The Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Farm [Transmigration] - Chapter 21

The dark figure inside was Xie Yucheng.

When Gao Luoshen heard those three words from Gao Chun’s mouth, she could no longer pretend everything was fine. Her gaze sharpened, no longer her usual arrogant self or the submissive demeanor she held when facing the book’s protagonist. Her eyes, like sharp needles, pierced Gao Chun’s face, which was blooming with a bright smile.

Has Gao Chun been smiling more lately? She doesn’t seem gloomy at all. A thought flashed through Gao Luoshen’s mind.

“Second Sister, I mean no harm,” Gao Chun said, sensing Gao Luoshen’s wariness. She softened her tone and blinked, as if discussing something completely ordinary. “Xie Yucheng has gone too far. He needs a lesson, and your methods aren’t strong enough.”

Gao Luoshen flinched at the word “methods,” her mind instantly picturing the “Ten Horrible Tortures.” A shiver ran down her spine. Could Gao Chun, this black-hearted flower, actually do something like that? She frowned in thought for a moment before covering her mouth and coughing a few times, feigning confidence. “How do you know I don’t have my own ways of dealing with him?”

Gao Chun shook her head and gently took Gao Luoshen’s hand. It was clear Gao Luoshen had done the deed herself; there was a striking red mark on the back of her hand. Gao Chun’s fingertips trailed lightly over the spot, and she said slowly, “You don’t have to get your own hands dirty for this kind of thing.”

At Gao Chun’s touch, Gao Luoshen’s hairs stood on end. It took her a moment to collect herself before she snatched her hand back and hid it in her sleeve. Doesn’t Gao Chun realize how weird that was? What is she thinking? A thousand words were stuck in her throat, her heart’s rhythm was a mess, and all she could do was blush and offer a halfhearted, “I’ll be more careful next time.”

The gathering of young ladies and gentlemen was held at the Princess’s Qu Shui Garden. It wasn’t far from the courtyard where the incident had just happened. When Gao Luoshen and Gao Chun arrived, they found most of the guests had already gathered, though the main seats were still empty, and it was unclear if the Prince and Princess would make an appearance. The young noblemen, who were experts in everything from cockfighting to horse racing to cricket fighting, behaved themselves in front of the young ladies, pretending to be refined and cultured.

Gao Luoshen watched their affected behavior and the words “massive matchmaking event” immediately came to mind. Her gaze swept over each person, her initial surprise fading until only a calm composure remained.

“Where did you go? You disappeared in the blink of an eye,” Pei Qingyun asked in a low voice, tugging on Gao Luoshen’s sleeve as she sat down. She had been with Gao Luoshen and had watched Gao Chun leave, but then in another moment, this mistress was gone too.

“It’s nothing,” Gao Luoshen replied, glancing at Pei Qingyun before asking, “Did they say anything?”

Pei Qingyun dropped her smile and said softly, “Young Master Qi isn’t here either.”

Gao Luoshen instantly understood her meaning. There were rumors all over the capital that she was chasing after Qi Wei, and their simultaneous absence would only fuel speculation. The fact that she had arrived with Gao Chun, however, likely spared her from some gossip. Gao Luoshen lowered her eyes, holding a jade cup. She could feel many eyes on her, but she didn’t care. She even looked up and flashed a defiant smile at the rude onlookers.

“What about Chang Yingxue? Why isn’t she here?” Gao Luoshen asked idly. Did the previous incident make her too ashamed to come out? That’s not like her. She’s the type to show up and put on an act, especially for events like this. Without her rival, Gao Luoshen felt a sense of boredom and emptiness. She lifted her head, her gaze wandering aimlessly, until Qi Wei arrived in a hurry from a distance, and she quickly looked away.

“I just saw her,” Pei Qingyun said, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Qi Wei. She took over the conversation and cautiously placed her elbow near Gao Luoshen, afraid she might do something improper because of him. It was then that Gao Chun, who had been sitting on Gao Luoshen’s other side seemingly lost in thought, suddenly chimed in, “Do you know who Chang Yingxue’s mother is?”

Who? Gao Luoshen was clueless; she hadn’t paid attention to such trivial details.

Pei Qingyun raised her eyebrows in surprise. She leaned closer and whispered into Gao Luoshen’s ear, “The Xie family in the palace and Chang Yingxue’s mother are cousins.” The Xie family in the palace naturally referred to the Consort Mother of Princess Changle, who, having only one daughter, didn’t have a strong presence outside the palace.

Gao Luoshen heard this and first looked at Gao Chun, who was a picture of calm and composure, which only fueled her frustration. Xie Yucheng’s surname is also Xie. Marquis Mingyuan, Xie Tang, and that palace consort are also cousins, but only the Marquis’s branch is the main line. Was Gao Chun implying that the previous incident was somehow connected to both Chang Yingxue and Xie Yucheng?

“With the main players not even here, what’s the point of this banquet?” Gao Luoshen spun the wine cup in her hand, speaking in an unconcerned manner. She glanced at Su Mingjing, who was now putting on an act of a proper noble lady, though her anxious, darting eyes betrayed her true thoughts.

Pei Qingyun quietly added, “How can we possibly fathom the thoughts of the imperial family?”

Gao Luoshen secretly agreed. Indeed, everyone at this banquet was acting like a monkey on display, but what could they do when an imperial decree came down? And as for the mysterious members of the imperial family, wasn’t there one right beside her? This one was a master of disguise, and no one had noticed her yet. I wonder if my own father played a big role in that? Gao Luoshen thought, sneaking a look at Gao Chun and grumbling to herself. Gao Chun, in turn, caught Gao Luoshen’s odd stare and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

A winding stream meandered through the Qu Shui Garden. It wasn’t very wide—you could cross it in a single step—and the small stones lining its banks added to the picturesque scene. In the past, scholars and poets would gather here, composing verses and floating wine cups down the stream, and this time was no different. As soon as the second madam of Princess Changle’s residence suggested it, many people agreed, and everyone rose to find a seat on the stones by the stream.

Luck was a fickle thing. Gao Luoshen didn’t think a wine cup would happen to stop in front of her. Given the choice between Pei Qingyun and Gao Chun, she immediately chose the spot closer to Gao Chun. She knew she couldn’t rely on her own luck, but clinging to Gao Chun seemed like a safe bet. The cups bumped and jostled their way down the gurgling stream, and each time one stopped, a chorus of sighs would follow. The self-proclaimed literati would grandly sweep their sleeves and compose a refined poem, while the more boorish ones would simply gulp down the wine with a laugh.

“How come we don’t see Miss Chang? I’ve heard so much about her talent; it’s a shame not to see her,” some loudmouthed young master said, and only then did everyone notice that Chang Yingxue was missing.

“Maybe Miss Chang went back home for something?”

“She came? I didn’t see her.”

For a moment, no one even cared about the wine cups in the stream, their attention now focused on Chang Yingxue.

“Maybe she got lost, just like Miss Gao and Young Master Qi? Someone should go look for her, right?” another voice filled with mockery and innuendo chimed in.

Gao Luoshen frowned and looked at the person who spoke. It was an unfamiliar face, likely not the son of a high official, but rather a scholar who had managed to get in through connections and was now showing his true colors after a few drinks.

Gao Chun noticed Gao Luoshen’s gaze and said coolly, “That person is Su Mingyuan’s classmate.”

“What kind of filth have they let in here?” Gao Luoshen sneered, then shot a glare at Gao Chun. “You should stop hanging around with those people, or at least share half your brain with them so they don’t embarrass themselves here.”

“What do their antics have to do with me?” Gao Chun looked innocent, having been scolded for no reason. She, of course, didn’t know that Gao Luoshen had already mentally claimed Su Mingyuan as her person.

“Not yet, but they will eventually.” Gao Luoshen was still furious. She shifted her bottom, trying to put some distance between herself and Gao Chun, until her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Gao Luoshen froze and gave Gao Chun an angry glare, muttering, “What on earth is the meaning of this public touching?”

Gao Chun gave a helpless smile, her lips murmuring softly, “Second Sister, don’t be mad at me.”

Gao Luoshen’s face flushed. I’m this old, and I’m being treated like a child by someone younger than me? Have I no dignity? She let out a silent huff, pulled her hand back, and tucked it behind her, refusing to speak.

No one else noticed their small exchange. Just as people were about to go look for Chang Yingxue, she and a young servant girl came rushing over. Her steps were hurried, her face flushed, and her hair was damp with sweat, clinging to her forehead. Her reddish eyes held a mix of shame and hatred. In a soft, breathless voice, she said, “I’m late,” and found an empty spot to sit down. Her eyes, like daggers, immediately landed on Gao Luoshen.

“I think Chang Yingxue hates me now,” Gao Luoshen said, no longer upset with Gao Chun. She simply curled her lips into a smile, speaking nonchalantly. Her expression showed no sign of distress, but rather a hint of mischievous amusement at having found something interesting to watch.