Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 51 (END)

Right after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Qiu Erlang and Ah Mo registered their marriage and held a grand wedding ceremony.

Originally, neither of them had any close family in the capital. But Cheng Yu was now a Shijiang Xueshi (Lecturing Academician) at the Hanlin Academy, a fourth-rank official, known for her integrity, prudence, and deep favor with the Empress.

Everyone in the capital who heard about it would exclaim, “What great fortune this woman has!”

Although the court permitted women to hold office, most female officials were symbolic at best, lingering on the fringes of bureaucratic institutions with little actual power.

Three years ago, when the previous emperor passed away, the Grand Princess rose unexpectedly, surpassing several imperial princes and becoming the second empress regnant in history.

Coincidentally, Cheng Yu had topped the imperial exams in the year the Empress ascended the throne—becoming not only the Zhuangyuan but a female Zhuangyuan.

The Empress had the intention to promote her, and Cheng Yu was brilliant, capable, and highly learned. In just three years, she rose from a minor editor to an academician lecturing at court, often in the Empress’s presence.

At this pace, it was widely believed she would soon join the inner cabinet. A title of nobility, or even appointment as prime minister, was within reach.

Powerful aristocratic families had tried to win her over, but Cheng Yu always maintained she served only the monarch and owed allegiance to no one.

Some even attempted to pressure her through influence and coercion—but those who did were either demoted or executed. None met a good end.

Only then did everyone realize that although Cheng Yu had no aristocratic background or powerful allies, she had the one ally that mattered most: the Empress herself.

The Empress was her greatest backing.

It became clear to all that Cheng Yu was astute and transparent. What the Empress needed were loyal subjects—not pawns of noble clans. Cheng Yu, with no family ties to the powerful and no desire to curry favor, fit that role perfectly.

Had she tried to align with influential families, she would have lost the favor she currently enjoyed.

As for her wife, Qiu Luo—her businesses spanned the realm, and she had been named the Empress’s top imperial merchant. Saying her wealth rivaled that of the nation was no exaggeration.

She, too, was like Cheng Yu—disdainful of mingling with the powerful, returning every lavish gift sent her way. She understood the world with clear eyes.

But this time was different. The Qiu family was celebrating a wedding, and both merchants and officials—anyone with even a hint of a connection—came bearing extravagant gifts to offer congratulations.

Opportunities to make their acquaintance were rare; no one wanted to miss this one.

On the day of Qiu Erlang’s wedding, the event was so grand it could rival a royal celebration.

That very night, Cheng Yu entered the palace and presented the gift list to the Empress.

“Chancellor Cheng is truly generous. Willing to donate all this to the national treasury?” the Empress said as she glanced over the list. Jewels, gold… These private gifts made even her, the ruler of the land, seem less wealthy in comparison.

Cheng Yu smiled. “Your Majesty jests. I have done nothing to earn these tributes.”

These lavish offerings were not meant for her personally—but for the imperial authority that stood behind her.

Had there been a courtier present, they would have been shocked to see the usually solemn Empress smiling. Most dared not even look her in the eye, let alone speak casually. And yet, Cheng Yu was laughing and chatting with ease.

In private, the two resembled not monarch and subject, but close friends.

The Empress laughed softly. “Enough. You still have guests at home. Go on back.”

Cheng Yu bowed and took her leave. Only when she left the palace did she breathe a sigh of relief.

She had always seen the truth clearly: the court was dangerous. If she wanted to survive intact, there was only one path—to be the Empress’s person, to be loyal to her alone. The Empress was her greatest shield.

But while one family rejoiced, another grieved—far from the capital, hundreds of miles away, in the old Cheng household.

Master Cheng glared at Concubine Tang lying in bed and spat, “Wretched woman!”

She giggled and tore up a letter in her hand. “You’ve injured your leg. Best not stir up trouble. That daughter of yours who became Zhuangyuan is now a fourth-rank official, far too busy to care about you.”

By now, the entire household staff belonged to her. Sending a letter to the capital? Ha. Only if you had the means.

“Yu’er…” Master Cheng muttered his daughter’s name, regret flashing in his eyes.

How foolish he had been.

At first, when Cheng Yu placed first in the imperial exams, he felt only a touch of envy. But as her rank rose, he began to regret it deeply.

Such an outstanding daughter—and he had severed ties with her.

Thinking he was still her father, he attempted to reconcile and packed to go to the capital. But not long after his carriage left the city, it veered into a ravine. His leg was crushed.

While he lay bedridden and cursing his bad luck, Concubine Tang brought her cousin openly into the house. The two flirted brazenly in front of him.

Furious, Master Cheng exploded in rage.

But Concubine Tang only became more arrogant. She revealed the truth: her youngest daughter wasn’t even a Cheng, but the child of her and this man.

Worse still, she used Master Cheng’s injury as an excuse to isolate him and let her cousin take over the family’s businesses.

Despite everything, Master Cheng did not give up. He knew Tang dared not let him die. If he did, Cheng Yu would have to return for the funeral—and when she did, her keen mind would uncover everything Tang had done.

So, he waited. If only Cheng Yu would come home…

Three more years passed. He withered away—but still his daughter did not return.

Sometimes, he wanted to end it all—so that she would be forced to come back and see the truth.

But he couldn’t. He couldn’t die yet. He hadn’t seen his daughter one last time. Hadn’t apologized to his late wife.

He had heard that Cheng Yu had been appointed Deputy Minister, almost a prime minister. She had come so far.

That year, when Cheng Yu was officially named Grand Chancellor, an old acquaintance came to visit.

Lu Jiaojiao was now a junior editor at the Hanlin Academy. Though she had achieved little in her years at court, she accepted it—knowing her own limitations.

She came uninvited because of a letter from home.

Her father wrote: The Cheng family has collapsed.

Tang’s cousin was incompetent and addicted to gambling. After a taste of sudden wealth, he squandered everything. He sold off the family shops one after another—nearly selling Tang’s daughter, too.

It was only thanks to Tang’s desperate efforts that her daughter was spared.

After reading the letter, Cheng Yu said nothing, her expression unreadable.

Lu Jiaojiao cautiously said, “My father visited your father not long ago.”

She did not elaborate. She couldn’t read Cheng Yu’s mood, and feared displeasing her.

She didn’t want to curry favor—but neither did she wish to offend her.

Cheng Yu asked calmly, “What is the current situation?”

Lu Jiaojiao quickly answered,

“Your father’s mind is no longer clear. He only mutters your name—‘Yu’er’. Concubine Tang shows little concern. Her cousin lost an arm in a gambling brawl and has since vanished.”

Cheng Yu’s expression didn’t change. She merely said, “Thank you for letting me know.”

Lu Jiaojiao still couldn’t tell whether Cheng Yu planned to intervene. She sighed inwardly and wisely took her leave.

Later, Cheng Yu visited her mother. Then, as usual, she attended court.

Her mother had said:

“Let him be. He brought this on himself. Focus on your own life. Don’t burden yourself with such matters.”

Since her mother said not to intervene, Cheng Yu let it go.

Life continued as normal.

By middle age, Qiu Luo preferred to stay at home. In her youth, she’d been eager to travel for business. But with time, she realized how precious their moments together were. She simply wanted to spend each day by Cheng Yu’s side.

The two had been together for over a decade. Yet their love had never faded—like a jar of strong wine buried underground, growing richer and mellower with time.

The year Master Cheng died, Cheng Yu and Qiu Luo returned to attend the funeral.

Among the guests, a disheveled man stood watching from afar.

Shen Yanding muttered to no one,

“I almost married her once…”

Behind him, a one-armed beggar glanced their way—then quickly slipped away in fear of being seen.

Concubine Tang did not appear. Rumor had it she threw herself into the river after Master Cheng died, likely out of fear that Cheng Yu would take revenge and her daughter would be implicated.

Tragically, her daughter, left alone and proud by nature, followed her into death.

After the funeral, Cheng Yu and Qiu Luo returned to the capital—and never looked back.

At fifty, Cheng Yu voluntarily resigned. The Empress accepted.

“The mighty Chancellor Qiu has truly mastered detachment,” Qiu Luo teased as she entered the study with a tray of pastries. “Giving up your rank and title just like that.”

Cheng Yu looked up and smiled. “I’ve achieved all I wanted. Now I wish to spend my days with you. Time is too short—I want to give you more of mine.”

Time is too short—I want to spend it all with you, every day that remains.

Qiu Luo picked up an osmanthus pastry and held it to Cheng Yu’s lips. “Then I must be guilty—of depriving the world of a brilliant stateswoman.”

Cheng Yu shot her a look. “You and your glib tongue.”

Qiu Luo grinned. “Yes, yes—I’m shameless. Now open up and try this. I made it myself.”

“It’s… acceptable.”

“Only acceptable?”

“Mmm. Acceptable.”

“Say it again.”

“Acceptable…”

[The End]