My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 39

39

Gu Qingci waited in the private room on the second floor for what felt like an eternity, but Ruan Zhi still hadn’t emerged. She had no idea what the two were talking about—or doing.

Logically, Gu Qingci still believed what Ruan Zhi had said.

It was true that Ruan Zhi currently had no feelings for Ye Youli.

But what if, after spending more time together, they developed feelings?!

The female lead’s halo was invincible.

Who could escape it?

Just look at her—even a heart sealed in concrete had cracked open.

Ye Youli hadn’t said anything to her, almost as if she’d handed Ye Youli a reason to seek out Ruan Zhi.

Once Ye Youli spent more time with Ruan Zhi and saw her virtues, wouldn’t she just forcefully take her away?

Kill Gu Qingci and snatch Ruan Zhi.

Even a disfavored and suppressed princess was still a princess—a starved camel was still bigger than a horse.

Dealing with a mere juren would be child’s play for her.

Gu Qingci didn’t think she was so formidable that she could stand against an army or the might of the imperial court.

Ye Youli was also very beautiful.

Appearance-wise, who knew if she ticked every single one of Ruan Zhi’s aesthetic preferences?

Gu Qingci frowned deeply. After imagining a few scenarios, she grabbed her hair in frustration.

Nothing had even happened yet, and she was already this anxious.

Love-struck brains were truly terrifying.

The bitterness of love was no ordinary bitterness.

This kind of bitterness—she couldn’t stomach it.

The little figure in her heart lay flat again.

Lying flat, refusing to think.

Be rational, stay calm, just eat and drink.

The main goal was to enjoy herself.

Future problems could be dealt with in the future.

Gu Qingci comforted herself.

The waiter brought her the teahouse’s finest tea and pastries, and Gu Qingci focused all her attention on them.

Having tasted plenty of tea, she habitually compared and analyzed the flavors, planning to discuss them with Ruan Zhi later to see if there was any room for improvement.

Using Ruan Zhi’s scent as the benchmark for top-tier tea, the current brew was still lacking—not mellow enough, the aftertaste too short, not lingering enough…

As she compared, Gu Qingci’s hand, holding the teacup, paused mid-air, and she spaced out.

If she were to talk about enjoyment, the finest tea would be Ruan Zhi’s flavor.

If that were taken away…

At this thought, Gu Qingci immediately shook her head.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t just a simple flavor.

She was…

When Ruan Zhi entered, she saw Gu Qingci ruffling her own hair, muttering something under her breath.

This person—was she wrestling with her love-struck brain again?

“My lord, what’s wrong?” Ruan Zhi asked.

Gu Qingci looked up at Ruan Zhi, her face slightly flushed, a hint of embarrassment flashing across it.

“Madam, it’s nothing. Were you just talking with the Prince of You? What did she want?” Gu Qingci coughed lightly and asked.

“It was about publicly sharing the tea-making method. We also negotiated some terms—we have to give her a tea master who knows the method. She wants to witness the process herself, after which the master will be sent to the capital along with the method. It seems she plans to present the method to a noble in the capital, who will then make it public.” Ruan Zhi said, sitting down beside Gu Qingci.

Ye Youli took the tea-making method very seriously, considering it a major revolution in tea-drinking customs.

For someone like Ye Youli, known for her indulgence in food, drink, and entertainment, discovering a new tea-making method wasn’t out of character.

However, Ruan Zhi hadn’t expected Ye Youli to involve the capital.

Demanding a tea master to send to the capital meant the stakes were even higher.

“Madam, she’s asking for so much—what terms did she offer us in return?” Gu Qingci frowned.

“She’ll secure us five product supply slots in the official shops of Youzhou City at fair prices.” Ruan Zhi replied. Naturally, she wouldn’t agree to a losing deal.

Hearing this, Gu Qingci felt slightly better. Ruan Zhi was still a businesswoman at heart—she hadn’t been swayed by Ye Youli’s status or her pretty face.

“If we make the tea-making method public and even hand over a tea master, what’s left for us to profit from?” Gu Qingci asked.

“We’ve already classified the tea grades and defined the tiers. We’ve also experimented with many high-end tea-making techniques—we’ll only share some of them. Those are our trump cards. Don’t worry. The tea business is too vast for us to monopolize.” Ruan Zhi said, studying Gu Qingci’s face as she voiced her concerns.

She hardly spent any money herself, yet she worried about these things. Was she still thinking about hiring dancers?

“Madam, while drinking tea earlier, I thought of some ways to improve the flavor. Using different water sources can alter the taste—like collecting mountain spring water from different places, or morning dew. If it snows, we could even gather snow from plum blossoms…”

“Also, the teaware matters too. There’s purple clay teapots, ceramic lidded bowls, and…”

Gu Qingci didn’t know what Ruan Zhi was thinking, but she shared the ideas she’d had while drinking tea earlier.

If their teahouse was going the high-end route, they needed to pay attention to these details.

“Madam, do you think these ideas could be profitable?” Gu Qingci asked after finishing.

“Yes, they should be. But we’ll need to experiment further to set fair prices and standards for customers.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Then, if it makes money, can I get a cut?” Gu Qingci asked.

“Of course. You’ll still get ten percent.” Ruan Zhi said, unsurprised that Gu Qingci was fixated on her share. She saw no reason to withhold it.

Watching Gu Qingci brighten up, Ruan Zi shook her head inwardly.

“My lord, now that you’re a juren, you’ll inevitably have to socialize. How about increasing your monthly allowance to twenty taels? The dividends aren’t ready yet, but if you need money, you can withdraw it from the accounts, and we’ll settle it later.” Ruan Zhi said, giving her another reason to be happy.

With a higher allowance and the ability to withdraw money anytime, the last traces of Gu Qingci’s displeasure vanished.

After chatting for a while, the two took the carriage back to the inn.

Now that they’d “made up.” there was no need to freeload at Wen Renyi’s place anymore.

“How was the cuju match today?” Ruan Zhi asked Gu Qingci once they returned to the inn.

“It went fine. The Prince of You also played. She couldn’t last more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn before she had to step off the field. She rested until the end and still hadn’t recovered. I played the entire match.” Gu Qingci said, perking up at the topic. She couldn’t help but tattle.

“…My lord, you’re amazing.” Ruan Zhi said, feeling that if she didn’t praise her, she’d be letting down this little report.

Comparing stamina with Ye Youli—how shameless.

“Also, Yue Yuming invited me to join the Prince of You’s cuju team, but I refused. Will she be upset? Did we give away the tea-making method for nothing?” Gu Qingci remembered rejecting Yue Yuming’s invitation and asked Ruan Zhi.

“The tea-making method isn’t exactly a secret—it wouldn’t stay hidden for long. We’ve already exchanged it for what we wanted, so there’s no need to worry about it being wasted. The cuju team is just for entertainment—she wouldn’t dare do anything overt right now. Refusing is fine.” Ruan Zhi said.

Gu Qingci’s refusal didn’t surprise her. This person was lazy and hated trouble.

Given Ye Youli’s temperament, she wouldn’t hold a grudge over this.

“That’s good.” Gu Qingci said, relaxing.

She didn’t want to turn around and start working for Ye Youli.

Working for Ruan Zhi was enough.

Dinner was as lavish as ever, and Gu Qingci ate to her heart’s content.

That night, after dinner, Gu Qingci returned to her original room to wash up and sleep.

When Ruan Zhi finished washing and came out, she found the room empty—not a shadow in sight.

“My lord went back to her room to wash up and then went to bed.”

Ruan Zhi called Shimo over to ask.

Hearing this, Ruan Zhi pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling a throbbing ache.

She hadn’t slept well for days.

Now that Gu Qingci was back, she’d thought she could finally rest properly.

Did she really not dare to come to her room unless explicitly told?

At first, she’d thought Gu Qingci was playing hard to get—after the divorce talk, she’d assumed she was eyeing someone else.

But now…

Who knew what was going on in that head of hers? It definitely didn’t follow normal logic.

“Go wake my lord and tell her to come here.” Ruan Zhi instructed Shimo.

No need to guess—Gu Qingci was already lying down asleep.

The chances of her coming over on her own were too low.

She’d have to take the initiative.

She wanted to see if that love-struck brain of hers had truly been stripped bare.

Gu Qingci was indeed asleep when Shimo woke her, leaving her dazed.

“Madam wants me to go over?” Gu Qingci asked.

“Yes.” Shimo nodded repeatedly.

Gu Qingci threw on her outer robe and went to Ruan Zhi’s room, unsure why she’d been summoned.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t asleep yet. Dressed in sleeping garments, she leaned against the bed, reviewing account books.

Bathed in candlelight, Ruan Zhi seemed veiled in a soft glow, adding a dreamy beauty to her appearance.

“Madam, did you need me for something?” Gu Qingci asked softly, not wanting to disturb her.

“My lord, now that you’ve passed the provincial exam, rumors are spreading that you’ll marry an official’s daughter. If we continue staying in separate rooms at the inn, even more people will try to matchmake you tomorrow. Do you want to be set up?” Ruan Zhi said.

“…No! I don’t want anyone, no matter who it is. I’ll sleep with Madam right away!” Gu Qingci said hastily.

Truthfully, she’d wanted to come earlier but was afraid she’d sleep disorderly and offend Ruan Zhi.

Now that Ruan Zhi had said so, she’d hurry over without delay.

Gu Qingci brought her things to Ruan Zhi’s room, removed her outer robe, and climbed into bed.

Since Ruan Zhi was still reviewing the account books, Gu Qingci took the inner side.

The bedding Ruan Zhi had slept in for days carried her scent.

It smelled wonderful.

Just lifting her gaze, she could see Ruan Zhi quietly and seriously reading.

Her soft silk sleeping robes clung to her curves, looking so supple even without touching them.

Gu Qingci’s cheeks warmed.

The little figure in her heart that had been lying flat suddenly jumped up. If it had a physical form, it would have pounced on Ruan Zhi already.

A sweet, soft wife—whimper.

Ruan Zhi, sensing her gaze, soon set aside the account books, extinguished the candle, and lay down.

The air grew slightly awkward.

But within moments, Gu Qingci’s breathing evened out, and the awkwardness dissipated.

Ruan Zhi turned to look at her. In the dim light, Gu Qingci faced her, sleeping peacefully.

If only this supernatural ability to fall asleep instantly could be transferred to her.

Ruan Zhi thought to herself, shifting slightly closer to Gu Qingci.

Her headache eased a little.

Closing her eyes, she gradually drifted off.

Gu Qingci woke early the next morning and immediately sensed something amiss—there was someone in her arms.

Opening her eyes, she saw Ruan Zhi and nearly jumped in fright.

Seeing Ruan Zhi still asleep, she relaxed.

Ruan Zhi’s head rested against Gu Qingci’s chest, her breathing light.

Her profile, from her cheek to her neck, was as white as jade.

Gu Qingci carefully shifted away, accidentally brushing Ruan Zhi’s hair.

It was fine and soft.

For some reason, her heart softened too.

Gu Qingci meant to get up, but as she created distance, Ruan Zhi seemed to notice. She stirred, moving even closer to Gu Qingci.

This time, her cheek pressed against Gu Qingci’s chest, her lips grazing her skin.

Her breath was warmer, more palpable.

Gu Qingci looked down at Ruan Zhi’s slightly pressed lips and swallowed.

Ruan Zhi’s lips must be so soft.

Feeling like she was under a spell, Gu Qingci stared for a long moment. When she began to lean in, she abruptly came to her senses.

Not daring to stay any longer, she carefully got up.

She tiptoed out to wash up. After freshening up, she called Shimo to fix her hair, then prepared to go out for some exercise when she spotted Madam Zhao rushing over.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Qingci asked.

“The teahouse manager came this morning to report that someone dumped filth and dead rats around the teahouse. The place reeks. They’re cleaning up now, but the stench lingers. Business will surely suffer today.” Madam Zhao said.

“Do we know who did it?” Gu Qingci asked.

“They only heard voices, didn’t see anyone. The manager suspects it’s those troublemakers from yesterday—likely people connected to the Marquis of Yangling.” Madam Zhao said.

“No need to wake Madam yet. Have the teahouse cleaned thoroughly before opening and buy some incense. Tell me who’s approached Madam recently, trying to interfere with the teahouse business.” Gu Qingci said.

Madam Zhao, having been with Ruan Zhi these past days, knew all about it and filled Gu Qingci in.

Some people, unable to profit fairly, resorted to underhanded tactics.

How despicable.

Running a business was truly fraught with troubles.

Who knew how many problems Ruan Zhi had dealt with these past days?

The Marquis of Yangling, having failed to gain an advantage, had sent people to frame them. His men had been sent to the authorities, but he likely remained resentful and was now causing trouble again.

But there was no evidence yet.

After gathering information, Gu Qingci left early to investigate.

The prime suspect was naturally the Marquis of Yangling.

The streets were still quiet at this hour. Gu Qingci chose secluded alleyways and slipped into the Marquis’s estate through the back gate.