My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 14

14

“Madam, there are methods to remove the grassy taste and reduce the bitterness—such as pan-firing or steaming the leaves. Surely someone as knowledgeable as you has heard of these?” Gu Qingci asked Ruan Zhi excitedly.

“You know about this? How is it done?” Ruan Zhi shook her head as she looked at Gu Qingci.

“I saw it when I visited a tea plantation with my grandfather. The locals would pan-fire the tea leaves—after picking and sun-drying them, they’d stir-fry them in a large iron wok. First, they’d use high heat to kill the green, stir-fry briefly, then take them out to roll. After that, they’d return the leaves to the wok at a slightly lower temperature for a second round of frying, and then…” Gu Qingci struggled to recall the details from her childhood outings with her grandfather.

Ruan Zhi listened intently, her expression thoughtful.

Gu Qingci mentioned her grandfather?

If Ruan Zhi remembered correctly, the elder of the Gu family had passed away before Gu Qingci was even born.

“Madam, the wok was scalding hot, so Grandfather wouldn’t let me touch it. I’m not entirely clear on the exact heat control or technique, but the process I saw was like this. The tea that came out was incredibly fragrant. After drying, you could just steep a cup whenever you wanted—it was convenient and much more aromatic than what we have now. There’s also a steaming method, where…” Gu Qingci continued.

Ruan Zhi listened carefully the entire time.

“Do we have any tea leaves at home? Maybe I could give it a try!” After finishing, Gu Qingci felt an urge to experiment.

If this worked, it would be revolutionary!

It could lead a new trend in tea drinking—and earn a fortune!

“Wife, all the tea we have at home is sun-dried tea cakes. We don’t have fresh leaves. I’ll have someone handle this matter. You should focus on your studies. Later, if we manage to produce some finished tea, I’ll bring it for you to taste.” Ruan Zhi replied softly.

Whether the pan-firing or steaming methods were feasible, Ruan Zhi would have to send trusted people to test them.

If Gu Qingci wasn’t spouting nonsense and this actually worked, perhaps she needed to reassess her view of her.

“Madam, if this experiment succeeds, could you raise my monthly allowance? Maybe even give me a small share of the profits from the tea sales?” Gu Qingci calmed down slightly as she spoke, her cheeks flushing—from excitement.

“Of course. But let’s wait until it succeeds. I won’t go back on my word.” Ruan Zhi nodded.

This person never missed an opportunity to ask for a raise.

Wouldn’t it be more profitable to do it herself?

Yet without a second thought, she handed the matter over to Ruan Zhi, letting her handle everything while demanding a raise and a share of the profits.

What exactly did she want?

Ruan Zhi glanced at Gu Qingci, now cheerful and energetic, then lowered her gaze without another word.

If she wasn’t genuinely simple-minded, then she was deeply cunning—exceptionally skilled at deception.

“Madam, I’m going to study now.” Thinking of the tax revenue that would eventually come from her share of the profits, Gu Qingci decided to hit the books.

She forced herself to finish the unpalatable tea.

Despite its awful taste, the caffeine content was undeniable.

After the tea, Gu Qingci read for a while, then practiced her calligraphy.

The room fell into quietude.

Ruan Zhi continued with her own tasks.

After today’s trip to the county town and the government store, she had begun formulating new plans for their current situation.

As Ruan Zhi pondered, Gu Qingci filled several pages with characters before yawning widely.

The stimulating tea seemed to have little effect on her.

“Madam, I have to get up early tomorrow for the academy, so I’ll go wash up first. May I stay here with you tonight?” Sensing Ruan Zhi’s gaze, Gu Qingci looked up and asked.

Ruan Zhi studied Gu Qingci. No one else could make “staying the night” sound so innocent.

“Very well.” Ruan Zhi agreed.

Gu Qingci happily went to wash up, then just as happily returned to dry her hair. As usual, she fell asleep mid-drying, face-down on the bed.

Ruan Zhi frowned.

Did she always have to fall asleep so quickly? Was she doing it on purpose to annoy her?

Unfortunately, sleep wasn’t like eating—where seeing others eat more made one unconsciously do the same.

Ruan Zhi’s mind felt weighed down by something heavy. Despite her exhaustion, sleep remained elusive.

After reviewing the ledger in her hands a while longer, Ruan Zhi rose and approached the desk where Gu Qingci had been writing earlier.

Though still at a beginner’s level, her calligraphy had improved slightly from the day before.

If she’d studied this diligently before, she wouldn’t be at this level now.

But her writing was… odd.

One section was titled “Simplified vs. Traditional Comparison Chart” listing characters Gu Qingci had previously asked about—some correctly written, others with erroneous variations.

Ruan Zhi studied it but couldn’t discern its purpose.

She gave up and turned away.

Gu Qingci was sound asleep. Ruan Zhi approached for a closer look, but the other woman didn’t stir.

It seemed that uncanny awareness from before had vanished.

Perhaps it wasn’t so mystical after all.

Ruan Zhi returned to her desk, wrote a few letters to her shopkeepers in various regions, then went to wash up.

With Gu Qingci in the room, a faint, sweet fruity fragrance lingered. Though Ruan Zhi still struggled to fall asleep, she managed to drift off slightly earlier than usual.

The next morning, Gu Qingci was the first to rise.

The soft couch was indeed comfortable—she woke up feeling much more refreshed.

She moved with extreme care, afraid of disturbing Ruan Zhi and earning her wrath.

The academy’s early start left no time for exercise.

Without it, her body felt sluggish. Having woken up slightly earlier today, Gu Qingci had Shimo take the carriage while she jogged alongside it for a stretch.

By the time Ruan Zhi awoke, the room was, of course, empty.

After getting ready, Ruan Zhi remembered Gu Qingci’s words from the previous day and sent someone to pick fresh leaves from a nearby tea plantation.

As for the actual implementation, she enlisted Zhao Niangzi and two maids she’d brought from home.

“Zhao Niangzi, I’ll explain the process to you. Xiuhe and Xiumei will handle the frying. You’ll record every step—not a single detail can be missed. Each batch of tea produced must be properly labeled and stored without error. I’ll assign you a dedicated room where only the three of you are allowed entry.” Ruan Zhi explained the situation.

For something with so many unknown variables, Ruan Zhi anticipated numerous trials.

Every step, from picking onward, would be documented.

They would determine the optimal method through experimentation.

After arranging household affairs, Ruan Zhi left again for the government store.

Becoming a supplier for the government store was a necessary step before she could locate the allies from her past life.

The government store represented the imperial court. Securing a supplier contract would also establish influence, laying the groundwork for her future plans.

After a sedan chair ride lasting over half an hour, Ruan Zhi arrived at the Minshan City government store—the one in their county town.

As she stepped out, veiled in her hooded cloak, a disdainful snort reached her ears.

A woman in a pale purple fitted robe stood nearby, arms crossed.

Her hair was tied high, lending her a somewhat heroic air.

Ruan Zhi recognized her—Xia Lingyan. They’d known each other for over a decade.

But when Ruan Zhi presented as an omega at her coming-of-age ceremony, Xia Lingyan had presented as an alpha, and their interactions dwindled.

With their families’ businesses in competition, they became rivals.

“Some people have such shallow vision. That lowest-tier noble title, that bottom-ranked academy class—and they think they’ve stumbled upon some treasure. What’s the use? Should merchant-class folk demean themselves like this? Ridiculous. Who knows what status their descendants will have?!” Xia Lingyan’s scornful tone was unmistakable.

Ruan Zhi remained silent.

Xia Lingyan hadn’t attended the county magistrate’s daughter’s birthday banquet and thus didn’t know what had transpired.

Those who had witnessed the events had been handsomely paid for their silence.

Ruan Zhi had no desire to engage. She’d long since grown indifferent to such matters.

She hadn’t expected to run into Xia Lingyan today, but the woman seemed particularly incensed about her marriage to Gu Qingci.

Ignoring her, Ruan Zhi headed for the government store’s entrance. Xia Lingyan sidestepped to block her path.

“In previous years, the gambling houses would open betting pools before the academy entrance exams—wagering on which Class A students would pass the imperial examinations. This year, I’ve started a new pool. One copper coin bets she’ll pass, a hundred taels bet she’ll fail. Do you think I’ll win or lose?” Xia Lingyan directed her words at her companion, but they were clearly meant for Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi paused, lifting her veil to glance at Xia Lingyan.

Catching the look, Xia Lingyan’s mouth snapped shut, her eyes widening slightly as her breath hitched.

Ruan Zhi lowered the veil and continued inside.

Behind her, Xia Lingyan stood frozen for a moment before stamping her foot in frustration.

“Let’s go find Eunuch Li!” With that, she stormed into the government store and straight upstairs.

Ruan Zhi, buffeted by the gust of wind left in Xia Lingyan’s wake, watched as the woman ascended to the second floor—the very floor Ruan Zhi hadn’t been permitted to access the day before. At the landing, Xia Lingyan even turned back to shoot Ruan Zhi a triumphant look.

Ruan Zhi stopped, turned, and exited the store.

“Madam, why aren’t we going in?” Lian Rui asked, puzzled.

“There’s no need now.” Ruan Zhi said.

Each government store was managed by a eunuch dispatched by the court.

The current Eunuch Li wasn’t the same person Ruan Zhi had dealt with in her past life.

Yesterday, she’d failed to meet him.

If Xia Lingyan could ascend to the second floor so easily, it meant she’d already cultivated that connection.

Among Ruan Zhi’s dowry shops were specialty pastries, Suzhou brocade, and rouge—precisely the items she’d noticed were in short supply at the government store yesterday.

And these were products the Xia family, as the Ruan family’s longtime rivals, also possessed.

Yet these goods weren’t currently stocked in the government store, suggesting the Xia family’s negotiations had failed—likely because their offered prices were too low.

Ruan Zhi wanted to do business, not lose money.

Given Xia Lingyan’s attitude toward her just now, Ruan Zhi suspected Xia Lingyan might be willing to operate at a loss just to secure the supplier position.

In that case, why not let her lose even more?

Ruan Zhi could stock up on certain raw materials.

With this in mind, Ruan Zhi didn’t idle. She went straight to one of her dowry shops to discuss plans with the manager.

While Ruan Zhi was occupied, Gu Qingci muddled through her morning classes in a daze.

During the break, she intended to nap, but the same group from yesterday approached again.

Just as Gu Qingci prepared to cover her ears, their words caught her attention.

“Gu Qingci, did you know the gambling houses have opened a betting pool on whether you’ll pass the imperial exams? The odds are one to a hundred if you do.” The speaker waggled their eyebrows.

“…” Gu Qingci perked up momentarily before deflating.

Given the current circumstances, a month was far too little time.

Unless she could obtain the exam questions in advance and spend the month memorizing model answers.

Were there past exam papers or practice tests she could review?

If only she could find a tutor who specialized in imperial exam composition.

Gu Qingci propped her chin on her hand, her thoughts wandering.

A sudden gong snapped her back to attention.

“It’s an assembly. Why now?” Someone recognized the signal.

Gu Qingci couldn’t tell, but she followed the crowd outside.

Students in blue robes gathered at the designated spot.

“General Song is here to rally us again!”

“Are the military academies so desperate for recruits they’re scouting at Honglu Academy?!”

“Who’d dare go? You’d lose half your life to their brutal training. Who can even draw a hundred-pound bow?”

The students ahead were chatting.

Gu Qingci blinked and peered forward.