The Scumbag Ex-Wife of the Heroine in the Old Abusive Article - Chapter 4

The opportunity came sooner than expected.

Right, the physician just said the Female Lead is deficient in qi and bl00d. In ancient times, that would probably be considered malnutrition.

It’s the Rainfall Period again. I need to find a way to nourish her body. Maybe if she softens her heart, she’ll overlook that mouthful of food I took.

Step one to improving the Female Lead’s favorability: replenish her nutrition.

However, given the Original Host’s family’s nature, raiding the kitchen for food was out of the question. Besides, if the Qin family truly had anything, they wouldn’t all be so gaunt and sallow-faced.

If there was anything of value in the Qin household, it would be the two old hens Liu Yue’e kept.

The chickens roamed the courtyard daily. When they laid eggs, Liu Yue’e would give them to Little Fatty or secretly slip them to her two precious darlings. No one else ever got a chance to eat them. After serving this family for so long, Wen Jin’an figured taking just one chicken wouldn’t be excessive.

Having made up her mind, Qin Yang planned to seize and roast a chicken when the Qin family was away.

Meanwhile, Qin Youcai watched the old physician leave after his examination without a word. After working all morning, he was about to call Liu Yue’e to bring out the meal when a piercing scream erupted from the house, followed by Qin Cheng’s wails: “Mother, Liu Dian promised to repay you double when he passes the imperial examination!”

Qin Cheng had secretly taken the silver, intending to deliver it to Liu Dian later. But before he could, his mother discovered it without a word.

Forced to confess about Liu Dian, Qin Cheng hoped his mother would be pleased, as she usually was when he mentioned the scholar, even praising his cleverness. This time, however, Liu Yue’e defied her usual behavior, her tone unusually firm: “We’ll talk about it when he actually passes the exam.”

Seeing his mother’s refusal to lend the money, Qin Cheng grew desperate. He had promised Liu Dian two taels of silver, planning to take it secretly from home. Now, not only had he failed to get the money, but his mother had also discovered his scheme. Even invoking Liu Dian’s status as a potential Top Scholar left her unmoved. What was he to do now?

Gritting his teeth, Qin Cheng argued, “Mother, if you lend Liu Dian the money and he becomes the Top Scholar, you’ll be known as the benefactor of a Top Scholar! With such a great debt, how could he possibly mistreat you?”

Liu Yue’e hesitated. Two taels of silver was no small sum—enough to support their family for two months. Third Elder’s words sounded promising, but what if Liu Dian failed the exam? She’d lose both her money and her reputation. That was unacceptable. Besides, even if she refused to lend the money and Liu Dian later became the Top Scholar and married Third Elder, she’d still be the Top Scholar’s mother-in-law. How could Liu Dian possibly mistreat her then?

Once Liu Yue’e understood the situation, she flatly refused to lend Qin Cheng the money. “This old woman doesn’t have any money to lend you! Do you want the whole family to starve because of you?”

The whole family starving because of him?

Qin Cheng trembled. As a delicate Kunze, he usually relied on flattering Liu Yue’e to maintain his position in the household. If they found out he was the reason they had no food, his father would break his legs, to say nothing of the rest.

And then there was Qin Yang, the family’s delinquent daughter, who showed no loyalty to her relatives.

Just thinking about it made Qin Cheng’s legs go weak.

Qin Youcai, who had been listening at the door, finally couldn’t take it anymore. “What time is it? Why isn’t dinner ready yet?”

Dinner?

Qin Youcai’s shout jolted Liu Yue’e back to reality. She had been so preoccupied searching for the silver that she hadn’t even started cooking. The family’s Qianyuan had been working since dawn and would normally return to a meal already on the table. This whole mess was Qin Yang’s fault, and that detestable Wen Jin’an’s too. If not for her, Liu Yue’e wouldn’t have to cook herself.

Just wait until I get my hands on her.

But there was no time for such thoughts now. Clutching the silver, she hurried to the kitchen.

Qin Youcai’s angry curses followed her.

In the room, Qin Yang stood for a moment, gazing at the person on the bed. Standing there awkwardly, she realized this wasn’t the way to improve their relationship. After a moment’s thought, she asked, “Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?”

Feeling unwell?

Wen Jin’an remained silent, clutching the corner of the quilt. Doesn’t she know where I’m hurting?

As soon as Qin Yang spoke, she realized she’d asked a pointless question. How could I not know how the Female Lead is feeling?

Her pale cheeks flushed slightly, and she unconsciously touched her nose.

Wen Jin’an had initially assumed Qin Yang was merely putting on an act, but she was surprised when the woman actually summoned a physician. What is she trying to accomplish?

Regardless of Qin Yang’s motives, Wen Jin’an resolved not to let her succeed. She needed to escape as soon as possible.

Clenching her fists, Wen Jin’an felt an overwhelming urge to bite Qin Yang to death. Her trembling shoulders betrayed her inner turmoil.

Qin Yang shrank back slightly, forcing herself to say, “Are you hungry? I’ll go get you something to eat.”

Without waiting for a response, Qin Yang hurried out of the room, finally exhaling in relief. How humiliating to lose her composure in front of a mere girl! This is a blow to her reputation for shrewdness.

Arriving in the courtyard, Qin Yang found Qin Youcai sitting on a low stool, with Little Fatty playing around him. Qin Yong was nowhere to be seen, likely having returned to his room.

To her surprise, Qin Zhao was crafting a bow and arrows. This was a valuable skill; in resource-scarce ancient times, a meal of wild game was a coveted dream for many.

Qin Yang approached, her gaze fixed on the arrow Qin Zhao had already sharpened to a fine point. After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Adding feathers to the arrow’s tail would improve its accuracy.”

Qin Zhao looked up. “You know about this?”

Seeing Qin Zhao’s question, Qin Yang smiled and crouched beside her. She didn’t actually dislike Qin Zhao, especially since the girl had just spoken up for her. Though Qin Zhao hadn’t courted disaster like the rest of the Qin Family in the original story, her ending was still tragic. After the Female Lead’s vengeful rampage against the Qin Family, Qin Zhao was forced into a loveless marriage with the daughter of a local wealthy merchant. The woman despised Qin Zhao, their marriage was a sham, and Qin Zhao eventually died of melancholy.

But now that the plot had deviated, would Qin Zhao’s fate also change?

This wasn’t the time to dwell on such matters. Qin Yang’s own life was still hanging by a thread, held in the Female Lead’s hands.

Qin Yang carefully examined the bow and arrows she had made. They were simple, suitable for hunting pheasants and rabbits, but likely ineffective against larger game. Still, in these times, being able to eat pheasant and rabbit was already a luxury.

“I know a little about this,” Qin Yang said. “If you add feathers to the arrow’s tail, it will stabilize the arrow in flight and improve accuracy.”

Qin Zhao nodded, staring at the arrow in his hand, his brow furrowed in thought.

Qin Yang had an idea: the tail feathers from the two chickens at home might work. She could save them when they were slaughtered, but she worried Qin Zhao might object.

Seeing Qin Zhao remained silent, Qin Yang cut to the chase. “Can I come with you when you go hunting?”

Her motive wasn’t just to improve the Qin Family’s meals. Wen Jin’an’s health was still fragile, and a single chicken wouldn’t be enough. Moreover, Qin Yang herself needed nourishment. In her previous life, she had overworked herself to the point of stomach pain and fainting spells, making her acutely aware of the importance of a healthy body.

Fortunately, Qin Zhao merely glanced at her, nodded, and said nothing.

Just then, Liu Yue’e’s voice rang out from the courtyard.

Qin Yang stood up and followed Qin Youcai into the main hall. A rectangular table stood in the center of the room, with a pot of green wild vegetable soup and a stack of empty bowls placed on it.

So, this wild vegetable soup is breakfast today, Qin Yang thought, wordlessly picking up an empty bowl and ladling herself a serving.

Qin Youcai sat down, assuming Qin Yang was serving him. He cleared his throat, adopting the air of the family patriarch, but Qin Yang didn’t even glance at him as she turned and left the hall with her bowl and chopsticks.

“……”

That little brat! With a thwack, he slammed his chopsticks onto the table.

Nearby, Liu Yue’e flinched at the sound. When she looked outside, Qin Yang had already returned to her room with her bowl.

The rest of the Qin family gradually entered the hall. Seeing Qin Youcai’s dark expression, no one dared to speak.

“I want eggs! I want eggs!” Little Fatty began to whine when he saw only wild vegetable soup.

“Eat, eat, eat! All you ever think about is eating!” Qin Youcai glared at Little Fatty, an unprecedented display of anger.

Zhao Chunhua quickly hugged her son. Though she was usually fiery, she secretly feared her father-in-law. Despite his seemingly hands-off approach, Qin Youcai ultimately controlled all major decisions in the household.

“I want eggs!”

“If you don’t eat, get out!”

Little Fatty, who was used to getting his way at home, burst into tears.

Qin Youcai glanced irritably at Zhao Chunhua. “Take him out and comfort him. All this crying is so annoying.”

Zhao Chunhua didn’t dare argue and reluctantly carried her son back to their room.

Knowing that breakfast consisted only of a bowl of wild vegetable soup, she realized that if she left now, she wouldn’t even get that. Her resentment toward her son grew.

Meanwhile, Qin Yang returned to her room to find Wen Jin’an still lying in the same position.

“Um…” Qin Yang hesitated. “You should get up and eat something. Your body needs nourishment right now.” Though the wild vegetable soup looked utterly unappetizing, with not a trace of oil, eating something was better than nothing.

The person on the bed remained silent, the room falling into a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop.

Just as Qin Yang was about to give up, Wen Jin’an finally spoke. “I’m not hungry. You eat.”

Huh?

The Female Lead was still willing to talk to her. This meant she was on the right track.

The second step to raising favorability was to have thick skin. No matter what the Female Lead said, as long as Qin Yang remained persistent and shameless, she was confident Wen Jin’an would eventually soften.

Qin Yang pressed on, “How could you not be hungry? You expended so much energy last night. Besides, the physician said you’re in your Rainfall Period and need to replenish your nutrients.”

Wen Jin’an’s fingers clenched tightly.

Seeing she still wouldn’t speak, Qin Yang continued, “Alright, I’ll leave it by the bedside. You can eat it later.” She walked to the bed, the faint scent of Kunze pheromones still lingering in the air. After setting down the bowl, her gaze lingered briefly on Wen Jin’an’s back before she turned and left.

In the main hall, the Qin family ate cautiously. Qin Yang entered, ladled herself some wild vegetable soup, and sat down to eat.

Seeing her act as if they didn’t exist, Qin Youcai felt a surge of anger. He slammed down his chopsticks, assuming the air of the family patriarch. “Everyone will be working in the fields later. No one is allowed to slack off.”

Everyone in the fields?

That means the house will be empty!

Qin Yang secretly rejoiced. She had expected it would take days to catch the chicken, but the opportunity had arrived much sooner than she anticipated.

Compared to the others, Qin Yang was in high spirits throughout the meal. After finishing, she glanced at Qin Zhao and said, “Bring your bow and arrows. Let’s go hunt some game today.”

With everyone else working in the fields, her sudden departure would immediately raise suspicion if the chickens went missing again. Everyone would assume she was responsible. She needed a plausible reason to leave without arousing suspicion.

Qin Zhao had no idea what Qin Yang was thinking. Since she suggested it, and the bow and arrows were already crafted, trying them out seemed harmless enough. She glanced at Qin Youcai, who remained silent, and nodded to Qin Yang.

“I’ll go back to my room first. We can leave together in a bit,” Qin Yang said.

Back in her room, Wen Jin’an was still lying in bed, but the bowl beside her was empty. Qin Yang’s lips curved into a smile. The Female Lead had eaten, meaning she had taken Qin Yang’s words to heart.

“Um… I’m going to the fields to work in a while. You rest at home, and I’ll be back…” No, better not tell her yet. What if something goes wrong and I can’t bring anything back? That would leave a bad impression on the Female Lead.

Wen Jin’an’s body stiffened.