I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 77

“My lady, my lady, a little beggar outside the manor gave me this pouch and left,” said the maid, Chang Shan, as she ran inside, panting. “She said it was from a female beggar you once saved, and that she wants to meet you. Should I throw this away?”

Chang Shan lifted the beaded curtain and saw Tang Yihuan leisurely wiping her fingers, which were stained with ink. Zhu Yun was sprawled weakly across the desk, glancing at the breathless Chang Shan.

Zhu Yun, feeling as if she had just escaped a disaster, said, “Chang Shan, I’ll double your monthly allowance.”

Thanks to Chang Shan, she wouldn’t have to continue being forced by Tang Yihuan to practice calligraphy. Being taught by a beautiful woman should have been a romantic affair, but Tang Yihuan was so strict and merciless that Zhu Yun had no chance to escape.

Sigh, this is what they call a “scholar girlfriend.” Her own atrocious handwriting had to be improved, or her identity might be revealed.

Just a moment ago, Tang Yihuan had stood behind her, guiding her hand. Tang Yihuan’s soft body pressed against her, making Zhu Yun’s mind wander. She couldn’t think of anything but Tang Yihuan, let alone practicing calligraphy.

Tang Yihuan continued to wipe her fingertips, her resentful gaze making Zhu Yun want to find a hole to hide in. As long as she was hidden, those eyes couldn’t hurt her.

Zhu Yun cleared her throat and took the note from Chang Shan. She had to stare at the handwriting for a long time before she could decipher it. She couldn’t help but hold up the note and flaunt it at Tang Yihuan, her proud expression seeming to say, “Look, I found someone with even uglier handwriting than mine.”

Tang Yihuan picked up her teacup, completely ignoring Zhu Yun, her elegant and composed demeanor a stark contrast to the Tang Yihuan who had been moments away from being exasperated to death by Zhu Yun.

Zhu Yun pouted in and said, “Chang Shan, you can go play with Lingxi. You girls don’t need to serve us here.”

Chang Shan didn’t hesitate and left as instructed.

She was now used to Zhu Yun’s attitude. She understood that whenever Zhu Yun and Tang Yihuan were in the same room, the maids didn’t need to be present and could find other things to do, as long as they stayed out of Zhu Yun’s sight.

At first, Yu Xuan was a bit apprehensive. What kind of maid doesn’t serve her mistresses? Especially since there was a sickly beauty to take care of.

But Yu Xuan later understood that she was a servant, and she should do as her mistress commanded. There was no need to overthink it.

“Yu Xuan, Yu Xuan, look at all the birds that have come to our courtyard! They’re so beautiful, and some I’ve never seen before.”

“Hush, don’t disturb the ladies.”

The abundance of birds was a strange sight. They were well-behaved and not noisy. Sometimes, when they saw a pretty maid, they would even lower their heads to let them stroke them. It’s safe to say, who wouldn’t love a chubby, fluffy little bird?

“Ugh, time to feed the birds again.”

“They aren’t birds, they’re pigs in disguise! They eat three meals a day, more punctually than I do!” Zhu Yun grumbled, preparing to go and feed the birds.

Tang Yihuan glanced at her from the corner of her eye, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “Are you going to openly skip practicing your calligraphy?”

Zhu Yun replied with a resounding, “I’m not skipping class, I’m going to feed the birds. I’m very busy.” Zhu Yun was serious, not wanting Tang Yihuan to misunderstand. She was a kind-hearted person who loved and protected birds, and was absolutely not trying to avoid her calligraphy practice.

Tang Yihuan tilted her head, propped her chin on her hand, and watched Zhu Yun with a knowing look in her clear eyes, a lazy smile on her lips. She wasn’t in a hurry or upset, she just watched Zhu Yun quietly.

Zhu Yun came over with a dry laugh, clinging to Tang Yihuan’s arm. Her playful and clever expression softened Tang Yihuan’s heart.

With just the two of them in the room, they could be as unrestrained as they wished.

Zhu Yun kissed Tang Yihuan’s cherry lips, which were soft and sweet. Seeing Tang Yihuan’s feigned composure, Zhu Yun couldn’t help but kiss her again, saying with a laugh, “Don’t be angry, I’ll be good.”

“So you’re not feeding your birds?”

Zhu Yun wasn’t set on arguing with Tang Yihuan. Since Tang Yihuan wanted her to practice calligraphy, she would do it. Making her angry would only cause Zhu Yun to suffer in the end, so she had wisely learned to surrender early.

She leaned her head on Tang Yihuan’s shoulder and said carelessly, “The Marquis’s manor isn’t the only place with a Xuanmen.”

Tang Yihuan’s eyes flickered as she tentatively asked, “You’re not thinking of making your master feed those birds, are you?”

Zhu Yun snapped her fingers and nodded with a smile. “Exactly.”

At that, Tang Yihuan’s mind conjured an image of Lu Xianyi. She was as pure as a mountain breeze, seemingly detached from the mortal world. Would this seemingly unapproachable Master Lu really agree to Zhu Yun’s request?

Tang Yihuan wasn’t sure. Not wanting to see Zhu Yun disappointed, she suggested, “How about we feed the birds together and then practice calligraphy?”

Zhu Yun flatly rejected her offer. “It’s fine, Master will definitely agree to it.”

If one disciple wasn’t enough, then surely adding a daughter would change her mind!

She hurried to find a small bag of bird feed, holding it in one hand and pulling Tang Yihuan with the other.

“Are we really going?”

“Come on, let’s go.”

Since Lu Xianyi’s return a few days ago, Tang Yihuan had also seen her long-lost father, the Marquis of Zhongyong, Tang Zeqiu. Unlike before, Tang Zeqiu’s entire aura was more stable and grounded, as if he had found a long-lost treasure and no longer had to live in constant anxiety.

Tang Yihuan wondered if she was overthinking things, that her father was still the same and hadn’t really changed.

They passed through a rock garden and walked past waterside pavilions. The number of birds flying overhead increased, their vibrant colors making the long-tailed butterfly on Zhu Yun’s hairpin flutter its wings in disapproval.

Zhu Yun laughed and soothed the butterfly. This butterfly was like a reclusive elder who loved peace and quiet, often lazing on her hairpin. But it was also extremely reliable at times, making it a very lovable old elder.

“Master, Master!”

Lu Xianyi was sitting on a stone stool, playing chess against herself, with black pieces in her right hand and white pieces in her left.

She was still in her green robes. The flowers and trees in the courtyard were already showing signs of decay in the early winter, and she was the most vibrant splash of life.

Tang Yihuan’s eyelashes trembled as she bowed and said, “Senior.”

Lu Xianyi nodded calmly.

Zhu Yun’s brows furrowed, her mind racing. She had been trying to create an opportunity for Lu Xianyi these past few days, but Lu Xianyi didn’t seem to have any intention of revealing the truth. Zhu Yun was at a loss, wondering if what she had said to Lu Xianyi that day hadn’t moved her.

As someone who knew the truth, she was truly in a difficult position.

It was then that she finally noticed the Marquis of Zhongyong, Tang Zeqiu, practicing swordplay in front of the bamboo grove. Zhu Yun’s lips curved into a smile.

Normally, the Marquis of Zhongyong, who was always in the military camp, was hard to see. But now that Lu Xianyi was in the manor, he seemed to have completely forgotten about the camp.

Tang Yihuan squeezed her handkerchief, seeing his old bones still practicing swordplay. Not only that, he looked increasingly excited. Her own father was so strange.

[Little Zhu, doesn’t the Marquis of Zhongyong look like a peacock trying to court a mate? Hahahahaha, wearing such thin clothes in the middle of winter, isn’t he afraid of the cold? Is he trying to show off his good physique?]

“Uh… it’s not impossible.”

Zhu Yun laughed and guided Tang Yihuan to sit on the stone stool, then said to Lu Xianyi, “Master, don’t you think the embroidered cushion on this stone stool is beautiful? Yihuan specially made it for you.”

Tang Yihuan’s expression changed. These cushions were made at Zhu Yun’s request, so how did they become her credit now?

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her mind. She immediately understood what Zhu Yun was doing.

She was thinking ahead, which was probably what Zhu Yun called “gaining favor.”

Lu Xianyi placed a black piece on the board, glancing at the scheming Zhu Yun, then at the gently smiling Tang Yihuan. She shook her head with a smile and said, “You are both good children. I accept your kind gesture.”

“Master, Master, Yihuan and I have other things to do. Can I trouble you to feed these birds for me?”

Lu Xianyi knew that her disciple never came to her with anything good, and said resignedly, “Alright, just this once.”

Zhu Yun covered her mouth to stifle a laugh and then whispered to Tang Yihuan, “Don’t let Master’s imposing appearance fool you. She’s cold on the outside but warm on the inside.”

Tang Yihuan accidentally met her gaze, and those eyes, which seemed familiar, made Tang Yihuan purse her lips.

Lu Xianyi looked away and placed a white piece on the board. She said, “My disciple is mischievous and a scoundrel. I hope Miss Tang will be more tolerant of her in the future.”

Tang Yihuan’s heart suddenly leaped, as if it would jump out of her throat. She instinctively smiled gently, as if to appear more sincere. She couldn’t guess the meaning behind Lu Xianyi’s words, but she wanted to reassure her on Zhu Yun’s behalf.

“Senior Lu, Zhu Yun is the most important person in my life. You might think she’s only important to me because she saved my life, but I know my own feelings and I know what I want.”

“I will treat her well. In this life, I only acknowledge her.”

Lu Xianyi lifted her eyes, her calm gaze making Tang Yihuan so nervous she could barely breathe. After a moment of silence, she smiled and said, “You and your father are truly alike, both willing to give up your entire lives for a life-saving grace.”

Tang Yihuan was still in a daze, confused by Lu Xianyi’s words.

Suddenly, Tang Yihuan’s eyes widened. She seemed to have found the answer to the puzzle.

But Lu Xianyi didn’t give Tang Yihuan a direct answer. What could she say? What could she do? She had held onto her responsibility as the head of the Xuanmen school, which meant she had been absent from her daughter’s life for over a decade. So Lu Xianyi wouldn’t feel guilty and apologize to Tang Yihuan. She had long known she had wronged Tang Yihuan, but she had still returned to the mountain without hesitation.

She was the head of the Xuanmen school, a hermit living in the mountains, far from the world’s troubles.

Now was the time for her to truly protect her daughter.

She waved her sleeve, and Tang Yihuan’s eyes grew heavy with sleep. She fell into Zhu Yun’s embrace. Zhu Yun was shocked. “Master, you…”

What was she doing? Was there something she couldn’t say in front of Tang Yihuan? Her master was so difficult. Was it really that hard to say, “I am your mother”?

Lu Xianyi placed both her hands on the chessboard at the same time. The warm afternoon sun cast a golden glow on her face, making her appear warm and resolute. Lu Xianyi said calmly, “In five days, I will set off for the capital.”

“Alright, I’ll go with you, Master.”

Lu Xianyi pointed to the chessboard and said to Zhu Yun, “I have an idea of who harmed Yihuan. The world is a chessboard, and black and white pieces will have a winner and a loser. I returned to the mountain for the will of heaven. Now that the country is stable, I, a Xuanmen who helped establish the dynasty, would only be a thorn in His Majesty’s side. I didn’t want the Xuanmen school to wither in my hands, so I returned to the mountain, leaving Tongzhou for over a decade.”

“Sang Gui is an old grudge. Ordinary people would not know about this unless they were familiar with the Xuanmen school and knew I had a junior sister who harbored such deep hatred for me.”

“Xiao Zhu, I was very lucky to have found you in the bamboo grove back then. If it weren’t for you, there would be no Yihuan today. Your bond is deep, a natural destiny. I am very confident in the two of you.”

“The Prince of Yan does have the ability to inherit the throne, but only with his death can Yihuan’s calamity be resolved. The capital is now in turmoil, and it is time for me to emerge. If I could assist His Majesty in establishing the dynasty, why can’t I assist a second one?”

Lu Xianyi spoke in a calm manner, without a hint of murderous intent. But it was this very demeanor that gave her a steady, unshakable presence.

At this point, Zhu Yun couldn’t find the words to persuade Lu Xianyi to change her mind. She held Tang Yihuan’s hand tightly and said in a low voice, “Master, the Emperor wouldn’t dare touch Yihuan, so who is it?”

Lu Xianyi gave a small sneer. “The Imperial Advisor.”

She lowered her eyes and said slowly, “His Majesty had intended the position of Imperial Advisor for me. After I returned to the mountain, another took over.”

Zhu Yun’s brows were tightly knit, and she asked the question Tang Yihuan would have asked. “I am not at ease with you going to the capital alone. Let your disciple accompany you.”

Lu Xianyi denied her, a gentle smile on her face. “Xiao Zhu, you and Yihuan have a future together. It’s enough for me to go on behalf of the Xuanmen school. I am from a prestigious, orthodox school. The Imperial Advisor is a member of an evil, unorthodox sect. There is no need for both of us to go to the capital.”

“But… but the capital is the Imperial Advisor’s territory. Wouldn’t it be… dangerous for you to go alone?”

“Hey, girl Zhu, where do I fit into this? Do I look like the kind of man who would let his wife go on a dangerous mission alone? The capital is my old stomping ground. I’ve been holding back for over a decade, and it’s time I went back and showed those old fogeys what I’m made of!” The Marquis of Zhongyong, Tang Zeqiu, was full of vigor. He bragged to Zhu Yun about his heroic past, saying that if he weren’t a capable man, he wouldn’t have been able to marry Lu Xianyi. If he had been a coward, Lu Xianyi wouldn’t have given him a second glance.

Lu Xianyi listened as he grew more and more boastful. She flicked her finger, and a gust of wind sealed Tang Zeqiu’s mouth. Seeing the teasing look in her disciple Zhu Yun’s eyes, Lu Xianyi let out a helpless sigh. “Xiao Zhu, this is between him and me. Let us handle the troubles in the capital. You and Yihuan should stay in Tongzhou.”

Tang Zeqiu laughed heartily and beat his chest, showing they were both very confident.

But Zhu Yun was still worried. She looked at Tang Yihuan, who was sleeping in her arms, and said with a wry smile, “You two will have a good time leaving, but I’ll be the one to suffer.”

When Tang Yihuan wakes up in five days and finds both her parents gone, she’ll be the one to bear the brunt of it!

Having such an irresponsible master, her life was truly a hardship.

Lu Xianyi stroked Zhu Yun’s hair and said gently, “Be a good child. Wait for Master to return safely.”

Zhu Yun’s alarm bells went off. Master! Please don’t jinx it! I’m scared!

Her fingers then lingered on Tang Yihuan’s hair. The loving gaze in Lu Xianyi’s eyes made it easy for one to feel her affection for Tang Yihuan. What mother doesn’t miss her child? Lu Xianyi’s eyes were tinged with red. In the blink of an eye, her child had grown so big, into a young lady. She knew she had failed her daughter, and she wouldn’t dare ask for a “mother.” She only hoped her child would overcome her ordeal and live a life of peace and happiness.

Lu Xianyi sighed softly. “Good child, wake up.”

Tang Yihuan in Zhu Yun’s arms was slow to wake up. Lu Xianyi smiled knowingly. She picked up the bird feed that Zhu Yun had brought and left. The Marquis of Zhongyong, Tang Zeqiu, naturally followed closely behind.

“She’s gone.”

Tang Yihuan slowly opened her eyes and rested her face on Zhu Yun’s neck, quietly feeling her warmth.

Zhu Yun simply held her and sat on her lap. This time, the troubled Tang Yihuan didn’t push her away as she had before. She leaned against her silently.

Zhu Yun patted her back and said softly, “What are you thinking about?”

Tang Yihuan clutched her clothes tightly. “I thought my mother was no longer in this world. Even though my father never mentioned her death anniversary, I would mourn her every year on my birthday. It turns out… it turns out she’s still alive and well.”

“Zhu Yun, I’m so happy, so very happy. As long as she’s alive, that’s enough.”

Zhu Yun’s eyes were full of heartache for Tang Yihuan. She hugged her a little tighter and said softly, “You and your mother both love each other in your own ways. Yihuan, Master is leaving for the capital in five days. Tonight, would you like to come with me to see her?”

Both of them were not very proactive, so they needed someone with Zhu Yun’s personality to guide them. Tang Yihuan, who had been silent for a long time, nodded, and at the same time, she hugged her tighter, as if this would bring her peace.

“Oh, I think I forgot something.”

“Right, the note from that little beggar!”

“Oh, my memory is terrible. It’s all your fault, Tang Yihuan. You filled my mind so much that there’s no room for anything else.”

Tang Yihuan hit her in a fit of rage and scolded, “Nonsense! You’re being unreasonable!”

Zhu Yun smiled. “Even if I am unreasonable, you can’t dislike me in this lifetime.”

Tang Yihuan huffed. “That’s not for certain. You can be too much sometimes.”

“Oh, you dare to dislike me now!”

Zhu Yun stood up suddenly, princess-carrying Tang Yihuan, intending to tease her.

But Tang Yihuan took the opportunity when no one was around to kiss her lips, her eyes filled with love. She said, “I surrender. You can’t bully me, a sick person.”

Zhu Yun raised her eyebrows, her laughter clear and melodious.

Seeing her with such a bright smile, Zhu Yun’s heart could finally rest at ease.

One must look forward. As for the past, she would wait for her master to return and see what her plans were.

Inside a private room at the Myriad Guests Restaurant, someone who didn’t fear the cold pushed open the latticed window to look at the scenery. Ouyang Jiannan was eating melon seeds, served by a pale, beardless eunuch. This eunuch’s eyes were dull and lacked any intelligence, a stark contrast to how he used to be.

At that moment, two beautiful young women came in. One was as delicate as a peony, the other as pure as jasmine. Their appearance delighted Ouyang Jiannan. “Fairy Maiden, I’ve finally been able to see you,” he said.

Zhu Yun first poured a cup of warm water for Tang Yihuan, then glanced at the handsome face with its fawning smile. “What do you want with me?”

Ouyang Jiannan laughed dryly. Ever since he had become a man and taken on the identity of Ouyang Jiannan, he had lived the life he had always dreamed of. He had even ordered his servants to reopen the orphanage to provide shelter for the old and young beggars at the City God Temple. As for the real Ouyang Jiannan, he found a random excuse to kick him out of Tongzhou. He didn’t let anyone from the Prince of Yan’s manor get involved; instead, he had the beggars do it.

He had been living a comfortable life recently. With the eunuch by his side giving him advice, Ouyang Jiannan was living a very pleasant life.

But a letter had arrived from the capital, so he had no choice but to come and find Zhu Yun.

“Fairy Maiden, a letter came from the capital. They’ve found a wife for Ouyang Jiannan, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue. I… I can’t do it!”

Zhu Yun knew his identity, so she asked, “You don’t plan on getting married in this lifetime, right?”

Ouyang Jiannan slapped his thigh. “Exactly! Why would I get married? Wandering this great land is much more fun than being married. Fairy Maiden, what do you think of my idea? I’ll just say I’m impotent!”

Zhu Yun let out a small laugh. “That’s a good idea, but I can offer you another path. Gather information on Ouyang Jiannan’s influence in the capital and find out who has sided with him. You give this information to me, and we can take down Ouyang Jiannan. But don’t worry, this won’t endanger your life. Afterward, no one in the capital will know the original Ouyang Jiannan, and you can live as a free and unfettered prince, which is much better than having to pretend to be him.”

Ouyang Jiannan agreed without a moment’s hesitation. Having witnessed Zhu Yun’s methods, he wouldn’t dare to have any second thoughts.

“Yes, yes! I agree, Fairy Maiden!”

He then looked at Tang Yihuan, who was quietly sipping her tea, and hesitated. “And this is…”

Zhu Yun explained mysteriously, “She is even more powerful than I am. She can soar through the sky and burrow into the earth. She was originally a great demon of the forest, and I have subdued her. So, don’t provoke her.”

“Wha… what kind of demon?” He paled, but couldn’t help asking out of curiosity.

“A tiger.”

“…”

Was it really necessary to go this far just because she made her practice a few calligraphy characters before letting her out?

Support