The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 22

Shen Sijing nodded and was about to step inside when Gu Jing’an strode directly up to Ling Qingyi, her expression turning slightly hostile. “Isn’t this the Third Young Miss of the Ling Family? Do you have an invitation? I saw her eldest sister and the Second Young Miss of the Ling Family enter earlier, but our estate requires invitations for entry.”

Gu Jing’an looked down at Ling Qingyi, her words implying a refusal to let Ling Qingyi enter the manor. Shen Sijing, overhearing this, turned around, her eyes flashing with displeasure. “Ling Qingyi is my guest,” she said, her tone sharp. “Is there a problem with that?”

Gu Jing’an’s demeanor instantly shifted. She turned back and hooked her arm through Shen Sijing’s, forcing a strained smile. “What are you saying, Sister Shen? If she’s your friend, of course she’s welcome to the banquet.”

Gu Jing’an signaled to a nearby servant, who respectfully invited Ling Qingyi inside. But Shen Sijing shook off Gu Jing’an’s arm and stepped to Ling Qingyi’s side, looping her arm through Ling Qingyi’s with a cheerful smile. “Qingqing, shall we go in?”

The hurt on Ling Qingyi’s face instantly melted into a smile, as if she were swallowing her bitterness. Shen Sijing felt a surge of protectiveness. “Since she’s my friend too, I hope Young Miss Gu will treat her with more courtesy.”

Without waiting for Gu Jing’an’s reaction, Shen Sijing turned and walked away. As the only daughter of the Shen family, she carried herself with a natural air of pride.

Gu Jing’an had barely registered the existence of this sickly girl who rarely left her chambers. She’d hoped to use today’s banquet to curry favor with the Shen family, but Ling Qingyi, whose reputation was already tarnished, had beaten her to the punch.

“Young Miss, look at that Young Miss Shen. She didn’t even acknowledge you!” Gu Jing’an’s maid, eager for drama, couldn’t resist stirring the pot. She knew that anyone who angered her mistress rarely fared well, so she pressed the matter.

But for the first time, Gu Jing’an raised a hand to silence her maid. Her eyes flashed with warning. “Shen Sijing, the eldest daughter of the Shen family, is not someone you can afford to provoke. Don’t speak of her again. Ling Qingyi, on the other hand, seems to have some skill.”

Though Gu Jing’an was favored in her family, she had sisters to contend with. She had long since learned to restrain her tongue, unlike some impulsive young women who spoke without thinking. Observing Ling Qingyi’s expression, she sensed the woman harbored hidden motives.

Shen Sijing arrived relatively late, so Gu Jing’an didn’t remain at the mansion gate to greet guests. Instead, she moved inside to welcome the assembled guests.
With a large number of invitees, banquets were set up in both the courtyard and the main hall. Tables laden with pastries and tea lined the surfaces, and the young ladies had dressed in their finest attire. Unlike the Prime Minister’s birthday banquet, this Poetry Gathering was all about winning first place.

What other considerations mattered?

When Shen Sijing entered, escorting Ling Qingyi, the assembled guests were taken aback. They hadn’t expected Shen Sijing to bring Ling Qingyi this time. Their gazes immediately shifted to Ling Yunliu and Ling Xing’er, who seemed to sense the tension and looked up, their eyes blazing with anger. Ling Xing’er, never one to hold back her temper, slammed her hand on the table and stood up. “Ah, so you’ve been avoiding the family just to cozy up to the Shen family’s Young Miss? After all, none of us have that opportunity…”

Her words dripped with sarcasm, and the other guests hid their faces behind fans, their mocking intent unmistakable. Ling Qingyi stood motionless, head bowed, enduring their taunts. Shen Sijing clenched her fists, glaring at Ling Xing’er. She knew that even using her social status to suppress someone like her would be futile.

What she needed was to either win Ling Xing’er over completely or intimidate her into silence. Shen Sijing felt a headache coming on. She hadn’t anticipated that the most difficult opponent would be Ling Xing’er, who appeared to be all brawn and no brains.

“Second Young Miss Ling, you’re mistaken,” Gu Jing’an said, her voice calm yet authoritative. “As guests in my Gu Mansion, we should all strive for harmony and peace. How can you speak like this? The Poetry Gathering will begin shortly. Please remain calm.” Though Gu Jing’an deferred to Shen Sijing in private, she commanded respect from most of the guests present.

As the saying goes, the lower one’s status, the more cautious and reserved one becomes. After Gu Jing’an spoke, the others dared not utter another word, even concealing the smiles on their faces.

After all, the hostess had spoken. How could they possibly disregard Gu Jing’an’s wishes? Moreover, Gu Jing’an looked so formidable that they feared she would lose her temper and disregard everyone. Shen Sijing finally pulled Ling Qingyi down to sit beside her. She knew Ling Qingyi couldn’t always stay by her side, but in this situation, everyone seemed reluctant to interact with Ling Qingyi.

Shen Sijing refused to let Ling Qingyi demean herself just to join some social circle. As the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, she believed that wherever she went, that place became the center of attention.

Why should Ling Qingyi have to lower herself?
Shen Sijing’s assessment proved correct. Though the Poetry Gathering hadn’t officially begun, preparations for the various entertainment and competitive activities were underway in the Gu Mansion’s rear garden. Even at this early hour, many people were already approaching Shen Sijing to strike up conversations.

They had noticed Shen Sijing’s fondness for Ling Qingyi, so they deliberately flattered Ling Qingyi during their conversations, even inviting her to join their games and sharing gossip about the Capital.

Ling Qingyi had been brought from the countryside, raised by a former courtesan. Everyone whispered she lacked proper upbringing, and being from the provinces, the young ladies of the Capital’s elite circles looked down on her.

But today was different. Seated beside Shen Sijing, Ling Qingyi seemed to bask in borrowed glory. People flocked to her, eager to chat, even inventing topics to engage her. Shen Sijing, though weary of the attention, felt a quiet satisfaction seeing Ling Qingyi finally receive such treatment.

Finally, Gu Jing’an announced the Poetry Gathering’s commencement. Many young masters and princes from the outer courtyard were already waiting in the rear garden.

The young ladies buzzed with excitement, adjusting their hair and swaying gracefully as they made their way forward. Shen Sijing, trailing behind, nearly rolled her eyes. Thankfully, Ling Qingyi wasn’t like that. Gu Jing’an’s sour expression suggested she regretted inviting so many guests.

Shen Sijing chuckled at Gu Jing’an’s discomfiture, but said nothing. She continued walking forward, arm linked with Ling Qingyi’s. A pavilion stood in the middle of a pond, separating the courtyard from the rear garden.

Beyond the pavilion lay the rear garden, a sight that took their breath away. Numerous redwood tables were arranged across the grounds, each spread with brushes, inkstones, paper, and vibrant paints.

Games of pitch-pot were set up, and canvases were laid out, creating a scene of idyllic beauty.

“I never imagined Gu Mansion would have the ambition to pull off something like this,” the young ladies murmured, nodding in admiration as they eagerly pressed forward to touch the brushes and writing implements.

Everything was of the highest quality. Ling Qingyi, who had never witnessed such a spectacle, felt a surge of joy. She took a few steps and reached for a brush when a hand suddenly slapped hers hard.

“What’s the rush? Young Miss Gu hasn’t even announced the start yet, and you’re already grabbing things? Has the Ling Residence been mistreating you?” Of course, it was Ling Xing’er who spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. By this point, Shen Sijing was barely restraining herself from defending Ling Qingyi.

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