The Female Alpha Consort Mistakenly Marks the Empress - TFACMME Chapter 25

Qi Yingzhu was stunned, her gaze avoiding.

These words felt like boiling medicine pouring into her chest, burning her limbs and bones.

She wanted to escape.

What exactly did “Do you dare take responsibility for me” mean behind those words?

Qi Yingzhu did not dare look at Mu Lanshi’s eyes at this moment and turned her eyes away.

But Mu Lanshi gathered all her reactions into her eyes.

She wanted to hide, right? But she insisted on asking clearly.

Since Qi Yingzhu loved her so much in her previous life, then why would she not allow her to return that love?

Mu Lanshi moved closer, warm breath slowly blowing on Qi Yingzhu’s face, still asking, “Young Lady, didn’t you just admit? You stained Lanshi’s purity, how can you not take responsibility?”

Qi Yingzhu stiffly felt the heat blowing onto her face, listening to her heartbeat pounding like drums.

Finally, she spoke very slowly and deliberately, “Mu Lanshi, you are forcing a marriage.”

Qi Yingzhu really did not know how to say it—she knew Mu Lanshi’s level of intensity was nothing compared to that unshakable imperial power, she was just asking her to marry in this way.

But she couldn’t find more fitting words, so she could only say this.

“Forcing a marriage?” Mu Lanshi suddenly stopped applying pressure with her hand, but the warm breath was still hot, burning the surging waves of emotion.

Qi Yingzhu was surprised by the sudden sadness in her words.

“Then turn your head and look at me.” Mu Lanshi said this softly. At some unknown time, Mu Lanshi’s suspended hand regained strength and gently stroked Qi Yingzhu’s jaw, saying, “I am forcing a marriage…?”

The trembling at the end of her sentence was unmistakable. Qi Yingzhu’s heart grew more anxious, wanting to say something but crashing into those sorrowful eyes.

“Then, Young Lady, do you only like me that little?”

This question was too pressing and blunt, just like her eyes at this moment that could not be avoided.

Does Mu Lanshi only like her that little?

Of course not.

If it was only a little, she wouldn’t have done what she did last life.

But…

“Yes, just that little,” Qi Yingzhu said firmly, “Not enough.”

Mu Lanshi stared blankly at Qi Yingzhu, meeting those light brown pupils.

Oh—so the reason she still refused her to this day was because it was “not enough”?

She did not like her enough, so she was unwilling.

Hopefully, that was the case. Mu Lanshi’s eyes darkened, and she slowly stood up.

Indeed. After what she experienced last life, just doing these things this life was truly not enough.

Though she thought so, Mu Lanshi’s heart still felt blocked, after all, she had risked everything just now.

—Qi Yingzhu did not dare take the bet on her recklessness.

Then wait. Mu Lanshi smiled.

She was not betting just one chip after all.

“All right, I do not like you enough yet,” Mu Lanshi said lightly, retreating, “Young Lady, didn’t you say before you wanted to stay in the capital?”

Qi Yingzhu’s pale cheeks were still faintly red. Even though Mu Lanshi changed the topic with a retreat, she slowly responded, “Yes.”

Mu Lanshi stared at her and slowly said, “…What I promised you before still stands. I won’t let you enter the palace.”

But at this moment, Qi Yingzhu suddenly looked back, staring directly into those usually sincere black phoenix eyes: “Then thank you for your kindness—but even without you, I won’t let myself enter the palace.”

Qi Yingzhu could avoid her feelings for Mu Lanshi, but regarding this fate of entering the palace, she wanted to say something.

Having another chance at life, she would not let her fate fall into someone else’s hands, so she dared to meet Mu Lanshi’s eyes.

When Mu Lanshi gazed at her, there was a kind of broken unreadability.

—How good, such eyes would remind Qi Yingzhu of the look she threw at Mu Lanshi on the day of Mu Lanshi’s marriage to another.

Lonely, unknown, full of desire, no one knew.

Mu Lanshi’s forehead twitched sharply.

She knew when these apricot eyes would show such a piercing sharpness—in her previous life when she held a high official position and met someone she was already estranged from, she showed such a look.

Qi Yingzhu said she would not let herself enter the palace.

Mu Lanshi suddenly understood something and suppressed the urge to call her “Empress Dowager.” She had nearly been pierced by those sharp eyes and words.

Forced marriages are not sweet, and besides, Qi Yingzhu had said she needed her help.

She would not leave her now.

“…Young Lady,” Mu Lanshi paused before speaking, “You said you want to stay in the capital. Then, how do you want to stay in the capital?”

She had already read another meaning from that sharp, disdainful gaze.

If she herself could live another life, what was there not possible?

Mu Lanshi turned around, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Across a small round table, she looked at Qi Yingzhu, waiting for her answer.

“After they leave, will you stay alone in the capital?” Mu Lanshi asked in surprise.

Would she let the Qi family go back to Jiangnan first? She didn’t quite understand Qi Yingzhu’s plan and wanted to ask.

Qi Yingzhu furrowed her delicate eyebrows, but the first words she spoke were: “You don’t need to address me as ‘you’ anymore, at least not in private.”

Mu Lanshi lightly raised an eyebrow and responded with a “Hmm,” agreeing.

The young Empress Dowager had many quirks. She suddenly thought this and amused herself.

Qi Yingzhu gave her a strange glance, suppressing her hidden emotions, and retorted her last sentence: “They are them, I am me. Young Lady, do you really think they would calmly return now?”

Xu Yuan could no longer tolerate Qi Zhongxuan. They were already in such a mess. Moreover, she had seen her own sister. Qi Nian was frightened by their sudden quarrel and was still sick in bed. Several doctors had been called but she was not getting better.

Xu Yuan, a mother who doted on her daughter so much, certainly would not easily let things go. She definitely would not agree to go back to Jiangnan with Qi Zhongxuan.

“Young Lady, didn’t you promise me you would help me?” Qi Yingzhu asked again.

Mu Lanshi tilted her head and quietly studied Qi Yingzhu, trying to see her intent.

What did she mean by this?

She knew Qi Yingzhu was the adopted daughter of the Qi family. But even so, she still relied on the protection of the Qi family. If they left, how would she survive?

Unless…

Mu Lanshi suddenly said, “When do you want help?”

Qi Yingzhu suddenly leaned forward, her clear eyes bright, her red lips parted: “When I am no longer a Qi family girl.”

No longer a Qi family girl meant cutting ties with the Qi family.

Mu Lanshi’s expression tightened, a cold and surprised light flashing in her eyes.

Qi Yingzhu wanted to sever relations with the Qi family and establish herself independently in the capital?

The Great Qi valued blood relations, especially in a society connected by noble families. Normally it would be difficult for Qi Yingzhu to leave the Qi family legitimately. After all, the Qi family was a second-tier aristocratic family in Jiangnan.

But it was different in the capital. When it rains, it pours. Xu Yuan was now quarrelling with Qi Zhongxuan, and at this moment Qi Yingzhu was asking for help.

If following Qi Yingzhu’s idea, this was almost certain to succeed. When she was no longer a Qi, she would not have to enter the palace.

The Empress really had means.

However, Mu Lanshi’s ears soon flashed with Qi Yingzhu’s earlier words said in anger at Yushu Pavilion: “Soon, after finding the ideal alpha, I will leave.”

An inexplicable feeling rose in her heart.

Ideal alpha? Leave?

Mu Lanshi quietly looked at Qi Yingzhu and softly said, “Whatever you want to do, Lanshi will help you.”

Qi Yingzhu’s eyes also moved.

She looked at this incomparable, unmatched noble young lady as if she had never known her before.

She originally had few private encounters with Mu Lanshi in her previous life. In private, Mu Lanshi was probably a deeply affectionate person.

In official circles, however, she was not so kind.

“But we have already bonded, and you also took my alpha virginity.” Mu Lanshi’s voice was soft but firm as she stroked her chin with increased pressure. “So, Qi Yingzhu, you should take care of me as well.”

It was not like the omega period only happened once or twice a month. The alpha heat also had exhausting flare-ups.

Qi Yingzhu’s heart jolted.

… She suddenly realized something.

Mu Lanshi’s fingertips were not smooth, but because of years of martial arts practice, they were covered with a thin layer of calluses. When she stroked her jaw, lingering with a moist warmth in the groove and fold, it brought waves of tingling sensations to her body.

“You should take care of me,” Mu Lanshi said as she bent down, pressing close to Qi Yingzhu’s ear, deliberately blowing warm breath into it.

Qi Yingzhu was startled by this overwhelming pressure.

She began to breathe quickly, her eyelashes trembling weakly.

Her breath gradually thickened and sticky like spilled honey.

Mu Lanshi’s other hand already covered Qi Yingzhu’s, forcefully slipping between her open fingers, wet warmth flooding over.

Qi Yingzhu couldn’t tell if the heat came from the hand or her lower abdomen.

Maybe both.

After all, she was an omega and bonded with Mu Lanshi; they were naturally sensitive to each other.

The faint orchid fragrance mixed with a sweet cold scent.

She suddenly recalled some days spent together with Mu Lanshi.

Brief but powerfully etched into her life.

Her eyes blurred as she rested on Mu Lanshi’s shoulder, face flushed and moist, quietly murmuring.

Qi Yingzhu slowly closed her eyes, then opened them again.

To find a place to stand in life, she had to rely on someone.

Her biological mother was too far away, wasn’t she? Relying on herself alone was too difficult.

Her inner balance kept swaying, tilting.

In the end, she decided to accept what Mu Lanshi said.

“Of course,” Qi Yingzhu sniffed, lowering her gaze to those slender fingers. “I will take care of you. After all, Young Lady Mu is a great alpha, and now you have suffered some grievances. Then as your bonded omega, I should be responsible,” Qi Yingzhu smiled meaninglessly. “Can your hand move now?”

Mu Lanshi raised her brow and finally withdrew her hand.

They had just verbally made a promise, plainly speaking, to relieve each other’s burdens.

… Not exactly gentlemanly behavior.

Thinking this, Qi Yingzhu said, “Young Lady, by making such an agreement with me, do you want to keep me as a concubine?”

Her shimmering apricot eyes held a teasing smile.

Young Lady Mu was noble-born, young and strong, an unrivaled alpha in the world. Being her lover was surely a pleasure.

No one would deny that.

“It’s not me who refuses to give a title,” Mu Lanshi smiled, her voice lingering and gentle. “Empress.”

She deliberately spoke the last two words very softly, but Qi Yingzhu could definitely hear them.

Qi Yingzhu trembled all over like a floating duckweed on the water.

—What did she say? What did she call her?

—Empress.

Although she had expected it…

“Young Lady, what are you saying,” Qi Yingzhu pulled her hand away and walked toward the door, bluntly adding, “I don’t understand.”

Mu Lanshi clenched her breath and murmured, “If you didn’t understand, you wouldn’t…”

If you didn’t understand, you wouldn’t leave so abruptly.

But she didn’t raise her voice or finish the sentence.

She silently watched Qi Yingzhu walk away toward the door.

She knew Qi Yingzhu’s pride. If you don’t let her say it herself, you won’t get anything.

—To be willing to remain a widow for a lifetime for someone who never loved her, what kind of strong inner world must that be?

At least the two of them just made a promise; she still needed to rely on her strength to stand firm in the capital, and they would each fulfill their responsibilities.

They would have a lot of time to be together.

Just then, “knock knock knock,” came a knock at the door. “Younger Miss! Younger Miss!”

Someone was about to interrupt, and Mu Lanshi frowned.

“Little Mi, what is it?”

“Master and Madam have arrived… they said they wanted to come see you.”

Mu Lanshi lightly raised an eyebrow, just meeting Qi Yingzhu’s gaze.

Her eyes held scrutiny and hope.

“I think we had a good talk,” Mu Lanshi said as she passed Qi Yingzhu, dropping that sentence.

She also took her hand, and Qi Yingzhu did not refuse.

Instead, she gripped back tighter and deeper.

***

Seeing Qi Yingzhu’s face flush with a shy, maidenly look as she came out of the room holding hands with Mu Lanshi, Xu Yuan and Qi Zhongxuan fell silent, forgetting what they wanted to say.

W-What is this?

Have they really gotten this close?

Though Qi Yingzhu’s face showed shyness, it was probably because she was seeing her parents. Her hand was still locked with Mu Lanshi’s, fingers intertwined tightly as if inseparable.

“Father, Mother…” she called softly, “Why did you come?”

Mu Lanshi’s long, thick eyelashes twitched without reason.

Just now she was so fierce with her, refusing to yield and retreat, trying to avoid when pressured—those images were still fresh in her mind. But now, she held Mu Lanshi’s hand tightly and refused to let go.

She even coyly hid behind her to face the two people.

“Old… old man just came to check on you, see how you are,” Qi Zhongxuan said awkwardly, eyes still glancing at their tightly linked hands, “But it seems I worried too much, hahahaha!” His laughter was relaxed, obviously because his heart had found a place to settle. “You two must get along well.” He gave repeated reminders and finally asked what their plans were.

Xu Yuan listened, her eyes darkening.

Qi Zhongxuan was happy simply because Mu Lanshi and Qi Yingzhu seemed very close, neither tied to the royal family but aligned with the Mu family.

Either way, it was a good match for the Qi family—tsk, tsk, how did he get all the good fortune?

Thinking of this, Xu Yuan forced a smile and bade farewell to Mu Lanshi and Qi Yingzhu.

Originally, Mu Lanshi was leaving, and Qi Yingzhu insisted on going with her.

That was what lovers did.

Xu Yuan and Qi Zhongxuan etched the sweet scene into their memories, knowing this was almost settled.

“Then please take care of Young Lady Mu…” Xu Yuan said softly, “My daughter is here in the capital for the first time, unfamiliar with many things.”

Mu Lanshi’s hand was still tightly held by Qi Yingzhu, and she replied gently, “Of course, Madam, please rest assured.”

Xu Yuan nodded.

After the couple’s sweet, inseparable figures disappeared at the end of the hall, her soft gaze instantly turned fierce.

She would not give Qi Zhongxuan any favors. Once Yingzhu returned today, she would seriously beg her.

***

Ah Chen had long prepared footrests for the two.

As a covert guard, she knew better than to meddle, but why was her young lady’s hand held so tightly by that Qi family girl?

But it was understandable. Before the young lady came of age and knew about alpha and omega, there was an alpha girl from the reputable Chai family who loved the young lady at first sight and promised to wait until she married.

…The regret was both were alphas; the falling flower and flowing water had no feelings; though the Chai girl was willing, the young lady had no such intention, so it ended.

She served the two into the carriage.

Only after sitting did Qi Yingzhu reluctantly release Mu Lanshi’s hand.

Her hand and hers had already created a warmth, moist and tender.

“Ah Chen, we’re going to the West Market,” Mu Lanshi instructed.

Ah Chen replied, “Okay, Young Lady. Once we arrive, where are we going?”

“We’ll decide then,” Mu Lanshi said lightly.

Since her lady said so, Ah Chen did not ask further.

However, Qi Yingzhu looked at Mu Lanshi with doubtful apricot eyes.

When they came in, they sat together; now the distance was still close.

“Why are you looking at me?” Mu Lanshi raised a suspicious brow. “Or did you change your mind?”

“What mind would I change? I won’t change my mind!” Qi Yingzhu said slowly but firmly, then turned her head away. “You take me to the West Market but won’t say where. What if…”

Mu Lanshi asked curiously, “What if what?”

“What if you sell me? After all, you defiled Young Lady Mu’s purity; killing to silence me would be easier for you.”

She said this, cheeks faintly flushed.

It was nonsense.

Mu Lanshi only shrugged. “No, I wouldn’t sell my mate.”

Saying that, she leaned closer to Qi Yingzhu’s shoulder, warm breath mixed with orchid scent drifting into Qi Yingzhu’s nose.

“After all, the mate still has to be responsible for the subordinate… right?”

Qi Yingzhu’s confident expression vanished, replaced by shyness, then she bumped Mu Lanshi’s forehead and scolded, “Take care of your orchid scent.”

But after all, she was a bit more fragile, not like Mu Lanshi, who was thick-skinned and tough. After bumping into someone, she was still rubbing her forehead.

Mu Lanshi could only hold back laughter beside her.

The little empress dowager really had many quirks.

Although Mu Lanshi didn’t know exactly what she was struggling with now, she knew one thing: she still liked her.

That was enough for now.

***

After the carriage rolled past the bustling West Market, Qi Yingzhu finally understood that Mu Lanshi wanted to bring her to find a housing broker.

The broker was a woman in her forties, a skillful and influential person. Mu Lanshi had a strong impression of her in her previous life.

And now was no different.

The woman was just discussing something with others when she saw this elegant young lady get off the carriage and walk over. She guessed something, came forward with a warm smile, and asked, “May I ask… what does this young lady want? We have all kinds of houses here-”

Mu Lanshi blinked, “I want to buy several shops for sale here in the West Market.”

The broker was overjoyed, her eyes curved like crescent moons. She kept saying, “Good, good, good! I will get the list for you to look over right away. Qiuer, hurry and serve these distinguished guests!”

A young girl’s voice replied immediately, “Coming, mother!”

After the woman left, Qi Yingzhu nudged Mu Lanshi with her elbow, “What are you going to do?”

Mu Lanshi replied seriously, “Can’t you tell? Didn’t I say I’m here to help you?”

When the woman brought a thick book and placed it in front of Mu Lanshi, who carefully picked some prime locations to buy, Qi Yingzhu felt a complicated emotion rising inside her.

She was getting entangled with her.

The woman happily sent the two guests off and told them they could come to the government office to sign the contract when they had time. Qi Yingzhu felt awkward walking behind and just happened to say a few words to the woman.

“This young lady… may I gossip a little? Are you and that lady already engaged?” she asked with a smile.

Qi Yingzhu’s face still showed a hint of embarrassment, “Why do you say that?”

The woman smiled even brighter, “How I see it is a secret—ah, but I can say this, just now I could tell from how she looked at you a little.”

Qi Yingzhu pursed her lips, thanked her, and left.

After she left, the woman turned around and, as if talking to her little daughter or murmuring to herself, said, “What else could it be? She’s willing to spend so much thought and money on you, of course she likes you.”

Where money goes, love goes. Having lived so many years, she understood this clearly.

Only the crowned young lady’s eyes clearly showed deep affection.

The woman hummed a little tune happily over the big deal she just made, unaware that someone was watching her from the shadows.

***

Back in the carriage, Mu Lanshi handed the contract she just got to Qi Yingzhu, “That broker said you can come to the government office to sign whenever you have time. Since you’re still a Qi family daughter, it’s inconvenient to divide the family assets now…”

She spoke with righteous authority.

Qi Yingzhu kept looking at Mu Lanshi, slowly took the contract from her, and mumbled, “You gave me so much, and you say it’s not out of obligation…”

Even borrowing or returning favors is complicated.

Mu Lanshi was calm and picked a strand of hair from Qi Yingzhu’s temple, smiling, “If I don’t give you more, what if your business runs into trouble? How will you support me, your mate, then?”

Mate, again mate!

Qi Yingzhu felt angry and sulky. She moved closer and bit Mu Lanshi hard on the neck. After biting, she said indignantly, “If you want me to support a mate, why don’t you give more?”

Listen, she just complained about giving so much, now she complains why not more.

A fickle woman.

Mu Lanshi felt the bite, hurt a little, “Ouch,” then said, “That won’t do.”

“Why not?” Qi Yingzhu was annoyed, twisting Mu Lanshi’s hand and tickling her.

“If I give too much, what if you don’t like me anymore and use that money to support other mates? I can’t compete with those women…” Mu Lanshi said seriously, “Women get spoiled with money. As a delicate woman, I have to consider my own future.”

Women get spoiled with money?

Qi Yingzhu laughed in anger and bit her ear this time, “Then Mu Lanshi, you must be bad from the root.”

“…Then you won’t support me?”

“Who said that? You’re just imagining things.” Qi Yingzhu turned her head away, hands holding her chin, flesh spilling over her fingers, “Supporting one mate is already troublesome enough, always causing me trouble.”

“All right, yes, one is enough,” Mu Lanshi nodded thoughtfully. “The mate you support is the heir of the richest family in the capital… If this were a story, many people would want to read it.”

Qi Yingzhu glared at her.

Talking nonsense without any basis.

“Who would want to read about you… are you that important?” she said softly, lowering her head. Her voice grew quieter toward the end.

It seemed even she couldn’t convince herself. Then she stayed silent, burying her head.

So annoying. Even if she were to live again, she’d still be put in a corner by her.

She counted on her fingers, thinking about how she could get back at Mu Lanshi.

Oh, hadn’t they agreed? Mu Lanshi’s alpha heat hadn’t come yet.

When her heat comes, she definitely wouldn’t let her have an easy time!