The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 23

Unexpectedly, Ling Qingyi doubled down on her act.

“It’s… it’s my fault,” she said, her voice trembling. “I just… I don’t usually see things like this at home. It’s all so new. Please don’t be mad, Second Sister. I won’t touch them again…” As she spoke, tears seemed to glisten in the corners of her eyes. Shen Sijing rushed over to check on her, relieved to find Ling Qingyi wasn’t actually crying, but the girl’s obvious distress was enough to move her. Shen Sijing stood protectively before her.

“What’s the meaning of this, Second Young Miss?” Shen Sijing demanded. “Young Miss Gu just asked us to keep the peace, and you’re already starting a quarrel? Do you not respect the Gu family?” She glanced up at Gu Jing’an as she spoke, clearly displeased at being used as a pawn. “The Gu family and our Shen family are close allies,” she added. “If you disrespect the Gu family, you disrespect us as well.”

With that, the issue instantly escalated to the matter of the two families’ relationship. Even Gu Jing’an, though inwardly annoyed, couldn’t find the right words to respond. She could only stand aside with a forced smile, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

Gu Jing’an didn’t refute the statement, and no one else dared to challenge it. They all chuckled awkwardly and moved on, unwilling to embarrass themselves before the assembled nobles on such an occasion.

Ling Xing’er swallowed her anger and stomped back to her seat. Ling Yunliu shot her a cold glance before adopting a gentle, virtuous demeanor. “Young Miss Shen, please don’t be upset,” she said sweetly. “We were merely afraid of making a spectacle of ourselves in such a formal setting. After the banquet, we’ll be sure to give Qingyi proper instruction.”

A true white lotus, Shen Sijing thought with a cold smile. She can twist black into white with just a few words. Before Shen Sijing could retort, Ling Qingyi launched a sharp counterattack. “My sister knows her place,” she said, her voice dripping with false humility. “As a concubine-born daughter, I’ve never had access to proper writing materials at home. I knew I’d be out of my depth here. It was indeed my oversight earlier… Young Miss Shen, please don’t waste your anger on someone like me. It’s simply not worth it.”

As she spoke, a calculating glint flashed in her eyes.

In this era, concubine-born daughters were indeed undervalued. Yet families in the Capital prided themselves on their refinement, even treating their household servants better than concubine-born daughters in other regions. Logically, Ling Qingyi’s status should have risen upon arriving in the Capital, but the Ling Residence continued to mistreat their own daughter.

This was bound to invite ridicule. Anyone who witnessed it would scoff, “What else can you expect from a backwater village but uncivilized rabble?”

Ling Quan had strived so long to rise above the masses in the Capital, and he valued his reputation above all else. If news of this incident spread, he might never be able to hold his head high in court again. Shen Sijing suddenly felt a pang of doubt. She had always seen Ling Qingyi as gentle and incapable of sharp words. How had she learned such tactics?

Yet when Shen Sijing glanced over, she noticed Ling Qingyi’s clenched fists and the flicker of unease in her eyes.

Ling Qingyi must have been forced into this. Even after learning to defend herself, she still seemed so awkward, so inherently kind.

Shen Sijing felt a pang of tenderness. Was Ling Qingyi growing up because she realized Shen Sijing couldn’t always protect her? Some people are moved, some grow, and others are left choking on their own arrogance. Ling Yunliu had never imagined that Ling Qingyi, this timid little bun, would ever fight back.

Yunliu tugged at Xing’er’s hand, signaling her to stay quiet. Xing’er was a hotheaded fool; the mere sight of Ling Qingyi made her teeth itch with hatred. She longed to slap Ling Qingyi across the face. Shen Sijing saw the malice in her eyes and swiftly stepped in front of Ling Qingyi, her protective instincts blazing.

Anyone who dares touch my Qingyi will face my wrath! Shen Sijing’s gaze burned with fierce determination, though she said nothing.

“My sister speaks wisely,” Yunliu said smoothly. “Xing’er, let’s go watch the others compose poetry.” She had no desire to let her impulsive sister embarrass them further and dragged her away.

Xing’er, though seething with resentment, had no choice but to retreat. She huffed and sat back down. Shen Sijing turned to Ling Qingyi, her face etched with concern, but Ling Qingyi shook off her hand and walked alone toward the courtyard they had just left.

The guests had all gathered in the back garden, leaving the courtyard empty. What was Ling Qingyi doing there? And why had she shaken off Shen Sijing’s hand earlier?

Shen Sijing was startled, a sense of impending loss gripping her heart. She hurried after Ling Qingyi, ignoring Yun Nian’s frantic attempts to steady her.

“Qingqing…” Shen Sijing called out softly, her voice firm despite its quietness. Ling Qingyi didn’t slow her pace. Though Shen Sijing wasn’t ill, her body remained frail. Just a few quick steps left her breathless, her chest rising and falling with a captivating rhythm.

Ling Qingyi stopped and glanced back, her face streaked with tears. It was clear she had been crying.

Shen Sijing’s heart clenched. She froze, trying to ease Ling Qingyi’s distress. “Qingqing, why… why did you suddenly refuse my arm? Did I do something wrong?”

Shen Sijing was still breathing heavily as she spoke. For some reason, Ling Qingyi’s heart fluttered briefly before she composed herself. “Sister Shen… it’s not your fault… it’s… it’s me.”

Ling Qingyi’s words left Shen Sijing utterly bewildered. She reached out to Ling Qingyi, her eyes filled with longing. “Qingqing, come here. Please don’t stay so far away from me.”

Ling Qingyi wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and stepped closer to Shen Sijing. She lowered her head. “What I said earlier… it completely disgraced Father… Am I a terrible person?”

Ling Qingyi’s earnestness and genuine distress were unmistakable. Shen Sijing froze, realizing she was repenting for her earlier outburst.

“But… they’ve treated you so badly already. Why are you still worried about preserving their reputation?” Shen Sijing asked, puzzled. This woman is truly too kind, she thought. No wonder she suffered so much in the original story.

Shen Sijing thought for a moment, then added, “You can’t keep being so kind to everyone. They clearly don’t want you to be happy! If you’re always this good-natured, how much will you be taken advantage of? What if you marry into a husband’s family someday…”

“I don’t want to get married,” Ling Qingyi suddenly declared, lifting her gaze to meet Shen Sijing’s. She repeated each word deliberately, “I don’t want to get married.”

Shen Sijing stared at her in shock. Such a sentiment was rare in ancient times. Could Ling Qingyi have become disillusioned with all men after seeing Xiao Jing’s true nature?

“Don’t say that…” Shen Sijing’s throat tightened. She forced a wry smile and tried to reason with Ling Qingyi. “What girl doesn’t want to get married?” Right, I don’t want to get married, Shen Sijing thought silently. But she knew Ling Qingyi had to marry. Otherwise, another mark of public disapproval would be added to her already tragic life.

Hearing this, Ling Qingyi’s eyes dimmed with disappointment. She lowered her head in silence, looking like a child being scolded for misbehavior.
Shen Sijing’s heart softened. She gently steered the conversation, her voice softening further as she asked, “Can you stop being so kind to everyone? They won’t remember your kindness; they’ll only hurt you more.”

Shen Sijing took Ling Qingyi’s hand, but found her own hand felt colder. Still, she refused to let go, gripping tighter in an attempt to convey her resolve.

Ling Qingyi felt the soft, icy hand clasp hers, and her heart fluttered. She nodded dazedly, unsure of what to say. Seeing her like this, Shen Sijing smiled reassuringly and tugged Ling Qingyi back toward the banquet. Today wasn’t Ling Yunliu’s day to shine, so why should they stay away?

Why should I let them gossip about me? Shen Sijing thought, her steps firm as she walked back. Only holding Ling Qingyi’s hand made her feel grounded. It was at that moment that Shen Sijing realized something was off about herself.

By the time they returned to the banquet, many guests had already finished playing games and were gathered discussing poetry. Someone’s son had apparently composed a new poem.

“Oh? Third Young Miss Ling is back? We’ve all written a poem already. Why don’t Young Miss Shen and Third Young Miss Ling give it a try?”

“Don’t put her on the spot,” one young miss sneered. “Third Young Miss Ling never touches ink at home. How could she possibly write a poem?” Her high status meant her words were met with *sycophantic agreement.
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[sycophantic-behaving or done in an obsequious way in order to gain advantage.]

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