Transmigrated into the Scumbag Ex-Wife of the Prime Minister - Chapter 90

The heavy rain persisted from dusk until nightfall. After dinner, Lu Sheng moved a small stool to sit under the eaves and enjoy the cool air.

Rainwater flowed down the blue tiles and collected at the eaves, eventually gathering into a single drop that then fell into the puddle on the ground, splashing up a spray of water.

Qi Zhenshu put the washed bowls and chopsticks into the cabinet, rolled down the sleeves on her arms, and sat down next to Lu Sheng.

“Are you tired?” Qi Zhenshu gently smoothed the hair by Lu Sheng’s ear, her voice soft.

During the two months they were apart, they had exchanged letters every ten-odd days. Qi Zhenshu knew that Lu Sheng had been busy at the winery making new jiuqu (fermenting agent for alcohol) these past two months.

Even though Lu Sheng was trying her best to hide it, Qi Zhenshu had noticed that she seemed a little out of sorts and quite exhausted since they met.

Lu Sheng drew her gaze back from the puddle and leaned against Qi Zhenshu’s shoulder, saying softly, “I’m fine.”

“Rest early if you’re tired.” Qi Zhenshu patted her shoulder, preparing to get up, “I’ll go boil some water for you.”

“Stay for a bit first.” Lu Sheng grabbed her hand, reluctant to move from her shoulder, “Just stay and talk to me.”

Lu Sheng cherished this rare time alone together.

“Alright.” Qi Zhenshu shifted a little closer, making it more comfortable for Lu Sheng to lean on her, and asked, “How is everyone at home?”

“Mmm, they’re all pretty good.”

Lu Sheng looked out at the night sky. The dark clouds had dispersed, and the crescent moon peeked out from behind them.

“The little one is getting taller,” Lu Sheng gestured to her waist, “She’s already this tall. I can barely lift her anymore.”

After the New Year, Tangtang had started to shoot up, losing her baby fat and gaining height.

Looking at her long arms and legs, it seemed she had inherited Qi Zhenshu’s stature.

Thinking that Qi Zhenshu hadn’t seen the child for several months, Lu Sheng blurted out, “Wait until next time…”

Lu Sheng stopped mid-sentence.

“Hmm?” Qi Zhenshu didn’t know why she had suddenly paused.

Lu Sheng turned her head to look at her, a smile tugging at her lips, “We’ll wait until after the exam to bring her over.”

“That’s good.” Qi Zhenshu nodded, turning her gaze toward the courtyard.

Perhaps after the provincial exam, she would have to return to Binhe County.

Qi Zhenshu wanted to wait until there was a definitive conclusion about her father’s matter before telling Lu Sheng, to spare her the worry for now.

Besides, Qi Zhenshu vaguely felt that if she told Lu Sheng directly, Lu Sheng would unequivocally make a decision to protect her.

This was also what Qi Zhenshu least wanted to see, so after she herself found out, she chose not to tell Lu Sheng.

“How about you?” Lu Sheng yawned, “Is the prefectural yamen busy?”

“Not busy.”

Everything related to the illegal iron trade case had been handed over to Ruan Peng. Qi Zhenshu spent her days assisting Princess Changning with other administrative matters.

Jiangnan Dao governed nine prefectures and sixty-eight counties. The tax ledgers from the first half of the year had been submitted to the Dao Prefectural Yamen, and Qi Zhenshu was currently reviewing them.

“How is the case progressing?” Lu Sheng played with Qi Zhenshu’s fingers, asking seemingly casually.

Qi Zhenshu’s eyes paused for a moment. She looked down at Lu Sheng, and seeing her expression was normal, she softened her voice and said, “We’ve found a few leads.”

She kept her answer brief, and Lu Sheng didn’t press further, closing her eyes and suppressing the emotions in her heart.

Just before Qi Zhenshu spoke, Lu Sheng had noticed her instinctively kneading her index finger.

This was a movement Qi Zhenshu made when she was nervous.

Qi Zhenshu was truly hiding something from her, and whatever could make her so nervous was most likely the matter Ruan Ruo had mentioned.

Lu Sheng quietly composed herself and changed the subject, gesturing, “Xiao Bai is already this big now.”

The two talked for a while, sitting there, then went inside early to rest.

The night sky was a deep, watery blue, and the clear moonlight sprinkled down from the heavens.

The morning breeze drifted through the window lattice, instantly dissolving into the diffused warmth within the room.

Qi Zhenshu’s hand gently slid down, resting on Lu Sheng’s waist. She released Lu Sheng’s scarlet lips and said softly, “You’ve clearly lost weight.”

Lu Sheng bit her lip and exhaled a trembling “No” from the tip of her tongue.

“Is that so? Then I need to take a closer look.” Qi Zhenshu chuckled softly, her slender finger gently tapping twice.

As the moonlight shifted, Lu Sheng still couldn’t resist, burying her face in Qi Zhenshu’s neck and whimpering sweetly, “I missed you, so much… so much… Wuwuwu…”

The next day.

After having breakfast at home, Qi Zhenshu went to the academy. Lu Sheng stayed home a little longer before leaving for the Dao Prefectural Yamen.

Qin Feiyan walked out of the door and was surprised to see the person standing outside. “Xiao Sheng?”

“Sister Yan.” Lu Sheng walked forward two steps and smiled at her, “I wonder if you have time? I wanted to ask you a few things.”

“What do you want to ask, Xiao Sheng?”

“My father, he…”

“You know about it?” Qin Feiyan’s expression changed, and she interrupted her.

“I heard a little, and I don’t know if it’s true, so I thought I’d come and ask you.” Lu Sheng nodded, her tone sincere.

“Sigh.” Qin Feiyan glanced at the people around, and said to Lu Sheng, “This is no place to talk. Come with me.”

Qin Feiyan led her around the yamen courtyard to her own room in the rear office.

Closing the door, Qin Feiyan poured Lu Sheng a cup of tea.

“Who told you?” Qin Feiyan asked.

Since Lu Sheng was coming to ask her, it certainly wasn’t Qi Zhenshu who had told her.

“Ruan Ruo.”

That little girl!

Qin Feiyan cursed inwardly.

Ruan Ruo often came to the yamen to see her sister for no particular reason. Qin Feiyan had seen her a few times, and initially hadn’t thought anything of it, until one time she casually saw Ruan Ruo secretly glancing at Qi Zhenshu, and realized something was amiss.

“What did she tell you?”

Lu Sheng told Qin Feiyan what Ruan Ruo had said. Qin Feiyan couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger after listening.

“The case isn’t even closed yet, how can she say he’s definitely guilty?” Qin Feiyan was furious. “Don’t listen to her nonsense. Even if Uncle Lu was involved, it wouldn’t lead to your banishment.”

Qin Feiyan had already asked Princess Changning about this. With the current evidence, even if Lu Huacheng’s guilt was confirmed, the worst that would happen was that Qi Zhenshu would be stripped of her scholarly status, but there wouldn’t be any other significant impact.

“But it will implicate Zhenshu, won’t it?” Lu Sheng couldn’t help but ask again.

Before coming to Qingzhou, Lu Sheng had subtly asked Zhuo Yu, and the answer she received was that the punishment could range from banishment at the worst to implicating three generations at the least.

“Not necessarily.” Qin Feiyan noticed her low spirits and quickly advised, “The case is still under investigation. Maybe Uncle Lu didn’t know anything.”

“Thank you, Sister Yan.” Lu Sheng accepted her kindness.

“Don’t worry too much. Princess Changning values Xiao Shu very much.”

She was around Princess Changning every day and could tell that the Princess greatly admired and valued Qi Zhenshu. If Qi Zhenshu were to be implicated, the Princess would likely offer some assistance.

Taking another step back, even if Qi Zhenshu couldn’t officially serve, she could probably become an advisor in the Princess’s residence.

Given the current state of affairs in the world, being an advisor to the Princess’s residence would not be inferior to a career obtained through the imperial examinations.

Thinking about the possibility of Princess Changning eventually taking that highest seat, Qin Feiyan’s heart also felt a little heavy.

Hearing Qin Feiyan’s words, Lu Sheng was not only not comforted at all but felt even more depressed.

Because she was the main character, Princess Changning would always be a source of help for Qi Zhenshu. But a villainous supporting character like her, even if she “changed for the better,” would still, through twists and turns, become Qi Zhenshu’s burden.

Before leaving, Lu Sheng instructed Qin Feiyan, “Sister Yan, please don’t tell her I came to see you.”

“I understand.” Qin Feiyan replied.

Qin Feiyan could understand that Qi Zhenshu didn’t tell Lu Sheng for fear of worrying her, and she could also understand that Lu Sheng didn’t want to tell Qi Zhenshu to keep her mind at ease.

In the evening.

Because of Qi Zhenshu’s concealment, combined with the pent-up frustration in her own heart, Lu Sheng, for a rare moment, took the initiative. With a sense of venting, she gave Qi Zhenshu a truly exhausting “lesson.”

Qi Zhenshu was usually cool and aloof, but at that moment, she was tender, enchanting, and utterly affectionate, which made Lu Sheng unable to hold back and “bully” her two more times.

Afterward, Lu Sheng wrung a cloth to wipe Qi Zhenshu’s body. Qi Zhenshu turned her head, the blush on her cheeks even more vivid.

“The day after tomorrow is Ruan Shanzhang’s mother’s birthday. Ruan Peng knew you were here today, so she invited you to join. Would you like to go?” Qi Zhenshu asked in a low voice.

Lu Sheng helped her tie the sash of her inner garment, thought for a moment, and said, “Let’s go together.”

Although Lu Sheng was somewhat annoyed with Ruan Ruo now, Ruan Peng was Qi Zhenshu’s colleague and had specifically invited her, so it wouldn’t be good to decline her invitation.

“Mmm, then we’ll go buy a birthday gift tomorrow.”

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

Guests streamed in and out of the Ruan residence gate, though many were turned away by the steward with a polite smile at the entrance.

Ruan Shanzhang had served as the Libationer of the Imperial Academy in the capital and had been the Shanzhang of Baihe Academy for many years, her students spread across the land.

It was her mother’s seventieth birthday, and many disciples had already sent gifts, with some even traveling from out of town specifically for the occasion.

Ruan Shanzhang disliked extravagance and showing off. For her mother’s birthday, she had only invited a few relatively close relatives and disciples, so most people who arrived with lavish birthday gifts were respectfully turned away.

“Zhenshu, Miss Lu.” Ruan Peng was greeting guests at the entrance and smiled as she approached Qi Zhenshu.

Qi Zhenshu handed her the birthday gift. Ruan Peng accepted it with a smile, “There are too many people today, so I won’t be able to entertain you. Please go inside. The Princess and Sister Lin have already arrived.”

“You go on and busy yourself,” Qi Zhenshu replied with a smile, walking with Lu Sheng into the courtyard.

All the way from the entrance, Qi Zhenshu and Lu Sheng attracted a lot of attention.

Qi Zhenshu was talented and beautiful. Even with her somewhat aloof nature, she had always garnered much attention at Baihe Academy.

And now, standing beside her was a beautiful and charming lady, which drew even more attention. Seeing their clasped hands, many were filled with envy.

“Zhenshu! You’re finally here!” A man in a blue robe rushed over to greet Qi Zhenshu when he saw her. “Oh? Who is this?”

“My wife, Lu Sheng.” After the introduction, Qi Zhenshu turned to Lu Sheng and said, “This is my classmate, Lin Qi.”

“Well done! Zhenshu’s wife is very well-matched with you.” Lin Qi nodded slightly at Lu Sheng, laughing heartily.

“By the way, Zhenshu, come and have a look.” Lin Qi eagerly gestured for her to follow him to a long table nearby, pointing to two policy essays on the table. “Give us your appraisal. See whose essay, mine or Ah Si’s, is better.”

Unable to refuse the enthusiastic invitation, Qi Zhenshu glanced at Lu Sheng. Lu Sheng smiled at her, “Go ahead.”

“Mmm, wait for me. It won’t take long.” Qi Zhenshu let go of her hand and walked towards the table.

“What is the topic you chose?” Qi Zhenshu picked up one of the essays.

“The Yuan River Flood Disaster,” Lin Qi replied.

The Yuan River was the largest river in the Xiliang Kingdom, flowing from west to east through five Dao (provinces) and thirteen prefectures, essentially the mother river of Xiliang.

The terrain in the middle reaches of the Yuan River was flat, making it easy for silt from the upper reaches to accumulate there, raising the riverbed. Every summer during the rainy season, this would lead to flooding.

Last month, the Yuan River burst its banks by over a hundred zhang (a unit of length), flooding five nearby cities and drowning nearly ten thousand people.

As the two talked, more people gathered around to view the policy essays.

Lin Qi’s essay advocated for building a dam to block the water, while Qin Si’s essay proposed dredging the river and altering the course.

“Dredging is better than blocking. Naturally, Qin Si’s method of dredging is more reasonable,” someone quickly offered an answer after a brief look at the two essays.

“Not necessarily, not necessarily. Dredging the river is time-consuming and labor-intensive. It’s more convenient to simply build a dam.”

“In my opinion, it would be most effective if the two methods complemented each other.”

Before long, everyone was expressing their views and engaging in a lively debate, which drew even more people to observe.

As the crowd grew larger, Lu Sheng had no choice but to stand further back, watching the passionate scholars debate intensely.

“It truly is lively.”

A gentle middle-aged woman’s voice came from the main path beside her. Lu Sheng looked over and saw a group of people walking toward them.

The middle-aged woman leading the group, about fifty years old, had a dignified appearance and graceful gait. She was Ruan Shanzhang of Baihe Academy.

Beside her was Princess Changning, and slightly behind them were Lin Shuqing and Ruan Peng’s wife, Fang Jing.

“Shanzhang.”

When the crowd saw her, they all stopped talking, turned, and bowed to Ruan Shanzhang.

“I could hear your voices from afar. Why are you all gathered here?” Ruan Shanzhang smiled as she walked toward them.

“Seeing that it’s still early, Qin Si and I wrote two policy essays. Shanzhang, would you like to take a look?” Lin Qi stepped out of the crowd and said to her with a smile.

“Oh? What is the subject of discussion?”

It was rare to see her disciples still focused on their studies during their leisure time, and Ruan Shanzhang was very pleased.

“The Yuan River Flood Disaster.” Lin Qi led her to the table and handed her the policy essays.

Ruan Shanzhang read them one by one, then looked at the others, “Do any of you have other insights?”

As soon as she spoke, someone immediately offered their opinion.

Each time someone finished speaking, the smile on Ruan Shanzhang’s face did not diminish, but she would always follow up with, “Do you have any other suggestions?”

When no one spoke anymore, Ruan Shanzhang looked at Princess Changning. Princess Changning whispered a few words to her. Ruan Shanzhang smiled and nodded, then turned her gaze to Qi Zhenshu.

“What do you think, Zhenshu?”

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