The Useless Alpha’s Yandere Wife - Chapter 35

Oh, how I miss the days without this third wheel!…

With Lord Miao’s intervention, Captain Lu dared not push his luck. Su He retreated to the group, her heart burning with resentment.

“What’s wrong?” Su Jing asked, noticing her dark expression.

“Oh, nothing!” Su He shook her head lightly. It was clear Captain Lu was deliberately making things difficult for her. She needed to find another way, and fast.

Looking at their meager belongings—just a single mat—Su He felt tears welling up, but none fell. Thank goodness she had entrusted Afei to Miao Fengqing’s care. How would they have managed otherwise?

As they marched, Su He leaned close to Jiang Yan and whispered, “Miss Jiang, where did you get this tent? It’s so convenient.”

Su He vaguely remembered Jiang Yan making the tent, but she had been busy tending to the child by Lord Miao’s side and hadn’t paid close attention.

Su He gazed enviously at the tent strapped to Jiang Yan’s back. The three members of the Su Family had been forced out by the Second Branch, their situation mirroring Jiang Yan’s group. They preferred to keep their distance from the rest of the household.

“This? I had the officers in Yixian County help me buy some old clothes and coarse cloth. I sewed it myself,” Jiang Yan explained patiently. She had considered making a tent for the Su Family as well, but the timing wasn’t right.

They had been traveling for days through desolate, uninhabited lands, not a single household in sight, leaving them no excuse to seek assistance.

“This is so convenient. I should get one myself someday,” Su He sighed. “Otherwise, winter will be unbearable. We’ve only been traveling for a little over a month, and we won’t reach the Northlands until December. It’s going to be rough.”

“Indeed,” Jiang Yan agreed. “We should definitely find a way to get one. Miss Su, you know Lord Miao, don’t you? Why not ask her to help us acquire one? November is almost here, and having no shelter could be fatal!” Jiang Yan subtly probed.

“I had considered that, but we’re in the middle of nowhere now. Even if she were willing, there’s nowhere to get one!” Su He fretted.

“I noticed there are oilcloths covering the grain on the rear carts,” Jiang Yan suggested, racking her brain for a solution. “The grain is dwindling daily. If we redistribute the oilcloths among the carts, there might be some spare. I have needles and thread; we could sew a makeshift tent together. Once we reach the next town, we can ask Lord Miao for two more oilcloths. It shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

Su He’s eyes lit up as she thanked Jiang Yan with a smile. The food rations were indeed dwindling day by day. Securing even a couple of oilcloths would require asking the Imperial Commissioner again, and she worried about becoming a nuisance.

In the distance, Miao Fengqing watched from horseback as Su He and Jiang Yan chatted and laughed, their eyes curving into crescent moons. This was a stark contrast to the impatience she showed when dealing with Miao Fengqing herself.

Miao Fengqing’s already cold expression hardened into an icy frost, chilling anyone who looked at her.

Su He kept Jiang Yan’s words in mind, pondering the feasibility of her plan.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yan began preparing winter supplies. Knowing the journey would be hectic, she wanted to have everything ready in advance, so she could reveal it at the opportune moment.

The leaves were slowly turning yellow, painting the landscape in golden hues. The prisoners, clad in only two or three layers of thin clothing, wouldn’t last long in the coming cold. Though they were criminals, it was unclear whether they had any winter clothing at all—whether it had never been provided or had been embezzled by the Captains escorting them.

Jiang Yan’s live stream had accumulated another 600 gold coins. Recent travel had offered little fresh content, slowing her earnings.

The group trudged forward numbly, the only sounds the clanking of iron chains and the rustling of grass.

Jiang Yan tapped her screen, her gaze fixed on the number of gold coins. The fear and anxiety she once felt about the unknown Northlands had diminished. After all, as long as she had enough food and clothing, where she lived didn’t matter.

Having spent some gold coins on daily tasks, she turned her attention to the wooden door where she had previously exchanged for woolen socks. This door seemed to have a higher chance of yielding better equipment, and it was closer to the era she was currently in.

She tossed in 100 gold coins, and the moment of truth arrived: opening the blind box.

A bundle of candles, a canvas satchel, a basket of radishes, potatoes, and tomatoes, 10 pounds of lean meat, 10 pounds of lard, two packs of sandwich cookies, and 100 pounds of sweet potato flour.

Exactly 100 gold coins spent, and still no winter gear…

Jiang Yan stared in disbelief at the 100 pounds of sweet potato flour. What on earth was she supposed to do with so much?

Gritting her teeth, she spent another 100 gold coins, but this time she didn’t rely on random chance. Instead, she spent 10 gold coins twice, finally obtaining the blanket she had been longing for.

Two green military blankets, folded into neat, tofu-like squares, lay before her. These are it, Jiang Yan thought, immediately storing them in the storage.

Another five gold coins. Five coins at a time, she spent thirty in total. This blind box was quite interesting: four pairs of nylon stockings, two tank tops, and even underwear—though the cotton briefs were quite different from modern styles, they would still do.

Six bars of soap, a woolen scarf, and ten pounds of chili powder.

With fifty gold coins remaining, Jiang Yan lost patience and simply spent them all at once. Whatever comes, comes, she thought, I’m not picky.

Two pounds of Little White Rabbit candies, two pounds of peanut brittle, two pounds of sorghum candy, ten pounds of dried sweet potatoes, two pounds of ribbonfish, ten pounds of peanut oil, and five meters of coarse gray cloth.

Another day of abundant rewards. Jiang Yan closed the screen, a contented, foolish smile playing on her lips.

“What are you smiling about? Did chatting with Miss Su make you this happy?” Tan Qianyue’s voice came from beside her, cold as ice.

“Miss Su? What does she have to do with this?” Jiang Yan asked, utterly confused.

Tan Qianyue studied her expression carefully. It seemed genuine, not feigned.

Jiang Yan turned her head away, displeased, refusing to look at her.

“She came to ask about the tents, and I gave her an idea,” Jiang Yan said, still oblivious to the tension.

“You’re such a good person,” Tan Qianyue said with a saccharine smile, glancing at her before turning away.

Jiang Yan found the smile insincere but remained unaware that her wife was already upset.

Jiang Yan was also worried about the blankets. She couldn’t openly use them, which was truly distressing.

The following night, Su He felt unwell. A feverish heat surged through her body, making her face flush.

For married women, dealing with their cycles was manageable—at worst, a quick trip to the bushes with their husbands would suffice. But Su He was being harassed by Lu, and who could she turn to? Was she really going to rely on that man?

No, she should have medicine, right?

“I’m going out for a bit!” Su He called out, leaving her grass mat.

“Hey? Xiao He, where are you going?” Concubine Sun asked anxiously.

“Mother, don’t worry. Nothing will happen,” Su Jing reassured her from the side.

Knock, knock, knock! Su He rapped on Miao Fengqing’s carriage.

“Big Sister?” A small head peeked out, bright eyes fixed on Su He, likely wanting a hug.

Feeling unwell, Su He merely patted the child’s head.

Miao Fengqing sat beside them, her face dark, her gaze sweeping over Su He with intense emotion.

“Miss Su, what an honor to have you grace us with your presence!” she drawled, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Su He looked up, puzzled. This sarcastic tone was unlike Miao Fengqing’s usual demeanor.

“I came… to ask Lord Miao for help with something urgent,” Su He said, too preoccupied with her own crisis to care about Miao Fengqing’s mood.

“What is it?” Despite her anger, Miao Fengqing didn’t intend to obstruct Su He and cooperated dutifully.

“I… I think my Cycle has started,” Su He murmured, her head bowed, her hand still resting on Afei’s cheek.

Lord Miao’s heart pounded in her chest, her palms growing warm. The stern displeasure in her eyes instantly softened into tenderness.

“Ahem… I’ll take this little one back for a while,” Miao Fengqing said, suddenly flustered, a faint blush rising on her cheeks.

“Why send her back?” Su He asked, confused as the heat surged through her body again.

“Is it inconvenient for her to be here?” Lord Miao asked Su He, his eyes wide with shock.

“Just give me a suppressant pill. You must have one, right?” Su He’s clear, innocent eyes met Miao Fengqing’s without hesitation.

“A suppressant pill?” Miao Fengqing froze for a moment, the blush on her face fading slightly.

To Su He, however, her expression remained cold and unchanged.

“What? You don’t have one?” Su He pressed, her gaze unwavering.

Miao Fengqing lowered her head in a panic, pretending to search her person.

“I must have misplaced it!” she said casually, regaining her composure.

“Misplaced it?” Su He stared in disbelief, her body growing weak.

“Then take her to my mother’s place first!” Su He leaned against the carriage wall for support, unable to wait any longer.

Miao Fengqing’s eyes softened, and she murmured in agreement.

The night was pitch-black, and the north wind howled against the carriage, creating a whistling sound.

Cramped together in the narrow space, the two women felt the temperature rising.

“Come closer. Where’s your old courage gone?” Miao Fengqing sat on the edge of the bed, grasping Su He’s slender wrists.

“You never liked this before. Why the sudden change of heart? Did Miss Qingzhi, the woman of unparalleled beauty and talent, finally dump you?” Su He’s face flushed crimson against her pale skin. Weak from illness, she tilted her head to gaze at Miao Fengqing, her vision blurred as if through mist.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Who is Miss Qingzhi?” Lord Miao pulled her into his arms, his brow furrowed.

“Heh, stop pretending to have amnesia. In your eyes, I’m less than a weed,” Su He slurred, collapsing against Miao Fengqing like a drunkard. Her once-pure eyes now held a seductive glint, complex yet intoxicating.

“You were the one who left without a word. Why are you trying to pin the blame on me?” Miao Fengqing gripped Su He’s chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

“Enough talk. Just lend me some pheromones,” Su He trembled, clutching weakly at Miao Fengqing’s collar, their foreheads pressed together.

“Since it’s a loan, you’ll repay it, right?” Lord Miao’s eyes narrowed slightly, setting a trap for the drunken cat clinging to him.

“Repay… I’ll repay it. Just give me some now,” Su He’s mind grew increasingly hazy as she nuzzled against Miao Fengqing’s neck.

A gentle fragrance of lilies slowly enveloped the two women. Su He’s hands trembled as she fumbled with the top button of Miao Fengqing’s robe.

Unable to reach her neck, Su He began wrestling with the button, her expression dazed and her breathing ragged.

Even the usually composed Lord Miao found her breath catching in her throat. The soft, sweet scent made her lose herself in memories of their last encounter.

Back then, Su He had been far more plump and radiant than she appeared now. Miao Fengqing still remembered the tender, supple feel of her skin as she held her in her arms.

She thought she hated Su He, but Miao Fengqing had never truly hated her. Perhaps she simply wasn’t good at making people happy.

Reaching back, Miao Fengqing closed the carriage door and windows. She gazed at Su He, who was leaning back against the carriage wall with her head tilted upward, and gently unfastened the two buttons at her collar.

The contrast between the woman’s delicate, fair skin and the rough, tattered prison uniform was striking, making it almost impossible to resist the urge to lean closer.

It wasn’t until Su He felt a sharp pain in her neck that her senses began to clear.

She could feel the other woman’s kisses tracing a path down her neck, each delicate kiss like a nibble, inch by inch. Panting softly, Su He pushed herself up and away. Enough was enough.

Just as Lord Miao was getting into the moment, Sweet Treat ran away!

She turned and sat on the edge of the bed, her deep eyes fixed on the flustered Little White Rabbit, who was hastily fastening her buttons.

“Using me and then running away? Is this a habit of yours?” The usually composed Lord Miao gazed at her with a hint of languor, making no move to stop her.

“No, let’s save it for next time. It’s not convenient right now,” Su He said, her watery eyes darting around. She needed to coax Lord Miao to get Afei back.

“Not convenient? How so?” Miao Fengqing’s eyes lit up as she rose and leaned closer, eager for an explanation.

“If I say it’s not convenient, then it’s not convenient!” Su He lowered her head, her voice softening into a delicate, childish tone.

“So, exactly what’s inconvenient?” Lord Miao pressed relentlessly, determined to get to the bottom of it.

“I haven’t bathed. It’s not convenient,” Su He blurted out, flustered by the questioning. She shoved Miao Fengqing aside and fled from the carriage.

Lord Miao froze for a moment, then a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

Over the past two days, the Eldest Miss had been quite delicate. After a day of travel, her body felt weak and unsteady, every inch aching. At night, when the curtains were drawn, she would gaze at Jiang Yan with such pitiful eyes that Jiang Yan’s heart ached with sympathy.

Ying Hong worried that the Eldest Miss was still too frail. Her slender waist and delicate legs clearly weren’t built for travel. She resolved to improve Tan Qianyue’s nutrition, planning to prepare nourishing meals to help her recover.

As night fell, Ying Hong skillfully went to Sang Yu to fetch hot water.

Tan Qianyue sat listlessly on the grass mat, her long hair draped over one shoulder. She gazed adoringly at Jiang Yan as he worked.

Seeing Ying Hong leave, Jiang Yan leaned in and kissed Tan Qianyue’s delicate cheek. Ever since her exhaustion, the Eldest Miss had become like a soft, adorable little sister, quiet and obedient.

Jiang Yan found this side of her particularly endearing, but knew she couldn’t let her remain in this state indefinitely. She needed to improve their living conditions.

While this cute, docile version of Qianyue stirred her heart, Jiang Yan missed the Eldest Miss’s commanding presence even more.

“I’ve missed you a little!” Jiang Yan murmured, holding her close and stroking her cheek.

“But we see each other every day?” Tan Qianyue leaned against Jiang Yan’s shoulder, her voice drifting.

“Yes… but not when Ying Hong isn’t around,” Jiang Yan’s hand lingered at her waist.

“Ha ha ha ha ha!” Tan Qianyue threw her head back, laughing uncontrollably, though her voice sounded weak and bloodless, like a demon come to devour souls in the night.

“Well, there’s nothing for it but to endure it, ha ha ha!” Tan Qianyue chuckled, her eyes fixed on Jiang Yan.

“Alright, go rest, go rest. I’ll make dinner,” Jiang Yan said, draping a thick coat over Tan Qianyue’s legs. Tan Qianyue sank back limply, her long hair cascading over most of her body, appearing eerily beautiful in the pinkish light.

The little one lay quietly beside her, looking no more than a hundred days old, with a black nose and round ears.

Since the exile began, five or six frail Kunze had already succumbed to the journey to the Northlands.

Tan Qianyue’s condition worried Jiang Yan. She couldn’t afford to worry about anything else; restoring Tan Qianyue’s health was paramount.

Jiang Yan diced tomatoes into a small pot and whisked in two eggs. While the mixture simmered, she began kneading dough. The dough in the small basin became elastic and smooth. Once the water boiled, she pinched off pieces, stretched them into thin, uneven sheets, and slid the noodle strips one by one into the simmering pot.

The scalding broth released a rich, savory aroma as the tomatoes and egg ribbons swirled together. Before long, the noodle soup was ready.

Ying Hong was remarkably resilient. The girl was plump and adorable, her constitution far stronger than her mistress’.

Sometime along the way, Ying Hong had become quite friendly with Sang Yu and the others, making tasks like getting hot water much easier.

“Miss, Miss, I’ve brought hot water. Please wash your face and hands quickly,” Ying Hong said as she carried a small basin to Tan Qianyue.

The hot water was primarily for the young lady’s use. Ying Hong and Jiang Yan didn’t even need to wash their hands before eating, but they knew they had to take extra care of their mistress. Her appearance was alarming, and they dared not be careless.

Ying Hong wiped Tan Qianyue’s face and hands with a damp cloth, then helped her sit up to eat.

The three of them and their dog resumed eating the noodle soup with small ladles. Jiang Yan placed three slices of braised beef into Tan Qianyue’s bowl.

“Is there still beef left?” she asked in surprise.

“Chen Lan has been cooking for the Imperial Commissioner these past few days. She’s a good friend of mine and knows my wife is delicate, so she specially saved some for you. Don’t feel embarrassed—just eat.”

Miao Fengqing seemed to be bending under the weight of Jiang Yan’s pressure.

“I’m not as righteous as you think,” Tan Qianyue said with a smile. “Survival is what matters most now.”

“Exactly! Leave everything to me. You don’t need to worry about a thing.” Overthinking things was just another shackle on her health.

That night, just as Tan Qianyue had fallen asleep, Jiang Yan retrieved two military blankets. She gave one to the neighboring compartment and spread the other across half of her own space. After gently lifting Tan Qianyue onto the blanket, she covered her with the remaining half, figuring she’d be warm enough sleeping in her padded jacket.

Touching the soft blanket, Tan Qianyue finally stretched out her limbs and instinctively reached for Jiang Yan, wanting her closer.

“It’s so warm and soft… so comfortable,” she murmured sleepily, still whispering to Jiang Yan in her drowsy state.

Jiang Yan, however, found it hard to sleep. This listless state… does she need some ginseng to replenish her energy? she wondered. What will we do when it snows in another half-month?

Remembering the glowing, heat-emitting tech package, Jiang Yan recalled a small tech cart inside that needed assembly.

Lying flat, she began tinkering with her Storage. Miraculously, the pile of wood-like and metal-like components came with instructions. She needed to use a small, electricity-generating rod for welding. As Jiang Yan pieced the parts together on the screen like a virtual Lego set, Tan Qianyue slept peacefully beside her, her arm wrapped around Jiang Yan’s.

In about half an hour, Jiang Yan had welded together a small, half-covered brown-gray cart. It wasn’t spacious, but it was large enough for someone to recline comfortably.

Having finished her work, Jiang Yan turned off the screen and quickly went to sleep.

The next day, Jiang Yan used all her strength to stuff two quilts into the tent. This was merely a show for the others; she had already stored the quilts in the storage room. The tent’s bundle was now even bulkier, and Miao Fengqing and the others must have felt like they were being crushed under the weight of Jiang Yan’s burdens. She conveniently pushed everything onto them, making things much easier for herself.

The cold morning wind pierced through her two layers of thin trousers in an instant. The iron chains on her wrists were icy and radiated a chilling aura. Every night, Jiang Yan secretly unlocked the chains binding Tan Qianyue and herself to give their wrists a rest.

She couldn’t tend to Ying Hong’s needs in the neighboring cell daily, nor did she want to draw too much attention. She could only ask Ying Hong to endure.

When Lord Miao learned that Su He’s suppressant pills had been withheld, her face darkened with anger. She ordered her subordinates to secretly monitor the group, instructing them to report any unusual activity immediately.

Her Majesty intended for these prisoners to suffer, so Miao Fengqing had to turn a blind eye to the harsh treatment regarding food and clothing. While she could prevent officials from forcing Kunze to provide entertainment, she couldn’t stop prisoners from actively seeking better conditions for themselves.

Lu, fully aware of Su He’s frequent visits, deliberately harassed her. He likely saw them as birds of a feather, or perhaps he simply wanted to provoke her.

But whatever his intentions, he wouldn’t succeed.

They still had over ten days before leaving this desolate wilderness, which would bring them into November. She hoped everyone could endure until they reached the first village.

Afterward, Miao Fengqing actively approached Captain Wei.

“Captain Wei, are there specific regulations regarding cotton-padded clothing for prisoners being exiled to the Northern Lands?” she asked. “These thin layers won’t withstand the snow.”

She had given her own padded coat to Su He the previous day, planning to buy a new one when they reached a village. But what about the other prisoners?

“Um… the higher-ups didn’t specify anything about that,” Captain Wei replied, looking bewildered. “I don’t know what we can do.”

“What about past cases? How was this handled before? We’re escorting prisoners to the Northlands, not letting them die along the way!” Miao Fengqing refused to believe his lies.

“In previous years, some families gave silver to the officers to buy winter clothes for the prisoners, while others sent supplies before we set out. The rest either toughed it out or succumbed to the cold. The Imperial Court never allocated any funds for this,” Captain Wei said, completely indifferent to the prisoners’ survival.

“Alright, I understand!” Miao Fengqing turned and left, needing to find a way to get winter clothes for the prisoners.