My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 40

40

Ruan Zhi had slept exceptionally well.

When she woke up, she felt unusually refreshed and energized.

Noticing that Gu Qingci was no longer beside her, she wasn’t surprised—this person had always risen earlier than her.

After washing up, Madam Zhao came to inform Ruan Zhi about the incident that had occurred that morning.

“In the future, wake me up immediately if something like this happens.” Ruan Zhi said after listening.

“The lord said not to disturb you and let you sleep longer.” Madam Zhao replied.

“Where is the lord now?” Ruan Zhi paused and asked.

“The lord went out. I don’t know where, and she hasn’t returned yet.” Madam Zhao answered.

“…How is the situation being handled now?” Ruan Zhi asked, deciding to set aside the matter of Gu Qingci’s whereabouts for the moment.

“As soon as it was discovered, the shop’s manager and staff rushed to clean up. The stench was overwhelming. After scrubbing thoroughly, there was still some lingering odor. The lord instructed us to purchase high-quality incense to mask it.” Madam Zhao explained.

“The scent of the incense will cover the foul smell, but it will also overpower the tea’s aroma. Compensate today’s customers with a complimentary tea packet as an apology. Have the experienced workers stay vigilant today and take turns keeping watch at night…” Ruan Zhi instructed.

Such incidents had happened before when she ran the restaurant, but unlike the teahouse, the restaurant wasn’t as dependent on clean air.

Though the teahouse had experienced workers on duty, their skills were still lacking, and their alertness wasn’t sharp enough.

In such situations, if the culprit couldn’t be caught, they could only accept the loss.

Reporting to the authorities would mean delaying the cleanup, and without cleaning up, they couldn’t operate for the day.

Once the scene was cleaned, there would be no evidence, making it difficult to investigate.

Ruan Zhi thought of Min Guiyi, her bodyguard from her past life.

He was highly skilled in martial arts and excellent at training others—his disciples were all formidable.

If she could recruit him, such incidents could at least be prevented, and it might even be possible to catch the troublemakers.

After some consideration, Ruan Zhi decided to visit Min Guiyi again that day to sound him out and see if his stance had softened or if there were any conditions he might accept.

After a light breakfast, Ruan Zhi set out with her attendants.

The blacksmith shop was already open in the morning, the clanging of metal filling the air.

Ruan Zhi immediately spotted Min Guiyi forging at the furnace.

Min Guiyi was exceptionally tall and burly, with sharp, cold features that made him seem unapproachable.

“Master Min, may I have a moment of your time?” Ruan Zhi called out, raising her voice slightly.

“I’m busy.” Min Guiyi glanced at Ruan Zhi and continued hammering.

“About what I mentioned last time—how about triple the monthly pay?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“Don’t bring it up again.” Min Guiyi replied, still focused on his work.

“I’d like to commission something. Will you take the job?” Ruan Zhi tried another approach.

Min Guiyi set down his hammer and turned to face Ruan Zhi.

“Don’t waste your breath. Working as a bodyguard for a merchant for mere silver isn’t something I’m willing to do, no matter how much you offer. Please leave.” Min Guiyi said bluntly, cutting off any further discussion.

Ruan Zhi sighed helplessly.

Now that Min Guiyi had his wife and daughter with him, living a stable life, he belonged to the artisan class. Serving as a guard for someone of the merchant class was seen as degrading in the eyes of most.

He didn’t want to bring shame upon his family.

Not everyone was like Gu Qingci, who would cheerfully accept any job as long as the pay was good, indifferent to everything else.

“My apologies for disturbing you.” Ruan Zhi said, offering no further argument.

Circumstances and perspectives had changed.

Money alone couldn’t sway him.

It seemed she would have to wait a little longer.

Having Min Guiyi guard a shop would be a waste of his talents.

What Ruan Zhi truly valued was his loyalty, martial prowess, and ability to train others.

With someone like him, she could build a team of capable guards.

A private guard force would be essential for self-defense when war broke out.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t in a hurry. After leaving, she returned to the teahouse.

Business was still brisk in the morning, though a few gossips were muttering about the unpleasant smell and uncleanliness, deliberately trying to unsettle others.

The staff had already stepped in to address the situation. Ruan Zhi observed for a moment before summoning the manager for a discussion.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingci had tracked down the Marquis of Yangling at his estate.

The marquis was a thin, short man in his twenties who looked thoroughly debauched.

Soon, a steward arrived to report to him. Gu Qingci overheard snippets of their conversation.

“They weren’t caught. They started cleaning up as soon as they discovered it. They’re still open today.”

“Let them off easy! We’ll continue tomorrow. Don’t let them have peace.”

“Understood. There’s one more thing—the person has already been brought to the west wing.”

From their exchange, Gu Qingci confirmed it.

It really was this man behind it.

And he was being blatant about it.

But since only Gu Qingci had heard it, it wasn’t enough as evidence. Reporting it to the authorities wouldn’t help—given the marquis’s powerful connections, nothing would come of it.

Gu Qingci, operating on the principle of “since I’m already here” decided to give him a beating first to vent her anger.

Seeing him enter a side room alone after dismissing his attendants, Gu Qingci followed.

Just as she reached the window, a terrified scream rang out, followed by muffled cries.

There was someone else in the room.

“Little maid, do you know who I am? I am the Marquis of Yangling. You changed clothes in my room and released your pheromones—how bold of you! Are you trying to seduce me? Since you’re pretty, I’ll forgive you. If you please me, I might even take you as my concubine.”

Amid rustling fabric and stifled sobs, a lecherous voice spoke.

“My lord, I’m not a servant here. I came to deliver embroidery. I didn’t mean to—please spare me!” A frightened female voice trembled in plea.

Gu Qingci couldn’t take it anymore after listening outside the window.

She was going to beat the man anyway—saving someone was just a bonus.

Covering her nose and mouth with a cloth, Gu Qingci climbed through the window. Inside, the scene was already chaotic.

The room reeked of a omega’s pheromones, the scent seeping through the fabric over her face.

Ignoring the stench, Gu Qingci grabbed clothes from the floor, threw them over the marquis’s head, and began pummeling him relentlessly.

“Put your clothes on, I’ll get you out.” Gu Qingci said softly to the terrified girl huddled in the corner after knocking out the marquis.

Perhaps drugged, the girl trembled as she gathered her clothes and wrapped them around herself.

“Can you walk?” Gu Qingci asked. The girl stood but immediately collapsed.

Gu Qingci had no choice but to lift her and carry her out through the window.

The girl’s pheromones were still detectable—if they left now, they might be noticed.

“We’ll soak in water first to mask the scent.” Gu Qingci said, taking the girl to a pond in the estate.

The girl cooperated, submerging herself briefly. Gu Qingci then led her through the less-frequented garden, climbing over rockeries and scaling the wall to escape.

“Where do you live?” Gu Qingci asked once outside.

The girl shakily gave an address, and Gu Qingci headed in that direction, sticking to secluded alleyways to avoid attention.

Before they reached the destination, Gu Qingci suddenly sensed danger. She bent backward to dodge as a towering man charged at her in fury.

Gu Qingci set the girl aside and engaged the man.

The man tried to snatch the girl, but Gu Qingci blocked him.

He was incredibly strong, his moves precise and lethal—likely a veteran of battle who had taken lives.

Gu Qingci felt he was even more skilled than the martial scholars she had sparred with before.

If not for her sharp reflexes and recent training, she might have been overpowered within moments.

After her face covering was torn off, Gu Qingci’s fighting spirit flared.

With her face exposed, there was no turning back.

“Father, it’s a misunderstanding—stop!” the girl cried out.

“I saved her. Ask her if you don’t believe me.” Gu Qingci said quickly.

She had thought she’d been discovered by the marquis’s men.

Turns out, it was the girl’s father.

The man halted.

Gu Qingci stepped aside, letting him reach his daughter.

“What happened?” the man asked as he lifted the girl.

“Father! This older sister saved me. Mother was unwell today, so I went to deliver embroidery to the Marquis of Yangling’s estate, but then…” The girl wept as she explained.

Gu Qingci relaxed slightly. Once the misunderstanding was cleared, things would be fine.

“In the heat of the moment, I acted rashly. My apologies. For saving my daughter, I am in your debt.” the man said, looking at Gu Qingci.

“I was there investigating something else and happened to help. No need for thanks. You should take her home now and see if she needs any medicine.” Gu Qingci said, waving it off, still slightly breathless.

“May I ask your name? I’d like to express my gratitude properly another day.” the man said.

“That’s unnecessary. Just don’t tell anyone you saw me. Also, I beat him up before leaving—he might come after you for revenge. It’s best if you move away quickly.” Gu Qingci said, cupping her hands in farewell before hurrying off.

From what Madam Zhao had told her, Gu Qingci knew the Marquis of Yangling’s background.

His sister was Third Prince’s concubine, and he held a seventh-rank noble title. His father was a fifth-rank capital official, and the family had a reputation for arrogance in Youzhou City.

As a minor scholar, Gu Qingci couldn’t afford to clash with him openly.

Gu Qingci left in a hurry, and the man didn’t pursue her, focusing on getting his daughter to safety.

Perhaps affected by the Hua’e’s pheromones, Gu Qingci felt emotionally unsettled.

She desperately wanted to see Ruan Zhi.

It was nearly noon, and Gu Qingci hadn’t eaten breakfast—her stomach growled with hunger. But she wanted to report her findings to Ruan Zhi first, so she headed straight to the teahouse.

“The Madam is speaking with Prince You in a private room. Please wait, My lord.” the manager informed Gu Qingci upon arrival.

Gu Qingci frowned, displeased.

Why was this person here again?

She went to a private room to wait for Ruan Zhi, her irritation growing inexplicably.

Memories of Ruan Zhi asleep that morning, her scent, her touch—

Her infatuation was spiraling out of control.

In her mind, a “wife-stealing progress bar” appeared.

Every time Ye Youli interacted with Ruan Zhi, the bar advanced.

And she could only watch helplessly.

This was her wife—yet she was being taken away, bit by bit.

It was unbearable.

Her marking teeth itched, her eyes tinged red.

While Ruan Zhi was speaking with Ye Youli, a knock sounded at the door. Ruan Zhi opened it to find Gu Qingci.

“What’s wrong?” Ruan Zhi asked, surprised to see Gu Qingci’s reddened eyes, as if she’d been wronged.

“I need to talk to you.” Gu Qingci said gruffly, gripping Ruan Zhi’s wrist.

“…” Ruan Zhi tried to pull away but couldn’t free herself.

“My apologies, Your Highness. I’ll return shortly. Please enjoy your tea.” Ruan Zhi said politely to Ye Youli before turning back.

Ye Youli waved dismissively, shooting Gu Qingci a look of faint disdain.

Gu Qingci returned the glare with equal contempt and led Ruan Zhi away without another word.

She took Ruan Zhi to the private room she had been waiting in.

“What is it?” Ruan Zhi asked as soon as they entered. Before she could finish, she was abruptly pulled into a tight embrace, Gu Qingci’s face burying into her neck.

The mingled scents overwhelmed Ruan Zhi, and she frowned, pushing at Gu Qingci.

But Gu Qingci refused to let go.

“What are you doing?” Ruan Zhi asked, her hand pressing against Gu Qingci’s cheek.

Up close, Ruan Zhi could smell Gu Qingci’s natural pheromones mixed with the scent of another omega—the distinctive fragrance of one in heat.

It displeased her.

She hated the smell of others on Gu Qingci.

“I’m not causing trouble. I want to mark you.” Gu Qingci rasped, the last shred of her restraint keeping her from biting down immediately.

Gu Qingci’s pheromones began to spill out, enveloping Ruan Zhi.

The words stunned Ruan Zhi.

This was the first time Gu Qingci had ever openly expressed a desire to mark her.

The raw longing in her voice sent a shiver down Ruan Zhi’s spine.

“Whose pheromones are these on you? I don’t want to smell them. Let go of me first.” Ruan Zhi said coldly.

Though physically at a disadvantage, her tone alone subdued Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci’s aggression melted into dejection.

“I don’t like you smelling like someone else, and it’s broad daylight.” Ruan Zhi added after a pause.

Not only was it daytime—they were in a teahouse, surrounded by people.

Gu Qingci’s rationality resurfaced slightly at Ruan Zhi’s words.

Why did she want to mark Ruan Zhi?

Was it because of the foreign pheromones affecting her? Or was it jealousy over Ye Youli?

“I’m sorry!” Gu Qingci bit her lip and lowered her head.

“Go back to the inn, bathe, and change clothes. I’ll talk to you later.” Ruan Zhi said, softening at Gu Qingci’s expression.

Gu Qingci didn’t seem the type to fool around.

The foreign scent was likely forced upon her.

Her sudden aggression might have been triggered by the other omega’s pheromones.

Under these circumstances, Ruan Zhi didn’t want to indulge her.

With that, Ruan Zhi left the room.

Gu Qingci’s lips quivered as she waited alone, her agitation gradually subsiding before she returned to the inn to wash up and change.