Female Supporting Character with a Good Life Chapter 63: 62, a manhua/chinese comics/漫画 fanfic

Wen Ting Zhou accepted the information that Emperor Shengde was handing over. With one look, Wen Ting Zhou's handsome visage tightened slightly as seas and rivers overturned in his heart.

Ruansan xiaojie, a person who had never come into contact with agriculture, actually knew how to make farming tools. The field-ploughing tool called themould-board plough, and the threshing tool called thepedal-powered thresher, he had never heard them before. If its utility was what Ruansan nianghad described, the importance ofthese two farming tools' advent to the common people was self-evident.

Images of Farming Tools

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"Ting Zhou, how credible do you think Ruansan xiaojie's words are?"

Emperor Shengde asked with narrowed eyes as he knocked his fingers on his imperial desk. Wen Ting Zhou was his secret guard, and also the legitimate grandson of his paternal aunt who was skilled in woodwork. This was also one of the reasons why Emperor Shengde had specifically summoned him into the imperial palace. The abnormality in Ruansan xiaojie's body was something only he and those two imperial physicians were aware of. If it were not for Ruansan xiaojiesuddenly saying that she wanted to redeem herself through good service, he would not have known that Ruansan xiaojiehad such capabilities.

Although Earl Chengyi was an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Works, he was responsible for the weaponry, while farming tasks had its own specialised officials, so where did Ruansan xiaojiemanage to get these blueprints from?

Emperor Shengde started having suspicions about Ruansan xiaojie.

Wen Ting Zhou was proficient in woodwork, he could see the advantages of the mould-board plough at a glance.

"Replying to the Emperor's words, this subordinate believes that Ruansan xiaojie's words are credible. The design of this mould-board plough is extremely refined, and perhaps she does have the blueprints for the pedal-powered thresher in her hands.

"As for the origins of these blueprints, it requires thorough investigation."

Wen Ting Zhou was not an official in court right now, he was just Emperor Shengde's secret guard. Once he becameZhuangyuanamong the successful candidates and entered the court as an official, he would then turn into a court official from his secret guard.

There was a distinction between the monarch and his ministers; even if his paternal grandmother was the Emperor's paternal aunt, Wen Ting Zhou would never overstep that line.

Emperor Shengde looked pensive. A glint flashed past the bottom of his eyes before he said smilingly:

"You speak correctly. With regards to the mould-board plough blueprint,Zhenwill be handing it to the Ministry of Works. Since Ruansan xiaojiewants to redeem herself with good service,Zhenwill give her a chance for your sake."

Wen Ting Zhou smiled slightly, "The Emperor is benevolent."

"Ting Zhou, tell [me, do you think Earl Chengyi is aware of the fact that his legitimate daughter has the blueprints of these farming tools in her hands?" Emperor Shengde had been sitting on the throne for so many years, so how could he possibly be blind to Earl Chengyi's ambition? In light of the Wen Family's interest, he had pushed the boat along the current and allowed Earl Chengyi to seat himself in the position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Public Works.

He did not pay attention to this Earl Chengyi for the most part.

However, he did not expect that his legitimate daughter would give him such a huge surprise. Perhaps he should be paying some attention to the Earl Chengyi Residence.

Wen Ting Zhou shook his head. "He should not be aware. Had Earl Chengyi known earlier, he would most certainly have offered it earlier."

Emperor Shengde thought the same. However, that Ruansan xiaojieshould be in possession of a huge secret. He originally wanted to pass the investigation of the Earl Chengyi Residence and Ruansan xiaojie's secret to Wen Ting Zhou, but he felt like it was inappropriate now. This child Wen Ting Zhou liked Ruansi xiaojie, and for the sake of protecting her secret braised duck recipe, he had specially entreated him for an imperial edict.

Admittedly, the braised duck made by Ruansi xiaojiewas certifiably delicious; he was still reminiscing about its taste even now.

Emperor Shengde stared at the tall and straight Wen Ting Zhou, whose handsomeness was likened to jade. He changed the topic, smiling as he poked fun at him: "Ting Zhou, as the newZhuangyuan-langof the latest imperial examinations, your appearance is too handsome, evenZhen's princesses have been shouting about wanting to marry you.

"As your fiancée, Ruansi xiaojiemust be under great pressure, do you needZhento help you protect your marriage?" Emperor Shengde casually teased him with a line.

Wen Ting Zhou felt delighted in his heart upon hearing that, and he resolutely thanked him for his grace. "Many thanks to the Emperor for his assistance."

He and Ruan Ruan did have a marriage contract, but with the disturbance that Ruansan xiaojiehad caused, most of the Wen Family members kept their mouths shut, though they were actually holding grudges against Ruan Ruan in their hearts. If another accident sprang out, it was highly possible that the marriage contract between him and Ruan Ruan would be forcibly dissolved.

If the Emperor opened his golden mouth to protect the marriage, it would be equivalent to a marriage bestowal. Therefore, his marriage with Ruan Ruan would be insured.

Emperor Shengde's mouth corners twitched. But since he had already spoken, Emperor Shengde did not plan on reneging either. The fact that Wen Ting Zhou had his heart so invested in a girl was hard to come by; he was quite happy for him too.

"Zhenwill settle this matter on the day you are being appointed theZhuangyuanthen."

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As Ruansan nianganxiously waited for the old Emperor to let her out, she did not know that she had entered the old Emperor's eyes like in her previous lifetime.

She put up hundreds and thousands of defences, but she was still brought into the fold by herself, and it was extremely likely that she would be repeating the fate of her previous lifetime.

Unfortunately for the current Ruansan niang, she was still unaware, and she thought that taking out a few farming tool blueprints could serve as atonement for her crime.

She kept waiting, and waiting, and after a few days had passed without a single piece of news, she could avoid becoming anxious in her heart.

Inside the Earl Chengyi Residence, Ruan Xi was also unaware of just how impatient Ruansan niangwas. She had just dug the pit, and yet she could not wait to jump in.

Today was the day where the gold roll of honour would be posted, and the news of Wen Ting Zhou becoming theZhuangyuanamong the successful candidates in the imperial examinations reached Earl Chengyi Residence very quickly.

"Quick, quickly prepare the horse carriage, head to Jixiang Restaurant to watch theZhuangyuanparade through the streets."

"Young Lady, the horse carriage has been prepared for quite some time, and the silk flowers and handkerchiefs yõu asked for have been prepared as well."

Su Yu and Su Zhu were full of joy, their futuregu yewas theZhuangyuanwho had passed brilliantly, and the top scorer of all three imperial examinations. They were part of that glory too.

姑爷 (pinyin: gu ye) – son-in-law (used by the wife's family). But in this context, it just means the 'husband of their female master'.

The group reached Jixiang Restaurant very quickly. Coincidentally enough, she encountered Wen Ting Zhou'stang meiWen Jing Ru, and she happened to be talking and laughing with a handsomegongzi. When Wen Jing Ru noticed Ruan Xi, she tossed away that handsomegongziand walked over to her, giggling as she asked: "Si niang, you're also here to witnesstang ge's elegant bearing while he's straddled across a horse and being paraded?"

Ruan Xi nodded her head liberally, full of smiles as she replied: "Indeed, I specifically prepared a lot of silk flowers and handkerchiefs."

As she said that, she pointed at the large wooden case in her hand, and the two large wooden cases that Su Yu and Su Zhu were holding.

Wen Jing Ru could not help but laugh.

"Si niang, istang geaware of how mischievous you are?"

That handsome man seemed rather interested as he glanced at the wooden case in Ruan Xi's hands.

"Yourtang gelikes me being like this." Ruan Xi retorted without feeling the slightest embarrassment.

Wen Jing Ru chortled.

"Si niang, the teahouses and restaurants along the streets are going to be packed to the brim soon, let's go in."

Ruan Xi nodded, and their group proceeded to enter Jixiang Restaurant. Ruan Xi was still using Wen Ting Zhou's personal private room. Instead of going to a private room next-door, Wen Jing Ru and that handsomegongzidecided to squeeze into the same private room to watch the bustle together.

Since the paraded group had yet to arrive, Wen Jing Ru abandoned that handsomegongzi– who was her future husband – again, pulling Ruan Xi to stand closer to the window so they could talk secretly.

"Si niang, you andtang gehave met in private a few times, have you ever tested iftang geis interested in the dragons and the suns?"

The movements of the handsomegongzisitting a short distance away and drinking tea stilled, and his ears perked up imperceptibly.

Speechless, Ruan Xi gave Wen Jing Ru a pointed look. Two months have already passed, and yet Wen Jing Ru was still thinking about this matter.

Ever since she made that joke during the flower banquet, the relationship between her and Wen Ting Zhou had become increasingly intimate.

"Ting Zhouda geis very normal, he shows no symptoms of being a cutsleeve." When Ruan Xi remembered that sentimental and lingering kiss from a few days ago, the tips of ears reddened quietly.

Once Wen Jing Ru heard that, her eyes brightened.There's a situation. She smirked ambiguously, "Tell me honestly, have you andtang gekissed?"

Ruan Xi glowered at her. "Why are you asking so many questions?"

Wen Jing Ru pulled on her hand, giggling, "I'm just curious, alright? Who toldtang geto always stay away from female charms despite being at his age.

"Say it, say it, I won't tell anyone." Wen Jing Ru was going to die of curiosity, she really wanted to know about the developments between hertang geandsi niang.

Ruan Xi: "……"

She would never tell others about their intimate moments.

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Suddenly, the earth-shattering sounds of jubilant firecrackers rang out, and the beating of drums could be heard from in the distance. The crowd below started shouting loudly in excitement: "TheZhuangyuan-langis here!"

Ruan Xi immediately forsake Wen Jing Ru, calling for Su Yu and Su Zhu to bring the large wooden cases over.

Wen Jing Ru: "……"

How frustrating oh.

The people inside the surrounding teahouses and restaurants leaned closer to their windows to watch the commotion. Wengongziwas a giant among men, and in his fame of becoming theZhuangyuanfollowed his merit.

However, it was a pity that such a handsome and elegant man like Wengongzi, whose appearance was like crown jade, actually had a fiancée.

At this moment, the ranks on horseback and parading through the streets with attendants crowding around, were surrounded by thunderous cries of approval.

The newZhuangyuanWen Ting Zhou was clad in a crimson red brocade robe with a red flower ribbon draped and crossed over his chest as he was mounted on a steed that was bestowed by the Emperor and holding onto a soft whip made out of golden strands. He was handsome and dignified, his literary grace illuminating, and he stole all the limelight from thebangyan(second place) andtanhua(third place). Apart from this, the flower hairpins, handkerchiefs, and embroidered pouches from young girls and young married women fell like rain as they were thrown towards him.

Being a martial arts practitioner, Wen Ting Zhou evaded those hairpin flowers, handkerchiefs and pouches, whereas the pitifulbangyanandtanhuabehind him were more than thirty-years-old, married and with children, though their appearances were still majestic, and they were favoured by the young married women. However, they did not have any dodging capabilities, so they were pelted by those flower hairpins and pouches until they had dizzy heads and blurry vision. Despite that, Wen Ting Zhou was still handsome and with an elegant demeanour, and calm in expression.

When the ranks reached the bottom of Jixiang Restaurant, Wen Ting Zhou stopped, raising his handsome visage to look towards a certain private room's window directly with his pitch-black eyes.

"Tang ge,si niangis over here!" Wen Jing Ru yelled in excitement to Wen Ting Zhou below.

Ruan Xi met his eyes, revealing a devious and beautiful smile.

"Ting Zhouda ge, catch!"

Saying that, Ruan Xi sprinkled a huge handful of silk flowers and handkerchiefs on his person. This time around, Wen Ting Zhou did not evade it, allowing those flower-embroidered pouches to land on his body. He even extended his hand to catch one of the flowers to stick it on his own cap, before giving her a gentle smile.

"Ruan Ruan, is there more?"

"Yes, she does,tang ge, hold on for a moment,si niangstill has two large wooden cases of silk flowers and handkerchiefs…"

Wen Jing Ru said excitedly.

The handsomegongzi: "……"

Wen Ting Zhou: "……"

Hence, under countless gazes that were focused on them, the others stopped throwing handkerchiefs and silk flowers at Wengongziin an extremely sensible manner, and even the firecrackers, the flags, and drums stopped.

Needless to say, all of them could guess that the beautiful and graceful lady leaning out of a window of the Jixiang Restaurant was the rumoured Ruansi xiaojie, the future wife of Wengongzi.

Ruan Xi pursed her lips into a smile, and under thousands of staring eyes, she leaned over the window and threw the handkerchiefs and silk flowers downstairs.

"Catch."

"Okay."

A grin hung on Wen Ting Zhou's lips as he exuded a delighted air from his whole body. He raised his hand to catch the embroidered pouches and handkerchiefs she was throwing to harbour them within his arms, the gentleness in his eyes overflowing.

And yet, he was thinking in his heart, what should he request from Ruan Ruan this time?

The crowd on both sides of the street widened their eyes, and the majority of the girls and young married women were full of envy and well-wishes.

Thebangyanandtanhuabehind him were smiling with crinkled eyes as they watched this wondrous scene.

Inside the teahouse opposite of Jixiang Restaurant, Mu Qing Ci was completely starry-eyed as she watched Wengongziand Ruansi xiaojiepublicly display their affection under countless stares.

How romantic.

Once she was done throwing the flowers and handkerchiefs, Ruan Xi reluctantly waved her hands at Wen Ting Zhou to send him off.

Smiling gently, Wen Ting Zhou continued to ride his horse and parade the streets. The firecrackers, flags, and drums rang out once more.

After theZhuangyuanparade ended, the interaction between the newZhuangyuanWengongziand his fiancée in front of the Jixiang Restaurant also spread through the entire capital. What shocked people more was that the Emperor actually helped the newZhuangyuanWen Ting Zhou and Ruansi xiaojieprotect their marriage on his own accord. Once the news was released, those who had been pushing the waves and adding to the billow of rumours the entire time had no choice but lay down the flags and still the drums.

In a single leap, Ruan Xi became the target of envy and jealousy for all the noble daughters within the capital.

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Translator's Note:TheZhuangyuan Paradestill exists in modern China after theGaokao(College Entrance Examinations). However, this is an old block print of what it used to look like:

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(Mu Qing Ci is my spirit animal when it comes to shipping, I swear x)