My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 8

08

Ruan Zhi returned to her room, placing the porcelain bottle in her drawer. She glanced in Gu Qingci’s direction, her eyes cold.

Even if an alpha is foolish, it’s still an alpha.

Hmph.

Gu Qingci was sleeping soundly, but the danger-sensing instincts honed in the apocalypse suddenly jolted her awake. She sat up abruptly, her eyes alert as she scanned her surroundings, her body already in a defensive stance—one hand braced against the bed, the other raised to block, her legs coiled and ready to spring up.

When she spotted the silhouette of a slender woman bathed in candlelight, Gu Qingci’s tense body instantly relaxed. She flopped back down lazily, her dark eyes shedding their wariness as she looked up at the woman with a simple, sleepy smile.

“Madam, what are you doing? You scared me.” Gu Qingci said, her voice thick with sleep, soft and muffled.

Ruan Zhi: “…”

She had merely looked at her, yet the woman had woken up instantly.

That predatory posture just now—Ruan Zhi had almost thought Gu Qingci would pounce on her.

But it had only lasted a moment, as if it were an illusion.

“I’m thirsty.” Ruan Zhi said indifferently, returning to her own large bed.

“Oh… Madam, wait a moment.” Gu Qingci got up, found the water jug, poured a cup of water, and brought it to Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi took the small white porcelain cup and sipped slowly, stalling for time.

But when she looked up at Gu Qingci again, the woman was still standing, yet her head was nodding, already dozing off.

As someone who suffered from chronic insomnia, Ruan Zhi felt both envy and inexplicable irritation.

How could someone fall asleep under any conditions?!

“Madam, finished drinking?” Gu Qingci jerked her head up at Ruan Zhi’s gaze and asked.

“Yes.” Ruan Zhi handed the cup back to Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci put it away.

“Madam, do you need anything else?” Gu Qingci turned back to ask.

“No.” Ruan Zhi waved her hand dismissively, no longer looking at Gu Qingci.

Gu Qingci returned to her small couch and, as before, was soon fast asleep again.

Ruan Zhi: “…”

She had heard that soldiers who had seen battle had sharp instincts—easy to fall asleep, easy to wake.

But what battle had Gu Qingci ever fought?

Ruan Zhi stopped looking at her.

No point in tormenting her further.

She lay down and closed her eyes, but sleep still eluded her.

The pain in her head and glands was one thing, but the intertwined memories of her past and present lives weighed heavily on her heart.

Still, tonight seemed slightly better than the last. The faint, elusive sweetness in the air soothed her a little, and after some time, she drifted into a shallow, fitful sleep.

Gu Qingci slept soundly, waking the next morning in the same position as the night before.

It didn’t feel uncomfortable—the couch was soft.

She had slept deeply, without a single dream.

But this sleeping posture had done no favors for her “little steamed buns.”

Gu Qingci sat up and rubbed her chest, feeling even flatter than before.

Wuwuwu…

Outside, the sky was still dark.

Gu Qingci got up to look for clothes.

Last night, Nanny Qin had only given her sleeping robes, no outer garments.

Her old clothes had been taken away.

With no other choice, she stepped out to ask for help.

“My lord, why are you out in your sleeping robes? If you need anything, just call for us.” Nanny Qin, already awake, said upon seeing her.

Gu Qingci coughed lightly. The sleeping robes covered her from neck to ankle—hardly revealing.

Well, she’d have to adapt to local customs.

“I’ve slept enough. I want to exercise. Can you find me some workout clothes?” Gu Qingci asked.

“Of course. Shengxuan Workshop made ten sets of clothes for the lord before. Since you’d never stayed here overnight, they’ve never been worn—all brand new. I’ll fetch them for you now.” Nanny Qin said.

“Thank you.” Gu Qingci nodded, inwardly marveling at the perks of having a wealthy wife. Ten sets of clothes just for that scumbag?

Luckily, the scumbag had never worn them—now they were hers.

“Let Lian Rui help you dress.” Nanny Qin said, returning with the clothes.

“No need, I can manage.” Gu Qingci refused.

She took the clothes back into the bedchamber, stripping off her sleeping robes by the small couch and puzzling over how to put on the new outfit.

As she was halfway dressed, a chill ran down her spine. She turned to see Ruan Zhi watching her from the side, her eyes narrowed and cold, sharp as flying blades.

Gu Qingci’s heart skipped a beat. What now?

“Thirsty again?” Gu Qingci asked softly, stepping closer when Ruan Zhi’s icy gaze didn’t waver.

Ruan Zhi’s eyes were half-lidded, but as Gu Qingci approached, her expression softened slightly. She reached out, her slender fingers pinching Gu Qingci’s chin.

“Quiet.” Ruan Zhi uttered two words.

Gu Qingci covered her mouth and nodded vigorously.

Ruan Zhi released her and closed her eyes again.

Not daring to make another sound, Gu Qingci waited until Ruan Zhi seemed asleep before backing away slowly. Only once she was outside did she breathe normally again.

It felt like walking on eggshells around a tiger.

Perhaps this was her employer’s only flaw—her aura was too overpowering.

Gu Qingci adjusted her clothes.

The red, gold-embroidered robe with layered collars and a fitted waist was of much finer quality and tailoring than yesterday’s outfit.

“The lord is up so early—are you heading to the academy? I’ll fetch your book box.” Lian Rong offered, pleased she’d woken early enough to spend more time with Gu Qingci.

“Not today. I’m going to exercise.” Gu Qingci said.

The mention of the academy gave her a headache. She stretched her arms and legs before jogging off.

Lian Rong wanted to say more, but Gu Qingci was already gone in a flash!

What could be so urgent?

Lian Rong hurried out, only to see Gu Qingci sprinting along the garden path at an impossible speed.

By the time Gu Qingci circled back, she was gone again like the wind.

Lian Rong: “…”

“Lian Rong, what are you doing there? Come here!” Nanny Qin’s voice summoned her, thwarting her plans to get closer to Gu Qingci.

The garden at Xiuyi Manor was vast, designed with artificial hills, water features, and pavilions—a miniature landscape. Gu Qingci loved the grassy paths, perfect for running while surrounded by beautiful scenery.

After running, she found a pavilion to stretch her legs.

The air was fresh, the space open.

Far more comfortable than exercising in her cramped bedroom at Mojin Pavilion.

By the time daylight fully broke, Ruan Zhi awoke.

“Last night, the lord bathed alone, and today she dressed herself without assistance. Who knew there were noble young ladies like this? I think it’s for the best—she won’t let maids get too close.” Nanny Qin reported to Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi said nothing. For now, all she wanted was for Gu Qingci to behave while she planned her escape.

“This morning, the lord tied her hair haphazardly and ran around the garden until she was drenched in sweat, claiming it was exercise. Truly still a child at heart.” Nanny Qin chuckled.

Such exercise habits were unheard of in this era.

To Ruan Zhi, it sounded utterly foolish.

In her past life, Gu Qingci had never had such habits.

“Let her be. If she goes out, have someone tidy her hair.” Ruan Zhi said dismissively.

“Understood. Ah Zhi, that Lian Rong girl—I’ve noticed something off about her. She’s always trying to get close to the lord. I think she’s up to something.” Nanny Qin added, recalling Lian Rong’s behavior.

“Nanny, don’t trouble yourself with such things. Focus on recovering. I’ll send for a physician to check on you today.” Ruan Zhi said.

The useless servants around her would be replaced gradually.

As for Lian Rong—she was indeed pretty, but as long as she didn’t make mistakes, Ruan Zhi would keep her around to test Gu Qingci’s patience.

Nanny Qin still seemed worried, but since Ruan Zhi changed the subject, she didn’t press further.

After her workout, Nanny Qin prepared another set of outer robes for Gu Qingci, along with hot water for washing up.

Freshly cleaned, Gu Qingci spotted Ruan Zhi, already dressed and groomed—but far more plainly than before. Her clothes were simple cloth, her hair adorned with wooden pins instead of gold.

Beautiful, yes, but a stark contrast to her usual opulence.

“Madam, why are you dressed like this?” Gu Qingci asked, puzzled. This didn’t suit the wealthy wife’s style.

“I’m going out today. Merchants aren’t permitted to wear silk or gold—didn’t you know?” Ruan Zhi replied.

“…” Gu Qingci remembered now.

Not only were they barred from silk and gold, but they couldn’t even ride in carriages.

With underdeveloped agriculture and widespread food shortages, the court encouraged farming over trade, implementing policies that suppressed merchants and lowered their status. Commerce was seen as shameful, and merchants were looked down upon.

Hence why Ruan Zhi’s status drew scorn from people like Xue Sanniang.

“Then… since you married me, can’t your merchant status be changed?” Gu Qingci asked.

Earning wealth but having to hide it—wearing fine clothes only at home, donning plain garb outside, even walking instead of riding—seemed harsh.

“With your noble rank, it can only be changed after bearing children and submitting the marriage documents.” Ruan Zhi said.

She was long accustomed to her merchant status.

“…” Gu Qingci fell silent. Well, this wasn’t her problem to solve.

Ruan Zhi’s official love interest in the novel outranked her by far.

“Madam, where are you going today? Do you need me to accompany you?” Gu Qingci changed the subject.

“I’m returning to my family home today. I’d like you to come with me. While I can’t ride in a carriage, you can. I’ve already sent someone to hire one.” Ruan Zhi said.

“Great!” Gu Qingci grinned. Anything beat going to school.

“Madam, you don’t have any educational requirements, right? Like… if I don’t pass the imperial exams, you won’t fire me, will you?” Gu Qingci seized the chance to ask about school.

“…Whether you pass or not has nothing to do with me. Attending school is entirely your choice.” Ruan Zhi said. Gu Qingci’s questions were always so strange.

Hearing this, Gu Qingci’s stress instantly lightened.