Transmigrated into a Scummy Alpha Playboy in Ancient Times (GL) - Chapter 32
Su Muyu couldn’t shake the strange feeling she had. Could Shen Xingyue really have been going out all these days just for the sake of cow’s milk? The more she thought about it, the less likely it seemed. She pursed her lips and asked again, “So, you’ve really been busy with this milk business the past few days?”
Shen Xingyue nodded naturally. “Mm, it’s all been for the milk. A few days ago, I had Steward Li arrange for people to build the cowshed. You know how cold Beichuan is—so the shed had to be tightly sealed to keep the cows from getting sick. Just building it took quite a bit of effort. But drinking milk is good for the body. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even grow a little taller.”
As she spoke, she reached out and gently took Su Muyu’s free hand into her own, playing with it. Shen Xingyue had grown used to warming Su Muyu’s hands like this—she loved holding them.
A faint blush crept up Su Muyu’s ears, but realizing that Shen Xingyue hadn’t been out carousing these days, her lips curled slightly in a rare smile. She didn’t pull her hand away and simply let Shen Xingyue hold it. “So, what was that about lactose intolerance you mentioned earlier?”
“Some people get an upset stomach after drinking milk. If that happens, it’s best they avoid it. But for most people, milk is perfectly healthy.”
Seeing how Su Muyu spent most of her days either sleeping or reading indoors, Shen Xingyue grew concerned for her health and continued, “Yu’er, do you want to find something to keep yourself occupied?”
“Like what? People like me—Omega women—once we’re married, we’re expected to spend our lives in the inner residence. What else is there to do?” she replied quietly.
Other households had their head wives managing all the affairs of the estate. Their days were full, and at least it gave them a sense of purpose. But her situation was different. Others had real marriages. Hers with Shen Xingyue was only in name. And as for Shen Xingyue’s attitude—was her kindness genuine, or was she just using Su Muyu to provoke Su Muqiu?
Su Muyu couldn’t be sure. In any case, she hadn’t planned to stay in the Prince’s residence for long. Her current life was already much better than before. For now, she only wanted to recover her health and quietly save up enough to buy a small courtyard outside the capital.
“What do you mean, there’s nothing to do?” Shen Xingyue chuckled and gently pinched Su Muyu’s smooth fingertips before getting up and walking over to the bookcase.
Between the third and fourth shelves, there was a small, locked cabinet. Shen Xingyue fetched a key from her dressing box and fiddled with the tiny lock. After a few clicks, the cabinet opened, and she pulled out a wooden box and returned to the couch.
She took out a stack of papers and was about to explain what they were, but realizing it was awkward to sit opposite Su Muyu while going through them, she moved to Su Muyu’s side, propped her up gently, and let her lean against her chest so they could look together.
Su Muyu’s ears turned scarlet. Shen Xingyue had been getting more physically affectionate lately. She leaned in discreetly, sniffing to confirm that Shen Xingyue didn’t smell of wine or perfume—and finding nothing, she stayed where she was, quietly curious about what Shen Xingyue wanted to show her.
With one arm wrapped around Su Muyu and the other flipping through the papers, Shen Xingyue explained, “These are all my personal assets. Here—these are restaurants and shops in the capital, these are estates and farmland in the outskirts, and these are additional properties beyond the city. There are also some smaller businesses and land holdings. Steward Li used to handle all this for me, since I wasn’t exactly the studious type in the past.”
Su Muyu gave her a sideways glance and let out a soft scoff. At least she’s self-aware.
Shen Xingyue laughed at the reaction and pulled Su Muyu a little closer. “I really was a mess before. But things are different now. I have a princess consort, don’t I? I don’t need Steward Li to manage these things anymore. From now on, I want you to take care of it. What do you say?”
“Me?” Su Muyu’s eyes lit up with surprise, but then quickly dimmed. How could Shen Xingyue be so generous? Any one of those estates or properties would be enough to support an ordinary person for several lifetimes. This had to be a test.
She quickly shook her head. “No. These are far too valuable. I’d be afraid of mismanaging them. It’s better if you take care of them yourself, or let Steward Li continue.”
Shen Xingyue hadn’t expected her to refuse. Partly, she genuinely wanted to give Su Muyu something to do—staying cooped up in the room all day couldn’t be good for her. But there was also a bit of selfishness. If Su Muyu were in charge of all her personal assets, maybe she wouldn’t be so eager to leave the residence. Even if she did eventually go, at least she wouldn’t leave anytime soon. After all, Shen Xingyue’s very survival depended on Su Muyu’s favorability.
“Don’t say that. In other households, the head wife always manages everything. You’re my wife—of course these should be yours to oversee,” Shen Xingyue said softly, coaxing her. “Besides, I only feel at ease leaving these things in your care. Yu’er… please?”
She was practically pouting now, the tone of her voice unmistakably coquettish. And since she was still hugging Su Muyu from behind, her warm breath brushed against Su Muyu’s ear, making her blush deeper.
Su Muyu instinctively tried to get up. “Don’t sit so close,” she said, her voice unsteady as she pushed against Shen Xingyue’s arm, which was still wrapped firmly around her waist.
Seeing her flustered, Shen Xingyue only tightened her hold and continued to act spoiled. “Wife, pretty please?”
Su Muyu was utterly overwhelmed. She couldn’t resist when Shen Xingyue acted like this. With a mix of helplessness and frustration, she nodded while still trying to push her away. “Fine, fine—I’ll manage it. But get up first! And no more acting cute!”
Shen Xingyue sat up a little, but didn’t move away. Her arms were still wrapped around Su Muyu from behind, her head resting lightly on Su Muyu’s shoulder, unwilling to let go.
Su Muyu tried to push her off a couple more times but to no avail. Her ears were already tinged red. When she turned to look at Shen Xingyue, she found Shen Xingyue gazing straight at her. That gaze felt like it could burn right through her, and Su Muyu quickly looked away, trying to keep her voice steady as she complained, “Can you behave? Sit up properly. What kind of Dominant acts like you—so fond of clinging and pouting?”
“I’m still a girl, too. Isn’t it normal for me to be affectionate with my own wife?” Shen Xingyue replied righteously. Seeing Su Muyu’s ears turn completely red, she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch them—soft, warm, and very pleasant to the touch.
The moment Shen Xingyue’s fingers grazed her ear, Su Muyu’s body trembled instinctively. She managed to suppress the soft gasp that nearly escaped her lips. If not for Shen Xingyue still holding her firmly by the waist, she might have collapsed onto the bed.
Blushing furiously, Su Muyu covered her ear with one hand to keep her from touching it again, while the other hand continued to push Shen Xingyue away. “Don’t touch my ears!”
“Okay, okay, I won’t. Don’t be mad,” Shen Xingyue said quickly, sensing she’d pushed too far. She even leaned in a little more, grinning. “How about I let you touch mine in return?”
Su Muyu’s cheeks were flushed with heat. She turned and gave Shen Xingyue a few light punches with her fists—though there was barely any strength behind them. It felt more like she was teasing her than truly angry.
Shen Xingyue pulled her back into her arms, her voice soft and coaxing. “Don’t be upset. I wanted to give you the private estate to make you happy. You can manage it however you like—it’s all yours.”
Su Muyu lifted her eyes to study Shen Xingyue’s expression, trying to gauge whether she was being serious or just testing her. Shen Xingyue’s gaze was clear and earnest, and her voice was gentle. The anger that had been building from the ear-touching incident began to fade. Could it be that Shen Xingyue wasn’t testing her after all? That she really wanted her to manage her personal assets?
“Are you serious?” Su Muyu asked, her voice tired from the earlier back-and-forth. As an Omega, her body was naturally more delicate, and she hadn’t been in great health to begin with. Even a brief quarrel like this left her feeling drained. She leaned against Shen Xingyue like a pillow, resting quietly.
Seeing her relax in her arms, Shen Xingyue adjusted her hold gently, careful not to disturb her. “Of course I’m serious. I’ll keep a few thousand taels of liquid silver for day-to-day needs, and the rest—the properties, lands, shops—they’ll all be yours to manage and use however you want.”
Su Muyu’s rosy lips pressed together slightly, but she couldn’t stop the subtle upward curve forming at the corners. Shen Xingyue really meant it? Most noblewives didn’t even have the right to manage their husband’s personal wealth—yet Shen Xingyue was handing hers over so freely. What did it mean? Did she really see her as Su Muqiu?
That thought killed the moment. The smile faded from Su Muyu’s lips. The warmth of a second ago felt hollow now.
If Shen Xingyue only treated her so well because she saw her as someone else—if she was merely a substitute for Su Muqiu—then none of this meant anything. Once Shen Xingyue realized she wasn’t the person she longed for, the tenderness would disappear too. She wouldn’t speak to her so gently anymore.
The more she thought about it, the more the joy drained from her heart. She remained slumped against Shen Xingyue, her mood sinking with every breath.
She knew she should get up, pull herself away, but somehow… she couldn’t. She was reluctant to leave the warmth of Shen Xingyue’s embrace.
She raised her eyes, a faint shimmer of red in her gaze, and whispered bitterly to herself: This woman really doesn’t have a heart. After marrying me, she made me kneel in the snow as punishment. And now—now she’s being kind, but only because she thinks I’m Su Muqiu. I don’t want to be anyone’s substitute. If she really sees me that way, I’d rather she send me back out into the snow—it would be less painful.
Shen Xingyue noticed the redness in Su Muyu’s eyes and froze, thinking she had somehow upset her again. She didn’t dare move.
Su Muyu stared at her intently for a long while before speaking, her voice laced with both sorrow and frustration. “You’re being this kind to me because you think I’m Su Muqiu, aren’t you? Shen Xingyue, open your eyes and look clearly—I’m Su Muyu, not the one you loved. Don’t use the voice you used to coax her on me.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably. She sniffled, annoyed with herself for crying in front of Shen Xingyue.
Panicking, Shen Xingyue grabbed a handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears, murmuring, “I don’t see you as her. I haven’t treated anyone else like this—only you. Don’t overthink it. I know you’re Su Muyu. You’re my wife. Please don’t cry. I only wanted to make you happy. If I’d known this would upset you, I wouldn’t have brought up the private estate at all…”