The Vicious Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Cuddle with the Heroine - Chapter 12

Ning Xin finally gives in to her desire to take a bath.

Shen Qingzhi has servants prepare the bath. Ning Xin sits nearby, waiting for the water to be ready. Once the servants have left, Ning Xin still doesn’t get in. “You wanted to bathe, why aren’t you getting in?”

“Well… Sister Shen, can you… can you go out for a bit?”

“Why? Are you shy?”

“A little.”

Ning Xin had been to public bathhouses before, but that was with a group of people. Undressing with a group was different from undressing alone, especially with Shen Qingzhi watching.

Shen Qingzhi takes out a handkerchief, folds it into a strip, and ties it over her eyes. “There, now I can’t see. You can do as you please.”

“Thank you, Sister, for your consideration.”

With no one watching, Ning Xin finally feels comfortable enough to bathe.

Although Shen Qingzhi can’t see, she can hear the gentle sound of the water. She clenches her fists. If she was unsure of her feelings before, she is completely certain now—she has fallen for Ning Xin. It’s not the kind of affection you have for a friend.

Right now, she desperately wants to take off the blindfold, but she can’t. Some things shouldn’t be started or even attempted. She and Ning Xin are not destined to be together, and these feelings must never be revealed.

After her bath, Ning Xin puts on her undergarments and lies obediently on the bed.

Shen Qingzhi has the water changed and gets ready for her own bath.

Seeing this, Ning Xin doesn’t ask her to put the blindfold back on. Instead, she burrows into the covers like a quail, seeing nothing.

Shen Qingzhi smiles. A person this adorable could make anyone fall for them.

Ning Xin is oblivious to Shen Qingzhi’s thoughts. All she wants is to fall asleep quickly, so she doesn’t have to awkwardly stare at Shen Qingzhi later.

Perhaps her wish is so sincere that she falls asleep before Shen Qingzhi even gets back into bed.

Shen Qingzhi tucks her in and lies down beside her.

The next morning, after breakfast, they head back. Ning Xin looks out the window with a hint of reluctance.

“If you like it, I’ll take you out for another stroll sometime when we have the chance.”

“That would be great! But Sister, can’t I go out by myself? I’m not planning to marry anyway, so my reputation doesn’t matter to me.”

“Not yet. Wait until I’ve made arrangements in the capital and found reliable people to protect you.”

“Okay.”

Although disappointed, Ning Xin understands Shen Qingzhi’s good intentions and doesn’t object.

Upon returning to the estate, Ning Xin has her belongings moved to her room and begins to slowly organize them herself.

Shen Qingzhi glances at Ning Xin, then turns and leaves. This side of Ning Xin is also very cute, and Shen Qingzhi is afraid that if she watches for too long, she won’t be able to leave.

As soon as she returns to the Marquis of An Ding’s residence, Shen Qingzhi is summoned by her stepmother, Zhang Ruyu.

Zhang Ruyu sits there, looking ready to pick a fight. “Where have you been?”

“I had business to attend to.”

“You’re a young woman, constantly going out and staying out all night. If word gets out, how will your younger sisters ever find husbands?”

“Then I’ll have to trouble Mother to be discreet and not gossip. As long as no one knows, I won’t be a problem for them, will I?”

Shen Qingzhi and Zhang Ruyu have long since dropped all pretense of civility in private. So naturally, Shen Qingzhi doesn’t treat her with any courtesy.

Zhang Ruyu is furious but helpless. If she punishes Shen Qingzhi too harshly, she’ll be accused of mistreating her husband’s legitimate daughter. If that reputation spreads, how will her own daughters marry? But she can’t just let it go. “Go back and copy the ‘Precepts for Women’ one hundred times. You’re not allowed to leave the house until it’s done.”

“Yes.”

Shen Qingzhi can’t be bothered to argue with Zhang Ruyu. She won’t actually do the copying herself. She’ll just hire someone to do it and turn it in. No one will actually read it, and even if they do, it won’t matter.

After Shen Qingzhi leaves, Zhang Ruyu’s daughter, the second miss of the Shen family, Shen Huizhi, walks over to her mother.

Zhang Ruyu’s expression instantly softens. The furious look on her face is replaced with a gentle, kind one. “Huizhi, why are you here?”

“I heard that Big Sister is back. Where is she?”

“I’ve punished her to copy the ‘Precepts for Women’ a hundred times. She’s probably gone back to do it.”

“Mother, when will my marriage finally be decided?”

“Tomorrow. You’ll make sure to perform well at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. The last time there was an accident, but this time, the Prime Minister’s son, Tan Yaoyang, will surely take a liking to you.”

“Okay.”

Thinking of Tan Yaoyang, a faint blush appears on Shen Huizhi’s cheeks. She will finally have the chance to marry the man she loves. If she marries Tan Yaoyang, she will surely become a Lady of the First Rank. What if Shen Qingzhi marries a prince? Princes have many concubines, and who knows, maybe she’ll get herself killed one day. This time, she will definitely win.

Shen Qingzhi is completely unaware of these events and doesn’t care. Her mind is filled with Ning Xin.

She thought that leaving and not seeing Ning Xin would help her heart feel more in control. But instead, after they parted, Ning Xin was all she could see, whether her eyes were open or closed.

The feeling is terrifying. She’s never experienced anything like it and has no idea what to do next. A few days later, Shen Qingzhi still hasn’t figured things out when Zhang Ruyu informs her that she is to attend the Hundred Flowers Banquet. Telling her so late is clearly an attempt to stop her from going. But how could Shen Qingzhi let Zhang Ruyu have her way? There’s bound to be drama at this banquet, and she needs to be there to get a good story to tell Ning Xin.

Zhang Ruyu’s eyes blaze with anger when she sees Shen Qingzhi, who is simply dressed, walk out. “What are you doing here? Have you finished copying the precepts?”

“Not yet, but Mother, if I don’t appear at an event like this, it could lead to some unpleasant rumors. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to hear those, would you?”

“Are you threatening me?”

Zhang Ruyu’s voice grows sharp with anger, but she can’t do anything about Shen Qingzhi.

Shen Qingzhi leisurely settles into the carriage behind Zhang Ruyu’s. Usually, all the women of the household would ride in one carriage, but given the situation at the Marquis of Anding’s residence, everyone is used to them taking two separate carriages.

The Hundred Flowers Banquet is hosted by the wife of the Minister of Rites. Every year, the prominent young women of the capital gather to watch the young men play polo and engage in other activities. Many marriages are arranged at this banquet. Because the viewing stands are a good distance from the polo field, there is no risk of gossip.

This time, Shen Huizhi is dressed to the nines. Her only thought is for Tan Yaoyang to see her at a glance and approve of their marriage.

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