Conquering the Male Supporting Character – CH 029

Chapter 29. Explicit

But speculation was still speculation; Lu Wan had no evidence, and she could not suppress her doubts.

After all, she also felt the speculation was unreliable.

Lin Yun was counting on her as a foil; why would she want her dead? It simply did not make sense.

She shook her head and walked along the corridor with its bamboo curtains to the location of the poetry gathering.

When Lu Wan arrived, she found that Princess Nan’an was nowhere to be seen, and Xie Yu was not in his original spot.

He sat quietly with his eyes lowered, lost in thought, radiating an aura of unapproachability, like a beautiful jade statue befitting a high position in a temple.

So aloof and distant was he that no one dared approach him to speak.

Before, outside the city, some scholars had struck up conversations with him, and he was not as cold as he was now. The contrast was stark; they seemed like two different people.

Lu Wan did not seem to care. She looked around and asked, “Lord Yu, where is the County Princess?”

As she approached, Xie Yu looked up at her, smiled slightly, and finally seemed more at ease.

“Just now, someone from the Eastern Palace came, saying that the Crown Prince had fallen ill and came to inform the County Princess.”

“She left in a hurry, leaving a message for me to give you: If fate allows, we will meet again.”

These words were quite amusing; Lu Wan even laughed out loud.

“People come and go in Luoyang; it is hard not to encounter them. The way she says it, she must have some connection with everyone here.”

The person who could say such things was quite a character. She suddenly felt a bit more favorably disposed towards Princess Nan’an.

However, Lu Wan was more curious about the previous question: “The Princess Nan’an and the Crown Prince have only met a few times, yet she’s already going to attend to him?”

Having only met a few times, it sounded rather awkward to have to take care of him. It was not like there were no palace servants to attend to him.

Her question immediately reminded Xie Yu of his visit to the Eastern Palace a few days ago.

That day, when he went to see the Crown Prince, a palace servant came in to report that Princess Nan’an was coming that day. The Crown Prince’s pale, sickly face could not help but break into a smile.

It was clear at a glance that he was genuinely interested.

It was a pity; what good was sincerity? They were destined to be apart, unlikely to have a happy ending.

He knew this, and the Crown Prince knew it too, but that person simply could not control their heart.

Xie Yu gathered his thoughts and gave a perfunctory reply, “Perhaps it is the Emperor’s decree; the county princess’s trip to the capital this time is for marriage preparation. It is good for them to get to know each other soon.”

Lu Wan nodded; that made sense.

“Clouds are coming from the north again,” Xie Yu said, pointing to her. “It will probably snow again soon. Shall I take you home?”

Indeed, Lu Wan looked in the direction he pointed; a vast expanse of leaden clouds occupied the distant northern sky, clearly about to surge in.

“A-Yun, go and call Ah Ling over. Also, have A-Yu ask Fifth Aunt if she wants to come along.”

She instructed the maid, then began searching for Princess Dingyang’s figure; she needed to say goodbye.

Just then, Xie Yu’s gaze fell on her hair. “Ah Wan’s plum blossom in her hair is gone.”

He’d noticed! Lu Wan thought to herself, “Oh no!”

She frantically touched her hair, then paled slightly. “Oh, it is gone.”

She looked at Xie Yu with a hint of disappointment, her cheeks puffing out slightly.

“When I went to change just now, a gust of wind caught me, and it probably fell off then.

I am so sorry to have wasted your kindness.” Lu Wan seemed quite sad; her voice muffled and slightly nasal, “It’s my fault.”

“It’s alright.” Xie Yu reached out and plucked another flower from the branch, tucking it into her hair where the previous one had been.

“Now you have it.”

Lu Wan…

The flower that had finally disappeared was now back in her hair. Fine, she could wear it.

She stroked the flower in her hair, looking up at him with obvious delight.

“Thank you, Lord Yu.”

Xie Yu smiled slightly, offering a rare compliment: “You look beautiful in that red dress.”

This was the first time Xie Yu had complimented her; he must have gained a lot today. His favorability rating needed to rise by at least twenty points to barely be considered respectable.

Lu Wan was delighted, her eyes sparkling like fallen stars on a summer night.

Seeing this, Xie Yu felt a pang of sympathy, a touch of amusement in him.

Once, Xu Lin, drunk, lingered in his study, rambling on about how young women all loved being praised for their looks.

He had not expected Lu Wan to be no exception. If that was the case, then praising her a few more times in the future would not be difficult.

【Ding! Lu Wan’s favorability +15, current favorability 40!】

A strange sound rang out, and Xie Yu’s smiling gaze gradually turned cold. Seeing that A-Yun had returned, he remained silent.

“My Lady, Lady Ling said she’s going back with the third young lady of the Gu family, and told you to go back on your own. Lady Zhen… she said you can do as you please.”

A-Yun swallowed, looking uneasy. Clearly, Lu Zhen’s exact words had not been pleasant.

“The Third Young Lady of the Gu family?” Lu Wan thought for a moment; she seemed to be Honorary Attendant Pei’s niece and a close friend of Lu Ling.

“I just saw the Second and Fifth Young Masters of the Gu family also came. They will probably escort them back, so Ah Wan does not need to worry,” Xie Yu said at the opportune moment.

That was fine then. The Gu family members were known for their kindness. Lu Wan felt slightly relieved, left A-Yun to look after her, and went with Xie Yu to bid farewell to Princess Dingyang.

At this age, the elderly often had a penchant for matchmaking. Seeing the beautiful couple standing in the hall, she jokingly suggested that she could attend the betrothal ceremony someday.

The betrothal ceremony was the first of the six rites of marriage, referring to the matchmaker’s visit to propose.

Lu Wan lowered her head shyly, while Xie Yu responded with a smile.

That was enough to smooth things over.

But once they were out of the garden, Lu Wan could not help but look back frequently. Ah Ling was gentle and soft-hearted; leaving her alone there still made her uneasy.

Taking a child out and not taking her back herself always made her uneasy.

Xie Yu, observing her expression, said, “I will have Xie-Jue stay too, to escort her back later. Are you more at ease now, Ah Wan?”

Lu Wan glanced at Xie-Jue, noticing his calloused hands and agile physique—clearly a trained fighter—and felt somewhat relieved, nodding.

A servant in plain clothes led in a horse, but Xie Yu remained motionless.

He seemed to have just realized something and asked hesitantly, “I was careless just now. If you leave, would Young Lady Lu not have to squeeze into a carriage with Third Young Lady Gu? The Gu family is known for its frugality; the carriage they used to come here is not very spacious, and it probably cannot accommodate so many people.”

Was that so?

Lu Wan stopped, looking at her own carriage with a hint of helplessness. Did she really have to shamelessly stay after already saying goodbye?

Xie Yu looked down at her, his gaze calm. “You can leave the carriage with Young Lady Lu, and I will take you on horseback. How about that?”

He wanted to take her on horseback.

So that was how it was. Lu Wan understood, her heart pounding, a sudden sense of unreality washing over her. So Xie Yu had gone through all that trouble just to get her to ride with him.

Tsk, he’d given her the cold shoulder a few days ago, and now he’d changed his tune so quickly, publicly acknowledging their feelings and even scheming to have her ride with him.

Lu Wan was puzzled, but she could not let this opportunity slip away, so a hint of joy appeared on her face.

“Then I can have the others stay behind to look after Ah Ling.”

She lightly bit her cherry lips, glancing at him quickly, her expression charming and lively.

“Then I will trouble you, Lord Yu.”

Xie Yu seemed to feel a slight flush on his face from her affectionate gaze, turning his head slightly away and coughing lightly, “It’s no trouble at all.”

He mounted his horse, then extended his arm towards Lu Wan; his knuckles were well-proportioned, and his arm was long and strong.

Lu Wan was startled for a moment before looking up at him. She saw him seated high on his chestnut horse, leaning forward and stretching out his arm, his gaze fixed on her, his clear, dark pupils reflecting only her image.

It was somewhat like a fairy tale she’d read, although he was riding a chestnut horse.

Shaking her head to dismiss the strange thought, Lu Wan reached out and climbed onto his arm, using Xie Yu’s help to sit down in front of him.

Just a couple of days ago, Zhou Yan had shared a ride with her; what was she thinking?

Sitting sideways on the horse, Lu Wan could hold Xie Yu tightly around the waist or have Xie Yu wrap his arms around her tightly just to maintain her balance.

This suited her perfectly. She poked Xie Yu’s chest with her jade-like finger, seemingly extremely embarrassed. “I am a little scared; could I…”

Xie Yu looked down at the person in his arms, his eyes as calm as water, and suddenly smiled. “Sure.”

Hmm? She did not finish her sentence…

Then Xie Yu pulled her arm firmly, slowly wrapping it around his waist.

“That way, you will not have to worry about falling.”

!!!

He looked up, not at her, his expression calm, seemingly unconcerned, but the tips of his jade-white ears were slightly red.

Lu Wan, seeing this, decided to push her luck, burying herself directly in his chest, seemingly shy, but actually wanting to laugh, yet not wanting him to see.

Unexpectedly, Xie Yu had this side to him. She chuckled softly amidst the crisp, slightly bitter air, feeling a great sense of accomplishment for the day.

The person holding her felt the sound against his chest and gripped the reins tighter, finally pulling the horse back towards the Lu residence.

The cold wind that hit her face made Lu Wan regret her decision; it was truly bone-chilling.

This was nothing like what she had done earlier in the garden, where charcoal fires had been lit everywhere, melting away the biting wind.

She unconsciously moved closer to Xie Yu, hoping to draw some warmth from him through his clothes, even if it was just a drop in the ocean.

“Just bear with it, we will be there soon,” Lu Wan reassured herself.

After traveling for a short while, she noticed Xie Yu had stopped.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, looking up with puzzled eyes. Xie Yu pursed his lips, not answering, but instead hugged her tightly, and the two jumped off the horse together.

Lu Wan, relying on Xie Yu for support, realized they had arrived at a clothing shop on the long street. There were not many customers around, and as soon as they stopped, a friendly shop assistant immediately approached.

“Please come in, esteemed guests! We’ve prepared some refreshments and tea inside. It is so cold; warm yourselves up! Is there anything you need? Please let us know!”

Lu Wan looked at Xie Yu with a puzzled expression, and just as she opened her mouth to ask, “Lord Yu, what’s this?” he firmly led her inside.

“Bring me a fine cloak, a woman’s cloak; red will do.”

Xie Yu was not used to places like this. He glanced at the clothes hanging on the walls, frowned slightly, and gave the order.

“It’s been a bit cold on the way. I did not think things through before letting you ride with me; it was my fault.”

He turned to the woman beside him and explained gently, “I found you a cloak. It does not fit perfectly, but it will keep you warm for now. Consider it my apology.”

So he realized she was a little cold. Lu Wan paused, and for some reason, she thought of her fingers, red from the cold, while copying Buddhist scriptures at Ci’en Temple. A warmth spread through her heart.

“Then thank you very much, Lord Yu.” She smiled and nodded, accepting his kindness without hesitation.

Only when a man began to be concerned about a woman would he care about her and spend money on her. So this was a sign that Xie Yu was beginning to care about her more.

“It was not easy; it was incredibly difficult!” Lu Wan could not help but smile, feeling she had almost seen her chance at success.

Looking at Xie Yu now, she could almost see a progress bar above his head, its value rapidly increasing.

Lu Wan did not ask for much; she casually picked out a cherry-red brocade cloak embroidered with vine patterns, and the two prepared to leave.

As soon as they stepped outside, Xie Yu shook off the cloak draped over his arm and put it on Lu Wan, carefully tying the ties for her.

“Do not catch a cold.”

As he tied the ties, his fingertips inevitably brushed against her delicate chin. In the warmth of their skin touching, one smiled, and the other blushed, each lost in their own thoughts.

“Greetings, Brother!” a man’s voice called out.

The two looked in the direction of the voice and saw a slender young man approaching them.

The man appeared to be in his early twenties, with a handsome face, simple clothes, and an extraordinary air, resembling a scholar from a humble background.

“Brother Yunzheng.”

The two men exchanged a warm greeting, clearly acquaintances.

“And this is?” The young man called Yunzheng looked at Lu Wan with a puzzled expression, then his brows relaxed. “Is she your cousin?”

They must have mistaken her for Shi Yao. Lu Wan glanced at Xie Yu without saying a word.

“This is the fifth young lady of Minister Lu’s household, named Lu Wan,” Xie Yu introduced the two. “This is Yuan Mo, courtesy name Yunzheng, currently the Junior Chamberlain of the Crown Prince’s Palace.”

The Junior Chamberlain was essentially the second-in-command of the Chamberlain’s Office in the Crown Prince’s Palace. While the rank was not high, being directly under the Crown Prince’s protection was a promising position.

Moreover, this man’s surname was Yuan, and there were no prominent families with the surname Yuan in Luoyang. He was clearly a scholar from a humble background, and to have attained this position required considerable talent.

“Young Master Yuan,” Lu Wan greeted him politely, but she was not particularly interested in him, as they would not have any dealings.

She consciously concealed her presence, obediently nestled beside the handsome young man, waiting for them to finish their conversation.

Yuan Mo bowed, then looked at Xie Yu, a hint of understanding on his face. “It is I who has troubled you two.

I was merely passing by, and you looked familiar, so I greeted you,” he smiled warmly. “Then I shall take my leave.”

The three bowed again, exchanged a few words, and Xie Yu led Lu Wan away.

What Lu Wan did not see was that Yuan Mo, who had just left, stopped after a few steps, turned back, and watched them depart, lost in thought.

The gentle smile on his face had completely vanished, replaced by a twisted, irritated expression.

Just now, Lu Wan greeted him without any apparent surprise or pretense. Could it be that the person who eavesdropped that day was not her?

This matter was urgent; he needed to inform that person as soon as possible.

Yuan Mo went straight to his residence, wrote a note, and sent a messenger over.

Shortly afterward, in a mansion somewhere in Luoyang, someone whispered, “My Lord, Yuan Yunzheng has sent a message.”

Without needing the person at the window to give any instructions, the messenger placed the rolled-up note on the table, bowed, and withdrew.

A pair of neatly manicured fingers picked up the note, slowly unfurled it, and, after a moment, sighed softly, “A useless piece of trash.”

The person patted the note, and an attendant bowed and entered the room.

“Send someone to investigate who was at the same tavern as Yuan Mo that day.”

He paused, his voice deepening, revealing the imposing presence of a superior. “Not a single one can be missed.”

“Yes!” The attendant respectfully retreated, gently closing the door behind him.

Tap, tap, tap…

Irregular tapping sounds emanated from the jade Weiqi pieces clattering against the bamboo Weiqi board.

“For over twenty years, my soul has never entered my dreams,” someone said, a sound that was both sighing and laughing. “Are you blaming me?”

Meanwhile, outside the Lu residence, Lu Wan stood still, gazing at her beloved, who was a head taller than her.

“Young Master Yu, do you mean you want to invite me out for the Lantern Festival?” Her pupils contracted slightly as she stared blankly at the person making the suggestion.

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Shangyuan Festival, was a three-day celebration during which people were allowed to go out at night, making it the most bustling and lively time of the year in Luoyang.

Every year at this time, young men would invite their beloved young ladies to go out together on the Lantern Festival night to admire the lanterns and enjoy the night view. It could be said that on the Lantern Festival night in Luoyang, young men and women going out together were either family or lovers.

Xie Yu’s invitation was practically a confession.

Even though he had admitted it once at the poetry gathering earlier that day, it was at the benefit of County Princess Nan’an, which inevitably felt somewhat forced.

Now, however, he was formally expressing his feelings for the first time.

The surprise came too quickly and too much; Lu Wan even felt she needed a moment to process it, perhaps some blood pressure medication.

“When I visited a few days ago, the Shizi happened to be leaving the residence. Today, he again wanted to give you flowers, which displeased me. I avoided you and even forced you to wear the flowers; it was all my fault. Therefore, I must apologize to Ah Wan.”

He suddenly explained his actions these past few days, then bowed deeply, his expression solemn.

“Perhaps I was too abrupt.” Xie Yu lowered his eyelashes, concealing the unreadable depth in his eyes. “I misunderstood Ah Wan’s intentions, assuming you would gladly accept, which is why I rashly extended the invitation.

If you do not want to go,” a hint of disappointment appeared on his face, and the fabric exposed outside his sleeve tightened, “then… I did not mention it just now.”

He looked exactly like someone disappointed and helpless after being rejected by their beloved.

This… she would definitely accept Xie Yu’s invitation.

Reason also told her that she should act excited and delighted.

However, Lu Wan suddenly did not know what to say. She vaguely felt that Xie Yu’s words were a bit like… tea¹.

The tea of green tea.

Author’s Note:
Xie: He can carry you back, and so can I.
Lu Wan: ???