The Useless Alpha’s Yandere Wife - Chapter 18

Madam Jiang reluctantly left Shuntian Prefecture. Her classmate was only the second-in-command, with the Prefect of Shuntian looming above him. Even if he were to bend the rules, he wouldn’t do so openly.

It seems I’ll have to put on a show at the prison, Madam Jiang thought, returning to Jiang Manor with a heavy heart.

Tan Qianyue made a special trip to Jiang Manor to inform them of Jiang Yan’s situation in prison. Madam Yu was meeting Tan Qianyue for the first time.

“Qianyue, what would you like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare something special,” Madam Yu said warmly. Like her daughter, she was a sucker for beauty. Seeing the noble and elegant Eldest Miss, she instantly forgot about Tan Qianyue’s insistence on Jiang Yan’s matrilocal marriage and showered her with enthusiastic hospitality.

Tan Qianyue felt a sudden wave of awkwardness, yet she couldn’t help but sense Madam Yu’s genuine kindness. The woman didn’t seem to hold any resentment over the matrilocal marriage arrangement, which only made Tan Qianyue feel even more guilty.

“Thank you, Mother. Anything is fine,” Tan Qianyue replied. For some reason, the word “Mother” slipped out naturally.

“Excellent! I’ll arrange lunch right away. We can chat while we eat. A few days in prison won’t harm A-Yan,” Madam Yu declared, her heart so vast she seemed indifferent to Jiang Yan’s life or death.

“Very well!” Tan Qianyue said with a forced smile.

About an hour later, four young maids entered in single file, carrying four hot dishes, four cold dishes, two soups, and two desserts. The four of them had actually prepared twelve dishes with meticulous care.

Since this was Tan Qianyue’s first visit, Madam Yu naturally couldn’t let her daughter lose face.

Tan Qianyue also met Jiang Xun, who bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Yan.

“Hello, Elder Sister Tan!” The girl wore a long robe with impeccable formality, her every movement radiating an air of uprightness—a stark contrast to Jiang Yan’s carefree demeanor.

Tan Qianyue was genuinely surprised. She couldn’t imagine what Jiang Yan would be like if he were this serious.

“Qianyue, since this is your first time at Jiang Manor, please eat plenty,” Madam Yu said, rolling up her sleeves as she ladled soup for Tan Qianyue.

“Thank you, Mother!” Tan Qianyue quickly accepted the bowl.

After some polite exchanges, Censor Jiang turned serious. “Wu claims to have suffered severe burns, disfiguring his face beyond recognition. Even if we arrest him now, it would only harm Jiang Yan’s case. It’s better to let him recover somewhat before settling this matter.”

As he spoke, Censor Jiang looked utterly helpless.

“Jiang Yan will likely be detained for several more days,” Tan Qianyue said, looking at Madam Jiang. “The prison is dark and damp. I’m worried about her health if she stays there too long.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Censor Jiang reassured her. “The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture is my former classmate. He used to sneak meat pies from Jiang Yan’s grandmother when we were young. He’ll surely grant us this small favor. I doubt A-Yan will suffer much in prison.” With his daughter in the hands of his childhood friend, Censor Jiang felt reassured.

“Mother, you were classmates with Lord Zhao? That certainly makes things easier,” Tan Qianyue said, her brow furrowing slightly before relaxing.

Since they couldn’t bring Jiang Yan home immediately, seeing her daily would have to suffice for now. As for the Wu Family, who had falsely accused her, they would settle accounts later.

Realizing that rescuing Jiang Yan was impossible for now, Tan Qianyue returned to Tan Manor. Her mother had been busy these past few days and hadn’t been seen at all, causing them to miss the optimal window for securing Jiang Yan’s release. Forcing the issue now would risk offending the Empress Dowager.

Since the Empress Dowager had declared this a mere formality, pushing too hard would backfire.

If Pheromones could temporarily alleviate the poison in Jiang Yan’s body, Tan Qianyue would endure these few days.

Thanks to the Prefect’s arrangements, Jiang Yan’s treatment had improved significantly. She now had dry, thick bedding, warm and palatable meals, and the Prefect’s considerate guidance. For the time being, Jiang Yan swallowed her resentment, resolving to endure her seven or eight days in prison before returning home.

She also inquired about Ming Shu and the other woman. She learned that the Wu Family hadn’t pursued charges against them, whether due to their long-standing grudge against Jiang Yan or their reluctance to offend everyone at once. Instead, they had made an example of Jiang Yan, filing a complaint against her alone.

Official Wu, having suffered losses at the hands of Jiang Yan and Tan Qianyue, likely harbored deep resentment toward both women.

Jiang Yan negotiated with the Prefect, requesting permission to leave the prison for half an hour each night after dark. She assured him she wouldn’t go far, only to meet her wife in the carriage waiting at the back gate.

After careful consideration, the Prefect granted Jiang Yan’s request, stipulating that it could only occur in the late hours of the night.

Jiang Yan expressed her sincere gratitude.

That night, as Jiang Yan slipped out the back gate under cover of darkness, Tan Qianyue was already waiting in the carriage, illuminated only by a small oil lamp. It was nearly midnight. When Jiang Yan climbed aboard, she saw Tan Qianyue huddled in the carriage, wrapped in a thick cloak.

“Tired?” Jiang Yan asked, drawing the curtain closed. “We had to wait until this late to avoid waking the other prisoners.” She studied Tan Qianyue’s face by the dim candlelight.

In the soft glow, Tan Qianyue’s flawless features seemed to acquire an ethereal beauty, her expression softening with a hint of tenderness.

“It’s fine,” Tan Qianyue murmured, her voice drowsy and tinged with a hint of her usual haughtiness. “As long as it’s no trouble.”

“I suppose you’ll be sneaking out to meet me outside the prison for the next few days,” Jiang Yan teased.

“Just a few days? That’s nothing!” Tan Qianyue retorted. “Oh, right! I visited the Jiang Family today. Your family is doing well.” She suddenly felt the urge to share a few words with Jiang Yan.

“Madam Jiang seems so gentle and smiles often. She embodies the grace of a Southern woman, yet she’s also so warm and hospitable. She prepared so many dishes—I felt quite embarrassed,” Tan Qianyue murmured.

“You think Madam Jiang is gentle?” Jiang Yan asked, her lips curving into a smile, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she watched Tan Qianyue’s reaction. “Do you know my mother could single-handedly take down those six Qianyuan from last time?”

“Ah?!” As expected, the Eldest Miss’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“…I can hardly believe it!” Tan Qianyue exclaimed, utterly surprised.

“Madam Jiang’s family has run martial arts schools for three generations,” Jiang Yan said, recounting her mother’s gossip without a hint of guilt. “She was lured to the Capital by Censor Jiang’s sweet talk—and a considerable sum of silver, of course.”

Tan Qianyue covered her mouth, stifling a laugh that bloomed like a night-blooming cereus—brief but stunning against the darkness.

The atmosphere seemed unusually pleasant today.

Official Wu had been recuperating at home for over a week, his face finally presentable, though still capable of making children cry at night.

The Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture, having learned the full story, dared not offend either side. He avoided summoning Eldest Miss Tan to testify, opting instead for a perfunctory “verbal reprimand” before sending everyone home.

Official Wu took great satisfaction in Jiang Yan’s nearly ten days of confinement, imagining her suffering in the prison cell.

Jiang Yan, having suffered no real harm and seeing Official Wu’s disfigured state, accepted the Prefect’s verdict. Both parties returned to their respective homes.

But Tan Qianyue had a special “gift” in mind for Official Wu.

After Jiang Yan’s nearly ten days in prison, Eldest Miss Tan arranged for two maids to bathe her upon her return to Tan Manor. Startled, Jiang Yan immediately chased them out and bolted the door.

Only then did Jiang Yan relax, sinking into the pool to wash away the lingering misfortune. The fragrance of rose petals always stirred her thoughts, reminding her of Tan Qianyue’s scent.

Leaning back in the water, Jiang Yan pondered the poison in Tan Qianyue’s body. It should be completely purged within a few days. Their wedding day had indeed been tainted by drugs, and the prime suspect remained Tan Xue’er, the one who stood to gain the most.

Could that little green tea really be so ruthless? Jiang Yan wondered. Even if she could scheme against her Eldest Sister, how did she manage to trap the Original Host as well?

For the past half-month, Jiang Yan had been too preoccupied to fully grasp how her “wife’s sister” had become her wife. Still, she was relieved it was Qianyue. As for Tan Xue’er, Jiang Yan wanted nothing to do with her.

She lingered in the warm water, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave.

As expected, after another quarter of an hour, the Eldest Miss Tan glided into the bathing chamber, her white robes trailing behind her.

“Why haven’t you come out yet? The days you’ll be troubling me are numbered, Jiang Yan. You’ll soon be free,” Tan Qianyue said, approaching.

Behind the ethereal mist, a woman’s long hair was loosely pinned up with a single jade hairpin, her only adornment. This simplicity only enhanced her bewitching allure. Her slightly narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes seemed to carry an innate arrogance, and her tone was impossible to decipher.

Jiang Yan’s gaze froze momentarily at her words, then softened into a playful smile. She fixed her deep, affectionate eyes on Tan Qianyue and said, “Eldest Miss, are you planning to kick me to the curb after I’ve served my purpose?”

Tan Qianyue choked on the metaphor, glaring at her with an unexpectedly endearing expression.

“Have you forgotten there are still a few days left?” Jiang Yan leaned back slightly, resting one hand on the edge of the pool.

“What? You don’t want to leave? Do you enjoy being a live-in son-in-law?” Tan Qianyue genuinely intended to let her go, not just saying it out of spite.

Though her impression of Jiang Yan had improved, her original motive for arranging the marriage had merely been to secure a legitimate reason to remain at Tan Manor. Given the current uncertain circumstances, it would be just as well if Jiang Yan wished to leave.

Seeing Tan Qianyue’s detached, businesslike demeanor, Jiang Yan lowered her gaze and bit her lip.

“Let’s take care of business first. We can discuss the divorce later.” Jiang Yan wasn’t one to cling stubbornly. The Eldest Miss probably saw her as a temporary remedy, and now that she was no longer needed, she wanted to discard her like trash. This realization left Jiang Yan feeling a knot of resentment in her chest.

“Huh?” Tan Qianyue stared blankly at Jiang Yan. The water in the Jade Pool perfectly concealed the two crimson marks, blending them seamlessly with the floating flower petals. Yet the smooth, jade-like curves of her body remained undeniably striking.

Suppressing the blush creeping across her pale cheeks, Tan Qianyue said dismissively, “Just like the first few days will do.”

“There aren’t any!” Jiang Yan replied with an innocent smile, watching Tan Qianyue squirm.

“How could there not be?” Wasn’t it quite convenient outside Shuntian Prefecture?

“Don’t believe me? Come see for yourself.” Jiang Yan tilted her head, inviting Tan Qianyue to inspect her neck.

Feeling deeply uncomfortable, Tan Qianyue approached the pool’s edge. Suddenly, a strong arm yanked her into the water, pulling her into Jiang Yan’s embrace. Petal-strewn water splashed onto her face, blinding her momentarily.

“Didn’t we agree to just do what we did the last two times?” Tan Qianyue avoided her gaze, turning away and gripping the edge of the pool with both hands.

Her white robes, soaked by the water, instantly became transparent, clinging tightly to her body.

“Easy for you to say. If I can’t do it, what can I do?” Jiang Yan pressed close behind her, encircling her in her arms.

After days of entanglement, Jiang Yan knew the Eldest Miss’s every inch intimately. Though their intimacy had grown somewhat rusty during their days in the prison, it didn’t matter.

The only mystery was what had gotten into the Eldest Miss. How had she suddenly learned to rebel?

Tan Qianyue had simply grown increasingly sensitive to Jiang Yan, both emotionally and physically. She feared becoming too dependent on her.

Seeing Jiang Yan’s relentless embrace, her fingertips trembled as they pressed against the pool wall, knuckles reddening, especially when her delicate skin felt the roughness of Jiang Yan’s calloused fingertips.

The Eldest Miss was carried upstairs by Jiang Yan. Afterward, she didn’t make any trouble for Jiang Yan, instead allowing herself to be manipulated with a soft, languid helplessness.

Tonight, she lacked the strength to push Jiang Yan away…