Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 26

In the plum grove, the little maid trailed a few steps behind, her eyes sparkling as she watched the two figures ahead, nestled close together.

Now that she really looked, Miss Qiu and her young lady actually made a rather fine match. What could one do? Even a fortune couldn’t buy what the heart truly desired. It was the same for women as for men—no matter who you married, being with the one you loved was better than anything else.

They were now near the rear courtyard of the Taoist temple, where the surroundings were quiet. Occasionally, a breeze rustled the treetops, scattering fine snow in soft, silent flurries.

Cheng Yu was still holding onto Qiu Luo’s arm, her eyes fixed on the crimson blossoms above.

“Tomorrow, when you return to Qiu Family Village, bring the workers from all the shops. Harvest the ripe watermelons first. I can’t show my face, but I’ve arranged everything privately. Take Xiao Miao with you—she knows what to do. If anything comes up, just tell her. She’s clever. I’ve taught her most of what she needs to know.”

Xiao Miao had grown up with her, from studying books to running business ventures—they were nearly inseparable. Though technically mistress and servant, their bond was more like sisters.

That’s why Cheng Yu trusted her implicitly. After years together, she knew exactly what kind of person Xiao Miao was—loyal and dependable.

Qiu Luo stared straight ahead at the bare tree trunks, the arm Cheng Yu held starting to feel like it had turned to stone—heavy, stiff, and oddly syncing with the rise and fall of her heartbeat.

She nodded blankly. “Okay. Whatever you arrange is fine.”

Cheng Yu tightened her hold slightly and, after a pause, asked in a low voice,

“Qiu Luo, do you want to marry me?”

It was a question Qiu Luo herself had asked before, to which Cheng Yu had given a vague answer. But now, Cheng Yu wanted to hear her answer.

Qiu Luo froze.

A gust of wind swept by, making the branches sway. The snow finally made a sound as it fell, rustling softly onto the ground.

How should she respond?

Should she tell the truth? And what was the truth?

She turned her head and looked quietly at Cheng Yu’s face.

“I don’t know.”

That was the truth—she didn’t know.

She’d never had romantic experiences in the modern world, but she had a vague sense that she was fond of Cheng Yu.

Although she carried herself with a carefree air, the truth was she had a strong sense of responsibility. After becoming the “original Qiu Luo,” and learning from the memories how close she’d been with her brother, she couldn’t just abandon Qiu Erlang. She’d felt she had to step up and be a real sister.

And then, on the Mid-Autumn night—due to a strange twist of fate—she had shared a night with Cheng Yu. She’d felt she should take responsibility for it too. But when Cheng Yu made it clear she didn’t need her to, Qiu Luo hadn’t pushed. If the other party wished to let it go, she was happy to be set free as well.

But… what if Cheng Yu did want her to take responsibility? Even if that desire came a little too late?

Just like now—what was Cheng Yu feeling when she asked that question?

After a moment’s thought, Qiu Luo chose honesty. She really didn’t know.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Cheng Yu raised her brows, watching her intently.

She’d considered that Qiu Luo might say yes. Or say no. Or even try to avoid the question. But this—“I don’t know”—she hadn’t expected.

Qiu Luo took a deep breath, gently pulled her arm away, and looked at Cheng Yu with clarity.

“I just… don’t know.”

All this time, she had been trying to keep her distance from the heroine, while also wanting to collaborate for mutual benefit.

She couldn’t deny that she had feelings for Cheng Yu—but not enough to completely change her plans for the future.

Yet if she claimed she felt nothing at all, there was a trace of disappointment in her heart.

So, she didn’t know.

Cheng Yu pressed her lips together but didn’t ask again.

Sometimes, no answer was an answer.

Not saying yes might be a refusal. But not refusing might also be a yes.

What it truly meant… might depend on what the listener wanted it to mean.

Even if it was self-deception.

At this moment, what Cheng Yu told herself was: Qiu Luo didn’t refuse—so there was still hope.

After that, both of them fell silent. As the sun sank westward, the ever-dutiful Xiao Miao finally approached.

“Miss, it’s time to return to the residence.”

Neither had said a word on the way back. Love could stir longing—but when there was too much uncertainty, it could just as easily make one uneasy.

Back at the estate, Cheng Yu went straight to the study, while Qiu Luo returned alone to Cheng Yu’s bedroom.

Without the weight of that emotionally fraught question hanging over her, she finally felt a bit more at ease—nothing like the heavy atmosphere on the walk home.

Sitting in the quiet, empty room, she sighed and rested her chin in her hand, bored and lost in thought.

Soon, there came a knock at the door.

Xiao Miao entered, carrying a stack of books.

Qiu Luo’s eyes widened the moment she saw the familiar black covers—weren’t these the… eighteen techniques her “mother-in-law” had given her?

What was this situation?

“Miss Qiu,” Xiao Miao said sweetly, “Miss said that if you were bored, you could read these.”

She set the books down and left, unaware of just how unusual those books really were.

Qiu Luo stared at the stack on the table. For a moment, she even suspected she was seeing things.

There’s no way Cheng Yu gave me those books… right?

But she was wrong. As she flipped through them one by one, she realized they were exactly the books from Madam Cheng. Every illustration was drawn in vivid, unmistakable detail.

Ahem. She was just verifying, that’s all—absolutely no curiosity involved. None. Not even a little.

She’d already seen them before. There was nothing to be curious about.

Still… her feelings were complicated.

Is the heroine possessed too?

She was seriously letting her read these?

Even if they were going to get married, it was just a contract marriage. Appearances in public, nothing more. Was it really necessary to study this?

With that thought, later that night as they were preparing for bed, Qiu Luo found herself unable to resist. She looked at Cheng Yu’s calm expression and blurted out,

“You let me read those books because… when we get married, you want to…?”

Cheng Yu, composed as ever, calmly blew out the candle and climbed into bed.

She said nothing about being cold, nor did she ask to share the blanket. It was as if she hadn’t heard Qiu Luo at all.

Qiu Luo assumed she didn’t understand, so she tried again.

“Cheng Yu… you want me to study those books?”

The heroine remained silent, her back to Qiu Luo, as if she were already asleep.

Qiu Luo: “…”

Okay, got it.

She’s pretending not to hear. Or she’s shy. Or she’s just ignoring me.

Qiu Luo gave up on the conversation. Fine.

She’d already read them. She wasn’t exactly an expert, but she had a decent grasp of things. Even if she never needed them, it never hurt to be prepared.

With that thought, she relaxed. Drowsiness settled in, and she was just about to fall asleep when a soft voice reached her ears.

“Qiu Luo… If you learn them… they might come in handy when we marry.”

Qiu Luo, who’d been seconds from sleep, instantly shot awake, eyes wide.

!!!

What did she just hear?

Did Cheng Yu actually say that?

What did it mean?

She had to be hearing things… she had to be!