My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 5

05

In Ruan Zhi’s bedroom, Lian Rui entered from outside.

“The lord was just weeping bitterly, saying she dreamed of…” Lian Rui whispered what she had heard to Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi, who had been pressing her temples with half-closed eyes while reviewing account books, lifted her eyelids at Lian Rui’s words.

“Are you certain?” Ruan Zhi asked.

“This servant heard it clearly. The old madam has already sent someone to buy paper money.” Lian Rui said.

Ruan Zhi frowned. She had just been thinking about how Gu Qingci and Xue Sanniang shared a deep mother-daughter bond, with Gu Qingci being very filial.

If they were colluding, she would deal with them together.

Yet in the next moment, Gu Qingci was preparing to send Xue Sanniang to a rural estate.

Had she anticipated Ruan Zhi’s move and was trying to protect Xue Sanniang?

Or was she genuinely acting out of fear from that dream to save her own life?

Whatever Gu Qingci’s reason, sending Xue Sanniang away would mean one less person using status to pressure her. That was fine.

“You’ve done well. Go have breakfast first, then continue keeping an eye on what the lord plans to do next. Here, take this.” Ruan Zhi spoke softly to Lian Rui, observing the girl’s youthful face before taking a few silver melon seeds from her purse and handing them to her.

Lian Rui’s cheeks flushed slightly as she curtsied in thanks to Ruan Zhi before leaving.

Lian Rui was still young. Previously, she had been a second-tier maid in Ruan Zhi’s service, never assigned to close personal duties.

Now that Ruan Zhi had entrusted her with an important task, she was fully alert and exceptionally diligent.

As soon as Lian Rui left, Nanny Qin entered carrying a food box.

“Ah Zhi, the kitchen maids are too cruel. Not only do they give us meager portions, but these are just leftovers—barely edible. Even the servants of the Gu family wouldn’t eat this!” Nanny Qin complained to Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi glanced at the opened food box. The contents were murky in color and carried an unpleasant odor.

Yet it was the same food she had endured for years in her past life.

“The kitchen maids only dare to serve such meals on the lord’s orders. The guards at the gate won’t let us out to buy ingredients, and the kitchen refuses to provide charcoal for a private stove. This is still their way of controlling us. Sigh—bullied by a mother-in-law, with a heartless lord who shows no care for her lawful wife, restrained at every turn… Ah Zhi, why must your fate be so bitter?” Nanny Qin frowned and grumbled.

She had thought that after Ruan Zhi was marked yesterday, things might improve. Yet here they were, still the same.

“It’s fine. I’m not hungry yet. Nanny, don’t eat this either. Take some silver and give it to the guards—don’t hesitate to be generous. If you can get out, find Brother Hu and buy some proper food. Also, ask him to help locate a commoner named Min Guiyi. If he can’t be found immediately, at least find a few skilled hands for now.” Ruan Zhi instructed Nanny Qin in a low voice.

Memories of her past life stirred by this food, a cold glint flashed in Ruan Zhi’s eyes.

Though the Xiuyi Garden belonged to Ruan Zhi’s family, “Gu Qingci” had specially hired tall, burly guards to keep watch.

Not only were the people in Ruan Zhi’s courtyard forbidden from leaving, outsiders were also barred from entering to see her.

In her past life, Nanny Qin had eaten tainted food, suffered unbearable stomach pains, and eventually died without treatment.

Ruan Zhi herself had fallen severely ill with a high fever, but without timely medical care, her glands were left permanently damaged, plaguing her with chronic pain.

Originally, Ruan Zhi had a knee injury, with only an elderly woman and a young girl at her disposal. Short on capable hands, many things were inconvenient.

Given Gu Qingci’s unusual behavior yesterday, Ruan Zhi had held off on acting.

But now, as long as Gu Qingci remained her wife for even a day, Ruan Zhi would remain under her control.

Status dictated everything. She couldn’t assume that just because Gu Qingci had acted strangely yesterday and today, the restraints and manipulations would cease.

It was better to strike early and seize control.

Min Guiyi had been Ruan Zhi’s bodyguard in her past life, a man of exceptional skill.

If he could be found, many tasks could be accomplished.

Ruan Zhi handed Nanny Qin a stack of silver notes.

“Ah Zhi, you… you don’t blame Zhenhu anymore?” Nanny Qin asked, her expression complicated as she took the notes.

The “Brother Hu” Ruan Zhi mentioned was Nanny Qin’s son, Qin Zhenhu.

Due to past misunderstandings, Ruan Zhi had held a grudge against Qin Zhenhu. When she married into the Gu family, Qin Zhenhu hadn’t followed—only Nanny Qin had come along.

“How could I blame him? That incident wasn’t his fault.” Ruan Zhi said.

With memories of her past life, Ruan Zhi had seen the truth of many people.

“Good, I’ll go right away.” Nanny Qin, moved by Ruan Zhi’s words, tucked away the silver notes and hurried out.

Once Nanny Qin left, Ruan Zhi glanced at the food box on the table and called for a maid.

“Lian Rong, take this food box to the lord. You know what to do.” Ruan Zhi instructed the maid named Lian Rong.

Lian Rong was Ruan Zhi’s head maid.

She had previously served closely and was quite clever.

However, with her past-life memories, Ruan Zhi knew this maid—aware of her own slight charms—had seen Ruan Zhi’s disfavor with “Gu Qingci” and secretly sought to climb into Gu Qingci’s bed, passing along information from Ruan Zhi’s side. She had eventually succeeded in becoming “Gu Qingci’s” concubine.

Ruan Zhi had little desire to see her, but with no one else available, she could still use her to test Gu Qingci’s current stance.

“This servant understands.” Lian Rong quickly curtsied.

For the past two days, Ruan Zhi hadn’t allowed her into the inner chambers, leaving her uneasy—afraid her past attempts to seduce “Gu Qingci” had been discovered.

Now, being sent to see Gu Qingci filled her with barely concealed delight.

Ruan Zhi waved her off, and Lian Rong left with the food box.

As Ruan Zhi plotted her next moves, Gu Qingci—on the other side—finished her meal with an expression akin to an elderly subway rider staring at her phone in dismay.

At first, she hadn’t paid attention to what was served for breakfast, only hearing Xue Sanniang order Ruan Zhi to serve the dishes.

She had assumed there would be a few decent dishes, but upon closer inspection, the so-called “dishes” were mostly pickled sides—radishes, cucumbers, cabbage—each bite overwhelmingly salty.

In the apocalypse, pickles had been Gu Qingci’s most common meal.

Before transmigrating, she had holed up in an underground supermarket for over half a year, surviving on them. Now, just the smell made her nauseous.

The only meat was a bland, stringy chicken salad, dry and tinged with an unpleasant gaminess.

Along with congee and stiff flatbread, this constituted the meal.

Even starving, Gu Qingci found the breakfast hard to stomach, leaving her palate and belly equally unsettled.

After forcing it down, she felt utterly drained.

If this world’s food was worse than the apocalypse’s, Ruan Zhi might as well end her now.

Her gloom lasted only a moment before she recalled Dongxue mentioning meat buns cost just two coins each. At such prices, this breakfast seemed absurdly stingy.

It made her suspect the kitchen was embezzling funds.

Glancing around, she saw Xue Sanniang had already left to burn paper money at the family altar for Gu Qingci’s late father, leaving only the maid Dongxue behind.

“Dongxue, who manages the kitchen?” Gu Qingci asked.

“My lord, the provisions are handled by kitchen steward Zhang, while the cooking is done by mistress Song. They are Stewardess Zhang’s son and daughter-in-law.” Dongxue replied.

“I see. Where is stewardess Zhang now?”

“Stewardess Zhang has gone to fetch a servant broker.”

Gu Qingci remembered—the Zhang family were hereditary servants, their members embedded in every “position” within the Gu household. If stewardess Zhang had had a daughter, even Dongxue’s role would have gone to her family.

To deal with stewardess Zhang meant uprooting an entire family.

And if she dismissed them all, the Gu household’s operations would likely grind to a halt.

Gu Qingci rubbed her temples, her head throbbing.

As she stood to inspect the kitchen, footsteps approached, accompanied by soft sobbing.

She looked up to see a pretty maid carrying a food box, her cheeks tear-streaked as if wronged.

“My lord, the kitchen’s mistress Song gave us nothing but leftovers. Look at this—how can anyone eat it? The servants of Xiuyi Garden are still starving!” Lian Rong wept to Gu Qingci, tears falling as she spoke.

Gu Qingci glanced at the food box’s contents, her mind buzzing at the maid’s words.

Ruan Zhi was still hungry!

If her own meal was this bad, Ruan Zhi’s must be worse.

And she’d been eating like this for days.

Could the Gu family sink any lower?

“Dongxue, I’m going to the kitchen, then to Xiuyi Garden. When stewardess Zhang returns with the broker, come find me there.” Gu Qingci exhaled, instructing Dongxue before motioning for Lian Rong to lead her to the kitchen.

First, she had to ensure Ruan Zhi got a proper breakfast.

Lian Rong, misreading Gu Qingci’s reaction, brightened inwardly.

Unaware of Gu Qingci’s change, she assumed Ruan Zhi’s situation remained as dire as ever when Nanny Qin brought back the usual meager meal.

Yet now, Gu Qingci was personally escorting her to the kitchen—surely out of regard for her.

Noting how Gu Qingci’s looks had improved further, Lian Rong felt a shy thrill, subtly edging closer as they walked.

“Thank you, My lord, for standing up for this servant. I’ve missed you terribly these past days…” Lian Rong murmured sweetly, attempting to flirt. When her arm brushed Gu Qingci’s, the latter recoiled as if shocked.

Gu Qingci’s eyes widened.

Hearing someone else use a sickly-sweet tone gave her full-body chills—her own earlier act forgotten.

“Enough talk. To the kitchen.” Gu Qingci said sternly.

“It’s just ahead. That mistress Song is vile—always delaying Xiuyi Garden’s meals, and what little she gives is the worst.” Lian Rong pointed ahead, lodging her complaint.

Gu Qingci quickened her pace, forcing Lian Rong to trot after her.

Gu Qingci muted her footsteps, pushing the kitchen door open to find a couple in their twenties with a child around ten, gnawing on bones, their mouths glistening with grease.

Gu Qingci saw red.

She’d suffered through a tasteless meal while Ruan Zhi starved, yet here the kitchen staff feasted.

“The masters go hungry, while you stuff yourselves!” she snapped.

The couple—stewardess Zhang’s son and his wife, mistress Song—startled, the man quickly bowing.

“My lord, forgive us! That was the old madam’s leftovers. My wife hates waste. If the lord hasn’t eaten well, she’ll cook for you at once.” His reply was smooth, practiced.

Gu Qingci’s temple twitched.

The man was clearly a seasoned swindler.

By the time they cooked anew, Ruan Zhi would faint from hunger.

“My lord, you must uphold justice! Kitchen steward Zhang and mistress Song palm off scraps on Xiuyi Garden—they’re clearly lining their pockets!” Lian Rong accused before Gu Qingci could speak.

“Don’t slander us! Xiuyi Garden’s rations are set by the lord.” Steward Zhang shot back.

“…” Gu Qingci pinched her brow. That much was true.

The original Gu Qingci had imposed every hardship on Ruan Zhi, meals included.

Without her orders, they wouldn’t dare treat Ruan Zhi so.

How many more landmines lay in the Gu household?

“Enough. Go inside and pack the freshest food you can find into the box.” Gu Qingci told Lian Rong.

Lian Rong, triumphant, tossed the old food out and strutted into the kitchen to refill the box, shooting the couple a smug look.

“My lord, what is this…?” Steward Zhang asked, puzzled.

“The past is past. Now is now. Bring me the kitchen’s procurement ledgers—I want to see them.” Gu Qingci ordered as Lian Rong rummaged inside.

To dismiss them, she needed proof.

If they’d embezzled, she’d reclaim every coin.

“At once.” Steward Zhang’s face briefly darkened before smoothing over.

The ledgers were his handiwork—he’d ensured they balanced.

Besides, “Gu Qingci” was a fool who couldn’t read accounts.

He fetched and presented the books.

Gu Qingci flipped through a page.

Her brain short-circuited.

Ancient bookkeeping—illegible cursive, dense traditional characters—made her dizzy.

But while she couldn’t decipher them, Ruan Zhi could.

“I’ll review these elsewhere.” she said, closing the ledger.

Steward Zhang assented readily.

Her expression reassured him further.

Once Lian Rong finished packing the box, Gu Qingci took the ledgers and headed to Xiuyi Garden.

“The lord took the ledgers—is she turning on us? Will she make us cough up everything?” Mistress Song fretted after they left.

“Relax. What does the lord know? She can’t even read ledgers. Mine have been checked by Father—flawless. She’ll find no fault. Probably just posturing to please Lady Ruan.” Steward Zhang shrugged.

“Gu Qingci” couldn’t tell grain from chaff—what did she understand?

Their family had served the Gus for years without issue.

“Just don’t eat in the kitchen where you’ll be caught.” He added, opting for caution.

Meanwhile, Lian Rong had overfilled the box, struggling to carry it. Gu Qingci took it from her.

Freed of her burden, Lian Rong beamed.

The lord must favor her.

She tried making conversation, but Gu Qingci, anxious about Ruan Zhi’s hunger, sped ahead, forcing Lian Rong to jog breathlessly after her.

Lian Rong hadn’t eaten either, hoping Gu Qingci would let her dine first. Instead, Gu Qingci marched straight into Ruan Zhi’s chambers.

By then, Lian Rong was too winded to speak.

When Gu Qingci entered, Ruan Zhi reclined behind gauzy bed curtains, her lazy allure accentuated by the translucent fabric.

Yet the chill in her phoenix eyes could have pierced holes through the silk.

Gu Qingci pouted, striding to the bedside.

“Madam, this is all my fault. I didn’t know the original Gu Qingci mistreated you so. I’ve brought the freshest food from the kitchen—please eat.”

Ruan Zhi parted the curtains, studying Gu Qingci.

Such an innocent facade—almost pitiable.

You dog, how you love to act.

Drawing a line between her past self and now—what an absurd excuse.

“The food doesn’t appeal to me. Feed the servants first.” Ruan Zhi replied languidly.

Nanny Qin had gone to buy proper meals. She had no interest in the Gu family’s cooking.

Ruan Zhi’s calm tone made Gu Qingci feel a storm brewing.

“Madam, I meant every word earlier. The Gu household needs you to take charge. The Zhangs are treacherous servants—I want them gone. But their roots run deep, from shopkeepers outside to stewards inside. I need your help auditing the ledgers. If they’ve stolen, we’ll recover it. I… I can’t read these. Please, help me.” Gu Qingci leaned in, her voice soft and pleading, oozing helplessness.

Gu Qingci had realized: rather than stumbling into traps, she’d hand full control to Ruan Zhi.

With great power came great responsibility.

She’d grant Ruan Zhi supreme authority over the Gus.

She’d just lounge about, following orders.

A perfect solution.

Ruan Zhi watched as Gu Qingci drew near, her sweet-and-sour fruit scent wafting over, her demeanor so vulnerable it briefly softened Ruan Zhi’s resolve.

Resisting the urge to pinch Gu Qingci’s still-chubby cheeks, Ruan Zhi pushed her back slightly.

“I take charge?” Ruan Zhi asked, wondering if she’d misheard.

“Of course, madam is in charge!” Gu Qingci declared firmly.

Please, just annex this failing “company” of Gus.

This fake “boss” role was giving her a headache.

This shabby “company” has no future and is full of pitfalls. Big boss should take over quickly!