown used to the spectacle and no longer looked stunned. Instead, she began studying their skates, wondering how it would feel if she tried wearing them herself.

“Would you like to give it a try?”

Jiang Si had been so focused she forgot Lan Shao was standing beside her. Startled, she drew in a sharp breath and turned to look at her.

Lan Shao smiled brightly and pointed toward the ice.

“With your skills, the people of Ling Shang should see what you can do.”

In her previous life, Jiang Si had skated on dry surfaces. She was decent at it and had tried ice skates before. But the moment she stepped onto real ice, fear always crept in, and she never dared go far.

So she instinctively rejected the idea.

Lan Shao’s smile faded. She stood behind Jiang Si, silent, acting as though nothing had happened.

The final group to perform was the Jingyuan Army. Standing at the center were Su Xun, Ye Chan, and Lan Shao.

Jiang Si suddenly realized Lan Shao had left without her noticing.

She blinked in surprise, then focused on the show again. This final performance by the elite troops of the northern army stirred great excitement among the crowd.

Jiang Si looked around and noticed that even Mowan Ci had straightened in her seat.

This woman often said one thing and meant another. Jiang Si had already experienced that, so she found nothing surprising in the reaction.

Still, she was curious. If she herself were out there on the ice, would Mowan Ci look the same?

She didn’t have time to dwell on the thought. The Jingyuan Army’s performance had already begun.

If Ye Chan’s performance among the guards had been impressive, then the moment she, Su Xun, and Lan Shao took the ice, all eyes were on them.

The three of them were nearly equal in skill, moving seamlessly both on horseback and across the ice.

Su Xun’s prowess was expected. Her abilities were known to surpass even Ye Chan’s. So the real surprise came from Lan Shao.

Usually serious and reserved, she only occasionally cracked a dry joke. But she never gave the impression of being bold or heroic. Yet here she was, matching Su Xun and Ye Chan in strength and grace.

Jiang Si was absorbed in the performance. She even felt the sudden urge to try it herself.

Just as that thought struck her, someone handed her a pair of ice skates.

It was Liu Jin.

He bowed, glancing briefly at Lan Shao on the ice before turning back to Jiang Si.

“My Lord, Physician Lan gave these to me before she went on. She said if you were interested, you could join at any time.”

Jiang Si was indeed tempted.

But she also feared embarrassment, especially in front of so many people—and in front of Mowan Ci.

Yet Liu Jin didn’t give her a chance to decline. He knelt and placed the skates at her feet.

“Physician Lan instructed me that if you didn’t refuse, I should help you put them on.”

“No, no need.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

Jiang Si quickly waved him off. At the same time, she found herself thinking something strange.

Was Lan Shao always this good at pushing her buttons?

It felt as though Lan Shao could read her thoughts perfectly.

Jiang Si had already wanted to try, and with a little nudge, her hesitation disappeared entirely.

With her past experience in roller skating and her current body’s excellent coordination, she figured she might not dazzle, but at least she wouldn’t make a fool of herself.

So Jiang Si stepped onto the ice.

Just as she expected, her coordination was exceptional. Though she had never truly learned to skate, she managed to stay upright and stable.

The Jingyuan Army continued shifting formations. For now, no one noticed her.

But soon enough, she saw a figure break from the formation and skate toward her, holding high the Jingyuan Army’s flag.

As the person drew near, Jiang Si recognized Lan Shao.

“Greetings, My Lord.”

She didn’t say much. After that, she reached out and tugged Jiang Si by the sleeve, leading her onto the ice.

Everyone else wore the Jingyuan Army’s dark blue uniform, but Jiang Si stood out in a black uniform with red vertical stripes.

Mowan Ci, sitting in the audience, had her eyes fixed on her.

There was no turning back. Jiang Si braced herself and joined the performance.

She didn’t know the formation, so she couldn’t follow the Jingyuan soldiers’ movements. But Su Xun, Lan Shao, and Ye Chan quickly broke formation and headed toward her.

They even linked hands.

Jiang Si instinctively reached out as well, but the three skated past her, circling around to her back.

She turned to look over her shoulder and suddenly felt a gust of cold wind against her ear.

Then came the sharp sound of ice blades cutting across the surface.

Realizing something was about to happen, Jiang Si tensed. The three of them were racing straight toward her.

She had only one thought—to dodge.

She bent her knees and pushed off the ice with all her strength. As the trio arrived, Jiang Si launched into the air and looked down.

It was obvious where she would land—on their waiting arms.

They were perfectly positioned for it.

The moment didn’t last long, but to Jiang Si, it felt like forever. The three below seemed to shrink, and her confident expression faded into one of surprise and panic.

Then came a familiar voice, soft and clear.

“Su Xun, Lan Shao, you must grab Ye Chan. Do not let her run.”

“If you don’t, I’m really going to fall.”

Despite the fear, there was no room for refusal. The young Su Xun was the first to react, pulling the others into place. Lan Shao followed, and Ye Chan, as expected, was the one they caught.

The winter sky in the North sparkled brightest, especially above the vast northern lands. Lying across their arms, Jiang Si looked up and saw the stars more clearly than ever.

She hadn’t fallen, and instead of fear, she now felt wonder.

Relaxed and exhilarated, Jiang Si let the moment wash over her.

A smile spread across her face as she moved in sync with the others, helping shift their formation on the ice.

The crowd erupted into cheers. The Jingyuan Army withdrew, leaving only the four of them on the rink.

Their entire performance centered around Jiang Si. There were flag dances, sword movements, and finally, a mock horse race across the ice.

In all these past months, this was the happiest she had felt.

No one noticed Jiang Si herself. She was too caught up in her own motion, lost in the rush of freedom and joy.

When it was over, she looked at the three who had performed with her. A strange, unspoken feeling stirred in her chest.

Even Ye Chan seemed more pleasing to her eyes than usual.

But the one she liked looking at most was Lan Shao.

She even left the rink with her arm around Lan Shao’s shoulder. Normally so quiet and serious, Lan Shao now seemed infected by her cheer. She let herself be led without complaint.

After returning to the stage, Jiang Si officially announced the opening of this year’s Ice Festival. In her excitement, she also declared a ten percent reduction in next year’s taxes.

Although the Marquis of Jiajing was known for her valor, one of the greatest complaints from the people had always been about taxes.

To those who could barely survive under the burden of taxation, it made no difference whether she defended the northern border or not. All they saw was the suffering in their own lives, and all they felt was resentment—resentment that the Marquis lived in luxury while they struggled to get by.

That was why her announcement brought genuine joy.

Especially after witnessing her elegant and powerful performance on the ice, the people who had once resented her now looked on with admiration. Their complaints faded, and cheers erupted all around.

Jiang Si felt truly accepted for the first time. Her smile grew brighter.

But when she looked around and met Mowan Ci’s unreadable gaze, her smile faltered.

She had been too focused on the performance to notice Mowan Ci’s expression earlier. Now, it felt like someone had poured cold water over her.

Her efforts to show kindness had all been wasted. The porridge, the invitation to the festival—none of it had made a difference.

Perhaps it was better this way. At least now she could leave for Huaicheng, on the southern border, without distraction.

After the Ice Festival, Jiang Si’s mind was entirely occupied with preparations for the Huaicheng mission. Only when the seventh day of her agreement with Mowan Ci arrived did she make her way to the Southern Courtyard.

Strangely, even though they had only been apart for a few days, Jiang Si felt a sudden unfamiliarity between them.

And ever since certain memories—possibly from the original owner’s childhood—had surfaced, Jiang Si had handled matters with even more clarity. When she received a letter from Cheng Pu, everything she had suspected was confirmed.

Prince Pingjin was likely colluding with Nanliang. That was why the battle had dragged on for so long.

Cheng Pu was stationed in Min City in the southern region. It was not too far from Huaicheng but just far enough to force the battle line in that direction.

Jiang Si was relieved that she had made preparations even before Cheng Pu’s letter arrived. Otherwise, things could have ended badly for him.

With her thoughts racing, she hurried toward the Southern Courtyard that evening, barely considering how Mowan Ci might react to her sudden arrival. All she wanted was to deal with their agreement quickly and directly.

This was, after all, the Marquis’s residence. She did not need permission to enter the Southern Courtyard, but she still waited outside the door as Zhi Miao approached with a tray in hand.

Zhi Miao did not know all the details between them, but she was aware of the seven-day promise.

Seeing Jiang Si, she did not panic. She gave a polite bow.

“Greetings, My Lord.”

Jiang Si nodded and asked, “Is the Princess Royal inside?”

“She is.”

“Good. I have something to discuss with her.”

There was no need to elaborate. Jiang Si stepped forward, waiting for Zhi Miao to announce her presence.

But Zhi Miao hesitated.

“Her Highness… the Princess is…”

Her eyes flickered, unsure of what to say. Jiang Si glanced at the closed door, confused by the hesitation.

Ever since the nightmare at the manor, Mowan Ci had seemed different. That change had lasted until they returned to the marquisate after the Ice Festival.

Zhi Miao had sensed it. Mowan Ci’s attitude toward the Marquis shifted unpredictably—cold at times, but occasionally warm, even expectant.

Just like now. After finishing dinner, Mowan Ci had begun bathing in preparation for the seventh-day meeting.

But Zhi Miao could not bring herself to say that aloud.

“Zhi Miao, please invite the Marquis in.”

Zhi Miao, caught between duty and discomfort, felt as though she had been rescued. She dared not question how the Princess had finished her bath so quickly. She simply bowed and opened the door to let Jiang Si in.

Jiang Si gave her a curious glance before stepping inside.

Mowan Ci sat in a chair, her skin pale and dewy, the ends of her hair still damp. Her dress was fastened lower than usual at the collar, and her breathing was slightly uneven.

Jiang Si immediately guessed what she had interrupted, and a blush crept up her cheeks.

She felt the sudden urge to back away or even leave entirely.

They had agreed on this meeting long ago, but why did it now feel like she had rushed in too eagerly?

Had she even given Mowan Ci enough time to finish getting ready?

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