The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

Since the Emperor learned that he could live to be a hundred, his mindset had completely changed!

During the day, he no longer hurriedly watched the officials and the imperial court scurry about; at night, he no longer had to rush to visit the palace consorts.

There was always a feeling of being sober while everyone else was drunk, sitting on cloud nine and watching the clowns jump around.

Without worries, the Emperor handled matters with even more decisiveness. He issued an edict scolding Prince Cheng’s residence, citing general disrespect without specifying exact charges. Not only that, but he also stripped Prince Cheng’s Heir of the hard-earned position, turning him into a common young master and sending him home.

Prince Cheng’s residence suddenly received the decree and was stunned.

Especially Prince Cheng himself, who hadn’t done anything during this time!!!

Eldest Young Master Cheng was both shocked and furious, thinking; It must be that woman, Jiang Yueming!

“Father, I believe it’s because of Elder Brother’s actions that angered His Majesty!” Prince Cheng’s younger illegitimate son began to sow discord, chattering away, “Previously, the girl from Marquis Pingyang’s residence offended Grand Princess Xiangyang. Grand Princess Xiangyang even hinted at not allowing Marquis Pingyang’s people to visit anymore. Elder Brother still helped that Song Qile everywhere, wasn’t that a slap in the face of Grand Princess Xiangyang? The Emperor has always favored his older sister, so he had to vent his anger.”

Others didn’t know that Song Qile had connections with Prince Cheng’s residence, but they still knew. The position in the imperial education courtyard was no small matter.

Prince Cheng agreed with his reasoning. Otherwise, how could he have provoked the Emperor’s wrath during this time when he had been so well-behaved?

Prince Cheng looked at his legitimate eldest son and ordered sternly, “That Song Qile, sever all ties with her immediately!”

Young Master Cheng knew that the Emperor issuing the decree was more likely due to Jiang Yueming’s schemes and had nothing to do with Song Qile.

But he didn’t want to share the secret with the biased Prince Cheng and his concubine-born brother, so he kept his head down and remained silent, accepting the blame.

Thus, Song Qile, who had just been enjoying her success, was brought back to her original state. The newly opened rouge shop was forced to shut down, and her younger brother packed up and returned home from the imperial education courtyard.

This turn of events made other branches of Marquis Pingyang’s residence gleeful, all eagerly piling on.

***

Song Minle was the most excited, running to Song Qile’s courtyard to flaunt, “Sister, who’s invitation did you receive today? Can you let me see it? By the way, why did big brother return from the imperial education courtyard? Is it a holiday there or something?”

Song Qile, with a darkened face, was too lazy to deal with Song Minle and directly drove her out of the courtyard.

Afterwards, she lingered around Prince Cheng’s residence for a few days, seeking an explanation from Young Master Cheng.

Young Master Cheng met with her briefly and only said, “Jiang Yueming is not an ordinary woman. Even I had my position taken; I’m barely safe myself.”

Song Qile knew about Prince Cheng’s household being reprimanded, or rather, the entire capital knew. The imperial edict was like the top story in the capital; who wouldn’t pay attention? Other imperial households, upon learning of Prince Cheng’s residence’s reprimand, were overjoyed, while those who had been trying to ally with Prince Cheng’s residence turned their backs and continued to watch.

It could be said that a single imperial edict had scattered half of Prince Cheng’s residence’s secretly cultivated influence.

Song Qile found it unbelievable, “She’s just a woman, and after having been caught with incriminating evidence, she still dares to be so arrogant?”

Prince Cheng’s residence had been punished, and thus, she had also been implicated. Song Qile’s anger flared, and she spoke bluntly, “If that’s the case, why don’t you directly expose her identity?”

Young Master Cheng glanced at the enraged Song Qile and warned, “I have my own plans. Don’t make decisions on your own. If you spoil my plans…”

A minor official like Jiang Yueming was able to make the Emperor issue a reprimanding edict against Prince Cheng’s residence. Although Young Master Cheng was infuriated by Jiang Yueming’s lack of gratitude, he also saw the immense value she held. It would be a pity to destroy her; on the contrary, as long as Jiang Yueming could be won over, there was no doubt she could achieve great things. This time, he had acted too hastily, forcing the issue, and needed to proceed more carefully.

Thinking of that, Young Master Cheng gave Song Qile another warning look and spoke coldly, “Don’t provoke her, understood?”

Song Qile, taken aback by his indifferent gaze she could only suppress her anger, lower her head, and reply obediently, “Rest assured, Young Master.”

Young Master Cheng was satisfied and said, “As for your matter, we’ll see about it later.”

With that, Young Master Cheng turned on his heel and left in a hurry.

Song Qile stood still, a trace of sarcasm appearing in her eyes. She was dismissed with just a few words.

It seemed that relying on others was not as dependable as relying on oneself.

She turned and left, seeking another way out.

***

Meanwhile, Jiang Yueming, facing the risk of exposure at any moment, had given up on wandering the streets in search of a woman who sold herself.

He Dongchen noticed Jiang Yueming’s renewed lightness of step and couldn’t help but tease, “Is there good news at Jiang’s residence?”

Jiang Yueming shook his head, looking at the high palace walls with a feigned air of weariness, and said, “No good news. You know me; marrying would just delay the girl’s life.”

He Dongchen covered the corner of his mouth with his fan and meaningfully replied, “Indeed, it would delay the girl.”

Jiang Yueming felt that He Dongchen’s attitude was somewhat strange. Reflecting on it, he thought it might be a secret between men.

As a woman, she didn’t understand.

When autumn arrived, the capital began to bustle with activity. Envoys from various countries came to the city to present tributes, and trade caravans arrived in response. The streets were filled with people of all sorts, coming and going continuously.

With all nations coming to offer their congratulations, the Emperor was greatly pleased and decreed that a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet be held in the palace, inviting nobles, officials, and envoys to gather together.

He Dongchen saw the foreign envoys in their bizarre attire on the streets and suddenly remembered a plot from the original story.

In the original story, during the palace banquet, an envoy deliberately posed a difficult question. Song Qile, having foreknowledge from her previous life, easily solved the problem and shone brightly, earning the Emperor’s praise and greatly increasing her worth.

The difficult problem involved threading a fine line through a jade stone, tying it to an ant, and applying honey to the exit on the other side of the jade to attract the ant to crawl through the winding interior.

He Dongchen stroked his chin and whispered a few words to Tong Nian.

Although Tong Nian was puzzled, he still went downstairs and, somewhat casually, approached a few envoys. He struck up a friendly conversation with a vendor selling pastries.

“Do you know how to thread a line through a hole in a stone?”

The vendor, busy with his work, answered matter-of-factly, “Thread the line onto a needle and just push it through.”

“What if the hole in the stone is winding and curved?”

The vendor thought for a moment and hesitantly said, “Try using a flexible wire. Poking it through a few times might work.”

“Not quite. The solution is actually very simple…” Tong Nian easily explained the method of threading the ant through the jade and then, carrying the packaged pastries, left at a leisurely pace.

The vendor scratched his head, wondering why he was told all that.

Nearby, two envoys exchanged glances and, looking displeased, hurriedly left to return to their lodgings.

Indeed, talent was abundant in the capital; even an ordinary person on the street could solve the problem they had painstakingly extracted from ancient texts.

They needed to find a different challenge quickly to avoid embarrassment at the palace banquet.

He Dongchen, on the second floor, watched them leave in a rush. He leisurely poured himself a glass of fine wine, keeping his achievements and reputation concealed.

Song Qile had embarrassed Jiang Yueming, forcing him into a difficult position, so he naturally had to help Sir Jiang regain some honor.

The system floated around, making playful gestures and said, [You’re meddling a lot, big shot.]

He Dongchen raised an eyebrow, “I’m happy to.”

With that, he waved his fan and sent the system flying.

System: ~^~