My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 42

42

In the morning, when Ruan Zhi woke up and opened her eyes, she saw Gu Qingci’s face.

“Madam, you’re awake. I have good news for you—we caught them! Three of them, trying the same trick again. Brother Min and I caught them. They didn’t even get a chance to act; we spotted them as soon as they got close. After catching them, I sent them to the authorities at dawn.”

Gu Qingci excitedly told Ruan Zhi.

At the teahouse, Gu Qingci had barely slept all night.

She spent the first half of the night chatting with Min Guiyi, and after catching the culprits in the latter half, she only managed to sleep for an hour or two.

After waking up, she had to deal with the authorities.

But catching the culprits made her very happy.

Ruan Zhi was still a bit dazed. She heard Gu Qingci’s words, but their meaning hadn’t fully registered in her mind.

Looking at Gu Qingci, she felt like there was a little dog wagging its tail at the bedside, waiting for praise and pets.

Adorably cute.

Ruan Zhi reached out and placed her hand on Gu Qingci’s head, gently stroking it.

Gu Qingci froze for a moment, then nuzzled her head into Ruan Zhi’s palm, her face brushing against Ruan Zhi’s hand, her lips grazing it.

The warmth of Gu Qingci’s lips made Ruan Zhi’s hand twitch slightly, her gaze gradually clearing.

Meeting Ruan Zhi’s now-cool eyes, Gu Qingci straightened up, offering an awkward smile.

“You worked hard.” Ruan Zhi said, sitting up as she recalled what Gu Qingci had told her.

“It wasn’t too bad, just a bit sleepy.” Gu Qingci replied.

“Rest for a while after breakfast. There shouldn’t be anything else to do today.” Ruan Zhi said as she got up and called Lian Rui in.

The two had breakfast together.

After the meal, the cook prepared a bowl of milk tea for Gu Qingci to taste.

“No, this color is too dark, and the taste is a bit off.” Gu Qingci said after taking a sip. The flavor wasn’t right either.

“The cook added brown sugar. The color of brown sugar is naturally this dark, and combined with the tea, it becomes even darker. We could also try using honey or malt sugar as substitutes.” Ruan Zhi suggested.

“Aside from the sweetness, there’s another overpowering flavor that drowns out the tea’s aroma. Isn’t there sugar that’s just sweet? Like fructose or white sugar?” Gu Qingci asked.

“What is white sugar? Could you explain in detail, My lord?” Ruan Zhi inquired.

Hearing Ruan Zhi say this, Gu Qingci realized that the “technology tree branch” for white sugar had not yet developed in this world.

Based on her own understanding, Gu Qingci gave a rough explanation.

“The key is decolorization and recrystallization. When the concentration exceeds the saturation point, it will crystallize, precipitating white sugar crystals. Coarse salt can also be purified this way to remove impurities and produce refined salt.” Gu Qingci summarized, grateful that she hadn’t forgotten her middle school chemistry lessons.

Ruan Zhi didn’t call for Madam Zhao but instead took notes herself in a notebook.

Both of these items were commonly used in daily life. If they could be refined and developed, it would lead to significant advancements.

After finishing her notes, Ruan Zhi looked at Gu Qingci, who was still sipping her milk tea, completely unaware of the implications of what she had just said—she hadn’t even mentioned profit sharing.

“My lord, I will send someone to experiment with this. If successful, we can use the sugar-making method ourselves. From the profits of the business, I will give you a ten percent share. As for the refined salt production method, it will likely have to be handed over to the authorities. Ordinary merchants cannot engage in such trade—salt can only be purchased from official stores.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Thank you for your hard work, Madam.” Gu Qingci smiled with squinted eyes.

She hadn’t even asked for a share, but Ruan Zhi had proactively offered it to her.

This was fantastic!

Her purse was about to get even fatter.

She could just lie back and relax now.

“My lord, if you think of anything else in the future, tell me. Don’t mention it to outsiders.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Of course. I’m not foolish enough to tell others. They wouldn’t give me a share of the profits anyway.” Gu Qingci nodded repeatedly.

“…” Ruan Zhi was speechless. She wasn’t stupid—just a bit… silly-looking.

If someone else offered her a share or silver, would she spill everything and run off with them?

She seemed far too easy to lure away.

At this thought, Ruan Zhi’s expression darkened.

After the meal, Gu Qingci was so drowsy she could barely keep her eyes open, yawning until tears welled up. Ruan Zhi let her take a nap.

There was nothing else for her to worry about that day.

Nestled in the bedding that carried Ruan Zhi’s scent, Gu Qingci felt particularly happy and slept until noon, when she was called for lunch.

The incident of the Yangling Marquis’s people splashing dirty water in the teahouse alone wouldn’t be enough to bring down the Marquis. A few servants took the blame, were beaten with boards, and the matter was dropped.

Ruan Zhi spent silver to find several victims who had been oppressed by the Yangling Marquis and had them file complaints at the yamen. With additional pressure from Ye Youli, the authorities would enforce the law impartially, though it would take some time.

The case wasn’t resolved yet, and the Yangling Marquis hadn’t been arrested. Gu Qingci stayed at the teahouse for two consecutive nights.

Later, perhaps because the Yangling Marquis was too preoccupied with his own troubles, no one came to cause further disturbances.

On the third day, the Yangling Marquis was arrested and taken to the yamen.

For crimes that might land ordinary people in prison or exile, the Yangling Marquis—after sending a letter to the capital—had someone come to bail him out. Since no lives were lost, he was only given twenty strokes of the cane and fined.

After being locked up for a few days, he packed his bags and slunk back to the capital in disgrace.

Without the Yangling Marquis around to cause trouble, things became much quieter.

With Gu Qingci acting as guarantor, Min Guiyi’s crisis was also resolved.

He officially became a guard of the Gu household.

Ruan Zhi assigned the teahouse’s original guards and servants to Min Guiyi for training.

Every day, aside from going out to have fun with Wen Renyi, Gu Qingci trained with them.

Min Guiyi had mentioned earlier that in his youth, he had received some guidance and learned a few things, so his techniques were somewhat systematic. He also knew some breathing and meditation methods.

Gu Qingci’s skills were mostly self-taught, honed through practical experience, without formal instruction from a master.

Curious, Gu Qingci humbly followed along to learn, especially the breathing and meditation techniques.

Min Guiyi didn’t fully understand the principles behind them—he just knew they were beneficial.

After trying them, Gu Qingci gained some insight.

It wasn’t like the miraculous internal energy techniques from martial arts novels, but rather a deep-breathing method that helped expel impurities, detoxify the body, and supply more oxygen, boosting metabolism and making the body feel lighter and healthier.

Min Guiyi’s great strength, sharp hearing, and keen eyesight might have been related to this.

It also required a bit of innate understanding.

A few of the guards and servants who learned it didn’t feel much effect.

But Gu Qingci benefited greatly.

There were always greater masters beyond one’s knowledge, and realizing that this world had skilled and extraordinary people she didn’t know about added another layer of reverence for it.

Choosing not to compete with others was one thing, but making oneself stronger was another.

Since Ruan Zhi didn’t assign her any other tasks, Gu Qingci focused wholeheartedly on “cultivating” with Min Guiyi.

Meanwhile, Ruan Zhi was busy expanding the teahouse and surrounding businesses, as well as arranging supplies for the official stores.

The teahouse launched a delivery service, limited to Youzhou City, and added tea-party hosting as a new offering.

Bamboo tubes had long been used as water containers in this world, so selling tea in bamboo tubes wasn’t difficult. They commissioned craftsmen to produce a large batch of bamboo tubes and opened a dedicated window at the teahouse to sell bamboo-tube tea.

Among the tea varieties, several floral and fruit teas were developed and added to the menu.

The milk tea was still being fine-tuned, and with cow’s milk being scarce, even if perfected, it would be relatively expensive. Ruan Zhi planned to introduce it after reaching the capital.

As for the official stores, after negotiations with the steward, they finalized the pricing, supply quantities, and delivery schedules for five types of goods.

After a period of busy work, the business in Youzhou City stabilized. Ruan Zhi made the necessary arrangements and returned to Minshan County with Gu Qingci.

They brought Min Guiyi and his family along.

Their roots were in Minshan County, and many people there also needed Min Guiyi’s training.

The spring imperial examinations were scheduled for February of the following year. Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi agreed on a time and place to meet up before heading to the capital together.

Gu Qingci didn’t have any grand ambitions about what rank she would achieve in the Spring Examinations.

Min Guiyi, a grassroots scholar who had only studied a bit in his youth, could already compete with Gu Qingci. By the time of the Spring Examinations, all the provincial graduates from the entire Daheng Dynasty would gather for the metropolitan exams, and the competition would undoubtedly be fierce.

Ruan Zhi didn’t pressure Gu Qingci either.

During their days in Youzhou City, everything was left to her preferences. Even her training wasn’t an all-day affair—half the time was spent socializing and having fun with Wen Renyi.

The group spent two days traveling to Guide Prefecture and another half day to reach Minshan County.

Word had already been sent home, so everyone knew Gu Qingci had returned as a provincial top scorer.

From the moment their carriage entered Minshan County, people kept coming to congratulate her.

Although Nanny Qin, who had stayed behind, had already distributed celebratory money in their absence, another round was handed out now.

Nanny Qin, having received the news early, had prepared meals in advance and tidied up the house, with fresh bedding aired out.

Though they hadn’t lived in the Gu residence for long, returning still felt warmly familiar.

Just after dinner, Xue Sanniang arrived.

Xue Sanniang hadn’t gone anywhere during this time and had been staying at the Gu residence.

Upon hearing Gu Qingci had returned, she freshened up and hurried over to see her, bringing along two pretty maidservants.

“A Ci, you’ve made something of yourself—you’re a provincial graduate now! Ancestral Grandmother Princess Wanyu blesses you. A Ci is sure to bring honor to our ancestors.” Xue Sanniang clasped her hands and murmured fervently, visibly moved.

Xue Sanniang hadn’t caused any trouble and no longer spoke ill of Ruan Zhi, so Gu Qingci treated her politely.

“A Ci, your status is different now. Having only one little book boy to serve you isn’t enough. I bought two young maidservants and have taught them many things over this time. Let them stay to serve you.”

Gu Qingci had just begun to think Xue Sanniang was showing some maternal care, genuinely happy for her, when Xue Sanniang pulled this move.

“Servant Yuehe (Yueru) pay respects to the lord!”

As Xue Sanniang finished speaking, the two maidservants bowed to Gu Qingci, their faces flushing as they looked at her.

Gu Qingci glanced at Ruan Zhi beside her, but Ruan Zhi kept her head down, reviewing the household accounts from recent days, not even looking up.

“A Ci, take a look—aren’t they lovely? Yuehe excels at needlework, and Yueru is skilled in cooking. They’re gentle and sweet-natured, very good at taking care of people.” Xue Sanniang said.

“Mother, I don’t need any more maidservants around me. You should keep them for yourself.” Gu Qingci said, her expression turning more serious as she looked at Xue Sanniang.

While Ruan Zhi and the others were away, Xue Sanniang had enjoyed her freedom and specifically gone to the slave market to pick out pretty young maidservants.

She had been holding onto this idea, waiting for Gu Qingci’s return so she could present them, hoping Gu Qingci would take them in and perhaps shift her affections away from Ruan Zhi through their pillow talk.

But Gu Qingci refused outright.

“A Ci, your mother went through so much trouble—” Xue Sanniang started, but the words died in her throat under Gu Qingci’s gaze.

“Mother, don’t worry about such things. Nanny Yan, what’s going on? How could you let Mother work so hard, buying maidservants and teaching them herself?” Gu Qingci said, glancing at Nanny Yan, who had accompanied Xue Sanniang.

This Nanny Yan was the same shamaness Xue Sanniang had hired back then.

She was supposed to manage Xue Sanniang, but when Xue Sanniang wanted to buy pretty maidservants for her daughter, Nanny Yan thought it was a good idea—one Gu Qingci would surely appreciate.

But she had misjudged.

Hearing Gu Qingci’s tone, Xue Sanniang didn’t dare say more and quickly left with the maidservants in tow.

Gu Qingci kept Nanny Yan behind to give her a few instructions, and Nanny Yan, understanding Gu Qingci’s intent, nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Once they were gone, Gu Qingci sat down and let out a long sigh.

“My lord, why didn’t you accept them?” Ruan Zhi asked, noticing Gu Qingci’s relieved expression.

“What would I do with them? Shimo is enough to serve me. More people just mean more trouble.” Gu Qingci waved her hand dismissively.

“My lord, as a provincial graduate, you’re now half an official. Having a few more maidservants would be a matter of face. If you take a liking to any of them, you could also keep them as concubines.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Madam, what others do—whether they take concubines or not—is none of my concern. But I won’t. Have you forgotten what I said before? You alone are enough for me.” Gu Qingci said quickly.

Ruan Zhi saw that Gu Qingci spoke seriously and was reminded of Gu Qingci’s earlier desire to keep dancers and singers.

In noble households, trained musicians and singers held a status even lower than that of concubines and were generally assumed to be akin to bed companions, available for the lord’s pleasure.

“Over the next couple of days, many people may come to visit you, and some might offer gifts, including musicians or dancers. Would you refuse even those?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“Musicians and dancers? Madam, can we keep them at home if we accept them?” Gu Qingci’s eyes lit up as if a switch had been flipped.

Now that she had a bit of silver—though not much—she could start by keeping one, enjoying small performances daily.

“No.” Ruan Zhi replied, her face darkening immediately.

Wasn’t she enough for her?

“Madam, why not?” Gu Qingci pressed, already brainstorming ways to coax Ruan Zhi into agreeing.

“It’s not entirely impossible. After we divorce, you can keep as many as you like.” Ruan Zhi said.

“…Then I won’t keep any.” Gu Qingci declared without hesitation.

Seeing how promptly Gu Qingci answered, Ruan Zhi felt inexplicably better.

Ruan Zhi was busy, so Gu Qingci went to check on Min Guiyi’s situation.

The Min family had been settled in a separate small courtyard, with two maids attending to their daily needs.

“Brother Min, if anything is lacking here, just have the maids inform Madam Zhao to arrange for it.” Gu Qingci told Min Guiyi. Over the past days, the two had grown quite familiar.

“Madam has arranged everything perfectly; nothing is lacking.” Min Guiyi replied with a smile.

“My lord is here!” As Gu Qingci spoke with Min Guiyi, a sweet voice chimed in—it was Min Guiyi’s daughter, Min Yuan’er.

Min Yuan’er had just come of age, even younger than Gu Qingci, and was a cheerful, sweet girl.

Gu Qingci had saved her before, and Min Yuan’er was deeply grateful, her eyes crinkling into crescents whenever she greeted Gu Qingci.

“My lord, I’ve finished the pouches Madam asked for. Last time, you said you didn’t want flowers and plants but small animals, so I embroidered little dogs and cats on them—one for you and one for Madam.” Min Yuan’er said, handing the pouches to Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci examined them; the little dog and cat were adorably lifelike, quite charming.

Min Yuan’er and her mother had previously supported themselves by doing needlework, and their skills were exquisite.

Knowing this, Ruan Zhi had tasked them with making some embroidered items in their spare time, paying them per piece so they wouldn’t need to seek outside work and risk repeating past incidents.

Thus, they occasionally helped with small projects.

Gu Qingci accepted the pouches and thanked Min Yuan’er.

Returning to Xiuyi Garden, Gu Qingci gave the pouches to Ruan Zhi.

“They look quite cute, don’t they?” Gu Qingci said to Ruan Zhi.

She handed Ruan Zhi the pouch embroidered with a kitten.

The little white cat’s fur was stitched with lifelike detail, appearing delicate and exquisite, like a ball of snow.

When Gu Qingci saw it, she thought it somewhat resembled Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi respected Min Guiyi and treated his wife and daughter with kindness.

Min Yuan’er was innocent and kind-hearted, leaving a good impression on Ruan Zhi.

Admiring the exquisite embroidery, Ruan Zhi sent Lian Rui to the Min family’s courtyard with some silver and food as a token of gratitude.

That day, Ruan Zhi and Gu Qingci stayed in. The next morning, they brought gifts and went to the Ruan family together.

Having sent word ahead, Ruan Jinyu rushed out early to greet them, boarding their carriage to return to the Ruan family.

Now that Gu Qingci was a provincial scholar, Ruan Maolin’s status in Minshan County had also risen considerably.

These past few days, Qin Ruofang and Ruan Maolin had felt as if they were dreaming.

Who would have thought that the person Ruan Zhi had married would not only pass the provincial exam but also become the top scholar!

When the couple arrived and saw the word “Provincial Graduate” on Gu Qingci’s identity plaque, they couldn’t help but sigh in amazement.

“In the past, trying to do business with official merchants was nearly impossible—even if we managed it, we’d have to operate at a loss. But now, even Eunuch Li has sent people to seek us out several times, treating us with respect and offering fair prices. We wouldn’t have dared dream of this before. It’s all thanks to Qingci.” Qin Ruofang said with emotion.

“Mother-in-law, you’re too kind. We’re family, after all. And I’m the one who’s blessed—thanks to you and Father-in-law, I have such an excellent omega as my wife.” Gu Qingci said with a smile, her attitude unchanged from before passing the exam. The flattery was so sweet that Qin Ruofang and Ruan Maolin couldn’t stop grinning.

Ruan Zhi’s cheeks flushed slightly—this woman didn’t even blush when spouting such honeyed words.

As they were talking, a servant came in to announce:

“Madam Ruan the Second has arrived with guests.”

Before the servant even finished speaking, voices could already be heard outside.

“Why is she here? She must have come because she heard you were back.” Qin Ruofang said unhappily.

“Who is it?” Gu Qingci asked curiously.

“One of Ah Zhi’s cousins—she became the second wife of an old Hanlin scholar who retired. Now she acts like she’s someone important.” Qin Ruofang said with a frown.

Gu Qingci noticed Qin Ruofang’s displeasure and wanted to ask more, but the voices were growing closer.

Soon, a woman dressed in brocade robes and adorned with gold hairpins strode into the hall with a bright smile.

Gu Qingci, accustomed to the simple attire of martial scholars and Ruan Zhi’s usual understated elegance, felt slightly jarred by the sudden sight of someone dripping with gold and jewels.

Gu Qingci (internally): Madam, believe me, I just genuinely wanted to listen to some music and watch a dance—pure artistic appreciation!

Little Gu is about to do another sit-up—lying flat is impossible. Posting this for now—next step is preparing for the metropolitan exam and striving upward! (whimpers)