The Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Farm [Transmigration] - Chapter 6

Everyone in the capital, even children barely three years old—knew that the second young lady of the Duke of Dingguo’s household was sharp-tongued and mean-spirited. Yet, when faced with the man she admired, every blade in her hand softened into tenderness, as if she feared even the slightest thing might frighten him.

Qi Wei had long grown accustomed to Gao Luoshen’s special treatment. Back at the villa, he assumed her coldness was nothing more than a fit of temper. Once she cooled off, all would be well again—or so he thought. That was why, the very next day after her return to the estate, he eagerly came calling. Who could have guessed she would give him the cold shoulder yet again?

The pampered young master, spoiled by years of indulgence, went pale with humiliation. Had it not been for the last thread of restraint in his heart, he would have stormed off in a fury.

Gao Luochuan, her elder brother, knew his sister’s temper all too well. His face darkened as he said sternly,
“Have you forgotten what Mother told you? The Qi family and ours are bound together as one.”

Luoshen rolled her eyes.
“Then does that mean I can take whatever I please from the Qi family too? Since we’re one and all.”

“You—!” Luochuan’s anger flared. He cast a glance at the quiet Gao Chun standing off to the side and sighed inwardly. If only his second sister were as gentle and trouble-free as his third. He gave Luoshen a hard look and ordered,
“I’m your elder brother. I forbid you from selling your produce to Lanting Pavilion. Everything is to be sent to the Qi family instead.”

Luoshen let out a mocking laugh.
“Just because you’re my elder brother?” She was never the type to bow her head and endure. His attempt to press her down with seniority was meaningless. Without another look at Qi Wei or Gao Luochuan’s hateful faces, she swept her sleeve and made to leave.

But just as she passed by Gao Chun, a fingertip brushed lightly across her hand. She glanced down at her seated third sister, her brows knitting, about to speak—only to hear Gao Chun say softly,
“Business is business. Even between brothers, accounts should be settled clearly.”

Luochuan’s expression eased a little.
“Third Sister speaks wisely,” he agreed.

What? Was Gao Chun… siding with Qi Wei? The thought sank Luoshen’s heart.

The room fell silent, save for Gao Chun’s voice, clear and fresh like spring water.
“If we’re all family, then surely the Qi family who were the wealthiest merchants in the capital, can afford the same price Lanting Pavilion pays. Second Sister worked hard to cultivate those crops. Naturally, they’re worth the value. Isn’t that right, Young Master Qi?”

How could Qi Wei contradict her, now that the woman he loved had spoken? Still, the way she called him “Young Master Qi”. It was so formal and  so distant. He knew Gao Chun disliked closeness, but couldn’t she at least call him “cousin”? Did she truly mean to push him away? Heart aching, he said,
“In that case… I’ll pay double.”

“You think money can buy everything?” Luoshen snorted coldly. She glanced at Gao Chun’s faint smile, then relented a little.
“All right. Give up one of your minor shopkeepers, and I’ll agree to send Fengyue Tower some vegetables and fruit.”

“A shopkeeper? Which one?” Qi Wei frowned.

Luoshen’s lips curled. She drawled,
“The one at your silver shop, Qin Zhong. I think he’s got some skill. I want him to help with bookkeeping at my villa.”

“Qin Zhong?” Qi Wei furrowed his brow, needing a moment to recall the name. Ah—his father was a teacher, so the boy could read. Young as he was, he’d already risen to the position of shopkeeper. Competent, yes—and handsome too, which was why noble ladies liked buying from him. Still, the Qi family had plenty of talent. Compared to the silver shop, one minor shopkeeper was nothing.
“Fine. I’ll send him over in a few days.”

“No need for a few days. Let’s make it today.” Luoshen’s smile turned sincere. Without sparing Qi Wei or her elder brother another glance, she added,
“Have him go straight to Luoshen Manor. My people will tell him what to do.”

The villa had long been deserted save for a few servants assigned by the family. Since taking charge, Luoshen had handpicked her own staff—honest folk, far more reliable than the usual household servants.

With the matter settled, Luoshen saw no reason to waste another look on Qi Wei or Luochuan. She paused briefly in front of Gao Chun, then strode past without so much as a sideways glance, heading back to her own courtyard.

Qi Wei, relieved to have secured what he came for, finally breathed easier. With Luoshen gone, he was left both oddly unsettled and secretly pleased—pleased to have the chance to spend time with Gao Chun.

Luochuan, on the other hand, knew exactly what was on Qi Wei’s mind. To him, a match between Qi Wei and his third sister was far preferable to marrying her off elsewhere. At least with the Qi family, everything was familiar and dependable. With that thought, he excused himself and left in haste, conveniently abandoning the pair.

“Chun’er—”

Qi Wei had barely spoken two syllables when Gao Chun suddenly rose. She avoided his tender gaze, and with a calm face said,
“I just remembered I have an engagement. Excuse me.”

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked quickly toward her courtyard. Left alone, Qi Wei watched her retreating figure—graceful, fleeting as a wild swan and his heart ached bitterly. Did he not realize she was only making excuses? That path she’d taken didn’t even lead out of the estate. And yet he couldn’t stop making excuses for her in his mind, unwilling to believe that, in her eyes, he was no more than a stranger—a blurred silhouette at best.

But instead of entering her own courtyard, Gao Chun paused, turned, and walked toward Luoshen’s. The two sisters’ residences stood side by side, east and west, yet they almost never visited each other. Standing before the freshly hung plaque reading Jinghong Courtyard, Gao Chun’s expression grew complicated. Graceful as a startled swan, fluid as a swimming dragon—that was Father’s intention when he chose the name. But did Luoshen believe it of herself too?

Since that day at the villa, Luoshen seemed to have changed. She no longer came to stir up trouble. Just yesterday, when she’d sent someone to invite Gao Chun for tea, Chun’s maid had been so wary she thought poison was involved. But no—it had only been tea. Drinking alone, without company… how lonely must that be?

“Third Miss?” A startled voice interrupted her thoughts. A girl she didn’t recognize appeared at the gate. Gao Chun recalled hearing that Luoshen had purchased a young maid called Fangze to serve her personally.

Caught, Gao Chun had half a mind to leave—but then she caught the fragrance wafting from inside the courtyard. She changed her mind and asked,
“What is Second Sister doing?”

Fangze answered honestly, “She’s cooking.”

In her eyes, Third Miss was stern and unapproachable, as if something terrifying lay hidden behind her calm exterior. Fangze rubbed her hands nervously behind her back, forcing a stiff smile.
“Would you like to go in?”

“Yes.” Gao Chun nodded lightly, pretending not to notice the girl’s astonishment.

Inside, Luoshen was indeed cooking. Early that morning, her villa had sent fresh ingredients, worried she wouldn’t be used to the estate’s fare. Chickens were common enough, but the sauce she used was unique—an ancient recipe refined by her villa’s people, found nowhere else. Zhao Lanxi had once begged her for it, but Luoshen never relented.

What Gao Chun hadn’t expected was to find a table and stove set up in the courtyard. She looked up just in time to see her sister’s jeweled knife flash in the sun, slicing a cleaned chicken neatly into eight pieces. Her movements were practiced, almost too practiced. Could Luoshen know martial arts? A shadow crossed Chun’s eyes. She had lived in the Gao estate for over ten years, and no one had ever noticed. Was it that no one cared to look? Or was Luoshen simply that deep? She hid her thoughts, smiled faintly, and asked,
“What is Second Sister making?”

Luoshen didn’t even glance up. She was too busy to be surprised.
“Drunken Chicken—Eight-Cut Style.”

The name was unfamiliar to Chun, but she said nothing more. Instead, she sat in the chair Fangze brought, resting her chin on her hand as she watched. The ingredients were common, but the sauce—clear and fragrant—was extraordinary, lifting the spirit as if one had stepped into a celestial grotto.

At last, Luoshen finished. Chun’s lips curved as she asked,
“Second Sister, may I try it first?”

But Luoshen was faster. Before Chun’s words even faded, she whisked the dish behind her back, glaring at her younger sister in open suspicion.

There was no way Gao Chun would come here on her own, bearing kindness for no reason. No good intentions—only hidden schemes.

Meanwhile, Chun’s maids had already heard where she was. Terrified the sisters would come to blows, they rushed off to summon Madam Liu and the heir. Gao Luochuan arrived first. Before he even stepped into the courtyard, his booming voice rang out:
“Gao Luoshen! Don’t you bully your sister!”

Startled by his roar, Luoshen nearly dropped the dish. Fortunately, Gao Chun was quick—like a gust of wind, she darted forward and shielded the plate of Drunken Chicken—Eight-Cut Style.

And so, the eldest brother’s accusation landed squarely on Luoshen’s head. She looked on, utterly innocent.