Oops! The Black Lotus Can’t Be a Female Supporting Character

CHAPTER 21

“Run!” Princess Ning Shu reacted as if facing a formidable enemy. She grabbed Xiao Yanfei’s wrist and bolted.

This time, they were truly running for their lives!

Gu Feichi’s gaze lingered on Xiao Yanfei’s retreating figure, his expression carrying a hint of amusement.

Beneath him, his fiery red steed let out an eager snort, as if asking—weren’t they going to chase them?

But Gu Feichi had no intention of pursuing. His eyes slowly shifted from their fleeing silhouettes to the alley they had just escaped from. He paused.

Dismounting, he strode to the alley’s entrance and bent down, picking up a delicate earring from the ground.

It was an ordinary pearl earring—a pink pearl, about the size of a red bean, shimmering softly under the sunlight.

Gu Feichi held it between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it slightly.

His gaze flickered as he recalled that Xiao Yanfei’s right earlobe had been bare, while her left ear still had a matching pearl earring.

Taking a few steps forward, his eyes fell on a man in blue lying on the ground, his head covered with a burlap sack. His robe was rumpled and covered in dust, with several distinct footprints stamped across it.

“Mmph…” The man squirmed like a trapped insect, his muffled voice laced with rage. “Who?! You think you can escape? Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find you—!”

He struggled to pull the sack off his head, but his entire body ached. Every movement sent a sharp sting through his limbs, forcing him to suck in painful gasps.

Gu Feichi raised an eyebrow. Even with the burlap sack covering his head, he easily recognized the man—it was Gao An, the emperor’s trusted head eunuch.

And as for who had put the sack over Gao An’s head? That much was obvious.

The high walls of the alley cast a faint shadow across Gu Feichi’s face, making his dark eyes appear even deeper.

He curled his lips into a lazy smirk, unfastened his sword, and slowly walked toward the struggling man. Just as Gao An was about to tear off the sack, the heavy scabbard struck the back of his neck—swift, precise, and merciless.

There wasn’t even time for a scream. Gao An crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Gu Feichi let out a sharp whistle.

At the sound, his crimson horse trotted over from the alley’s entrance.

With practiced ease, Gu Feichi stuffed Gao An fully into the sack, then hoisted him onto the saddle like a sack of rice. The red horse snorted loudly, as if expressing its disdain.

Gu Feichi soothingly stroked his horse’s sleek neck, his sharp gaze sweeping the alley one last time. Once he was certain he hadn’t left behind any clues, he swung himself back into the saddle.

With a slight squeeze of his legs, the crimson horse bolted forward, its hooves kicking up dust as it sped away from the alley.

Rather than taking a direct route, Gu Feichi chose a different path, quietly slipping out of the city. Upon reaching a secluded area, he unceremoniously tossed the unconscious Gao An—burlap sack and all—into a dense patch of grass before turning back toward the capital.

This time, he rode straight to the Duke Wei’s Manor on Vermilion Bird Street.

The manor was an imperial gift from the reigning emperor, located just a few streets away from the palace.

For over fifty years, the Wei’s manor had produced renowned generals, each successive duke enjoying imperial favor. Over time, the estate had been expanded multiple times, making it the largest among the noble residences in the capital.

Today, the grand vermillion-lacquered gates stood wide open.

Excited voices rang out as the household staff rushed forward, their shouts echoing through the estate:

“The Heir Apparent has returned! The Heir Apparent has returned!”

Voices calling out the heir’s return rippled through the estate, passing from the grand entrance all the way to the inner courtyard, sending waves of excitement through the household.

Gu Feichi had left the capital for Qingzhou under imperial decree before the new year. Now, after more than three months away, he had finally returned.

Amid the servants’ eager greetings, he rode through the gates of the Duke of Wei’s Manor.

A young attendant in a blue tunic quickly stepped forward, grabbing hold of the crimson horse’s reins and respectfully reporting, “My lord, the Duke and Madam are waiting in the main courtyard.”

Gu Feichi gave a slight nod and strode directly toward the main courtyard, his steps steady and assured.

Word of his arrival had already reached the Duke and Duchess, and with no obstacles in his way, he moved unhindered through the estate until he arrived at the secondary hall.

Inside, the air was thick with the rich, exotic fragrance of dragon-tallow incense, its wisps curling lazily through the room.

The polished gold-brick flooring gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the opulence of the space. Every piece of furniture, from the tables to the chairs and desks, was crafted from the finest rosewood. Against one wall stood an elaborate display shelf, adorned with an array of rare and exquisite treasures—gilded bronze basins cradling vibrant coral arrangements, a ruyi scepter of creamy white jade carved with auspicious cloud and lingzhi patterns, and dazzling glass vases bursting with color.

Every detail in the room was meticulously arranged—elegant yet oppressive in an intangible way.

Gu Feichi stepped past a grand folding screen inlaid with rosewood borders and ivory carvings of the Five Hundred Arhats. Beyond it, he saw Duke Wei lounging comfortably on a luohan bed, reclining against a large embroidered bolster. He was dressed in a casual sky-blue robe adorned with delicate bamboo leaf patterns, draped loosely over his frame.

Across from him, separated by a small tea table, sat the Duchess. She wore a ginger-yellow silk beizi, embroidered with intricate floral and gold-threaded vine patterns. Unlike her husband’s relaxed demeanor, she was impeccable—her posture upright, her clothing unblemished by even the slightest wrinkle, exuding an air of noble refinement.

Her gaze swept over Gu Feichi, scrutinizing him with an expression that revealed neither approval nor displeasure. Every movement she made was measured and precise, as if carefully calibrated.

“Father, Mother, I’m back.” Gu Feichi greeted them with a respectful bow before seating himself in the lower position.

After a ten-day recovery, Duke Wei looked much better. His sharp eyes were filled with vitality, though his frame remained gaunt. Smiling faintly, he asked, “A’Chi, how did your mission go this time?”

“Rest assured, Father. The mission has been completed,” Gu Feichi replied with an air of nonchalance. “The raiders causing trouble along the coasts of Qingzhou and Xuzhou weren’t a single unified force but rather a loose alliance of over a dozen pirate bands. Though they seemed formidable with a total of four thousand men, they were nothing more than a disorganized rabble.”

“After this campaign, their remaining forces pose little threat. The coastal regions of Qingzhou and Xuzhou should remain peaceful for at least the next two years.”

His tone was calm and understated, yet there was an unmistakable air of confidence—an unspoken arrogance that came from having bested his enemies with ease.

“Well done.” Duke Wei gazed at his eldest son with deep affection, his smile carrying a trace of pride. “Since you missed celebrating the New Year in the capital, now that you’re back, stay as long as you can.”

Gu Feichi rarely spent more than a few months in the capital each year. For the most part, he was always on the road, traveling far and wide to carry out the emperor’s commands.

“The Emperor has ordered me to remain in the capital for an additional two months,” Gu Feichi said coolly, his tone laced with the faintest hint of mockery. “He also mentioned that you are unwell and instructed me to stay by your side and fulfill my filial duty.”

Duke Wei tapped his fingers against the armrest twice, making no effort to utter even a perfunctory word of gratitude.

Duchess Wei, sitting with perfect composure, glanced between father and son. A slight frown creased her brow before she suddenly spoke. “Ah Chi, you should have left the palace by mid-morning. Why are you only returning now?”

Her sharp gaze locked onto him, her expression a mix of displeasure and suspicion.

“You… you didn’t get yourself into trouble again, did you?”

She studied Gu Feichi intently, her emotions complex—equal parts reproach and concern.

News of his return had not been a secret. As soon as Duchess Wei heard of it, she had sent a servant to wait for him at the palace gates. Yet, by the time her man arrived, Gu Feichi was already gone.

By all calculations, Gu Feichi should have returned to the Duke’s manor more than half an hour ago.

As they spoke, a young maid entered from the covered corridor, serving tea to Gu Feichi and replacing the Duke and Duchess’s cups with fresh, steaming tea. The rich aroma of tea grew stronger in the air.

Gu Feichi lifted the delicate white porcelain tea cup with unhurried grace.

Inside was the finest new harvest Longjing tea, its liquor a bright, tender green, releasing a fragrant scent. Wisps of rising steam curled around his black mask, momentarily shrouding his features.

Seeing his silence as tacit agreement, Duchess Wei’s lips tightened for an instant, her gaze darkening.

She sighed softly. “Ah Chi, you’re not a child anymore. You need to stop acting so recklessly and making your father worry.”

“His health isn’t what it used to be these past two years…”

The young maid serving tea stood awkwardly, caught in an unexpectedly tense moment. She hadn’t anticipated walking in just as the Duchess was reprimanding the heir, so she kept her head lowered, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

Seeing Gu Feichi remain silent only made Duchess Wei more irate. Her jade-white fingers, as well-manicured as a young girl’s, smoothed her sleeve, her gaze dark and unreadable.

Her tone shifted abruptly to one of solemnity. “Ah Chi, you’re already twenty. In noble families like ours, men your age already have children running around. Yet here you are—still alone.”

“When your father fell gravely ill this time, even the imperial physicians were at a loss. You were far away, and I, as a mere woman, had no one to turn to for counsel. I spent countless nights unable to sleep from worry.”

“Fortunately, Master Xuanqing guided me. He predicted that if you were to marry, the joyous occasion would drive away misfortune and bring your father back from the brink.”

“So I went ahead and chose a bride for you… and, as it turns out, it worked.”

“Marry to ward off misfortune?!” Duke Wei furrowed his thick brows tightly, staring at the Duchess in shock.

This was the first he had heard of such a thing, and his expression showed clear disapproval. “Madam, you—” Nonsense!

Sitting up straight, he swallowed the reprimand that nearly escaped his lips and instead spoke firmly, “Absolutely not. Ah Chi’s marriage is not something to be taken lightly. It must be carefully considered.”

“How can you call this frivolous?” the Duchess countered earnestly. “It took great effort for me to have Master Xuanqing divine a match—a girl whose birth chart aligns perfectly with Ah Chi’s.”

“Just look at the proof! She hasn’t even entered the household yet, and already her fortune has blessed the Duke’s estate. Your lingering ill fate has been dispelled, and in just a few days, you’ve made a full recovery!”

“The accuracy of Master Xuanqing’s reading is undeniable.”

The more she spoke, the more resolute her expression became.

Gu Feichi sipped his tea leisurely, letting his mother’s words go in one ear and out the other, entirely unhurried.

“Xiwen,” Duke Wei called his wife’s name gently, patting the back of her hand in a soothing gesture. “You’re grasping at straws in desperation. My recovery is thanks to a skilled physician’s treatment—what does it have to do with warding off misfortune through marriage?”

During his days of severe illness, his wife had often stayed by his bedside, personally tending to him.

On more than one occasion, he had been roused from a coughing fit in the dead of night, only to groggily catch sight of her wiping away tears with a handkerchief. Choking back sobs, she had confided in the old nurse, lamenting how she had sought out renowned doctors, scoured the land for medicine, and even prayed to the gods—willing to trade ten years of her own life if it meant restoring his health.

Her unwavering devotion touched him deeply, and he couldn’t bear to reprimand her harshly.

“Your Grace, Master Xuanqing is truly remarkable,” the Duchess of Wei firmly grasped the Duke’s slender, well-defined hand. “Not long ago, the fourth young lady of the Yongping Earl’s household had a high fever and convulsions, but she recovered only after drinking Master Xuanqing’s talisman water. And when General Li’s young son lost his soul, it was Master Xuanqing who performed a ritual to call it back!”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened with emotion. “Please, just trust me this once. Master Xuanqing said that Second Miss Xiao has an exceptionally auspicious birth chart—she is blessed with great fortune. She will not only bring prosperity to her household but also to her husband. There’s no mistake about it.”

Second Miss Xiao of the Marquis of Wu’an’s household?!

Gu Feichi’s hand froze mid-motion, his teacup pausing in the air. Behind the mask, his sharp brows arched slightly—only now did his mother’s words truly capture his attention.

***