Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 80

The Eastern Sea islands were home to more than a dozen tribes, both large and small. Ren Jiu’s tribe had several hundred members, making it the second most powerful tribe in the region. Their settlement was located on the side of the largest island ahead, easily visible from the ship.

Yet life remained harsh. Not only did the tribe face internal struggles, but they also had to send tributes to the most powerful tribe on the island. Food was already scarce, and under these conditions, plundering became the only option for survival.

Ren Jiu rose to leadership among the Qianyuan not because of her background, but because she was stronger than most. It was simply a case of survival of the fittest.

Still, she was outnumbered. The Kunze held the highest status on the island, and the people around them were often highly skilled. Changing such a system was incredibly difficult.

If Jiang Si truly meant what she said, then Ren Jiu would willingly follow her.

But she did not know how Jiang Si would respond.

After finishing her speech, Jiang Si waited quietly for a reply.

When Ren Jiu remained silent for a long time, Jiang Si sighed and turned to Mowan Ci. “Your Highness, what do you think of my plan?”

“I think it is very good,” Mowan Ci replied, agreeing with her.

Jiang Si smiled brightly. For a moment, it was as if she had completely forgotten about Ren Jiu. She took Mowan Ci by the hand and started walking back toward the cabin.

Mowan Ci paused, giving her a sidelong glance, then realized why she had reacted that way.

Jiang Si clearly had plans for Ren Jiu. And Ren Jiu must have understood as well. Otherwise, why would Jiang Si have said so much to her?

Mowan Ci could tell that Ren Jiu was not someone who would submit easily just because of the situation. If she was unwilling, words alone would not change her mind.

As Jiang Si and Mowan Ci entered the cabin, Ren Jiu called out from behind.

“Your Grace… I, I am willing to follow you.” She bowed her head repeatedly and did not dare meet Jiang Si’s eyes.

Jiang Si turned back and walked toward her, looking down at her calmly. “Why won’t you look at me?”

“I… I was not sure if Your Grace would accept me. I gathered my courage to say it anyway.”

“You knew I would agree.”

“You stayed silent because years of oppression have taught you fear. That fear is not your fault.”

Jiang Si spoke from the heart.

Ren Jiu had always seemed brave and capable among other Qianyuan. But under the rules of her tribe, anyone who was not a Kunze was treated like a servant.

The campaign to reclaim the Eastern Sea had little to do with her directly. The real losses would fall on the high-ranking Kunze.

That was why Ren Jiu needed her.

Just as Jiang Si needed Ren Jiu.

“Stand up. Once we land on the island, I will need your help. Go rest for now and change into something more appropriate.”

“Yes… thank you, Your Grace. Thank you, Your Highness,” Ren Jiu said gratefully, bowing again to both Jiang Si and Mowan Ci. Wu Tai then led her away.

As she passed Mowan Ci, she was stopped again.

Mowan Ci had watched everything so far but had barely spoken to Ren Jiu.

“Do you know how to read?” Mowan Ci asked gently.

Ren Jiu’s eyes widened in fear. She glanced around before realizing she was no longer on the island. She lowered her voice and replied, “A little. Not very well.”

On the island, only a few Kunze were taught to read. Most Qianyuan and Zhongyong were completely illiterate.

Only the Ren family had secretly preserved books handed down from their ancestors. But after many years, most of those books were gone. Ren Jiu could only recognize some simple characters and struggled with anything complicated.

“This was copied by me,” Mowan Ci said, handing her a book. “It contains your ancestor Prime Minister Ren’s teachings on governance. If you can understand it, study it well.”

“This is too generous. I cannot accept it,” Ren Jiu said, bowing deeply. But Mowan Ci did not respond. She placed the book into Ren Jiu’s hands and walked into the cabin without looking back.

Jiang Si followed behind and glanced at the book. She said, “Her Highness gave it to you. You should keep it safe and study it well.”

She continued walking but could still faintly hear Ren Jiu kneeling and thanking them from behind.

Jiang Si had never been good at dealing with that kind of formality. She quickly walked forward to catch up with Mowan Ci.

Once inside the room, Jiang Si pouted in silence, clearly trying to get Mowan Ci’s attention.

“Did someone upset Your Grace?” Mowan Ci asked without looking up.

Jiang Si slowly walked over and stood in front of her.

“You gave her a book you copied by hand. Why didn’t you tell me first?”

“Why should I? It’s just a book.”

“That book was written by you. But she is a Qianyuan. You giving it to her like that…”

“Made me feel left out,” Jiang Si admitted, frowning as if she had been wronged.

Mowan Ci laughed softly.

“Is Your Grace really so petty?”

“I am,” Jiang Si replied, looking her directly in the eyes.

She had just confessed her feelings earlier, and now Mowan Ci was already giving meaningful gifts to another Qianyuan.

“You know what I want. I just want to be with you simply and sincerely, without thinking about titles or responsibilities. But when you do something like this…”

“How am I supposed to stay calm?”

Her voice grew more emotional, but Mowan Ci just kept smiling and remained silent.

When Jiang Si finally wore herself out from pacing back and forth, Mowan Ci put away her smile and said, “It was just a copy of your ancestor’s writings. Is it really so inappropriate to give it to one of his descendants?”

“And besides, considering how harsh the island’s system is, it is impressive that Ren Jiu can read at all.”

Who said anything about whether it was impressive?

If anyone was going to give a gift, Jiang Si felt it should have been her. What really bothered her was that Mowan Ci gave it instead.

“Then I want a gift too.”

“That was not a gift,” Mowan Ci replied.

Jiang Si’s frustration only grew. In a small, annoyed voice, she said, “Then I want a book. One you copied by hand.”

Mowan Ci paused for a moment, surprised by how easily Jiang Si’s pettiness showed in everything she did.

She nodded and smiled. “Alright. I will give you a book I just finished copying.”

Jiang Si instantly brightened. But as soon as Mowan Ci pulled out the book, her face froze.

It was a military manual.

Jiang Si had spent the past year reading nothing but military texts. She had no choice but to read them, but now she was completely tired of them.

And now Mowan Ci was giving her another one. Was she doing it on purpose?

Still, Jiang Si had asked for it herself. And the handwriting really was Mowan Ci’s.

She looked at the book for a moment, then accepted it with a mix of quiet joy and helpless frustration.

“Your Grace, you should begin reading now. I will personally check it after dinner.”

“What…?”

Wasn’t this exactly like a teacher checking a student’s homework? Jiang Si had originally planned to read the book slowly, maybe take her time enjoying Mowan Ci’s handwriting. But now, there was no way she could stay calm and focused.

“Mowan Ci, I… you…”

“Wu Tai may need me for something. I’ll head out first,” Jiang Si said hurriedly and slipped away without daring to look at Mowan Ci. She was afraid Mowan Ci might call her back.

“Alright. Since Your Grace is busy, I will check it before bed.”

“You…”

This was truly a case of trying to be clever and ending up worse off. Jiang Si turned back like a defeated rooster.

She knew Mowan Ci always meant what she said. When it came to things like this, she was very strict.

Taking the book with her, Jiang Si muttered, “I’ll go to the small study. You should rest for a while.”

The small study was next door to the bedroom, separated only by a curtain. Whether Jiang Si was actually studying or not would be easy to see.

So Mowan Ci agreed.

After Jiang Si left, Mowan Ci lay down on the bed to rest.

Although Jiang Si had been with her during this rut period, Mowan Ci still felt unwell. This time was different from before. She could not explain the discomfort.

Her chest felt heavy, and she had little appetite.

She even felt unusually sleepy.

Lying in bed, it took less than half a moment before she dozed off.

It was around dinner time when Zhi Miao came to wake her.

Even while traveling, Mowan Ci paid attention to her appearance. She sat up before Zhi Miao could call a second time and asked, “What is it?”

“It’s dinner time, Your Highness. I’ve come to invite both you and Her Grace.”

“Alright…” Mowan Ci responded, then remembered Jiang Si. She looked around and asked, “Where is Her Grace?”

“She should still be in the small study. Shall I go call her?”

Jiang Si had no personal attendant with her. One reason was that she disliked people being too close. The other was that it was inconvenient to bring people along everywhere she went. Sang Zhi had been left in Ling City to help Liu Jin manage affairs.

For this trip to the Eastern Sea, Jiang Si had intended to bring someone with her. She originally chose Fang Lin, but halfway through the journey, she changed her mind and sent him to train with the Jingwei Camp instead. That left her with no one by her side.

Even when they had disagreements before, they had always been surrounded by others. There had always been someone to look after Jiang Si.

Now that they were living under the same roof, Mowan Ci naturally would not leave her unattended.

“Go call her. She must be tired after reading all afternoon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Zhi Miao nodded and headed toward the small study. But after a few steps, Mowan Ci stopped her.

“I’ll go call her. You go ahead and have dinner brought in.”

Ignoring Zhi Miao’s curious glance, Mowan Ci lowered her head slightly and walked to the study, calling softly, “Jiang Si, it’s time for dinner.”

There was no response for a long time. Jiang Si did not open the door either.

By the time Zhi Miao had the food brought into the bedroom and everyone had left, Mowan Ci pushed the door open.

Jiang Si was sitting on a chair, resting her chin on her hand… sound asleep.

Mowan Ci stood there quietly, watching her for a while. Still, Jiang Si did not wake up. Finally, she raised her voice and called out, “Jiang Si.”

Jiang Si was sleeping deeply and was startled by the sudden call. She almost fell off the chair.

She grabbed the edge of the desk to steady herself and forced a smile. “Mowan… Mowan Ci, what is it?”

She felt guilty. She had said she was going to study, but ended up sleeping the entire afternoon. Now she couldn’t even look Mowan Ci in the eye.

Mowan Ci didn’t say a word. She just stared at her with a cold look.

Jiang Si immediately sensed something was wrong. She had made Mowan Ci angry.

“I… it’s just that…”

Her explanation sounded weak, especially since Mowan Ci had already seen her asleep.

Jiang Si lowered her head and admitted honestly, “I’ve just been too tired lately. I started nodding off after reading for less than half an hour.”

“I understand. Let’s go eat first,” Mowan Ci replied, her expression returning to calm.

Jiang Si let out a quiet sigh of relief. She smiled and agreed, walking out together with her.

Now that they were in the Eastern Sea region, dinner mostly consisted of seafood. In any dynasty, this kind of food was considered a rare treat. Jiang Si had no idea how much of it Mowan Ci had eaten in the past, but now that she saw how much she liked it, she was happy to give her all the best pieces.

During the meal, Jiang Si spent most of her time peeling shrimp and cracking crab shells for Mowan Ci. Zhi Miao did not need to do a thing.

Halfway through, Mowan Ci told the attendants to leave. It was just the two of them at the table now.

She put down her chopsticks and looked at Jiang Si with a gentle smile.

“What is it?” Jiang Si asked, confused.

Mowan Ci smiled quietly, and Jiang Si smiled along with her, though a little nervously.

“Is Your Grace feeling guilty? Is that why you’re being so attentive tonight?”

“Guilty? Me? What would I be guilty about?” Jiang Si tried to keep her composure, but her smile froze. She stumbled over her words and didn’t respond.

Mowan Ci’s smile faded. She wiped the corner of her mouth, then stood up from her seat. Jiang Si also moved to follow, but before she could, Mowan Ci turned her head slightly and said softly, “After you bathe, I’ll be waiting for you in the study to see how much you actually remembered.”

And just a reminder: today is Friday.

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