The Female Alpha Consort Mistakenly Marks the Empress - TFACMME Chapter 10

“Miss, please wait a moment.”

A clear voice like spring water striking stone suddenly rang out. Meng Yan paused in her steps, her heartbeat stopping for an instant as she stood motionless.

She naturally remembered that voice. It was Mu Lanshi’s voice—long familiar, once whispered close to her ear.

That was the alpha of her previous life, her mate.

To be honest, she still felt some guilt toward Mu Lanshi. Although the Great Qi was not as strict as former dynasties, and there was no explicit rule that a mate could not hold high office, the title still impacted Mu Lanshi’s career to some extent.

Mu Lanshi was the eldest daughter of the prestigious Mu family, and her future had been full of promise.

She could have lived a carefree life whether or not she became an official, since her family would support her. Educated and genius, talented in music and skilled in calligraphy, Mu Lanshi could have spent her life teaching younger family members. She wouldn’t have cared about the restraints of being a “mate.”

Back then, Mu Lanshi had even earnestly discussed this possibility with her.

But Meng Yan wasn’t willing. If Mu Lanshi didn’t enter politics, then all her scheming to make her drink the heat-inducing wine would have been for nothing.

She had used every trick possible to push Mu Lanshi forward on the political path, to fight against the Li family who had earned merit following the emperor. That had been difficult even for the self-proclaimed most powerful Mu family—but Mu Lanshi had succeeded.

At last, Meng Yan got what she wanted: political power. She rewarded Mu Lanshi with the title of mate. And Mu Lanshi? She resigned from her position and went to live in her courtyard.

Meng Yan didn’t care to recall what followed. Mu Lanshi, after all, was a dignified figure—even at the end of her life, she remained calm and composed.

Now, given a second chance at life, Meng Yan still believed she could control her. Besides, after Mu Lanshi died in the previous life, even though Meng Yan brought other alphas into her residence and lived wildly each night, just catching a whiff of her scent made her nauseous.

Let alone touching her.

After all, her mate had been a top-tier alpha. Whenever Meng Yan was with Mu Lanshi, her emotions were always tangled.

But now wasn’t the time to dwell on such things. Mu Lanshi had already called out to her.

Meng Yan turned around and slowly lifted her gaze to meet Mu Lanshi’s eyes.

Her heartbeat pounded like a drum.

Had Mu Lanshi discovered something? Or perhaps…

“Miss, any guest leaving from this gate must present an invitation.” Mu Lanshi’s tone was light, no different from how she spoke to anyone else.

Only then did Meng Yan’s wildly beating heart settle. She moved her lips and smiled under her veil. “Apologies, I didn’t hear that clearly.”

She had, of course, come prepared today. Mu Yan had arranged the invitation for her.

Mu Lanshi didn’t even take the invitation herself—she simply instructed a servant to check it, then said, “Very well, let the lady pass.”

She let her go that easily. Her gaze didn’t linger on Meng Yan for even a moment.

…It hadn’t been like this in the previous life. Back then, wherever Meng Yan went, Mu Lanshi’s gaze followed her relentlessly. Meng Yan had even grown tired of it.

At the time, she’d joked with her attendants that Mu Lanshi was so clingy it was impossible to get rid of her. She said she was annoying.

But now, when she was truly ignored—treated like a forgettable guest, given not even a glance—it unsettled Meng Yan.

***

Her lonely figure walking away fell clearly into Mu Lanshi’s eyes.

‘This is just the beginning, Yaoguang.’

Mu Lanshi withdrew her gaze and ordered a servant to prepare her horse. “I’m going to Yuanwen Street.”

Though she still wanted to know about Qi Yingzhu, she couldn’t take the risk. Going to find her openly in this mansion would only make things worse.

Better to visit her own mentor first.

Her mentor lived on Yuanwen Street, a quiet street. Mentioning her mentor, Sun Xian, brought out another regret.

As the servant readied the horse for departure, Mu Lanshi ran into the elderly family member Mu Die, who was to leave with her.

The woman’s hair was already gray, but her eyes were sharp and spirited.

She was an old alpha, older even than Mu Lanshi’s mother. Highly respected due to her age and virtue, Mu Die’s opinion was indispensable in family decisions.

For most of her life, Mu Lanshi had thought Mu Die was a good person. After all, Mu Die had once served in a high ministerial role. Elders like her often retired and managed large families. She had never doubted her.

Until her dying day—when she learned that Mu Die had long harbored resentment toward her mother for becoming head of the family as an omega. Mu Die had wanted to support her own child’s rise and cooperated with Mu Yan. Of course, Mu Yan never told her his true goals.

After all, Mu Die still wanted to protect the Mu family.

The past came vividly to mind.

But Mu Lanshi didn’t show any of it on her face. She still smiled and greeted, “Aunt.”

Mu Die smiled kindly. “Lanshi, congratulations on your awakening. Now this is the true bloodline of the Mu family.”

“You flatter me, Aunt,” she replied modestly.

Mu Die chatted a bit more, her words full of concern.

In the past life, Mu Die had also congratulated her on awakening. Now, Mu Lanshi saw clearly—those congratulations had likely come through gritted teeth. Mu Mei might be an omega, but all her children had awakened as alphas. How could Mu Die not be anxious?

Each new alpha was a new contender for succession. Each one threatened her standing.

Her past misdeeds risked exposure.

After telling Mu Die she planned to visit her mentor, Mu Lanshi politely took her leave.

She ended with, “Aunt, I’ll be going now. We’ll talk again later.”

Mu Die smiled and agreed, but once Mu Lanshi left, her expression cooled. She began silently counting the days on her fingers.

She knew time was running out.

***

Her mentor’s home was on Yuanwen Street—a quiet road. Upon entering, Mu Lanshi instructed the coachman to slow down, so as not to disturb the peace.

Sun Xian was one of Mu Lanshi’s several mentors. She had once held a government post, though not a high one—perhaps due to her humble birth. Still, she was highly learned and was later invited to teach at the Mu family’s private academy.

During her instruction, she quoted classics, analyzed deeply, and taught Mu Lanshi the strategies for governing and managing people. In large part, the bold accomplishments of Mu Lanshi’s previous life were built on Sun Xian’s teachings.

Sun Xian had warned her long ago not to trust people like Meng Yan. But back then, she had been blinded by her own obsession. She repaid kindness with betrayal, and wore herself out for nothing.

While reflecting, Mu Lanshi arrived at the Sun residence.

The courtyard was clean and free of dust.

A pebble path led to the guest hall. Flowers and plants lined the path in order, all neatly trimmed. That was her mentor’s habit.

When the doorman saw Mu Lanshi, his eyelids lifted slightly as he greeted her. “Young Lady Mu, I’ll inform the teacher right away.”

The servants here shared Sun Xian’s reserved temperament. But Mu Lanshi was indeed one of her best students, so she was always treated with some favor.

Mu Lanshi smiled gently and waited for her mentor to invite her in.

Sun Xian was making tea. When Mu Lanshi entered, she poured her a cup and said casually, “What brings you to visit an old woman today?”

She did feel that her student had changed.

Mu Lanshi’s eyes used to be piercing, like starlight swaying in the spring breeze. She was too clever—Sun Xian always worried that such brilliance would lead to harm.

But today, that light seemed dimmer—like it was veiled in mist.

Mu Lanshi responded formally, “I recently awakened as an alpha, and came to pay my respects to Teacher.”

—Come to think of it, she hadn’t even invited Sun Xian to her Awakening Ceremony. First because of her class, second because Sun Xian wouldn’t have come.

If she had wanted to, the Mu family would’ve made an exception for her.

“Oh, Awakening. I knew you would become an alpha.” Sun Xian gazed at her. “Hmm, then you’ll likely enter officialdom soon?”

Some exceptional individuals can be identified from a young age through certain means. That was likely what her mentor referred to.

Mu Lanshi answered, “Yes.”

“Once you enter, you must restrain your sharpness. Don’t flaunt your talents everywhere. You’re still young and lack a firm foundation. People say the too-gifted bring harm upon themselves. Excess wisdom breeds envy. Conduct yourself with stability and caution. Observe more, speak less. Don’t rush to show off your abilities. Among colleagues, be humble and gentle. Don’t act too independently, or you’ll make too many enemies.”

Her mentor spoke slowly—just as she had in her previous life.

Mu Lanshi felt emotional. She had been too “spectacular” last time.

Sun Xian served her a cup of tea, then asked her to play a game of chess—never once inquiring about her future plans.

Chess wasn’t something Sun Xian had taught her; that was another teacher, one who had also instructed her in dance and music.

“Hmm…” Sun Xian looked at a deadlock on the board and suddenly smiled. “You don’t need to go easy on me.”

Mu Lanshi said, “Teacher, I’m not.”

“Still denying it?” Sun Xian scolded her lightly, then smirked. “I heard from Fu Shanyu that you created a new dance. When will you perform it for this old woman?”

Fu Shanyu was the mentor who taught Mu Lanshi dancing, music, and chess.

Mu Lanshi said nothing.

“I knew it. You noble ladies never want to,” Sun Xian muttered knowingly, then grew displeased and dismissed her. “Alright, I’ve beaten you today, so your mission is complete. Off you go. It’s still early—go visit Lord Zhou at Yushu Pavilion.”

Yushu Pavilion sat on the most prosperous street in the capital.

Its owner, Zhou Yuanlai, was extremely wealthy, held a prominent post, and was highly cultured. He frequently invited esteemed guests for banquets, earning the group the nickname “Eighteen Friends of Yushu.”

Mu Lanshi wasn’t among them—her family’s status meant she didn’t need a rich man’s help to make her name.

Besides… Lord Zhou’s wealth likely didn’t come from clean sources.

But since her teacher asked her to go, it meant she wanted her to build that connection.

It was for the sake of her future career.

Mu Lanshi agreed, said she would go in a few days, and took her leave.

***

Back at the mansion, the guests were gradually dispersing.

The Qi family, who had stayed overnight, were now leaving.

Qi Yingzhu departed at sunset. Only a few servants remained at the gate. After checking their invitations, they politely saw them off.

Qi Yingzhu quietly followed her parents, saying little as she walked toward the carriage.

After her confession earlier, her family’s attitude had become vague and uncertain.

She only kept thinking about the figure she’d seen from the window that morning—tall and poised, greeting and sending off guests at the gate.

Forget the past life. Even in this one, that person had held her, promised to take responsibility…

But promises were just words. Just moving one’s lips.

They sounded nice but meant nothing.

“Younger Miss, are you thinking about someone?” Suddenly, her maid Little Mi asked quietly while bringing over a footstool.

Qi Yingzhu froze. Her hand on the carriage step stiffened. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, “…No, I wasn’t.”

***

TL/N:

棋 qí or chess probably refers to the Chinese chess or elephant chess. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiangqi

觅 mì, 儿 r. The suffix on Mi’s name (‘er) is non-syllabic diminutive suffix retroflex final. It can be used to express smallness, lightness, thinness, weakness, or lesser degree, or to express feelings of love or endearment; similar function to xiao (小).