The Useless Alpha’s Yandere Wife - Chapter 11

The sweet fragrance of roses deepened in layers, her waterfall-like hair tangling together, blurring the lines between them.

Tan Qianyue could feel Jiang Yan’s beautiful, high-bridged nose brushing against her own. But her body and mind were in a daze, her chin tilted upward by Jiang Yan’s grip, leaving her nowhere to escape.

Jiang Yan’s tongue traced the outline of Tan Qianyue’s soft, rosy lips.

Tan Qianyue’s discomfort flushed the corners of her eyes crimson. Her long, fan-like lashes fluttered, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet Jiang Yan’s gaze.

Yet Jiang Yan remained motionless for an eternity, merely nuzzling her lips like a puppy, her deep, affectionate eyes fixed on Tan Qianyue, teasing her with a half-smiling expression.

The fresh, verdant scent both relaxed Tan Qianyue and made her want to punch Jiang Yan.

Overwhelmed by the heat surging through her body, Tan Qianyue mustered her last ounce of strength to pinch Jiang Yan’s waist hard.

“Ah!” Jiang Yan yelped in pain, then swiftly seized Tan Qianyue’s wrist, pinning her soft, boneless hand above her head with a single hand.

Burning kisses slid from Tan Qianyue’s chin down her snow-white neck, tracing the delicate curve of her collarbone, and lower… leaving a trail of plum blossom marks in their wake.

Tan Qianyue felt weightless, as if floating through clouds and mist. Her freed hands instinctively cradled Jiang Yan’s head, unconsciously playing with her raven-black hair.

Sensing the woman beneath her had melted into liquid tenderness, Jiang Yan lifted her head and reclaimed that relentless mouth.

This time, she showed no restraint, devouring it like candy, as if savoring the Eldest Miss’s seductive moans.

Besides, the woman tasted sweet, and she was far more endearing when silent.

Tan Qianyue’s voice made Jiang Yan’s face and heart burn. She abandoned teasing and devoted herself to serving her with fervor.

She can’t be utterly useless, even in bed, can she?

If she lost this job, returning to her hometown would be inevitable…

The candles had burned halfway down, their long shadows flickering across the embroidered screen, like lovers locked in playful entanglement.

A gentle breeze brushed against Tan Qianyue’s sweat-dampened forehead. She slowly opened her autumn-clear eyes, finding Jiang Yan holding her tightly, the two of them having rolled to the far side of the large bed and fallen asleep.

The curtains still hung, and the candlelight still flickered. Jiang Yan’s pale face was flushed with a delicate blush, her gentle features tinged with a hint of flirtatiousness.

Tan Qianyue stared blankly at her, lost in thought.

She wanted to shift in Jiang Yan’s tight embrace, but Jiang Yan pressed her face against Tan Qianyue’s neck, making her suspect it was deliberate.

Left with no choice, Tan Qianyue forced her eyes shut and tried to fall asleep.

The next morning, Jiang Yan drowsily opened her eyes to meet the Eldest Miss’s sharp gaze.

“What’s wrong? Did I upset you last night?” Jiang Yan asked, utterly bewildered.

Tan Qianyue’s puffed-up cheeks resembled peeled lychees. Jiang Yan boldly leaned closer, nuzzling her face against them.

“Let go!” Her sugar-coated words failed to soften the Eldest Miss. Tan Qianyue’s voice was strained with suppressed fury.

Jiang Yan had clung to her waist all night, leaving Tan Qianyue with aching hips, sore legs, and pain everywhere.

Yet this woman, who squandered her energy on frivolous pursuits and flirtatious dalliances, now wanted to break her waist in bed. Tan Qianyue’s tender feelings from the previous night had been extinguished by Jiang Yan’s unrestrained intimacy, leaving her wanting nothing more than for Jiang Yan to get lost.

Jiang Yan hastily released her arms from around Tan Qianyue’s slender waist. Tan Qianyue finally turned over, but her body still ached all over.

“Shall I help you dress?” she asked cautiously.

Tan Qianyue waved her hand dismissively, not even glancing back.

Jiang Yan sat dejectedly by the side, twisting the corner of the quilt into a knot.

After a long silence, with Tan Qianyue still ignoring her, she finally slunk downstairs.

Hearing Jiang Yan’s footsteps descending, Tan Qianyue finally turned around, placing her hands on her hips and gently massaging her sides. She muttered something under her breath, clearly not kind words.

After tidying herself up, Jiang Yan took over Ying Hong’s duties and carried the food box upstairs to deliver breakfast to her wife.

Although the Eldest Miss had been cold yesterday, the old saying held true: “Quarrels at the head of the bed are reconciled by the foot.” Jiang Yan felt their relationship had softened somewhat.

Tan Qianyue glanced down beneath the quilt. Sure enough, a red ring circled her waist, and her body was covered in marks from recent days. With no time to heal, even Jiang Yan’s restrained touch had left new bruises blooming atop old ones, making her breath catch in her throat.

“If you don’t want to get up, you can eat here,” Jiang Yan said, appearing fresh and clean before Tan Qianyue.

Tan Qianyue tightened the quilt around herself, watching Jiang Yan spit out two words: “Don’t want it.”

“Then I’ll leave it on the table. You can eat it later if you get hungry.”

Seeing her humble demeanor, Tan Qianyue mumbled a reluctant, “Fine.”

When Tan Qianyue finished getting ready, ate breakfast, and went downstairs, she discovered Jiang Yan was gone again…

Jiang Yan had naturally gone to find a proper place for Miss Jiaojiao. She couldn’t keep her at the Jiang Family indefinitely. Her wife was already concerned, and keeping an unrelated person in the manor would only deepen her resentment, something that couldn’t be resolved with mere hugs and kisses.

At this moment, Jiang Yan regretted her impulsive actions from the past two days. But since she had already saved her, she might as well consider it repaying a debt owed to the Original Host.

In the rear courtyard of Jiang Manor:

“How about going home?” Jiang Yan asked, her head aching.

“Home? Where’s home?” Jiaojiao asked, her eyes wide with confusion.

“How many homes do you have?” Jiang Yan deliberately snapped.

“Um… Sister Jiang, even though I sometimes miss my family, I know I can’t go back. If I did, they’d probably sell me again,” Jiaojiao replied hesitantly, finally understanding.

“Sister, can I stay by your side and serve you? I don’t need wages, just enough to eat,” Jiaojiao asked anxiously.

“No, there’s no room for you here,” Jiang Yan replied coldly.

Miss Jiaojiao’s eyes reddened with hurt, but she fought back her tears, afraid of earning Sister Jiang’s disapproval.

“I didn’t save you; the Second Miss did. She used her hard-earned silver to rescue you. You must work diligently to repay her,” Jiang Yan said sternly.

“Ah? The Second Miss?”

“Yes, my younger sister, Jiang Xun. You now owe her five hundred taels of silver. Don’t worry, she won’t pressure you to repay it immediately, but you must strive to earn a living. Even if you can only repay ten taels, it will show your sincerity,” Jiang Yan had already decided where Jiaojiao would go.

“Yes, I understand. Jiaojiao thanks the Second Miss and Sister Jiang for their immense kindness. I will work hard to earn silver,” Miss Jiaojiao nodded vigorously.

“Good. I know a master at the Embroidery Workshop. You can start as an apprentice there for a year. In less than three years, you’ll be able to support yourself. But if you also need to support your family, you’ll have to work yourself to the bone,” Jiang Yan warned.

“Jiaojiao isn’t afraid of hardship or exhaustion, and she’s cut ties with her family,” Jiaojiao said, understanding Jiang Yan’s meaning.

“Very well. Pack your things, and let’s go.”

“Mm.” Jiaojiao’s round face lit up with joy, filled with a newfound sense of purpose.

With the trouble resolved, Jiang Yan felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

Returning to Tan Manor, she happened to encounter Xiao Shi in the courtyard.

“Greetings, Concubine,” Jiang Yan said, stopping to offer a polite greeting.

“We’re family here, no need for such formality. Rise, child!” Xiao Concubine waved her hand gently.

“Thank you, Concubine.”

“Oh, right, Xiao Jiang, why are you just getting back? Just now… Qianyue and the County Princess left the manor together, chatting and laughing. I must admit, I’m a little worried…!”

Xiao Concubine hesitated, glancing at Jiang Yan before continuing, “Though both my daughters have found their places now, years of affection can’t be severed so easily. I just hope they don’t do anything foolish.”

Xiao Concubine’s face clouded with worry as she continued, “After all, I’m not Qianyue’s birth mother. If I say too much, I fear she’ll distance herself from me. You must keep a close eye on her. Do you understand my concern, Concubine?”

Jiang Yan stared blankly at Xiao Shi, feigning ignorance. “Whatever my wife wishes to do, let her follow her heart. As a live-in husband with no real authority, I’ll naturally defer to her every decision. Concubine, you needn’t worry. I will always treat Qianyue well.”

“As it should be, as it should be,” Xiao Shi said with a forced smile before leaving.

Jiang Yan wondered about Xiao Shi’s true intentions. Was this some kind of divisive tactic? But what benefit would it bring Xiao Concubine if the wives were at odds?

Though puzzled, Jiang Yan knew she would always stand by her wife’s side.

Tan Qianyue and the County Princess were at Linyuan Zhai teahouse.

“Where is this shipment you mentioned? How much is there?” Tan Qianyue had no patience for small talk. If Sima Jing hadn’t lured her here with promises of the latest high-quality fabrics, Tan Qianyue would have forgotten about her entirely. Lately, dealing with Jiang Yan alone had been enough to exhaust her.

Though she hated to admit it, Jiang Yan had occupied far too much of her thoughts.

“Why the rush? I promised I’d help you secure this shipment, and I always keep my word. Qianyue, don’t you want to catch up with an old friend?” Sima Jing gazed at Tan Qianyue’s face, noticing a subtle change she couldn’t quite place—a hint of tenderness, perhaps.

“What old times are there to reminisce about between us?” Tan Qianyue retorted, meeting her gaze squarely. “Where’s the lapdog you usually drag around? Our business dealings regarding the fabrics are strictly professional; I won’t take a single copper more than what’s fair.” A fickle woman like you, who changes her mind as easily as the wind—even a dog wouldn’t want you. What’s the point of dredging up old feelings?

Tan Qianyue’s only relief now was that she had extricated herself quickly enough. For that, she had to thank Jiang Yan, though she wasn’t exactly the most reliable person either.

“Ah, I know you resent me,” Sima Jing said, her eyes filled with understanding. “Anyone would be bitter if their betrothed was swapped from a titled County Princess to the daughter of a Fifth-Rank Minor Official—a woman who’s nothing but a scandalous troublemaker.”

Tan Qianyue, who usually maintained a composed demeanor, now wore a face full of dark lines, her eyes widening in shock. Though Sima Jing’s words were true, Tan Qianyue refused to acknowledge them.

When she first learned of this, the shock was immense, but it had nothing to do with lingering feelings for Sima Jing. Even if Jiang Yan were idle and useless, Tan Qianyue could support her for ten lifetimes—provided Jiang Yan didn’t start acting like this dog before her.

“Let’s get down to business,” she said impatiently, steering the conversation back on track.

If this batch of materials hadn’t been worth triple its original price on resale, she wouldn’t have bothered listening to Sima Jing’s nonsense.

“If you’re interested, the materials are yours,” Sima Jing said, winking at her.

Tan Qianyue suddenly noticed the fine lines at the corners of Sima Jing’s eyes. Now that she was eating fine rice, looking at Sima Jing’s “aged” face, she couldn’t find any trace of the warmth she once felt.

Indeed, comparing goods reveals their true worth.

“If it’s a convenient favor, I’ll take it. But if it’s asking too much, Tan Qianyue doesn’t need the money,” Tan Qianyue said, leaning back in her rosewood chair with a smile. She made it clear she wanted the benefits without owing any favors.

These two owed her far more than this paltry compensation.

As they spoke, a familiar face entered the teahouse.