My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 48

48

Ruan Zhi only held Gu Qingci for a few moments before Gu Qingci struggled slightly and lifted her head.

Her eyes were moist, clear, and bright, reflecting Ruan Zhi’s image.

“Madam, thank you. I’ve been fine for a long time—no need to worry.” Gu Qingci said with a smile, her expression relaxed.

Today, Ruan Zhi had bought her so many things, including candied haws, which had momentarily made her lose control and think of her family from her past life.

But it had been so long. She had already consoled herself long ago.

She had to live well, to honor the loved ones who had sacrificed their lives to protect her.

Seeing Gu Qingci’s gloom dissipate, Ruan Zhi felt another stir in her heart.

She remembered how Gu Qingci had cried bitterly while drunk but then suddenly comforted herself, wiping away her tears and becoming cheerful again.

Gu Qingci was different from her.

Gu Qingci’s experiences left no trace on her face because she instinctively transformed them into light and optimism.

Gu Qingci could continue to smile brightly and innocently.

Like a genuine gemstone, dust might settle on her temporarily, but once washed away, she would be exactly the same as before.

But Ruan Zhi herself, after her past life, had shed a layer of sensitivity and covered herself with a thick barrier.

Outwardly, she appeared calm and composed, seemingly devoid of any emotional fluctuations.

Only she knew that her emotions had sunk into a cold, dark abyss within, turning into a persistent gloom that refused to disperse.

In some ways, she envied Gu Qingci.

Just as she envied her ability to fall asleep in seconds.

Yet it was this person, so utterly different from herself, who had stirred so many emotions in her.

Aside from her own family, Ruan Zhi found it difficult to empathize with others or be moved by their emotions.

No matter what she did, it was as if her mind followed a predetermined program.

Doing it this way was more reasonable.

Doing it that way wouldn’t achieve the desired goal.

She made decisions based on this logic.

She never cried because tears were worthless and utterly useless.

Seeing others cry also displeased her.

Gu Qingci was an exception.

This person, who cried so easily and was so emotionally vulnerable, always managed to move her.

When Ruan Zhi let go of Gu Qingci, she felt somewhat dazed.

Comforting someone like this—holding them, soothing them—was something she could do too.

It was an act devoid of calculation, unconcerned with gain or loss. She had simply wanted to dispel someone’s sadness and make them happy again.

Ruan Zhi shook her head slightly and stood up, asking Lian Rui to pour out the now-cold water and bring in fresh hot water.

She wiped Gu Qingci’s face again with a warm towel.

The dried tear stains were cleaned away, leaving her face refreshed.

“Madam, actually, I’m not angry anymore.” Gu Qingci said, pursing her lips.

“Mm, then don’t cry anymore.” Ruan Zhi replied, somewhat amused.

Whether Gu Qingci was angry or not was written all over her face.

“I’ll call Shimo. Didn’t you say you wanted to write a story? Since you can’t write now, you can dictate it to Shimo. I’ll also find an editor to polish and expand it for performance at our teahouse.” Ruan Zhi said, remembering something else. She gave Gu Qingci a task she had once been enthusiastic about.

At least it would keep her busy, even if only verbally.

“Mm, mm.” Gu Qingci nodded.

As Ruan Zhi was about to leave to attend to her own matters, Gu Qingci remembered something else and called out to her.

“Madam, I want to do some exercises. Earlier on the street, I saw a juggler balancing jars on his head. I’d like to learn that too—is that alright? My body is fine; it’s just my hands that can’t move, but my legs are still usable.” Gu Qingci said, looking at Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Gu Qingci to develop such an interest after just one trip outside.

Using Feet to Juggle Vats?!

“Alright, I’ll send someone to invite a skilled juggler to the mansion to teach you.” Ruan Zhi said.

If she wanted to learn, then let her learn—it was better than moping around in tears.

Ruan Zhi went off to attend to her own tasks, taking the opportunity to arrange for a juggler to be invited for Gu Qingci.

Shimo came in, and Gu Qingci recounted some short stories from her memory.

Given the many taboos of this era, Gu Qingci thought carefully. Tales of uprising in the mountains or wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Palace might be overinterpreted, so after filtering, the first story she chose was a supernatural tale about monsters she had read in her past life while trapped in a supermarket.

She adapted it to fit the flavor of this era, crafting a story about a demon-hunting celestial master, omega, and a half-demon, alpha.

After just a few sentences, Shimo forgot he was there to take notes.

It was utterly captivating!

By the end of the afternoon, Shimo had filled a thick stack of paper.

When Ruan Zhi returned, he handed it all to her.

Ruan Zhi skimmed through it.

There were no taboo subjects—it resembled a folk legend, rich with narrative.

She set the material aside, planning to assign a storyteller skilled in embellishing tales to expand and polish it further.

“Madam, I just thought of something. Tea houses can be divided into two types: one elegant, with zither music to enhance the atmosphere, and the other more common, like the one in the bustling market. If we’re opening a tea house, it should be lively, with cheaper tea and maybe some complimentary snacks like melon seeds. Customers could order a pot of tea and sit for free to listen to storytelling…” Gu Qingci shared her thoughts with Ruan Zhi when she arrived.

“Yes, you’re right. Besides the one in the market, we also have one in the wealthy district, where the residences of high-ranking officials and nobles are located. The one in the market can be a bit more lively.” Ruan Zhi nodded.

Since they had previously submitted the tea-making method to the authorities, many tea houses had already sprung up.

They aimed to cater to the high-end market while also offering unique tea beverages.

Happy to be of help to Ruan Zhi, Gu Qingci grew even more enthusiastic, sharing many ideas and prompting Ruan Zhi to jot down quite a few notes in her little book.

When it was time to wash up in the evening, Ruan Zhi still had to assist Gu Qingci.

With their relationship now more relaxed, Gu Qingci couldn’t help but want to get closer to Ruan Zhi.

As long as Ruan Zhi wasn’t angry, she grew bolder in her advances.

But her hands were uncooperative—even the slightest touch caused pain.

It hampered her ability to take the initiative.

“Madam, my wounds hurt…” Gu Qingci sat on the bed, pouting pitifully as Ruan Zhi dried her hair.

“…What should we do, then? Should I send for the physician?” Ruan Zhi was startled and stopped drying her hair.

“No, no need… I just, I just want Madam to hug me.” Gu Qingci said, blinking her eyes.

She almost said “kiss me” instead.

Starting with a hug was a good test.

“…” For a moment, Ruan Zhi felt a little embarrassed.

The puppy was pushing her luck.

Was she taking advantage of her indulgence?

Well, fine—she did look so pitiful.

Ruan Zhi leaned in, carefully avoiding Gu Qingci’s injuries, and gave her a hug, patting the back of her head lightly.

“Better now?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“Very effective! The pain vanished instantly!” Gu Qingci said, her eyes curving into happy crescents.

Ruan Zhi continued drying Gu Qingci’s hair before tucking her into bed.

Gu Qingci blinked up at Ruan Zhi, her gaze lingering on Ruan Zhi’s lips.

Those rosy lips, pressed naturally together, looked so kissable.

It seemed like she could just tilt her head up and reach them.

Ruan Zhi’s hand appeared in front of Gu Qingci’s eyes, gently closing them.

“Go to sleep now.” Ruan Zhi said.

Gu Qingci’s bright eyes had been fixed on her, making the spots she stared at feel warm.

“Goodnight, Madam. You should rest early too.” Gu Qingci murmured, nuzzling against Ruan Zhi’s palm.

Gu Qingci fell asleep soon after, and Ruan Zhi let out a quiet sigh.

For a moment there, she had felt flustered, unsure what Gu Qingci might say next.

Fortunately, the person fell asleep.

The night passed without incident, and by the next day, Gu Qingci’s life became much more vibrant.

After finishing her storytelling session with Shimo, a troupe of acrobats arrived to teach her the art of juggling jars with her feet.

Ruan Zhi initially thought Gu Qingci was just amusing herself, so she stayed to watch for a while. To her surprise, Gu Qingci was taking it very seriously.

With her martial arts background, Gu Qingci had excellent flexibility. She wasn’t just doing it for fun—she mainly wanted to train her leg strength and agility.

Moreover, she noticed a crucial trait in these acrobats: their core stability was exceptional.

This was undoubtedly the result of long-term training, and there were surely some tricks to it. Gu Qingci wanted to try learning it.

Core strength training to stabilize the core wasn’t something she had focused on before, and there were few masters in this field. Learning more couldn’t hurt.

The acrobat, handsomely paid for the lesson, was eager to teach Gu Qingci with great enthusiasm.

When Wen Renyi arrived to change Gu Qingci’s bandages, he saw her lying on a long bench, kicking a round jar with her feet, spinning it like a top.

Wen Renyi was nearly dumbfounded.

“Lady Wen, what do you think? If I ever lose my livelihood, I could perform this in the streets. How much do you think people would pay?” Gu Qingci laughed when she saw Wen Renyi.

“At least a hundred coins. But why did you decide to pick this up?” Wen Renyi asked with a smile.

“Since I can’t train my arms, I might as well train my legs. I can’t just stop exercising, right? If I take a month off, I’ll be out of shape—how am I supposed to take the exams then?” Gu Qingci replied.

“You… what did you say? You still want to take the exam? Are you trying to ruin your arm?” Wen Renyi exclaimed in shock.

“Of course not. I won’t use this arm—that’s not against the rules, right? Archery just requires hitting the target with the provided bow and arrow to pass, correct?” Gu Qingci asked, slightly out of breath.

“…That’s true. But how are you going to shoot? If you don’t use your right arm, how will you draw the bow?” Wen Renyi asked, puzzled.

“Hehe, a wise man has his secrets. I’ll keep it a mystery for now. Alright, I can’t hold on anymore—Lady Wen, help me take this jar down.” Gu Qingci said, feeling exhausted.

“…You’re not planning to use your feet, are you? Is that why you’re training your leg strength? But the exam bow requires at least a ‘stone-and-two-dou’ draw weight. How can you manage that with your feet?” Wen Renyi frowned as he helped her remove the jar.

“How will I know if I don’t try?” Gu Qingci sat up and said.

“…” Wen Renyi was speechless. Perhaps Gu Qingci would work a miracle.

After Wen Renyi changed Gu Qingci’s bandages, she remembered the horse that had been delivered that morning and dragged him to the estate’s stable to see it.

“A Hu stallion! Your wife actually bought you a Hu stallion!” Wen Renyi’s eyes nearly burned with envy when he heard Gu Qingci’s words.

“Madam treats me so well, of course she’s willing.” Gu Qingci raised her head proudly, brimming with confidence.

Wen Renyi didn’t need to ask further—it was clear that Gu Qingci was lively again now, and her relationship with Ruan Zhi had naturally improved.

“The Hu stallions are incredibly valuable, and even many nobles can’t bring themselves to buy them. Such extravagance. Today, I’m fortunate to see one up close thanks to you.” Wen Renyi sighed, thinking to herself how wonderful it would be if she also had such a generous wife.

Gu Qingci cheerfully led Wen Renyi to the stable.

The Hu stallion was too extraordinary and expensive. When it was transported here, it was done early in the morning while the streets were still empty.

“That Hu stallion—we don’t dare let it out yet. It has a fierce temper and needs a few more days to get familiar. We’ll have to put a halter on it before we can try to tame it.” the stable hand explained when they arrived.

Gu Qingci saw that the two ordinary horses had already been put in the stable to graze. But the bl00d-sweating steed was still locked in a massive cage, snorting and rearing its head with a defiant neigh.

“What a fine horse!” Wen Renyi exclaimed in admiration.

Gu Qingci knew just how magnificent the horse was. But hearing its angry neighs, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for it. Being locked in a cage must be miserable.

However, with her arm and hand in this state, there was no way she could tame it. If it got too agitated and hurt someone after being let out, that would be even worse.

“Has it eaten any fodder?” Gu Qingci asked the stable hand.

“We tried feeding it earlier, but it kicked everything away. It’s got quite the temper. We’ll have to wait until it’s hungry before trying again.” the stable hand said helplessly.

“I’ve heard that releasing pheromones can help tame horses and strengthen the bond between horse and master. You could try it—if it likes your pheromones, it might calm down. This could be a way to start building familiarity. Take it slow.” Wen Renyi suggested.

Following Wen Renyi’s advice, Gu Qingci tentatively released some of her pheromones.

As the sweet, fresh scent spread, the horse’s neighing softened slightly, and its large, beautiful eyes fixed on Gu Qingci.

Delighted that her pheromones had an effect, Gu Qingci felt a surge of joy.

“Little horse, don’t be impatient. Once my… hand gets a little better, I’ll let you out. You should eat something first—if you don’t, you’ll lose your strength. Don’t like the fodder? What do you want to eat? How about some carrots?” Gu Qingci spoke to the horse as if it were a person who could understand her.

The horse snorted, though it was unclear what it was “saying.”

Gu Qingci asked the stable hand to bring some carrots.

When the stable hand fed it a carrot, the horse didn’t refuse this time and chewed on it.

Overjoyed, Gu Qingci felt that this horse was extraordinarily intelligent and seemed to share a special connection with her.

“Let’s give it a name. Wen Ren, you’re well-read—what do you think would suit it? Just nothing with the word ‘red’ in it.” Gu Qingci asked Wen Renyi, wanting to give the horse a proper name.

“Four hooves tread on snow, red flames like a dragon—how about calling it Chi Huo?” Wen Renyi thought for a moment and said.

“…Chi Huo? That name is quite unique, easy to raise.” Gu Qingci said with a laugh.

The horse snorted, unclear whether it agreed or not, but Gu Qingci had already decided to name it that.

In the following days, Ruan Zhi was very busy, often away most of the time.

Gu Qingci, however, no longer went out, focusing on recovering from her injuries, strengthening her core, and bonding with Chi Huo.

With the added exercise, Gu Qingci’s daily energy expenditure increased, and by nightfall, she fell asleep early, leaving little room for wandering thoughts.

After a few days of recovery, the mummy-like bandages on her hands were removed, and the wounds scabbed over.

The arm that hadn’t suffered a fracture could move freely again, though the newly grown skin on her hands was extremely tender.

Thanks to the secret ointment from Wen Renyi’s family, the healing progress was good, with no scars left behind.

However, the calluses she had built up on her hands were gone, and the process of regaining them through practice would be painful.

But to practice horseback riding and archery, Gu Qingci had no choice but to endure it.

Soon, the day of the imperial examination arrived.

Gu Qingci woke up early in the morning to go take the exam. Ruan Zhi was still asleep, so she didn’t wake her.

After breakfast, Gu Qingci took her identification token and admission slip and rode the carriage to the examination hall.

When Ruan Zhi woke up and didn’t see Gu Qingci, she asked Lian Rui and only then learned that today was the day of the imperial examination—Gu Qingci had gone to take it!

Previously, when Gu Qingci had regained her spirits and seemed in better moods, Ruan Zhi thought she had let it go.

But now she was going anyway.

Her arm was still in a sling, not fully recovered.

Over the past few days, Ruan Zhi had been very busy, only knowing that Gu Qingci was learning tricks from street performers. Who would have thought she hadn’t given up?

Worried, Ruan Zhi finished her tasks early and went to wait outside the examination hall for Gu Qingci to come out.