My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 50

50

Gu Qingci fell asleep in a daze, her mind still lingering on the memories of earlier.

When Ruan Zhi returned from the outer room and saw Gu Qingci asleep, her gaze lingered on the other woman’s face, her expression slightly uneasy.

No wonder she had always felt that Gu Qingci looked at her from a strange angle before—now she realized Gu Qingci had been staring at her lips all along.

She had wanted to bite them from the very beginning.

Every time Ruan Zhi lowered her guard even slightly, Gu Qingci seized the opportunity without hesitation, pressing forward step by step.

How could she like doing that?

Ruan Zhi touched her still-tender lips, which throbbed faintly, then went about her own business.

When Gu Qingci woke the next morning and opened her eyes, Ruan Zhi was right beside her.

Ruan Zhi lay on her side, close to her.

Just as delight bloomed in Gu Qingci’s heart, her gaze fell on Ruan Zhi’s lips.

They were still rosy.

And noticeably fuller than usual.

The swelling hadn’t gone down yet.

Gu Qingci’s heart ached with guilt. She reached out and gently brushed her fingers over them, but Ruan Zhi frowned and turned away in her sleep.

Gu Qingci retrieved the ointment Ruan Zhi had used the day before, dipped her fingertip in it, and carefully applied it to Ruan Zhi’s lips.

Such a small action—just the press of her finger against Ruan Zhi’s soft lips—was enough to make Gu Qingci’s mouth go dry.

Memories of yesterday’s kiss resurfaced.

The taste had been richer than the pheromones lingering in the air.

Even now, after waking, she could still savor the lingering sweetness.

Afraid she might not resist kissing Ruan Zhi again, Gu Qingci watched her for a moment longer before quickly getting up.

Though the exams were over, her morning training routine remained unchanged.

Here, there was a dedicated riding field where she could run laps and take Chihuo out for exercise.

After all this time spent bonding, Gu Qingci could now lead Chihuo out without issue.

And Chihuo had grown even more affectionate toward her.

The horse refused to let anyone else near—only Gu Qingci was allowed to touch it.

With only one hand, Gu Qingci hadn’t yet attempted to ride it, nor had she saddled it. She merely fastened the reins.

She chatted with Chihuo as they walked together, and the horse would snort in response, as if it understood every word.

Very smart.

Gu Qingci’s juggling acts with jars and bowls would also be performed at the horse grounds.

A few horses and grooms served as the audience, cheering for her.

After finishing her training, Gu Qingci bid farewell to Chihuo and went back to find Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi had just gotten up.

“Madam, what happened to your lips? Were you bitten by some insect?” Lian Rui, who was attending to Ruan Zhi, asked with concern when she noticed the slight swelling of Ruan Zhi’s lips.

“Hmm, possibly.” Ruan Zhi replied, pausing as she caught sight of Gu Qingci entering. Her expression remained calm, but her eyes held a distinct note of reproach—no one would be pleased to wake up with still-swollen lips.

“It’s all this servant’s fault for not cleaning properly.” Lian Rui, still young, said guiltily, her eyes welling up with tears.

“It was just a flying insect. It’s not your fault. It’s fine.” Ruan Zhi reassured her.

“Let me help Madam freshen up. Lian Rui, go check if breakfast is ready.” Gu Qingci said awkwardly, stepping forward.

Ruan Zhi nodded at Lian Rui, who then left.

“Madam, I’m sorry.” Gu Qingci murmured, leaning against Ruan Zhi’s shoulder in a playful, apologetic nuzzle.

Ruan Zhi glanced at this spoiled little brat who was slightly taller than her yet lacked any semblance of dignity or restraint, feeling somewhat exasperated.

It seemed she had been too indulgent—this never would have happened before.

Ignoring Gu Qingci, Ruan Zhi let her assist with washing up, albeit with one hand.

By the time they finished, Ruan Zhi’s clothes were damp in several places.

“Enough. Call Lian Rui back. The layers are complicated, and you only have one hand.” Ruan Zhi said, shooing Gu Qingci out before she could help with changing.

Gu Qingci, recognizing that today’s limit of closeness had been reached, went to fetch Lian Rui.

When Ruan Zhi emerged, Gu Qingci was momentarily stunned.

Her lips no longer looked swollen, and the color wasn’t as vivid as before.

“Others use rouge to brighten their lips, but Madam uses it to conceal the color. Still, this shade suits you beautifully.” Lian Rui remarked.

Only then did Gu Qingci realize Ruan Zhi had applied rouge.

The color was a soft pinkish-red, glossy and lush on her lips.

Gu Qingci’s gaze lingered—they looked even more kissable now.

Ruan Zhi felt her lips grow warm under the scrutiny.

“What are you staring at? Aren’t you hungry? Let’s go eat.” Ruan Zhi said coolly, though the tips of her ears tinged faintly red.

Ruan Zhi walked forward, and Gu Qingci quickly followed.

“Today, Lady Wenren is coming to watch me shoot arrows. Madam, could you not go out so early today? I’ll show you my archery.” Gu Qingci said as she caught up to Ruan Zhi.

“Mm. Let’s go take a look.” Ruan Zhi replied with a solemn expression.

But Gu Qingci brightened up.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t angry anymore.

After the two finished their meal, Wen Renyi arrived punctually shortly after.

Gu Qingci took Ruan Zhi and Wen Renyi to the backyard and “performed” for them, mimicking the martial arts examination style.

Wen Renyi also gave it a try, but her legs trembled slightly, and her aiming posture was rather odd. Without practice, it was hard to get it right, and the arrows easily went off target.

“Scholar Gu is truly impressive!” Wen Renyi exclaimed in admiration.

“Yes, no one can match what the lord has done.” Ruan Zhi chimed in.

After watching Gu Qingci’s display, Ruan Zhi sighed inwardly—the acrobatics instructor they had hired earlier hadn’t been a waste.

Shooting arrows was like performing acrobatics.

Who else could have come up with such a method? She was truly one of a kind.

No wonder she had been so exhausted every night, collapsing into sleep as soon as she lay down—she had been working too hard and had no energy left for intimacy.

Now that she had some free time, she was starting to demand affection again.

Gu Qingci, praised by both of them—especially by Ruan Zhi—was practically floating with pride.

She grinned at them, her eyes curved, looking both smug and proud.

“Go out with Lady Wenren for the gathering today. If you go to places like taverns, don’t hold back. Take these banknotes with you.” Ruan Zhi said to Gu Qingci as she changed clothes in the courtyard, handing her several hundred-tael banknotes.

Gu Qingci already had her own stash of money and wasn’t short on funds.

But what Ruan Zhi gave her was extra.

Receiving it still made her happy.

“The capital is full of complications, and there are many noble figures. Remember to listen to Lady Wenren’s advice—don’t impulsively pick fights. And most importantly, don’t drink. If you really can’t refuse, take one of the hangover pills Lady Wenren gave you before drinking. There are two in your pouch.” Ruan Zhi added, unable to resist giving a few more reminders.

Gu Qingci had only gone out with Ruan Zhi once since arriving in Yanjing and hadn’t gone out since, so Ruan Zhi’s instructions were a bit more detailed this time.

“I know. Madam, I’ll miss you.” Gu Qingci murmured, nuzzling against Ruan Zhi’s neck.

“…” Ruan Zhi patted Gu Qingci’s head.

How could she be so clingy?

Once Gu Qingci was ready and knew Wen Renyi was still waiting outside, she reluctantly left.

During the day, Ruan Zhi still had matters to attend to—she needed to go to the market. Since Wen Renyi had invited Gu Qingci to the gathering, the group parted ways after heading out.

Gu Qingci really wanted to stay with Ruan Zhi all the time.

However, she had previously declined Wen Renyi’s invitations, and now that the exams were over, she didn’t want to dampen the mood.

Besides, she also wanted to ask Wen Renyi for some advice on kissing techniques.

Thinking of the lipstick Ruan Zhi had applied, she wanted to buy more for her to use.

Whenever Ruan Zhi went out, she wore a veil and kept her accessories simple—just a wooden hairpin. She rarely wore makeup, usually just applying some scented balm to moisturize her skin. Today, she had added lipstick to her routine.

This season, the air was a bit dry, making it the perfect time to use lipstick.

Gu Qingci wondered how many shades were available in this era.

Just by switching to a different shade, Ruan Zhi’s entire vibe had changed.

With that, Gu Qingci’s anticipation for this outing grew even stronger.

The two of them first attended a small gathering. The attendees were all friends of Wen Renyi’s, and among them, only she and Gu Qingci had taken the military exams.

“These are all my good friends. No need to feel reserved. They’ve heard about you long ago and have been pestering me for days.” Wen Renyi said to Gu Qingci just before they entered.

“How have they heard of me already?” Gu Qingci asked in surprise.

“Well… earlier, when you took the exams with your neck tilted and still managed to come out on top, and then later as the top scholar, word spread to them. They were curious. This time, your archery method was truly unique—it’s bound to make you famous.” Wen Renyi explained, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“You told your friends in the capital about me?” Gu Qingci asked.

“I thought you were quite interesting, so I mentioned it to one of them, and then… they told everyone else.” Wen Renyi admitted.

“Oh, well… alright then.” Gu Qingci replied helplessly.

She had a feeling that “tilting her neck to shoot arrows” and “shooting arrows with her feet” would become running jokes for quite some time.

“Actually, this time, you should really make a name for yourself.” Wen Renyi said.

“How so? Letting you all have a laugh at my expense, and then the whole world too?” Gu Qingci said awkwardly.

“The previous attack was related to the Third Prince. I figured it out. The Third Prince holds significant power, especially in the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites, where he has many allies. If he didn’t want you to pass the exams, he could easily make it happen. Why do you think so many people attend gatherings and flaunt their reputations after the exams? Especially in the civil exams—composing poetry, debating essays, building fame across the land. If someone with a strong reputation didn’t pass, it could easily spark accusations of exam fraud.” Wen Renyi whispered.

“…” Gu Qingci paused.

She hadn’t considered this before.

A national exam, especially for the military division—wasn’t it obvious on the spot whether someone passed or not? Could cheating even happen?

But then again, she had indeed crossed paths with the Third Prince’s faction.

Ye Youli had promised to keep the Third Prince too busy to interfere, but sometimes, all it took was a single word from someone in power.

After a moment of thought, Gu Qingci relaxed.

There were benefits to fame, so it wouldn’t hurt to embrace it.

If there were advantages to participating in exhibition matches, she might as well do it—it could also help her make more friends.

With that in mind, Gu Qingci cheerfully accompanied Wen Renyi to the gathering.

Wen Renyi had lived in the capital for some time and was naturally sociable. Coming from a family of imperial physicians, many were eager to befriend her.

Among her acquaintances were descendants of ministers from prestigious families, as well as scions of noble houses with first- and second-rank titles. In no time, Gu Qingci found herself mingling in the upper echelons of high society.

At the gathering, after Wen Renyi introduced Gu Qingci to the group, most of them were meeting her for the first time and greeted her politely.

One person, however, looked at Gu Qingci with surprise and an unfriendly expression.

“Marquis Jian’an, Gu Qingci? I didn’t expect it to really be you.” the man said.

“Yes. And you are…?” Gu Qingci cupped her hands in greeting.

“Truly, the noble forgets easily. Has it only been a year, and you no longer recognize me?” The man’s tone was light, but his words carried a clear edge.

Gu Qingci froze.

This didn’t feel good.

The original owner of this body had apparently offended someone in the capital and, after running out of money, had slunk back to Minshan County in disgrace.

Could this person be one of those she had offended?

“Marquis Anyang, what’s the matter? This is my friend. Is there some misunderstanding? If so, let’s clear it up and put it behind us.” said Wen Renyi, confident in Gu Qingci’s character and familiar with the other man, sensing there might be a misunderstanding.

“This is no misunderstanding. You didn’t know her back then, but I did. A year ago, she also lived in the capital. Do you know why she left? Because she offended County Princess Changning. I won’t go into details, but it was utterly disgraceful.” the man called Marquis Anyang said.

“In my youth, I was ignorant and reckless, unaware of my own limits. It’s truly laughable. Now that I’ve returned to the capital, I’ve naturally mended my ways.” Gu Qingci said, cupping her hands apologetically.

She didn’t know the specifics, but given the original owner’s behavior, it was likely she had made advances, failed, and been thoroughly humiliated.

In any case, this was now her burden to bear.

Unlike with Ruan Zhi, she couldn’t shake it off—she could only stand straight and apologize.

The man remained unimpressed, clearly deciding not to associate with Gu Qingci further.

Gu Qingci didn’t mind losing one acquaintance.

Her good attitude, pleasant appearance, humility, and rumored skills made others hesitant to judge without knowing the full story. With Wen Renyi’s introduction, the matter with Marquis Anyang was quickly set aside, and the banquet continued. Later, during games like arrow-throwing and archery, Gu Qingci participated, showcasing her flawless accuracy and trick shots.

By the end, she had still made a few friends.

Now armed with the news of having offended County Princess Changning, Gu Qingci resolved to report it to Ruan Zhi as soon as she returned.

Better that than having Ruan Zhi hear it from someone else and misunderstand.

After the gathering ended, Gu Qingci and Wen Renyi left together.

“How did you offend County Princess Changning? She’s notoriously fierce—born into the Zhenwei General’s household, she always carries a soft whip when she goes out, and a vicious dog follows her everywhere. Unlike other gentle nobles, even I steer clear when I see her.” Wen Renyi said once they were in the carriage.

“Uh… youth and ignorance. I’ll stay away from her in the future.” Gu Qingci felt suffocated hearing this.

Changing the subject away from the County Princess of Changning, Gu Qingci brought up something else, and the two of them headed to the best rouge shop in Yanjing City first.

While Gu Qingci was shopping at the rouge shop, in the Third Prince’s residence in Yanjing City, a man dressed in an embroidered golden robe with a golden token hanging from his waist was holding a small booklet, looking displeased, his eyes filled with malice.

This man was none other than the Third Prince, Ye Lingchen.

“Didn’t you say a few days ago that she had a fractured injury and couldn’t participate in the imperial examination? How is her name on this list?!”

Ye Lingchen slammed the booklet onto the desk, his gaze fixed on a tall, sturdy man standing below.

This man, like Gu Qingci, had his arm in a sling, clearly injured.

He was Ye Lingchen’s personal guard, Dou Qiang.

“Your Highness, forgive me! Her fracture was absolutely real. How could she possibly take the exam!?” Dou Qiang’s forehead was beaded with sweat.

“Perhaps it was a ruse to deceive us, pretending to be weak! Regardless, the exam is over now! I’ll remove her name from the list. We can’t let Ye Youli succeed again. Also, send a message to the County Princess of Changning…” Ye Lingchen said with a dark expression.

In his eyes, Gu Qingci was nothing more than an ant. Crushing her was a way to suppress Ye Youli. Removing a name was trivial—just find a minor fault, and she’d be gone. It was just the military exam, after all, not something highly regarded. Even if someone found out, no one would investigate.

What could Ye Youli possibly do?

Her influence didn’t extend that far.