The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 28

“So, does Jing’er’s friend have a clever plan?” The Empress Dowager quickly drew Shen Sijing to sit beside her, her gaze scrutinizing Ling Qingyi.

Unfazed by the scrutiny, Ling Qingyi gracefully bowed and presented the written proposal in her hand. The Empress Dowager’s eyesight was failing, so she held the paper close and studied it intently before exclaiming in surprise:

“Why didn’t we think of this method?!” Her reaction mirrored the description in the historical records. Shen Sijing smiled, picked up her teacup, and took a sip. Though the Empress Dowager was a woman, she had been educated in the principles of governance since childhood, allowing her to quickly assess the proposal’s feasibility.

“If we can spread the word and encourage the people to contribute funds to Jiangnan, we can strengthen ties between the Capital and Jiangnan. This would also spur the noble clans in the Capital to compete in fundraising for their reputations. This approach would serve the dual purpose of disaster relief and post-disaster reconstruction.” The Empress Dowager methodically weighed the pros and cons. The benefits clearly outweighed the drawbacks. The only potential drawback was revealing the National Treasury’s depleted state, but this was inevitable; the truth would come to light eventually regardless.

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment longer before hurrying off to the palace where the Emperor reviewed memorials, clutching a piece of paper. Shen Sijing didn’t mind being left behind with Ling Qingyi. According to the book’s description, the Emperor would soon summon the person who proposed this method—formerly Ling Yunliu, now Ling Qingyi.

“Qingqing, both the Empress Dowager and I find this method excellent. You’ll likely be summoned by His Majesty to answer questions. Are you nervous?” Shen Sijing asked tentatively. She couldn’t directly ask such a question in the Empress Dowager’s palace, so she had to probe indirectly.

Ling Qingyi hesitated, then shook her head. But then she hesitated again, her eyes gradually growing worried. “I’ve never truly met His Majesty face-to-face. It would be a lie to say I’m not nervous. But… before, I had no hope left for living. I never imagined someone like you would protect me. You’re even more gentle and virtuous than my eldest sister. I used to resent such things, but now… I too want to contribute to the nation.”

Ling Qingyi’s words were practically flawless. Even the elderly lady who had come to fetch them earlier smiled with approval and quickly ordered some small pastries to be brought out.

“After such a long journey, you must be famished. These pastries are made by the Empress Dowager’s personally appointed imperial chefs. Please have some to tide you over.” The kindness the elderly lady displayed was unparalleled. In this vast and mysterious palace, Shen
Sijing and Ling Qingyi, still essentially children, felt uneasy. It was only the elderly lady’s genuine warmth that allowed them to relax.

The Empress Dowager remained absent for a long time. After eating a few pastries, Shen Sijing took Ling Qingyi’s hand, and the three of them strolled through the Empress Dowager’s Palace. From the gate, they could see the intricate maze of palace corridors.

Shen Sijing had originally planned to return to the hall to wait, but before the Empress Dowager or the Emperor arrived, they were instead greeted by a palace concubine eager to curry favor with the Empress Dowager.

“Consort Yu has arrived!” The eunuch’s shrill voice echoed throughout the gate. Shen Sijing, who had just turned to leave, was forced to kneel and perform a deep curtsy.

Ling Qingyi followed suit, bowing alongside Shen Sijing. Everyone knew that Consort Yu was currently the most favored concubine in the imperial harem, having been promoted by the Emperor himself, skipping the usual ranks to be elevated directly from Lady of Beauty to the higher rank of Consort.

Moreover, Consort Yu was a member of the Chen family, a fact that symbolized the family’s recent rise to prominence.

Shen Sijing only needed to glance up to see how extravagantly opulent Consort Yu was. Even the soles of her shoes were made of millet jade, and her robes were crafted from rare Shu brocade.

This display of luxury completely contradicted the current Imperial Palace’s emphasis on frugality. Lost in thought, Shen Sijing didn’t even hear Consort Yu’s summons to rise.

“Sister Shen, it’s time to rise…” Ling Qingyi whispered, tugging gently on Shen Sijing’s sleeve. Shen Sijing snapped out of her reverie and smiled. “My thanks to Consort Yu.”

Although Consort Yu didn’t deliberately challenge their etiquette, her presence here—being a member of the Chen family—must have been authorized by them.

“I had intended to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and offer my greetings, but unfortunately, she’s not in the palace. Why have you two come here?” Consort Yu showed no intention of moving inside, instead lingering in the cold wind with them.

Shen Sijing had already suspected Consort Yu’s visit harbored ill intent, but she hadn’t anticipated such impatience. At this rate, the woman would likely struggle to endure long in the imperial harem.

“Your Majesty, Consort Yu,” Shen Sijing began, “the recent Jiangnan Flood Disaster is truly a cause for sorrow. The Empress Dowager and His Majesty are deeply concerned about the reconstruction efforts in the region. Since this matter affects the nation and its people, it is our duty to contribute our thoughts and suggestions.”

Shen Sijing paused, leaving even the most naive Consort Yu to infer that their visit to the palace was solely to offer advice. She then smiled faintly.

“I never imagined that two young ladies who’ve barely read a book could actually devise solutions,” Consort Yu said with disdain. “Let’s just hope you don’t cause trouble for the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.”

Just as Ling Qingyi was about to defend herself, Shen Sijing gently squeezed her hand from behind, signaling her to remain silent.

“Consort Yu is right to counsel us,” Shen Sijing replied calmly. “However, it happens that my eighteenth birthday recently passed, and I haven’t seen the Empress Dowager in quite some time. So, we’re simply using this occasion as an excuse to visit her. Our purpose is likely no different from yours, Your Majesty.”

Consort Yu was left speechless. She had only timed her visit precisely to scold Shen Sijing, not because she genuinely wanted to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

The head maid in the Empress Dowager’s Palace could clearly sense the tense atmosphere between the women. As someone close to the Empress Dowager, even the imperial concubines usually showed her deference. Noticing the strained air, she stepped forward. “Young Miss Shen’s health is still delicate. Standing in the wind like this for too long wouldn’t be good. Why don’t all three of you wait inside the palace for the Empress Dowager’s return?”

Consort Yu was now stuck in a difficult position. She had declared her intention to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, so she couldn’t simply turn and leave. Moreover, she hadn’t truly intimidated Shen Sijing earlier, and she wasn’t willing to give up so easily.

The head maid quickly instructed her subordinates to bring out fruits and pastries. She then smiled at the three women. She needed to keep them calm until the Empress Dowager returned. She couldn’t let any trouble arise among them, nor could she allow any of them to leave.

“Didn’t Young Miss Shen say she hadn’t been feeling well for a long time? To come out just as she’s recovered and use her status to bully others is unacceptable.” Consort Yu picked up her teacup and took a few sips, her words dripping with sarcasm.

Shen Sijing didn’t want to argue with her, but she couldn’t let her slander her like this. “I’ve never bullied anyone using my status. I only retaliate if provoked. If Young Miss Chen hadn’t stuck her foot out to trip me, I wouldn’t have reacted so impulsively.”

Consort Yu hadn’t expected Shen Sijing to be so blunt. All her prepared counterarguments were rendered useless by this direct response.

“How do you know I was talking about Chen Yao? Even if she was in the wrong, it wasn’t your place to punish her yourself. Does she answer to her parents or to me?” Consort Yu’s voice grew heated, betraying her rising emotions.

Shen Sijing seized this opening, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Consort Yu, now that you’ve entered the palace, you belong to the Emperor for life. Surely you have no grounds to interfere with the upbringing of the other members of the Shen family.”

Shen Sijing was actually worried that Consort Yu wouldn’t take the bait. The Emperor had always been wary of the imperial harem conspiring with officials from the court, and the Chen family was one of the most influential noble clans.

The Shen family, backed by the Empress Dowager, had served the imperial family faithfully for generations, avoiding any suspicion. Consort Yu, however, wasn’t so fortunate. Even the matron beside her seemed restless, unable to contain her impatience. “Consort Yu, Young Miss Shen speaks wisely,” the matron interjected. “Since you’ve entered the palace to serve His Majesty, there’s no need to concern yourself so deeply with matters outside these walls.”

Though merely a palace attendant, the matron’s years of service to the Empress Dowager had imbued her with an authority that could easily intimidate these imperial concubines. Consort Yu dared not defy her.

“Indeed, Matron,” Consort Yu replied. “My concern has clouded my judgment. Then… could it be that Third Young Miss Ling also devised her scheme after reading too many books? I’ve heard she’s from the countryside.”

Everyone knew that Ling Qingyi had been sent to the countryside as a child due to her mother’s lowly status, and they were all eager to bring this up.

Seeing that Shen Sijing was as immovable as a slab of iron, Consort Yu turned her ire toward Ling Qingyi. After all, cursing out either of them would be satisfying.

Ling Qingyi shook her head. “Though I was raised in the countryside, I’m no crude child. My father hired a tutor to educate me, so I dare not neglect either my manners or my studies.”

Has Ling Qingyi finally awakened? In truth, she had never been foolish in the first place.
Consort Yu never imagined she would be thwarted by this rustic girl from the countryside. Her face twisted into a hideous expression as she slapped the table, making a scene. “What kind of tutor did you hire? Don’t you know you shouldn’t backtalk this palace lady? Have you swallowed the words ‘humble’ and ‘polite’?”

Neither Shen Sijing nor Ling Qingyi expected Consort Yu to stir up trouble out of nothing. The Matron was about to speak when Consort Yu cut her off. “Matron, there’s no need to plead on her behalf. Who doesn’t know the reputation of the Third Young Miss of the Ling family? Your plea might only tarnish your own reputation.”

Ling Qingyi knelt, her posture neither deferential nor arrogant as she replied, “I’m not sure why Your Ladyship says that. I always answer questions truthfully. If I’ve offended Consort Yu, I hope Your Ladyship will enlighten me.”

The Matron wanted to warn Ling Qingyi to stay silent, at least until the Empress Dowager arrived. She feared the girl would suffer if she continued.

But Ling Qingyi remained upright, her expression fearless. She was convinced she was in the right, and this only fueled Consort Yu’s fury.

“Quickly! Let’s see if there’s still law in this palace! She shows no respect for this consort! Guards! Apply the palace punishment. Start with twenty strikes for someone like Ling Qingyi, then drag her over for further judgment.”

No one moved except for one of Consort Yu’s attendants, who rushed to fetch the striking rod. Shen Sijing stepped forward, blocking Ling Qingyi’s path, her gaze sweeping the crowd. “Today, let’s see who dares to punish the Third Young Miss of the Ling Family in my presence.”

These words infuriated Consort Yu. Her expression twisted into a ferocious glare as she slammed her hand on the table and rose to her feet. “Shen Sijing! What is the meaning of this? Don’t you dare think your family’s wealth and influence grant you the right to be impudent with me! Earlier, you were discourteous, but I spared you out of respect for your father. Now, if you persist in shielding Ling Qingyi, I will punish you alongside her!”

Seeing her unhinged state, Shen Sijing dismissed the need for further explanation. She knelt beside Ling Qingyi. “Whether you choose to kill or punish me is entirely up to Your Ladyship. However, I barely survived the curse of turning eighteen, only to face this calamity immediately after my birthday. How can I possibly face the parents who raised me?”

Consort Yu’s teeth ground in fury. Clutching a handkerchief, she pointed at Shen Sijing, her words tumbling out incoherently. “You… you… are you threatening me? Do you truly believe I wouldn’t dare punish you?”
“Sijing has never harbored such thoughts. If Your Ladyship deems me guilty, I submit to your judgment.” Shen Sijing’s response was swift. If she was wrong to protect Ling Qingyi, she would take the consequences herself.

Shen Sijing truly believed the Shen family wouldn’t stand idly by while their beloved daughter was bullied. Consort Yu hadn’t originally intended to torture Shen Sijing, but the girl’s defiant words were a direct challenge to her authority.

“Then we’ll whip you both together!” Consort Yu’s voice trembled with fury. She gritted her teeth and ordered her attendants to raise their rods and begin the beating. But after only three or four crude strikes, an announcement echoed from outside the Empress Dowager’s Palace:

“Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived—His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—”

Shen Sijing and Ling Qingyi were bound in the courtyard’s center, exposed to the sun and about to be tortured. The announcement terrified Consort Yu—why would the Emperor come too?!

“What’s going on here?” Shen Sijing barely glanced up, but she saw a figure in bright yellow imperial robes standing before her. As expected of the Emperor, his voice commanded instant silence from everyone. The Empress Dowager hurried over to support Shen Sijing. “Heavens, my precious darling! What has happened to you? How dare anyone strike you?”

Shen Sijing had no intention of sparing Consort Yu any courtesy, so she reported the incident bluntly: “It was Consort Yu. She first criticized Third Young Miss Ling for lacking manners, and then became distressed because her personal maid has reached marriageable age. It’s alright, it’s alright… Sijing isn’t hurt…” Shen Sijing realized she had mastered the essence of Ling Yunliu’s “green tea” act, and this approach indeed earned her the Empress Dowager’s and Emperor’s sympathy.

“What exactly happened? Even if Ling Qingyi’s status was once lowly, she is now a noble young lady. Who are you to criticize her?” The Empress Dowager’s words were directed at the attendants administering the punishment, but her message was meant for Consort Yu as well.

Panicked, Consort Yu hurried to kneel before the Empress Dowager and Emperor. “Your Ladyship, I’ve been wrongfully accused! Don’t believe Shen Sijing’s lies. It’s… it’s… it’s that Ling Qingyi and Shen Sijing colluded to defy me, a senior. Overcome with anger, I resorted to punishment.”

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