The Fragile Supporting Lady Is Too Clingy - Chapter 13

Li Qiuyue had never tasted candied hawthorns before, though she had heard of them.

It seemed every pampered young girl had tried them at least once.

Her naturally misty eyes glanced briefly at the candied hawthorns before she averted her gaze, her expression cool and indifferent. She shook her head slightly. “No need. Third Sister can enjoy them. I don’t want any.”

“Why not? You should try them they’re really good!”

The girl eagerly promoted the candied hawthorns in her hand, her eyes sparkling as if she adored Li Qiuyue.

Li Shaoning watched in bewilderment.

Hadn’t she always bullied Qiuyue before?

The candied hawthorn nearly brushed against the woman’s moist lips. Li Qiuyue’s eyes widened slightly as she took half a step back, biting her lip in silence.

She had always preferred silence except when it came to the male lead of the novel, with whom she could exchange a few more words.

Li Shuyu was exasperated. That male lead was obviously meant for the female protagonist! If Qiuyue fell for him, wouldn’t she just become the villainess?

Oh, right she already was the villainess.

“Fine. If you don’t like what Eldest Brother brought, I’ll take you out next time and buy some for you myself.”

With that, she lowered her head and took a bite of the candied hawthorn.

The crisp sugar coating shattered between her teeth with a satisfying crunch.

Li Qiuyue’s gaze flickered over before she settled back into silence, neither agreeing nor refusing.

As long as her current life remained undisturbed, Li Shuyu could do as she pleased. She would simply comply.

When idle, Li Shaoning knew propriety and never entered the women’s chambers. Instead, he found a seat on the veranda and inquired about Li Shuyu’s health.

Upon hearing she had mostly recovered, he smiled in relief. “Seeing how lively you are, I can tell you’re nearly back to normal.”

Li Shuyu sat down beside him and pulled Li Qiuyue down next to her, wrapping an arm around the woman’s slender waist before looking up with a grin.

Her smiles were always radiant.

Li Qiuyue wasn’t unfamiliar with such smiles just not ones directed at her.

The looks Li Shuyu had given her before were either mocking or full of malice.

Seeing her in such high spirits, unlike the gloom of previous days, Li Shaoning felt reassured and chuckled lightly. “Father asked me to check on you. He said if you’re feeling better, your tutor can resume your lessons in reading and writing.”

Li Shuyu: “…”

She had assumed that, given the original owner’s spoiled nature, she wouldn’t have bothered with formal education. The Pingyang Marquisate likely indulged her, so her handwriting was atrocious perhaps they hadn’t even hired a tutor.

Turns out they had.

And yet her handwriting was still this bad? It was on par with hers, a modern person who had never practiced calligraphy. Was this some kind of preparation for her transmigration?

Li Shuyu’s lips twitched.

“Yuer? I’m talking to you. No more excuses, Father has high hopes for you.”

Unaware of Li Shuyu’s true identity, Li Shaoning assumed their father wanted his sister to pursue an official career. While most women were expected to marry, he didn’t want that for his sister. She deserved to see the finest things in life, to earn respect through her own merits, and to rise above others.

Though… given her notorious reputation and temperament, that would be quite the challenge.

Li Shaoning fell silent.

Whether she faced it now or later, the outcome was the same. Li Shuyu met his gaze and nodded solemnly. “Fine, starting tomorrow. But Second Sister is still unwell. can she rest a few more days before joining?”

The villainess had been drenched and forced to kneel as punishment, so her illness was naturally more severe. Li Shuyu couldn’t bear to see her burdened with rigorous studies so soon.

Hearing her younger sister show concern for this half-sister, Li Shaoning paused briefly before speaking, “Second Sister does indeed have a heavier workload. I’ll speak to Father about it.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave now. Don’t be willful in your daily life don’t expose yourself to cold drafts, and don’t let the maids bring you ice basins. Understood?”

At the mention of “ice basins,” Li Shuyu’s face twisted in dismay. She couldn’t help but cover her ears with both hands, dragging out her words, “Understood, understood, both my ears heard you loud and clear. Please hurry back now, I still want to read storybooks with Second Sister.”

Frowning, Li Shuyu shooed him away. The thought of not being allowed ice basins deepened her despair about having to stay in this ancient era.

She stood up, pulling Li Qiuyue along with her, her whole demeanor drooping dejectedly. Leaning close to Li Qiuyue’s shoulder, she whispered, “Let’s go. I’m a bit tired.”

This exhaustion stemmed from the lack of air conditioning, smartphones, or even a simple soda. just thinking about it was mentally draining.

Li Shuyu removed her outer robe and flopped onto the bed. At some point, her hand found its way to the other girl’s shoulder as she nuzzled against her neck, murmuring drowsily, “I’m a bit sleepy. Will you stay and sleep with me?”

In just one short day, Li Qiuyue had already grown accustomed to her clinginess. Lying stiffly on her back, she dared not turn toward her nor away, so she could only nod rigidly.

Li Shuyu didn’t mind. When she was unhappy, she just wanted to sleep, so she wrapped her arms around the other girl and quickly drifted off.

Time flew, and the next day arrived. The tutor who had been summoned came as instructed.

To everyone’s surprise, it was a woman.

The woman nodded at Li Shuyu, her demeanor elegant and refined, clearly a scholar of the liberal arts. Li Shuyu hastily performed a student’s bow and addressed her, “Teacher.”

The woman nodded in return, then glanced at Li Qiuyue and asked, “Will you not be practicing calligraphy in the study today?”

The eldest daughter of Pingyang Marquis’s household had always been capricious, and Song Xiwu was used to it. Where they practiced calligraphy didn’t matter, what mattered was whether she could truly settle her mind and write a few more pages.

Li Shuyu didn’t know where the original owner usually practiced, as there were several calligraphy scrolls in her chamber. Hesitating over where to go, she felt relieved when the teacher brought it up first. “Let’s go to the study. It’s too noisy outside.”

With that, she turned to her second sister. “Since you’re free, why not join me for some practice?”

Li Qiuyue, startled by the address, clenched her fingers hidden in her sleeves. As a concubine-born daughter, she was meant to be married off to strengthen the Marquis’s political alliances. Her father had never arranged for her to learn calligraphy or literature. instead, she was taught the qin, the pipa, dancing, singing, and every skill meant to enchant men.

She had long grown weary of being treated as a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder. She, too, wanted to read and write, to indulge in the romantic and poetic pursuits.

The supporting female character’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, gazing at her with that timid, pleading look again.

Li Shuyu thought, she had already developed such a rapport with the supporting character so quickly.

“Then let’s go.”

She extended her hand. The girl’s fingers were slender and delicate, unmarred by rough labor and incredibly soft. Li Qiuyue, who had once avoided her touch at all costs, now took the initiative to grasp it. Too shy to meet her eyes, she lowered her gaze and nodded softly, her voice gentle and obedient. “Alright.”