The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1114 - 1088: Honor Amidst Chaos

Not long after Xiao Ying got married, several other matches were found for Prince Xin’s group, and Xiao Yuan bestowed marriages upon them.

By the time Prince Xin married, Lu Zhen was already pregnant.

Ever since she entered the Eastern Palace, her relationship with Xiao Ying as husband and wife was quite good.

Lu Zhen was a very clever girl, also very emotional, appearing cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Xiao Ying respected and cherished her, and she reciprocated with sincerity. Before long, the affection between the young couple grew day by day.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Liu, seeing that Lu Zhen was living well, felt more confident. Following Liu Cai’s teachings, she approached the Old Madam about a match for Lu Shan, expressing interest in Mr. Hui from the Hui family.

With the Hui family currently backed by Princess Duan, they were considered a reputable family in the Capital, so the Old Madam was naturally agreeable.

However, the Gao family was not so willing.

Mrs. Gao visited the Lu family several times, all to see Lu Shan. Mrs. Gao implied that since Mrs. Liu was not Lu Shan’s biological mother, how could she sincerely find a good marriage for Lu Shan? She suspected this match was somehow contrived.

Originally, Lu Shan believed Mrs. Gao and intended to stir up trouble with Mrs. Liu. But when Mrs. Gao came back, she subtly suggested that she wanted Lu Shan to marry into the Gao family and wed her cousin.

Only then did Lu Shan realize the reason behind Mrs. Gao’s opposition: it was because she feared losing ties with the Lu family and wanted Lu Shan to marry into the Gao family to maintain the relationship between the two families.

Mrs. Gao’s son was no good; as a niece of the Gao family, Lu Shan clearly understood this and had no desire to marry her cousin.

This led to an unhappy fallout between Lu Shan and Mrs. Gao.

After some consideration, Lu Shan still felt that the Hui family was far better than the Gao family, and eventually agreed to the match.

Soon after, Lu Shan and Mr. Hui were engaged, but during an outing for incense offerings, she fell from a carriage and broke her leg. Unfortunately, while being moved, carelessness worsened her condition, and by the time a doctor was consulted, her leg was beyond recovery. Lu Shan was left disabled from then on.

The Hui family wanted to call off the engagement, but Mr. Hui disagreed, insisting on marrying Lu Shan regardless.

When spring arrived the following year, Mr. Hui married Lu Shan. However, shortly after she moved into the Hui family, Lu Shan went mad, and they locked her in the backyard, keeping her away from others.

Mr. Hui expressed his regret, declaring he wouldn’t marry anyone else, maintaining a facade of deep affection for Lu Shan.

Lu Zhen also learned of Lu Shan’s circumstances, but she couldn’t understand why it had happened.

By this time, Lu Zhen was heavily pregnant; Xiao Ying forbade her from any exertion, worried for her wellbeing.

She was already in the late stages of pregnancy; the Imperial Physician had checked her pulse, confirming she was carrying twins, both big and healthy, causing her considerable hardship.

Now Xiao Ying would come home from the court to see Lu Zhen.

That day, Lu Zhen, having not slept well the previous night, took a nap from morning till nearly lunchtime, when Xiao Ying returned to have lunch with her.

Lu Zhen brought up Lu Shan’s predicament: "What kind of dragon’s den or tiger’s lair is the Hui family? Why did my elder sister go mad upon entering, and why is Mr. Hui behaving as if deeply in love though he’s not trustworthy?"

Xiao Ying chuckled, waiting for the dishes to be served, then offered Lu Zhen some food: "That Mr. Hui has a penchant for same-sex love. He has a beloved, Young Master Zheng, and the two had sworn never to part. Mr. Hui’s original fiancée was killed by Young Master Zheng, who is intensely jealous and couldn’t tolerate Mr. Hui having anyone else. However, he couldn’t stop Mr. Hui from marrying, so after the engagement with your sister was made, Young Master Zheng orchestrated her leg injury. Once she entered the Hui family, he had someone drug her meals, causing madness, and staff frightened her day and night..."

Lu Zhen listened to Xiao Ying explain while eating: "So that’s what happened? I wondered, Mr. Hui must not want to marry again, which is why he pretends to be reluctant about my sister. Huh, acting all deeply in love, when he’s just a scoundrel."

The term ’scoundrel’ Lu Zhen had learned from Princess Fengyang.

Xiao Ying laughed and offered Lu Zhen more food: "Eat more."

On that side, Mrs. Liu was quite pleased to see Lu Shan’s downfall. With Lu Shan out of the way, she started to manipulate the Old Madam.

But the Old Madam, having grown wise with age, wouldn’t be easily outwitted by Mrs. Liu. The two ended up in intense conflict, eventually both suffering: the Old Madam had a stroke and was bedridden, while Mrs. Liu, having consumed drugs administered by the Old Madam, became even more frail.

It was at this time that the Imperial Examination began.

This time, Wang Qi took part in the spring examinations, and indeed he passed, though not with high honors, placing in the second class.

After passing the Imperial Examination, Xiao Yuan issued a decree for a marriage, betrothing Wang Qi to Princess Chuyang.

Following were the marriages of the three princesses: Zhaoyang, Pingyang, and Chuyang.

Once the three princesses married, Fengyang no longer resided in the palace but moved to the Princess Fengyang Mansion. She invited Qi Nanxue to move in as well, and they lived together like a married couple.

The old scholars at court complained to Xiao Yuan, saying that Princess Fengyang’s behavior was most improper, urging Xiao Yuan to punish the princess and stating that she ought to marry, not consort with an actor.

Those petitions were left unanswered by Xiao Yuan, as if unseen.

Qi Nanxue was filled with anxiety.

He knew he was unworthy of Princess Fengyang and never dared to hope for any such relationship with the princess.

However, over the years, Princess Fengyang had looked after and protected him, so he could perform his operas without worry for the future. She also wrote opera scripts for him, taught him to read and write, and imparted much knowledge.

The more Qi Nanxue became dependent on Princess Fengyang.

As Princess Fengyang matured, one time after they got drunk, they ended up together, and thereafter, Qi Nanxue was too happy to sleep for several days, fearing Princess Fengyang might be angry and ignore him.

Unexpectedly, Princess Fengyang treated it as if nothing happened, acting the same afterward, becoming even closer, and they started living together at night, just like a normal married couple.

Qi Nanxue accompanied Princess Fengyang, never daring to mention marriage, fearing he’d upset her and be abandoned.

He understood that after so many years, his feelings for Princess Fengyang had deepened to the point he couldn’t live without her, thinking that being able to accompany her was a blessing from previous lives. As long as the princess wanted him, he’d stay by her side, and if one day she grew tired of him, he’d find a secluded place to live out his days.

But human hearts are insatiably greedy.

Previously thinking that way, later, seeing no intention from Princess Fengyang to marry anyone else, he began to hope he could stay by her side for a lifetime.

At that time, those old scholars continued submitting memorials.

Qi Nanxue feared Princess Fengyang would abandon him due to pressure or marry someone else.

Moreover, he feared that the Emperor and Empress in the palace would scold Princess Fengyang and force her to marry.

As these days passed, Qi Nanxue became unable to eat or sleep well, losing significant weight, appearing frail enough to be blown away by the wind.