The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 25

Ling Yunliu and Ling Xing’er stood at a distance, their eyes filled with fear as they watched Shen Sijing. They couldn’t understand why she had flown into such a rage. If I had insisted earlier, would I have ended up like this too?

“Young Miss Shen…” Gu Jing’an spoke, her voice trembling slightly. Though frightened, she knew Shen Sijing wouldn’t dare antagonize two noble families at once. Moreover, it was Gu Jing’an’s Poetry Gathering that had been ruined, a fact that infuriated her.

As Gu Jing’an met Shen Sijing’s furious gaze, a flicker of hesitation crossed her heart.

Yet she pressed on, “This Poetry Gathering was originally hosted by me. What exactly are you trying to accomplish, Young Miss Shen?” Gu Jing’an couldn’t bear to watch the once-elegant gathering reduced to chaos. The nearby water basin had been overturned, its spilled contents soaking the surrounding area.

Shen Sijing finally seemed to regain her composure, lowering her head slightly in a gesture of remorse that disarmed criticism. “I, Shen Sijing, offer my apologies. I was overcome by anger earlier. Chen Yao knew perfectly well that I was still recovering from a serious illness and couldn’t withstand such provocation. Yet she still acted this way… Wasn’t that premeditated malice?”

Shen Sijing looked utterly wronged. Gu Jing’an hadn’t intended to reprimand her in the first place, and seeing her distress, she softened her tone. “It was entirely Chen Yao’s fault. Miss Shen has suffered enough… Very well, everyone, please stay. A banquet will be held at the Water Pavilion shortly. We hope you will honor us with your presence.”

No one dared refuse. Smiles returned to their faces as if nothing had happened. Shen Sijing, however, showed little joy. She rose and walked to Ling Qingyi’s side, her gaze lingering on the bandaged wound on Ling Qingyi’s neck, a pang of anguish twisting her heart.

“Does it hurt?” Shen Sijing’s eyes were remarkably calm, concealing the turmoil within. No one could guess the knot of anxiety tightening in her chest. Ling Qingyi looked up, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes.

“No, it doesn’t hurt.” The lie was obvious, intensifying Shen Sijing’s distress. Yun Nian helped her kneel down, and she carefully examined Ling Qingyi’s face before sighing. “I’m sorry… I still let you get hurt.”

Shen Sijing had always believed she was brought into this world to protect the female lead from harm. Yet now, the female lead had been injured because of her. Shen Sijing wasn’t a saint, but this felt like a betrayal of her purpose.

At the same time, a strange emotion stirred within her heart.

Ling Qingyi, her voice urgent with concern, asked, “Young Miss Chen… she clearly doesn’t intend to let this go. Sister Shen, you shouldn’t have acted so impulsively.”

As Ling Qingyi spoke, Fudong helped her sit up properly. But the worry etched on her face was impossible to conceal.

Shen Sijing glanced around, relieved no one was paying attention. She gently took Ling Qingyi’s arm and led her forward. With Gu Jing’an’s permission, they went to rest in a guest room.

Wealthy families always prepared several guest rooms for unexpected situations when hosting banquets. This particular room was spacious and beautifully furnished, though not as luxurious as Shen Sijing’s own chambers, it was still far more elegant than the average young lady’s quarters.

Ling Qingyi surveyed the room, a growing sense of disappointment creeping into her eyes. Shen Sijing pulled her down to sit on the edge of the bed, her palm gently stroking Ling Qingyi’s hand. She said, her voice firm and clear, “If it hurts, don’t try to be brave. Okay?”

Those words were like a switch, and Ling Qingyi’s tears welled up, each drop falling like a weight on Shen Sijing’s heart. Shen Sijing awkwardly patted her head before pulling her into a hug.

The soft, sweet scent of a girl in her arms made Shen Sijing’s heart race. But the moment Ling Qingyi pulled away, Shen Sijing felt a strange unease.

What is this… this inexplicable feeling?!

“Chen Yao is nothing to fear. You shouldn’t let her bully you.” This was Shen Sijing’s principle and bottom line. What truly angered her wasn’t Chen Yao tripping her, but the earlier mockery.

Ling Qingyi stiffened visibly, then forced a smile. “We’ve only known each other a short time. Why does Elder Sister Shen care so much about me?”

It was a crucial question, and it stumped Shen Sijing. How could she tell Ling Qingyi that she had read about her tragic life in a book? That pity was why she had come to help her? After a long pause, Shen Sijing answered with a lighthearted tone, “Why should you be bullied just because you were born? Even though I come from such a powerful family, I can’t stand seeing others mistreat you.”

“Is it because… of Elder Sister Shen’s sense of justice?” Ling Qingyi asked, sounding somewhat disappointed. Shen Sijing, seeing her expression, blurted out, “No, it’s just because it’s you.”

The weight of those words was overwhelming. Ling Qingyi quickly averted her gaze, but a flicker of joy undeniably stirred within her heart.

“Young Miss, the banquet in the main hall has begun. Should we head over?” Yun Nian, ever concerned about Shen Sijing’s hunger, had barely finished speaking when Fudong clamped a hand over her mouth.

Fudong glared, stomping on Yun Nian’s foot. “Can’t you see? Your young miss is keeping our young miss company!”

Yun Nian chuckled at Fudong’s indignant expression. She reached out and flicked Fudong’s forehead. “Whose side are you on? ‘Your young miss,’ ‘my young miss’—aren’t we all from the Prime Minister’s Residence?”

Fudong shook her head, clutching the spot where Yun Nian had flicked her. “Young Miss Shen said I’m now serving Third Young Miss Ling. A servant can’t serve two masters, so I need to be clear about my loyalties.”

Yun Nian suddenly found Fudong quite amusing, adding a splash of color to her life, which had been entirely focused on Shen Sijing for over a decade.

The dishes from the day before were still warm, so Yun Nian didn’t rush Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi to eat. Instead, she stood by the door chatting with Fudong, their conversation growing increasingly lively.

Inside, Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi were similarly engaged.

This was Ling Qingyi’s first time truly letting her guard down and confiding in someone. She leaned slowly against Shen Sijing’s shoulder, sighing softly with exhaustion.

“The kinder you are to me, the harder it is to adjust to life in the Ling Residence.”

“My days in the countryside were so carefree. The birds soaring across the sky, the lush forests… I didn’t have to follow all these rigid rules and rituals. After school, I could walk home with my friends.” Ling Qingyi’s voice carried a clear note of nostalgia, but she knew there was no going back. She had imagined returning would mean entering a world of wealth and splendor, only to find herself in a fiery pit.

As Shen Sijing listened to Ling Qingyi’s words, she began to imagine the scene herself. The dancer who had raised Ling Qingyi must have been breathtakingly beautiful and deeply devoted to her.

“Mother used to say that dancers would never earn true respect. But I’m the Third Young Miss of the Ling Residence, and I need to learn proper etiquette and decorum.” Ling Qingyi’s eyes were filled with longing.

Support