The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 24

Though Ling Yunliu and Ling Xing’er were reluctant to speak after the earlier incident, they smiled as everyone’s attention turned to Ling Qingyi. Shen Sijing, who had been confined to her room since childhood, was said to have devoured books of poetry. Even if her poem wasn’t perfect, who would dare criticize it?

While everyone’s focus was on Ling Qingyi, Shen Sijing remained unconcerned. In the original novel, when Ling Qingyi lived in the countryside, she often eavesdropped on the village children’s lessons at the village school. Her dancer mother, who believed that a woman’s virtue lay in her lack of talent, refused to pay for her education. So Ling Qingyi would hide under the eaves, listening intently.

One day, when the students couldn’t answer a question, Ling Qingyi blurted out the correct answer. The teacher remembered her immediately and granted her special permission to attend classes.

Such a diligent and kindhearted female lead, yet she was born without even a trace of the protagonist’s halo. Instead, she was mired in those illusory romances, a truly lamentable fate.

“Qingqing, you go first,” Shen Sijing said, having seen the confidence in Ling Qingyi’s eyes. She took a half-step back to make way for her, but someone tripped her. Shen Sijing fell backward unexpectedly, and the onlookers paled in horror, watching her tumble.

Ling Qingyi reacted instantly, throwing herself beneath Shen Sijing to cushion her fall. Though Shen Sijing was slender, she was still a grown woman, and the ground was littered with pebbles. The impact left bloody scratches on Ling Qingyi’s neck and arms.

“Someone help! Summon the Imperial Physician at once!” Yun Nian, who was standing nearby, cried out urgently. But her concern wasn’t for Ling Qingyi’s injuries; she feared the shock might trigger a relapse in Shen Sijing’s condition.

No one could bear the consequences of that! Gu Jing’an, finally realizing the gravity of the situation, hurriedly reached for her official waist token to request the Imperial Physician’s presence. But then she remembered her status: she had no authority to summon the physician.

Shen Sijing waved her hand, signaling there was no need for such a commotion. She quickly got up and instructed Yun Nian to fetch a physician.

Though the Imperial Physician possessed exceptional medical skills, his frequent summons had long bred resentment. Besides, Shen Sijing knew perfectly well she wasn’t ill; what truly needed attention were Ling Qingyi’s injuries. Calling a regular physician would be far less conspicuous.
Yun Nian’s eyes were filled with worry, but unsure how to voice her concerns, she simply nodded. Fortunately, summoning a physician was effortless for Gu Mansion. Before long, an elderly, dignified doctor arrived.

The physician first took Shen Sijing’s pulse for a wellness check, then reported to Yun Nian, “The Young Miss is merely shaken by the recent fright. A good night’s rest should suffice.”

Shen Sijing grew anxious. Didn’t this doctor understand priorities? There was someone right beside her with visible injuries, yet he was completely ignoring them!

“Please examine Third Young Miss Ling’s wound,” Shen Sijing urged. “She was scratched by a pebble on the ground. Does it require treatment?” Unlike the others, Shen Sijing came from the modern world and knew all too well the bacteria lurking on the ground. If the wound wasn’t treated promptly, it could become infected and leave a scar. What then?

And it was her neck, a part already criticized by many. How would she ever show her face again? Hearing this, the physician hurried back with his medicine chest. Ling Qingyi had been helped to sit on a soft cushion, the bloodstain on her snow-white skin stark and alarming.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Ling Qingyi said weakly, letting the physician examine her wound. Shen Sijing could only stand by, anxious and helpless. If not for Ling Qingyi’s intervention, she would be the one sitting here, pale and injured.

After another thorough examination, the physician retrieved bandages from his small chest and dressed Ling Qingyi’s wound. He then turned to Shen Sijing and bowed. “Fortunately, the cut isn’t deep. It’s been treated now and shouldn’t leave a scar.”

Shen Sijing nodded, still shaken. Yun Nian immediately stepped forward to offer the physician a reward. The physician smiled, accepted the money, and left. Shen Sijing rushed to embrace Ling Qingyi, her sharp gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Ling Xing’er, usually unable to hide her feelings, now wore an expression of genuine confusion, proving she and Ling Yunliu weren’t behind this.

“Who tripped me just now?” Shen Sijing’s voice was icy, the hairpins in her bun trembling as she glared around. “Confess now. It will go much worse for you if I have to find out myself.”

Shen Sijing had expected her words to vanish like a stone dropped into the sea, leaving no trace. To her surprise, Chen Yao, the young miss from the Duke’s Residence who had just mocked Ling Qingyi, retorted angrily, “So what if it was me? It was just a momentary lapse in attention. I accidentally tripped you. Is that enough to warrant this grand investigation? Nonsense! Just because your Shen family is prominent doesn’t mean my Chen family is nothing!”

The Chen family of the Duke’s Residence held a position entirely comparable to the Shen family. The Three Great Clans were divided into Shen, Chen, and Cui.

However, the Cui Clan rarely showed themselves in public. Even when attending court, they merely marked their attendance and avoided all banquets. Yet the Emperor always reserved seats for them at palace feasts, a clear indication of their importance.

As for the Chen family, both the current Imperial Consort Dowager and the Emperor’s favored Noble Consort hailed from their ranks. Naturally, they carried themselves with considerable arrogance.

Shen Sijing narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Chen Yao. The young miss was undeniably attractive, adorned with dazzling jewels and precious ornaments. Her popularity among the others stemmed solely from her privileged access to the palace since childhood.

Shen Sijing, who should have enjoyed the same treatment, had been sidelined by her chronic illness, which had hindered her social interactions. For years, Chen Yao had reigned supreme in social circles.

“Come here, you.” Shen Sijing couldn’t understand why, despite her prestigious status, she still had to endure such humiliation. She knew the saying “bully the weak and fear the strong” all too well. If she wanted to make an example of someone, Chen Yao was the perfect target.

Amidst the earlier commotion, the young masters had retreated to the outer courtyard for tea, leaving Shen Sijing free to act without restraint. As Chen Yao strutted over, Shen Sijing seized her hair and forcibly shoved her head into the nearby water vat. Though frail, Shen Sijing found Chen Yao equally unprepared for physical exertion, having lived a pampered life at home. The sudden dunking left Chen Yao gasping and sputtering. Shen Sijing lifted her out, and Chen Yao coughed violently.

The onlookers quickly pulled them apart. Shen Sijing, not wanting to escalate the situation, yielded to their efforts and released her grip. Chen Yao, utterly humiliated, collapsed onto the ground, her hair plastered wetly against her back, her eyes blazing with fury.

“You you you! You’ll pay for this!” Chen Yao shrieked, clutching her face as she fled the scene, her maids struggling to keep up. Her sobs faded into the distance, leaving behind an eerie silence.

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