Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 15

For once, Master Cheng made an appearance at breakfast.

As soon as he sat down, he said to Madam Cheng, “Tang-niang hasn’t been feeling well lately. From now on, she can skip morning greetings. She’ll eat in her own courtyard too—it’s better not to tire her out.”

It was a longstanding custom in the Southern Moon Kingdom that concubines had to greet the legal wife every morning. But now that Tang-niang was pregnant, and had subtly planted the idea that the Madam’s presence might harm the unborn child, Master Cheng was clearly swayed.

Madam Cheng had always been a gracious woman. In the past, she would still try to explain herself when misunderstood. But now, completely disheartened by her husband, she didn’t even bother responding—just nodded silently.

What else was there to say when your husband of decades suspected you of harboring murderous intent?

The trust between them had collapsed. Words were meaningless.

Master Cheng noticed her cold demeanor and furrowed his brows, about to say more—when Cheng Yu and Qiu Luo entered the room.

“Greetings, Uncle Cheng. Aunt Cheng,” Qiu Luo said with a bow.

“Father, Mother,” Cheng Yu added.

Before Master Cheng could respond, Madam Cheng smiled kindly. “Sit, sit. You’re family now, no need to be so formal.”

Master Cheng’s dissatisfaction with his wife grew. How thoughtless. As her father-in-law-to-be, I haven’t even had a chance to assert my authority, and she’s already brushing off the proper decorum.

But seeing that the two girls had already sat down, he merely scowled, ate a few bites quickly, and left to accompany Tang-niang.

The atmosphere had been tense, but the moment Master Cheng left, the table seemed to breathe a little easier.

Madam Cheng glanced at her husband’s retreating figure and turned to Qiu Luo. “He’s always been like that. Don’t take it to heart. Come whenever you want. Treat this place as your home.”

She had come to a quiet realization over the past few days—some men were simply unreliable. Her husband, for instance, had once vowed in his youth never to take a concubine. But after she gave birth to a daughter and failed to conceive again, he found a convenient excuse to break that promise.

Instead of gambling a lifetime on the fickle heart of a man, perhaps it was better to follow her daughter’s path—if two people truly cared for each other, even marrying a woman could lead to lifelong happiness.

At least with Qiu Luo, she wouldn’t have to worry about her daughter being betrayed by another woman.

…Or would she? What if she runs off with a man?

Disappointed in her husband, Madam Cheng now second-guessed everything. The trust she’d started to place in Qiu Luo began to waver again.

She looked at her daughter, wanting to say something, but ultimately held back. She couldn’t let her personal fears ruin her daughter’s future.

Cheng Yu seemed to sense her mother’s worry. She said softly, “Mother, Qiu Luo is not like Father.”

After all, they were only bound by a contract. Her mother’s concerns were unnecessary.

Hearing her name, Qiu Luo looked up.

Madam Cheng studied her closely. Those clear eyes held a kind of simple, honest purity—unexpectedly reassuring.

She allowed herself a breath of relief but still added, “You’re both women. It’s rare and precious for you to find each other. You must never betray one another.”

Qiu Luo smiled and responded smoothly, “You can rest assured, Aunt Cheng. I’ll treat Cheng Yu well.”

If they were going to play this part, she might as well commit. And acting—this much—wasn’t a problem.

Madam Cheng nodded. “Then don’t call me ‘Aunt’ anymore. It’s time to change how you address me.”

Qiu Luo froze and instinctively looked to Cheng Yu, a little confused and unsure.

Cheng Yu curved her lips gently and reminded her, “You should call her ‘Mother-in-law.’”

“Oh—Mother-in-law,” Qiu Luo said quickly.

Just last night she’d jokingly called her “future mother-in-law,” and now here she was, using the real title. Looking at Madam Cheng’s warm smile, something unsettled stirred in her chest.

Suddenly, she almost preferred it when Madam Cheng disapproved of her. At least then, there were no illusions—no lies that might one day come crashing down.

Cheng Yu seemed to sense the same thing and grew quietly conflicted.

She looked up at Qiu Luo without thinking. If this person…

But she forcibly shut the thought down. There’s no “if.” They were just partners. Nothing more.

Cheng Yu, so deft in her studies and business affairs, ruthlessly snuffed out the flicker of emotion. Emotion was a gamble—and whoever gave in first, lost.

She couldn’t afford to lose. So, she would not think about it.

Their eyes met again, and then both looked away. But that fleeting, unreadable exchange didn’t escape Madam Cheng’s notice. To her, it looked like a pair of young people shyly falling for each other.

She relaxed further. As long as her daughter was happy, she could be at peace.

After breakfast, Cheng Yu returned directly to the study and didn’t see Qiu Luo off.

It was Xiao Miao, the little maid, who escorted Qiu Luo to the gate. Qiu Luo’s thoughts were still in turmoil.

She kept thinking of Cheng Yu’s words that morning: “No one else will ever know.” And Madam Cheng’s approving smile.

She’d thought everything was just a simple contract. But now she was no longer sure. When their six-month agreement ended, would they truly be able to part cleanly?

What if there was another possibility…?

The idea tightened in her chest. She frowned. No. There can’t be. Don’t forget—you’re living inside a romance novel. The heroine likes men. There is no ‘what if.’

As a modern woman, she understood well—if you want to live freely, don’t try to “convert” a straight woman. That path rarely leads to happiness.

She shook her head and sighed deeply. Enough. Just focus on making money. Making money is happiness. Everything else comes second.

When she returned to Qiu Village, the carriage driver, Er Zhu, didn’t turn the horse around as expected. Instead, he jumped off and followed her inside.

Qiu Luo blinked in confusion. “Uncle… what are you doing?”

Er Zhu was a gruff old widower who could barely do anything other than drive a carriage. The only reason he was still employed by the Cheng family was because he was loyal and dependable.

And that’s exactly what he was. Honest and straightforward, he replied without hesitation, “Just call this old servant Er Zhu. Miss instructed me to follow your orders from now on. With a carriage, it’ll be easier to go places. Miss Xiao Miao also told me to keep an eye on you—to make sure you don’t fall out of love with the young lady.”

Qiu Luo: “…”

She appreciated Cheng Yu’s thoughtfulness… but what was with the maid’s dramatic warning?

Anyway, there were only two rooms in the Qiu household. She couldn’t very well let Er Zhu sleep in the carriage every night.

Pulling out a few silver coins, she said, “Uncle Er Zhu, please buy a bed. You’ll have to share a room with Erlang from now on. Hope that’s alright.”

“Not a problem at all! I’m tough. I can sleep anywhere.”

So, when Qiu Erlang returned home, he opened the door to find a mustached uncle inside his room.

Startled, he grabbed the doorframe. “Who are you?! What kind of thief dares break into this young master’s room?!”

Er Zhu grinned. “Young Master Qiu, I’m Er Zhu, the carriage driver from the Cheng household. Miss Qiu said I’m to room with you.”

The moment he heard this black-bearded man was from Cheng Manor and that his sister had arranged it, Erlang relaxed—then raised his voice proudly.

“Er Zhu! What did you just call me?”

“Young Master Qiu.”

“Ahh!” Erlang beamed. He was a young master now. What a feeling.

With a small cough, he puffed up his chest. “Let’s go, Er Zhu. Take me to the market!”

Never mind that he’d just gotten back—how could he waste time indoors when they had a carriage now? And a coachman who called him young master?

He couldn’t wait to show off.