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

There would always be some coincidences that were beyond the realm of expectations, like the entourage of people from Earl Chengyi Residence making the abrupt decision to go to Yunhua Temple to offer incense coinciding with Wen furen, Wen gongzi and the womenfolk of the family choosing to go to Yunhua Temple to go and offer incense today.

Moreover, they even met on the road. Owing to their technical relation of marriage through Ruan Xi between the two families, Ruan lao-taitai suggested that they should travel together with a smile. Wen furen glanced and the tall and straight figure on horseback before she agreed.

Once Ruan Xi learnt of this good news, she pressed her lips into a gentle smile, sighing about how much of a coincidence it was. Seated by her side, Mama Lin smiled slightly as she secretly mused about the genuine affinity that Ruan si xiaojie and Wen gongzi had.

Whereas Ruan san niang felt extremely discomfortable, having the constant feeling that all the good things were being shoved towards her fourth sister.

Her fourth sister’s life was truly great to the extent where it was jealousy inducing.

When they went to offer incense this time around, she ought to look for a Master to examine her own and her fourth sister’s Eight Characters.

生辰八字 (pinyin: sheng chen ba zi) – Eight characters, in four pairs, indicating the year, month, day and hour of a person’s birth. Typically used for astrological and symbolic/fortune purposes.

Ruan san niang clenched her fists covertly.

“Si mei, are you very happy about the fact that Wen gongzi is travelling with us?”

Natural and at ease, Ruan Xi nodded in admittance. “Yes, I’m very happy.” She was indeed happy; after exchanging letters with Wen gongzi for the past few days, the relationship between the two of them had grown closer.

She and Wen gongzi should be more than friends but not quite lovers, she reckoned.

As Ruan san niang looked at her radiance and enchanting smiling expression that was brimming with delight, she felt a burst of muffled anger. She thought with some malice in her heart, Let’s see if si mei can remain happy when she discovers that Wen gongzi is a cutsleeve.

Noticing that Ruan san niang had suddenly become quiet as she was thinking about something, Ruan Xi raised an eyebrow, not minding her silence in the slightest. Instead, she sat in the carriage and admired the ancient-era streets intermittently through the carriage window.

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An hour later, they arrived at Yunhua Temple.

Yunhua Temple had a long-standing history, and the incense burning was at its peak and it was the most famous temple in the capital.

鼎盛 (pinyin: ding sheng) – at the height of power and splendour; flourishing; a golden age.

The high officials, noble lords, and the common masses were all fond of coming to Yunhua Temple to offer incense.

It was just that the womenfolk from government official families and members of the imperial family who came to offer incense in Yunhua Temple would be invited to a private room inside the temple directly.

Hence, the entourage of people in horse carriages from the Earl Chengyi Residence and Wen Residence were brought into Yunhua Temple directly.

There were ten meditation rooms, and being a believer of the Buddha, Lao Taitai would come to Yunhua Temple every year to burn joss sticks and pray to the Buddha, and give sesame oil money.

香油钱 (pinyin: xiang you qian) – essentially, it is a monetary donation to the temple to fund the upkeep of the temple and thanking the temple monks for their service. It is derived from the practice of people lighting altar lamps with vegetable/sesame oil, and how the ‘everlasting flame’ in the temple must be constantly lit to keep evil away.

Ruan Xi and Ruan san niang stepped off the horse carriage simultaneously, preparing to walk over to gather with Lao Taitai and their legitimate mother.

Just as she took a step out, Ruan Xi seemed to sense something so she twisted her head to look in a certain direction, and she happened to collide with a gentle and smiling gaze.

It was Wen gongzi!

He blinked at her before he said three words soundlessly: see you later.

When Ruan Xi distinguished the three words from the shape of his mouth, her heart skipped a beat inexplicably, and her pretty face was tinged with a red hue.

Wen gongzi’s smile was refined and poised.

As the pair exchanged gazes silently from the distance, the sight landed in the eyes of Wen furen and Lao Taitai.

Lao Taitai was glad to see it happen.

Ruan san niang glanced at the distant Wen gongzi whose handsomeness was akin to jade, jealousy flashing across her eyes.

Wen furen’s gaze stopped on Ruan Xi’s person, revealing a faint trace of hypercritical scrutiny.

This was the first time Wen furen had seen Earl Chengyi Residence’s Ruan si xiaojie, and upon careful examination, her beauty, deportment, and temperament could compare favourably with specially fostered noble daughters from prominent old families. While Wen furen was very satisfied with this aspect, her concubine-born status was a thorn for Wen furen. Because of her son’s fiancée, she had been at the constant receiving end of her fellow sisters’ freezing irony and burning satire recently.

The only worthy consolation was the fact that Ruan si xiaojie had obtained Mama Lin’s affirmation and praise, which meant that she could enter Wen lao-taitai’s eyes.

At this moment, Ruan san niang pulled Ruan Xi’s hand forcefully and abruptly. “Si mei, let’s go, we shouldn’t let Lao Taitai and Mother wait long.”

Feeling a pinch of pain, Ruan Xi fixed her gaze on Ruan san niang. “San jie, you’re hurting me.”

“Apologies, si mei, I failed to control my grip strength in the moment.” Ruan san niang offered an awkward smile as she released her hand in a hurry.

Ruan Xi did not say anything. Looking back, she gave the distant Wen gongzi a smile before she turned around to walk up to Lao Taitai with Ruan san niang.

The monk in charge of receiving visitors welcomed them, which prompted Lao Taitai to say a few sentences. Subsequently, the monk brought their group to a quiet and large meditation room, but only the six masters of the Earl Chengyi Residence went in while the bodyguards and servants remained outside the entrance of the meditation room.

There was a Great Master sitting inside the meditation room who was past the age of sixty and with a kindly countenance. At a glance, he appeared tranquil and even-tempered.

“One has seen Great Master Hui Yuan, thank you for having us.” Lao Taitai interlaced her ten fingers together, bowing to him in accordance with Buddhist protocols.

“This benefactor does not have to be over-courteous. One wonders if the benefactors are here today to draw lots or for a conjecture.” Great Master Hui Yuan smiled slightly, gaze landing on the three juniors present.

Lao Taitai replied: “There is both, we will be troubling this Great Master.”

Great Master Hui Yuan hummed to indicate his agreement.

When Zhang shi saw Great Master Hui Yuan, a glint of agitation flickered past her eyes, and when Lao Taitai was done with her inquiries, she swiftly stood before Great Master Hui Yuan and asked anxiously:

“Great Master, can I ask yõu to do an exorcism ritual to drive out an evil spirit?”

Once those words were spilled, everyone at the scene received a fright. An exorcism ritual did not sound like a good thing at all.

Ruan Xi felt a burst of vigilance and unease in her heart, did she expose herself somewhere?

Lao Taitai frowned, staring at Zhang shi with a sharp and warning gaze. “Zhang shi, do not make trouble. The Earl Residence has always been clean, why would we require a ritual ceremony?”

“Mother-in-law,  I am not making trouble. I made this trip today for the purposes of asking the Great Master to do a ritual for san niang.” After Zhang shi finished speaking, she glowered at the stupefied Ruan san niang with a cold gaze.

She had to make the Great Master chase away the wild ghost that was possessing her daughter’s body.

Once those words were spoken,  Ruan Xi released a relieved sigh inwardly, full of bafflement.

In the original book, there was no detailed scene in which Ruan san niang, who was incomparably ostentatious and utterly different from the original, being suspected of having swapped souls.

In this lifetime, Ruan san niang was already playing it down, why was she suddenly discovered by Zhang shi?

Where did the discrepancy come from exactly?

Similar to Ruan Xi’s train of thought, Ruan san niang’s mind was in a complete state of panic. It was evident that no one had noticed that she was a changed person in her previous lifetime, why was she being suspected all of a sudden in this lifetime?

No, she had to stabilise the situation!

“Mother, my person is fine; I’m not possessed or supplanted by an evil ghost, there is no need for an exorcism ritual!” Ruan san niang shouted, aggrieved.

“Zhang shi, I see that your have lost your head in your haste. San niang’s gaze is upright and just; how does she look like someone who has been possessed?” Lao Taitai rebuked her angrily. She did not know what Zhang shi was doing but if word were to get out, san niang’s reputation would be ruined.

Great Master Hui Yuan shifted his gaze towards Ruan san niang’s person, pupils shrinking slightly in astonishment.

“Mother, do not interfere, I know my own daughter best.” Zhang shi was adamant in the belief that her own daughter had been possessed by a wild ghost.

Or else, how could she possibly utter the words that would cause the greatest offence.

Ruan Xi stood here quietly, not uttering a word, staying far away from this unsavoury enterprise. Lin yiniang’s gaze glinted while her small and chubby son looked on curiously.

“Mother, I’m really san niang, your daughter!” Ruan san niang had a guilty conscience but the rims of her eyes were red as she looked at Zhang shi with a pitiable expression.

Zhang shi was unmoved as her face chilled. “Speak, who are you exactly?”

The small and chubby boy also followed by asking curiously, “San jie, who are you?”

Ruan Xi: “……”

Lin yiniang’s expression contorted slightly as she covered her son’s mouth hastily.

Due to Zhang shi’s foolish actions, Lao Taitai felt her heart squeeze from anger and she shouted: “Zhang shi, shut your mouth!” Then, she turned towards Great Master Hui Yuan, imploring him with her gaze, “Great Master, my granddaughter is not unfitting, right?”

Ruan san niang’s heart was already stuck in her throat and her palms were sweating nervously as she silently prayed that Great Master Hui Yuan had an underserved reputation.

Great Master Hui Yuan gave Ruan san niang a deep glance before he said smilingly, “Everyone can set their hearts at ease, this young benefactor is not unfitting, and she has not been supplanted by a wild ghost.”

These words were crafted skilfully; he did not say that she was not the original person.

Internally, Lao Taitai sighed with relief. Out of everyone, she was the last person who wished her third granddaughter ill.

Once the rumours of san niang being supplanted by a ghost spread out, it would inevitably affect si niang.

And this was something that Lao Taitai was unwilling to see, so this was for the best.

Heart loosening, Ruan san niang raised her head hurriedly to look at Great Master Hui Yuan, only to be frightened by his discerning gaze.

A wave of guilt and restlessness swept through her heart.

Did Great Master Hui Yuan apprehend her or not?

Zhang shi was stunned. How could this be, her daughter’s personality clearly went through a sudden and huge change… Great Master Hui Yuan was an eminent monk, he would never lie, but she still wanted to verify it again…

“Great Master, yõu…”

“Zhang shi, the Great Master has already affirmed that san niang was not supplanted by a wild ghost, let the matter rest.” Lao Taitai had become more experienced and keener with her age, how could she possibly be blind to Zhang shi’s plans? She immediately interrupted Zhang shi’s speech, setting down the final word.

Zhang shi could only put aside the matter first, but a vestige of doubt still lingered in her heart.

Ruan san niang ruminated about the close call she had. Although she finally got through this ordeal, she decided to stay further away from Zhang shi. After all, she did not have the original owner’s memories and it was incredibly easy for her to reveal a burst seam.

Silently, Ruan Xi absorbed the Great Master’s subtle expressions into her retinas. It seems like the Great Master should have seen through the fact that Ruan san niang was not the original owner, but he did not declare it.

Once that thought occurred to her, Ruan Xi could not resist raising her head to look towards Great Master Hui Yuan, which happened to allow her to meet Great Master Hui Yuan’s smiling and discerning eyes.

Ruan Xi: “……”

As expected, she had been seen through.          

However, Great Master Hui Yuan did not say it out loud, and she and Ruan san niang were different. And thus, she tided over this crisis noiselessly.

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After the entire squandering, the time approached midnoon, and the monks of Yunhua Temple prepared delicious vegetarian food.

Ruan Xi and Ruan san niang stepped out of the meditation room, both of them relaxing at the same time without prior agreement.

Yunhua Temple’s vegetarian food was renowned in the capital, and after the meal concluded,  Lao Taitai went to another meditation room, thereby allowing them to bring their own servants and bodyguards to move around freely.

The reason why Lao Taitai had made such a decision was because  she wanted to create a chance for her fourth granddaughter and Wen gongzi to interact.

However, Ruan Xi did not know about her Lao Taitai’s painstaking effort and she made the prompt decision to request a meeting with Great Master Hui Yuan for the sake of lighting an altar lamp for the original owner.

Great Master Hui Yuan met Ruan Xi alone.

“Great Master, thank yõu!”

Great Master Hui Yuan was not surprised in the least by Ruan Xi’s inexplicable thanks.

“There is no need for thanks, this is the affinity between the young benefactor and her.”

Ruan Xi stilled. She did not know why she had transmigrated over after she woke up, nor did she understand why the birth date and time written on the piece of paper found on her body by the Dean when she was abandoned in front of the orphanage, when translated into Eight Characters, coincided with the original owner’s Eight Characters.

Perhaps it was as the Great Master had said, this was the affinity between her and the original owner.

“Great Master, I would like to light an altar lamp for her, one entreats the Great Master to fulfil it.”

After Ruan Xi said that, she took out the piece of paper where the original owner’s Eight Characters were written and the money that the original owner had gathered.

Great Master Hui Yuan took the paper and slipped it into sleeve as he smiled: “Young benefactor has the heart.”

Ruan Xi pursed her lips, her gaze honest and clean. “This is the only thing I can do for her.”

Great Master Hui Yuan regarded her with a kind gaze and a benevolent smile. “Young benefactor is a merciful character, and a person with blessings.”

“Borrowing the Great Master’s auspicious words,” Ruan Xi respectfully performed a Buddhist salutation.

Once her agenda was accomplished, Ruan Xi stopped disturbing Great Master Hui Yuan. Upon exiting the meditation room, she saw a handsome young male servant standing together with Mama Lin and her maidservant.

That handsome young servant immediately greeted her once he saw Ruan Xi stepping out from the meditation room. After bowing to her, he said deferentially:

“Ruan si xiaojie, this servant Zhang Qing, is Wen gongzi’s personal page boy. Gongzi is waiting for yõu in the meditation room in front.”

After saying that, he added a line with due consideration.

“Yõu can set your mind at ease; the front row of meditation rooms are extremely quiet, Wen gongzi is on his lonesome.”

Ruan Xi: “……”

Wen gongzi was capable; he actually wanted to meet his fiancée alone in Yunhua Temple.