My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 17

17

The Guid prefecture administered over a dozen districts. Although the number of candidates taking the military examinations in each district was small, when gathered together, the crowd was still quite substantial.

By the time Gu Qingci and her party arrived, a long queue had already formed at the entrance of the military academy, with officers and soldiers maintaining order.

“The field examination is inherently difficult, especially the mounted and foot archery. In your current state, how do you expect to take the test? Why not wait until next time?” Ruan Zhi said to Gu Qingci after the carriage came to a halt.

Since she wouldn’t pass anyway, it was better to avoid the embarrassment of everyone seeing her with a crooked neck than to go through with it.

“No, I have to take it this time. Don’t worry, Madam—just wait for my good news.” Gu Qingci insisted.

“…” Ruan Zhi was speechless.

Fine. It wasn’t her dignity at stake.

“Go ahead, then. I’ll come pick you up when the exam is over.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Alright. Then I’ll be off.” Gu Qingci grabbed her cloth bag and stepped out of the carriage.

The moment she alighted, the carriage departed without delay.

Gu Qingci watched it leave with a bitter smile.

Her neck still ached, but there were no sick leaves for exams. For the sake of those fifteen thousand taels of silver, she had to push through.

Yes, after her series of “lying low” maneuvers, the odds had skyrocketed again—now at one to one hundred fifty.

The bookmakers and bettors couldn’t even be bothered to sabotage her exam attendance as a precaution.

The journey had been smooth, and the gates of the military academy lay just ahead.

Except, unexpectedly, she herself had become the problem.

Beneath her veil, Gu Qingci massaged her stiff neck, trying to straighten it slightly. She hissed in pain and gave up.

Forcing it straight might risk serious spinal damage—not worth it.

Ahead, a crowd of candidates lined up to enter. Gu Qingci joined the queue.

“You there, candidate! Why are you wearing a veil like some delicate maiden? Remove it at once! Entry requires inspection of your exam slip and verification of identity.”

As Gu Qingci moved forward, a loud, gruff voice rang out. A uniformed officer with a sword pointed at her.

“…” Gu Qingci had planned to lift her veil when her turn came, but under the officer’s accusatory finger, she had no choice but to comply early to avoid conflict.

The officer’s shout drew the attention of those nearby, who turned to stare.

Gu Qingci lifted her veil and met countless curious eyes. Since none of the onlookers were familiar faces, her embarrassment lessened slightly.

The uniformed officer locked eyes with her and frowned, striding over with measured steps.

“Candidate, why such arrogance and defiance? Ordered to remove your veil, do you resent it?” His gaze sharpened.

Gu Qingci was baffled.

“Sir, what do you mean? This student has already complied and sees no breach of etiquette.” she said, bowing slightly.

“No breach? Then why do you glare at this official with such contempt? A gentleman must dress properly and regard others with respect. Even we martial artists must understand propriety! Since you lack courtesy, you need not enter the examination grounds. Guards, remove this person from the line!” he barked.

“Wait—!” Gu Qingci reacted quickly.

This was beyond ridiculous!

“Wait, please! This student meant no disrespect. It wasn’t intentional. Last night, I slept poorly and woke with a stiff neck. Rushing to the exam this morning, I couldn’t find a physician to treat it. I beg your forgiveness.” she explained rapidly.

Silence fell like a pall.

The inspecting officer studied Gu Qingci’s persistently tilted neck—completely unable to straighten—and fell silent.

Then, the previously tense onlookers burst into uproarious laughter.

“…” Gu Qingci desperately wanted to yank her veil back on.

“If that’s the case, then never mind. Quiet! Resume the inspection.” the officer coughed, suppressing his own amusement.

The line moved forward, but Gu Qingci could feel the weight of countless stares boring into her.

Whispers spread, accompanied by frequent glances in her direction.

Some candidates from Minshan County recognized Gu Qingci and eagerly shared her gossip with others.

Gu Qingci maintained a stoic expression as she advanced.

Stare all you want. As long as she could take the exam, nothing else mattered.

After an incense stick’s worth of time in line, it was finally her turn. Gu Qingci presented her exam slip and promptly explained her neck issue.

The inspecting official’s expression was indescribable.

Once verified, Gu Qingci entered the military academy, where candidates were organized into groups of ten and led to the examination grounds in batches.

The rest waited in an open area.

Those familiar with the process had already settled in, chatting in small clusters.

Assigned to a group, Gu Qingci joined her teammates. While the others networked, she focused on massaging her neck to improve circulation and ease the pain.

She had assumed her awkward situation would make her a prime target for gossip and mockery.

To her surprise, all her group members flocked around one person instead.

The woman was an alpha, tall and slender, with gentle, unassuming features and an approachable, amiable demeanor. Even surrounded by admirers, she smiled warmly and engaged with everyone.

“To think Lady Wenren is also taking the military exams—such a waste of talent!”

“What an honor to be grouped with Lady Wenren!”

Listening, Gu Qingci grew curious. This Wenren must be someone important, given the universal admiration.

Searching her memory, she recalled that the Wenren family was a lineage of imperial physicians, with generations serving in the palace.

That would explain the reverence.

“I am Wen Renyi, from Lishan County.” a voice suddenly addressed her. Gu Qingci looked up to see the woman breaking away from the crowd to approach her with a bow.

“I’m Gu Qingci, from Minshan County. Are you from the Wenren family known for producing imperial physicians?” Gu Qingci asked bluntly.

“A humble reputation, indeed. My medical skills were lacking, so I turned to martial pursuits instead. Forgive my embarrassment.” Wen Renyi said with a smile. “I noticed your neck seems uncomfortable. If you don’t mind, I could massage it to relieve the pain.”

Gu Qingci hadn’t expected such an offer. Despite being swarmed by admirers, Wen Renyi was willing to help an unknown candidate like her.

Truly, a healer’s heart.

“That would be amazing—thank you!” Gu Qingci accepted immediately.

She sat down, and Wen Renyi positioned herself behind her, pressing along her neck to locate the sore spots before beginning the massage.

Wen Renyi clearly knew her craft. Gu Qingci felt some relief—far better than her own attempts.

“It’s not severe. It’ll heal in a few days, though it may affect your exam. For you to still come despite this, Lady Gu, I truly admire your determination.” Wen Renyi said.

“Heh, no choice. The exams are only held once a year.” Gu Qingci replied, guessing Wen Renyi had approached her out of curiosity for her “thick-skinned” uniqueness.

“Was it an unsuitable pillow or bed? Recently, inns across Guid prefecture have been packed—hard to find decent accommodations.” Wen Renyi remarked.

“…Yeah.” Gu Qingci agreed, too embarrassed to admit she’d rolled off the floor in her sleep.

“After the exam, if you’d like, you’re welcome to stay at my inn. My bed is large and comfortable. I could also continue massaging your neck.” Wen Renyi offered.

“???” Gu Qingci was stunned. Wen Renyi really didn’t stand on ceremony.

“You’re too kind, but I’m here with my wife. I couldn’t impose.” Gu Qingci declined.

“You’re married? Yet you haven’t consummated?” Wen Renyi looked surprised.

“Uh…” Gu Qingci froze.

“Any difficulties? Though my skills are modest, I know a thing or two. If there’s an issue, I could examine you thoroughly.” Wen Renyi said earnestly.

Faced with her eager healer’s gaze, Gu Qingci mustered an awkward but polite smile.

“There isn’t.” she demurred.

“Lady Wenren, how old were you when you began studying medicine?” Gu Qingci swiftly changed the subject.

Wen Renyi, easily diverted, launched into a lively discussion.

The group waited nearly an hour before their turn.

Gu Qingci’s throat was parched.

Chatting with such a social butterfly was exhausting.

She now understood Wen Renyi’s friendliness stemmed partly from seeing her as a kindred spirit—equally outgoing and shameless.

Please. Gu Qingci did feel embarrassment.

After much conversation, the two grew closer—close enough for Gu Qingci to have practically memorized Wen Renyi’s family registry.

As time passed, many candidates finished their exams and left—some smiling, most despondent.

Military exam results were immediate. Pass or fail, you knew right after the field test.

When their group was called, an attendant led them to the examination grounds.

On the platform, invigilators observed them, including the elderly General Song Qianji, the Education Commissioner, the Prefect, and others.

Shaded under a canopy with tea and snacks, they had it comfortable.

“The third candidate from the left—slept crooked and has a stiff neck. When she entered earlier…” The Prefect, seated beside the Commissioner, relayed the story he’d heard from the inspectors, treating it as amusement for the others.

“This candidate is either exceptionally skilled or exceptionally bold.” the Commissioner mused.

“Nonsense!” General Song, who remembered Gu Qingci as the one who’d asked about benefits before registering, glared.

“I find it rather entertaining.” remarked a noblewoman seated among them, smiling.

Regardless, Gu Qingci’s condition had once again captured the examiners’ attention.

The first event was foot archery—hitting targets about 70-80 meters away. Three hits out of nine arrows would qualify her for the next round.

The ten candidates were given identical bows and lined up to shoot simultaneously.

Her crooked neck barely affected her performance.

During the apocalypse, she’d wielded firearms while grievously injured.

The pain when straining her neck was manageable for now.

At the signal, Gu Qingci first tested the weight of the exam arrows and gauged the wind with her sleeve.

While others had already loosed several arrows, Gu Qingci held back, waiting.

Invigilator Song watched with mounting irritation.

Glancing at the noblewoman beside him, he worried Gu Qingci’s disgrace would reflect poorly on Guid prefecture’s martial standards.

As he scrambled for a diplomatic explanation, the noblewoman suddenly straightened, intrigued.

Song turned back to Gu Qingci—and inhaled sharply.

Her first arrow struck dead center!

For foot archery, merely hitting the target was a pass. A bullseye was perfection—full marks.

Was this seemingly hopeless candidate actually a rare prodigy?

A fluke?

The second arrow answered: another bullseye.

The third arrow split one of the previous two.

The examiners waited for more, but Gu Qingci set down her bow, clutching her neck as she addressed a nearby marshal.

“Does this count as a pass? My neck hurts—using strength worsens it. May I stop?” she asked.

“Very well. Proceed to mounted archery with your bow.” the marshal said, astonished.

Three bullseyes!

A feat unseen in years.

Gu Qingci exhaled in relief. Realizing the pain worsened with exertion, she hadn’t held back—calculating angles and wind, waiting for the perfect moment to release.

The examiners abandoned the other candidates, turning their full attention to the mounted archery grounds.

For this test, candidates had to ride two laps around the field while hitting a central target at least twice within a time limit.

Gu Qingci mounted her horse, nocked an arrow, and calculated distances before releasing.

Mounted archery posed little challenge—the target was stationary, making it easy to hit.

But aiming for the bullseye required precision.

After landing two hits, Gu Qingci moved to the strength tests: saber maneuvers and stone-lock lifts.

Though her weaker events, a month of practice had brought her to above-average proficiency.

“Go, ask that crooked-necked candidate her name.” the noblewoman ordered an attendant.

“Her name is Gu Qingci, from Minshan County.” General Song interjected, his gaze complex—mostly pleased.

Good news: Xiao Gu had dazzled everyone!

Bad news: Xiao Gu’s crooked neck would soon be legendary nationwide!