The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Bai En sat cross-legged on the warm stove bed, making dumplings.

He hadn’t made dumplings in quite a while, and when he first started, his dumplings were pretty unappetizing. However, being a smart person, he got the hang of it after a few tries.

He watched Xiao Yuan deftly roll out the dumpling wrappers, his skill providing for two people, and felt even more satisfied with this son-in-law.

To be honest, Bai En initially had a slight dissatisfaction with this son-in-law.

It wasn’t that he thought Xiao Yuan had a bad character, but because Xiao Yuan was previously married and had two children, making Anning the second wife, Bai En felt his daughter was wronged.

But after observing for some time, Bai En realized that even though his daughter and son-in-law weren’t the original couple, the son-in-law truly cared for his daughter. In their everyday interactions, his heart and eyes were full of Anning, thinking about her constantly, clearly wanting to live a good life with her.

The son-in-law was honest and sincere, and since he treated his daughter so well, Bai En overlooked that little flaw.

Now watching Xiao Yuan, a young gentleman from an official family, rolling out dumpling wrappers for Anning, Bai En was convinced that Xiao Yuan truly cherished Anning.

With this thought, Bai En couldn’t help but smile.

”The three of us sitting and making dumplings reminds me of the early years when your grandparents were alive. Our whole family would gather around the stove bed like this in the winter to make dumplings. Back then, even though we didn’t have much to eat or wear, our hearts were happy.”

Bai En shared his nostalgia with Anning and wrapped another plump dumpling.

Anning responded with a nod and asked softly, ”Where are my grandparents buried? I want to visit their graves later.”

”I don’t know.”

Speaking of this matter, Bai En visibly became somber: ”Your grandparents died unjustly, and I almost didn’t make it myself. By the time I crawled out of the cemetery, I didn’t dare search for their bodies. Later, when I gained some power and sent people to look, we couldn’t find them.”

Anning narrowed her eyes slightly, ”Dad, later I’ll invite a mage to help find them. I’ve heard that powerful mages can find the remains of close relatives using a descendant’s blood.”

”Really?”

Bai En was overjoyed, ”Why have I never heard of that?”

Anning smiled softly, ”My master mentioned it, but I’ve never seen it. I’ll find out more; maybe I can find a skilled mage.”

Xiao Yuan, rolling out dumpling wrappers, looked sideways at Anning with a smile.

He knew what Anning intended, likely wanting him to disguise as a powerful mage to help locate and bury the remains of her grandparents from the Bai Family.

Bai En’s hands trembled slightly as he made dumplings, ”Good, good, in that case, I’ll give you more money. We won’t worry about the cost as long as we find your grandparents’ remains.”

”Dad, it shouldn’t cost too much. After all, I have good medical skills, and the mage is only human, too, afraid of getting sick. I can barter my skills with him and also get him to find a good Feng Shui spot to bury them, fulfilling our duty as descendants.”

Anning gently discussed her plan with Bai En, ”Then I’ll move my aunt’s coffin to their burial site. Our family should stay together.”

Bai En became more emotional, ”Yes, our family should stay together.”

Once the dumplings were cooked, Anning first served a bowl to Bai En.

After eating dumplings, the three of them chatted for a while. Bai En, feeling tired from the day, went to his room to rest after the conversation.

Lying in bed, he couldn’t fall asleep.

The thought that next year Anning might find her grandparents’ remains made Bai En’s heart ache with an unbearable intensity. Even with his eyes closed, he couldn’t find sleep.

He thought about many things, gradually feeling grateful that his daughter was beside him and that Heaven hadn’t dealt him all the bad cards but had left him with a daughter and a good son-in-law.

In this respect, Bai En felt a certain gratitude.

Originally, Bai En had become somewhat black-hearted over the years.

With his experiences and daily witnessing of his beloved with Emperor Jianyuan feigning affection, along with a future that seemed hopeless and endless darkness, Bai En had become cynical.

Over the years, his heart grew darker and more brooding, often contemplating simply destroying everything.

If not for having Noble Consort Chu in the palace, Bai En might have indeed acted destructively.

It was the presence of Noble Consort Chu that still gave him some attachment, some hesitation.

In fact, if Anning hadn’t come and Noble Consort Chu passed away, Bai En might have done something drastic.

But now Bai En had another concern, and from Anning and Xiao Yuan, he felt kinship and warmth, shifting from the bitterness and gloom of the past.

Bai En couldn’t sleep in the first half of the night, but eventually found peace in the latter half.

Upon waking, feeling comfortable in the warm quilt, he almost didn’t want to open his eyes.

If not for thinking of Noble Consort Chu in the palace and his responsibilities to protect his daughter’s future, Bai En seriously contemplated resigning and living peacefully with his daughter and son-in-law.

The palace was cold and he disliked it. It was far more comfortable and free at home with his daughter.

Lying there, Bai En pondered the treasures he had left in the palace, planning to move them to his daughter as soon as possible.

He lay there for a while until a crisp voice called from outside the door, ”Dad, it’s time to get up and eat.”

Bai En answered, putting on a robe.

He put on slippers and went to open the door.

When he opened the door, he saw Anning carrying breakfast trays inside with a few maids.

Bai En looked at the sky, ”The snow has stopped.”

Anning smiled, ”It stopped last night. Did you sleep well, Dad?”

”Yes, very well.”

Bai En stretched and took up his chopsticks as the meal was set, ”Have you eaten?”

”Yes, Sir, today he’s gathering with some friends and left early, so I ate with him.”

Anning cheerfully served Bai En some dishes, ”I made these myself. Tell me how they taste.”

Bai En tasted the food and nodded in satisfaction, ”Delicious, very delicious.”

After breakfast, Bai En prepared to return to the palace.

Anning handed him several jade bottles, ”These are the medicines I mentioned to you, all we have. Take them with you, and just take one pill before serving Your Majesty.”

”Is it easy to make?”

Bai En asked.

”Quite easy, and the herbs aren’t expensive. You could treat them like regular sugar pills.”

Anning replied with a smile.

”Then make more when you have time. Those old guys in the palace have money and love indulgence. We’ll make more and sell them to earn you a fortune.”

Bai En grinned slyly.

Anning played along, ”Sure, with the snow these days, it’s bad to travel. I’ll stay in with the maids and make more. Once they’re ready, I’ll send Little Shunzi to fetch them.”

Little Shunzi was a godson of Bai En’s, now serving in Qianyuan Palace, a clever young eunuch.