Oops! The Black Lotus Can't Be a Female Supporting Character - Chapter 12
- Home
- Oops! The Black Lotus Can't Be a Female Supporting Character
- Chapter 12 - Yiniang, You Take Care
Chapter 12: Yiniang, You Take Care
?•~???~•?
“Yiniang.”
Xiao Yanfei gently called out and walked slowly to the side of Concubine Cui.
“Yan’er, you’re back. Come over here to Yiniang.” Concubine Cui warmly pulled Xiao Yanfei to sit on the arhat bed and casually put down the Buddhist scriptures she was holding.
Noticing that Xiao Yanfei was holding a few books, Concubine Cui’s gaze turned to the book covers. “Are these medical books?”
Xiao Yanfei nodded.
“You’re studying medicine?” Concubine Cui’s beautiful face showed a pleased smile. “Yiniang knows you’re smart, you can learn anything quickly.”
“In the future, if I have a headache or fever, Yan’er can take a look for me.”
Concubine Cui smiled softly.
Xiao Yanfei pursed her lips and smiled faintly, not saying a word. She neither agreed nor refused.
Xiao Yanfei’s somewhat distant appearance made Concubine Cui feel a momentary sense of unfamiliarity with the young girl before her.
Concubine Cui cautiously asked, “Yan’er, are you still blaming me for what happened to Mama Sun?”
Her gentle voice contained a hint of choking, and her eyes rapidly filled with tears, as if the rain was falling on pear blossoms, pitiful and touching.
Without waiting for Xiao Yanfei to respond, Concubine Cui continued, “Mama Sun served you for over a decade, always devoted and wholehearted. I never expected her to change like this… Yan’er, why didn’t you tell me earlier? If you had, I would have certainly punished Mama Sun properly. You wouldn’t have suffered all these years in vain.”
Her eyes were full of love, as if Xiao Yanfei was as precious as life itself.
“……” Xiao Yanfei couldn’t help but shiver.
With just a few words, Concubine Cui had distanced herself from her. It’s no wonder she used to pamper the original owner to the point of being willing to do anything for her.
Suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, Xiao Yanfei mimicked the original owner’s tone and said softly, “I don’t blame you, Yiniang.”
“That’s good,” Concubine Cui smiled with relief.
She took Xiao Yanfei’s right hand and said affectionately, “Yan’er, next time, I’ll carefully choose a new housekeeper for you.”
Xiao Yanfei lowered her eyes.
In everyone’s eyes, Concubine Cui cared for her, loved her, and considered everything for her daughter. But in reality, other than saying things like “You are my precious,” “I can give up my life for you,” and “Yiniang only wishes for your well-being,” Xiao Yanfei couldn’t recall a single instance where Concubine Cui had truly protected the original owner.
Even after she arrived in this world, Concubine Cui didn’t come to see her, not even once. Even the main house had sent various supplements like bird’s nest, snow fungus, and fruits.
Xiao Yanfei looked at Concubine Cui’s face and felt like she was wearing a mask, full of insincerity.
She slowly pulled back her hand and said softly, “Mother said she would choose a new housekeeper for me.”
Concubine Cui’s smile froze for a moment, just a brief moment that would go unnoticed if Xiao Yanfei hadn’t been observing her expressions.
“Yan’er,” concubine Cui gently brushed a strand of Xiao Yanfei’s hair away from her forehead, her eyes dark and enigmatic, “Fortunately, you’ve grown up now. Grand Madam has found a perfect match for you, and even Grand Madam is starting to value you.”
A perfect match? Xiao Yanfei’s eyes widened slightly, and her thoughts shifted away from Concubine Cui. She couldn’t help but think back to the day when the Grand Madam specifically asked her to visit the Madam of Duke Weiguo in the Ronghe Hall and the way the Madam of Duke Weiguo had scrutinized her as if assessing a commodity.
She felt as if she had been struck by lightning.
No… it can’t be?!
“Who…?” Xiao Yanfei struggled to utter two words, picturing a handsome and dangerous man in her mind.
“It’s the Marquis Heir of Duke Weiguo.” Concubine Cui furrowed her slender eyebrows, expressing her concern.
Xiao Yanfei’s mouth went dry, and she was nearly in a state of shock.
What terrible luck this is!
She couldn’t help but emphasize, “I am a concubine’s daughter.”
The Marquis Heir, Gu Feichi, the dignified heir of Duke Weiguo, couldn’t possibly marry a commoner, right?
Concubine Cui sighed, “The Duke has been seriously ill lately, and the Madam of Duke wants to find a girl with a good destiny to bring happiness.”
“The Prince is of noble birth, with extraordinary looks and talents. He is a dragon and a phoenix among men. The madam of Weiguo said it is a favorable match, but you’re just a concubine’s daughter. Would the Duke’s household really allow the Prince to marry a concubine’s daughter?”
Not only was it about bringing happiness, but it seemed like she was going to become a concubine for someone else. Xiao Yanfei didn’t know how to react, feeling like a sword was hanging over her neck.
Mama Shi chimed in, “Yiniang knows how difficult it is to be a concubine. How could she bear to let the miss suffer such injustice, being under someone’s thumb for life, and even the miss’ future children will have to bow their heads like Miss and Second Young Master.”
Mama Shi was referring to Concubine Cui’s biological son, Xiao Shuo.
Concubine Cui, with her attractive slender eyebrows, murmured, “Besides, what if the Duke… doesn’t make it?”
“Ever since your grandfather’s defeat all those years ago, the Marquis’ mansion fell out of favor with the Emperor. Even your father has been the target of his anger. Over the years, the Emperor has been cold toward your father, and the mansion is in a truly difficult situation.”
“Grand Madam has only one thought in her heart, which is to marry you off to the Duke and secure a good future for the Marquis’ family. With the Duke’s support, they can help your father find a good job.”
“But Yiniang is considering that if the Duke is still alive, it would be fine. You would reluctantly gain some reputation as a ‘lucky star,’ and the Duke’s household should acknowledge your contributions.”
“The worry is, what if the Duke were to die? Wouldn’t they blame you?”
“Yan’er, you must not agree to this marriage.”
“Grand Madam and Madam Yin only have the future of the Marquis’ family in their hearts, but they are willing to sacrifice your future…”
As she spoke, Concubine Cui gently swayed the tassel of the crimson gold and emerald butterfly hairpin in her hair, and her deep pupils shimmered twice.
She held Xiao Yanfei’s hand tightly, and a hint of moisture appeared in her eyes. Her expression was so sincere, as if she were wholeheartedly considering her daughter.
The room fell silent for a moment.
“I understand,” Xiao Yanfei stared deeply at Concubine Cui.
Concubine Cui raised her eyebrows and smiled, her smile was as gentle as a flower, and she spoke softly, “That’s good.”
The warm spring sunlight shone on her face, outlining her features, making her look gentle.
Concubine Cui’s voice became even softer, “Yan’er, as long as you are unwilling, Yiniang will immediately go to see Madam, and we will insist that she refuse this marriage proposal, no matter how unhappy it may make Madam. Yiniang is doing it all for you, for your future…”
“As long as you can live well, no matter what sacrifices Yiniang makes, it’s worth it.”
After saying this, she smoothed a strand of Xiao Yanfei’s hair at her cheek, and her gaze was filled with anticipation and a hint of anxiety, as if tears were about to fall but didn’t.
This look made Xiao Yanfei feel strangely familiar, and she almost said, “I’ll go talk to mother.”
In the past, every time Concubine Cui said something similar, such as “as long as you’re well, Yiniang is willing to endure any hardship” or “For you, Yiniang is not afraid to die,” the original owner would unhesitatingly shoulder any burden.
Whether it was not long ago when Concubine Cui broke the Guanyin statue, or three years ago when the original owner fell ill and Concubine Cui sent her to the countryside, or the harsh winter when she was ten years old, concubine Cui coaxed the original owner into giving her half of the charcoal, and the original owner fell seriously ill from the cold…
“Some things” had happened too many times from childhood to adulthood and had almost become an instinct in this body.
Xiao Yanfei pressed her lips together, forcefully changing the words that were on the tip of her tongue to just one word: “Hmm.”
The room fell silent once again, as if even the sound of breathing had stopped.
Xiao Yanfei, with her small face half lowered and her fingers twisting, could clearly feel that Concubine Cui’s hand on her left shoulder had become somewhat stiff.
She followed up on Concubine Cui’s previous words, saying, “You’ve worked hard, Yiniang.”
As she spoke, Concubine Cui’s hand slightly increased its grip on her delicate shoulder.
Xiao Yanfei’s mind cleared, and she raised her small face, continuing, “Yiniang, when I returned just now, I went to check on Mother, and she’s still in the main hall.”
Her bright eyes sparkled like two shining black gems, as if saying, “Yiniang, you can go now.”
“Elder sister is also there, and I think Mother is in a good mood today,” she added, indicating that the timing was just right.
Concubine Cui: “…”
Her graceful figure froze in place, like a stone sculpture.
The gentle spring breeze blew through the window, causing the Buddhist scriptures next to her to flutter rapidly as their pages turned.
After a moment, Concubine Cui could only slowly rise from the couch and move toward the outer room, her steps deliberately slow, her posture swaying.
She seemed to be waiting for something, walking slower and slower, her steps getting smaller.
When she reached the door curtain, Xiao Yanfei’s voice finally came from behind her: “Yiniang.”
Concubine Cui, who had just lifted a corner of the door curtain, immediately stopped in her tracks. A subtle expression of joy appeared at the corner of her rosy lips.
She turned her head to see the young girl on the couch, who was gazing at her intently, with her cherry lips slightly parted.
“Yiniang, you take care,” Xiao Yanfei only spoke these four words, without saying anything else.
“…,” Concubine Cui’s hand that was lifting the curtain trembled, and she walked out. The curtain fell heavily and swayed violently.
Mama Shi also turned to look at Xiao Yanfei for a moment and quickly followed Concubine Cui out of the room.
In the courtyard, green willows hung lightly, and locust trees provided shade. Specks of willow fluff floated in the wind, carrying a faint floral fragrance.
Concubine Cui walked slowly in silence, crossing the lush courtyard.
“Yiniang, take your time,” Hai Tang escorted her out of Moonrise Pavilion.
Concubine Cui walked a bit further and suddenly turned her head, gently brushing away a cluster of willow fluff that had landed on her shoulder.
When she looked up again, the warmth and tenderness on her face were all gone, replaced by a calm demeanor.
“Mama Shi ,” Concubine Cui walked slowly along a small stone path, “What do you think Yanfei is thinking?”
“Yiniang, Second Miss might have been frightened,” Mama Shi behind her said in a friendly tone.
Concubine Cui pinched the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
Just a while ago, Xiao Yanfei had always been gentle and respectful towards her, but Concubine Cui felt that something had changed. In the past, no matter what she said, Xiao Yanfei would always listen.
But today…
In Concubine Cui’s mind, the image of Xiao Yanfei’s clear and bright eyes surfaced, as if they could reflect everything, making her feel uncomfortable, both guilty and anxious.
After crossing a path of green stone slabs through a bamboo forest, Concubine Cui stopped and looked in the direction of Ronghe Hall.
She whispered, “Grand Madam values this marriage with the Duke Weiguo’s Family greatly and won’t easily agree, but Madam is naive. As long as Yanfei goes to plead with her, she will surely refuse Grand Madam.”
“In that case, Grand Madam will only blame Madam for being ignorant and ruining such a good marriage.”
“I didn’t expect…”
Unexpectedly, the girl Xiao Yanfei didn’t respond.
Usually, whenever she shed a tear with a choked voice, Xiao Yanfei would feel sorry for her and wish to shoulder everything for her.
“Yiniang,” the Mama Shi said after looking around to ensure there were no eavesdroppers, “Little Eunuch Liu is waiting for Yiniang’s response. This matter cannot be delayed.”
“Yes,” Concubine Cui sneered, “It’s rare that this girl has caught the eye of Eunuch Gao.”
As she spoke, her expression gradually darkened, like a cloud overshadowing the sky.
Mama Shi observed cCncubine Cui’s face and spoke candidly, “Little Eunuch Liu said that as long as Eunuch Gao can win the beauty, he will surely reciprocate.”
“Yiniang, rest assured, with Eunuch Gao’s intervention, the marriage of the eldest young lady will definitely succeed!”
Concubine Cui’s eyes flickered, and she tightly gripped the handkerchief in her hand, whispering, “I hope so.”
The Empress does not favor the Huo Mansion, and she is unwilling to issue the imperial decree for the marriage. There is no one in the Marquis’ residence who can speak on their behalf in front of the Emperor, but Grand Eunuch Gao is different.
Grand Eunuch Gao is a senior eunuch by the Emperor’s side, and as long as he speaks favorably, the marriage between the eldest young miss and the Crown Prince is almost certain.
Concubine Cui’s jet-black eyes shone with an exceptionally bright light.
Grand Madam valued both profit and reputation, and her preference was to gain advantages from the Duke’s residence’s marriage arrangements. If Xiao Yanfei insisted on causing trouble that would ruin the marriage proposal, Grand Madam, in her anger, would surely agree with Grand Eunuch Gao.
As for the concubine-born girl, when the time came, sending her over to Grand Eunuch Gao’s side and claiming it as a “fatal illness” to the public would suffice. This would please Grand Eunuch Gao and maintain the reputation of the Marquis’s household.
As for whether the concubine-born girl was truly dead or not, who would care!
Mama Shi’s eyes spun rapidly. “Yiniang, should you go and persuade the Second Miss again, discussing the ruthless deeds of ‘Gu Luosha’ with her? Second Miss will naturally become fearful once she knows.”
Concubine Cui slowly said, “Let me think about it.”
She bit her lip, and in that moment of turning a corner, she couldn’t help but look back in the direction of the Moonrise Pavilion, her eyes filled with malevolence.
Hello! If you’ve enjoyed the novel, I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a rating or review for this series here or on Novelupdates. Your feedback means a lot to me, and it helps others discover and enjoy the story as well. Thank you for your support! ??????> . <??????
Translated By: Allthingsfluff