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

CHAPTER 49

Xiao Yan nearly leapt out of his chair, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

How could anyone take back a gift once it was given?

What would that do to his dignity? And worse—would Fu Chuan think he was toying with him?

Fu Chuan was a notoriously petty man. Xiao Yan had to explain this immediately.

Without another thought, Xiao Yan stormed out of the outer study.

“Lord…” Steward Peng tried to stop him to ask what to do about the people from the Yin family, but before he could finish, Xiao Yan was already out of earshot. He mounted his horse in a rush at the outer ceremonial gate and galloped toward the East Corner Gate.

Outside the East Corner Gate, a commotion could be heard.

Inside the gate stood the gatekeepers and a few guards from the Marquis’s household, lined up and ready, faces solemn.

Outside were members of the Yin family, blocked from entry, along with several horse-drawn carts.

The two groups stood in a tense standoff, the boundary between them as clear as a drawn line. The air was thick with pressure.

“Marquis,” Yin family Steward Jin stepped forward as soon as he saw Xiao Yan ride up. He wore a beaming smile, warm and amiable, as if he were here to deliver gifts instead. “I’m here to collect the dowry on behalf of the young madam…”

Xiao Yan’s face darkened like a storm. He snapped, full of disgust, “Get lost!”

“Oh? Isn’t it Father who said he wanted to divorce Mother?” Xiao Yanfei lifted the gauzy veil on her hat with a casual hand, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze, soft and charming.

“Exactly, exactly,” Steward Jin echoed cheerily, unfazed as he met Xiao Yan’s furious gaze. “Since the divorce is happening, surely we’re allowed to take back the young madam’s dowry, aren’t we?”

Being questioned in public by a mere servant of the Yin family was an utter humiliation. Xiao Yan’s face went from pale to livid, his expression turning dark and threatening.

The Yin family was clearly trying to intimidate him by dragging out the dowry.

As if Madam Yin would really divorce him—would she really be willing to give up her status as the Marchioness?

Xiao Yan scoffed internally. He had no intention of lowering himself to argue with a servant. With an icy tone, he said, “When did I say otherwise?”

With that, he flicked his horsewhip sharply.

Crack!

The black stallion neighed and surged forward, galloping out of the side gate.

The sound of hooves quickly faded into the distance.

Xiao Yanfei said sweetly, “See? Father agreed.”

The gatekeepers and guards exchanged uncertain glances, then slowly stepped aside.

“That’s more like it.”

Xiao Yanfei walked into the Marquis’s residence with poise, leading Steward Jin and the rest toward the main courtyard.

Wherever the group passed, curious and astonished eyes followed them, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples far and wide.

Today, Xiao Yanfei had brought the dowry inventory with her. These lists were always made in duplicate—one copy for the bride’s family.

Honestly, she’d always known the Yin family were wealthy merchants from Jiangnan, and that Madam Yin’s dowry had been legendary—”ten miles of red bridal sedan chairs.” But only now, seeing the list with her own eyes, did she realize how outrageous that phrase truly was.

And that didn’t even include the valuables at the very bottom of the chests. Just the items listed outright were worth—what? At least ten million taels of silver?

No wonder they were called the richest family in Jiangnan. Extravagant beyond belief.

“Steward Jin, go down the list and check each item carefully,” Xiao Yanfei handed the inventory to him, then turned off toward Yuechu Zhai.

Originally, Old Master Yin had planned to send only Steward Jin, but she’d wanted to return for a quick visit anyway, so she came along.

It had only been a few days, but Yuechu Zhai was still spotless, not a thing out of place.

She was quite satisfied.

First, she went to her study to retrieve her jewelry box, then brought Zhiqiu along to the west wing.

It was time to check in on that old woman.

Creak—

After being shut for several days and nights, the door opened again.

Golden sunlight slowly spilled through the widening crack, piercing the dark room.

Zhu Momo, who sat dazed on the couch, slowly lifted her head at the sound, squinting in the sudden brightness.

She turned her eyes toward the doorway—and saw Xiao Yanfei and Zhiqiu standing there.

Her dull, lifeless eyes shifted slightly, like a puppet suddenly pulled by its strings.

The blinding sunlight made her flinch and instinctively raise her hand to shield her eyes.

Through the glowing haze, she saw a graceful silhouette walking toward her, golden light gently outlining the girl’s form.

“Zhu Momo,” Xiao Yanfei smiled slightly and removed the veil from her hat. With the sunlight behind her, her features were blurred, “Are you doing well, staying here alone? I came to check on you.”

Her voice was gentle, her smile as soft as a spring breeze, like moonlight reflected on water—serene and warm.

Zhu Momo felt a wave of comfort wash over her.

It had been six or seven days since she was locked up again.

At first, she had still hoped that the Empress might remember her, might send someone to find her.

But as the days passed, she fell into despair. She felt forgotten, like she’d ceased to exist.

Just like Second Miss Xiao had said, hadn’t she?

To the Empress, she was like dust—insignificant. Even if she disappeared, the Empress wouldn’t bat an eye.

Only Second Miss still remembered her.

That must be it.

“Second Miss,” Zhu Momo greeted reverently, staring at her without blinking. The light slowly returned to her once-dull eyes.

The look in her eyes was like that of someone who had wandered endlessly through a dark, hopeless night, battered by hardship after hardship, believing she would be lost forever in the shadows and mire—only to suddenly glimpse her salvation at the very moment of deepest despair.

It was as if a desperate devotee had finally witnessed the descent of a celestial goddess from the heavens.

“I understand now!” Zhu Momo exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. “Please, let me serve you, my lady!”

“I know now that you are the only one who truly cares about me.”

She scrambled down from the couch in a frantic tumble, then dropped to her knees with a loud thud amidst the wreckage of the room. Looking up at Xiao Yanfei, her eyes were filled with utter dependence and trust.

She had made up her mind. In truth, she had made up her mind long ago.

“Oh?” Xiao Yanfei said, feigning difficulty, “I would love to keep you by my side, Momo, truly I would. But just look—so many maids and attendants already serve me. I can’t possibly keep them all, can I? Wouldn’t you agree?”

Xiao Yanfei looked down at Zhu Momo with serene composure, smiling faintly.

Panic flickered across Zhu Momo’s face.

A voice in her mind whispered to her: someone as noble and honored as Second Miss Xiao must have no shortage of people competing to serve her. How could a lowly outsider like her even begin to squeeze in?

The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became.

If this young lady didn’t want her—where else could she go?

“I can be useful!” Zhu Momo blurted out, desperate. “More useful than any of them!”

Zhiqiu brought over a chair, and Xiao Yanfei gracefully sat down, casually smoothing the trim of her sleeve, clearly waiting for Zhu Momo to convince her.

Zhu Momo’s heart soared.

This meant the lady was at least somewhat interested in her!

Xiao Yanfei said gently, “Don’t worry, Momo. Take your time—I’ve got a little while. But I’ll be leaving soon, and I won’t be staying in the Marquis’s residence for now. Ah… I really am concerned about you, Momo.”

Leaving? Zhu Momo panicked. No, that wouldn’t do. She had to go with her!

“I can—I can…” Zhu Momo racked her brain. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed eagerly, “I know flowers and plants! I entered the palace at nine and was recognized by the late Empress for my skills in tending to flowers. I once served in Kunning Palace!”

“There aren’t many who have served two empresses, like I have.”

The late Empress Gu had resided in Kunning Palace. When Empress Liu was elevated, she didn’t want to live there, so her old residence, Jingren Palace, was renovated and renamed Fengyi Palace.

The late Empress must be Gu Mingjing, Gu Feichi’s aunt. Xiao Yanfei’s interest was piqued. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “You served the late Empress?”

“Yes, yes,” Zhu Momo nodded enthusiastically. Seeing the lady was pleased, she couldn’t help smiling herself. She continued, “The late Empress was truly a great beauty—gifted in both literature and martial arts, graceful and commanding. But alas, she had a strong temperament. Too unyielding. She refused to soften her stance, and clashed with His Majesty several times over the Duke of Wei’s household. In a fit of anger, she sealed herself off in Kunning Palace.”

Zhu Momo’s worn, haggard face showed a touch of nostalgia and sorrow.

She hadn’t understood the deeper meaning behind it at the time. Only later, she overheard the emperor and Empress Liu speaking bitterly: “If she hadn’t sealed herself away in Kunning Palace and broken ties with me, I would never have been forced to spare the Duke of Wei. Now look at the mess we’re in. Gu Mingjing—utterly detestable. Even in death, she burdened me with the reputation of being ungrateful and heartless.”

Xiao Yanfei’s eyes darkened slightly as she listened intently.

No matter how the imperial romance had been praised in the outside world—how people spoke of a love written in the stars, how the emperor had deeply cherished his first empress—what she had pieced together made the truth all too clear:

The emperor had seduced a noble young woman, used her and her powerful family to take the throne, and in the end…

Tossed her aside, like a worn-out tool.

It was the same story told through history, again and again.

In fact—wasn’t that almost identical to what the Marquis of Wu’an had done?

No wonder they got along so well. Like ruler, like subject.

Xiao Yanfei let out a quiet, mocking chuckle, the corner of her lips curling slightly. Then, as if it were an afterthought, she asked, “And what happened after that?”

“After that…” Zhu Momo fell into her memories from two decades ago, swallowed hard, and said, “Half a year after sealing the palace, the Empress passed away.”

“At the time, I was just a lowly third-rank maid in charge of the gardens at Kunning Palace. I wasn’t allowed into the main hall. All I know is that one night, the emperor ordered the palace doors broken open.”

“Not long after, the mourning bell rang—twenty-seven times. The late Empress had died. Two lives lost—hers and an unborn prince…”

“Ah… she was only in her early twenties… such a tragic end…”

Zhu Momo unconsciously licked her parched, cracked lips, her gaze flickering uneasily.

Xiao Yanfei immediately sensed that Zhu momo was hiding something. Her right thumb and index finger rubbed together subtly—just twice.

Recognizing the signal, Zhiqiu let out a soft hum at just the right moment. “Miss, what’s the point of listening to such ancient gossip? Why don’t we go see Steward Jin and Nanny Zhao checking the dowry? I heard that Madam’s dowry caused quite a stir back then—nothing in this dynasty has ever come close in grandeur…”

Zhu momo’s throat tightened, her heartbeat quickening.

This cunning little wretch was clearly trying to steal her spotlight!

Flustered, Zhu momo bit down and blurted out, “Back then, the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau was Lord Sun. I just happened to overhear him whispering with another imperial physician… They said the late Empress’s lips had turned black—it was clearly poisoning, not a complication from childbirth…”

A dim, indecipherable gleam flickered in Zhu momo’s aged eyes.

At that, a rare flicker of emotion crossed Xiao Yanfei’s usually composed face.

So the Empress’s death hadn’t been due to childbirth complications, as the rumors claimed—but poison?

Then… did Gu Feichi know?

The answer surfaced immediately. Of course he knew. Judging by how he had spoken to the Emperor that day at Qinghui Garden, there was no way he was unaware.

Zhu momo glanced nervously at Xiao Yanfei. Seeing her lips tightly pressed and her silence unbroken, she hurried to continue:

“After the late Empress passed, I was reassigned to the Bureau of Rites. It took me ten years to climb from a junior maid to a full official. The current Empress saw that I was good at training palace maids—all the ones I taught were loyal and obedient—so she transferred me to Fengyi Palace.”

“Normally, all the new maids at Fengyi Palace are trained by me…”

Yes, she was the best at training people. She was valuable!

Emboldened, Zhu momo’s voice rose with pride. “Last time, the Princess Dowager of Prince Ning came to the palace and asked Her Majesty to lend me out. Prince Ning’s fourth consort was acting up, demanding a divorce. Her Majesty sent me to the prince’s manor, and I personally saw to her training.”

“In less than half a month, she was as docile as a lamb. Now, even if she gets her arm broken, she wouldn’t dare mention divorce again.”

Zhu momo lifted her chin with pride. In the dim room, her flushed, excited face looked almost grotesque, distorted by a triumphant zeal.

“…” Xiao Yanfei frowned, her expression instantly cooling.

The little princess had once mentioned that Prince Ning’s first three wives had all been beaten to death. And now this was the fourth…

Zhiqiu, sensing the shift in mood, stepped forward half a pace and said sweetly, “Miss, they’re still waiting for you at the main hall.”

As she spoke, she lifted her eyelids slightly, shooting a sideways glance at Zhu momo, still kneeling on the ground.

That look—it was provocation, contempt, mockery.

In Zhu momo’s eyes, it screamed: You? Think you can win favor with the young miss?

She had seen eyes like that too many times since entering the palace. To rise to her current position in Fengyi Palace, she hadn’t just had to outshine everyone else—she’d had to constantly guard against others climbing over her.

Panicking, Zhu momo quickly added, “Her Majesty sent me here not just to teach Miss proper manners. She wants me to train her, tame her, and make her obedient—so Miss will serve Her Majesty’s purposes in the future…”

“So that when Miss marries into the Duke of Wei’s household, she can act as Her Majesty’s eyes and ears—reporting back to the Emperor and Her Majesty…”

At this, Zhu momo flushed with shame. Her eyes stung as she lowered her gaze, unable to look Xiao Yanfei in the eye.

Second Miss Xiao was so kind to her—always looking out for her, guiding her, treating her like a precious pearl, like redemption itself. And yet she had come with such ill intent.

In that moment, Zhu momo wished she could die to atone for her guilt.

She fell silent. The room was deathly quiet.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Zhu momo felt her heart pounding faster and faster, so tense she could hardly breathe. Would Second Miss blame her? Would she cast her aside?

After a long pause, Xiao Yanfei let out a soft sigh.

“If you truly wish to stay by my side and serve me, you must start thinking—what can you do for me?”

“Whether you can seize this chance… is up to you.”

Zhu momo mulled over these words carefully, her eyes lighting up.

Second Miss Xiao was saying—she could stay. She was being given a chance!

Wonderful!

She quickly pledged her loyalty: “Miss, from now on, I will obey your every command—go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!”

Xiao Yanfei smiled faintly. The joy on her delicate face lit her features like a pearl catching the light—clear, radiant, and serene.

“Then let’s go,” she said simply, rising to her feet.

It would’ve been easy to send Zhu momo away. But if she did, the Empress would simply send someone else. Rather than constantly watching her back, it was better to take the initiative—to hold the reins herself.

Still kneeling, Zhu momo sprang to her feet, overjoyed.

Terrified the young miss might change her mind, she didn’t dare linger. Ignoring the numbness in her legs, she half-ran after Xiao Yanfei, her eyes fixed on the girl’s retreating figure.

Just watching her felt like the world had become brighter—that she was no longer alone, that someone understood and needed her…

It had been days since she’d seen sunlight. The brightness made her squint; tears welled in her eyes. She turned to see Zhiqiu glancing back with a look of disdain, as if embarrassed by her presence.

Only then did Zhu momo realize how disheveled she looked. She hastily ran her fingers through her hair, patted down her wrinkled clothes, and quickly caught up again.

She stumbled most of the way, barely watching where she was going. It wasn’t until she reached the main courtyard gate that she finally regained some composure.

Peeking inside, she saw that the courtyard and the main hall were stacked with rows of camphorwood chests, each one tightly packed.

Steward Jin stood before one of the trunks, checklist in hand, nodding at an older maid. “This one can be locked.”

With a click, the lid snapped shut and was fastened with a brass lock.

The main courtyard had its own storeroom, but Madam Yin’s dowry was so extensive that one storehouse wasn’t enough. They had to use the neighboring Qingzhu Courtyard’s storage as well. Between both storerooms and her personal belongings, there was so much to sort through—it would take most of the day just to finish organizing everything.

In just under an hour, what the servants had managed to sort through was only a small fraction of it all.

Steward Jin chuckled and was just about to inspect the next chest when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xiao Yanfei stepping into the courtyard. He paused what he was doing and greeted her with a wide, beaming smile.

“Miss,” he said—dropping the formal “Cousin Miss” and addressing her warmly and familiarly—“it’s a bit of a mess here, so please watch your step.”

As he spoke, he subtly gestured to a few maids nearby, signaling them to quickly move the chests aside so as not to block her way.

“How’s the sorting going?” Xiao Yanfei asked casually as they walked toward the main hall.

“We’ve gone through maybe ten percent,” Steward Jin replied with a grin. “Still quite a bit of work to do. Why don’t you go sit inside and wait? I’ll have someone bring you some tea and snacks.”

He fussed over her attentively, waving over a little maid to serve her refreshments.

Xiao Yanfei glanced around and couldn’t help but be amazed—this was just a tenth of it?

So much, and it didn’t even scratch the surface of the dowry list.

She looked around the room, awestruck.

While they spoke, the maids and older attendants around them stayed busy—some were sorting, some tallying, others hauling items back and forth.

The long table in the hall was already piled high with several boxes filled with land deeds and property titles.

Lavish!

Xiao Yanfei smirked inwardly, slipping a hand into her sleeve pocket to feel the small box tucked inside. She was more than a little pleased with herself.

She and Gu Feichi had their own little stash now.

It was small for now, sure—but it had potential to grow, right?

Just as she was about to pick up the teacup handed to her by the maid, a flurry of stiff, nervous greetings rang out from the courtyard.

“Old Madam.”

“Greetings, Old Madam.”

She looked up and saw the Old Marchioness storming toward them, flanked by a gaggle of maids and old attendants. Dressed in a dark purple robe, her face was clouded with rage, and her eyes burned with fury.

The old woman stormed into the hall and glared fiercely. The moment she saw Xiao Yanfei, she let out a cold, scornful snort.

“You again!”

“I knew it! You’re the one stirring up trouble here!”

“You won’t be satisfied until you’ve driven your father and mother to divorce, is that it?!”

She ground out the words between clenched teeth, her face contorted with anger and her eyes filled with loathing, as if Xiao Yanfei were something filthy.

That made three “curses” now. Xiao Yanfei didn’t respond—she simply smiled faintly and played with the lid of her teacup, calm and unhurried.

This was the perfect chance! Zhu momo’s eyes lit up as she leapt forward, pointing a finger straight at the old dowager’s nose and snapping:

“How dare you!”

Her voice was raspy, edged with shrill excitement.

Zhu momo had clearly seen better days. She was thinner now, her face pale, the dark circles under her eyes prominent. She looked like a different person entirely. The dowager didn’t recognize her at first, not until Nanny Wang leaned in to whisper a reminder: this was the nanny gifted by Her Majesty the Empress.

There’s a saying: even when beating a dog, you look at the owner first. And though she was just a palace servant, she was a servant of the Empress—and a titled one at that. Not someone a fallen noble house like the Marquis of Wu’an could afford to offend.

It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her. The Old Marchioness immediately softened, forcing a stiff smile.

“So it’s Zhu momo,” she said politely.

She was about to say more, but Zhu momo had no interest in small talk. She lifted her chin, wearing her old arrogant expression again, and snapped coldly: “Screaming and yelling in front of Second Miss—what do you think you are?”

There was a manic gleam in Zhu momo’s eyes as she inwardly rejoiced: So the Marchioness is really divorcing the Marquis, and the Yin family’s people are here collecting the dowry. Her chance had finally come!

The old marchioness was too stunned to respond at first.

Zhu momo puffed up like a rooster ready for battle. Out of the corner of her eye, she checked Xiao Yanfei’s reaction. Seeing the girl calmly sipping tea, a faint smile on her lips, Zhu momo’s spirits soared. It was like someone had given her a miracle elixir—she practically glowed.

With a scornful laugh, she gave a dramatic flick of her sleeve and declared loftily:

“The divorce is already happening, and yet the old marchioness still clings to Madam Yin’s dowry.”

“If word gets out, people will spit in your face, calling you—”

“Bad luck!”

***