The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1073: Chapter 1049: Honor Amid Chaos

Nanyi Prefecture

After changing her surname, Ms. Jin, now known as Mrs. Wang, packed her things while talking to Wang Qi.

Wang Qi is Xiao Kai, the son of the fifth branch of the Xiao family. He and Ms. Jin left the Xiao family and later changed their names to Wang Qi.

”Qi’er, we need to leave quickly. While the weather hasn’t gotten too cold and the roads in Jiangnan are still passable, let’s hurry to Suzhou.”

Wang Qi packed his books: ”Mother, we’re doing well in Nanyi. There are teachers here too. Why do we have to go to Suzhou and take all that trouble?”

Mrs. Wang sighed, ”Qi’er, it’s not that I want to burden you, but... we have no support staying here. Nowadays, His Majesty is stationed in Suzhou and ambitiously planning to conquer Jiangbei. He probably won’t return to Nanyi. If we stay here for long, how will the local officials know who we are? If someone bullies us, there’s nowhere to seek justice. But it’s different in Suzhou. We’ll be right under the eyes of His Majesty and the Empress. Even if we don’t approach them directly, we can seek help from Prince Duan and Prince Yi. They won’t ignore us. At the very least, we can find the Princess and the Princes.”

Mrs. Wang patted Wang Qi’s head, ”We don’t expect much, just a word from them could save us a lot of trouble. My plan is to stay in Suzhou for a few years, and if His Majesty does take the country, we’ll follow him to the Capital.”

Wang Qi understood this reasoning.

He thought for a moment, ”Mother, don’t worry. I will study hard. Someday, I want to earn an imperial decree for you.”

Mrs. Wang laughed, ”Good, I look forward to my son earning me an imperial decree.”

Let’s leave aside Mrs. Wang for now and talk about Anning. A few days later, Xiao Yin reported some matters concerning the old man to Anning.

The old man recently asked Xiao Jin for money and then had Xiao Ling buy many things to send to his residence.

Xiao Yin told Anning, ”The old man has become senile. For an old cook, he’s repeatedly troubling Fourth Uncle and Sixth Uncle. Isn’t he afraid of exhausting their goodwill so that no one cares for him anymore?”

Anning just smiled and didn’t say anything unpleasant to Xiao Yin.

After sending Xiao Yin away, Anning summoned Ms. Hui and Ms. Yuan to the palace for a talk.

She recounted the old man’s situation.

Ms. Hui and Ms. Yuan were unaware of this matter.

Ms. Hui was surprised, ”I wondered why the old man hadn’t approached our Prince. Suddenly, he asked for money one day. It turns out it was for his old paramour.”

Ms. Yuan sneered, ”The old man has seen all kinds of women before, how many concubines were there in the Duke Ping Mansion? Young and beautiful ones were everywhere, yet he never showed such favor. Now, hasn’t he seen a woman in years? He’s so enamored with an old cook. If the Old Madam were alive, she’d be infuriated.”

After a while, Ms. Hui said to Anning, ”Third Sister-in-law, what’s your decision? What should we do about this?”

Anning thought, ”I’ll let Yin’er investigate further. We can’t act rashly. We don’t know the situation of that cook. If we suddenly try to drive them away or something, it’s hard to say if that mother and daughter can survive.”

”Third Sister-in-law, you have such a kind heart,” Ms. Yuan remarked.

Anning laughed, ”It’s not about kindness. In this Dajing Kingdom, they’re all subjects of mine and His Majesty. We must act prudently and not make mistakes that cost innocent lives. I’m the Empress, the mother of the nation, and I must put personal emotions aside for the greater good.”

Ms. Hui felt admiration in her heart.

Ms. Yuan also held great respect for Anning.

Ms. Hui thought to herself, this Third Sister-in-law of hers, really knows how to adapt to the situation she’s in.

In the past, at Duke Ping Mansion, she stayed reserved and focused on raising her children.

Later, when they were in the Southern Yi, she farmed, cooked, and even trained soldiers, truly a virtuous wife.

Now, as Empress, she carries herself with the dignity of a nation’s mother. Her adaptability is truly remarkable.

”Why don’t I and Sixth Sister-in-law go check on that woman?” Ms. Hui suggested with a smile.

Anning waved her hand, ”No need. Who are you, and who is she? There’s no reason to meet. It would only be awkward for both sides.”

Ms. Hui considered it and agreed: ”So, shall we just leave it at that?”

”Let’s just watch and see,” Anning replied with a smile, inviting them to have some tea and snacks, ”When you get a chance, let Ke’er and Ying’er come to the palace for a few days. I am like a deity worshipped in the temple, rarely leaving, missing the children. Since I can’t visit them, I’ll trouble you to bring them over.”

Ms. Hui and Ms. Yuan repeatedly said they wouldn’t dare and promised to send the children over to stay for a few days, allowing Anning to properly guide them.

After leaving the palace, Xiao Yin, accompanied by just one maid, headed to a large teahouse in Suzhou City.

She was dressed casually, appearing like an ordinary young girl, though slightly more attractive, with nothing else standing out.

Her maid was also dressed plainly, evidently from a small household.

The two walked all the way without attracting any attention.

When Xiao Yin arrived at Youran Pavilion, the maid Li Niang behind her whispered, ”Master, I’ve heard that Wang Tiezui’s storytelling at Youran Pavilion is the most captivating. Whenever he tells stories, Youran Pavilion is packed with people. It’s not time yet, but I suppose there are already quite a few inside.”

Xiao Yin smiled and asked, ”Whose business is Youran Pavilion?”

Li Niang thought for a moment, ”I heard it used to belong to the Zhang Family, but after the Zhang Family declined, it was taken over by the Lu Family.”

Xiao Yin instantly thought of someone, ”Isn’t the current Heavenly Official of the Ministry of Personnel a descendant of the Lu Family?”

Li Niang nodded, ”Yes.”

”Let’s go in and take a look.”

Xiao Yin stepped inside, and after walking just a few steps, she bumped into a little girl.

The little girl looked to be about eleven or twelve years old, with a delicate and timid face, yet her figure was already developing nicely, showing a bit of charm at such a young age.

”Sorry, sorry.”

The little girl lowered her head to apologize to Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin smiled and supported the little girl with her hand, ”It’s alright, be careful. Keep your head up while walking, don’t keep it down all the time. You might bump into someone one day and get yourself into trouble.”

The little girl, hearing Xiao Yin speak softly and gently, dared to lift her head to look at Xiao Yin, ”You’re right, I’ll pay attention.”

Xiao Yin pointed towards Youran Pavilion, ”Did you just come out from inside?”

The little girl nodded, ”Yes, I brought my grandfather here to listen to the storytelling, grandfather...”

Speaking of her grandfather, the little girl showed signs of sadness, ”He’s been yearning to come here for a listen, so I brought him over. Since Wang Tiezui hasn’t arrived yet, I thought I’d go submit my embroidered work first, then come back to accompany grandfather.”

”That’s quite dutiful of you.”

Xiao Yin waved her hand, ”Then off you go.”

The little girl walked away quickly, while Xiao Yin and Li Niang entered Youran Pavilion, only to find that there really wasn’t any space left.

Both the upper and lower floors of the teahouse were filled with people, not a single empty table in sight.

”Master, why don’t I take the waist card to the shopkeeper, and ask him to clear a space for you?” Li Niang suggested softly.

Xiao Yin raised her hand slightly, ”No need, doing so might disturb the public. It’s better to be discreet.”

She surveyed the surroundings and noticed an old man occupying a table on his own, so she approached him with Li Niang.

”Hello, sir.”

Xiao Yin bowed respectfully, ”I see you have some vacant seats here, may we join you?”

The old man dressed simply, his face showing signs of illness, and spoke feebly, ”Feel free, young lady.”

Xiao Yin sat down with Li Niang.

She noticed the table only had a few ordinary dried fruits, so she called the waiter to bring a pot of good tea and some fine pastries.

She smiled at the old man, ”Since you offered us seats, allow me to treat you to tea and pastries.”

The old man looked at Xiao Yin with kindness in his eyes, ”Alright.”

When the tea was served, he didn’t hesitate to take a sip, ”This tea is good.”

He smiled at Xiao Yin, ”I invited you to sit because you seem to be around the same age as my granddaughter.”

Xiao Yin thought of the little girl she had bumped into earlier, and quickly asked, ”Is your granddaughter the one who went to submit embroidered work? I almost bumped into her at the entrance, she said she came with her grandfather. What a coincidence to meet you, truly a fateful encounter.”

The old man’s smile became even warmer upon hearing Xiao Yin had met his granddaughter, ”Indeed, it’s destiny. My granddaughter will be here soon. It’s nice to chat with a peer; she’s been so busy sewing to support me that she hasn’t had time to make friends her age, her life is quite dull.”

Just then, the little girl hurriedly returned.

Her eyes lit up upon seeing Xiao Yin, and she greeted her with a smile.

Xiao Yin invited her to sit down and recounted the earlier conversation. The little girl laughed even more cheerfully, ”My name is Red Flower, what’s yours, sister?”

Xiao Yin didn’t hold back her name.

Though few knew her name, the people of Suzhou City only knew Princess Fengyang, not her actual name.

”My surname is Xiao, and my name is simply Yin.”