The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

Bathed in the glory of the miracle on her grand wedding day, Mu Jingyuan, the Princess Consort, enjoyed considerable prestige among the common folk. These days, noblewomen from Nandu visited one after another, their attitudes eager. Mu Jingyuan was thinking about establishing a shelter to do something for women across the realm.

“Oh?” He Dongchen raised an eyebrow, picking up the discarded paper and quickly scanning through it. “Do you intend for the shelter to rely on continuous funding?”

“Of course not,” Mu Jingyuan shook her head and explained, “To ask for money constantly isn’t independence. I plan to stabilize the shelter first and then help them find a livelihood, like weaving or embroidery, or taking on some light tasks.”

He Dongchen nodded. “You’re right. Coincidentally, I have a business here that might be suitable. Take a look.”

He Dongchen briefly introduced a series of skincare and cosmetics products like lipstick and perfume. The more Mu Jingyuan listened, the brighter her eyes became. Finally, she stood up and bowed deeply to He Dongchen, saying earnestly, “Your Highness, your great favor. I thank you on behalf of women everywhere.”

Such a livelihood, earning money like this, couldn’t be entrusted to just anyone, yet His Highness was willing to entrust it to the shelter, giving women across the realm another path. Mu Jingyuan felt deeply moved by this and ashamed of her previous dark thoughts.

If one day, for the greater good, if I had to sacrifice myself, would I willingly accept it too?

Looking at Mu Jingyuan’s face, filled with tragic determination almost eager for self-sacrifice, He Dongchen felt puzzled and amused, wondering day by day what she was imagining.

He lightly tapped Mu Jingyuan’s smooth forehead and chuckled, saying, “If you want to thank me, then quickly give birth to a first-born son for me.”

After 3 years of campaigning, He Dongchen, now 25, saw his peers’ children running around everywhere. He had no children of his own, no one to carry on his lineage, causing unrest among the people. Wang Yi had hinted several times, both overtly and subtly.

The only consolation was that Mu Jingyuan, similarly delayed by the war, was now 20 and didn’t need to wait much longer.

Mu Jingyuan was stunned by He Dongchen’s naked urging to bear a child. Blushing deeply, she quickly stood up and moved aside, stammering, “Your Highness, please refrain from such nonsense.”

“This is a serious matter. How can it be nonsense?” He Dongchen smirked, looking pleased.

Mu Jingyuan lowered her eyes, gently touching her belly. As a woman of Chen, do I really have a chance to bear the eldest son of the imperial family?

If I had the chance, could the child grow up safely?

Could I face death calmly, and how would my child manage?

Mu Jingyuan’s mind was in turmoil.

He Dongchen watched Mu Jingyuan’s figure ahead, furrowing his brow slightly. Just as he was about to step forward to speak, an inconspicuous female soldier entered.

“Your Highness, Young Lady Meng is awake and making a fuss to seeing you,” she reported.

He Dongchen paused, then replied coldly, “Let her fuss. Withdraw.”

The female soldier was taken aback, momentarily unsure of what to do. Shouldn’t His Highness be overjoyed at Meng Linglong waking up? After a brief confusion, she noticed the presence of the Princess Consort and suddenly understood, respectfully bowing before leaving.

Indeed, old love cannot compare to new love; the female soldier mused inwardly.

Mu Jingyuan noticed the soldier’s reaction and sighed inwardly. She wasn’t vain enough to compare herself to Meng Linglong. After all, theirs was a relationship spanning over a decade.

Seeing Mu Jingyuan’s distant attitude, He Dongchen approached her, gently smoothing her furrowed brows with his hand. He spoke softly, “Don’t overthink it. My ties with Meng Linglong were severed long ago. There’s no possibility.”

Mu Jingyuan looked at him, neither confirming nor denying her belief in his words, simply nodding. “Your Highness, do as you wish. I have matters to attend to here and won’t detain you.”

Mu Jingyuan wasn’t sure how long she could remain as the Princess consort. She just wanted to hold onto her principles and accomplish what she could as quickly as possible.

He Dongchen sighed lightly internally, leaving the conversation there. “Do what you wish, and remember, I’m here.”

As for the future, there was plenty of time.

***

Meanwhile, in a heavily guarded courtyard somewhere in the palace, Meng Linglong struggled to sit up, sweating profusely. She pondered how she could escape and find Xuan Yuanhao, who was currently on the run and likely in grave danger.

When she saw the female soldier returning from her report, Meng Linglong’s eyes lit up. She craned her neck to look behind her, but saw nothing.

Observing her disappointment, the soldier explained, “His Highness is currently in conversation with the Princess Consort and cannot be disturbed.”

Princess Consort?! Meng Linglong’s already pale face drained of color in an instant, her hands trembling in disbelief as she pressed for answers, “Princess Consort? Brother Dongchen, has married?”

“The Crown Prince married 3 days ago, and on that day, a miracle descended from the heavens with golden light filling the sky,” the female soldier said excitedly. She had been free that day and had attended the wedding, witnessing the miraculous event!

“The Princess Consort is the only daughter of Master Mu from Qingshan Academy, an unparalleled beauty…”

After talking for a while, the female soldier finally remembered the presence of Dongchen’s former love before pityingly glancing at Meng Linglong. She thought for a moment and tried to console her, “His Highness is enjoying his newlywed bliss and couldn’t make time to visit you.”

Meng Linglong wasn’t comforted at all. She sighed bitterly, feeling powerless as she lay back on the bed, self-mockingly saying, “All those words about ‘none but you,’ they were all lies…”

The female soldier scratched her head, about to speak, when several women dressed in black entered. The leader among them was Ye Ge, the commander of the secret guards.

Both sides exchanged formalities, and Ye Ge immediately questioned Meng Linglong, who was lying on the bed, “Why didn’t you retreat in time that day!? Where are Ye Jing and the others?”

Meng Linglong shuddered, looking panicked and unable to meet the other’s eyes.

On the night of the retreat, Ye Jing was shot dead by Xuan Yuanhao with an arrow and her body still laid at the bottom of a well. The other undercover spies were probably also in grave danger.

Seeing Meng Linglong’s silence, Ye Ge became furious and pulled her up forcefully, “Still playing dead? Meng Linglong, you should ask yourself, how many sisters have sacrificed their lives to protect you over the years! You were captured by the enemy and almost ruined our siege plan! Truly, you’ve done more harm than good!”

Meng Linglong didn’t know how to face Ye Ge and could only keep her eyes tightly closed, enduring the humiliation.

How did things come to this…? It shouldn’t have been like this.

***

In the following half month, Meng Linglong requested to see the Crown Prince every day, but He Dongchen refused each time, even bluntly stating that as long as she didn’t die, everything else didn’t matter.

The reporting female soldier finally understood and ignored Meng Linglong’s tantrums.

He Dongchen kept Meng Linglong around to lure Xuan Yuanhao, not to deal with her indecisive and accusing looks.

On this day, He Dongchen went out of the city to inspect the military camp. Meng Linglong suddenly caused a scene, smashing a vase and threatening to cut ties if she couldn’t see He Dongchen.

The female soldier guarding her was at her wit’s end. Unable to bring the Crown Prince, she reluctantly went to fetch the Princess Consort.

Mu Jingyuan, who was receiving noblewomen, paused slightly upon hearing the news.

The noblewomen quickly sensed the atmosphere and immediately excused themselves.

Mu Jingyuan smiled, “Thank you for your assistance with our earlier discussion.”

“Not at all, it’s our duty,” the noblewomen replied humbly, feeling honored to work with the Princess Consort.

After they left, Mu Jingyuan stood up and gestured for the female soldier to lead the way.

Through twists and turns, crossing several red corridors, they finally stopped outside a secluded palace wall. Mu Jingyuan glanced at the soldiers guarding it, then stepped into the courtyard. Before she could approach, she heard the sound of breaking jars and bottles from inside.

“Don’t come any closer! Stay back, all of you!” Meng Linglong’s back was pressed tightly against the wall, holding a shard threateningly against her neck. Several female soldiers surrounded her, watching for an opportunity to act.

Mu Jingyuan entered and witnessed the tense standoff. She paused momentarily, then two female soldiers stepped forward to shield her, wary of Meng Linglong’s unpredictable behavior.

Meng Linglong dared to hide in Chen Kingdom; her skills were undoubtedly formidable.

Mu Jingyuan appraised Meng Linglong from behind the soldiers.

The other party was still recovering from serious injuries, with a pale complexion, but it was easy to see their delicate features and outstanding temperament; a true beauty.

Meng Linglong also sized up Mu Jingyuan, then chuckled to herself.

Wasn’t He Dongchen always going on about how he disliked elegant and refined young ladies, finding them dull? And yet, to stabilize the people’s hearts, he had married a Princess Consort who seemed brimming with talent. It showed how hypocritical royal people could be.

A strange silence fell over the room.

After a moment, Mu Jingyuan spoke up, “Young Lady Meng, if you have something to say, please do so calmly. Put down the weapon and don’t harm yourself.”

Meng Linglong snorted coldly, “Then have He Dongchen come see me!”

“The Crown Prince is out of the city today and not in the palace,” Mu Jingyuan shook her head. Even if he were in the palace, she wouldn’t act without his permission, let alone grant Meng Linglong’s request.

“Then have these people leave, I want to leave the palace!” Meng Linglong continued to demand.

Mu Jingyuan shook her head again, “These people all belong to His Highness. I have no authority over them.”

“You are the esteemed Princess Consort; how can you not manage this?” Meng Linglong sneered, then fixed her gaze on Mu Jingyuan provocatively. “If I were you, I’d let me go quickly. You must know that He Dongchen once vowed not to marry anyone else but me. Now, by imprisoning me here, he only wants to force my compliance. Meng Linglong swears she’ll never be his concubine!”

“Let me go, and everyone will benefit. Otherwise, beware of losing your position as Princess Consort!”

Mu Jingyuan listened quietly to her provocation, then replied calmly, “Even if you reveal everything today, I still can’t release you.”

“If you don’t believe me, ask them if they would listen to me,” Meng Linglong challenged.

The female soldiers in the room responded straightforwardly, “We wouldn’t. We only obey orders from His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

Meng Linglong, frustrated and enraged, turned to Mu Jingyuan, “Aren’t you angry at all?”

“I’m not angry,” Mu Jingyuan said calmly. She was very aware of her position and had no right to be angry.

Seeing Mu Jingyuan’s demeanor, Meng Linglong choked up inside. The rage attacked her heart, causing her to cough up blood. Already not fully recovered from serious injuries, she had been pushing herself, and now she collapsed unconscious after spitting blood.

Everyone exchanged glances, stunned by the turn of events.

***

Later, when He Dongchen returned to the palace and heard what had happened, his mouth twitched. He turned to Mu Jingyuan and asked, “So you made her faint from anger?”

Mu Jingyuan lowered her eyes innocently as she ate, saying, “I was just speaking the truth.”

He Dongchen chuckled softly, propping his chin with one hand as he suddenly asked, “Aren’t you curious about Meng Linglong’s situation?”

Mu Jingyuan paused briefly in her actions, casually replying, “I am curious. Would Your Highness tell me?”

Why did Meng Linglong appear on the city wall and get held hostage by Chen?

Were the hundreds of heavily armed guards outside Meng Linglong’s courtyard there for protection or as wardens?

If Mu Jingyuan hadn’t spent time with He Dongchen day and night, she might have believed the general public’s view that He Dongchen cared deeply for Meng Linglong, judging by the heavy protection. She would have been worried and unsettled by Meng Linglong’s words.

But in recent days, judging by He Dongchen’s reactions, it seemed he didn’t care much about Meng Linglong.

Mu Jingyuan had many doubts in her heart but never asked, remembering her identity as a person from Chen Kingdom. Some things were better left unknown.