My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 64

64

At the stroke of Yin hour (3–5 AM), when people are in deep sleep and their guard is most relaxed, the sentries guarding the mountain stronghold under siege by Gu Qingci couldn’t help but doze off.

Only a few, suffering from arrow wounds, were half-asleep from the pain, still trapped in the shadows of the day’s horrors, plagued by nightmares.

In the darkness, an even darker shadow crept toward the watchtower embedded in the cliff face.

It was Gu Qingci.

Carrying a rope ladder on her back, she scaled the cliff barehanded.

She still remembered every crevice from when she had shot arrows during the day.

Below the watchtower stood a team of elite soldiers handpicked by Chu Shao.

This team had risen at the same time as Gu Qingci.

When Chu Shao informed them of Gu Qingci’s plan, they were all astonished.

Now, as they watched Gu Qingci climb, some attempted to follow her barehanded.

But before they could get far, their bodies found no foothold, and they could go no higher.

In other words, this feat required not just arm strength but also the ability to leap under such conditions.

Watching Gu Qingci ascend with seemingly effortless ease, the elite soldiers below were utterly convinced of her prowess.

Gu Qingci quietly slipped into an arrow slit.

Behind it was a spacious area, where three guards had deliberately positioned themselves away from the slits.

Two of them were dozing, while one was slightly more alert.

Gu Qingci carried an iron arrowhead. The moment the more alert guard locked eyes with her, she flicked the arrowhead at him. It struck his throat, cutting off his voice before it could fully form. His eyes widened in disbelief as he collapsed.

The other two were also decisively dealt with by Gu Qingci.

These people had killed many of the imperial envoys sent by the court—they were all outlaws, and Gu Qingci showed no mercy.

After clearing them out, Gu Qingci secured the rope ladder and lowered it down.

The group waiting below climbed up.

If their goal hadn’t been to recover Emperor Changping’s birthday gifts, the most suitable method would have been a fire attack.

Now, everyone followed Gu Qingci, forming a covert assassination squad, quietly eliminating lives within the mountain stronghold.

Originally, the stronghold’s advantage lay in being easy to defend but hard to attack.

Once the guards were silently taken out, that defensive advantage vanished.

Before long, someone finally noticed and raised the first alarm, waking the others.

But by then, it was already too late—the passage into the stronghold had been breached.

The main force waiting outside charged in, and both sides officially entered the stage of open confrontation.

Gu Qingci did not linger in the battle. Her goal was to find the birthday gifts—the true objective of their mission.

According to Chu Shao, the gifts included a large quantity of gold, silver, and jewels offered by local officials, as well as specially prepared treasures for the emperor’s birthday: the Longevity Ruyi Cup, the Longevity Pattern Vase, and the Longevity Scroll painted by several renowned masters. These were exquisitely crafted, some even taking years to complete, and were priceless.

No wonder Emperor Changping was so furious.

This was a massive loss.

Gu Qingci searched nearly every room in the stronghold, inevitably engaging in fierce battles whenever she encountered people.

After scouring the area, she finally found the stronghold’s treasury.

At the same time, she confronted a small squad of over ten men.

Each member of the squad was tall and burly, carrying many items on their backs.

Seeing the situation turning against them, they were preparing to escape with the valuables.

Naturally, Gu Qingci wouldn’t let them succeed. While fighting them, she called for reinforcements.

The sky was still dim. No one had expected that the mountain stronghold, which had been giving the imperial army headaches and holding the upper hand for days, would be stormed and taken by the imperial army before dawn.

At the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), in the distant city of Yanjing, within the residence of Gu Qingci and Ruan Zhi, everything carried on as usual.

The servants had risen early to clean and prepare breakfast.

Ruan Zhi was awakened by the noises outside.

Last night, without Gu Qingci by her side, she had slept poorly again—falling asleep late and resting lightly.

When she opened her eyes, Ruan Zhi was still somewhat dazed.

Her hand reached out in front of her, only to grasp at empty air.

The space beside her was empty.

Her gaze cleared slightly as she realized that Gu Qingci was not here today.

Unconsciously, Gu Qingci had become her habit.

It felt as though her presence was the norm.

Suddenly, her absence made everything feel strange and hollow.

The day became dull.

Due to lack of sleep, her head also began to ache, the familiar tension creeping back.

Ruan Zhi sat up and pressed her fingers to her temples.

The faint pain on her lips reminded her that Gu Qingci had only left a day ago.

The lips that had been fiercely kissed the day before still ached.

Why did it feel as though Gu Qingci had been gone for so long?

Ruan Zhi shook her head and called Lian Rui in to wash up and have breakfast.

“Madam, in the courtyard over there, a few of the ladies have been diligently training every day and appear well-behaved. However, two of them have been complaining about the food, one claims to be unwell, and another has asked to see you. I suspect they simply want to see the master.” Lian Rui reported to Ruan Zhi after the meal.

The singing and music ladies who had been sent over were all housed together in one courtyard.

After so many days, Gu Qingci had been busy and hadn’t gone to their side, but those among them with other ideas hadn’t given up.

“Check the food situation to see if it’s as they say, and ensure no servants are mistreating them. If anyone is unwell, call a physician. As for those who want to see me, there’s no need—they can relay any messages to me. Tell them to continue training as usual, and in a few days, the master will come to watch their performance.” Ruan Zhi said.

“What about Gongsun Jiuniang?” Ruan Zhi paused, remembering there was someone different among them.

She had specifically asked Ye Youli to find and send her over.

“She’s too wary and ignores anyone who speaks to her. But she’s been reading the account books you gave her and using the abacus.” Lian Rui said.

This Gongsun Jiuniang was also one of Ruan Zhi’s capable assistants in her past life, gifted in accounting and business.

Ruan Zhi instructed Lian Rui to keep an eye on her, as she still had other matters to attend to outside.

Time passed quickly when she was busy.

But the moment she had free time, she would think of Gu Qingci.

By afternoon, when it was time for Gu Qingci to pick her up, Gu Qingci naturally didn’t come.

No one clung to her, urging her to “clock off” early and go home. No one propped their chin on their hands, gazing at her with curved eyes while she reviewed account books. No one wrapped their arms around her, clinging and demanding kisses…

After finishing her work, Ruan Zhi returned home to eat with her parents and younger brother.

Yet she still couldn’t lift her spirits, and her appetite had diminished.

“Ah Zhi, what’s wrong? You don’t look well—are you sick?” Qin Ruofang, ever attentive, noticed Ruan Zhi’s condition.

“No.” Ruan Zhi shook her head.

“Today you ate little and seem in low spirits. Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Should we call a physician to check? Could it be… you’re with child?” Qin Ruofang asked, lowering her voice at the end.

Ruan Zhi and Gu Qingci had a good relationship, and having been together for so long, Qin Ruofang couldn’t help but suspect, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Ruan Zhi was taken aback, finding it both amusing and exasperating.

“Nothing of the sort. Mother, rest assured.” Ruan Zhi reassured Qin Ruofang.

“You young people don’t understand these things—it’s better to have it checked. If you are, we should take precautions.” Hearing this, Qin Ruofang grew even more uneasy.

She insisted on having a physician examine Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t ill, and naturally, there was no possibility of pregnancy.

The physician only said Ruan Zhi was overthinking things and prescribed some calming herbs.

Qin Ruofang was somewhat disappointed to learn Ruan Zhi wasn’t pregnant, but upon hearing it was due to excessive worry, she grew concerned again.

After speaking with Qin Ruofang for a while, Ruan Zhi returned to her room.

She picked up a bronze mirror to look at herself.

The person in the mirror had downturned lips, cool and reserved.

Her eyes seemed devoid of their usual sparkle.

Was it really that obvious?

Just because Gu Qingci wasn’t by her side, she was in such a state?

According to Gu Qingci, the trip might take eight days.

And it had only been a single day so far.

Ruan Zhi’s lips curled into a bitter smile.

She recalled the times when Gu Qingci had clung to her, speaking of the pain of separation.

Of longing.

At the time, she hadn’t truly understood it.

She had thought Gu Qingci was just being childish, her words a little exaggerated.

But now, it seemed there had been no exaggeration at all…

She wondered how Gu Qingci was doing.

Once the thought arose, it became uncontrollable.

Memories of their time together flooded her mind.

When she snapped back to reality and looked around, that person wasn’t there, and the emptiness in her heart grew heavier.

The influence one person could have on another—it was something Ruan Zhi had never experienced before.

She tried to shake off this effect, pulling out old account books to review and keeping herself busy.

Before long, she summoned Gongsun Jiuniang to test her on a few questions.

Gongsun Jiuniang was older than Gu Qingci but younger than Ruan Zhi, with striking looks and a tall, graceful figure.

Yet her demeanor was cool and reserved, and she regarded Ruan Zhi with some wariness.

Ruan Zhi, wanting to nurture her, remained patient.

After washing up at night, Ruan Zhi couldn’t sleep. She worked until the early hours of the morning, only retiring when exhaustion overwhelmed her.

As she lay down, the mind she had thought cleared and rational was once again filled with images of Gu Qingci.

In this daze, she didn’t know how much time passed before she finally fell asleep.

At dawn the next day, as soon as the gates of Yanjing opened, a group of riders departed the city.

The identity token revealed they were from the Third Prince’s residence.

Inside the four-horse carriage, the Third Prince reclined with a fierce expression on his face.

“Uncle has sent men to rendezvous with you here. Go together and set up an ambush at this location—it’s the optimal spot. Block their retreat in advance. Chu Shao, Gu Qingci—leave none alive!” The Third Prince pointed at a map as he spoke to his trusted guard, Dou Qiang, inside the carriage.

His expression was sinister.

Their target was none other than Gu Qingci and his group.

Even Chu Shao was not spared.

Chu Shao had refused to form a marriage alliance with the Third Prince and had instead been drawn to the Crown Prince’s faction.

Within the Zhennan Army, there were those loyal to the Third Prince. If Chu Shao died, his faction would rise to power.

This incident had arisen suddenly—Gu Qingci and Chu Shao were joining forces to suppress bandits, and Chu Shao had brought only a small contingent, operating in unfamiliar territory. It was a perfect opportunity.

The blame could later be pinned on the bandits.

The Third Prince immediately notified his uncle, General Xu, the Cavalry General, and secured his support.

This was also a chance to eliminate Gu Qingci once and for all.

“Your subordinate obeys the command! With General Xu’s men, they will not escape.” Dou Qiang responded.

“Those bandits are fierce fighters, fearless to the death. Even if they barely manage to suppress them, their losses will likely be heavy. This is the perfect moment. It might be a bit early now, but we must prepare thoroughly to ensure nothing goes wrong. Report any updates to me immediately. I’ll be at the hunting lodge, waiting for your good news.” the Third Prince said in a low voice.

The Third Prince knew some of the details.

The Jinling Prefecture was sending birthday gifts to Emperor Changping, and the escort team was naturally well-equipped.

Yet the goods had been stolen, and many had died.

Those ruthless bandits would not be so easily wiped out.

Under the pretext of a hunting excursion, the Third Prince had left the capital, inviting others to join him.

Once he entered the lodge, Dou Qiang led his men away in secret.

The third prince was in high spirits during the hunting expedition, thinking that the thorn in his side would soon be gone.

However, to his surprise, in the afternoon, Dou Qiang returned with his men.

The third prince, who was having a meal at the time, was startled to see Dou Qiang.

“Why are you back so soon?!” the third prince asked.

Dou Qiang wore an awkward expression, mixed with disbelief.

“Reporting to Your Highness, we… we encountered the troops sent to suppress the bandits on our way. They had already returned. We hadn’t even reached the ambush point and were unprepared. Moreover, they hadn’t suffered any losses and were escorted by two additional squads of local garrison soldiers. General Xu’s men ordered us to return immediately and act as if nothing had happened.” Dou Qiang explained.

“What?! How could they be back already? Did they defy the imperial order and not go to suppress the bandits?” the third prince exclaimed in shock.

“Well… that shouldn’t be the case. Their convoy included wagons, and they had captured a few people.” Dou Qiang said.

The third prince refused to believe it and immediately packed up to return to the city. He wanted to see for himself what had actually happened!

Back in Yanjing City, Ruan Zhi had just returned home after a busy day.

She ate little for dinner and, after washing up, seemed even more listless than the day before.

With a weary expression, she picked up an account book to review.

As she read, her mind began to wander.

Her gaze lost focus, and Gu Qingci once again surfaced in her thoughts—smiling at her, clinging to her affectionately.

Ruan Zhi’s face flushed, and she felt as though she might be ill.

Very ill indeed.

A sudden noise snapped her back to reality. She looked up, then lowered her head again.

Is she overreacting a bit too much, to the point of hallucinating and seeing Gu Qingci?

Ruan Zhi pinched the bridge of her nose, but her hand was suddenly grasped—the warm touch felt incredibly real.

“Madam, I’m back!” Gu Qingci’s voice rang out.

Ruan Zhi lifted her eyes to confirm.

Those pure, sparkling black eyes—it was unmistakably Gu Qingci.

“Madam, wuwuwu, I missed you so much!”

Gu Qingci’s voice sounded again as Ruan Zhi was lifted into an embrace, surrounded by warmth and a sweet, familiar scent.

Gu Qingci nuzzled into the crook of Ruan Zhi’s neck, making soft whimpering sounds. When she brushed against Ruan Zhi’s lips, their mouths met in a kiss—the touch scorching, the taste sweet and known.

It was Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci had truly returned!