The Female Alpha Consort Mistakenly Marks the Empress - TFACMME Chapter 20

In a residence in the imperial capital, things had been lively recently.

First, the long-unoccupied house was cleaned inside and out, and a family moved in; then, a splendid carriage arrived from the majestic palace far away. Curious onlookers peered through the door crack.

They saw it was a richly dressed eunuch.

— In other words, a palace attendant serving the emperor.

The woman stayed in the residence for a short while, then left.

As neighbors speculated about what noble person lived in this moderately sized courtyard, suddenly they heard loud clanging and arguing from inside!

***

Xu Yuan was furious. She grabbed a porcelain cup from the round table and smashed it violently on the floor.

“No way I’ll let my daughter marry!” Xu Yuan cursed loudly, her face flushed with anger. “I’m telling you, Qi Zhongxuan, do you think I have to listen to you on everything?”

Their marriage had originally been an equal match.

Qi Zhongxuan’s beard bristled. He frowned but still lowered his voice: “Yes, it’s an equal marriage! You crazy woman, don’t make a scene here!”

He was very anxious but no longer panicked.

Because of their previous quarrel at the post station, Qi Zhongxuan thought it best not to linger there. If Xu Yuan lost her mind again and made a scene, what would people think? Although the Qi family was not what it once was, it was still a respectable family, and he was the head of the family.

How embarrassing would it be if others found out?

Luckily, they had moved out.

Xu Yuan’s eyes widened in rage. “I’m making a scene here? Do you hear yourself? When that crippled woman came in just now, you praised her like crazy. Wasn’t that embarrassing? Do you think you’re noble?”

“Why did you rush to agree to send Nianian into the palace?” she yelled. “As long as I’m alive, it will never happen!”

Her voice was loud enough that the whole neighborhood heard it.

Qi Zhongxuan stammered and said nothing.

The “crippled woman” Xu Yuan mentioned was the palace eunuch who had just come to deliver the emperor’s decree.

Because she was a palace attendant—an omega serving the emperor—those who despised omegas would use such derogatory terms.

Although Xu Yuan was usually even-tempered and got along with others without outbursts, today, because of the emperor’s favor toward their daughter, she was furious.

When the palace eunuch arrived, her anger flared up like fire on hot oil.

— The eunuch’s words actually left some room for negotiation and didn’t seem urgent about taking the girl into the palace, but this old man Qi Zhongxuan insisted on setting a date!

Of course, she was enraged.

Alas, this was clearly a matter that would benefit the family for generations, so why was this woman so unreasonable?

Qi Zhongxuan prided himself on being worldly-wise and tried to calm the angry Xu Yuan.

“Don’t shout, don’t shout,” he said, covering his ears reluctantly. “Fortunately, we moved out now; otherwise, if people at the post station heard this, how could I face my relatives when we return to Jiangnan…” He covered his ears and continued calmly: “Luckily, an old friend lent us this house. Otherwise, the scandal would be even worse…”

Before he finished, Xu Yuan snapped: “What? You have an old friend who lent you this house?”

Her voice suddenly froze, and Qi Zhongxuan shivered nervously. “What’s wrong?”

“You have a friend who lent you a house?” Xu Yuan sneered. “Why don’t you say you’ve got a mistress in the capital and bought a house for her and her child?”

Qi Zhongxuan’s elegant demeanor vanished; only fear remained in his eyes. He swallowed hard and denied repeatedly: “What are you talking about, Yuanyuan? We’re husband and wife, model couple of the family all these years. Why say such things suddenly? You can be angry about Nianian’s matter, but don’t slander!” Qi Zhongxuan tried to appease her.

“Slander? You open your mouth and just lie?” Xu Yuan laughed bitterly. “You old man, today I’m going to beat you to the death! Don’t you have a house? I see the house you bought for that little bastard is quite large. Do you even remember where it is?”

Qi Zhongxuan’s face turned ashen but he refused to admit it. He tried to grab Xu Yuan to cover her mouth and stop her from speaking.

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

Xu Yuan suddenly pulled out a dagger from somewhere. The shining blade made Qi Zhongxuan terrified.

After all, he was a scholar with no strength. If someone wielded a knife, what could he do?

But if he let Xu Yuan continue like this, his reputation would be ruined.

“At the alley entrance on East Street, turn left, sixth house! Three people living there, just missing you, old man!” Xu Yuan laughed bitterly in anger. “Old man, am I right or am I right?”

When Xu Yuan even gave the exact location, Qi Zhongxuan felt dizzy and had to lower his head. “Yuanyuan, let’s talk calmly. Let’s not talk about this now. The urgent matter isn’t this…”

Xu Yuan was furious beyond control.

Back in Jiangnan, she had vaguely heard some rumors about Qi Zhongxuan’s affairs. As a mother, she had turned a blind eye. But she had greatly overestimated her own tolerance.

After moving out from the post station, Xu Yuan unexpectedly learned the location of Qi Zhongxuan’s mistress and child.

The informant’s words were also telling: “Madam, your husband seems to have a new wife in the capital.”

Only then did Xu Yuan wake up. For herself, for her daughter, for the Xu family, she could no longer tolerate Qi Zhongxuan.

The Qi and Xu families were similarly ranked. She was an omega, and Qi Zhongxuan was an alpha. Following tradition, their families became in-laws. But Xu Yuan’s patience led to this outcome!

These things couldn’t be ignored! She had seen that woman and her child with her own eyes.

Qi Zhongxuan, knowing he was at fault, avoided the topic.

“Why aren’t you speaking, old man!” Xu Yuan shouted in anger, grabbing a small stool to smash at him. “Qi Yingzhu won’t marry, fine! Qi Nian won’t marry either! If you want to touch my daughter, I will make sure there’s blood between us today! And those wild children you cherish? None will survive!”

Qi Zhongxuan was beaten and ran away repeatedly.

The servants in the courtyard were dumbfounded, each thinking about their own future.

This family seemed destined to break apart.

Xu Yuan managed the household well. Now that husband and wife were at odds, the family wouldn’t continue.

“What… what should we do?” after witnessing the commotion, Little Mi hurried to the room with a tearful face to report to her young lady. “The house is a mess! Miss, I just went to Older Miss’s room but the door wasn’t even opened! I think I heard crying inside!”

So the only one who could mediate now was the younger miss?

Qi Yingzhu said calmly, “Oh, a mess, huh.”

“Yes, it’s a mess!” Little Mi kept crying.

“Drink it while it’s hot,” Qi Yingzhu sneered and stood. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Little Mi was shocked after witnessing the fight between the matron and master, and even more so by her young lady’s attitude.

“To the city,” Qi Yingzhu added.

She had no interest in this family. She just wanted to help Xu Yuan realize what her unfaithful husband had done.

But she still had a sharp doubt like a silver needle piercing her heart.

What weighty reason could make Qi Zhongxuan willing to push his treasured daughter deep into the palace? Was the emperor’s decree enough? Such a flimsy excuse couldn’t cover the heavy schemes of aristocratic families.

But soon Qi Yingzhu understood the reason.

As they left the door, the copper bell at the eaves jingled clearly. Qi Yingzhu looked up.

At the corner of the bluestone street, a figure in a pale cyan silk robe floated with the wind, like the clear sky after rain made into a skirt.

Mu Lanshi leaned against the drooping sea-buckthorn tree, her embroidered clouds in silver thread flickering in the breeze, like morning mist drifting over dark mountains. Spring sunlight filtered through flowers, casting shimmering light on her honey-colored skin.

“I’m here to keep my promise.” Her voice was like crushed peony petals, red juice soaking every word.

At the corner of her eyes flew peacock feather blue-gold powder. When her smile bloomed, it seemed to lock the entire spring forest into her gaze.

The wind suddenly stilled.

Qi Yingzhu’s silk handkerchief slipped from her fingers, but she didn’t bother to pick it up.

She had never seen Mu Lanshi so clearly—or rather, had never been allowed to look so closely.

The bright moon earrings shimmered with mother-of-pearl colors in the spring light. The fragrant sachet hanging behind her elbow moved with her breath, teal tassels and pale wide sleeves intertwined like ink wash painting’s fading green mountains.

Her radiant honey skin bathed in daylight subdued the spring colors. The special upward flick at the corner of her eyes was like the most dazzling stroke in a spring landscape.

With pearl earrings and fragrant sachet, every detail exuded lingering musical charm.

Qi Yingzhu was stunned. She knew exactly what promise Mu Lanshi came to keep.

By what shall I express delicate care? A pair of bright pearls hanging at my ears.

By what shall I bring a gentle touch? A scented pouch tied behind the elbow.

“By your meaning, liking someone and marrying aren’t the same.” The woman’s eyes and brows were full of smiles, turning Qi Yingzhu’s own words against her: “Therefore Young Lady can marry Lanshi first.”

As for liking, that could be discussed over time.

Her voice trailed into a light laugh, startling the oriole perched on the branch.

***

TL/Note: 

https://www.shicihui.com/shici/49534.html (Link to the full poem)