The Vicious Female Supporting Character Just Wants to Cuddle with the Heroine - Chapter 13

Shen Qingzhi sat in an inconspicuous spot. Her hair was simply styled with minimal accessories; she would have preferred to wear none at all if it weren’t so disrespectful.

Tan Yaoyang, on the other hand, was draped in gold and silver, as if afraid others wouldn’t know his noble status. He knew Shen Qingzhi would be there, and she was still his most desired wife candidate. The last attempt failed, but perhaps there was a chance this time. He was certain the Third Prince didn’t genuinely like Shen Qingzhi, so he must still have a shot.

As Shen Qingzhi watched Shen Huizhi looking so elaborately dressed, her thoughts drifted back to Ning Xin. Originally, she could have focused on fighting these ‘monsters’ with no distractions. But now, with a person in her heart, she had a new aspiration, and she found such sordid schemes even more repulsive.

Midway through the banquet, Shen Huizhi announced she needed to use the restroom, and a servant accompanied her.

Shen Qingzhi had a feeling Shen Huizhi’s trip wasn’t a simple one; otherwise, why would she have gone to such lengths to dress up today? However, in this situation, there was no need for her to put herself in danger. Whatever Shen Huizhi was planning would soon be revealed.

“Qingzhi, go and check on your sister. She’s been gone for a while and hasn’t returned,” Zhang Ruyu said in a voice that was not too loud or too soft, but was audible to everyone sitting nearby.

Shen Qingzhi immediately saw through Zhang Ruyu’s deliberate ploy and simply replied, “Mother, if you’re so worried, you should go yourself. I’m a bit tired, so I’ll be heading home.”

Zhang Ruyu, seeing her plan was about to fall apart, couldn’t possibly agree. “Then come with me to find your sister. I’ll take you home afterward.”

“I’m not very familiar with the Minister’s Residence. Miss Zhilan, would you mind showing me and my mother where to find my sister?”

Fang Zhilan, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, wasn’t close to Shen Qingzhi, but as the hostess, she couldn’t refuse such a request. “In that case, let’s go together. I also need to use the restroom.”

And so, Shen Qingzhi and Zhang Ruyu were led by Fang Zhilan.

During the walk, Zhang Ruyu’s glare was so intense it felt like it could tear Shen Qingzhi apart.

Shen Qingzhi was indifferent to Zhang Ruyu’s angry glances. She had been on the receiving end of a similar trick with Ning Xin once and wasn’t about to fall for it again. Zhang Ruyu hadn’t even come up with a new scheme, yet she expected Shen Qingzhi to be fooled. How foolish.

As they walked toward the back garden, the noise from the front hall faded, making the area especially quiet. Before they reached their destination, they heard a heated argument.

“Brother Yaoyang, I’m so devoted to you! Why won’t you even look at me? My sister is already engaged. No matter how much you like her, you can’t be with her!”

“Stop talking! I could never like you! I only like Sister Qingzhi!”

“Brother Yaoyang! I…” The people standing outside couldn’t listen anymore. Zhang Ruyu’s original plan was to catch Tan Yaoyang and Shen Huizhi in a secret meeting, with Shen Qingzhi as the witness. Tan Yaoyang would then be unable to clear his name and would have no choice but to marry Shen Huizhi to avoid public disgrace.

However, if she allowed Shen Huizhi to continue talking, the one who would be ruined was Shen Huizhi, especially with Fang Zhilan listening in.

Seeing that the scheme was exposed, Shen Qingzhi turned to Fang Zhilan and said, “Miss Zhilan, I see the flowers over there are quite lovely. Shall we go take a look?”

“Okay.”

Fang Zhilan felt Shen Qingzhi was saving her. She had no interest in watching this scene unfold.

The two of them went to a small garden nearby. Once they were alone, Fang Zhilan said, “I’ll pretend I didn’t see what happened just now.”

“I’m sorry to have troubled you, Miss Zhilan. I had no choice but to ask you to come along.”

“I understand. I’ve always heard rumors that Madame Zhang mistreats you, and I was skeptical, but now it seems the truth is even worse. If you had gone with her alone today, who knows what would have happened. For us women, our reputation is sometimes more important than our lives.”

Fang Zhilan, the only daughter of her family, had been doted on since she was a child. She was well-educated and intelligent, and she understood the situation clearly.

“No matter what, I owe you a favor this time.”

This wasn’t the first time Shen Qingzhi had used someone, but with someone like Fang Zhilan, she was hesitant to fully exploit her. It was a good opportunity to form a friendship.

“Alright. Then if I ever need your help, I’ll be sure to find you.”

“Yes.”

After spending some time in the garden, the two of them returned together. Shen Qingzhi watched Fang Zhilan take her seat and exchanged a meaningful glance with the Minister’s wife from a distance before leaving to go home.

Shen Qingzhi hadn’t even had a chance to sit down properly when Zhang Ruyu called her over again.

“Do you know your sister’s marriage fell through?!”

Zhang Ruyu looked at Shen Qingzhi, wishing she could kill her on the spot. “You, a woman who is already engaged, are constantly flirting! Have you no shame?!”

“I can’t admit to something I didn’t do. A crime like ‘flirting’ is more suitable for Shen Huizhi. It’s just that her looks are so unsightly that such a scheme was bound to fail.”

Shen Qingzhi’s words enraged Shen Huizhi, who had been eavesdropping. She lost all composure and rushed out, pointing her finger at Shen Qingzhi and screaming curses.

“It’s all because of you! If you hadn’t deliberately seduced him, why would Brother Yaoyang like an ugly freak like you?!”

After yelling, Shen Huizhi tried to rush forward and hit her.

Shen Qingzhi stood still, not moving, until Shen Huizhi raised her hand to slap her. She then grabbed Shen Huizhi’s wrist and flung her away.

Shen Huizhi fell to the ground like a broken ragdoll, her accessories scattered everywhere. She was in a pitiful state as she lay on the ground. “Ah! Mom! She hit me!”

“I hit you because I can. No matter what, I am your legitimate elder sister. Who gave you the audacity to lay a hand on me?”

“If Huizhi can’t hit you, then as your mother, I can certainly discipline you properly!”

Zhang Ruyu finished speaking and had someone bring a ruler, preparing to hit Shen Qingzhi.

Shen Qingzhi frowned and took a step back. “I can pretend I didn’t see what happened today. But if you try to use your status as my mother to harm me, don’t blame me for making this matter known to everyone. By then, let alone Tan Yaoyang, not even a beggar on the street would marry your daughter.”

Shen Qingzhi’s words hit Zhang Ruyu’s biggest fear. She cared most about her reputation, so now, she could only hold the ruler and glare at Shen Qingzhi, filled with a murderous rage.

Shen Qingzhi smiled slightly. “Whatever you and your daughter want to do has nothing to do with me. I don’t know when I’ll get married, but until then, I hope we can stay out of each other’s way.”

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