I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 94

In a cozy room, the inviting aroma of a simple bowl of plain noodles, “yangchun mian”, filled the air. A pair of plump, round poached eggs lay beside the crisp green vegetables. Seeing the eggs, Tang Guo’s lips curved into a soft smile.

This was the first time in her long sixteen years that she felt a sense of favor. She had always seen her sisters receive affection from their parents, while she remained an uncherished afterthought.

Tang Guo blinked, trying to relax her tense nerves. She gave a delicate smile, her dimples captivating Zhu Yun. Seeing Tang Guo about to curtsy in thanks, Zhu Yun quickly held her arm, whispering, “There’s no need for that. We’ve been through the marriage ceremony together. You’re being too formal.”

A faint blush appeared on Tang Guo’s fair cheeks. She felt a mix of annoyance and shyness, yet found Zhu Yun’s flippant words less bothersome than she expected. This feeling was unusual for her, and she felt annoyed with herself for reacting this way.

“Eat up, it won’t be as good when it gets cold.”

Wen’er watched Zhu Yun’s attentive actions, her heart fluttering. After accepting her fate as Tang Guo’s dowry maid, she had been neglectful, a stark contrast to the diligent Ping’er.

She had believed her future was bleak, that coming to the Zhu family with Tang Guo meant a life of hardship. She never considered the possibility of being a concubine to Zhu Tianci, as she was confident her beauty would win over any man. She had already seen herself as his future mistress.

Now, everything was different, and Wen’er was secretly thrilled, no longer seeing her service to Zhu Tianci as a bad deal.

“Young master, my name is Wen’er. I’m the young mistress’s personal maid.”

Zhu Yun’s chopsticks paused. She glanced at the shyly expectant Wen’er and chuckled. “What a rude thing to say. I don’t care if you’re called Wen’er or ‘clucking hen.’ You’re a noisy nuisance.”

Zhu Yun held back her temper, thinking it was Tang Guo’s first day and scolding her maid might lead to gossip about Tang Guo being unaccepted by her new family. So, she let Wen’er off the hook this time.

Tang Guo’s expression was calm as she slowly removed her hair ornaments. She was used to doing things on her own and didn’t need assistance.

Tang Guo watched Wen’er’s awkward, frozen smile and said slowly, “My maid is a bit simple-minded. I was afraid she’d be bullied after I got married, so I kept her with me. Don’t be mad, I’ll send her away.”

Wen’er was speechless. She had tried to flirt with Zhu Yun, but it had backfired, earning her a scolding. Angrily, she stomped her foot, covered her face with a handkerchief, and ran out.

Ping’er and Tang Guo exchanged a look. Ping’er calmly bowed and left, concerned that Wen’er might cause more trouble and deciding to keep an eye on her.

In an instant, only Zhu Yun and Tang Guo remained in the bridal chamber.

Zhu Yun gestured with her head, signaling Tang Guo to eat the noodles before they got cold.

Tang Guo pursed her lips and sat down to Zhu Yun’s right. She looked at the eggs in her bowl and said softly, “Thank you.”

Zhu Yun lowered her head, stirring her noodles. Tang Guo watched her, noticing her long, dense eyelashes and straight nose. From this angle, Zhu Yun’s feminine beauty was undeniable.

“I told you already,” Zhu Yun said without looking up, “we’ve been through the wedding ceremony. Stop being so polite. If you really want to thank me, just side with me from now on.”

Tang Guo bit a noodle, confused by Zhu Yun’s words. “Do you mean you want me to be your ally?”

Zhu Yun laughed, waving her hand. “It’s not that serious. I’m just giving you a heads-up. If I go crazy, don’t be scared.”

“Go… crazy?” Tang Guo’s eyes widened. She couldn’t understand. Zhu Yun seemed so clear-headed. How could she go crazy?

Zhu Yun slurped her noodles, her initial attempt at being graceful abandoned by Tang Guo’s surprised reaction. She needed to finish eating to explain herself.

With her stomach full, Zhu Yun put her bowl and chopsticks aside. Her smile was relaxed and confident. Her fair skin was flawless. This woman, disguised as a man, had a unique and dashing presence, forged by her character and spirit.

Tang Guo licked her lips. Her honey-flavored lipstick was gone. She used to eat sweets to curb her inner sadness and resentment, a habit that made her fond of sweet flavors. She longed to use the taste of lipstick to ease the tension with Zhu Yun, but there was no flavor left on her lips. She could only steel herself against the heart-pounding sensation Zhu Yun’s smile brought.

Zhu Yun propped her chin on her hand, smiling faintly. “Every family has its problems. I used to just endure them, but now I’ve awakened. I’m going to rip this problem apart. If I get mad enough, I’ll burn it down. Let’s see who in this family dares to give me trouble then.”

She scoffed, “A cornered rabbit will bite, and I’m no rabbit.”

Zhu Tianci wouldn’t get away with everything. His father is the Marquis of Changning? His brother killed her with an arrow? And he wants to take over the Zhu family? He can forget it. She’ll make his life a living hell.

Zhu Yun’s eyes sparkled like a brilliant sun breaking through clouds. She captured Tang Guo’s full attention, making her even more curious about the vibrant woman’s strength.

“I think I understand, but I also don’t,” Tang Guo admitted, her brows furrowed in frustration. She was disappointed she couldn’t immediately grasp Zhu Yun’s meaning.

Zhu Yun chuckled. “You don’t need to understand now. You will later.”

Tang Guo nodded docilely and began to eat her noodles.

“Why aren’t you eating the eggs?”

“I want to save them for last.”

Tang Guo smiled shyly. It was a habit she had developed over the years saving the best for last.

Zhu Yun kept her chin propped on her hand, smiling as she watched Tang Guo. “Go ahead, eat.”

“Okay.”

The quiet Tang Guo forced herself to ignore Zhu Yun’s gaze. She had always followed the rule of “no talking while eating or sleeping,” so this mealtime chat made her unusually hungry. Seeing her empty bowl, Tang Guo’s cheeks flushed. She hurried to explain, “I… I was just so hungry. I don’t usually eat this much.”

What if Zhu Yun thought she was a glutton?

Zhu Yun held back a teasing remark and said gently, “What’s wrong with having a big appetite? The fact that you feel the need to explain it… Tang Guo, you’re too cute.”

Tang Guo clamped her mouth shut, deciding not to talk to Zhu Yun anymore, lest her flushing cheeks give away her flustered state.

The bridal chamber was exquisitely decorated, with everything in pairs.

They sat silently at the round table one smiling, one shy.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, followed by the voice of Nanny Fang. Zhu Yun’s expression turned serious. She stood up, her hands on the table. In Tang Guo’s clear gaze, Zhu Yun lightly touched her temple and said, “I have to go now.”

The shyness in Tang Guo’s heart was doused in cold water. She remembered something important: the marriage certificate had Zhu Tianci’s name on it, not the woman who had just married her.

She hurried to follow Zhu Yun, but Zhu Yun laughed and stopped her, saying, “Remember what I said earlier.”

Zhu Yun quickly left, her bright red robes a flamboyant blur. She didn’t even glance at Nanny Fang, striding so fast that the nanny had to run to keep up.

Tang Guo held the door frame, watching Zhu Yun’s receding figure in a daze. “What she said earlier? About siding with her?”

Why did she leave so suddenly?

“Miss, Miss!” Ping’er waved her hand in front of Tang Guo’s face. Tang Guo’s eyes refocused, and she returned to the bridal chamber.

Ping’er asked with concern, “Miss, you should find a way to get rid of Wen’er. It’s only been one day since we arrived, and she’s already causing trouble. What if she becomes like the second Concubine Bai?”

Concubine Bai was the beautiful and frail concubine of Tang’s father, highly favored by him.

Tang Guo pulled a dismissive face. “I have no interest in Zhu Tianci. If Wen’er wants him, let her.”

She spoke in a low voice, afraid of being overheard. She had agreed to let Concubine Wang arrange for Wen’er to be her maid for this exact reason.

Ping’er frowned, looking as if she wanted to shake Tang Guo awake. “Miss, weren’t you just smiling and laughing with the young master? I thought you had accepted him.”

Tang Guo’s expression was complicated. She didn’t hide the truth from Ping’er. “The person just now wasn’t Zhu Tianci.”

Ping’er’s eyes widened in shock. “Then… who was it? She was the one who performed the wedding ceremony with you! Even if she’s a relative, she’s an outsider. The Zhu family has gone too far! Miss, I’ll go back to the manor and ask your father and mother to stand up for you!”

Tang Guo smiled gently, her almond-shaped eyes twinkling. She picked up a round fan from the wedding quilt, feeling as if she could still sense Zhu Yun’s presence. “What if that person wasn’t a man?” she sighed softly.

“Miss, don’t be so mysterious! I’m completely confused!” Ping’er was anxious, blaming herself for not being more vigilant. It was all that vixen Wen’er’s fault; if she hadn’t been so conniving, Ping’er wouldn’t have been so focused on her.

Tang Guo looked at her and said softly, “She’s a woman. Her name is Zhu Yun.”

“Zhu Yun? Isn’t that the young master’s sister? Your sister-in-law?!”

Tang Guo nodded, her playful smile full of amusement. Who would have thought she would marry her own sister-in-law?

Ping’er furrowed her brow, clutching her forehead. “It’s a mess. Everything’s a mess!”

“What’s so messy about it? I think it’s great,” Tang Guo added. “Zhu Yun also told me that if she hadn’t stepped in for Zhu Tianci, I would have had to marry a rooster.”

Hearing this, Ping’er suddenly felt that marrying a woman wasn’t so bad after all. If Tang Guo had married a rooster, Ping’er knew without a doubt that people would have mocked her endlessly, including her eldest sister and her unmarried third sister.

Ping’er sighed like Tang Guo and knelt beside her, whispering, “They say marriage is a woman’s second life. Miss, you’re going to have a wonderful and smooth life.”

Tang Guo patted Ping’er’s head. “Silly Ping’er, it’s been hard on you.”

Ping’er shook her head. “If you hadn’t saved me, I would have died in the cold winter when I was six. Your eldest sister even complained to your mother about me. It’s my fault you had to write so many characters. I’ll never forget your kindness.”

Tang Guo smiled gently. As a child, she always tried to compete with her eldest sister but always lost. Later, she grew smarter. Since she couldn’t be the son her parents wanted, she would be a quiet, obedient daughter who didn’t talk back. It was her way of surviving.

“Let’s not talk about the past. I’m a married woman now.” They say a married daughter is like spilled water. Tang Guo would have resented this saying if she had come from a loving family, but her family ties were weak. She intended to use this saying to shut them up so they couldn’t come to her for favors.

“I’ve had hot water prepared for you. Would you like to take a bath and change?”

Tang Guo thought of Zhu Tianci’s weak health, so weak he needed his sister to stand in for him at his own wedding. He wouldn’t show up here anytime soon. She nodded without hesitation. “Yes, that sounds good.”

The Zhu family was a royal merchant with a vast estate and countless well-disciplined servants under the management of Lady Fang. Wen’er, who had been lazily looking for someone to gossip with, was turned away several times. She had free time, but no one else did. This showed Tang Guo’s low status at home—even her dowry maid was so unreliable. It was a testament to how much Tang Guo had endured.

“Are you the young mistress’s dowry maid, Wen’er?” a kind-looking, plump woman approached her. When Wen’er nodded smugly, the woman’s eyes flashed with a hint of cunning. “I was looking for you. Come, help an old woman tend to the stove.”

“I am the young mistress’s top maid! How can I do the work of a fire girl?”

The woman grabbed her and dragged her into the side room with surprising strength. The tight grip made Wen’er’s eyes water. The woman whispered sinisterly, “I wouldn’t dare do this without a young mistress’s orders.”

“What young mistress? Which young mistress?”

The woman slapped Wen’er without a word, her eyes narrowed. “What a rude thing to say. There is only one precious young mistress in this manor. Who else could I be talking about?”

Wen’er clutched her face, shaking. She had never been treated this way and burst into tears. She dared not argue with the woman. Under her direction, she sat on a stool, adding firewood to the stove. She was upset, but she was also trying to figure out when she had offended the Zhu family’s young mistress, Zhu Yun.

Zhu Yun was unaware that her people were already tormenting Wen’er. She was listening to Lady Fang’s endless complaints about how her son Zhu Tianci had poor health. She had heard it all before and was utterly bored.

“Little Zhu, what’s with that expression? Do you think I’m wrong?”

Lady Fang took a sip of tea but found it unappetizing as she looked at Zhu Yun’s improper posture. She couldn’t help but criticize her. “What’s gotten into you today? Nanny told you to leave, but you lingered. I heard you even gave Tang’s daughter a bowl of noodles. You unfilial girl, why aren’t you this filial to your parents?”

Zhu Yun found her mother’s words ridiculous. “I finally got to see Tang Guo, and I wanted to hang out with her. I wanted to give her noodles. Who knew Tang Guo would be so unlucky as to marry into our family? I had to stand in for my brother to save our family’s face. Mom, I deserve some credit, right? If you really see me as your daughter, please just shut up.”

Lady Fang’s rage flared. She glared at Zhu Yun, as if seeing her daughter for the first time. She took a deep breath. “Fine, fine. You’ve grown a pair of wings, haven’t you? Do you think your parents have mistreated you? You’re only living this good life because you were born into the Zhu family. If you were a commoner, you would have been sold off and married long ago!”

“Yes, I didn’t say it was bad to be born into the Zhu family. I’m grateful for the rich life you’ve given me. But I’m greedy. Who isn’t? When you have something good, you want something better. Since you’re so good to me, why don’t you show me a little favoritism? Anyone would think I was an adopted daughter.” Zhu Yun was completely calm. The key to winning an argument is not to follow the other person’s line of thought. Zhu Yun threw the question back at her, and her sarcastic smile made Lady Fang’s eye twitch.

Lady Fang raised her voice. “You are my biological daughter, and there’s no mistake about it!”

“So does that mean my brother isn’t?”

The heavy stone on Lady Fang’s heart dropped even more. She was terrified. “Nonsense! I think you really are sick.”

“Yes, you’re right. I’m crazy. You shouldn’t argue with me, Mom.” Zhu Yun walked toward her, looking down at her mother’s pale face. It was at this moment that Lady Fang realized her daughter was now taller than her.

Zhu Yun’s eyes turned sharp. She picked up a teacup, an exquisite Junyao piece, and smashed it. The act stunned Lady Fang. Zhu Yun’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Mom, I’m tired of hearing you talk. It’s pointless. My brother is useless, but you still have me, don’t you? Why do you only care about him and not me?”

“Zhu Yun!”

“Yes, I hear you. I’m just crazy, not deaf.”

“You’ve gotten so brave, defying me! I am your mother.”

Zhu Yun bent down to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She then lifted her mother’s chin, forcing her to look up. “Mom,” Zhu Yun said with a smile, “you should be glad you’re my mother.”

With the way you behave, anyone else would have been dead seven or eight times over.

Zhu Yun patted her cheek. In Lady Fang’s resentful eyes, she said elegantly, “Are you going to make me kneel in the ancestral hall again?”

It was truly laughable. Women couldn’t be included in the family genealogy, yet when they were punished, they were made to kneel before their ancestors. It was unfair.

“Get out! Don’t let anyone give her food or water without my permission!”

Zhu Yun withdrew her hand, hands in her sleeves, and bargained. “I can go to the ancestral hall, but I have to finish my business first.”

Lady Fang gritted her teeth. “What business?”

Zhu Yun laughed. “Oh, it’s nothing big. I just want to go and show off to my brother how grandly his wedding was. It’s a shame he couldn’t see it.”

“Get out! Go to the ancestral hall now.”

Zhu Yun shrugged. She wasn’t angry about being yelled at. She just said, “I remember you have a favorite tea set, Mom. Next time you yell at me, use that one.”

Lady Fang was so enraged she couldn’t speak. She just pointed at the door, glaring at Zhu Yun.

“Hmph, so boring,” Zhu Yun said as she disappeared from her mother’s sight. Lady Fang clutched her chest and cried to Nanny Fang. “Nanny, look at how she behaves! How am I supposed to marry her off? Who would want her? What happened to her?”

Nanny Fang said calmly, “Madam, the young mistress is all grown up. Your old methods won’t work anymore. Since she hasn’t married yet, maybe you should try a different approach?”

Lady Fang waved her hand weakly. “When I see Little Zhu, I’m reminded of what I did back then. I get so scared. It’s her fault… for being a girl.”

Zhu Yun didn’t know about her mother’s lack of remorse. Accompanied by the old woman, she arrived at the ancestral hall. The scent of incense was thick. As she pushed open the door and stepped over the high threshold, she saw the ancestral tablets.

She knelt down. When the door closed, Zhu Yun stood up. “I’ve decided to be crazy,” she mumbled. “Why would a ghost want to stay here?”

“857, give me a route with the fewest people.”

What are you doing?

“I’m going to blow up the male lead’s brother.”

She had planned to blow up the male lead, but the timing was wrong. The new bride had just arrived, and nothing bad could happen, or Tang Guo would be blamed for all the trouble.

“Ah, I really am a good person.”

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