The Vicious Female Supporting Character and The Sadistic Heroine Got Together [Through the Book] - Chapter 43

“Pavilion Master, you…” Cang Qinglan began, but Tang Suan immediately turned to look at her.

She quickly fell silent.

Tang Suan glanced at her and asked, “Were you about to ask who I plan to use the Concentric Gu on?”

Cang Qinglan hesitated before nodding.

Will she tell me? Or will she tell me to mind my own business? Cang Qinglan wondered.

Tang Suan gazed at the Concentric Gu in her hand and said, “I’ve heard that women typically use this Gu on the men they love. But what would happen if it were used on a woman?”

Cang Qinglan’s heart skipped a beat at this question.

Using the Concentric Gu on a woman? Could it be that the Pavilion Master’s beloved is a woman?

Under Li Changsheng’s intense gaze, Shen Chou couldn’t help but feel nervous and afraid. Even if she claimed to have overheard everything, what could Li Changsheng do to her?

On the other hand, if she tried to hide the truth, Li Changsheng might not believe her and might even become wary of her, making her future prospects even more precarious.

Thinking quickly, Shen Chou blurted out, “Your Highness, do you… do you like Tang Yi?”

As expected, Li Changsheng froze. “What makes you say that?” he asked.

Shen Chou’s eyes darted around, feigning hurt. “I overheard you telling Tang Yi earlier that you plan to take her as a secondary consort.”

Li Changsheng fell silent.

Shen Chou continued, “If Your Highness desires it, then marry her.”

Li Changsheng asked in surprise, “You don’t mind?”

Shen Chou blurted out instinctively, “Why would I mind?”

As soon as the words left her lips, she realized her mistake and found herself staring wide-eyed at Li Changsheng.

Unwilling to give up, Li Changsheng repeated, “You truly don’t mind?”

Why would I mind? I don’t even like you. Who you marry is none of my concern. Could this guy actually be falling for me? Shen Chou wondered inwardly.

She shook her head.

Seeing Li Changsheng’s unwavering gaze, Shen Chou was shocked. It seemed he really did have feelings for her.

Yet Li Changsheng’s concern for her opinion made her feel a little awkward.

“Why would I mind?” Shen Chou said. “Even if I did, would Your Highness listen to me? And even if you did, Her Majesty the Empress would still choose a suitable consort for you to ensure the imperial line continues.”

Li Changsheng paused before replying, “As long as you don’t mind, that’s all that matters.”

Shen Chou breathed a sigh of relief. This was the rational response she expected from someone as pragmatic as Li Changsheng.

Otherwise, his earlier distraught demeanor had made her feel strangely guilty, as if she owed him something.

Shen Chou thought for a moment, then added, “In a few days, it will be time to enter the palace. Your Highness and I will go together, and I’ll plead with Her Majesty the Empress to bestow Miss Tang Yi upon you.”

“Mm,” Li Changsheng nodded in agreement.

Tang Suan turned to Cang Qinglan, who stood looking uncertain and surprised. She spoke slowly, “You guessed correctly—it is indeed a woman. That’s why I wanted to ask you. The Concentric Gu has never been used on a woman before. If it were used on a woman, what would the consequences be?”

Cang Qinglan met Tang Suan’s gaze. “Pavilion Master, the Concentric Gu makes no distinction between men and women. The effects are the same regardless of the target’s gender. You can rest assured.”

Tang Suan held up the Concentric Gu, examining it closely. “Are you certain? You’re not lying to me?”

Before she could finish the question, Cang Qinglan immediately dropped to one knee, head bowed. “Pavilion Master, your subordinate would never dare deceive you.”

“Very well,” Tang Suan said, putting the Concentric Gu away. A cryptic smile played across her lips.

That night, the darkness was as deep as water.

A cool breeze rustled through the night as Shen Chou stood by the window, gazing out at the pitch-black silence. The bright moonlight bathed the ground in an ethereal, silvery glow.

After a long, wistful gaze, she sighed softly and quietly closed the window.

Lying in bed, Shen Chou tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She kept worrying about whether the letter she’d sent to Tang Suan a few days ago had reached her.

The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. She kicked her legs restlessly a few times before finally opening her eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Time slipped away unnoticed.

Suddenly, a cold gust of wind swept through the room, making Shen Chou shiver uncontrollably. She instinctively pulled the blanket tighter around herself.

She jerked her head up and noticed the window was open—she couldn’t remember opening it. Strange, I’m sure I closed it before bed. Am I just losing my mind?

Never mind, I’ll just close it again.

Shen Chou threw back the blanket and padded barefoot to the window. As she reached out to close it, she sensed someone behind her.

She whirled around, her voice sharp. “Who’s there?”

When no one appeared, she wondered if she was being paranoid. Why am I imagining things again tonight?

Then, a chilling laugh echoed through the room.

The sound sent a shiver down Shen Chou’s spine, her scalp tingling, every hair on her body standing on end. It was exactly like the laugh from her nightmares.

To be honest, Shen Chou was terrified that the next words she’d hear would be: Shen Chou, I’m waiting for you in hell.

Her body stiffened as she slowly turned around, only to see the woman smile wickedly at her. “Shen Chou, long time no see.”

When Shen Chou finally recognized her face, she froze in shock. “Tang Weiyu?”

Tang Suan raised an eyebrow, then smiled. She hadn’t expected Shen Chou to mistake her for that person so quickly.

But this made things much more interesting.

Lately, that person had been appearing less and less frequently, and for shorter periods. Yet Tang Suan had gradually developed a strange delusion, often feeling as if she truly was Tang Zhuxin.

Dressed in black, Tang Suan looked even more imposing under the candlelight. Reeking of intoxicating wine, she suddenly lunged toward Shen Chou like a gust of wind.

Startled by her sudden movement, Shen Chou stumbled back a step. After regaining her balance, she heard Tang Suan say, “It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Shen Chou stood on tiptoe, looking directly into her eyes. “That’s none of your concern. Without your death threats hanging over me, I’ve been living like royalty—the kind of comfort you can only dream of!”

Tang Suan smiled at Shen Chou’s words, but the moment she lowered her head, her expression twisted into a mask of venomous fury. Her eyes, hidden from Shen Chou’s view, burned with malice. She hadn’t realized Tang Weiyu had threatened Shen Chou with death. No one is allowed to harm Shen Chou, not even another version of myself.

A second later, Tang Suan lifted her head.

Seeing Tang Suan raise her head, Shen Chou felt a pang of fear. She didn’t know how Tang Zhuxin would punish her.

But just as her anxiety peaked, she saw Tang Zhuxin gazing at her with profound sorrow.

“Is that true? You’re truly happy to marry Li Changsheng?”

Shen Chou stared in bewilderment. What’s going on? Something feels off here.

Tang Suan, fully embracing her dramatic persona, continued relentlessly. “If I’d known this, I wouldn’t have come looking for you. I wouldn’t have burdened you with my presence.”

Shen Chou ventured cautiously, “Wait, are you Tang Suan right now?”

Tang Suan turned away, hiding the cunning smile that threatened to shatter her carefully cultivated image of aloofness and pride.

With her back to Shen Chou, she choked out, voice trembling with feigned tears, “What does it matter? In the end, I’m the one who deluded myself with false hope.”

Tang Suan had expected Shen Chou to follow her script, but when Shen Chou heard her confess to being Tang Suan, she threw herself into Tang Suan’s arms, overwhelmed with joy.

Caught off guard by the sudden embrace from behind, Tang Suan froze completely, afraid to move a muscle.

Shen Chou clung tightly to her, whispering, “A-Suan, you have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”

Yes, I know, Tang Suan thought silently, her fingers gripping Shen Chou’s cool hand.

“So,” Tang Suan asked, “why did you agree to marry Li Changsheng?”

Shen Chou blinked in surprise. “Huh?”

How did we end up back here again? Shen Chou was exasperated. It seemed Tang Suan was unaware of the full story. But how could she explain it properly?

Wait, I’ve got it! Just as Shen Chou had a sudden flash of inspiration, Tang Suan spoke again: “Have you heard of the Concentric Gu? If I implant it in you, I’ll never have to fear you leaving me again…”

Shen Chou’s eyes widened instantly, her mind flooded with questions.

Wait, is this still the calm and composed Tang Suan I know? How could she become so obsessively possessive, just like Tang Zhuxin?

When Shen Chou saw Tang Suan pull out the box, the thought of having a bug placed inside her made her skin crawl.

“A-Suan, wake up!” Shen Chou cried out. “How could I ever betray you? I was forced into all of this! Don’t you remember? I swore to protect you for life, and I’ll never break that vow. Besides, this is just a delaying tactic. I’m staying by Li Changsheng’s side to spy on him for you!”

At these words, Tang Suan paused and looked at her.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Chou quickly recounted the conversation she had overheard between Li Changsheng and Tang Yi that day.

As she spoke, Shen Chou realized something was wrong. She glared at Tang Suan and exclaimed, “So, A-Suan has learned to deceive me too! You never lost your memory, did you? That Concentric Gu was all a lie, wasn’t it? A-Suan, you’ve really gone bad.”

After her outburst, Shen Chou looked at Tang Suan with a wounded expression.

Seeing her pitiful, wronged look, Tang Suan felt a pang of tenderness and couldn’t bear to keep up the charade.

She reached out with her long arms and pulled Shen Chou into a tight embrace, comforting her. “I’m sorry, I was wrong. I’ll never do it again. Please forgive me, okay?”

Shen Chou burst out laughing, never imagining the day would come when Tang Suan would beg for her forgiveness.

Seeing Shen Chou’s tears turn to laughter, Tang Suan smiled along.

Shen Chou’s expression sobered, and she feigned hurt. “This is your only chance. If you ever scare me like that again, I won’t talk to you anymore.”

Tang Suan quickly raised her finger and swore, “Chou Chou, I swear to you, there won’t be a next time.”

“Good,” Shen Chou nodded, then added earnestly, “You also have to promise me you’ll take good care of yourself and never let yourself get hurt again. Otherwise, it’ll break my heart. And don’t keep it to yourself if someone bullies you—I’ll be so sad if you try to handle it alone.”

Tang Suan playfully flicked Shen Chou’s nose and chuckled, “You sound like a nagging old woman.”

“Are you even listening?” Shen Chou snapped, her anger flaring. “If not, forget it!”

Seeing Shen Chou’s anger, Tang Suan quickly softened her tone.

“Okay, okay, I’m listening! Is that enough?”

Shen Chou finally smiled through her tears.

“That’s better.”

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