The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

“Grand Princess Xiangyang has arrived!”

A sharp voice echoed through the garden. Everyone turned to see a group of noble ladies on the high building at the south side of the garden, with Grand Princess Xiangyang in the center.

He Dongchen whispered a few words to those around him and then followed the servants to the high building.

The flower banquet officially began with Grand Princess Xiangyang presiding. She presented some prizes, and those interested could perform their talents at the pavilion. The top performers would be rewarded.

It was a win-win situation. On one hand, winning first place would bring fame; on the other hand, since everyone was here for matchmaking, a good performance might attract someone’s attention and lead to a favorable marriage.

He Dongchen stood behind Grand Princess Xiangyang, his hands clasped behind his back. From his elevated position, he could see everything in the garden and detect any movement.

From his vantage point, He Dongchen began to observe the female protagonist, Song Qile.

In her previous life, she had been cautious. In this life, she had become decisive and ruthless. Seeing that Grand Princess Xiangyang was difficult to deal with, she immediately shifted her strategy and aligned herself with the Heir of the Prince Cheng. Relying on her knowledge from her past life, she devised strategies and ultimately secured a high position, becoming revered as a motherly figure.

He Dongchen waved his fan and shifted his gaze.

Today’s flower banquet was the first battle for Song Qile’s retaliation.

He Dongchen pondered for a moment and whispered a few words to Tong Nian.

Their own courtyard shouldn’t become someone else’s battlefield; it would be a disappointment.

Meanwhile, the first noble lady took the stage at the pavilion, clearly well-prepared with her attire and music. After introducing herself, she performed a graceful dance, with her rose-pink sleeves fluttering elegantly. The male guests on the west side had gathered below the high building, many of them gazing at her with admiration.

After the dance, Grand Princess Xiangyang commented that it was quite good and awarded her a modest hairpin. The noble lady’s flushed face turned slightly pale as she cast a reluctant glance at the high platform before taking the hairpin and leaving.

One after another, others took the stage to perform, and Grand Princess Xiangyang maintained a neutral demeanor, giving out numerous hairpins.

The three major prizes; the imperial brocade, the jade amulet, and the ancient qin from the previous dynasty; remained prominently displayed on the stage.

Grand Princess Xiangyang had yet to find someone to her liking, but other noble ladies had spotted potential candidates and planned to inquire further.

As the banquet continued, everyone grew tired.

***

Song Qile finally took the stage holding a qin, her bright red skirt sweeping the steps as she ascended the pavilion gracefully.

“Legitimate daughter of the second branch of Marquis Pingyang’s family, Song Qile.” Her cold voice echoed through the garden, piquing the interest of those who had been drowsy.

Song Qile placed the qin carefully and glanced at the high platform, especially at the young man in the white robe whose expression was obscured.

Grand Princess Xiangyang, sitting next to He Dongchen, frowned slightly.

The next moment, the sound of the qin filled the air. Song Qile, having been reborn, played with an added depth to her already superb skill, capturing the audience’s attention.

Many people became attentive, listening carefully and showing expressions of appreciation.

Princess Chunhua whispered to Grand Princess Xiangyang, “It seems the elder sister’s qin has found a place.”

Grand Princess Xiangyang remained indifferent. She picked up a cup of clear tea from the nearby table, took a small sip, and set it down before speaking slowly, “It’s just a qin. Let her have it.”

Princess Chunhua was somewhat surprised but soon understood. Marquis Pingyang’s family had long fallen from grace, and a second branch’s legitimate daughter had a lowly status. No wonder the picky elder sister found her unappealing.

Princess Chunhua thought she saw through it and straightened up, no longer speaking. Her gaze towards Song Qile softened with a touch of sympathy.

Meanwhile, Grand Princess Xiangyang beckoned, and He Dongchen, standing behind her, leaned slightly forward. “Mother?”

“How is this girl?” Grand Princess Xiangyang asked.

He Dongchen raised an eyebrow and replied softly, “Her qin playing is quite good.”

Grand Princess Xiangyang shot him a sidelong glance.

He Dongchen continued, “But she is too ambitious and not suitable to enter the family.”

Grand Princess Xiangyang was finally satisfied and withdrew her gaze.

One’s qin performance could reveal much, such as emotions and ambitions.

Their residence, the Princess’s household, was firmly aligned with the imperialist faction. A daughter-in-law entering their home couldn’t be overly ambitious or scheming.

She had thought her son might be swayed by Song Qile, but it seemed he still had his own judgment.

As the performance ended, Song Qile composed herself, rose gracefully, and bowed. Her hairpin swayed gently, catching many eyes.

As people snapped out of their reverie from the qin performance, they marveled at the emergence of such a talented lady from Marquis Pingyang family, thinking that she would gain fame after the banquet.

Song Qile looked at the high platform, a slight smile playing at her lips.

Though Grand Princess Xiangyang wasn’t fond of having Song Qile as her daughter-in-law, she didn’t skimp on rewards. She praised Song Qile and had the ancient qin from the previous dynasty granted to her.

***

Amidst the envy of the noble ladies, Song Qile received the ancient qin with both hands, her heart thrilled as if she could already envision her wedding day in a 10-mile-long bridal procession to Grand Princess Xiangyang’s residence.

Beside her, Song Minle’s eyes turned red with jealousy. How could a young girl like Song Qile, who had lost her mother, rise to such a position and climb into Grand Princess Xiangyang’s family?

She gritted her teeth, a trace of malevolence flashing in her eyes, and whispered a few words to a nearby maid.

The maid’s face turned pale, and she hurried off, making her way to the west bank where she found a young man who looked unsteady on his feet. After saying something to him, she quickly returned.

Song Minle felt a sense of triumph. She waited for the noble ladies who had congratulated Song Qile to leave before approaching her with a glass of wine. She accidentally spilled the fruit wine onto Song Qile’s red dress.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Sister, I’ve stained your clothes. Fortunately, I brought an extra set. Let’s go to the side room and change.” Song Minle said with a sincere expression.

Song Qile’s heart sneered. The moment had finally arrived. She pretended not to know and left the garden with Song Minle.

At this point, the pavilion was occupied by new performers, and everyone’s attention was diverted. No one paid any attention to the two of them.

Only He Dongchen on the high building glanced over, his expression inscrutable.

As the sun hung high, the performance concluded, and the remaining two prizes were awarded.

The guests moved indoors, and the banquet began. Maidservants brought in dish after dish of fine food and wine, weaving among the guests in their green skirts.

A screen separated the men from the women. He Dongchen bade farewell to Grand Princess Xiangyang and returned to the men’s side to attend to the guests.

He Dongchen was the only male in the family since his father, He Zhishu, had passed away years earlier. Naturally, he had to take on the responsibility of hosting.

***

After the banquet, as the guests were preparing to leave, Song Qile suddenly rushed in with a panicked expression, exclaiming, “My younger sister is missing!”

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. How could a living person simply disappear in Grand Princess Xiangyang’s residence?

Grand Princess Xiangyang’s face darkened. She dismissed the guests and summoned Song Qile to a side hall to speak.

Song Qile, perhaps too agitated, spoke out in the main hall, “My sister and I went to the side room to change. When we came back, she said she was drunk and wanted to rest in the side room. I returned alone, but when I went back to the side room just now, there was no sign of her. Where could my sister have gone?”

Song Qile spoke with urgency, and some onlookers began to stir up trouble, “Let’s all go look for her. It’s not like she just disappeared.”

“Yes, exactly,” the Heir of Prince Nan’s residence agreed first, hoping to find some leverage against Grand Princess Xiangyang.

With the situation reaching that point, Grand Princess Xiangyang had no choice but to lead the search, inspecting each side room one by one.

Song Qile led the way, her eyes sparkling with a glint of excitement.

Soon, Song Minle would understand the pain I had endured in my past life!

Song Qile walked quickly to a side room and said, “This is where my younger sister was resting.”

She pushed the door open, but the room was completely empty.

Seeing that, others began to open nearby rooms, but they were all empty. Eventually, the only room left to check was a small storage room in the corner.

Song Qile took a deep breath and approached the room step by step.

In her past life, that was the very room where Song Minle had tricked her into changing clothes, knocked her out, and then called her cousin, Wang Wude, to violate her.

This time, Song Qile planned to use the same tactic. She had knocked out Song Minle while taking precautions and lit incense in the room to ensure they could be caught in the act.

Now, she intended to expose their scandal in front of everyone and force Song Minle to marry into the Wang family.

Song Qile flung open the door with a creak, revealing the room’s condition.

Tables and chairs were piled high, and there was no sign of anyone.

“What’s this? There’s no one here either,” someone in the crowd murmured.

“It’s impossible!” Song Qile screamed, rushing into the room and spinning around. How could this be? I had clearly dragged a person into this room and lit incense!

Song Qile turned abruptly and saw that the incense she had placed in the corner was missing, with not even a trace of ash remaining.

How could this happen?

Song Qile’s distressed appearance sparked curiosity.

Sharp-eyed observers began to piece together what had happened; Were the Song sisters fighting among themselves?

Why was it considered internal strife rather than solely Song Qile’s doing? Because someone recalled that it was Song Minle who had poured wine on Song Qile and invited her to the side room to change.

So it was a scheme, a counter-scheme.

Why choose Grand Princess Xiangyang’s banquet for this?

A trace of disgust flashed in Grand Princess Xiangyang’s eyes. It was truly unfortunate.

At that moment, a maid rushed in to report, “A snake got into the side room a few days ago. Miss Song wasn’t safe sleeping there, so we decided to send her back to the Song family carriage and forgot to inform you.”

The crowd murmured in understanding, realizing that Grand Princess Xiangyang’s residence had interrupted the scandal.

A cover-up had been provided.

Returning to her senses, Song Qile knew her previous behavior had been a mistake. She didn’t dare to linger and quickly thanked them before leaving.

In a place out of sight, Song Qile clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, her nails digging into her palms, filled with frustration.

How could this be!? In my past life, I had been disgraced and humiliated, and now Song Minle was escaping punishment!