The Female Alpha Consort Mistakenly Marks the Empress - TFACMME Chapter 21

The figure like bamboo shoots was wrapped in a pale spring robe, with a jade belt loosely tied to outline a graceful waistline. The light filtering through the branches danced on the plain silk fabric, as if cutting the spring daylight into pieces of gold foil, shimmering along her sleeves and collar as she walked.

Her flowing sleeves carried the light and shadow of the whole tree, like a lake brush dipped in dark ink, suspended and poised in the mingling light and shadow of the spring haze, painting the noble aura of the gentry family into the folds of the capital city’s interplay of brightness and shade.

She said, she said she came to fulfill her promise—she promised to marry her.

Not moved? Who could decisively say they are not moved?

Qi Yingzhu deliberately did not answer her words but said, “…So, you delivered the engagement letter to my father?”

The only doubt in her heart was explained.

She had thought it would take a while before the faces of this couple tore apart.

Qi Yingzhu ‘kindly’ reminded Xu Yuan only to delay her own entrance into the palace.

—What a ridiculous family affection, so flimsy that a single poke can break an endless hole.

Some people are like that, speaking grandly to persuade others. But the knife only hurts most when it cuts oneself.

The past was vivid in her mind, but the buried secrets of the girl were somewhat forgotten.

Only, things happened too fiercely, even making herself hard to predict.

Looking at the young, beautiful, and graceful woman in front of her, Qi Yingzhu suddenly felt she was somewhat affected.

Mu Lanshi smiled and corrected her, “It was not Lanshi who sent the engagement letter to your father, it was my mother.”

Her mother, Mu Mei, was the head of the Mu family.

In other words, this marriage of Mu Lanshi had the approval of her mother. Even if Qi Yingzhu didn’t think deliberately, she knew how big a failure Mu Lanshi had in this regard in her previous life.

Since the founding of the Great Qi dynasty, the Mu family had never intermarried with the royal family—this had become an unspoken family rule. And Mu Lanshi deliberately disobeyed the rule and her mother’s orders to serve Princess Yaoguang Meng Yan closely. Mu Mei was the greatest obstacle to their love.

Yet now, Mu Lanshi said that the engagement letter was sent by Mu Mei.

The meaning was self-evident.

“Oh.” Qi Yingzhu’s tone remained indifferent. “Yes, marriage is a serious matter and must be overseen by parents. That’s why I said, how could Young Lady Mu casually talk about such big matters with me?”

Mu Lanshi’s expression slightly stiffened.

Just because she said it casually, so the decision was casual too?

Qi Yingzhu still did not want to accept it.

Mu Lanshi took a deep breath, about to clarify, when a delicate female voice called from behind, “Miss, Miss!”

Mu Lanshi looked up and saw it was none other than Qi Yingzhu’s personal maid, Little Mi.

Perhaps from a previous encounter at Yushu Pavilion, Mu Lanshi had a good impression of this maid.

Little Mi ran over breathlessly, with anxiety in her voice, “Finally found you! Why did you come here?”

Little Mi ran up quickly and only then suddenly realized that beside her young lady was… a familiar person.

Or rather, a great beauty.

Logically, Little Mi should have bowed to Mu Lanshi, but she had never seen such an ethereal, fairy-like woman, who also cleverly wore pearl earrings and tied on scented pouches.

Little Mi recalled what had happened between them at Yushu Pavilion.

Her little mind turned, and Little Mi figured out the reason for today’s situation.

So she looked directly at Mu Lanshi and said, “Young Lady Mu, are you here today to go out and have fun with my young lady?”

Qi Yingzhu was suddenly choked, blinking her eyes to signal Little Mi to be quiet.

However, Mu Lanshi paused briefly and immediately understood, saying, “You have sharp eyes. Today I came to ask Young Lady Qi out to enjoy the spring, after all, my mother has already sent the engagement letter.”

Early spring in the second and third months, all flowers were in full bloom.

Mu Lanshi’s words, matched with her outfit today, were indeed proper and flawless.

Little Mi immediately believed her, “Then, do you need me to accompany you?”

Qi Yingzhu twitched at the corner of her mouth, about to speak, but Mu Lanshi quickly interrupted, “No need. I see you still have some unresolved matters?”

“Uh…” Little Mi touched her head, thinking Young Lady Mu’s words were quite reasonable, worthy of a well-known family’s eldest daughter! She nodded vigorously again and said, “Yes, you reminded me well. Then Little Mi won’t disturb you! Young lady, Little Mi will be waiting for your return!”

Mu Lanshi’s smile was as warm as spring breeze, “Please rest assured, Lanshi will definitely send your young lady back safely.”

Little Mi chuckled softly, finally gave Qi Yingzhu a knowing look, and left with light footsteps.

Hehe, looks like I really have grown up! Last time at Yushu Pavilion, Little Mi still doubted if she had been mistaken. But judging from today, she was not wrong.

She really did the right thing!

Only the young lady herself seemed not to have recovered from her understanding. Look at that expression. Oh, and she just heard Young Lady Mu say the engagement letter was already sent.

The further Little Mi walked back, the more she heard the noisy sounds inside the residence, and couldn’t help but sigh at the good fortune of the second young lady:

Including the quarrel at the inn the other day, Little Mi had heard most of it.

Apparently, one of the young ladies was to enter the palace. One to be an imperial consort, the other to marry a noble family’s daughter… The Qi family is really rising!

But when Little Mi returned, she slipped, flying piece of porcelain, trembling as she got up, overturning her previous conclusion:

Wealth and honor don’t last long, the family is about to fall apart.

***

This narrow path had few people, but still some passed by. The two couldn’t keep staring at each other forever, so awkwardly, one step by one step, they walked.

Of course, the awkward one was Qi Yingzhu.

She probably could not stand this strange silent atmosphere and couldn’t help but say, “Don’t call her ‘Miss’ anymore. She has a name, Little Mi.”

Mu Lanshi nodded slightly, then thoughtfully said, “Little Mi? That’s a nice name. Thank you for the reminder.”

Hmph, maybe she was already her young lady in private, but now she’s pretending to be unfamiliar and doesn’t know her name? Qi Yingzhu teased, “Young Lady Mu, acting like this is unfair. Little Mi supports you wholeheartedly. I even suspect you pay her monthly salary but don’t even know her name.”

She deliberately used the polite “you” to address Mu Lanshi, her tone obvious.

But Mu Lanshi said seriously, “Young Lady Qi, although my mother was informed in advance, we are not formally married yet. The letter and engagement are absolutely necessary for my Mu family, so it is still too early for you to say such things now. But since your whole family has traveled a long way to the capital, if inconvenient, Lanshi can act in advance…”

Qi Yingzhu: ?

What does this mean? Is Mu Lanshi going to be the head matriarch and pay Little Mi’s monthly salary?

“By the way, the young lady just arrived in the capital, probably hasn’t been anywhere except Yushu Pavilion. Little Mi also mentioned it, so why don’t we go out for a walk together?” Mu Lanshi spoke again.

Qi Yingzhu only sneered and twitched her mouth, pretending to be calm, “Everything will follow the matriarch’s arrangement.”

Tch, she knew this person’s face was thick as a city wall—in the previous life, during the regency, her moves were often blocked by her and couldn’t save face.

Mu Lanshi lightly raised the corner of her mouth when she heard the word “matriarch.”

***

Mu Lanshi was of course prepared. After she and Qi Yingzhu walked out of the alley one after another, a luxurious carriage was waiting at the entrance.

The four-horse carriage with cloud brocade curtains pierced the sky light, the carriage box gilded with paired lotus insignias shining like fragments of gold in the dusk.

Ah Chen still sat at the driver’s position. Seeing her young lady come out with Young Lady Qi, without hesitation, she quickly took out the footstool ready.

Watching the two, master and servant, performing the routine actions as if rehearsed countless times, Qi Yingzhu felt displeased, only slowly following behind Mu Lanshi. Finally, they looked at each other, and neither dared to take the first step.

Ah Chen tightened the reins and turned around to find neither had mounted. She was confused and reminded, “Ladies, it’s time to get on the carriage.”

Mu Lanshi nodded gently, then followed Ah Chen’s words: “Yes, it’s time to get in the carriage.”

Qi Yingzhu forced a smile, but frost gathered in her eyes. Hah.

Ah Chen saw the two get into the carriage, finally relaxed completely, pulled the reins, and started driving the horses.

Great. She didn’t say the wrong thing this time! Although being whipped ten times didn’t seriously affect her fragile body, being beaten was never a good thing. Better to avoid it if possible.

Now she was becoming more perceptive—after all, she clearly saw today that the main culprit who caused her to be beaten last time, those scented sachets, earrings, and bracelets, were now all worn on her own young lady!

***

Following her young lady’s previous instructions, Ah Chen drove the carriage to the bank of Yanting River.

Yanting River is a long river running through Zhongzhou, passing right through the imperial capital. After the spring snow melts, decorated boats and small vessels spring up like bamboo shoots after rain, offering people a chance to enjoy the riverbank’s beautiful scenery.

“Yanting River” and “Yushu Spring Clear” are both renowned scenic spots in the capital. Visitors don’t always get to see Yushu Spring Clear—springtime is short and access to Yushu Pavilion requires certain connections.

In contrast, coming to Yanting River is a simple pleasure.

Although the new residence of the Qi family is quite far, Ah Chen drives fast and steadily. Before long, the noisy sounds from the riverbank reached their ears.

Mu Lanshi lightly lifted one side of the curtain, glanced at the densely woven tourists outside the window, and thoughtfully said, “We’re almost at the riverbank. Lanshi dares to guess your residence is far from the river, and you have not had a chance to come here before?”

Qi Yingzhu heard the words but did not reply immediately. Finally, she said “Oh” lightly and leisurely, “Thank you for bringing me here, but I did not expect to come so soon.”

Mu Lanshi considered for a moment, then said, “Ah Chen has worked at the horse stable for a long time before.”

Without needing a reminder, Qi Yingzhu knew that this “Ah Chen” must be the carriage driver.

But that was not what she wanted to say.

Qi Yingzhu turned her head, her clear and beautiful apricot eyes staring straight: “No, I just suddenly thought you might have come by ox cart.”

Ox carts are slower than horse carriages.

Mu Lanshi was momentarily at a loss, thinking for a while. Then she realized Qi Yingzhu was still angry and deliberately interpreted her intentions with such malice.

“…Hmm, Lanshi hadn’t thought of that, Young Lady’s reminder is well placed,” Mu Lanshi said lazily, leaning back and lightly tapping the folding fan in her hand on the sandalwood table, deliberately raising her voice: “Ah Chen, tomorrow go to the western market and pick out a prime young ox—with golden foil-wrapped horns—and next time use it to pick up Young Lady Qi.”

“All right, Ah Chen obeys!” The young woman outside the curtain answered loudly.

Qi Yingzhu silently rolled her eyes.

***

The sandalwood carriage wheels crushed the dew on the ground. When Qi Yingzhu helped hold the gilded carriage pole and stepped down, she realized she had thought too badly of Mu Lanshi.

That pale blue robe was always seated upright like a pine tree, not a single sound from the restrained steps at the waist. The silver-scented balls hanging inside the carriage silently diffused the incense between the two with just a three-inch gap, making Mu Lanshi’s deliberate sideways glance at the street scene look somewhat laughable.

After all, she was from a respectable and upright high family, and exchanging a few words with her was surely just out of interest.

The base color was still like the blue on her clothes—calm, solemn, sparse, and open.

And she and Qi Yingzhu were never on the same path. Qi Yingzhu’s eyes darkened slightly.

The vast Yanting River shimmered with waves. Standing on the riverbank, mixed with the tide of people, it still felt cool and pleasant.

The season was still somewhat cool.

Qi Yingzhu hesitated behind Mu Lanshi for a moment before asking actively, “Why did you come here?”

“To see the scenery of Yanting River,” Mu Lanshi answered quickly, as if the words were already warm jade between her lips.

Meaning, she had been listening seriously all along.

Qi Yingzhu was a bit stunned, clearly realizing: “Oh.”

The two were silent for a while. Their silence didn’t mean others were silent; the chatter of children and adults gradually mixed with the sounds of the river waves and the dampness of the riverside, flooding into their ears.

“Board the painted boat! Board the painted boat! Lord Zhou’s golden painted boat, anyone wish to climb aboard today for a view?” a young servant shouted loudly.

But the Yanting River is wide, with more than one painted boat. After that servant’s call, another runner followed: “Su Qian’s painted boat, two or three coins to bring your beloved! Don’t miss this chance, it won’t come again!”

Besides painted boats, there were small boats floating along the current.

A very good business.

The servants’ shouting was very loud. Soon someone was encouraged and asked questions.

Mu Lanshi just stood there dazed.

Qi Yingzhu had been quietly mocking her as a fool, but seeing someone beside the young lady pointing at Mu Lanshi and talking, she felt subtle.

— Without a desired partner, if someone is bold, they naturally create a desired partner.

Young Lady Mu’s name was famous. Even if her reputation was not as prominent now, her outstanding demeanor and aura attracted countless gazes of women and men just by standing there.

In today’s world, actively inviting someone was not unusual.

Anyway, she brought her to the riverbank.

Qi Yingzhu thought this and pursed her lips, still stepped forward and spoke to Mu Lanshi, speaking crisply: “Lord Alpha, today you came to the riverbank with me. Are you here to see the painted boats or the small boats?”

The title “Lord Alpha” added a touch of intimacy.

It was not said for Mu Lanshi’s ears, but for the covetous eyes nearby.

Even if it was just idle talk, it didn’t matter, Qi Yingzhu told herself.

After all, it wasn’t her who first spoke carelessly—it was Mu Lanshi who first sent her mother the marriage proposal!

So, no matter what, it couldn’t count as Qi Yingzhu speaking recklessly.

The words indeed worked. The moment “Lord Alpha” came out, it was like pouring a scoop of snow water into boiling oil.

“Ah?” A woman sighed, hearing the word “Lord Alpha,” then reluctantly gave up and said to her companion, “I didn’t expect she already has a mate.”

She sounded regretful but angered the listener, who angrily grabbed her ear: “What, you have me and you’re still not satisfied? You’re regretful about her? I’m not regretful yet!”

“What are you regretful about!”

“I’m regretful for that woman who called her ‘Lord Alpha’!” Another woman retorted without backing down.

If this flirt looked at the tall and graceful woman, then she’d look at the other!

So infuriating!

…

Mu Lanshi, hearing “Lord Alpha,” suddenly came back to her senses, was stunned for a moment, then smiled brightly: “Then let’s board the painted boat. Have you been up before?”

Qi Yingzhu shook her head: “No.”

Mu Lanshi nodded slightly.

There were many painted boats to choose from, and they chose one called Su Qian.

Su Qian was a title of a leisure prince in the capital. This prince originally had a fief and was betrothed as a child to Zhao Wang, the only other surname prince of Great Qi. Unfortunately, both sides turned into omegas, and although the engagement could continue, neither side wished to, so the marriage was put on hold.

With no marriage, Su Qian prince did not go to the fief. The emperor saw she was no threat and kept her in the capital. She spent money on various projects, including one of the prosperous painted boats on Yanting River:

The painted boat was gilded and inlaid with jade. The lacquer covering was from top-grade pigments, bright and elegant; golden foil delicately attached outlined complex and exquisite patterns, sunlight reflecting a glossy sheen.

“Be careful.” When boarding, Mu Lanshi’s hand hovered in the air, only catching a stray lock of hair blown by the river wind.

Qi Yingzhu was looking down at the waves breaking against the boat’s side. Hearing this, she raised her head, suddenly feeling the golden foil’s reflection in Mu Lanshi’s glossy eyes burned brighter than the cat’s eye stones sold by western merchants.

 

Mu Lanshi was actually a person who liked lively places, but traveling with Qi Yingzhu, she didn’t want to mingle with random people. So she paid a high price to rent the entire painted boat just for them.

At dusk, when the gilded eaves of Su Qian’s painted boat turned sunset color, Mu Lanshi was gently rubbing water stains on the green jade railing with her fingertips.

She deliberately booked the whole boat, but in front of the closed crimson silk cabin door, she smiled bitterly—Qi Yingzhu preferred to sit alone facing a carved shell inlaid mirror, unwilling to enjoy the river and sky’s twilight with her.

After patiently waiting for a while, no movement came from beside her.

Mu Lanshi sighed softly, knowing how grave a sin it was to mistakenly mark an uninitiated omega, then lowered her head again.

— Of course, this was far from the only thing making her bow her head.

But for Qi Yingzhu now, it was roughly like this.

When Mu Lanshi entered the cabin, she reminded herself to learn how to bow her head.

In their past lives, they had fought stubbornly, neither yielding. Was it really “fighting” for a lifetime?

On reflection, it was not fighting but a kind of “unwillingness.”

The mistakes made in the past life could not be explained in a few words when Qi Yingzhu stood before her.

She couldn’t do it.

And at that time, Mu Lanshi wouldn’t have believed it.

The distance from the deck to the cabin was considerable. Mu Lanshi was still pondering when she lifted the curtain, suddenly smelling a sweet fragrance.

It was the scent of incense.

Mu Lanshi was startled. Her slender fingers paused at the curtain.

This was indeed incense, but different from the scent she had smelled on Qi Yingzhu that day.

That night, Qi Yingzhu’s scent clearly smelled like peach blossom.

Today’s scent was like rich rose fragrance, mixed with a faint intoxicating osmanthus brew.

No one else was inside the cabin.

Mu Lanshi’s gaze darkened but she dared to lift the curtain—the strange fragrance immediately wrapped around her wrist.

At first, there was a faint trace of sweet and bloody rose scent. When she realized and stepped back half a pace, the strong fragrance of osmanthus wine had already climbed along her skirt.

Mu Lanshi steadied herself. This time, she lifted the hanging pearl curtain again and stepped forward.

She saw Qi Yingzhu curled up in the rosewood circle chair, her pale white fingers tightly clutching the lotus carving on the armrest, her knuckles showing a jade-like cold glow.

As she knew, there was indeed no one else in the cabin, only her and Qi Yingzhu.

But what Mu Lanshi didn’t know was that Qi Yingzhu’s pheromones had two types.

In other words, her monthly heat did not occur just once. In the previous life, Mu Lanshi heard that Qi Yingzhu had burned all the imperial medical records, which was actually to hide the pain of enduring two heats each month.

The woman’s pale cheeks were flushed red, lips tightly pressed, eyes half-open and half-closed, sitting on the chair without uttering a word.

Was she troubled by the heat period again?

No wonder she had waited outside for so long just now and Qi Yingzhu never came out.

Thinking of this, Mu Lanshi hurried over to her side. “Young Lady?”

She released her own alpha pheromone to soothe Qi Yingzhu’s heat period.

An omega with dual pheromones surviving was much harder than an omega with a single pheromone.

The monthly heat was hard enough for many omegas to endure—the price of balancing ointment was expensive, and only a few could afford it on time. Moreover, the ointment could not be used for long periods.

Even though many omegas in this era were unmarried, contract bonds were still made. Because the heat period was truly difficult to get through.

Mu Lanshi was startled but then recalled her previous life.

Qi Yingzhu was known as the “Iron-faced Empress Dowager” because she seemed to have no weak points.

She did not promote her own relatives, and there was no gossip about her private conduct.

Many omega rulers in history, to survive unbearable heat periods, would raise a group of alphas—using them and then discarding them so as not to grow dependent.

But after so many years, there was not a single scandal or accusation about this empress dowager’s private conduct.

Of course, another reason was that when Qi Yingzhu was truly in power, Mu Lanshi was already dead.

She couldn’t imagine how this young empress dowager rose to such a high position.

“Feeling better?” Mu Lanshi half-squatted in front of Qi Yingzhu, looking up at her.

Her phoenix eyes naturally drooped as the orchid pheromone slowly released.

She tightly held Qi Yingzhu’s hand; warmth and pheromones reached her nose.

Qi Yingzhu’s face was flushed; she bit her lip hard. Her fluttering black eyelashes could not relieve the overwhelming heat period.

Mu Lanshi sighed, aware of how terrifying the dual pheromone heat period was. She had read and traveled extensively; such things were only heard of in legends.

She calmed herself and released more top-tier alpha pheromones—orchid scent, not too aggressive but deeply calming the restless omega.

But smelling pheromones was only the shallowest relief.

An omega in heat had little rationality. Besides, they had already bonded once; their bodies knew each other.

Qi Yingzhu’s flushed lips parted and closed, sorrowfully saying, “Help me.”

Mu Lanshi nodded gently.

She stood, grasped Qi Yingzhu’s slender wrist, and pulled her onto her lap.

Their positions quickly changed; Mu Lanshi’s arm went around Qi Yingzhu’s waist. She bent her fingers, gently stroking the hollow of her waist through the thin spring garment.

Touch and embrace, combined with alpha pheromones, barely soothed the omega.

The breathing of the woman in her arms was no longer as rapid.

“Hmm…” she breathed lowly, an uncontrollable sound that, at this moment, was like her second pheromone—sweetened, stirring the mind.

Her raven hair was messy, soaked with sweat on her forehead.

This was still with alpha pheromones soothing her. Mu Lanshi frowned, thinking of the iron-faced empress dowager from her past life who never had a whisper of private misconduct, and her heart involuntarily ached.

She lightly stroked Qi Yingzhu’s smooth palm and comforted her, “It’s okay… Lanshi is here.”

“Hmm.” Qi Yingzhu was panting, wanting to lie in her arms, “Hold me tight.”

Mu Lanshi did exactly that.

Omegas in heat were fragile, feeling empty all over their limbs.

A hug could give them that comforting feeling.

“Better now?” Mu Lanshi lowered her head and gently stroked Qi Yingzhu’s neck, carefully releasing pheromones.

Better now? The answer was definitely better.

In her previous life, when Qi Yingzhu discovered she had a second heat period, she was utterly helpless.

Her nails dug deeply into her palm; in a daze, she saw the skeletal hand on the dragon bed. Those hands, like a snake’s shed skin, rested weakly on the golden peony pattern of her wedding dress; even the pheromone smelled of rotten sandalwood ash.

She should have been grateful that body had long been eaten away by elixirs and could do nothing to her. But during every heat burn, she wanted to tear the embroidered bed canopy into shreds—because the coldness of the porcelain pillow hidden in the bedding was more painful than millions of poisonous ants gnawing in her bones.

Now? Isn’t it much better now?

Qi Yingzhu clung greedily into Mu Lanshi’s arms, occasionally letting out weak breaths.

As the saying goes, give an inch, take a mile.

She was also that kind of person.

Even with the alpha’s embrace, kisses, and pheromones soothing her, it was not enough—she wanted more.

Mu Lanshi felt the person in her arms growing wetter and wetter.

Her forehead was soaked.

Her eyes too—wet, staring straight at her.

The whole person was tormented by heat as if just pulled from water.

So softened she could barely move, lying on her.

Qi Yingzhu closed her eyes, slowly saying, “Not enough yet.”

Orchid scent seeped into her pores; Qi Yingzhu, like a desperate vine, wrapped around Mu Lanshi’s waist.

Her fingertips touched the cold jade inlaid on the sash; she suddenly recalled the night in the palace bedroom in her past life, clutching the gilded bedpost as cold sweat soaked her fine gown.

But now it was different. She had someone beside her, someone holding her.

Qi Yingzhu buried her face in Mu Lanshi’s neck, smelling the orchid scent deep in her skin.

The vibrant heat of this young body made her tremble, completely different from the sealed ancient memories. The breath escaping her throat became small hooks, pulling Mu Lanshi’s fingers to her nape.

The skirt rubbed softly, sounding like silkworms eating leaves, with sticky drops falling.

“No, no, still not enough,” Qi Yingzhu murmured, her face flushed.

Mu Lanshi was silent, “Am I allowed?”

If this was not enough, then she had to mark her again.

But if the temporary marking exceeded three times, the omega would become unable to leave that alpha.

This was why those powerful omega rulers would never spoil their alphas more than three times—usually just once.

Qi Yingzhu muffled in Mu Lanshi’s embrace replied, “Hmm.”

With her answer, Mu Lanshi felt relieved.

She gently pushed aside the hair on Qi Yingzhu’s nape.

There was a bluish gland releasing the omega’s alluring pheromones.

The culprit.

Bite it and inject it—that would be enough.

Thinking so, Mu Lanshi did it.

Qi Yingzhu suddenly opened her eyes wide—she was very sensitive; when the nape was kissed and hair brushed her skin, she was already a little overstimulated.

Being trapped in the embrace, held tightly—how comfortable it was. She had never felt such pleasure in her previous life.

So she shrank deeper into Mu Lanshi’s arms, body and mind contracting, her lower abdomen tightening as well.

She clutched the fabric—whether hers or Mu Lanshi’s, she didn’t know—but the material was very smooth and high-quality—wrinkling it, panting nonstop.

So good.

Finally, someone could hold her.

“Mark me,” she said, “bond with me.”

Her knees were already weak; her leg bones had turned to a puddle of spring water. Her flushed cheeks were wet with tears—a relief she never received in two lives, now finally freed, leaving hot tears behind.

Mu Lanshi listened to her words, feeling the heat rising from the body in her arms.

She said nothing, only silently agreed.

Her canine teeth bit the gland on her nape, injecting her unique serene pheromone.

This was the second bonding.

If there was a third…

Mu Lanshi’s eyes suddenly darkened.

“Ugh…” When the pheromone was injected, the person in her arms sighed in satisfaction.

In that instant, her spine tightened like a bowstring licked by flames.

Qi Yingzhu raised her head accordingly, bent her neck, finally hooking Mu Lanshi’s neck, blowing hot breath.

She wanted to be tightly connected to her, wanted to be held, comforted, and satisfied.

Mu Lanshi lowered her head to follow her gaze.

She guided Mu Lanshi’s hand to stroke, feeling the palm lines through the light gauze, “Here…” Her breath mixed with broken laughter, “Do you know what is here?”

The tail of her voice was crushed by suddenly intensified kneading, turning into a sobbing whimper with a crying tone.

When Mu Lanshi finally kissed away the tears at her eyes, Qi Yingzhu suddenly recalled the broken ceremonial cup on their wedding day: the pain of porcelain shards in her palm was nothing compared to the immense pleasure at this moment.

“Thank you,” she heard Qi Yingzhu say.

Mu Lanshi held her hand and slowly said, “No need.” She looked into Qi Yingzhu’s amber pupils, burning with mad passion.

‘No… need?’ When about to reach the peak, this was not what Qi Yingzhu thought about.

Certainly, lying in her arms, forming the bond with her—was a beautiful thing.

She would feel herself being deeply loved, unable to let go.

She cherished that feeling of an embrace.

So much so that, when the sharp fang broke through the gland and injected that scent of vow, she wished that normally calm Yanting River would suddenly surge with great waves and overturn that elegant pleasure boat.

So that, when people find their bodies later, she’d still be holding her—tight in that embrace, just like in the past life, in the rain, when she embraced her cold corpse.

***

Mu Lanshi gently helped Qi Yingzhu into her clothes, then draped a soft goose‑yellow shawl over her.

After all, parts of her were already damp. The river’s moisture was heavy, but not that heavy.

It wasn’t yet too late. By Yanting River, day and night views are distinct; even at night there are many visitors. If someone saw Qi Yingzhu’s clothes so soaked, it would not bode well.

Qi Yingzhu quietly waited while Mu Lanshi finished tidying her. Finally, when Mu Lanshi paused and said, “Young Lady, shall we head home now,” she looked up and muffled, “Alright.”

Mu Lanshi said softly: “Shall I see you home?”

“Of course I’ll go home myself,” Qi Yingzhu murmured, “After all, that ‘matriarch’ said that rituals haven’t been completed, that one mustn’t break the rules of a cultured family.”

Having eased through the difficult “heat period,” her body might settle, but her spirit still simmered.

However, the matter of forming the bond—with that at least—she relaxed a bit. Though she still teased by calling her “Matriarch.”

Mu Lanshi stifled a laugh, and clarified: “I didn’t say the latter part.”

“You said it in your heart,” Qi Yingzhu replied.

An omega during their heat period is fragile, both before bonding and after.

Especially after bonding, they often develop dependency toward the alpha partner.

Thus Mu Lanshi acquiesced to Qi Yingzhu’s wish; in gentle tones she pleaded: “Then next time, Young Lady Qi, listen carefully to my heartfelt words.”

Qi Yingzhu paused, then said, “I don’t care.”

Who cares about… what her heart says.

What matters most is getting her home safely.

The pleasure boat moored by the shore. At that moment the sun was sinking toward the distant mountains, everything gilded in golden light.

It was time to go back.

Mu Lanshi was already well-known and carried her own aura; even strangers would glance her way. Those who knew her would pay closer attention—

Wearing a hood, hiding among the crowd, someone watched. Someone who should have belonged to her, now watching how she gently cared for another.

But utterly powerless, she could only clench her fists in silence.

What is meant to be hers will eventually be hers—it is only a matter of time.

***

Xu Yuan and Qi Zhongxuan had erupted into a heated argument so loud that neighbors couldn’t help but come see.

They had known that a prestigious guest lived in that mansion.

In earlier days everything seemed normal, even rumors that someone from the palace had passed by. But what they saw today completely overturned all expectations.

That woman clutching something, chasing that man to beat him up! Every neck stretched out, people leaning in to see what was happening.

The commotion lasted until dusk, when the rumble of horse carriages arrived.

The crowd followed the sound. They gasped!

The carriage was extremely lavish; above the carriage, the golden double lotus emblem—Mu family crest!

“Mu family people arrived?” The onlookers exchanged glances, utterly incredulous, their belief confirmed that these were distinguished guests.

Perhaps tired from arguing all day, perhaps hearing the carriage, Xu Yuan and Qi Zhongxuan’s argument ceased.

Mu Lanshi lifted the curtain to glance out, murmuring: “It’s come to this.”

Qi Yingzhu countered softly: “Wasn’t it you who caused this?”

Mu Lanshi raised a single eyebrow, barely noticeable.

Fine, maybe not all of it was her doing. She only started it, after all.

“There are so many people watching, can’t you stop?” Qi Zhongxuan said.

“There are many people watching? Then I’ll hit you even more! Beat you till you’re ashamed!” Xu Yuan retorted.

“Young Lady Mu is here!” someone behind the carriage called urgently, stamping their foot.

Xu Yuan’s face flushed, and Qi Zhongxuan—face bruised and battered—stood aside. They couldn’t continue fighting when distinguished guests had arrived.

Mu Lanshi coughed softly and said: “Lord Qi, Madam Xu, today I happened to meet Young Lady Qi by the Yanting River and brought her home.”

Xu Yuan, due to Mu Lanshi’s proposal, gave her no warm expression.

‘Heh, if that person hadn’t offered, this old man wouldn’t be so anxious to send his daughter into the palace!’ But since Mu Lanshi didn’t do anything directly affronting her, she could only stand aside, awkwardly.

Qi Zhongxuan, more ambitious, could not care for his bruised face; he hurriedly smiled and said: “I didn’t expect the young lady to be so close to our little lady… It’s not late yet; would you like to stay for dinner?”

Thanks to the proposal Madam Mu gave him, he was quite pleased. Just imagining this elegantly poised woman as his future daughter-in-law made Qi Zhongxuan’s face crease in a smile.

However, Mu Lanshi just looked puzzled, glancing at the chaotic rear courtyard. She repeated: “Sir, do you wish me to dine here?”

Her tone was innocent and pure, as though unaware of all that occurred, though she sensed that dining here felt improper.

Once said, Qi Zhongxuan snapped back to reality: “Ah, my apologies, Young Lady Mu. Some trouble in the house today. Next time I’ll be sure to host you properly with my family.”

Mu Lanshi nodded lightly.

She glanced at Xu Yuan, still angry but kept her composure.

No matter—they torment each other; that’s somewhat avenging Qi Yingzhu.

They didn’t try to detain Mu Lanshi any longer, and she began to depart. Qi Zhongxuan urged Qi Yingzhu: “Yingzhu, aren’t you going to see Young Lady Mu off?”

When Mu Lanshi descended and walked out of the residence, her bearing returned to that posture of high virtue and integrity.

No goodbyes at all?

Qi Yingzhu, having not fully thought it over, simply said: “The young lady has feet; there’s also a carriage.”

That was her way of saying she wouldn’t accompany.

Fine—no need to escort her. No point getting upset.

She wasn’t angry—but after returning, she couldn’t stop thinking of her.

On the carriage ride home, Mu Lanshi kept recalling Qi Yingzhu’s face.

Her almond-shaped eyes like little rabbits; flushed cheeks, her face puffed when angry—it made one want… to pinch gently.

Mu Lanshi rubbed her brow. Why didn’t I notice this before? Maybe earlier there was no chance, and later in court there was always a curtain in between.

***

It was late by the time Mu Lanshi returned, but she had arranged to meet her mother that day.

Mu Mei was in the reception hall, still seated, as she had just hosted a guest.

She had once held real power as the Chiefof the Secretariat; as she aged, she accepted a largely titular post and shifted her focus to educating the family children.

To be the head of the Mu clan is difficult; especially for a family as large as the Mu clan, she personally scrutinized every child’s marriage tie, ensuring they didn’t ally with the royal family or merchants.

Firstly, royal ties risked political struggle—if a misstep destroyed the clan. As for merchants, noble families often scorn such marriages. If the Mu clan mixed with merchants, their status would drop.

“Did you see Qi Yingzhu today?” Mu Mei asked.

Qi’s family was a second-tier illustrious family from the south. Though not a perfect match, they were still worth considering. Previously, she had briefly entertained the idea, but because the emperor favored the Qi family, she set it aside.

But her daughter showed interest. So she wrote a letter expressing sincere intent. Qi Zhongxuan responded warmly—though the formal betrothal rites hadn’t passed, he already intended to bring his daughter to the Mu household.

Since that was so, Mu Mei’s worries lessened. She had worried Qi Zhongxuan might appeal to the emperor. Though the emperor spoke of remarrying, he was just relocating a consort from one place to another.

She could only remain a widow.

Mu Lanshi replied: “Today I went with Qi Yingzhu to the Yanting River for a stroll.”

“Yanting River’s sceneries are unique. Going there was good,” Mu Mei said softly over tea. “Last time you met her was at Yushu Pavilion, right? So now you’ve seen two of the city’s eight scenic spots.”

Her mother’s mood sounded pleasant.

Mu Mei asked: “What did that woman say? Did you ask her today?”

Mu Lanshi turned her head and thoughtfully recalled the events of the day.

***

TL/Note:

乾元 (qián yuán) is the Chinese term for Alpha in ABO genre. Qi Yingzhu calls Mu Lanshi with 乾君 (qián jūn). 乾 (qián) = one of the Eight Trigrams 八卦[ba1 gua4], symbolizing heaven; male principle; ☰; ancient Chinese compass point: 315° (northwest). 君 (jūn) = monarch; lord; gentleman; ruler.

Cat’s eye stone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatoyancy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_dowager

中书令 (zhōngshūlìng). Chief of the Secretariat. https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hans/%E4%B8%AD%E4%B9%A6%E4%BB%A4