The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 17

As the Prime Minister’s only legitimate daughter, Shen Sijing’s every move was carefully monitored by the entire Dreamlike Pavilion. When the young mistress was happy, everyone’s lives were easier. But if she suffered even a minor injury, they would all face dire consequences.

Yun Nian wasn’t worried about being implicated; her concern was for Shen Sijing’s well-being. Having just recovered from a serious illness and lacking any martial skills for self-defense, what would happen if she went to Huixian Tower alone at night and encountered trouble?

Shen Sijing understood Yun Nian’s worries, but her gaze lingered on Ling Qingyi’s gaunt face. She still wanted to try.

It was better to be safe than sorry. If Ling Qingyi were to suffer any harm due to her negligence, Shen Sijing doubted she could survive in this world.

Shen Sijing wasn’t a saint, but she knew she had to help the female lead. It wasn’t just out of compassion; if she wanted to return to her own world, the female lead was likely the key.

Although she enjoyed the love of her parents and the pampered, effortless life in this ancient world, none of it felt real. She needed to go home.

This conviction hardened in her heart, gradually replacing the hesitation in her eyes with unwavering resolve. To persuade Yun Nian, Shen Sijing first needed to get Ling Qingyi out of the way. “Qingqing, we’ve finished dinner. Why hasn’t the medicine arrived yet? Would you mind taking the umbrella to the kitchen and checking on it?”

Ling Qingyi nodded and rose to leave, but the lotus-painted oil-paper umbrella remained in her hand. She paused beneath the eaves outside the window facing Shen Sijing, a shadow darkening her eyes as she surveyed the surroundings. The maids were either in the side rooms or tending to the medicine in the kitchen; no one was paying attention to her. Ling Qingyi crouched down, pressing her ear against the wall to listen to the conversation inside.

“Yun Nian,” Shen Sijing’s voice was unusually serious. “Since you’re my person, you should know where your loyalty lies.” Even with such stern words, her sweet, childish voice carried no real threat. Ling Qingyi’s lips twitched into a smile as she continued to listen.

After Yun Nian had finished her fervent declaration of loyalty, Shen Sijing’s voice finally rang out again. “Tonight, bring extra Shadow Guards to guard Huixian Tower. I’ll enter alone. If I push open the tower’s windows, immediately bring everyone in. Understand?”

This instruction sounded like Shen Sijing was about to undertake some secret mission. Although Yun Nian had received the finest maidservant training at the Prime Minister’s Residence since childhood, she knew nothing of such matters.

Seeing Shen Sijing’s solemn expression, Yun Nian grew anxious again. But Shen Sijing was resolute, and she dared not disobey.

Shadow Guards were a standard provision for noble families like the Shens. Shen Sijing had discovered their existence through the daily shift changes, a responsibility that fell under Yun Nian’s authority.

She had found a small booklet detailing the Shadow Guards while browsing through the books in Dreamlike Pavilion.

Yun Nian nodded and turned to leave, preparing for her departure at Hai Hour (9-11 PM). Ling Qingyi heard the creak of the wooden door opening and immediately rose, sheltering behind a pillar with her umbrella. Under normal circumstances, Yun Nian would have sensed something amiss. But today, preoccupied with worries, she paid no attention, and Ling Qingyi remained undetected.

“Tonight at ten?” Ling Qingyi slowly straightened up. Yun Nian muttered to herself as she headed to the rear courtyard, leaving Ling Qingyi to check on the medicine in the kitchen.

“Young Miss, what brings you here? Is our young miss urging me about the medicine?” The servant girl tending the stove held a small fan in her hand. The fire burned brightly, yet the medicine simmering above showed no signs of boiling, likely still far from ready.

“Why is tonight’s medicine taking so long?” Ling Qingyi asked, her expression calm. The servant girl knelt respectfully. “Young Miss Ling, our young miss asked me to help make jujube cakes earlier, which delayed the medicine. I beg your forgiveness.”

In truth, Shen Sijing would have preferred the medicine to be delayed. But Ling Qingyi couldn’t speak for her. She gently helped the girl up and decided to ask Shen Sijing about it later.

As Ling Qingyi walked back, she remained preoccupied with the matter, so much so that she didn’t notice the rain had soaked half her clothes. It wasn’t until she returned to her room that Shen Sijing saw her disheveled state. Shocked, Shen Sijing immediately rose and began wiping Ling Qingyi’s clothes with a handkerchief.

“What happened? Didn’t you bring an umbrella?” Shen Sijing’s concern filled Ling Qingyi’s vision. Her throat tightened, and she found herself unable to speak. Shen Sijing’s soft hands, wiping her clothes with the handkerchief, felt like gentle plucks at her heartstrings.

“Sister Shen…” Ling Qingyi’s voice was a little hoarse, but her eyes had returned to normal. “It was just the wind. The rain was heavy, and I didn’t hold my umbrella steady. I’m only a concubine’s daughter, not worth Sister Shen’s concern.”

Shen Sijing bristled at these words and immediately wrapped her arms around Ling Qingyi’s waist, hugging her tightly like a child who didn’t care about anything else. “I don’t care! You’re my best friend, my only friend. That makes you worth a thousand pieces of gold. Don’t ever belittle yourself like that again.”

Ling Qingyi froze, her body stiffening. She even forgot how to breathe. She quickly pulled Shen Sijing’s hands away, took a few steps back, and said, “I just checked. The kitchen was steaming date cakes, and the maid went to help, which delayed the medicine. Should she be punished?”

Shen Sijing noticed Ling Qingyi’s instinctive reaction. Though she didn’t fully understand why, she sensed Ling Qingyi’s deep-seated insecurity. Her voice softened considerably. “No need. I didn’t really want to take the medicine anyway. I’m sorry for making you run all this way and getting soaked.”

Shen Sijing lowered her gaze like a child who had done wrong, occasionally stealing glances at Ling Qingyi’s expression. Ling Qingyi couldn’t help but smile. “Sister Shen, why are you looking at me like that?”

Seeing Ling Qingyi’s smile, Shen Sijing realized the tense atmosphere had finally dissipated. She settled back in her seat at the table and resumed fiddling with the writing materials, though her mind was elsewhere. Ling Qingyi knew exactly what she was thinking; both women sat in the room, each calculating their own plans.

Soon, Yun Nian entered carrying medicine and jujube cakes. In wealthy households, the cakes were small and exquisite, stacked in neat piles of three or five on tall-stemmed plates. A maid placed the plate in the center of the table and set out silver chopsticks.

The cakes’ rich aroma, originally strong, was now diluted by the medicinal scent. The combination of sweet and bitter made Shen Sijing frown. She picked up the silver chopsticks and ate the cakes, but refused to touch the jade bowl of medicine.

“Sister Shen, if you don’t drink it now, it’ll only get more bitter,” Ling Qingyi said, her eyes curving into crescents as she sat beside Shen Sijing. She lifted the jade bowl and brought it to Shen Sijing’s lips, actually intending to feed her.

Shen Sijing’s eyes brimmed with determined tears as she stared at the bowl of dark, murky medicine, as if steeling herself for a great ordeal. Yun Nian placed a ceramic bottle beneath her chin to catch any spills, while Shen Sijing herself picked up a delicate jujube cake, forgoing even silver chopsticks.

Ling Qingyi found her endearing. The jade spoon felt warm to the touch, but feeding her one spoonful at a time was too slow. Ling Qingyi wrapped the spoon in a handkerchief and set it aside, bringing the bowl’s rim close to Shen Sijing’s parted lips. Shen Sijing obediently opened her mouth, and the bitter, astringent medicine immediately filled her mouth. She swallowed quickly, then hastily stuffed the entire jujube cake into her mouth.

Ancient jujube cakes differed from the soft, fluffy ones of modern times, possessing a firmer, denser texture. Shen Sijing’s mouth was now completely full, her cheeks bulging like a food-hoarding hamster. Ling Qingyi couldn’t suppress a smile as she wiped the corners of Shen Sijing’s mouth with a clean handkerchief, a gesture that warmed Shen Sijing’s heart.

No one had ever treated her with such tenderness. Shen Sijing, normally difficult to move, found herself deeply touched by every gesture of this person before her.

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