Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Ye Qing placed the packed items in the courtyard. She also brought a broom, as they might need to camp outdoors on their journey south, and a broom would be useful for clearing the ground.

After finishing this, Ye Qing closed the kitchen door. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain why even the water tank had disappeared.

She walked toward Jiang Jinhuang’s bedroom to check on her sewing progress. It was already the hour of the Goat (1 p.m.), and they needed to set out soon. Otherwise, it would be hard to find a place to stay after dark.

Entering the bedroom, Ye Qing saw Jiang Jinhuang sewing gloves. She leaned in for a closer look and was stunned. Jiang Jinhuang’s work was beautiful—not only were the gloves designed with five spreadable fingers, but the stitches were dense and sturdy, far better than Ye Qing’s messy attempt.

“How’s this? Is it what you wanted?” Jiang Jinhuang asked, noticing her approach.

Ye Qing nodded eagerly. “Yes, exactly! You sewed them really well.”

“When are we leaving? If there’s not enough time, I can finish the other two pairs on the road,” Jiang Jinhuang said.

Ye Qing nodded. Sewing a pair of gloves took at least half an hour. If they finished all of them today, it would be dark.

“Alright, grab the stuff, and let’s get ready to go,” Ye Qing said. She carried the two quilts from Jiang Jinhuang’s room outside, adding them to the two already on the cart, making four quilts in total. Two bundles in front held their clothes, a large bundle in the middle contained pots and bowls, and another held flint and miscellaneous items.

Ye Qing tied everything to the cart. It was honestly quite heavy, but better than carrying it on her shoulders. As a Qianyuan, her strength was considerable, so she found the weight manageable.

After this, she remembered something and pulled the rabbit-ear cotton hat from her space before heading back to the bedroom.

Seeing the little dumpling playing by herself on the floor, Ye Qing walked over. “Yangyang, come here.”

The little one froze, then cautiously glanced at Ye Qing before shuffling toward her with short steps.

As she moved, she looked at her sister. Jiang Jinhuang nodded, and the little dumpling quickened her pace toward Ye Qing.

She gave Ye Qing a sweet smile. “Sister Ye.”

“Here, put this on. It’ll keep you warm,” Ye Qing said, placing the rabbit-ear hat on the little one’s head and tying the strings under the ears. Then she smiled at her.

The little one, already fair and adorable, looked even cuter with the hat.

“Looks cute. Go show your sister,” Ye Qing said with a laugh.

The little dumpling’s eyes sparkled as she toddled back to her sister. “Sister, does it look good?”

“It looks great. You really look like a little bunny now,” Jiang Jinhuang said, her eyes curving as she touched her sister’s face.

Standing up, Jiang Jinhuang glanced at Ye Qing. She doubted Ye Qing had gone out of her way to find a hat for Yangyang—it was probably just a coincidence. After all, Ye Qing had once planned to sell Yangyang.

Ye Qing stood up too, grabbing the gloves from the table. “Jinhuang, let’s go. We need to get out of Linzhou City before dark.”

“Okay,” Jiang Jinhuang nodded, picking up the excited little dumpling, who was thrilled about her new hat. The little one was too young to walk far.

Ye Qing put on her gloves and started pushing the cart.

Jiang Jinhuang frowned at the fully loaded cart. Could Ye Qing really push all that?

But Ye Qing was already moving the cart out of the courtyard, and Jiang Jinhuang hurried to follow.

The little dumpling hadn’t been outside the courtyard in ages and was overjoyed, waving her fists. “Let’s go!”

Jiang Jinhuang’s lips curved slightly, but she sighed helplessly. Only the little dumpling didn’t know what lay ahead.

After just one street, Jiang Jinhuang’s arms were already tired. As a Kunze, her stamina was poor. Back in the capital, she was a pampered lady, and she’d only learned to do rough work after coming to Linzhou. She had little strength.

Still, she gritted her teeth and pressed on. In the past, Ye Qing would have abandoned her and her sister by now. Since Ye Qing was taking them along, she couldn’t hold them back. If Ye Qing saw them as a burden, it would be trouble.

Jiang Jinhuang’s breathing grew rapid, and her steps became unsteady. Ye Qing was tired too, but it was only the first day—they’d need time to adjust.

Noticing the footsteps behind her lagging, Ye Qing looked back and saw Jiang Jinhuang clearly struggling.

She stopped the cart and waited. Jiang Jinhuang bit her lip and caught up.

“Let’s go,” Jiang Jinhuang said through gritted teeth.

“Go where? Stop and rest for a bit. If you collapse before we even leave the city, what then?” Ye Qing’s gaze fell on the sweat dripping down Jiang Jinhuang’s face.

“Sister, put me down. I’ll be good and walk myself,” the little dumpling said, worried for her sister.

Jiang Jinhuang hurriedly explained, “I’m just not used to it yet. I’ll be fine after a break.”

She feared Ye Qing would find her and her sister bothersome and checked Ye Qing’s expression. Seeing no disgust, she relaxed slightly.

Ye Qing rested in place for a moment. Knowing Kunze had poor stamina, she said, “Put Yangyang on the cart. Just hold her steady.”

Jiang Jinhuang shook her head quickly. She already couldn’t help with the luggage—how could she let her sister add to the load? Ye Qing would definitely see them as burdens.

“No need. I can carry Yangyang. You’re already working hard pushing such a heavy cart,” Jiang Jinhuang said, not out of concern for Ye Qing but stating facts.

Seeing her refusal, Ye Qing didn’t insist. “Suit yourself. Let’s keep moving. We’ve only gone one street.”

Ye Qing turned, lifted the cart’s handles, and continued pushing. She wished for a donkey to pull the cart—forget a horse. In these famine years, only wealthy households had livestock. Some commoners didn’t even have wooden carts, just baskets on their backs.

Ye Qing sighed and kept pushing. Jiang Jinhuang didn’t dare fall behind. Other refugees heading out of the city occasionally passed by, their gazes lingering on her. But when they saw the female Qianyuan in front, they restrained their looks.

After three more long streets, Jiang Jinhuang’s arms were numb, her hands barely responding. Sweat dripped from her face and forehead.

Seeing her sister’s exhaustion, the little dumpling said, “Sister, put me down. I can walk.”

“Yangyang, be good,” Jiang Jinhuang said, her lips pale.

Hearing the commotion behind her, Ye Qing stopped pushing, set the cart down, and turned to look.

Seeing Jiang Jinhuang’s pale face, Ye Qing quickly stepped forward to take Jiang Jinyang.

Jiang Jinhuang instantly tightened her grip on the little dumpling, looking at Ye Qing warily. “What are you doing?”

Ye Qing scooped up the little one with one arm while prying Jiang Jinhuang’s hands off with the other. “What do you think? I’m putting her on the cart. Look at your face. It’s only the first day—don’t let Yangyang be fine while you collapse.”

Ye Qing sighed, grabbing a water gourd from the cart and handing it to Jiang Jinhuang.

The young lady had never seen such a thing. After carrying the little one for three streets, her mind was foggy. She looked at Ye Qing, confused.

Ye Qing sighed patiently. “Unscrew the cap. There’s water inside. Drink some, then we’ll keep going.”

The gourd held spiritual spring water from Ye Qing’s space—better quality, with trace elements beneficial for the body.

Jiang Jinhuang clutched the gourd. Her hands, strained from carrying the little one, struggled, but after two tries, she opened the cap.

Too exhausted to speak, she drank a few sips and felt slightly better.

She looked at the little dumpling. “Yangyang, want some?”

The little one, still stiff in Ye Qing’s arms, stayed still, seeing her sister’s discomfort. “No, I’m not thirsty,” she said, having been carried the whole way.

Jiang Jinhuang looked at Ye Qing and handed the gourd over.

Ye Qing, holding the little one in one arm, took the gourd with the other, drank a few sips of the spiritual spring water, and handed it back.

Jiang Jinhuang sealed the gourd and placed it back on the cart, then walked to Ye Qing. “I’ll carry Yangyang.”

“No need. Your face looks awful. Don’t push yourself,” Ye Qing said bluntly. There was no choice—if Jiang Jinhuang fainted from exhaustion, things would only get worse.

She pulled one quilt back to make a seat for the little dumpling, placed her on it, and looked at Jiang Jinhuang. “Just hold her steady.”

Jiang Jinhuang pressed her lips tightly together, hesitating before saying, “Alright.”