Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 36

The intentionally lowered voice carried a breathy tension that unsettled the listener as it brushed past her ear.

Cheng Yu pressed her lips together, then asked in a warm and even tone,

“Oh? Then may I ask how Miss Qiu acquired such… ‘skills’? And who she practiced with?”

Her eyebrows arched slightly, her gaze light and unreadable—like clouds drifting across a summer sky, concealing whether a storm was gathering behind them.

Qiu Luo’s hand paused mid-dumpling, her voice soft.

“If you mean actual experience, then only once. And it was only after that that I truly understood the saying—theory is always shallow compared to practice.”

As she spoke, she blinked, her eyes twinkling with unspoken implications.

Cheng Yu bit the inside of her lip lightly and fell silent.

Watching her avert her gaze, Qiu Luo couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

They were about to be married, after all. And theirs was a union of mutual affection and willing hearts.

So… tonight, would it…?

The thought flashed across Qiu Luo’s mind, her eyes locking on Cheng Yu with burning intensity.

Sensing the heat of her gaze, Cheng Yu gently curved her lips into a faint smile, still keeping her head down without speaking.

Later that evening, a maidservant came with a message from Cheng Yu:

“The young lady asks that Miss Qiu bathe in the guest wing and go directly to her room to sleep afterward.”

Qiu Luo: “…”

So, the heroine was the bold and proactive one. She was the one being too conservative.

Truth be told, her theory knowledge was top-notch, but her practical experience—just once. That one time… the night she had transmigrated. Back when Cheng Yu had still been in a dazed, feverish state.

She hadn’t yet done anything with a fully conscious Cheng Yu.

Thinking that made her nervous all over again.

Outside, the New Year’s Eve sky was clear, but the wind was bitterly cold. Lanterns lit up every household, as if determined to keep the night burning bright till dawn.

Fresh from her bath, Qiu Luo stood in front of Cheng Yu’s door, nerves bubbling inside her.

She spun in place, took a few deep breaths, gave herself several rounds of pep talk, and even let her mind wander through a flood of intimate, Cheng-Yu-related scenarios.

Just go in. Don’t say a word. Hug her. That’s it.

Yes. That’s it. Go in boldly.

After psyching herself up, Qiu Luo finally raised her hand and knocked.

Knock, knock, knock.

The light of a candle flickered inside, but no one responded.

Qiu Luo took another deep breath. Maybe she wasn’t the only one nervous.

“Cheng Yu, I’m here,” she called softly.

Still no answer.

A pang of unease struck her. She gently tried the door.

It opened without resistance.

The candle on the table wavered in the wind as the door swung open—but the room was empty.

Cheng Yu was nowhere in sight.

Where did she go?

—Meanwhile, in the main courtyard—

Cheng Yu was sitting beside her mother, arms linked, chatting warmly.

“Mother, after the New Year, I’ll marry Qiu Luo. After the ceremony, it’ll be time for the exams. I’m confident I can place in the provincial exam. After that, I’ll likely head to the capital for the metropolitan exam. Do you think I should keep going?”

Madam Cheng smiled and patted her daughter’s hand.

“If you want to, then keep going. If you don’t, then let it go. Don’t force anything.”

Now that women were allowed to hold official positions, she had no objection to her daughter pursuing a political path—or sticking to business.

At her age, she had long since let go of everything. Life should be lived with joy and freedom.

As long as her daughter was happy, that was enough.

Cheng Yu lowered her eyes in thought.

“Mother, I do want to keep going. Qiu Luo is managing our business now, and you’re helping too. That frees me up to focus on studying.”

County Magistrate Lu had pampered his daughter, enough to see Shen Yanding released without punishment. Because of that, Lu Jiaojiao had gotten her wish and married into the Shen family.

That incident had been a wake-up call for Cheng Yu.

She had to face a harsh truth: not everyone could afford to mind only their own business. Sometimes, trouble found you.

And when that happened, she wanted the ability to protect herself.

Madam Cheng nodded, encouragingly.

“Then study. You can’t earn all the money in the world anyway. I’ll help Qiu Luo with the business—don’t worry about it.”

As a merchant’s daughter, she’d grown up around business. Lending a hand wouldn’t be a problem.

Thinking of Qiu Luo, Cheng Yu couldn’t help but smile. That person must be in her room already.

She lowered her head slightly and said in a shy tone,

“After the New Year, I’ll need Mother’s help arranging the wedding.”

“Of course. My little Yu’er is getting married,” Madam Cheng replied with a laugh, her eyes full of fondness. “But it’s late. Shouldn’t you head back and rest?”

Cheng Yu shook her head lightly.

“Tonight, I want to sleep with Mother.”

“Just like when you were little… Look at you, all grown up now,” Madam Cheng said, her tone soft with nostalgia.

The warm conversation continued on.

—Back in the side courtyard—

Qiu Luo sat alone in front of the candle, staring at the flickering flame.

So… she’d overthought it. Cheng Yu hadn’t meant anything by it after all. She’d worked herself up for nothing.

Sighing, she chuckled at her own foolishness, blew out the candle, and went to bed.

—After the New Year—

Qiu Luo threw herself into work at the various shops, while Qiu Erlang began his new life as a tireless errand boy.

Cheng Yu, meanwhile, shut herself in to study, leaving the business entirely in Qiu Luo’s hands.

One day, just as Qiu Luo left for work, Shen Yanding showed up at the Liu residence with gifts.

When the steward informed her, Madam Cheng simply waved her hand.

“There’s no need to bother the young lady with this kind of thing. I’ll handle it.”

Clearly, the man hadn’t given up yet.

Of course Shen Yanding hadn’t. He’d been secretly in love with her since they were young—how could he let go now?

“Happy New Year, Aunt Cheng. I’ve come especially to pay my respects,” he said, instructing his men to place the gifts down while his eyes scanned the hall.

But Cheng Yu wasn’t there.

Madam Cheng knew exactly what he was looking for, and it only made her dislike him more. She cut straight to the point:

“How thoughtful. But if you have no urgent business, you should be on your way. I’ve got things to do and won’t be entertaining guests today.”

Had this been before, she might’ve been more welcoming—after all, both were unmarried.

But now, things were different. He was about to marry, and so was her daughter. No matter how perfect a match they once seemed, it was no longer appropriate.

More importantly, Madam Cheng didn’t even think he was a good match anymore.

She still remembered when she’d first asked Cheng Yu about Qiu Luo. Back then, she had brought up Shen Yanding, and Cheng Yu had only said:

“He wasn’t even twenty when he took a concubine.”

That was when Madam Cheng realized her daughter’s stance—she didn’t want a husband who took other women.

After enduring what she had with Concubine Tang, how could she not understand what her daughter needed?

Shen Yanding, feeling the clear rejection in Madam Cheng’s attitude, struggled to keep his composure.

In the past, this would’ve been enough to make him back down.

But things had changed. Madam Cheng had been cast aside. She was no longer the wife of the richest man in town. What pride could she possibly have left?

Forcing himself to remain polite, he said,

“Might I ask if Miss Cheng is home? I have something I wish to speak to her about.”

“No.” Madam Cheng replied coldly, her tone clipped.

Shen Yanding choked on his words.

Why does she seem even ruder now that she’s been divorced?

Where on earth was a discarded woman getting this kind of confidence?