Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 53

Chapter 53

“Will it cause you trouble? I just arrived at your stronghold, and plenty of people must doubt if I really want to stay,” Ye Qing asked carefully.

“Don’t worry about them. With me here, I’d like to see who dares say anything,” Wei Zicheng said, then added, “Come on, let’s go.”

Ye Qing nodded. “Alright.”

She followed Wei Zicheng as they walked out.

Wei Zicheng said, “I’ll take you to the back courtyard first, then show you around.”

“Good, I’ll follow your lead,” Ye Qing said agreeably.

Jiang Jinhuang heard the noise from next door, knowing Ye Qing was going with Wei Zicheng. Her lips pressed tightly together.

The little one in her arms said angrily, “Ye Qing’s bad, running off with someone else. I’m not talking to her anymore.”

Her cheeks puffed out like an inflated pufferfish.

Jiang Jinhuang nearly laughed at her sister’s expression.

Ye Qing didn’t know the little one was upset. She followed Wei Zicheng patiently, listening to him talk about the stronghold.

“Keep going this way, and you’ll reach the back courtyard. Right now, it’s just me and my father living here. See that small building? That’s my place. Over to the left is where my father and his Kunze stay. My father’s a rough man, so don’t mind him,” Wei Zicheng said, watching Ye Qing’s reaction, worried she’d look down on his father.

Ye Qing showed no reaction. She wasn’t really staying to be a bandit, so what kind of person Wei Zicheng’s father was didn’t matter to her.

“No worries. I just don’t like senseless fighting and killing. It’s too barbaric,” Ye Qing said, tailoring her words to Wei Zicheng’s personality.

“I feel the same. But the people here are wild, and my father indulges them. Some things they do are indeed brutal and cruel,” Wei Zicheng said, nodding in agreement.

“Haven’t you thought about changing the stronghold’s ways?” Ye Qing asked casually.

Wei Zicheng glanced around, ensuring only his trusted men were nearby, then said, “It’s not that easy. To be honest, my father’s sworn brothers aren’t easy to deal with. Only he can keep them in line. Some things can’t be controlled directly, so it’s ended up like this.”

Ye Qing nodded. A stronghold of three or four hundred people with so many schemes didn’t concern her.

“No problem. I’ll help you manage things later,” Ye Qing said offhandedly.

“That’s great! My father’s been making me learn the stronghold’s affairs, but I’m not interested. Now that you’re here, you can help,” Wei Zicheng said.

“Alright, let’s keep walking. The weather’s nice today,” Ye Qing said with a smile.

Wei Zicheng, thrilled, agreed and led her elsewhere.

Pointing past the courtyard, he said, “Farther back are my father’s brothers’ quarters and some of the stronghold’s families. Nothing much to see there. I’ll take you to where we train soldiers.”

Ye Qing couldn’t ask for more but said deliberately, “Is that okay? I’m still an outsider. Seeing your training area might upset people.”

She continued, sounding regretful, “Maybe we shouldn’t. It’s my first day knowing you, and I don’t want to put you in a tough spot.”

Wei Zicheng wouldn’t hear it. “It’s no trouble. You’re already one of us. It’s normal to look around. I’d like to see who dares complain.”

“Really okay?” Ye Qing asked again.

“Of course,” Wei Zicheng said, pointing west. “See that? That’s the place. They don’t usually train properly, just mess around with weapons. Let’s go check it out.”

“Alright,” Ye Qing nodded.

They walked west to a large square, like a training ground. But many bandits were chatting, joking, or gambling.

In the middle, a row of racks held several barely alive Qianyuan.

Ye Qing glanced over and asked, “Who are they?”

“Oh, some stubborn ones who wouldn’t obey. My father had them hung up for the others to practice on,” Wei Zicheng said, then quickly added, fearing misunderstanding, “It wasn’t my idea. But there’s no helping it. The stronghold’s people need to make a living. Punishing the disobedient is fair.”

Ye Qing gave a noncommittal smile and said no more.

Many bandits, seeing Wei Zicheng, became respectful. One eager one ran over, fawning, “Young master, what brings you here?”

“Just looking around,” Wei Zicheng said, leading Ye Qing through the training ground.

They visited several more places, but Wei Zicheng didn’t take her to the stronghold’s perimeter. Ye Qing didn’t mention it, as that might raise suspicion.

On the way back, they passed some woodsheds. Screams, male and female, came from inside, sounding like people being abused.

Ye Qing glanced over. Wei Zicheng quickly explained, “Probably some bandits venting on the new refugees. It’s not great, but there’s no choice. Too many Qianyuan and Zhongyong, too few Kunze. Whenever new Kunze are caught, they’re snatched up.”

Seeing Ye Qing’s expression unchanged, he added, “Don’t worry. The big and little one with you—I’ll make sure they leave safely.”

Ye Qing nodded. “Good.”

She asked casually, “By the way, what happened to the Qianyuan you picked before?”

Wei Zicheng’s eyes flickered. “My father dealt with them. But don’t worry, you’re different. I’d never treat you like that.”

Ye Qing smiled. “I was just asking. Why so nervous?”

Seeing her smile, Wei Zicheng was mesmerized. Ye Qing wasn’t like the others they’d caught—either too ugly or too cowardly, none compared to her.

Ye Qing waved a hand in front of his face, laughing. “I’m suddenly hungry. Can you take me to the kitchen? I want to see what’s for dinner.”

“Of course,” Wei Zicheng, smitten, couldn’t say no and eagerly led the way.

“The kitchen and laundry are in the east. We seized a lot of horses recently, so dinner’s likely horse meat again. But you can choose how it’s cooked.”

“Sounds good. I haven’t eaten much horse meat,” Ye Qing said, keeping pace.

Soon, they reached the kitchen. Wei Zicheng and his father had a separate small kitchen, different from the large one for the stronghold’s men. Ye Qing’s lunch had come from this small kitchen.

“That room with the big iron pots is the kitchen for the brothers. This one’s for me and my father, just for us. Your lunch came from here,” Wei Zicheng explained, smiling as he led her in.

Ye Qing nodded, praising, “No wonder lunch was so good. It’s from a kitchen just for you.”

“Glad you liked it. It’s your kitchen now too,” Wei Zicheng said, waving a cook over. “Come here, show the ingredients for tonight. Let Miss Ye see.”

“Sir, this is tonight’s horse meat and offal. Does the lady want it braised or fried? We can do either,” the cook said eagerly.

“Braised, with some offal too,” Ye Qing said.

“Got it, got it,” the cook replied.

“Alright, Miss Ye’s hungry now. Hurry up and cook. Besides these, prepare some pastries too,” Wei Zicheng ordered.

“Yes, yes, I’ll start now,” the cook said.

Ye Qing thought for a moment and added, “Is there milk here? I suddenly want some. Add sugar to it, or it won’t taste good.”

“Did you hear? Go prepare it,” Wei Zicheng urged.

Ye Qing finished at the kitchen and returned to her room. Wei Zicheng followed, likely wanting to eat with her, but she wasn’t interested. “I want to rest a bit. It’s getting late. You should head back. I’ll find you in the morning.”

Wei Zicheng didn’t want to leave but worried about leaving a bad impression. Since they’d soon be married, he nodded. “Alright, rest well. I’ll wait for you tomorrow.”

Ye Qing nodded. “Okay.”

Back in her room, she mentally reviewed the places she’d seen that afternoon. The stronghold was large, but since it was her first day, going straight to the perimeter would be suspicious.

Still, the afternoon wasn’t fruitless. She’d located the kitchen, which would make tampering with the food easier.

Sitting at the round table, she tapped her fingers lightly. Saying she’d find Wei Zicheng tomorrow was a ruse. She planned to find an excuse to wander the stronghold. If anyone asked, she could say she got lost looking for him. The excuse was flimsy but usable.

She needed to map out the layout to act when the time came.

After thinking for a while, a knock came at the door.

“Miss Ye, your dinner’s here.”

Ye Qing got up and opened the door. Several people from the small kitchen stood outside with dishes.

She nodded, signaling them to put the food on the table.

“Miss Ye, here’s your braised meat and milk, plus some side dishes. Enjoy.”

“Go get two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, now,” Ye Qing said, then added, “Alright, the rest of you can go.”

“Got it, got it.”

Once alone, Ye Qing looked at the milk. The little one had endured a tough journey. Since conditions allowed, she should get some nutrition for a few days.

These people— from the master and Wei Zicheng to the lackeys—were selfish, murderous scum. Ye Qing felt no guilt scheming against them.