My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 28

28

“How… how could this be?!” someone cried out in shock.

With loved ones still in the county town, many collapsed to the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

Ruan Zhi gripped the railing to steady herself.

She had known about the heavy rain and the floods—she shouldn’t have been scheming at a time like this.

Seeing it with her own eyes was far more devastating than the stories she had heard in her past life.

This was beyond the power of human intervention.

“Ah Zhi, look—look there!” Just as Ruan Zhi felt her breath falter, Qin Ruofang’s voice reached her. Ruan Zhi followed her gaze down the mountain path leading to Linglan Temple. Through the curtain of rain, a stream of people emerged—some on horseback leading the way, others pushing carts or supporting each other on foot.

There were many of them, a continuous line trudging up the mountain, as if an unending flow.

“Your father and A Ci must be among them!” Qin Ruofang said excitedly, pulling Ruan Zhi down from the tower to get a closer look.

Most of the arrivals wore wide bamboo hats and thick straw raincoats, making it impossible to distinguish one from another. Eager to identify their loved ones, Ruan Zhi and Qin Ruofang quickly donned their own oilcloth cloaks and rain hats and hurried toward the temple gates to meet them.

“Abbot, the county town is flooding. General Zhao from the nearby garrison has led his men to evacuate the residents. Some have already been settled in higher areas downhill. These people seek refuge—please provide them shelter from the storm.” the leading soldier explained to the temple’s abbot.

The abbot immediately began arranging accommodations.

As the evacuees filed in, shedding their rain gear, Ruan Zhi and Qin Ruofang scrutinized each face, their anxiety growing with every unfamiliar one.

After what felt like an eternity, a tall man removed his hat, revealing the face of Ruan Maolin.

The moment Qin Ruofang saw him, she burst into tears.

“Don’t cry.” Ruan Maolin said softly, stepping forward to steady her.

“Father, where is Gu Qingci?” Ruan Zhi asked, her voice trembling.

“She’s still down there.” With so many people around, Ruan Maolin couldn’t elaborate.

“Let’s talk inside.” Ruan Zhi said, suppressing her emotions as they retreated to their quarters.

Once inside, Ruan Maolin explained the situation. “This is what happened—A Ci took my place in the corvée labor. She said she had a plan, and with her status as a scholar, the magistrate wouldn’t dare trouble her. She asked me to tell you both that she’d return soon.” Having just arrived, Ruan Maolin was unaware of the devastation downstream and shared only what he knew.

His account left both Ruan Zhi and Qin Ruofang stunned.

“How could she be so reckless?! The riverbanks have already burst—the floodwaters are spreading! What do we do now?!” Qin Ruofang cried, her voice frantic with worry.

“The riverbanks burst?!” Ruan Maolin paled.

“We saw it from the tower! Half the county town is underwater—the nearby villages are completely submerged. What if something happens to A Ci? We don’t even know where she is!” Qin Ruofang sobbed.

“Father, where exactly were you digging the drainage channels? East or west of the county office?” Ruan Zhi, surprisingly composed, pressed for details.

“West. That area was already knee-deep in water when I left. If I’d known… if I’d known, I never would have come back! A Ci is still so young—this is…” Ruan Maolin’s voice cracked. He understood the implication of Ruan Zhi’s question. Though he tried to remain calm, his expression betrayed his distress.

He had always suspected Gu Qingci had ulterior motives. But now, when it mattered most, she had sent him back to safety. Even if she did have an agenda, did it even matter anymore?

“Father, regrets won’t help now. Some of the supplies and people we prepared earlier are at the mountain relay station—that area shouldn’t be flooded. We’ll scrap the original plan to set up relief shelters. Right now, we need boats and search parties.” Ruan Zhi said decisively, abandoning her earlier scheme to boost the reputation of their newly established merchant association.

“Yes, yes—we must find her! I’ll arrange it immediately.” Ruan Maolin agreed hastily.

“Father, stay calm—safety comes first. Change out of your wet clothes, eat something, and don’t fall ill. You don’t know how to swim, so just direct the search from a safe distance. Send those who can swim to look for her, and have them report back as soon as they find anything.” Ruan Zhi instructed firmly.

“Understood.” Ruan Maolin nodded solemnly.

“Father, I want to go look for Sister too!” Ruan Jinyu piped up anxiously.

“Be good—don’t make things harder.” Ruan Zhi said, gently but firmly silencing her.

Her tone was mild, but it carried enough authority that Ruan Jinyu immediately quieted.

After changing into dry clothes and a lighter raincoat, Ruan Maolin headed back out.

“Jinyu, come with me to pray for blessings. Ah Zhi, you should come too. Worrying yourself sick won’t help.” Qin Ruofang said.

Though Ruan Zhi had never put much stock in divine intervention, she found herself willing to try anything now and followed Qin Ruofang out.

Before they reached the prayer hall, they overheard a conversation.

“The county office is on higher ground—it’s not flooded. And with all the constables around, Father is perfectly safe. As for Gu Qingci not returning? Serves her right. Who told her to be so arrogant? Just because she’s a scholar, she thought she could swagger around. She deserves this misfortune.” a mocking voice said.

Behind her veil, Ruan Zhi’s eyes turned to ice.

“How hateful! How can someone say such things?!” Ruan Jinyu fumed.

“Quiet.” Ruan Zhi murmured, pulling her along as they continued forward.

“Heaven should strike them down!” Qin Ruofang muttered under her breath.

Now was not the time for arguments—prayers were more urgent.

As they passed the dining hall, a commotion erupted.

“Buddhism preaches compassion, yet you cram us in like livestock and feed us slop even pigs wouldn’t eat?!” a group of people jeered.

Linglan Temple’s limited supplies couldn’t accommodate the sudden influx of refugees, and the food was understandably simple.

Some endured silently, while others vented their frustrations.

Ruan Zhi glanced over—among the complainers was Xue Linlang.

His face was still bruised and swollen, yet here he stood, having been evacuated by the soldiers.

The garrison troops had acted early because of Gu Qingci’s warning.

If all these people were saved while Gu Qingci came to harm…

What was the point of praying to the gods?

Her mind heavy, Ruan Zhi followed Qin Ruofang into the main hall, where many were already kneeling in prayer. With no cushions left, they knelt directly on the floor, joining the desperate pleas for divine mercy.

Meanwhile, down in Minshan County half an hour earlier…

After sending Ruan Maolin off, Gu Qingci picked up a shovel and joined the drainage-digging crew.

She greeted everyone cheerfully and even shared the food she’d brought.

The laborers, exhausted and hungry after hours of work, were surprised and grateful for her generosity.

Gu Qingci’s recent scholar success and her apparent respect for Ruan Maolin had already raised eyebrows—many assumed Ruan Maolin had bribed her heavily for such a drastic change in behavior.

But this act of kindness left them even more baffled.

Not even a birth child would necessarily take on corvée labor for their parent.

Nearby, Xia Lingyan kept her head down, lips pressed tightly as she continued working without accepting any food.

As Gu Qingci distributed the food, she also surveyed the surroundings.

She only knew the broad strokes of the plot—specific weather developments were beyond her knowledge.

But she remembered Ruan Zhi’s warnings.

The river flowed west to east. If the banks burst, the low-lying western areas would flood first.

So Gu Qingci noted the higher ground and sturdy structures, preparing escape routes in case of disaster.

Their current digging site was poorly chosen—if the flood hit, there’d be nothing to hold onto for survival.

The work was haphazard, assigned at random with no real planning.

No matter how much they dug, it wouldn’t help.

“Why are we even doing this? I’ve had enough—I’d rather pay the fine.” someone grumbled, throwing down their shovel.

“Quitting after just this little? Go pay up now, and don’t expect any favors from us in the future. If we let him win this once, he’ll keep extorting us!” a sharp voice retorted.

Gu Qingci recognized it as Xia Lingyan’s.

Though unfamiliar with Minshan County’s social circles, she guessed this group represented 70-80% of its wealth—all merchants.

The complainer reluctantly picked up his shovel again, valuing solidarity over comfort.

When Gu Qingci spotted a few lightly armored soldiers heading toward the county office, she nudged Xia Lingyan.

Xia Lingyan glanced at her but said nothing.

“Xia Lingyan, get everyone to that pavilion over there.” Gu Qingci said, noting Xia Lingyan’s influence.

“Why? You think we can just go wherever we want? One misstep, and they’ll punish us severely.” Xia Lingyan retorted, though her tone lacked its usual bite—her contract with Gu Qingci lingered in her mind.

“Do you want to live? If the flood hits here, even strong swimmers might not make it. That pavilion’s safer. I’ll handle the authorities—you won’t be blamed. Take a break.” Gu Qingci said urgently.

Xia Lingyan studied Gu Qingci’s serious expression and recalled her status.

These merchants weren’t used to hard labor—most had servants attending to their every need. A break would be welcome.

“Fine. But you’d better keep your word.” Xia Lingyan agreed.

“This isn’t free. If I save you all from the magistrate’s fines, each of you owes me a hundred taels. Fair?” Gu Qingci added.

Xia Lingyan fell silent. Of course Gu Qingci wouldn’t act out of pure kindness.

But a hundred taels was a reasonable price.

“Only if you actually pull it off.” Xia Lingyan said.

“Deal.” Gu Qingci said, dividing tasks—she’d handle the overseers while Xia Lingyan organized the group’s move.

Grateful for Gu Qingci’s intervention, the merchants’ opinion of her improved slightly.

After persuading the overseers to stand down, Gu Qingci led the group to the pavilion.

“Brother Officer, the water’s rising too fast—we should evacuate. Let me discuss it with Magistrate Guo. I promise you won’t be blamed.” Gu Qingci said to the overseer.

Respecting her status, the overseer didn’t dare stop her, waiting instead for her to negotiate with Guo Tongyi.

“Sir, the merchants have all gone to rest in the pavilion. They’ve had enough—defying orders right under your nose. Bring them in and give one fifty lashes as an example.” the county clerk reported eagerly.

Guo Tongyi had been waiting for them to slip up—any minor offense could be exaggerated to extort more silver.

But just as he prepared to send men out, Gu Qingci arrived first.

She hurried ahead of the soldiers and burst into the county office.

“Magistrate Guo, I ordered them to rest in the pavilion. Digging here is pointless. Evacuation is urgent—not extortion! Shouldn’t lives matter more than silver? Must you threaten them at a time like this?!” Gu Qingci announced loudly, her tone deliberately dramatic.

Guo Tongyi’s eye twitched.

The extortion was an open secret—never to be spoken aloud.

How dare she shout it out like this?!

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” he snapped.

“Was I wrong, Magistrate? If you didn’t want silver, why not let them evacuate? Why force them to dig useless channels near the office? Are you incompetent, or just greedy?” Gu Qingci pressed, her voice still raised.

Guo Tongyi’s face twisted.

If not for her scholar status, he’d have had her beaten on the spot.

“Scholar Gu, enough of this slander.” he growled, rising to his feet—just as the soldiers entered.

“Magistrate Guo, I’m Deputy General Zheng Qianjiang, under General Zhao’s command. By his orders, I inform you—the riverbanks have burst beyond repair. Evacuate the civilians immediately.” the lead soldier said sternly.

Guo Tongyi had known about the breach but dismissed its severity. Now, with the deputy general hearing Gu Qingci’s accusations, his face darkened.

Had her words been private, it wouldn’t matter. But with military officers as witnesses, rumors would spread.

Civil and military officials already clashed—this would fuel tensions.

“Deputy General Zheng. I am Gu Qingci, Minshan County’s martial scholar and top candidate in Guide Prefecture’s exams. Your arrival is timely—I was just urging Magistrate Guo to evacuate.” Gu Qingci interjected smoothly, bowing.

Hearing her titles, Zheng Qianjiang’s demeanor softened slightly.

“Scholar Gu speaks wisely. Magistrate Guo, I trust you’ll prioritize the people’s safety.” Zheng Qianjiang said pointedly.

“Deputy General, Scholar Gu misunderstands. I was just preparing the evacuation.” Guo Tongyi said quickly.

Ignoring his excuses, Gu Qingci rushed out to organize the merchants.

This General Zhao seemed reliable—sending men to warn them in this crisis.

The county office, built on higher ground with a raised foundation, remained dry for now.

So Guo Tongyi lingered inside, issuing orders but not venturing out himself.

Gu Qingci noted his cowardice but had no time to dwell on it—she hurried back to the pavilion.

Before she could reach it, a surge of murky water crashed through.

The area where they’d been digging was already submerged.

Gu Qingci sprinted the last few steps to the pavilion just as the floodwaters rushed toward it.

Some merchants froze in terror; others ran or clung to the pillars.

Gu Qingci leaped, grabbing the pavilion’s edge and flipping onto its roof. Hanging upside down, she hauled person after person up to safety—seven or eight in quick succession.