The Fragile Supporting Lady Is Too Clingy - Chapter 8

Li Qiuyue hardly dared to meet her eyes when she heard her respond to the maid, “Mm, take it back to brew. Leave the sedan carriers behind Second Sister and I will return together later.”

The person who had intended to refuse with silence suddenly looked up in panic. she hadn’t agreed yet! How could they be going back together?!

At some point, a soft, slender waist was gently held. Li Shuyu leaned close, her tone coquettish, her demeanor entirely different from her usual domineering arrogance. “Please stay with me, won’t you? My courtyard is closer to Mother’s, so you won’t have to wake up so early for morning greetings anymore. Second Sister~”

Li Qiuyue was utterly dizzied by the sticky, pleading voice. She had seen Li Shuyu act spoiled before, just never toward her.

“I… I…”

She wanted to refuse but didn’t know how to begin. Once Li Shuyu decided something, no one could change it. Everyone always yielded to her.

Though she was now coaxing her to agree, if she refused, it wouldn’t matter. Mother would be displeased, and Father would hold her accountable.

Understanding this, a complicated emotion flickered in Li Qiuyue’s eyes, perhaps sorrow at being born into a life where she had no control.

The snow-pale, sickly beauty on the bed slowly curved her lips into a smile before lowering her head. Though clearly helpless, she forced herself to appear strong, her eyes helplessly curving as she conceded, “Then… I’ll do as Third Sister says.”

Li Qiuyue was accustomed to compliance. From childhood, she knew she was different from the others in the household. She had no birth mother. She had to suppress her temper, be respectful and polite to everyone, just to live a slightly better life.

Now, Li Shuyu, who knew what new torment she had in mind. had actually invited her to live together. Well… she was a noble young lady. Though usually spoiled and fond of mischief, no matter how outrageous her antics, she would never dare to cross the line into taking a life.

That was Li Qiuyue’s only consolation.

She feared death. She didn’t want to die. She wanted to struggle on, to live long enough to escape the quagmire of Pingyang Marquis’s household.

Hearing her agreement, Li Shuyu’s narrow phoenix eyes brightened noticeably, clearly pleased. Then, tilting her head, she studied the woman’s pale profile and asked, “Do you have the strength to move? Should I call someone to help you?”

Li Qiuyue didn’t dare trouble her and shook her head lightly, attempting to stand. But her body was truly weak, and after Li Shuyu’s arrival, she had exhausted too much energy. The moment she rose, the world spun violently, and she collapsed into a warm, soft embrace.

A faint scent of books lingered at her nose. It took a while for the sharp pain in her head to fade. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the begonia-red collar of a robe, startling the young girl.

Her eyes widened in disbelief, she was actually sitting in Li Shuyu’s arms, and Li Shuyu hadn’t pushed her away. Instead, she was holding her!

Her slender shoulders were gently encircled by the woman, whose voice grew even softer. a tenderness Li Qiuyue had never heard before, not directed at Father, Mother, or even the Old Madam. With them, she only ever made spoiled demands. But now, she stroked her shoulders and asked softly, “Can you not stand? What do you need to do? Let me help you, alright?”

She had been ill too, but the servants in her courtyard had attended to her well, and the medicine had worked. She was already recovering, her body regaining strength.

She had held her just moments ago, this supporting character was so light. Helping her wouldn’t be a problem.

However, the supporting female character dared not let her help. She quickly shook her head, her voice soft and delicate, yet her refusal was unmistakably clear. “I can stand up. Thank you for your concern, Third Sister.”

With that, she tried to rise again, only for her legs to give way once more, tumbling back into Li Shuyu’s embrace.

Perhaps it was a mix of embarrassment and indignation, but the young girl’s face flushed red, finally adding a touch of color to her otherwise pale cheeks.

Li Shuyu couldn’t help but laugh, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. Instantly, the blush spread from the girl’s face to the tips of her delicate ears.

She buried her head in silence.

Perhaps it was best not to tease her further, if she went too far and angered her, she’d be the one to suffer.

Li Shuyu carefully wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her up.

This time, Li Qiuyue didn’t refuse again, appearing quite docile as she leaned into Li Shuyu’s embrace.

They were both women, after all. Even in ancient times, being close like this shouldn’t be too unusual.

Thinking this, Li Shuyu silently tightened her hold around the girl in her arms and then asked softly where she wanted to go.

Waves of heat rose to her cheeks. Li Qiuyue was now fully supported by her and had no choice but to rely on her strength to steady herself. She whispered, “I just wanted to change my clothes.”

Li Shuyu glanced down at the girl’s snow-white undergarments and nodded in understanding, helping her over to a faded red lacquer chest. She watched as the girl bent down and pulled out a light-colored dress.

The dress was pale and worn, as if it had been worn for a long time.

The fingers gripping the dress paused for a moment before she lowered her head and said softly, “Aren’t you going to leave? I need to change.”

“Ah? Oh.”

Li Shuyu helped her sit on the bed before stepping out.

Jinkui had already prepared hot tea on the table. Li Shuyu took a cup, rinsed it with clear tea, then poured a fresh cup and set it aside to cool, waiting for the supporting female character to finish changing and drink it.

Estimating that enough time had passed, Li Shuyu tapped lightly on the screen and called out, “Second Sister, are you done changing? I poured you some tea. would you like some?”

From inside came the slightly hoarse voice of the girl, still recovering from illness. “I’m done. Thank you, Third Sister, but I’m not thirsty.”

Hearing that she had finished changing, Li Shuyu turned back, picked up the teacup, and walked in, handing it to her anyway. “Even if you’re not thirsty, it’ll help soothe your throat. When you’re sick, drinking more water helps you recover faster.”

On small matters like this, she didn’t want to argue with Li Shuyu. Without another word, she took the tea and sipped it slowly.

“Stay here for a bit. I’ll be right back.”

When Li Shuyu stepped outside, she saw that even in such a small courtyard, half of it remained unswept. The three maids weren’t working separately but stood together, sweeping in the same spot.

Her expression darkened. Her personal maid approached and asked when she planned to return. it was getting late, and she needed to go back for her medicine.

Li Shuyu acknowledged her but kept her gaze fixed on the maids from Qiushui Residence standing under the corridor.

Today, the ones accompanying her to Qiushui Residence were the most composed maids, Jinkui and Fengye. Now that Jinkui had gone to prepare the medicine, only Fengye remained waiting outside. Seeing her mistress’s displeased expression, Fengye followed her gaze and immediately understood. She stepped forward and scolded, “Can’t even sweep properly, dawdling like this? How can we expect you to take care of your mistress? Does the Pingyang Marquisate keep you around to freeload?”

Li Shuyu nodded. Well said!

“Second Young Lady is kind and treats you well. You should be grateful, not scheming and slacking off, thinking you can bully your mistress!”

Maple Leaf’s tone was fierce, and after a round of scolding, the three maids were already on their knees begging for mercy. They seemed utterly bewildered, why was the Third Young Miss, who should have been targeting the Second Young Miss, suddenly reprimanding them instead? Their eyes filled with confusion and helplessness, they could only keep pleading for forgiveness.

Maple Leaf was also a maid and had no authority to punish them, so she turned respectfully to Li Shuyu to ask how to deal with them.

Li Shuyu had no idea how to handle this, she still wasn’t used to her new identity.

“Ahem, just follow the rules. From now on, don’t let them serve in Autumn Water Residence anymore.”

In the early stages of the story, the female antagonist was soft-spoken and easy to bully. She feared that keeping these insolent servants around would only hasten the antagonist’s descent into darkness.

No, no, that wouldn’t do.

Well, now Autumn Water Residence didn’t even have anyone left to serve. Maybe she could use this as an excuse to keep Li Qiuyue around a little longer.

Lost in thought, Shuyu returned to the cramped little room. The female antagonist, now aware that she had dealt with those troublesome servants, sat on the bed and looked up at her with a complicated expression.

Li Shuyu immediately put on a sweet, obedient smile. “Second Sister, shall I help you outside? The sedan chair is already waiting.”

With things having come to this, there was no turning back. Li Qiuyue closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, they were filled with timidity. “Then I’ll trouble Third Sister for a few days.”