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

Inside the Main Courtyard, the candles were brightly lit.

After all the servants were made to withdraw, Earl Chengyi told Zhang shi that he had found a Mama who was coming out from the imperial palace, and she would be sent to si niang’s side once she entered the residence.

Zhang shi was on the verge of exploding in anger. Si niang already had Mama Lin guiding her, how was she lacking in a Mama that came out from the palace?

The Earl’s heart was basically partial to the point where there were no sides left.

She thought about the increasingly dazzling si niang, and then examined the increasingly ineffectual san niang, suppressing the fury that was churning in the bottom of her heart.

“Bo ye, si niang already has Mama Lin’s guidance. If I were to send over another Mama that came out from the palace, wouldn’t it antagonise Mama Lin?”

As Earl Chengyi raised his teacup to sip on his tea, he frowned, “That’s unlikely. The Mama I sourced for is supposed to accompany si niang in marriage, whereas Mama Lin has belonged to the Wen Family from the start, and she’s only teaching si niang for the time being. She will be returning to Wen lao-furen’s side in the future, I reckon she won’t take offence.

“It’s even possible that she will teach si niang how to win over that Mama.”

Zhang shi nearly gnashed her teeth until it broke, but she forced herself to maintain a smiling expression.

“Bo ye, I still think that it is inappropriate, we have to take precautions against contingencies.”

Earl Chengyi was not a fool either and he was not blind to the fact that Zhang shi was unwilling. He stared at Zhang shi fixedly for a long moment before a smear of disappointment flashed past the depths of his eyes. His voice was strict and forceful.

“There are no contingencies, it’s obvious at a glance that Mama Lin is a person with a broad mind. Enough of this, Yu Lan, you don’t need to say more, that Mama will be sent to Limpid Heart Garden once she arrives.”

Hong!

The string that had been stretched taut in Zhang shi’s mind broke in a split second, and she blurted out: “No way, I disagree!”

A loud thunk sounded as Earl Chengyi put down his teacup on the table heavily. With a dark expression, he shouted for her to give way like an official would, “Zhang shi!”

”Bo ye, si niang already has Mama Lin by her side and yet you’re rushing to send her one more. What about my san niang, the dignified and legitimate daughter of the Earl Residence? You’re not even showing a shred of care towards her and you only have that yatou si niang in your eyes, and you’re sending all that is good to her side. Your heart is partial to the point where it no longer has sides, and you’re not even afraid that you will lose everything and achieve nothing, like you’re using a wicker basket to draw water!”

鸡飞蛋打 (pinyin: ji fei dang da – lit. the chicken has flown from the coop and the eggs are broken.

A stupid girl who had eaten infertility medicine should have been discarded a long time ago, and the Earl was only treating her like a treasure because he did not know the truth.

For her daughter, Zhang shi, who had been repressing a stomach full of dissatisfaction, clenched her jaw and erupted, ready to risk everything.

When Earl Chengyi heard Zhang shi mention san niang, the veins in his forehead bulged: “Zhang shi, shut your mouth!”

Earl Chengyi was disheartened and bitterly disappointed.

“Zhang shi, do not forget the words that san niang said a few days ago. Since she disdains the family, she doesn’t have to think about receiving any resources or fostering from the clan any longer!”

Once those words were uttered, Zhang shi’s expression stiffened. Her lips trembled, and like her entire body had been drained of its strength, her whole body dropped down abruptly. How could she possibly forget? She did not know how many times she had tried to persuade san niang, but she had remained obstinate and stuck to her own views.

“Bo ye, san niang is still young. If she receives guidance from the Mama that came out from the palace, maybe she will repent, mend her ways, and admit to her mistakes.” Zhang shi was still not resigned.

Earl Chengyi looked at Zhang shi coldly. It were not for the fact that Zhang shi had settled a good marriage for si niang, he would have flicked his sleeves and left early on.

“If san niang repents and mends her ways, treating the clan’s interest with due importance, I will use my connections again to find her a Mama from the palace.”

Earl Chengyi did not speak in absolute terms. There were only four daughters in the residence, he was not willing to abandon either one of them.

Zhang shi felt slightly comforted in her heart once she received the Earl’s promise, since it meant that the Earl had not given up on san niang completely.

“Bo ye can set his mind at ease, I will persuade san niang properly. When that Mama enters the residence, I will send her to Limpid Heart Garden.”

Earl Chengyi’s complexion cleared up slightly. He did not have high requirements for Zhang shi; as long as she managed the inner residence properly, refrained from scheming against his children, and did not damage the Earl Residence’s interests, that would be enough.

A few days ago, his mother had told him that Zhang shi had been making small movements ceaselessly. If it were not for the physician confirming that si niang was unhindered, Earl Chengyi would not have treated Zhang shi kindly at all.

“Mn, this matter will be left to you.”

Seeing that the time was not early anymore, Earl Chengyi threw down the line indifferently, not prolonging his stay in the Main Courtyard as he swiftly left for his study.

Zhang shi’s expression darkened and sank immediately.

That yatou si niang was becoming more and more outstanding, whereas her san niang seemed to have become a changed person without any rhyme or reason.

A changed person… Changed person…

Zhang shi’s expression went through a huge change abruptly. Yes, ever since san niang clamoured loudly to break off the marriage only to renege, she had faintly sensed that something was amiss.

Her san niang was intelligent; why did she suddenly do something that would contradict her parents?

She was afraid that a wandering ghost had supplanted her body.

Zhang shi became more suspicious the longer she thought about it. Unable to sit still, she called her two trusted servants Mama Sun and Mama Gao inside the room with due haste.

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Ruan san niang, who had been suspected by Zhang shi for having her core swapped, was completely oblivious to this matter.

While Ruan Xi did not take the rumours in Qingshan Academy seriously, Ruan san niang felt sore all over when she heard from Ruan Yu Wen that Wen gongzi had worn the sachet made by her fourth sister.

Her jealousy warped her to the point where she was beyond recognition.

Ruan san niang thought about it. Her fourth sister and Wen gongzi had rumours circulating about them, and since she and Qi Yue An had a marriage contract too, she could imitate them and cultivate feelings with Qi Yue An through letter exchanges.

Without further ado, Ruan san niang wrote Qi Yue An a letter that night.

“Just having a letter is too drab, I’ll tie flowers to it.”

Ruan san niang mumbled to herself as she looked at the sealed letter, deciding to go to the garden the next morning to pick Chinese roses to accompany the letter before sending it to the Marquis Huaiyang Residence.

The ancients were really fond of sending the likes of sachets, pouches, and silk handkerchiefs, how rustic.

Ruan san niang pursed her lips, unable to restrain herself from ridiculing Ruan Xi and Wen gongzi with a line or two. When Qi Yue An received her letter and flowers tomorrow, he will definitely be pleasantly surprised.

Pleased with herself, Ruan san niang went to sleep, having a beautiful dream where she had a bumper harvest in love and business.

Unbeknownst to her, her changes had already aroused Zhang shi’s suspicions.

……

On the morning of the second day, when Ruan Xi had just awoken to the scant first glimmers of dawn, her legitimate mother Zhang shi’s Mama Sun brought a message over.

Her legitimate mother was preparing to go to Yunhua Temple to offer incense this morning, and they were setting out at si shi.

巳时 (pinyin: si shi) – a double-hour denoting 9AM to 11PM. In this instance, they are referring to 9AM exactly.

“Su Yu, go and make inquiries about what might have happened, why is Mother making a trip to offer incense at Yunhua Temple all of a sudden?” Ruan Xi could not help but voice her surprise. Incense offerings were typically fixed on certain days and they would be informed ahead of time, since when was it such a hurried affair?

“Yes, Young Lady.” Su Yu complied and departed.

Under Su Zhu’s service, Ruan Xi washed up and dressed, her heart opening up and adapting. She had been staying in the Earl Residence for the past few days and being able to go to the temple made her rather happy, especially since she had been yearning to light an altar lamp for the original owner.

Her extant trip to Yunhua Temple presented a perfect opportunity to ask the Master in the temple to secretly light an altar lamp with money that the original owner had collected.

Inside the original owner’s memories, she had only been brought to Yunhua Temple by the Lao Taitai once with her three older sisters, but that one-time experience was more like nothing because those memories were blurry and hazy.

After she was done washing up, Su Yu made her return with a food box in her hands. As she was setting down the breakfast on the table, she relayed the information that she managed to inquire.

“Young Lady, nubi managed to learn that the Furen was struck with the idea to go to Yunhua Temple to offer incense at the last moment. Apart from Lao Taitai, Furen, and yõu, there is also Third Young Lady, Lin yiniang, and Youngest Young Master who will be going to Yunhua Temple together.

Ruan Xi became calm and collected.

The noble wives in the ancient era were very fond of going to temples to offer incense and divining their fortunes by drawing lots; her legitimate mother Zhang shi was probably seized by a whim.

Lao Taitai choosing to go along was not strange either. After all, Lao Taitai had always been committed to vegetarianism and praying to the Buddha.

“Right, nubi also heard of another matter. The Third Young Lady had gone to the big flower garden in the residence early this morning to pick a bundle of Chinese roses, stating that she wanted to give it to Qi er gongzi.”

When Su Yu was recounting this piece of news, her expression was extremely strange.

Su Zhu could not resist giggling out loud, “Young Lady, is the Third Young Lady preparing to imitate yõu and Wen gongzi?”

Ruan Xi glanced at both of them before she said calmly, “Both of you are thinking too much.”

Su Yu and Su Zhu: “……”

Breakfast was a lightly flavoured affair that was good for the maintenance of health. After she was done with her breakfast, Ruan Xi went to the wing room next door to tell Mama Lin that she was going to Yunhua Temple. Mama Lin thought about it briefly before she decided to go together with Ruan si xiaojie.

Noting that the time was getting late, Ruan Xi brought Mama Lin, Su Yu and Su Zhu to the Main Courtyard with due haste.

Inside the reception room, her legitimate mother Zhang shi was dressed in entirely new apparel as she stood beside Lao Taitai, while Ruan san niang was supporting Lao Taitai’s arm affectionately as she humoured her, so she did not realise the forbearance and darkness in the bottom of Zhang shi’s eyes when it swept past her.

Lin yiniang was standing at the side respectfully with her small and chubby Ruan Yu Min.

Ruan Xi did not expect that she would be last to arrive, and she quickly went forward to pay her respects and ask for forgiveness.

However, since her legitimate mother Zhang shi was not in the mood to acknowledge an illegitimate daughter like Ruan Xi, she nodded her head and allowed Ruan Xi to pass easily.

Lao Taitai glanced at her fourth granddaughter who was becoming more remarkable by the day. Her gaze lingered on the suet jade hairpin on her head momentarily before she looked at Mama Lin and said smilingly, “The changes that si niang underwent has even shaken my old bones, Mama Lin is truly skilled at teaching people.”

Mama Lin bent her knees slightly to give her salutations. “Lao Furen is mistaken in her praise; the Fourth Young Lady is naturally gifted and intelligent.”

Ruan Xi’s face reddened. She was slightly worse off compared to the original owner, and everything hinged on Mama Lin’s devoted and careful teaching in the past few days and the efforts she had put in during her private time.

When it came to calligraphy, painting, and embroidery, Ruan Xi had some foundations from the very start. While it could not be said that she was proficient, she picked up those skills with extreme ease, especially where handicraft and embroidery were concerned since they used to be her source of income. However, when it came to zither, chess, and appraisals, she was subpar in those aspects and they were the original owner’s strong points.

Upon seeing Ruan Xi’s blushing appearance, Lao Taitai smiled kindly and affectionately.

Mama Lin smiled as well.

When Ruan san niang noticed how her fourth sister had attracted everyone’s gaze once she stepped into the room, and then saw the suet jade hairpin that Wen gongzi sent on her head, she could not be more jealous and envious but she could not stop looking.

Zhang shi’s heart sank even further as she observed Ruan san niang’s performance.

Feeling discomforted under the scorching hot stare, Ruan Xi could not resist raising her head to greet Ruan san niang before she turned towards Lin yiniang and the small chubby boy to greet them as well.

As they were waiting for the horse carriages, Lao Taitai conversed with Ruan Xi in an amicable manner, which allowed Ruan Xi to learn the reasons why her two older brothers were not going to Yunhua Temple.

Truth to be told, today was a day-off for Qingshang Academy and Ruan Yu Wen could have joined them in their trip to Yunhua Temple since he did not need to attend his Academy, but Ruan Yu Wen was an assiduous person so he stayed behind to study.

Her concubine-born older brother was studying in another Academy which was further away and it had no days off.

Ruan san niang’s complexion was incredibly ugly after being neglected by Lao Taitai all of a sudden. She shot Ruan Xi a glare secretly. Still holding onto Lao Taitai’s arm affectionately, Ruan Ning would frequently interject, specifically for the sake of getting the first word in.

Ruan Xi did not mind.

Lao Taitai’s smile, however, became fainter by some degree. Strangely enough, Zhang shi did not make a single utterance the entire time, neither smoothing things over for Ruan san niang nor preventing her from taking those actions, as if she was looking on coldly.

Ruan Xi was baffled.

At this moment, Mama Gao came in to report that the horse carriages were prepared, and everyone left the reception room with the servants crowding around.

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There were three horse carriages: Lao Taitai and Zhang shi took the first, Ruan Xi and Ruan san niang took the second, Lin yiniang and her small and chubby son took the third. Additionally, there was a huge crowd of bodyguards on horseback.

When the time was reached, the group of people left the residence vast and mightily.

The capital was bustling and lively with a babel of voices.

As Ruan Xi sat inside the horse carriage, she looked outside the carriage window to experience the flourishing scenery of the ancient-era capital.

Ruan san niang, who was sitting in the same carriage as Ruan Xi, pursed her lips. What was there to see about the capital? She had grown sick of the sight during her previous lifetime, but her fourth sister had always stayed inside the residence and her chances to go out were few and far between. Now that she thought about it, she was quite pitiful.

The horse carriages had driven past a few streets, neither fast nor slow in speed when it came to a sudden halt.

Ruan Xi stiffened. They had not been outside for long. Meanwhile, Ruan san niang pulled aside the carriage curtain, poking her head out to observe the situation outside with swift movements. 

With one glance, Ruan san niang’s eyes widened. Unexpectedly, they had encountered the Wen Residence’s guards and horse carriage.

There was also a handsome young man riding on top of a fine steed, akin to a hanging moon in cleared skies, his smile gentle and refined.

“Wen gongzi!”

Ruan san niang cried out in surprise.

From the interiors of the carriage, Ruan Xi: “……”