Chapter 38 - ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 38
After Li Zhizhi left, Li Suwan was still seething with anger. She clenched her hand into a fist inside her sleeve and, after a while, a person emerged from behind a tree, wearing a sapphire blue silk robe. It was her elder brother, Li Xingzhi.
He looked at Li Suwan for a while before saying, “I heard everything. It’s not Zhizhi’s fault. She didn’t mean to do that.”
Early in the morning, Li Suwan had sought him out with teary eyes. Without saying much, she burst into tears, telling him how Li Zhizhi had humiliated her the previous day. Li Xingzhi was initially skeptical but agreed to hide behind the tree as Li Suwan wanted to show him Li Zhizhi’s true nature.
“If this is what you’re talking about as Zhizhi’s true nature,” Li Xingzhi carefully chose his words, “Suwan, aren’t your hostility and misunderstanding towards her too heavy?”
“Misunderstanding?” Li Suwan lifted her head, looking at her brother incredulously. She said with some excitement, “I haven’t misunderstood anything. What she showed just now was all an act. She doesn’t look like this when she’s not pretending in front of others.”
Li Xingzhi furrowed his brows and patiently asked, “But it was just the two of you, why would she pretend?”
Li Suwan thought quickly and guessed, “She must have known someone might overhear, so she acted all innocent. Brother, she did it on purpose to make you hear.”
“Absolutely absurd,” Li Xingzhi was extremely frustrated. He looked at his sister with disappointment, and at this moment, he suddenly felt like she had become a stranger. She was nothing like the innocent and lovely girl he remembered. He said with a touch of sadness, “Suwan, when did you become so unreasonable?”
Li Suwan’s body shook, and Li Xingzhi took a deep breath before asking, “Have you never felt the slightest bit of guilt when facing Zhizhi?”
Li Suwan’s face paled slightly, and she stammered, “I…”
Li Xingzhi shook his head and said, “I think the Daoist was right. If you’ve taken her place, then you must pay a price. That’s how the world works, nothing comes easy, and besides, it’s not Zhizhi’s intention. She means no harm to you, Suwan. I hope you reflect on yourself.”
With that, he turned and left without looking back, leaving Li Suwan standing there, at a loss for what to do. After a moment, she began to cry softly.
After that morning, Li Suwan completely calmed down and didn’t cause any more trouble. She came to Shuyue House to work every day on time. Li Zhizhi asked her to clean the tables and chairs, and though she glared at her, she reluctantly did as told, and they didn’t have any arguments.
Yulan touched the back of her neck and shivered, saying, “I can’t help but feel that something’s strange. My neck feels cold. It’s as if Miss Wan has become a different person.”
Li Zhizhi was embroidering. She finished her last stitch, cut the thread, and smiled casually, “Maybe she’s secretly cursing me in her heart.”
This wasn’t unusual at all. Li Lady probably advised Li Suwan in secret to endure everything and wait until after she reached womanhood to settle any scores. Revenge is a dish best served cold, as they say.
Li Zhizhi chuckled and shook her head. It’s a pity; she probably won’t live long enough to see that day.
“Hey, what’s the young miss making?” Yulan curiously leaned over, and Haitang took a look and said, “Is it a purse? But why is it bigger than a usual purse?”
Li Zhizhi unfolded the purse, a goose-yellow satin with a black cat embroidered on it, playing in the flowers, its golden eyes full of life.
Yulan praised, “The young miss is so skillful. Compared to you, my hands are like chicken claws.”
This purse was embroidered by Li Zhizhi for Xiao Rulei, who always forgot to bring a handkerchief. After eating sweet pastries, she would wipe her hands on her clothes and then grab something else, so Li Zhizhi made her this purse. It was slightly larger than usual, allowing it to hold not only a handkerchief but also various snacks and knick-knacks.
Xiao Rulei received the purse and loved it. She widened her eyes in surprise, touched the black cat embroidered on it, and said, “It’s Ah Miao!”
Li Zhizhi loved to see her happy. She was like a little sun, carefree and worry-free, making people feel warm when they saw her. She asked, “Do you like it?”
“I like it!”
Xiao Rulei was overjoyed, running to Princess Yongning with the pouch in her hand, showing off, “Aunt, look!”
“Oh my,” Princess Yongning laughed and praised, “It’s really beautiful, and your hands are so skillful, Zhizhi.”
Li Zhizhi blushed slightly, and Princess Yongning teased her, “Is it just A’yang who has this? What about me?”
Li Zhizhi was a bit shy and said, “If Your Highness doesn’t mind, I can make one for you another day.”
Princess Yongning smiled and said, “Then I’ll look forward to it.”
Xiao Rulei cherished the pouch and couldn’t bear to take it off, even when going to sleep. The next day, she wore the pouch around her waist and showed it off to her brother.
On her seventh turn, Xiao Yan finally noticed her. He closed his book and looked at the pouch around Xiao Rulei’s waist, asking, “What’s hanging on your waist?”
Xiao Rulei eagerly approached and displayed the bulging pouch to him, proudly saying, “It’s made by Sister Zhizhi.”
Xiao Yan pinched the pouch filled with candy and showed some interest, “Take it off, and let me have a look.”
Xiao Rulei obediently removed the pouch and handed it to him, pointing at the black cat embroidered on it, saying, “Brother, what does this look like?”
Xiao Yan knew it was an embroidered Ah Miao, but he pretended to be puzzled and raised an eyebrow, “A blob of ink?”
“It’s Ah Miao!” Xiao Rulei explained anxiously, “Look at its paws and eyes; it’s identical to Ah Miao.”
The black cat lying on the blanket yawned and meowed, then gracefully leaped down from the bed and rubbed against Xiao Yan’s legs. Xiao Yan gently scratched its chin, held the pouch, and said to Xiao Rulei, “It does look like it. Let me examine it carefully.”
Xiao Rulei innocently believed that her brother wanted to inspect it closely, so she handed him the pouch with trust. However, an hour later, the pouch was returned to her, but it was completely empty, with not a single piece of candy left.
When questioned, Xiao Yan confidently said, “I didn’t eat them, who knows where they went? Maybe Ah Miao ate them.”
Xiao Rule was not so naive as to be deceived by this, and she was so hurt and upset that she demanded to sever her sibling relationship with Xiao Yan.
For some time after that, not much happened. Li Zhizhi went to school at the Ming Garden every day and returned to the Li residence in the evening. Occasionally, she would visit the residence of Princess Yongning, playing with Xiao Rulei. This was probably the most carefree time she had experienced since her rebirth.
As the weather gradually warmed up, nearing May, one day when Li Zhizhi returned to her family’s residence, she saw an unfamiliar carriage parked at the front gate. The gatekeeper noticed her curiosity and smiled, saying, “Madam Song has brought her son here. They just arrived. You should go inside quickly.”
Madam Li’s maiden name was Wang, and she had two sisters. She was the second sister. Her elder half-sister was married far away in Jiangdu, while her younger full sister was married locally in the capital to a man surnamed Song. The Song family had received a minor official position through family connections, holding the rank of a second-tier officer in the court. In Madam Li’s words, it was nothing more than “a decoration on the donkey dung ball’s face.”
During her time in the family before her marriage, Madam Li, who was in the middle of her sisters, was often neglected by her parents. Madam Song, with her competitive nature, spoke candidly, and sometimes came across as sharp. Madam Li couldn’t help but feel that her sister looked down on her deep down, so their relationship was not very close. Even though they were both in the capital now, their families did not interact much.
Today, Madam Song had come to visit only because Madam Li had sent an invitation. It was said that her niece was going to reach the age of marriage soon and had gained the favor of the Princess Yongning, who would preside over her coming-of-age ceremony. Madam Song’s heart was somewhat sour upon hearing this news, so how could she not come to check it out in person?
As Li Zhizhi prepared to enter the flower hall, she heard a lively atmosphere inside. Several people were seated in the hall, with Madam Li taking the central position. Beside her was an elegantly dressed woman who bore some resemblance to Madam Li. She playfully observed Li Suwan and said, “It’s been a while. Suwan has grown even more graceful. When she comes of age, I wonder how many young men in the capital will be queuing up to seek her hand in marriage.”
Li Suwan blushed and lowered her head slightly, looking a bit shy, and said, “Auntie, you’re too kind.”
Mrs. Song continued enthusiastically, “Speaking of which, there’s a family next door whose young son will come of age next year and hasn’t been engaged yet. He’s currently working as a student in the Hanlin Academy. I’ve seen him a few times, and he’s quite handsome, a perfect match for our Suwan.”
Lady Li held a tea cup and didn’t respond, only smiling and saying, “Since when did you become interested in matchmaking, my dear?”
Mrs. Song warmly said, “It’s not that I like matchmaking, but with such a lovely niece, I can’t help but look out for her, can I?”
Lady Li couldn’t help but sneer in her heart. She found it amusing that someone would dare to bring up a poor Hanlin Academy student. However, she maintained a calm expression and replied, “I appreciate your concern.”
A young man in a light blue shirt sitting next to Mrs. Song, about the same age as Li Xingzhi, gently tugged at her sleeve and said, “Mother, our cousin hasn’t reached the age of marriage yet; please don’t…”
Just then, the bamboo curtain at the door was suddenly lifted, and a slender figure entered the room. This instantly drew everyone’s attention. The young girl had a graceful figure and a beautiful face, and it was none other than Li Zhizhi.
Mrs. Song at the table stared at her for a moment and exclaimed, “Sister, when did you have another daughter? And she’s already this grown up?”
Lady Li’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. She waved to Li Zhizhi and warmly said, “Zhizhi, come here.”
She briefly introduced Li Zhizhi to Mrs. Song and her son, Song Lingyun. Learning that Li Zhizhi was adopted, Mrs. Song was quite surprised and remarked, “If you hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have guessed. She looks so much like your own daughter.”
Li Suwan’s expression turned unpleasant, but Lady Li replied with a pleasant tone, “Who’s to say it’s not destined?”
Li Zhizhi felt a pair of eyes on her and turned to see that it was Song Lingyun. He paused for a moment and then, very politely, said, “Hello, little cousin.”
Li Zhizhi raised her eyes, smiled slightly, and softly greeted, “Cousin Song.”
After living this long, she had almost forgotten that there was still someone like Song Lingyun, a scoundrel of the highest order.