I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 93

The large red sedan chair, the fiery red lanterns, and the guests’ laughter echoed joyfully. It was a celebratory day for the Zhu family, an imperial merchant family. Outsiders said that the Zhu family’s legitimate son, Zhu Tianci, would not live past 17, so Zhu Fengchang had a fire in his belly. He specially arranged a lively and boisterous wedding for his son, even dispatching his young servants to scatter copper coins on the streets. He wanted everyone to share in the good fortune and to spite those who wished his son would not live to get married. How could his son, Zhu Fengchang’s son, be looked down upon?

Zhu Fengchang’s face was flushed, and he was excited. He exchanged bows and greetings with the guests. Meanwhile, his legal wife, Lady Fang, sent a glance to her daughter while chatting with other wives.

The young woman wore a pale yellow blouse and skirt, her beautiful and smiling face innocent and naive. After a friendly tease from one of the ladies, she blushed and found an excuse to leave.

The moment she turned, the shyness on her face vanished. Zhu Yun fanned herself with a handkerchief. In this season of blooming osmanthus, Zhu Yun was sweating profusely. She had to admit that getting married in ancient times was a real hassle. Even she, an unloved daughter, was dragged out by Lady Fang to entertain guests, which made Zhu Yun miserable. They never thought of her for good things, but whenever there was a tough and tiring task, they would find her in the nooks and crannies. Alas, just as 857 said, having a male heir gives you leverage. Even though Zhu Tianci was sickly and tottered when he walked, he was still the apple of Zhu Fengchang and Lady Fang’s eyes.

Zhu Yun was like a slippery fish, weaving through the corridors and quickly arriving at Zhu Tianci’s courtyard. As soon as she entered, she heard the panicked voice of the servant, Yuanbao. Zhu Yun frowned immediately, abandoned all pretense of elegance, lifted her skirt, and pushed open Zhu Tianci’s door.

She saw the pale-faced Yuanbao unable to help Zhu Tianci up. Zhu Yun said coldly, “Why are you just standing there? Go outside and guard the door. Don’t let anyone in.”

Yuanbao hesitated, “Miss, doesn’t the young master need my service here?”

“The priority now is not to serve my brother but to prevent others from seeing him so weak he can’t even get out of bed. You wait outside. If you have to, kneel at the door, but don’t come in.”

Yuanbao wanted to speak, but Zhu Tianci raised his hand slightly, signaling him to listen to Zhu Yun’s instructions.

Yuanbao obediently kowtowed and went out to stand guard.

Zhu Tianci was born frail. Even his handsome features were worn away by years of illness. His cheeks were sunken, his face sallow, but his eyes were remarkably gentle. He looked at Zhu Yun with a hint of guilt. Zhu Tianci tried to touch Zhu Yun’s hair, but his arm was weak and sore. He smiled disappointedly, looking up at the indifferent Zhu Yun again. He said, “For today’s matter, I can only trouble you, sister.”

Zhu Yun’s gaze toward her biological brother, Zhu Tianci, was not one of closeness. If Zhu Tianci was a priceless treasure, Zhu Yun was a wild weed found everywhere on the roadside. The favoritism of their parents made it impossible for Zhu Yun to smile genuinely at Zhu Tianci. Moreover, Zhu Tianci was the fake young master who had usurped all of Zhu Yun’s affection.

This old story was the result of Lady Fang’s actions, which changed the fate of two children. Seventeen years ago, she gave birth to only a daughter. Later, she used a child brought by a wet nurse and claimed to have given birth to a pair of dragon and phoenix twins. This delighted Zhu Fengchang to tears. He had finally, in his prime, gotten a son to inherit all of the family’s assets. In a moment of excitement, Zhu Fengchang held a feast for several days, and the entire city of Luzhou knew that the imperial merchant Zhu Fengchang had a son and came to offer their congratulations.

But Zhu Tianci was sickly, getting ill every few days. If he had not been raised in the Zhu family, Zhu Tianci probably would not have survived to this day.

However, this sickly-looking Zhu Tianci did not die young. Under Zhu Fengchang’s arrangement, he married Tang Guo from a scholarly family. Because of his frail health, Tang Guo eventually went through the wedding ceremony holding a valiant rooster, and she became Zhu Tianci’s wife.

But Lady Fang was very dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law, whose background was neither high nor low. She had her eyes on the eldest daughter of the head of the Egret Academy, not this second daughter. It would have been one thing if a younger daughter had been married off, but Tang Guo, as the second daughter, was not pampered. This kind of wife was clearly a useless pawn, serving no purpose other than to bring good luck.

So Lady Fang was picky about Tang Guo, complaining about her pretty face. Since she was Zhu Tianci’s wife, why didn’t she take the initiative to show concern and warm affection and consummate the marriage? Instead, she expected Zhu Tianci to be considerate of her, and the two of them lived separately even after being married for many days. Lady Fang, of course, knew that this was Zhu Tianci’s problem, but she still took her anger out on Tang Guo. This kind of oppression and torment gradually became a sore sight for Zhu Yun. Whenever she saw Tang Guo, she was reminded of her former self.

During a meal where Tang Guo was serving Lady Fang, Zhu Yun saw the indifferent faces of Zhu Fengchang and Zhu Tianci. A fire of rage ignited within her. She grabbed the spoon in her hand and slammed it on the table. In front of everyone, she pulled the tablecloth, spilling all the dishes. Amidst Lady Fang’s screams, Zhu Yun clutched Tang Guo’s hand and fled the hall.

That night, Zhu Yun and Tang Guo knelt in the ancestral hall, enduring Zhu Fengchang and Lady Fang’s punishment. They went without food or water for a day and a night, and eventually fell seriously ill.

From then on, they became close friends and caged birds with their wings clipped, trapped together in the inner quarters.

Many dull days passed until Zhu Tianci met a reclusive divine doctor, and his illness was cured. Zhu Tianci’s outstanding talent made Zhu Fengchang feel that he finally had an heir.

But it was this very Zhu Tianci who, after befriending the legitimate son of the Marquis of Changning, had Zhu Yun sent to the Marquis’s son as a concubine in a small sedan chair.

Fortunately, Zhu Yun was prepared before being deceived. She took advantage of an unguarded moment, killed the sedan chair bearers, and returned home through a dog hole in the dead of night. It was on this night that Zhu Yun overheard a conversation between Lady Fang and the wet nurse.

It turned out that she was the legitimate daughter of the Zhu family; it was her own family who had ruined the first half of her life.

That night, a fire broke out. Zhu Yun and Tang Guo stood at a distance, watching the collapsing house. She saw Zhu Fengchang and Lady Fang, who had escaped. This was Zhu Yun’s last kindness to them. From then on, there would be no kinship between them.

But a flying arrow, swift as a breaking bamboo, pierced Zhu Yun’s chest. She turned her head, hearing Tang Guo’s cries. The Marquis of Changning’s son, riding on a horse, looked down and scolded Zhu Yun. As if it were a final act of grace before death, Zhu Yun understood why the Marquis’s son wanted to kill her. It was because the fire had almost harmed his twin brother, who had been missing for many years.

So Zhu Tianci knew his identity, which was why he had hurriedly sent Zhu Yun to the Marquis of Changning’s mansion. What a wolfish ambition; he deserved to be cut into a thousand pieces.

At the time, 857 sensed Zhu Yun’s complex emotions. It kindly told her the fate of the female lead, Tang Guo: she died in the end. Whether it was of old age or a tragically short life, 857 did not explain in detail.

The current point in time when Zhu Yun arrived in this world was just before Zhu Tianci’s wedding. She sized up the man lying on the bed, who was as thin as a stick. Zhu Yun smiled gently, her eyes growing cold, and said softly, “Brother, you must live well this life.”

She would not kill him; a slow death was the fate he deserved.

Zhu Tianci’s eyes fell, his heart slightly aching. He subconsciously scolded, “Xiao Zhu, you never say such things to me. Don’t you know about my illness? Wishing me a long life sounds like an insult to me. If father and mother heard you say that, they would surely punish you.”

Zhu Yun said nonchalantly, “So what if they scold me? When have father and mother not scolded me?”

Zhu Tianci frowned unhappily, “Xiao Zhu, how can you harbor resentment towards our parents?”

He looked self-righteous, as if defending his parents, but he never considered Zhu Yun’s difficulties. In Zhu Tianci’s view, it was a child’s duty to listen to their parents’ teachings. Just like his marriage, Zhu Tianci had never seen what the Tang family’s daughter looked like. He agreed to the marriage simply based on Zhu Fengchang’s words about her being virtuous and gentle.

Zhu Yun was neither angry nor annoyed. She smiled sweetly, tucking in his blanket. To deal with such a person, you had to poke at his sore spot.

“Don’t falsely accuse me. My life is hard enough. If you add fuel to the fire, I might as well hang myself with a rope. Anyway, everyone outside says you won’t live past 17. As your twin sister, I should accompany you. How about this? You go first, and I’ll follow right behind. When we get to the underworld, we can be twins again in our next life.”

Zhu Tianci almost couldn’t catch his breath. He desperately wanted to live to 99. Now, hearing Zhu Yun’s “thoughtful” words, he could barely maintain his good manners. If it weren’t for the fact that she was his biological sister, Zhu Tianci would have long since ordered Yuanbao to drag her out and beat her to death with a stick.

Zhu Yun had a whole basketful of such hurtful words, but she also had a heavy task to accomplish, and she couldn’t miss the auspicious time.

Zhu Yun took Zhu Tianci’s wedding robe and went to the attached side room of another wing. She asked 857 to keep an eye on the outside, then began to apply makeup in front of the mirror. She tied up her hair with a hair crown, and soon a handsome, elegant, fair-faced scholar appeared in the mirror. She swayed her waist in slightly elevated thick-soled boots and said smugly, “857, does my appearance fool people?”

[Xiao Zhu, I won’t say too many words of praise. Just go show yourself to Zhu Tianci twice, and you’ll know how successful your disguise is.]

Upon hearing this, she became interested. Zhu Yun was very keen on the matter of infuriating Zhu Tianci.

Zhu Yun strode confidently, transforming into a handsome young man. However, her eyes were too full of life, which didn’t match the sickly look on her face. After Zhu Yun mimicked Zhu Tianci’s usual half-dead demeanor, 857 burst into laughter, solely because Zhu Tianci’s envious and resentful expression was too funny.

Zhu Yun took a veil to cover the lower half of her face, already having an excuse prepared. She would say that Zhu Tianci was a sickly person who often coughed, and if he didn’t cover his mouth, spit would fly everywhere. But at that moment, she would have to be more refined. Zhu Yun was thinking this now because Zhu Tianci was too foolishly curious about what the veil was for, so Zhu Yun wasn’t afraid to say it directly and hurt his feelings.

“Cough, cough.” Zhu Tianci coughed violently, taking a deep breath to remind himself that this was his biological sister, not someone he picked up. He should not lower himself to her level.

“Go and fetch your sister-in-law.”

Zhu Yun subtly rolled her eyes at him. She was the one who was going to be bowing to Tang Guo, so what did Zhu Tianci have to do with it?

Zhu Yun pushed open the door and kicked the squatting Yuanbao outside. “Follow me.”

“Mi- Miss!?” Yuanbao covered his mouth in shock. At first, he poked his head inside to look, but then he thought, there were only two people inside, right? Zhu Tianci was bedridden, so it couldn’t be him. The remaining, most impossible possibility now seemed to be true.

This plan was proposed by Zhu Yun to Lady Fang, precisely to play on her and Zhu Fengchang’s vanity. The two of them cared immensely about their reputation and suffered for it. If Zhu Tianci were to have an accident during the wedding ceremony, the gossip would only grow more intense. Then all of Zhu Fengchang’s efforts to arrange this marriage would be for nothing. He had arranged the marriage with the Tang family precisely because he didn’t want the old gossips to think Zhu Tianci would die young.

Lady Fang was initially a bit hesitant, but after receiving news that Zhu Tianci’s condition was not good, she weighed her options and decided to let her daughter stand in for him.

Zhu Yun marched confidently, taking a shortcut and meeting the wet nurse from Lady Fang’s side at a pre-arranged spot.

Nanny Fang’s importance to Lady Fang had surpassed that of her biological mother. After all, Nanny Fang had breastfed Lady Fang since she was a child. Later, Lady Fang had even given her the name “Fang,” so she shared the same surname.

She had a round, kind face and was the kindest person to Zhu Yun. This sometimes made Zhu Yun wonder if Lady Fang’s brain had been kicked by a donkey. She knew her own daughter was suffering, but she chose to turn a blind eye, living a more deluded life than Nanny Fang. But Zhu Yun didn’t feel a strong closeness to Nanny Fang. There was always a barrier between her and the people from the main courtyard. Even though they were mother and daughter, they lived like strangers.

“Miss, seeing you dressed like this finally puts my heart at ease.” Nanny Fang originally wanted to accompany Zhu Yun, but Lady Fang couldn’t do without her, so she let Zhu Yun go on her own. Lady Fang was confident in Zhu Yun going alone because she had approved Zhu Yun’s makeup the day before.

Zhu Yun smiled reservedly and remained silent. Nanny Fang opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her chattering.

She said, “Yuanbao, this matter is to be buried in your stomach, do you understand?”

Yuanbao was a bondservant of the family. Nanny Fang did not believe he would betray his master; otherwise, his whole family would be buried with him.

The front courtyard was bustling with people. From her figure, the coughing Zhu Yun did seem frail and slender. But her steps were strong and steady, not at all like the dying invalid described in the rumors. Everyone exchanged knowing glances, and their expressions became even more sincere. Since Zhu Tianci was not going to die young, the Zhu family’s imperial merchant status would continue. Unless the Zhu family committed a heinous crime, only then would the Emperor take back their plaque.

Zhu Yun kept her head down, looking at the tips of her shoes, even when the matchmaker said flattering words and brought Tang Guo to stand beside her. Zhu Yun did not look up at the woman next to her.

Zhu Yun could follow the plot and let her continue bowing to a rooster, but she couldn’t bear to. It was better to bow to a person than to a rooster, and it would spare Tang Guo from being pointed at and humiliated.

“First bow to the elders.”

“Second bow to heaven and earth.”

“Husband and wife bow to each other.”

“Into the bridal chamber!”

Zhu Yun’s ears were deaf to the sounds of the crowd. Her eyes were fixed on the pale fingers holding the umbrella handle. The red lacquered nails caught Zhu Yun’s attention.

She and Tang Guo were like two marionettes, every action guided by the matchmaker.

They sat on the edge of the large red-canopied bed. Zhu Yun looked up and gave a meaningful look to Nanny Fang, who was close by. The matchmaker knew Zhu Tianci was frail, so she did not bring the ceremonial wine. Nanny Fang smiled and slipped a red envelope to the matchmaker. The matchmaker was overjoyed and naturally knew there was no reason to stay in the room.

Nanny Fang ushered the matchmaker out. At the end, she winked at Zhu Yun, indicating that now that the room was empty, she could take her leave.

Zhu Yun had been busy for a long time without a single bite of hot food. Now Nanny Fang was rushing her to leave. Zhu Yun sneered and pulled off her veil.

She was very close to Tang Guo, and Tang Guo heard the small movement. Tang Guo nervously gripped the fan handle, thinking that she had already been married in such a ridiculous way. This quelled her inner turmoil. She had an unsatisfactory first half of her life, and she absolutely would not repeat the same mistakes in the second half.

“Sir… sir.” The woman’s shy and reserved voice was as clear as the ringing of jade, which made Zhu Yun raise her eyebrows. What a pleasant voice.

“I am not Zhu Tianci.”

“I am Zhu Tianci’s younger sister, Zhu Yun.”

Tang Guo’s mind buzzed. The dim light in front of her was moved away by a hand, which was holding the round fan she had been holding. Tang Guo finally got a clear look at the person she had bowed to.

The tassels of the hair crown partially obscured her face, making Tang Guo’s features appear a bit hazy.

Zhu Yun smiled and met her gaze, repeating, “I’m not Zhu Tianci, I’m Zhu Yun.”

Through the beaded tassels, Tang Guo saw the unfamiliar face. Her red lips whispered, “Zhu Yun?”

Her gaze gradually became firm. The initial shock had dissipated. Tang Guo asked in return, “Why are you willing to tell me this?”

Zhu Yun nonchalantly curled her lips, twirling the round fan in her hand. “There’s nothing to hide from you. I just don’t want you to think the man you married is someone worthy of your trust. He couldn’t even manage to marry you himself; I’m better than him. Besides, I volunteered to take his place. I don’t think any girl would want to bow to a rooster, right? Compared to a rooster, isn’t a beautiful young woman like me more acceptable to you?”

Tang Guo couldn’t help a light laugh. She turned her head, hiding her smile. Tang Guo felt that her wavering heart had suddenly found peace. This woman named Zhu Yun was the first kind person she had met in the Zhu family.

“Why are you laughing? Don’t you think I’m a terrible person? On the first day you married into the family, I’m already speaking ill of my brother. Aren’t you afraid of me?”

Tang Guo smoothed her sleeve, her eyes gentle. Her calm tone carried a sense of protective camaraderie. She said, “Not all siblings in a family have a deep affection for each other. To me, what you just said wasn’t even bad.”

Zhu Yun scooted closer to her, whispering, “Are your parents also biased?”

Tang Guo looked at the handsome face that had suddenly moved closer. She pushed aside the tassels that were in front of her eyes, and her gaze moved down from Zhu Yun’s eyebrows, asking, “Your makeup really gives you a masculine air.”

Zhu Yun loved hearing people praise her. She covered her mouth and laughed, “That’s because I have good features.”

Tang Guo was a scholarly woman with delicate willow eyebrows and gentle almond eyes. Her appearance was elegant and dignified. However, Zhu Yun noticed a tear mole at the outer corner of her left eye, hidden behind the tassels. As her eyes shifted, it added a captivating and charming allure.

“Are you hungry?”

Zhu Yun got up and glanced at the delicious dishes on the table, which had already gone cold. They were all for show and not meant to be eaten.

“Wait for me for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Zhu Yun returned the round fan to Tang Guo, and her slender figure also took away the smile that Tang Guo had finally shown.

Why was this person like a gust of wind, leaving as soon as she said she would?

She lowered the beaded curtain, which swayed gently, just like Tang Guo’s heart, which could no longer be at peace.

“Young Mistress, do you need a servant to help you take off your hair crown?” The maid who came with the dowry, Wen’er, had sharp eyes. She had seen Zhu Yun walk out just now. Her appearance was handsome and elegant, and her outstanding features immediately captivated Wen’er’s heart.

Tang Guo narrowed her beautiful eyes, and asked meaningfully, “Wen’er’s smile is really bright.”

Before, she had a long face, as if someone in the family had died. Now, Wen’er’s transformation was so quick. The maid, Ping’er, who was with Tang Guo, glared at her openly.

Wen’er smiled and walked over to serve Tang Guo, speaking with a sincere tone to soothe her. “The Madam once told me to take good care of you. From now on, I and the Young Mistress are rooted in the Zhu family, so my heart is also very afraid, for fear… Never mind, let’s not say such unlucky words. Fortunately, I just saw that the young master’s health doesn’t seem that bad. As long as you treat the young master well, you will have a blessed life in the future.”

Ping’er became angry as soon as she heard this. She rushed over and pushed Wen’er, saying fiercely, “Look at you, with your shifty eyes. Just now, you couldn’t take your eyes off the young master. Do you think you’re something special? You’re just a servant, just a plaything! What right do you have to be so arrogant in front of our mistress?”

Wen’er bit her lip in anger, but she hadn’t forgotten her identity. She puffed out her rounded chest, showing off her good figure, and said, “I am a dowry maid~”

Tang Guo closed her eyes, gritting her teeth in silent hatred for her mother.

She sneered, “Then I wish Wen’er an early realization of her wishes.”

With this flirtatious dowry maid, her wish to become a widow was in sight!

“What are you swaying around here for? Like a hen.”

Zhu Yun came over with two bowls of plain noodles. She looked at Wen’er with a hint of disgust, then smiled at Tang Guo and waved her hand, saying, “Soft and well-cooked plain noodles. I also asked them to add an extra poached egg for you.” With that, she turned her body to avoid Wen’er.

Get out of my way, ugly hen-like servant.

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