The Useless Alpha’s Yandere Wife - Chapter 37

Overnight, all the vegetation had turned pale yellow, encased in crystalline ice. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, striking the frost-covered branches, each twig sculpted into a unique, icy masterpiece.

The prisoners had no time to appreciate the scenery. They still had to trudge onward, the harsh weather making their journey even more arduous.

The mountain path was treacherous, the icy grass slippery, and uphill climbs were particularly difficult, causing them to slide backward with each step. One wrong move could easily lead to a fall.

“Ah!” Tan Qianyue, walking behind Jiang Yan, suddenly slipped and fell, her knee landing hard on a sharp rock. The thin layers of her pants offered no protection against the biting wind and the brutal impact, sending a searing pain through her leg.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yan turned back.

“Nothing, just hit a rock!” Already weak and unsteady, Tan Qianyue now limped even worse, looking as if she might collapse at any moment.

After cresting the small hill, the path leveled out. Jiang Yan handed her belongings to Ying Hong, wrapped her arm around Tan Qianyue’s waist, and helped her walk.

Climbing the mountain was too strenuous; the Eldest Miss likely wouldn’t be able to endure it.

Gradually, the group fell behind. Jiang Yan hung the tent over her chest and carried Tan Qianyue down the mountain on her back.

Securing Tan Qianyue’s legs, Jiang Yan found the weight manageable despite her thick upper-body clothing. Recent daily treks with heavy loads had already built up her strength.

Fortunately, the iron chains were loose enough to allow free movement of her hands, though their excessive length made them cumbersome and heavy.

Tan Qianyue clung tightly, afraid to move and add to Jiang Yan’s burden.

As the sun climbed higher, the grassy terrain became easier to navigate. Jiang Yan took steady, deliberate steps, mindful that descending slopes were often more challenging than ascending.

Tan Qianyue’s gaze drifted to the wisps of hair behind Jiang Yan’s ear, dyed a faint gold by the sunlight. The slender nape of her neck revealed two prominent veins strained with effort, glistening with tiny beads of sweat.

She gently dabbed at the dampness with her sleeve and said, “Put me down now. My knee feels fine.”

“Let’s get past that small slope ahead first.”

“Hmm…” Tan Qianyue pressed her lips together.

Three more days passed under a leaden sky, buffeted by howling winds, before they finally spotted a small border town.

Before the heavy snow arrived, they finally reached Zhuangzhen.

Jiang Yan frowned deeply at the dilapidated town before her, her brows furrowing into a deep “川” shape.

The group approached from the rear of Zhuangzhen. The town walls varied in height, and the gates were covered in rust. An old gatekeeper sat nearby, tapping his pipe.

It didn’t look like the town had any surplus grain. A quick glance from the outside was enough to estimate the conditions within.

The officers greeted the old man, who eyed the prisoners with disdain before reluctantly opening the rear gate.

The Imperial Commissioner and Captain went to meet the Lord Defender, while the prisoners were confined to designated Detention Quarters.

The large earthen courtyard contained two rows of low, interconnected mud-brick huts. Jiang Yan stepped into one and glanced around. She had never seen such old and dilapidated mud huts before. Every surface was coated in a thick layer of yellow dust, and the paper windows had long since been torn away.

Traces of the previous occupants were still visible inside. Jiang Yan retreated in disgust.

“Forget it,” she said. “If these aren’t fit for habitation, we’ll just find an empty patch of ground and pitch our tents. I’m not spending a day cleaning this place only to sleep in a drafty hut.”

Tan Qianyue and Ying Hong had no objections. Their tent was comfortable, completely windproof, and warm enough with blankets.

The Su Family, seeing Jiang Yan begin setting up her tent, quickly followed suit, pitching their own tent next to hers.

However, the other tents were too large to fit in the courtyard. Even with its spaciousness, it couldn’t accommodate three tents designed for thirty people each. The only option was to sleep in the small, low-roofed houses.

Moreover, the tents were cramped, making the houses a more comfortable alternative. Thus, everyone found a place to settle down.

The officers retreated to the neighboring post station, leaving twenty guards to watch the prisoners outside the courtyard, rotating shifts as needed.

Miao Fengqing and Captain Wei went to meet the Lord Defender. The Zhuangzhen Yamen exuded an air of poverty, immediately unsettling Miao Fengqing.

“Lord Zhu, we’re troubling you again this time. It’s truly unavoidable!” Captain Wei, likely familiar with Lord Zhu, spoke casually, his tone lacking the formality between strangers.

“What brings you here again? Ah, but we’re truly strapped for resources. I doubt I can offer much assistance!” The Town Defender, a middle-aged man around fifty, wore a worn-out padded jacket and greeted them without a hint of a smile.

“Lord Zhu, how can you be struggling so soon after the autumn harvest? Shouldn’t this be a time of plenty?” Miao Fengqing asked.

Though she had already noticed the town’s lack of prosperity, the Town Defender’s immediate declaration of poverty was astonishing. Just how poor could they be?

“Imperial Commissioner, you’re unaware of our plight. Zhuangzhen suffers from annual droughts, yielding less than half the harvest of other regions. Recently, marauding bandits have raided our meager grain stores, leaving us in utter misery!” The Town Defender shook his head helplessly.

“Bandits operating in this area? How many are there? Can’t the yamen deal with them?” Lord Miao exclaimed in surprise.

“Their exact numbers are unclear, but I estimate around a hundred. My yamen is an Impoverished Yamen; even the officers’ salaries are paid only once every three months. What good are those few ragtag soldiers against such a force?” The Town Defender’s expression grew increasingly animated, as if he were about to slap his thigh in frustration.

Miao Fengqing’s head swam with frustration. What kind of wretched place is this? Not a single benefit to be gained, yet they’re trying to squeeze something out of us like a sugar rooster trying to peck at candy!

“Then why didn’t you report this to the Lord County Magistrate and request reinforcements?” Miao Fengqing asked, frowning.

“Ah, no need to report! No need to report!” the Town Defender waved his hand dismissively. “Those bandits aren’t just raiding Zhuangzhen. They’re hitting villages within a hundred li radius. The Lord County Magistrate is already tearing his hair out trying to figure out how to deal with them!” The old man’s wrinkled face crumpled further.

Captain Wei, standing nearby, watched the exchange with detached amusement, as if he had no need for new supplies himself.

“This… then… you must be working so hard, Lord Defender!” Miao Fengqing was momentarily stumped. With Zhuangzhen already teetering on the brink of collapse, would it be too much to “rob” them now?

Reluctantly, Miao Fengqing returned to the Detention Quarters, ostensibly to check on the prisoners, but in reality to see Su He.

She needed to think about this. Without winter clothing and enough food, they wouldn’t make it to the Northlands.

For this long journey, she had brought all her savings with her: a thousand taels in silver notes. She had already spent a hundred taels on several carts of grain, vegetables, and two tents.

Upon reaching the Northlands, whether she returned or not, she would leave several hundred taels of Settlement Silver for that scoundrel.

That left her with three hundred taels to purchase cotton-padded clothing and enough food for the coming month.

Although Captain Wei and the other officers could procure some rations, it was barely enough to sustain them. The prisoners received only a small cornbread bun each day—hardly sufficient in this freezing weather.

But now the situation had changed. After listening to the Town Defender’s grievances all afternoon, it was uncertain whether she could even spend the silver…

Though it wasn’t yet dark, everyone had retreated to sheltered areas to rest, the biting cold making it unbearable to stay outside.

That morning, they had received cornbread buns and stewed cabbage. Recently, Lord Miao had ordered his subordinates to prepare cabbage soup for everyone due to the cold weather. Though the cabbage was sparse, at least it provided a semblance of vegetables.

Once night fell, Jiang Yan resumed her “night life.”

She set down her small iron pot, which contained dough she had kneaded earlier. She laid out several strips of dried pork, two potatoes, and a section of scallion neatly beside it.

Tan Qianyue was making the bed when she realized Jiang Yan had given her all the blankets. She spread their padded jackets over the straw mat to serve as a makeshift mattress, allowing them to share the blankets on top.

Tangyuan wiggled her tiny body and reached for the dried meat strips, only to have Jiang Yan swat her hand away. The little one had already learned to sneak food behind her back—this habit absolutely couldn’t be encouraged.

After the slap, Tangyuan whimpered and nuzzled against Tan Qianyue’s feet, her eyes still fixed on the dried meat strips in the small bowl.

Jiang Yan pulled out a thin wooden board and, with two quick cuts, divided the dried meat into nine pieces. She heated the small iron pot and tossed the meat in to render its meager fat. Shielding her actions from the others, she secretly retrieved a slab of lard from the “storage” area and added it to the pot. Instantly, an irresistible aroma filled the air.

In no time, two or three spoonfuls of savory lard had rendered. Jiang Yan stir-fried the dried pork in the lard, filling the air with fragrant smoke.

She casually tore the dried scallions—stolen from the cook—into two or three pieces and tossed them into the pot, followed by the potatoes and a splash of hot water.

The kneaded dough was divided into four portions, rolled into balls, and pressed against the pot’s edge to form four dumplings. She clapped the lid on and waited for the pot to boil.

Without proper nourishment, how could they have the energy to travel? Despite the dishes—pork stew with potatoes and pan-fried dumplings—being made from pre-prepared ingredients, the entire meal took only fifteen minutes to prepare.

Jiang Yan secured the lid and stood guard, while Tan Qianyue lay down, her legs bent for comfort. She had scraped her knee earlier, leaving a red patch with broken skin. After washing it with warm water, Jiang Yan bandaged it with cotton cloth.

The tent filled with the bubbling sound of the stew simmering, white steam billowing around them.

Jiang Yan organized her supplies: a three-jin bag of white rice, a three-jin bag of wheat flour, several pieces of air-dried pork, two handfuls of hawthorns, two handfuls of peanuts, four potatoes, and three pears. She always packed enough food to last three or four days.

Suddenly, rustling sounds and light thuds struck the tent. Jiang Yan cautiously opened a small slit to peek outside. Large, goose feather-like snowflakes swirled through the air, already blanketing the ground in a thick layer.

“Damn, it’s snowing heavily!” Jiang Yan shook her head in dismay. “Without winter clothes, we’ll never get out of this village!” The early snow was already piling up in layers as thick as fingernails, and there was no telling how long it would last.

“Will our tent be half-buried when we wake up tomorrow?” Ying Hong asked anxiously.

“That… no one can say for sure!” Jiang Yan’s voice sounded uncertain, almost ethereal.

“But don’t worry. Let’s eat first. If anything happens, we’ll let the tall one handle it!” After securing the tent flaps, she turned back to check on the Small Iron Pot.

The broth inside had been completely absorbed. Stirring with chopsticks revealed nothing sticking to the bottom—perfect. The rich aroma of stewed meat, combined with the earthy scent of potatoes, enveloped the three hungry travelers, immersing them in the unique fragrance of the meal.

The dough had been left to rise just long enough, resulting in perfectly fermented, large, and fluffy potstickers infused with the savory flavor of the stewed meat broth.

A stub of candle remained outside; they could light it during dinner to better appreciate the food’s true colors and enhance their enjoyment.

“Come on, let’s not bother with plates. We’ll just eat around the pot!” Jiang Yan adjusted her position, pulled back the quilt behind her, spread an oilcloth over the straw mat, and lifted the Small Iron Pot directly onto it.

Tangyuan’s portion was set aside—one potsticker, a piece of stewed meat, and two potato chunks. The dainty-looking dog bounded over with joyful leaps, ready for its late-night snack.

Picking up the steamed buns with crispy bottoms, the three of them silently began to eat. After a long day of travel, they were exhausted and starving, and this late-night meal was the only thing they had looked forward to all day.

Even Ying Hong would gather wild jujubes, sea buckthorn berries, and pears from the roadside to supplement their meals.

The steamed buns were soft and fluffy on top, crispy on the bottom, and infused with the savory aroma of the broth they had absorbed—a novel taste for the two young women.

The air-dried pork was also intensely flavorful. Jiang Yan had rubbed it with coarse salt and hung it on a tattered strip of cloth outside the tent before bed, covering it with thorny brambles to deter small animals.

Hanging it like this for a couple of days would preserve it for at least a few more, creating the illusion of proper storage. This way, they could enjoy meat without having to concoct elaborate stories about its origins—purely for appearances.

Tan Qianyue picked up a potato and popped it into her mouth. Soft, fragrant, and savory, it paired perfectly with a bite of steamed bun—utterly delicious.

The group ate quietly but heartily, completely forgetting about the snow still falling outside.

After the meal, they each drank a cup of hot water, marking the end of the day’s journey and allowing them to finally rest peacefully.

Jiang Yan tossed the pot aside, planning to wash it in the storage room after everyone was asleep.

Tan Qianyue sat on her padded coat, stretching her long legs.

“Why didn’t you spread the quilt underneath us?” Jiang Yan asked, checking the tent before collapsing beside the Eldest Miss.

“It’s cold! Let’s share the quilt!” Qianyue insisted, tugging stubbornly at the corner of the blanket.

“Alright,” Jiang Yan relented, unable to refuse her earnest plea.

The rustling sounds on the tent grew louder. Jiang Yan tucked the quilt around Tan Qianyue, but the other woman burrowed into her arms, nestling against her without looking up, her arms wrapped tightly around Jiang Yan’s waist.

“Did you learn this new trick from Tangyuan? How did you learn to head-butt like that?” Jiang Yan teased, amused.

Tan Qianyue remained motionless, ignoring her words.

Jiang Yan cupped Qianyue’s head, her fingers slipping mischievously beneath her collar… Tan Qianyue frowned, her body softening as she tried to bite Jiang Yan.

Wrapped tightly like silkworms, the two women huddled together. Jiang Yan thought she should make a warm sleeping bag, complete with padded clothing.

But it would be dangerous if only the three of them had padded clothes. Ideally, everyone should have them… That would be a challenge.

At the Su Family’s camp, they secretly replenished their strength at night. Concubine Sun and Su Jing worked hard to save as much dried food as possible.

For example, they still had two handfuls of peanuts they had secretly shelled long ago, kept for emergencies. They also had about a pound of wild dates and a small pouch of dried sweet potatoes, though they didn’t know when those had been prepared.

When Su He occasionally brought food back, Concubine Sun would look at her with a mixture of worry and suspicion, while Su Jing ate without a care.

Though they lacked any particular skills, they learned by observing Jiang Yan’s actions. Even if they starved, they would last at least two days longer than others, desperately adapting to their harsh environment.

“It’s snowing heavily outside, and the tent is freezing,” Concubine Sun said, tilting her head and looking at Su He. “I wonder how that little one is doing with the Imperial Commissioner?”

“How else would she be? Certainly more comfortable than here—she has blankets, a charcoal stove, and walnut pastries to eat. She’s probably forgotten all about me!” Su He grumbled.

“Then… why didn’t you go with her to Lord Miao’s place?” Concubine Sun asked, nibbling on a dried sweet potato, her probing gaze unwavering.

“Why would I go and impose on them?” Su He asked, her eyes widening as she looked at Concubine Sun, her tone betraying her attempt to conceal the truth.

“Then how could you have the nerve to leave Afei in her care?” Concubine Sun retorted, her eyes widening in turn. The two women stared at each other, their expressions almost comical.

Su Jing, who was sitting nearby, remained silent, continuing to thicken the straw mat with the dry grass he had gathered during the day.

“Ah? … Uh… It’s just that Lord is kind-hearted. He’s taking care of Afei because she’s the youngest,” Su He replied, nodding.

“Is that so?” Concubine Sun asked, her skepticism evident.

The next morning, Jiang Yan dressed and rose. She rubbed her hands over the charcoal stone from the previous day, smearing the soot across her face to avoid drawing attention and unnecessary trouble. After two months of exile, everyone’s faces had grown gaunt and pale; she couldn’t afford to look too well-nourished.

Peeking through a narrow slit in the tent, she stared in disbelief at the vast expanse of white. The severity of their exile to the Northlands struck her anew. They hadn’t even reached the Northlands proper yet, and already the power of the snow and ice was palpable. The meter-and-a-half-tall tent was buried a third of the way in snow, firmly anchored in place.

Jiang Yan reached down and easily scooped up a snowball. Tangyuan could jump into it and disappear completely… The snow was falling so heavily!

“What’s wrong?” Tan Qianyue asked, wrapping her headscarf tighter.

“Uh… we’re probably not going anywhere,” Jiang Yan said hesitantly, opening the tent flap. Snow immediately poured inside.

When they eventually had to go out, they’d have to open the top of the tent and jump out.

Setting out today was clearly impossible!

Tan Qianyue remembered the snow from last night and looked over.

“Wow, that’s a lot of snow!” Her eyes widened; she’d never seen so much snow before.

“What are we going to do?” It looked like they could freeze to death!

Jiang Yan turned to see Tan Qianyue and Tangyuan’s heads beside her. The reckless dog was still trying to jump out.

“If you dare jump out, I’ll stew you! We’re out of food anyway!” Jiang Yan snarled at it.

“Woof woof! Grrr!” Tangyuan retreated, clearly understanding Jiang Yan’s menacing tone and her dark, stormy expression.

“We need to find a way to get cotton-padded clothes. If we leave before the snow melts, we’ll be fine. You can rest in the tent for the next few days.”

Jiang Yan’s words calmed Tan Qianyue’s anxiety. Yes, we have to survive, no matter what.

About three hours later, the Mess Cooks began preparing meals, and the officers announced they would be staying in the area for several more days. Without winter clothes and provisions, they couldn’t proceed.

Miao Fengqing, upon learning of Zhuangzhen’s dire situation, spent a restless night. The knee-deep snow that greeted her the next morning only worsened her anxiety.

She needed to discuss winter clothing and supplies with the Town Defender. Surely they couldn’t have money they couldn’t spend!

Just as she reached the rear courtyard of the Town Defender’s yamen, she saw Captain Wei emerge from a building. The two men were flushed with drink, practically on the verge of calling each other “brother.”

Lord Miao, quick-witted as ever, slipped aside to eavesdrop on their conversation.

But the distance between the outer and inner gates was too great, and their voices were too low to hear clearly.

Miao Fengqing’s sharp gaze swept toward the pair, and a high wall of suspicion rose in her heart…