My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 49

49

At the entrance of the examination hall, Gu Qingci spotted Wen Renyi, and the two entered together.

“The bone is still healing and extremely fragile. Remember, absolutely do not exert any force. Otherwise, not only will you fail, but your arm will also suffer further injury, likely leaving lasting aftereffects.”

Wen Renyi repeatedly cautioned Gu Qingci.

“I know. This is my own arm—I won’t forget.” Gu Qingci replied.

“If anything unexpected happens, have someone take you to the imperial physician immediately. My third cousin is on duty today.”

Wen Renyi added another reminder.

Many members of Wen Renyi’s family served as imperial physicians, and being acquainted with Wen Renyi made seeking medical treatment exceptionally convenient.

Gu Qingci found it somewhat amusing but humored Wen Renyi, walking alongside her as they queued to enter.

To avoid excessive attention and prevent another round of odd nicknames, Gu Qingci wore a cloak that concealed her body from the neck down, so no one could see her arm in a sling.

However, the weather was gradually warming, and while scholars had long shed their cloaks, a martial examinee still wrapped in one stood out as rather peculiar.

Thus, from the moment she joined the queue, she drew sidelong glances, and quiet gossip was inevitable.

Gu Qingci sighed inwardly. Being labeled as frail and overly sensitive to cold was still better than being known as the one who insisted on taking the exam with a broken arm.

She just hoped to reach the front of the line soon.

Once inside, examinees were divided into groups, sparing her the scrutiny of so many onlookers.

When it came time to submit her examination permit for verification, Gu Qingci handed it over with her left hand.

The military officer checking the permits frowned at her but didn’t accept it, instead fixing her with a sharp, disapproving glare.

“Handing over items without using both hands is one thing, but using your left hand? Examinee, how can you be so disrespectful?”

the officer demanded.

Gu Qingci awkwardly opened her cloak, revealing the other arm secured in a fixed splint and sling.

“General, please forgive my impropriety. On my way to the exam, I encountered bandits and suffered a broken arm. It’s inconvenient, but I didn’t mean any disrespect.” Gu Qingci explained, raising her immobilized arm slightly in an attempt to present the permit with both hands.

“General, I can vouch for her. I’m from the Wen family—I was the one who bandaged her.” Wen Renyi added from behind Gu Qingci, fearing she might be penalized for discourtesy.

If accused of disrespect, she could be expelled and barred from the exam.

The officer, aware that the Wen family had produced generations of physicians, glanced again at Gu Qingci’s arm and accepted the explanation.

“…Never mind.” the officer said, finally taking the permit.

“There’s no need to force yourself. You’re still young—there will be other chances to take the exam.” he added, offering a word of consolation after verifying her documents.

“Thank you, General.” Gu Qingci said, bowing slightly.

After this incident at the entrance, many in the queue behind her had taken notice.

“Tsk tsk, truly a case of ‘the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Even in this state, she still came to take the exam!”

“I bet she’ll be eliminated in the first round. She won’t even be able to draw a bow, let alone shoot an arrow.”

“Exactly. Knowing it’s impossible yet still trying—she’ll walk in and right back out, wasting all this time for nothing.”

Whispers circulated among the crowd, but Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi had already moved further inside.

The martial arts provincial examination had relatively few participants. Including returning candidates and specially recruited examinees, there were just over a thousand, divided into larger groups and then smaller subgroups to expedite the testing process.

Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi were placed in the same large group but assigned to different subgroups.

Wen Renyi went ahead to take her exam first, while Gu Qingci waited her turn.

None of the members in her subgroup were familiar to her, so she didn’t engage in conversation.

The others, observing Gu Qingci’s condition, didn’t approach her either.

Those few privately counted their blessings.

Among these ten people in the group, they were to compete in pairs, primarily to test their combat abilities.

If someone was defeated within the given time, they would be eliminated, while the winner would earn points.

If both sides were highly skilled and evenly matched within the allotted time, they would generally pass, but it would count as a draw, with no points awarded.

In their group of ten, one person had a fractured arm and would be eliminated during the archery test.

The remaining participants would then have one lucky person who would get a bye.

Though it was still unknown who would get the bye, having the chance to skip a round was considered fortunate.

When it was Gu Qingci’s group’s turn, they headed to the examination grounds together.

The venue was already set up with ten straw dummy targets and three different types of bows, each with ten arrows.

The difficulty of the exam lay in the smaller targets, the greater distance, and the requirement to hit at least five out of ten arrows to pass.

The others quickly picked up their bows and began.

Gu Qingci set her cloak aside, selected a bow with a draw weight of one stone and two dou, and then took a long strap—similar to a belt—from her waist and tied it to the bow with one hand.

The other examinees didn’t have time to watch Gu Qingci, but the proctors above noticed.

Yue Yuming, assigned to oversee the outer field examination, was drinking tea when she saw Gu Qingci and choked on her sip.

She was well aware that Gu Qingci was injured.

She also felt it was a pity—Gu Qingci was such a promising talent, someone Ye Youli had finally taken an interest in recruiting, yet she wouldn’t be able to make a name for herself by passing the exam this year.

Unexpectedly, she saw Gu Qingci at the examination grounds.

She was also puzzled.

The first test was archery—how was she going to manage?

Before Yue Yuming could figure it out, she saw Gu Qingci finish tying the bow, pick up a feathered arrow and the bowstring with her gloved hand, and stand there straight.

Then, she raised her long leg, pressed her foot against the bow’s limb, and began drawing the string with the hand holding the arrow and bowstring.

Yue Yuming stared in astonishment.

She could do it like this?!

Archery required precision and was most sensitive to shaking. Moreover, the bow’s draw weight was heavy—these were challenges even with two hands.

She never expected Gu Qingci to pull off such a move.

The first arrow struck the straw dummy’s head dead center.

When she released, the bow also fell to the ground.

Gu Qingci, clearly prepared, tugged on the strap to bring the bow back to her hand, then repeated the process, continuing to shoot arrows as before.

Gu Qingci had been practicing this method all along.

Apart from balancing vats with her feet, she had also practiced balancing bowls—she could practically join a circus, her core stability was that solid.

The time it took her to shoot ten arrows was only slightly slower than when she used both hands, but still faster than the others—and she hit all ten shots.

Yue Yuming’s jaw remained slack.

All she could think was: Show-off. Such a show-off!

“This examinee—how is she taking the test like this? Does it count as a violation?” Yue Yuming snapped back to reality and glanced at the other proctors, asking first.

This way, she could avoid any later discussions on the matter and also sidestep any accusations of favoritism.

“A violation? Violating what rule? On the battlefield, do you care whether someone uses their hands or feet? This examinee’s adaptability is ingenious—brilliant, simply brilliant!”

An examiner immediately spoke up, and the rest, who were astonished, also exclaimed in admiration.

Yue Yuming secretly rejoiced in her heart.

Gu Qingci finished the foot archery and let out a slight sigh of relief.

She then proceeded to the next round—mounted archery.

The other nine candidates, seeing Gu Qingci advance with them, glanced at her straw target—it was densely covered in arrows, with not a single one on the ground. A perfect score!

“What’s going on? She can shoot arrows with one hand?” A candidate who hadn’t noticed how Gu Qingci shot was shocked.

“Is this some kind of witchcraft?”

“I think I saw her lift her foot earlier—could she have used her foot and hand together? And with such stability!”

The group was utterly bewildered.

When it came to mounted archery, the candidates were paired in groups of two. The others widened their eyes to see how Gu Qingci would shoot.

She tied the arrows as before, adopting the same posture as in foot archery. However, shooting on horseback was even more unstable and challenging.

Thwack, thwack… thwack!

Another perfect ten shots!

The candidates who had been secretly relieved earlier now felt like they were facing a demon.

What kind of prodigy was this? Such an acrobatic archery technique, yet she hit every shot!

Her strength and skill were simply too formidable.

The expressions of those who had been quietly celebrating earlier darkened momentarily as they thought of the upcoming strength and blade tests.

How could she lift a stone lock with one hand? Could she even wield a blade with her left hand?

During the strength and blade assessment, the others watched Gu Qingci’s performance first.

When lifting the stone lock, Gu Qingci used her foot for support.

During her juggling practice, there was a move where she had to kick a vat up from the ground. The training in leg strength paid off here.

Once the stone lock was in her grip, the pressure shifted to her arms, and holding it for the required time was somewhat strenuous.

As for wielding the blade, Gu Qingci had practiced with both hands and had no issues at all.

After clearing these challenges, it was time for one-on-one combat.

The others were dumbfounded.

With Gu Qingci’s strength and skill, her combat performance would undoubtedly be exceptional.

Whoever faced her would surely lose!

They could only wonder who the unlucky one would be.

The ten candidates were paired randomly by drawing lots.

The one who drew Gu Qingci nearly burst into tears on the spot.

Having made it this far, facing Gu Qingci was likely the end for him.

He wasn’t wrong.

Gu Qingci showed no mercy.

She wanted to win for the extra points.

Her opponent wasn’t a pushover either, attacking fiercely and relentlessly.

The benefits of Gu Qingci’s juggling practice were once again evident—her body was extremely flexible, able to deftly dodge from any angle.

She won without much effort.

After it was over, Gu Qingci was slightly out of breath, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead.

By the end of the round, only three out of the ten in Gu Qingci’s group remained.

These few were taken to a dedicated room for the written exam.

Before the written test, Gu Qingci ate some snacks she had brought to stave off hunger, then ground ink and began.

Gu Qingci had only just practiced writing with her right hand to a somewhat decent level, so switching to her left felt very awkward.

On top of that, this same arm had been used extensively in the physical test and was now exhausted.

By the time the written exam was over, Gu Qingci had sweated even more than during the physical test.

The physical test took half an hour, while the written exam dragged on for over two hours before she finished.

When Gu Qingci handed in her paper and left the exam hall, her left arm and hand were completely numb.

She didn’t see Wen Renyi when she first stepped out, but at the entrance of the exam grounds, she spotted her waiting outside.

“Scholar Gu, you made it to the written exam?!” Wen Renyi asked in surprise when she saw Gu Qingci emerge so late.

“Yeah. I wrote extra slowly to keep the characters neat. That’s why it took so long.” Gu Qingci replied.

“…Come to the carriage with me quickly. Let me check your arm.” Wen Renyi said.

“Brother Wen, I’m fine. I didn’t use it at all. Look, the splint is still perfectly intact.” Gu Qingci said with a laugh.

“You really passed using just your feet?” Wen Renyi asked.

“Of course. I’ll demonstrate for you another day—not today, though. I’m exhausted. I see my wife’s carriage, so I’ll catch up with you later.” Gu Qingci said.

“Alright. I’ll visit you tomorrow.” Wen Renyi nodded.

Gu Qingci jogged briskly toward Ruan Zhi’s direction.

Most of those eliminated had left early, so those coming out now were the ones who had completed the written exam.

Gu Qingci was too hot and only held her cloak.

Emerging this late, with her arm still in a sling, yet looking anything but dejected—what did it mean?

Many onlookers couldn’t help but whisper curiously.

Gu Qingci didn’t give anyone a chance to strike up a conversation, quickly making her way to Ruan Zhi’s carriage.

Ruan Zhi had waited in the carriage for a long time without seeing Gu Qingci come out, guessing that she might have advanced past the earlier rounds to take the later exams.

Now, seeing Gu Qingci’s cheerful expression, she surmised that she had likely passed.

“Is your arm alright?” Ruan Zhi asked as Gu Qingci entered, her gaze fixed on the injured limb.

“It’s fine. I said I wouldn’t use it, and I didn’t.” Gu Qingci smiled at Ruan Zhi.

“That’s good. Have some water first.” Ruan Zhi said, relieved, handing her a water pouch.

Gu Qingci took several gulps, feeling much better.

“Madam, my hand’s gone numb from writing… and it’s so sore.” Gu Qingci said after drinking, extending her hand for Ruan Zhi to see, her tone unconsciously carrying a hint of coquettishness.

The tender flesh from before had grown back in that spot, now covered with a thin layer of callus.

She had thought Gu Qingci was just playing around.

When she wasn’t looking, Gu Qingci had been working hard all along.

Ruan Zhi felt a stir in her heart. She reached out and took Gu Qingci’s hand, gently pressing and kneading it with her fingers.

“Does this feel better?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“…” Gu Qingci felt her skin go numb and tingly, her body frozen in place.

Ruan Zhi was massaging her hand!

“No good? I never learned how. I’ll ask Lady Wen Ren later to see which spots to press for relief.” Ruan Zhi said.

“No, it’s great! I already feel better.” Gu Qingci replied, her face slowly turning red.

Ruan Zhi’s hands were perfectly proportioned, fair as jade, with pink nails—delicate and lovely.

The touch against Gu Qingci’s hand was soft, the gentle pressure feeling like it was pressing directly on her heart.

With each press, Gu Qingci felt her heartbeat quicken.

Looking at Ruan Zhi, her expression remained cool and composed, as if she were handling some official matter.

Even though her demeanor had softened considerably toward Gu Qingci, she still seemed aloof.

Like an immortal untouched by mortal desires.

And now, this immortal was massaging her hand.

The sensitive capillaries in their fingertips could almost sense each other’s presence.

Ah, had this immortal developed any mortal feelings?

“Now that the exams are over, rest well for a few days. If Lady Wen Ren has any gatherings or if you receive invitations from others, feel free to go. Don’t feel confined at home—just be careful with your arm. Also, remember not to drink. If you must, take one of Lady Wen Ren’s hangover pills first.” Ruan Zhi said softly, continuing to massage Gu Qingci’s hand for a while longer.

“I understand. Madam, if there’s a gathering where I can bring you, will you come with me? You should also rest more. There’s no need to rush the shop matters.” Gu Qingci said.

Ruan Zhi couldn’t stay idle—she was a worrier by nature.

If things weren’t properly settled, she wouldn’t feel at ease.

So she was always busy.

Two teahouses had already opened, and negotiations for a collaboration with an official store were underway.

Additionally, Ruan Zhi had opened a “comprehensive” shopping center.

This was something even Gu Qingci hadn’t thought to suggest—Ruan Zhi had come up with the idea herself.

It was like a modern supermarket, offering everything in one place.

One-stop service.

Ruan Zhi had leased an entire building. Besides selling products from their own shops, she also allowed other merchants to set up stalls there.

In Minshan County and Guide Prefecture, the Jucheng Chamber of Commerce was growing stronger, and the variety of goods here was only increasing.

All these matters had consumed much of Ruan Zhi’s energy.

Ruan Zhi and Gu Qingci chatted in the carriage, with Ruan Zhi massaging Gu Qingci’s hand the entire way.

It wasn’t until they arrived home that she finally let go.

Gu Qingci’s heart was in turmoil, her entire body feeling light and floaty.

The exams had taken a long time, and it was already late by the time they finished.

By the time they returned, it was dinner. Ruan Zhi and Gu Qingci ate together.

That night, Gu Qingci soaked in a wooden tub for a while.

Gu Qingci could now manage with one hand, but Ruan Zhi still helped with some tasks, such as drying her hair.

On regular training days, Gu Qingci was too exhausted to think of anything else.

Today, despite the exam, the training intensity was much lighter than usual, leaving her feeling quite energetic.

As Ruan Zhi approached Gu Qingci, the same stirring sensation from earlier in the carriage resurfaced.

When Ruan Zhi, dressed in sleeping robes, drew near, Gu Qingci caught the familiar rich, mellow fragrance, making her mouth water instantly.

Saliva pooled under her tongue, leaving a lingering sweetness.

She swallowed a few times and edged closer to Ruan Zhi. Just as her face was about to press against Ruan Zhi’s, her hair was tousled by the towel.

“It’s almost dry. My Lord should rest early if you’re tired. I’ll go over the account books for a while.” Ruan Zhi’s voice came.

Gu Qingci froze.

Hesitantly, she reached out and wrapped an arm around Ruan Zhi’s waist.

“Madam…” Gu Qingci called softly, nuzzling her face against Ruan Zhi’s neck.

Ruan Zhi felt a tingling shiver run down her nape.

When Ruan Zhi didn’t pull away, Gu Qingci pressed her lips lightly against the skin, testing the waters, inhaling the scent, silently pleading.

“May I?” Gu Qingci murmured.

Ruan Zhi’s heart trembled.

With a faint hum of assent, Gu Qingci’s lips met hers.

This time, she remembered the prelude-savoring it slowly.

Like brewing fine tea.

Waiting patiently until the moment was just right, when the flavor was at its most exquisite.

A single sip, and the fragrance bloomed between her teeth.

The room filled with the aroma of the finest Phoenix Snow tea, mingling with the crispness of plum mint wine, blending into one.

This time, Ruan Zhi felt no pain-only a tingling pleasure, followed by a sensation unlike any before.

Joy, delight, fulfillment…

Pleasure, joy, satisfaction…

That was what Gu Qingci conveyed to her.

And it was her own as well.

In the past, marking was either because she needed it during her estrus or because Gu Qingci needed it.

The sensation of marking was meant to achieve that purpose, to solve that problem.

But this time, it was…

Different.

Ruan Zhi couldn’t quite put it into words.

She only knew that she seemed to like this kind of marking.

After a long while, Gu Qingci reluctantly pulled away from Ruan Zhi’s scent gland.

She looked up at Ruan Zhi, who was pressed against the bed’s backrest by her, her body soft and leaning, her neck tilted back, the area like plum blossoms scattered on snow—utterly radiant.

Gu Qingci’s gaze traveled upward, landing on Ruan Zhi’s slightly parted lips as she panted.

Gu Qingci swallowed hard.

Those long-coveted lips were right before her, as if waiting to be kissed and soothed.

Greed and the baser aspects of human nature surged within her.

She wanted to crush those lips fiercely, to make them even more crimson.

Gu Qingci leaned in again. When only a few centimeters separated her lips from Ruan Zhi’s, her heart began to race wildly.

By the time their noses touched, nothing could stop Gu Qingci anymore.

Ruan Zhi’s lips were already caught between Gu Qingci’s teeth.

Caught off guard, Ruan Zhi was startled.

Having never studied “erotic illustrations” closely and having devoted her past and present lives to her career, Ruan Zhi had no idea intimacy could take such a form.

Could lips press together like this?

Though this intimacy was shameful, the sensation wasn’t particularly pleasant.

Gu Qingci was too forceful.

Her lips were sucked numb and sore, her mouth blocked from breathing, the air being relentlessly drawn away by Gu Qingci. Meanwhile, her nose was also obstructed by Gu Qingci’s upper lip. Before long, as her breath-holding limit approached, Ruan Zhi could barely breathe and had to push Gu Qingci away.

Gu Qingci snapped out of her fervor and released Ruan Zhi.

“Hiss…” As Gu Qingci pulled away from Ruan Zhi’s lips, she first heard a sound from Ruan Zhi, as if in pain.

Gu Qingci looked at Ruan Zhi’s lips and her eyes widened slightly.

Ruan Zhi’s lips were kissed a vivid red, the color stunning, but…

At the same time, they were also swollen.

“Why did you bite?” Ruan Zhi frowned and asked. The puppy’s nature was back—no longer painful during marking, but now biting lips.

“……No… I, this… I’m sorry!” Gu Qingci wanted to say something but ended up standing at attention and apologizing.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t angry with her; she was just annoyed that Gu Qingci had bitten her and caused pain.

How could she be so clumsy!

The first time she kissed Ruan Zhi, she ended up making her lips swell.

She left a shadow in Ruan Zhi’s mind!

“Don’t do that again. It’s strange and hurts.” Ruan Zhi said.

“……” Gu Qingci felt like crying.

“No, it’s my fault. Not this one’s fault. Wen Renyi said that kissing like this could help the pheromones adapt better and improve the marking experience. I just didn’t do it well. Kissing… should actually feel really good.” Gu Qingci said dejectedly.

“……” Ruan Zhi felt that Gu Qingci had been led astray by Wen Renyi.

What nonsense was she teaching her?

“Not everything Wen Renyi says should be taken seriously.” Ruan Zhi said, reaching out to pat Gu Qingci’s drooping head.

“……” Gu Qingci wanted to suggest trying again, but Ruan Zhi had already gotten up.

Seeing how swollen Ruan Zhi’s lips were, she didn’t have the heart to attempt it again.

“I’m sorry. Let me apply some medicine for you.” Gu Qingci said.

“It’s not broken. It’s fine. Go to sleep. It’s just a little swollen.” Ruan Zhi said as she got out of bed and applied some ointment to her lips herself.

Gu Qingci watched Ruan Zhi, her heart wailing in despair. Her rich lady was so kind—she didn’t even blame her.

Should she ask Wen Renyi for more advice?

Wen Renyi seemed very experienced; he must know.

N Ways to Make Kissing Feel Better!

Ruan Zhi told Gu Qingci to lie down and sleep, while she herself wasn’t in a hurry to rest yet.

Gu Qingci lay down, feeling dejected for a while, but then her mind drifted back to the sensation of kissing Ruan Zhi. Honestly, her own experience had been amazing, absolutely amazing…

Gu Qingci: Learning knows no bounds—a small goal has been set!