My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 45

45

Gu Qingci sat in the carriage, her face tense as she avoided looking at Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi reached out to brush off the grass and dirt from Gu Qingci’s clothes, then took a handkerchief to wipe her face.

Gu Qingci turned her head away, avoiding the handkerchief.

“There’s no need to act like this just because I’m injured. It’d be better to just give more silver—her share included. At least ten thousand taels per person.” Gu Qingci said, staring at the carriage wall. Her voice was hoarse and weak, but her emotions were palpable—anger and resentment.

If, before this, Gu Qingci had thought Ruan Zhi’s visit to Ye Youli was for official business and their relationship was normal, she had only felt that Ruan Zhi was hiding something, seeming to care too much about Ye Youli while not trusting her. It made her feel like, if things continued this way, she would truly become superfluous.

But that moment in the carriage—what she saw between Ye Youli and Ruan Zhi was far too intimate. Even if it was in the heat of the moment, there was no sense of restraint at all.

The nature of it was completely different now.

Right now, the pain from her wounds was gnawing at her, fueling her spiraling thoughts.

Her heart grew colder by the moment.

Her initial goal had been simple.

She just wanted to find a reliable “boss” and live a laid-back life.

With Ruan Zhi managing things, life had indeed been very comfortable.

Business matters, household chores—she didn’t have to worry about any of it.

Food and drink were prepared in endless variety to satisfy her tastes. Fine clothes, fox furs, gold and silver jewelry, weapons, horses—she lived like a pampered rich kid.

If she wanted, she didn’t even have to take the military exams.

Ruan Zhi never demanded it of her.

Like a doting parent.

But now, she wanted more.

She had thought that if Ruan Zhi said there was nothing between her and Ye Youli, then Ruan Zhi was hers.

Her infatuation had grown unchecked.

Once she fell in, she cared too much, wanted too much.

Taking a step back to think about it, it was actually fine.

Returning to her role as the core employee—she could still live a leisurely life from now on.

Just saving them this time should be enough to secure her retirement, right?

Continue living carefree.

Let Ruan Zhi and that other person handle the struggles.

As for the infatuation—she didn’t want it anymore.

The bitterness of love was too hard to swallow.

Better to just not taste it at all.

Gu Qingci’s mind raced, her emotions shifting along with her thoughts.

Sensing Ruan Zhi moving closer, Gu Qingci shrank back.

“Alright, you don’t have to force yourself to take care of me. I’m fine—Shimo can look after me. You should go to her. You don’t need to hide it from me. I won’t stand in your way. I’ll step aside for you two…” Gu Qingci said, thinking Ruan Zhi still intended to clean her up. She closed her eyes and turned her head, pressing her face almost against the carriage wall.

Let Ruan Zhi go to Ye Youli and make a clean break of it.

Ruan Zhi didn’t retreat. Instead, she leaned close to Gu Qingci’s ear.

Gu Qingci’s hands hurt too much to push her away, and her body was already pressed against the carriage wall. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Ruan Zhi whisper something into her ear.

The voice was extremely soft.

But Gu Qingci heard it crystal clear.

“……” Gu Qingci was stunned.

“Ye Youli is an omega.”

This was what Ruan Zhi told Gu Qingci.

It took Gu Qingci a moment to process this, realizing it was completely different from the original plot she knew!

Ye Youli is an omega?!

“This matter is too unusual, her biggest secret, involving many lives… I… don’t be angry anymore, alright? It’s my fault, I’m sorry.” Ruan Zhi whispered in Gu Qingci’s ear, reaching out to smooth Gu Qingci’s slightly disheveled hair, trying to soothe her emotions.

But her own voice was trembling, no steadier than Gu Qingci’s mood.

In both her past and present life, Ruan Zhi had spent most of her time calculating accounts and making deals with people.

Her relationship with Ye Youli was also a transaction.

Persuading Ye Youli to take medicine and calming her emotions seemed like “work” carried over from her past life.

But facing Gu Qingci—

Ruan Zhi felt utterly at a loss.

Facing her emotions, her anger, Ruan Zhi felt something deep inside her being tugged at.

Money couldn’t smooth over these emotions.

If she didn’t coax her, she might not be able to calm her down, and the fear of being ignored again made her words come out somewhat incoherent.

Gu Qingci looked at Ruan Zhi, confirming that this matter was indeed true.

After the initial shock, Gu Qingci’s mood improved slightly.

She could be sure that, in Ruan Zhi’s understanding, an omega and an omega were impossible—their pheromones in this world held no attraction for each other, nor could they provide mutual comfort.

Precisely because Ye Youli was an omega, Ruan Zhi had no reservations about private contact with her.

For now, their relationship was purely innocent.

But Gu Qingci came from a world with only male and female genders. The distinctions between alpha and omega were still somewhat vague to her.

The main differences were physiological, like the neck glands and marking teeth—minor variations that were nearly invisible in appearance.

Other structures remained the same.

It wasn’t entirely impossible for two omegas to develop feelings.

In her world, women with identical anatomies could also deeply love each other and become partners.

Her jealousy wasn’t for nothing.

Her anger wasn’t unfounded.

“Don’t be angry anymore, turn your face this way. Let me clean you up, have some water, eat something, alright?” Ruan Zhi said after giving Gu Qingci some time to digest the information.

Gu Qingci still hadn’t turned her face toward her.

“My anger hasn’t subsided. You only told me after I got hurt—you didn’t trust me before…” Gu Qingci muttered gloomily.

Though she kept the back of her head to Ruan Zhi, signaling she was still upset, her tone no longer carried the earlier bristling anger that had pushed Ruan Zhi away and refused her touch.

Ruan Zhi looked at Gu Qingci, her heart softening a little more.

“……It’s my fault. You’re right to be angry with me. But don’t refuse to eat or drink. Your voice is a bit hoarse—have some water first, and then I’ll have Lian Rui bring in some food.” Ruan Zhi softened her voice as she spoke, first opening a water pouch and bringing it to Gu Qingci’s lips.

Gu Qingci couldn’t hold anything with her hands, so as Ruan Zhi lifted the pouch, she drank a few mouthfuls.

Ruan Zhi had been born into a family of modest means and had never waited on anyone before. The first time she tilted the pouch, she raised it too high, causing water to spill from the corner of Gu Qingci’s mouth. She quickly lowered it and wiped away the droplets with a handkerchief.

“Had enough?” Ruan Zhi asked when Gu Qingci stopped drinking.

Gu Qingci nodded.

Ruan Zhi lifted the carriage curtain and called for Lian Rui, instructing her to bring in the food.

While they rested, the cook and those unharmed had set up pots to prepare a hot meal. Soon, Lian Rui returned with the food.

“Lady Wenren said that for now, the food should be light. You need to eat something before taking medicine. She’s brewing the medicine over there.” Lian Rui relayed Wen Renyi’s instructions.

Ruan Zhi brought the food box into the carriage. Gu Qingci had turned her head away but was still looking down, avoiding Ruan Zhi’s gaze.

From Ruan Zhi’s perspective, Gu Qingci’s eyes were still red, her face slightly pale, looking utterly pitiful.

“It’s quite light for now. Bear with it. We’ll have something better to nourish you when we reach the inn.” Ruan Zhi said as she opened the food box.

With her hands injured, Gu Qingci naturally couldn’t hold chopsticks or a spoon. Ruan Zhi picked up the bowl and fed her spoonful by spoonful. Gu Qingci ate a full bowl before refusing any more.

Injured hands meant a smaller appetite.

When Wen Renyi brought the medicinal decoction, she examined Gu Qingci again. The most severe injury was the fracture, while the wounds on her hands were superficial and would heal faster.

“Madam, keep an eye on Scholar Gu’s temperature. If she doesn’t develop a fever tonight, she should be fine. But if you notice any signs of fever, send her to me immediately.” Wen Renyi instructed Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi noted it down.

Gu Qingci disliked bitter medicine, but this one helped reduce swelling and relieve pain. Not drinking it would only prolong her suffering. She had no choice but to endure it.

Knowing Gu Qingci’s aversion to bitterness and her fondness for sweets, Ruan Zhi kept candied fruits and other sweet snacks in the carriage’s hidden compartments. After Gu Qingci finished the medicine, Ruan Zhi fed her a piece of preserved fruit.

Ruan Zhi’s care was a bit clumsy, but her expression was gentle, her eyes warm with unmistakable tenderness.

In the past, Gu Qingci would have been unable to resist getting closer, even teasingly pushing boundaries step by step. But now, her heart still felt a little conflicted.

Hadn’t she just decisively cut off her lovesick thoughts? Yet being pampered by Ruan Zhi like this felt… surprisingly nice?

She stole a glance at Ruan Zhi but quickly averted her eyes when Ruan Zhi looked back.

Hadn’t she vowed not to suffer the bitterness of love? But being treated so tenderly made her waver.

How utterly shameless.

Before setting off again, Madam Zhao and Min Guiyi came to report the specifics to Ruan Zhi.

Fifteen people, including Gu Qingci, were injured. Some goods had been damaged by arrows, but fortunately, no one had died.

Ruan Zhi instructed Madam Zhao to distribute consolation silver to the injured and compensation to those who had been frightened.

“Thank you, my lord, for saving my daughter’s life! It was my failure to anticipate this. Please punish me, Madam.” Min Guiyi said, kneeling on one knee with a fist pressed to his palm, full of self-reproach.

“Master Min, there’s no need to blame yourself. This was a calculated ambush—the attackers were no ordinary bandits. Gather the evidence, and we’ll investigate thoroughly later. Tonight’s lodging will require your extra vigilance.” Ruan Zhi replied.

This ambush felt anything but ordinary to Ruan Zhi. The attackers were clearly well-trained, with exceptional archers among them—this was a premeditated, targeted assault.

“Thank you, Madam. I will be careful.” Min Guiyi said, clasping his hands solemnly. The more Ruan Zhi refrained from blaming him, the more he felt the weight of his responsibility, vowing to fulfill his duty earnestly.

“Madam, may I give this to the lord? It’s a peace charm my father got for me before.” As they were about to leave, a timid voice spoke up. It was Min Yuan’er, holding a small triangular paper charm in her hand.

“You silly child, how can you give away a peace charm so casually?” Min Guiyi looked somewhat embarrassed as he held Min Yuan’er back.

There were certain customs when it came to giving peace charms, especially one that had been used by oneself. It wasn’t appropriate to give it to someone else.

“I… I didn’t know. I just want the lord’s wounds to heal quickly and not get hurt again.” Min Yuan’er said with a pout, on the verge of tears.

She had just witnessed Gu Qingci’s injuries firsthand and wished she could have been the one hurt instead.

After thinking for a while, she decided to give her peace charm to Gu Qingci.

If something like this happened again, she hoped Gu Qingci would remain safe and sound.

Gu Qingci, who had been quiet most of the time, stuck her head out of the carriage.

“That’s your peace charm—it won’t work for me. You should keep it. My wounds will heal in a few days. It’s a shame the gloves you made for me got ruined. If you have time, could you make me another pair? I’ll wear them once my hands are better.” Gu Qingci said to the teary-eyed girl.

“Mhm, I’ll start making them right away!” Min Yuan’er immediately nodded.

Gu Qingci turned back and settled into her seat.

Min Guiyi led Min Yuan’er away, and the entire convoy set off again.

The carriage swayed as Ruan Zhi sat lost in thought.

In some ways, she might not have understood Gu Qingci as well as Min Yuan’er did.

Gu Qingci leaned against the carriage wall, closing her eyes to rest.

Ruan Zhi didn’t disturb her.

She had already explained and apologized, but Gu Qingci was still upset. If she remained sullen, what should be done?

This was the first time Ruan Zhi had encountered such a dilemma. She was afraid of mishandling it—the once cheerful, spirited person who could laugh so easily might never return.

With many in the convoy injured, their progress was slow, and it was already getting dark by the time they reached the nearest inn.

Min Guiyi had sent people ahead to scout the route, ensuring everything was safe.

The group settled into the inn.

Ruan Zhi oversaw the arrangements but mainly stayed by Gu Qingci’s side to take care of her.

When they were finally alone, Ruan Zhi took out a wooden box and retrieved a stack of silver notes from inside.

Gu Qingci had asked for money.

Perhaps giving her the silver would lift her spirits.

“Here are ten thousand taels in silver notes, along with this month’s allowance and share of the profits. Once we reach Yanjing, you can buy whatever you want.” Ruan Zhi said, handing the wooden box to Gu Qingci and opening it to show the notes inside.

Gu Qingci’s eyes lit up at the sight of the silver notes.

The wealthy lady was indeed wealthy, carrying so much money with her.

She had actually given her ten thousand taels!

“Are you feeling a little better now?” Ruan Zhi asked softly.

“Just a little bit…” Gu Qingci puffed up her cheeks, trying to put away the banknote, but her fingers hurt with even the slightest movement.

“Don’t move.” Ruan Zhi pressed her hand on Gu Qingci’s shoulder and helped her place the banknote into her personal small chest.

Ruan Zhi also felt slightly relieved. If the money was useful, then it was worth it.

Spending ten thousand taels wasn’t a waste.

“Ye Youli’s share—she has to give it to me herself.” Gu Qingci added.

“Alright. I’ll find a chance to tell her.” Ruan Zhi said.

Gu Qingci pursed her lips, resisting the urge to grin too widely.

If her hands were free, she would’ve counted the banknotes several times over.

Now that her rich wife was being so accommodating, could she also negotiate keeping those pleasure-seeking dancers and musicians?

Gu Qingci stole a glance at Ruan Zhi, then lowered her head again, pretending to sulk.

Remembering Wen Renyi’s advice, Ruan Zhi occasionally checked Gu Qingci’s temperature.

Every time Ruan Zhi’s soft, warm hand touched her forehead, Gu Qingci nearly failed to maintain her angry facade.

She wanted to nuzzle into that warm palm.

Luckily, she didn’t forget—she was supposed to be upset.

The cook prepared dinner, which was slightly more lavish than usual, though still mostly light and mild.

Once again, Ruan Zhi fed Gu Qingci her meal.

By now, Ruan Zhi had grown more skilled at feeding her, doing so with precision and without spilling anything.

After dinner, Gu Qingci took her medicine again. As she drowsily sucked on a candied fruit, Lian Rui’s voice sounded from outside.

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

Hearing Lian Rui’s voice, Gu Qingci’s eyelids twitched slightly.

“I need to take care of the lord. Ask Madam Zhao to handle it.” Ruan Zhi replied to Lian Rui outside.

Lian Rui acknowledged and left.

“If you’re sleepy, I’ll call for hot water so you can wash up and rest.” Ruan Zhi turned back and said to the drowsy Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci guessed it might be Ye Youli summoning Ruan Zhi again.

But this time, Ruan Zhi wasn’t leaving.

Such were the perks of being injured.

“You can go attend to your own matters.” Gu Qingci said insincerely.

“I promised to take care of you. I’ll go fetch hot water first.” Ruan Zhi replied.

Ruan Zhi stood up and walked to the door just as it was knocked on.

Ruan Zhi opened the door and saw Ye Youli wearing a veil hat.

“Your Highness, my wife is injured and cannot leave at the moment.” Ruan Zhi said somewhat helplessly.

“I have something important to discuss. It’s about the bandits we encountered. I know who they are.” Ye Youli said in a low voice, her tone still weak.

Ruan Zhi paused, then stepped aside to let Ye Youli in.

Gu Qingci was initially unhappy about Ye Youli’s arrival, but hearing this, she became more alert.

That person was too skilled.

Why would they attack them out of nowhere? Was there some grudge?

Or did they know Ye Youli was here and specifically targeted her?

Were they just collateral damage?

This needed to be clarified.

“Earlier, I saw the weapons you collected from the bandits, along with the information that one of them could use a three-stone bow. Based on that, it can be determined that they are from the Third Prince’s faction. The Third Prince has a personal guard named Dou Qiang, who is extremely strong and skilled with heavy bows.” Ye Youli explained after entering.

“Could it be that news of Your Highness traveling with our convoy was leaked?” Ruan Zhi asked with a frown.

She was certain she had never offended the Third Prince.

If the Third Prince wanted to target anyone, it would only be Ye Youli.

“No. The Prince You’s convoy took the water route and is already nearing the capital. The people I brought wouldn’t reveal anything. If they were targeting me, they wouldn’t use his own men—using Dou Qiang makes it too easy to identify. It’s possible they were targeting you.” Ye Youli said.

Scared…