Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 24

In the front hall, Madam Cheng had just finished her meal and was sipping the final bowl of soup. Seeing the two girls arrive so late, she smiled knowingly and said,

“If you’re feeling tired, just rest. No need to mind all those formalities. Join us for lunch instead.”

Her gaze flickered teasingly between Qiu Luo and Cheng Yu.

Qiu Luo’s mouth twitched. Is this mother-in-law’s thinking a bit too modern?

This was ancient times, wasn’t it?

But according to the original host’s memories, this kind of thing was indeed not uncommon in Nanyue. Marriages between women were accepted, even recognized by the court. So public perception was fairly open.

Cheng Yu remained silent, her head lowered as if too shy to speak.

Seeing her daughter act so bashful for once, Madam Cheng’s smile grew more doting.

“In the future, if you two want a child at your knees, just adopt. If not, live your life together well. In the end, your days belong to the two of you.”

Or perhaps even to just one—someone always leaves first or stays behind.

But the deepest regrets aren’t from partings caused by death.

They’re from people who change their hearts midway through the journey.

Just like she once had.

She must have been under some spell to believe that man’s sweet talk.

Her smile faded slightly as she glanced at Qiu Luo, her expression turning solemn.

This girl seemed dependable… but people were unpredictable.

Years ago, her own husband had seemed trustworthy too.

There was only so much she could do. She could support her daughter with her actions, or back her up financially—at the very least, ensure that even if her daughter ever faced what she had, she could still live independently.

Of course, more than anything, she hoped her daughter could grow old with someone by her side.

Living life alone was, in the end, just too lonely.

Under Madam Cheng’s weighty gaze, Qiu Luo suddenly felt immense pressure.

Why did her mother-in-law’s look feel like she was sizing her up for the chopping block?

“Heh, Auntie, we’re not tired at all. Really, not at all!” Qiu Luo hurriedly laughed.

Had she done something wrong last night…?

To her horror, that only made Madam Cheng frown harder. She sized Qiu Luo up again, her expression turning a little strange.

After lunch, Madam Cheng hesitated a moment before waving to Qiu Luo.

“Since you’re not leaving yet, come and chat with me for a bit. Let Yu’er head to the study to read.”

Qiu Luo’s heart jumped. She shot Cheng Yu a pleading look—Don’t leave me with your mom! I’m not a real fiancé—I’m just acting! I’m bluffing my way through this, I swear!

But Cheng Yu only gave her a faint smile and turned to her mother.

“Alright. I’ll head to the study now.”

Qiu Luo: !!!

You’re seriously leaving me?

What happened to teamwork? What happened to solidarity during the contract period?!

Heroine, how could you throw me under the cart like this?!

Madam Cheng waited until her daughter was gone, then dismissed the maids and brought Qiu Luo back to her room.

The whole way, silence.

Even once inside, it was just the two of them.

Qiu Luo was so nervous her knees nearly gave out.

She forced herself to sit down at the table as Madam Cheng gestured, sitting up straight like a kid at their first school lesson, eyes fixed forward.

Madam Cheng disappeared briefly, then returned carrying several books, which she placed on the table.

Qiu Luo blinked.

Wait… is this a private lecture? Is she going to teach me to read?

Madam Cheng noticed her confusion and smiled kindly.

“Take a look. If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask.”

She’d only recently found these books. Initially, they were meant for Cheng Yu.

But judging by the way the two girls interacted, she had a hunch—Qiu Luo might be the better recipient.

Qiu Luo nodded obediently and picked up the top book.

It had a plain black cover, no title. She flipped to the first page—and froze.

Two bold characters stared back at her: Secret Techniques.

A bad feeling surged in her chest.

She flipped another page… and nearly dropped the book.

“XXX: The Eighteen Positions!”

Illustrated. In color. With detailed annotations.

It was… mind-blowing.

She slammed the book shut and dropped it back on the table. The room fell into stunned silence.

Madam Cheng calmly lifted her teacup and took a slow sip. Then she looked at Qiu Luo’s blushing face and said earnestly,

“You and Yu’er clearly care for each other. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Learn it well. Don’t let Yu’er suffer, and be careful not to hurt her by being too rough…”

As her mother-in-law droned on with her “guidance,” Qiu Luo’s mind had already gone blank.

What was she supposed to say?

“Thank you for assuming I’m the top”?

This is way too intense!

She couldn’t take it anymore!

Seeing Qiu Luo zoning out, Madam Cheng frowned slightly.

“Wait… don’t tell me I was wrong… Is Yu’er actually—”

“No! Auntie, you weren’t wrong at all!” Qiu Luo immediately shook her head like a rattle drum. “It’s definitely me. I’ll… I’ll go study right away!”

Without hesitation, she grabbed the books from the table, bowed politely, and made her escape.

Madam Cheng sighed, understanding that young people embarrassed easily. She held back the rest of her “advice” with a helpless shake of the head.

Qiu Luo fled like a deer escaping a hunter, running all the way to the study.

She stopped at the door, hesitant again.

She was holding those books. Cheng Yu would definitely ask what they were.

Should she lie?

But what if Cheng Yu insisted on reading them?

If she told the truth… wouldn’t that be even more awkward?

She stood there for a while, thinking about their conversation last night—the suggestive tone in Cheng Yu’s voice—and finally steeled herself.

She’d just go for it.

“Cheng Yu, your mother asked us to study these books together.”

Qiu Luo walked into the study with the resolve of a soldier heading into battle, placed the stack of books on the desk, and even flipped open one to the second page.

She stared at Cheng Yu with fiery anticipation.

Let’s see how the heroine reacts to this.

Moments later, Qiu Luo let out a long sigh in her heart.

As expected of the female lead…

Unshaken. Unbothered. Calm as still water.

Cheng Yu even flipped through a few pages, looking utterly composed, as if she were reading a scholarly treatise. No blush. No awkwardness. Not even a blink.

Qiu Luo was utterly outclassed.

She was just too inexperienced.

Unwilling to be defeated, she leaned over Cheng Yu’s shoulder to look together and even started giving commentary:

“This one’s not bad. That one looks exhausting. Oh—this one…”

But as she leaned closer, some strands of her hair brushed against Cheng Yu’s neck, causing a tickling sensation.

Cheng Yu’s fingers clenched around the book, the pages slightly crumpling.

Her breathing grew slow and deep, heart pounding beneath her steady facade.

Only the tips of her ears gave her away—blushing bright red like a sunset.

Qiu Luo noticed the pause, and her own heart skipped.

She saw the crumpled page and froze.

No way. No way! She was faking her calm?!

This is bad. This just got complicated. What’s the next move? What do I even do?! Help!