The Fragile Supporting Lady Is Too Clingy - Chapter 3

“Grandmother, what happened today truly has nothing to do with elder sister. It was I who pushed her into the water. The fault is mine.”

Li Shuyu frowned as she defended the female antagonist.

Even if she would later become a malicious supporting character, right now, she was merely a pitiful little white flower, often harmed and swaying in the storm!

Anyone with a shred of kindness, who could bear to bully her further?

The old madam was once again taken aback by Li Shuyu’s words. She thought to herself, Hasn’t this girl always despised the illegitimate daughter of the family? Why is she speaking up for her today?

Could it be that she’s grown more sensible?

Outwardly, the old madam maintained her usual stern demeanor toward Li Qiuyue, her smile vanishing.

Her words carried not a trace of warmth, a stark contrast to the kindness Li Shuyu had just experienced.

Li Shuyu was stunned.

The old madam asked Li Qiuyue, “Was it your younger sister who pushed you into the water?”

The old madam’s usual imposing presence made even her lightest words sound severe. Li Qiuyue’s slender frame trembled slightly, her damp eyes veiled by long lashes misty as she stared fixedly at the green bricks beneath her feet.

Another pair of eyes also rested upon her, weightless yet piercing.

The illegitimate daughter’s sensitive nature detected an inexplicable trace of malice in that gaze. Her eyes snapped shut.

After a moment, she slowly parted her lips, her voice carrying a faint chill as she said, “No, Qiuyue fell in by accident. It had nothing to do with Third Sister.”

Li Shuyu: ?

She was dumbfounded.

but it was the original host who pushed her into the water! Why was she saying she fell in herself?

The young girl’s eyes were filled with confusion as she looked helplessly from Li Qiuyue to the old madam.

Only then did the old madam nod in satisfaction. When she spoke to Li Shuyu again, her tone was gentle and affectionate, as if coaxing a child. “You heard her, didn’t you? It wasn’t you who pushed her in. This matter has nothing to do with you, so don’t dwell on it, and don’t let it upset your health.”

Unlike the brief descriptions in the novel, experiencing it firsthand made Li Shuyu truly understand just how much favor the original host enjoyed from the Li family.

Her actual granddaughter had fallen into the water and might still be ill, yet what concerned the old madam was ensuring that she , the adopted granddaughter, didn’t ruin her health from anger.

Li Shuyu pressed her lips together. If the original host were here, given her character in the book, she would undoubtedly revel in her elder’s protection and continue to humiliate the female antagonist with haughty disdain.

But she wasn’t the original host. She truly couldn’t bring herself to say such cruel words yet she also didn’t dare to act too far out of character. The old madam’s earlier reaction was still fresh in her mind, and fear gripped her heart, her throat tightening. A sheen of sweat dampened her forehead as she finally managed to say in a hoarse voice, “I’m not angry. One must take responsibility for their actions. It was I, Li Shuyu, who pushed you into the water. You you’re just an illegitimate daughter. If I want to push you, I’ll push you. At most, I’ll compensate you with some medicine. There’s no need to hide the truth and refuse to admit it.”

Her heart pounded with anxiety. This was the most arrogant speech she could muster. She was terrified of being discovered as an imposter though in ancient times, surely they wouldn’t suspect such a thing.

Unbeknownst to her, when she adopted this demeanor, the old madam finally smiled in relief, thinking, There she is.

This was the Third Young Miss of Pingyang Marquis’s household, raised with meticulous care arrogant and domineering, yet willing to own up to her actions.

For a moment, she had worried the girl had been frightened out of her wits.

Li Qiuyue, however, was stunned.

One’s greatest adversary often knew them best. She understood clearly: “One must take responsibility for their actions” ?

Li Shuyu was not the type to say such a thing.

“Hasn’t she borne enough blame and punishment for her mistakes?”

“Why is she suddenly putting on such an upright and honorable act today?”

“She must be scheming something.”

Li Qiuyue kept her head lowered, making it impossible for anyone to discern the emotions in her eyes.

She didn’t believe Li Shuyu was taking the blame for her sake.

The old madam had always indulged her. She never liked the illegitimate children in the household, and as long as the servants kept their mouths shut and nothing major happened, a little mischief within the family was tolerable. especially since it was kept within bounds.

With a leisurely smile, the old madam said, “Very well, very well. Yu’er has a kind heart. Then let it be as Yu’er wishes.”

Li Shuyu’s lips twitched involuntarily. Pushing someone into the water and still being called kind-hearted.

A cool breeze swept by, and Li Qiuyue’s slender shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly, something Li Shuyu caught from the corner of her eye.

What kind of heartless person would make a frail woman who had just been pulled from the water stand outside in the cold wind?

Guilt gnawed at Li Shuyu’s conscience. She glanced at Li Qiuyue, unable to bear it, yet still feigned a haughty tone as if issuing a command,

“I need to rest. Don’t disturb me here go back to your own quarters.”

Hearing that Li Shuyu wanted to rest, the old madam’s face softened with concern. “Are you tired from today?”

The mention of it made Li Shuyu realize she actually was exhausted. Her forced energy waned, and she nodded weakly, looking pitiful.

The old madam promptly dismissed Li Qiuyue, not wanting her presence to unsettle Li Shuyu.

The two of them had never gotten along.

Seeing the female antagonist comply and leave her courtyard unharmed, Li Shuyu sighed in relief. She claimed she was sleepy and wanted to nap. The old madam had no choice but to let her rest, though she still sent for the family physician to check Li Shuyu’s pulse once she awoke.

Whether it was from genuine shock or some kind of travel fatigue, Li Shuyu’s pretended sleep soon turned into a feverish haze, her head heavy and her body burning with discomfort.

When she woke again, the room was crowded with people. Had she not been so weak, she might have rolled off the bed in shock. As it was, lifting her eyelids was the most she could manage.

A woman in a green robe, seated by the bed, held a small blue-and-white porcelain bowl. She blew gently on the medicine inside before looking up. only to meet Li Shuyu’s fever-bright, glistening eyes.

The woman gasped in surprise, her gentle eyes lighting up. “Ah! Marquis, Yu’er is awake! Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Physician Liu, come quickly, examine our Yu’er!”

Amid the flurry of concern, Li Shuyu slowly pieced things together again. She squeezed her eyes shut, unwilling to accept that she was still trapped in this wretched ancient world.

Was there really no way back?

Most likely not.

Before the fever, she had often felt detached, as though her feet never quite touched the ground. Now, despite her weakness, her body felt strangely at ease as if she had fully merged with it.

Li Shuyu blinked, and two silent tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.

How miserable. Truly miserable.