The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

“Perhaps I should have the imperial physician examine you?”

As he spoke, the Emperor glanced meaningfully at He Dongchen’s lower body.

Beside them, Jiang Yueming pressed his lips together, pretending not to notice.

Suddenly, the Emperor called his name.

“Official Jiang, why don’t you have a look as well?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Jiang Yueming’s face stiffened, and he quickly stood up, bowing to the Emperor. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s kindness.”

The Emperor, thinking he was just shy, waved it off with a chuckle.

He Dongchen lazily interjected, coming to Jiang Yueming’s rescue. “Uncle, matters like this are rather embarrassing.”

The Emperor had only brought it up on a whim, and hearing that, he let the matter drop and changed the subject.

Jiang Yueming exhaled in relief, sat back down, and gave He Dongchen a slight nod, a glance of gratitude in his eyes.

He Dongchen raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Yueming’s Adam’s apple, his expression subtly meaningful.

***

The Emperor invited both of them to stay for a meal. By the time they left the palace, the sky had darkened, clouds were thickening, and a cool breeze was picking up—it looked like it was going to rain.

He Dongchen and Jiang Yueming left the palace one after the other. Along the way, they exchanged a few polite remarks before parting at the palace gates. Jiang Yueming headed to the Hanlin Academy to continue his duties, while He Dongchen took a carriage back to his residence.

The system, watching Jiang Yueming’s departing figure, clicked its tongue in admiration. [That disguise is flawless; you can’t tell at all that she’s a woman.]

“Well, she’s been raised as a man since childhood,” He Dongchen responded.

That’s right, Jiang Yueming was a woman in disguise. This was why she had reacted so strongly when the Emperor mentioned seeing a male doctor earlier.

[20 years of pretending, passing the imperial examinations, and even hiding right under the Emperor’s nose—impressive!] the system marveled.

This was largely due to the respect that the court of Ding Dynasty had for scholars. During the examinations, candidates weren’t physically searched, only required to change clothes. This gave Jiang Yueming the opportunity to blend in unnoticed.

Unfortunately, she eventually encountered Song Qile, the reborn heroine, who exposed her at an inopportune moment, causing her downfall and resulting in exile to the frontier.

He Dongchen watched Jiang Yueming’s slender figure disappear around the corner before slowly withdrawing his gaze.

What could one do with rebirth?

One could foresee conspiracies and strike back from a position of power, anticipate the future, and act first to gain the upper hand.

For example, now Song Qile, after her calculated move at the banquet failed, returned home to face accusations from her stepmother and stepsister. She immediately used her stepmother’s secret; stealing from the Marquis Estate to support her own family, as leverage, forcing Song Minle to keep quiet and cooperate with her lies.

The other branches of Marquis Pingyang’s household heard about the banquet and were ready to confront her. But in the end, the two sisters appeared close and insisted it was all just a misunderstanding.

The main branch, which inherited the title, could only let it go, warning the second branch to behave and not drag the whole family down.

Song Qile kept her head lowered, looking obedient, but inwardly she sneered. The main branch always acted high and mighty, looking down on others, constantly scheming to push the other branches out of the Marquis’s residence.

Once they left the Marquis’s residence, they would just be an ordinary Song family. They wouldn’t be able to step into the high society of the capital again.

Song Qile had no intention of leaving the Marquis’s residence.

Back in her quarters, she began planning her next move.

***

Meanwhile, silence reigned over the Prince Cheng’s residence.

The spies sent to Princess Xiangyang’s residence had been delivered in broad daylight. Bloodied and mangled, they were dumped at the front gate, with a message stating, [Whoever’s dog this is, keep it leashed.]

Now everyone knew that the Prince Cheng’s household had been caught planting spies in the Princess’s residence.

The other imperial households were reveling in their misfortune.

Prince Cheng flew into a rage, pointing at his son and shouting, “This was your idea, and it didn’t even take long for you to get exposed! With this level of competence, you think you deserve to be the next Prince Cheng? You’re a disgrace!”

Prince Cheng was furious, disregarding all decorum.

The Prince’s Heir stood below him, head bowed, enduring the scolding.

Half an hour later, when he left the study, he wiped the saliva off his face, filled with anger. He ordered the half-dead spy to be dragged forward for interrogation, taking matters into his own hands.

“How were you exposed?”

The spy, barely clinging to life, spoke in broken sentences. “Marquis Pingyang’s family… the Song sisters were fighting… I was observing from the shadows, but… I got caught…”

In short, he had been too engrossed in the spectacle and ended up being captured.

“Useless.” The Prince’s Heir waved his hand, ordering the spy to be taken away and dealt with.

“Marquis Pingyang’s people… Well done.” The Prince’s Heir clenched his fist, and the cup in his hand shattered with a crack.

***

A few days later, He Dongchen entered the palace again, continuing to slip the Emperor some nourishing pills, while also taking the chance to improve his favorability with him.

The Emperor had just met with a group of ministers who subtly and overtly pressured him to adopt an heir from the imperial family, establish a crown prince, and secure the future of the state.

The Emperor was exasperated. On one hand, he detested these ministers and the several royal households vying for power. After all, those households were the ones who had once competed with him for the throne. Now, the thought of handing the throne back to their families was unbearable to the Emperor.

On the other hand, he was genuinely concerned about the future of the dynasty. After his death, who would manage the country? With no heir, the kingdom’s stability was in jeopardy.

He Dongchen observed the Emperor’s agitation with a thoughtful expression. After the system fed the nourishing pill to the Emperor, He Dongchen switched to using a dream talisman.

That night, after dismissing the concubines, the Emperor laid alone on his dragon bed, his mind wandering before he slowly drifted into a restless sleep. His brows furrowed in his dreams, and his sleep was far from peaceful.

Suddenly.

The Emperor found himself in a vast, white expanse, calling out but receiving no response.

Panic welled up within him, and he inexplicably began running, only to crash into something and fall to the ground.

“My foolish son!” A booming voice echoed in his ears.

“Who dares?! I’m protected by the dragon spirit! I fear no demon!” The Emperor sprang to his feet, staring into the thick fog with suspicion.

The system, making a guest appearance, chuckled inwardly as it transformed into the image of the late Emperor, revealing itself.

The Emperor was dumbfounded; this was his Emperor Father!

With a thud, the Emperor dropped to his knees, clutching the system and wailing loudly, “Emperor Father! Your son is suffering so much!”

The system hadn’t expected the usually stern Emperor to act like this in his dream. It patted his head and pretended to be serious, saying, “I know your troubles. I’ve come into your dream just to solve this issue.”

The Emperor immediately stopped wailing, straightened up, and eagerly listened. “Please, Father, give me your guidance.”

The system stroked its imaginary beard, then suddenly switched its tone, smacking the Emperor on the head in disappointment. “I died young, leaving the world too early. I feared you’d follow in my footsteps, so I cast a spell to extend your life. But the price is that you can only have a child in your old age! And you, foolish as you are, were thinking of handing the throne over to those useless illegitimate sons.”

The Emperor was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Ah ha ha ha!

So that’s it!!!

So that’s it!!!!

His father was truly looking out for him! Supporting him, the legitimate son, while he was alive, and even after going to the heavens, still casting a spell to extend his life!

Long life! What Emperor could live to a hundred years old?

Living to a hundred; who cares if I don’t have a son!

The Emperor was overjoyed, grinning so widely that his smile nearly reached his ears.

The system rolled its eyes at the sight and added thoughtfully, “As long as you stay in harmony with your sister Xiang Yang, I can rest easy in heaven.”

With that, the system left the Emperor with a protective talisman as proof, then dispersed like smoke.

The Emperor didn’t even have time to ask it to stay before he was kicked out of the dream and woke up with a jolt.

“Your Majesty?” A eunuch standing outside the chamber heard the noise and quietly approached to check on him.

The Emperor came to his senses, noticing the talisman that had appeared in his hand out of thin air. He slapped the bed and burst into laughter.

***

The next day, Princess Xiangyang’s household was showered with a massive wave of rewards.

Princess Xiangyang looked at the dazzling array of treasures, a bit puzzled. What was her brother’s intention? Why was he suddenly bestowing such valuable gifts for no apparent reason?

The eunuch delivering the message simply said, “The Emperor woke up feeling refreshed. Perhaps he dreamed of something pleasant?”

Princess Xiangyang chuckled. “What dream? Nonsense…”

She turned to her son, who was playing with a ruyi, and said, “Go to the palace to express our gratitude, and while you’re there, try to gauge your uncle’s intentions.”

(T/N: Ruyi = decorative object that serves as either a ceremonial scepter in Chinese Buddhism or a talisman symbolizing power and good fortune in Chinese folklore.)

Hearing that, He Dongchen put down the jade ruyi, got up, and gracefully left the courtyard.

The system floated in mid-air, shaking its head. [The eunuch already said it, why doesn’t she believe it?]

The dream of longevity.

He Dongchen slowly entered the palace in a carriage. As he passed the main street, he lifted the curtain and glanced at the bustling capital.

The Emperor had worked hard to govern diligently, ruling for over 10 years, and now the nation was prosperous, with peace and harmony prevailing.

As the capital of the empire, Shangjing was wealthy and thriving. At a glance, shops lined both sides of the streets, with people coming and going in an endless stream.

When the passersby saw the Princess’s carriage, they stepped aside, showing no fear. A few daring young women, who had long heard of the grace and elegance of Duke Fufeng, stretched their necks, trying to catch a glimpse.

As the carriage approached an intersection, a sudden burst of noise erupted from a nearby teahouse.

“Have you heard? The young lady of Marquis Pingyang’s Residence ran off to Ling Mountain Temple and was caught red-handed with a man! They were thrown out of the temple in disheveled clothes.”

“Hey, this concerns a woman’s reputation. You shouldn’t spread rumors carelessly.”

“I saw it with my own eyes! It was the legitimate daughter from the second branch of Marquis Pingyang’s Residence, with her first cousin.”

He Dongchen, sitting in the carriage, raised an eyebrow slightly.

It had only been a few days, and Song Qile had already struck back. Quite fast.

And the second branch’s legitimate daughter with her cousin? Described in such detail and with such intent; clearly, someone had orchestrated it.

He Dongchen smiled to himself. Let it be, as long as it didn’t involve me.

After entering the palace, the Emperor was indeed full of energy, his previous gloom completely gone. He seemed to have become 10 years younger, dragging He Dongchen to the training ground for a spar.

Jiang Yueming happened to be on duty and joined them.

After a satisfying spar, the Emperor, in high spirits, suggested that He Dongchen and Jiang Yueming exchange a few moves.

He Dongchen, knowing Jiang Yueming’s secret, immediately declined. “Official Jiang is a civil official. If he’s hurt, it would be a loss for the court.”

Upon hearing that, Jiang Yueming, who had originally planned to refuse, felt a surge of defiance. She stepped forward and said, “Duke Fufeng, don’t forget that my family rose to prominence through military achievements. My late father gave his life for the country, dying heroically on the battlefield. Though I pursued the imperial examination, I dare not forget my family’s legacy.”

“Well said,” the Emperor applauded, ordering someone to bring Jiang Yueming lighter attire.

He Dongchen raised an eyebrow. “In that case, let’s exchange a few moves.”

Jiang Yueming refused to change clothes. Instead, she took two black straps and tied up her wide sleeves tightly to avoid them getting in the way.

The two of them stepped onto the platform, each picking up a sword that felt just right in their hands.

The Emperor sat leisurely in the distance, his posture bold and relaxed. The eunuchs held umbrellas and fanned him, offering tea, creating a truly pleasant atmosphere.

“Whoever wins today can request a reward from me,” the Emperor declared grandly, clearly in a very good mood after the dream he’d had.

Upon hearing that, Jiang Yueming’s eyes flickered. Her usually gentle demeanor sharpened, and she raised her sword horizontally in front of her.

“Duke Fufeng, forgive me.”

With that, she lightly tapped her foot and charged forward.

He Dongchen calmly raised his sword to meet the attack, composed and unhurried. Anyone watching could see that he was holding back and hadn’t exerted his full strength.

Jiang Yueming’s heart sank slightly. With a sweeping motion of her sword, she aimed directly at He Dongchen’s face. He Dongchen bent backward to dodge, then turned and caught the blade between two fingers. He raised an eyebrow at Jiang Yueming, “Your swordsmanship is quite good.”

Jiang Yueming: “!!!” Who’s he mocking?

The two exchanged blows, fighting from the east to the west. Jiang Yueming’s sword techniques became increasingly fierce, prompting He Dongchen to take the fight a bit more seriously. Below the platform, the Emperor watched with great interest, occasionally offering a comment or two.

The system floated above the Emperor’s head, equally entertained. It even used its personal stash to buy a bag of sunflower seeds from the shop, cracking them with a satisfying crunch.

After more than a hundred moves, Jiang Yueming’s weakness began to show. Her stamina was depleting, and He Dongchen could clearly hear the sound of her breathing becoming labored. Her strikes had noticeably slowed.

Considering that Jiang Yueming was a woman and that she would need this favor to protect her life in the future, He Dongchen graciously created an opening, leaving a deliberate flaw as he turned.

Jiang Yueming’s eyes lit up. With a swift strike, she showed no signs of fatigue, and her sword stopped steadily right in front of He Dongchen’s eyes, just inches away.

He Dongchen was momentarily stunned, then chuckled. Had my cleverness backfired on me?

Because he knew Jiang Yueming was a woman, he had naturally assumed her stamina would be lacking. But he hadn’t accounted for the common tactic of feigning weakness to lure the opponent into carelessness.

The outcome was clear. Jiang Yueming sheathed her sword, steadied her breathing, and cupped her hands in salute. “I have won by your grace.”

He Dongchen, not one to be a sore loser, returned the salute.

***

They both descended from the platform. The Emperor, in high spirits, asked Jiang Yueming what reward she wished to claim.

Jiang Yueming shook her head. “At the moment, I have no request.”

The Emperor, understanding, cheerfully responded, “Then come ask for one in the future, and Duke Fufeng will bear witness.”

Jiang Yueming was overjoyed, though she tried hard to restrain her smile. She respectfully thanked the Emperor.

As Jiang Yueming left the palace, a smile lingered at the corners of her mouth, and her steps became noticeably lighter, as if the dark clouds weighing on her heart had parted to reveal the sun. Her androgynous face now bore a hint of charm.

He Dongchen followed beside her, leisurely fanning himself.

Before they parted ways, Jiang Yueming suddenly turned and respectfully bowed to He Dongchen. “Duke Fufeng, your martial skills are far superior to mine. I don’t understand why you chose to hold back on the platform. I’ll remember this and won’t ever forget.”

He Dongchen closed his fan. “It was meant for you to win.”

Jiang Yueming didn’t continue to argue. She simply kept the favor in mind, planning to repay it in the future.

This promise was immensely important to her.

After they went their separate ways, He Dongchen returned to his residence in a carriage. Passing by the tea house again, he found that the topic of gossip had shifted from the second miss of Marquis Pingyang’s family mingling with a man to the original legitimate daughter engaging in such behavior.

He Dongchen raised an eyebrow. It seemed that even in ancient times, he had witnessed a battle of public opinion.