The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1074: Chapter 1050:

Wang Tiezui finally began his performance, and this time he was telling the story of Emperor Jianyuan rescuing the people of Jiangnan.

Nowadays, the people of Suzhou City are quite willing to hear stories about Emperor Jianyuan.

Everyone is very interested in this legendary emperor and wants to learn more about him.

And Xiao Yuan is not the kind to start a literary inquisition, forbidding others from speaking about him, because of his broad-mindedness. Many literati have been writing stories about him, and even in the teahouses, storytellers often recount his tales.

That Wang Tiezui, being an experienced entertainer who has been doing this for years, told the story vividly, even Princess Fengyang was captivated.

Midway through the storytelling, the elderly Mr. Yang sitting next to Xiao Yin started feeling unwell.

Red Flower appeared particularly worried: ”Grandfather, shall we go back?”

The elderly Mr. Yang had initially wanted to continue listening, but his body simply couldn’t hold up, and he leaned completely against Red Flower.

Red Flower wanted to help her grandfather up but, due to her lack of strength, couldn’t manage it, almost to the point of tears.

Princess Fengyang promptly lent a hand, assisting Red Flower in helping Mr. Yang up.

Fortunately, Honghua’s house was not far from the teahouse. Princess Fengyang, along with Li Niang, escorted the grandfather-grandchild pair to the Yang Family residence.

Honghua’s house was not large, just a simple small dwelling, and it looked somewhat dilapidated.

Princess Fengyang took a look around the house after sending them back, then asked Red Flower, ”Your grandfather is ill, why aren’t your parents here? Are they not at home?”

Red Flower, sweating with exhaustion, softly replied, ”My father has already passed away. My mother works as a cook for a family, and I’m the only one at home taking care of my grandfather.”

Princess Fengyang frowned: ”You’re young and not strong enough. I’m afraid you cannot take care of a patient. Have you not summoned a doctor to look at him?”

Red Flower lowered her head: ”We have consulted one. The doctor said there is no solution, only careful nurturing. My grandfather’s illness cannot be fundamentally cured, and given his age, it’s impossible to heal him. I actually know that my grandfather is heartbroken; he misses my father and doesn’t want to burden us, mother and daughter.”

As she spoke, tears fell from Red Flower’s eyes: ”But I have already lost my father, I cannot lose my grandfather too.”

Red Flower’s worry and sadness were genuine, and Princess Fengyang could sense that she was a good child, a very filial girl.

She patted Red Flower’s shoulder: ”Don’t cry. I know a few doctors who are particularly skilled; I’ll invite them to check on your grandfather another day.”

Upon hearing this, Red Flower raised her head suddenly, looking at Princess Fengyang in disbelief: ”Really? If it’s true... that would be wonderful. Just today I sold some embroidery and earned some money. My mother also sent back some wages, so I can afford the consultation fee.”

”May I have a look at your embroidery?”

Princess Fengyang asked Red Flower.

Red Flower then took Princess Fengyang to her room. The arrangement of Red Flower’s room was very simple; besides the bed and table, there was an embroidery frame, and additionally, several pieces of embroidery.

There was a table screen and several small ornaments that Princess Fengyang viewed one by one.

To be fair, Red Flower’s embroidery work was quite commendable. Although her stitching was not as refined as that of seasoned embroidery women, it was especially lively; the birds she embroidered seemed ready to spread their wings and fly, and the flowers were vivid and alluring.

Princess Fengyang could tell this was because Red Flower’s embroidery had excellent color matching. Moreover, her work had a great sense of depth, making it appear particularly real at first glance.

”Your embroidery is truly excellent.”

Princess Fengyang picked up a round fan to examine.

Red Flower pressed her lips and chuckled lightly: ”If sister likes it, take it then. I don’t have many good things; only this is presentable. Consider it as thanks for your help.”

Princess Fengyang then took it: ”Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

She didn’t stay long at Honghua’s house and soon left with Li Niang.

Upon exiting the Yang Family residence, Li Niang softly asked Princess Fengyang: ”Princess, why didn’t you expose her?”

Princess Fengyang glared at Li Niang: ”Mind your words.”

She didn’t wander around the streets much and soon headed back to the palace with Li Niang.

Back in the palace, Princess Fengyang took the round fan to find Anning.

”Queen Mother.”

Upon entering Fengqi Palace, she paid respects to Anning, who was discussing with several ladies about establishing the Child Care Bureau. Seeing Fengyang enter, Anning smiled: ”Where have you been? You haven’t even changed your clothes before coming here, didn’t you notice there are guests?”

Princess Fengyang cheerfully joined the ladies in conversation.

The ladies lavished praise on Fengyang, saying Princess Fengyang was growing more beautiful and graceful by the day. Her appearance was truly endearing; one wonders which family will be fortunate enough in the future.

Fengyang bowed her head in a shy manner.

In truth, she did not agree with their remarks.

She was determined not to marry, regardless of how much those ladies talked; it would not stir a ripple within her heart.

Fengyang also understood that those ladies were flattering her; several of them had sons of suitable age hoping for matrimony.

Anning laughed: ”Don’t flatter her too much, or she’ll be over the moon. This daughter of mine has been spoiled by both myself and Your Majesty, acting like a mischievous monkey all day long.”

After a few more words, Anning sent the ladies away.

Only then did Fengyang sit beside Anning.

”Queen Mother, today I met Ms. Luo’s daughter.”

Ms. Luo is the woman who cooked for the old gentleman, and Red Flower is her daughter.

”How so?”

Anning asked indifferently.

Fengyang then recounted the story of Red Flower and Mr. Yang: ”Neither Mr. Yang nor Red Flower knows about Ms. Luo’s affairs; they only know she works as a cook for a family, but where and what she’s doing is unclear, as Ms. Luo has never told them.”

Anning patted Fengyang’s hand: ”What you did was right, not abruptly accusing them, nor exposing, preserving the dignity of Yang Family and sparing the lives of the grandfather and granddaughter.”

Fengyang smiled: ”This is what you taught me; Father Emperor and Queen Mother have always instilled in us the preciousness of life, to hold awe for life no matter the circumstances, even in high positions, never to belittle anyone’s life.”

Anning laughed: ”Your notion is admirable; as Royal Family, wielding life and death authority, awe is essential. With such reverence, respect for life, no matter the situation, will prevent major calamities.”

She sighed: ”Ms. Luo probably doesn’t want her daughter to know about her deeds, which is indeed a mother’s heart. In this case... it’s truly Mr. Yang’s fault; Ms. Luo was innocently entangled, and Red Flower and Mr. Yang are innocent victims.”

It turned out that Fengyang had been inquiring about Ms. Luo’s affairs these past few days, uncovering details previously unknown.

Ms. Luo is quite an honest woman.

She married into the Yang Family, initially having two daughters who didn’t survive, later giving birth to Red Flower, whom she cherished immensely.

Ms. Luo and her husband shared deep affection. Even though she hadn’t borne a son for the Yang Family, her husband never minded.

Later, her husband died unexpectedly; Ms. Luo relied on her cooking skills to sell pastries at the door, supporting her ill father-in-law and daughter.

Not until Xiao Yuan arrived in Suzhou City did Mr. Yang follow. Xiao Yuan arranged for people to settle Mr. Yang, providing attendants for him.

They found two cooks for Mr. Yang, but he dismissed them, claiming their food unpalatable. Later, he heard of Ms. Luo’s culinary prowess and hired her at a high wage.

Actually, Ms. Luo was only in her thirties, not showing age, and was quite attractive with a voluptuous figure, prompting Mr. Yang’s interest.

Ms. Luo intended only to earn money honestly, hoping for rewards to buy medicine for her father-in-law and save up for her daughter’s dowry, but never imagined Mr. Yang would use despicable tactics to force her.

Initially, Ms. Luo protested, refusing to cook anymore.

Yet, Mr. Yang threatened Ms. Luo, revealing his identity, declaring if Ms. Luo didn’t comply, he’d execute her family.

This frightened Ms. Luo, resulting in her reluctant submission to Mr. Yang.

Thinking the matter shameful, she never dared to tell her daughter, nor hint at any detail.

As for Mr. Yang demanding money and objects from Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling, it was because Mr. Yang now fancied Ms. Luo and wished to bribe her with gifts for prolonged service, partly for personal enjoyment.

Having been imprisoned for years and with Xiao Yuan ascending the throne without appointing him Emperor, Mr. Yang felt desolated, exhibiting a reckless abandon.

Unsure of how long he’d live, he decided to indulge while alive, disregarding decorum and propriety, focusing only on his pleasure, leading to his forceful taking of Ms. Luo.