Transmigrated as the Doomed Scumbag Alpha of the Eldest Princess (GL , ABO) - Chapter 12
This scene caught Jiang Si slightly off guard. Along with surprise, she also felt a little guilty and deeply aware of how poorly the original host had treated others.
From the very day the Princess entered the residence, it had always been her who bore the brunt of everything. Still, none of it could change the fact that the original host had taken her as a concubine and had a reputation that only made things worse.
Jiang Si quietly stepped back, putting more distance between herself and Mowan Ci.
She stayed silent, giving her time to calm down.
But the rain continued to fall harder, and the thunder grew louder than before.
Worried about the two of them, Su Xun and Zhi Miao both came over. One held an umbrella and went to stand by the Princess, while the other casually walked over and held an umbrella over Jiang Si.
Though no one had heard their earlier conversation, the way they had acted was not hard to notice.
Zhi Miao stood at Mowan Ci’s side, shielding her from the rain. Her eyes were sharp and cold as she looked straight at Jiang Si, like blades slicing through the air.
Su Xun, on the other hand, seemed to care less about such things. She spared Mowan Ci only a glance before turning all her attention to Jiang Si. In a gentle voice, she asked, “Marquis, do you want to return to your carriage?”
Jiang Si looked at her. There was nothing fake about the concern in Su Xun’s eyes.
It made her want to laugh.
The original host must have had some kind of power to make everyone around her treat her this way.
No matter how cruel or selfish her actions had been, they still followed her without question.
The best example was Ye Chan.
Though her behavior was often extreme and confusing, when Jiang Si thought about it carefully, it was not entirely without reason.
What could a person like the original host possibly offer to those around her?
So Ye Chan’s actions always seemed just a bit too much. Even when they aligned with the original host’s wishes, her eagerness would quickly become annoying.
That letter from the other day—if she had truly been the real Marquis of Jiajing, Ye Chan would have been rewarded handsomely.
In her dreams, that had been exactly the case. Ye Chan had received praise from the original host. Meanwhile, Su Xun, who was quiet, reserved, and stubborn, had never been favored. The original host only used her for matters that no one else could handle.
Even so, that did not stop Su Xun from being loyal and concerned.
Just like now. Shouldn’t the Princess be the one they were more worried about?
And yet Su Xun’s concern was focused on her. She was even wary, as if she feared the Princess might do something to her.
Jiang Si said, “Escort the Princess and Zhi Miao back to the carriage first.”
She had noted the tension between them earlier, but she thought keeping her distance would be enough. Surely, helping escort someone back to shelter would not be refused.
But she had underestimated Mowan Ci.
She wanted nothing to do with Jiang Si at all.
“That won’t be necessary. The carriage isn’t far,” she said coldly.
The Princess had returned to her original distant tone.
Jiang Si had no intention of staying close either. In fact, she even mocked her inwardly.
Now that she had no use for her, she was showing her true face without hesitation.
Jiang Si took the umbrella from Su Xun and stepped out of the shelter, saying as she went, “Alright then.”
Her tone was just as cold.
But Mowan Ci did not care. All she wanted was for Jiang Si and her people to leave quickly.
She could not stand being near two dry-yuan.
For the next half month of travel, they did not speak a single word to each other.
Jiang Si did not want to approach her, and Mowan Ci had no reason to reach out.
The entire convoy grew unusually quiet because of the tension between the two of them.
To reach the capital, they first had to pass through Jingyuan. This was the land granted to the Princess by the late Emperor. It was just as prosperous as the capital itself.
The Princess’s estate in Jingyuan was located in the center of the city. As the convoy passed by, Jiang Si happened to be outside.
She had grown tired of sitting and had come out to ride her horse.
When she saw the Princess’s residence, she was astonished.
She had expected the royal palace to be grander than the Marquis’s estate. But she had not expected the Princess’s private residence to be so majestic and imposing.
It looked almost no different from the royal palaces she had seen in various dynasties, only a bit smaller in scale.
She kept watching as they passed, and by the time they reached the main gate, her awe faded into quiet resignation.
It was easy to imagine how jealous the current Emperor must feel seeing such a place.
No one is colder than a ruler. Jiang Si did not believe that a young Emperor would truly respect or care for Mowan Ci.
Otherwise, how could he have agreed to let her become a concubine?
Even if he had wanted to compromise, at the very least, she should have become the Marquis’s wife, not a concubine.
No matter the era, concubines were always people who could not stand in the light.
At the entrance of the estate stood a group of maids. Among them, one eunuch was dressed in a way that made him stand out.
He looked more noble than the rest.
Jiang Si studied the feminine-looking man and guessed he was likely one of the Emperor’s senior attendants.
Sure enough, as the convoy reached the gate, he lifted his robe and scurried over in small, quick steps.
“This servant greets the Marquis of Jiajing and Her Highness the Princess.”
“Greetings to all the generals as well.”
He knelt on the ground in a very formal posture. But if he truly respected the Princess, should he not have greeted her first?
Even if she had become the Marquis’s concubine, Mowan Ci was still a royal princess. And now that they were in the capital, not the borderlands, there was no reason for such disrespect.
A flicker of annoyance passed across Jiang Si’s face. The eunuch looked up and seemed to sense it, because a moment of unease flashed through his eyes. He swallowed nervously and said, “Has the Marquis had any discomfort on the journey to the capital?”
“His Majesty has ordered that the Marquis and the Princess may rest at the Princess’s estate tonight. Tomorrow, you will enter the palace for an audience.”
“The Princess’s estate…”
“This is the Princess’s estate, isn’t it?” Jiang Si asked, looking around at the grounds.
The eunuch smiled and replied, “Yes, this is the Princess’s estate.”
“It was a gift from the late Emperor. It took five years to complete.”
“Oh? Then why…”
“Why does the Princess need you to come here and deliver the message? Can she not enter her own estate freely?”
In this story, there were two people Jiang Si could not stand. One was the original host. The other was the young emperor.
He was selfish, fearful of death, and spoiled beyond measure. He had no concern for the people. Before he took power, he relied entirely on the Princess. After taking control, he surrounded himself with flattery, ignored good counsel, and suppressed both civil and military officials for the sake of his so-called imperial authority. When dealing with Mowan Ci, he often played the victim, pretending to be pitiful just to win her sympathy.
Jiang Si’s question made the eunuch hesitate. He glanced at Mowan Ci, who had just stepped down from the carriage and showed no reaction. Then he lowered his head and explained softly to Jiang Si, “Marquis, please do not be angry. His Majesty was only concerned that the Princess and Your Excellency might be tired from the long journey. That is why he arranged this place for your rest.”
“I see.”
“Then you may leave.”
Jiang Si waved her hand to signal she had no intention of talking further. Su Xun stepped forward and politely led the eunuch away.
The gates of the Princess’s estate were pushed open. Jiang Si stepped to the side, allowing Mowan Ci to enter first.
Mowan Ci did not decline. Her gaze toward Jiang Si was calm, almost indifferent. What caught her attention instead was the expression on the eunuch’s face as he stood off to the side, clearly frustrated and unwilling to accept being dismissed.
She curved her lips into a faint smile and walked into the estate without another word.
Jiang Si noticed the direction of her gaze and saw the resentment on the eunuch’s face as well.
Once inside, everything in the Princess’s estate was handled by Zhi Miao.
Mowan Ci naturally stayed in the main residence. Jiang Si was supposed to stay there too, but she wanted peace and quiet. Mowan Ci did not comment, which was enough to show she did not mind either.
Once Jiang Si reached the courtyard that had been prepared for her, she finally let herself relax.
The weather was hot. After taking a bath, she lay down on the couch.
Su Xun remained close by.
This was not like the border city of Ling Shang. Su Xun did not feel at ease in this unfamiliar place. She had arranged to stay in the room right next to Jiang Si.
“Marquis, a letter from Cheng Pu arrived in the capital a few days ago.”
“Alright…” Jiang Si was too tired to care. She had no interest in hearing about official matters. After a few words, she waved Su Xun away.
She did not even eat dinner and fell asleep on the couch.
By the time she woke up, the sun was already shining through the windows.
Sang Zhi was waiting outside the door, ready to help her wash up and get dressed.
After over a month together, Jiang Si had become more used to this life, though she still preferred to do things for herself rather than rely on maids for everything.
Sang Zhi handed her a towel and prepared the mouthwash and clothes, then stepped back so Jiang Si could finish on her own.
Today, they were scheduled to enter the palace.
Jiang Si wore a purple ceremonial robe and waited at the main gate for Mowan Ci.
Back in the north, Mowan Ci’s style had leaned toward either bright and bold or soft and graceful colors. Today, she wore a dark imperial black gown.
After learning more about this time period, Jiang Si understood that in Yue Kingdom, black was considered the most honorable color, not yellow.
Even Mowan Ci’s makeup was different. Her expression gave off a strong sense that no one should approach her.
What Jiang Si noticed most was that she no longer looked as beautiful as she had in the north.
Mowan Ci had no interest in guessing what Jiang Si was thinking. Her expression was serious as she headed straight for the carriage.
Today, they would ride together.
Mowan Ci stepped in first. Jiang Si looked at her for a moment, then followed.
Inside the carriage, Mowan Ci sat without looking around or saying a word.
Jiang Si felt uncomfortable, but she also had no intention of forcing a conversation.
The palace was only two hours away. After more than a month of travel, what difference would two hours make?
Besides, she had not yet seen the sights of Jingyuan and the capital. The bustling streets kept her distracted.
There were far more shops and vendors than in the north.
There were even stalls selling iced drinks.
Jiang Si stared at one with interest. She licked her lips, tempted, but then heard a faint movement behind her. She was afraid of waking Mowan Ci and quickly stopped, turning to check.
To her surprise, Mowan Ci was not even looking at her. Her gaze was fixed on someone else.
They were nearly at the palace gates. Imperial guards stood at their posts.
The most noticeable was a female officer in white armor, standing proudly in the center. She had a strong presence and upright posture, the kind of person who followed rules strictly.
She was not warm, but she was very beautiful.
Mowan Ci was staring at her.
As the carriage approached the gate, the female officer stepped forward to greet them.
She bowed and spoke clearly. “I am Feng Yao. Greetings to Her Highness the Princess and the Marquis of Jiajing.”
Feng Yao.
Jiang Si frowned. The name sounded familiar.
She turned to look at Mowan Ci. Just moments ago, she had been watching Feng Yao, but now she quickly looked away.
That was when Jiang Si understood.
No wonder the name sounded familiar.
Feng Yao was the Princess’s childhood friend.