Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 70

Mowan Ci had spent many years deep within the palace, and later came to the northern border. She had traveled to very few places in her life, so when Jiang Si asked if she would go to the Eastern Sea, how could she not be tempted?

Still, she had many concerns.

It was certainly refreshing to speak openly with Jiang Si, but there were many in the Jingyuan Army who did not even respect her, let alone accept her presence in the military camp. How could there not be resentment?

So, she hesitated to give an answer.

Jiang Si seemed to sense her concerns and moved a little closer. She picked up on the message between Mowan Ci’s words and tried to persuade her.

“From the looks of it, Mu Zesheng is deeply invested in elixirs. He will surely continue sending people to the Eastern Sea in search of them. If we take the initiative, we can break his dependence on Tao Zun.”

She glanced at Mowan Ci and added with some hesitation, “Throughout history, no emperor who pursued immortality has ever met a good end. The obsession with power may not kill them directly, but if Tao Zun keeps failing to deliver results, Mu Zesheng will start to lose faith in him.”

“And if you’re there in the Eastern Sea, that effect will be even stronger.”

What Jiang Si said made sense. Mowan Ci understood the stakes well.

With her presence in the region, Mu Zesheng’s attention would inevitably shift toward her. Regardless of whether Tao Zun actually did anything wrong, the relationship between the two men would not be the same.

This was the nature of emperors. Their suspicions ran deep.

Mowan Ci did not even feel surprised anymore. In fact, she found it almost amusing that Jiang Si was still trying to spare her feelings.

She smiled, then brought up another topic. “Mu Zesheng relies on noble families in court, and all of them are led by Tao Zun. Corruption is rampant. Last year, the Ministry of Works built a dam that collapsed in this year’s rainy season. And Mu Zesheng…”

“He was too preoccupied with seeking immortality. He dismissed the Minister of Works and replaced him with someone from the Xue family.”

“You may not know this since you’re not at court, but the Xue family is Tao Zun’s mother’s clan. Back then, both the Tao and Xue families were considered lower nobility. But in the past decade, because of Tao Zun, they’ve become one of the five major noble families in Yue. The Tao family leads, and the Xue family follows closely behind.”

Jiang Si felt all of it was ridiculous. How could a ruler behave this way?

She could not help but sigh inwardly. Yue had only stood for a century, and it was already falling apart.

Conquering a country was easy. Keeping it was hard.

Seeing the distant look in Mowan Ci’s eyes, Jiang Si got up from the bed, dressed quickly, and pulled her up.

“Let’s not dwell on upsetting things. Today is Little New Year. Come with me to the kitchen. I want to see if there’s anything good to eat.”

Jiang Si had already moved on emotionally. She bounced back quickly. Mowan Ci stumbled a little from the sudden tug but followed her.

On the way, Jiang Si avoided unpleasant topics and instead talked about food, then brought up what they needed to prepare for the journey to the Eastern Sea.

Mowan Ci listened and finally asked, “Do you really think this trip is just for fun?”

“That place is full of islands. Even food and clothing are difficult to come by.”

“You don’t get it,” Jiang Si said with a grin. “When locals say food and clothing are a problem, it’s just because they’re used to it. For outsiders like us, everything there might seem fresh and new.”

Mowan Ci looked doubtful. “Really? I’ve heard the people there suffer harsh winters and blazing summers. The land shakes, and they can’t even grow enough rice.”

“That’s probably true. The climate isn’t ideal for rice, so production is low. But that’s exactly why we have a chance to develop the region.”

What began as a plan to annoy Mu Zesheng now seemed like a brilliant opportunity.

At the moment, transportation relied on canals and escort agencies. It was risky. But if the military established its own shipping routes or escort services, they could transport seafood from the Eastern Sea and grain from the north. It would be incredibly profitable.

The more Jiang Si thought about it, the more excited she became. She was ready to head for the Eastern Sea even if it meant skipping the New Year.

“We’ll need sturdy ships. It’s a long journey, and there can’t be any mistakes.”

Even while eating, Jiang Si was still deep in thought. Mowan Ci tapped her on the forehead and reminded her, “Don’t talk during meals.”

Jiang Si now felt free enough to show her true emotions in front of Mowan Ci. She said whatever came to mind, acted on impulse, and Mowan Ci didn’t hold back from scolding her when needed.

“You’re very strict, Your Highness. If you ever have children, you’ll probably scare them into tears,” Jiang Si joked.

She meant it lightheartedly, but Mowan Ci froze. Her lips stopped moving. She said coldly, “I have no appetite. Please, Marquis, enjoy your meal.”

She stood up and prepared to leave. Jiang Si thought she was angry and quickly reached out to stop her, but then she noticed the blush on Mowan Ci’s cheeks.

That was when she realized Mowan Ci wasn’t angry. She was shy.

Trying to explain would only make it worse. Jiang Si didn’t mention children again. Instead, she said softly, “Your Highness is far stricter than I imagined. That’s all I meant.”

Mowan Ci didn’t respond. She pulled her hand away and turned around, repeating, “I’m full.”

Her words were much softer this time, and her tone had clearly changed.

Thinking she was no longer upset, Jiang Si smiled and suggested, “Let’s watch the fireworks tonight.”

After half a year of war, this Spring Festival was the only time they could relax. Jiang Si didn’t want to miss any chance to enjoy it.

And she especially didn’t want to miss a chance to spend time with Mowan Ci.

But Mowan Ci gave no clear reaction. She simply said, “It’s still early. If you have nothing to do, Marquis, you should go to the study and read some military texts. You’ll need them one day.”

Jiang Si refused, asking with mock resentment, “Then what will you do?”

“I’ll brew tea and play chess.”

Mowan Ci truly didn’t have many hobbies. Tea and chess were the only two she enjoyed, and Jiang Si didn’t know how to respond.

After a brief pause, she said, “I’m not good at chess, but I’d like to learn from Your Highness.”

Mowan Ci didn’t reply. She simply walked over to the chessboard, placed the black pieces in front of Jiang Si, and said, “Aren’t you coming?”

Jiang Si hadn’t expected her to agree so easily. Startled by the invitation, she quickly sat down across from her.

Though Jiang Si claimed to want to learn, she looked completely relaxed. Mowan Ci, on the other hand, kept a serious expression.

She was extremely focused while teaching, and before long, Jiang Si started to feel a little tired.

But seeing how serious Mowan Ci was, she didn’t dare complain.

She just stared at her intently.

After a while, Mowan Ci became flustered by her gaze. She closed her eyes briefly and said, “You’re clearly too distracted. Go outside instead.”

“Alright!” Jiang Si replied immediately.

Although it was only Little New Year, the outskirts of Ling Shang City were still packed with people. Mowan Ci and Jiang Si had come out without any attendants—just the two of them.

Worried someone might push into Mowan Ci in the crowd, Jiang Si held her protectively in her arms. The gesture was rather intimate.

At first, Mowan Ci didn’t think much of it. She simply stood quietly, watching the fireworks light up the sky. Jiang Si appeared to be watching as well.

But after a while, Mowan Ci noticed something strange.

Jiang Si wasn’t looking at the fireworks anymore. She was looking at something else.

“What is it?” Mowan Ci asked softly.

Jiang Si finally looked away and replied, “I saw someone selling fermented rice balls. I want to try some.”

Mowan Ci knew Jiang Si was a glutton for treats, so she didn’t mind indulging her.

They sat down at a street vendor’s stall. Jiang Si ate the rice balls with great delight, but Mowan Ci only raised an eyebrow.

She had been born in Shangjing, not far from Jiangnan. The palace was never short of chefs from the region. Fermented rice balls had been one of her favorite childhood foods. She had eaten them countless times.

So, with just one bite, she could tell these weren’t authentic.

Jiang Si didn’t seem to notice and quickly finished her bowl, looking completely satisfied.

Seeing her like this stirred something in Mowan Ci. She thought of the dishes Jiang Si had made for her before. Yet she herself had rarely cooked anything for Jiang Si.

She quietly put down her chopsticks and said gently, “These aren’t authentic. I’ll make some for you another day.”

Jiang Si hadn’t expected that. She glanced at Mowan Ci’s nearly untouched bowl, then smiled and nodded. “Alright.”

Fireworks on Little New Year weren’t as extravagant as those on New Year’s Eve. By the time the two of them finished eating and stood up, the display was nearly over. The cold was biting, and there wasn’t much else to see, so Jiang Si tugged Mowan Ci along back toward the residence.

The underfloor heating was warm and comforting. After bathing, Jiang Si waited for Mowan Ci, growing a little sleepy. But the moment she saw her walk in dressed in a thin layer of gauze, any trace of drowsiness vanished.

She didn’t make a move, simply watched with a playful smile.

“It’s getting late,” Mowan Ci said softly, reminding her to make room on the bed. But Jiang Si didn’t move, still sitting right in the center.

Uncertain of her intentions, Mowan Ci didn’t approach either. She just stared at her silently.

“You still haven’t given me an answer. Will you come with me to the Eastern Sea?”

Mowan Ci raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t expected Jiang Si to be so stubborn. She had assumed her silence earlier was already a tacit agreement. But Jiang Si was still pressing for an answer now.

Mowan Ci said nothing. Jiang Si grew impatient and pulled her into her lap.

Fingering the edge of her gauze robe, Jiang Si spoke in a coaxing tone. “You’re the one who suggested going to the Eastern Sea. Of course you have to come with me.”

“Are you playing the scoundrel now, Marquis? When did I ever say I wouldn’t go?”

Though Mowan Ci sat in her arms, her back was perfectly straight, keeping a clear distance. Jiang Si gradually sensed something wasn’t right.

The way she addressed her, her expression, her tone—all wrong.

She had been so focused on getting a clear answer that she hadn’t noticed how Mowan Ci was feeling.

She gently laid her back onto the bed and kissed her softly on the corner of her lips.

“If you’re willing, I’ll start preparing for our wedding in the next few days.”

Before she could finish, Mowan Ci turned her face away. Jiang Si missed her lips and hurried to follow.

“You’re already busy with the holidays. If you can’t help, fine. But must you make things more chaotic?”

“This isn’t chaos. Marriage is important—”

“We’re heading to the Eastern Sea right after the new year. Time is already short. Isn’t that making it worse?”

Jiang Si was originally happy to hear that Mowan Ci planned to go to the Eastern Sea with her. But the second half of her response left Jiang Si unsure of how to reply.

After a pause, she finally managed to ask, “Then what do you mean?”

“After we return from the Eastern Sea.”

The gap between their thoughts was wide.

Mowan Ci believed that she already belonged to Jiang Si. There was no rush. Jiang Si, on the other hand, thought she was trying to delay or avoid commitment.

Her face darkened slightly. She quietly moved off of Mowan Ci and no longer had the same playful energy from before.

But the scent of amber and the flickering candlelight stirred something in Mowan Ci instead. She grabbed Jiang Si’s collar and pulled her in for a kiss.

Afterwards, she murmured, “Were you overthinking again?”

“I… wasn’t,” Jiang Si whispered, though even she didn’t believe her own words.

She hadn’t noticed when the mood shifted so suddenly. Only when Mowan Ci’s face was so close did she understand.

Jiang Si wrapped her arms around her waist, gently caressing her.

The thin gauze offered no resistance, and soon the room was filled with warmth.

Mowan Ci turned on her side, lifted her hair, and exposed the back of her neck.

There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in her.

Jiang Si, feeling a twinge of guilt over her earlier doubts, lowered her head and bit down gently.

As if making a promise, she mumbled softly, “If that’s what you want, then I’ll follow your lead.”

And then she sweetened the moment even more.

Ah… this kind of sweetness is dangerous even for me.

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