Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 12

Cheng Yu’s gaze briefly swept over Qiu Luo’s fingers, then she smiled gently. “Alright, I’ll write it.”

If she remembered correctly, last time Qiu Luo claimed her hand was injured and shook too much to write.

Now, it seemed the excuse was simply inexperience—she didn’t know how to draft a contract.

Something about that didn’t sit right with Cheng Yu. A vague suspicion flickered through her mind, but it passed too quickly to grasp.

Qiu Luo, waiting quietly at her side, had completely forgotten that her previous excuse was different. She wasn’t aware of the contradiction.

The contract was completed quickly. Once it was done, Cheng Yu glanced around the quiet courtyard. Clearly, her maid had already dismissed the other servants. She smiled helplessly. “I’ll walk you out. Let the manor’s carriage take you home.”

On the surface, they were affectionate lovers; in private, they were cooperative business partners.

Now that they were officially engaged, there was no need to hide her presence from the household—especially not from her father. He’d been opposed to their engagement at first, just like her mother. But ever
since Concubine Tang became pregnant, his attitude shifted.

Now, he occasionally remarked, “That girl from the Qiu family isn’t so bad, at least she’s educated.”

People—always so practical.

Seeing Cheng Yu’s calm demeanor, Qiu Luo steadied herself and didn’t decline the offer.

After all, what was there to be afraid of? She and Cheng Yu were working together. It wasn’t as if they wouldn’t run into the Cheng family again in the future.

Still, the thought of meeting the heroine’s parents made her heart race slightly.

But it turned out, as they exited the gates of the Cheng residence, aside from a few gatekeepers, there was no one around.

Her anxiety was completely unnecessary.

“No need to walk me out—go on back,” Qiu Luo said.

Cheng Yu nodded but remained at the entrance, watching as the carriage rolled away.

Not far away, at the roadside, Shen Yanding was watching as well. He turned to his pageboy and ordered, “Hurry and stop that carriage.”

The Cheng family’s carriage was intercepted just as it neared the city gates.

“The young lady inside—is it Miss Qiu? My young master wishes to see you.”

Qiu Luo lifted the curtain with a puzzled look. The old coachman beside her recognized the pageboy and whispered, “This is Young Master Shen’s servant.”

Shen Yanding?

Qiu Luo’s mind quickly sifted through the information she remembered and landed on the name—Shen Yanding, the male lead in the original story.

At just eighteen, he was already a Xiucai (certified scholar). Next spring, he’d pass the Juren exam—and even take first place. His future was bright.

But what did that have to do with her?

“The gates are about to close. If your young master doesn’t have urgent business, tell him to wait for another day.”

The blunt refusal soured the pageboy’s expression. How rude!

He lifted his chin with pride. “My young master wouldn’t summon you without good reason. Miss Qiu, please come with me.”

Qiu Luo chuckled. “You’d think the entire Shen family were constables. This isn’t an invitation—it’s a shakedown.”

With that, she signaled the coachman to drive on.

The old driver, Er Zhu, was a servant of the Cheng household. He had driven Qiu Luo to and from the village many times and knew her identity well—she was his lady’s beloved, after all. Naturally, he would follow her lead.

He raised his whip to drive away.

The pageboy panicked. His master might be all charm in public, but privately, he was sharp-tempered and not easily appeased. If he failed to bring Qiu Luo back, there would be punishment for sure—possibly even a beating.

“Miss Qiu, my master truly has urgent business! I misspoke earlier—please don’t take offense!”

Afraid of reprisal, the pageboy quickly softened his tone, switching from arrogant to pleading in a heartbeat.

Qiu Luo frowned when she saw him plant himself in front of the horse, arms outstretched. “Move.”

The pageboy froze, still hoping to delay her, when a voice suddenly called out, “Master!”

Shen Yanding had quietly followed them. He stepped into view, eyes locked on Qiu Luo, a flicker of disdain in his gaze. “Miss Qiu, a word, if I may.”

His expression made Qiu Luo want to roll her eyes again. He might be the male lead, but did he have to act so superior?

Still, this wasn’t the time to make enemies. Her partnership with Cheng Yu had just begun. Without Cheng Yu’s protection, she didn’t even have a foothold in this world.

“Of course, Young Master Shen,” she replied with feigned politeness.

Seeing her agree, Shen Yanding’s expression turned even colder. Typical low-born woman, he thought. If it weren’t for Cheng Yu, I wouldn’t even spare her a glance.

Er Zhu, watching them enter a nearby teahouse, said nothing. Instead, he turned the carriage around and returned to the Cheng residence.

What for?

To deliver a message, of course.

Everyone in the Cheng household knew Shen Yanding harbored feelings for Miss Cheng. With Qiu Luo outmatched and alone, it was only right to let the young lady know.

Er Zhu wasn’t the brightest, but he understood the most basic principle—protect your own.

Qiu Luo was about to marry his young mistress. That made her family.

Inside the teahouse, Shen Yanding sat down and fixed Qiu Luo with a frosty glare.

“Uncle Cheng will never approve your engagement with Cheng Yu. You’d best know your place and save yourself the humiliation.”

In reality, it was quite the opposite. Cheng Yu’s father had originally favored Shen Yanding, but ever since Concubine Tang became pregnant, his tone had changed. Now he even spoke favorably of Qiu Luo.

Shen Yanding couldn’t sit still anymore.

Qiu Luo raised a brow. “Anything else, Young Master Shen? If not, I’ll take my leave.”

She had no intention of clashing with the male lead, but that didn’t mean she was going to back down just because of who he was.

She hadn’t stolen, hadn’t broken the law.

Besides, he was just a scholar—just like her. Nothing to be afraid of.

As for the future? If Cheng Yu ended up with him, that was her business. Qiu Luo had only ever seen their relationship as a business partnership.

And if Cheng Yu didn’t end up with him? Even better. Once she made her fortune, she’d be gone, off to live her best life.

Shen Yanding was clearly not used to being dismissed. He slammed his hand on the table. “Qiu Luo, don’t be so shameless. Know your place. You’re not worthy of Cheng Yu.”

She looked at the indignant young man across from her and barely held back another eye roll.

“Young Master Shen, perhaps it’s you who should know your place. Whatever happens between Cheng Yu and me is none of your business.”

What was this? A courtroom interrogation?

She wasn’t intimidated. Not in the slightest.

Shen Yanding’s frown deepened. Clearly, this woman didn’t know her limits.

He fell silent for a moment, then pulled a banknote from his robes and tossed it on the table. “Take this hundred taels and get lost. Stay away from Cheng Yu.”

Qiu Luo glanced at the silver note—one hundred taels. How stingy.

The heroine would hand out hundreds or thousands without blinking.

Maybe the original Qiu Luo would’ve taken it if she were desperate. But even the original, for all her flaws, knew marrying into the Cheng family wasn’t worth just a hundred taels.

Let alone Qiu Luo now.

She liked money, sure—but only the kind she earned herself. She’d never touch this kind of dirty silver.

Before she could refuse, a commotion erupted outside. In the blink of an eye, the teahouse door was kicked open.

Xiao Miao dragged the pageboy aside and withdrew her foot. “Miss, the door’s open.”

Cheng Yu stepped in, eyes landing on the two seated at the table—and the silver note between them. It didn’t take long for her to understand the situation.

She ignored the now-flustered Shen Yanding and looked at Qiu Luo. “It’s getting late. Come back to the manor with me. No need to leave the city tonight.”

Qiu Luo rose obediently and stood by Cheng Yu’s side, letting her take the lead.

Shen Yanding shot to his feet. “Cheng Yu, let me explain—I didn’t mean to make things difficult for her. I was only thinking of your wellbeing.”

He remembered clearly how Cheng Yu had warned him before: Don’t trouble Qiu Luo.

Cheng Yu gave him a cold glance and said calmly, “Young Master Shen, you and I are not family. Please stop interfering in my family affairs.”

“She’s not your equal. How is she your family?”

“She is the one I love. She is my family. And as an outsider, Young Master Shen, you would do well to mind your own business.”

“Cheng Yu!” Shen Yanding’s face turned crimson.

Outsider.

He, who had loved her for so long, was nothing more than an outsider…