The Fragile Supporting Lady Is Too Clingy - Chapter 21

Today’s lesson was delivered by the renowned scholar of Yanjing, Master Meng Zhou. Having already tutored Li Shuyu once before, he noticed a marked difference in her demeanor, she was far more attentive than in the past. Pleased by this change, he taught with even greater dedication.

In the past, Li Shuyu had been the type to even tease her own tutors.

As a result, expectations for her had been exceedingly low. Now, as long as she remained willing to listen and heed advice, her tutors were more than happy to support her, even believing she might yet prove redeemable.

The half-hour lesson proceeded smoothly. During the break, Nanny Liu, sent by Lady Wen, arrived.

Trailed by a procession of maids carrying trays, it was clear she had come bearing gifts.

Li Shuyu’s eyes lit up as she stood to greet her. “Nanny, what brings you here?”

With a smile, Nanny Liu lifted the red cloth covering the tray, revealing exquisite jade pieces that gleamed brilliantly. “Yesterday’s incident wronged the Second Young Miss. Madam has sent these as compensation.”

Li Shuyu looked down to see the red-lacquered tray filled with paired jade items: ruyi scepters, pendants, hairpins, and more.

Delighted, she picked up two jade pendants and fastened one to Li Qiuyue’s slender waist. “One for you, one for me. Anyone who sees them will know we’re sisters. Don’t dwell on yesterday’s matter anymore, alright?”

Boldly, she even ruffled the supporting female lead’s hair soft and fluffy beneath her fingers.

Li Qiuyue’s eyes widened slightly, but unlike before, she didn’t retreat. Instead, a faint blush dusted her cheeks, delicate and lovely.

Once the pendants were secured, both girls wore matching high-quality jade pieces that swayed gently at their waists.

“From now on, whenever you go out, wear the same pendant as me, alright?”

Jade ornaments were costly, and Li Qiuyue naturally had none of her own. But she trusted that her third sister would provide for her.

Obediently, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

Her third sister was now the only one who would protect her, so she was willing to follow her lead in everything.

Li Shuyu’s mood brightened further, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction. Nanny Liu, observing this, was also pleased.

Her young mistress had previously only mingled with legitimate-born sons, how dull. Women were far more interesting companions for women.

“These garments are newly made by Madam’s order for both the Second and Third Young Misses.”

Originally, the clothes had been intended solely for Li Shuyu. But after yesterday’s incident, Lady Wen had urgently altered some to fit Li Qiuyue as a conciliatory gesture.

Li Qiuyue curtsied gracefully to the nanny, her voice gentle and refined. “Please convey my gratitude to Mother for her thoughtfulness.”

Li Shuyu marveled at the constant need for formal bows in this era. her knees ached just thinking about it.

“The Second Young Miss is most considerate. This old servant will relay your words to Madam.”

Nanny Liu then turned to Li Shuyu. “Young Miss, Madam mentioned that the Empress’s birthday approaches soon. You are to accompany her to the palace to offer congratulations. You must prepare simply inform the main household of anything you need, and Madam will arrange it.”

Attending the Empress’s birthday banquet?

Did that mean she would meet the biological father of this body, the embodiment of supreme imperial authority in ancient times?

Li Shuyu was momentarily dazed until the nanny added with a smile, “Many young masters from noble families will be attending that day. You should take a good look, miss.”

Well, never mind then.

Although she had traveled back to ancient times, she had no intention of marrying and having children here. What was the original host’s identity?

The emperor’s most beloved princess!

With wealth and power, why should she marry? Just to endure that kind of humiliation?

Li Shuyu forced a smile, dismissed the nanny with a few words, and then turned to ask the tutor to continue the lesson, not forgetting to pull the supporting female character to her side.

Second Sister had been very clingy today, sticking close to her and even smiling at her. She found herself enjoying Second Sister’s company.

Not just because she wanted to survive, but for other reasons too.

As for what those reasons were, even she couldn’t quite explain.

The tutor taught well, though Li Shaojin dropped in midway to attend the lesson. The child was studious and quiet during class, so Meng Zhou didn’t mind letting him sit in. After all, teaching one, two, or three students made little difference to him.

Another half-hour passed before Meng Zhou finally set down his book and nodded approvingly once more.

“Third Miss, you’ve done very well today. If you keep this up, achieving top honors in the imperial examinations will be within reach.”

The elderly scholar stroked his beard, speaking with utmost sincerity. Li Qiuyue’s lips twitched slightly as she thought, Just how much silver did the Marquis of Pingyang give this great scholar to spout such nonsense without a shred of conscience?

Top honors in the imperial examinations?

Li Shuyu hadn’t even mastered all the characters yet, and he dared to say such things?

Yet the person in question didn’t seem bothered. In modern times, people often exchanged such pleasantries. there was no need to take them seriously. “Second Sister, let’s escort the tutor out,” she said.

Li Qiuyue, lost in thought, snapped back to attention and obediently nodded, standing up.

Li Shaojin, seeing that his sister had once again called on someone else first, puffed out his cheeks in anger and glared secretly at Li Qiuyue from his seat.

Having endured many cold looks, Li Qiuyue was acutely sensitive to others’ emotions. She instantly detected the displeasure of the second most favored young master in the household toward her. Hidden beneath her sleeves, her fingers tightened, leaving crescent-shaped marks on her palms.

She didn’t like this younger brother either.

When Li Shaojin saw the two return after seeing off the tutor, he jumped down from his chair and dashed over, grabbing Li Shuyu’s clothes. With the naive boldness of an eight-year-old, he declared, “Sister, I want to go out and play! You told me before that one should balance work and rest. I’ve sat through your lesson and learned so many new things now it’s time to rest!”

Li Shuyu, holding Li Qiuyue’s hand, was about to speak when the latter suddenly said weakly, “Then Third Sister should accompany Seventh Brother. I’m feeling a bit unwell and won’t join. I’ll wait at home for you.”

Li Shaojin looked puzzled, his round, large eyes full of confusion. “I never said I wanted you to come. Of course, you’d stay home and wait for my sister.”

His youthful bluntness made Li Shuyu wish she could cover his mouth and toss him out.

The slender, soft waist of the young girl was embraced once more as she looked up with urgent concern in her beautiful eyes. “Second Sister, where do you feel unwell? Should I call the physician to examine you?”

Li Qiuyue gazed into her eyes for a moment, her expression growing even more fragile, yet she feigned strength and shook her head. “No need. Doesn’t Seventh Brother want to go out and play? I’ll be fine after resting a while. You should come back early, there’s still homework to finish tonight.”

Li Shaojin bounced up and down, tugging at one of Li Shuyu’s arms. “Yes, Sister! I want to go out and play. It’s been so long since you last took me out!”

Siblings raised together in the Pingyang Marquisate, one concerned about her studies, obedient and sensible, while the other only knew how to drag her out to play and never spoke pleasantly!

Her heart couldn’t help but lean one way again.

Her Second Sister was far too pitiable.

Li Shuyu’s eyes softened even more, but she brushed off Li Shaojin’s hand. “Second Sister isn’t feeling well. I need to stay and look after her. Be good, why not let the maids take you out to play?”

Though her words were directed at Li Shaojin, her gaze never left Li Qiuyue.

Rejected, Li Shaojin pouted unhappily, though he didn’t get angry. He adored Li Shuyu and treated her best, rarely ever upset with her. Still, his chubby cheeks puffed up as he shot a glare at his delicate Second Sister and muttered, “Sister always treats others better now.”

Li Shuyu was busy supporting Li Qiuyue with concerned questions. she had no time to coax a child. She could only hope he’d understand. “Second Sister isn’t feeling well. We should prioritize her. Going out to play doesn’t have to be today, what’s wrong with waiting until she’s better?”

Li Qiuyue leaned halfway against Li Shuyu’s shoulder, her voice gentle and understanding. “It’s alright. If Seventh Brother wants to go out, you should accompany him. I’ll be fine alone.”

With that, she rested her head lightly against Li Shuyu’s shoulder, clinging silently.

Ever since Li Shuyu had stood up for her the day before, she had been like this obedient, clingy, and somehow instinctively mastering the art of acting spoiled.

Li Shuyu couldn’t resist in the slightest, nor could she bear to leave her alone in the estate. The maids served her most diligently, but what if Second Sister couldn’t summon them when needed?

In the novel, the female antagonist was universally disliked. Li Shuyu never dared let her out of her sight, afraid someone might bully her.

So just as Li Shaojin’s eyes lit up at Li Qiuyue’s words, he heard his beloved sister firmly refuse. “No. You’re frail, but he’ll be fine, just have more servants accompany him. I need to stay and look after you.”

Without even turning her head, she added, “Ask Jin Kui for as much silver as you need. I’ll take you out next time.”

Then, carefully supporting Li Qiuyue’s arm, she led her inside.

In her heart, going out to play naturally couldn’t exclude the female antagonist, that would be outright ostracization!

Having been in this ancient era for so long, she hadn’t yet gone out herself. Once Second Sister recovered, she’d take her for a stroll. Staying cooped up in the estate every day would drive anyone mad.

If his sister wouldn’t go with him, then going alone held little appeal. Huffing, Li Shaojin trailed after her into the house, watching as she fussed over that lowborn girl, ensuring she wasn’t the slightest bit uncomfortable. His jealousy flared.

Muttering under his breath, he grumbled a string of complaints, mostly about how Li Shuyu only had eyes for Second Sister and not him.

Li Qiuyue noticed him following inside, a flicker of displeasure flashing in her eyes, but she ignored him. Instead, she reached out to hook her arm around Li Shuyu’s, her voice frail and pitiful as she pleaded, “Third Sister, could you not call for the physician? My illness has been with me since birth, the physician can’t cure it. He’ll only prescribe those bitter medicines, and I truly don’t want to drink them anymore, Third Sister…”

She lifted her watery eyes, gazing imploringly at Li Shuyu.

Unable to resist her pitiful look, Li Shuyu softened and reached out to touch her forehead, no fever, so she should be fine.

Her tone grew even gentler as she sat by the bed, holding Li Qiuyue’s hand and coaxing her like a child, “Alright, no bitter medicine. I’ll stay with you. Rest a little longer, and you’ll probably feel better.”

“Mmm.”

Li Qiuyue glanced sidelong at Li Shaojin, who had settled onto a small stool, her discontent growing. She disliked others entering this space.

But she had already disrupted Seventh Brother and Third Sister’s plans to go out. It was best not to drive him away now, if she pushed too far and caused a scene, it might be hard to smooth things over later.

With that thought, she lowered her lashes and nuzzled her cheek against the palm still resting on her face, testing her temperature.

The first hints of a young girl’s possessiveness began to surface.