The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Lin Lianshuang saw that Uncle Lin was so supportive of her, and felt somewhat relieved.

She called out, "Come, please escort Mr. Hu San out."

Very soon, two tall and sturdy house servants entered to escort Mr. Hu San out.

Uncle Lin was somewhat worried for Lin Lianshuang: "Shuang girl, will driving Hu Laosan out like this cause trouble? If he goes back and talks nonsense, the Hu Family..."

Lin Lianshuang laughed, "Afraid of what? What am I to the Hu Family? Back then, I only allowed them to claim I was their daughter-in-law to avoid marriage, but now, I am the Grand Secretary. What can the Hu Family do to me? I never married into the Hu Family, and Hu Da and I never held a wedding or became officially married; we haven’t gone through the Six Rituals, so how can I be considered part of their family? Even if I really were the Hu Family’s daughter-in-law, given my current status and position, I wouldn’t be afraid of them at all."

This made sense, and Uncle Lin laughed.

He spoke softly, "I actually didn’t want to come; it’s just that the Hu Family kept sending people to our home, always saying various things. The old man had some thoughts stirred and insisted I come to see it with Hu Laosan. I had no choice but to say what I did upon coming."

Lin Lianshuang nodded, "I understand Uncle; you are not one to use your daughter to climb through connections and seize positions. Besides, the Hu family is blinded by delusions and isn’t clear-headed; my father and uncle are not confused in this way."

At this point, she couldn’t help but laugh with ridicule: "In recent years, the Hu Family has grown more unrecognizable; the old man of our family has become somewhat muddled too, not realizing what my current status and position are. I am the Prime Minister; how could my sister enter the palace? If my sister really became the Crown Princess Consort, I would become a high-ranking relative; historically, high-ranking relatives abusing power are most undesirable. At that time, Your Majesty might dismiss me, suppress my sister, or even change the Crown Prince."

As soon as Lin Lianshuang spoke these words, sweat broke out on Uncle Lin’s forehead.

He hadn’t thought of this aspect when he came; he simply didn’t want his daughter to become a Princess, not considering the problem of power disturbances with high-ranking relatives.

"Yes, yes, you are right, the old man thought wrong, indeed wrong, I’ll go and speak with him once back; I believe he will understand."

Lin Lianshuang nodded: "Upon returning, Uncle will still need to help me negotiate a bit."

After sending Uncle Lin off, Lin Lianshuang couldn’t help but rub her forehead; dealing with these family members at times was more exhausting than attending court.

This situation in the Lin Family is just one example.

The Lu Family was also busy because of this matter.

Lu Wang was a river governor, a straightforward second-rank official, and his daughters were capable of entering the palace for banquets.

Lu Wang had two daughters; the eldest, Lu Shan, was born to his first wife, while the second daughter, Lu Zhen, was born to his current wife, Mrs. Liu.

These two daughters were living with Lu Wang’s mother in the Capital, and Mrs. Liu also stayed in the Capital to attend to the Old Madam.

One day, the Old Madam received a message and summoned Lu Shan and Lu Zhen.

She looked at her two granddaughters as blooming as jade, her face full of smiles, and beckoned Lu Shan to sit by her side, holding Lu Shan’s hand as she spoke.

Lu Shan had been raised in luxury, her hands maintained pale and tender, especially beautiful in shape, looking as pleasing as spring onions.

Mrs. Lu smiled, "Our Shan’er has great destiny. The Empress sent word for various families to bring their girls into the palace for the flower viewing. I spoke with your mother, and when the time comes, we’ll take both you and Zhen’er. Our Shan’er is such an achiever; maybe she’ll catch the eye of some noble."

Lu Shan bowed her head, wearing a shy demeanor.

In her heart, however, she felt secretly proud.

Among these boudoir girls in the Capital, she stood out for both looks and literary talents, frequently sought out by others, fostering a high self-worth.

She looked down on ordinary men, with the singular ambition of finding someone of noble character.

Under the heavens, speaking of noble character, besides Your Majesty, who compares with the Crown Prince?

In contemplating this, Lu Shan thought it possible that with her looks and character, she could catch the Empress’s eye and become the Crown Princess Consort; if that truly occurred, it would indeed be her great fortune.

Lu Zhen shrank into the background on the side.

She remained silent throughout.

Old Madam somewhat disdained her, hence scolded, "Go back and take better care of yourself; look at that face. Originally a fine girl, ruined by the wind and sun, making it so dark. It’s all because your father indulges you. Look at the state of your hands, rough beyond compare; no girl from any family resembles you like this."

Lu Zhen replied softly, "I understand."

Her heart felt particularly uncomfortable.

Remaining in this home, Lu Zhen felt nearly suffocated.

Everywhere felt uncomfortable, and she could speak to no one, even her mother focusing solely on Lu Shan, never sparing concern for Lu Zhen, her own daughter. Lu Zhen sometimes wondered if she were truly her mother’s biological child.

Typically in families, a concubine wouldn’t overly maltreat the children left from the original companion, nor would she be particularly kind.

Yet, the Lu Family was different.

Mrs. Liu came from a humble background. When Lu Wang’s original wife passed away, her family, fearing Lu Wang would remarry someone treating the previous children harshly, insisted Lu Wang wed the humble-born and subdued Mrs. Liu.

After Mrs. Liu entered the house, the original wife’s family periodically came to check in, leaving servants behind to indoctrinate Mrs. Liu.

Mrs. Liu, wanting to establish her place in the Lu Family, had to be extraordinarily good to Lu Shan. Consequently, Mrs. Liu fawned upon Lu Shan more than ever, placing her own daughter Lu Zhen aside.

Lu Zhen had an especially tough childhood. Mrs. Liu didn’t care about her, and Lu Shan bullied her often; she cried and made a fuss regularly, yet the more she did so, the more Mrs. Liu scolded her, and Old Madam blamed her as well. Gradually, Lu Zhen stopped crying and fussing.

When she grew a little older, she pleaded with Lu Wang to accompany him in his assignment.

She even professed a desire to attend Lu Wang’s daily living needs, pledging to be filial.

Lu Wang perceived Lu Zhen’s poor experiences in the home; he had spoken about it to Mrs. Liu, but she wouldn’t change.

In striving for the reputation of virtue, wanting the Lu Family to view her as a good stepmother, Mrs. Liu became increasingly neglectful of Lu Zhen. Unable to bear this, Lu Wang took Lu Zhen along on his eastward and westward travels.

He went to manage the rivers, and Lu Zhen followed along.

Lu Zhen was a mindful girl. While at the Lu Family, she acted very timid and fearful; once outside, faced with the vast world, she became considerably more open and cheerful.

Over the years following Lu Wang meant she learned a great deal, not just in reading and writing, but gaining insights into social customs; this girl indeed lived quite perceptively.

However, due to accompanying Lu Wang in his travels all over, Lu Zhen neglected her upkeep. Occasionally needing to do some rough work, her hands naturally didn’t resemble those of other boudoir girls, and her face had become a bit sunburnt, making Old Madam somewhat disdainful.

After sitting awhile in Old Madam’s room, Lu Zhen left.

As for that flower viewing banquet, Lu Zhen wasn’t willing to attend.

Despite this unwillingness, she had to go; Lu Zhen thought, going merely as a number, surely neither the Empress nor the Crown Prince would regard a girl as ugly and dark as her, she believed.