Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

“Second Highness just said Ye Qing’s looks match mine,” Jiang Jinyang said defensively. “She seems capable and likely worthy of Jinhuang.”

“Hmph, her background alone makes Ye Qing unworthy,” Jiang Changde said angrily. “It’s not a big issue, though. If they bonded outside, it’s a private commitment and doesn’t count. When Jinhuang returns to the capital, I’ll have her cut ties with that female Qianyuan. My Minister’s residence doesn’t welcome rustic village girls.”

“How can you do that?” An Shuran said discontentedly. “Forget the rest. She saved our two daughters. We should thank her. How can you kick her out?”

“I’ll thank her, of course,” Jiang Changde said firmly. “I’ll prepare a hundred taels of silver as gratitude. But entering my Jiang residence? I won’t allow it. I’d never let my daughter marry such a person.”

“How did you become like this?” An Shuran said, sighing deeply. “Jiang Changde, don’t forget you came from a humble family. My family’s support helped you rise. Now you look down on those from humble origins.” She felt a throbbing headache.

“Can a rustic village girl compare to me?” Jiang Changde said indignantly. “I earned my place through the imperial exams, chosen as second-ranked by the Empress. What is Ye Qing? She saved my daughters, so I’ll pay her generously. Beyond that, no discussion.”

“You’re unreasonable,” An Shuran said, pressing further. “What if Jinhuang has already bonded with Ye Qing?”

“If they bonded, it can be undone,” Jiang Changde said dismissively. “She’ll suffer a bit, that’s all.” He flicked his sleeve and left.

An Shuran covered her face and cried. She took deep breaths and said to Jiang Jinyang, “I’m still worried about your sisters. Send more people to investigate. The disaster’s stabilization is uncertain.”

“Okay, Mother,” Jiang Jinyang said consolingly. “Don’t cry. We’ll handle things when they return safely. I’ll arrange people to search now.” She left quickly.

Meanwhile, Ye Qing’s group spent their days shopping or eating and drinking. They lived very comfortably.

When Ye Qing’s group left Linzhou, it was winter. Now, in April, Raozhou’s weather was warm. They switched from heavy cotton clothes to light ones. Even the little one seemed taller.

For months, Ye Qing gathered news about the north. She confirmed the disaster had eased temporarily. Grain from the capital arrived steadily. Porridge stations and clinics were set up every twenty li. The disaster stabilized at last.

The government wasn’t relaxed, though. Continuous rain in the north eased the drought. With government aid, grain reached the north steadily. The shortage of food for refugees improved. Some stopped heading south and returned home to plant crops. Others in the south received land from the court to avoid missing the planting season.

From early April, Ye Qing’s group prepared to return home. After months in the courtyard, they grew attached.

Ye Qing stood in the courtyard, looking at the leafy green tree. “If we didn’t need to return to the capital, staying here would be nice,” she said wistfully. “I’m used to it.”

“I feel the same,” Song Zhao said loyally. “But I’ll follow you anywhere, Master.”

Jiang Jinhuang looked at Ye Qing and pursed her lips. These months, they lived comfortably. Ye Qing never considered what would happen after she returned to the capital, as if her future plans excluded Jiang Jinhuang.

Jiang Jinhuang felt hurt. She looked up and saw Ye Qing’s carefree smile. She glared at Ye Qing and turned away.

Ye Qing gasped softly. She hadn’t done anything to anger Jiang Jinhuang. Why was she suddenly upset?

Ye Qing felt puzzled. Song Zhao whispered nearby, “Master, maybe you should coax her.”

Ye Qing thought for a moment and nodded. She asked Song Zhao to play ball with the little one in the courtyard. She went to Jiang Jinhuang’s room.

The door was open. Ye Qing knocked twice and walked in slowly. She coughed lightly to get Jiang Jinhuang’s attention.

Jiang Jinhuang quickly packed clothes in her hands. She ignored Ye Qing completely.

Ye Qing approached cautiously. Seeing Jiang Jinhuang’s blank face, she felt nervous. “Jinhuang, why do I feel you’re mad at me?” she asked hesitantly.

Jiang Jinhuang laughed coldly twice. “I’m not,” she said curtly.

Ye Qing pouted. It didn’t seem fine. She pressed gently, “If I upset you, tell me directly. Don’t bottle it up.”

Jiang Jinhuang dropped the dress. She turned suddenly and faced Ye Qing. She stared at her steadily.

Ye Qing’s nose nearly bumped Jiang Jinhuang’s. She stepped back quickly and steadied herself. “What’s wrong?” she asked nervously.

Jiang Jinhuang stared straight at Ye Qing, unyielding. “What happens after we return to the capital?” she asked firmly.

“What do you mean?” Ye Qing said naturally. “I’ll take you and Yangyang back to the Jiang residence, of course.”

For months, Jiang Jinhuang’s favorability stayed at 40. Ye Qing felt it wouldn’t increase further.

That was fine, though. Even without max favorability, it extended her life by two years. It beat dying in the apocalypse. Ye Qing’s mindset was calm now. Having died once, she didn’t fear dying again.

Jiang Jinhuang kept staring at Ye Qing, watching for any expression. “Just take us back?” she asked. “What about you?”

“Me?” Ye Qing said casually. “The world is big. I’ll find a place to settle. Don’t worry about me.”

Ye Qing thought Jiang Jinhuang worried about her having no place in the capital. A noble house like the Minister’s wouldn’t welcome rustics like her. Once Jiang Jinhuang returned, Ye Qing’s role would end. Jiang Jinhuang had a childhood friend in the capital.

Jiang Jinhuang stared at Ye Qing. She saw Ye Qing’s eyes full of sincerity, not lying. Her eyes reddened suddenly.

Great, Ye Qing’s future never included her.

All this time, Jiang Jinhuang was the anxious one. Ye Qing was special to her, but only special. Ye Qing had no romantic feelings for her. Even after biting her scent gland while drunk, Ye Qing stayed composed. Or perhaps Ye Qing didn’t need composure, feeling nothing for her.

Memories flashed through Jiang Jinhuang’s mind: Ye Qing protecting her and Yangyang, cooking for them, pulling her up a tree to escape wolves, rescuing them from the stronghold, taking a knife for her…

Tears fell from Jiang Jinhuang’s eyes. She was the only one who fell in love. Ye Qing remained lukewarm, calm like plain water. Only Jiang Jinhuang’s heart rippled.

“Why are you crying suddenly?” Ye Qing asked, distressed by Jiang Jinhuang’s tears. She reached to wipe them. Jiang Jinhuang slapped her hand away. “Leave me alone,” she said sharply. “Get out.”

“You were fine just now,” Ye Qing said cautiously. “Why cry? Did I do something wrong?” She feared upsetting Jiang Jinhuang further.

Seeing Ye Qing’s concern, Jiang Jinhuang’s tears fell faster. “Nothing’s wrong,” she said. “You’re too good…”

She didn’t finish. She pushed Ye Qing toward the door. “Go, go,” she said. “I want to be alone. Don’t bother me.”

“Okay, okay,” Ye Qing said, seeing her agitation. “I’ll leave. Calm down. Don’t upset yourself.” She backed out of the room.

Once Ye Qing left, Jiang Jinhuang leaned against the door. She cried silently. It wasn’t that Ye Qing was bad. She was too good, making Jiang Jinhuang fall for her. She overlooked Ye Qing’s oddities. But Ye Qing had no feelings for her.

Tears flowed uncontrollably. Even in the capital, many noble Qianyuan admired her. With Ye Qing, her charm vanished.

A huge sense of defeat hit Jiang Jinhuang. At 17, she fell for someone for the first time. Yet, Ye Qing remained unmoved.

She once found Kunze who loved others laughable. Now, she was the same, loving someone who didn’t care.

She cried by the door for a while. Finally, she felt she’d cried enough. She took deep breaths to calm herself.

Her thoughts cleared gradually. They had the journey ahead. She still had a chance. Since she was sure she loved Ye Qing, she shouldn’t give up easily. If Ye Qing was unmoved, she’d make her feel something.

Before, she was too reserved, holding back her pride, waiting for Ye Qing to make the first move. Now, it didn’t matter who did.

For a soft-hearted Qianyuan like Ye Qing, she had plenty of strength and tactics.

With her resolve firm, Jiang Jinhuang felt relieved. After crying, her pent-up frustration eased greatly.