Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 13

Cheng Yu didn’t even look back, simply gestured for Qiu Luo to follow. Together, they left the teahouse.

Behind them, Shen Yanding drew a few sharp breaths, then snatched up the silver note and slammed his palm on the table in frustration.

Outside, the old coachman, Er Zhu, was waiting with the carriage. Seeing his young mistress return with Qiu Luo safe and sound, he immediately climbed up, steadying the reins.

The maid Xiao Miao tactfully took a seat beside Er Zhu, leaving the carriage’s interior undisturbed.

Inside the carriage, Cheng Yu turned to Qiu Luo. “I’m sorry. This must’ve caused you trouble.”

Her eyes shimmered like still water, brimming with sincerity. That soft “sorry” carried genuine weight.

As the saying goes: I didn’t kill Boren, but Boren died because of me.

Cheng Yu hadn’t wanted to cause Qiu Luo any problems, but it was true—Shen Yanding had confronted Qiu Luo because of her.

There was guilt in her heart, along with frustration.

In the past, she’d always regarded Shen Yanding as a younger brother. But after today, it would probably be best to keep her distance.

Qiu Luo smiled. “What is there to apologize for? I’m perfectly fine.”

Seeing her relaxed expression, Cheng Yu couldn’t help but smile. “That’s good. Still, it’s too late to leave the city now. I’m afraid you’ll have to stay at the manor tonight.”

Her voice was soft, her beauty tinged with a gentle smile. Lovely in both coyness and warmth—it made Qiu Luo’s breath catch.

They hadn’t known each other long, but their growing number of contracts had brought them into frequent contact. They had even shared a bed—twice.

Already not entirely straight in her previous life, Qiu Luo’s thoughts scattered for a moment before she quickly gathered herself.

Stay calm. This is the female lead—the heroine. In the original story, she liked men!

Besides, she hadn’t crossed worlds just to fall in love. She was here to live freely, to enjoy the mountains and rivers.

But still… tonight, they’d be sharing a bed again.

The mental string called “rationality” in Qiu Luo’s brain frayed just a little more.

She thought of that first night of drunken haze, of waking up with the beauty in her arms—and her breath hitched again.

Cheng Yu, unaware of the thoughts running through her companion’s mind, noticed Qiu Luo had grown quiet. She closed her eyes to rest, saying nothing more.

The carriage soon returned to the Cheng residence. This time, there was no attempt to sneak in.

As a result, both Lord Cheng and Madam Cheng were informed that Qiu Luo would be staying the night.

Lord Cheng, currently focused only on Concubine Tang and the unborn son she carried, had always been lukewarm toward Qiu Luo. He simply pretended not to know and didn’t show his face.

Madam Cheng, however, was another story. Her daughter’s future marriage was a serious matter. She didn’t know Qiu Luo well and so went straight to her daughter’s courtyard.

“Miss Qiu,” she said, looking Qiu Luo over carefully, “since the engagement is settled, when will the betrothal gifts arrive?”

The scrutiny in the future mother-in-law’s eyes made Qiu Luo want to flee.

But she steadied herself and replied gently, “Please rest assured, Madam Cheng. Within three months, I will personally deliver the betrothal gifts.”

Madam Cheng frowned slightly—clearly unhappy about the delay—but after thinking it over, she relented. A longer engagement might give them time to observe and reconsider if needed.

She nodded faintly. “As long as you both are mindful. A marriage isn’t a simple matter; it takes care and thought.”

She almost added a warning not to let her daughter down after the wedding, but decided it was too early for that, and quietly left.

Only after she’d gone did Qiu Luo let out a deep breath.

Cheng Yu found her reaction amusing and said softly, “There’s no need to be so tense. My mother is a kind person. She won’t make things difficult.”

Qiu Luo nodded and laughed a little. “That may be true, but I can’t help being nervous. She’s your mother—my future mother-in-law…”

She trailed off, realizing what she’d said, and quickly backpedaled when she caught the curious look in Cheng Yu’s eyes. “I didn’t mean it that way. Our agreement only lasts six months. I won’t cling to you after that, don’t get the wrong idea.”

She had misspoken, and her clarification came in a rush.

Cheng Yu blinked, her thoughts drifting. If I were to truly marry her…

Strangely, the idea didn’t repel her. In fact, it stirred a faint, inexplicable flutter in her chest.

“I understand. After dinner, get some rest,” she said, her voice calm.

That evening, Lord Cheng remained in the side courtyard with Concubine Tang and didn’t make an appearance.

So, Qiu Luo and Cheng Yu dined with Madam Cheng instead.

The meal was peaceful enough, though Qiu Luo remained tense. She followed Cheng Yu closely back to her room afterward.

The thought of sharing a bed again made her heart pound all over.

What if we wake up tomorrow in each other’s arms again?

“Qiu Luo, would you mind sleeping in the east wing tonight?” Cheng Yu stopped at her door and said this casually.

Qiu Luo blinked in surprise. “We’re not… sleeping in your room?”

Cheng Yu’s expression was calm. “Of course I’ll be sleeping in my own room.”

In other words, Qiu Luo was to sleep elsewhere—alone.

Only now did Qiu Luo realize her assumption. Embarrassment bloomed on her face.

Right. This wasn’t the Qiu family’s tiny courtyard, with only two thatched huts. Of course, Cheng Yu didn’t have to share a bed with her out of necessity.

“Oh, alright. The east wing is fine.”

Seeing her expression, Cheng Yu paused. “You look… disappointed.”

Was that what that look was—disappointment?

Disappointed they wouldn’t be sharing a bed?

A flicker of emotion crossed Cheng Yu’s gaze as she studied Qiu Luo.

“A-ah, no! Not at all,” Qiu Luo waved her hands defensively. “Why would I be? Absolutely not.”

Cheng Yu stared at her. “Then… are you relieved?”

Relieved that they wouldn’t be sleeping together?

Qiu Luo blinked. Why is she hung up on this?

“…Not really.”

Cheng Yu went quiet for a moment, then asked softly, “Then are you… looking forward to it?”

Qiu Luo: “…”

Did I hear that right? Is the heroine actually interrogating me about this?

Was this even a conversation they should be having?

She wanted to say thank you, but no comment.

“It’s late. Where’s the east wing?”

Seeing her dodge the question, Cheng Yu smirked slightly and pointed at her own door. “We didn’t have time to prepare the east wing. Just make do for tonight.”

She was curious now—did this person actually look forward to it?

It was strange. Something had stirred in her earlier, perhaps caused by Qiu Luo’s offhand “mother-in-law” comment… or perhaps something else.

Qiu Luo froze, opened her mouth, then closed it. In the end, she just followed Cheng Yu in.

Well then. She has the final say. Where I sleep isn’t up to me, is it?

The more shocking part?

She realized, deep down… she was actually a little excited.

What is wrong with me?

Is this the heroine’s charm?

Qiu Luo couldn’t help but glance at Cheng Yu a few more times, until Cheng Yu raised a brow. “Is there something on my face?”

“No. It’s clean. Very clean,” Qiu Luo replied seriously, forcing herself to calm down.

But she didn’t stay calm for long.

Because Cheng Yu suddenly said, “I’m going to bathe. Want to join me?”

Qiu Luo: “!!!”

She shook her head violently and fled to the adjacent room.

In two rooms separated by a single wall, the two women soaked in their bathtubs in silence—both wondering the same thing:

Why does tonight feel… kind of strange?