Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 63
Jiang Si did not answer right away. She simply looked at Mowan Ci, filled with confusion.
She had never imagined that while she was questioning everything, Mowan Ci had been thinking about how to support her. And she never expected that Mowan Ci was connected to such a powerful organization.
If she had such strength, then why had she taken so many risks?
As if sensing what Jiang Si was thinking, Mowan Ci continued speaking in a calm voice.
“My mother was the daughter of the former head of Ziwus Academy. She was supposed to inherit the position. But during one of her travels, she fell in love with my father, the emperor, and gave everything up to come to Yue.”
“I had only heard of Ziwus Academy before. I never thought it had anything to do with me. But during my last visit to the capital, I came across my mother’s former maid. She was deeply loyal to my mother and has always treated me and Mu Zesheng with kindness. She’s now enjoying a peaceful life in her old age.”
“She risked her life to tell me where my mother’s keepsake was hidden.”
“Jiang Si, you asked me to be honest. That’s why I never intended to lie to you. I just had to make sure the keepsake was real. Now that everything has been confirmed, I can tell you with confidence.”
“So now, do you dare to accept it?”
“I…” Jiang Si was at a loss for words. A mix of guilt and shame rose inside her.
She had asked Mowan Ci for honesty. But now that Mowan Ci had given it, what could she offer in return?
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Mowan Ci waited quietly, but when the silence dragged on, she gently pushed Jiang Si’s hand away.
“It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
“If you’re not tired, you can sleep on the side couch.”
Her meaning was clear. She had waited for Jiang Si’s response, and since there was none, she stopped waiting.
Jiang Si panicked and grabbed her wrist. “I… I’m sorry.”
It was the only thing she could say. Her mind felt overwhelmed and cluttered.
She still couldn’t understand. Why would Mowan Ci give her something as powerful as an intelligence network?
She couldn’t help but ask, “I just don’t get it. Why would you give something like that to me?”
Mowan Ci had been quiet while Jiang Si held her wrist, but now she turned around to face her. There was a faint smile in her eyes, soft and bitter at the same time.
“You only need to answer. Yes or no.”
In Mowan Ci’s mind, her message was already clear. There was no need to say more.
She pulled her hand free and walked to the bed, lying down without another word.
Jiang Si stood by the window, completely lost.
She did understand what this meant. She just found it hard to believe. This was far beyond what she had ever expected.
Her experiences had taught her that no one gave anything without expecting something in return.
Her relationship with Mowan Ci had started as an act, a game of appearances. It was a connection of the body, not the heart. And now that Mowan Ci had offered something so real, Jiang Si felt anxious and unsure.
That night, she slept on the side couch. Neither of them spoke a word.
The next morning, Jiang Si was invited to the Nanliang Palace for a meeting.
When she left, Mowan Ci was still in bed. Jiang Si dressed quietly, then walked to her side and looked at her sleeping face. For a moment, she found herself wondering what Mowan Ci would eat for breakfast once she was gone.
Then she heard footsteps outside the room and shook the thought away. Mowan Ci had plenty of attendants. Since when had she needed Jiang Si to worry about her?
But as soon as Jiang Si left the room, Mowan Ci opened her eyes.
She had not slept deeply that night. The moment Jiang Si got up, she had woken up too. She listened to her every movement. When Jiang Si approached the bed, Mowan Ci even felt nervous, worried she would be caught pretending to sleep.
Now, all that was left in her heart was disappointment.
She gave a quiet, bitter smile and called for Zhi Miao.
After she got dressed, Zhi Miao had breakfast brought in. Seeing Mowan Ci in a low mood, she briefly introduced the dishes, then left the room without saying more.
Zhi Miao had been with her long enough to know when to stay quiet. She understood that when Mowan Ci was in this kind of mood, silence was the best choice.
But today felt different. Mowan Ci barely touched her food. Instead, she looked out the window and said she wanted to go out for a walk.
“I’ve always heard that Nanyue City is lively, just like the Southern Capital. Since I’m here, I should see it with my own eyes.”
“Your Highness… this is Nanliang. It’s not like Yue,” Zhi Miao said carefully. Her tone was hesitant. She didn’t agree right away. Mowan Ci’s face grew colder, her expression sharper.
She understood Zhi Miao’s concern. It wasn’t unreasonable. But now that she was in Nanyue City, was she supposed to stay hidden indoors just because Jiang Si was not around? Did she not even have the right to go outside?
Mowan Ci rarely struggled with her own emotions, but today she did.
She no longer wanted to stay locked up in that room. Anywhere else would be better.
She left the residence with Zhi Miao and her two guards. Zhi Miao held her umbrella while Wei Nian carried silver coins. The group walking through Nanyue City’s main street drew more than a few curious glances.
Mowan Ci walked slowly, pausing here and there. The heat in Nanyue was worse than in Huai City. Before long, sweat was gathering on her forehead.
“Madam… please take a break and rest a little,” Zhi Miao said with concern.
Mowan Ci didn’t respond directly. Instead, she shook her head and said softly, “While we are out, call me something simpler.”
“Yes… Madam, you should…” Zhi Miao quickly changed how she addressed her. With how Mowan Ci was dressed today, she looked exactly like a married woman. Calling her Madam made more sense.
Still, Zhi Miao wanted her to rest. After speaking, she tried once more to convince her.
Mowan Ci was tired. She looked up at a nearby teahouse and said, “Let’s stop in here.”
Nanyue City was famous for its white tribute tea, especially the prized Gongmei leaves. It was often called the Tea Capital. Among the most well-known teahouses was Qingfeng Teahouse, which had stood for generations.
It was elegant, and the moment they entered, the air was filled with the refreshing scent of tea.
The place was busy, and Mowan Ci did not ask for a private room. Instead, she chose a seat in the main hall, hoping to hear some local stories and gossip.
She had not expected the gossip to be about herself.
“Did you hear? The famous Marquis of Jiajing from Yue arrived in Nanyue City.”
“Of course I heard. The entrance was unforgettable.”
“Unforgettable? Please. If she were truly powerful, would she need the protection of our King? She might look strong in front of that useless emperor of Yue, but all she did was insult her own country’s princess.”
At the next table, two Alpha men were talking. At first, their conversation sounded serious, but when a female Alpha joined them, the tone quickly began to change.
The woman grinned slyly and said, “Let me tell you, I saw that princess from afar once. She’s absolutely stunning. Easily as beautiful as the young lady of our house, if not more.”
With the sharp nature typical of Alphas, everyone nearby who could hear—including Mowan Ci—instinctively looked toward that table.
The female Alpha grew more animated as she spoke.
Zhi Miao was gritting her teeth in anger after hearing everything. She was already thinking about ordering the two guards to go over and teach them a lesson.
“Wait. Let’s hear what else they say.”
“But Madam…”
“Just listen,” Mowan Ci said with a faint, calm smile. Zhi Miao was still fuming. She could not understand how a place like this teahouse could allow such rude and reckless people. She gave that female Alpha a fierce glare.
But the woman was so absorbed in her gossip that she didn’t even notice. She continued, “If you ask me, that Marquis of Jiajing has no taste at all. Our young lady is far better than that so-called princess from Yue.”
The fief of the Nanliang King was located in Nanyue. After years of development, the people lived peacefully and were deeply respectful of the royal house. Naturally, they showed great admiration for Nangong Xiao and Nangong Yan as well.
Mowan Ci, however, noticed something the others missed. That female Alpha was wearing the waist token of the Nanliang military.
Zhi Miao wasn’t the only one angry. Wei Nian and the two guards had also noticed the token.
Mowan Ci quietly continued sipping her tea. When the gossip ran out, the voices died down. But the female Alpha kept glancing in Mowan Ci’s direction.
Mowan Ci guessed that the woman probably recognized her. Everything she had just said was likely meant for her ears.
“Let’s go. I’m tired,” Mowan Ci said, putting down her teacup. She turned to Zhi Miao, who quickly followed her lead. Wei Nian placed the silver on the table and trailed behind them.
As they left the teahouse, just as expected, the female Alpha followed them.
When they reached a quiet alleyway, the woman finally revealed her true intentions. She was no longer alone. Five or six male Alphas had joined her.
Zhi Miao was startled and afraid, but she immediately stepped in front of Mowan Ci and shouted, “How dare you! Do you know who you’re standing in front of?”
Zhi Miao had always been impulsive, sometimes foolish, but she acted fast.
The female Alpha showed no intention of backing down. Her face turned cold as she walked directly toward Zhi Miao. Mowan Ci sensed something was wrong and tried to pull Zhi Miao back, but the woman was faster.
The two guards were positioned beside Mowan Ci. Their first priority was to protect her, even before Zhi Miao.
As Zhi Miao was thrown aside, the guards quickly formed a protective circle around Mowan Ci.
One guard moved to escort Mowan Ci away. The other prepared to fight the attackers.
The female Alpha looked at Mowan Ci with a twisted smile and tilted her head.
“Of course I know who you are. Why else would I be here?”
“But this is Nanliang. If you say you’re nobody, then you’re nobody.”
“After all, Princess Shaoyuan never made a public announcement about arriving in Nanyue City.”
She raised her hand and signaled the others. In an instant, they surrounded them.
One of the guards stepped up to fight the female Alpha. The two were evenly matched. The woman grew frustrated and looked toward the group that had surrounded Mowan Ci. She smirked and said, “You really think just the two of you can protect her safely?”
Before she could finish her sentence, a blade pierced her from behind.
She turned around and froze when she saw the face of the one holding the weapon.
“You… you…”
“I’ve been busy with military matters. Finally had the chance to visit Nanyue City and learn a lot about local governance from the King of Nanliang.”
“But the streets of this city are just as eye-opening.”
Earlier that morning, Jiang Si had visited the Nanliang Palace. After discussing the military action to retake Pingjin in five days, the King’s real intention became obvious—he was trying to matchmake her with Nangong Yan.
Jiang Si lost patience and excused herself.
The King noticed her irritation and didn’t stop her from leaving.
She had arrived in a rush, and now she left in even more of a rush.
For some reason, her heart felt uneasy. She couldn’t stop thinking about Mowan Ci.
The moment she returned to the residence, she went straight to the bedroom. Not seeing anyone there, she immediately went to find Lan Shao.
Lan Shao was curled up in her room and had no idea where Mowan Ci was. But realizing she was gone, she grew worried and followed Jiang Si outside.
Just as they were about to leave, they ran into Su Xun returning to the house. The three of them mounted their horses and split up to search.
Jiang Si was the most anxious and rode the fastest. She was also the one who found them first.
The alley smelled strongly of blood. Six or seven bodies were lying scattered, all lifeless. Mowan Ci had blood on her clothes and was sitting in the corner, holding Zhi Miao in her arms.
Jiang Si could not tell whose blood it was, but her heart ached painfully.
She jumped off her horse and ran straight to Mowan Ci, kneeling down and pulling her into her arms. She checked her quickly and asked in a trembling voice, “Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Then these people are…?”
“Nanliang soldiers,” Mowan Ci replied calmly. Her eyes were fixed on Jiang Si, watching to see what she would do next.
For a long moment, she saw only rage in Jiang Si’s red eyes.
Mowan Ci smiled faintly and pointed at the bodies on the ground.
“Because of me, you may have just ruined the alliance you’ve worked so hard to build.”
“So, what will you do now, Marquis? Will you hand me over to the royal palace?”
Jiang Si was overwhelmed by her emotions. She only wished the Nanliang soldiers had suffered even more. Then she heard Mowan Ci’s quiet question.
She admitted to herself that she was suspicious and fearful, always putting her own feelings first when facing Mowan Ci.
But she had never once considered that any alliance, any connection to the King of Nanliang, could ever matter more than Mowan Ci.
Her heart ached even more. She gripped Mowan Ci’s hand tightly, looked at the wounded Zhi Miao and the two guards, then turned her gaze toward the fallen Nanliang soldiers.
She shook her head and said with firm conviction, “No. I told you before, you are my Omega. That means no matter what happens, I will always choose you over anyone else.”