My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 30

30

“Madam!” Gu Qingci called out to Ruan Zhi, who seemed lost in thought.

Ruan Zhi stared at Gu Qingci, her lips trembling.

“Why did you appear like this?” Ruan Zhi asked, her voice cold and tense.

“I was afraid you’d worry, so I came up to let you know I’m safe and to give you these things to hide. I still need to go back down.” Gu Qingci replied, her gaze fixed on Ruan Zhi.

Though it was summer, the temperature during the heavy rain was still chilly.

Gu Qingci was drenched and shivering, but the sight of Ruan Zhi—clean, dry, and composed—made her imagine the warmth of her body, how soft and fragrant she would feel in an embrace.

The thought flashed through Gu Qingci’s mind, and she quickly shook her head to dismiss it.

“Sit down and explain properly.” Ruan Zhi said, glancing around before handing Gu Qingci a dry towel and pushing a tray of hot water and pastries toward her.

Seeing Gu Qingci standing there, solid and real, Ruan Zhi felt as if the hollow void in her heart had been filled.

Gu Qingci licked her lips, untied the oilcloth-wrapped bundle from her body, set it on the floor, and gulped down some water.

“Here’s what happened…” Gu Qingci recounted the events from the foot of the mountain to Ruan Zhi.

“Guo Tongyi’s wooden box contained a set of keys. I’d been to his residence before and saw him open the storeroom, so I went back and took a few things. Everything from the box and the storeroom is here. The other merchants are temporarily staying on the second floor of Pinxian Pavilion, and each of them gave me a reward—it’s all in here too.” Gu Qingci wiped the water from her face with the towel as she spoke.

“…” Ruan Zhi listened, surprised that Gu Qingci had accomplished so much in such a short time.

“Madam, do you think these things are valuable? After all the silver we gave him before, is this enough to make up for it?” Gu Qingci crouched to unwrap the bundle and show Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi’s phoenix eyes widened.

Seeing it with her own eyes was far more shocking than hearing about it. Premium white jade from Hetian, gold bars, night pearls—all priceless treasures.

Had Gu Qingci looted Guo Tongyi’s entire storeroom?!

“It should be enough…” Ruan Zhi said slowly.

“Good. Madam, there are also two account books here. See if they’re useful. Guo Tongyi is searching frantically in the rain for what he lost. I sneaked up here—the merchants are all asleep. I’ll have to go back down soon to avoid suspicion. Tomorrow, I’ll return through the main gate.” Gu Qingci handed the two account books to Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi’s mind sharpened as she examined them.

“These are Guo Tongyi’s private ledgers. One records his income and expenditures in Minshan County—bribes from merchants and embezzled funds meant for flood prevention, river dredging, and embankment repairs. The other is a gift ledger listing presents to his superiors, including the prefect. The gift ledger for the prefect and others should be kept separate for now. This isn’t the time to involve higher-ups. The income and expenditure ledger can be given to General Zhao, the garrison commander. He’s straightforward, and with the dam’s collapse, Guo Tongyi won’t escape blame.” Ruan Zhi flipped through the ledgers as she explained.

Hearing this, Gu Qingci understood. If they exposed the bribery ledger, they’d have to take it to higher authorities—above even the prefect. It would implicate too many people, and even an upright general like Zhao might hesitate. It was better to keep it for future use.

With just the first ledger, the prefect could deal with Guo Tongyi. Seeing how much silver he’d embezzled while giving them so little would ensure harsh punishment.

“Good. I’ll find a way to get it to General Zhao.” Gu Qingci nodded.

“One more thing. You mentioned that when Guo Tongyi’s boat capsized, his advisor drowned. Was the body recovered?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“They haven’t found it yet. When I went to pick up the merchants, I checked, fished it out, and hid it for now. Let Guo Tongyi keep searching.” Gu Qingci scratched her cheek, watching Ruan Zhi’s expression, afraid she might disapprove.

“Wait a moment. Eat something and drink some hot tea. I’ll write an anonymous letter. Take the inkpad and get the advisor’s fingerprint. Put it in the same box with the ledgers and the magistrate’s seal, then find a way to give it all to General Zhao without exposing yourself.” Ruan Zhi paused.

Since Gu Qingci had already done so much, she might as well go further and ensure their enemy was crushed beyond recovery.

Ruan Zhi went to the desk and picked up a brush.

She used her left hand, writing in a hasty, uneven script.

Gu Qingci understood her plan. As she ate, she watched Ruan Zhi write the letter, her dark eyes sparkling.

Truly the domineering female lead.

Once the ink dried, Ruan Zhi placed the letter in a wooden box from the bundle and rewrapped it for Gu Qingci.

“Madam, I’ll head back down now.” Gu Qingci said, swallowing the last of her pastry and standing with the box in hand.

“Be careful.” Ruan Zhi said, her fingers trembling slightly.

“I will, Madam.” Gu Qingci smiled.

Ruan Zhi looked into Gu Qingci’s bright eyes and finally reached out, resting her hand on Gu Qingci’s wet hair.

Damp. Cold.

“Don’t you want to bathe and change into dry clothes before leaving?” Ruan Zhi asked softly.

“Madam, there’s no need. I’ll just get wet again. It’s fine—I’m strong. My hair’s been in dirty water, though. Remember to wash your hands. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Gu Qingci ducked away and left, closing the window behind her.

The room was silent again, save for the puddles on the floor. Ruan Zhi’s eyes flickered, her icy expression softening slightly, like melting snow.

She sorted through the items Gu Qingci had brought. Among them were treasures once collected by Ruan Maolin, given to Guo Tongyi as bribes—now back in her hands.

She organized them carefully and stored them away.

Outside, Ruan Maolin still hadn’t returned. Ruan Zhi sent someone to tell him to rest and resume the search tomorrow.

Qin Ruofang had been praying with the monks and returned full of worry, but Ruan Zhi reassured her without revealing the full truth.

Though she knew Gu Qingci was safe, Ruan Zhi couldn’t sleep. It was well past midnight before she finally drifted off.

At dawn the next day, during the monks’ morning prayers, devout worshippers and those who had come the previous day gathered in the main hall for the early service.

As the solemn chanting began, the incense table suddenly rattled, and strange noises came from beneath it.

The monk on duty assumed it was a rat and lifted the yellow altar cloth—only to freeze in shock.

Under the table, two disheveled figures were entangled: Guo Renshu and Xue Linlang.

Gasps erupted.

The sudden light and commotion startled the pair. Guo Renshu screamed, slapped Xue Linlang, and kicked him away, yanking the cloth back over herself.

Xue Linlang, dazed, had thought it all a dream. Now, horrified, he scrambled to adjust his clothes and flee—only to be seized by the monks.

“Amitabha! Such sacrilege! Please, everyone, disperse. Today’s service is canceled.” the head monk announced.

The crowd murmured, stunned by the scandal.

Ruan Zhi was still asleep when pounding fists shook her door.

She sat up, frowning.

“Madam, it’s the county magistrate’s daughter’s maid. The young mistress is hysterical, accusing you of ruining her. She’s demanding the magistrate send officers to arrest you. What should we do?” Lian Rui reported.

Ruan Zhi remembered.

Yesterday, believing Gu Qingci might be lost, her prayers unanswered, and the rescue boats intercepted by Guo Tongyi, she had snapped when Guo Renshu mocked her.

So she’d sent Nanny Yan to arrange this.

Guilty conscience made Guo Renshu lash out at Ruan Zhi, though she had no proof.

“Ignore her for now.” Ruan Zhi said, inserting the earplugs Gu Qingci had made for her. She rose slowly, washed, and let Lian Rui dress and style her.

By the time she was ready, over an hour had passed. She removed the earplugs—the banging had stopped, replaced by a familiar voice calling her name.

She paused, then stepped out of the inner chamber.

“Mother, Aunt, what’s happening?” Ruan Zhi asked, seeing Qin Ruofang and her mother at the door.

“Ah Zhi, did you really do this? How could you be so cruel, sabotaging your cousin’s future? That’s the magistrate’s daughter! Do you know what will happen if you offend her? You could be jailed!” Qin’s mother exclaimed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve done nothing wrong.” Ruan Zhi said coolly.

“How can you accuse Ah Zhi without proof? Leave us! Let me speak to her alone!” Qin Ruofang snapped.

“Me, leave? If Ah Zhi didn’t do it, why would Renshu blame her? Your own marriage failed, and now you’re ruining others’!” Qin’s mother retorted.

Qin Ruofang, furious, pulled Ruan Zhi inside and shut the door.

“Here’s what happened. The scandal at the temple is being investigated by Minglan. Guo Renshu insists you’re responsible. Even without proof, as the magistrate’s daughter, she can frame you. I’ve sent word to your father—he should be on his way. If only Qingci were here, you wouldn’t be bullied like this.” Qin Ruofang wiped her tears.

As a mother, she trusted Ruan Zhi completely.

“Mother, don’t worry. The Buddha knows the truth. Let them investigate.” Ruan Zhi soothed.

“I’ll stay with you. As for your aunt—cut ties. I’ve had enough.” Qin Ruofang said.

Ruan Zhi patted her mother’s hand reassuringly, and they stepped out.

A young monk waited to escort them to a quiet room where Qin’s mother and Guo Renshu sat. The latter’s eyes were red and swollen with hatred.

At the head of the room sat an elderly man with a kindly face—Minglan, a lay Buddhist respected for his wisdom.

“Ruan Zhi, I’ll tear your face apart!” Guo Renshu lunged, but Lian Rui blocked her.

“Even as the magistrate’s daughter, you can’t accuse without evidence.” Ruan Zhi said, taking a seat.

“You’re insane! With Gu Qingci drowned, your life is over, and you’re dragging me down with you! You said it yesterday—you wanted me to die with you. It was you! When Father gets here, I’ll have him throw you into a brothel!” Guo Renshu shrieked.

Ruan Zhi’s gaze turned icy.

“Venerable Minglan is here for justice. Investigate thoroughly and clear my name.” Ruan Zhi said to the elder.

Minglan, a devout layman often invited to lecture on scriptures, sighed.

“Amitabha. Miss Ruan, the Buddha is merciful. Good and evil will be repaid.” His words subtly accused Ruan Zhi.

“Ah Zhi, Minglan sees all. Why would you be so vicious?” Qin’s mother glared.

A ruined official’s daughter, forced into their family, would only bring shame.

But refusing her would anger the Guo family.

“How dare you slander her!” Qin Ruofang trembled with rage.

If they let these baseless accusations stand, with Guo Tongyi’s influence, Ruan Zhi would be doomed.

As Qin Ruofang argued with her sister, Ruan Zhi was about to intervene when commotion erupted outside. The door burst open, revealing armed soldiers.

Guo Renshu smirked at Ruan Zhi.

“Arrest this vicious woman! Where’s my father? Is he here?” she demanded, puzzled that garrison troops, not the magistrate’s men, had come.

“Are you Guo Renshu?” the leader asked sternly.

“Yes. What is it?”

“Guo Renshu, your father has been arrested. As his family, you’ll be detained. Come with us.”

Guo Renshu froze.

“What?! Impossible!”

“The flood killed countless civilians due to Guo Tongyi’s negligence—failing to reinforce the dam or evacuate people. It’s a capital offense.” A clear, slightly hoarse voice spoke.

Ruan Zhi looked up—Gu Qingci stood there, alive!

“Gu Qingci?! You—you’re alive?! You’re lying! My father would never—this is a mistake!” Guo Renshu screamed.

The soldier signaled his men to take her away.

As Guo Renshu’s cries faded, the room fell into awkward silence.

“Qingci! The Buddha has answered our prayers!” Qin Ruofang rushed to Gu Qingci, relieved to see her unharmed.

“Mother-in-law, your prayers kept me safe.” Gu Qingci smiled, then glanced at Ruan Zhi, her eyes crinkling.

“The greedy wretch! Embezzling flood funds every year—he deserved it! Now that Guo Renshu’s arrested, how dare you accuse my Ah Zhi? If anyone utters another word, I’ll fight them!” Qin Ruofang glared at the others, emboldened by Gu Qingci’s return.

Qin’s mother paled, not daring to speak.

“I was mistaken. Forgive me, benefactor. I should not have meddled in worldly affairs.” The elder bowed to Ruan Zhi.

“Wait. You accused my wife without proof, tarnishing her name. Do you think a few words suffice?” Gu Qingci blocked his path.

“What do you want?” The elder stiffened.

“Copy scriptures for her for a year to atone, and publicly admit you were coerced by Guo Renshu. If you refuse, I’ll take this to General Zhao—he’s right outside.”

The elder’s face twitched.

“…I was blinded by worldly concerns. I confess.”

Qin Ruofang beamed, proud of her daughter’s wife.

“As for you.” Gu Qingci turned to Qin’s mother, “copy ten volumes of scriptures for my wife, or we’ll visit General Zhao together.”

“I—I’ll copy them!” Qin’s mother stammered.

Gu Qingci wanted them to suffer, even if only symbolically.

Thankfully, she’d returned in time to expose Guo Tongyi. Otherwise, who knew how they’d have slandered Ruan Zhi?

Ruan Zhi watched Gu Qingci, feeling protected.

Like her mother, Gu Qingci believed in her—so firmly.

Even though she had orchestrated it.

“Let’s talk in our room. I’m so glad you’re back.” Qin Ruofang said. Ruan Zhi helped her up, and they left.

Once alone, Qin Ruofang tactfully excused herself.

“Lian Rui, fetch a physician.” Ruan Zhi said, feeling Gu Qingci’s grip on her arm. She didn’t pull away but frowned.

Gu Qingci’s hand was burning—unnaturally hot.

Now that they were alone, Gu Qingci’s energy faded. She smiled weakly at Ruan Zhi, pitiful and small.

“Madam, I’m so cold.” she whispered hoarsely.

Gu Qingci: Madam, my body is so… cold. I need hugs, waaah~