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

After Wen lao-furen’s longevity feast ended, all sorts of rumours flew across the skies.

The rumour that gained the most traction was about the immoral conduct of the two concubine-born daughters from the Mu Family, which implicated the reputations of the other young ladies of the Mu Family, such that even the students who were anxiously preparing for battle had heard of their rumours.

Allegedly, the day after Wen lao-furen’s longevity banquet, Minister Wen’s illegitimate second son had visited their residence to cancel the engagement, bluntly stating that he would never marry a woman with poisonous intentions. The matter had caused a huge ruckus, but the marriage agreement between the pair was broken off.

Mu Qing Ling’s reputation was completely ruined.

The rumour of Mu Qing Ci using unscrupulous means like ruining her own innocence for the sake of clinging onto the Fourth Prince was also abuzz within the capital. Everyone was pointing and criticising the Mu Family’s daughters behind their backs, and they wanted to know if the Fourth Prince would admit Mu Qing Ci into his back courtyard. However, a heavyweight piece of news had also smashed down at this moment: the Emperor had conferred a marriage to the Fourth Prince, and the candidate chosen was Senior Official Li’s legitimate granddaughter, Li Xiang Xiang.

Once the news appeared, the majority of the people felt that the possibility of this Mu xiaojie entering the Fourth Prince’s back courtyard was exceedingly slim.

Ruan Xi had also learned about the gossip and rumours from Su Yu’s and Su Zhu’s mouth.

Wen Ting Yi hurrying to break off his engagement with Mu Qing Ling was within her expectations, since Wen Ting Zhou had told her that his concubine-born younger brother had his heart set on the daughter of a seventh-ranked official. With Mu Qing Ling seeking her own death, it goes without saying that Wen Ting Yi would seize the chance.

From Wen Ting Zhou’s letter, Ruan Xi learned that Wen Ting Yi had cancelled the marriage agreement on his own initiative by going past his elders to break off the engagement himself. Minister Wen had gone along with it because he did not want this marriage either, and the matter was thus settled.

Ruan Xi had no feelings towards this.

Regardless of whether Mu Qing Ling or some other noble daughter was going to be her sister-in-law, Ruan Xi did not care at all.

Ruan Xi ate a peach slice as she smiled, “Su Yu, the rumours can’t be trusted. Ting Zhou da ge and I were present at the scene back then, and we can only say that Mu Qing Ci was too unlucky since she was accidentally pitted by san jie. The Fourth Prince is similarly aware of the circumstances in his heart, and he certainly wouldn’t take his anger out on Mu Qing Ci. Just wait, not long after, Mu Qing Ci will be entering the Fourth Prince’s back courtyard.”

Su Zhu widened her eyes at side. “Young Lady, don’t the rumours say that Mu xiaojie incited the Third Young Lady into implementing those actions? The Third Young Lady hasn’t stepped in to clarify.”

Su Yu nodded her head in agreement.

Back then, she and Su Zhu hadn’t followed their Young Lady and Wen gongzi, so they were unclear about the exact situation.

The Third Young Lady should be aware, but why wasn’t she clearing up the matter?

As Ruan Xi pondered over Ruan san niang’s moral integrity, she questioned, “Would clarifying the matter have any use?”

Even if Ruan san niang stepped out and clarified the situation, the rumours would still fall to one side. Not only was the Fourth Prince’s identity dignified and noble, his appearance was handsome, and the noble daughters that liked him were too many to count.

Hence, Mu Qing Ci, the illegitimate daughter of the Mu Family, had become a needle in the eyes.

“It’s better than nothing. The Third Young Lady’s prompt-books are popular within the capital, and her reputation as a talented individual reaches far and wide. If she spoke out, some people would believe her.” Su Yu said with much uncertainty.

“But would san jie be willing to step out and clarify the situation?”

The corners of Ruan Xi’s mouth curled slightly. It was true that Ruan san niang was not kind or honest, but since she had pitted Mu Qing Ci, offering an apology would not be difficult, right? However, she still chose not to.

Mu Qing Ci was probably feeling very disappointed; it would be better if she stayed away from Ruan san niang after this.

But… Ruan san niang had taken an interest in the Fourth Prince.

Mu Qing Ci would still have a lot of intersections with Ruan san niang in the future. Judging from the two encounters between the Fourth Prince and Mu Qing Ci, Ruan Xi had a faint conjecture that perhaps Ruan san niang was able to jump around so joyously and live so well because her mission was not complete yet.

The cement mix, the glass formula, the improved farming tools, the search for high yielding crops…

Ruan Xi had nimble hands because she was used to making various small handiworks. Improving the farming implements was not too difficult for her, nor was searching for high yielding crops, because she just needed to send someone overseas to look for them.

However, whether it was her or Mu Qing Ci, neither of them had the formulas for the cement mix and glass. This was especially so for cement, since it was exceedingly significant; apart from constructing houses and paving roads, it could be used to build dams to prevent floods.

All these would require Ruan san niang.

“She probably won’t. It’s been two days, but the Third Young Lady hasn’t made any movements.”

“Let’s not talk about this. Nubi wants to know when the Third Young Lady will be returning Young Lady’s jewellery?” When Su Yu remembered this, she was endlessly furious.

She said that she would return it the day after the longevity feast, but it has already been two days. It couldn’t be that the Third Young Lady had forgotten all about it, right?

“That’s true. If Su Zhu didn’t mention it, nubi would have nearly forgotten this matter. Young Lady, should nubi go to the Third Young Lady’s courtyard to remind her?”

Ruan Xi was puzzled in her heart as well. When Ruan san niang was looking at that jewellery set back then, the disdain in her eyes were on the verge of overspilling. Despite that, the return of said jewellery was now long overdue. She really could not understand Ruan san niang’s thoughts.

“Let’s wait for two more days.”

Ruan Xi was not a petty person, she was willing to give Ruan san niang two more days.

Su Yu and Su Zhu had visible disgruntlement on their faces.

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At this moment, an older woman-servant quickly came in to report: “Young Lady, the Third Young Lady’s maidservant Yao Hong is here.”

That roused Su Yu’s and Su Zhu’s spirit. “Is the Third Young Lady finally returning our Young Lady’s jewellery?”

The older woman-servant mumbled, “Yao Hong arrived empty-handed.”

Su Yu’s and Su Zhu’s complexion became exceedingly ugly.

“Allow her to come in.” Ruan Xi said in a cold tone as she knitted her eyebrows together involuntarily, not knowing what Ruan san niang was trying to start this time around.

Yao Hong entered and gave Ruan Xi a respectful bow. “Nubi has seen the Fourth Young Lady.”

“Yao Hong, what are you here for, are you perhaps, returning our Young Lady’s jewellery in the Third Young Lady’s stead?” Su Yu could not resist throwing out a line of ridicule in her increasing anger as she looked at the empty-handed Yao Hong.

Yao Hong’s pretty face went red. When she thought about the purpose of her visit, shame spread across her entire face.

“Nubi has come to report a mistake in the Young Lady’s stead. Young Lady accidentally broke a gold hairpin that day, and lost… lost an earring, which is why she has been late in returning the jewellery.”

Su Yu and Su Zhu exploded in anger.

“She’s really going too far, the jewellery was given to our Young Lady by Lao Taitai.”

“Could it be that the Third Young Lady did it on purpose?”

Yao Hong’s countenance became more embarrassed.

While Ruan Xi’s expression might be calm as always, anyone could tell that she was angry.

Ruan san niang was really taking it too far. When they were returning, she clearly saw that the set of jewellery WASbeing properly worn on her person as accompaniment, but now she had dispatched her servant, saying that she had broken a gold hairpin and lost an earring.

Irrespective of how truthful the statement was, that set of precious jewellery was still a gift from her elder. Ruan san niang was honestly going overboard with her behaviour.

She actually resorted to such a small trick, and she even specifically dispatched Yao Hong to disgust and repulse her. She had no choice but to admit that Ruan san niang had certainly succeeded.

“Yao Hong, go back and pass the message to san jie, and tell her to fend for herself.”

Ruan Xi threw down that line before she drove away Yao Hong immediately.

Su Yu and Su Zhu were visibly enraged.

“Young Lady, the Third Young Lady is too much of a bully, we have to spread this matter outwards.”

“Yes, spread it out. It’s best if it reaches Lao Taitai’s ears.”

Ruan Xi’s expression chilled.

“Mn, do as you see fit.”

If her conjecture was true, and Ruan san niang could continue to prance around as long as her mission was not completed, her small action would only affect Ruan san niang’s reputation slightly, but Ruan Xi refused to swallow this anger.

Having received their Young Lady’s approval, Su Yu and Su Zhu were itching to go and broadcast this information.

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After her anger had passed, Ruan Xi tossed the matter aside. She did not want to waste her thoughts on Ruan san niang’s person, and even if Lao Taitai and her other elders became aware of this matter, they would only severely lecture Ruan san niang.

She was incredibly busy right now since she had to learn how to manage a household and learn culinary skills from Mama Yang. Truth to be told, she already knew how to cook as an orphan, so she picked up the skills rather quickly.

She still had to go to the small kitchen to check the kitchen maids’ progress on making the fried dry noodles.

Fried dry noodles was actually just another name for instant noodles. However, this era already had dried noodles, and they were sold at a higher price than rice. Ruan Xi merely added a few extra steps to the base, like steaming, extruding, and deep frying it.

The weather during the beginning of the fourth month was still slightly chilly.

The metropolitan imperial civil service examination lasted for three days. The small cubicles that acted as exam rooms at the examination venue resembled single-celled prisons slightly. Allegedly, despite how difficult it was to lie down, eating, sleeping, and even defecating had to be done within the small cubicle. In addition to how tight time was, and the strict examination regulations, examinees were not allowed to bring their own pots to make food, and most people would eat rations or ice-cold pastries. Furthermore, these foodstuffs would be cut open for rigorous checking.

Ruan Xi felt distressed for Wen Ting Zhou, so she promptly thought of quick meals like instant noodles.

For the past two days, the fragrance coming from the Limpid Heart Garden’s small kitchen pervaded the air. All the servants in Limpid Heart Garden knew that their Fourth Young Lady was learning culinary skills from Mama Yang, hence they were not surprised, but they did sigh about how the Fourth Young Lady had talent in this respect.

Presently, Ruan Xi was in the small kitchen checking the small piece of instant noodles that had just been deep fried, and a wide smile was hanging on her lips.

“Not bad, these blocks of fried dry noodles can be taken away for cooling.”

The kitchen maids standing at the side was extremely happy. “Yes, Young Lady.”

Ruan Xi was extremely happy too. The fragrance of the deep-fried noodles assailed the nose, and their external appearance was the same as instant noodles. It could not be denied that more time was required to make them, but with the manufacturing of an extrusion tool, it saved them a lot of effort.

Do not underestimate the ingenuity of the ancient people.

After waiting from the afternoon and into the night, it was more than enough time for the deep-fried noodles to cool, and become genuine fried dry noodles.

On the morning of the second day, Ruan Xi took a few fried dry noodles and distributed it to Su Yu, Su Zhu, Mama Yang, and Mama Lin. Then, she told them how to prepare it before allowing them to try how the fried dry noodles tasted like.

Ruan Xi personally used the hot water to simmer a bowl of fried dry noodles before ladling out two spoonfuls of pickled vegetables. It tasted particularly fragrant and delicious.

“Young Lady. When the fried dry noodles you made is boiled with hot water, it tastes particularly fragrant.”

After Su Yu polished off her bowl of instant noodles, she looked like she wanted to eat more. Evidently, she had been subdued by the fried dry noodles.

Ruan Xi was also particularly satisfied with the food. She replied smilingly, “Actually, it’s more fragrant when you eat it while it’s cooking.”

In order to prevent her transmigrator identity from being exposed, Ruan Xi did not simply stop at changing the name of instant noodles; she had forgoed making the vegetable and seasoning sachet as well. She merely improved the base of the pre-existing dry noodles and infused the seasoning and condiments before deep frying the dry noodles.

As to whether Ruan san niang knew how to make it, Ruan Xi would not know.

Su Yu and Su Zhu’s eyes brightened upon hearing that.

Mama Yang sighed constantly after she ate the fried dry noodles. Not only were the fried dry noodles that the Fourth Young Lady made convenient, it was also delicious. More importantly, this kind of simple and easily consumed food would definitely be widely received if it was distributed outside.

Whereas Mama Lin was sighing at the affection that the Fourth Young Lady harboured for Wen gongzi, since she had discerned the Fourth Young Lady’s motive for making this fried dry noodles at a glance.

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After tasting the delicious instant noodles, Ruan Xi could not resist writing a letter to Wen Ting Zhou to tell him the good news, and she even used a food box to store twelve blocks of fried dry noodles to send it over, while attaching the eating method.

After Wen Ting Zhou read the letter, the warmth in his eyes were on the verge of overspilling, and his entire body was suffused with a gratified air.

“Ruan Ruan…”

Being cared for by the person he liked was truly a wondrous feeling. All of a sudden, he really wanted to see Ruan Ruan, like he had the urge to embrace her tightly.

The appearance of fried dry noodles were basically the students’ glad tidings.

Wen Ting Zhou opened the food box. There were twelve squared fried dry noodles lying inside the food box in a neat and orderly manner, diffusing its fragrance.

“Zhang Qing, bring over a kettle of boiling hot water, a clean and large bowl with a lid, and a jar of pickled vegetables.”

Without missing a beat, Zhang Qing complied with his orders. He was extremely curious about the noodles that Ruan si xiaojie had sent.

Fifteen minutes later, Zhang Qing watched as his gongzi picked up the fried noodle block, placed it inside the large bowl, and poured in the boiling hot water, before covering the bowl with the lid.

Not even a minute after, Zhang Qing saw his gongzi peeling open the lid, allowing a dense and fragrant smell to waft out.

Zhang Qing could not help but take a large whiff before swallowing the saliva he was secreting. “It smells good, it smells so fragrant.”

Wen Ting Zhou stared at the boiled and scattered fried dry noodles. Not only was it fragrant, even its outward appearance was quite appealing too. Neither fast nor slow, he added the pickled vegetables, and then he started eating.

Mn, the taste was quite good. It would be even better if he could eat the noodles together with Ruan Ruan.

Wen Ting Zhou felt a smidgen of regret in his heart.