The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 694: Chapter 781: Slapping the Transmigrator (Part 36)

Whether it was the people in the palace, the ministers in court, or those in the Capital who considered themselves well-informed, none knew that a person lived in the heart of the Holy Light Emperor.

The Holy Light Emperor actually lived a particularly difficult life in his youth.

Before ascending the throne, his Queen Mother was not favored, and there was an Imperial Concubine in the palace who was showered with favor and looked down on him, often finding fault with him and punishing him in various ways.

At that time, there was a girl named Azi who appeared from nowhere, always showing up to protect him.

She must have been a martial artist with great skill, cheerful and fond of laughter, learned and talented, and additionally, she had a pure and kind heart and was very good to the Holy Light Emperor.

Sometimes, when the Holy Light Emperor was bullied and couldn’t get enough to eat, it was Azi who found food for him.

Azi also saved his life several times.

He once swore that if there came a day when he lived a better life, he would surely repay Azi.

Even after the Holy Light Emperor ascended the throne and became emperor, Azi remained by his side to protect his peace, helped him stabilize the court’s affairs, and dealt with courtiers for him, often talking with him and giving him advice.

It can be said that the Holy Light Emperor practically grew up relying on Azi for survival.

After the court’s situation stabilized, the Holy Light Emperor wanted to confer the title of Princess on Azi, but she refused.

Azi did not want to be confined to the deep palace and lead a life devoid of freedom; she longed for the vastness of the outside world.

Later, Azi left far away, and it wasn’t until the Holy Light Emperor was wounded by rebels during a southern tour, nearly losing his life, that Azi appeared again and saved him.

However, that situation was too dangerous; Azi was injured saving him and with a wounded heart, she did not have much time and soon passed away.

As Azi lay dying, she kept looking at him, saying he looked like her own younger brother, which was why she had always protected him, and she expressed her hope that he could become a saintly sovereign and let the people live good lives.

After Azi left, the Holy Light Emperor was almost unable to eat or sleep, afflicted with grief, and locked himself in his room, crying for several days.

But in the end, he was a sovereign, and after crying, he wiped away his tears and became a cold-hearted emperor.

He dealt with those rebels without leaving a single one alive, disposing of them with cruel methods, and even had their bodies chopped up and fed to wild dogs.

But no matter how many rebels died, Azi could not come back to life.

The Holy Light Emperor built a secret chamber in his own palace chamber and hung a portrait of Azi within.

Whenever he encountered difficult issues or felt sad, he would go talk to Azi’s portrait.

Everyone in the palace knew that the Holy Light Emperor once had a favored concubine, who after entering the palace became the most favored in the Six Palaces and later gave birth to a Princess, who was even more favored.

However, both the favored concubine and the Princess had brief lives and passed away several years later.

Especially at the Princess’s death, the Holy Light Emperor cried uncontrollably, vomiting blood.

Everyone thought the Holy Light Emperor had deeply cherished feelings for the favored concubine, unaware that the reason for his affection for her was entirely because she looked like Azi, especially the Princess born to the favored concubine, who resembled Azi even more.

But even if the favored concubine and the Princess looked like Azi, they weren’t as similar as Xiao Yuan.

Moreover, what excited the Holy Light Emperor the most was that Xiao Yuan, like Azi, had a red birthmark on the right earlobe.

This led the Holy Light Emperor to conclude in his heart, upon seeing Xiao Yuan’s appearance and that red birthmark, that he indeed was the reincarnation of Azi.

The Holy Light Emperor looked at the portrait of Azi, recalling the news about Xiao Yuan that the young eunuch had gathered.

It is said that Xiao Yuan was born on the first day of the Lunar New Year, hence the name Yuan.

Upon this recollection, the Holy Light Emperor’s grip tightened.

In his heart, he had already determined that Xiao Yuan was the reincarnation of Azi returning to look after him because Azi must have been worried for him, still holding him dear, so much so that even so many years after her death, she reincarnated to protect him.

The Holy Light Emperor was particularly sensitive about the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Not because it was the day for the grand New Year’s offerings to heaven, but because it was Azi’s birthday.

When Xiao Yuan left the palace, the guard was still on duty.

Xiao Yuan smiled as he approached, ”Brother, I’ll invite you and An He out for a meal another day. Make sure you honor the invitation.”

The guard bowed, ”Rest assured, I will be there as long as I’m not on duty.”

Xiao Yuan waved his hand and then boarded the carriage.

As for the name of the guard at the gate on duty, Xiao Yuan needn’t ask.

Being familiar with, and in good relations with, Ji An, it was easy enough to identify the guard on duty during this time by asking Ji An. Asking for the guard’s name directly would, on the contrary, seem too impersonal.

Anning also made her way to Ji Mansion.

It was Mrs. Ji who had sent for her specifically.

When Anning went there, she even brought gifts.

Upon entering the room, Mrs. Ji was tidying up with Ji Anrou and Ji Anyi.

The mother and daughters had been busy trying outfits in the room, and when Anning walked in, Mrs. Ji waved her over: ”Come sit down quickly, let’s talk after I organize these clothes.”

Anning sat down with a smile.

Mrs. Ji had some old clothes taken away to reward the maids, and packed the rest into trunks.

Only then did Mrs. Ji start speaking with Anning.

She first mentioned the affair of the Great Princess, to which Anning laughed: ”I’ve heard about that too. After all, it was our family’s doing, and it was because of us that the young heir was saved. The Princess giving a thank you gift, Madam, just accept it without worry.”

Mrs. Ji also nodded with a smile: ”I hadn’t expected our family to have such good fortune, to actually become involved with the Great Princess.”

This was indeed something to be happy about, and Anning also lavished Mrs. Ji with praises.

Then, Mrs. Ji brought up another matter.

”Your second and third sisters have reached the age for marriage proposals. These past days, I’ve been matching for them. There, for your second sister, I evaluated a few families. I feel they are suitable, and even had your uncle inquire about them. Still, I am a bit uneasy. Knowing how well-connected Xiao Yuan is and with his many friends, I wanted to ask him for help in gathering information.”

Anning would, of course, help with this.

She smiled and promised: ”Madam, just give me the list, and I’ll have my husband inquire about it. When it comes to the marriages of the second and third sisters, we must be cautious. I also think if the arrangements are stable, it would be best. Our Ji Family doesn’t seek wealth or grandeur in the other party; as long as they are of good character and treat the second and third sisters well, that is enough.”

This was indeed the truth.

Mrs. Ji had no sons, only two daughters.

In her heart, she hoped for good matches for their marriages. She did not seek high status, but desired sons-in-law of good character who would treat her daughters well.

She also observed how Anning got along with Xiao Yuan.

The Xiao Family was indeed of humble origin, but Xiao Yuan was a capable man, and he was truly good to Anning. Even Old Madam Ping from the Xiao Family was very kind to Anning, never nitpicking or causing Anning any trouble.

This made Mrs. Ji quite envious.

She thought, if her own daughters could also marry such good sons-in-law, she would feel at ease.

Mrs. Ji gave the list to Anning, who carefully put it away, and then went to talk with An Rou and An Yi.

The three sisters hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and their reunion was naturally filled with joy, chatting for quite a while.

Only then did Anning pat her head: ”Look at my memory. I even brought gifts for my sisters, but seeing them so happy, I actually forgot.”

She quickly took out the box she had been carrying and handed it to Ji Anrou: ”It’s all in this box. You can divide it up.”

An Rou and An Yi gathered around to look inside.

Upon opening the box, both of their faces lit up with surprise.

The gifts Anning brought were truly wonderful, with many Liu Li ornaments and some exquisite items.

”I like this one.”

An Rou picked out an item first, followed by An Yi’s selection.

Mrs. Ji then had a long talk with Anning.

Anning didn’t leave Ji Mansion until after dinner.

As she returned, the sky was gradually darkening. The carriage stopped at the front door of the house, and upon jumping down, Anning saw Xiao Yi waiting outside.

”Why are you out here so late?”

Anning approached and asked Xiao Yi.

Upon seeing Anning, Xiao Yi smiled: ”I was waiting for Mother. Since you went out and hadn’t returned by this hour, I was a bit worried and came to look.”

Anning noticed Xiao Yi’s little face flushed with cold, knowing he had been waiting for quite some time: ”Alright, it’s quite cold outside, let’s hurry back in.”

She led Xiao Yi into the house: ”Did you finish the homework I assigned before I left?”

Xiao Yi answered with a smile: ”It’s all done.”

Anning looked at Xiao Yi: ”From now on, don’t wait outside. If you’re worried you can have the servants stand watch. You’re young and your health isn’t the best; what if you catch a cold? What would we do then?”

Xiao Yi listened with his head down.

Inside, he was extremely happy, his heart warm and cozy.

Despite Anning scolding him just now, Xiao Yi was willing.

He had grown up without parents or affectionate kin, with nobody to discipline him. He had dreamed of having parents to care for him; whether they scolded or spanked him, it was all good. Even arguing or a scuffle was better than being all alone without anyone to worry about him.

Being alone for too long, he was a child particularly afraid of solitude.

He feared having no one to talk to, no one to care, and most of all that one day he might die alone with no one to claim his body.

Now, he too had a family, with a father, a mother, brothers, and sisters. He was extremely satisfied.