The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Princess Chuyang prostrated on the ground: "Wang Qi said he would come, but I was afraid he would anger the Queen Mother, so I came to plead with you first."

Anning squinted her eyes: "What exactly are you thinking?"

She stood up and walked to Princess Chuyang’s side, without asking her to rise: "Yi’er, you must know that the human heart is the most unpredictable thing in the world. You know Wang Qi’s background and origins. Can you guarantee he has no ulterior motives in wanting to marry you?"

Wang Qi was originally from the Chu Family. If he hadn’t changed his name, he might now be relying on his background to become part of the Royal Family.

The reason Wang Qi wants to marry Princess Chuyang might indeed be to gain a Royal status.

Chuyang said softly: "Queen Mother, I am a princess, the beloved daughter of the Father Emperor and Queen Mother. With such a status, even if it’s not Wang Qi, how many people in this entire Capital can you count who have no ulterior motives? Do they love me for who I am? No, they love my status. Since it’s like this, I’d rather choose someone I find pleasing to the eye."

Anning paced a few steps: "You may rise."

Only then did Chuyang stand up.

Anning looked at her: "As long as you are aware, then it’s good. Actually, I shouldn’t worry about your marriage like this. I know the daughters I raised; regardless of the circumstances, no matter whom you marry, you will manage well and won’t suffer losses."

Saying this, Anning smiled a little: "I’ve noted your matter, and I’ll discuss it with your Father Emperor in the evening."

Chuyang sighed in relief and followed up with a smile.

After Chuyang left, Anning summoned Wang Qi.

As Wang Qi entered, he knelt down: "Greetings to the Empress."

Anning looked at him: "I’m already aware of your and Chuyang’s situation. I called you here to ask what exactly are you thinking?"

Wang Qi looked up at Anning, his gaze unwavering: "Since childhood, I’ve known Princess Chuyang. Back then, I had no one to play with. Sometimes when I met Princess Chuyang, I could play with her a bit, and she would accompany me in conversation. Later... I assure you, I sincerely like Princess Chuyang. If I say I have no ulterior motives, you probably wouldn’t believe it. But those small motives all fall behind my affection for Princess Chuyang. If she weren’t Princess Chuyang, those small motives wouldn’t even exist."

He spoke sincerely, and Anning nodded: "I believe you for now. You may rise."

Only then did Wang Qi stand up.

He smiled at Anning: "This commoner will participate in this year’s Imperial Examination and the next year’s, striving to win a name and grandly marry the princess."

Though Anning didn’t entirely believe Wang Qi’s promises, she knew much of what he said was sincere.

This child has some small motives, but he also has principles; his heart is right, and he’s no evildoer. Entrusting Chuyang to him, Anning felt at ease.

Actually, Anning understood Chuyang’s intentions well too.

She just didn’t point it out.

Chuyang isn’t related by blood, thus she never truly felt secure.

Even though over the years, Anning and Xiao Yuan treated her like their own daughter, giving her everything Zhaoyang and Fengyang had, this child still felt uneasy at heart.

She’s afraid.

She fears that one day, Anning and Xiao Yuan might abandon her.

She desperately wants to hold onto something.

And Wang Qi is that someone she can hold onto.

Wang Qi is truly one of the Xiao Family. If Chuyang marries Wang Qi, she’d appear as a princess but also as a daughter-in-law of the Xiao Family. No matter what happens in the future, Anning and Xiao Yuan wouldn’t desert her.

Since this child thinks like this, Anning is willing to fulfill her wish; lacking a sense of security, Anning will give enough to her.

That evening, Anning discussed the matter with Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan then said to wait until after Wang Qi passes the Imperial Examination next spring; once he succeeds, Xiao Yuan will naturally decree their marriage.

Arranging marriages for daughters is manageable, but for the sons, it proves quite troublesome.

Anning has eight sons, none inclined to marry.

Moreover, these eight sons have no stunning palace maids serving them, nor concubines.

Anning asked them too, and Xiao Song told Anning he doesn’t want a concubine, just a beloved princess to live a simple life with.

Xiao Bai and the others all felt the same.

But Xiao Ying is different.

Xiao Ying is the Crown Prince; his marriage isn’t up to him.

After all, the Crown Prince’s marriage is a national affair and can’t be left to Xiao Ying’s whims. If the girl he likes isn’t suitable as Empress, neither Anning nor Xiao Yuan would agree.

Xiao Yuan talked with Xiao Ying, and Xiao Ying has no interest in romance; he’s entirely focused on state affairs and loves the nation more than any beauty.

This reassures Xiao Yuan, yet, at the same time, slightly aches his heart.

Anning also discussed the matter of marrying the Crown Princess Consort with Xiao Ying, and he simply said to let Anning choose—he trusts her eyes.

What could Anning do?

She had no other way, so she sent a message, saying there will be a flower appreciation banquet in the palace, inviting families of officials of the fourth rank or higher to come and play.

Anning specifically instructed these ladies to bring their daughters.

The word spread, and the ladies of the Capital understood clearly: the Empress is hosting a flower-viewing party, allegedly for the city’s ladies to see the flowers, but it’s also to observe those young ladies, to see who’s suitable as a princess or even the Crown Princess Consort.

As a result, the wives of officials of the fourth rank or higher throughout the Capital were all busy, making new clothes for their daughters of appropriate age, crafting new jewelry, and, at the same time, teaching etiquette diligently so that the girls wouldn’t offend the nobles before getting chosen as a princess.

Lin Mansion

Lin Lianshuang is currently in the Capital too.

She holds the position of Grand Secretary, the only female official in the entire Dajing Court, yet remarkably authoritative, her words carry enormous weight.

One day, as Lin Lianshuang returned to the residence after court, her personal maid Tongxi hurried over: "Master, someone has come from the old home."

Lin Lianshuang walked towards her room while asking: "Who came?"

Tongxi spoke softly: "Someone from the Lin Family, and also someone from the Hu Family."

Lin Lianshuang smiled: "Let them go to the flower hall. I’ll meet them."

She stepped towards the flower hall and waited for a while; then the people from the Lin Family and the Hu Family arrived.

The Lin Family were, of course, people from Lin Lianshuang’s natal family, while the Hu Family were from her deceased fiancé’s house.

Back then, Lin Lianshuang’s fiancé passed away, leaving her a widow, so to speak, she’s considered part of the Hu Family.

Lin Lianshuang saw that it was her uncle and some from the Hu Family’s third branch, she smiled and invited them to sit.

"Uncle, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you send word earlier so I could come to receive you?"

Second Old Master Lin smiled: "You’re busy. How dare I trouble you? Besides, I’m not that old, I can walk. Why would you need to fetch me?"

Lin Lianshuang then asked Third Old Master Hu, who also smilingly declined to bother her.

"Did Uncle and Third Uncle come for something?"

Lin Lianshuang didn’t bother with pleasantries, directly asking.

Second Old Master Lin said: "The Empress is hosting a flower-viewing party, allowing family members of officials above the fourth rank to attend. Your sister is of age, so I thought it would be good for her to attend, gain some experience, and if any nobles commend her, it would be greatly beneficial."

Third Old Master Hu also said: "I came for the same reason. Your fifth and sixth sisters are of age too, and since they call you sister-in-law, they should qualify to go, right?"

Lin Lianshuang coldly laughed in her heart.

They speak so well about gaining experience, but in truth, aren’t they thinking of their daughters becoming a princess or even the Crown Princess Consort?

Ha, they dare to think of such things!

Don’t they consider whether the Emperor and the Empress could tolerate it?

Lin Lianshuang’s gaze turned a bit colder as she looked at Second Old Master Lin and Third Old Master Hu: "I’m terribly busy nowadays and have no time to escort them into the palace. Besides, palace affairs are unpredictable; in my opinion, it’s better not to go to avoid being deceived and still happily counting money for others."

She spoke while picking up her teacup.

By this, she meant to send them off.

Second Old Master Lin felt a bit awkward, and Third Old Master Hu immediately became angry.

He stood up abruptly: "Why can other girls and sisters go, but your own family’s daughters can’t enter the palace? Wouldn’t it benefit you if our family’s girls gained favor? If they truly become nobles, wouldn’t they stand by your side?"

At these words, Lin Lianshuang sneered repeatedly: "Let Third Uncle be aware, I didn’t rely on pedigree connections for this official position. I earned it through my capabilities and years of loyal service planning with the Emperor. Palace connections don’t matter to me. Let me advise you, Third Uncle, abandon that idea early. Do you think just anyone can enter the palace?"

In a fit of anger, Third Old Master Hu spouted nonsense: "Who knows how you became a Prime Minister? Probably by warming the dragon bed..."

Before he could finish, Second Old Master Lin stood up and slapped him: "Keep your dirty mouth shut! Get drunk and forget your own name? Keep rambling, and I’ll see to it personally!"