The Useless Alpha’s Yandere Wife - Chapter 44

“May I borrow your wife for a few days?”…

Lord Miao had been lying in her carriage for days, yet Su He hadn’t come to offer her any sympathy. When Sang Yu went to fetch her, she was turned away with excuses of being too busy. Miao Fengqing couldn’t understand how she had offended Su He.

“Sang Yu, come here,” she called out again.

“Lord, what do you require of me?” Sang Yu lifted the thick cotton door curtain and peered inside.

“Come closer, lean in,” Miao Fengqing beckoned mysteriously, her complexion no longer pale after several days of rest.

Sang Yu stepped forward. After a few whispered words, she stared at Lord Miao with a complex expression.

“What is it? Is there a problem?” Lord Miao draped in a pale purple fox fur coat, leaned against the carriage wall, radiating an understated nobility from within.

“Lord, are you asking me to steal the child?” Sang Yu’s eyes widened. Her lord had been in a foul mood these past few days, her face dark with displeasure.

It’s all because Miss Su hasn’t come to visit, Sang Yu thought inwardly. And since she can’t force the issue, she’s just taking it out on herself.

“How is that stealing? I’m bored alone—what’s wrong with having the little thing keep me company? She’s been eating and drinking at my expense for so long. Can’t I even use her for a bit?” Miao Fengqing was growing increasingly impatient, feeling trapped by her injured leg that prevented her from leaving the carriage.

“This subordinate believes Lord Miao’s intentions lie elsewhere,” Sang Yu said, barely suppressing a smile.

“Heh, you’re twenty-six this year, aren’t you? Do you have a wife at home? Or perhaps a woman you’re fond of? I worry you might end up alone if you don’t find someone soon. Before you know it, you’ll be thirty and still single.” Miao Fengqing, bored enough to pry into others’ personal lives, smiled warmly, her eyes narrowed slightly.

“This subordinate will go steal a child for you, Lord Miao,” Sang Yu replied, her face impassive as she turned to leave, unwilling to continue the conversation.

The three members of the Su Family were setting up their tent while Little Afei squatted nearby, gazing at the stars.

“Afei, come here! Auntie has candy for you!” Sang Yu, tall and slender, crouched down and beckoned the child over.

Afei knew her well; this auntie often gave her treats.

Bundled in thick cotton-padded clothes, the child toddled toward Sang Yu on her short legs. The woman scooped Afei up and vanished into the night.

“Afei, would you like to go see Lord Miao?”

“Yes! Afei misses Lord Miao too!” The child grinned, revealing a row of tiny white teeth, utterly innocent and adorable.

A few days later, Afei was back in the carriage.

When Su He found them, the two were quietly playing with a nine-linked ring puzzle.

Having not seen her for several days, Su He noticed that Miao Fengqing’s complexion had improved significantly. She sat regally, leaning against one side of the carriage, as if the fragile, coquettish woman from that day had never existed.

Miao Fengqing slowly raised her eyes, the lamplight illuminating her refined features like a delicate ink wash painting.

“Oh, Miss Su, what an honor to have you grace my humble abode. Do you still remember this lonely, disabled person?” Miao Fengqing had intended to restrain her emotions, but her tone inevitably carried a hint of resentment and bitterness.

“Lord Miao, what are you saying? Surely you must have captivated those young women when you rescued them. Why didn’t you keep them to attend to you now that you’re in this state?” Su He retorted, her watery eyes glaring at Miao Fengqing without reservation.

“Why would I keep them when I have you to care for me?” Miao Fengqing felt a sudden, inexplicable guilt at these words.

“Have me? What am I to you?” Su He stepped closer, looking down at her with a complex gaze—a mixture of weariness and confusion.

There’s probably no future for us, she thought. I’m a prisoner being exiled to the Northlands, while she’s a high-ranking Imperial Court official with a promising career and a distinguished family background.

Even when I was still a respectable woman, pursuing her was an arduous task. How could I possibly dare to dream of anything more now?

Su He hadn’t initially intended to pursue a relationship with Miao Fengqing. But the journey to the Northlands was brutal. Even if not for herself, she needed Miao Fengqing’s protection for her family’s sake.

How ironic!

“You don’t want to take care of me? You were the one who left without a word. Don’t you have anything to say?” Miao Fengqing felt she couldn’t keep relying on Su He. Su He had to care for her concubine and younger sister; she probably really didn’t have time for Miao Fengqing.

Not only was Miao Fengqing not helping, but she was also dragging Su He down. The thought made her feel dejected.

But Su He had been the one to leave first, running away as Miao Fengqing chased after her. By the time Miao Fengqing remembered to look for her, she had vanished without a trace.

Yet the lingering dampness in her heart had taken root like a seed, sprouting and growing into vines that coiled around her entire being, gradually making it hard to breathe.

“Why did I leave? Probably because I didn’t want to stay foolish forever!” Su He lowered her gaze to the little one still playing with toys. I really was too foolish!

Seeing Su He about to dredge up the past, Miao Fengqing’s head began to ache with panic. I was so clueless back then…!

“Ouch… ah… my leg hurts!” Her eyes darted around, her features twisting into a knot as she clutched her knee and collapsed sideways.

“What’s wrong? It’s been healing for days!” Su He’s thoughts were disrupted, and she glanced over anxiously.

Su He felt guilty for abandoning Miao Fengqing. She shouldn’t leave her alone here, but since nothing had come of their time together, why linger?

Without Su He, Miao Fengqing’s subordinates could care for her just as well. It wasn’t like Su He was indispensable.

“Should I call Sang Yu to look after you?” Su He asked, her voice strained.

“No… she’s too clumsy. I don’t want her!” Miao Fengqing rested her head against the carriage wall, turning her back to Su He as if trembling in pain.

“Then… then… what should we do now?” Su He panicked slightly. Should she stay another two days? What could change on this journey into exile? Maybe she should just treat this time as a farewell?

Su He’s heart softened again. She couldn’t bear to see Miao Fengqing like this.

“We’ll talk after I take her back!” Miao Fengqing pointed to Afei beside her, grabbed a small blanket from the carriage, wrapped the child, and carried her away.

“Ah… it hurts so much!” Lord Miao put on a convincing act, leaning against the wall with labored breaths. Only after Su He had carried the child far away did she peek out of the carriage.

Abandoning her is impossible. She’s brought her entire fortune with her to rely on me. Where do you think you’re going to run now?

Playing around and then running away? Not so easy!

Lord Miao’s inner thoughts were a whirlwind, but her cold demeanor had led her down many winding paths.

Ever since Maternal Aunt Tan noticed that Tan Qianyue didn’t have to walk and had been stuffed into a cart by her live-in husband, she couldn’t help but glance over at her from time to time. After a few glances, she began to suspect something was amiss.

Tan Qianyue was renowned as a great beauty in the city. Yet, throughout their exile journey, not only had she, a woman of such extraordinary beauty, remained untouched, but even Kunze of lesser allure had been subjected to unwanted attention. Some faced only verbal harassment, while others were pushed and shoved by the officers, who took advantage of their positions. How had Tan Qianyue, with her stunning looks, managed to escape unscathed?

Under normal circumstances, she would have likely been seized by the officer in charge for his personal enjoyment. Given that the face across from her belonged to the pampered young miss of the Prime Minister’s Residence, how could one expect these men, accustomed to indulging their carnal desires, to maintain any semblance of restraint?

Maternal Aunt Tan suddenly recalled the horrifying red scar on the Eldest Miss’s face. No, how could such a beautiful woman be inexplicably disfigured? She couldn’t fathom the reason.

The next day, little Afei didn’t come to hitch a ride. Only Tan Qianyue and her dog, Dog, remained in the tented cart. She clutched a warm water pouch, occasionally taking a sip to warm herself, careful not to drink too much—she needed to save some for the “laborer” pulling the cart.

Tan Qianyue held a piece of pastry in her hand, unsure where Jiang Yan had obtained it. The thought of Jiang Yan having to beg for it made Tan Qianyue restless. I’m feeling much better today. As soon as the sun rises, I’ll get out of the carriage!

“Ahem!” she deliberately coughed inside.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yan’s clear, energetic voice came from outside.

Still no response. Jiang Yan tossed aside the rope and lifted the “door curtain” to peer inside.

In the dim light, Tan Qianyue sat wrapped in a sleeping bag, a blanket draped over her. A headscarf framed her face, leaving only her dazzling, captivating eyes visible as she stared intently at Jiang Yan, her gaze both innocent and tinged with exotic allure.

The dog lay sprawled lazily across her lap, growing increasingly lethargic. These two have spoiled this creature rotten, Jiang Yan thought.

Just as Jiang Yan’s mind wandered, the Eldest Miss yanked down her veil and leaned forward, pressing a soft, rose-scented kiss against Jiang Yan’s slightly cool lips before quickly retreating, as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Yan’s eyes widened in surprise. I wasn’t even ready! It was over so quickly?

“You called me over just to kiss me?” Jiang Yan asked, her gentle, clear eyes now tinged with amusement as she gazed at the Eldest Miss, who had already readjusted her veil.

“Mmm-hmm!” Tan Qianyue nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

The hood concealed her smile, leaving only the upturned corners of her eyes to betray a hint of amusement.

“Stay seated. This stretch is icy; pulling you feels like child’s play!” Jiang Yan said, tugging the curtain tighter.

“I’m much better now, no discomfort at all. I’ll get down when the sun comes out,” Tan Qianyue insisted.

“Hmm… we’ll discuss it later!” Jiang Yan replied, tucking the tent flaps securely.

Tan Qianyue continued nibbling on her pastries.

Once they reached the uphill slope, she insisted on getting out to help Jiang Yan pull the cart.

The ankle-deep snow had compacted into an icy road underfoot, making the journey slightly easier than the first two days.

Still, many travelers ahead slipped and fell. Those with something to lean on, like their cart, fared better.

The Wang Family Concubine, whom they’d traded for the tent, had ridden comfortably on the back of the carriage the entire way, never taking a single step.

Maternal Aunt Tan, watching her daughter—who had been lamenting her desire to die daily—decided to brazenly try her luck.

She sidled up to Captain Lu, her wrinkled face creased in a fawning smile. “Captain, I’ve noticed the Wang Family Concubine has been riding at the back the whole time. Shouldn’t someone else take a turn?”

Maternal Aunt Tan, who was only a few years younger than Captain Lu, deliberately flashed a gaudy smile, like a withered flower swaying before his eyes.

“Get out of here! Get out of here! You’re being exiled, not sent on vacation. Want a ride? You’d have better luck dreaming about it back home. Now scram!” Captain Lu didn’t even spare her a glance. There were plenty of younger women around, like flower buds; who’d want to look at her wrinkled face?

“Sir, how come the Wang Family Concubine gets to ride, but we don’t?” Maternal Aunt Tan, driven mad by desperation, dared to reason with anyone.

“You’re old enough to know why she gets to ride and you don’t, aren’t you? I’m the one who decides!” Captain Lu smirked triumphantly, his lips twisting into a cruel grin.

“Hmph! That cheap trash? Only a fool like you would treat her like treasure!” Maternal Aunt Tan muttered angrily, turning away.

“Wait, what did you say?” Captain Lu strode toward her, whip in hand.

“I said nothing, sir!” Aunt Tan quickly lowered her head, finally realizing the danger when she saw the whip. Her earlier boldness vanished, replaced by stark reality.

“Repeat what you just muttered under your breath!” Captain Lu lashed the whip across her face; striking elsewhere wouldn’t hurt enough.

“Ah… Officer, spare me! This humble woman will never dare to speak again!” Aunt Tan fell to her knees, begging for mercy.

“So, you did say something after all?” Captain Lu’s malevolent eyes glared at Maternal Aunt Tan, as if he could crush her with a glance.

“This humble woman said nothing! Nothing at all!” Maternal Aunt Tan slammed her forehead against the snowy ground.

“Guards, cut out this long-tongued woman’s tongue!” Captain Lu’s hideous face twisted into a devilish grin.

“No, no, no! I’ll talk, I’ll talk!” Maternal Aunt Tan’s legs went weak with terror, and a desperate plan flashed through her mind.

“This humble woman only said that the Wang Family Concubine came from a brothel. How could she possibly be worthy of a lord like you? The most renowned beauty in the city is right under your nose!” Maternal Aunt Tan covered her face with one hand while selling out the Tan Family’s legitimate daughter—the one she considered ungrateful—to Captain Lu.

“The most renowned beauty in the city? Right under my nose? Who are you talking about?” The repulsive Captain Lu’s interest was immediately piqued.

While there were plenty of fresh, delicate young ladies and gentlemen among the exiled officials’ families, Captain Lu preferred soft, pliant female Kunze and had little interest in male Kunze.

But lately, Miao Fengqing had been constantly lurking around, making it difficult for him to find any amusement. The few young widows who approached him were passable, but the Wang Family Concubine’s alluring looks and attentive service had earned her his favor.

Hearing the woman mention a hidden beauty among the exiles, the restless flame in his heart flickered to life again. Since Miao Fengqing had been bedridden all month, taking this beauty further away would surely bring him pleasure.

“It’s… it’s…” Maternal Aunt Tan stammered, torn between her fear of Tan Qianyue’s misfortune and her terror of having her own tongue cut out. In the end, she had no choice but to betray her niece.

“Spit it out! If you can’t satisfy this lord, I’ll throw you into the forest to feed the wolves!” Captain Lu threatened.

“It’s… it’s Tan Qianyue, the legitimate daughter of the Tan Family! Her maternal aunt is the Noble Consort, and she’s even more beautiful than the Noble Consort herself—a renowned beauty in the city!” Maternal Aunt Tan finally used Tan Qianyue as a shield.

“The Tan Family’s legitimate daughter? I don’t recall anyone like that,” Captain Lu said, genuinely drawing a blank.

“She’s the one being cared for by that Qianyuan who married into the family! These past few days, she’s been hiding in a small cart, being pushed around. If she weren’t an absolute great beauty, why would Qianyuan risk his life for her like that?” Maternal Aunt Tan’s nervousness faded as she spoke, her confidence growing with each word.

“Are you trying to trick me? Isn’t she the ugly one with the red birthmark?” Captain Lu finally remembered the woman Maternal Aunt Tan was talking about—the girl with the red mark on her face!

“It’s true, the exile left marks on her face,” Maternal Aunt Tan admitted. “But even with those scars, as the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Residence and the Noble Consort’s own niece, her natural beauty far surpasses that of any courtesan. Not to mention her refined upbringing—no brothel girl could ever compare.” Like a peddler hawking his wares, Maternal Aunt Tan praised Tan Qianyue to the heavens and beyond.

Captain Lu’s lecherous thoughts stirred at this. He considered summoning the woman to take a look for himself.

“Are you still playing games with me?” Captain Lu snarled. “The Tan Family has fallen, but the Noble Consort hasn’t. Do you think I’d dare defy her?” His anger intensified, convinced this wretched woman was deliberately tormenting him.

“Lord,” Maternal Aunt Tan pleaded, desperate to escape the tiger’s jaws, “if the Noble Consort truly cared for her, why would she let her be exiled? Besides, Her Majesty despises the Tan Family. To protect herself, the Noble Consort can’t afford any connection to them. Why would she risk trouble for you?”

“Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out! You bring bad luck! Stay away from me!” Though the woman continued to fan the flames, Captain Lu wouldn’t blindly rush into danger.

Still, the image of the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter planted a restless seed in his heart. Her beauty was secondary; the mere thought of a fleeting affair with the Prime Minister’s daughter was enough to fuel his bragging for a lifetime.

During the journey, Captain Lu deliberately circled around Jiang Yan and Tan Qianyue several times, careful not to alarm them. Though the Legitimate Daughter was already married, he found young married women particularly appealing, thinking that stealing another man’s wife might be even more thrilling.

Captain Lu scrutinized Tan Qianyue, noting the undeniable beauty of her eyes. He dared not imagine how stunning her face would be without the scars. Glancing at Jiang Yan beside her—a dirt-stained, hardworking, and unassuming figure—he dismissed her entirely.

After circling a few more times, he left with a sinister, knowing smile.

Only after he was gone did Jiang Yan lift her head, her gaze turning icy as she stared at Captain Lu’s retreating figure.

“What should we do? What does he mean by this?” Tan Qianyue whispered, hiding behind Jiang Yan, her fingers trembling slightly.

The way he had looked at her made Tan Qianyue feel like she had been targeted by a venomous snake, her heart pounding with panic.

“Don’t worry. We’ll deal with him if he dares to make a move,” Jiang Yan reassured her. Yet she feared Captain Lu might abandon all pretense and resort to force. If it were just him, she could handle it, but she dreaded him bringing a gang of men, abandoning even the pretense of civility.

She needed to devise a plan quickly, to bury this ticking time bomb before it exploded…

Jiang Yan remained on high alert for three days. As expected, Captain Lu’s patience finally snapped.

Captain Lu summoned Jiang Yan over, saying he wanted to speak with her privately.

“Officer, did you call for me?” Jiang Yan asked, bowing her head and hunching her shoulders, looking awkward. Her face, already dirty, was even filthier than her clothes, her features scrunched together in a mix of worry and simple-mindedness, like a bear in distress.

“Heh, how did a loser like you manage to marry a legitimate daughter? I’m curious. Tell me!” Captain Lu tossed two peanuts into his mouth, his eyes mocking Jiang Yan.

He clearly didn’t recognize her. Jiang Yan wasn’t known for her fighting skills in the city; her fame rested solely on her looks.

“Hehe, I really lucked out on this one,” Jiang Yan replied, feigning simple-mindedness. “I was originally engaged to a concubine’s illegitimate daughter from the Prime Minister’s Residence. It was a series of unfortunate events that led to my marriage with the legitimate daughter.” She reported the truth with a naive and simple-minded smile.

“Hahahaha! So she’s not even your real wife then!” Captain Lu deliberately teased Jiang Yan.

“Why would you say that, Lord? I’ve married her. Even if she were ugly, she’d still be my wife!” Jiang Yan’s tone was stubbornly naive.

“Alright, alright, she’s yours. But I need a personal maid to serve me. How about sending your wife over to try out? I’ll return her to you once we reach The Northlands.” Captain Lu drew his broadsword from his waist, grinning maliciously as he eyed Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan lowered her head for a long time, barely managing to conceal the murderous intent in her eyes. Her fingers lingered on the dagger at her waist for a long moment before she spoke in a trembling voice, “Lord, my wife is frail and unskilled in service. I fear she might displease you.”

Officers surrounded the tent. She couldn’t kill this arrogant cur here.

“Frail? No matter! That must be your lack of skill. Try someone else, and she might suddenly recover!”

“Don’t you think so? Hahahaha!” Captain Lu’s laughter was lewd and unrestrained.

Kill him, kill him, the voice in Jiang Yan’s mind screamed. The knuckles of her hand gripping the dagger cracked audibly.

After a long silence, she finally regained her composure and said in a low voice, “Lord, beyond this mountain lies Hot Spring Mountain. I will personally deliver her to you there!”

Jiang Yan’s words were forced out through clenched teeth, each syllable distinct. To Captain Lu, it sounded like the trembling of a coward.

“Good, you know what’s best for you!” Captain Lu sheathed his broadsword and swaggered out of the officers’ resting tent, a smug grin on his face.

Jiang Yan straightened up, her pitch-black eyes burning with a malice sharper than any blade. Time to sharpen my blade…!