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

Once the announcement was made, Wen furen paid a visit the very next day.

Zhang shi and Earl Chengyi received Wen furen in the main hall, and Wen furen’s countenance was coloured with an apologetic tint.

“I am aware that making si niang marry out before her hair-tying ceremony is held is far too rushed, and it wrongs her too much, but Lao Furen said that she wanted to see her grandsons getting married. I hope that you can make allowances for it.”

Earl Chengyi said smilingly, “Wen furen is using heavy words. Si niang will be marrying over soon or later, marrying in advance is of no hindrance.”

Honestly speaking, when Earl Chengyi heard Wen furen request for si niang to marry out earlier, Earl Chengyi could barely restrain the joy in his heart. 

Although the Wen Family was hosting these grand weddings for the sake of ‘warding off’ the illness that Wen lao-furen had, no one would mind it.

Si niang’s identity as an illegitimate daughter was a stiff injury, if she could marry into the Wen Family earlier, he could not be happier. 

Because only then would the Earl Residence and the Wen Family’s relation by marriage be set in stone.

“Bo ye speaks correctly. Wen furen, which day is the wedding scheduled on?”

The apology on Wen furen’s expression deepened. 

“The wedding day will be hosted in the next half-month. It’s a rush for time, I will ask Ting Zhou to make a house call and send the betrothal gifts tomorrow.”

Zhang shi faltered slightly, “With how rushed it is, [I am] afraid that we won’t have the time to embroider si niang’s wedding dress.”

The counterfeit would be entering the imperial palace a month later, and she had been preparing the counterfeit’s dowry for the past few days, but she did not expect that si niang’s marriage would be even more urgent. Fortunately, the dowries for the Earl Residence’s daughters were typically prepared ahead of time. 

It was just her wedding dress…

“Certainly, [we] are rather hard-pressed for time, but there is no need to vex over her wedding dress on your end. The Wen Family’s embroidery seamstresses will be making it for si niang with due haste.” Wen furen had already made preparations.

There was a total of five grandchildren that were of the suitable age to get married in the Wen Residence and Duke An Residence. The Minister Wen Residence had two, the Duke An Residence had three. 

Wen furen needed to prepare the weddings of her son Ting Zhou and a concubine-born son, and even if she was so busy her feet scarcely touched the ground, she had to personally pay a visit to explain the situation for the sake of displaying how highly she valued Ruan Xi. 

Consequently, Earl Chengyi and Zhang shi were satisfied with the arrangements, and they naturally had no opinions. 

If Wen lao-furen were to pass away, the descendants of the Wen Family had to observe a three-year mourning period out of filial piety, which would make the marriage more susceptible to changes as time wore on, because it was undeniable that si niang was just an illegitimate daughter from the Earl Residence. 

Wen furen’s suggestion greatly suited Earl Chengyi’s intentions. 

Hence, the matter of Ruan Xi marrying out within the next half-month was thus settled. 

Once Wen furen departed, Zhang shi dispatched a servant to go to Limpid Heart Garden to call Ruan Xi over.

Ruan Xi was aware that Wen furen had been here, and combined with the news she had just heard, she was already mentally prepared.

Honestly speaking, it was fine if she married out earlier. 

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Upon reaching the main courtyard, Ruan Xi bowed with womanly obeisance to Earl Chengyi and Zhang shi.

“This daughter pays her respect to Father and Mother.”

Earl Chengyi examined his slender and elegant daughter who was becoming increasingly beautiful and dazzling, feeling incomparably pleased in his heart.

“Si niang, it’s more than likely that you have already heard some rumours concerning Wen lao-furen. Just a while ago, Wen furen came to our residence to ask for you to marry Wen gongzi within the next half-month. The Earl and I have agreed.

“I am aware that rushing your marriage wrongs you, but the matter dwells in the fact that it is urgent, and it was Wen lao-furen’s intention, hence it would not be appropriate for us to reject it.”

“This daughter understands, Father and Mother may decide everything.”

Ruan Xi nodded her head obediently. Honestly speaking, she was not overly concerned about this. Based on the inside information she knew about the Wen Family, even if it was hectic, the wedding would still be grand and mired with minor details. 

Earl Chengyi is very satisfied with Ruan Xi’s attitude, while Zhang shi’s expression was complicated.

“Si niang, set your heart at ease. Even though the time is pressing, Father has already ensured that your dowry was prepared in advance, and your wedding dress will be made by the Wen Family’s embroidery seamstress with due haste.” Earl Chengyi said smilingly.

Ruan Xi pretended to be bashful by lowering her head.

Earl Chengyi laughed out loud upon seeing that. Frankly speaking, compared to san niang who blindly squandered, he preferred the insightful and intelligent si niang more.

Zhang shi’s smile became fainter as she could not stop herself from thinking about her daughter and her frail fortune.

In the afternoon, the Wen Family’s embroidery seamstress came over to take Ruan Xi’s measurements.

……

Once the news of the Wen Family wantonly holding auspicious weddings for its grandson-generation within the next half-month was confirmed, the common masses started to discuss and speculate whether Wen lao-furen was barely holding on, such that they needed to host auspicious occasions to ward off her illness.

The Emperor personally inquired about Wen lao-furen’s condition as well. 

When Ruan san niang thought about how her fourth sister was going to marry into the Wen Family so suddenly, she was in an extremely good mood. 

In the last lifetime, not long after the news of the old Emperor falling sick was disseminated, Wen lao-furen followed closely with a grave illness, and the Wen Family had similarly gone all out to host those weddings.

Except Wen gongzi was not included, since he did not have a fiancée. 

At that time, she had deliberately pretended to be a divine doctor with superb healing skills to help the old Emperor treat his illness. Once her name as a divine doctor was propagated, she treated Wen lao-furen as well. However, her system ability could only treat illnesses, not prolong a person’s longevity, hence she could only ensure that her patients would leave this world without illness or pain. 

In this lifetime, if it were not for the old Emperor extorting it from her via confession, she would never have exposed her system ability. 

Fortunately, she had conserved herself. 

In the future, she only needed to treat the old Emperor and that would suffice. 

In this lifetime, without the help of her system ability, could Wen lao-furen endure until her allocated lifespan of spring next year?

The aforementioned ‘warding off’ was basically complete nonsense, where they were turning to any doctor they could find to treat her terminal illness.

Ruan san niang laughed coldly in her heart, shrewdness apparent in her eyes as she looked in the direction of Limpid Heart Garden. 

Why did she have to be defiled by the old Emperor while her fourth sister could marry Wen gongzi whose handsomeness was likened to jade? 

And worst of all, she was the one who gave her fourth sister the good marriage affinity. Ruan san niang regretted it so much her intestines were green.

If Wen lao-furen were to pass away shortly after they married over, she would ask someone to scatter some rumours. It would be odder if her fourth sister could live good days then. 

Since the time was tight, Ruan Xi did not have the headspace to pay attention to Ruan san niang. She was busy preparing for marriage, and even her braised duck store and newly bought farmsteads were abandoned for the time being. 

Earl Chengyi Residence was filled with a joyous air. 

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The next day, Wen Ting Zhou rode a fine steed as he brought along cart after cart of generous betrothal gifts to finalise the marriage. 

Since the marriage preparations were so rushed, Wen furen explicitly told Ruan Xi that the legitimate eldest son of the Wen Family’s second branch (Wen Ting Zhou) had to finish the six ceremonies in one shot.

There were at least a dozen guards carrying in the betrothal gifts even if a conservative estimate was made, and under Wen Ting Zhou’s lead, they travelled towards Earl Chengyi Residence in a vast and mighty fashion.

The other four soon-to-married men from the Wen Family were also bringing their betrothal gifts to make a house call. 

It was rare for the common people in the capital to see such a joyous occasion of this magnitude, so everyone from the top of the streets to the bottom of the alleys were discussing the betrothal gifts.

Among them, Ruan Xi’s betrothal gifts garnered the most attention because they were the most generous. 

Who told her to be the wife of the legitimate eldest son in the Wen Family’s second branch?

The gatehouse and stewards did not dare to be negligent as they quickly ushered them in. As Earl Chengyi’s Furen, Zhang shi received the betrothal gifts right then and there. After she looked through the list of generous betrothal gifts, Zhang shi’s eyeballs nearly popped out of its sockets, and she was short of wishing that she could make them her own personal possessions.

Needless to say, these generous betrothal gifts must be the dowry that the Wen Family prepared for that yatou si niang.

The Wen Family had truly penned in a large brushstroke, there were so many betrothal gifts that it made people speechless. 

Silks and satin, gold, silver, and jade ware, rouges and powders made by imperial order, precious medicinal herbs, various kinds of antiques, calligraphy and painting…. It could pile up a few storehouses at the very least. 

Zhang shi recomposed herself since she was still in front of Wen Ting Zhou. Then, with a smiling expression, she dispatched her servant to send the list of gifts to Limpid Heart Garden. 

Ruan san niang was standing a short distance away from Limpid Heart Garden, staring with dead eyes as the Wen Family’s guards carried the betrothal gifts into Limpid Heart Garden one after another, and she was so jealous her eyes were red. 

She could only bring her dowry when she entered the palace, and it goes without saying that it was impossible for a wedding ceremony to occur. 

In her two lifetimes, no, she should say three lifetimes, she never had a decent wedding.

And yet her fourth sister could marry out impressively. Even if it was temporary grandeur, Ruan san niang was still jealous and envious. 

It was true that her fourth sister’s life was slightly better than hers. 

At this moment, Wen Ting Zhou’s slender and long figure appeared in the distance.

Needless to say, he was definitely here to visit her fourth sister.

Ruan san niang’s demeanour distorted for an instant. She heard that there would always be maidservants accompanying the ladies in marriage. Her fourth sister only had her two maidservants Su Yu and Su Zhu by her side, she would ask her mother to select a few beautiful yatou to help her some. 

花容月貌 (pinyin: hua rong yue mao) – lit. countenance of a flower, face like a moon.

Having thought of that, Ruan san niang lifted up her skirt corners and ran towards the main courtyard with much zeal.

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Limpid Heart Garden.

Mama Yang, Su Yu, and Su Zhu methodically checked the gift list as the betrothal gifts entered the stores.

Meanwhile, Ruan Xi and Wen Ting Zhou were inside the room drinking tea and chatting. Although it had only been a few days since they last met, Wen Ting Zhou looked slightly thinner.

Ruan Xi was slightly distressed.

“Ting Zhou da ge, how is Lao Furen’s condition right now, is she feeling better?”

Wen Ting Zhou pursed a mouthful of tea, lip corners raising into a gentle smile. “Zu mu’s vitality is quite good right now, the braised ducks you sent over claims a large portion of the credit.”

Ruan Xi was surprised. “The braised ducks I sent?”

“Indeed, after zu mu fell ill, she couldn’t consume any food, but Ruan Ruan’s braised duck was the sole exception. Zu mu’s condition has taken a slight turn for the better.” Wen Ting Zhou’s countenance was warm. He did not expect that Ruan Ruan’s braised duck would have the effect of increasing the appetite for sick people.

It deserved to be called a secret recipe from a mysterious daoren. 

The imperial physician said that his paternal grandmother had reached the limits of allocated lifespan, and perhaps she could only endure to the end of the month by using precious medicinal herbs to suspend her life. 

Phrasing it as ‘perhaps’ was not correct either because it was not accurate, and it might be even earlier.

His paternal grandmother had been very calm when she learned of this grievous news. She was afraid that she would suddenly leave and delay the marriages of the male descendants in Wen Family, so she ordered for her grandsons who were of suitable age to marry within the next half-month. 

Guilt arose in Wen Ting Zhou’s heart because he could not give Ruan Ruan a magnificent wedding. 

Ruan Xi was incredibly astonished and endlessly happy.

“It’s enough if Lao Furen likes it. When the time comes around, I’ll make more braised marinade and send it over, the marinade can be used with rice or other vegetable dishes. As long as Lao Furen can stomach her food, there will be a day where she recovers.”

Wen Ting Zhou nodded in agreement. He had the same thought. 

“Ruan Ruan will have to take the trouble then. Apart from the braised duck, whenever zu mu has the energy, she will look at the Avatamsaka Sutra that you copied.”

Because of this matter, Ruan Ruan had filled up the good feelings that other Wen Family members had towards her. 

Ruan Xi did not know if Wen lao-furen was specifically paving the road for her, but no matter what it was, she felt exceedingly touched in her heart.

“I’ll copy more scriptures then.”

Wen Ting Zhou did not voice his objection. He raised his hand and stroked Ruan Xi’s hair, feeling warm and tender in his heart.

With how understanding Ruan Ruan was of others, it made him even fonder of her. 

Wen Ting Zhou did not stay in Limpid Heart Garden for too long. In ten days or so, Ruan Ruan would become his wife.

He could wait. 

Wen Ting Zhou could not resist the urge to hug Ruan Xi before he left. 

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When it was approaching evening, Zhang shi’s Mama Sun suddenly brought over two pretty servant girls with fair skin, peach cheeks, eyes filled with amorous feelings, well-endowed bodies, and delicate and soft voices. 

Anger spread across Su Yu’s and Su Zhu’s faces as they stood beside Ruan Xi.

They were not stupid by any measure; how could they possibly be blind to the fact that the Furen was sending over these two maidservants to accompany their Young Lady in marriage for the sake of preparing concubines for Wen gongzi?

Ruan Xi’s expression was placid. Before she even married out, Zhang shi had already picked tongfang girls for her husband first. No matter who it was, such a gesture was a cause of internal discomfort.

“Fourth Young Lady, these two are dowry maidservants that Furen has specially picked for yõu with utmost care.” Mama Sun avoided the Fourth Young Lady’s gaze as she spoke respectfully. She paused before specifically adding one more line.

“Furen has also prepared two for the Third Young Lady.”

“Since san jie also has the same treatment, I will accept them then. Where are their bond contracts, bring them over.” Ruan Xi looked at Mama Sun with a wide smile.

Without wasting any time, Mama Sun presented the bond contracts. 

“Fourth Young Lady, Furen is doing it for yõur own good. Fourth Young Lady will understand in the future.”

Ruan Xi raised an eyebrow slightly. 

So straightforward?

 

Translator’s Note:

On the Three Letters and Six Ceremonies:

The Three Letters are Betrothal Letter (聘书) which is a contract between the two families, a list of gifts that come with the bride’s dowry (嫁妆), and the Wedding Letter (迎亲书), welcoming the bride into her new husband’s home.

The Six Ceremonies are as follows, in order: the proposal (纳采), asking for the bride’s name and Eight Characters of her birthdate (问名), visiting a fortune teller (纳吉), preparing and sending the betrothal gifts (纳征), choosing a ceremony date (请期), and the wedding ceremony (亲迎).

And before anyone gets their knickers in a twist, yes, Ruan Xi is getting married when she is only fourteen/on the cusp of fifteen in this life, which by modern standards, is frowned upon and very much illegal.

However, this is a novel set in the ancient era, so old customs and thinking apply regardless, please be kind to the comment section, thank you :D