The Vicious Female Supporting Character and The Sadistic Heroine Got Together [Through the Book] - Chapter 13

“You’re ruthless,” Shen Chou said after a moment of silence, her curiosity piqued. “If you knew your mission would fail, would you still have done it?”

First, Yao Manman had shown the Protagonist kindness and care when she was in dire straits, making her rely on and trust her. Then, at the most unexpected moment, she betrayed her, delivering a fatal blow.

How could the Protagonist not hate someone who had betrayed her deepest trust? Given this, it was understandable that she would become utterly villainous, even willing to kill Yao Manman herself.

Of course, if Shen Chou were the Protagonist, even after being betrayed, she wouldn’t have the heart to kill that person.

“Absolutely,” Yao Manman replied.

Shen Chou pressed further, “Have you always been so headstrong? Willing to force the Protagonist to grow, even if it meant your own death?”

“What do you know? Hatred is what makes a person unbreakable, invincible. What I can’t understand is why they say my mission failed when I clearly kept the Protagonist alive.”

Seeing Yao Manman’s indignant expression, Shen Chou shook her head. “That’s wrong. I don’t think you’re right. It’s love that gives a person strength, that makes them powerful. Intense hatred only destroys a person, trapping them in lifelong torment.”

“You’re wrong,” Yao Manman said. “You only see how hatred can destroy a person, but you don’t realize it can also transform them. Hatred breeds desire, and people will do anything to satisfy their deepest desires.”

No wonder she’s a writer, Shen Chou thought, impressed by Yao Manman’s articulate arguments. She has an answer for everything. Shen Chou found herself unable to refute Yao Manman’s points, yet she refused to back down.

Shen Chou sneered. “Are you here to lecture me?”

“…No,” Yao Manman replied.

Shen Chou had once dared to dream of meeting the author. In the past, the mere thought of seeing Yao Manman in person, let alone speaking with her, would have filled Shen Chou with overwhelming excitement.

But now, knowing that Yao Manman had stood by and watched Tang Suan suffer, even deliberately pushing the Protagonist toward the abyss, Shen Chou’s heart was filled with conflicting emotions.

If anyone else had acted this way, Shen Chou would have condemned them as twisted and cruel. But Yao Manman was different—she was the original author, the creator of Tang Suan.

In other words, whatever Yao Manman wanted to do with the Protagonist was her right, her prerogative. Besides, Shen Chou thought, who could possibly understand the Protagonist better than her?

This time, Yao Manman broke the awkward silence first.

“You keep saying you want to save Tang Suan, right? Every second you waste talking to me is another second Tang Suan suffers,” Yao Manman said casually, watching Shen Chou sink into thought.

Yao Manman’s reminder snapped Shen Chou back to reality.

This time, she clearly wasn’t as easily trusting of Yao Manman as before.

Shen Chou’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as she asked skeptically, “You’re really willing to let me save Tang Suan?”

“Why would I lie?” Yao Manman raised an eyebrow at Shen Chou’s distrust. “Though whether you can actually save her depends on whether Tang Suan wants to be saved by you!”

“What do you mean by that?” Shen Chou desperately wanted to tell Yao Manman to stop speaking in riddles.

Yao Manman glanced at Tang Suan, still kneeling, and said slowly, “After being beaten like this, Tang Suan must be filled with resentment. She probably doesn’t want to see anyone right now. You might as well let her have some peace and quiet.”

“I have to save her,” Shen Chou said firmly to Yao Manman, glancing at Tang Suan.

Seeing that she couldn’t dissuade Shen Chou, Yao Manman decided to stop wasting her breath. With a wave of her hand, the translucent, half-circular barrier that had concealed them vanished like steam.

Noticing Shen Chou’s hesitation, Yao Manman stood behind her and said, “Go on, hurry.”

Before the words had even left her lips, Shen Chou darted toward Tang Suan without a moment’s hesitation. She caught the whip mid-strike and stepped in front of Tang Suan to shield her.

Tang Suan slowly lifted her head and met Shen Chou’s gaze. Weakened by her injuries, she tilted her head and collapsed.

Fortunately, Lian’er caught her.

Father Tang, seeing Shen Chou’s sudden appearance, pointed at her angrily. “Who are you? How dare you trespass in the General’s Residence!”

Shen Chou turned her head, her expression furious.

Behind Father Tang, Tang Yi’s face paled instantly, her heart pounding with dread.

“What’s going on? I ordered her to be stopped. How did she get in here?”

Father Tang panicked, his voice trembling, “So it’s Ning’an Commandery Princess…”

Shen Chou’s expression was dark and unyielding as she gazed at Father Tang.

Grand General Tang was renowned for his unwavering integrity and military prowess. His battlefield victories and upright character had earned him widespread respect and even the Emperor’s admiration.

What a bitter irony, Shen Chou thought. A man who claims to love his daughter yet repeatedly chooses to humiliate her in public.

When Shen Chou remained silent for an extended moment, Father Tang cautiously asked, “May I inquire as to the purpose of the Commandery Princess’s sudden visit to the General’s Residence?”

His words ignited Shen Chou’s fury. Memories of his treatment of Tang Suan burned like a raging fire in her heart.

“I’m here today solely for Tang Suan.”

Father Tang’s gaze fell upon the unconscious Tang Suan, whom Shen Chou shielded behind her. He instantly understood her intentions.

Having weathered countless storms on the battlefield, Father Tang quickly regained his composure. Gripping the family discipline rod, he addressed Shen Chou, “Tang Suan has erred. I am merely disciplining her to prevent future transgressions. This is a matter within the General’s Residence; I trust the Commandery Princess will refrain from interfering.”

“Oh?” Shen Chou glanced at him, unimpressed. “And what if I choose to interfere today? What right do you have to lecture me, a Commandery Princess?”

Her voice suddenly sharpened, startling everyone present with the abrupt shift in her demeanor.

What’s gotten into Shen Chou? they wondered. She used to despise Tang Suan more than anyone. Could falling into the water have damaged her brain? Not only is she constantly protecting Tang Suan, but now she’s even willing to defy Master Tang for that little harlot?

Tang Yi’s mother watched Shen Chou’s fierce defense of Tang Suan, her heart twisting with resentment.

Seeing Shen Chou completely disregard him, Father Tang’s face darkened. His gaze turned icy as he glared at her. “Commandery Princess, you should choose your words carefully. While my status may not match your noble rank, I am still the Grand General personally appointed by the Emperor. Moreover, I am a close friend of your father.”

Shen Chou listened quietly, showing no reaction. When he finished, she sneered coldly. “I’m well aware of that,” she retorted. “But as both a Grand General and a father, I ask you: have you fulfilled even a shred of your paternal responsibilities?”

Her voice grew more impassioned with each word, giving Father Tang no chance to defend himself.

“You keep saying Tang Suan committed a crime, and you ruthlessly punished her with family discipline, whipping her until she was covered in wounds. What a cruel heart you have! You’re unworthy of being called a father!”

“A wrong is a wrong, and punishment is deserved. Even the emperor is subject to the same laws as commoners!” Father Tang retorted, unable to endure Shen Chou’s accusations any longer.

Shen Chou sneered. “And what exactly was her crime?”

“She disrespected my mother…” Tang Yi began, but both Shen Chou and Father Tang glared at her fiercely, silencing her immediately. Internally, she couldn’t help but think that Tang Suan deserved to be beaten to death.

“So, merely for talking back, you would beat her to death?” Shen Chou’s gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Father Tang’s ashen face with a derisive laugh.

Father Tang already felt guilty toward Tang Suan. Shen Chou’s mockery only deepened his silence. This time, he didn’t even attempt a reply.

“General Tang, as Tang Suan’s father, you’ve neglected your own daughter, allowing others to harm her. You rush in, scolding her without even understanding the situation, and threaten her with family discipline if she resists. I’ve never seen a father like you. You may be a good general to the people, but you’re certainly not a good father to Tang Suan! Your so-called protection is only pushing her further into the abyss. Do you think Tang Suan will thank you for this? No! If I were her, I would only resent you more, never forgive you, and never reconcile with you!” Shen Chou declared, her voice ringing with conviction.

“You…” Father Tang stared at Shen Chou in shock, unable to believe she would dare speak to him like that.

Yao Manman watched from the sidelines, suddenly recalling the moment the blackened Protagonist had killed her. Even then, she had clung to a sliver of hope, believing the Protagonist wouldn’t actually kill her.

But she was wrong. The Protagonist not only killed her but also defiled her corpse, indulging in nightly debauchery with her body. Yao Manman watched from the shadows, her heart aching with unspeakable sorrow and bitterness.

She understood that only self-salvation could bring redemption, yet she repeatedly yearned for someone else to rescue her. She longed to be pulled away from the edge, yet time and again she found herself sinking back into the depths.

*********

Torn by conflicting emotions, she simultaneously hoped the Protagonist wouldn’t hate her and wished she would hurry up and kill her.

Fortunately, she had finally come to a decision: she was leaving this world. Before, she had thought that since no one outside cared about her anyway, she might as well stay here forever, until the Protagonist killed her and the mission failed. But now, she suddenly longed to escape, no longer willing to endure this endless cycle of repetition.

Life outside might still be dull and monotonous, but it would be better than ever seeing that person again.

That person was Tang Zhuxin.

Zhuxin was Tang Suan’s courtesy name. Tang Zhuxin was the blackened version of Tang Suan. Though they were the same person, their personalities were polar opposites. One was kind-hearted and unwavering in her devotion, while the other was ruthless, decisive, and merciless.

After marrying Li Changsheng and becoming the Crown Prince’s Secondary Consort, Tang Zhuxin’s first act was to slaughter Tang Yi, Xu Jinhui, and their families. Later, she helped Li Changsheng ascend the throne, only to murder him herself, ultimately becoming the Empress Regnant, revered by all.

And so, Yao Manman watched as Tang Zhuxin followed the path she had designed for her, step by step growing stronger until her position became unassailable.

Then, with a smile, Tang Zhuxin personally plunged a dagger into Yao Manman’s abdomen.

It would be a lie to say she felt no sorrow. After all, she was being killed by the child she had raised with her own hands.

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