Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Soon, the kitchen staff brought over the bowls and chopsticks. Ye Qing checked them carefully and instructed the staff to carry them to the next room.

Ye Qing, as she had done at noon, divided half the meat and vegetables from each plate. She then carried the plates to the next room separately.

The two guards at the door were accustomed to Ye Qing delivering food. They opened the door without her needing to ask.

The little one saw Ye Qing arrive and initially beamed with joy. She then sulkily buried her head in her sister’s arms, showing only her back to Ye Qing.

Ye Qing laughed and said, “You’ve got quite a temper, Yangyang. I brought you something delicious.”

“Hmph,” the little one huffed twice, ignoring Ye Qing and refusing to look at her.

Ye Qing chuckled aloud. The little one grew even angrier and puffed up like a small pufferfish.

Jiang Jinhuang glared at Ye Qing and said, “Ye Qing, don’t go too far.”

“Alright, alright, I won’t laugh,” Ye Qing replied. “There’s more food. I’ll go get it.” She returned to her room to fetch more dishes, making several trips before finishing.

Her gaze fell on the milk on the table. She instructed, “Make sure Yangyang drinks this milk. It’s good for her health. I added sugar—she’ll love it.”

“Got it,” Jiang Jinhuang replied, nodding faintly.

Ye Qing delivered the food and left without saying another word. Wei Zicheng’s trusted men at the door heard no useful conversation.

As soon as Ye Qing left, the little one lifted her face. She looked at her sister pitifully and said, “I want Sister Ye to come with us.”

Jiang Jinhuang quickly soothed her, saying, “Be good, Yangyang. You don’t understand adult matters yet. She prepared milk for you. Drink some.”

Jiang Jinhuang brought the milk over. The little one sniffed, turning her unhappiness into appetite. She gulped down the entire bowl of milk eagerly and still wanted more.

“It’s sweet and tasty,” the little one said, her eyes brightening briefly. But thinking of Ye Qing leaving them, her eyes dimmed again.

Jiang Jinhuang couldn’t explain things to the little one. She only coaxed her to eat more, knowing Ye Qing’s food was safe.

When this thought crossed Jiang Jinhuang’s mind, she startled herself. She realized she had long considered Ye Qing her safe haven.

Meanwhile, Ye Qing ate heartily. The horse meat was freshly slaughtered and tender. The kitchen had selected the best cuts, making it delicious. The stewed offal was equally good. Ye Qing ate nearly half the dishes on the table.

That night, she locked her door and rested early. At dawn the next day, Ye Qing got up.

She changed into her dress and left her room. The two guards at Jiang Jinhuang’s door were sitting on the ground, nearly asleep. Hearing the door open, they jumped up, startled.

Ye Qing smiled at them and said, “It’s fine. You two keep resting. I’m going to find your young leader.”

“Okay, okay,” the guards mumbled, still groggy and not fully catching her words.

Ye Qing didn’t head north to Wei Zicheng’s building. She walked east instead, where the kitchen and laundry room were located. She hadn’t explored further.

The sky wasn’t fully bright yet, and the stronghold was quiet. Ye Qing walked east and encountered a patrol team. The bandits saw her but didn’t know what to do.

Ye Qing had no intention of hiding. She strolled through the stronghold confidently, acting like its future master. The patrolling bandits were stunned and whispered among themselves.

One asked, “Should we report her?”

Another replied, “Are you crazy? The young leader said not to stop her.”

“But what if something happens?” the first asked.

“Do you think you can control that? Just follow orders. She might end up running this stronghold. Look at her—she’s not sneaking around. If she meant harm, she’d act guilty.”

“True. Let’s pretend we didn’t see her,” they agreed.

Ye Qing didn’t know they’d imagined so much. She walked east, passing the laundry room to reach the mountain. The slope wasn’t steep, but she didn’t know where it led.

She noticed piles of stones and bricks, likely for building a wall later.

Looking up, she saw a watchtower nearby with two bandits guarding it. The tower had bows, arrows, and a horn for signaling.

The back mountain was vast. Finding someone there would be hard. Ye Qing’s lips curved slightly. The tower guards were no threat.

This stronghold, built by rough men, had many defensive flaws. The patrolling bandits were mostly listless. Ye Qing thought it wouldn’t be a problem.

She didn’t approach the tower but turned back. Along the way, she asked several people for Wei Zicheng’s residence. A eager bandit finally led her there.

Seeing Ye Qing, Wei Zicheng’s eyes lit up. “You’re here so early?”

“Not really,” Ye Qing replied. “I came out earlier but got lost in the stronghold. It was still dark, so I wandered a bit and asked a few people to find you.”

“That makes sense,” Wei Zicheng said. “The torches here burn out before midnight, and it’s easy to lose your way before dawn. My fault—I should’ve come to you.”

Wei Zicheng didn’t suspect Ye Qing. His men had reported she ate well, slept soundly, and bossed the bandits around, acting like the stronghold’s master. Wei Zicheng was pleased.

“No big deal. I found you, didn’t I? I’m just tired from walking. Got any food here?” Ye Qing said, sitting at a round table like she owned the place and asking for food.

Wei Zicheng’s smile widened. He ordered, “Hurry and get the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Bring all kinds!”

“Yes, yes,” his men replied.

The servants in Wei Zicheng’s building were stunned. The Qianyuan companions brought by their young leader usually cried, begged, or cowered. None acted as boldly as Ye Qing.

Snapping out of it, they rushed to prepare, fearing Ye Qing’s displeasure.

Ye Qing picked up a teapot and asked, “Is this fresh tea?”

“Yes, they just brewed it,” Wei Zicheng answered quickly.

Ye Qing nodded and poured herself a cup. She drank two cups, feeling refreshed.

Soon, various dishes arrived. Ye Qing ate without waiting for Wei Zicheng.

Far from being annoyed, Wei Zicheng was delighted by her boldness.

After breakfast, Ye Qing chatted with Wei Zicheng briefly and decided to rest.

By then, the stronghold was bustling. The bandits had somehow acquired red cloth and were hanging it along with red lanterns everywhere.

Ye Qing didn’t pay much attention and returned to rest. She instructed the lackeys to prepare breakfast for Jiang Jinhuang and Yangyang.

She checked the food before it was sent.

Wei Zicheng took this wedding seriously. Every building, including Jiang Jinhuang’s, was decorated with red.

When Ye Qing delivered the food, Jiang Jinhuang couldn’t help saying, “You seem to be enjoying yourself.”

Ye Qing ignored the sarcasm and smiled. “It’s alright. Good food, good sleep. After tomorrow, you two can leave. Eat well before you go to stay strong.”

Jiang Jinhuang glanced at her and then at the little one, who was sulking in her arms, ignoring Ye Qing.

Ye Qing laughed, amused by the little one’s grudge. She told Jiang Jinhuang to eat more and left.

The stronghold was busy preparing for the wedding all day.

In the afternoon, Ye Qing saw several Kunze corpses being dragged from a woodshed, their appearances horrific. The bandits loaded them onto a cart, likely to dispose of them.

As Ye Qing watched, Old Seven, a bandit from yesterday, noticed her staring. He laughed loudly and said, “What? Not used to it? You’ll see more and get it. These Kunze are just toys for the brothers. You’re lucky, or a pretty Qianyuan like you wouldn’t escape either.”

Ye Qing looked at him calmly and said, “You’re just the leader’s lackey. What are you so smug about?”

Ignoring him, Ye Qing walked away. Old Seven, furious, shouted, “You’re out of line!” He drew his long knife and swung at her.

Ye Qing dodged, grabbed his right arm, and twisted it. With a crack, she broke his wrist. She caught his falling knife and pressed the blade to his neck.

Old Seven hadn’t expected to lose to Ye Qing. Enraged, he shouted, “What are you waiting for? Kill this woman!”

Ye Qing slid the blade, cutting slightly into his neck. She said slowly, “I’m marrying your young leader tomorrow, so I’ll be this stronghold’s master. He’s just my subordinate. You’d better know your place.”

Her words froze the surrounding bandits. Ye Qing’s actions in the stronghold were well-known, and the young leader was smitten. No one dared touch her.

Holding the knife to Old Seven’s neck, Ye Qing walked to the leader’s study, a room for handling stronghold affairs.

The guards at the door saw Ye Qing with the knife and tensed, ready for a fight.

“How dare you hurt someone here? Brother Seven, are you okay?” a man inside, talking to the leader, stood and drew his knife, ready to confront Ye Qing.

Ye Qing didn’t flinch. She entered, still holding Old Seven, and said, “Ask him what he did to me.”

She kicked Old Seven, making him kneel on the floor.

“I was just passing by,” Ye Qing said. “He insulted me, then swung his knife at my back. I’m about to marry your young leader, yet your men act so bold. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was the leader.”

Old Seven panicked and said, “No, Big Brother, listen. I just didn’t like her arrogance. She doesn’t deserve the young leader.”

The leader’s face darkened. He had eight sworn brothers who’d fought together, but some, like Old Seven, were growing ambitious.

“Old Seven,” the leader said, “she’s my son’s choice. You dare touch her? Next time you upset me, will you swing at me too?”

“No, Big Brother, believe me. Don’t listen to her. She’s vicious—she broke my hand!” Old Seven shouted.

“My brothers have been restless lately,” the leader said. “Old Seven, this is your first and last warning. Next time, don’t expect brotherly loyalty. Get out.”

Old Seven glared at Ye Qing, clutching his wrist, and left.

The leader looked at Ye Qing and said, “And you, don’t stir trouble. I heard you went to the east sentry this morning. What were you doing?”

Ye Qing met his gaze and said, “Nothing. I was looking for your son but got lost. I asked for directions and found him.”

The leader stared at her and said, “You better be telling the truth. If I find out you’re trying to escape, you and those two won’t live.”

Ye Qing smiled and said, “I know. This place has food and shelter. Even if you chased me out, I might not leave.”

“Hmph,” the leader grunted.

After Ye Qing left, Wei Zicheng arrived. Seeing her gone, he asked, “Father, where’s Ye Qing?”

The leader glanced at him and said, “She went back. She’s unharmed, but your Seventh Uncle got his hand broken by her. Zicheng, she’s no ordinary woman. Be careful.”

“Father, she wouldn’t attack without reason. Did Seventh Uncle do something?” Wei Zicheng asked.

“He did,” the leader said. “He ambushed her, and she disabled his arm.”

“I knew it wasn’t her fault,” Wei Zicheng said.

“Did you know she went to the east sentry this morning?” the leader asked. “Be cautious. She’s hard to read. Don’t let her fool you.”

“You’re overthinking,” Wei Zicheng said. “She was looking for me but got lost. Never mind. After we’re married, you’ll see.” Though he said this, doubt crept into his mind. Was Ye Qing’s memory really that bad? He’d shown her his building yesterday.

Leaving his father, Wei Zicheng sent two trusted men to secretly watch Ye Qing.

Ye Qing mostly stayed in, eating or sleeping. That evening, she ordered hot water, took a comfortable bath, and asked for warm milk before bed, keeping the lackeys busy.

That night, the two men watching her reported to Wei Zicheng. Hearing she’d done nothing unusual, he felt slightly relieved.

But he’d forgotten something. Wei Zicheng planned to have Ye Qing handle it the next morning.

The next morning, the stronghold was festooned with decorations. Someone delivered a wedding dress to Ye Qing early.

Ye Qing calmly changed into it and ordered the lackeys to prepare food. When she brought breakfast to Jiang Jinhuang, Jiang Jinhuang saw her in red and felt uneasy.

“Breakfast is here,” Ye Qing said. “You two eat well today. You’ll leave after tonight.” She winked at Jiang Jinhuang.

Jiang Jinhuang glared at her and coaxed the little one to eat.

Ye Qing, unbothered by the glare, returned to her room and ate breakfast slowly. Halfway through, Wei Zicheng arrived.

Ye Qing looked surprised and asked, “Why are you here?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention something,” Wei Zicheng said.

Ye Qing gestured for him to sit and asked, while eating, “What is it?”

“Since you’re cutting ties with them, shouldn’t you write a divorce letter?” Wei Zicheng said, watching her closely. “She’ll remarry after leaving. You need to prepare it, right?”

Ye Qing nodded calmly and said, “I forgot about that. Get someone to bring me pen and ink.”

Seeing her indifference, Wei Zicheng couldn’t help asking, “You really have no attachment to her?”

Ye Qing looked at him and said, “The world’s a mess. I’ve found a safe place here. I don’t want to leave. Besides, if not for me, they’d likely be dead by now. I’ve promised to get them out safely—that’s more than enough. What? Think I’m heartless?”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Wei Zicheng said. “If you’re sure, write the divorce letter. Tomorrow morning, I’ll send them down the mountain with enough silver and food.”

Ye Qing nodded and said, “Thanks. That makes me feel better.”

After eating, the pen, ink, and paper arrived. Ye Qing wrote the divorce letter swiftly, signing her name.

Jiang Jinhuang had been tricked into marrying the original host. This letter would free her.

Ye Qing stood to leave. Wei Zicheng, surprised, asked, “Where are you going?”

“I’ll deliver it myself,” Ye Qing said. She went next door, placed the letter on the table, and said, “Keep this divorce letter. Someone will take you away tomorrow morning. I won’t say more.”

She looked at Jiang Jinhuang and left. Even Jiang Jinhuang felt a pang of doubt. They’d faced hardships together, but with everything so good here, would Ye Qing waver?

Jiang Jinhuang’s lips pressed tightly together. She shook her head. Ye Qing’s kindness wasn’t fake. She couldn’t believe Ye Qing would betray them.

She picked up the divorce letter, her lips tightening at the sight of Ye Qing’s wedding dress. She tucked the letter away.

The little one, teary-eyed, said, “Sister Ye is bad. She doesn’t want us.”

“Be good,” Jiang Jinhuang said, hugging and soothing her.

After delivering the letter, Ye Qing followed Wei Zicheng to cause trouble.

With the wedding banquet preparations underway, the stronghold was chaotic. Ye Qing was demanding, complaining about this or that, keeping the lackeys busy.

After lunch, she napped to conserve energy. She then used 2 favorability points to exchange for a large bottle of laxatives—a 500ml bottle of white powder. Ye Qing was pleased; it would make the bandits suffer.

Her mood brightened. Her wedding with Wei Zicheng was set for evening. In the afternoon, the stronghold was busier, but Ye Qing stirred trouble, visiting the cattle and horse sheds, unsettling everyone.

When she finally let the lackeys rest, they sighed in relief.

Ye Qing was looking for a chance to act. She noticed two people following her.

Unhurried, she headed to the laundry room. It was empty, as the bandits were busy with wedding preparations.

Ye Qing slipped into a room. The two following her didn’t react in time. When they did, she was already inside.

Fearing she’d escape through a window and face Wei Zicheng’s wrath, they kicked the door open.

The next second, Ye Qing grabbed the leader, and with a sharp pain in his neck, he died.

The second man tried to run, but Ye Qing pulled him back. She closed the laundry room door and swung her long knife at him.

He blocked with his knife, but Ye Qing slashed along the blade, severing his tendons. As he fell, clutching his hand and screaming, she slit his throat.

Ye Qing dispatched both swiftly.

She calmly removed her bloodstained inner clothes, changed into clean ones from her space, and put the wedding dress back on. She’d removed it earlier to avoid bloodstains.

With the two tails gone, Ye Qing smirked. It was time to check the kitchen.