The Abused Female Protagonist In The Angst Novel Is Actually A White Lotus - Chapter 7

Ling Qingyi knelt in a low, prostrate position, yet her voice remained steady and resolute, unprecedentedly firm. “My admiration for the Second Imperial Prince has already subjected me to unwarranted rumors and gossip. I am well aware that Your Highness has no affection for me. In that case, why force this union? I implore Your Highness to seek His Majesty’s decree to rescind the engagement. I am willing to accept any punishment.”

The moment these words left her lips, Shen Sijing couldn’t contain herself. Is Ling Qingyi an idiot? she thought. Now that she’s said this, punishment is inevitable! What a fool!

Shen Sijing’s expression darkened, and Xiao Jing naturally noticed her displeasure. A sinister smile crept across his face. “Third Young Miss Ling disregards the Emperor’s decree. In that case, accompany me to the palace. We’ll ask my Imperial Father how to punish this transgression. What do you say, Third Young Miss?”

Ling Xing’er secretly rejoiced. Everyone knew the Emperor had countless ways to punish people. If Ling Qingyi were truly taken to the Imperial Palace by the Second Imperial Prince, she would be lucky to escape with her life, let alone her skin.

Shen Sijing watched coldly. The expressions of those around her were impossible to read, yet Ling Xing’er, that little pest, was grinning as if she wanted everyone to notice. A flicker of annoyance stirred within Shen Sijing.

But Ling Qingyi was now in a bind. Could she really agree to Xiao Jing’s demand?

“Wait,” Shen Sijing interjected before Ling Qingyi could answer.

Madam Ling frowned. Shen Sijing had already shielded Ling Qingyi earlier, thwarting her plan. Could she be about to interfere again?

Madam Ling couldn’t let her grand scheme fail. Gritting her teeth, she spoke again, her voice sharper this time. “Young Miss Shen is exhausted from her birthday celebrations. Besides, this is a matter within the Ling family and shouldn’t be aired in public. Second Imperial Prince, take Ling Qingyi away. His Majesty will decide the truth.” This was arguably the most coherent thing Madam Ling had ever said. Shen Sijing’s carefully prepared retort died in her throat. Her eyes locked onto Madam Ling, her hatred burning like fire.

Shen Sijing’s gaze flickered. Remembering her body’s lingering illness, she suddenly began to cough violently, her frail back trembling uncontrollably. Ling Qingyi, still kneeling, quickly straightened up. Only then did Shen Sijing notice the tears streaming down her face.

Ling Qingyi… was crying.

“Sijing!” Madam Shen reacted most strongly, leaping to her feet and rushing to Shen Sijing’s side. She wrapped her arm around Shen Sijing’s shoulders, completely disregarding any concerns about offending others. Turning to Madam Ling, she snapped, “Madam Ling! You know this is my daughter’s birthday, yet you repeatedly stir up trouble. I don’t care what deep-seated grudge you hold against your illegitimate daughter, Ling Qingyi. But since she’s a friend Sijing cherishes, she’s a guest of the Prime Minister’s Residence. How dare you publicly humiliate our esteemed guest in front of everyone? This is outrageous!”

Madam Shen had long noticed how much Shen Sijing cared for Ling Qingyi, and she felt indebted to her. Now that Shen Sijing had finally found a friend, she refused to let her daughter worry. Little did she know so many people would be so blind to reason.

Madam Ling was utterly humiliated by this public reprimand. Abandoning all decorum, she was about to retort fiercely when someone in the crowd discreetly tugged her sleeve, urging her to calm down.

Gradually regaining her composure, Madam Ling lifted her head to see Prime Minister Shen’s face ashen. She realized that no matter what she said, she would gain nothing.

Xiao Jing, who had never seen the usually mild-mannered Madam Shen in such a state, immediately abandoned all pretense of dignity and bowed deeply. “Madam Shen, please calm your anger. Since Third Young Miss Ling is Sijing’s dear friend, she is also my friend. I will speak to my Imperial Father about rescinding the engagement. Third Young Miss Ling, please stay and keep Sijing company.”

Madam Shen’s fury left Madam Ling and Xiao Jing swallowing their anger and blood. Neither dared utter a word of protest.

Shen Sijing, slumped weakly in Madam Shen’s arms, coughed weakly. Madam Shen immediately ordered someone to summon the Imperial Physician and then helped Shen Sijing back to her chambers.

“Mother… cough cough… I want… Qingqing to stay with me,” Shen Sijing gasped between coughs, still thinking of Ling Qingyi. How could Madam Shen refuse? She promptly beckoned Ling Qingyi to join them, leaving Madam Ling standing awkwardly to the side.

As Shen Sijing was helped back to Dreamlike Pavilion, the soft couch had been neatly arranged. Ling Qingyi’s wedding gown had been taken away by a maid to be washed. Ling Qingyi stood at the doorway, watching Madam Shen fuss over Shen Sijing with meticulous care. Wiping a tear from her cheek, she lowered her head in embarrassment.

Before long, the Imperial Physician arrived, his medicine chest in hand, and hurried inside. Seeing Shen Sijing’s frail appearance, he quickened his pace even further.
After taking Shen Sijing’s pulse, the Imperial Physician declared she was merely fatigued, and her lingering illness was the cause. Madam Shen finally relaxed, signaling a maid to slip him a silver coin with a glance.

“Thank you for the reward, Madam,” the Imperial Physician said hastily, hurrying off to the Dreamlike Pavilion’s kitchen to brew medicine.

Shen Sijing lay propped up in bed, watching Madam Shen see the physician off before turning her gaze to Ling Qingyi, who had been standing for quite some time.

“Qingqing, come sit,” Shen Sijing said, her eyes brimming with concern. The image of Ling Qingyi’s earlier tears was still vivid in her mind, yet she had kept her standing for so long.

Ling Qingyi nodded and settled beside Shen Sijing’s bed, her eyes fixed on Shen Sijing’s pale face. She wanted to reach out and touch her, but hesitated.

Only Shen Sijing knew that her body was no longer plagued by so many ailments, though some lingering traces remained. But even those remnants were a blessing, for without them, how could she have saved Ling Qingyi today?

When Madam Shen returned, she found the two girls chatting. Her worries vanished completely. “You… it’s good you’re alright. You didn’t even offer your mother a seat earlier, yet you’re so quick to invite Third Young Miss Ling to sit.”

Shen Sijing blushed at her mother’s words. She withdrew her hand from under the covers and pointed to the spot closer to her, smiling shyly. “Then… will Mother sit here?”

Madam Shen watched Shen Sijing fidget like a child and couldn’t help but smile, pinching her cheek. With many ladies and young misses still celebrating her birthday outside, Madam Shen couldn’t linger too long at Dreamlike Pavilion. After a few more words of advice, she reluctantly took her leave.

Once they were alone again, Ling Qingyi anxiously examined Shen Sijing from head to toe. “Sister Shen, are you still feeling unwell anywhere?”

Ling Qingyi instinctively wanted to call her Young Miss Shen, but quickly corrected herself. Shen Sijing smiled, grasped Ling Qingyi’s sleeve, and shook her head. “I’m fine. But how could you be so foolish? Didn’t you realize that if Xiao Jing had actually taken you to the Imperial Palace, you would have been in serious trouble?”

“I deserved the punishment,” Ling Qingyi murmured, her eyes lowered as she clutched the corner of Shen Sijing’s robe. “Sister Shen needn’t worry.” Yet beneath her demure gaze, a calculating glint flickered.
Seeing Ling Qingyi’s demeanor only deepened Shen Sijing’s heartache. She longed to keep Ling Qingyi by her side at all times, cherishing and protecting her.

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