I Have the Aura of a Supporting Character in Yuri Novels - Chapter 99

The scene in her mind was so real that Zhu Yun almost couldn’t distinguish between the Tang Guo in front of her and the one who had just been amused by her own teasing.

Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. Her eyes, glistening with tears, stared straight at Tang Guo as if she could never get enough.

Tang Guo’s eyebrows furrowed. She used her fingers to wipe away the tears, asking with a pained heart, “Xiao Zhu, what’s wrong? Did I make you cry? I’m so sorry, I’m truly unforgivable.”

“Tang Guo!” Zhu Yun raised her voice. She was very sensitive to the word “die.” The sudden scene in her mind had given her a taste of panic. She hated hearing that word from Tang Guo’s mouth, even as a joke.

Thinking of how Tang Guo had been burned alive in the fire, the pain in Zhu Yun’s heart intensified. She felt this plot development was terrible. How could Tang Guo, the female lead, just die like that? And beside Tang Guo was the already deceased Zhu Tianci. The hero and heroine dying together in a fire—this ending was just too tragic.

More importantly, Tang Guo had killed Zhu Tianci to avenge Zhu Yun. A female lead killing the male lead for another character moved Zhu Yun to tears.

Could such a plot be normal? Why hadn’t 857 told her the truth, but instead dodged the issue by saying Tang Guo eventually died?

Zhu Yun mentally complained to 857. She pouted her lips with a wronged expression and then opened her arms towards Tang Guo. She bent down and hugged Tang Guo, who was sitting on a round stool, and said in a gentle voice, “Guoguo didn’t make me angry. Just now, the wind made my eyes sting.”

Tang Guo looked at the tightly shut windows. How could any wind get in here? This person, she was so composed when telling lies.

Tang Guo sighed and hugged her back, “Seeing you cry… it hurts.”

“It should hurt! That means Guoguo cares about me, right, right?” Zhu Yun’s smile was lively. Then she suddenly added, “Guoguo, your waist is so slim.”

“Bah! And here I was just feeling sorry for you.”

Tang Guo broke free from her embrace and walked to the side, giving Zhu Yun, the lecher, a glare.

She felt like she had wasted her sympathy on this person.

“Don’t be mad at me. I was just speaking from the heart. You’re too overbearing to not even let me comment on your slim waist.”

Zhu Yun preemptively shifted the blame, which made Tang Guo’s smile fade. She said coldly, “I’m overbearing? I’m a bad person? Zhu Yun, don’t think I’ll forgive you!”

She turned and left without hesitation. Seeing this, Zhu Yun immediately followed her. One walked ahead, and the other followed closely. Tang Guo laughed mockingly, “You’re like a clingy little dog.”

“You mean, I’m Guoguo’s little dog?”

Tang Guo inexplicably tasted a different flavor from that sentence, as if Zhu Yun belonged only to her and no one else could touch her. Tang Guo touched her flushed ears and feigned composure, saying, “I’m not talking to you anymore.”

“Guoguo, wait for me! I’m a patient!”

Tang Guo stopped. Before they left the courtyard, she made sure to give Zhu Yun a few instructions. “After lunch, I’ll find an excuse to leave. It’s so annoying to listen to my dad and brother-in-law’s endless chatter. Especially my dad. Once he has a drink, his mind turns to mush. He’ll repeat the same sentence over and over again, or he’ll start complaining about not having a son. So if he drinks, we should leave early.”

Zhu Yun’s mind lit up. She said with a smile, “How long can your dad usually sleep after getting drunk?”

Tang Guo pondered for a moment and explained, “He’s not a heavy drinker, and my mom rarely lets him drink. Someone who gets drunk after a few cups will sleep for a long time, probably until the evening. Why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Zhu Yun lifted her chin proudly and gave herself a thumbs-up. “I have a lot of good treasures. Do you remember the talisman I gave your little sister? Just you wait and see. When I see your dad, I’ll definitely give him a copy of this good thing. Oh, and your mom, too!”

With this good thing, it was only fair that everyone got a share. Zhu Yun wouldn’t be stingy and only give one to Tang Xinhui.

Zhu Yun was worried that Tang Guo would feel guilty, so she quickly added, “Don’t worry, these won’t be life-threatening.”

Tang Guo’s gentle eyes curved into crescents. She once again straightened the cloak that Zhu Yun had casually thrown over her shoulders. The crooked, lopsided look showed that Zhu Yun had been in a hurry to chase after Tang Guo.

She said, “Life and death are determined by fate. They have never cared for me, so why should I put them in my heart? I’m asking for your help, yet at the same time I’m showing them mercy. That version of me is too incompetent. Since I’ve decided to be ruthless, why pretend to be a good person?”

She had come to a realization. From the moment she returned to her parents’ house, Tang Guo had completely given up hope. Before this, she had foolishly harbored a glimmer of hope that if she obediently married, her parents might have a little pity and treat her better. However, the truth was cold and heartless. If the person accompanying Tang Guo back to her parents’ house had been Zhu Tianci, Wang Shi and Tang Cihai’s neglect would have been remembered by him. When Tang Guo returned to her in-laws’ house, she would have been in a position where she was not wanted by either side.

Even though Tang Guo had obediently followed her parents’ wishes, she hadn’t received even a small scrap of kindness from them.

Just as Tang Guo said, why should she care about people who weren’t worth it? Was she supposed to wait for them to sell her off again?

Zhu Yun affectionately rubbed her cheek, teasing, “Guoguo has grown up.”

“You’re just spouting nonsense.” Tang Guo shot Zhu Yun a look. It was true that she didn’t have much of a connection with her parents. Her own parents, who she had lived with for over a decade, didn’t treat her as well as Zhu Yun did. For a moment, Tang Guo’s heart was a mix of emotions.

“Let’s go. Your son-in-law should go and see his father-in-law.”

Tang Guo’s face was slightly red. The two of them were truly audacious, “swindling” people using Zhu Tianci’s identity. To this day, no one had suspected Zhu Yun’s disguise, which only showed how skilled she was.

“My dear wife, please support me.”

The sudden “dear wife” made Tang Guo feel like she had a rabbit in her heart. The rabbit was hopping up and down. Having become used to being called “Guoguo,” hearing “dear wife” now made Tang Guo feel as if she had truly become a newlywed couple with Zhu Yun.

She shyly pursed her lips, saying nothing, and gently supported Zhu Yun’s arm. The two walked hand-in-hand back to the main courtyard.

The Tang family’s courtyard was not as elaborate as the Zhu family’s. A simple three-courtyard house had been their home for decades. This was after Wang Shi had married in and renovated the courtyard gates and walls, and had people transplant many flowering trees, which helped the declining Tang family to rise again. Therefore, in the early years, Tang Cihai had a certain respect and fear for Wang Shi. It was only after their third daughter, Tang Xinhui, was born that Tang Cihai and Wang Shi tacitly promoted a servant to a concubine. However, Tang Cihai was fated to only have three daughters. After years of hard work, he still only had daughters.

Tang Cihai was preoccupied with the rare manuscript Zhu Yun had mentioned earlier. He looked like he had something on his mind. Zhu Yun knew what this expression was for, but she didn’t take the bait. How could Tang Cihai, who was so concerned with his reputation, openly ask Zhu Yun for the manuscript? So he ate his lunch without much appetite. Thankfully, he had wine to accompany him, which just barely soothed his anger.

Wang Shi did not have Tang Cihai’s stubborn and rigid side. She wanted to speak, but Tang Cihai stopped her with a look. Wang Shi remembered that he had stayed in Concubine Bai’s courtyard for several consecutive days. After being stopped twice, Wang Shi was too lazy to speak to Zhu Yun.

They had been married for many years and knew each other extremely well. Thinking of how Tang Cihai would be tormented in the coming days, Wang Shi’s mood suddenly improved.

She spoke kindly to Zhu Yun, saying, “This sea bass is the dish Er-er loves most. Tianci, you should try some too.”

Tang Guo looked sideways and then tugged on Zhu Yun’s sleeve under the table. The slight tugging motion immediately made Zhu Yun realize that Wang Shi had said the wrong thing; Tang Guo did not like sea bass at all.

Zhu Yun’s anger immediately flared up. She held her cup with both hands and raised it to Wang Shi, saying, “Thank you, Mother-in-law, for raising and caring for Guoguo all these years. Your son-in-law would like to toast you.”

Wang Shi’s eyelids twitched. She accepted the cup with a thick face.

The tea was tasteless. Wang Shi put down the cup with an awkward smile.

After Wang Shi’s toast, Zhu Yun continued to toast everyone, leaving no one out. She sincerely thanked everyone for their kindness to Tang Guo. Zhu Yun’s face looked pale from her illness, but her smile was bright and radiant. It was clear to everyone that Zhu Yun cared deeply about Tang Guo, and this made Wang Shi and the others feel even more uneasy.

Tang Fei Qian’s eyes held a mocking look. She elegantly drank her tea.

This second brother-in-law of hers was indeed a perfect match for her second sister. They were both playing tricks on them. She only hoped that her second sister would be more obedient in the future. After all, the Zhu family was an imperial merchant family. Even a small bit of favor from them would be enough to give their family a good life. Although their family was not short on money, who didn’t like money?

Gao Yiqiu, sitting next to her, frowned. He didn’t have the Tang family’s ability to calmly accept Zhu Yun’s praise. He and Tang Fei Qian had been married for many years, so how could he not have noticed Tang Guo’s situation in her parents’ home?

Gao Yiqiu thought about finding a time to remind Zhu Yun. But then he thought that Tang Guo was truly timid. If she couldn’t stand up for herself, how could others help her? He could only hope that after getting married and having her husband’s protection, she would be able to live a better life.

Soon, the drunken Tang Cihai revealed his true self. Wang Shi’s face was tense as she was about to call the servants to send Tang Cihai to rest. But Gao Yiqiu said, “Mother, why bother with those clumsy servants? With me, your son-in-law, here, let me take Father to rest.”

Wang Shi’s expression softened, and she smiled slightly, “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Yiqiu.”

Gao Yiqiu laughed heartily and, with a single motion, helped Tang Cihai up. He didn’t forget Zhu Yun and said, “Brother-in-law, why don’t you come with me?”

Zhu Yun replied gently, “Okay.”

Gao Yiqiu was a simple person. He even came up with such a casual excuse. He definitely had something to say to her. She had a feeling he did when she was toasting earlier, and now seeing him ask a sick person like her to help, she was sure her intuition was correct.

Zhu Yun gave Tang Guo a reassuring look and followed Gao Yiqiu. After they left, only the women were left. Tang Fei Qian languidly curled her lips into a faint smile, “My second sister is very lucky to have married such a good man. It’s a pity, though, that he’s a bit short-lived.”

Tang Guo blinked and retorted, “Short-lived? Then how old do you think a person has to be to be considered long-lived? Like you, Sister, you’re already twenty-two. According to your age, you’re a bit long-lived, aren’t you?”

Tang Fei Qian was astonished. This was strange. Her second sister Tang Guo, who was always so gentle and reserved, had actually dared to speak sarcastically to her?!

She narrowed her charming fox-like eyes and said with a cold laugh, “So you’ve become confident after getting married, and you even dare to scold your older sister.”

Tang Guo picked up a piece of boiled shrimp. She didn’t like sea bass, but since even her own mother couldn’t remember that, why should she continue to be a pushover?

In fact, Tang Fei Qian was right. If she hadn’t gotten married and still had to live in this house at the mercy of others, she wouldn’t have talked back to Tang Fei Qian, just to avoid future entanglements.

But now she had left the Tang family and found a safe haven. Although there was danger there, she also had Zhu Yun, who cared for her.

“Sister is right.”

Tang Guo leisurely ate her boiled shrimp. She heard the sound of a spoon hitting a bowl. Tang Guo’s expression didn’t change as she continued to enjoy her food.

“Guo’er, apologize to your sister right now.” Wang Shi’s face was displeased and sullen. She was used to blaming Tang Guo first, always wanting Tang Guo to be the one to endure the injustice.

Tang Guo smiled faintly. Her clear and pure eyes looked directly at Wang Shi, without the weakness she had before.

“Where did I say something wrong? What my sister said is exactly what I think. It’s because I’m married that my wings have hardened. I have someone who will protect me now. Why should I lower my head and apologize for mistakes that aren’t mine?”

“Everything Sister said was correct, so why must I go against my conscience to refute her?”

Tang Guo wore a smile on her face and was calm and composed. At this moment, her heart was filled with a sense of relief. She wanted to show these people that even a cornered rabbit would bite.

“Tang Guo!”

Wang Shi threw down her spoon. Her posture was exactly the same as Tang Fei Qian’s. One could say that the daughter had learned her mother’s ways. Both of them were extremely similar in their meanness and selfishness.

Tang Guo reached out to Ping’er and said indifferently, “Mother, I’m a bit tired.”

“Fine, fine. A married daughter is like spilled water. I’ve raised you for so many years for nothing! You’re tired? What kind of lie is that? You’re just annoyed with me, your mother! I’m telling you, Tang Guo, there’s no room for you in this house after you’re married. You want to rest? Go back to your in-laws’ house to rest!”

Tang Guo calmly looked at the fierce-looking Wang Shi and chuckled, “Mother, you are so good at making jokes. When did I ever say I wanted to go back to my old room to rest? The carriage is very comfortable. Why would I make myself uncomfortable?”

She patted Ping’er’s hand and instructed, “Go find your brother-in-law later and tell him we should head back.”

The farce of the visit was coming to an end. Staying any longer would just tire her out.

Ping’er said spiritedly, “This servant understands!”

At this moment, Tang Guo turned around and looked at Wang Shi, who was being comforted by Tang Xinhui. She acted as if she couldn’t see Wang Shi’s anger and said with a smile, “Mother, are you curious why Wen’er didn’t come back with me today? This is all thanks to the good maid you chose for me. Your son-in-law saw at a glance that Wen’er had a talent for building fires, so she’s now a fire-tending maid and has to stay in the kitchen every day.”

After letting out her frustration, she took Ping’er and left her parents’ home, which filled her with a sense of resistance. When Tang Guo got into the carriage, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Ping’er. She said excitedly, “Wasn’t that a blast!?”

Ping’er laughed and wiped her tears at the same time, choking out, “Miss, it was a total blast. When this servant saw the faces of the eldest and third young misses, I almost couldn’t hold back my laughter.”

Tang Guo exhaled a breath of relief. She was in high spirits. She mocked, “Before, I was a pushover so I could live a good life. Even if I wanted to be a stubborn rebel, my mother would press me down and clip my thorns. So I was smart enough to just act like a punching bag. What’s the big deal? I just acted the part.”

She spoke easily now, but in reality, she had almost not been able to hold on. The moment she had thoughts of suicide, she knew she had reached her limit.

Thankfully, she had managed to get through it.

Ping’er rubbed her eyes with her hands, saying, “This servant can’t cry. This is a big happy event. Miss, you should rest in the carriage. This servant still needs to go get your brother-in-law. She… she better not be bullied.” Ping’er was always worried, knowing that her “brother-in-law” was a proper young lady. She was always afraid of something going wrong.

Tang Guo covered her lips and chuckled, “Your brother-in-law is very capable. There aren’t many people who can make her feel wronged.”

Then she changed her mind and added, “It’s only your miss, me, who can make her feel a little wronged.”

But maybe I should tease her less, so she doesn’t cry in front of me again. It’s truly a pitiful sight.

Ping’er furrowed her brow, asking, “Miss, that’s not right. How can you be so proud of bullying someone?”

Tang Guo coughed awkwardly a few times and repented, “Ping’er is right, I shouldn’t be proud.”

It wasn’t that she was proud, she just wanted Ping’er to know that her relationship with Zhu Yun was very good, but the maid had misunderstood her.

“Hurry up and go get her.”

“Okay.”

The maid Ping’er’s morale was high. She trotted back to the Tang family. The red ribbons on her double buns bobbed, looking mischievous and lively.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yun, who had walked with Gao Yiqiu, was looking at him with a complex expression. In his caring gaze, Zhu Yun respectfully said, “I will remember what brother-in-law said and will take good care of her in the future. She isn’t weak by nature. I believe she just uses this method to protect herself.”

Gao Yiqiu laughed heartily and joked, “You’re very protective of your second sister.”

Zhu Yun said meaningfully, “I’m very protective of my own.”

Gao Yiqiu wanted to pat her shoulder, but he was afraid of hurting her, so he put his hands behind his back and said with a smile, “As her brother-in-law, there are some things I can’t say openly. I have no right to manage my wife’s family. It’s a good thing my second sister married you.”

Their conversation ended there. When she saw Ping’er and learned that Tang Guo had returned to the carriage, Zhu Yun smiled knowingly. She then politely bid farewell to the Tang family, not mentioning Tang Guo in the carriage. She left the Tang family with feigned ignorance.

As soon as they left, Tang Fei Qian and Tang Xinhui’s smiles disappeared.

Tang Xinhui played with her handkerchief, saying, “Second Sister seems to have changed.”

Tang Fei Qian still remembered the grudge of Tang Guo’s cold shoulder and refusal to apologize. She said coldly, “I’d like to see how long she can be so smug!”

Gao Yiqiu’s expression was disapproving as he scolded Tang Fei Qian. However, Tang Fei Qian was not afraid of his demeanor and retorted, “Not only do you not stand by me, but you’re also biased towards my second sister. You’re despicable!”

Tang Fei Qian’s eyes reddened. She felt a sense of regret for marrying the wrong person. Gao Yiqiu was indeed not as considerate as Qin Xuyu. She had truly been blind when she married Gao Yiqiu.

Wang Shi rubbed her chest and urged Gao Yiqiu to go and comfort Tang Fei Qian. She said, “It’s a sin. That Tang Guo is so disappointing! From now on, I’ll pretend I don’t have this daughter!”

Tang Xinhui sighed, “Mother, Second Sister has changed so much. I even feel she’s a bit of a stranger.”

“Hmph, she’s just a bucket of spilled water. Why mention her? She’s bound to cause trouble for the family! It’s a good thing we married her off. It’s a disaster averted.”

Tang Xinhui felt a little flustered. She subconsciously clutched the small purse at her waist.

This was a good thing that her eldest and second sisters didn’t have. She must treasure it.

That night, Zhu Yun planned to sneak out under the cover of darkness. As she was tying up her hair with a sandalwood hairpin, she saw the red box containing the banknotes. Zhu Yun opened it and saw that there weren’t many left.

She laughed at herself, “I, the only daughter of an imperial merchant, am actually worried about money. This won’t do. Tomorrow, I’m going to find my cheap dad and take over that restaurant. I’ll have hotpot, malatang, and braised dishes all at once. I refuse to believe it won’t be a booming business!”

Zhu Yun closed the red box. The reason she had spent so much of the money she had saved over the years was that she was using it to cultivate her own people. First, she needed to know everything about the Marquis Changning Manor. Secondly, she was looking for the miracle doctor who had saved Zhu Tianci. This was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Therefore, she had to expand her team. As long as the miracle doctor showed his face in Luzhou City, Zhu Yun would personally catch him. She didn’t want him to inadvertently heal Zhu Tianci, which would be too easy for him.

[Xiao Zhu, your little brother and little sister have been waiting at the door for a long time. Why are you still staring at that box?]

Zhu Yun rolled her eyes and said, “I know, I know. I’m leaving now.”

[Xiao Zhu, did you just roll your eyes at me?]

[I’ll remember this! You’ll regret it!]

Zhu Yun snorted. How could she regret it? Loving and killing each other with 857 was their correct dynamic.

She quietly opened the door, and her arrogant expression instantly froze.

“Guo… Guo? Why are you here?”

“857, you did this on purpose!”

How was she supposed to sneak out now? Wah.

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