I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 68

The night was quiet. A solitary moon hung low on the treetops, swaying with the rustling of the wind.

The west-wing rooms belonged to the maidservants. A young, round-faced maid pushed open the door and brought a basin of water for Lingxi, ready to help her wash up. She peered inside and saw Lingxi looking down at a storybook. The little maid, Shiliu, called Lingxi’s name in a sweet voice. Lingxi beckoned to her, took out a piece of cloud-like pastry wrapped in a handkerchief from her pillow, and asked, “Did you eat enough tonight?”

Shiliu politely refused the pastry, saying obediently, “I ate plenty, plenty. I’m a general-duties maid in Miss Zhu’s courtyard now. I can eat my fill every day, so you don’t need to worry about me, Sister Lingxi.”

Lingxi straightened the silk flower in Shiliu’s hair and asked, “How does the mistress treat you?”

Shiliu was a distant relative of Lingxi’s. When she heard that Lingxi had been sold into the Marquis’s manor as a maid by her parents, she had someone send a letter to Lingxi, saying her family was willing to sell Shiliu as well.

Although the masters of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s manor were known to be kind, Lingxi secretly hoped to redeem herself and leave the manor one day. How could she bear to bring Shiliu into this fiery pit? Despite her thoughts, Shiliu still signed the contract and was sold into the manor.

Shiliu sat on the edge of the bed and chatted with her, saying, “Miss Zhu is very nice, it’s just that she’s so frail. She always makes the young mistress worry. Today, I even heard the young mistress nagging Miss Zhu to take care of herself at home. The young mistress was only going to the Li family’s house; she wasn’t leaving forever. Her nagging was so much that it made Miss Zhu clutch her chest and lie down on the chaise lounge.”

She saw Lingxi as a close older sister and accidentally blurted out her true feelings. Lingxi angrily pinched Shiliu’s arm and scolded her, “Is our mistress someone we can gossip about? If you dare to speak about her again, see how I’ll punish you!”

Shiliu immediately covered her mouth, not daring to make another sound. Lingxi was satisfied to see the fear in her expression and couldn’t help but give Shiliu a few more warnings, saying, “Serve Miss Zhu well. I’ll see if I can get you promoted to a second-rank maid someday. Then you’ll have more silver each month and can save some for yourself. Don’t give all your money to your family; only a fool would do something like that.”

Shiliu nodded, seeming to understand but not quite. She leaned affectionately on Lingxi’s shoulder, and as they whispered their private words, Shiliu unexpectedly brought up Zhu Jun and Tang Yihuan again. She said, “Sister Lingxi, you’ve been with our young mistress for so many years. Have you ever seen her care about someone else so much?”

Lingxi glared at her but still answered her question, pondering, “My young mistress may seem like a high-born noble lady to outsiders, but she suffers too. The Marquis is a man, and his behavior is bold and unrestrained. The other madams might call him uncouth, but that’s the end of it. But what about the young mistress? With a father like that, many people privately slander her as being a boorish, uncultured peasant. That’s why she’s so determined. She specifically invited a governess who had retired to Tongzhou to train her rigorously. That’s how she developed her refined demeanor and made those upstarts shut their mouths.”

She poked Shiliu’s forehead and said earnestly, “The young mistress has been managing the household for the Marquis since she was very young. Do you think she doesn’t want to be as pampered and delicate as other girls? If she didn’t stand up, the endless affairs of this manor would become a burden to the Marquis. How would he have time to manage the military camp then? So stop worrying about why the young mistress is so good to Miss Zhu. Just remember that if the master of this house wants you to die, you won’t live. Why concern yourself with so many other things? The young mistress has her own ideas.”

Shiliu explained sheepishly, “I’m just curious. Miss Zhu is a mountain girl; how is she worthy of our young mistress’s attention?”

Lingxi pushed her head away and said slowly, with a blank expression, “That’s why I’m warning you to get rid of that disdainful attitude. If the young mistress notices, you’ll be in trouble. I’m just a maid; I can’t save you.”

What a blockhead. Did she really take everything Lingxi just said as nonsense?

Lingxi no longer felt like chatting with Shiliu and dismissively urged her to go and rest.

Shiliu pursed her lips. She knew she had angered Lingxi and didn’t dare to complain. She lowered her head and left.

She carried a lantern along the path back to Zhu Jun’s courtyard. Just as she entered through the back gate, she heard a series of coughs from Zhu Jun. Shiliu huffed with a hint of disdain. They were from similar backgrounds, so how could she be a guest of honor in the Marquis’s manor? She thought Zhu Jun was even worse than herself—a sickly person who might not live for long.

“Shiliu? Can you get some hot water in this teapot?”

Yu Xuan saw Shiliu and decided to use a random maid, which would also save her from having to stay by Zhu Yun’s side.

Shiliu obediently took the teapot. As Yu Xuan closed the door, she peeked inside and saw the beautiful Zhu Yun, dressed in silk brocade, resting on a soft couch. The snowy skin of her cheeks was flushed with a soft crimson, and her arm hung limply by the side of the couch, the wide sleeve still gently swaying. All these signs proved that Zhu Yun had just experienced a violent coughing fit.

The door had already closed, but the image in Shiliu’s mind didn’t disappear.

Zhu Yun in that state was like a wilting orchid, fragile and delicate, ready to fall apart with a single gust of wind.

Shiliu smiled with ill intentions. This Zhu Yun didn’t have the good fortune to enjoy a life of wealth. What a pity.

“Miss, are you feeling better?” Yu Xuan had been serving Zhu Yun for a while now. She had been by her side for over half a month. The more frequent the attacks, the more her heart ached. Such a lovely young woman, why did she have to be afflicted with this illness?

Zhu Yun lifted her eyelids slightly as a response to Yu Xuan. Seeing this, Yu Xuan said softly, “It’s late. Do you need me to stand watch tonight?”

She shook her head. Yu Xuan didn’t insist, only repeating what she always said: “If you need me, just smash this teacup.”

Zhu Yun’s voice was hoarse. “Alright.”

She liked quiet and didn’t want Yu Xuan to attend to her closely. Once Yu Xuan left, only Zhu Jun remained in the room.

Honey, please take some of the Revival Pills. Don’t make me worry!

“Two thousand five a bottle. No, I’m not taking it!”

Zhu Yun closed her eyes to rest, not showing any signs of urgency, as if she could simply endure the coughing.

Okay, okay! I’ll give you two bottles of Revival Pills for free. Don’t you just want to get them for nothing? I’ll let you!

Zhu Yun’s lips curled into a slight smile. She said leisurely, “I’m not that wicked, you know. 857, you can’t slander me.”

Okay, Zhu Yun admitted she used a bitter-pawn strategy, but she had to. The points in her account were like water—once they were gone, they were gone. It felt like she hadn’t bought anything, yet she only had fifteen thousand left. The items in the mall were truly expensive. But Zhu Jun couldn’t not buy them; they might come in handy at crucial moments. So, she had her eye on 857.

Hmph, you scheming bad woman. You’re just taking advantage of the fact that I dote on you and spoil you.

Zhu Jun couldn’t help but laugh when she heard that. She turned on her side. Her waist-length hair, simply tied back with a ribbon, fell smoothly to her side, looking lazy and casual.

“That’s right, that’s right. 857 is my best partner. If you don’t spoil me, who will?”

What about Tang Yihuan?

The meaningful look in Zhu Jun’s eyes deepened. She asked with a smile, “She’s just taking pity on me because of this illness. We’ve only known each other for a short time. How could she unconditionally spoil me? Don’t you agree?”

What you say makes some sense, little Zhu. But anything is possible. Maybe in the future, she’ll spoil you even more than I do!

Zhu Yun huffed defiantly. “Why can’t it be me spoiling her? Am I not already spoiling her? In the story, I even gave up my life for her. Tsk, speaking of the story, I truly think my character shouldn’t have gone offline so early. I was an important character in the beginning. How could I just die like that? And don’t you think Tang Yihuan and I have a sense of destiny in the plot? I saved her! Even with a soul containing dragon energy in my body, I didn’t back down. I said I would eliminate it, and I did. I was super brave, wasn’t I?”

857 slyly glanced at the “lily novel female supporting character halo” on Zhu Yun’s profile and thought: How could your role not be important? You’re a supporting character, after all. You know, you used to be… Never mind, let’s not talk about the past.

And you still bring it up? You gave the poison to Tang Yihuan. Aren’t you afraid she’ll be found out?

Zhu Yun huffed proudly. “Please have faith in Tang Yihuan’s intelligence. Besides, I didn’t tell her to poison anyone right now. She can wait until the Prince of Yan makes an appearance and find an opportunity to do it then. The person Tang Yihuan wants to target right now is Li Huimei, not the male lead, the Prince of Yan, Ouyang Jiannan.”

She thought about how Tang Yihuan had gone to argue with her “plastic sister” and couldn’t help but feel a little regretful, “I really wish I could be a spectator there.”

You’d better just take good care of yourself. The merits you’ve accumulated recently are enough for you to live on.**

Speaking of merits, Zhu Yun felt a little exhausted. Ever since she helped Zhao Qingshu find her pet dog, Dou Dou, Zhu Jun had become a “dog-finding queen.” Whenever a dog was lost, people came to Zhu Yun, and they were always found. So now, through these cute little dogs, she had successfully met many young women.

If Tang Yihuan were to chat with Zhu Yun about interesting stories about these women, she couldn’t remember their names. But if she mentioned the dogs’ names, Zhu Yun would immediately picture their owners. Now, Tang Yihuan no longer referred to the girls by name, but as “Dou Dou’s sister” or “Diu Diu’s sister.” It was a case of knowing the dogs but not the people.

“My wish for today is that in the next few days, I won’t have to find any more cats, dogs, or runaway birds. Give me something big to do!”

After all, she was the sole descendant of a prominent Xuanmen lineage! She was a shaman who was absolutely capable! She wanted to do something big!

Zhu Yun, lying on the soft couch, was like a lazy fish. She yawned, turned over, and slid into her self-made, modified cotton slippers to pour herself a cup of water to moisten her throat.

She needed to drink some water; she couldn’t let this “lazy fish” die of thirst.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her chest, and a mouthful of hot liquid spilled out. Zhu Yun’s lips were stained with blood, looking beautiful and charming. Her lovely eyes were filled with a coldness. She said in a hushed voice, “857, find Tang Yihuan’s location, and be quick!”

This time, Tang Yihuan had gone to Li Huimei’s manor. Although Zhu Yun couldn’t personally accompany her, she had given Tang Yihuan many good things. Even before she left, Zhu Yun didn’t forget to have her take the protective talisman she had given her earlier.

This talisman could protect Tang Yihuan from danger once, but such a heaven-defying talisman would result in a backlash for Zhu Yun. Once it ignited, Zhu Yun would be injured.

No one expected this protective talisman to actually be used today. Zhu Yun wiped the blood from her lips, waved her wide sleeve, and the latticed window swung open. She leaped out lightly, like a swallow. As soon as she was gone, the window closed. The manor’s heavily guarded patrols didn’t notice that someone had already left the estate, treading on the eaves.

Zhu Yun flew through the air, with a long-tailed butterfly steeped in the night following her. As it flew, it scattered purple sparkles behind it. With its help, Zhu Yun’s movements were even swifter.

To the left, little Zhu.

To the right, jump the wall.

Watch out for the sycamore tree ahead, hey!

Zhu Yun looked up at the moon. Fortunately, the moonlight was bright tonight, illuminating her path. Otherwise, she would have been truly blind.

We’re here, we’re here! This is the place!

Zhu Yun thought 857 was much more useful than some modern navigation apps. At least it didn’t lead her astray. The old navigation apps used to lead Zhu Yun into rivers, which made her angrily give them the middle finger!

She didn’t make a sound. The long-tailed butterfly that had followed her the entire way landed lazily on Zhu Yun’s hair. Guided by 857, she quickly jumped into a courtyard.

Candlelight projected shadows onto the window. A deliberately lowered voice was no match for Zhu Yun. Listening carefully, she heard a person with an androgynous voice speaking. It was raspy and low, giving Zhu Yun an indescribable sense of annoyance, as if listening to that person’s voice for too long would cause her to lose control and reason.

“Granny Gui, Tang Yihuan… she’s not dead, is she?”

“Young lady, don’t be so cowardly. How could this old woman bear to destroy her? She is the vessel this old woman has worked so hard to find.”

Li Huimei looked at the white-haired old woman whose face was like old bark, carefully observing the legendary Granny Gui. She looked like an old crone, but her eyes were exceptionally sharp, not at all the murky and dim eyes of a typical old person.

Li Huimei knew she couldn’t offend this Granny Gui. She had finally managed to connect with Granny Gui using Tang Yihuan’s birth chart. As long as she pleased her, the exceptional Prince of Yan would be within her grasp! She might even be able to sit on the Phoenix Throne and look down on everyone.

Zhu Yun didn’t want to listen anymore. She had to find Tang Yihuan quickly, before these two made a move.

From their conversation, Zhu Yun learned that Li Huimei had secretly connected with the Prince of Yan. Otherwise, that old hag, Granny Gui, wouldn’t have said the word “vessel” to Li Huimei. This showed that Li Huimei was also aware of the soul-swapping incident in the plot.

Zhu Yun was filled with regret. This was her oversight.

In the original plot, there was never any mention of Li Huimei and the Prince of Yan. And when Tang Yihuan was harmed, her close friend, Li Huimei, never appeared. Zhu Yun now suspected that she might have already fallen victim to the Prince of Yan’s treachery and become a silent corpse. That’s why Zhu Yun never thought that Li Huimei had anything to do with the soul-swapping incident. She simply assumed Li Huimei was a woman who was jealous of the Prince of Yan, and she never thought any deeper.

She couldn’t help but feel lucky that she had the foresight to give Tang Yihuan the protective talisman in advance. Otherwise, the fate from the original plot would have been replayed.

Zhu Yun’s almond-shaped eyes were filled with murderous intent. She wished she could kill Li Huimei and Granny Gui right now. But she couldn’t alert the enemy. Zhu Yun already knew the plan, so it was better to play along. If she disturbed that snake, Ouyang Jiannan, the plan might change, and there would only be more trouble.

At this moment, Tang Yihuan, who was lying unconscious in bed, had a normal complexion and looked like she was under the influence of a sleeping fragrance. But a cinnabar dot had appeared in the center of her picturesque eyebrows, making her already beautiful face even more charming, as if the moment she opened her eyes, she would capture one’s soul.

Zhu Yun, who had quietly sneaked into the room, felt her hands turn cold when she saw this. She quickly bit her fingertip and, without hesitation, used a drop of her blood to cover the cinnabar dot on Tang Yihuan’s brow. Zhu Yun’s expression was solemn, and she chanted ancient and mysterious words softly. As she focused on waking Tang Yihuan, a gentle breeze stirred around her, blowing her sleeves. Her long black hair also fluttered in the wind. She was like a compassionate fairy who had descended to the mortal world to save the innocent.

Soon, Tang Yihuan opened her heavy eyes. She seemed to see a very familiar person. As her eyes gradually regained their focus, she finally saw the person’s face clearly.

She’s awake, she’s awake!

Zhu Yun let out a long sigh of relief. Granny Gui, in all her calculations, never accounted for the protective talisman on Tang Yihuan. That’s why Zhu Yun had to go to such lengths to wake Tang Yihuan from her slumber.

Zhu Yun didn’t want to waste any time. She spoke quickly, “Tang Yihuan, someone wants your soul. Your birth chart matches all of their requirements. You must not switch souls with that person; you will die.”

Her hand didn’t dare to move. She could only use her blood to nurture Tang Yihuan. That gentle warmth made Tang Yihuan feel drowsy. Compared to the dark, cold world she was in before, she was now extremely attached to the gentleness Zhu Yun brought.

Tang Yihuan asked softly, “What do I need to do?”

Zhu Jun gave a free-spirited smile, her eyes sparkling, and said, “Then I’ll have to ask you to switch with me for a little while.”

What?!

What are you doing, little Zhu?!

857’s startled voice didn’t change Zhu Yun’s mind. After Zhu Jun had read the plot, this was the first solution she thought of. Since Ouyang Jiannan was targeting Tang Yihuan’s body as a shield, Zhu Yun would get there one step ahead and occupy Tang Yihuan’s body. This was like using Ouyang Jiannan’s path to leave him no path. Most importantly, after the soul was switched, it would no longer be the “vessel” Ouyang Jiannan needed.

This was like rebirth versus transmigration. No matter whose soul it was, the fate of this body would have already changed.

And the combination of Zhu Yun’s soul and Tang Yihuan’s body would naturally no longer fit Ouyang Jiannan’s “vessel” requirements.

Her words made Tang Yihuan’s eyes widen in astonishment. Could such a bizarre thing really happen to her? Could she really switch with Zhu Yun?

Tang Yihuan hadn’t forgotten what happened after she entered that room. She hadn’t drunk anything or even smelled any fragrance, yet she had fainted.

No, to be more precise, she had fainted, but her soul was still awake.

Tang Yihuan had watched as a white-haired old woman with a ghost-faced walking stick brought her to a place that felt like an ice cellar, causing her to shiver and feel immense pain.

So, Tang Yihuan asked again, “Will you be in danger if we switch?”

Zhu Yun’s eyes softened, and the smile on her lips made her look radiant. Zhu Yun said with certainty, “When we switch souls, neither you nor I will be in any danger, Tang Yihuan. I promise you.”

Her words were decisive and composed, giving Tang Yihuan a sense of endless security, which made Tang Yihuan’s eyes grow moist.

“Then what should I do?”

Zhu Yun muted the wailing 857 and said in a low voice, “Just hug me tightly.”

Tang Yihuan bit her lip and reached out her hands to Zhu Yun. She voluntarily embraced her. Zhu Yun’s fingers left her brow, and a round drop of blood fell onto the spot. As Zhu Yun hugged Tang Yihuan tightly, the blood slowly seeped into her skin, forming a tiny red mole on her forehead.

At this moment, the gentle breeze turned into a strong gust, and the curtains billowed, subtly obscuring their figures.

The candlelight cast two shadows on the window. It looked as if nothing had changed, yet everything had changed.

Tang Yihuan tightly closed her eyes and stayed buried in Zhu Yun’s embrace. Soon, she heard her own voice, which made her eyelids flutter. She cautiously looked at the person she was holding.

That person was smiling, with a charming red mole and alluring eyes. Tang Yihuan asked with a trembling heart, “Zhu Yun?”

Zhu Yun lay back down on the bed. Seeing her own face make an expression that wasn’t hers, Zhu Yun found it incredibly amusing.

“That’s right, it’s me.”

Tang Yihuan touched her own face and then couldn’t help but reach out and touch Zhu Yun. She asked in disbelief, “Did we succeed?”

“What else?”

Tang Yihuan held her face, her eyes unfocused, clearly still in a state of shocked confusion.

“My gosh, this is so amazing!”

Zhu Yun waved her hand at Tang Yihuan as if she were shooing away a kitten or a puppy. “Hurry up and go! What will you do if someone comes and sees you?”

“What about you?”

Zhu Yun sat up with a fluid motion, her eyes curving into a smile. “Me? I’ll go back the way I came. Don’t you worry. I’m the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong now. You can have the steward come and pick me up tomorrow.”

Tang Yihuan watched her own face light up with such an animated expression, and she could actually see a hint of Zhu Yun’s mannerisms. A soul change truly did make a difference.

She asked worriedly, “Will you really be okay?”

Zhu Yun hooked a lock of hair with her finger and reassured her, “I’ll be fine. If you don’t leave now, then I really might be in trouble.”

Tang Yihuan’s concern made Zhu Yun feel very comforted, proving that she hadn’t saved her in vain.

Tang Yihuan couldn’t be as happy as Zhu Yun. She bit her lip hard and watched Zhu Yun silently, her eyes turning red.

“Oh, come on.”

“Why are you crying?”

“Don’t bite my lip until it breaks.”

Zhu Yun felt a mix of emotions and was about to say a few more playful words when Tang Yihuan suddenly hugged her tightly.

“I’ll come and get you home tomorrow.”

Zhu Yun lowered her eyelashes and said softly, “Okay.”

“But… how do I get back?”

“Do I just ‘whoosh’ and fly away?”

Zhu Yun looked at her, at a loss for words. “I’m just a Xuanmen shaman.”   Not a bloody deity.

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