Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess - Chapter 93

“Your Highness, let’s return.”

Jiang Si left at noon. The weather was hot, and the sea breeze had been blowing continuously. Even Wei Nian felt uncomfortable, so it was even harder for Mowan Ci.

Wei Nian could not stand seeing her like that and gently tried to persuade her.

The fleet had long since vanished from view, but Mowan Ci refused to move. It was as though she had not even heard Wei Nian’s words.

After a long moment, Wei Nian sighed and said, “Your Highness, if you will not think of yourself, you should at least think of the little one.”

The child in her womb was now Mowan Ci’s deepest concern. As soon as Wei Nian mentioned it, Mowan Ci finally reacted.

She took a long look at the sea, then placed her hand gently on her belly and returned to the cabin with Wei Nian.

When they arrived, they found Lan Shao standing at the doorway. It seemed she had been waiting for quite a while. Mowan Ci felt a little embarrassed and apologized softly.

Lan Shao had also gone to see Jiang Si off. She had most likely seen Mowan Ci standing on the deck when she returned.

Still, Lan Shao said nothing. She simply checked Mowan Ci’s pulse and prescribed some medicine.

The child had already reached over four months. Mowan Ci’s belly was now clearly rounded. With just one glance, Lan Shao said, “It may be a premature birth. These next few months will require extra care.”

Seeing the concern on Mowan Ci’s face, Lan Shao smiled and reassured her. “There is no need to worry. I will remain here until after you give birth.”

“For now, take the medicine I have prepared. It is all gentle and nourishing.”

Lan Shao spoke in detail, and Mowan Ci listened carefully. When the consultation was over, she even personally walked Lan Shao to the door.

Outside, Lan Shao crouched down and called Wei Nian over.

Though she served under Jiang Si, Lan Shao had great respect for Mowan Ci. In moments like this, she could only follow her conscience.

She took the chance to teach Wei Nian as much medical knowledge as she could. That way, if anything happened after she left, Wei Nian would know what to do.

Wei Nian studied diligently. She spent most of her time in Lan Shao’s quarters, which left Mowan Ci with only Zhi Miao by her side.

Unlike Wei Nian, Zhi Miao did not fully understand Mowan Ci’s thoughts. Every evening when Mowan Ci insisted on going to the deck, Zhi Miao would grumble about it under her breath.

One day, Fang Lin brought over some durian. Mowan Ci stared at it in silence. After a while, she got up and headed to the kitchen.

Zhi Miao managed well enough, but Mowan Ci rarely cooked. Worried she might injure herself, Zhi Miao rushed to take over all the tasks.

While rummaging through the cabinets, Zhi Miao suddenly shouted, “Your Highness, why is there a red box here?”

Mowan Ci was still struggling with the flour, trying to figure out the right consistency. The sudden shout startled her, and she accidentally added too much water. She was just about to scold Zhi Miao when she saw the red box and froze.

That box…

It was the same one Jiang Si had hidden from her when they first arrived in Donghai.

Mowan Ci walked over slowly. Her belly made her movements heavy, but as the box became more familiar, she bent over slightly, trying to see it more clearly.

“Careful, Your Highness. Let me bring it out for you,” Zhi Miao said.

Zhi Miao was not very strong. It took her quite a bit of effort to pull the box out.

Once it was in view, Mowan Ci could see it clearly. She stopped Zhi Miao and said, “Leave the room. Do not come in unless I call you.”

“Your Highness…” Zhi Miao did not understand but obeyed.

After Zhi Miao left, Mowan Ci opened the box. What met her eyes was a sea of red.

Her body trembled as she reached inside and pulled out the wedding robe.

Meanwhile, after several days of travel by sea, Jiang Si and her group arrived in Luan City and disembarked. To their surprise, the people waiting to greet them were Ye Chan and Nangong Yan.

Jiang Si had not seen Nangong Yan in a long time. Overcome with emotion, Nangong Yan jumped off her horse and rushed toward her. But before she could get close, Jiang Si stepped aside and avoided her.

She looked at Nangong Yan with a cold expression.

Nangong Yan felt a flicker of guilt over what had happened in the past and was at a loss for words.

Ye Chan, who had followed behind, was momentarily stunned.

Jiang Si’s expression reminded her of someone. It was the same cold, distant look that once belonged to Marquis Jiajing. That woman had always been gloomy and hard to talk to. Most people could never get through to her, except for the occasional moment when Ye Chan’s flattery managed to slip past her defenses.

But Jiang Si had changed over the last two or three years. Ye Chan had learned many hard lessons during that time. Now, facing this side of Jiang Si again, she no longer dared to act as she once had.

She was no longer Jiang Si’s favored confidante. She was just an ordinary military officer.

She bowed respectfully and said, “Your subordinate greets Your Highness.”

Jiang Si nodded and instructed her to lead the army back to Xingcheng as quickly as possible.

As Jiang Si began to walk, she noticed Nangong Yan looking toward something behind her. Her expression darkened immediately.

“What is Princess Nangong looking at?” Jiang Si asked coldly.

Nangong Yan’s heart skipped a beat. She felt nervous, but not afraid.

After thinking for a moment, Nangong Yan finally asked, “Why didn’t Mowan Ci return with you?”

Jiang Si said nothing. It was Wu Tai, standing at her side, who answered, “There is still much work to be done in Donghai. Her Highness is needed there to bring things into order.”

That was the explanation Jiang Si had given Wu Tai and the others when they set out, so now that he repeated it, Jiang Si showed no reaction. She simply urged Ye Chan forward without sparing Nangong Yan a glance.

Nangong Yan followed behind with clenched fists and an angry expression on her face.

If Mowan Ci was not with her, then why wouldn’t Jiang Si even spare her a look?

Though Luan City was not far from Xingcheng, Jiang Si avoided Nangong Yan the entire way.

Just because she had severed ties with Mowan Ci did not mean she would suddenly grow closer to Nangong Yan.

Her dislike remained obvious.

Upon arriving at Xingcheng, Jiang Si claimed exhaustion from the journey and went directly to the general’s residence where the Jingyuan Army was stationed. She arranged to meet with Nangong Yan and Mu Shuyang the following day.

Nangong Yan had no choice but to leave without complaint.

In truth, Jiang Si was indeed tired.

Though she had recovered quite a bit before setting out, the travel had worn her down again. She felt slightly feverish and, after bathing and eating, went to bed early that night.

The next morning, before Nangong Yan and Mu Shuyang arrived, Jiang Si met with Su Xun for a detailed discussion.

“It’s already June,” Su Xun said. “I believe we should finish preparations and enter the capital before autumn.”

Jiang Si looked displeased. After Su Xun finished speaking, she remained silent for a long time.

That silence reminded Su Xun of something Ye Chan had quietly warned her about earlier. His Highness had not been in good spirits, possibly because of something related to the Princess.

It was already the second day, and Su Xun had yet to see Mowan Ci. She had a suspicion but didn’t realize the matter was even more serious than she imagined.

“Her Highness the Princess will remain in Donghai from now on,” Jiang Si said calmly.

“From this day forward, no one in the royal residence or the Jingyuan Army is permitted to mention her again.”

Su Xun looked confused and full of questions.

She had helped Lan Shao pack all the wedding gifts before the trip to Donghai. Even the phoenix crown and ceremonial robe had been chosen personally by Jiang Si.

How had everything changed so drastically?

But it was clear Jiang Si did not want to discuss it further, so Su Xun suppressed her thoughts and focused on military matters instead.

“Yue Kingdom’s court is in chaos,” Su Xun continued. “Tao Zun, a civil official, has been suppressing military power. Only the Marquis of Boyang and his family are capable of resisting him. The marquis’s eldest son now leads the imperial guards, and Tao Zun cannot reach that far.”

“With the kingdom facing internal strife and external threats, this may be the perfect time to strike and seize the capital.”

Su Xun had laid out the pros and cons clearly, but Jiang Si still felt uneasy.

The western border king had yet to act. If they made a move now, they might just end up benefiting someone else.

Jiang Si shared her concerns with Su Xun, who then fell into thoughtful silence.

At that moment, Qiu Han came in to report that Nangong Yan and Mu Shuyang had arrived.

Jiang Si put away the military documents and ordered the two to be brought in. Matters concerning the western border could wait.

It had been half a year since their last meeting, but the issues Nangong Yan and Mu Shuyang raised were still the same. Jiang Si listened passively and gave simple responses. Just as the meeting was coming to an end, Mu Shuyang suddenly looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something more.

“Your Highness, there is something I would like to bring up…” he began.

“Go ahead,” Jiang Si said without much interest.

Mu Shuyang smiled and glanced at Nangong Yan before speaking. “Your Highness is aware that Xingzhou was once the fief of my uncle, Prince Zhou. After he surrendered, his eldest daughter, Princess Zhouyang, was left behind here in the city.”

“I see,” Jiang Si replied.

She had expected something more serious. A princess being left behind did not concern her.

She stood to give orders for Mu Shuyang to look after the girl, but then she caught sight of Nangong Yan glaring bitterly at him.

These two had always competed with each other, so Jiang Si thought little of it. But was there really a need to be upset over a princess being left in the city?

Looking between them, she asked, “Is there more?”

Mu Shuyang pressed his lips into a smile, then lowered his head and said, “My elder sister has had a hard life. Her fiancé died suddenly a few years ago, and she has not spoken of marriage since. Prince Zhou’s health has been declining, so he asked me to help find her a suitable match.”

Jiang Si did not respond immediately.

She suspected where this was going, but the way Mu Shuyang said it made it sound like he wanted to push someone toward her.

As expected, Mu Shuyang added, “Since Your Highness has not brought any personal maids to your side, perhaps… perhaps my sister could stay with you and serve you for a while?”

“Serve? What kind of serving do you mean?” Jiang Si raised an eyebrow and interrupted before Mu Shuyang could finish her sentence.

Mu Shuyang thought Jiang Si might be interested. After all, Jiang Si had no official wife, Mowan Ci was nowhere to be seen, and someone in her position could have a few kunze companions without it being a problem.

She believed this would please Jiang Si.

Smiling, she replied, “That decision naturally rests with Your Highness.”

She stepped back slightly to avoid seeming too eager.

To her surprise, Jiang Si responded without hesitation. “Then just let her stay comfortably in the residence. A princess shouldn’t be doing servant work.”

Mu Shuyang was caught off guard. After a brief pause, she nodded and agreed.

Nangong Yan, who had been standing nearby, looked pleased. Her eyes were fixed intently on Jiang Si.

Jiang Si could not stand this kind of attention.

She disliked everything about what the two of them had said and done.

Before long, she found an excuse to send both of them out.

Later, she called for Su Xun to accompany her on a walk around the residence.

Because of all the strange and ridiculous things that had happened, Jiang Si’s mood improved a little. She brought it up as if it were just a funny story. “What was Mu Shuyang thinking, trying to sneak someone into my residence?”

“I used to hear about this sort of thing, but now I’ve finally experienced it for myself.”

She spoke casually, but noticed Su Xun had remained quiet. When Jiang Si turned to look at her, she saw that Su Xun looked like she had something on her mind.

“What is it? If you don’t think it’s funny, that’s fine. But why the serious face?”

“It’s nothing,” Su Xun replied, shaking her head.

Jiang Si smiled and teased her, “You’ve always been honest with me. It’s only been six months. Why are you hiding things from me now?”

Su Xun hesitated, then finally spoke. “Mu Shuyang tried to match someone with me too.”

Her brows drew together, showing how uncomfortable she felt about it.

Jiang Si laughed out loud. She could not believe Mu Shuyang had tried to set up someone with Su Xun, someone as serious and reserved as she was.

Still, Su Xun was no longer young. Maybe it was time she thought about a partner.

Jiang Si became interested and said, “So you didn’t like the one she sent? How about I suggest Princess Zhouyang for you instead? You’re the Marquis of Wuping now. Marrying a princess would be more than acceptable.”

Su Xun, always reserved and shy, immediately blushed. Her face turned bright red.

She hesitated for a long time before finally saying, “That won’t be necessary. I already have someone I care about.”

Jiang Si had been too busy joking around and had almost forgotten. In the original story, Su Xun and Zhi Miao were meant to be together.

But with things the way they were between her and Mowan Ci now, how could Su Xun and Zhi Miao still grow closer?

That girl was straightforward, loyal, and fiercely protective. She really did suit someone like Su Xun.

But now, Jiang Si realized she could no longer help them.

Su Xun would have to figure things out on her own.

She let out a soft sigh and dropped the topic. They continued walking through the residence.

When they reached the garden, Jiang Si suddenly stopped.

She stood there staring for a long time, surprised by a familiar figure.

The woman wore a flowing white ruqun, with long hair hanging down her back.

Her entire presence, her posture and calm aura, reminded Jiang Si of Mowan Ci.

Jiang Si turned to Su Xun and asked, “Who is that?”

Su Xun looked carefully for a moment before answering, “I think that’s Princess Zhouyang.”

Just as she spoke, the princess turned around.

The moment Jiang Si saw her face, her mind went blank. Then, her expression darkened with anger.

She looked at Su Xun and said firmly, “Go get Mu Shuyang. Bring her here immediately.”

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