The Female Lead Is A Supporting Female Character - Chapter 15

So Soft…

Ever since her rebirth and reunion with Fu Shuang, Ming Yuemian had discovered that the woman’s temperament had undergone a world shaking change, she often spoke words that were nothing short of startling.

It was just that… knowing it was one thing, but getting used to it was quite another.

To pledge one’s heart and body, for a young lady to toss such a phrase around so casually, without the slightest inhibition or sense of shame?

And she had said it directly to her. They were both women; the idea of “pledging oneself” was simply preposterous!

Who was she trying to amuse?

Fu Shuang was convinced that these words, much like that night at the Tianxuan Pavilion when Ming Yuemian spoke of “liking” her, were merely a tactic for favor, a deliberate attempt to disgust her.

Yet, she couldn’t help the sudden heat rising in her face.

After all, this wasn’t like that night where they were alone. They were in public. Although the other boatmen were busy and paying no attention, that maid, Xiao Ju, had heard everything loud and clear.

Fu Shuang stiffened her expression, turned, and left.

With her high cultivation, she was as light as a swallow. With a gentle leap, she landed on another raft. However, she didn’t choose the nearest one. Instead, she tapped her toes and soared a great distance away, landing on the raft furthest from them.

It was a blatant display of avoidance.

Fu Shuang exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. Now she didn’t have to listen to those nonsensical words, nor did she have to fear the other woman hearing her stomach growl or feeling embarrassed because of it.

Looking down, she realized she was still holding the pastry. Earlier, when the other had shoved the snack box in front of her, she had taken a piece just to be polite. In her haste to leave, she had forgotten to return it.

Fu Shuang glanced back toward her original direction. Certain that Ming Yuemian couldn’t see her from this distance, she lowered her head and took a quick bite.

It was… actually quite sweet. Fu Shuang pursed her lips.

Tsk, her skin is so thin, Ming Yuemian thought to herself. With such a thin face, she takes everything people say seriously. No wonder she was deceived so badly by Feng Cheng in the original book.

Ming Yuemian wasn’t in a hurry. The first time she said it, Fu Shuang thought she was talking nonsense. Now, the second time, Fu Shuang’s face had turned red and she’d fled miles away.

This was clearly progress.

Slowly but surely, she would eventually understand that she was being sincere.

Ming Yuemian withdrew her gaze, only to find Xiao Ju covering her mouth and asking, “Miss, what were you saying just now?”

Ming Yuemian blinked innocently. “What did I say?”

“You’re asking me?” Xiao Ju stifled a laugh. “I’ve never heard a girl talk like that. You sound exactly like a rogue flirting with a lady from a respectable family.”

Ming Yuemian laughed along.

Fu Shuang’s robe was still draped over her shoulders, smelling of that cold, distant plum blossom scent. She narrowed her eyes, indifferent to Xiao Ju’s teasing. She casually pulled the cloak tighter around herself, thinking. If I’m a rogue, then so be it.

For instance, if she hadn’t been a bit “shameless,” how could she be wearing Fu Shuang’s clothes right now?

Reaping the actual benefits was what mattered most. As for being called a “rogue,” that was just an empty title.

Half an hour later, the rafts finally reached the shore.

Night had fallen, and with the twilight fading, it was impossible to continue their journey. They had to settle in a nearby village for the night. The village was small with few vacant houses. The village head was initially reluctant to take in so many strangers, but Feng Cheng used his “monetary influence” to make him change his mind.

When they stepped onto the shore, Ming Yuemian looked toward Fu Shuang, but the other didn’t give her a single glance.

Ming Yuemian felt a bit of regret, thinking there would be no more interaction with Fu Shuang tonight. But it didn’t matter, there would be plenty of opportunities, and it wasn’t good to push someone too hard.

Unexpectedly, because there weren’t enough rooms in the village, she ended up sharing a room with Fu Shuang after all.

However, this was different from their “shared bed” at the Tianxuan Pavilion.

This time, they weren’t alone, four or five other maids and older women from the boat were with them. Since the village couldn’t provide the luxury of private rooms, several people had to squeeze together just to fit.

…It’s turned into a communal bunk, Ming Yuemian thought silently.

She looked around the room. Fortunately, the heated brick bed (kang) in the village was large enough for several people to lie side by side.

Most of the people from the boat hadn’t eaten dinner. The village head’s daughter brought some dry rations to share.

“Our food here is coarse; please make do with it. However, our village’s Peach Blossom Brew is exceptional. Guests must give it a try.”

The village’s baked wheat cakes were indeed so dry they were hard to swallow, but the Peach Blossom Brew was truly excellent, clear, sweet and refreshing.

She turned to see Fu Shuang accept a cup with a cold expression. She looked uninterested but, unable to decline the villagers’ enthusiastic hospitality, she lowered her eyes and took a reluctant sip.

As the night grew deep, everyone quickly packed up and lay down, enduring the crowded space to rest until dawn.

Fu Shuang, with her cold nature and habit of being solitary, likely didn’t enjoy this sleeping arrangement. Ming Yuemian peeked through half-closed eyes and saw that Fu Shuang hadn’t lied down, she was merely leaning against the wall, cradling her sword.

That posture looked uncomfortable. Was she planning to stay like that all night?

Ming Yuemian pondered in the darkness. Hearing the night watchman’s wooden clapper outside, she realized it was past midnight. She was about to get up to give Fu Shuang more space so she could at least lie down for a bit.

But before she could move, the white-clad figure picked up her sword and pushed the door open, leaving the room.

Huh???

Ming Yuemian sat bolt upright.

Why is she leaving? Where is she going in the middle of the night?

The first suspicion that popped into her head was that she was going to a secret tryst with Feng Cheng.

It wasn’t her fault for thinking this way. Because of her transmigration, the original plot had been completely derailed. In the original story, Feng Cheng wasn’t supposed to bring her on this trip at all. It was only because of Ming Yuemian’s relentless pestering that things had changed.

In the original plot, this segment was supposed to be a crucial stage for the male and female leads’ feelings to deepen. But now, everything had been interrupted by Ming Yuemian, the “stumbling block.”

So, was she trying to make up for the lost plot points now that she thought Ming Yuemian was asleep?

The more Ming Yuemian thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Her heart sank. The other women in the room were fast asleep, their light snoring rising and falling. She got up quietly and followed.

Ming Yuemian remembered where Feng Cheng was staying, but as she shadowed Fu Shuang, she realized the other woman was heading in a completely different direction.

Huh???

Now Ming Yuemian was truly confused. If she wasn’t going to meet Feng Cheng, what was she doing out here? This tiny, broken village had no scenery to speak of at night.

As she watched the slender figure ahead, she noticed something odd. Fu Shuang’s body swayed slightly, and her footsteps seemed… unsteady?

Ming Yuemian frowned, a vague suspicion forming in her mind.

Sure enough, a moment later, Fu Shuang’s steps became even more staggered. Just as she was about to walk straight into a tree, Ming Yuemian couldn’t hold back anymore. She stopped hiding and stepped forward, grabbing the woman.

For a high-level sword cultivator to crash into a tree in the middle of the night, how embarrassing would that be?

No one would even believe it.

Fu Shuang felt a slender, fair hand one that clearly had never done hard labor, wrap around her waist. She froze for a moment, then lowered her head, exhaling a breath with a delayed reaction.

Ming Yuemian steadied her. Since she couldn’t hide anymore, she asked directly, “Sister, what are you doing out here?”

Fu Shuang didn’t answer.

Ming Yuemian looked up in confusion. “Sister, what’s wrong?”

Under the thin moonlight, Ming Yuemian saw Fu Shuang’s face. Her snow white cheeks were flushed with a shallow red, like a layer of pink glaze. Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing heavier and more uneven than usual. Those dark eyes, usually so clear they were piercing, were now misty and watery, like a drizzly spring day in Jiangnan.

The person who was usually cold and ethereal now possessed a shimmering, tender beauty.

Ming Yuemian was stunned by that single look.

Fu Shuang had no reaction. She didn’t push her away or speak; she just looked at her vacantly, as if she couldn’t recognize who she was.

“Is it…” Ming Yuemian thought for a moment. “A fever?”

With those rosy cheeks, something was definitely wrong.

“It couldn’t be because you gave me your cloak, could it?” Ming Yuemian muttered. If so, she’d feel terrible.

“…Wait, no. Didn’t you say before that high-level cultivators don’t fear the cold? Were you just fooling me…”

As she spoke, Ming Yuemian reached out to touch the other’s forehead.

Taking advantage of Fu Shuang’s current state, where she couldn’t refuse, she dared to be bold.

Ming Yuemian felt her forehead. The temperature was a bit high, but it wasn’t quite a fever.

Strange. Then what was it?

Fu Shuang remained motionless. Compared to her usual aloof and cold self, she now seemed almost… obedient.

This was a golden opportunity. If she missed it, who knew when the next one would be? Ming Yuemian couldn’t resist, she reached out and poked the other’s cheek.

So soft.

This person, who seemed to be made of ice and snow, was actually this soft.

Ming Yuemian stopped there, not daring to go too far, and quickly withdrew her hand.

At that moment, she caught the scent of alcohol.

A sweet, fruity, floral aroma quietly drifted through the night air.

Wasn’t that the scent of the Peach Blossom Brew from earlier? Ming Yuemian realized the truth and looked up in shock.

No way. Is she drunk?

Looking at Fu Shuang again with that realization, the blurred, confused eyes, the wandering footsteps… everything clicked.

Ming Yuemian felt her mind reeling.

Just one cup? And it was Peach Blossom Brew, basically a fruit wine and she’s drunk off that??

Fu Shuang’s body swayed violently again. Fearing she would fall, Ming Yuemian quickly supported her, tightening her hold on that slender waist. Fu Shuang collapsed into her without any resistance, like a weak willow on the riverbank that could be easily broken by the wind.

Ming Yuemian: “…”

The heavy breaths brushed against her neck. The mix of plum blossoms and alcohol wasn’t unpleasant, but it made Ming Yuemian’s skin flush hot.

She didn’t want to imagine what might happen if Fu Shuang had run into someone else in this state. It was hard to guarantee she wouldn’t encounter some kind of danger.

The greatest sword cultivator could be taken down by a single cup of wine. This weakness was truly dangerous.

Ming Yuemian sighed.

She helped her all the way back to the room and laid her flat on the bed. After fumbling in the dark for a while, she found a teapot and poured a cup of water, hoping to give it to Fu Shuang.

But the water just trickled down the side of her lips, she wouldn’t swallow.

Ming Yuemian hesitated. According to the tropes in novels and movies she’d seen, this was the part where the protagonist takes a mouthful of water and passes it to the other person mouth to mouth.

But…

Ming Yuemian’s gaze darted over Fu Shuang’s lips. They were slightly parted and glistening with the water she’d just tried to feed her. Her heart rate spiked, and she quickly looked away.

Even though… she kind of wanted to kiss her, she couldn’t take advantage of someone like this.

Doing such a thing under the guise of “help” was too dishonest and disrespectful.

Ming Yuemian thought about it, then decided to be blunt. She reached out, pinched Fu Shuang’s cheeks to force her mouth open, and poured the lukewarm water in.