Quick Transmigration: The Female Supporting Character's Counterattack, A Guide to Cunning Strat

Just as Madam Lin had predicted, a few days later, Lin Shuwan received a letter from the Third Princess (the previous typo has been corrected), inviting her to Youran Residence for a chat.

Princess Jiang Youning and the male lead Jiang Yiheng (the fifth prince) are siblings born of the same mother.

The two women's birth mother, Consort An, was originally a palace maid serving the late Empress, and she bore a striking resemblance to both of them.

After she arrived, she was mistaken for someone else by the drunken emperor and subsequently taken into the harem.

The Emperor should have been furious, but Consort An was "gentle and kind."

Whenever the Emperor was with her, he always felt happy.

Moreover, the emperor also needs someone to share his memories of the past and the future.

Gradually, as time went by, Consort An also gained a place in the Emperor's heart.

It was thanks to her womb that she gave birth to a son and a daughter, who are now the Fifth Prince and the Third Princess.

She was thus granted the title of concubine and was able to raise her own children.

The emperor has many sons, many of whom are skilled in literature and martial arts.

Furthermore, Jiang Yiheng deliberately concealed his talents, so he was not particularly outstanding among them.

However, Princess Jiang Youning, with her face that bore a striking resemblance to the late Empress, won the Emperor's favor among all the princes and princesses.

Even her daily monthly allowance was given in accordance with the proportion reserved for the eldest princess, not to mention other rewards.

The concubines were jealous, but there was nothing they could do; after all, the Third Princess was the leader.

She was born from the womb of a lowly maid, yet she somehow benefited from the advantages of being born first.

She could only console herself that at least she was a princess, and that the fifth prince was neither particularly talented nor skilled in martial arts, nor was he much favored.

Because Jiang Youning enjoyed the lively atmosphere outside the palace, the Emperor even gave her a token that allowed her to leave the palace at any time, permitting her to leave once every two months.

Although the number of times she could leave the palace and the time she could return were restricted, this was still a unique favor among the princesses.

As soon as Lin Shuwan entered Youranju, she was recognized by the waiter and welcomed into Yuemanting.

While Youranju is ostensibly managed by a merchant, it is actually Jiang Yiheng's business in secret.

Jiang Yiheng used this restaurant to gather information from various parts of the capital, thereby gaining leverage over some ministers for his own purposes.

As for the Moonlit Courtyard, it was built specifically for Jiang Youning as a place for her to rest outside the palace; to the outside world, it was said that she had bought it.

As soon as they entered, Jiang Youning enthusiastically took Lin Shuwan's arm and said in a sweet voice:

"Wanwan, why are you so late? I've been waiting for you for a while."

"Didn't you already know I'd be dawdling before leaving? We agreed to meet at 9:45 AM, why are you here so early?"

Lin Shuwan seemed happy, but what she said was very straightforward.

Jiang Youning's face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly adjusted her expression and said coquettishly:

"It's been so long since we last met, I've missed you terribly. These past few days I've been forced by my mother to learn this and that, so as soon as I had a free moment, I came to see you. Are you finding me annoying?"

actually not.

If it weren't for the message from the Emperor's spies outside the palace, saying that Lin Shuwan had been spending all her time with her cousin who had somehow appeared in her household, Jiang Youning wouldn't have bothered to come looking for her.

You must understand that Lin Shuwan was a crucial part of her brother's ascension to the throne, and she would never allow Lin Shuwan to fall in love with anyone else.

"How could that be? I'm overjoyed!" Lin Shuwan said, holding Jiang Youning's hand.

Jiang Youning inwardly complained that Lin Shuwan's grip was too strong, making her arm ache, but she still cheerfully said:

"That's good. Let's not talk about anything else. What have you been doing these days? Is there anything interesting you can tell me?"

"Me? I'm working on something big lately, but I won't tell you the details yet. You'll find out later," Lin Shuwan said mysteriously.

Jiang Youning felt uneasy. Could it be that Lin Shuwan really had feelings for her cousin?

She paused for a moment, then asked casually, "I heard you have a distant cousin. How is he? How are you getting along with him?"

Lin Shuwan raised an eyebrow, her true colors finally showing, and mumbled, "Hmm, it's alright."

Jiang Youning pressed further, "Not bad? Yes..."

Lin Shuwan waved her hand impatiently, just like the original owner of the body: "Hey, why are you so concerned about him? And how did you find out I have a cousin?"

"Oh, I just overheard people talking about it on the street, and I was just curious."

Jiang Youning casually made up an excuse and subtly observed Lin Shuwan's expression.

Seeing that Lin Shuwan showed no affection for her cousin when she mentioned him, her unease lessened considerably.

She knew it! With such a handsome and noble prince as her brother, Lin Shuwan shouldn't have fallen for some unknown down-and-out.

My mother and brother are really making a big fuss over nothing.

Jiang Youning leisurely took a sip of tea and gestured to the maid behind her:

"By the way, my brother recently acquired a blue crystal bracelet. Knowing I was coming to see you today, he asked me to give it to you. Do you like it?"

Lin Shuwan naturally nodded in agreement, happily wearing it on her wrist and fiddling with it from side to side, looking extremely pleased with it.

Why not take something that's free? Besides, look at the color, it's quite a generous offer.

"Wanwan, your brother treats you so well, even I, your younger sister, am jealous," Jiang Youning said, half-jokingly.

Although she already had a lot of jewelry, the style and size of this string of beads were so rare that even she was tempted.

If Lin Shuwan hadn't seen many other fine things that were just as good as hers and not easily fooled, she wouldn't have been willing to give this bead to her.

Sooner or later, she'll pay me back double!

"Brother Yiheng is so good to me."

Lin Shuwan wore a hint of embarrassment on her face, but inwardly she sneered.

When the original owner was a child, because her aunt, the Empress, was lonely in the palace, she often invited her to stay in the palace for a while.

At that time, Jiang Youning, who was about the same age as her, deliberately approached her at the suggestion of Consort An.

After they got to know each other, he invited her to visit Consort An's palace. Every time this happened, the original owner would run into the male lead.

They got to know each other after a while.

Once the Empress Aunt noticed, she understood Consort An's little scheme and summoned the original owner to the palace less often.

However, Consort An was no pushover either. Before long, Jiang Youning received the emperor's favor of being allowed to leave the palace.

Every time Jiang Youning left the palace, she would bring some jewelry and ornaments that Consort An had prepared in advance for a young lady's household, all of which were very exquisite.

When she saw Lin Shuwan, she said that her brother had specially searched for her and asked her to deliver the item. She would also occasionally bring her along to run into Jiang Yiheng.

As a result, the original owner, who was already inexperienced in the ways of the world, naturally fell head over heels into the lies woven by Consort An and her two sons.

"Yes, my brother values ​​you so much. I always think it would be even better if you became my sister-in-law in the future," Jiang Youning teased, covering her mouth.

Lin Shu lowered his head and smiled, but did not reply.

It is good for you, but for the original owner, it is a life-long calamity.

Jiang Youning assumed she was just shy, so he decided to stop while he was ahead.

This mission to leave the palace is now complete.

……

In the study, Gu Yanli was somewhat surprised. Today, Mr. Song was about to start his lectures, but Lin Shuwan had not yet arrived.

What happened that delayed you?

Gu Yanli stared out the door, his gaze lingering there for a long time.

Without looking up, Mr. Song opened his book and said, "Stop reading, Miss Lin has something to do today and won't be coming."

"I wasn't waiting for her." Gu Yanli blurted out, then immediately regretted it, wishing he could slap himself.

That's like admitting guilt without being asked.

After hesitating for a moment, Gu Yanli still pressed on, "How did you find out, sir?"

Old Mr. Song gave him a meaningful look, stroked his beard, and said:

"When I arrived, I happened to see Miss Lin dressed neatly and getting into the carriage. She must be going to meet someone."

Gu Yanli suppressed the slight unease in his heart.

She didn't have any close friends in the capital, so who could she possibly meet?

I guess he's gotten tired of staying at the mansion these past few days.

It really was just a passing fad.

It's better if they're not here; they'd just be sleeping anyway, and it's annoying to look at them.

"Ahem, may I begin my lecture now?" Old Master Song teased.

"Please speak, sir," Gu Yanli said respectfully, though whether he had truly brought his wandering thoughts back was anyone's guess.