Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 49

The cold words struck the air like frost, and Qiu Erlang shivered. “I don’t want to go to prison! I meant I’m nothing like Shen Yanding!”

He would never steal watermelons, let alone bribe officers to bully Sister Cheng.

In Qiu Erlang’s simple view, everything boiled down to one thing: in the future, he would be good to his wife and never do bad things.

Qiu Luo took Cheng Yu’s hand and quickened her pace, helping her into the carriage. She turned back to glare at her younger brother. “You stay behind. You’re still young—run a little more. It’s good for your health.”

This child had absolutely no sense of timing.

Qiu Erlang pouted. When I get rich, I’ll ride in my own carriage everywhere and never chase after one again.

Inside the carriage, Cheng Yu shot her a sidelong glance. “Don’t be so harsh on Erlang.”

Qiu Luo smiled. “I’m just training him. This is the age for growing, and he needs the exercise. If we pamper him until he can’t even run a few steps, we’ll ruin him.”

Qiu Luo didn’t intend to go easy on her “borrowed” little brother.

The original Qiu Luo had always been self-absorbed, neglecting to guide Qiu Erlang properly. Now that he was in his teens, he remained clumsy and rash. It was time he learned.

Being simple-hearted wasn’t a bad thing. If possible, Qiu Luo hoped the people around her could stay that way.

But the world was full of filth and chaos. No one could live in innocence forever. Eventually, life would force you to grow up.

Cheng Yu nodded gently. “You’re his sister. You decide what’s best.”

She herself had been raised to be mature far too early, burdened with high expectations. There had never been a time in her life that was carefree.

Now, seeing that Qiu Erlang still had the innocence of a child, she found herself inclined to be lenient.

But Qiu Luo was right—sooner or later, everyone had to grow up.

Qiu Luo didn’t know what Cheng Yu was thinking. She gave her a tender look. “These past few days must’ve been hard on you.”

After all, jail was no place for a woman like Cheng Yu, raised in a wealthy family. She probably hadn’t suffered this much in her entire life.

But Cheng Yu smiled calmly. “It wasn’t that bad. You and Mother must’ve been more worried than I was.”

That wasn’t quite true. Jail had been rough—filled with the noise of pleading, the aggression of the hardened, and even lewd stares because of her looks and manner. She barely slept or ate. Rats scurried around, and her only rest was a straw mat.

Yet all of it had only strengthened her will. Her desire to pursue a career in public service had grown fiercer.

But none of this needed to be said to Qiu Luo.

What she wanted was to make sure that the people she cared for never had to suffer what she had.

“All right,” Qiu Luo said, pulling her into an embrace. “If our top scholar says she’s fine, then she’s fine. Let’s go home.”

Their hearts, like their lives, had quietly grown entwined.

Outside, the breeze lifted the carriage curtain, gently stirring their hair—just like the threads of fate binding their lives ever tighter.

Qiu Luo’s mood was better than she’d expected. Things had taken a surprising turn.

The “male lead,” once destined for success with the heroine’s help, was now facing three years in prison. The “supporting girl,” once spoiled and wayward, seemed to have truly turned over a new leaf.

Qiu Luo didn’t feel even a hint of guilt about Shen Yanding’s fate. If he couldn’t stay out of trouble without the heroine watching over him, then the problem had always been within him.

A person with twisted intentions was bound to be undone eventually.

When they arrived home, Madam Cheng burst into tears upon seeing Cheng Yu. She clutched her daughter’s hands tightly. “You’re safe—that’s all that matters. Come try on your wedding robe and cast off the bad luck.”

The bright red robe made Cheng Yu’s features glow with brilliance.

She spread her arms slightly and asked, “How do I look?”

“Beautiful. The robe is lovely, but the person even more so,” Qiu Luo said with a soft smile.

Cheng Yu’s lips curled involuntarily, a charming glow lighting her expression, adding a hint of grace and allure.

Qiu Luo was momentarily stunned, forgetting what she’d meant to say.

They stared at each other in silence, affection quietly flowing between them.

“Ahem… It’s getting late,” Madam Cheng interrupted, breaking the spell. “Yu’er, stay with me tonight, won’t you? You’re all grown up and getting married. Who knows how many more chances I’ll have to spend the night with you?”

Caught in the moment, both Qiu Luo and Cheng Yu had completely forgotten Madam Cheng was still in the room.

Qiu Luo quickly excused herself, leaving mother and daughter their time together.

After she left, Madam Cheng’s eyes briefly darkened with emotion. She had seen it clearly—those two were genuinely in love.

But whether Qiu Luo could be trusted long-term, whether she could accompany her daughter for life… that remained uncertain.

Still, at this moment, Madam Cheng chose to trust her—and to trust her daughter’s choice.

“Yu’er,” she said softly, “I used to worry about your marriage to Qiu Luo. But now… I feel completely at ease.”

Cheng Yu sensed her mother’s wistfulness and sat beside her, head bowed to listen.

Madam Cheng smiled. “You’re my only daughter. Ever since you came of age, I’ve worried over your marriage. I feared you’d fall for the wrong person, suffer like I did… But now I see, I worried too much. With Qiu Luo by your side, living with me at home, no in-laws to serve, no scheming in the back courtyard… I’ll get to see you often. Truly, I couldn’t imagine a better marriage.”

As the saying goes: adversity reveals true hearts, and time reveals true character.

When Cheng Yu was imprisoned, they had no information. For someone of scholarly rank to be arrested—everyone feared the worst.

If her name had been cleared, fine. But if not, her title would be stripped, her assets seized, and her family could be dragged down with her.

During those few days, Madam Cheng had been utterly lost, unable to help her daughter no matter how much she wanted to.

It was the Qiu siblings who stayed by her side and steadied her.

Qiu Luo believed in Cheng Yu more than even she herself did, patiently supporting the household.

In that moment, Madam Cheng had seen clearly.

She had worried, of course—had scrutinized the Qiu siblings with a wary eye. Her daughter was entrusting them with her life, after all.

Thankfully, they proved dependable.

Qiu Luo not only remained calm and managed the business as usual—Qiu Erlang, too, was more composed than before. Other than going out to gather updates from the prison and the government, he stayed with her, offering comfort.

Neither of them showed signs of panic or selfishness. They stayed grounded and loyal, and that gave her more peace than she had expected.

People grow attached through shared experience.

Her daughter was smart—thankfully, she had chosen the right person.

Cheng Yu lowered her gaze with a smile. “I think she’s the best, too.”

That “she” was naturally Qiu Luo.

Out of all the people in the world, it was that one who held her heart.

Their wedding was a quiet affair. Madam Cheng didn’t want anything to do with her own family, nor their cold politicking. She accepted the marriage document and arranged only for Prefect Liu to attend.

On Qiu Luo’s side, she invited a few elders from Qiu Village. Surprisingly, Lu Jiaojiao somehow heard about the wedding and sent a congratulatory gift.

The number of guests was just right, neither too few nor too many, and the atmosphere was cheerful and warm.

Qiu Erlang, having helped with the wedding preparations, got drunk for the first time—grinning like a child.

That night, as Cheng Yu removed her hairpin, Qiu Luo picked up a wooden comb and stepped forward to help her.

“I can do it myself,” Cheng Yu murmured, cheeks faintly pink.

Qiu Luo beamed. “Let me. I’m not an outsider.”

Cheng Yu smiled softly, her eyes brimming with warmth.

Yes—they were family now.