The Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Farm [Transmigration] - Chapter 7

The people of the Duke of Dingguo’s Estate must have tasted all sorts of delicacies, from rare mountain treats to exquisite platters. But as they neared the courtyard, the tempting aroma made their mouths water, and they couldn’t help but want to feast. However, Gao Luochuan had seen so many of his sister’s wicked deeds that while he couldn’t understand her setting up a stove in the courtyard, he immediately labeled it a “conspiracy.” Seeing Gao Chun standing right beside her, his heart leaped into his throat.

Madam Liu shared Gao Luochuan’s suspicions. But knowing her daughter’s volatile nature, she didn’t dare speak up, afraid of setting her off. With a sharp knife lying on the table nearby, how could she not worry?

Among the group, aside from Gao Luoshen and her young maids, Gao Chun was the calmest. She caught the plate before it could fall, and without waiting for Gao Luoshen’s reaction, she grabbed a pair of chopsticks from the table and tasted a piece of chicken. Gao Luoshen came back to her senses, enraged by this shameless, brazen act. She snatched her food back, glaring at Gao Chun with pure indignation.

“There’s—” Gao Luochuan watched Gao Chun brazenly eat the chicken, and the word “poison” almost slipped out. He immediately felt something was wrong. Though Gao Luoshen was a scoundrel on most days, she wouldn’t do something so lethal as poisoning someone. He swallowed the rest of the word, but Gao Luoshen already knew what he meant. She sneered, picked up a fresh pair of chopsticks, and took a bite herself. While not perfect, the flavor was satisfying.

“Fangze, please see our uninvited guests out,” Gao Luoshen said, narrowing her eyes at Gao Luochuan’s pale, flushed face. Her words were completely devoid of courtesy. She called them uninvited guests, yet she used the word “see out.” Fangze was one of Gao Luoshen’s maids and was paid by her. Word among the other courtyards was that her monthly salary was significantly higher than others, so of course, she only listened to Gao Luoshen. She politely escorted Gao Luochuan and Madam Liu out.

Gao Chun stood still, as if her arriving before them meant she wasn’t an uninvited guest. Gao Luoshen looked down at the piece of chicken Gao Chun had taken a bite of and felt like crying. With Gao Chun’s bite mark on it, how could she possibly eat it now? She turned and shot a glare at Gao Chun, who feigned complete ignorance. How had Gao Chun become so thick-skinned? If Gao Luoshen hadn’t had to respect her status as the novel’s protagonist, she would have long since kicked her out. Instead, she politely asked, “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you go back to your own courtyard? Aren’t you afraid I’ll poison you?”

Gao Chun glanced at Gao Luoshen as if she hadn’t heard the dismissal. She smiled faintly and said, “I never knew you had such skills, Second Sister.”

As the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling person. Gao Luoshen huffed coldly and said with a touch of pride, “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

Gao Chun was used to her snarky, mean-spirited expression. She had never seen Gao Luoshen so radiant and carefree. Gao Chun blinked, concealing her scrutinizing gaze, and chuckled, “I wonder if I might be lucky enough to see more.”

Gao Luoshen instantly became wary. She widened her eyes and puffed out her cheeks, staring hard at Gao Chun. Was she planning to come here every day for a free meal? Did she want to squat here and never leave? Absolutely not. With that thought, Gao Luoshen raised an eyebrow and said, “You have no such luck. Give up on that idea.”

The smile on Gao Chun’s face stiffened. She pressed her lips together and said nothing.

As soon as she went quiet, she took on a more aloof demeanor. Gao Luoshen found this hard to deal with. Gao Chun was blessed with a beautiful face. When she smiled, she was like a hundred flowers blooming on a spring mountain. But when she didn’t, her face was cold, sometimes even showing a hint of sharpness, like a sword hanging on a wall. This was the female protagonist. If she could befriend the protagonist, wouldn’t she be able to escape her tragic fate? Gao Luoshen thought for a while, her eyes darting around. Finally, she shoved a plate of “Drunken Chicken/Eight-Step Cut” into Gao Chun’s hands and waved her hand grandly, “Just take it back with you.”

“Thank you, Second Sister.” Gao Chun smiled again. She accepted the food without any pretense, took a slow, deliberate bite, and then casually asked, “What do you need that shopkeeper for?” She’d heard Qin Zhong was quite handsome. Many noblewomen in the capital secretly kept male companions. Could Gao Luoshen have such an idea? As soon as the thought surfaced, Gao Chun couldn’t help but frown.

Gao Luoshen stared at Gao Chun with full-on suspicion. Was she a lobbyist for Qi Wei, trying to get him back? After she left the teahouse, with Gao Luochuan’s personality, he would have naturally given the two of them plenty of time alone. Then Gao Chun came to her courtyard and put on this act. The more Gao Luoshen thought about it, the more disgusted she felt. Her face immediately fell, and she said coldly, “Do I need to report such things to you?”

Sensing Gao Luoshen’s resistance, the seed of suspicion in Gao Chun’s heart grew larger. She frowned and said no more. Instead, she said, “I’m going back,” and walked away with the plate in hand. Gao Luoshen was left staring at her retreating figure, muttering unhappily, “If you’ve got the guts, leave the food behind!”

******

For the next few days, Gao Luoshen stopped trying out recipes from the ancient cookbook, afraid that Gao Chun would come begging for food again. A letter came from the villa, saying that Qin Zhong had been properly arranged, and the deal with the Qi family had been settled. All that was left was to see what happened at the Pearl Banquet. Gao Luoshen was very pleased with this news. In the past few days, she had stayed peacefully in her courtyard, turning down several invitations from her friends.

With only half a month left until the Pearl Banquet, Zhao Lanxi finally got wind of the situation and hurried to invite Gao Luoshen to the Lanting Pavilion. He had a bellyful of grievances to air. First, Biyu from his establishment left, and then the Qi family got help from the Luoshen Manor. If a servant from the Fengyue Pavilion hadn’t gotten drunk and spilled the beans, he would have remained completely in the dark. He tried to convince himself to trust Gao Luoshen, but as soon as he saw that one customer after another was being lured to the Fengyue Pavilion, he couldn’t sit still anymore.

When Gao Luoshen arrived at the Lanting Pavilion, she didn’t say a word, simply sipping her tea in silence. After a whole cup of tea, Zhao Lanxi finally couldn’t stand it. He bowed to Gao Luoshen and said pitifully, “Please, say something.”

“What should I say?” Gao Luoshen glanced at Zhao Lanxi and scoffed, “Didn’t you lose faith in me, Manager Zhao?”

Zhao Lanxi’s face turned red with embarrassment upon hearing her words. After a long pause, he stammered, “I’m sorry, but this is related to—”

Gao Luoshen had no patience for his rambling. She understood his feelings and decided to stop teasing him. She said slowly, “You don’t need to worry, Manager Zhao. Would I ever harm you? Don’t you know the true nature of the Fengyue Pavilion? Do you not have the confidence to win against them?”

Zhao Lanxi mumbled, “This… it’s not exactly that—”

Gao Luoshen waved her hand and smiled faintly. “Of course, I will help you. But don’t you think it’s more interesting for the same dish to appear so different in two places? Since we’re going to trample the Fengyue pavilion, why not stomp them into the mud so they can never get up again?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lanxi looked up and saw Gao Luoshen’s face beaming with a spring-like smile, and cold sweat broke out on his brow. The Qi family was her maternal family, and she treated them so ruthlessly. What would she do to him if he offended her? He’d be in for it. People in the city said the Gao family’s young lady was like a beautiful facade hiding a tattered mess inside, but in his opinion, that wasn’t the case. The rumored uneducated, shameless eldest daughter of the Gao family clearly held a treasure trove of secrets. If anyone could get her help, what could possibly go wrong?

 “I understand.” Zhao Lanxi bowed to Gao Luoshen once more and respectfully saw her out. Coincidentally, he spotted the scholarly-looking man from before, who seemed to be an old acquaintance of the young lady. “That scholar seems to be watching you,” Zhao Lanxi whispered.

Gao Luoshen turned her head and met Gao Chun’s cold, piercing gaze. She cursed inwardly, “What a persistent ghost.” She was about to pretend she didn’t see her when Gao Chun walked toward her, smiling sweetly, “Second Sister.”

Who else would call Gao Luoshen “Second Sister” besides the one from the Duke of Dingguo’s Estate? But the rumors said the two sisters weren’t on good terms. Zhao Lanxi secretly groaned. He should have kept his mouth shut. He was afraid the two distinguished ladies would start a fight in his Lanting Pavilion. If news of it got out, it would be a terrible look. In a worst-case scenario, his restaurant could be finished.