The Scumbag Ex-Wife of the Heroine in the Old Abusive Article - Chapter 31

Looking at the crude bathing area, Qin Yang couldn’t help but feel uneasy. After all, they were traveling, and the bathing stalls were separated only by thin curtains. If any unscrupulous individuals were to lurk nearby, it would be dangerous.

“Jin’an, you go wash first,” Qin Yang said. “I’ll stand guard outside. I’ll go after you’re done.”

Wen Jin’an paused, surprised, but nodded.

Qin Yang handed Wen Jin’an her change of clothes, smiling. “Go on now.”

Wen Jin’an gazed at Qin Yang. Her smile was genuine and pure, as if she had completely shed her former gloomy self.

For a moment, Wen Jin’an was lost in thought. When she snapped back to reality, she clutched the clothes in her hands. This person had spent a tael or two of silver to buy them for her. The fabric was so soft—she had never worn anything so luxurious before. Her eyes darkened as she glanced at the rough, short-sleeved tunic in Qin Yang’s hands.

She bit her lip tightly.

Even if she’s changed for the better, what does it matter?

“Jin’an…” Noticing her dazed expression, Qin Yang reached out to touch her forehead. But before her hand could make contact, Wen Jin’an flinched, covering her head with her arms and retreating hastily.

Qin Yang: “……”

A sharp pain struck Wen Jin’an’s chest, as if she had been punched hard. She gasped for breath, her body reacting to the shock.

What sins had the Original Host’s family committed?

Realizing her reaction was excessive, Wen Jin’an pressed her lips together, grabbed her clothes, and turned to enter the bathing room.

Miao Zhiru, unaware of what had transpired between the two, glanced at Wen Jin’an’s retreating figure, then at Qin Yang, and hurried after her. “Sister Jin’an, wait for me!”

Qin Zhao patted her shoulder. “What are your plans now?”

“I plan to sell the wild boar first and then head to the Capital,” Qin Yang replied truthfully. “By the time we get there, it’ll be the perfect time to sell the Jinchán. They’ll definitely fetch a higher price there than here.”

She glanced at Qin Zhao, noticing her furrowed brow, and continued, “Staying in the County Town means the Qin Family might find us. Why don’t you come with us? We can settle down there once we earn enough.”

Settle down?

Qin Zhao had never considered leaving the Qin Family, let alone the village or the County Town.

She couldn’t understand why her sister had suddenly become so assertive.

Having lived here her entire life, never venturing beyond its borders, could she really make it in the Capital?

She looked at Qin Yang and saw a confidence she had never witnessed before.

With a soft sigh, she relented. Well, since she’s already made up her mind, trying her luck elsewhere might not be so bad after all.

Qin Zhao nodded in agreement, “Alright.”

Qin Yang smiled at her. “Then let’s rest today. Tomorrow, we’ll sell the wild boar and leave as soon as possible.”

Perfect! Qin Yang thought. She had expected convincing Qin Zhao to be a struggle, but she had agreed so readily.

Having Qin Zhao along would provide some support. More importantly, Qin Yang’s silver was running low. With Qin Zhao’s money combined, they had over ten taels—enough to reach the Capital if they were careful.

Qin Yang pressed her lips together, but the corners still couldn’t help but curl upward.

A moment later, the curtain of the bathing chamber was lifted. Qin Yang looked over and froze. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her long hair cascaded like a waterfall, and her cheeks were flushed pink from the steam. Water dripped from the ends of her hair—a perfect portrait of a beauty emerging from her bath.

Qin Yang’s heart tightened. She abruptly threw the short jacket she was holding over Wen Jin’an’s head. Before anyone could react, she bent down, scooped Wen Jin’an into her arms, and fled.

Wen Jin’an: “???”

Qin Zhao: “???”

Miao Zhiru blinked, her ear tips burning red. “I never realized… Sister Qin Yang cared so much for Sister Jin’an…” Her voice trailed off into a whisper.

Qin Zhao pressed her lips together, her face also flushing crimson. She had seen Qin Yang carry Wen Jin’an before, but only in emergencies. Today…

My second sister really has no sense of occasion. Why is she so impatient in public? She’s making a fool of herself.

“Sister, we…” Miao Zhiru glanced furtively at Qin Zhao before quickly lowering her head.

Qin Zhao’s gaze darkened as he noticed her wet hair. He pressed his lips together. “Go back and dry your hair first.”

“Okay,” Miao Zhiru replied.

Meanwhile, Qin Yang carried Wen Jin’an back to their room and gently laid her on the bed. “Dry your hair,” she said curtly before hurrying off to take a bath.

She’s so careless!

I need to talk to the Female Lead properly. How can she have no sense of safety? Does she even realize how alluring she looked just now?

I was here this time, but what if I wasn’t? What if she ran into someone with bad intentions?

Qin Yang pouted, feeling a mix of anger and frustration.

Even after reaching the bathhouse, her heart still felt like it was stuffed with cotton, heavy and stifling.

She glanced at Qin Zhao before surveying the bathhouse.

The layout was similar to public bathhouses in her world, with a large, steaming pool.

Apart from Qin Zhao, the bathhouse was empty. Though both were Qianyuan and female, neither felt any embarrassment.

Qin Zhao had been watching her with a complex expression ever since she entered.

“Is there something on my face?” Qin Yang asked casually, already stripping off her clothes and slipping into the water.

“No,” Qin Zhao replied, averting her gaze. Her second sister had become somewhat rebellious after her differentiation. Now that she was finally improving, it was good that she cared for her Kunze, but…

Qin Zhao opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat.

When Qin Zhao remained silent, Qin Yang glanced over, meeting her hesitant gaze. “Is something wrong?” she asked, puzzled.

How could she possibly bring this up?

Qin Yang assumed Qin Zhao was still worried about going to the Capital. She smiled reassuringly. “Don’t overthink it. Even if we go to the Capital, we won’t starve. We can always find odd jobs with wealthy families. I’m strong enough to work as a guard.”

Qin Zhao tugged at the corners of her lips, swallowing the words that had been on the tip of her tongue, and nodded.

Is that what she wanted to say?

Even though Qin Yang was her Kunze, embracing and clinging to her in broad daylight showed no regard for her reputation. What would others think if they saw this?

“I wonder how much a carriage would cost?” Qin Yang murmured, tilting her head back, closing her eyes, and leaning against the bath wall.

Qin Zhao glanced at her, his expression conflicted. “A small horse costs seventy to eighty taels of silver, and even a modest carriage would be over a hundred taels.”

That’s so expensive? Qin Yang clicked her tongue in surprise.

It seemed buying a carriage was out of the question for now. How would they get to the Capital then?

Amidst her shock, Qin Zhao paused before continuing, “We could hitch a ride on a carriage heading to the Capital. There are plenty of them traveling that route.”

Hitch a ride?

“How much would that cost?” Qin Yang opened her eyes, meeting Qin Zhao’s gaze.

“It depends on what the owner charges. Most travelers on that route are merchants, so they shouldn’t ask for too much,” Qin Zhao replied.

“Oh.” Qin Yang closed her eyes again. It wasn’t a bad idea. Merchants transporting goods would likely have guards with martial skills, or at least hire escorts. That would be much safer than traveling alone. The journey wouldn’t be as comfortable as in their own carriage, but if they knew about hitching rides, others surely did too.

Even if there weren’t many people heading to the Capital, the long journey meant they’d likely be crammed together.

Just thinking about it gave Qin Yang a headache.

But…

For now, this seemed like the only viable option.

“We’ll ask about it when the time comes,” Qin Yang said, unable to suppress a yawn. After a sleepless night, she finally relaxed, her eyelids heavy.

Qin Zhao nodded in agreement.

After showering, Qin Yang bid Qin Zhao goodnight and returned to her room.

Pushing open the door, she found Wen Jin’an sitting calmly at the round table, bathed in sunlight streaming through the window, casting a long, ethereal shadow. Seeing Qin Yang enter, Wen Jin’an rose to pour her a cup of tea. “Drink this first to quench your thirst.”

Qin Yang accepted the cup and drained it in one gulp. The bath had indeed left her parched.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Qin Yang asked.

Wen Jin’an’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I’m not tired. You haven’t slept all night, Wife-Husband. You should rest first.”

Qin Yang chuckled. “Alright. If you get sleepy, you can join me. The bed looks big enough for two without being cramped.” She stretched lazily and lay down fully clothed.

After a sleepless night, she fell asleep almost instantly.

Wen Jin’an watched her for a long moment, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.

Now that they had reached the County Town, it was time to find an opportunity to escape. She still had the man’s three taels of silver, enough to sustain her for a long time, or perhaps even allow her to flee further and completely shake off Qin Yang.

After leaving, she could find work in a wealthy household or, at the very least, earn a living by mending clothes for others.

Wen Jin’an remained seated, lost in thought.

Time passed unnoticed. The bright sunlight in the room gradually turned a warm, orange hue, casting long shadows from the window frame onto the wall.

Qin Yang opened her eyes and rubbed them. “What time is it? Why aren’t you asleep?”

Wen Jin’an snapped out of her reverie, her gaze shifting to Qin Yang. She smiled faintly. “It’s already six in the evening. It’s good you’re awake now, Wife-Husband, or you might have trouble sleeping later.”

Six in the evening already?

Qin Yang rose and stretched her back.

“Let’s go for a walk after dinner. Aside from that one time, I haven’t been to the County Town before. We can also scout out good spots to sell pork tomorrow,” Qin Yang suggested.

“Alright,” Wen Jin’an replied with a smile.

“Then I’ll order a couple of dishes tonight. Eating steamed buns all the time isn’t nutritious enough, and you’re still weak. You need proper nourishment to recover,” Qin Yang said.

Though Wen Jin’an didn’t understand the term “nutritious,” she understood the part about needing nourishment to recover.

Wen Jin’an looked at her, biting the soft flesh of her inner cheek, and nearly softened.

She didn’t dare take the risk. The two months she’d spent with the Qin Family had been a nightmare. No, it’s better to just let it go.

After leaving, although she could no longer be marked by other Qianyuan, she found this arrangement quite agreeable. She no longer had to live in constant fear, just as she had before.

“Alright, I’ll listen to my Wife-Husband,” Wen Jin’an said, pressing her lips tightly together, afraid of betraying any emotion.

“Then I’ll go order now. Is there anything you’d like to eat?” Qin Yang asked, straightening his lapels.

Wen Jin’an shook her head. “Jin’an will eat anything.”

Qin Yang smiled. “Then I’ll choose something myself.” With that, he turned and left the room.

Qin Yang went downstairs and ordered two vegetable dishes and one meat dish, spending a total of thirty wen. The prices weren’t too high, well within his budget.

After ordering, he asked the waiter about nearby places worth visiting.

The waiter eagerly replied, “You’ve come at just the right time, sir! The county town’s academies gather annually for a grand competition. Many talented scholars and beautiful ladies will participate, showcasing their skills in poetry, calligraphy, music, chess, painting, archery, and horsemanship. It’s a truly lively event! Even the county magistrate will attend, making it one of the town’s most spectacular occasions. You should definitely go and see it, young lady!”

A competition?

It sounded quite lively.

Intrigued, Qin Yang pressed further, “Could you tell me where this competition is being held?”

The waiter grinned. “At the county town’s largest restaurant—Huibin Tower. It’s not far from here—just two streets over.”