The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 21

It wasn’t until dawn broke that Shen Sijing finally woke up, stretching languidly and touching something soft beside her.

“Hmm?” Shen Sijing opened her eyes and glanced down, suddenly too shocked to speak. This… this… this was Ling Qingyi’s… chest…

“I-I-I didn’t mean to!” Shen Sijing instantly snapped awake. She still wasn’t used to having someone sleeping beside her, and why was she in Ling Qingyi’s arms, close enough to touch?

Ling Qingyi’s face flushed crimson. Her voice remained gentle and melodious as she explained, “It’s alright. Last night’s thunderstorm was terrifying. You woke up crying, so I held you to comfort you. Otherwise, you’d have dark circles under your eyes this morning.”

Ling Qingyi didn’t realize anything was amiss as she spoke, merely feeling a little embarrassed from the accidental touch. Shen Sijing’s gaze darted nervously. She hadn’t realized she’d slept so soundly last night because Ling Qingyi had been holding her.

“Th-thank you…” Shen Sijing stammered. Ling Qingyi awkwardly patted her head. “It’s nothing. Nights like that can be truly frightening.”

Shen Sijing lowered her head, savoring Ling Qingyi’s gentle pat on her head. Yun Nian stood at the doorway with a group of maids, carrying bronze basins for Shen Sijing’s morning ablutions.

“Has the young miss risen?” Yun Nian called out when she heard movement inside. Shen Sijing quickly composed herself and signaled for them to enter.

Yun Nian pushed open the ornate wooden door. The number of maids had doubled, and they carried an additional bronze mirror. As Shen Sijing looked puzzled, Yun Nian began her report: “Reporting to the young miss, Madam has instructed us to express her gratitude to Third Young Miss Ling and Shen Sijing for their companionship. She has informed Ling Residence that Third Young Miss Ling may extend her stay at the Prime Minister’s Residence. Today’s poetry gathering at the Minister of Rites’ Residence requires special arrangements. Madam has sent us to bring jewelry and attire to ensure the Prime Minister’s Residence upholds its hospitality.”

Hearing this, Shen Sijing understood immediately. She nodded repeatedly and pulled Ling Qingyi over to sit beside her. The two bronze mirrors were placed side by side, and the maids began styling their hair.

Though their beauty differed, neither needed makeup. Shen Sijing radiated vibrant charm, while Ling Qingyi exuded gentle grace. With her slightly lowered gaze, she possessed the melancholic beauty of Lin Daiyu.
As unmarried young ladies from noble families, neither wore their hair completely up. Instead, they left half their dark tresses loose, simply coiling the rest into a neat bun adorned with delicate hairpins and swaying pearl hair ornaments, creating an utterly captivating look.

Ling Qingyi wore a pale yellow outer robe over a light pink inner skirt that swayed gracefully around her ankles. The embroidery on her garments was of the highest quality.

Shen Sijing, on the other hand, wore a long dress embroidered with vibrant floral and bird motifs, the intricate designs concentrated along the hem. The effect was radiant yet refined, not at all ostentatious. Round, lustrous pearls dangled from her ears, accentuating her regal bearing and understated opulence.

Ling Qingyi had never had a personal maid, so Shen Sijing assigned her one named Fudong. This was Fudong’s first time serving as a young lady’s personal attendant, and she appeared rather nervous. Still, having been trained at the Prime Minister’s Residence, she maintained impeccable etiquette.

The carriage stood waiting before the Prime Minister’s Residence. It had rained all night, and though the rain had stopped by morning, puddles still dotted the ground. The sky remained overcast, threatening more rain. The invitation was exclusively for unmarried young ladies, so Madam Shen and Shen Zhiyuan couldn’t attend. Shen Zhiyuan had already left for the morning court session, leaving Madam Shen to stand by the carriage, smiling as the two young women emerged from the gate.

“Third Young Miss Ling is truly blossoming into a radiant beauty. Standing here together, you two are a pair of stunning beauties,” Madam Shen said, showing no favoritism. If she was going to praise, she would praise them both equally. Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi both lowered their heads slightly, their smiles modest and humble.

Madam Shen reached out to help the two beauties into the carriage, then stood below, pulling back the curtain to address Shen Sijing. “No one is to dare bully a daughter of the Shen family.”

With just these words, she emphasized the Shen family’s weight and influence. Shen Sijing nodded. Madam Shen let the curtain fall, and the carriage began to move slowly. Ling Qingyi reached out and took Shen Sijing’s hand.

“It’s alright. If they insult me, you don’t need to defend me. A moment’s patience brings lasting peace…” Ling Qingyi’s eyes were full of understanding. Shen Sijing didn’t know what to say. She could only squeeze Ling Qingyi’s hand in return. In the original novel, Ling Qingyi had already suffered so much. How could Shen Sijing, having transmigrated here, stand by and watch her be bullied?

And continue to throw myself into this hellhole? Shen Sijing couldn’t do it. She didn’t want to.
Now that she had a way, she wouldn’t let Ling Qingyi continue to suffer. Ling Qingyi deserved a bright and precious life of her own.

Ling Qingyi, seeing Shen Sijing’s silence, lowered her head to study Shen Sijing’s hands. They were long, slender, and fair, so beautiful.

Her own hands, by contrast, were already becoming rough.

The Minister of Rites’ Residence wasn’t far from the Prime Minister’s Residence. After a few turns and down a few streets, they arrived at Gu Mansion. The Gu family plaque hung high, but the gates stood wide open, with servants and maids bustling in and out.

“Isn’t that the Shen family carriage? Could Sister Sijing be here?” Before Shen Sijing even stepped down, someone called her name from outside. Ling Qingyi instinctively frowned, then quickly smoothed her expression before Shen Sijing could notice.

“Sister Shen, you truly live up to your reputation in the Capital.” The words dripped with sarcasm. Shen Sijing wanted to ask Ling Qingyi to repeat herself, but when she looked up and saw Ling Qingyi’s expression, she knew she must have misheard.

Shen Sijing suddenly realized what she had been hoping for. Was she expecting Ling Qingyi to be jealous?

Before she could dwell on it, the coachman had already placed a red sandalwood stool beside the carriage. Ling Qingyi stepped down first, then extended her hand to help Shen Sijing alight.

Shen Sijing still felt the carriage was a bit too high, so she dismounted slowly. But because of this, she overheard more of the conversation.

“Why is Sister Sijing hanging around that shameless woman?”

“Probably trying to latch onto the Shen family’s coattails. After all, she’s been shunned everywhere she goes now.”

The speaker’s words were dripping with venom. Shen Sijing shot her a displeased glance. The woman, quick-witted, immediately shut her mouth, redirecting all her resentment toward Ling Qingyi.

“Young Miss Shen has arrived? Jing’an welcomes you. Please, come in quickly.” The voice rang out loud and clear. Shen Sijing followed the sound to its source. Though the woman was dressed in glittering jewels and wore a jade necklace, the “heroic” air between her brows couldn’t be concealed.
So, she really does look a bit… rugged, Shen Sijing thought. She wasn’t particularly picky about appearances, but Gu Jing’an’s looks were certainly less conventional among families of equal standing.

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