The Useless Alpha’s Yandere Wife - Chapter 13

Jiang Yan stared at the screen before her, her heart racing with excitement. This was her lifeline in this foreign world, and she needed to cultivate it carefully.

Just as she was pondering where to earn some gold coins, a knock sounded at the door.

“Enter!” Jiang Yan dismissed the screen.

Tan Qianyue entered, now wearing a pair of dazzling, jewel-encrusted gold bracelets that were impossible to ignore.

“Today, you’ll accompany me to the palace to pay respects to the Noble Consort,” she commanded, glancing at Jiang Yan.

The palace? Jiang Yan’s eyebrows twitched. Neither the original host nor she herself had ever seen much of the world, and the sudden trip to the palace made her uneasy.

“What? You don’t want to go?” Tan Qianyue’s voice turned icy at Jiang Yan’s silence.

“No, I’m happy to go,” Jiang Yan replied with a forced smile, determined to appear strong. The palace? Perfect! I was just worrying about where to earn gold coins, and now this opportunity falls right into my lap.

“Very well. Change your clothes and let’s go!” Tan Qianyue’s gaze lingered on Jiang Yan, tinged with disdain.

“Is this outfit not suitable? I don’t have anything better—they’re all about the same,” Jiang Yan said, spreading her hands.

Tan Qianyue glanced at the sky. There wasn’t enough time to take her shopping for clothes now. Well, this will have to do. She went upstairs to retrieve a phoenix-tail hairpin adorned with intertwined branches and flowers, then instructed Jiang Yan to lower her head as she secured it in her hair.

“Alright, let’s go!”

“Thank you, Wife,” Jiang Yan said sweetly.

The two women boarded a carriage. After about an hour’s ride, it stopped outside the palace gates. The pale golden sunlight bathed the vermilion gates, lending the place an air of imposing grandeur that inspired awe.

The Noble Consort’s residence was in Jinhua Palace, a place of unparalleled honor. Jiang Yan began her livestream outside the palace gates. Though she couldn’t speak, the majestic palace—from its verdant groves and jade-paved corridors to the Imperial Garden’s rare flowers and exotic plants—kept her fans in the chat room overwhelmed. The garden’s extraordinary flora proved particularly popular.

In the spring breeze, hundreds of flowers bloomed in dazzling splendor, their beauty so captivating it left viewers spellbound.

The chat room lit up again, with familiar voices chiming in:

Bunker Know-It-All: What are these things? Heavens, they’re so beautiful and colorful!

Aspiring Guard Recruit: Yeah, how can colors be this stunning? Shouldn’t everything be blue, gray, white, or black?

If I’m a Dumb Robot Again, I’ll Die: So many flowers! Can we eat them? I’m tired of nutrient paste.

Jiang Yan kept her eyes straight ahead, dutifully following Tan Qianyue through the Imperial Garden. She noticed fans had sent Energy Stones, but when she converted them to gold coins, it only amounted to fifteen—still, ten people had tipped, so she was reasonably satisfied.

Arriving at the entrance of Jinhua Palace, Jiang Yan ended her livestream. Lingering any longer would risk losing her head.

“Aunt, Qianyue has come to see you!” Tan Qianyue threw herself into Noble Consort Lin’s arms like a child.

Jiang Yan’s eyes widened in surprise. So the Eldest Miss wasn’t incapable of acting coy; it was just that the Tan Manor’s stuffy atmosphere, combined with her own pride, had prevented her from letting down her guard and revealing her charming, childlike side.

Noble Consort Lin, though in her thirties, was surprisingly not the type to be a nation-toppling seductress. Instead, she possessed a warm, approachable demeanor that felt like a gentle spring breeze.

“Is that Censor Jiang’s Qianyuan?” Noble Consort Lin’s gaze toward Jiang Yan was far from gentle.

“This humble commoner greets Your Noble Consort,” Jiang Yan stammered, her forehead breaking into a sweat under the Noble Consort’s piercing stare. “May Your Highness live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!” She wasn’t sure if she was saying it right, but it was what they always said in dramas, so it couldn’t be wrong, right?

Noble Consort Lin ignored Jiang Yan entirely, focusing instead on Tan Qianyue’s expression. After a long moment, she finally allowed Jiang Yan to rise.

Jiang Yan, her palms clammy, retreated to the side, determined to become part of the background.

“Ah, it’s settled now,” Noble Consort Lin said, gently patting Tan Qianyue’s hand. “Your aunt will take care of them for you, but we must be patient.”

“This is a trivial matter, Aunt,” Tan Qianyue reassured her, not wanting to trouble her. “Qianyue will handle it herself. You’re already busy enough with palace affairs.”

“Very well. Our Qianyue has grown up so beautifully. If your sister could see you now, she would be overjoyed,” Noble Consort Lin said, her eyes filled with affection and wistfulness.

She then glanced at the wooden-faced Jiang Yan and remarked, “She’s getting off easy.”

Tan Qianyue smiled but remained silent.

“Come forward and let this consort take a proper look at you.” Now that the marriage was done, Noble Consort Lin saw no point in continuing to harass Jiang Yan.

“Yes, Your Noble Consort,” Jiang Yan replied, straightening her posture as she stepped forward, allowing the Noble Consort to scrutinize her.

“Do you hold any official rank?” The Noble Consort’s slow, deliberate tone weighed heavily on Jiang Yan’s ears.

“Not yet!” Jiang Yan replied, the words feeling as heavy as gold, causing her to involuntarily hunch her shoulders.

“Do you have any position or means of livelihood?” The Noble Consort pressed, her voice still hopeful. Tan Qianyue’s shoulders nearly slumped in sympathy.

“None!” Jiang Yan answered bluntly, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

“Oh, never mind. Go sit over there and have some fruit and pastries,” the Noble Consort waved dismissively at a palace maid, not sparing Jiang Yan another glance.

Jiang Yan could only feign ignorance and nibble on the fruit and pastries.

“Aunt, please don’t be angry. She… she’s just very beautiful,” Tan Qianyue offered weakly, desperately trying to find something positive to say about Jiang Yan.

“If you like her, that’s all that matters. A wife-master with too much ambition isn’t necessarily a good thing—look at me, or your mother,” Noble Consort Lin said, her mood seeming to lighten suddenly.

“Later, I’ll have Her Majesty arrange a position for her. Our family’s daughters shouldn’t be inferior to anyone,” Noble Consort Lin said, patting Tan Qianyue’s hand.

“Thank you, Aunt!” Tan Qianyue obediently accepted, knowing Jiang Yan would have no choice but to comply.

“Has your mother been getting closer to the Prince lately?” Noble Consort Lin asked abruptly, her gaze fixed on Tan Qianyue.

“What do you mean, Aunt?” Tan Qianyue asked, surprised. The Noble Consort rarely discussed Prime Minister Tan with her.

“Tell her not to forget her place. Her Majesty despises ministers who form factions for personal gain. Even though she’s been unwell recently, this isn’t the time for Lord Tan to be scheming and meddling. She should be careful not to lose her head,” Noble Consort Lin warned in a low voice.

Tan Qianyue broke out in a cold sweat, clutching her aunt’s hand and repeatedly promising to return home and reason with her mother.

When Prime Minister Tan was still a humble seventh-rank official, she had indeed devoted herself wholeheartedly to serving the people. Her connection to the Empress through the Lin family had propelled her meteoric rise to the second-rank position. Yet, after years of wielding power and influence, she had forgotten her original intentions, remembering only the prestige of her office.

As they rode home, Tan Qianyue was preoccupied with worry, while Jiang Yan felt somewhat dejected.

“Let’s go pick out some clothes for you,” Tan Qianyue suddenly suggested. She didn’t want to return home too early and wasn’t sure how to approach her mother.

“Sure, but I don’t have any money,” Jiang Yan admitted frankly.

“Just choose a few presentable outfits.”

“…Alright!” So she’d been unpresentable all these days.

Yunshang Pavilion, the city’s finest ready-to-wear boutique, would do. She didn’t have the patience for custom tailoring.

Stepping into the ancient-style luxury clothing store, Jiang Yan was dazzled by the array of vibrant garments, unsure where to even begin looking.

Since they’d started shopping, she had reactivated her livestream, the melodious chime of gold coins pouring in filling her ears.

Tan Qianyue casually pointed to six sets of clothing—some thin, some thick—enough for spring, summer, and autumn.

Jiang Yan’s eyes widened. A domineering CEO, huh? she thought. Who knew being a kept woman could be so sweet?

Tan Qianyue selected mostly luxurious yet understated ensembles: perfectly coordinated long robes with trousers or short jackets with long skirts. She even picked out two capes. Throughout the process, she spoke no unnecessary words, her eye sharp and movements efficient, instructing the shopkeeper to pack everything immediately.

Jiang Yan, her hands full of large and small packages, followed the Eldest Miss out of the clothing shop. But before they could reach the carriage, Zhou Yun and Ming Shu blocked their path.

“Isn’t that Jiang Yan? Oh, what are you busy with here?” Ming Shu grabbed Jiang Yan’s arm, blocking her way.

With both hands occupied, Jiang Yan found herself momentarily immobilized by Ming Shu’s grip.

Tan Qianyue’s small face tightened at the sight of Jiang Yan’s disreputable friends.

“Wife, wait for me at that tea stall over there,” Jiang Yan said with a smile. “I’ll be right over after a quick word.”

“Then hurry!” Tan Qianyue, unwilling to linger with this group, crossed the street immediately, granting Jiang Yan this small courtesy.

“Alright, alright!”

“Why are you grabbing me?” Jiang Yan snapped, turning to glare at Ming Shu.

“Let’s see what you’ve bought. Yunshang Pavilion isn’t cheap—a single outfit costs twenty to thirty taels of silver! Sister, have you struck it rich?” Ming Shu slapped Jiang Yan heavily on the back.

“If you’re sick, go take your medicine. Don’t come looking for a beating here,” Jiang Yan retorted coldly, her expression darkening.

“Jiang Yan, we’re friends. But ever since you got married, I feel like you’ve started looking down on us,” Zhou Yun, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

“That’s nonsense, sister. I’m newly married, still fresh from the wedding. Naturally, I’ve had less time to spend with you all. You wouldn’t understand—you’re not married yet,” Jiang Yan said earnestly.

“As if you’re so virtuous! You married a wealthy and handsome Kunze yourself, but you haven’t even introduced any good matches to your sisters,” Ming Shu said bitterly.

“When the opportunity arises, I will. I’ll definitely keep you sisters in mind if I find someone suitable.”

“That sounds good, but don’t forget!” Ming Shu said, believing her.

“Of course not, of course not,” Jiang Yan replied dismissively.

Meanwhile, Tan Qianyue had barely settled down at the tea stall when she ran into a group of people.

Five or six Male Qianyuan swaggered toward Tan Qianyue, their steps arrogant and deliberate.

Tan Qianyue glanced up and saw a group of gaudily dressed, repulsive men.

“Isn’t this Eldest Miss Tan? Would you care to grace us with your presence and share a cup of tea?” Official Wu, a dark-skinned man who insisted on wearing white robes, approached. Tan Qianyue had to take a sip of tea just to suppress her disgust at the sight of him.

Though she had no intention of actually drinking the tea she’d ordered.

“Do I know you?” Tan Qianyue slowly raised her head, casting a contemptuous glance at the group. Her disdain was unmistakable, instantly infuriating Official Wu.

Normally, Official Wu, who usually contented himself with teasing cats and dogs, wouldn’t dare approach a young lady from the Prime Minister’s Residence like Tan Qianyue. But since she had married that useless Jiang Yan, he convinced himself he was no worse than Jiang Yan and boldly decided to make a move.

After several ignored attempts to engage her, Official Wu’s humiliation turned to rage, and he moved to grab her.

Seeing him approach, Tan Qianyue stood up and stepped back, only to be blocked by another man.

“Don’t be in such a hurry to leave, Miss Tan. A beauty like you should at least become friends with Official Wu.” Official Wu’s dark face leaned closer.

Tan Qianyue swiftly grabbed the teapot from the nearby table and hurled it at Official Wu’s face.

“Jiang Yan!” she shouted across the street before darting away.

Jiang Yan, whose view was blocked by Zhou Yun, instantly dropped what she was holding at the sound of Tan Qianyue’s voice.

“Hey? Where are you going?” Ming Shu began to protest.

“No time for that! Look at Eldest Miss Tan!” Zhou Yun shoved her bulky frame aside, grabbed Ming Shu, and dragged her across the street.

When Jiang Yan saw it was Official Wu and his gang of thugs, her heart skipped a beat in terror.

She sprinted forward, catching Tan Qianyue, who was running with her skirt hiked up, and pulled her into her arms.

Tan Qianyue was spun around by Jiang Yan’s grip on her arm, landing perfectly in her embrace.

Jiang Yan shielded Tan Qianyue behind her, glaring fiercely at Official Wu. “You’re asking for death!”

“Attack! Attack! Burn me to death!” Official Wu screamed hysterically, his face flushed crimson from the scalding tea.

“Good! You deserve it!” Jiang Yan retorted, lifting her long leg and delivering a powerful kick to Official Wu’s chest.

“Ah!” The medium-sized, dark-skinned rogue was kicked three or four meters by Jiang Yan, his head slamming heavily into a nearby vegetable basket. Loose cabbages spilled out, their vibrant green leaves crowning his head.

“What are you waiting for? Beat them! Get them!” Official Wu roared, pointing wildly at Jiang Yan and her companion after catching his breath.