The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

He Dongchen saw the serious look on Mu Jingyuan’s face, shook his head with a gentle smile, “We are husband and wife, there’s nothing we can’t discuss. Meng Linglong isn’t an orphan of the Meng family. She secretly infiltrated into Chen 3 years ago and fell in love with Xuan Yuanhao after spending time together day and night. On the day of the siege, she voluntarily went up to the city gate to act, trying to force me to retreat.”

Mu Jingyuan quickly processed this information and then narrowed her eyes slightly. She hadn’t expected there would be so much hidden behind it.

If that’s the case, isn’t His Highness…

Mu Jingyuan glanced at the jade crown on top of He Dongchen’s head, her expression subtle.

She cleared her throat and shifted her gaze, “So, how does Your Highness intend to deal with Meng Linglong? Logically speaking, a traitor should be severely punished, or simply left to fend for themselves out of mercy for past ties. Why go to such lengths to guard her?”

“Xuan Yuanhao isn’t dead.”

“What?!” Mu Jingyuan suddenly looked up, then quickly covered her mouth, nervously glancing around.

Xuan Yuanhao isn’t dead! If this news gets out, how much gossip and turmoil will ensue!

Mu Jingyuan’s heart was in turmoil, surprised that His Highness would tell such an important secret to someone from Chen!

“Aren’t you afraid that I…” She stared at He Dongchen’s face, her expression complex, her eyes flickering.

“I’m not afraid,” He Dongchen replied confidently, reaching out to take Mu Jingyuan’s hand and playing with it, teasing, “Even if I can’t keep your heart, aren’t there thousands of other women? In your heart, they are more important than the Xuan Yuan royal family.”

Mu Jingyuan looked into his deep eyes, with countless thoughts in her heart, which finally condensed into one sentence, “I won’t let you down.”

They held each other’s hands, warming each other.

Mu Jingyuan, after learning the insider information, easily deduced that He Dongchen kept Meng Linglong and didn’t publicly disclose her betrayal to lure out the fugitive Xuan Yuanhao.

It was clear at a glance which woman had more value; a useless one against one cherished by the Crown Prince of an enemy country.

“In the future, if something like today happens again, you don’t need to intervene,” He Dongchen instructed. Mu Jingyuan’s identity carried significant weight. If something were to happen during their honeymoon period, it could be misinterpreted outside the country.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Mu Jingyuan replied, “I understand.”

***

As the saying goes, ‘Expect the unexpected.’ The next day, while entertaining noblewomen from the southern capital, Mu Jingyuan was attacked on the spot. Thanks to Ming Yang and the others’ vigilance, it didn’t escalate into a major incident.

Mu Jingyuan was astonished and uncertain. She hadn’t expected someone who had been relaxed and friendly one moment to suddenly attempt on her life the next.

Subdued, the assailant sneered, “A woman acting independently! It’s against nature! Outrageous!”

“Who are you calling a good person, learning from a dog’s bark!” Xiao Qi, who had apprehended her, raised an eyebrow and kicked her in the leg socket. The woman collapsed with a thud, her face covered in blood.

Seeing Mu Jingyuan’s pale face, Ming Yang quickly had the woman dragged away. Before leaving, she thought for a moment and said, “Your Highness, please don’t dwell on this. Because of such people, your actions are even more urgent.”

Mu Jingyuan smiled faintly, her tone gentle yet firm, “You’re right, General Ming.”

He Dongchen received the news and hurried over. Seeing Mu Jingyuan unharmed and even more spirited, he felt relieved. He approached and gently patted her head, “You’ve been frightened. I’ve ordered a thorough interrogation. There must be more to this. Don’t overthink it. What you’ve done is meaningful.”

Mu Jingyuan chuckled softly, “All of you, always trying to comfort me. I understand.”

She faced obstacles not only from men but also from certain women who had been completely brainwashed, thinking and acting from the perspective of men. How tragic it was.

“I’m glad you understand,” He Dongchen said with relief.

Just then, Ming Yang entered the room and reported, “The prisoner was acting under orders from the Lian family.”

“The Lian family?” He Dongchen raised an eyebrow, his expression meaningful.

“The Lian family? The Lian family of Nanyang?” Mu Jingyuan was puzzled. The Lian family of Nanyang was known for being opportunistic and notorious for their fickleness. How could this be?

He Dongchen smiled knowingly and explained, “The Lian family is trying to assert their status. I simply let them take care of the chores and farming in the White Jade Palace, and now they harbor resentment and seek revenge.”

Mu Jingyuan’s mouth twitched. Making a prestigious family like the Lian family raise pigs and tend to crops was indeed a humiliation.

Suddenly, Mu Jingyuan’s expression changed, her gaze deep and thoughtful. “If my father and I hadn’t agreed back then, would Your Highness have let us go and farm as well?”

“Never.” He Dongchen held her hand reassuringly. “I respect those who are wise. The Lian family of Nanyang is utterly decayed; there was no need to involve you.”

He then turned to Ming Yang and ordered, “Spread the word. Mobilize troops to Nanyang, capture the members of the Lian family, punish those guilty according to the law, and send those innocent to cultivate lands in the north.”

Ming Yang replied loudly, “Yes!”

With the assassination incident resolved, He Dongchen worried that someone might target Mu Jingyuan again. He deployed several additional guards and even had the rarely used puppet system, which was gathering dust, personally protect her.

“This is a large eagle from beyond the domain. It’s very understanding. Let it assist you for a while,” He Dongchen said solemnly, handing Mu Jingyuan the system badge with the large eagle symbol.

Mu Jingyuan lifted her head, looking at the large bird that was taller and stronger than herself. She swallowed nervously and forced herself to stay calm, saying, “I’ll take good care of it.”

The system tilted its head, took a few steps closer to Mu Jingyuan in a swaying manner, and extended its large wings to pat her shoulder, “Nice to meet you, nice to meet you…”

Mu Jingyuan froze completely, her voice trembling, “It can talk?!”

Such a large bird! And it can speak human language! Was it really not some kind of mystical bird?

He Dongchen warned the system with a glance not to overdo it, explaining, “It mimics speech, like a parrot, only these two phrases.”

Mu Jingyuan managed a strained smile.

From that day on, everyone in the palace knew that behind the Crown Prince’s consort there was a big bird! A super big bird! People openly and secretly watched, looking like they had never seen such a thing.

Seeing their reactions, Mu Jingyuan calmed down eerily.

It was just a big bird that could talk, nothing to be alarmed about.

Previously floating beside He Dongchen, pretending to be well-behaved and clever, now the system stuck close to Mu Jingyuan, still pretending to be well-behaved and clever. Its job hadn’t changed at all. It ate large chunks of meat every day and occasionally burped loudly~

***

One day, while Mu Jingyuan was taking a nap, the system was idle when it suddenly noticed a head poking out of the lake in the backyard, sneaking towards Mu Jingyuan’s house. The system immediately sprang into action, flew over, and scooped the person out of the lake, shouting loudly, “Assassin alert!!!”

The bird’s sharp cry echoed almost throughout the entire palace, and everyone hurried over to see the person hanging from the talons of the large eagle, which was flying wildly through the air.

Terrified of heights, the assassin dangled hundreds of meters above ground, screaming in terror and begging for mercy, “Let me down! I confess! I confess!”

Upon hearing this, everyone strangely calmed down. Xiao Qi even shouted at the eagle, “Higher! Fly even higher!”

Assassin: !!! What grudge do you have against me?!

Mu Jingyuan walked out of the courtyard in bewilderment, looking up at the majestic eagle, filled with deep emotion.

The system was having a blast, flying around with the captured person, attracting the attention of the entire palace and even the city of Nandu!

It was truly the center of attention!

When the big shots arrived from outside the city with a menacing presence, it immediately backed down.

After tossing the unconscious assassin into the lake, it landed gracefully next to Mu Jingyuan, pretending to be well-behaved and clever.

Mu Jingyuan raised her hand and gently touched its somewhat firm head, moved to say, “So obedient.”

Others crowded around, chatting excitedly. Some brave ones even wanted to experience the feeling of flying!

The commotion caused by the system spread throughout Nandu City. Eventually, rumors inexplicably turned the large bird into a celestial messenger sent from heaven to protect the Crown Prince’s Consort and maintain peace in the realm.

The people believed it wholeheartedly, even setting up altars in their homes and offering daily prayers.

As the system became a celestial messenger, its treatment skyrocketed. People warmly offered it food; fruits, snacks, whatever they could.

Life was quite enjoyable and satisfying.

He Dongchen watched silently, speechless. He tolerated it because Mu Jingyuan cherished the system.

***

6 months later, Mu Jingyuan’s shelter began to take shape. It expanded outward from Nandu City, establishing women’s shelters in every major city. Simultaneously, exquisite lipsticks and captivating perfumes became the latest trend in these cities, much sought after by the people.

More and more women stood tall, leaving their homes radiant and confident.

In addition to establishing shelters, Mu Jingyuan also urged the people to demolish chastity archways, but the effect was minimal. He Dongchen directly issued an order; any household with a chastity archway would be barred from taking imperial examinations.

Upon that decree, almost overnight, those archways toppled, and not long after, widows were remarried amid much fuss and commotion.

Mu Jingyuan could only feel bitter irony.

“Alright, don’t dwell on those upsetting matters, especially with this.” He Dongchen squeezed her hand gently.

At his words, Mu Jingyuan gently touched her visibly pregnant belly, her expression tender. “I won’t think about it anymore.”

He Dongchen smiled and said, “The preparations for relocating the capital are almost complete. I estimate that after you give birth and finish your postpartum recovery, we can set off.”

Mu Jingyuan’s smile faltered slightly. Once the capital relocation was completed, it would signify her, the Crown Prince’s Consort from the Kingdom of Chen, meeting the royal family of the Kingdom of Chao.

During that period, Mu Jingyuan had heard her fair share of gossip, especially after becoming pregnant, with the Crown Prince refusing the service of other women. The dissatisfaction among the people of Chao was practically written on their faces.

He Dongchen was well aware of Mu Jingyuan’s predicament and comforted her, “You have me behind you. Don’t be afraid.”

Mu Jingyuan felt warmth in her heart and nodded earnestly, “Yes, I’m not afraid.”

***

As autumn arrived, good news began to arrive from all over the country; a bountiful harvest. Crops grown from heavenly seeds yielded three to four times the usual amount of rice and wheat! Corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes were even more impressive, especially the sweet potatoes; each weighed half a kilogram!

The farmers were dumbfounded! They had never seen crops grow so abundantly in their lives!

Overwhelmed with joy, they celebrated together.

Amidst the nationwide jubilation, Mu Jingyuan gave birth to He Dongchen’s eldest son.

He Dongchen immediately announced publicly that his eldest son would be the heir apparent. They celebrated the full moon ceremony extravagantly, even purchasing a special effect from the system’s marketplace to create a grand spectacle, echoing the miraculous events of their previous wedding.

Although this time there wasn’t a miracle involving food, the unquestioning populace spontaneously interpreted the bountiful harvest in the fields as a blessing brought by the young prince.

Those without ulterior motives busied themselves with congratulatory messages and exaggerated praise. Those who had suspicions shook their heads and sighed, putting on a facade of joy and cheer.

As the Princess Consort held high prestige among the common people and was respected by the Crown Prince, now that they had a son, the people’s admiration was overwhelming. Even those who wanted to scheme couldn’t find an opportunity.

Alas…