Conquering the Male Supporting Character – CH 008

Chapter 8. Scheming

Actually, Lu Wan was overcomplicating things.

Throughout history, the more complex a plan, the easier it was to expose its flaws; as the saying goes, the more one did, the more mistakes one would make.

On the contrary, this kind of blatant scheme, if only the key steps were erased, might be able to deceive everyone perfectly.

The Old Madam clearly thought the same way. With so many people in the household gossiping, it would be difficult to trace the source of the rumors. If Lu Wan were dealt with today and sent away, everything would be settled.

Even if this old grievance were brought up later, it would be too late.

However, she had not expected that Lady Zhou would be able to find A-Li so quietly.

She had underestimated this merchant’s daughter.

Now that things had come to this, the Old Madam shifted her gaze, dusted off her sleeves, and spoke casually, “Why bother asking me for permission to kill such a wicked servant? Just beat her to death.”

For her grandmother’s sake, A-Li did not dare to confess. She was just a maid; death was acceptable.

With a thud, Lu Wan saw the old woman A-Li had been crying and screaming at collapse to the ground, her forehead covered in sweat and her face filled with despair and a silent plea.

Lu Xiao pursed his lips, remaining silent, while Lu Ling turned away with some pity.

In noble families, what did killing a few maids matter?

“Ah Wan, you are the aggrieved one. What do you think should be done?”

Lady Zhou gestured for the two weeping women to be taken away, then turned the question to Lu Wan.

The piercing cries and pleas faded into the distance. Lu Wan withdrew her gaze, took Lady Zhou’s arm, smiled, and shook her head in refusal.

“Mother, your birthday is coming soon. Seeing blood will bring bad luck. It would be better to spare their lives. Give each of them twenty strokes of the cane, and have all the servants in the mansion witness the punishment, as a warning to everyone to watch their words and not gossip about the household.”

She actually thought that keeping these two maids alive might be useful.

“What do you think of my idea?”

“You have a kind heart,” Lady Zhou hesitated, ultimately unable to bear rejecting her daughter’s filial piety.

Either twenty strokes of the cane would kill them, or at least leave them half-dead. Having the servants witness the punishment would also serve as a warning to everyone.

However, Ah Wan was too soft-hearted and too kind-hearted. She wondered how she would manage the household and administration in the future.

Lady Zhou’s thoughts had already drifted, and she was starting to worry, but she quickly snapped back to reality.

“I think Ah Wan’s words are not wrong,” Lady Zhou said, trying to smooth things over, her tone gentle yet authoritative. “What does Old Madam think of Ah Wan’s handling of the situation?”

What could she do if she was not satisfied? Lady Zhou nodded coldly, her lips tightly pressed together, her nasolabial folds forming a harsh expression, which was tantamount to approval.

Lu Wan held Lady Zhou’s arm all the way to the corridor. Lady Zhou tried to pull away, but Lu Wan held on even tighter.

She drawled out her speech, “Mother…”

Lady Zhou shook her head, somewhat amused. “I have not blamed you; why are you acting like this?”

“I just want to ask Mother for a favor…”

A sly smile appeared in Lu Wan’s eyes. “Mother, could you please order the punishment to be postponed? I can also consider the location carefully.”

“I’d love to see that wicked servant who slandered Ah Wan right now, so they will know the consequences of badmouthing their master.”

Lu Xiao was somewhat indignant. He went out every day, and only last night did his mother tell him about these absurd rumors circulating in the mansion.

Given time, these rumors would likely spread like wildfire throughout Luoyang. How could Ah Wan, an innocent young lady, find a good husband with such an inexplicable and malicious reputation?

He clenched his fist. “Ah Wan is still too kind-hearted. Even if she’s sold off, it is not worth much.”

“Then, Brother, you need not worry. I have a brilliant plan.”

Lu Wan then helped the distraught Lu Ling, smiled at Lu Xiao, and kept him in suspense: “We will know by tomorrow at the latest.”

Lu Ling, feeling touched by her closeness, had tears in her eyes and looked at her hesitantly. “Sister…”

She felt ashamed of her own slight suspicion.

This was her sister; how could she have hurt her like this?

Lu Wan interrupted her, “Ah Ling’s hairstyle today is quite unique. I will have my maids ask her for advice later, just in case Ah Ling finds me annoying.”

“How could I!”

Lu Ling opened her mouth, her eyes lighting up. “Then, if I have the chance in the future, I want to wear the same hairstyle as my elder sister!”

Easy to coax, Lu Wan smiled and nodded in agreement.

Lady Zhou smiled, feeling that the sky had become more expansive and bright, truly thanks to Heaven’s blessing.

Only the bewildered Lu Xiao could not see anything amiss, so he simply let go, bid farewell to his mother and sisters, and went back to his study to read.

Lu Wan sent someone to inquire about the time Lu Ming returned home from his daily shift. At that exact time, she had the servants and maids gathered in one place, and thus began the torture at a place they frequented throughout the mansion.

She naturally did not go, fearing the piercing screams would be unbearable to hear.

Fortunately, A-Yun took her place.

Ever since Master Yuanguan’s assertion that she was not possessed by any evil spirit, A-Yun’s attitude had become much more attentive. Lu Wan only needed to lift a finger to have hot tea served.

Leaning against the railing, she soon saw A-Yun enter the courtyard, her face showing some unease.

“My Young Lady,” A-Yun stepped forward and bowed, struggling to lick her dry lips, “it seems something bad is about to happen.”

“Here, the tea on the table is for you. Do not rush; tell me slowly.”

Lu Wan gestured with her eyes, wondering if there was some unexpected surprise.

After gulping down a large mouthful of tea, A-Yun licked her lips and glanced at the beautiful woman reclining languidly.

“As you predicted, young lady, the Old Master returned home around the second quarter past the hour of Shen¹, only to witness the execution. He was quite displeased, and after questioning me about what happened, he stormed off.”

She looked at Lu Wan, who was resting her chin on her hand, and seeing her nonchalant expression, could not help but anxiously add, “The Old Master had invited a colleague home today, but unexpectedly stumbled upon this scene. He must be very upset.”

“Young lady, what should we do?”

“What can we do? Just let it be.”

Lu Wan did not seem to care, but seeing A-Yun’s growing confusion, and in a rare good mood, she offered a few words of advice.

“I am the one who was harmed by the rumors. It was merely a warning to the servants; how could Grandfather blame me?”

“But did that old nanny go?”

A-Yun nodded. “The Old Madam’s nanny went too, crying very bitterly. A-Li is, after all, her youngest son’s posthumous child, and she dotes on her.”

“Then Grandfather must know who spread the rumors. He’s probably going to cause trouble now; how could he possibly hold a grudge against me? As for Grandfather losing face in front of his colleagues, that’s not my fault either.”

Having deliberately made a false accusation, Lu Wan was in a good mood and put the matter to rest.

However, important matters still needed to be addressed. She had not heard from Xie Yu since that day, and she did not know what had happened.

As the old saying goes, if the mountain would not come to me, I would go to the mountain.

Tomorrow should be his day off; it was the perfect opportunity.

Lu Wan rubbed her forehead. “I’d like to go out tomorrow. Have someone pick out some bright clothes and jewelry.”

Seeing her calm demeanor, A-Yun felt relieved and quickly agreed, going inside.

Lu Wan listlessly fiddled with the pale purple chrysanthemums in her hands, trying to think of a pretext. She could not just go and ambush him for no reason.

Not only would it be beneath her dignity, but she might not even succeed.

In any case, she’d go out of the house first.

She’d heard that Xie Yu, though not fond of going out, would occasionally go to the south of the city during his days off.

According to old customs in Luoyang, during days off, the Apricot Garden in the south of the city was often filled with groups of refined scholars and literati holding small banquets and poetry gatherings, creating a unique atmosphere. The noble ladies of Luoyang also frequently went out for pleasure, and at this time, there were no strict rules about the separation of men and women; it was common to join in for a drink with acquaintances.

It was a unique elegance of Luoyang, and she figured her presence would not be out of place.

Having made up her mind, she chose a smoky red, cross-collared ruqun with lace trim and paired it with a light mountain-blue shawl. The next day, after changing, she selected a pearl-embellished hairpin from her vanity case and tucked it into her hair, making her both striking and lively.

With her eyebrows painted with indigo, her lips tinged with crimson, a rosy blush on her cheeks, and bright earrings dangling from her ears, A-Yun, holding the box, could not take her eyes off her.

She had long known her young lady was beautiful, but in the past, her young lady was like a figure in a painting—beautiful, yes, but easily forgotten.

But today, dressed like this, she seemed like a fairy from a painting descended to earth, brought to life!

Her beauty was captivating, so beautiful that she could not look away.

Lu Wan carefully examined herself in the mirror and, noticing A-Yun’s expression, knew her outfit was quite good, but she felt something was missing.

She rummaged through her dressing table, finding a small box of floral hairpins. She chose a small, delicate peony, gently breathed on the adhesive on the back, and affixed it to the center of her forehead.

“My Young Lady…you truly…look like an immortal!”

A-Yun murmured, feeling that there could not be a more beautiful woman in the entire capital than her young lady!

Lu Wan smiled slightly, adjusted her shawl, and went straight out the door. A-Yun, snapping out of her reverie, quickly followed.

Sure enough, upon arriving at Lady Zhou’s place, she was again showered with praise and admiration.

“My daughter looks beautiful today,” Lady Zhou said with satisfaction, her eyes crinkling with laughter. “Ah Wan is naturally radiant; even in such vibrant colors, her beauty is not diminished.”

Lu Wan curled her lips slightly, a hint of pride in her voice. “I think so too.”

Lady Zhou covered her mouth and chuckled, not objecting to her going out.

“You’ve been ill for several days; you should go out for a walk. Ah Ling does not like going out much; your brother can take you.”

She also had to bring Lu Xiao along…

Lu Wan felt a little discouraged, but thinking that it was her first time going out, having him along was not bad, and she calmed herself down.

She was lucky; she actually ran into Xie Yu in the south of the city.

He was wearing a white, wide-sleeved robe, the blue brocade belt about four fingers wide, accentuating his tall and straight waist. His hair was tied with a white jade crown, giving him a rather scholarly air.

From afar, Lu Wan saw several students in colorful robes surrounding him, seemingly seeking his guidance. Their attitudes were extremely respectful, showing no sign of inappropriateness in treating a young man of similar or even younger age as a teacher.

“Wan, is that not Judicial Minister Xie?”

Lu Xiao was somewhat tempted, but hesitated to leave his younger sister behind.

Lu Wan raised an eyebrow. She had not expected Xie Yu to be so popular with both men and women. In Luojing, he had admirers not only numerous young women but also many noblemen and scholars from humble backgrounds.

And there was Lu Xiao, his expression clearly showing the excitement of seeing his idol.

Lu Wan, quick-witted, said understandingly, “Brother, would you like to meet Judicial Minister Xie? It just so happens that I wanted to thank him for the chrysanthemums he sent a few days ago.”

This reminded Lu Xiao that after the ginseng incident, Lady Zhou had sent a valuable return gift to the Xie family, and Xie Yu had sent back several precious purple chrysanthemums. He could use this opportunity to strike up a conversation.

He simply took Lu Wan with him and went forward to pay his respects.

Just then, Xie Yu turned around and saw that vibrant figure. He curved his lips into a casual smile as he looked at her, the smile deepening and reaching his eyes.

His originally slightly upturned eyes curved downwards, the deep creases above them highlighting his dark, almost black, eyes.

Despite the chill of autumn, the handsome, aloof gentleman’s gentle smile was intoxicating, like a spring breeze.

Even Lu Wan, who prided herself on being accustomed to beauty, felt her heart skip a beat.

Wine did not intoxicate, but this beauty was truly captivating.

She composed herself before following Lu Xiao forward to pay her respects, curtsying with her robes flowing.

Just as she was about to reply to Xie Yu’s gift, a soft, questioning female voice rang out.

“Cousin, who is this?”

How many people could call Xie Yu “cousin”? Lu Wan paused, then slowly looked up at the approaching woman. The woman had elegant features and wore the same plain-colored clothes as Xie Yu.

This was the heroine from the book, Shi Yao?