Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 51

Chapter 51

“Father, just agree to her. You already have so many Kunze, isn’t that enough? It’s been so long, and I’ve only found one Qianyuan I like. Can’t you let us have this? If you force her to die, I won’t look for another Qianyuan again,” the richly dressed man said quickly, seeing Ye Qing about to lose control.

The stronghold master looked at his son and sighed. “Fine, I’ll do it. Who else do I have but you?”

He glared at Ye Qing and ordered the bald man beside him, “Go prepare two guest rooms and treat them well.”

“Yes, sir.” The bald man immediately sent someone to arrange it.

“Alright, you can follow him to the guest rooms to rest. The wedding’s set for three days from now,” the master said, turning to leave.

Ye Qing called out, “Wait.”

The master frowned at her. “What now?”

Ye Qing smiled at him. “I’m one of your stronghold’s people now, right?”

“Of course!” Before the master could answer, the richly dressed man spoke first.

Ye Qing gave him a slight nod, then, holding the long sword, walked toward the man who had snitched on her.

She stared at him coldly. The man trembled, looking back at her. He hadn’t expected that, after ratting her out, Ye Qing would catch the eye of the master’s son.

He pointed at Ye Qing. “You, this is the stronghold! You can’t touch me. Save me, master, save me…”

Before he could say more, Ye Qing ended him with one swing of the sword. He had nearly gotten her and Jiang Jinhuang killed.

The master was clearly startled by Ye Qing’s action but then burst into laughter. He only had Wei Zicheng, his son, whom he’d spoiled since childhood. His son disliked fighting and preferred scholarly ways. The master always worried that, after he was gone, his son wouldn’t control the stronghold. But now, seeing the decisive Qianyuan his son had chosen, he felt relieved.

“Good, good! You’re born to be one of us. Zicheng, you’ve got a good eye,” the master laughed.

“Naturally. The one I pick is the best,” Wei Zicheng said, smiling at Ye Qing.

Ye Qing politely nodded, tossing the bloodied sword to the ground.

“Someone, go prepare a few sets of clothes and send them to her,” Wei Zicheng quickly ordered his attendant.

“Yes, sir, I’ll arrange it,” the servant hurried off.

The others in the courtyard had varied expressions but stayed silent.

“Then we’ll go rest,” Ye Qing said, preparing to leave with Jiang Jinhuang and Yangyang.

Wei Zicheng frowned. “Wait. You agreed to marry me in three days. You can’t stay with them.”

Ye Qing turned and faced him. “Of course, but I don’t trust your stronghold’s people. I want to stay next door to them. Only if they’re safe will I marry you willingly.”

“Fair enough. You’re straightforward. We’ve talked so long, and I still don’t know your name,” Wei Zicheng said, smiling. The Qianyuan his father had captured were either cowering or begging for mercy, making normal conversation hard. Meeting someone like Ye Qing, he couldn’t help but be pleased.

“Ye Qing,” she said, nodding politely again before following the bandits leading the way.

Hearing her name, Wei Zicheng’s expression brightened. He hadn’t expected Ye Qing to speak to him so calmly and confidently.

Jiang Jinhuang, hearing Ye Qing give her name to the male Kunze, pressed her lips tightly together. Though she knew Ye Qing was likely just biding time, she still felt uneasy but showed nothing.

The bald man led the way, smiling at Ye Qing. “I’m Old Fifth in this stronghold. Since you’re marrying Zicheng, just call me Fifth Uncle. The stronghold’s got lots of people and business. If you don’t understand something, feel free to ask me.”

“Thanks,” Ye Qing said with a smile, acting as calm and at ease as if she belonged.

The bald man chatted with Ye Qing while observing her. The more he watched, the harder she was to read.

The stronghold seemed united, but everyone had their own schemes. Only the master’s skill kept them in line. They were all waiting for him to die. Wei Zicheng couldn’t hold the stronghold together. The brothers openly eyed the master’s position.

Now with Ye Qing, a tough female Qianyuan who stayed calm despite being held captive and even killed a refugee in front of them, the bald man felt she’d outshine the others.

Ye Qing didn’t know his thoughts. Her composure came from surviving the apocalypse. She’d faced hordes of zombies, charging through with base vehicles, cutting them down without hesitation. Years of that had forged her iron will.

Soon, they reached the guest rooms. The bald man said, “As the young master said, you need to stay in separate rooms.”

Ye Qing nodded. “Fine. I’ll check the room first to make sure it’s okay.”

Without waiting for the bald man’s approval, she entered the room near Jiang Jinhuang’s, looked around, confirmed it was a clean guest room, and stepped out.

Ye Qing’s eyes met Jiang Jinhuang’s briefly before they looked away.

“How’s the room?” the bald man asked with a smile.

“It’s good. Thanks for the trouble,” Ye Qing replied.

“Then, please, ladies,” the bald man said to Jiang Jinhuang.

Jiang Jinhuang gave a slight nod, carrying the little one into the room. Two armed bandits stood guard outside.

Ye Qing looked at them. The bald man quickly laughed it off. “Sorry, it’s the master’s orders. We have to follow. Don’t worry, the guards are just for their safety. They won’t do anything out of line.”

He thought for a moment and added, “How about I get some water for them to wash up and change clothes?”

Ye Qing looked at him, smiling faintly. “No need. They’re leaving in a few days. Besides, showing their faces here isn’t a good idea, right?”

Ye Qing’s beauty should have made her smile charming, but the bald man felt a chill and stepped back. “If that’s the case, I won’t meddle. Go rest.”

Ye Qing nodded, then glanced at the two guards at her door, smiling lightly. “Didn’t you say I’m one of you now? What, you still need guards for your own people?”

“It’s for your safety. If you want to go out, just tell the master or young master. If they agree, you can go,” the bald man said.

Ye Qing gave him a faint look, then nodded slightly.

Just then, a voice came from behind the bald man. “No need. Since we’re getting married, Ye Qing doesn’t need guards at her door. She can go anywhere in the stronghold. That’s my call.”

The bald man’s smile faltered. “Young master, but you just met her. Who knows what she—”

“What? My father’s still alive, and you’re already ignoring me, Fifth Uncle? I said no guards, so no guards.”

“Fine,” the bald man gritted his teeth, flicked his sleeve, and left with his men.

Ye Qing looked at Wei Zicheng and nodded. “Thanks.”

“No need. If you need anything, just have someone prepare it or come find me.”

“Okay. My only concern now is getting them out soon. Honestly, I don’t trust your stronghold’s people. You’re the only one I trust,” Ye Qing said, calculating in her mind.

To scout the terrain, she’d need to move around, but what about Jiang Jinhuang and Yangyang? What if the ruthless bandits hurt them while she was away? These were tricky problems.

Ye Qing could only use Wei Zicheng. She figured this spoiled young master among bandits was naive and could be manipulated.

Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, Wei Zicheng’s eyes lit up. “I don’t like the rough guys here either. You can’t reason with them. All they do is fight and kill—boring. But now you’re here.”

Ye Qing smiled at him. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Tell me,” Wei Zicheng said eagerly.

“I want you to replace the guards watching them. I don’t trust the stronghold’s people, but I trust yours,” Ye Qing said seriously, looking at him.

“You trust me?”

Ye Qing nodded. “Yes, or I wouldn’t agree to stay. Someone like me—if I’m not willing, you could kill me, and I still wouldn’t give in.”

Hearing this, Wei Zicheng was thrilled. Ye Qing’s attitude was different from the other Qianyuan, who’d all been killed by his father for not suiting him.

“Good.” Wei Zicheng dismissed the guards at Jiang Jinhuang’s room and instructed two of his trusted men to stand watch.

Afterwards, he told Ye Qing, “I’ve given orders. No one enters their room, not even my father. I’ll have their food checked carefully. They’ll be fine.”

“Thanks. I’m letting them down, so I want them to leave soon.”

“I understand. After the wedding, I’ll make sure they leave safely,” Wei Zicheng said, smiling.

Ye Qing nodded with a smile, already planning how to subtly get Wei Zicheng to show her around the stronghold. She needed these few days to map an escape route. She’d definitely leave these bandits a big “gift.”