Transmigrating into the Female Supporting Character with a Good Life in a Laid-Back Novel

Wen Residence, Harmonious Dwelling.

The curtain of night descended. After having dinner with his parents, Wen Ting Zhou had just returned to Harmonious Dwelling when his trusted servant Zhang Qing handed him a letter with a faint floral fragrance.

“Gongzi, Ruan si xiaojie has returned a letter.”

When Wen Ting Zhou heard that Ruan si xiaojie had returned a letter, he raised his eyebrows slightly and the corner of lips hooked up into a faint smile unconsciously.

“It was sent here so quickly?”

As his voice landed, Wen Ting Zhou extended his hand to receive the letter before he sat on his chair and opened the letter in one elegant motion.

Zhang Qing said smilingly, “Gongzi, this symbolises that Ruan si xiaojie has her heart set on yõu greatly.”

“Is that so?” Wen Ting Zhou glanced at the proper and cut block handwriting on top of the letter. He laughed softly, remembering the circumstances surrounding his visit that day. It would be stranger if she had her heart set on him; it was more likely that Ruan Yu Wen was at the side and she had no choice but to pretend.

Zhang Qing had been serving by his gongzi’s side for ten years, and he would usually follow his gongzi to the Academy, which showed that he had gained his high regard and trust.

All the servants in Harmonious Dwelling were men because gongzi did not like having maidservants waiting upon him closely. The Furen had tried to persuade him otherwise multiple times but to no avail, so she could only give up. Hence, Harmonious Dwelling became a special and lone existence in the Wen Residence.

There were even concubines starting rumours about how his gongzi was a good male homosexual in private. Zhang Qing sneered in his heart.

Although Ruan si xiaojie was only a concubine-born daughter from an Earl Residence and her social status was slightly low, which made her undeserving of the handsome and noble-tempered gongzi, it could not stand up against the fact that she was the lady that his gongzi had set his heart on, and she was going to be Zhang Qing’s future female master.

From his gongzi’s smiling expression, he knew that his gongzi was actually very happy about receiving Ruan si xiaojie’s reply letter.

“Gongzi, isn’t it very obvious?”

Wen Ting Zhou gave a smile that was not a smile. Then, he took out the letter paper and compared it to the characters printed on the envelope. It was essentially two extremes. The smile on Wen Ting Zhou’s visage deepened further.

“Slippery little fellow!”

When Zhang Qing heard the three words “slippery little fellow” come out from his gongzi’s mouth, it was like he had been struck by lightning because his face was filled with shock.

Wen Ting Zhou did not mind Zhang Qing’s expression. He admired the xiao yatou’s handwriting briefly before he started to read the entire letter with a speed that was neither fast nor slow.

小丫头 (pinyin: xiao ya tou) – translate to ‘little girl’, and Wen Ting Zhou is calling Ruan Xi that term affectionately, as compared to Zhang shi’s disparage.

At the end of the letter, she even mentioned that Earl Chengyi wanted her to cultivate feelings with him through the exchange of letters, then she proceeded to ask him for his opinion and if he could put up a joint performance together.

Wen Ting Zhou laughed again. This xiao yatou was truly crafty, but he did not dislike it.

After Zhang Qing got over his shock, he stole looks at his gongzi’s expression from time to time, and he started attaching more importance to Ruan si xiaojie in his heart.

As expected, Ruan si xiaojie was different in his gongzi’s heart, she was special.

After reading the letter, Wen Ting Zhou stood up and went to his study… to raise the wick of an oil lamp to study through the night— no, that did not exist.

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Ruan Xi did not know about the reaction that Wen gongzi had after receiving her letter. After she handed the letter to her oldest brother, she stopped caring.

There was a change in the colours of the dishes for dinner, with two meats, two vegetables and one soup. There were no additional ingredients, the meat dishes were no longer greasy, the vegetables were refreshing and light, and the soup was the same.

Ruan Xi expressed her satisfaction.

Ruan san niang’s act of pitting herself when it was least expected had brought a tremendous amount of benefit.

“Young Lady, yõu are really smart, you guessed correctly again.” Su Zhu said happily as she helped Ruan Xi serve the dishes.

Ruan Xi took a bite of her extremely delicious, braised duck meat and said faintly: “This isn’t because I am smart, but merely the consequence of the different position I am holding right now.”

Su Yu and Su Zhu pondered over it before they agreed.

After eating her dinner, Ruan Xi practiced her calligraphy for a while more under the dim and yellow lamp light before she washed up and slept.

On the other side, Ruan san niang, who was only allowed to eat porridge and was hungry to the point where her four limbs were weakened, almost cried herself to a faint on her bed.

This day was insufferable.

……

Early in the next morning, Ruan Xi woke up early to wash up and have her breakfast. After she was done with her morning routine, Su Yu took out an article of clothing from the closet and said smilingly, “Young Lady, Lao Taitai and Furen added new clothes to yõur possession a few days ago, and you have yet to wear this skirt. How about wearing this skirt to pay respects to Lao Taitai today?”

Su Yu was holding onto a light purple short jacket and skirt that cinched at the waist. The cut of the garment was meticulously done and the fabric material was superb, which made the ensemble look smooth and soft. It was apparent at a glance that it was manufactured out of good quality silk.

“Su Yu has good vision, you immediately picked a clothing that Lao Taitai had asked to be sent over.” Ruan Xi gave a line of praise.

The clothes that the original owner acquired for the four seasons in a year had always been extremely common: the style was ordinary, the fabric quality was average, the colours were regular but not vivid, and it was even a little dark and old-fashioned.

While the new clothes that her legitimate mother sent a few days ago were two grades higher in material quality, the style and tailoring were still ordinary and unremarkable, and the floral patterns sewn over the skirts were simple.

Whereas the Lao Taitai was different; while there were only a few sets of new clothing, they were tastefully chosen and exquisite in all respects.

When Ruan Xi wore that light purple short jacket and skirt that cinched her waist, it did not matter if she deliberately restrained her temperament because the clothes she wore forced out some of the elegance and intellectual brilliance that an unrivalled beauty possessed.

Su Yu and Su Zhu praised her profusely.

“Young Lady, you look truly magnificent in that set of clothes, nubi was on the verge of staring at you in rapture.”

Ruan Xi could not help but laugh. People depended on their attire, Buddhas depended on their gold clothes, a person with a good countenance and excellent figure would look good in anything.

“Enough, it’s getting late. Put everything in proper order without delay and we shall set off for Tranquil Longevity Hall.”

Su Yu and Su Zhu quickly answered with their compliance.

After transmigrating here for a few days, this was the first time Ruan Xi stepped out of Limpid Heart Garden and she was in a decent mood.

Earl Chengyi Residence occupied a large piece of land and had plenty of courtyards, it had a fine scenery with its buildings, pavilions, kiosks, and the surrounding fake rockery, flowing waters, well-trimmed and exquisite flowers and plants everywhere.

Ruan Xi remained extraordinarily calm, not revealing the slightest trace of difference as she walked over to Tranquil Longevity Hall at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow.

As she was travelling there, she encountered servants that were coming and going, all of whom showed her respect. This was a treatment that the original owner had never enjoyed.

Most of the servants in the residence were acting as the situation dictated, there was nothing to be happy about.

On the other hand, Su Yu and Su Zhu looked proud and elated.

After winding around a few corridors, Tranquil Longevity Hall was right before their eyes, so Su Yu went up to inform the older woman servants who were keeping watch at the door.

That older woman servant was full of smiles as she said: “Lao Taitai has sent word that if the Fourth Young Lady arrives to pay her respects, she can go in as she pleases, and there is no need to report for entry.”

Su Yu and Su Zhu were delighted.

This was a treatment reserved for the Oldest Young Master and the Third Young Lady since they were of legitimate descent, whereas the other Young Masters and Young Ladies had to be reported to the Lao Taitai first when they arrived at the Tranquil Longevity Hall before they were allowed to go in.

Ruan Xi quickly revealed a smiling expression that conveyed she was overwhelmed by the unexpected favour before she brought Su Yu and Su Zhu into Tranquil Longevity Hall.

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Inside the reception room of Tranquil Longevity Hall.

Wearing dark-coloured garments with scattered flowers, Lao Taitai held her Buddha praying beads in one hand as she sat erected on a chair with a benign countenance, and flanking her was Mama Chen and two pretty maidservants.

Once Ruan Xi stepped in, she greeted in a law-abiding manner: “This granddaughter pays her respect to Lao Taitai.”

“Si niang’s complexion looks pretty good, certainly one with good fortune.” Lao Taitai scrutinised her fourth granddaughter carefully, her gaze roving past her exquisite facial features and her delicately wrought and appealing stature which made look like a jade beauty. In just one glance, she could sense the subtle changes in her granddaughter, which made her nod her head imperceptibly.

Ruan Xi replied: “It is all thanks to Lao Taitai’s lucky influence.”

Lao Taitai wore a kindly smile and used a gentle tone of voice as she enquired about Ruan Xi’s recent circumstances.

Ruan Xi answered fluently and spoke the truth for what it was, like the dishes she had for her three meals…

Truth to be told, Ruan Xi knew that, like a clear mirror, the Lao Taitai was perfectly aware of the things she was recounting, but now that she was being pushed into a draught, it was impossible for her to continue hiding her inadequacies by keeping quiet.

If Ruan Xi were to follow the original owner’s way of handling, Lao Taitai would only be disappointed and believe that Ruan Xi could not be valued highly. As a natural consequence, Ruan Xi had to change.

In response, Lao Taitai constantly wore a smiling expression and she did not conceal the satisfaction in her eyes.

“Si niang, you are an intelligent girl, even as your paternal grandmother, there has been an error in my judgement.”

Mama Chen and the maidservants were greatly surprised: “……” It turns out the Fourth Young Lady was the one who hid the deepest.

Ruan Xi’s eyes were bright and full of vigour, and heartfelt sincerity was prominently expressed on her visage. “Lao Taitai has bestowed undue praise. The times have changed. This granddaughter is a small person with slighted strength, she can only alter herself.”

Lao Taitai gazed deeply at her fourth granddaughter who was akin to a pearl with its dust wiped away, thus allowing its splendour to burst forth. Then, she thought about her supposedly intelligent and quick-witted third granddaughter, who revealed the selfish part of herself because of a marriage arrangement. Lao Taitai could not help but heave a sigh in her heart.

“You speak correctly. As a person, one must be adaptable to circumstances; during times of humility, be subdued and hide your inadequacy by keeping quiet while sparing no effort to seize hold of the things that belong to yourself; during times of ascendance, one needs to be free from arrogance and rashness, and by no means act flippantly and impudently.

“Si niang, if zu mu has not guessed incorrectly, the standards of your zither, chess, calligraphy and painting are not as mediocre as you reveal them to be, is that right?”

祖母 (pinyin: zu mu) – paternal grandmother.

Ruan Xi said modestly, “Zu mu is mistaken in her praise. The standards of this granddaughter’s zither, chess, calligraphy and painting is a slight notch below her three older sisters.”

Lao Taitai smiled, not entirely believing her. Prior to this, she had not paid much attention to her quiet fourth granddaughter who had never flaunted her skills, and she did not expect that she would give her such a big surprise.

She was afraid that Wen gongzi truly had his heart set on her fourth granddaughter. First he sent her a precious suet jade hairpin, then he visited her because of her illness, took the initiative to write her a letter, and was even preparing to send her a training Mama… All of these actions made Wen gongzi’s high regard evident.

She heard from da lang that he had gained the attention of the teachers in Qingshan Academy, and everything was brought by her fourth granddaughter.

Now that the Lao Taitai was thinking about all these, the affection in her gaze increased as she looked at Ruan Xi.

“Mama Chen, go to my private stores and take out that set of ruby-embedded gold jewellery.”

Mama Chen gave a response before she left.

Ruan Xi: “……”

If she did not remember incorrectly, the original Ruan san niang had been coveting that set of ruby-embedded gold jewellery that Lao Taitai possessed for a long time now.

And if the Lao Taitai gave her that jewellery set, she did not know what kind of thoughts this reborn transmigrator Ruan san niang would have.

Smiling, Lao Taitai asked Ruan Xi to come forward so she could hold her hand and talk to her. Ruan Xi’s placid and reserved performance was absorbed into Lao Taitai’s eyes, and she became even more satisfied in her heart.

Some time later, Mama Chen brought over a yellow rosewood jewellery case in both of her hands.

Lao Taitai gestured for Mama Chen to open the jewellery case. An exquisite and magnificent set of jewellery forged out of pure gold and inlaid with rubies came into view.

“Si niang, see if you like this set of jewellery?” Lao Taitai asked with a smile.

“Yes.” Admiration and appreciation seeped into Ruan Xi’s gaze as she laid her eyes on the jewellery.

Who wouldn’t like resplendent and precious jewellery? Ruan Xi liked it too, but her liking possessed a measure of restraint.

Still smiling, Lao Taitai closed the jewellery case and placed it in Ruan Xi’s hands. “It’s good that you like it. Since you don’t have any pieces of remarkable jewellery, this jewellery set will be given to you.”

Ruan Xi openly accepted the jewellery case, unveiling a smile. “Thanking zu mu!”

Lao Taitai patted her hand in an affectionate manner. “The time is getting late, go to the main courtyard to pay your respects to your Mother.”

Holding onto the jewellery case, Ruan Xi bid farewell to Lao Taitai and left the reception room. When Su Yu and Su Zhu – who were standing outside and waiting – saw their Young Lady coming out, they went forward hurriedly, and they immediately beamed with joy upon seeing the jewellery case in their Young Lady’s hands.

And when they met numerous younger and older woman servants, they came forward to give her a bow once they saw the exquisite jewellery case in her hands, and their smiles were respectful and amicable.

Ruan Xi merely smiled without uttering a word.

Unconsciously, they reached the main entrance to the courtyard. Ruan Xi then placed the jewellery case in Su Yu’s care.

This time, she had to face her legitimate mother in actuality.