The Fragile Supporting Lady Is Too Clingy - Chapter 24

It wasn’t until they left the main courtyard that Li Shuyu finally asked her, “Do you want to get married?”

She didn’t want to, but she had forgotten that most women in ancient times were expected to marry. If one chose not to, they would face immense pressure from all sides.

Li Qiuyue was the epitome of a traditional ancient woman: delicate and fragile. She had never considered what she could do if she didn’t marry. For her, marriage seemed to be the only path forward.

To live well, she had to marry. To escape the mire, she had to marry.

So, when Li Shuyu asked this question, her cheeks flushed uncontrollably. Unmarried women were often reserved, shy to speak of such matters. “Third Sister, I… of course I must marry. Why do you ask such things?”

Beneath her sleeves, hidden from view, her fair skin also tinged with a faint blush.

Li Shuyu seemed to understand. She nodded solemnly and promised, “Second Sister, don’t worry. I’ll definitely find you the most suitable man!”

After spending these past few days together, she had grown very fond of her second sister and pitied her circumstances. Secretly, she resolved that as long as her second sister didn’t fall for the male lead, she would help her no matter whom she fancied!

Falling for the male lead would be too difficult, after all, he was destined to become the emperor. If her second sister repeated the same actions as in the novel, even if she didn’t kill him, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t face retribution once he ascended the throne.

She had to protect her second sister.

Li Qiuyue didn’t know what she was thinking, only that she had promised to help her. If she helped, then their mother would help too.

If she could improve her relationship with the main household, perhaps she would have more options.

The two strolled back home together when they encountered Li Luolan along the way. Li Luolan wanted to go to Fuguang Courtyard to brew tea for Li Shuyu, claiming she had learned a new technique that made the tea exceptionally fragrant and delicious.

Of course, Li Shuyu refused again. She found it utterly baffling, why was Li Luolan being so obsequious?

Unwarranted flattery always hid ulterior motives. She wasn’t about to agree.

Li Luolan could only watch helplessly as the two walked away hand in hand, stomping her feet in frustration.

When she returned to her own courtyard, Fan Xiaoniang asked if she had managed to speak with Li Shuyu. After hearing the truth, Fan Xiaoniang was even more exasperated. She couldn’t understand why Li Qiuyue motherless and lacking in manners could get along so well with Li Shuyu, while her own daughter, who was well-mannered and sweet-tongued, couldn’t.

Her last hope now rested with Lord Pingyang.

It was only after seeing Li Luolan that Li Qiuyue suddenly remembered Fan Xiaoniang would seek out Lord Pingyang. Fan Xiaoniang came from the Fan family and was deeply favored. Aside from Li Shuyu, she always got first pick of the finest things…

What if Lord Pingyang was swayed by her?

On the way back, Li Qiuyue seemed distracted. Li Shuyu had to call her several times before she snapped out of it, her fair face paling as she sat down.

Li Shuyu sensed something was wrong. Frowning slightly, she turned to look at her, then stealthily reached over to grasp the delicate fingers resting idly on the stone table. She rubbed them gently, waiting for the other to regain her focus before asking, “What’s wrong? You’ve been lost in thought.”

When Li Qiuyue turned and saw Li Shuyu, her eyes brightened momentarily. She thought she must be going mad, she could just ask Li Shuyu for help. But then, inexplicably, the light in her eyes dimmed, and her expression turned inexplicably gloomy, leaving others puzzled.

Li Shuyu could only think: ?

“Why that look? No one’s bullying you, right?”

She boldly reached out to pinch her second sister’s face, unable to understand why she had suddenly become unhappy.

She wished her second sister could always be happy, free from disappointment and sorrow.

Li Qiuyue, having her face pinched, struggled to suppress the urge to pull away, her ears turning crimson. The other hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched tightly as she gathered her emotions. After a moment, she suddenly grabbed Li Shuyu’s hand in return.

Li Shuyu was taken aback, glancing down. Today, her second sister had taken the initiative to hold her hand twice it seemed their relationship had grown a little closer.

She heard the female supporting character’s subdued voice, delicate and pitiful: “No one has wronged me. I was just thinking of something that frightens me.”

She had cast the bait, knowing full well that Li Shuyu would take it.

Sure enough, the next moment, she heard her now exceedingly kind-hearted third sister ask in confusion, “What is it that frightens you? I didn’t know. Tell me everything from now on if I can help, I won’t refuse.”

Her words were resolute. Li Qiuyue pressed her thin lips together, then timidly nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, looking utterly pitiable.

She didn’t speak, simply gazing at Li Shuyu, staring and staring until her long lashes could no longer bear the weight of her tears. One by one, crystalline drops rolled down from her reddened eyes. Finally, she lowered her head with a sob, gripping Li Shuyu’s wrist tightly, her voice choked with tears. “Third Sister… I want to attend the Empress’s birthday banquet. This is the first time Mother has agreed to take me out. I’m afraid… she’ll change her mind and leave me behind…”

With that, she suddenly leaned forward, resting her forehead against Li Shuyu’s shoulder, continuing to weep softly.

Her slender frame trembled with each sob.

Li Shuyu’s heart ached terribly. She hurriedly wrapped an arm around the girl’s shoulders, pulling her halfway into an embrace, pressing her forehead against the other’s fluffy head. Her delicate brows furrowed in confusion. “Mother already said she’d take you. Why would she go back on her word? And you’ve scared yourself into crying. There, there, don’t cry. She’ll take you don’t worry.”

She couldn’t actually see the female supporting character’s face, so she took a handkerchief from a maid and pressed it into Li Qiuyue’s hand, urging her to wipe her tears. The sight of her crying made Li Shuyu’s heart twist painfully.

Li Qiuyue bit her lip until it turned pale. Raising her tear-filled eyes, she glanced at Li Shuyu before turning away, her voice trembling with grievance. “But… but Fourth Sister wants to go too.”

Li Shuyu was still puzzled. “But my mother already said you and I would go. Why would she change her mind for Fourth Sister?”

It made no sense! Fourth Sister wasn’t even her daughter, there was no reason for it.

Li Shuyu’s eyes were full of bewilderment.

As the legitimate daughter, she naturally couldn’t comprehend how the concubine-born sisters fought over every scrap of favor, leveraging everything they could.

Li Qiuyue sniffled, growing even more despondent. “Since childhood, Fourth Sister has always gotten whatever she wanted. Father favors her more. If Concubine Fan speaks to him, he’ll surely ask me to yield to her. And since Mother listens to Father… she might not take me anymore.”

Li Shuyu’s fair wrist bore red marks from the tight grip. Recalling the injustices of the past, she grew agitated.

“Third Sister… I’ve already yielded to Second Sister many times. This time… can I not give in?”

Her eyes were red as she cautiously looked at Li Shuyu, as if seeking her opinion.

Li Shuyu’s heart ached. The hand that had been held suddenly pulled free, and both her hands now rested on Li Qiuyue’s shoulders, one on each side, her expression uncharacteristically serious. “Of course you can. If you don’t want to give in, then don’t. Who says an elder sister must always yield to her younger sister? Mother has taken Fourth Sister and Sixth Sister to many banquets before, this time, it should be your turn. It’s alright, don’t be afraid. I’ll go talk to Mother.”

Li Qiuyue’s hand hung empty in the air before slowly clenching into a fist as pale as jade on the table. Her eyes remained uneasy. “But what if Father doesn’t agree to let me go?”

Father… the Marquis of Pingyang.

She rarely saw the Marquis of Pingyang and didn’t know what kind of man he was.

Seeing Li Shuyu momentarily silent, Li Qiuyue’s lips quivered downward, on the verge of tears again. Li Shuyu, who had been watching her closely, stiffened in alarm and immediately vowed, “Even if Father disagrees, it won’t matter. I’ll insist on going with you if you don’t go, then I won’t go either!”

The Marquis of Pingyang’s family was entering the palace precisely so the Emperor could see the original host. There was no way they would allow her to stay behind.

Li Qiuyue only knew one thing: Third Sister was the most favored in the household. Her words carried more weight than even Grandmother’s. And so, her anxiously suspended heart finally settled.