Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 36

Nangong Yan had never suffered such humiliation. Almost the moment Mowan Ci finished speaking, she drew the soft sword from her waist and moved to strike her, shouting, “Mowan Ci, don’t think you can speak to me like that!”

Jiang Si stood between them. As Nangong Yan made her move, Jiang Si reacted instantly and knocked the sword to the ground. Her voice was sharp and low as she said, “That’s enough.”

“The Marquis of Jiajing’s estate is not a place where the Princess of Nanliang can act recklessly.”

Jiang Si rarely lost her temper. Even if you added up all her past lives, it was still a rare sight. But now, because of Nangong Yan, she was truly furious.

Nangong Yan had been filled with rage, but now she stood frozen in shock.

She couldn’t believe Jiang Si would humiliate her like this in public.

“Jiang Si, you…” Nangong Yan’s face turned red with anger, but Jiang Si acted as if she hadn’t heard her. She stepped to Mowan Ci’s side and said coolly, “If Your Highness was simply passing by, I must now take my wife back home. If this is a formal visit, please remember to send a calling card.”

“Liu Jin, see the guest out.”

With those words, she took Mowan Ci’s hand and headed straight for the courtyard gate.

They walked in silence until they reached the entrance to the southern courtyard. Then, Mowan Ci pulled her hand away, frowning slightly.

“The Marquis has returned victorious. You should take some time to rest. I can return on my own.”

In the past, when Mowan Ci referred to herself as “concubine,” it always seemed to carry a subtle undertone. But now, her tone carried a deeper emotion.

After what had happened with Nangong Yan at the gate, the way she said “concubine” made it sound especially unpleasant to Jiang Si.

Acting on instinct, Jiang Si grabbed Mowan Ci’s hand again.

“Don’t call yourself that anymore. I have never seen you that way.”

“Then how do you see me, Marquis?”

This was different from her empty promises to Nangong Yan. Jiang Si had once mustered the courage to tell Mowan Ci that she wanted to marry her, but she had been turned down. Since then, speaking her feelings face-to-face had been difficult.

She lowered her eyes and finally said softly, “I’ve never thought of you that way. We are equals. And I won’t allow anyone else to speak of you as if you are beneath me.”

Hearing her words, Mowan Ci gave a small smile. She seemed amused by Jiang Si’s actions, yet also aware of her awkwardness.

Jiang Si opened her mouth, wanting to explain herself further, but Mowan Ci gently let go of her hand once more.

At that moment, a guard maid at the gate approached Mowan Ci, followed by Zhi Miao.

Both of them stood with emotionless faces, silently urging Jiang Si to leave.

Jiang Si felt a wave of disappointment. She realized that her clumsy words had upset Mowan Ci.

Back in the northern courtyard, Jiang Si took a bath and then called Liu Jin to her side. She asked casually but with clear intent.

“How has Mowan Ci been in the residence?”

“I am often busy with tasks around the estate,” Liu Jin replied honestly. “Occasionally, I see Miss Zhi Miao, who serves Her Highness, but I haven’t seen the Princess Royal herself.”

“And what about the food in the southern courtyard?”

“No different than usual.”

Liu Jin answered truthfully, not daring to lie. Jiang Si listened and nodded thoughtfully, then dismissed him.

While staying at the residence, Jiang Si had already noticed that Mowan Ci rarely left the courtyard. She was a homebody by nature. If she wanted to understand more, she would have to ask her directly.

But Jiang Si felt hesitant. And at the same time, she was hoping.

She remembered the moment on the city tower when they parted. Mowan Ci had clearly called out her name. At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. But the longer they were apart, the more she realized something.

She missed Mowan Ci.

Even if Mowan Ci often looked at her with a cold expression, she still wanted to see that face. Even if it was cold.

Thinking about it made her laugh at herself. She never imagined she would feel this way about someone.

Jiang Si stayed in the northern courtyard, torn between thoughts, until evening came. Then, she headed for the kitchen.

She remembered that the last time she made spicy boiled pork slices, Mowan Ci had eaten more rice than usual.

She decided to do it again. Thanks to her previous experience, the kitchen staff weren’t as panicked this time, although they still instinctively knelt when she entered.

Jiang Si used to tell them to stop kneeling, but it never helped. This time, she changed her approach and turned to Liu Jin.

“From now on, in this estate, no more kneeling over small matters.”

She wanted to say they could just greet her casually, but she was worried Liu Jin might be startled.

“As long as the respect is there, kneeling every time is unnecessary.”

“Yes, I will pass on your orders right away.”

“And don’t refer to yourself as ‘this servant’ either. Just speak the way Su Xun and the others do.”

When Jiang Si first arrived in this world, she tried to fit in and follow its customs. But after more than half a year, she found that nothing changed. It was better to act in a way that felt comfortable to her. After all, as the Marquis of Jiajing, she had the authority to do so.

Liu Jin agreed quickly and sent all the kitchen staff away. He knew Jiang Si wanted to cook herself.

It wasn’t unheard of for someone of status to cook at home, so cooking for the Princess Royal wasn’t too strange. Still, the former Marquis of Jiajing had never done anything like this.

After spending time with Jiang Si, Liu Jin had clearly noticed her transformation.

He was the last to leave, carefully arranging all the ingredients she needed before stepping out.

Since she had already made the dish once before, Jiang Si was more confident this time. It didn’t take long. In addition to the spicy boiled pork slices, she made sweet and sour spare ribs. Then, thinking the dishes might be too heavy, she also prepared a light ham and vegetable porridge.

Although the seasoning in this world was limited, the flavor turned out quite good. She tasted everything to make sure it was even better than last time, then carried the dishes to the southern courtyard herself.

The last time she cooked, the passing servants had either knelt or tried to help her carry the food. But after she had spoken with Liu Jin, fewer people stared this time. Those who did only gave a slight bow.

The walk was much easier and more peaceful.

When Jiang Si arrived at the southern courtyard, she was surprised to find that the guard maid who was usually stationed at the gate was nowhere to be seen.

Zhi Miao, who should have been at the entrance, was also missing.

Standing outside the door, Jiang Si softly called out, “Princess Royal.”

“Your Highness, I’ve come to—”

“Come in.”

Mowan Ci’s voice was cold and restrained. Jiang Si pressed her lips together and hesitated for a moment before finally pushing the door open.

The main hall was empty, and Mowan Ci said nothing more. Jiang Si carried the food across the hall, lifted the curtain at the back door, and stepped through.

Mowan Ci looked as if she had just woken up. Her robe had slipped down over her shoulders, her cheeks were faintly flushed, and her eyes, misted with warmth and moisture, were quietly fixed on her.

Jiang Si immediately tensed. Holding the tray, she spoke carefully. “I thought Your Highness hadn’t had dinner, so I made two light dishes, and also—”

Mowan Ci didn’t respond. She gave Jiang Si a cool glance and slowly sat up on the bed, supporting herself with one hand.

They had seen each other just that morning, and Jiang Si hadn’t noticed anything wrong at the time. But now, watching Mowan Ci struggle to sit up, her heart tightened with worry. She quickly set the tray on the table and rushed to her side.

She reached out to support her arm, but Mowan Ci weakly pushed her hand away.

Only at this close distance did Jiang Si truly see how pale she was, how much weight she had lost.

“Let’s eat something first,” Jiang Si said gently, but Mowan Ci still wouldn’t look at her. Her loose bangs partially covered her face, and her expression was completely blank.

“There’s no need. I just want to rest.”

Jiang Si was standing too close, and Mowan Ci felt deeply uncomfortable.

It was like parched land suddenly hit by heavy rain—refreshing, yes, but overwhelming, too much to bear all at once.

Jiang Si fell silent, yet she didn’t move. Her hand still rested gently on Mowan Ci’s arm. As Mowan Ci tried to shift away, she felt an arm wrap around her waist. Turning her head, she saw Jiang Si looking at her with concern.

“How have you been this past month?”

How had she endured it?

Mowan Ci’s eyes slowly scanned Jiang Si’s face. She lowered her gaze and let a faint smile curl at the corner of her lips.

How had she made it through? With medicine, of course.

At first, it helped. But as time went on, the pain only worsened. What hurt most wasn’t her body—it was her heart.

She had once smelled the scent of Jiang Si’s calming incense. And in the silence of being completely alone, there were moments so unbearable she nearly broke down. There were times when she wished Jiang Si would appear in front of her, right then and there.

Mowan Ci closed her eyes, trying to drive those memories away.

She didn’t want to face that shameful longing.

Almost through gritted teeth, she said, “I’ve been fine,” then turned her back to Jiang Si and stood up.

In the overwhelming fragrance of amberwood that filled the room, she finally managed to take a breath of fresh air. She feared that if she stayed like this any longer, she might do something she would regret.

The congee and dishes were growing cold. Jiang Si stood up as well, walked past her without a word, and picked up the congee, bringing it to her lips.

Mowan Ci was stubborn. She would never admit that she wasn’t feeling well.

But Jiang Si could see it with just one glance—she was far from fine.

At the gate earlier, she had been too focused on her anger toward Nangong Yan and had completely overlooked Mowan Ci’s condition.

Now, looking back, she realized just how little strength Mowan Ci had left.

Jiang Si bent slightly, holding the bowl patiently, waiting for her to take a sip. But nothing happened.

Growing anxious, she put the bowl down, reached between Mowan Ci’s legs, and lifted her up in her arms.

Mowan Ci let out a soft gasp, too weak to resist. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms tightly around Jiang Si’s neck, afraid of falling.

Sitting down with her on her lap at the table, Jiang Si picked up the spoon again to feed her. But Mowan Ci kept her lips tightly shut.

Her cheeks, however, had begun to turn red.

The position between them was undeniably intimate, but Jiang Si didn’t care. Her only thought was to get her to eat something, to help her regain her strength.

In the end, Mowan Ci couldn’t hold out any longer. She slowly opened her mouth.

Jiang Si fed her one spoonful at a time. After more than half the bowl, she noticed Mowan Ci’s complexion had improved slightly. Her face wasn’t as pale as before.

But Mowan Ci refused to drink any more.

Now that holding her in her lap was no longer necessary, Jiang Si stood up with her in her arms, intending to lay her back onto the bed.

Yet the moment she loosened her hold, Mowan Ci clung to her even tighter.

After eating half a bowl of congee, Mowan Ci had regained some strength. Her arms hooked around Jiang Si’s neck with surprising force, enough to cause a slight ache. As her fingernails scraped across the gland at the base of Jiang Si’s neck, a shiver ran down Jiang Si’s spine.

That was when she realized something.

Maybe Mowan Ci’s color hadn’t returned because of the food. Maybe it was because—

The scent of amberwood, Jiang Si’s natural pheromone, filled the entire room. And now, after holding Mowan Ci so closely, that scent clung stubbornly to her skin.

“The Marquis broke her promise four times. How should I be compensated?” Mowan Ci bit her lower lip lightly, the faint flush at the corners of her eyes betraying the emotions she was holding back. Her fingernails dug in even harder.

Jiang Si stared at her lips, almost entranced, and murmured, “Whatever you say.”

“Yes. I’ll do whatever you say.”

“Then… give me a temporary mark.”

“Alright…” Jiang Si answered instinctively, but a moment later, her eyes widened as she realized what she had just agreed to.

Mowan Ci gave a sly smile. With a firm tug on Jiang Si’s neck, she leaned up and brushed a soft kiss against the corner of her lips.

Her voice was low and teasing as she whispered at her ear, “As your concubine, this is only natural. Unless the Marquis objects?”

As your concubine…

Suddenly, something clicked in Jiang Si’s mind. When she lowered her head again, she saw the playful smirk on Mowan Ci’s face.

She had suffered so much over the past month, while Jiang Si had shown up at her door… with another omega by her side.

That moment, rushing all the way from the southern courtyard to the gates of the marquis’s residence—must have felt like a complete farce to her.

Jiang Si didn’t know how to respond. While she was still searching for words, Mowan Ci’s fingers returned to the gland on her neck, deliberately teasing her, again and again. Seeing Jiang Si flinch, her smile only grew.

“I know my place. I should be gentle and obedient. If the Marquis prefers, she can bring Miss Nangong into the household.”

“I will listen to whatever the Marquis says.”

She had arrived.

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