My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 44

44

Gu Qingci took Ruan Zhi’s hand and pulled her up from the chair.

Unable to resist the force, Ruan Zhi was drawn into Gu Qingci’s embrace, barely managing to brace herself with her arms to avoid crashing fully into her.

The sudden assertiveness left Ruan Zhi somewhat flustered.

Gu Qingci wanted to ask something, but Ruan Zhi had already concealed the truth several times. If she asked again, would Ruan Zhi continue to hide it?

Ruan Zhi wasn’t the type to be untrustworthy.

Ye Youli had secretly infiltrated their group—there must be a reason for it, and she likely ordered Ruan Zhi not to tell anyone.

Gu Qingci understood why Ruan Zhi wouldn’t say anything.

Logically, she knew Ruan Zhi was a woman of her word and wouldn’t engage in any inappropriate behavior during their marriage.

But an impulsive discomfort still churned inside her.

If things continued like this, what if the two developed feelings?

Ruan Zhi had already agreed to a divorce back then—it was Gu Qingci who had stubbornly refused to let go.

She was the one who had forced this.

“Has your restless period arrived?” Ruan Zhi asked, suppressing her own unease as she studied Gu Qingci’s expression. She released pheromones, trying to soothe Gu Qingci.

Hearing Ruan Zhi’s question, Gu Qingci snapped back to reality, her gaze fixed on Ruan Zhi’s face. She didn’t deny it, letting out a muffled hum.

It wasn’t her restless period—it was possessiveness flaring up.

“Madam, I want to mark you.” Gu Qingci murmured, leaning in, her nose brushing against Ruan Zhi’s cheek.

Ruan Zhi had said she didn’t like the scent of others on Gu Qingci, and Gu Qingci didn’t like the scent of others on Ruan Zhi either.

Even the unfamiliar fragrance near Ruan Zhi’s cheeks made Gu Qingci feel even more unsettled.

She released her pheromones, driving away those foreign scents.

After a temporary mark, Ruan Zhi would carry Gu Qingci’s pheromones for several days, until they faded completely.

She wanted to assert her claim over Ruan Zhi once more—to declare her sovereignty to Ye Youli again.

As Gu Qingci moved toward the scent gland on Ruan Zhi’s neck, Ruan Zhi struggled slightly, her expression conflicted.

If Gu Qingci needed her, she could let her mark her.

But the esteemed figure outside disliked Gu Qingci’s scent.

Given her current bad temper, if Ruan Zhi were marked by Gu Qingci now, who knew how she might react?

Ruan Zhi’s hesitation and resistance only deepened Gu Qingci’s anguish.

Already at Ruan Zhi’s scent gland, Gu Qingci didn’t let go.

The hand on Ruan Zhi’s waist pressed her down.

The gland came to Gu Qingci’s lips.

Gu Qingci didn’t bite down immediately, only sucking on the spot.

Ruan Zhi gasped slightly.

“Madam, there’s something outside that requires your attention.”

Before Gu Qingci could bite down, a knock sounded at the door, and Lian Rui’s voice came through.

Ruan Zhi snapped back to her senses and patted Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci stubbornly clung to Ruan Zhi, nibbling and savoring the skin over the gland.

“Gu Qingci, I need to step out for a moment.” Ruan Zhi called hoarsely.

Gu Qingci tightened her grip on Ruan Zhi, as if in a trance, pressing her face against Ruan Zhi’s neck.

Ruan Zhi grew annoyed and struggled.

Just as Gu Qingci was about to pierce Ruan Zhi’s gland, she lifted her head.

And released her.

Ruan Zhi sat up, her face slightly flushed.

“Wait for me, I’ll be back soon.” she said, seeing Gu Qingci’s sullen, lowered head.

Before leaving, Ruan Zhi removed her outer robe and took a new cloak from the chest in the room before stepping out.

Gu Qingci rose and glanced at the door. Sure enough, Ruan Zhi entered Ye Youli’s room.

A short while later, Ruan Zhi returned alone with a food box in hand, not allowing any outsiders inside.

Gu Qingci used the deep-breathing technique Min Guiyi had taught her, inhaling and exhaling several times, but her mood refused to settle.

She felt that her efforts these past months—enduring the coldest days of winter, striving to pass the imperial exams—were nothing but a joke.

Ruan Zhi didn’t need any of it.

That was why she had been so lenient, letting her eat well, drink well, not overthink, telling her it was fine if she didn’t pass this time—there would be another chance, to take it slow, not to rush. There wasn’t a hint of the “expecting one’s wife to achieve greatness” mentality.

Gu Qingci stood blankly at the door for a moment before stepping out to find Wen Ren Yi for a game of chess.

Meanwhile, in the room where Ruan Zhi was, a woman with disheveled hair lay curled up on the bed, her face pale, brows furrowed in obvious agony.

The woman was none other than Ye Youli, now clutching the hand warmer Ruan Zhi had given her earlier.

The floor beside the bed was littered with shards of a porcelain bowl, the faint scent of medicine lingering in the air.

“Are you sure the soup you made will help and not kill me?” Ye Youli lifted her eyelids to glare at Ruan Zhi, her expression listless but her eyes sharp with a simmering rage, as if she might erupt in violence at any moment.

“The ingredients were all prepared by me. If Your Highness trusts me, give it a try. Losing your temper won’t help—sit up first.” Ruan Zhi replied, somewhat exasperated.

“You dare! I will confiscate all your assets!” Ye Youli said, her voice weak from exhaustion, making the threat sound utterly unconvincing.

“Finish this first, then talk.” Ruan Zhi replied, as if she couldn’t care less.

Ye Youli’s face was still flushed with anger, but she sat up anyway.

She took the bowl of medicinal broth Ruan Zhi handed her and took a few sips.

It was sweet.

Not bitter at all.

In fact, it was quite delicious.

After finishing the bowl of “medicine” Ye Youli felt noticeably warmer, and the pain in her abdomen had eased somewhat.

She looked up at Ruan Zhi.

If this medicinal broth had alleviated her symptoms, then Ruan Zhi…

She had assumed Ruan Zhi didn’t avoid being close to her because she was trying to curry favor or seduce her. But now…

This was far more serious.

“Your Highness need not worry. I prepared this myself, and the herb residues were burned in the stove. The recipe is a secret—only I know it.” Ruan Zhi said softly.

This was a formula that Wen Renyi had developed in her past life specifically for Ye Youli’s condition, after countless trials.

Ruan Zhi happened to know the recipe and had brewed it for Ye Youli a few times before.

She hadn’t expected to use it now.

“Aren’t you afraid of execution and the extermination of your entire clan? I could make you disappear right now.” Ye Youli said coldly, her pale face hardening with severity.

“Shouldn’t it be the opposite? I’ve now become inextricably tied to Your Highness. From this moment on, you’ve gained a powerful ally. It’s not that Your Highness is bound by me—it’s that I’m bound by you.” Ruan Zhi replied calmly, her tone unhurried.

The young Ye Youli was still somewhat immature, but even now, she had the same temper, the same habit of making ruthless threats.

“…You’re quite arrogant! What can your meager assets possibly accomplish?!” Ye Youli snapped.

If it were anyone else who had discovered Ye Youli’s secret, she wouldn’t have hesitated to summon her guards and have them silenced.

But Ruan Zhi’s composed demeanor—as if she had known all along—strangely made Ye Youli trust her on some subconscious level.

“The future is uncertain. Since the medicine has helped, give me the bowl and rest for a while.” Ruan Zhi said, reaching out for the dish.

Ye Youli handed it over reflexively, her expression darkening further.

Not only was this woman unafraid of her, she even seemed adept at “ordering” her around!

“There’s a sedative component in the medicine. Sleep for a bit. Drink another dose tomorrow, and you’ll recover completely.” Ruan Zhi said gently, her voice soothing.

Frowning, Ye Youli lay back down.

“If you dare tell anyone, I will not spare you!” Ye Youli hissed before closing her eyes.

“Mm.” Ruan Zhi acknowledged.

Only then did Ye Youli close her eyes.

Once Ye Youli had fallen asleep, Ruan Zhi let out a quiet sigh and slowly retreated from the room.

When she returned to the room she shared with Gu Qingci, she found that Gu Qingci was no longer there.

After asking Lian Rui, she learned that Gu Qingci had gone to Wen Renyi’s quarters.

Ruan Zhi instructed Lian Rui to inform Gu Qingci that she had finished her tasks and to signal her to return.

“The lord said she is deep in conversation with Wen Renyi and asked the madam to rest first.” Lian Rui reported upon returning shortly after.

“…” Ruan Zhi said nothing.

She had a feeling Gu Qingci was upset.

Could she have discovered Ye Youli’s presence?

Ye Youli had been staying in the carriage all along, but today, due to special circumstances, she had summoned Ruan Zhi more frequently than usual.

Before this, Ruan Zhi had occasionally visited the carriage of Min Guiyi’s wife and daughter or discussed matters with Madam Zhao.

Gu Qingci, who didn’t involve herself in these affairs, had spent the past few days riding and chatting with Wen Renyi, sometimes staying in her quarters for an hour or two.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t entirely sure.

As for Ye Youli’s situation, Ruan Zhi didn’t know whether she should tell Gu Qingci.

Given Gu Qingci’s tendency to spill secrets when drunk, Ruan Zhi was genuinely afraid she might let it slip.

For a moment, Ruan Zhi felt a headache coming on.

After washing up and getting into bed, she did some accounting, but Gu Qingci still hadn’t returned.

Eventually, Ruan Zhi lay down and fell asleep.

Sometime later, as she was drifting into slumber, Gu Qingci finally returned.

She carried the damp freshness of someone who had just bathed.

Too tired to move, Ruan Zhi remained still.

But then she felt the quilt being gently lifted, and her body was pulled into a warm embrace.

Both were clad in sleeping robes, pressed close together.

A flush crept up to Ruan Zhi’s ears.

Gu Qingci only held her for a moment before letting go and slipping back into her own quilt.

Ruan Zhi finally exhaled in relief.

The next morning, Gu Qingci rose early and went out to train with Wen Renyi. By the time she returned, the convoy was already packing up.

Gu Qingci had breakfast with Wen Renyi.

“My lord, the gloves are ready. Please see if they fit.” a young girl approached Gu Qingci after breakfast as she was preparing to return to her room to gather her things. It was Min Yuan’er.

Min Guiyi had been brought along to the capital, and Min Yuan’er had also wanted to come. Min Guiyi had specially requested Ruan Zhi’s permission, and since bringing one more person wasn’t an issue—especially since Min Yuan’er could be quite helpful—she had been allowed to join.

Usually, Min Yuan’er and Lian Rui ride together in the same carriage.

Gu Qingci put on the gloves made by Min Yuan’er to try them on.

It wasn’t until winter arrived that Gu Qingci realized there were no finger-separated gloves in this world.

Later, Gu Qingci remembered and asked the skilled Min Yuan’er to make a pair.

Unexpectedly, they were finished so quickly.

Lightweight and warm, with fingers separated, they made horseback riding much more convenient.

“My lord, do they fit?” Min Yuan’er asked.

“They fit perfectly. Thank you, Yuan’er. Your hands are so clever!” Gu Qingci thanked her.

“My lord, you mustn’t thank me. It’s what Yuan’er should do. I’ll make a few more pairs for you, trying different fabrics.” Min Yuan’er replied, her face slightly flushed.

“First, make a pair for Lady Wenren, using the same material. Lady Wenren, I know you want some—let Yuan’er measure your hands.” Gu Qingci said, preempting Wen Renyi before he could speak.

“No one understands me like you, Scholar Gu. These gloves look excellent!” Wen Renyi laughed, extending his hand for Min Yuan’er to measure.

After Min Yuan’er left, Gu Qingci went to check the inn rooms—everything had already been tidied up.

Gu Qingci’s water flask, hand warmer, and fur cloak were taken away by Shimu.

Since Ruan Zhi wasn’t around, Gu Qingci waited for a while and then saw her carrying a food box into Ye Youli’s room.

Gu Qingci paused, then had Shimo take her belongings to Wen Renyi’s carriage.

“Hey, I say, why are you upset with your wife again? Can’t you be more generous?” Wen Renyi asked as Gu Qingci brought her things in.

“You wouldn’t understand.” Gu Qingci said rather gloomily.

“…Fine, I don’t understand. Are you still going out for a ride today?” Wen Renyi asked.

“Of course.” Gu Qingci replied.

Now that Ye Youli’s presence was confirmed, Gu Qingci felt even more compelled to scout ahead.

Merchant caravans might encounter bandits—she’d seen it on TV before.

With someone as important as Ye Youli here, if anything happened, it would be troublesome.

After storing her belongings in the carriage, the convoy was nearly ready to depart. Once Ruan Zhi and the others boarded their carriage, the journey began.

Ruan Zhi, noticing that Gu Qingci hadn’t even left her things in their shared carriage, watched as Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi rode ahead on horseback, pressing her fingers to her forehead.

Even a usually obedient puppy has its temper.

How to coax her?

What should she say?

Ruan Zhi had no experience and hadn’t figured out what to say, but Ye Youli was already calling for her again.

Ruan Zhi had no choice but to go see Ye Youli first.

As noon approached and it was time for a break, Min Guiyi instructed everyone to rest for a while.

“Up ahead, there’s dense forest on one side and a high slope on the other—perfect for an ambush. I’ll go scout it out.” Min Guiyi said to Gu Qingci after inspecting the area.

“I’ll go with you.” Gu Qingci replied.

Min Guiyi had chosen a campsite with good visibility from four directions, making it easier to spot danger early and flee if necessary. With many guards present, including Ye Youli’s personal guards, the convoy should be safe resting there.

Gu Qingci left Wen Renyi behind and went with Min Guiyi to check the situation ahead.

Min Guiyi, drawing on his experience, quickly spotted several people hiding in the grass. They were dressed in tattered clothes, their faces gaunt, and didn’t seem like much of a threat.

Though banditry might have been a last resort for them, Gu Qingci didn’t want to indulge such behavior. However, Min Guiyi gave them a few small pieces of silver, asked them some questions, and sent them on their way.

“Spending a little silver for safety’s sake—Madam also said so. They might look weak, but if they hold a grudge, it could be troublesome.” Min Guiyi explained to Gu Qingci on their way back.

Gu Qingci understood there was a method to this and didn’t dwell on it further.

After resting for a while, the group set off again.

Gu Qingci remained vigilant, patrolling the area with Min Guiyi at the front and rear of the convoy.

Once they passed the area Min Guiyi had deemed prone to ambushes, the group relaxed slightly.

But before Gu Qingci could let her guard down, her danger sense suddenly flared.

“Everyone, be careful!” Gu Qingci shouted just as the sound of arrows cutting through the air reached her ears. She leaned back on her horse, narrowly dodging an arrow.

Others weren’t as quick to react. Muffled groans and cries of pain erupted as arrows struck members of the merchant convoy and their horses.

Chaos quickly spread through the convoy.

Min Guiyi shouted for everyone to take cover behind the wagons or cargo to avoid the arrows.

The guards who knew martial arts drew their swords to deflect the arrows, while the archers among the merchant guards took cover and returned fire with their bows.

The ambush had come from the high slope on one side.

The attackers were well-hidden—even now, arrows flew, but the archers remained unseen.

Gu Qingci and the others hadn’t detected them earlier.

Now, they had suddenly appeared.

Worried about Ruan Zhi, Gu Qingci spurred her horse toward the carriage where Ruan Zhi was seated.

Ruan Zhi’s carriage was in the middle of the convoy, and the horses, spooked, were rearing.

Several skilled guards surrounded the area.

Some had been hit by arrows and were injured, while the uninjured either helped control the horses or drew their swords to block the arrows.

As Gu Qingci rode toward Ruan Zhi’s carriage, she called out to Shimo.

“Shimo, the heavy bow!”

Gu Qingci carried a bow on horseback, but it was only a one-stone bow—lightweight.

Her strength had improved over time, and a one-stone bow was now easy for her. A two-stone bow was her current limit.

The attackers were positioned on the slope above. Shooting upward would naturally reduce the arrow’s force, and at such a distance, a lightweight bow would hardly do any damage even if it hit.

As Gu Qingci rushed toward Ruan Zhi’s carriage, Shimo retrieved the two-stone bow from the carriage along with a quiver of arrows and handed them to Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci turned sideways to retrieve her bow and arrows, nocking three arrows at once and shooting them in the direction from which the enemy arrows had come.

Though the foliage blocked her view of the assailants, she could roughly estimate their position based on the trajectory of the arrows.

Gu Qingci loosed three volleys, and only then did the density of incoming arrows begin to thin.

However, the chaos caused earlier still left the scene in disarray.

The horses hitched to the carriages were not battle-trained steeds. Startled and some wounded by arrows, they neighed wildly and bolted uncontrollably, beyond the coachmen’s command.

Gu Qingci quickly reached the vicinity of Ruan Zhi’s carriage.

Hearing a scream, she saw Min Yuan’er, who had fallen from the carriage, about to be trampled by the panicked horse pulling Ruan Zhi’s carriage.

Gu Qingci leaned down from her saddle and yanked Min Yuan’er up just in time to evade the hooves.

With nowhere safe nearby, Gu Qingci used her own horse as a stepping stone to leap onto the back of the frenzied horse.

“Get inside!” she shouted to Min Yuan’er, pushing her toward the carriage door. Min Yuan’er scrambled in hastily.

As the carriage curtain lifted briefly, Gu Qingci caught a glimpse of Ruan Zhi crouched in the corner, brows furrowed tightly, and Ye Youli clinging to Ruan Zhi’s arm, nearly nestled against her.

Gu Qingci and Ruan Zhi locked eyes for a fleeting moment. Seeing that Ruan Zhi was unharmed, Gu Qingci felt a wave of relief.

But before any emotion could surface at the sight of Ye Youli, her instincts kicked in—she grabbed the reins to steady the horse.

No sooner had she averted the carriage crisis than her danger sense flared again.

Gu Qingci dodged just as an arrow thicker than the ones she typically used shot past her, embedding itself halfway into the ground with a heavy thud.

There was a master archer among the enemy—one with immense strength!

The force behind that shot suggested a bow of at least three-draw weight.

Gu Qingci’s heart lurched. Without hesitation, she drew her own arrow and aimed in the direction of the attack.

She hadn’t clearly seen the exact origin of the previous arrow, so she waited. Soon, another shot came flying toward her.

The moment she spotted it, Gu Qingci adjusted her angle and released her own arrow.

The two arrows crossed paths midair.

This time, her danger sense didn’t warn her, but she tracked the incoming arrow’s path—an arc forming in her mind—leading straight toward the carriage. That arrow could not strike the carriage!

Without time to think, Gu Qingci leaped from the horse’s back, relying on instinct to intercept the arrow mid-flight.

Had it been a clash of metal, sparks would have flown.

But Gu Qingci used her bare hands. Even with gloves, the force instantly tore through them, scraping her palms raw. Yet she held firm, her entire body wrenched violently by the momentum.

With a loud thud, she was slammed against the carriage.

Thanks to her interception, the arrow’s force weakened, veering off course and grazing past the rear of the carriage.

Gu Qingci ached all over from the impact, but the worst pain was in her arm—the one that had borne the brunt of the arrow’s force. It hung limp, unable to lift.

“Gu Qingci!” Ruan Zhi’s alarmed cry reached her ears.

It was rare to hear such urgency in her voice.

“Don’t move! Stay down and hide!” Gu Qingci shouted through gritted teeth.

Ruan Zhi couldn’t see what was happening outside, only that Gu Qingci was out there.

Hearing her pained groan and realizing it was her who had crashed into the carriage, Ruan Zhi’s heart nearly stopped.

She wanted to rush out and check on her, but fear of adding to Gu Qingci’s burden kept her frozen in place. All she could do was stay hidden.

“The wagon is blocking the carriage with people inside, the arrows are all shooting in that direction!” Min Guiyi’s voice came through, realizing the terror over there.

After being blocked by the wagon, it became somewhat safer.

Though they couldn’t match the heavy bows from that side, they were no longer being used.

Min Guiyi shot arrows to guide everyone, and the others followed his lead, firing in that direction.

Before long, the movement from that direction ceased.

Min Guiyi took charge of probing the area, leading a team to clear it out.

Gu Qingci couldn’t concern herself with anything else for now.

Her palms burned with pain, and the agony in her arm continued to pierce through her.

“Scholar Gu!” A voice called out—it was Wen Renyi arriving.

“My right arm… I think it’s fractured…” Gu Qingci murmured, her voice filled with frustration.

As Wen Renyi examined Gu Qingci, Ruan Zhi stepped down from the carriage and crouched beside her, disregarding the dirt on the ground as she looked at Gu Qingci.

“How is she?” Ruan Zhi’s voice trembled as she asked, not daring to touch Gu Qingci.

“Mostly her two hands—you can see they’re torn open. Fortunately, the bones in her hands are intact, not broken… But her shoulder is dislocated, and her arm is fractured…”

Wen Renyi treated Gu Qingci’s wounds while explaining.

Ruan Zhi saw the injuries on Gu Qingci’s hands, feeling as though something was wrenching at her heart.

Gu Qingci hissed in pain, tears falling when she saw Ruan Zhi.

But she didn’t say anything, only raising her other hand to wipe away the stubborn tears—only for Ruan Zhi to gently brush them away first with a handkerchief.

Suddenly, crying erupted—it was Min Yuan’er, who had also stepped down from the carriage, sobbing uncontrollably.

“My lord… wuwuwu… It’s all my fault! My lord got hurt saving me…” Min Yuan’er cried, gasping between sobs, thinking Gu Qingci had been injured while pulling her up from the ground to rescue her.

“No, it wasn’t because of you.” Gu Qingci managed to say weakly.

“How did this happen?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“Among the ambushers was a strongman, and an excellent archer. Lord Gu dodged the first arrow, but then another came, aimed at the carriage. The force behind that arrow—Lord Gu was afraid it would pierce right through the carriage, so she lunged to stop it…”

Wen Renyi explained.

He had been riding toward Gu Qingci at the time to offer assistance and had seen it clearly.

Ruan Zhi didn’t know what to say.

The person she had been angry with just moments ago had, in the critical moment, still rushed to her side first.

Knowing the danger, yet still risking to block the arrows…

Min Guiyi returned and instructed everyone to rest where they were.

On Wen Renyi’s side, he finished treating Gu Qingci’s wounds.

Both hands were wrapped up like mummies, and one arm was in a sling.

“I’ll check if there’s any medicine in the convoy and brew some for you later. For now, rest, and don’t move your hands at all.” Wen Renyi said to Gu Qingci.

“Help me up, I’m going to your carriage.” Gu Qingci said, extending her mummy-like hands.

Wen Renyi paused, but Ruan Zhi stepped forward first to support Gu Qingci.

“Let’s go to our carriage. You need someone to take care of you in this state, and Lady Wenren understands medicine and still has others to attend to.” Ruan Zhi said softly, holding Gu Qingci.

“Once we’re in the carriage, I’ll talk to you.” Gu Qingci still wanted to refuse, but Ruan Zhi gently stroked her hair and spoke in an extremely tender voice.

“…” Gu Qingci froze for a moment, then let Ruan Zhi help her toward their carriage.