I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 78

Known as the “tigress,” Tang Yihuan maintained a straight face, solidifying her reputation as “hard to mess with.” Ouyang Jiannan never doubted Zhuyun was tricking her; he genuinely believed Tang Yihuan was a great demon, as he remembered how Zhuyun had nonchalantly swapped their souls. If she could do that, subduing a great demon would be a piece of cake.

“Fairy maiden, tig… tigress maiden, I’ll be taking my leave now.” Ouyang Jiannan thought for a long time, finally stammering out “tigress maiden.”

Zhuyun tried to suppress her laughter, but under Tang Yihuan’s icy gaze, she finally burst out. She covered her face with a handkerchief, shaking with laughter. Tang Yihuan rubbed her temples for a moment, then was also amused enough to crack a smile.

Ouyang Jiannan was bewildered. He scratched his head, wondering if he had said something wrong.

Zhuyun, worried he might overthink it, came up with a random excuse to gloss over the matter. But she knew Tang Yihuan wasn’t going to let her off the hook easily for this. From Tang Yihuan’s half-smiling expression, Zhuyun could tell she was in deep trouble.

“Meow-er, what are you doing squatting here?” Just as Ouyang Jiannan was about to get into his carriage, he spotted the little beggar. If Chang Shan were there, she would have recognized the little beggar who gave her the purse.

Zhuyun’s eyes widened, and she started to calculate with her fingers. The “Meow-er” Ouyang Jiannan was talking about had a certain connection with her.

Tang Yihuan noticed and stopped in her tracks, looking thoughtful.

The little girl, Meow-er, was dressed in tattered clothes, but her face was clean. Her eyes were bright and full of integrity, and there was a mysterious aura in her brows that made her seem more mature and composed than other children her age.

She didn’t know why Ouyang Jiannan was so kind to her, but she wanted to find a way to repay him. Because of his help, the old and young at the City God Temple were able to get through the cold winter safely. Even Meow-er got a warm cotton jacket. Although she still wore her old, worn-out clothes on the outside, it was only because she didn’t want to ruin the cotton jacket underneath.

“I… I want to follow you. I want to repay you!”

Ouyang Jiannan knelt down and brushed a few withered leaves off her shoulder. He knew this child. The story about the only female beggar at the City God Temple was a lie he told Zhuyun. In reality, there was Meow-er among the beggars, but he disguised her as a boy. Now, he was no longer that beggar. He wanted to find a better place for Meow-er, as a final selfish act.

“Fairy maiden.”

Zhuyun waited calmly for Ouyang Jiannan’s next words. She then heard him say, “Meow-er, you should thank the fairy maiden for the existence of the orphanage in Tongzhou. She’s the one you should be grateful to.”

Ouyang Jiannan gently pushed Meow-er toward Zhuyun, smiling brightly. “The fairy maiden has a kind heart. I beg you to take her in.”

Zhuyun looked at the timid but clear-eyed Meow-er and smiled. “There’s no need to talk about gratitude. In this life, the only person I’ll accept gratitude from is the tigress maiden. So Meow-er and I have no debt of gratitude, but a connection. Don’t worry, I’ll take her in. It just depends on whether she’s willing to stay with me.”

In the many years that followed, Meow-er would recall this day countless times. She would always remember it as the day her fate changed the day she met the master who led her to a new world and witnessed her master’s long and enduring love with the “tigress maiden.”

At that moment, she said with firm conviction, “I am willing!”

The winter cold made people lazy. Zhuyun’s hands were tucked into a hand-warmer, and she was drowsy. Her exquisite, beautiful face was like a full-blooming peony, but her drooping head made her look a little tired.

“Yihuan? Didn’t you sleep well last night?” Zhao Qingshu was excitedly sharing a new collection of poems with Zhuyun, which she had just received from the capital. These were works by prominent young women from the capital, highly sought after in Tongzhou. Without connections, you couldn’t get ahold of this collection. Zhao Qingshu initially wanted to keep it for herself, but she felt it would be un-loyal not to share, so the first person she thought of was Tang Yihuan, the daughter of the Marquis of Zhongyong.

Tang Yihuan was known for her grace and literary talent, and Zhao Qingshu was certain she would be thrilled with this collection. However, Zhuyun showed no interest, and the only praise she could offer was a casual “wow, amazing.” While her response was supportive, Zhao Qingshu couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Zhuyun tilted her head, her sleepy eyes blinking. She agreed heartily, “How did you know I didn’t sleep well last night?”

Zhao Qingshu slammed the poetry collection shut, took a sip of water to calm down, and said, “Because you’ve been yawning nonstop!”

Zhuyun smiled lazily. The contentment in her eyes made Zhao Qingshu even more envious of her looks. She said with a hint of jealousy, “That mole of yours is so beautiful. I wish I could look like you one day.”

She thought it was just a red mole, unaware that it was proof of Zhuyun and Tang Yihuan’s soul-swapping.

“You still haven’t told me what brought you here,” Zhuyun said.

Zhao Qingshu had dropped by unannounced. Zhuyun received her, and because Zhao Qingshu was a decent person, Zhuyun had patiently listened to her talk about things in the capital. However, Zhuyun, being sharp, sensed Zhao Qingshu had something on her mind.

Zhao Qingshu gave an awkward, dry laugh, trying to play it tough. But Zhuyun’s perceptive gaze made her drop her head in defeat. She covered her face with her hands and said helplessly, “Fine, I do have something. It’s… it’s about my marriage.”

“Which family is it?” Zhuyun asked in return.

Zhao Qingshu mumbled, “The second son of the Minister of Revenue in the capital. His eldest son is already engaged, so my parents think his second son is a good choice for me.”

Zhuyun’s casual smile faded slightly. The Minister of Revenue in the capital seemed to have a strong presence. Ouyang Jiannan’s marriage was connected to him, and now the daughter of the Tongzhou prefect’s marriage was, too. When so many coincidences come together, they’re not coincidences anymore; they’re intentional.

“You don’t want to?” If she did, Zhao Qingshu wouldn’t have this attitude; her eyes would be full of love.

Zhao Qingshu fidgeted. “I went to the capital when I was little and think I might have seen him. I just remember he was round and plump, not very good-looking. I… I can’t really accept that.”

Zhuyun covered her mouth with her hand-warmer to hide her laughter, but she forgot about her expressive eyes. Zhao Qingshu glared at her and said, “I’m pretty, so I can’t look for a handsome husband?”

“Yes, of course you can,” Zhuyun said. “I just didn’t expect you to dislike this match, especially since the Minister of Revenue’s family is very influential.”

Zhao Qingshu rolled her eyes at her. “I’m not the type to marry up. Besides, my family background isn’t bad.”

Zhuyun nodded in agreement. “That’s true. Miss Zhao from Tongzhou is no less than the noble ladies of the capital.”

Zhao Qingshu gave a playful smile. With Zhuyun’s teasing, the frustrations she had been holding in her heart were finally released. Sometimes it was hard to talk about these things with family, but it was much easier with a friend.

“However, I think it’s a good idea to wait a little longer for your marriage, given that a storm is brewing in the capital.”

Zhao Qingshu blinked meaningfully and asked with a laugh, “Did your uncle tell you?”

Zhuyun put on an arrogant air, raising her chin slightly and deliberately playing along. “You can listen or not, I’ve already said my piece.”

“Hmph! What’s with the mystery!”

Zhuyun’s lips curled up triumphantly. When it came to annoying people and seeking mischief, Tang Yihuan was no match for her.

“But seriously, have you found anyone for yourself?”

Zhuyun looked down at the hand-warmer in her hands. It had two pointed cat ears on it, and the intricate stitching embroidered a cute cat. Zhao Qingshu had loved it when she saw it before, and if it weren’t for how much Zhuyun cherished it, she would have tried to take it for herself.

Zhuyun smiled. “Yes, I have.”

“Who, who?! Tell me, I want to hear!”

Zhuyun rose with a proud posture, and she looked at Zhao Qingshu from the corner of her eye, saying, “Heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.”

“Tsk! What’s with the secrecy?”

“Oh, is it snowing outside?” Zhao Qingshu suddenly noticed the change in the weather and excitedly rushed out to see the snow. Her maid picked up a cloak and chased after her.

Zhuyun stood still and sighed softly. “It really is snowing.”

“Yihuan, do you want to play in the snow?”

Zhuyun shook her head delicately. It was too cold; she didn’t want to suffer.

It snowed every year in Tongzhou, located in the northernmost part of the country. Just entering early winter, one could already see the beautiful, silver-coated scenery.

The smile in her eyes grew warmer. She said in a clear voice, “Qingshu, can I borrow your poetry collection for a few days?” With this poetry collection, the Tang Yihuan drinking her medicine wouldn’t be sulking anymore.

“Of course.”

“Thanks.”

She went back to her room, picked up the poetry collection, and thinking of the person she loved, she quickened her pace. She wasn’t interested in poetry collections herself, but Tang Yihuan was.

“Hey, Yihuan, are you just going to abandon me, your guest?” Zhao Qingshu pointed at Zhuyun’s back, laughing and scolding her. Zhuyun didn’t look back and just said, “Oh, you can play by yourself for a bit. I’ll get the maids to play a snowball fight with you. Anyway, there are no elders in the house, so you can play to your heart’s content.”

Zhao Qingshu’s eyes lit up. There’s a good thing like that? She was right, how could she have forgotten there were no distractions in the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion! The only elder was the Marquis himself, and he was often away. So the person in charge was his daughter, Tang Yihuan.

Thinking of this, Zhao Qingshu couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Others said the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion was desolate and lifeless, and that the Marquis was a muddled person who, with only one daughter, didn’t think about continuing the family line. They said he would have a hard time when his daughter married off.

But Zhao Qingshu envied Tang Yihuan for having her father’s undivided love, unlike her own father, whose crowded backyard made her mother’s brow furrow with wrinkles. Once, her Shih Tzu was stolen by a concubine her father kept outside, and the scandal had kept her father well-behaved for a while.

Sigh, what was so good about getting married anyway?

Zhao Qingshu kicked the snow at her feet, losing her desire to play. She decided to follow Zhuyun and saw the delicate and beautiful sick woman.

The woman was still coughing, her dark brows furrowed, looking frail and delicate.

Zhuyun saw the medicinal soup on the table, felt its temperature, and gently picked up the porcelain bowl. “The medicine is getting cold. Why haven’t you drunk it yet? You’re not being a good girl.”

This was the tonic Lu Xianyue had left behind. For souls like Zhuyun and Tang Yihuan, who had gone through soul-swapping, it was best to use precious herbs to nourish them so they wouldn’t suffer any lasting damage.

Tang Yihuan gave Zhuyun a shy glare. There was an outsider here; why did she suddenly start feeding her?

“I’ll drink it myself.”

Zhuyun domineeringly refused, blowing on the spoon and then skillfully bringing the medicine to Tang Yihuan’s lips. It was clear she had done this many times before.

Unable to resist, Tang Yihuan meekly obeyed Zhuyun.

One fed, one drank. Zhao Qingshu once again recalled the metaphor about the chopsticks in the carriage. Today, she was again the extra chopstick.

Zhao Qingshu turned around silently and said dryly, “I… I’ll go play in the snow.”

Look at her, she’s so scared. The awkwardness of a single person!

Zhuyun used a handkerchief to wipe the corners of Tang Yihuan’s mouth and whispered, “It’s just feeding you medicine. Why are you so shy? Your face is all red.”

Tang Yihuan truly admired Zhuyun’s composure. At the very least, she couldn’t remain unfazed with an outsider present. She said, “Aren’t you afraid Zhao Qingshu will figure it out?”

“Figure what out? I don’t have a crush on her, so what is there to be afraid of?” Zhuyun finally let Tang Yihuan go after she finished the medicine. Don’t think Zhuyun didn’t notice Tang Yihuan’s reluctance to drink the medicine; she had to watch her every time.

Tang Yihuan was strangely convinced by Zhuyun’s logic. For a moment, she suddenly felt that Zhuyun was right, and there was nothing to be afraid of.

But Tang Yihuan still stubbornly insisted, “Don’t feed me medicine in front of others. It’s… it’s too embarrassing.” It wasn’t that she disliked Zhuyun’s closeness, but she preferred to keep such intimacy hidden, just for the two of them.

Zhuyun was an emotionally expressive person. She smiled teasingly, “It’s just feeding you medicine. This is nothing. I haven’t even…”

The rest of her sentence was covered by Tang Yihuan’s hand. The two of them, having spent so much time together, understood each other well. The moment Zhuyun opened her mouth, Tang Yihuan knew what the rest of the sentence would be.

Zhuyun blinked innocently and, since the maids couldn’t see, deliberately pecked at Tang Yihuan’s palm. Tang Yihuan’s hand felt as if it were on fire and she quickly pulled it back.

Zhuyun leaned closer to Tang Yihuan, stroking a wisp of hair by her temple. “It’s snowing, and the weather is getting cold. From now on…” She paused here, lowered her voice, and whispered close to Tang Yihuan’s ear, “From now on, why don’t you sleep in my arms? Let’s not use two blankets. I’m very warm.”

“In broad daylight! You… you’re so audacious!”

Zhuyun leaned on Tang Yihuan’s shoulder, looking hurt. She said sorrowfully, “I’m just being concerned about you. Why are you so fierce to me?”

Zhuyun’s tone became a little more resentful. “You’re so mean! I’m not going to talk to you anymore!”

Alright, alright, playing the victim, are we? Little Zhu, Little Zhu, are you a fox spirit in disguise?

Zhuyun let 857’s teasing go in one ear and out the other. It could scold her all it wanted; it wouldn’t stop her from winning over her beauty.

Tang Yihuan immediately stopped scolding Zhuyun and comforted her with a touch of remorse. “It’s my fault, it’s my fault. Don’t be angry. I just… I just felt that it was an inappropriate time to say such a thing.”

Tang Yihuan tried to smooth things over to avoid hurting Zhuyun’s feelings again.

Zhuyun pouted, pulling away from Tang Yihuan’s hand. She said sadly, “Then I won’t say it now. I won’t say it ever again! Hmph.”

“Don’t be like that. Why are you still angry? I’m not mad at you; it’s all my fault.”

A glimmer of mischief appeared in Zhuyun’s eyes. She looked up at Tang Yihuan cautiously, as if she might burst into tears if she heard another rejection. “I can forgive you, but tonight, you have to be the one to say those things to me.”

“Wh… what?”

Zhuyun’s eyes immediately filled with tears. She bit her lip and stared intently at Tang Yihuan.

Tang Yihuan’s heart sank, and with a blush on her face, she gritted her teeth and agreed to Zhuyun’s request. “Okay! Don’t cry.”

Zhuyun’s tears turned into a bright smile. She hugged Tang Yihuan and said affectionately, “You’re so good, you’re so good!”

【…?】

And just like that, she succeeded?

Tang Yihuan’s defenses are still too weak!!

Zhuyun blew a strand of hair off her forehead triumphantly. She’d told them before, Tang Yihuan was no match for her.

“Tang Yihuan!! Help!”

A sudden cry for help. Zhuyun was curious, but fortunately, 857 solved the puzzle for her.

It’s nothing, Zhao Qingshu just threw a snowball and hit a bird on a tree, so the resentful bird dropped a present on her.

“…”

Zhao Qingshu, oh Zhao Qingshu, what were you thinking? Now you’ve brought trouble upon yourself.

The two of them exchanged a look and smiled, then rushed outside to help Zhao Qingshu.

Snowflakes flew through the air as Tongzhou welcomed its first snowfall of the year.

When would it snow in the capital? Perhaps Lu Xianyue and the others would see it soon.

Zhuyun and Tang Yihuan were both waiting for their good news.

Hopefully, this wait wouldn’t be too long.

This year, Zhao Qingshu was married. As she sat in the sedan chair, she listened to the bustling sounds outside, but she had one regret: she never got to see the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family, or rather, Uncle Tang’s family, who had left Tongzhou the previous year.

Zhao Qingshu didn’t know much about what had happened in the capital, but the previous year had not been peaceful. After the Emperor abdicated and the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Tang Ze Qiu resigned from his post. Since then, Zhao Qingshu had never seen Tang Yihuan or the sickly beauty who was always by her side.

Suddenly, a spring breeze blew through the sedan chair’s curtain. A magpie carrying a flower branch hopped into the sedan chair. Around its neck were several talismans for good luck and peace. Not only that, the magpie also brought her a gift list. All Zhao Qingshu had to do was take the list to collect the wedding gifts.

She was moved to tears. “What a pair,” she said with a laugh. “They actually sent this bird to see me. They’re full of bad ideas!”

This was the same magpie that had been lazy and stayed at the Marquis’s mansion for the winter. It had a feud with Zhao Qingshu then, but it was a friendship forged in rivalry.

She wiped away her tears and watched the magpie fly away.

“You two have to be happy,” she said.

Not far away, Zhuyun waved goodbye to the magpie. She was eating a malt candy she had just snatched from Meow-er. She gave a smile to Tang Yihuan, who was looking at her reproachfully.

The red mole between Tang Yihuan’s eyebrows was long gone, leaving only a tear mole at the corner of her eye that added to her charm. She smiled and said, “If you wanted to see her, why didn’t you go earlier?”

“Hmph, there was nothing to see. It’s much better to stay with Sister Yihuan.” Zhuyun gestured to Meow-er. The little girl with her hair in two buns quickly pulled out the shopping list for the day and said with a shy smile, “I can buy these things myself, master.”

Zhuyun’s eyes flickered. “Are you sure?”

Tang Yihuan couldn’t help but pinch Zhuyun’s waist. “Is that how you order your apprentice around? Today, you’re coming with me to shop. Let Meow-er rest. You bother her on the mountain every day, and you’re not going to let her off today? Meow-er, the pastries at that shop are very good. Go and buy a bag first.”

At the end, Tang Yihuan shot a glance at Zhuyun and emphasized, “Those are your snacks. No one else can touch them.”

Meow-er covered her mouth and giggled quietly. Before Zhuyun could kill her with her eyes, she turned and ran off, her running figure suggesting she was being chased by a man-eating monster.

Zhuyun clutched her chest dramatically. She looked weak and helpless. “Who would have thought that one day I’d become ‘no one else’ in Sister Yihuan’s eyes? Oh, I’m so sad and heartbroken.”

Tang Yihuan flicked Zhuyun’s forehead. The curve of her lips made her look captivating. “Who told you to always bully Meow-er?”

“Who told you that you only have eyes for Meow-er!”

Zhuyun rubbed her forehead and complained. After Tang Ze Qiu resigned, Zhuyun took Tang Yihuan to the mountains. She officially took over the position of sect leader from Lu Xianyue, becoming the new head of the Xuanmen sect. Just as she had told Tang Yihuan, she really did take her to see the rare and exotic animals in the forest, even letting her touch the fluffy ears of a white tiger. They lived a simple, peaceful life, far away from the troubles of the human world. As for Tang Ze Qiu, he had grown to despise the intrigue of the court. He resigned with a firm resolve. He had never been interested in court politics, and if it weren’t for the Prince of Yan and the Imperial Advisor being so aggressive, he and Lu Xianyue wouldn’t have gone back to the capital in the first place. So his resignation meant a long-awaited reunion with Lu Xianyue.

Tang Yihuan smiled indulgently, tilted her head, and said in a low voice, “But in my heart, you’re the only one who’s important.”

Zhuyun wasn’t petty enough to fight with Meow-er for attention. She was just afraid that mountain life would be too boring for Tang Yihuan, so she tried to find ways to make her happy every day. Over time, she realized that Tang Yihuan genuinely loved the mountains and wasn’t just accommodating or pretending.

“Sister Yihuan.”

“Hmm?”

“You have to hold my hand tight so we don’t get separated.”

She thought about it. Maybe she should ask 857 if there was something like the matchmaker’s red string, so their fates could be tied together forever.

What’s that? A matchmaker’s red string?

That’s not in the shop, but maybe you can go find the matchmaker yourself one day, Little Zhu.

“Ah? Am I that amazing? I’ll get to meet the matchmaker?”

【@#@！￥#@￥#！】

“Why are you garbled again? Did you get censored?”

Yes, yes!

Oh no, I almost said too much. Good thing I’m smart and I was able to get out of it.

Cough, cough, congratulations, Little Zhu, on successfully avoiding another plot-kill!

Confetti, confetti.

I hope you’ll have a smooth journey from now on, Little Zhu.

Zhuyun took 857’s words to heart, smiling as she held Tang Yihuan’s hand tightly.

Some secrets had to be unraveled slowly, but for now, she was content to spend the rest of her life with the person beside her.

Within their wide sleeves, their hands were tightly clasped.

On the bustling streets, they gradually melted into the crowd.

Support