My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 27

27

Gu Qingci valued her life, but this level of rain posed no real threat to her.

Moreover, Ruan Zhi was clearly worried.

This was the perfect opportunity to prove her worth—only then could she become a core, indispensable employee in the future.

Even if they divorced, her share of the profits wouldn’t stop.

Gu Qingci quickly changed into Hu-style clothing suitable for movement and emerged from the inner chamber.

Qin Ruofang, seeing Gu Qingci come out, wiped her tears.

Even if Gu Qingci were her own daughter, Qin Ruofang wouldn’t want her to take such risks.

She never expected Gu Qingci to be so decisive.

“Send someone else to check first. You’re still so young—how will you handle emergencies on the road? What if something happens to you?” Qin Ruofang said.

“We already sent people this morning, but they haven’t returned. They might be delayed by something. I’ll go see what’s happening and if I can help. Don’t worry—once I’m down the mountain, I’ll ride a horse. It’ll be quick.” Gu Qingci said.

Ruan Zhi stood to the side without speaking, her gaze trembling slightly as she watched Gu Qingci.

If nothing had happened and they were merely delayed, it still wouldn’t be a small matter.

“Madam, I’ll head out first.” Gu Qingci said to Ruan Zhi.

“Be careful. When you arrive, check Pin Xian Pavilion first. Clean food and water have been prepared in advance on the second floor. If you can’t find anyone, ask the remaining staff there to help. Don’t go west of the county office—that area might already be flooded.” Ruan Zhi instructed.

“Understood.” Gu Qingci nodded obediently.

Gu Qingci put on an oilcloth coat and a bamboo hat before stepping out. Ruan Zhi and Qin Ruofang saw her off. As they walked along the covered corridor, they ran into Qin Xuanming, who looked hurried.

“Aunt, Uncle said he would come today when we left. Has something happened?” Qin Xuanming bowed slightly to Qin Ruofang.

“We sent people, but none have returned. I don’t know what’s going on.” Qin Ruofang said with a frown.

“Then I’ll go down the mountain to fetch Uncle.” Qin Xuanming said.

“Xuanming, child, what good would you do? It’s pouring outside—you’re a scholar. Stay in your study and focus on your books. This is a task for servants.” Qin’s mother, who had chased after him, gasped as she pulled Qin Xuanming back, afraid he would actually go.

“Qin Xuanming, you’re not the Ruan family’s son-in-law. Why would you go to fetch him? If anyone should fetch him, it should be—for my father and mother. Do you still have feelings for her? Don’t overstep your bounds!” A haughty voice rang out—it was Guo Renshu, who had also arrived.

Qin Xuanming’s expression darkened.

“Ah Shu, Xuanming didn’t mean it like that. It’s just rain—nothing will happen.” Qin’s mother quickly said, her voice tinged with appeasement.

Gu Qingci, who had been about to leave, turned back and walked to Ruan Zhi’s side.

“You’re family—if you want to argue, do it in your own rooms. Don’t drag unrelated people into it. Mother-in-law, Madam, you should head back. No need to see me off.” Gu Qingci said, gently guiding Ruan Zhi back inside.

Qin Ruofang shook her head at the scene, her heart cooling, and followed them back.

“If Guo Renshu tries to bully you or says anything unpleasant, don’t hold back for the sake of politeness. Don’t endure it. And don’t be afraid if things escalate. At the very least, I’m a military scholar now, with a minor title. To boast a little—I’m even distantly related to the current emperor.” Gu Qingci said with a smile once they were inside.

The title she once felt ashamed of, the one others looked down upon, was now enough to intimidate the daughter of a mere county magistrate.

“Chat, play cards, relax—I’ll be back soon. I shouldn’t delay any longer. I’m off.” Gu Qingci added before turning to leave and closing the door behind her.

Qin Ruofang watched Gu Qingci go and pulled Ruan Zhi down to sit.

“A Ci is truly rare. If you’d really married into your uncle’s family, with your aunt-in-law being the way she is… ah…” Qin Ruofang sighed.

Ruan Zhi had only ever seen Qin Xuanming as a cousin. As a child, she hadn’t understood love—she’d simply followed her parents’ arrangements.

Missing out on him wasn’t a regret.

She just hadn’t expected Gu Qingci to stand up for her like this.

Gu Qingci was considerate of her feelings, afraid she’d be disappointed by Qin Xuanming, afraid she’d be angry or stifled facing Guo Renshu, her enemy.

Such a thoughtful little alpha—she doubted she could find another like it out there.

As Ruan Zhi lost herself in thought, Gu Qingci had already strode out of Linglan Temple.

With the bamboo hat on her head, the rain couldn’t reach her face, but the chill seeped in nonetheless.

The path down the mountain was treacherous, rainwater flowing downhill like a river.

Gu Qingci ran along the waterlogged road as if gliding atop the current.

Compared to the ascent, she reached the bottom in half the time.

At the courier station at the foot of the mountain, Gu Qingci untied her chestnut horse and rode onward.

The heavy rain had flooded the county roads, the poor drainage making travel difficult. The streets were nearly empty.

Gu Qingci first went to Pinxian Pavilion, the restaurant Ruan Zhi had mentioned—part of her dowry.

She knocked, but no one answered. After tying up her horse, she climbed to the second floor.

Two men were inside, armed with kitchen knives and clubs for self-defense. When they saw Gu Qingci climbing in, they raised their weapons to strike.

“It’s me, your lord!” Gu Qingci shouted. The two hesitated, eyeing her suspiciously.

Gu Qingci pulled off her hat, revealing her face. The men—one old, one young—didn’t look like regular staff.

“My lord! It really is the lord!” The older one exclaimed upon recognizing her.

“What’s going on? Why are only the two of you here?” Gu Qingci asked.

“My lord, after the rain started, water pooled everywhere. The yamen said they needed to clear the waterways and conscripted many people. The lord was taken too. In previous years, corvée labor could be avoided with silver, but this time they said no. I’m too old for conscription, and my grandson is too young.” the man explained.

Gu Qingci frowned. No wonder the people they’d sent hadn’t returned—they’d likely been drafted to dig canals.

What had the officials been doing earlier?

Magistrate Guo Tongyi clearly saw this as an opportunity to extort money.

Pulling people out in this heavy rain for forced labor to clear waterways—if it wasn’t for money, Gu Qingci would eat her hat.

“Stay here and guard the place. Don’t open the door for anyone. I’ll go look for the others.” Gu Qingci said.

Before leaving, she glanced around, grabbing some food and a water pouch. She wrapped them in oilcloth and tied them to her waist.

If she got hungry, at least she’d have clean supplies.

The water outside was already contaminated, and any food exposed to it would be unsafe.

Gu Qingci climbed down and rode off to search.

Before finding Ruan Maolin, she spotted a group of lightly armored soldiers going door to door.

Gu Qingci recognized one of them—Sun Pengdun, the drill instructor.

She rode over to greet him.

“General Zhao sent people to inspect the embankments. There are indeed signs of breaches. The general has taken men to reinforce them, while the yamen conscripted others to dig drainage channels. As a precaution, we’re evacuating the residents. I’m here to help.” Sun Pengdun explained.

“Is there still time to repair them now?” Gu Qingci frowned, a bad feeling settling in her gut.

“We’ll do what we can. If repairs fail, we evacuate.” Sun Pengdun said.

“Thank you for the information, Instructor Sun.” Gu Qingci said, cutting the conversation short to continue her search.

Ruan Zhi had warned her not to go west of the yamen—that area was prone to flooding.

The terrain there was indeed lower.

When Gu Qingci arrived, the yamen’s walls were already partially submerged.

The stone-paved roads and low-lying land made drainage difficult.

In lighter rain, it wasn’t noticeable, but now the problem was glaring.

Through the downpour, Gu Qingci spotted a team digging channels to divert water away from the yamen.

She rode closer.

“Is Father-in-law here?” Gu Qingci called out.

About a dozen people, clad in heavy straw raincoats and bamboo hats, looked up—their faces indistinguishable.

Gu Qingci finally recognized Ruan Maolin.

Thankfully, he was here. If he’d been sent to repair the embankments, the situation would’ve been far worse.

“You there—dismount and present your identification.” one of the overseers barked at Gu Qingci.

She dismounted and handed over her identity plaque.

“Well? Do I qualify for corvée labor?” Gu Qingci asked coolly.

Her title and military scholar status exempted her from forced labor.

“Ah, Scholar Gu! My apologies—I didn’t recognize you.” the overseer stammered, hastily returning her plaque.

“I need to speak with my father-in-law. Give us a moment.” Gu Qingci said.

Though the overseer was there to supervise, Gu Qingci’s status left him little room to object.

Gu Qingci pulled Ruan Maolin from the group.

“A Ci, why are you here?” Ruan Maolin asked, startled.

“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law and Madam are worried about you. I came to fetch you. What’s the situation here? Is Magistrate Guo demanding exorbitant bribes?” Gu Qingci whispered.

“He’s only conscripted merchants this time. He’s putting on airs, insisting on following procedure—no substitutions with silver. He hasn’t named a price yet, but it won’t be low.” Ruan Maolin sighed.

“The greed of this man! Father-in-law, regardless of what he asks, you should head to Linglan Temple first. Mother-in-law and Madam are anxious—they don’t know what’s happening. Your return will put their minds at ease.” Gu Qingci urged.

“How can I leave? No one’s being released, and we can’t defy orders.” Ruan Maolin said.

“Rest here for now. I’ll speak with Magistrate Guo. Here—take these provisions.” Gu Qingci said, handing him the still-warm bundle from her waist.

Ruan Maolin accepted the food, watching as Gu Qingci waded back into the murky floodwaters toward the yamen, his expression complicated.

Inside the yamen, Guo Tongyi seemed preoccupied.

“If General Zhao is acting this urgently, could the embankments really collapse?” Guo Tongyi mused.

“Those embankments have held for decades. There’s no need to worry, Magistrate. Besides, with General Zhao overseeing repairs, all will be well.” his advisor reassured him.

“I hope so. But I can’t shake this unease. Perhaps we should recall the merchants digging channels—let those who pay leave.” Guo Tongyi said.

“Magistrate, patience. Let them soak in the rain a while longer. Once you allow them inside and drop a hint, the silver will flow. With the vacancy in Guide Prefecture, the position will surely be yours.” the advisor said.

“I hope so, I just fear these people are too stubborn to see reason.” Guo Tongyi frowned.

Before the advisor could respond, a bailiff announced Gu Qingci’s arrival.

“Gu Qingci? Why is she here? Has she come to deliver silver?” the advisor wondered aloud.

“Let her in.” Guo Tongyi waved.

Gu Qingci entered and offered a shallow bow.

“Magistrate Guo, a word in private.” she said, glancing at the advisor.

The advisor tactfully withdrew.

“Magistrate, you know my financial situation—I rely entirely on my wife’s family. When I heard Father-in-law was conscripted, I came immediately. How about this: let me take his place in the labor, and allow him to return. He’ll be so moved, he’ll surely reward me handsomely—half of which will go to you.” Gu Qingci whispered.

Guo Tongyi hadn’t expected this proposal.

Absurd as it sounded, it made a twisted kind of sense.

“Scholar Gu’s filial piety is commendable. I’ll grant your request.” Guo Tongyi agreed.

Gu Qingci’s value as leverage far exceeded Ruan Maolin’s.

With her current standing in the Ruan family, she was a far more valuable hostage.

Guo Tongyi gave the order, assigning a bailiff to escort Gu Qingci out.

Gu Qingci took Ruan Maolin’s place, sending him back on her horse.

“The roads are muddy—be careful.” Gu Qingci said as she helped him mount.

“A Ci, this is too much…” Ruan Maolin said, still stunned.

“Don’t worry, Father-in-law. As a scholar, he can’t do anything to me. Go reassure Mother-in-law and Madam—tell them I’ll return soon. And whatever you do—don’t pay a single tael.” Gu Qingci stressed before slapping the horse’s flank.

Ruan Maolin glanced back at Gu Qingci. Knowing her scholar status protected her, and that his presence wouldn’t help, he rode toward Linglan Temple.

By afternoon, as Ruan Zhi and Qin Ruofang waited anxiously, a commotion erupted outside.

“What’s happened?” Ruan Zhi asked Lian Rui.

“Someone on the watchtower says—says the river has breached its banks! The county town is flooding!” Lian Rui stammered.

Ruan Zhi threw on a bamboo hat and rushed toward the temple’s watchtower, her skirts quickly soaked by the icy rain.

From the height, she could see the swollen river surging forward, swallowing houses in its path.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Gu Qingci: Boss, the money is for me—not outsiders!