The Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Farm [Transmigration] - Chapter 4

Gao Chun didn’t say a single word, but under the weight of her dark, steady gaze, Gao Luoshen felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment.

Back when she’d been a reader, she had disliked those noble ladies, and naturally she never got along with Su Mingjing. Being able to irritate Su Mingjing was, of course, a wonderful thing but that didn’t mean she wanted to drag Gao Chun away from her side. Wouldn’t it be better to leave the heroine and her future sister-in-law together, safe and sound?

Thinking this, Luoshen forced what she thought was a perfectly polite smile and said, “Gao Chun, why don’t you stay with Miss Su?”

Just don’t come with me.

But Gao Chun seemed oblivious to her meaning. Ignoring Su Mingjing’s stormy face, she repeated calmly, “I’ll return with you.”

Luoshen wavered, sneaking a quick glance at Gao Chun. At this moment, Gao Chun looked so pure, so virtuous—nothing at all like the ruthless, cold-hearted figure she would become later. If refusing her just once meant getting herself written down in the heroine’s little black book, the loss would outweigh the gain. After a long breath, Luoshen lifted her chin and said with arrogant pride, “Then let’s go.”

The Gao family’s eldest daughter might not enjoy the same favor at home as Gao Chun, but she was still the legitimate one, and most young ladies and gentlemen couldn’t afford to offend her. Naturally, she had always carried herself with a touch of arrogance.

“Chun’er—!” Su Mingjing stomped her foot in frustration, watching as Gao Chun turned away without a flicker of hesitation.

Gao Chun’s expression remained utterly calm. Even when she looked at Luoshen, her eyes were perfectly clear and unruffled. She only said lightly, “Let’s go.”

******

They hadn’t gone far down the street before Su Mingyuan caught up with them. He was every inch the graceful young lord, refined and elegant, the kind of man the book had described as a prodigy who could compose poetry at three and master prose at four. With a face as radiant as jade, he had earned the admiration of countless young ladies in the capital. Yet his heart was set firmly on Gao Chun alone.

When his eyes landed on Luoshen, his expression flickered with surprise. After all, not long ago his friend Qi Wei had returned dejected, complaining that Gao Luoshen had rejected him outright. Everyone in the capital knew the Gao family’s eldest daughter had gone off to live at a country estate, though because of the Duke’s household’s power, few dared speak of it openly.

“Miss Gao.” Su Mingyuan cupped his hands politely to both Luoshen and Gao Chun. It was impossible to tell which of them he was addressing.

Luoshen gave him a sidelong glance. Noticing that all his attention was on Gao Chun, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes skyward.

Even the male lead doesn’t end well, she thought. In the book, he became the emperor’s consort, but ended up blind and crippled—utterly pitiful. Luoshen had never read the details too carefully. The moment she saw the supporting character with her same name meet such a tragic end, she had lost interest. Only curiosity had pushed her to skim the rest. If she’d known she would end up inside the story, she would have studied every line.

“Lord Su.” Gao Chun’s voice was cool and detached.

Luoshen, by contrast, let out a loud, disdainful snort through her nose to show just how unimpressed she was.

At the time, Su Mingyuan hadn’t done anything against her. He only knew that his younger sister Su Mingjing and the Gao family’s eldest daughter had always been at odds. Glancing at his sister’s sulking face in the distance, he immediately understood. He bowed again to Luoshen and said warmly, “My sister was ignorant and offended you, Second Miss. I apologize on her behalf.”

Luoshen shot him a sharp look. She couldn’t stand the way his eyes turned so soft they could drip water whenever they fell on Gao Chun. With a mocking smile, she said, “Ignorant? Miss Su is hardly that. She’s clever enough. A single sentence and she wanted to claim the world’s treasures. If she fancies something else one day, will she send her servants to snatch it by force?”

Su Mingyuan’s smile faltered under her barb, though for Gao Chun’s sake he maintained his gentlemanly facade.

Gao Chun broke the tension, her voice even: “Second Sister, let’s go home.” In her clear gaze, it was as if Su Mingyuan didn’t exist at all.

He had come here for Gao Chun, not expecting to see Luoshen as well. Her presence soured his enthusiasm. But the young gentlemen trailing behind him were far more eager to stir up trouble. One of them stepped in front of Luoshen, raising his chin so high it nearly pointed to the heavens.

“Well, if it isn’t the Gao family’s eldest daughter, sent off to farm the fields at a country estate. What’s this? Back in the capital already? Careful you don’t get turned into a bumpkin and disgrace the Duke’s household!”

News of Luoshen’s move to the estate was common knowledge, but few knew she had ordered the land reclaimed for farming—let alone that she had worked the fields herself. The one spreading such rumors was likely that snake Qi Wei, deliberately trying to ruin her name. Still, the original Luoshen had always been spoiled and arrogant, her reputation already in tatters. What “honor” was there left to ruin?

Luoshen narrowed her eyes at the speaker, dredging up a memory. Ah, yes—this was Xie Yucheng, second son of the Marquis of Mingyuan. Years ago, smitten with her looks, he had proposed marriage, only to be ridiculed by her. Spurned, he had turned spiteful, spreading half the nasty gossip that clung to her name.

“What, does Young Master Xie live on celestial dew?” Luoshen sneered. “Doesn’t look like you’ve had enough—better hurry to the temple and beg for some more.”

It was a sharp slap, accusing him of speaking without decency and telling him to earn virtue instead.

Of course, Xie Yucheng understood perfectly. Fury rose, and he lifted a hand, ready to strike her in the street.

But Gao Chun stepped forward, her voice as calm as ever: “My sister and I are in a hurry to return home. Could Young Master Xie let us pass?”

Everyone in the capital knew the two Gao sisters never got along, and it was generally assumed that Luoshen, the legitimate daughter, bullied her concubine-born sister. Who could have expected Gao Chun to step in and shield her? Such a pure-hearted young lady, who bore no grudges. How could anyone not admire her more?

Luoshen, of course, was used to being saddled with the blame. She had barely done a thing these past two months at the estate, yet still the rumors painted her as the one bullying Gao Chun. As if she dared! This “pure and kind” sister was destined to become a living god of slaughter. Anyone who praised her kindness was clearly brain-damaged.

At Gao Chun’s words, both Su Mingyuan and Xie Yucheng immediately shifted their demeanor. The latter even forced a false smile, his earlier malice dissolving in an instant.

Luoshen rolled her eyes and brushed her sleeve, turning on her heel to leave. Gao Chun frowned slightly, as if something weighed on her mind, before following after.

*****

Luoshen walked with a stride entirely lacking the refinement of a proper noble lady. Gao Chun, trailing behind, had to hurry just to keep up. Eventually she broke into a half-run. Luoshen, realizing she no longer heard the irritating voices behind her, slowed and glanced back—only to catch sight of Gao Chun jogging to her side.

Her cheeks were tinged with red, not the sickly pallor she usually carried, but a fresh, vivid flush. The sight made Luoshen shiver. Don’t tell me this is exactly like the book described…

Forcing herself back to composure, she flashed Gao Chun her most flattering smile.

Gao Chun had never seen her wear such an expression before. Whenever she appeared, Luoshen usually looked down her nose at her, always harping on about legitimacy versus concubinage. The truth is, Gao Chun had never liked her. But recently, hearing that she had started a vegetable garden at the estate—such strange, unheard-of behavior had made her curious enough to pay more attention.

*******

When they returned home, Gao Jun happened to arrive back from the palace. His eyes first landed on Luoshen. Stroking his beard, he let out a long sigh before turning warmly to Gao Chun.

“Weren’t you out shopping for rouge and bangles with the Su girl? Why are you back so soon?”

So that was how it was. Whose daughter was he treating as his own here? Luoshen turned her head sharply away, rolling her eyes in the shadows where he couldn’t see. Unbeknownst to her, the gesture was clearly caught by Gao Chun.

“I ran into Second Sister on the road, so I came back with her,” Gao Chun answered lightly. She had always spoken like this, from childhood on. Gao Jun didn’t think much of it. The novel’s supporting character, however, had once interpreted this as proof of his favoritism—never knowing that Gao Jun acted this way only because he understood Gao Chun’s true identity, aware she was someone no one could afford to offend.

When he heard Gao Chun’s explanation, Gao Jun finally looked at Luoshen, as though only just noticing her. His voice carried stern authority. “The estate was given to you. Why did you plant vegetables and melons there? Don’t you know the young lords and ladies of the capital will laugh at you for such lowly work?”

Luoshen couldn’t be bothered. Lounging lazily, she replied, “Aren’t scholars supposed to be paragons of virtue? Yet here they are, secretly mocking others behind their backs. Doesn’t sound very ‘scholarly’ to me. As for those young ladies—if they’re so delicate, they can try living without fruits and vegetables. And by the way, many of the fresh produce served in this household comes straight from my estate. If you’re that displeased, Father, I can always stop sending them.”

She was nothing if not conscientious. Anything rare or special she cultivated with the Shennong system, she always sent a share to the Duke’s household. Who would have guessed they’d be so ungrateful?

“You—!” Gao Jun jabbed a finger at her, but words failed him. The truth was, those very fruits and vegetables had earned him no small amount of prestige, whether as tributes to the palace or as delicacies for his peers. On one hand, he was pleased. On the other, he couldn’t stomach the thought of his daughter lowering herself to such work.

After a long, conflicted silence, he finally said, his expression complicated, “If that’s where your aspirations lie… so be it. The estate is yours. Do as you will.”