The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 15

Finally, the carriage came to a stop before the Prime Minister’s Residence. The familiar grand gates loomed before Shen Sijing, and she realized she had missed this place terribly, even after only half a day away.

Shen Sijing turned and, holding up an umbrella, walked to Ling Qingyi’s carriage to shield her from the rain. Madam Shen didn’t stop her. Instead, she hurried into the residence to summon the physician, worried that Shen Sijing’s prolonged exposure to the damp chill might affect her health.

Watching Madam Shen’s hurried departure, Shen Sijing felt a pang of guilt. In truth, she no longer suffered from any life-threatening illness. She only coughed occasionally and her hands and feet tended to be cold.

But she couldn’t simply tell Madam Shen the truth, nor could she claim her ailments had vanished without explanation.

Shen Sijing sighed, pushing these thoughts aside. She took Ling Qingyi’s hand and helped her down from the carriage. The rain was so heavy that the ground was already covered in a layer of water, splashing onto their delicate embroidered shoes. Shen Sijing paid no mind to the dampness, focused only on guiding Ling Qingyi back to the residence.

Another carriage stood parked at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Residence. Its size was considerable, and the insignia emblazoned on its side clearly identified its owner: Jian Susu, the Third Prince Consort.

Why would she come on such a rainy day? And since Madam Shen wasn’t home earlier, had Jian Susu been waiting in the carriage all this time?

Madam Shen had hurried inside the moment she dismounted, not even noticing Jian Susu’s carriage. It was only when Shen Sijing glanced over that Jian Susu’s coachman called out urgently, “Your Highness, Young Miss Shen has returned!”

Jian Susu parted the carriage curtains, her elegant, understated robes coming into view first. What she saw was two flower-like maidens standing beneath the rain-drenched eaves, their beauty a scene unto itself. She smiled, accepted the arm of her attendant, and stepped down from the carriage, raising her own umbrella as she approached Shen Sijing.

The two girls exchanged polite bows. Jian Susu, still unfamiliar with Ling Qingyi, felt a little awkward remembering the others’ earlier remarks about her. She returned a polite smile and turned to Shen Sijing. “I’ve come uninvited. I hope my visit won’t displease your mother.”

In truth, Jian Susu simply wanted to strike up a conversation with Shen Sijing and get closer to her. Everyone knew Shen Sijing was the most favored member of the family. If Jian Susu could become friendly with her, she’d have more opportunities to visit the Prime Minister’s Residence in the future.

Shen Sijing shook her head with a smile, showing no awkwardness at speaking to someone she didn’t know well. Jian Susu had been wondering if her recent closeness to the Shen family was the reason for this warm reception. Lost in thought, she was startled when Shen Sijing reached out to gesture her inside, her smile bright and welcoming. “It’s still raining outside, and the wind is quite chilly. Why don’t we go inside and sit down for a proper chat?”

Jian Susu couldn’t help but marvel. Indeed, children reflect their upbringing. Even Shen Sijing, who rarely left the inner courtyard, possessed impeccable manners. She quickly smiled and stepped inside. Since her original purpose was to see Madam Shen, Shen Sijing led Ling Qingyi back to Dreamlike Pavilion while Jian Susu headed to the Main Hall to find Madam Shen.

“Although the Young Miss’s health has improved significantly, the root of her illness remains. None of you can afford to relax your vigilance. I know you’ve all been working tirelessly these past few days, but as long as you continue to care for her diligently, your rewards will be generous. Today, she spent too long in a damp, dark place, and when I checked on her, her face was pale. I’m worried about potential complications. Have someone call for a wellness check later.”

Jian Susu entered the Main Hall just as Madam Shen was seated, instructing the physician specifically responsible for Shen Sijing’s health. This conversation reinforced Jian Susu’s understanding of how deeply Madam Shen worried about her daughter’s well-being. She didn’t dare interrupt, waiting until Madam Shen had finished her instructions before slowly speaking.

“Susu greets Madam.”

By protocol, Jian Susu, as the Third Prince’s consort, should have held a higher social rank than Madam Shen. However, she wouldn’t presume to skip the customary bow based on her status. The Shen family was far too influential to offend.

Madam Shen seemed accustomed to such formalities, showing no hint of discomfort. Instead, her eyes lit up with surprise and delight. “Susu! What brings you here on such a rainy day? It must be something urgent.”

Madam Shen’s words were half a guess, but they struck close to the truth. Jian Susu had been enjoying tea at home when Madam Gu, wife of the Minister of Rites, arrived with an invitation.

“An invitation?” Madam Shen asked, puzzled. “We haven’t planned any major celebrations recently.”

Jian Susu nodded. “Indeed, Madam. You see, Lord Gu’s eldest daughter, Gu Jing’an, will come of age next year. Yet there’s been no talk of marriage prospects. With autumn approaching, they’re hosting an Autumn Poetry Gathering. Since it’s their first time hosting such an event, invitations have been sent to every household in the Capital, including mine. They’ve even asked me to persuade you to attend…”

Madam Shen and a few other prominent matriarchs were the only ones invited, which underscored the importance of the Autumn Poetry Gathering. No one else dared decline, even though the Minister of Rites was no small official and generally commanded respect. It was said that Gu Jing’an had a fiery temper, which explained why she remained unmarried.

Still, Madam Shen had to give the Minister of Rites his due.

“Since the invitation has already arrived, I have no reason to refuse. She’s quite shrewd, sending the invitation through you to avoid the awkwardness of facing me directly,” Madam Shen said, taking a few sips of her tea. Her eyes betrayed her worry for her naive daughter.

If Ling Qingyi attended the poetry gathering, could she possibly hold her own against those young misses who had already formed cliques?

Meanwhile, at Dreamlike Pavilion, Ling Qingyi’s tear-streaked face remained damp. Shen Sijing soaked a soft handkerchief in warm water, waiting until it was just lukewarm before gently dabbing away the tears. As she wiped Ling Qingyi’s face, the thin layer of fabric seemed to barely separate her fingertips from Ling Qingyi’s skin.

Shen Sijing’s heart raced, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet Ling Qingyi’s gaze. Ling Qingyi, meanwhile, held her breath, her eyes fixed on Shen Sijing’s exquisite features, forgetting to even feign composure.

“Why… why are you looking at me like that?” Shen Sijing asked, her cheeks flushing crimson, her voice soft and hesitant.

Ling Qingyi finally realized her lapse in decorum. She coughed awkwardly and averted her gaze, her reply strained: “I… I just feel… you’re so kind to me.”

Though Shen Sijing sensed the evasiveness in Ling Qingyi’s response, she couldn’t press further. What she knew for certain was that when Ling Qingyi looked at her, she felt no discomfort, only a strange mix of fondness and shyness.

Why am I feeling this way?! Shen Sijing wanted to slap her own cheeks.

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