My Wife Is The Female Lead In A Scum Alpha Novel - Chapter 80

80

Gu Qingci lowered her head to kiss Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi pressed a finger against Gu Qingci’s lips.

“We haven’t washed up yet, it’s not proper…” Ruan Zhi spoke, her voice softer than usual, sending a slight tremble through Gu Qingci’s heart.

Gu Qingci took a deep breath, grabbed a water pouch from the side of the horse, and bit open the cap before pouring it over her own head.

She was washing herself.

Wiping her face, it was still dripping wet.

“Sister, I’m clean now—can I kiss you?” Gu Qingci leaned closer as she spoke, her dark eyes reflecting scattered starlight, her tone pitiful and pleading. Yet her movements were relentless, pressing forward without room for refusal. Her pheromones surged out, enveloping Ruan Zhi, making her dizzy. The fingers that had been resisting Gu Qingci went weak.

Finally, Gu Qingci kissed the person she had longed for day and night.

The northwest was arid, and the food in the military camp was coarse.

But Ruan Zhi’s lips were like the finest almond curd—soft, sweet, and tender.

The scent of her pheromones was the most perfectly paired tea.

Just one taste, and the fragrance lingered between lips and teeth.

A sigh of satisfaction escaped her throat.

Ruan Zhi was in her estrus cycle, and the overwhelming pheromones of the alpha were like sweet rain after a long drought to her.

The horse, without its master to guide it, wandered aimlessly along the riverbank.

The surrounding chirping of insects rose and fell in succession, providing an accompaniment.

The kiss allowed Ruan Zhi to absorb more of Gu Qingci’s pheromones.

At first, it was soothing.

But gradually, it stirred other restless desires.

Ruan Zhi let out a soft moan, and Gu Qingci immediately understood.

The sash of her robe came undone.

Her snow-white skin glowed under the moonlight as if it could emit light.

“No… it smells bad…” Ruan Zhi’s fastidiousness and sense of shame guarded her last shred of restraint.

But she was already somewhat intoxicated by the moment, and though she protested, her voice carried a soft, seductive tone.

Gu Qingci kissed Ruan Zhi’s lips and chuckled lowly.

“There’s a river here. Let me see if there’s a place to bathe.” Gu Qingci whispered in Ruan Zhi’s ear.

She had rushed through the night and hadn’t bathed yet, so she had been following the small river precisely to wash up.

Ruan Zhi panted lightly, burying her face in Gu Qingci’s shoulder.

Gu Qingci looked around and spotted a large pool ahead along the river.

She urged the horse forward.

The pool was surrounded by stone walls, and the water was so clear that even under the moonlight, the bottom was distinctly visible.

Gu Qingci carried Ruan Zhi off the horse and tested the water at the edge of the pool. It was slightly warm from being baked by the sun all day.

She took a sip—it had the clean, sweet taste of mineral water.

This flowing water was safe to drink.

Gu Qingci removed all her clothes on the shore and tossed them aside, then led Ruan Zhi into the water.

Ruan Zhi didn’t know how to swim, so as soon as she entered the water and began to float, she grew uneasy.

“Hold onto me.” Gu Qingci said, letting Ruan Zhi cling to her as she loosened Ruan Zhi’s hair.

Both of them were completely bare, and Ruan Zhi felt a little embarrassed, but afraid of sinking, she had no choice but to wrap her arms around Gu Qingci’s neck.

“I brought soapberries. The locals here use these. We’ll make do—it’ll still leave you smelling sweet.” Gu Qingci said with a light laugh.

Washing hair, scrubbing bodies…

Even in the capital of Yanjing, she hadn’t managed to secure such privileges, but now, she had them all.

Ruan Zhi had indeed grown thinner, her bones more pronounced than before.

But in other places, they were surprisingly not diminished at all.

One could say it was a natural advantage.

Just a glance under the moonlight, and Gu Qingci couldn’t hold back anymore.

Let alone helping her bathe.

As the bath went on, the atmosphere began to change.

Long hair tangled together.

Bodies turned into fish in the water.

The originally calm pool rippled with waves.

After bathing for a while, Gu Qingci fished out Ruan Zhi, who had gone as soft as water.

A russet cloak spread over the grass, and as the two lay upon it, the fabric darkened.

Under the open sky, atop the earth.

Ruan Zhi burned with shame, her scent gland growing hotter.

While pressed close, Gu Qingci gave her a temporary mark.

Ruan Zhi, already teetering on the edge of a cliff, plummeted the moment Gu Qingci’s teeth pierced her gland.

A sense of weightlessness overtook her.

Falling, still falling.

Yet she never reached the mystical paradise she had anticipated.

The night deepened, the moon dipping behind clouds before peeking out again.

Gu Qingci sensed something was wrong.

Ruan Zhi’s pheromones continued to spill out, the rich tea fragrance still carrying the signals unique to an omega in heat.

Gu Qingci kissed Ruan Zhi tenderly, heart aching.

Recalling the knowledge from those artful illustrations, perhaps it was time to take things further.

A permanent mark was something Gu Qingci hadn’t considered yet—the conditions here were too crude.

After a moment’s thought, Gu Qingci released Ruan Zhi’s lips and trailed kisses down her neck.

Ruan Zhi no longer knew what was happening to her.

Until Gu Qingci’s nose brushed against delicate skin, breath warm and featherlight.

Ruan Zhi’s mind went blank.

She wanted to call Gu Qingci’s name, but no sound escaped.

She could only hold Gu Qingci’s head with her hands, her fingertips sinking into the freshly washed long hair.

Ruan Zhi felt as if she were being slowly pulled up from the depths of an abyss.

Her eyes unfocused, her thoughts scattered.

Gu Qingci felt as though she had just eaten a peeled lychee.

Her “menu” had gained another delicacy.

She lifted her head and stood up, embracing the dazed Ruan Zhi.

At this moment, Ruan Zhi was soft and pliant.

Yet her eyes were enchantingly alluring, every gasp from her lips sending Gu Qingci into a rapturous trance.

Unable to resist, Gu Qingci caught Ruan Zhi’s lips and kissed her fiercely.

“Sister, you’re so adorable, I like you so much…” Gu Qingci didn’t hold back her affection, pouring out her emotions.

Ruan Zhi, slightly regaining her senses, weakly pushed against Gu Qingci with her fingers.

“Wash up again… rinse your mouth…” Ruan Zhi frowned and said.

“Sister, are you disgusted by me?” Gu Qingci teased deliberately.

Ruan Zhi reached out to pinch Gu Qingci’s cheek but missed, settling instead for a reproachful glance before closing her eyes.

“It’s time to go back.” Ruan Zhi said.

Gu Qingci looked around, somewhat reluctant to leave.

But the night was deep, and the temperature had dropped—it would be more comfortable to go back and sleep.

Gu Qingci cleaned them both up and, as Ruan Zhi wished, rinsed her mouth.

Thinking that Ruan Zhi hadn’t eaten yet, Gu Qingci stood up and walked over to the horse grazing with its head down, retrieving some dry rations from the saddlebag.

Under the moonlight, Ruan Zhi watched as the person before her unabashedly displayed their lean, toned figure, and the blush that had just faded rose to her cheeks once more.

“Make do with this for now—have something to eat. You’ve gotten so thin.” Gu Qingci said as she approached Ruan Zhi, breaking off pieces of the dry ration to feed her.

The water skin still had some water left, which she gave to Ruan Zhi to drink.

After eating her fill, Ruan Zhi felt much more at ease, both in spirit and body, and a wave of drowsiness washed over her.

Gu Qingci washed their clothes with soap pods, though they were still damp.

Fortunately, she had brought a clean outer robe with her.

A cloak wrapped around two people.

“Someone might see…” Ruan Zhi resisted, preferring to go back in wet clothes.

“It’s fine, they won’t see. I’ll be careful—trust me.” Gu Qingci quickly reassured her.

Urging the horse back, as they neared the camp, Gu Qingci helped Ruan Zhi dismount and let the horse return first. Carrying Ruan Zhi, she avoided the night guards and slipped into her own tent.

Fortunately, as a general, her tent was private.

Once inside, Ruan Zhi was already too exhausted to keep her eyes open.

Having not slept well for several days, she relaxed as soon as she lay down in Gu Qingci’s arms.

“Sister, I know you’re tired, but I still have to tell you a secret. Sister, I really like you.” Gu Qingci whispered a redundant confession in Ruan Zhi’s ear.

Words of affection were something she felt she could never say enough.

“Ah Ci, I…” Ruan Zhi murmured in response.

“You what?” Gu Qingci didn’t catch it clearly and leaned in closer, only to hear Ruan Zhi’s steady breathing.

She had fallen asleep.

Gu Qingci smiled, her lips curling up, and kissed Ruan Zhi again.

This had been the saddest yet happiest day for Gu Qingci since arriving at the border.

Holding Ruan Zhi, she couldn’t fall asleep right away.

It took her a while before she finally drifted off.

At dawn, noises outside woke Gu Qingci.

Ruan Zhi was still deep in sleep, so Gu Qingci didn’t disturb her.

She dressed, went out to freshen up, and then fetched Ruan Zhi’s clothes from her carriage.

When she returned to the tent, Ruan Zhi was already awake, wrapped in a thin military blanket, her expression dazed and her hair slightly disheveled from sleep.

This version of Ruan Zhi, so different from her usual composed demeanor, made it impossible for Gu Qingci to resist kissing her again.

She leaned down and planted a firm kiss.

“Awake now?” Gu Qingci asked softly.

“…I am. Where are my clothes?” Ruan Zhi’s expression returned to its usual coolness, but her ears flushed bright red.

The body felt slightly unwell.

Even looking at Gu Qingci’s lips opening and closing felt embarrassing.

With Gu Qingci’s strength, any kiss could easily leave a mark.

“I keep my word. I’ve brought the clothes. Breakfast is being prepared outside. Once you’re dressed and washed up, we can eat.” Gu Qingci said with some amusement.

“Don’t laugh.” Ruan Zhi said, feeling even more embarrassed, and scolded Gu Qingci.

“Alright, alright, I won’t laugh.” Gu Qingci quickly soothed her.

Ruan Zhi asked Gu Qingci to turn around so she could change clothes.

Gu Qingci wanted to say something but was afraid Ruan Zhi might really get angry, so she didn’t tease her further. She obediently turned around and waited for Ruan Zhi to finish changing.

Ruan Zhi had maids to attend to her, but Gu Qingci insisted on serving her herself, even taking care of her washing up.

Breakfast consisted of millet and porridge made with wild vegetables and beans.

Gu Qingci didn’t ask for anything special and shared two bowls with Ruan Zhi.

After the meal, everyone packed up and set off again.

Ruan Zhi returned to her carriage.

Gu Qingci continued to patrol on horseback.

At every rest stop, Gu Qingci would eagerly rush over.

In the carriage, she would steal kisses, hugs, or just hold hands—all of which satisfied her.

Ruan Zhi wasn’t as overtly affectionate as Gu Qingci.

But she would secretly watch Gu Qingci patrolling on horseback from the carriage window, silently wishing for the rest times to come sooner.

Ruan Zhi’s heat period felt slightly better after a night.

But her glands were still slightly warm.

Unlike before, a temporary mark would quickly ease it.

For now, she could endure it, so she didn’t want to do anything inappropriate in such an environment.

They encountered no more bandits or robbers attempting to loot them along the way and arrived safely at Wu City.

Ruan Zhi brought over 200,000 dan of military provisions this time.

Enough to feed an army of over 200,000 for more than two months.

There was no need to worry about provisions for the time being.

To prevent a repeat of the previous incident where provisions were burned, this time the provisions were stored in several warehouses, each heavily guarded.

Since Ruan Zhi brought a large amount of provisions this time, the convoy transporting them was quite sizable.

These people staying behind will consume provisions.

Therefore, Ruan Zhi did not plan to linger for long.

That evening, in Gu Qingci’s general’s residence, after a comfortable bath and some intimate time together, Ruan Zhi quietly told Gu Qingci.

“They all have their own matters to attend to—some are Ye Youli’s people and need to be returned. I think… after resting for one… no, two days, I’ll take the people and leave.” Ruan Zhi said softly to Gu Qingci. She had originally intended to say one day, but seeing Gu Qingci’s lips begin to tremble, she changed it to two.

Even so, as soon as Ruan Zhi finished speaking, Gu Qingci’s eyes reddened.

“I don’t want you to go…” Gu Qingci tightened her embrace around Ruan Zhi.

She would rather not be a general than be separated from Ruan Zhi.

Ruan Zhi, too, had no desire to leave.

Sensing Gu Qingci’s emotions, she reached out and hugged her back.

“Next time, I’ll bring provisions again.” Ruan Zhi said, gently stroking Gu Qingci’s cheek.

“Sister, I don’t want you to come again. It’s too hard. The reason I fight for peace at the border is so that you can live a stable and secure life. If you have to endure such hardship traveling back and forth because of me… how could I bear it?”

Gu Qingci spoke, her voice trembling with emotion.

This time, Ruan Zhi’s disguised appearance and her gaunt, bony frame had deeply pained Gu Qingci.

Ruan Zhi paused slightly, then a smile curved her lips.

Gu Qingci was always different from others.

While others went to war at the border to achieve merit, serve the court, and bring glory to their ancestors, Gu Qingci did it for her.

“Ah Ci, you must understand—being a provisions officer, gathering supplies, and delivering them here is something I enjoy doing. I like the challenge of such tasks. This time, with the lessons learned from setbacks, I believe I’ll do even better next time. I won’t let myself suffer like this again. Don’t worry. If this role were given to someone else, I wouldn’t feel at ease.” Ruan Zhi said, cupping Gu Qingci’s face.

Gu Qingci met Ruan Zhi’s bright, shining eyes and realized she was speaking from the heart.

Once again, Ruan Zhi had expanded the boundaries of Gu Qingci’s understanding.

Ruan Zhi’s abilities were not limited to small business ventures.

She could be even more remarkable.

Unlike Gu Qingci, she thrived on such challenging endeavors.

She possesses more courage and ambition than the vast majority of Alphas.

Gu Qingci felt she was seeing a richer, more dazzling side of Ruan Zhi.

Sob sob, I love her even more now.

“By the way, sister, when you bought provisions from Great Chu, was it with our money or the court’s money?” Gu Qingci was lost in her thoughts when she suddenly remembered something important.

“Our money.” Ruan Zhi replied.

“No, no, that’s such a loss! Working for the court and spending our own money!” Gu Qingci grew anxious after hearing Ruan Zhi’s answer.

“Don’t worry. There’s no precedent for a provisions officer being an Omega, so I made a promise to His Majesty. The money was just an advance. We’ll get it back once we return to Yanjing.” Ruan Zhi explained, somewhat amused.

“But we’re still at a disadvantage. That much money could have been invested in business to earn profits! Now the court is taking advantage of us!” Gu Qingci grumbled indignantly.

“Relax. After this, His Majesty will likely grant me more authority. I’ll request a loan from the imperial treasury to expand our business further.” Ruan Zhi said, tapping Gu Qingci’s nose.

The habit of getting excited over money was still there.

“That’s a good idea—using the court’s money to make more for us. Borrow as much as you can!” Gu Qingci’s mood instantly improved.

“Alright.” Ruan Zhi laughed.

Gu Qingci sighed in relief. Seeing Ruan Zhi’s gentle smile, she leaned in again for a kiss.

Soon, the room was filled with the scent of pheromones.

Ruan Zhi’s gland was still red and swollen from Gu Qingci’s earlier bite.

Unable to bear biting it again, Gu Qingci resorted to the same method as before.

They spent the night entwined in passion.

The next day, Gu Qingci hurriedly handled her military duties before returning to accompany Ruan Zhi.

Missing Chi Huo, Ruan Zhi asked about him, and Gu Qingci took her to see the horse.

Chi Huo hadn’t been exercised much recently and had gained some weight.

Upon seeing Gu Qingci and Ruan Zhi, he neighed loudly, nuzzling Ruan Zhi with his big head as if to complain.

“Why haven’t you taken him out? Chi Huo seems to be in good condition.” Ruan Zhi asked Gu Qingci.

“Are you afraid I’d tire it out? I’ll take you out today, alright?” Gu Qingci quickly reassured Chihuo.

With Chihuo’s almost human-like understanding, if it had been there yesterday, Gu Qingci would have had to cover its ears and eyes.

After taking Chihuo out for a ride with Ruan Zhi to soothe its temper, the horse finally calmed down.

Time passed incredibly quickly.

Ruan Zhi had originally planned to leave the next morning but ended up staying an extra day.

By the third day, it was time to depart.

Gu Qingci escorted Ruan Zhi’s convoy for over a hundred miles before being urged to turn back.

Ahead lay mostly villages and towns within Daheng’s borders, which were much safer.

“Go back now.” Ruan Zhi said, waving to Gu Qingci from the carriage.

Gu Qingci stubbornly remained where she was.

Ruan Zhi lowered the carriage curtain, a sour ache rising in her heart.

That feeling called “missing” began to coil around her.

It was an uncomfortable emotion, making her glands feel uneasy again.

Even though she had just been marked, and Gu Qingci had given her plenty of pheromones.

Ruan Zhi pressed her hand to her gland, thinking it was just her emotions causing the discomfort.

She lifted the carriage curtain to look back, searching for Gu Qingci’s figure.

The figure, now just a black dot in the distance, still hadn’t moved.

Gu Qingci watched until Ruan Zhi’s convoy disappeared from sight, feeling a profound sense of loss.

But there were still things to be done.

Returning to Wu City, Gu Qingci threw herself into preparations, eager to bring an end to this war as soon as possible.

Gu Qingci gave the materials the bandits used to create smoke to Wen Renyi for research.

Previously, Gu Qingci hadn’t had the chance to discuss it with Wen Renyi. It wasn’t until Ruan Zhi left that she found time to ask him.

“The medicinal herbs indeed contain the same components as the poison you were exposed to. Your guess is likely correct—if this poison is inhaled, the effects wouldn’t last very long. As for why the Turks aren’t affected, it is indeed rather strange. Since we don’t live among the Turks, we can’t verify it.” Wen Renyi told Gu Qingci.

Wen Renyi wasn’t particularly familiar with the herbs from the Turkic regions.

Gu Qingci could only let the matter rest for now.

As the weather gradually cooled, the Turks intensified their raids in preparation for winter.

Gu Qingci used the smoke material employed by the bandits once. The Turkic cavalry was almost entirely unaffected, though a few individuals fell from their horses—likely those who hadn’t developed immunity.

Unfortunately, one unlucky man was trampled after falling.

For now, Gu Qingci’s side made no further progress on this front.

About ten days after Ruan Zhi left, the Turks issued a taunt during one of their raids.

“Your General Cao Bang’ang is in poor health. If you don’t want him to die, either hand over 200,000 dan of grain in exchange for him, or send your newly appointed General Gu Qingci to replace General Cao!”

A loud-voiced messenger shouted the demand.

Cao Bang’ang held significant influence in the army, and upon hearing this, many soldiers were filled with grief and indignation.

“The Turks are going too far!”

“We have 200,000 dan of grain—it could save General Cao’s life. But I wonder if General Gu is willing to part with it.”

“General Cao has dedicated his life to the court. Isn’t he worth 200,000 dan of grain?”

“Have you forgotten? General Cao said he’d rather die than let us be blackmailed by the Turks.”

The soldiers argued among themselves, and the previously stable morale began to waver again.

“My adoptive father is old and in poor health… If only I could take his place.” Cao Heng said anxiously upon hearing the news.

“Demanding 200,000 dan means they know our situation well. They’re trying to stir up conflict—we mustn’t fall for it.” Wen Renyi said.

“I’ll go in his place.” Gu Qingci said, standing up after a moment of silence.