My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 34

34

Ruan Zhi was in another private room, where she could observe the entire teahouse through the window and coordinate as needed.

When Madam Zhao mentioned that Gu Qingci had brought Wen Renyi along, Ruan Zhi paid it little mind, only instructing Madam Zhao to ensure Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi were well taken care of, serving them the finest tea and pastries.

Before long, there was a knock at the door. Assuming it was Madam Zhao, Ruan Zhi called out, “Come in” without looking up, her brush still moving across the paper.

“How are things outside?” Ruan Zhi asked. When no answer came, she finally lifted her gaze.

It was Gu Qingci standing there, her expression peculiar—as if she were on the verge of tears, yet also strangely exhilarated.

“Why are you here? Is something the matter?” Ruan Zhi set down her brush and asked.

“Madam, Wen Renyi said that the Eldest Imperial Princess, Ye Youli, has arrived.” Gu Qingci gritted her teeth before finally spitting out the words.

“Oh, I know. I previously sent an invitation and a gift of our finest tea leaves to the Prince’s residence. I didn’t expect her to actually come.” Ruan Zhi replied, her tone indifferent.

Gu Qingci’s lips unconsciously turned downward.

So it was true.

She had been trying to reach out to her.

That was why she had come.

This was a mutual longing!

And here she was, standing awkwardly in the middle.

Why not just step aside gracefully?

Gu Qingci took a deep breath, scrubbed her brain clean, and poured a layer of concrete over it—no more foolish infatuation, just cold, hard rationality.

“Madam, there’s something I want to say to you. Back then, you married me out of necessity. If there’s someone you truly care for, you’re free to divorce me at any time. I would never stand in your way. With your character and beauty, you’re worthy of anyone. There are so many outstanding alpha out there—whoever catches your eye, I’ll support you wholeheartedly. Even if it’s someone as noble as that Eldest Imperial Princess, Ye Youli, I’ll help you.”

Gu Qingci finished speaking and looked at Ruan Zhi, doing her best to keep her gaze sincere and earnest.

Ruan Zhi’s expression froze as she stared at Gu Qingci’s face.

After delivering her speech, Gu Qingci’s cheeks were faintly flushed, her dark eyes brimming with an unusual determination, as if she were a warrior ready to sever her own arm.

Ruan Zhi could hardly believe these words had come from Gu Qingci’s mouth.

She had thought Gu Qingci was at least sincere toward her.

That there was genuine affection between them.

Yet here she was, saying such things!

Ruan Zhi recalled Gu Qingci’s strange behavior over the past days—avoiding her, drawing clear boundaries between them.

She had planned to ask Gu Qingci what was going on after the exams were over, but Gu Qingci had spoken up first.

Her words sounded considerate on the surface—as if she were selflessly stepping aside so Ruan Zhi could be with the one she truly loved.

“Wholeheartedly support”?

Was that code for “wholeheartedly push her away”?

When had Ruan Zhi ever said she had feelings for someone else?

Every time she went out, it was for business.

Ruan Zhi regarded Gu Qingci coolly. Her dark eyes were clear but trembling, and when they met Ruan Zhi’s gaze, they instinctively flickered away.

This guilty, evasive look—who would believe it?

It made Ruan Zhi suspect that Gu Qingci was the one who had developed feelings for someone else.

After the provincial exams, the results of the military exams were announced on the spot. Had she begun to feel her status had changed?

Was Gu Qingci really such a hypocrite?

The thought crossed Ruan Zhi’s mind, but she didn’t truly believe Gu Qingci was that kind of person. Still, she felt both bewildered and irritated.

“You want a divorce?” Ruan Zhi asked flatly.

“Madam, once we’re divorced, we’ll both be free. No more constraints—you can do whatever you want, and it’ll be fair to the other person. I truly don’t mind. Afterward, our relationship can shift to a business partnership. Even post-divorce, you’ll still manage all the shops as before. You can pay me a monthly allowance and leave me a ten percent share of the profits. If I have any good ideas, I’ll still share them with you. We’ll remain good friends and partners!”

Gu Qingci spoke with utter sincerity, even growing somewhat impassioned by the end.

This was the best possible outcome.

A divorce without truly separating—she’d still be Ruan Zhi’s core employee, drawing a fixed salary and dividends every month.

Perfect.

Ruan Zhi watched as Gu Qingci’s expression grew increasingly lighthearted, her own gaze turning colder by the second.

One thing was clear from those words: Gu Qingci genuinely wanted a divorce.

Gu Qingci shivered under Ruan Zhi’s stare.

“…Madam! I mean every word. Whoever you want, I’ll help you.” Gu Qingci added, only to see Ruan Zhi’s eyes grow even frostier.

“Get out!” Ruan Zhi said quietly.

“……” Gu Qingci stared at Ruan Zhi, wanting to say more but finding herself tongue-tied.

Why was she angry?

Had she been too blunt?

Wouldn’t it be better to divorce early so Ruan Zhi could pursue things with the Eldest Imperial Princess without guilt or restraint?

Under Ruan Zhi’s glare, Gu Qingci didn’t dare say another word.

“Madam, I’ll take my leave then. Think it over—I’ll cooperate whenever you’re ready.” Gu Qingci added before closing the door behind her.

Ruan Zhi lowered her gaze, her fingertips trembling slightly. When she looked up again, her eyes were icy and composed.

“Madam, the manager says the Maojian tea is selling the best. Our current stock will only last another two or three days…” Madam Zhao entered to report.

“Mm, arrange for someone to transport more from Guide Prefecture. Ensure the supply here isn’t interrupted. Also, inform the lord that the private room is needed for another guest. She and her friend will have to come another day. And as for the inn—have her clear out the room she’s been staying in. It’s reserved for someone else. She’ll have to figure something out.” Ruan Zhi said, her face betraying no emotion.

Madam Zhao was taken aback, unsure what had happened, but she didn’t dare ask. She accepted the orders and left.

Gu Qingci returned to the private room where Wen Renyi was waiting and took a moment to collect herself, replaying the conversation with Ruan Zhi in her head.

But the moment she started thinking about it, a dull ache spread through her chest.

“Scholar Gu, this tea is truly remarkable! I’ve had it before, but never anything so fragrant and refreshing—it lingers on the palate! How is this made? It’s incredible.” Wen Renyi said excitedly.

Before Gu Qingci could respond, Madam Zhao knocked and entered.

She relayed Ruan Zhi’s instructions. Since Wen Renyi couldn’t very well stay, Gu Qingci—mindful of the family business—left with her.

Gu Qingci had a feeling Ruan Zhi had kicked her out because of what she’d said earlier.

But if Ruan Zhi had sought out Ye Youli and invited her to the teahouse, wasn’t it to rekindle their past?

Wouldn’t it be awkward not to divorce?

Gu Qingci’s cheeks puffed out in frustration.

“My lord, Madam also said the room you’ve been staying in at the inn needs to be cleared out. You’re to pack your things and arrange for another room when you return.” Madam Zhao added as she saw them out.

“……” Gu Qingci’s face fell.

She was being kicked out!

“Most inns are fully booked by now—it’ll be hard to find another. If Scholar Gu doesn’t mind, why not stay with me? My family has an estate here in Youzhou City with plenty of rooms.” Wen Renyi offered.

“Then I’ll impose on you. I’ll go pack my things.” Gu Qingci nodded.

Fine. Moving out was for the best—it spared her the pain of seeing Ruan Zhi.

Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi returned to the inn where Gu Qingci had been staying. She gathered her few belongings and, accompanied by Shimo, left for Wen Renyi’s estate.

Ruan Zhi had mentioned preparing a few outfits for her to wear to banquets.

Now? She’d been kicked out—forget about the clothes.

Gu Qingci felt even more dejected.

Wen Renyi’s residence was indeed spacious and well-appointed.

She assigned Gu Qingci a room close to her own. Wen Renyi was in high spirits and eager to chat, but Gu Qingci wasn’t in the mood.

Since the matter involved Ruan Zhi’s privacy and reputation, Gu Qingci couldn’t bring herself to discuss it with Wen Renyi.

After a moment’s thought, she suggested they go horseback riding at Wen Renyi’s stable.

“Why is your horse so small?” Gu Qingci asked when she saw Wen Renyi’s mount.

“Scholar Gu, this is the standard size these days. If yours is bigger, is it a Mongolian breed? Those cost three to four times as much and are incredibly hard to come by. The Daheng Dynasty suppresses merchants and has poor relations with Mongolia. Importing a single horse means paying taxes that exceed the horse’s value—it’s just not worth it. Very few merchants deal in them.” Wen Renyi shook her head.

“……” Gu Qingci fell silent.

The horse she’d taken from Ruan Maolin’s estate was about the same size as Wen Renyi’s.

Later, Ruan Zhi had somehow procured a larger one for her, saying that since she was tall, she ought to ride a taller horse.

The original horse had been repurposed for pulling carriages.

Ruan Zhi had made it sound trivial, but there was clearly more to it.

Ruan Zhi had been so good to her.

But she was someone else’s wife.

Gu Qingci felt something inside her cracking apart.

Not wanting to dwell on it, she mounted her horse and raced Wen Renyi across the field.

Even when Wen Renyi was exhausted and the horses were spent, Gu Qingci kept going, switching to practicing with her weapon.

“Scholar Gu, your reputation as the top candidate is well-deserved!” Wen Renyi gasped from the sidelines.

After burning off her energy, Gu Qingci washed up and joined Wen Renyi for a meal prepared by the estate’s cook.

“Since Scholar Gu is here today, I asked the kitchen to prepare lamb. Youzhou City’s lamb is the most delicious—please try it.” Wen Renyi introduced the dishes enthusiastically.

She presented the lamb as a delicacy reserved for honored guests, praising it lavishly.

Gu Qingci took a bite. The meat was gamey, a far cry from what she usually ate.

All her meals had been arranged by Ruan Zhi. Without comparison, she’d never have known the difference.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t get any beef today. The Daheng Dynasty prioritizes agriculture, so cattle are heavily protected. Beef is extremely rare.” Wen Renyi lamented.

“……” Gu Qingci remembered eating beef nearly every day—and always the best cuts.

“How much do lamb and beef cost per catty?” Gu Qingci asked after a pause.

“In Youzhou City, lamb goes for nine hundred coins per catty. Beef costs one tael of silver per catty, and it’s nearly impossible to find.” Wen Renyi sighed.

Gu Qingci didn’t need to calculate to know she’d been living large.

One tael of silver was roughly equivalent to a thousand coins. In her original world, lamb and beef typically cost a few dozen coins per catty.

She hadn’t realized meat was so expensive here.

Ruan Zhi had budgeted five taels of silver per month for her meals.

Lately, with her strength training and muscle-building, she’d been consuming plenty of protein.

She’d probably eaten five taels’ worth of meat in a single day.

The thought made her chest tighten.

After the meal, Gu Qingci practiced archery, then went for another ride to burn off her restless energy.

Only by keeping busy could she avoid overthinking.

Gu Qingci stayed with Wen Renyi for ten days without hearing from Ruan Zhi.

She didn’t dare seek Ruan Zhi out, only sending Shimo back a few times to check on things and see if any help was needed.

The teahouse was thriving, having partnered with the official shops in Youzhou City to supply them with tea.

While Ruan Zhi was busy, Gu Qingci wasn’t idle either.

During the day, she accompanied Wen Renyi to various banquets.

Military exams meant gatherings where people exchanged pointers—and tested each other’s skills.

Many candidates from military families were naturally competitive. Hearing that Gu Qingci had topped the prefectural exams, quite a few sought her out for sparring matches.

Gu Qingci, pent-up and restless, accepted every challenge.

Even before the official rankings were posted, her reputation had spread throughout Youzhou City.

On the day the results were announced, Wen Renyi dragged Gu Qingci out of bed early to see the posted list.

“Top of the provincial exams! Scholar Gu, you’re first in the rankings!” Wen Renyi spotted Gu Qingci’s name immediately.

Ruan Zhi: This fool!

[Author’s Note: Had some things to deal with today, so only managed this much. Next chapter, Xiao Ruan will be coming to interrogate~~]