Oops! The Black Lotus Can't Be a Female Supporting Character - Chapter 7
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- Chapter 7 - A Woman's Life is Difficult
Chapter 7: A Woman’s Life is Difficult
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Having settled the unconscious Xiao Yanfei, Madam Yin and her daughter Xiao Luanfei sat down in the eastern room.
The head maidservant Ying Luo reported from the side, “Madam, Physician Li is coming to the mansion today to check on Grand Madam’s pulse for her well-being. Old Wang has already gone to fetch him.”
Madam Yin nodded and turned to her daughter, saying with a lingering fear, “Thank goodness your brother Ye’er is safe.”
When she heard about the green flower pollen in the incense ash earlier, her heart was on edge, and she was almost beside herself with fear.
Xiao Luanfei pursed her lips and spoke solemnly, “Mama Sun was too greedy; she dared to secretly replace second sister’s incense. Fortunately, brother Ye’er is lucky and didn’t suffer a great misfortune.”
Madam Yin made a gesture, and the other servants in the room quietly withdrew, leaving only Ying Luo.
Madam Yin‘s eyes gleamed with a hint of sharpness as she said, “Mama Zhao has also collected the incense that your second sister didn’t use. Lady Tian saw it and said that those were different from the incense ash in the incense burner, they are from Yixiang Pavilion.”
This season, the incense and agarwood were purchased at Yixiang Pavilion.
Xiao Luanfei, who had been learning how to manage the household’s offerings with Madam Yin lately, knew this matter very well.
Xiao Luanfei couldn’t help but cover her mouth and exclaimed, “Isn’t Mama Sun just making baseless accusations?’
Madam Yin fell silent for a moment.
It was obvious that if Mama Sun wanted to profit by secretly selling Xiao Yanfei’s offerings, they wouldn’t have sold only one, considering how bold they were to steal so many things from their master.
“Mother,” Xiao Luanfei nervously grabbed Madam Yin‘s sleeve, and her palms were slightly cold.
Madam Yin snorted, “Your mother is not foolish.”
“There is no concrete evidence for this matter, and Mama Sun is sticking to her story. Even if I investigate further, I won’t make any progress, and it will only lead to a confrontation with Marquis.
Some days ago, the emperor ordered all noble houses to prepare for the title conferral ceremony, and now the whole capital is watching every noble house.”
Madam Yin continued to advise her daughter, “As long as people are alive, debts can be settled slowly. When your younger brother’s title conferral is official, we can still settle the score.”
She sighed again, “It’s just a pity for your second sister; she has really been mistreated.”
Xiao Yanfei has been avoiding them since childhood, and Concubine Cui always acted as if she were afraid she would harm them, so Yin Shi didn’t pay much attention to Xiao Yanfei’s affairs, after all, Concubine Cui was her birth mother, and she wouldn’t mistreat her daughter.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yanfei had suffered so much for so many years under the hands of a cunning slave.
Madam Yin shook her head.
“Mama Sun is taking advantage of Second Sister’s softness, making her even more arrogant,” Xiao Luanfei casually handed Madam Yin a cup of tea.
Madam Yin took a sip of the hot tea and continued, “Your second sister needs to toughen up a bit. She’s of marriageable age now, and her success in her future family will depend on her own efforts.”
Setting down the tea cup, Madam Yin gently touched Xiao Luanfei’s soft hair and looked at her daughter with a tender gaze, as if her eyes were about to shed tears. “Luan’er, in this world, a woman’s life is difficult, and it won’t be the same as it is now when you’re in your husband’s family.”
“Mother hopes that you and your sisters can all find good husbands and live a good life in the future.”
While speaking, Madam Yin‘s expression became even softer, but a hint of bitterness flashed in her eyes, only to disappear in an instant, returning to her usual elegance and dignity.
“Luan’er, in the future, take your second sister out more. Your maternal grandmother used to say that girls shouldn’t always stay at home; they can be easily bullied.”
“Alright.” Xiao Luanfei affectionately leaned against Madam Yin‘s shoulder, playing with the handkerchief in her hand. “I’ve already promised Ning Shu, the County Princess, that we’ll go to Cuiwei Mountain for an outing on the fifteenth day of the third month. By then, Second Sister should have recovered, and I’ll take her with us for some fresh air.”
“Would you like me to prepare anything for you?” Madam Yin looked at her daughter with affection.
Xiao Luanfei clung to Madam Yin‘s arm and pouted playfully, “I want to use your carriage. Your carriage is the most comfortable.”
“Of course, my dear.” Madam Yin agreed with a smile. “I’ll also have the kitchen prepare some of your favorite snacks.”
“Mother, you’re so kind!” Xiao Luanfei said sweetly, her smile radiant.
The young girl stood tall and elegant, like a bright red peony, both vibrant and gracefully poised.
As she gazed at her beloved eldest daughter, Madam Yin‘s heart softened, and her expression was warm and full of love.
“Madam.”
In the tranquil and cozy atmosphere, a maidservant announced from outside, “Madam, Physician Li has arrived.”
Xiao Luanfei got up and said, “Mother, I’ll also go see my second sister.”
Physician Li, who had a youthful appearance despite his white hair, quickly came to greet Madam Yin and accompanied her and her daughter to the Jade Silk Cabinet in the West Warm Pavilion.
The young maidservant who had been serving by Xiao Yanfei’s bedside tactfully stepped aside, giving her place to Physician Li.
“Let me first check your sister’s pulse,” Physician Li said as he approached the bed with a medicine box in hand.
The elderly doctor’s deep and weathered voice entered Xiao Yanfei’s ears as she lay with her eyes closed on the bed.
Xiao Yanfei’s eyelids felt heavy, and though she tried to open them, she couldn’t.
In a daze, she felt the maidservant lift a corner of the thin blanket, revealing her wrist, and then the doctor’s somewhat rough fingers touching her pulse.
The surroundings fell silent for a moment, and then Physician Li spoke slowly, “The second young lady of this noble house has contracted a wind-cold, causing the closure of her defensive Qi. In addition to her inherent weakness, insufficient vital energy and blood, and kidney and spleen deficiencies…”
Physician Li’s elongated voice sounded like he was reciting a scripture, and it only made Xiao Yanfei even more drowsy.
Her consciousness drifted far away, and she soon fell asleep again…
When she woke up, it was already dusk, and she was awakened by hunger. Her stomach was not the only thing empty; her heart felt empty too. The dream’s images felt incredibly real, as if she had lived through them as the original owner.
Madam Yin didn’t send Xiao Yanfei back to her room. Instead, she had a nourishing porridge and chicken soup delivered and arranged for her to stay in the main hall for the night.
Xiao Yanfei diligently focused on her recovery, avoiding sinking into negative emotions. She took the opportunity to organize the contents of her medical kit, rearranging them and placing commonly used medicines on the top layer for easy access.
When she saw the unopened box of cold medicine, she froze in disbelief. She was certain she had opened the box and taken two pills from one of the blister packs, but now…
She took out the cold medicine again, opened the box, and was surprised to find that both blister packs inside were completely intact, not a single capsule missing.
It had become a complete box of medicine again, as if no one had ever touched it.
Thump, thump!
Xiao Yanfei’s heartbeat accelerated, not out of nervousness but excitement.
She had been cautious, taking two cold pills and some cough syrup.
That night, the medicine box and bottles returned to the first aid kit showed no change, but after a day and night, both the cold medicine and cough syrup had returned to their original, unopened state.
This was truly a moment witnessing a miracle!
Xiao Yanfei was in a great mood and couldn’t help but want to hug her precious first aid kit and give it a big kiss.
Feeling good, well-fed, and rested for two days, her body had fully recovered. It was then that Xiao Luanfei came excitedly, saying she wanted to take her to Cuiwei Mountain for an outing.
When Xiao Luanfei appeared, scenes from her dreams involuntarily flashed in Xiao Yanfei’s mind.
In that dream, if it weren’t for Xiao Luanfei’s sudden appearance, the original owner could have lived a good life in Jizhou even if she were driven out of the Huo mansion.
It was Xiao Luanfei who had ruined the peace the original owner had so hard to obtain, and in the end, she gained a reputation for “upholding justice by eliminating her own kin.”
Why did it have to be this way!?
“Younger sister?” Xiao Luanfei called out to Xiao Yanfei when she noticed her silence.
Xiao Yanfei had been longing for a chance to go out. She composed herself and gently agreed.
Cuiwei Mountain was located on the western outskirts, just over ten miles from the capital city. At the foot of the mountain was a lake, and the scenery was beautiful.
It was March, and the season of blooming flowers. The fresh air outside was mixed with a faint floral fragrance.
When their carriage arrived at Cuiwei Mountain, it was not yet noon, and two carriages were already waiting at the foot of the mountain.
Two beautiful young ladies came towards them with cheerful faces.
“Luanfei, you finally made it!” Ning Shu, the County Princess, affectionately linked her arm with Xiao Luanfei’s.
She exudes nobility and, in her gaze, carries the pride of a woman of high status.
Xiao Luanfei warmly greeted them and gracefully introduced both sides, saying, “This is my younger sister, Yanfei.”
“Yanfei, this is Princess Ning Shu and Lady Lu San.”
Princess Ning Shu and Lady Lu San only gave a faint glance at Xiao Yanfei and courteously exchanged greetings.
Both of them had smiles in their eyes, but there was also a sense of distance.
They knew that the Marquis of Wu’an’s wife had only one son and one daughter, which meant Xiao Yanfei was likely a concubine-born daughter.
In the circle of noblewomen in the capital, there was a clear distinction between legitimate daughters and concubine-born daughters, with an insurmountable gap. They could interact, but often wouldn’t become close.
“Sister Luanfei, you’re even later than me today!” Lu San exclaimed in surprise.
Princess Ning Shu rolled her eyes and said in a coquettish tone, “Lady San, you’re in no position to say that; you’re late nine out of ten times!”
Xiao Luanfei explained with a smile, “My younger sister has just recovered from a serious illness, and I was worried she might get motion sickness, so I had the carriage go slower.”
Princess Ning Shu cast a sideways glance at Xiao Yanfei and muttered, “So delicate.”
Xiao Yanfei smiled gently, looking fragile.
It was her first time riding in a carriage, and she wasn’t quite used to it.
“It’s almost noon,” Princess Ning Shu urged in a sweet and coquettish voice. “Let’s hurry up the mountain. I heard the incense at West Forest Temple is very good, and the safety amulets there are especially effective. If we go too late, we might not get one.”
Lu San asked, “Shouldn’t we wait for Gu Yue?”
Princess Ning Shu shook her head, “No need to wait. She sent someone to tell me yesterday that she won’t be coming today.”
She wrinkled her delicate nose and muttered, “There are willow seeds and grass bits flying everywhere, and there are so many insects. These monks really have no sense of aesthetics. Why did they choose such a place to build a temple?”
As she spoke, she blocked her mouth and nose with a round fan embroidered with butterflies and flowers in disgust. The jade fingers holding the handle of the fan were dyed with bright red lipstick, which complemented the red coral bead flowers she wore in her hair.
“She’s not in the mood to come out and play right now. I heard Duke Weiguo’s illness has worsened these past few days…” Xiao Luanfei sighed, and the long pearl tassels on her dangling earrings swayed gently.
When they mentioned the “Duke Weiguo,” Xiao Yanfei, who had been gazing at Cuiwei Mountain, suddenly became focused.
Duke Weiguo was seriously ill, and the Madam of Duke Weiguo had come to the mansion specifically to “see her”?
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Translated By: Allthingsfluff