Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 81

Chapter 81

“Wait,” Jiang Jinhuang said cautiously. “Don’t bring the hair-washing water yet. I’ll call for it later.” She feared Ye Qing might touch her wound if she washed her own hair.

“Alright,” the inn worker replied eagerly. “I’ll have people prepare bathwater for the guests first.” He went off to work.

Jiang Jinhuang carried the little one back to their room. She still worried about Ye Qing. She felt three rooms were excessive. However, suggesting only two rooms seemed improper. Ye Qing’s wound was nearly healed, so staying together might seem unjustifiable.

Soon, the inn staff filled the room’s wooden tub with water. They also prepared soap and similar items for the guests to use.

Jiang Jinhuang bounced the little one in her arms. “Let’s go bathe,” she said playfully. “Look at you, you’re almost a little black ball.”

“Hehe,” the little one giggled, not upset by her sister’s teasing. She laughed happily.

The tub’s water was too deep. Jiang Jinhuang asked the staff for a large wooden basin. She prepared water in the basin for the little one.

Jiang Jinhuang stripped the little one bare and placed her in the basin. The little one was thrilled.

Jiang Jinhuang smiled. “Don’t move,” she said gently. “I’ll wash you and turn the little black ball white. Okay?”

“Okay,” the little one said contentedly. “It feels nice.”

Jiang Jinhuang scrubbed the dirt off the little one’s body. She also washed her hair. Finally, the little black ball became a white ball.

Jiang Jinhuang dressed the little one in underclothes. She let her play on the bed.

Then, Jiang Jinhuang quickly bathed herself. Her condition wasn’t much better than the little one’s. Her hair, especially, took a long time to clean.

She sighed, thinking it was no wonder Ye Qing hadn’t had romantic thoughts on the road. Everyone was too filthy. Feeling no attraction seemed normal.

After changing into a clean dress, Jiang Jinhuang went out. The little one’s hair was nearly dry. Jiang Jinhuang dressed her fully, then carried her to Ye Qing’s door.

Jiang Jinhuang knocked lightly. “Ye Qing, I’m coming in,” she said softly.

“Okay, the door’s open,” Ye Qing replied.

Jiang Jinhuang carried the little one into Ye Qing’s room. Ye Qing had changed out of her dirty clothes. Bathing still posed a risk, so she had to endure it.

“I’ll get someone to bring water,” Jiang Jinhuang said. She stepped out briefly.

The little one ran happily and hugged Ye Qing’s leg. Ye Qing saw the dusty little ball had become a white ball. Her eyes curved with a smile. “Our Yangyang took a bath,” she said warmly. “You’re even cuter now, aren’t you?”

“Yes!” the little one exclaimed. Hearing Ye Qing’s praise, she happily nuzzled against her.

Soon, Jiang Jinhuang returned with two staff carrying basins. She had them set the basins down and dismissed them.

“Okay, lie on the bed,” Jiang Jinhuang instructed firmly. “Lie on your side with your head out so I can wash it.”

Ye Qing glanced at the little white ball. She felt embarrassed. “How about I do it myself?” she suggested hesitantly. “Yangyang’s here.”

“What’s there to fear?” Jiang Jinhuang said lightly. “I’m just washing your hair. If Yangyang sees, she sees. Or do you want me to wash other parts?” She looked up at Ye Qing and asked teasingly.

Ye Qing shook her head quickly. “No, no,” she said hurriedly. “How about taking Yangyang to Song Zhao’s room? I feel awkward with her here.”

Jiang Jinhuang shook her head, chuckling. “Fine, I’ll take Yangyang away,” she said. “That’s okay, right?”

Ye Qing nodded eagerly. She didn’t want the little white ball watching her, especially since she couldn’t manage some tasks herself.

Jiang Jinhuang helplessly carried the little one to Song Zhao’s room next door. She knocked on the door. “Song Zhao, I’m washing Ye Qing’s hair,” she said. “Can you watch Yangyang?”

The door opened immediately. “Sure,” Song Zhao replied. “I’m done tidying. Give me Yangyang.”

Song Zhao took the little one from Jiang Jinhuang.

Jiang Jinhuang returned to Ye Qing’s room. “Okay, Yangyang’s with Song Zhao,” she said. “Can we wash now?”

“Yes,” Ye Qing replied. She took off her outer dress and lay on the bed obediently.

Jiang Jinhuang pulled over a stool. She placed the basin on it. Ye Qing lay with her head extended, her hair hanging into the basin, making it easy for Jiang Jinhuang to wash.

Ye Qing lay there, feeling shy. Jiang Jinhuang had taken care of her a lot these days.

Ye Qing watched Jiang Jinhuang with open eyes. Soon, she felt her hair being wet with warm water. Jiang Jinhuang gently rubbed her hair, occasionally applying soap to create foam. Some strands, unwashed for too long, were matted. Jiang Jinhuang carefully separated them, avoiding hurting Ye Qing.

Ye Qing looked up at Jiang Jinhuang. Her gentle demeanor was quite pleasant.

Jiang Jinhuang noticed Ye Qing watching her. She met Ye Qing’s eyes and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

“No,” Ye Qing said, smiling at Jiang Jinhuang. Her ears felt slightly warm. “Thanks for your effort. You’ve been taking care of me these days.” She felt embarrassed, not because of anything else, but because Jiang Jinhuang was doing so much for her.

Jiang Jinhuang’s lips curved. “It’s not hard,” she said warmly. “You got hurt because of me. Is your scalp itchy? I’ll wash it well.”

“A little,” Ye Qing replied.

Jiang Jinhuang scrubbed harder. She occasionally massaged Ye Qing’s scalp. Ye Qing felt so comfortable she nearly fell asleep.

Seeing her almost asleep, Jiang Jinhuang shook her head, chuckling. After one wash, she rinsed Ye Qing’s hair thoroughly with clean water. Then, she wrapped Ye Qing’s hair in a cloth and dried it.

“Okay,” Jiang Jinhuang said. “Your body—need help?”

Ye Qing felt uncomfortable but was too shy to trouble Jiang Jinhuang further. “Maybe not,” she said hesitantly.

“Alright, I’ll have the water taken out,” Jiang Jinhuang said. She went to find the inn staff.

Once Ye Qing’s hair dried a bit, the four of them went downstairs to eat.

Though they hadn’t starved on the journey, Ye Qing ordered a large table of dishes at the inn. The little one’s eyes sparkled.

“So much yummy food,” the little one exclaimed in awe.

“Which one do you want?” Jiang Jinhuang asked. “I’ll get it for you.” She held the little one, as she couldn’t reach the table.

“I want that meat and those meatballs,” the little one said, eyes fixed on the table. She named nearly all the meat dishes.

Jiang Jinhuang shook her head, chuckling. She gave the little one a bit of each dish to try.

The little one ate joyfully.

Ye Qing was truly hungry. Since her injury was nearly healed, Jiang Jinhuang didn’t feed her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have eaten in the dining hall.

Ye Qing mixed eggs and tomatoes with rice. She finished one bowl quickly. For the second, she mixed fish soup with rice.

Their table drew attention due to their good looks. However, seeing Ye Qing and Song Zhao’s eating style, people looked away. They ate like starving ghosts, shoving food in their mouths. The little one was the same, munching eagerly.

When the little one was full, Jiang Jinhuang let her play nearby. She then ate slowly and gracefully. Compared to the other three, her posture and manners were exemplary—slow and upright, far more refined than Ye Qing’s group.

Some in the hall occasionally glanced at Jiang Jinhuang. No one dared cause trouble, though, as two Qianyuan were in the group.

As Ye Qing nearly finished, an old storyteller arrived at the inn. He soon began telling stories.

He spoke of the northern famine, drawing many listeners.

Ye Qing ate and listened. After the storyteller finished, a young woman took his place, playing the pipa and singing an unknown tune.

Ye Qing looked over. The woman wore a veil, but her eyes and upper face suggested she was quite beautiful.

Song Zhao, curious, looked too. As a former servant, she had never heard such performances. Eating at an inn was a first for her.

Jiang Jinhuang was eating fine. When she looked up after picking food, she saw both Qianyuan staring at the singing woman, showing no sign of looking away.

Jiang Jinhuang coughed lightly. She looked up and asked, “Is it nice?”

“Nice, nice!” Song Zhao replied instinctively. She hadn’t seen such things before and found it novel.

Ye Qing nodded instinctively too. Their journey was tough; they rarely heard storytelling or singing. She found it novel. The innkeeper was smart, using this to attract customers.

Seeing both Qianyuan staring at the singing woman, Jiang Jinhuang understood Song Zhao’s curiosity. But Ye Qing? She couldn’t fathom it. Was her own beauty outdone?

Ye Qing should be staring at her, Jiang Jinhuang thought confidently. Why were they both looking elsewhere?

Jiang Jinhuang tapped Ye Qing’s bowl. She warned through gritted teeth, “Eat your food. Don’t look around.”

Ye Qing, confused, withdrew her gaze. Wasn’t it just watching a performance? She stared at the old storyteller earlier, and Jiang Jinhuang didn’t say anything.

Since Jiang Jinhuang spoke, Ye Qing obediently looked away and ate her rice.

Seeing Ye Qing comply, Jiang Jinhuang felt satisfied.

A noble lady from the Minister of Rites’ household sat here, yet Ye Qing looked at others. What was that about? Jiang Jinhuang wouldn’t allow it. Fortunately, Ye Qing was obedient and stopped looking.

Jiang Jinhuang’s lips curved in satisfaction. Good thing Ye Qing listened.