Transmigrated into the Scumbag Ex-Wife of the Prime Minister - Chapter 51

The moon was bright and the stars were sparse; the vast, boundless sky spanned ten thousand miles, and the tranquil night shrouded the great earth.

The breathing beside her was light and shallow; the person on the pillow had long since fallen into a deep sleep, and the moonlight, like a thin veil, draped her in a layer of hazy, elegant jade luminescence.

“That despicable ex-wife of hers, in order to elope with her lover, sold the house and even her daughter, and ended up accidentally killing her daughter. She then framed Qi Zhenshu, which led to her being exiled.”

“Fortunately, she later met the Princess (Junzhu), who is the other female protagonist.”

“I’m telling you, those two are a perfect match; they’re both incredibly high-IQ beauties.”

Every sentence in her memory was crystal clear because this conversation took place right before the arrival of the apocalypse.

It was the afternoon that Lu Sheng most wanted to return to, yet was least willing to recall.

The firecrackers on New Year’s Eve woke up the deeply buried memories in her mind and made her clearly remember this conversation.

So, she hadn’t arrived in a different world, but had transmigrated into a novel?

And she had become the despicable ex-wife of Qi Zhenshu, the future Grand Secretary?

What was Lu Sheng’s ending in the book, again?

She was sold to a brothel by her lover, Huang Yaozu, later bought by a rich woman in Qingzhou to be her concubine, and finally found by Qi Zhenshu, who had her sliced a thousand times (lingchi) and her corpse displayed on the city tower as a public warning.

Thinking of this, Lu Sheng shivered, her heart pounding with lingering fear.

If she had transmigrated even a little bit later that day, the original owner would have accidentally suffocated Tangtang due to her crying. Would everything have been too late then?

Would her final resting place also have been the city gate of Qingzhou?

In the novel, after being framed by his despicable ex-wife, Qi Zhenshu’s character became gloomy and cold-hearted; he was ruthless and cruel in his actions, becoming the cold-faced Grand Secretary in the capital whom everyone feared.

Lu Sheng hadn’t read the entire novel, but based on the snippets from her deskmate, she could sketch out an image that was cold, ruthless, vicious, and paranoid.

She slightly turned over and carefully examined Qi Zhenshu.

Her breathing was steady, the profile of her face was delicate and elegant, her sleeping eyes were tranquil and peaceful. Although there was a hint of coldness and detachment in her expression, there was no sign of the brutality and gloom described in the book.

While feeling lucky for herself, Lu Sheng couldn’t help but feel sad for the Qi Zhenshu in the book.

How many hardships and trials must a person go through to have their personality drastically change and become such a cold and heartless person?

Fortunately, everything was salvageable when she transmigrated. Now, Tangtang was healthy and well-behaved, and Qi Zhenshu was also fine. Although her personality was cold and reserved, she was a very gentle person.

Thinking about it carefully, Lu Sheng realized that except for the incident at the Tianyin Pavilion, Qi Zhenshu had never spoken loudly to her.

When she was unhappy, she would only sulk secretly, and by the time Lu Sheng noticed something was wrong, the person had already calmed herself down.

Under the moonlight, the gentle light in Lu Sheng’s eyes intensified, and the corners of her lips couldn’t help but curl up.

The night grew deeper, and a cold wind seeped into the room through a window crack. Lu Sheng’s nose tickled, and she couldn’t help but sneeze.

The person who was fast asleep instantly opened her eyes, and her brown pupils, carrying hazy sleepiness, looked towards her wife beside her.

Before Lu Sheng could speak, a pair of hands covered her forehead, the soft palms carrying a warm heat.

“Are you running a fever again?” Qi Zhenshu asked in a hoarse voice.

Not detecting any unusual temperature, Qi Zhenshu’s brows relaxed, and she turned her gaze to check Lu Sheng’s complexion.

“No.” Lu Sheng quickly shook her head. While feeling warmed, she also felt a little guilty for having disturbed her sleep.

Because she had just sneezed, her speech had a heavy nasal tone, and her voice was slightly dry and hoarse.

“I’ll go pour you some water.”

“No, there’s no need…”

Qi Zhenshu propped herself up and got out of bed, taking long strides before Lu Sheng could reach out to stop her.

In a moment, Qi Zhenshu brought a cup of water and handed it to her.

“Thank you.”

The warm water slid down her throat, like the first sweet rain of spring, scattering drop by drop, softly and gently onto Lu Sheng’s heart, gradually rippling outwards, slowly warming her entire being.

Putting the cup back on the small table, Qi Zhenshu lifted the blanket and got back into bed. Before closing her eyes, she remembered the sneeze and shifted her body, leaning closer to Lu Sheng’s side, their bodies lightly touching.

The warm body pressed close to Lu Sheng’s shoulder; a steady stream of heat, carrying the faint scent of soapwort, lingered in Lu Sheng’s nose.

“If you feel unwell, call me to wake me up.”

“Mm.”

Lu Sheng, wrapped in the blanket, answered with a muffled sound, her face flushed.

Three days later.

“What happened next?” The little one flipped over from Lu Sheng’s arms, lay on Lu Sheng’s chest, and asked curiously with her round eyes, “A-niang, did Anna find her sister Elsa?”

Lu Sheng had recovered greatly, and Qi Zhenshu had lifted the ban on Tangtang getting close to her. The little one was now glued to her side all day, and Lu Sheng, having nothing much to do, told her Disney animated stories.

“So impatient.”

Lu Sheng scratched her chubby little neck, and the little one giggled.

“Anna and the snowman…”

Creak.

The wooden door hinge turned softly, emitting a heavy friction sound.

Lu Sheng immediately fell silent, loosened her arms from her daughter, and closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

At the same time, Tangtang also quickly scrambled up from Lu Sheng’s chest, sat to one side, and played with the cloth tiger in her hands.

Qi Zhenshu, tall and graceful, walked into the room, holding a bowl of herbal soup.

She slowly walked to the bed. Her light brows briefly swept over the space on the bed. The little person on the bed nervously raised her head and dutifully called out ‘Niangqin’ (Mother).

“Asleep?” Qi Zhenshu placed the medicine on the small table by the bed, looked up at her daughter, and asked calmly.

“Mm.” The little one’s eyes darted around. Remembering the agreement with A-niang, she nodded quickly.

Her brows slightly lowered, Qi Zhenshu glanced at the person pretending to be asleep, then lowered her head, gazing at her daughter, and called out, “Lu Qi.”

Her tone was low, and the little one immediately sat up straight.

“Do you still remember how to write the two characters for ‘honesty’?”

The little one’s eyes flickered away, and she squeaked out, “I-I remember.”

“You haven’t practiced your calligraphy today. Write these two characters, one hundred times for each.”

Qi Zhenshu’s voice was faint, but carried an invisible sternness.

“Niang… Niangqin.”

The little one immediately panicked upon hearing this. Normally it was only fifty times, but today it was one hundred times.

“No, no, no, don’t punish her. It was all my idea.”

The person who was pretending to sleep couldn’t hold back anymore. She quickly opened her eyes, sat up, and, holding Tangtang, took the blame.

“In that case, after you drink the medicine, you will practice calligraphy with her. One hundred times for each person.”

Qi Zhenshu raised an eyebrow, glancing at the medicine bowl nearby.

Pretending to be asleep to avoid drinking the medicine, and even instigating her daughter to act along.

You really take the cake!

“Can I not drink it?” Lu Sheng looked at the pitch-black herbal soup and resisted with a distressed expression, “I’m completely better now.”

The medicine was bitter and astringent, thick and sticky, and it made her throat raw. Lu Sheng really couldn’t get used to drinking it.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thought of pretending to sleep to avoid it.

“It’s the last two doses. If you drink it today, you won’t have to drink it tomorrow.”

Seeing her look so utterly miserable, a trace of helplessness flashed in Qi Zhenshu’s heart. Even her three-year-old daughter didn’t resist drinking medicine as much as she did.

“Fine.”

Seeing that she was still firm, Lu Sheng gave up the struggle, picked up the medicine, pinched her nose, and drank it all in one go.

Qi Zhenshu took the empty medicine bowl and reached into her sleeve to take out a paper packet.

“A-niang, eat a sugared melon, and it won’t be bitter anymore.”

The little one took out a piece of tang gua (sugar melon/candy) from the cloth tiger’s little pouch and handed it to Lu Sheng’s mouth.

“Thank you, sweetheart.” Lu Sheng happily stroked her daughter’s head.

This daughter wasn’t raised in vain; she was truly a good, loving child.

Silently putting the paper packet back, Qi Zhenshu lowered her eyes and left with the empty bowl. When she reached the doorway, she turned back to look at the two people on the bed, who were smiling happily, and said coldly, “One hundred times for each person. I will check in one shichen (two hours).”

The fifth day of the first lunar month: Good Fortune for Starting Business.

Early that morning, every household on North Street re-hung their business signs and opened their doors to welcome customers.

Sickness leaving is like silk being drawn (a slow recovery). Lu Sheng, wearing a light peach-colored cotton jacket and skirt, looked refreshed as she welcomed the arriving customers.

The Five-Grain Wine in the shop was of good quality and low price. Many people who had drunk this wine at relatives’ houses during the New Year came to buy it, causing the wine shop to be immediately crowded upon opening.

Seeing the endless stream of customers, Qi Zhenshu did not return to the courtyard to read but stayed in the front to help Lu Sheng, handling the wine pouring and cashiering.

The two of them were busy all day, and the crowd only slowly thinned out around sunset.

Lu Sheng gathered the emptied wine jars by the west wall, waiting for Qi Nan to take them back when he delivered the new wine tomorrow.

As she arranged the wine jars, she said to Qi Zhenshu, “One person isn’t enough to manage this shop. In the evening, help me write a recruitment notice, and I’ll post it on the door tomorrow.”

Based on the customer traffic before the New Year, Lu Sheng estimated that even if the flow of people decreased in a couple of days, the shop would still be too busy for one person.

With just herself in the shop, she wouldn’t be able to leave if something came up. It was better to hire another person; it would make things easier, and she could also spend more time with her little darling.

She also couldn’t keep asking Qi Zhenshu to help and interrupt her studies.

“Mm.” Qi Zhenshu nodded in agreement. “We don’t have any red paper at home. I’ll go buy a sheet at the paper shop later.”

As the two of them were talking, a woman wearing a plain cotton coat walked into the shop.

“Miss Lu, Scholar Qi.” Liu Yun slightly bowed to greet them.

“Lady Liu.” Lu Sheng stopped what she was doing and asked her, “Is Lu Yu feeling better now?”

“Thank you, Miss Lu, for your concern. She’s much better now.” Liu Yun’s brows slightly relaxed. She took a cloth pouch from her bosom and handed it to Lu Sheng. “Here is one tael of silver. Please take this for now, and I will bring the rest of the silver to you in a few days.”

Hearing this, Lu Sheng was a little surprised. She hadn’t expected her to come to repay the debt so soon.

After hearing their circumstances last time, Lu Sheng knew they lived a very meager life, barely able to make ends meet.

This one tael of silver was probably all their savings.

Though she was struggling financially, she did not take favors for granted or take advantage of others.

Lu Sheng was willing to lend a hand to someone like this.

“We don’t urgently need this money. You keep it for now. Lu Yu suffered such a severe injury, so you should save it to buy her some nourishing food. She’ll recover faster that way.” Lu Sheng said with a smile, not reaching out to take the silver.

“That might not be proper.”

Liu Yun looked troubled. What Lu Sheng said was exactly what she was worried about, but after all, they weren’t particularly familiar with Lu Sheng. She had already received a great kindness when Lu Sheng helped her last time, so how could she accept another favor?

Lu Sheng’s eyes flickered, and an idea came to her. She smiled and asked, “Lady Liu, would you be willing to work as a helper in my wine shop?”

“One tael of silver a month, plus lunch included.”

Liu Yun had good character and a good temperament; she was hardworking, and her appearance was suitable. She was exactly the right person, which also saved Lu Sheng the effort of having to choose someone else.

“One tael of silver?” Liu Yun said in surprise.

Before, working as a server in an eatery earned her twenty copper coins a day, which was only six hundred copper coins a month.

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