Chapter 16 - ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 16
Li Zhizhi returned to her desk and checked the time. Wu was about to start her lecture soon. She lifted her head and saw Su Tangyu pulling Jiang Ziyu into the room from outside. Jiang Ziyu had red eyes, and there were traces of wiped makeup on her face, indicating that she had cried a lot.
Li Zhizhi looked at her, as if she saw herself from a previous lifetime, also being mocked and ridiculed like this. Back then, she didn’t have a Su Tangyu to help her, so Jiang Ziyu was fortunate in that regard.
Following that, the same question arose in Li Zhizhi’s mind again. From today’s situation, it seemed that Xiaoman and her two friends didn’t like Jiang Ziyu, and they even had conflicts. So why did Jiang Ziyu end up with them later?
Li Zhizhi tried to recall any memories of Su Tangyu from her previous life but couldn’t find any. She hardly interacted with people her age in her previous life, so she had no idea what happened to Su Tangyu later.
After Su Tangyu comforted Jiang Ziyu, she returned to her desk and said to Li Zhizhi with a hint of anger, “Those people act arrogantly because of their status, and they’re very malicious with their words. In my opinion, they’ll stumble sooner or later.”
After she finished speaking, she realized that Li Suhuan was Li Zhizhi’s cousin, so she felt remorseful. She looked at Li Zhizhi apologetically, intending to say something to make amends. However, Li Zhizhi didn’t seem to notice and asked with concern, “Is Jiang Jiejie okay?”
Su Tangyu sighed in relief, shook her head, and said, “Ziyu… she’s always sensitive and tends to overthink things. It might take her a few days to come to terms with it.”
Li Zhizhi smiled and said, “It seems like Su Jiejie knows her well.”
Su Tangyu nodded and explained, “Ziyu practically grew up in my house. Although we’re not biological sisters, there’s hardly any difference.”
Li Zhizhi chuckled. Her gaze fell on Jiang Ziyu not far away, thinking that even biological sisters sometimes had their differences, not to mention these fragile cousin-sisters.
Su Tangyu didn’t notice her emotions and said to herself, “But the day after tomorrow is the Spring Blossom Banquet. Ziyu has always loved lively events, so I’ll take her there, and she should feel better.”
She then asked Li Zhizhi, “Are you going to the Spring Blossom Banquet that day?”
Li Zhizhi smiled and replied, “Of course! It’s such a lively event; I wouldn’t want to miss it.”
The Spring Blossom Banquet at Qionglin Garden was where her nightmare began in her previous life. How could she miss it this time?
……
The sky had just turned dark, and it was the time for the Li family to have their evening meal. The servants were laying out the dishes with great respect, and the air was calm. Li Madam wiped the corner of her lips with a silk handkerchief and said to Mr. Li, “My dear, the Spring Blossom Banquet at Qionglin Garden will be held the day after tomorrow. Today, I met the Duchess Yiguo and asked her for a few invitations.”
Mr. Li made a thoughtful sound and replied, “You can take Wan with you.”
Li Madam asked, “What about Xingzhi? The National Academy should also be on break.”
Mr. Li explained, “He’s studying diligently at home. He’ll be taking the imperial examination next year, so he can’t be as carefree as before.”
“But it’s not tomorrow, it’s next year,” Li Madam patiently said. “My dear, you’re being too strict. Passing the imperial examination is important, but building connections is equally crucial.”
Li Mr. Li hesitated, and Li Madam continued with a smile, “Xingzhi studies diligently on ordinary days; one day won’t make a difference. Besides, he’s getting older, and we should start thinking about his marriage. I have a few candidates in mind, and it’s a good opportunity to observe them during the Spring Blossom Banquet.”
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li finally relented, saying, “Then let Xingzhi go.”
Li Suwan cheered and said to Li Xingzhi, “I’ll help my brother in the selection process. We must find a girl who is both beautiful and intelligent to match my brother.”
Li Madam scolded her, “You and your mischievous ideas.”
Li Xingzhi shook his head helplessly. He suddenly glanced at the quiet Li Zhizhi and said to Li Madam, “Mother, why don’t you take Zhizhi as well?”
The air suddenly fell silent, and the smile on Li Suwan’s face froze for a moment but quickly returned to normal. She pretended to be nonchalant and said, “But there will be poetry recitations and debates at the Spring Blossom Banquet, and Zhimei… She…”
As expected, Li Suwan frowned, and Mr. Li said, “Maybe Zhizhi should stay at home this time.”
Before Li Suwan could celebrate, Li Madam interjected, “Let her go.”
When this was said, all eyes turned to her. Li Madam gracefully ladled clear soup with a blue porcelain ladle, her posture elegant. She spoke in a relaxed tone, “She has to go out and meet people sooner or later. My dear, you can’t keep her confined to the house forever, can you?”
Mr. Li’s expression remained discontented, and he said, “But…”
“It’s just poetry recitation and debates,” Li Madam smiled, “I’ll have Wan assist her when the time comes, and I’ll mediate for her. It won’t let her suffer. The Spring Blossom Banquet is so lively; it would be a shame if Zhizhi missed it.”
Li Zhizhi looked at this, then at that, somehow feeling a desire to laugh in her heart. It was the same in her previous life. Madam Li persuaded Li Cen to let her attend the Spring Banquet, back when Li Zhizhi was still very naive, thinking that Madam Li finally accepted her. She was happy for two full days, until later…
Just like in her previous life, Li Cen was easily persuaded, and Madam Li hardly had to say anything to get him to agree to let Li Zhizhi attend the Spring Banquet.
Li Zhizhi put down her chopsticks and gave Madam Li a smile, expressing just the right amount of gratitude and joy in her eyes. She said obediently, “Thank you, Madam. I will behave well and not embarrass the Li family.”
Li Xingzhi looked at her in surprise, Madam Li paused in her soup-drinking, put down her bowl, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and made a faint sound, saying, “It’s good that you know.”
After dinner, Li Zhizhi was about to return to Shuyue Pavilion, but halfway there, she was stopped by Li Xingzhi. She asked in confusion, “Does the eldest son need something?”
“Zhizhi…” Li Xingzhi hesitated and asked, “Why do you address Mother that way?”
Lizhizhi suddenly realized and asked back, “Don’t you know?”
Upon hearing this, Li Xingzhi seemed somewhat bewildered and asked, “Know what?”
Li Zhizhi looked at him and didn’t speak for a moment. Li Xingzhi felt that her beautiful eyes were filled with grievance and sadness, making him feel sorry for her. Unable to resist, he pressed, “What happened exactly?”
Li Zhizhi just shook her head and forced a smile, “It’s actually not a big deal… Mother did it for my own good.”
However, Li Xingzhi was persistent, “If it’s not a big deal, why won’t you tell me? If you don’t, I’ll go ask Mother myself.”
Saying that, he acted as if he was going to leave, but Li Zhizhi quickly grabbed his sleeve and said, “Don’t go, I’ll tell you.”
She bit her lower lip lightly and whispered, “Mother told me before that I shouldn’t introduce myself as the Miss of the Li family to outsiders. I should say that I’m the cousin Miss…”
Li Xingzhi’s brow immediately furrowed as he said, “Why? This is utterly absurd!”
Li Zhizhi then recounted the words that Madame Li had spoken to her at the entrance of Ming Garden that day, and concluded, “If it weren’t for Madame’s intercession, I’m afraid I wouldn’t even be able to attend school. I’ve promised her that in the future, I’ll claim to have been adopted by the Li family.”
Li Xingzhi looked at her with an expression as if he were looking at a little fool and said, “How could you agree to something like this?”
Li Zhizhi blinked in confusion and asked, “Why couldn’t I?”
The difference between Miss and legitimate Miss was just one word, but the meaning behind it was worlds apart. Clearly, Li Zhizhi didn’t understand this, and Li Xingzhi was growing impatient. However, when he saw her clear and innocent eyes, her demeanor portraying her as someone who didn’t understand the ways of the world, his words got stuck in his throat, and he couldn’t say anything.
Li Xingzhi knew that his mother favored his younger sister, Li Wan’er, more, but he didn’t expect it to go to this extent. She was even unwilling to let others know Li Zhizhi’s true identity, which seemed excessive.
A slight hint of dissatisfaction arose in Li Xingzhi’s heart. Li Zhizhi was clearly a good child, intelligent and obedient. Although she had limited literacy, it wasn’t her fault. Given her intelligence, with time, she would surely be no less capable than Li Wan’er. Why wouldn’t Mother give her a chance?
“I’ll talk to Mother about this,” Li Xingzhi said.
After saying that, he left, but Li Zhizhi hastily grabbed his arm and said, “No, don’t!”
Thinking she didn’t understand, Li Xingzhi patiently explained, “Do you know how big the difference is between a Miss and a legitimate Miss? This means you’re not a true member of the Li family, and you’ll always be inferior to others. What’s more, when it comes to marriage proposals in the future, you probably won’t get any good ones, and you might even end up with a lesser match.”
As he said this, his voice grew low, and a hint of concealed anger showed in his demeanor as he continued, “How could Mother do this?”
Li Zhizhi was momentarily stunned, blinking her eyes, she stammered, “But I’ve already promised Madame.”
Li Xingzhi said, “I’m going to talk to Mother now.”
However, Li Zhizhi held onto him and shook her head, saying, “Please don’t, Eldest Young Master. Madame will think I’m tattling on you, and she’ll be upset.”
As she spoke, she lowered her eyes and softly said, “I don’t want Madame to be angry with me.”
Her tone carried a subtle sense of grievance that was not easily noticed. Li Xingzhi felt even more sympathetic. He said, “Don’t worry, when I talk to Mother, I won’t mention you.”
With that, he ignored Li Zhizhi’s protests and went to find Madame Li. Watching the young man’s retreating figure, Li Zhizhi concealed her disappointment and showed no emotion in her eyes. She simply lifted the corner of her lips slightly and turned away.