The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 2

Shen Sijing nodded wearily, then called Yun Nian back. “Be discreet. Just take a quick glance and don’t draw attention.”

Yun Nian wouldn’t dare disobey. She curtsied repeatedly and began cautiously surveying the scene. Fortunately, on such a festive occasion as a birthday celebration, everyone was bustling about in high spirits, and no one noticed her unusual behavior.

Just then, a burst of laughter erupted from the Ling family’s table, immediately drawing Madam Shen’s attention.

“May I ask what amuses you so?” Madam Shen’s expression darkened slightly. After all, it was her daughter’s birthday celebration, yet these guests were laughing unrestrainedly, showing no decorum. If their explanation wasn’t sufficiently amusing, Madam Shen would have to reconsider her family’s continued ties with the Ling family.

A woman from the Ling family’s table, her demeanor relatively proper, rose to reply with impeccable courtesy: “Madam, I was just recalling how breathtakingly beautiful the Prime Minister’s Residence is. We’re truly grateful to the Young Miss for this opportunity to visit. I was thinking of taking a stroll through the gardens when I have a moment… the Lake Heart Pavilion seems particularly picturesque.” Several others at the table echoed her sentiments.

These words struck a chord with Madam Shen. Accustomed to flattery and indifferent to compliments about the residence’s scenery, she would, however, beam with delight at even the most clichéd praise involving her daughter, Shen Sijing.

Madam Shen smiled warmly, considering that the opera troupe wouldn’t arrive for some time. Why not organize a tour of the Prime Minister’s Residence’s scenic spots today? The estate might lack other attractions, but it boasted an abundance of rare flowers and exotic herbs.

“Why wait for another day when today is perfect?” Madam Shen suggested. “Since you all appreciate the residence’s scenery, shall we take a stroll?” Though framed as a question, she had already risen with the aid of a maidservant. The Prime Minister exchanged a few polite words before striding toward the men’s seating area in the right main hall.

This birthday banquet seemed even grander than a wedding celebration for a daughter of an ordinary official’s family.

Yet Shen Sijing felt no relief. She vividly recalled this part of the plot: the speaker must be Ling Yunliu, the eldest daughter of the Ling family and the apple of her mother’s eye. Though not as pampered as the original Shen Sijing had been, Ling Yunliu was still utterly spoiled at home.
As the Young Miss, Ling Yunliu had been pampered since childhood, yet she lacked the obvious arrogance one might expect. Instead, she appeared kind and understanding, masking a viperous heart.

When Ling Qingyi, the female lead, was confused, she had often been deceived by Ling Yunliu. Was this invitation to the Lake Heart Pavilion merely a ploy to push her into the water?

Shen Sijing considered refusing to go, but… even if she stayed behind, Ling Yunliu would likely falsely accuse Ling Qingyi of pushing her into the lake. Given Madam Shen’s temperament, she would likely show no mercy.

It might be better to go and try to control the situation.

Just as Shen Sijing was about to rise and follow the others, Yun Nian rushed in, her face panicked. When she saw Shen Sijing, she quickly composed herself.

Knowing Yun Nian had likely found what she was looking for, Shen Sijing pulled her aside and waited until everyone had left before whispering, “What did you find?”

Shen Sijing’s voice was clear and melodious, but it couldn’t soothe Yun Nian’s shock.

“Young… Young Miss,” Yun Nian stammered, “why is the Third Young Miss of the Ling family locked in the woodshed, wearing a red wedding gown?”

Shen Sijing froze, stunned by this revelation.

A red wedding gown? I don’t remember that being mentioned in the original story.

Shen Sijing grabbed Yun Nian’s hand and hurried toward the back garden, repeatedly asking if she was sure she had seen it clearly. Yun Nian, afraid Shen Sijing would trip in her haste, nodded vigorously. She had used the excuse of gossip to pry the information out of the servants.

The sight of Ling Qingyi, the Third Young Miss of the Ling family, in a red wedding gown, huddled in the firewood shed, was truly terrifying. Shen Sijing stopped in her tracks, suddenly deciding to approach the situation from a different angle.

If… if someone deliberately sought out a woman in red, pushed her down the stairs, and then framed Ling Qingyi, who is already as helpless as a chicken… wouldn’t that be incredibly easy? A chill ran down Shen Sijing’s spine. The most effective course of action now wasn’t to try to control the situation herself.

She immediately turned around, pulling Yun Nian along. “Take me to the firewood shed, quickly!”
Seeing Shen Sijing’s urgency, Yun Nian didn’t hesitate. She led her to the firewood shed, a secluded spot near the servants’ laundry area. Shen Sijing gazed at the small, dilapidated structure, her heart aching.

Clutching the small bottle of medicine hidden in her sleeve, Shen Sijing mustered her courage and pushed open the door, determined to see what lay inside.

But… at that first glance, Shen Sijing froze in shock.

Ling Qingyi, clad in a crimson wedding gown, slumped on the floor, yet there was no hint of despair in her posture. Instead, she exuded the poignant beauty of a battle-worn maiden. Wisps of hair framing her face fluttered gently in the breeze that swept in as Shen Sijing opened the door. The sharp angles of Ling Qingyi’s profile were exquisitely defined, and a faint bruise marred the corner of her crimson lips.

“Ling… Ling Qingyi…” Shen Sijing stammered, completely forgetting that Ling Qingyi might not yet recognize her. She simply blurted out the question, desperate to confirm whether the ethereal beauty before her was indeed Ling Qingyi.

The original owner of Shen Sijing’s body had already possessed otherworldly beauty, but Ling Qingyi’s bewitching allure, like that of a mythical creature, was truly beyond mortal comprehension.

“Young Miss Shen?” Ling Qingyi’s voice was like a gentle breeze sweeping across a mountain peak at dawn—weathered yet still carrying the clear, hopeful tones of a young girl. She blinked, and when she realized it was truly Shen Sijing, a radiant smile bloomed on her face. “Young Miss Shen looks so beautiful…”

Only then did Shen Sijing realize how deeply embarrassed she felt by such praise. She quickly shook her head, trying to deflect the compliment, and then knelt down, retrieving a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve.

“I brought this top-quality medicinal ointment with me. Apply some quickly; it will greatly alleviate the pain from the bruises.” Only then did Shen Sijing notice the numerous bruises on Ling Qingyi’s arms, realizing the girl must have suffered greatly.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ling Qingyi’s eyes, but it vanished instantly. She smiled and accepted the ointment from Shen Sijing, thanking her repeatedly: “Thank you, Young Miss Shen…”

Ling Qingyi’s innocent and endearing demeanor tugged at Shen Sijing’s heart. As long as she remained here, even if something went wrong at the Lake Heart Pavilion, she could still protect Ling Qingyi today.
“Why are you wearing these clothes?” Shen Sijing asked. This deviated from the original plot. Ling Qingyi rubbed her eyes, as if lost in a memory.

“I was originally picking out clothes with my sisters, but I fell asleep. When I woke up, I had been abandoned here,” Ling Qingyi said, her voice devoid of resentment toward the Ling family, as if she were still in a daze.

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