The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 18

They had already left the Prime Minister’s Residence. The journey had been fraught with minor dangers, but they had finally arrived.

Huixian Tower was nearly deserted. Even the manager and waiter leaned listlessly against the door, their usual bustling energy dampened by the torrential rain. This time of day should have been their busiest, but the downpour had turned it into a ghost town.

The sharp-eyed waiter spotted the two figures approaching under an umbrella. Their fine clothes spoke of wealth, and the manager’s eyes lit up as he rushed forward with a welcoming smile. “What would the young lady like to order?”

Shen Sijing rarely ventured out, so it was understandable that many wouldn’t recognize her. She glanced at the menu board, selected a few late-night snacks, and then asked, “Is there anyone in the private rooms upstairs?”

The manager paused, thinking hard, before replying eagerly, “Yes, there is. She’s waiting for a Miss Shen. Are you Miss Shen?”

Shen Sijing nodded, and the waiter led her upstairs to the second floor. Huixian Tower lived up to its reputation as a grand establishment, with impeccable decor and attentive service. The waiter said little, asked no questions, and simply delivered her to the door with a promise that the dishes would arrive shortly before turning to leave. Yun Nian stepped forward and knocked lightly. At the first tap, a voice from within invited them in.

The voice was strikingly seductive. The person who had summoned her was a woman? What did she want?

Shen Sijing’s thoughts suddenly shifted. She remembered Ling Qingyi’s fate in the original novel: beaten beyond recognition, reduced to tears by the male lead’s cruelty, and ultimately driven to despair, spending her life in an ancient temple, her only companions the flickering lamplight.

These images seemed to merge with the person before her. Snapping out of her reverie, Shen Sijing found even the bitter taste in her mouth had lessened. She gasped for breath, as if she’d just been pulled from the water.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Qingyi noticed Shen Sijing’s distress, her gentle voice soft in her ear. This only strengthened Shen Sijing’s resolve to leave that night. She couldn’t afford to sit idly by and wait for those people to come for them.

Shen Sijing had always believed in the principle of “live and let live.” Yet in just the past two days, so many absurd incidents had already unfolded. What if she truly became powerless to protect Ling Qingyi one day? Wouldn’t they both be thrown into the tiger’s den?

But Shen Sijing seemed to have overlooked one crucial point: Ling Qingyi might be capable of protecting her as well.

The night deepened, but the rain showed no signs of stopping. Shen Sijing stood under the eaves, lost in thought. As the saying goes, “One autumn rain brings one chill.” After this downpour, the weather would likely turn bitterly cold.

Even now, Shen Sijing could feel a faint chill. Fortunately, she was wearing a cloak, which kept her warm.

Ling Qingyi sat in the room reading. She had always loved books, a fact well-known from the original story. However, the Ling Residence had never allowed her to indulge in her passion for literature. It was only later, when she lived in seclusion with Buddhist scriptures, that she finally fulfilled her desire to read widely.

Shen Sijing had quite a collection of books in her bedroom, which she had gathered to pass the time during her illness. Some were texts for the imperial examinations, while others were popular folk tales Madam Shen had arranged for her. Ling Qingyi remained engrossed in her reading, seemingly oblivious to the changes in Shen Sijing’s mood.

“Young Miss, it’s almost ten o’clock…” Yun Nian whispered in Shen Sijing’s ear. Shen Sijing straightened her robes and turned toward the room, tilting her head. “Qingqing! Mother has summoned me. She wants to discuss tomorrow’s banquet. Wait for me here. If you get sleepy, go ahead and sleep. The maids at Dreamlike Pavilion are at your service.”

A glint of light flashed in Shen Sijing’s eyes. To Ling Qingyi, she didn’t seem at all like someone about to leave for a secret rendezvous. Through the paper window, Ling Qingyi simply nodded, her voice as gentle as ever. “Sister Shen, be careful with your umbrella. The wind and rain are strong tonight. Don’t catch a cold.”

Shen Sijing quickly agreed, grasped Yun Nian’s wrist, and stepped out under the umbrella. The Prime Minister’s Residence was still brightly lit, with guards patrolling both inside and outside the compound. Not wanting to alert Madam Shen, Shen Sijing decided to use the small gate.

The small gate was usually guarded by servants, but tonight’s heavy rain had driven them to lock up early and seek shelter. Despite the Prime Minister’s Residence’s strict rules, it was also surprisingly humane, so this was considered acceptable.

Yun Nian, as the Young Miss’s trusted attendant, was not only kind and approachable but also adept at navigating social dynamics. Everyone in the residence enjoyed chatting with her.
The servant on duty tonight was Yun Nian’s close friend. After some hesitation, Yun Nian had brought the key. Shen Sijing’s cloak was inconspicuous, making her difficult to spot in the darkness. She wasn’t worried about Ling Qingyi suddenly going to find Madam Shen, convinced that someone of her temperament would obediently wait in her room.

And wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly.

With this thought, Shen Sijing quickened her pace, the pearl chains adorning her delicate embroidered shoes swaying rhythmically.

The hem of her skirt was already stained with mud, but Shen Sijing paid no heed. She urged Yun Nian to hurry and repeatedly asked the Shadow Guard for updates.

These Shadow Guards had all signed death contracts with the original owner, bound to obey only Shen Sijing’s commands. The original owner had always planned for her own survival, yet she had still ended up on the brink of death.

Shen Sijing sighed and refocused her gaze on the road ahead.

They had already left the Prime Minister’s Residence. The journey had been fraught with minor dangers, but they had finally arrived.

Huixian Tower was nearly deserted. Even the manager and waiter leaned listlessly against the door, their usual bustling energy dampened by the torrential rain. This time of day should have been their busiest, but the downpour had turned it into a ghost town.

The sharp-eyed waiter spotted the two figures approaching under an umbrella. Their fine clothes spoke of wealth, and the manager’s eyes lit up as he rushed forward with a welcoming smile. “What would the young lady like to order?”

Shen Sijing rarely ventured out, so it was understandable that many wouldn’t recognize her. She glanced at the menu board, selected a few late-night snacks, and then asked, “Is there anyone in the private rooms upstairs?”

The manager paused, thinking hard, before replying eagerly, “Yes, there is. She’s waiting for a Miss Shen. Are you Miss Shen?”

Shen Sijing nodded, and the waiter led her upstairs to the second floor. Huixian Tower lived up to its reputation as a grand establishment, with impeccable decor and attentive service. The waiter said little, asked no questions, and simply delivered her to the door with a promise that the dishes would arrive shortly before turning to leave. Yun Nian stepped forward and knocked lightly. At the first tap, a voice from within invited them in.

The voice was strikingly seductive. The person who had summoned her was a woman? What did she want?

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