The Vicious Female Supporting Character and The Sadistic Heroine Got Together [Through the Book] - Chapter 49

On a clear, sunny day, Tang Suan, the Empress Regnant of Yun State, strolled through the Imperial Palace’s Imperial Garden.

Clad in magnificent empress regalia, her every glance and gesture radiated an unconscious air of regal authority. She walked ahead, while the palace attendants followed respectfully behind, heads bowed in deference.

As Tang Suan strolled along the cobblestone path, she admired the vibrant flowers and lush greenery lining her way. When she reached a flowering tree, she suddenly stopped.

She gazed up at the towering tree, its branches laden with small white blossoms that stirred a sense of familiarity within her. She remembered Shen Chou had once given her similar flowers.

But more importantly, Tang Suan recalled the approaching end of her three-year exile. It was time to return.

When Emperor Li banished her, he had stipulated a three-year term. After that, she would no longer be considered a criminal and could once again set foot in the capital.

After inquiring with a palace maid and calculating the time herself, Tang Suan realized she had just over a month before she could return to the Li Dynasty.

This time, she would reclaim everything that was rightfully hers.

Meanwhile, in the Li Dynasty, Shen Chou strolled through the bustling streets, her personal maid trailing behind her.

Three years had passed—a span neither long nor short. Much had transpired during that time. Li Changsheng had finally achieved his ambition, becoming Crown Prince and marrying Tang Yi as his Secondary Consort.

Shen Chou had also heard that Tang Suan had ascended the Throne, becoming the Empress Regnant of Yun State. However, Emperor Li remained unaware that this new ruler was Tang Suan; he only knew that Yun State had a new emperor.

In these three years, aside from their brief encounter that night, Shen Chou had seen Tang Suan only once more. Tang Suan had disguised herself as a maid in Shen Chou’s household, staying by her side for a few days.

Since then, Shen Chou had never seen Tang Suan again, and her thoughts lingered on her constantly. Tang Suan was the only person she truly cared about in this world.

Calculating the time, Shen Chou figured Tang Suan should be returning soon. The first thing Tang Suan would do upon her return was seek revenge. Tang Suan’s successful vengeance would mark the completion of Shen Chou’s mission.

Yet this also meant her departure was imminent. Shen Chou had asked Yao Manman about her options, and Yao Manman had explained that she could choose to remain in the novel world or return to the real world.

Torn between these thoughts, Shen Chou felt deeply conflicted. She couldn’t decide whether to return to the real world or remain in the novel’s world.

She had considered staying with Tang Suan in the novel, but after careful reflection, she realized that the novel’s world was ultimately just that—a fictional realm. She didn’t truly belong there.

Yao Manman had also told her that she could not only bring Tang Suan to the novel’s world but also take her back to the real world.

Hearing this, Shen Chou had a new idea. She asked Yao Manman, “Couldn’t I just travel back and forth between the real world and the novel?”

Yao Manman was taken aback. She had never considered this possibility before.

“Perhaps you could try?” Yao Manman suggested.

As Shen Chou pondered this, she suddenly heard someone speak beside her. Turning, she saw it was Tang Yi.

Now the Crown Prince’s Secondary Consort, Tang Yi’s beauty and grace had only grown more radiant.

She wore a long pink gown, her ears adorned with pearl earrings, her skin delicate and fair as snow. Shen Chou gazed at her, her eyes shimmering with spring-like tenderness, her shoulders slender as if carved, her waist as supple as silk, her charm so delicate it seemed boneless. She outshone even the most vibrant flowers.

Even Shen Chou found herself momentarily distracted whenever she saw Tang Yi, let alone Li Changsheng. What Shen Chou couldn’t quite understand was Tang Yi’s remarkable composure.

Three years had passed, yet Tang Yi remained docile and showed no signs of making any moves.

Initially, Shen Chou had eagerly anticipated how Tang Yi would retaliate against Li Changsheng. She refused to believe Tang Yi harbored no resentment; she was certain Tang Yi must be plotting her revenge.

As expected, everything unfolded exactly as Shen Chou had predicted.

Tang Yi bowed to Shen Chou. “Your humble servant greets the Crown Princess. May I ask what brings you here?”

Shen Chou quickly helped her up, glanced at the stall owner beside her, and smiled. “Nothing much, just browsing.”

Tang Yi replied, “What a coincidence! This humble one was just thinking of taking a stroll. Would you care to accompany me, Sister?”

Shen Chou initially wanted to politely decline, citing her intention to return home. But then she reconsidered. Better to see what Tang Yi is up to first, she thought. “Of course,” she said. “I could use some company.”

And so, the two women began walking together.

As they strolled, Tang Yi suddenly remarked, “If I recall correctly, it’s been over a month since you returned, Sister. I haven’t seen you in so long. I wonder how you’ve been?”

Shen Chou’s mind reeled with confusion at Tang Yi’s words. She couldn’t fathom what Tang Yi was up to.

Staring at Tang Yi’s retreating figure, Shen Chou said coldly, “Why bring this up? I remember Tang Suan was demoted because of your false accusations.”

Tang Yi turned back. “Crown Princess, please be mindful of your words. My sister’s demotion was entirely her own fault.”

Shen Chou scoffed, her anger rising. “Do you think I don’t know what kind of person you are? We both know perfectly well whether it was her fault or not. If you have some ulterior motive, why not just come out and say it?”

It was only then, as Shen Chou glanced around, that she realized she had unconsciously followed Tang Yi to a secluded spot.

Tang Yi leaned in close to Shen Chou’s ear and whispered, “Besides, even if I were responsible, I wasn’t the only one who brought Tang Suan to this state. If she seeks revenge, let her come. I, Tang Yi, will never back down. Just make sure she remembers there’s someone else involved when the time comes.”

Shen Chou stared at her in shock, a dawning realization forming in her mind. Tang Yi was planning to use Tang Suan to strike at Li Changsheng. What a cunning scheme.

Tang Yi, noticing Shen Chou’s shocked expression, smiled and said, “I’ve heard that Yun State has an Empress Regnant whose appearance closely resembles Tang Suan. I wonder what their relationship might be? Will I ever have the chance to see her true face?”

Is she trying to remind me that the Empress Regnant of Yun State is Tang Suan herself? Shen Chou thought.

Realizing this, she smiled back at Tang Yi and replied, “Secondary Consort, you jest. What do any of those matters have to do with me?”

“Whether they concern you or not, Crown Princess, you know the truth best. I have other matters to attend to and cannot continue accompanying you on your stroll. Please forgive me.” With that, Tang Yi turned to leave.

Shen Chou stopped her. “Wait. I don’t care what you meant by those words or what your motives are. I only want to tell you this: I don’t like being led by the nose. Remember that well.”

Tang Yi turned back with a smile. “I thank the Crown Princess for her reminder. I’ve already committed it to memory.”

“Good.”

However, Shen Chou never imagined that Tang Suan would openly return to the Li Dynasty under the guise of the Empress Regnant.

When Shen Chou heard that the Empress Regnant of Yun State would personally come to offer tribute, she felt restless throughout the banquet.

She had assumed Tang Suan would be cautious, concealing her imperial identity. Never could she have imagined Tang Suan would return to the Li Dynasty openly as its Empress Regnant.

Yet Shen Chou remained a disgraced official, and it was imperative to clear her name swiftly. More importantly, Li Changsheng and Tang Yi deserved to face justice for their crimes.

As Tang Suan entered the hall, Shen Chou was still drinking, staring blankly into her wine cup.

Only when Emperor Li announced, “Invite the Empress Regnant of Yun State to enter,” did Shen Chou instinctively glance toward the entrance.

Her casual glance met Tang Suan’s gaze. The woman standing before her now perfectly matched the Tang Suan she had imagined from the novel.

Dressed in golden imperial robes, Tang Suan wore a faint smile. Shen Chou watched as she approached, then walked past her.

Tang Suan bowed deeply. “Tang Zhuxin of Yun State greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy perfect health.”

Perhaps due to his drunken state, Emperor Li initially failed to recognize Tang Suan. When she stepped forward, he chuckled heartily. “Spare the formalities, Esteemed Minister. Rise quickly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Tang Suan replied. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

As she raised her head, Emperor Li narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her face for a long moment before belatedly realizing, “Why does your face seem so familiar? You look exactly like someone I used to know. Quick, someone tell me who she resembles!”

Emperor Li’s behavior had grown increasingly childish and erratic, his words often nonsensical, making others treat him like a child. This state had persisted for some time, and the Imperial Physicians had diagnosed him with an illness.

Yet Emperor Li stubbornly refused to acknowledge his condition, vehemently denouncing the physicians as quacks.

His words caused a stir among the court officials, who exchanged puzzled glances and whispered about the Emperor’s latest pronouncement.

After a moment, the Empress suddenly smiled, gently patting Emperor Li’s arm. “Your Majesty, have you forgotten?” she murmured softly. “Look closely. Doesn’t she resemble General Tang’s daughter, Tang Suan, exactly?”

The Empress’s reminder seemed to dawn on Emperor Li. He nodded repeatedly, gazing at Tang Suan’s face. “The Empress is right,” he declared. “The two of them do look remarkably alike.”

Hearing Emperor Li’s answer, the Empress gazed at him with a smile, but her eyes held not a trace of tenderness, only a chilling cruelty.

Emperor Li pointed at Tang Suan and asked, “Did you hear that? Even the Empress says you and Tang Suan look remarkably alike. Do you know what Tang Suan is to you?”

A hint of amusement flickered in Tang Suan’s eyes as she replied with a faint smile, “Of course I know her. Because I am Tang Suan herself.”

At these words, Emperor Li slammed his fist on the table in furious disbelief. “What? You’re Tang Suan? You’ve returned?”

Tang Suan nodded, her smile widening. “Indeed, I have returned.”

“Wait,” Emperor Li’s mind cleared in an instant. He pointed at Tang Suan. “I remember banishing you three years ago for bullying your own sister. By rights, you should have spent these three years in the place I ordered you to atone for your sins. How did you manage to find your mother?”

Tang Suan remained calm and unhurried. “Your Majesty, my purpose in coming here today is to reveal the truth about what happened three years ago. I never bullied my sister. Someone deliberately framed me.”

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