The Vicious Female Supporting Character and The Sadistic Heroine Got Together [Through the Book] - Chapter 2

General’s Residence, rear courtyard:

A pond filled with vibrant pink lotus flowers lay within the courtyard. The lush green lotus leaves served as a striking backdrop, making the blossoms appear even more vivid. From a distance, the scene was a riot of color, a tapestry of crimson and purple blooms.

It was the height of summer, with a clear blue sky stretching endlessly above. Several willow trees lined the pond’s edge, their tender green branches drooping gracefully. The dense foliage blocked much of the sunlight, casting deep shadows across the ground.

In the cool shade beside the willow trees stood a smooth, rectangular stone. Atop it rested a full-bodied, black-lacquered guqin. A woman in white sat beside the instrument with her head bowed as she played.

Her skin was as pale as snow, her figure slender and delicate. Every movement exuded grace, her aura cool and ethereal. Three thousand strands of dark hair cascaded like ink over her shoulders, framing her face. Her long, curled lashes framed pale blue eyes that shimmered with a faint, otherworldly light.

Her lips were naturally crimson, needing no rouge. A pear blossom hairpin slanted through her high-swept bun, its long tassels brushing her cheek. Lustrous pearl earrings adorned her ears, and her fingers, resting on the guqin‘s surface, were slender and pale as scallions.

A small bridge arched over the pond, offering a clear view of several red koi carp swimming freely below. A figure hurried across the bridge, their expression frantic as they clutched layers of billowing skirts and dashed toward the woman in white beneath the trees.

“Miss, Miss, something terrible has happened!” Lian’er blurted out as soon as she stopped running. But she had rushed so frantically that she was out of breath and couldn’t even finish her sentence.

Hearing the commotion, the white-robed woman glanced up at Lian’er, her expression cold and impassive. Her hands stilled on the zither strings. With deliberate grace, she picked up a white porcelain teapot and poured a cup of water. Her jade-like hands offered the cup to Lian’er.

Lian’er paused, surprised by the cup before her, but quickly recovered. She accepted the cup from the white-robed woman, smiling gratefully. “Thank you, Miss.”

She lifted the cup and tilted her head back, draining the tea in one gulp.

The white-robed woman remained silent, her gaze fixed on Lian’er, her expression unreadable.

The tea was cool and refreshing, with a subtle medicinal aroma. As Lian’er drank, the oppressive heat seemed to dissipate instantly, leaving her feeling refreshed and invigorated. It was clear this was another of Miss’s meticulously crafted herbal teas, prepared during her leisure time while studying ancient medical texts.

Only after Lian’er had finished the tea and set down the cup did Tang Suan, the white-robed woman, finally speak.

“What did you say happened just now?” Tang Suan asked, handing Lian’er a handkerchief and pouring herself another cup of tea.

Hearing her mistress’s question, Lian’er hastily set down her teacup, took the handkerchief, wiped her mouth haphazardly, and replied, “Miss, Ning’an Commandery Princess has arrived.”

Tang Suan froze mid-motion, her teacup halfway to her lips.

At the mention of Shen Chou’s name, she frowned briefly before relaxing, taking a sip of tea as she asked, “Didn’t I say I was unwell and couldn’t receive guests?”

Before Lian’er could answer, a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Sister, you certainly have quite the airs! Even when a Commandery Princess comes calling, you dare feign illness to avoid her? Must she come personally to invite you?”

A woman in a pink phoenix-tailed skirt, her hair adorned with pearl hairpins and a round fan in her hand, strode toward Tang Suan, two maids trailing behind her.

Tang Suan set down her teacup, rose slowly, turned to face her half-sister, and said coldly, “What do you want?”

The unspoken message was clear: You’re not welcome here. Leave.

“To see my dear sister, of course!” Tang Yi replied, as if oblivious to the underlying meaning of Tang Suan’s words. She casually sat down opposite Tang Suan and gestured to the maid behind her to pour tea, acting as if she were the mistress of the house. Not content with this display, she raised her teacup and triumphantly waved it at Tang Suan, her face beaming with a radiant smile.

Whether it was Tang Yi’s audacity or the blinding brightness of her smile, a rare crack appeared in Tang Suan’s perpetually icy expression. A hint of displeasure flickered across her face.

Though the moment was fleeting, Tang Suan’s expression quickly returned to its usual impassivity. For Tang Yi, who had been eagerly anticipating this reaction, it was a moment of immense satisfaction.

Her lips curled into a subtle smile as she rose and leaned close to Tang Suan, pressing her face against her sister’s and whispering in a low voice, “Oh dear, is Sister angry?”

Tang Suan turned to glare at her, her voice cold as ice. “Are you finished?”

“Not at all,” Tang Yi replied. She reached out to tug at Tang Suan’s sleeve, but before her hand could make contact, Tang Suan swiftly retreated several steps, evading her touch. Tang Yi forced a dry laugh and lowered her empty hand. “Your little sister has so much to tell you, I doubt I’ll ever finish.”

“Tang Yi,” Tang Suan called her name, her voice devoid of emotion. “I don’t want to hear a word from you, let alone see you.”

“Tang Suan, you…” Tang Yi finally snapped. She clenched her fists, gritting her teeth in fury, her face burning with barely suppressed rage.

Before she could speak, Tang Suan gave her no chance, gliding past her with effortless grace.

Tang Yi’s outstretched hand was ruthlessly brushed aside. As Tang Suan passed, she accidentally bumped into Tang Yi, making her stumble slightly. A wave of humiliation washed over Tang Yi. She clawed at her hair, letting out a frustrated groan.

Her eyes rimmed with red, she watched Tang Suan’s retreating figure through the gaps between her fingers, her gaze burning with jealousy and hatred. Tang Suan, just you wait! One day, you’ll pay for this. I’ll have you dancing in the palm of my hand, and you’ll lose everything…

If Shen Chou, who had read the original novel, had witnessed this scene, she would have gasped in horror. After all, Tang Yi’s machinations played a significant role in Tang Suan’s tragic downfall in the story.

She envied Tang Suan, and the original owner of the body loathed her. Both desperately wished for Tang Suan to suffer as much as possible. As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Since their shared goal was to make Tang Suan’s life miserable, they became allies, frequently plotting in secret how to harm her. Over time, their collaboration deepened, and they eventually became close friends and sisters.

Tang Suan knew that Tang Yi had hated her since childhood. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have constantly targeted her, just like her mother. Although both were legitimate daughters, born to the general’s lawfully wedded wife, their treatment in public was worlds apart.

Tang Suan’s breathtaking beauty, ethereal grace, and aloof demeanor had earned her the title of “First Beauty of the Capital.” Her innate intelligence and beauty, combined with her mastery of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature, made her a celestial figure, even though she was unloved at home.

She was too exceptional, like the moon hanging high in the sky, seemingly unattainable. Or like the sun, radiating such dazzling brilliance that she was blindingly radiant.

It was precisely this brilliance that fueled the envy of so many, who longed to drag her from heaven to hell. Little did they know, she had already been living in hell all along…

As Tang Suan considered her circumstances—the hostility of those around her, her father’s indifference that left her to fend for herself, and the constant scheming and oppression from Tang Yi and her mother—her gaze grew increasingly icy.

She strolled slowly along the winding path through the rear garden, the scenery shifting around her. Lian’er followed anxiously behind.

In contrast to Tang Suan’s nonchalance, Lian’er appeared deeply worried. Recalling Tang Yi’s earlier words, she feared Tang Yi might harm her mistress again.

Yet Miss never seemed to take these matters to heart. Thinking of her mistress’s attitude, Lian’er couldn’t help but sigh. Suddenly looking up, she realized they weren’t heading toward the main hall at all.

“Miss!” Lian’er’s eyes widened as she blurted out, “Aren’t we supposed to meet the Ning’an Commandery Princess in the main hall?”

“Who told you I was going to see her?” Tang Suan replied without turning, her voice dripping with disdain.

“Ah?” Lian’er gaped in astonishment. But then she remembered how much her mistress loathed Shen Chou. It was strange; she had never seen Miss despise anyone so intensely. Even after all the malicious acts Tang Yi had committed against her, Miss had never shown such anger.

Lian’er had never understood why Miss hated Shen Chou so much. Could it be because they both admired the Fifth Prince? Li Changsheng, the Fifth Prince, was both handsome and talented, and his courteous demeanor closely resembled Miss’s own.

Moreover, the Fifth Prince had lost his mother at a young age and was later adopted by the Empress. Miss, too, had lost her mother in childhood, and her father’s attitude toward her had grown increasingly cold over the years. Both had endured exceptionally difficult lives, so it was no wonder they often found solace in each other’s company.

One lived deep within the palace walls, while the other was confined to her secluded chambers. Their paths would never have crossed were it not for a chance encounter: the Fifth Prince rescued Miss when she accidentally fell into the water. This marked their first meeting.

This scene was witnessed by Ning’an Commandery Princess Shen Chou, who had long harbored affection for the Fifth Prince and resented Miss. She not only made snide remarks about Miss but also intensified her hostility toward her.

Rumor had it that Miss Tang Yi and Ning’an Commandery Princess had been meeting frequently lately. Could they be plotting against Miss? Recalling Tang Yi’s harsh words earlier, Lian’er couldn’t help but feel a surge of fear.

Lost in thought, Lian’er suddenly bumped into Miss, who had abruptly stopped. As she prepared to apologize, Miss asked, “Lian’er, do you hear any sounds?”

“Hmm?”

Hearing Miss’s words, Lian’er immediately leaned in, listening intently. Soon, she detected a strange sound, likely the one Miss had mentioned.

As the surroundings grew quiet, the unfamiliar sound became remarkably clear and distinct.

Rustle… rustle… It seemed to be the sound of something rubbing against the wall.

The mistress and servant simultaneously looked up, just in time to see a pitch-black head emerge from the wall, followed by the rest of the person—a young woman by her attire. A proper young lady from a wealthy family would never engage in such undignified behavior. Could she be a thief? Had thieves become so brazen as to commit such acts in broad daylight?

Both held their breath, their eyes fixed on the sudden intruder, not daring to blink. Perhaps obscured by tree branches, the thief remained unaware of their presence.

The intruder wasn’t alone! Tang Suan noticed the figure on the wall mutter something near her feet before redoubling her efforts to climb higher.

After several struggles, she finally reached the top and prepared to descend via the adjacent peach tree. Victory seemed within reach, and a triumphant smile spread across her face. But then a cough erupted from below, startling her so badly that her foot slipped, sending her tumbling down with a terrified scream.

I’m done for, she thought frantically. I’m going to be smashed into a pulp!

Tang Suan had only intended to scare the audacious intruder, but she never imagined it would end like this. The person had fallen right into her arms.

When she saw the face of the person in her arms, Tang Suan’s face darkened. It was none other than Shen Chou.

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