The Female Lead Is A Supporting Female Character - Chapter 9

“Sister, you’ll protect me, won’t you?”

“What are you going to do?” Ming Ye’s first reaction was to frown and scold her. “Don’t be ridiculous!”

Feng Cheng also tried to persuade her: “Junior Sister, you’d better stay on the mountain. It’s better if I handle this kind of matter.”

It wasn’t surprising they reacted this way.

The original Ming Yuemian, the eldest miss of Tianxuan Pavilion had never stepped foot off the mountain or suffered a day in her life. She was no different from the pampered, “golden branch and jade leaf” princesses of the mortal imperial families; in fact, her lifestyle was even more extravagant. What could possibly be worth the eldest miss handling personally? Given how much Ming Ye doted on her, even if Tianxuan Pavilion were collapsing, he likely wouldn’t let his biological daughter lift a finger.

In the original novel, when the original Ming Yuemian eventually went down the mountain, she did so by sneaking away behind Ming Ye’s back. Driven by jealousy and the worry of her Senior Brother being alone with her love rival, she had descended like a celestial fairy falling into the mundane world. She was completely unaccustomed to life below the mountain, and her “princess syndrome” caused her a great deal of suffering, all of which she spitefully and willfully blamed on Fu Shuang, targeting her at every turn.

Furthermore…

Feng Cheng said helplessly, “Junior Sister, you couldn’t even defeat the Water Dragon in the minor exam. What will you do if you encounter demons down there? If anything goes wrong, I won’t be able to bear the responsibility. You should stay on the mountain and continue your cultivation. Once you’ve mastered your skills, Senior Brother will take you down the mountain to play, alright?”

He was coaxing her like a child. His gentle and soft-spoken attitude only made Ming Yuemian’s behavior seem more like a temper tantrum.

However, his words suddenly reminded Ming Yuemian of something.

That’s right! There’s still the matter of the exams!

If she stayed at Tianxuan Pavilion, what would she do about the major exams every few months and the minor ones every few days? Based on what they were saying, the dragon she fought earlier was considered pretty weak, yet she still couldn’t win. If she later encountered a flying lion or a giant serpent, would she even survive?

If her desire to follow them down the mountain was just a whim before, it now felt like a necessity just to keep her life.

Ming Yuemian made up her mind. Using her skills in being intentionally difficult, she seized the loophole in Feng Cheng’s words and said, “So what? If we encounter demons, won’t you protect me, Senior Brother?”

Feng Cheng: “…”

His eyes widened in shock, unsure of how his words had been twisted into that meaning.

“I didn’t…”

“She’s right.” Hearing Ming Yuemian’s words, Ming Ye’s focus shifted instantly. He changed his tone and looked at Feng Cheng with great displeasure. “As her Senior Brother, if you encounter danger down the mountain, are you just going to stand by and watch without protecting your Junior Sister?”

Feng Cheng: “…”

Feng Cheng: “???”

“I didn’t mean that…” he defended himself. “I’m just worried that my cultivation is limited and I might be negligent. What if I’m not paying attention for one moment and Junior Sister gets hurt?”

“Besides Dad, Senior Brother is the person with the highest cultivation in Tianxuan Pavilion. Why be so modest?” Ming Yuemian blocked his escape route. “Besides, it’s not just you, there’s also this sister here.”

Fu Shuang had been watching the three of them go back and forth like a bystander at a play. Suddenly being pointed out, she was taken aback.

Me? She wore an uncertain expression, almost doubting she had heard correctly.

Lifting her eyes, she met Ming Yuemian’s beaming gaze. Seeing the other girl staring straight at her, her face practically screamed, “Yes, you.”

“Sister, you’ll protect me, won’t you?”

The young girl’s lips curved into a smile, the pearl hairpins at her temples swaying gently. When her eyes flickered over, they were as shimmering as spring ripples.

Fu Shuang: “…”

What was she supposed to say?

For a moment, Fu Shuang felt both annoyed and amused, truly not knowing how to react. Why would she want to protect her love rival? Was this person incredibly dense, or just too confident?

And her tone was so matter of fact.

Ming Yuemian, of course, noticed Fu Shuang’s hesitation and pause. Although she had expected it, she couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

She hesitated! She hesitated! She hesitated! Damn it! I already said I like her, but she just won’t believe me and is still so guarded! She isn’t even willing to step up to protect me!

Ming Yuemian wailed inwardly.

At the same time, she knew that in front of Ming Ye and Feng Cheng, she had to stay in character and so did Fu Shuang.

So, even if Fu Shuang was reluctant, she kept up appearances. Without revealing her inner thoughts, she gave a faint “Mm.”

Even though Ming Yuemian knew that “Mm” was just a perfunctory response for the sake of the situation, she couldn’t help but forgive her in her heart. If real danger occurred, Ming Yuemian felt sure that her “daughter” wouldn’t just stand by and watch!

Her daughter was so kind, she wasn’t like that cold-blooded, heartless scumbag of a male lead.

“Dad,” Ming Yuemian turned to Ming Ye. “With two people protecting me, are you still worried? Your daughter will be fine. I’ve stayed on the mountain for too long and want to see the outside world and gain some experience. I can’t hide under your wings forever, can I? Please?”

She wheedled for a long time, but Ming Ye still shook his head: “It is inappropriate.”

“Dad!”

“Mianmian, if you’re bored on the mountain and want some new things to play with, whether it’s heavenly treasures or rare beasts. Dad can find them all for you,” Ming Ye said kindly. “The only thing I won’t allow is you going down the mountain.”

This speech made Fu Shuang lower her eyes slightly.

She had been an orphan since childhood and had never had an elder be so loving or so considerate of her. Even as much as she hated Tianxuan Pavilion and the cold Ming Ye, seeing him hold his daughter’s hand and speak so earnestly made her heart feel a bit somber.

Looking at Ming Yuemian’s displeased and anxious expression, Fu Shuang felt the girl was “blessed but unaware of her fortune.”

She pursed her lips with a cold face.

“Even with two people protecting you, your father is still worried. I only have one daughter. If you were to get hurt accidentally, what would I do? I don’t dare take that risk.”

Ming Yuemian thought to herself that staying at Tianxuan Pavilion was actually the easiest way to get hurt or lose her life!

Since this path was blocked, she had no choice but to try a different angle.

“Dad, rest assured, I really will be fine.” Ming Yuemian grabbed Ming Ye’s sleeve and gave it a playful, flattering shake. “Besides, my life is a life, but is Senior Brother’s life not a life too?”

Feng Cheng: “…”

What is that supposed to mean?

Ming Yuemian brought out this shield: “I’m living here on the mountain without a care in the world, but what if Senior Brother encounters some danger out there? What then?”

“What do you mean?” Ming Ye burst out laughing, genuinely finding it hilarious. It was the kind of laugh where one simply couldn’t hold it back. “Are you saying you could actually protect your Senior Brother?”

Is that not allowed? You’re looking down on me way too much! Ming Yuemian thought… but halfway through the thought, she had to admit it was true.

“Even if I can’t protect him, if we run into danger, I can run back and bring reinforcements!” Ming Yuemian continued her willful pestering. “Even if I stay safely on the mountain, if Senior Brother encounters danger and loses his life, how could I go on living?”

She began to fake wail, “Boo-hoo.”

Feng Cheng: “…”

He felt a strange, indescribable sensation.

He knew it was true that his Junior Sister had been fond of him since they were young, but… why did her words sound so bizarre now?

Clearly, she was worrying about him, but in the past when he went down the mountain for business numerous times, she had never been this nervous. Now, she was even bringing out an excuse like this, acting as if she absolutely had to go.

It was as if… she was using him as a front.

Seeing his daughter cry, Ming Ye immediately panicked. “Mianmian, why are you crying? It’s all Dad’s fault. I was wrong.”

Ming Yuemian covered her face with her wide sleeves to prevent them from seeing that she hadn’t shed a single tear.

Seeing that Ming Ye was coaxing her but still hadn’t relented, she figured she had to use her trump card.

The “Three Tactics of a Tantrum”: cry, make a scene, and threaten to hang oneself. This ancient routine for playing the rogue works in any era, a classic that never goes out of style.

Suddenly, Ming Yuemian clutched her chest, her body swaying like a weak willow in the wind as she collapsed, feigning a look of agony. “Dad, my heart hurts…”

Didn’t the original body have a heart condition? Even though it was fake, Ming Ye and Feng Cheng believed it without a shadow of a doubt. Might as well use the setting!

Ming Ye’s face paled with shock. He caught Ming Yuemian in his arms and carefully placed her on a cushioned chair, roaring at the attendants outside. “The young lady is having a heart attack again! Quick, call the people from the Pharmacy! Bring the Azure Snow Flower from the warehouse!”

Knowing this couldn’t be delayed, an attendant quickly left and returned. A physician from the Pharmacy arrived, carrying a medicine box and drenched in sweat. “Pavilion Master, the A-Azure Snow Flower is all used up.”

“What?!” Ming Ye raised his voice. “Did the Kingdom of Li not send any?”

“The last shipment has been exhausted,” the physician said. “For now, I can only use acupuncture to suppress the pain temporarily. However, this method won’t last long; we still need the Azure Snow Flower medicine.”

Ming Yuemian, who had been fake moaning “Ow, ow,” almost jumped right out of her chair when she heard about the needles. “I’m fine! It doesn’t hurt anymore!”

Feng Cheng advised: “Mianmian, don’t try to be brave.”

Ming Ye added: “Let the doctor check you, otherwise Dad won’t feel at ease.”

“I’m really fine now…” Ming Yuemian wanted to cry but had no tears. She stood up and spun in a circle to show from every angle that she was perfectly fine. “It just hurt for a second, but now it truly doesn’t hurt at all!”

Help! She did not want to be poked with needles!

After much persuasion and pleading, Ming Ye finally waved his hand, allowing the physician to pack up his needles and withdraw.

Ming Yuemian let out a long sigh of relief.

That was close! A narrow escape!

“Mianmian,” Ming Ye pondered for a moment, thinking it over deeply before speaking. “If you really want to follow your Senior Brother down the mountain, then go.”

Ming Yuemian’s eyes lit up. “Really? You agree?”

The reason Ming Ye changed his mind was precisely because he saw her “heart attack” just now. The supply of Azure Snow Flowers in the Tianxuan Pavilion warehouse was gone, if they waited for Feng Cheng to go and bring them back, there was no telling how long it would take.

It was better to let her go along, once they reached the Kingdom of Li, it would be much more convenient to get the medicine directly.

Having made up his mind, Ming Ye nodded, but added a condition. “However, you must write a letter every three days to tell your father you are safe. Stay obediently by your Senior Brother’s side and don’t run off, understood?”

“Understood, Dad!” There was no way Ming Yuemian wouldn’t agree.

Seeing that the Master had spoken and settled the matter, Feng Cheng could only say: “Master, don’t worry. I will protect Junior Sister and won’t let her suffer even a single scratch.”

There was no time to lose. They decided to set off the next day. Ming Ye took Ming Yuemian’s hand and gave her a long list of meticulous instructions, then ordered attendants to pack her things before finally letting them leave.

Fu Shuang remained expressionless throughout the entire ordeal.

Yesterday, Ming Ye said she was an outsider. Today, watching the three members of this sect laughing and talking, she truly felt like one.

As an onlooker, she saw everything clearly. She watched the woman in red throw a tantrum, act spoiled with her father, and even resort to faking an illness, others might not know, but she knew perfectly well that the “heart condition” was a complete lie.

While others didn’t know she was acting, Fu Shuang saw through it instantly.

She could be so willful and act so charmingly because she had someone to indulge her. She had a father, a sect, and a Senior Brother, she had the “capital” to be unreasonable. Meanwhile, Fu Shuang’s destiny was simply arranged by them.

No one had ever asked for her opinion on whether she wanted to stay or go.

What a performance. Holding her sword, Fu Shuang’s face was cold. She found the whole thing quite meaningless.

“Sister, Sister!” Ming Yuemian saw the woman in white walking faster and faster ahead. She lifted her skirts and chased after her, panting. “Why are you walking so fast? Wait for me!”

As if she were going on an outing with a girlfriend, she instinctively reached out to take the other’s arm. Fu Shuang suddenly turned around, staring at her coldly.

Meeting that ice cold gaze, Ming Yuemian froze. “What’s wrong, Sister?”

Fu Shuang asked in a chilling voice, “With all this tossing and turning, what exactly is your goal?”

She wasn’t just asking about what happened in the study, but about everything she had done since they met.

What exactly does she want?! This massive variable made Fu Shuang feel unsettled, fearing this woman would disrupt her plans.

In the original story, the character hadn’t followed them down the mountain at this point, she had only snuck out much later.

But now, Ming Yuemian’s departure had Ming Ye’s official blessing, which changed everything.

If she had run away secretly, no one in Tianxuan Pavilion would have known where she went. Fu Shuang could have killed her with a single strike before anyone found out, and no one would be the wiser.

But now, she was traveling with them openly with Feng Cheng protecting her. It would be difficult to make a move.

“I don’t have a goal. What bad intentions could I possibly have?” Ming Yuemian blinked innocently. “I just want to go down the mountain with you.”