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

CHAPTER 24

The room fell into a brief silence.

“Marriage?” Madam Yin set down the teacup she had just lifted, her gaze sharp and unwavering as she looked at her daughter. With a mocking smile, she said, “You call this a marriage? Luan’er, do you know what Concubine Cui is really planning?”

As a mother herself, Madam Yin simply could not understand how Concubine Cui could be so heartless.

Xiao Luanfei shook her head, her expression tinged with the softness of a young girl’s innocence. “I only know that this has caused strife between you and Father…”

“In the past, when you argued with him over sending Second Sister away to recover, it took months before you reconciled.”

“Mother, I just want you and Father to be happy together.”

She grasped a corner of Madam Yin’s sleeve, looking up at her with the pure, longing gaze of a devoted daughter.

Madam Yin: “…”

She sighed and gently patted her daughter’s hand, as if about to speak, but before she could, a noise came from outside the door curtain.

“Second Miss, Third Young Master,” the soft voice of the head maid, Yingluo, came through the fabric, interrupting their conversation. “Madam and Eldest Miss are waiting inside.”

The felt curtain was lifted lightly, and Xiao Yanfei entered, followed by Xiao Ye, who was cradling a small white kitten in his arms.

“Mother.” Xiao Yanfei curtsied gracefully.

Since arriving in this world, she had performed this gesture countless times. By now, it had become second nature—elegant and seamless, like a painting brought to life.

Xiao Ye grinned. “Mother, Snowball was being too naughty! I couldn’t catch him, but luckily, Second Sister helped me!”

The little boy’s chubby cheeks were flushed, and a few strands of hair at his temples were slightly disheveled. He eagerly tugged Xiao Yanfei to sit beside him.

His wet nurse, Jin momo, offered an apologetic explanation. “It seems Snowball may have startled Concubine Cui…”

“Snowball didn’t scare her at all!” Xiao Ye pouted before turning to Xiao Luanfei with a complaint. “Eldest Sister, why did you call Concubine Cui here?”

For a moment, the entire room fell silent as all eyes turned toward Xiao Luanfei.

“…” Her expression stiffened, and her fingers tightened around the handkerchief in her grasp, turning slightly pale under the weight of Madam Yin’s piercing gaze.

Unbothered by the tension, Xiao Ye stroked the tiny kitten in his arms, his dark, jewel-like eyes shining as he lifted his chin proudly. “I saw it when I was coming back from my lessons!”

The room fell into an even deeper silence, the atmosphere suddenly thick with unease—except for Xiao Ye, who remained blissfully unaware.

Xiao Yanfei, however, was not surprised in the least.

She broke the silence effortlessly. “Mother, Concubine Cui said she has chosen a match for me and has already discussed it with you. But since you have yet to give her an answer, she sent me to ask.”

Her expression carried a faint, composed smile—calm and unruffled.

She was neither questioning nor probing, merely stating a fact with quiet honesty.

She wasn’t sure if Xiao Luanfei had brought Concubine Cui here out of good intentions or with some ulterior motive.

But as a concubine’s daughter in this marquisate, she had no real authority. The lady of the house made the decisions, and frankness was the only sincerity she could offer.

If she put herself in Madam Yin’s shoes—having just helped resolve a troublesome matter, only to immediately see the person involved cozying up to the very cause of the trouble—she, too, would feel uneasy.

“Yanfei, what do you think?” Madam Yin regarded her with a steady gaze, her presence naturally exuding an air of authority.

Xiao Yanfei pressed her lips together lightly, gracefully folding her hands over her lap.

Her mind still echoed with Concubine Cui’s tearful words from earlier:

“Yan’er, the Duke of Wei has recovered, so the wedding to ward off misfortune likely won’t happen. But where there’s one, there will be another. For the sake of the marquisate, the Grand Madam will surely find you another match.”

“Ah, it’s all my fault. I’ve been unwell for years, growing weaker by the day. I fear I won’t be able to look after you much longer.”

“I only wanted to choose a good match for you while I still can, to send you off in joy and celebration. But no matter what, the marchioness refuses to agree.”

“Yan’er, your marriage is no small matter. No matter how much she resents me, she shouldn’t ignore your future. After all, you’ve called her ‘Mother’ for over ten years.”

“Ah, it’s all my fault for dragging you down!”

Had this been the past, the original Xiao Yanfei would have softened at those words, overcome with guilt. She would have promised to speak with Madam Yin on her behalf.

And so, as Concubine Cui had hoped, she had said exactly that.

And so, she had come to ask.

Just to ask.

Purely to ask.

As for what would happen next—

“I’ll listen to Mother.”

Xiao Yanfei smiled radiantly, her voice steady and resolute.

As she smiled, the light shimmered in her crescent-shaped eyes, and her delicate features glowed like the evening sky at sunset—soft yet dazzling.

The tense atmosphere in the room eased. The evening breeze, carrying the scent of blooming flowers, drifted in through the open window. A few fallen petals settled on the windowsill, the tea table… and the back of Xiao Luanfei’s hand.

Xiao Luanfei didn’t even notice. She stared at Xiao Yanfei in a daze, then, after a long moment, slowly turned to look at Madam Yin.

A gentle smile appeared in Madam Yin’s eyes as she spoke tactfully, “Yanfei, your marriage is an important matter. Mother will make sure to choose well for you.”

She kept her words brief, unwilling to taint the conversation with unpleasant matters unfit for young girls’ ears.

Both of them had only just come of age, standing at the cusp of youth’s brightest years. They should be living carefree days, untouched by such filth.

Xiao Yanfei held Madam Yin’s gaze, her own eyes clear and steady. In them, there was no trace of avoidance, hesitation, or guilt—only unwavering composure.

By contrast, in the eyes of the woman who called her “my precious darling,” there had never been any sincerity. Not once.

In that dream—no, in that future—when the original Xiao Yanfei was cast out from the family, Madam Cui had been smiling. When she was expelled from the marquis’s manor, Madam Cui had never once reached out a helping hand.

Xiao Yanfei nodded firmly. “Alright!”

She trusted her own eyes.

Madam Yin was the one truly worthy of trust.

“Good girl.” Madam Yin couldn’t help but smile, her warmth softening the regal grace of her features.

She had always felt deeply for Yanfei, this child.

Fortunately, Yanfei had grown up. And now, she could finally see things clearly for herself.

As long as she had a firm heart and a steady will, she would undoubtedly carve out a good future for herself.

The two exchanged a smile—wordless yet full of understanding, carrying a natural warmth and familiarity.

Xiao Luanfei watched them in silence. Her gaze darkened bit by bit, deep and unfathomable, as though absorbing all the light around her.

“Elder Sister,” Xiao Ye called out, breaking the stillness. “Your handkerchief fell.”

In that moment, his grip loosened, and the little white kitten in his arms wriggled free.

With a few nimble leaps, the kitten landed on the windowsill and let out a series of sharp “meow, meow, meows,” startling a pair of magpies perched on the branches outside, sending them fluttering into the sky.

Xiao Ye called out, “Snowball!” and hurried off, scampering after the little cat.

Watching his lively antics, Xiao Yanfei’s lips curved into a gentle smile. She softly said, “Mother, Concubine mother said she’s unwell. She was also out in the cold for quite some time just now. It would be best to trouble you to call for a physician to see her.”

Madam Yin let out a quiet chuckle. “Indeed, we should call for one immediately—better to treat a small ailment before it turns into something serious.”

She gestured for Zhao momo. “Go and invite Physician Li over.” Then, turning to her head maid, she instructed, “Yingluo, head over to Cui momo’s quarters and let her know that since she’s feeling unwell, she should stay in her room and rest. She can spend her time copying Buddhist scriptures instead of wandering about, lest she startle and unsettle the young ladies of the household.”

In other words—she was placing her under house confinement.

Zhao momo and Yingluo both acknowledged the orders and withdrew.

“Have the meal served,” Madam Yin ordered next, then called out to Xiao Ye, “Ye’er, put Snowball down now. It’s time for dinner.”

With the addition of two young ladies joining Madam Yin and Xiao Ye for dinner, the evening meal was especially lavish. The table was filled to the brim with an array of five dishes, a soup, a stew, two plates of delicate pastries, and a beautifully arranged fruit platter—each dish meticulously prepared to please the senses with its color, aroma, and taste.

Half an hour later, after finishing her meal, Xiao Yanfei was the first to excuse herself.

Once the wet nurse had taken Xiao Ye back to his quarters, the Western Warm Pavilion was left with only Madam Yin and Xiao Luanfei.

“Mother…” Xiao Luanfei hesitated, as if wanting to say something, but before she could, she saw Madam Yin raise a weary hand to rub her temples.

“Luanfei, go back to your room.” Madam Yin’s voice was uncharacteristically stern as she looked at her daughter, her expression laced with disappointment. “And don’t leave the house for the next few days.”

She had always cherished her eldest daughter, rarely ever speaking to her harshly. Yet now, her tone was unusually firm, her disapproval evident.

Xiao Luanfei’s nails dug into the soft flesh of her fingertips, leaving behind crescent-shaped imprints.

She hesitated for a moment before finally lowering herself into a respectful bow. “Mother, I’ll take my leave now.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, her long, thick lashes casting shadows over her downcast eyes, concealing the emotions within.

Zhao momo personally escorted Xiao Luanfei out. When they reached the main hall, she finally spoke in a hushed tone. “Miss, how could you be so careless?”

Had the young master not mentioned it in passing, Zhao momo would never have suspected that Concubine Cui had been summoned here deliberately—by none other than the young lady herself—to wait for Second Miss.

Xiao Luanfei’s striking features were dimmed by the soft shadow cast by the eaves above, her lowered face shrouded in quiet gloom.

She murmured, “Nanny, seeing Father and Mother at odds makes me uneasy.”

“And besides… Second Sister has changed. She barely acknowledges Concubine Cui now. I can’t help but worry…”

Her words trailed off, her expression clouded with concern.

Although Xiao Luanfei spoke in veiled terms, Zhao momo understood her meaning clearly—she feared that Second Miss was too cold-hearted, that if Madam Yin gave her true affection, she might end up hurt in the end.

Having watched Xiao Luanfei grow up, Zhao momo naturally favored her. She immediately softened her tone and reassured her, “Miss, don’t overthink it. Concubine Cui has always been a schemer. You’re still young and haven’t seen enough to understand.”

“I believe Second Miss has simply wisened up—she’s learning to discern right from wrong. It’s a pity that Concubine Cui was so ruthless.”

After a brief pause, Zhao momo added, “Miss, go back and rest. I’ll speak to Madam Yin and try to ease her mind.”

Xiao Luanfei nodded, glancing one last time toward the Western Warm Pavilion before finally leaving the main courtyard.

The sun had fully set, plunging the sky into darkness. All around the estate, lanterns had been lit, their warm glow flickering like scattered fireflies in the night.

A cool breeze swept past, carrying a subtle chill that brushed against her face, tugging at the loose strands of hair by her temples.

Distracted and lost in thought, Xiao Luanfei wandered back to her courtyard, her steps heavy with unease.

She was restless. Normally, she would read a few pages before bed, but tonight, she couldn’t focus on a single word. Even after lying down, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Her sleep was light and troubled, filled with endless dreams.

In her dreams, she seemed to return to her past life—the secret of her birth was exposed…

From that moment on, she lost everything.

She became the subject of whispers, a laughingstock for idle gossip, unable to find a place for herself in the capital or the marquis’s household.

In the dead of night, Xiao Luanfei jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, clutching her brocade quilt tightly.

***