Conquering the Male Supporting Character – CH 007

Chapter 7. Asking the Monk

To reach Tingsong Hall, one must pass through a bamboo grove. The bamboo was evergreen, but in autumn, withered branches and leaves were inevitable. Servants from the Lu family were busy tending to the grove to prevent it from getting in the masters’ way.

From afar, seeing Lady Zhou leading her children, an old woman carrying a willow basket hurriedly called to her companions and headed straight into the grove.

This was witnessed by Lu Wan, who was memorizing the route.

She glanced at Lady Zhou’s profile, almost certain she had seen them too, but remained silent.

Lu Xiao, who had also noticed, was quite displeased.

“The servants in the mansion are becoming increasingly unruly. Mother should discipline them.”

He casually shook a bamboo branch extending into the veranda, and glistening dewdrops splashed onto Lu Wan’s and Lu Ling’s faces. Startled, Lu Ling grabbed Lu Wan’s arm, then immediately pulled away.

Lu Wan narrowed her eyes, tentatively patting Lu Ling’s shoulder. Sure enough, the other girl instinctively flinched, her clear, doe-like eyes showing faint dark circles, and her eye sockets were red.

“Brother, you frightened our Ling.”

She curved her lips into a smile, then aimed at another branch, pulling and flicking it. This time, Lu Xiao’s face was also covered in water droplets. He casually wiped them with his sleeve and complained to Lady Zhou with a smile.

“Mother, look, Wan has even bullied me! You must punish her properly.”

As he spoke, he walked around to Lu Wan’s side, half-bending his index finger and tapping her smooth forehead.

“Where is there even a trace of respect for her brother in her actions?”

Lady Zhou smiled helplessly. “You are quite the talker. Do you think I did not see who struck first?”

Lu Xiao did not mind; he just smiled and gave Lu Wan a meaningful look.

Lu Wan understood immediately.

They had seen the two servants’ actions and were trying to distract her from her worries.

A sweet feeling welled up inside her. She covered her mouth and smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she glanced at Lu Xiao.

“Brother, if you are so capable, come again. I will have someone collect half a basin of dew, and we can play in your study.”

Lu Xiao waved his hands frantically.

“My study does not welcome you, Wan. Please do not come!”

He had not forgotten that he had a younger sister and coughed lightly.

“If you bring Ah Ling along, I might consider it. But you have to report half a day in advance so I can pack all my books away.”

Lu Ling snapped out of her daze. Her smile was a little forced, but she still gritted her teeth and took Lu Wan’s arm.

This made Lu Wan look at her with some surprise.

Lu Ling remained silent, only offering her a sweet smile.

It even hinted at a sense of resignation in Lu Wan’s eyes.

Amused by her own association, she mimicked Lu Xiao’s gesture, gently tapping Lu Ling’s forehead with her finger.

Unfortunately, this warm atmosphere vanished the moment they entered Tingsong Hall.

Upon stepping through the courtyard gate, Lu Wan noticed that the number of servants far exceeded the usual.

Most of them were strong and uncouth.

Noble families valued reputation, and even the most junior maids were usually quite pretty.

Today was different.

Lu Wan lowered her head, concealing her mocking smile with her handkerchief. Did they think she could run away at any moment?

Upon entering the room, the first thing she saw was a monk sitting opposite the Old Madam, dressed in a greyish-blue robe. He was slightly plump, with a kind face, though his face was full of wrinkles.

He did not seem particularly remarkable.

Lu Wan sensed something was amiss. Looking around, she realized Lu Zhen was not there.

It seemed that news of Lu Zhen’s visit to Xie Yu had reached Lu Ming’s ears, and she was being watched closely.

No wonder the Old Madam’s gaze was so sharp this time.

She saw her as the culprit who had caused Lu Zhen’s suffering.

“Greetings, Master Yuanguan.”

Lady Zhou calmly stepped forward, pressing her palms together in greeting, clearly having met this renowned master of Ci’en Temple before.

The man nodded, his gaze falling on Lu Wan. “Young benefactor Lu Wan, it has been a long time.”

He immediately focused his attention on Lu Wan.

This inevitably made people suspect that there was something wrong with Lu Wan.

The Old Madam was one of them. She was secretly pleased. Master Yuanguan had grown up in Ci’en Temple, possessed great wisdom, and had cultivated for decades, earning high prestige and even the potential to become the next abbot of Ci’en Temple.

She had just explained the situation to him; his reaction proved that Lu Wan was strange.

This thought intensified when she saw Lady Zhou move slightly closer to Lu Wan. The Old Madam’s brow relaxed, and she felt an indescribable sense of comfort.

Lu Wan was also surprised. Not for any other reason than that the monk seemed somewhat familiar.

He actually bore a resemblance to the monk who had warned her to stay away from water.

Could it be that the characters in this book mirrored people from her past? Or were they all figments of her imagination?

Without time to ponder further, she took a step forward and, mimicking Lady Zhou’s manner, offered a greeting.

“I am well; thank you for your concern, Master.”

“When I first met you, you were only three years old. Now, more than a decade has passed in a flash, inevitably bringing a touch of melancholy to this old monk.”

Yuanguan nodded, his gaze kind and gentle, revealing no malice.

“I invited you here today because of what happened to Ah Wan a few days ago when she fell into the water. She has been ill for several days, and even her temperament has changed considerably. Could you please examine her to see if she is caught in any karmic entanglement?”

Seeing that Yuanguan remained silent, the Old Madam’s smile faded, a lump forming in her throat. She suppressed her smile, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

The implication was far too clear; it was practically a direct question about whether Lu Wan was possessed by something.

Lu Xiao curled his lip, wanting to step forward and argue on Lu Wan’s behalf, but she stopped him by tugging at his sleeve.

These rumors were not worth Lu Xiao losing his composure over. A scholar, after all, had to maintain his reputation.

Lu Wan glanced at the seemingly confident Lady Zhou, then took a seat below Master Yuanguan.

“Thank you for your concern, Madam,” she said with a smile, then turned to Yuanguan without flinching. “Master, it is a rare treat for you to visit the Lu residence today. Do you have any insights or advice to share with me?”

Yuanguan, seemingly oblivious to the oppressive atmosphere in the hall, carefully scrutinized the young woman’s face, his mustache twitching slightly. After a long pause, he uttered, “Young benefactor, you are not as you usually are.”

These words were quite direct. The Old Madam’s eyes flashed, and she gestured, prompting several burly women to enter.

She stared at Lady Zhou and slowly began, “Since Master has said so…”

In the blink of an eye, Lu Wan saw Lu Xiao rush to her side, pulling her up and shielding her behind him.

“Nonsense! I’d like to see who dares to touch Ah Wan!”

He and Lu Wan were born on the same day, month, and year. He was a slender young man, not used to riding or archery; his small stature made him look like a scholar at first glance.

Yet, he was the first to stand up and protect her.

Lu Wan looked at the back of his head, her eyes burning with tears and a pang of guilt.

She had taken his sister’s body; the person he truly wanted to protect had long since died in the icy lotus pond.

One could even say she had stolen this brotherly love for his sister.

Lu Wan was momentarily dazed.

Seeing this scene, the Old Madam was even more pleased. Lu Xiao was the true eldest grandson; she could not touch him normally, but now…

But Lady Zhou frowned, speaking up before she could stop him.

“Ah Xiao, step back. How dare you be so rude in front of the Old Madam! Has your teacher failed to teach you manners?”

Lu Wan, pulling herself out of her reverie, glanced at Lady Zhou out of the corner of her eye. Lady Zhou’s words during her greetings, reassuring her, gradually calmed her.

She played along, comforting Lu Xiao, while glancing at the unmoving Master Yuanguan.

“Brother, do not be hasty. Let’s hear what the Master has to say.”

The Old Madam gestured for several servants to step forward, saying, “Was what the Master just said not clear enough?

In my opinion, Ah Wan should also recuperate properly. I remember there’s a Lu family villa in the mountains near Ci’en Temple; it is a good place for tranquility and restoring one’s spirit.”

This was a fatal blow. Lu Wan was somewhat impressed by the Old Madam.

It sounded like she was doing it for her own good, but was she not really just trying to exile her from Luoyang?

Which noble lady would go to a mountain villa for long-term recuperation? Anyone with a discerning eye could see it was because she’d made a mistake and was actually sent there.

Even if she returned later, she’d inevitably be gossiped about, her reputation ruined.

“This humble monk thinks the young benefactor is doing quite well now and does not need to recuperate at any villa.”

Yuanguan, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, instantly changing the situation. He smiled slightly. “Years ago, I told Young Master Lu that the young benefactor fell into the water and developed a high fever when she was three, truly a difficult hurdle. Now, having fallen into the water again, she has perfectly overcome this tribulation.”

“From now on, she will have benefactors to protect her, and her journey will be smooth sailing. This is what makes today different from the past. But I wonder if there is any writing brush or ink here?”

This hesitant, breathless manner of speaking was probably a common trait among all highly accomplished individuals.

Lu Wan inwardly scoffed but outwardly remained expressionless. She respectfully bowed again to express her gratitude, then accepted the annotations written by Yuanguan with both hands. Lu Xiao and Lu Ling also crowded around to look.

“Water ebbs and flows; Unbreakable connection shows.” Lu Xiao took the note and read it aloud. Having just apologized, his attitude was now much more respectful. “May I ask, Master, what does this mean?”

“Perhaps you will know in the future when fate allows.”

Yuanguan naturally would not explain. He rose and bowed to the Old Madam, his expression gentle. “This humble monk has resolved the Old Madam’s doubts. I must take my leave now.”

Lu Wan coldly observed the Old Madam’s displeasure, forced a smile as she saw Master Yuanguan off, and then told them to leave.

“I am tired. You may all go your separate ways.”

Unfortunately, Lady Zhou was not willing to let things end so easily.

“Bring them up,” Lady Zhou said to the maid beside her.

Shortly afterward, two maids with their hands tightly bound were pushed forward. The person pushing them casually removed the handkerchiefs stuffed in their mouths. The two women knelt and kowtowed, tears streaming down their faces, their voices trembling with sobs, a truly pathetic sight.

“…It is this servant who is guilty…Old Madam…please spare my family…”

Lu Wan subconsciously glanced at the Old Madam and sure enough caught a twitch in her brow before her gaze settled on a maidservant beside her.

“These past few days, I’ve heard rumors circulating in the mansion, subtly implying that Ah Wan fell into the water and attracted some unclean spirits.

So I sent people to investigate secretly, and they quickly traced it back to Ah Li, who tends the flowers and trees. Ah Liu even confessed that Ah Li was the one who first spoke to her.”

Lady Zhou adjusted the jade hairpin in her hair, raising an eyebrow at the Old Madam. “Such slanderous gossip about the master, these wicked servants, in my opinion, should be beaten to death.”

These casual words startled the maidservant beside the Old Madam, who abruptly knelt, and Ah Li also uttered a sob.

Lu Wan thought it sounded like she was calling her “Grandmother.”

It seemed this Ah Li was the granddaughter of the Old Madam’s maid.

That was quite obvious, and she was rather bewildered. Such a crude method of harm—was it an insult to her intelligence? Or an insult to her cleverness?

Was this not something that could be easily investigated and clarified?

Was it because she was a junior, and a reputation for disobedience would not sound good, and she could not do anything to her elders, so they just openly attacked her?