The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Mr. Wei, after reading the letter, went straight to find the Old Madam.

He handed the letter written by Xiao Yuan to the Old Madam: ”Look here, we really made the right choice marrying this daughter-in-law into our family.”

The Old Madam was delighted upon reading it.

Initially, she felt that Anning, being a concubine’s daughter, marrying into the Wei Family was somewhat beneath them. But now things were different; Anning was actually the biological daughter of Chief Bai, the goddaughter of Noble Princess Consort Chu, and a commandery princess by Imperial decree. With such a status, it was the Wei Family that was climbing up.

”Indeed, I told you that your daughter-in-law was blessed. Just look, what great fortune she brings.”

The mother-in-law and son laughed for a while before Mr. Wei brought up the matter of cutting ties with the Miao Family.

The Old Madam said, ”We should sever ties early on; after all, Anning is not a daughter of the Miao Family, and we have no other connections with them. Our in-laws are in the Capital.”

It wasn’t that the Old Madam was snobbish, but indeed she looked down upon the actions of Assistant Prefect Miao. Moreover, the Miao Family was about to face great tribulation, and anyone closely associated with them would inevitably be implicated. She didn’t want the Wei Residence to get involved.

”Sell those servants from the Miao Family,”

Mr. Wei cautiously suggested: ”Sell those with contracts, and send the rest back to the Miao Family.”

”Alright.”

The Old Madam readily agreed: ”It’s soon Mrs. Miao’s birthday. I was thinking of paying a visit, but now it seems better not to go, nor to send gifts.”

”On that day, we mother and son can go to the manor for a day of leisure.”

Mr. Wei proposed.

”Good.”

The Old Madam smiled: ”I need to instruct Xing’er and Susu strictly, to avoid them offending your daughter-in-law.”

Just as Mr. Wei was about to speak, a servant outside called: ”Master, the master of the Miao Family has arrived.”

Mr. Wei quickly stood up: ”First take him to the front parlor, I’ll be there shortly.”

”What brings him here?”

The Old Madam frowned, unable to hide her disgust.

”Perhaps it’s some official business.”

Mr. Wei thought for a moment but couldn’t quite understand why Assistant Prefect Miao was visiting.

He said a few more words before heading to the front courtyard’s parlor.

When Mr. Wei arrived, Assistant Prefect Miao was already seated, drinking tea.

Mr. Wei approached with a smile: ”What brings you to visit at leisure, my dear relative?”

Assistant Prefect Miao stood up, greeted Mr. Wei with a cupped hand salute: ”Great news, I’ve come to bring you good tidings, truly wonderful news.”

”What joyous news?”

Only after sitting down did Mr. Wei ask.

Assistant Prefect Miao was all smiles: ”It’s about my daughter, your daughter-in-law. Didn’t expect she had such capability, she cured Noble Princess Consort Chu’s illness. The Noble Consort was fond of her and requested that the Emperor take her as a goddaughter. She is now titled Princess Rong’an. Isn’t this great news?”

Mr. Wei wore a smile on his face: ”Indeed a joyous occasion. Has this been confirmed?”

”Confirmed. It was written in a letter from a classmate of mine in the Capital, it’s unmistakable.”

Assistant Prefect Miao was so cheerful at the thought: ”I never expected our Ningning to have such fortune, a commandery princess by imperial seal. Unexpected that our Miao Family would produce a commandery princess.”

Mr. Wei praised lightly, but inwardly sneered, thinking how can it be your Miao Family; she is clearly Chief Bai’s daughter. Here you are, foolishly pleased, not realizing disaster is imminent.

”I came today to deliver some things. Now that Ningning is a commandery princess, we need to maintain her standard. I brought some fine fabrics and hope you can find some time to have someone renovate Ningning’s courtyard.”

Assistant Prefect Miao was so jubilant he forgot his place, even beginning to meddle in Wei Family matters.

Mr. Wei felt disgusted in his heart, though his words were polite: ”Renovating the courtyard is indeed necessary, but how can we accept things from you? Our family has plenty of good things, the Old Madam’s lifelong collection is nearly gathering dust in the storeroom, more than enough to refurbish your daughter-in-law’s residence.”

Mr. Wei deliberately said ’daughter-in-law’ rather than ’commandery princess’, implying to Assistant Prefect Miao that Anning is a married woman, a daughter-in-law of the Wei Family, with no further ties to the Miao Family. Her glory also belongs to the Wei Family.

This left Assistant Prefect Miao somewhat displeased.

But with Mr. Wei as his superior, however uncomfortable he felt, there was nothing he could do, leaving in a good mood, only to depart in disappointment.

As soon as he left, Mr. Wei cursed: ”Pah, the audacity.”

Anning, upon being titled commandery princess, had to enter the palace to express her gratitude. Upon going into the palace, she first went to thank Emperor Jianyuan, and on her way from Qianyuan Palace to Yuxian Palace, she encountered a few young girls dressed in palace attire.

Anning, seeing the clothing of those girls, guessed they were likely either princesses or commandery princesses.

She quickly stepped aside, intending to let the girls pass first.

Unexpectedly, one of the girls stopped to size up Anning: ”You must be Princess Rong’an?”

Anning lowered her head and said, ”Yes.”

A Palace Attendant beside her said, ”This is Princess Le Ping.”

”Greetings, Your Highness.”

Anning curtsied.

Princess Le Ping looked Anning up and down, ”Are you on your way to Yuxian Palace?”

Anning replied softly, ”In response to Your Highness, I am heading to Yuxian Palace.”

Princess Le Ping snorted coldly, ”Truly lacking in manners, only seeing Noble Consort Chu in your eyes, you’ve forgotten who the real mistress is.”

Anning was momentarily stunned, ”In response to Your Highness, the Empress has not summoned me. I, as a subject, do not dare to intrude and upset Her Majesty.”

”You’re quite the talker, quick-witted.”

A hint of malice flashed in Princess Le Ping’s eyes. Just as she was about to punish Anning, a soft laugh interrupted them, ”I was wondering who it was, turns out it’s Le Ping. Where are you off to play, running into my daughter like this?”

Noble Consort Chu appeared from around the corner with her entourage. She was dressed in a pale green palace gown, leisurely waving a round fan in her hand. Her elegant demeanor and graceful figure made her look more like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl rather than a woman in her thirties.

”Come.”

Noble Consort Chu introduced Anning, ”This is Princess Le Ping, that is Princess Le Yang, and the other is Princess Nanqin, and this one...”

Anning greeted each in turn.

Noble Consort Chu smiled at Le Ping, ”Alright, you all go and play. I’ll take my daughter back.”

Le Ping was somewhat frustrated but did not dare to act out in front of Noble Consort Chu, begrudgingly leaving with her people.

Noble Consort Chu held Anning’s hand and walked towards Yuxian Palace. Once inside, the smile faded from her face, a hint of irritation flashing in her eyes, ”Hmph, the Empress only has a few tricks up her sleeve, too afraid to come forward herself, only knowing to send a little girl to cause trouble. It’s truly disdainful.”

Anning asked softly, ”Mother, is Princess Le Ping born of the Empress?”

Noble Consort Chu smiled and shook her head, ”No, she was born to a Palace Attendant in the Empress’s quarters. Her biological mother died during childbirth, and she was raised in the Empress’s palace. The Empress claimed to raise her, but only uses her as a tool to target whichever concubine she wants.”’

Anning understood, ”No wonder.”

”Don’t be afraid of her. If she wants to punish you, just ignore her. If she causes trouble, I’ll back you up.”

Noble Consort Chu patted Anning’s hand comfortingly.

Anning leaned against Noble Consort Chu, smiling, ”With you, Mother, I’m not afraid of anyone.”

As they were speaking, Emperor Jianyuan entered.

”What are you two talking about?”

Emperor Jianyuan was in a good mood, entering with a cheerful demeanor.

But Noble Consort Chu looked displeased, ”What are we talking about? We’re talking about how unfortunate my daughter is.”

She cast a sidelong glance at Emperor Jianyuan, turning away from him, ”Why did Your Majesty have to come, only bringing trouble for me, making the true mistress of this palace resent me. I wouldn’t even know how I died.”

”What has happened now?”

Emperor Jianyuan sat down, trying to soothe Noble Consort Chu.

Noble Consort Chu got up and went into the inner chamber, not only going in but also closing the door tightly, ”Your Majesty had better not come in the future?”

”What’s going on?”

Emperor Jianyuan frowned.

No one answered.

Emperor Jianyuan looked to Anning, ”Rong An, tell me what’s going on.”

Anning stood up obediently, standing particularly respectfully, ”In response to Your Majesty, I encountered Princess Le Ping on the way to Yuxian Palace.”

Anning didn’t mention anything about Princess Le Ping’s behavior.

But Emperor Jianyuan understood. He angrily said, ”Le Ping is becoming more and more unruly, the Empress doesn’t even know how to teach her properly.”

Noble Consort Chu’s voice came crisply from the inner chamber, ”What kind of teaching is there? Just leaving her unchecked. If the Empress doesn’t know how to teach her daughter, how is it that Princess Chang Le is so well-behaved and literate?”

”Alright, don’t be angry, I will help you vent.”

Emperor Jianyuan was also a bit upset. One reason was Princess Le Ping’s constant troublemaking, which made Emperor Jianyuan dislike her; the other was due to Noble Consort Chu’s previous comment about the true mistress of the palace, which angered him.

When did the true mistress of the palace become the Empress?

What kind of mistress is the Empress?

Isn’t it up to him to decide who to make the Empress? As the Emperor, he is the true master of the palace and even the entire world. The Empress’s deposition and appointment are but a snap decision for him.