Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 42

After Nangong Yan finished speaking, she waited for Mowan Ci’s reaction.

But Mowan Ci showed none. Not even the slightest ripple of emotion. She took a sip of tea and replied calmly,
“I don’t know General Zhongwu, but I am familiar with Captain Feng.”

Her words made it clear she had no idea Feng Yao had been newly appointed, nor that she would soon be arriving in the Northern Territory.

Nangong Yan found herself momentarily speechless. Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Si took Mowan Ci by the hand and stood up.

“If the Princess of Nangong has no further business, then the Princess and I will take our leave.”

Mowan Ci allowed herself to be led away, her eyes lowered, never once glancing back at Nangong Yan.

Jiang Si couldn’t read her expression, but a quiet sense of guilt grew in her heart.

She had only kept her distance from Mowan Ci out of caution. She feared that one day, if Mowan Ci came face-to-face with Mu Zesheng, her heart would soften and she would turn against them.

Blood ties were stronger than reason.

But that didn’t mean anyone could simply question Mowan Ci’s loyalty.

Everything Mowan Ci had endured was deeply unfair, and Jiang Si knew she herself had not treated her much better.

This conflict was not something Jiang Si could resolve alone. Whether Mowan Ci rebelled or not, it would make no difference to Mu Zesheng. He would never believe Jiang Si. And if Mowan Ci was merely a discarded pawn, then Jiang Si was nothing but a thorn in his side.

They were both forced into this situation by circumstance.

She had formed a military alliance with Nangong Yan, but she had also reached an unspoken agreement with Mowan Ci. They never said much about it aloud, but their actions during this time had honored that understanding.

Jiang Si had no desire to become what the original Jiang Si had once been in a past life—someone who broke promises, lost everyone, and met a tragic end.

She could never forget those first nights after arriving in this world, the recurring nightmare of a blade piercing the back of her neck.

So no one but her had the right to question Mowan Ci’s heart.

That meeting with Nangong Yan ended in yet another unpleasant farewell. Jiang Si led Mowan Ci back to the carriage, and they returned to the residence through the swaying ride home.

Jiang Si spent the trip looking quietly out the window at the city streets. Mowan Ci had her eyes closed, resting. Neither of them spoke.

It wasn’t until they stepped out of the carriage and Jiang Si was walking her back to the southern courtyard that Mowan Ci finally said,
“Aren’t you afraid you’ve offended Princess Nangong?”

“I am. But I’m also not.”

“We’re in a partnership. What matters most is mutual benefit. This matter could be seen as serious, or as minor, depending on perspective.”

“But in the end, it all depends on you, Your Highness.” Jiang Si saw no reason to hide things from Mowan Ci.

There was no point in pretending.

“The envoy will arrive very soon. Is there anything Your Highness wishes me to prepare for?” Jiang Si looked into her eyes as she spoke, her voice light, her smile soft. On the surface it seemed innocent, but in truth she was hoping Mowan Ci would speak honestly with her again.

But Mowan Ci said nothing.

Jiang Si’s smile widened, and she stepped closer, gently pressing her forehead to Mowan Ci’s.

She brought up the conversation from that night again.
“When will Your Highness tell me what I wish to know?”

“Jiang Si, I never thought you would be so suspicious by nature.”

The words startled Jiang Si.

She remembered that she used to be far more open, willing to put everything on the table. Even if others saw, it didn’t matter. And when people kept secrets, she rarely questioned them.

But Mowan Ci was different. There were many things about her that felt beyond Jiang Si’s control.

She was deeply concerned about this person called A-Yue. She wanted to know who it was.

And because of that, her doubts toward Mowan Ci grew uncontrollably. It wasn’t only about the fear of betrayal involving Mu Zesheng. She simply wanted to know what Mowan Ci was truly thinking.

“Fine. If the Princess says she doesn’t know, then I will believe her.”

She decided not to press the matter further, at least for now.

They were only a few steps from the southern courtyard. Jiang Si stopped walking.

“Starting tomorrow, I need to prepare to receive the envoy. I’ll take my leave for now.”

With those words, she turned and left. Mowan Ci didn’t try to stop her.

As the year’s end approached, military activity in the Northern Territory slowed down. Once the plans for receiving the envoy were set, Jiang Si found herself with more free time. She spent it wandering the streets, collecting all kinds of interesting things.

Besides her, the most idle person in the residence was Lan Shao. She had once spent every day developing the antidote, but now she had nothing urgent to do. So Jiang Si often took her along when she went out, turning Lan Shao into her personal porter.

Jiang Si’s love for the New Year never changed, not in this life or the last. Whenever she got busy with preparations, all her worries faded away. Sometimes she even brought her little discoveries to show Mowan Ci.

If Mowan Ci was indifferent, that was fine. Jiang Si would simply pull Lan Shao to join her for fun.

One day, after buying lanterns with Lan Shao, she returned to the residence and saw Su Xun waiting by the door of the study.

Jiang Si handed the lanterns to Liu Jin and entered the study with Su Xun and Lan Shao.

Lately, people in the residence had noticed that Jiang Si always seemed to be smiling. She was busier than the entire purchasing staff.

Aside from her morning training, she spent most days dragging Lan Shao all over town, buying this and that, full of energy and good spirits.

So now, standing before a cheerful Jiang Si, Su Xun felt completely out of place. She stiffly delivered her military report.

Jiang Si listened with great interest. When Su Xun suddenly stopped, she asked,
“Why did you stop?”

She was still snacking on winter jujubes she had bought in the market, popping one after another into her mouth.

Being stared at by Su Xun, Jiang Si started to feel awkward. After a moment of silence, she asked,
“Is there anything else to report?”

“There is. The imperial envoy has entered the Northern Territory. He is currently waiting at the relay station for your summons.”

“And a letter arrived from Ye Chan.”

At those words, Jiang Si finally stopped eating and told Su Xun to hand her the letter. As she opened it, she said casually,
“Let them wait. The residence isn’t fully prepared yet anyway.”

“Besides, I still need more practice for the ice polo match the day after tomorrow.”

Jiang Si brushed the dust from her hands and invited Lan Shao to accompany her to the training grounds.

Her horseback riding still needed work. So did her accuracy with the polo stick. Lan Shao was skilled at ice polo and made the perfect coach.

The horse she chose was one she had seen on her first visit to the training grounds. It was old and no longer suited for battle, but Jiang Si had faith in it and chose it for this tournament.

There weren’t many entertainment options in this era, so Jiang Si was especially excited for this upcoming match.

They trained all afternoon. By the time Jiang Si dismounted, she was covered in sweat and went back to the northern courtyard to bathe.

That evening marked the seventh day of the bond. It was time for her to visit Mowan Ci.

She threw on a casual robe, then stopped by the kitchen.

In the entire residence, Mowan Ci was the only one who dared to eat and genuinely enjoyed her cooking.

Eating alone had no joy. So, Jiang Si packed the dishes to share with her.

Her visits to the southern courtyard had become routine. The guards and maids were used to it.

Zhi Miao took the food from her hands and welcomed her inside. She even left the bedchamber entirely to give them privacy, ignoring all the usual rules about serving meals.

“Spicy boiled beef, sweet and sour pork, and one more dish. Can you guess?”

Jiang Si’s love for food still surprised Mowan Ci. But seeing her smiling expectantly, Mowan Ci couldn’t help but play along.

“Sweet and sour ribs.”

“Correct.”

Support