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

Despite offering up the blueprints of the farming tools a few days ago to redeem herself with good service, Ruan san niang was still locked in the imperial prison.

Even though she could not resist handing over the blueprint for the pedal-powered thresher afterwards, the Old Emperor still showed no intention of releasing her from the imperial prison, and he even dispatched the imperial physicians to check on her condition and apply the medication for her daily. And while her meal treatment was getting better and better, Ruan san niang could not stand it any longer.

“Imperial Physician, the injuries I suffered are not heavy, one wonders when the Emperor will release me?”

As the two imperial physicians checked in on Ruan san niang more and more, the shock they felt only heightened, and they looked at Ruan san niang as if they were looking at a monster. Prior to this, they had carefully diagnosed Ruan san niang, and they knew the severity of her injuries like the back of their hands. Being able to recover from her fall injuries by seventy to eighty percent in just a few days was truly too horrifying.

“San xiaojie, both of us have once diagnosed your injuries, and san xiaojie’s rate of recovery has exceeded our expectations. Is it possible that san xiaojie has a miraculous medicine in her hands?” The imperial physician ignored the latter half of her words, directly asking about the issue that they were most concerned about, and their stares were boring holes into her.

Ruan san niang felt a burst of fear and trepidation in the face of disaster, short of dripping cold sweat from fright. She quickly pretended like there was no such thing and lied:

“Where is the miraculous medicine supposed to come from, didn’t someone help me change my clothes before I entered the imperial prison? There was nothing on my person apart from silver banknotes, jewellery and other items. It’s just that my body is more special, and I recover quickly after being injured.”

In any case, she refused to expose her system ability even if you beat her to death.

She wanted that old Emperor to die earlier. Once he was dead, she would be free.

“So that’s how it is, san xiaojie has good fortune.” The two imperial physicians praised with a crinkle-eyed smile after they exchanged looks. 

Ruan san niang felt her heart squeeze upon seeing their smiling expressions. She did not know if they believed her, but her nerves were tightly strung, and her back was already dripping with cold sweat.

“Indeed, when I broke my legs last time, I recovered very quickly too.”

It would have been fine if she was not trying so hard to prove herself, but now that she brought up this fact, the two imperial physicians started having more interest in her, and they even wanted her to let out some blood to examine it. Ruan san niang’s flowery countenance lost colour, and she nearly fainted in fright.

When the two imperial physicians eventually left after they extracted a cup of blood from Ruan san niang happily, Ruan san niang hugged herself as she trembled.

They would not be dissecting her like an experimental subject, right?

Ruan san niang became increasingly terrified the more she thought about it, and she only felt like her future was pitch-black. 

Could it be that she still had to expose her system ability in this lifetime, and treat her enemy the old Emperor?

Ruan san niang had a face full of despair. 

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At this moment, the older woman-servant sending her meal arrived, and when she saw Ruan san niang curled up into a ball, she jumped in fright and hastily opened the lock and entered.

“Ruan san xiaojie, are yõu alright?”

Lifting her pale visage, Ruan san niang forced herself to squeeze out a small smile.

“I’m quite well.”

The older woman-servant responsible for bringing her meals had a face full of worry, and she could help but comfort her. “San xiaojie, don’t take things too hard, just treat this as a place for recovery. The month will pass very quickly, and yõu will be able to get out by then.”

“I’m not taking things too hard, it’s just that I miss my family a little. Is there any new information circulating outside?” Ruan san niang came up with a casual lie.

“There are two pieces of good news. The first being that Wen gongzi was the Zhuangyuan among the successful candidates, and his parade on horseback had caused a sensation, which adds on to the fact that the Emperor has personally protected the marriage between Wen gongzi and Ruan si xiaojie.”

The food-sending older woman-servant’s eyes brightened as she quickly spoke. 

She was locked up in prison and feeling apprehensive, while her fourth sister was being sweet with Wen gongzi, and that damnable old Emperor even helped them protect their marriage.

Ruan san niang was essentially on the verge of insanity due to her fury.

After her anger passed, Ruan san niang abruptly realised that something was wrong. Why hasn’t there been news of the old Emperor collapsing from his illness?

“Has there been any huge matters happening within the palace?” Ruan san niang could not hold herself back from going on a tangent to ask about the old Emperor’s news.

The food-sending older woman-servant shook her head. “Nucai is not clear about this. However, the Ministry of Works has invented two new farming tools recently called pedal-powered thresher and mould-board plough. The Emperor’s dragon heart is greatly pleased, and ordered for the popularisation of those two farming tools.”

Ruan san niang’s face warped instantaneously. 

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While Ruan san niang was both aggravated and terrified inside the prison, the Earl Chengyi Residence was suffused with a joyous air. With the Emperor protecting the marriage, the marriage between the Fourth Young Lady and Wen gongzi was set in stone.

The two people in question became popular figures in heated discussions within the capital in one leap.

Earl Chengyi Residence’s front yard was as busy as a marketplace, Earl Chengyi was in high spirits, Lao Taitai was beaming with pleasure, and only Zhang shi was forcing herself to smile as she was fraught with anxiety and unease.

Who could have thought that a small and insignificant concubine-born daughter without a birth mother could have this degree of good luck?

Even the Emperor was protecting her marriage.

“Mama Sun, what do you think should be done now, that wretched counterfeit is still living well in prison.” Zhang shi was so anxious that she was going to spit fire from her mouth. She could not eat or sleep well for the past two days since she was plagued with constant nightmares, and her entire person looked rather wan and sallow, so she could only use thick make-up to conceal it.

“Furen, you only need to stabilise that fake Third Young Lady right now.” Mama Sun was at her wits’ end as well. That fake Third Young Lady was too strange, it was too hard to deal with her.

“I’ve already stabilised her the last time I went to visit her, I’m just afraid of her filter-less mouth.” Zhang shi sucked in a deep breath, feeling great fear for the consequences that the counterfeit could wrought. Or else, who would willingly feign civility with that counterfeit?

“Furen, perhaps we should carry it through, whatever the consequences, and directly eliminate the Fourth Young Lady.” Mama Gao offered a rotten idea from the side.

Zhang shi and Mama Sun glared at her simultaneously, and Zhang shi could not resist berating her, “Shut your mouth!” Eliminating the Fourth Young Lady was basically no different from courting their deaths; it would be faster for them to eliminate that counterfeit. 

After si niang married into the Wen Family, even if the matter was exposed, who would know that the infertility medicine was the work of hers, the legitimate mother?

Mama Gao was truly brainless. 

Getting rid of that counterfeit was the best way out; it was obvious that the counterfeit was an unbridled person at a glance.

Tactfully, Mama Gao shut her mouth.

“The Earl said that the two farming tools that the Ministry of Works is promoting have the counterfeit’s handwriting, and the Emperor had recorded the meritorious service on the Earl’s head.” Zhang shi tightened her grip on the tea cup, causing the green veins on the back of her to jump out.

Who could have expected that the counterfeit could still cause so many ripples despite being locked up in prison.

Mama Sun and Mama Gao sucked in a mouthful of cold air at the same time.

“It seems like the Emperor has started paying attention to the fake Third Young Lady, wanting to dispatch someone to assassinate the Third Young Lady is no longer possible.”

Zhang shi‘s complexion darkened completely. If it weren’t for that, why would she be suffering from excessive internal heat? 

In the end, Zhang shi did not manage to think of a way to resolve it. Although she had gotten rid of the evidence a long time ago, who knew if there were any traces left behind. 

The counterfeit was still a thorn that Zhang shi wished to pull out as soon as possible. 

“Furen, the Furen of the Ministry of Works’ Minister has arrived.” An older woman-servant reported from outside. 

Zhang shi was overjoyed after hearing that, and she quickly tossed the counterfeit out of mind in lieu of straightening out her appearance to meet the Ministry of Works’ Minister’s Furen. Owing to the benefits brought by the Emperor protecting the marriage, Ruan Yu Wen had also become popular in demand. 

Just prior to this, she had been worried about choosing a wife for her son, but now there were too many people to choose from, and she was getting cross-eyed from it. 

Despite that, Zhang shi felt proud and elated, taking delight in it all. 

While Zhang shi was selecting a wife for Ruan Yu Wen, the Limpid Heart Garden was still quiet and tranquil. 

Ruan Xi was busy learning from Mama Lin and Mama Yang as per usual, while setting up her braised duck shop. Su Yu had returned yesterday, having brought the matter of the Xu Family to a satisfying closure: the money she gave Xu Jin was returned, but the physician said that Xu Jin’s injuries were slightly severe and he would need some days to recover fully. Ruan Xi released an inaudible sigh, deciding to cultivate Xu Jin. 

As Ruan Xi was busying about, she could not help but think of her fiancé Wen Ting Zhou. 

Being the new Zhuangyuan, Wen Ting Zhou had just entered Hanlin Academy, and with the backing of the Wen Family, his official career was bound to be bright and beautiful. Over the past few days, Minister Wen’s Residence was akin to a marketplace with its endless stream of guests, and he could not find the time to meet Ruan Xi. Hence, Wen Ting Zhou had specifically written a letter to clarify the situation. 

Ruan Xi expressed her understanding, sending a fish and lotus scent sachet that she personally embroidered as a congratulatory gift, while attaching six of her secret recipe ducks.

Since it was approaching the fifth month, the weather was gradually becoming hotter, and the scent sachet that she previously gifted was due for a change. 

Every time she saw Wen Ting Zhou wearing the scent sachet she gave, Ruan Xi would always be very happy, and her heart would be saccharine sweet. 

She wondered if it could be considered another way to declare her ownership? 

Ruan Xi half-lowered her eyes in pleasure, nibbling on her pastries with relish. 

Mn, tastes good. 

When Su Yu, Su Zhu, and Mama Yang saw her appearance, they could not help but smile. 

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The current Wen Ting Zhou had just received Ruan Xi’s scent sachet, and upon seeing the familiar fish and lotus pattern, his lips raised slightly as he changed the old fish and lotus scent sachet for a new one. Then his gaze landed on the food box. 

“Zhang Qing, prepare a horse, I will be making a trip into the imperial palace later.”

Ever since Ruan Ruan started making the braised ducks, she would send him six braised ducks every single day, and one of them would be sent into the palace. 

The Emperor was addicted to eating the braised duck. 

It could be said that the Emperor had been subdued by the delicious braised duck that Ruan Ruan made, or else he would not have agreed to his request so easily. 

Wen Ting Zhou smiled slightly, his gaze warm. 

……

On the first day of the fifth month, the weather was clear, and the slight breeze was pleasantly warm. 

Ruan Xi’s braised duck store officially opened. Currently, she was a popular figure in the capital, and a lot of people were paying attention to her. Once her braised duck store opened, the store entrance was packed with various horse carriages and the spectating common people. 

Ruan Xi did not appear; she and Wen Ting Zhou were in the courtyard behind the store drinking tea. 

“Ting Zhou da ge, your sizable gift is too precious, I’m scared that I can’t keep it under control.” Once Ruan Xi thought about the inscribed plaque with calligraphy that was akin to flying dragons and phoenixes dancing which had been bestowed by the Emperor, she could not stop her lips from jerking. Otherwise, she would not be hiding in the back courtyard secretly, not daring to appear. 

龙飞凤舞 (pinyin: long fei feng tiao) – lively and vigorous calligraphy, a flamboyant style.

She had no choice, her skin was not thick enough. 

The Best Braised Duck Under The Heavens, how egotistical did a person have to be, before they dared to pull hatred towards themselves in such an open and brazen manner? 

Wen Ting Zhou could not resist the urge to caress her hair intimately before he said smilingly, “Ruan Ruan, these are words inscribed by the Emperor, you should be happy instead. With an inscribed plaque bestowed by the Emperor, no one will dare to steal your secret braised duck recipe.”

“I am happy, it’s just that promoting it as the best braised duck under the heavens makes me feel embarrassed just from hearing it.”

Wen Ting Zhou released a rare, loud laugh.

“Ruan Ruan, you should trust that your secret recipe is second to none, the Emperor praises your braised duck to the high heavens every time.”

Ruan Xi: “……”

At this moment, the auspicious time arrived. Celebratory firecrackers rang out, and the red cloth hanging in front of the braised duck store’s plaque was taken down. The store front went silent first, before waves of tumultuous clamour travelled over to the back.

“The best braised duck under the heavens, what a loud manner of speaking!”

“Arrogant! Arrogant!”

“Has Ruan si xiaojie  become muddled in the brain, does she think that the braised duck she’s selling is number one under the heavens just because she hung a plaque that states that ‘The Best Braised Duck Under The Heavens‘? How absurd!”

“……”

As the crowd was denouncing her and her braised duck, a voice suddenly rang out.

“That’s a plaque bestowed by the Emperor.”

Once those words were uttered, the people in the crowd sucked in a mouthful of cold air immediately. Their gazes landed on the plaques one by one, and they discovered the issue with the plaque. Someone in the crowd could not resist the urge to ask the store’s shopkeeper, and after they received the confirmation, the crowd was shocked into an uproar.

“This braised duck was so delicious it could attain the Emperor’s recognition and praise, no way, I have to buy one to try.”

“Yes, I need to buy one duck to try it too.”

“Will it be expensive?”

“No matter how expensive it is, it can’t be that expensive, at most, it will be only be a bit more costly than the Four Joys Restaurant’s braised duck. If we don’t have enough silvers in hand, we can buy one with a few familiar acquaintances.”

The spectating crowd felt that the suggestion was reasonable, and they were spurred into action. They formed a line consciously, and even the people in the horse carriages was inspired to buy back a braised duck to try it, hence they dispatched their servants to queue up. 

At this time, they did not know that the delicious braised duck in this braised duck store was not something they could buy just because they wanted to.

Not only was it shockingly expensive, it was even limited in quantity. 

The crowd’s discussion at the front quickly reached Ruan Xi, even though she was sitting at the back of the store.

Ruan Xi: “……”

All of a sudden, she regretted following the tide and doing an opening ceremony; it would have been better if she opened the store quietly.