The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 26

Shen Sijing sat beside Ling Qingyi, watching her smile and talk. She knew Ling Qingyi was destined for a remarkable life, one unsuited for strife.

“But you’re back…” Shen Sijing’s voice betrayed no emotion as she took Ling Qingyi’s hand, her gaze lingering on the white bandages wrapped around it, a pang of sympathy tugging at her heart.

Ling Qingyi looked up at Shen Sijing, uncertain what this sudden closeness meant. Then she smiled. “I’m back. I thought those days would never end, but who knew you’d reach out to help me?”

Shen Sijing froze for a moment, time seeming to stand still, until a maidservant from Gu Jing’an’s quarters arrived with a message. Only then did Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi emerge. Ling Qingyi’s injuries prevented her from eating spicy food, so Gu Jing’an, out of consideration for Shen Sijing, had a separate table set for her. The quantity of food remained the same, but several dishes were replaced with milder options.

Shen Sijing clearly noticed the changes. She smiled without comment, her satisfaction evident.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Though Ling Yunliu and Ling Xing’er still glared at Ling Qingyi, the presence of Shen Sijing and Gu Jing’an kept them silent. They could only watch Ling Qingyi, their hatred simmering beneath the surface.

Ling Yunliu smiled calmly. “You know, Shen Sijing just offended the Chen family’s precious daughter. Both families have been pillars of the Emperor’s favor for generations. Regardless of who’s right or wrong, Shen Sijing can’t escape the consequences.”

Ling Xing’er nodded, then glanced triumphantly at Ling Qingyi, whose seat was close enough to overhear some of their conversation. Ling Qingyi looked at Shen Sijing with concern.

“Sister Shen… you’ve offended the Chen family. What are you going to do? Will you be punished?” Shen Sijing, catching Ling Qingyi’s gaze, felt a pang of unease. The Chen family’s influence was undeniable, but she had only just recovered from a serious illness. Surely they wouldn’t impose an excessive punishment, would they?

As it turned out, Shen Sijing was spared physical harm, but she was confined to her quarters for an extended period. Ling Qingyi was also required to stay with her in the side hall, neither of them allowed to leave the Dreamlike Pavilion’s courtyard.

As night fell, the Prime Minister’s Residence blazed with lanterns.
“Sijing, why did you push her into the water in front of everyone? She tripped over you accidentally!” Madam Shen stood in the main hall, still handling official matters late into the night. Prime Minister Shen had yet to return.

Madam Shen ordered Shen Sijing to kneel in the hall. Ling Qingyi sat nearby, her expression anxious as she watched Shen Sijing, nearly speaking up, but Madam Shen gave her no opportunity.

“The Chen family and our family have been close for generations. How dare you disrespect them so?” Shen Sijing knelt obediently before Madam Shen, her gaze drifting until she noticed an unfamiliar old woman standing nearby.

The woman wore a token at her waist, unmistakably from the Chen family. Shen Sijing’s demeanor instantly softened, and she lowered her head to the ground, listening to Madam Shen’s reprimand.

“From today onward, you are confined to your room. At noon, you will go to the ancestral hall to receive your punishment.” Madam Shen’s voice brooked no argument. The maids around her chimed in with their own admonishments, while the old woman wore a satisfied smile. Having come to oversee the matter and report back, she left with a smile to deliver her message.

A crowd escorted her out. Madam Shen watched her depart before rushing over to help Shen Sijing up.

“Sijing, let me see… Does your knee hurt from kneeling?” The sudden shift in Madam Shen’s attitude left Ling Qingyi stunned. She rubbed her eyes, then hurried over to help Shen Sijing up as well, staring blankly as the mother and daughter spoke.

Madam Shen held Shen Sijing in her arms, her heart aching for her daughter. Yet she was completely at a loss for what to do. “You went to the Poetry Gathering today,” she said, “why did you provoke Chen Yao? She’s never been easy to deal with, but we must maintain good relations with her family.”

Madam Shen had initially wanted to confront the Chen family, but considering the potential consequences, she was forced to punish her own daughter in front of the Chen family’s matriarch.

Shen Sijing lowered her head, feigning remorse. In truth, she felt she had been too lenient with Chen Yao.

However, she knew her actions reflected on the entire Shen family, who had always treated her well, especially her mother. The original owner of this body wouldn’t want to cause trouble for her family either.
So Shen Sijing endured it, playing along with Madam Shen’s act. Her mother’s tenderness toward her was genuine.

“Mother… I’m sorry…” Shen Sijing’s voice softened, adopting a pitiful tone as she looked up at Madam Shen. She reached out and tugged at her mother’s sleeve.

Madam Shen had never seen her daughter act so affectionately. Her own voice softened as she sighed, stroking Shen Sijing’s head before pulling her into a hug. “Next time, don’t be so reckless. But remember, the Shen family won’t be bullied.”

Madam Shen had said this countless times, each time bolstering Shen Sijing’s confidence. But the confinement was merely for show. Yun Nian led Shen Sijing back to Dreamlike Pavilion, while Ling Qingyi trailed behind, step by step, too afraid to approach. Once Yun Nian had locked Shen Sijing in her room, Ling Qingyi knelt at the door.

“Third Young Miss Ling, our Young Miss’s confinement is just for appearances. There’s no need to be so heartbroken.” Seeing Ling Qingyi’s distress, Yun Nian and Fudong hurried forward to help her up. Inside the room, Shen Sijing grew anxious. She turned and peered through the crack in the door.

“It’s alright, it’s alright. Qingqing, don’t cry…” Shen Sijing reached out to wipe away the tears on Ling Qingyi’s cheek, but quickly withdrew her hand. It couldn’t fit through the narrow gap.

“How many days will I be confined?” Shen Sijing sighed, her voice tinged with coldness. Yun Nian stood beside her, recalling Madam Shen’s instructions. Three days, wasn’t it?

“Three days?!” Ling Qingyi’s eyes widened in disbelief, her beautiful gaze so piercing that it was almost unbearable to meet.

It seemed as if the world’s balance of good and evil hung on her every thought. Ling Qingyi’s tear-streaked face was like a string of pearls snapped apart. She couldn’t understand why, even though Chen Yao had been the aggressor, Shen Sijing was the one being punished.

Madam Shen clearly adored Shen Sijing.

“So… without power, can you not even protect the person you love most? Madam Shen today could be me tomorrow.” Ling Qingyi’s heart ached at the thought.

Shen Sijing remained silent, but she kept watching Ling Qingyi through the crack in the door.

Why does Ling Qingyi look like that?

Shen Sijing had never seen such an expression on her face before. It was somewhat frightening, but more than that, it made her heart ache.

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