ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 85
The flower hall was silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The servants lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.
When Li Zhizhi’s words reached this point, Madam Li’s face could no longer be maintained. Her lips trembled, almost shaking, but she still forced herself to say, “But don’t forget, after all, I am your birth mother. No matter how well the Grand Princess treats you, you have no blood ties with her. She, as a noblewoman, is just showing you some favor for now. When she gets tired of you, how long do you think you can remain triumphant?”
Li Zhizhi dismissed it with a slight smile, saying, “She has at least shown me some favor. So, considering that, my birth mother is not as good as my stepmother.”
“You—”
Just as Madam Li was about to get angry, Li Cen, the husband, returned, followed by Li Xingzhi who had come after hearing the news. Both of them sensed the tense atmosphere in the flower hall. Li Cen glanced at his wife and smiled at Li Zhizhi, saying, “Zhizhi is back.”
Li Zhizhi smiled lightly, “I heard that Madam is seriously ill, so I came back to visit. The Grand Princess also asked me to bring some gifts.”
“It’s just a minor illness. Thanks to the concern of the Grand Princess,” Li Cen kindly exchanged pleasantries with Li Zhizhi, asking about her recent situation and instructing the servants to prepare a meal.
Li Zhizhi did not refuse, just as in the past, she sat beside Li Xingzhi. He looked at her several times, as if wanting to start a conversation but hesitated each time.
Li Cen glanced at him and asked, “Why isn’t Wan’er here tonight?”
Madam Li hurriedly explained, “She’s tidying up the courtyard. I’ve already sent someone to call her.”
“Clean up the courtyard?” Li Cen was startled and asked, “What courtyard?”
Madam Li whispered, “Zhizhi has returned to the mansion now, and staying in Shuyue Pavilion seems a bit inappropriate. I thought Ziteng Garden is more spacious, so I want Zhizhi to move there.”
Li Xingzhi couldn’t help but speak, “What about Wan’er?”
“Wan’er said she thinks Ruyi Garden is also very good, so I let her move there.”
Li Zhizhi was somewhat surprised. If Li Suwan willingly gave up Ziteng Garden, she wouldn’t believe it unless red rain fell from the sky. This must be Madam Li’s decision. However, Li Zhizhi didn’t expect that Madam Li could go to this extent. She wondered what Li Suwan’s expression was when she learned that Zhizhi was moving. It’s a pity she missed that moment.
While she was contemplating, a servant came in to report that Miss Wan’er was not feeling well and would not be joining for dinner.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the people at the table varied. Madam Li had no significant reaction, Li Xingzhi looked worried, and Li Cen frowned, displeased, saying, “Why is she unwell again?”
The air became silent, and everyone knew the reason for Li Suwan’s discomfort. After a moment, Li Xingzhi stood up and said, “Dad, mom, I’ll go check on Wan’er.”
“Sit down,” scolded Li Cen, “I’ve said it so many times, what’s the use of you going to see her when she’s sick?”
Madam Li just advised, “Wan’er has always had a weak body. Let her rest quietly, and you going will only disturb her.”
Li Zhizhi looked at the situation with a sense of deja vu absurdity. She remembered when she first returned to the Li Mansion, when Li Suwan claimed to be sick, the whole Li Mansion was in chaos. Doctors were called, and Madam Li and Li Xingzhi personally took care of her. When they heard that Li Suwan wanted to move out of the Purple Wisteria Courtyard, Li Xingzhi scolded Li Zhizhi without asking any questions.
Now the tables had turned, and Li Zhizhi found it amusing. She said, “Why don’t I go and see Sister Wan’er? It’s been quite a while, and I miss her a bit.”
At these words, everyone was surprised and turned to look at her. Li Zhizhi, feeling puzzled, asked, “Is there something wrong?”
Li Cen smiled with satisfaction and said, “That’s fine. Go and see her.”
Li Xingzhi added, “I’ll accompany Zhizhi.”
Li Zhizhi didn’t refuse and agreed happily. The two of them left the dining hall and headed towards the Purple Wisteria Courtyard.
With only Li Cen and his wife left in the room, there was a silent moment before Li Cen looked at his wife and said, “Are you satisfied with the current situation?”
Li Lady dared not speak. Li Cen snorted and sarcastically said, “Now you suddenly treat her as your own daughter again, doing everything to bring her back, afraid that others won’t know what you’re planning.”
Unable to hold back anymore, Madam Li with teary eyes said, “Why speak cold words, husband? Haven’t I been thinking for the good of our Li family? Yes, I had some misunderstandings before, but haven’t I treated her well? I provided her with food and clothes, and except for a smaller courtyard, have I done anything wrong to her?”
Wiping away her tears, she continued, “What she said today really hurt my heart.”
“It serves you right,” Li Cen said indifferently. “I’ve advised you many times, but you wouldn’t listen. Now you’re doing things with a warm face and a cold bottom, like a beggar eating leftovers and inviting trouble for yourself.”
…
It is said that Li Zhizhi and Li Xingzhi went to Ziteng Garden together. As soon as they arrived at the door, a maidservant saw them and hurried to report. However, Li Zhizhi gestured to stop her and smiled, saying, “I heard that my sister is not feeling well tonight, so I came to visit her.”
The maidservants naturally dared not stop her. Li Zhizhi’s voice was clear and reached the room distinctly. Li Suwan was in the midst of throwing things, and upon hearing that Li Zhizhi had entered, her anger intensified. She lifted a rouge box and threw it towards the door.
Unexpectedly, Li Xingzhi, who was behind her, quickly blocked it. The rouge box smashed on the ground, shattering into pieces, and porcelain shards scattered.
Li Xingzhi exclaimed with surprise and anger, “What kind of illness are you suffering from again?”
Li Suwan, in a panic and with red eyes and tears still on her face, nervously said, “Brother, I…”
Li Zhizhi, with a smiling expression, said, “It seems that after not seeing each other for so long, Sister Wan doesn’t recognize me anymore.”
Li Suwan stared at her with red eyes, even forgetting to disguise herself in front of Li Xingzhi, and angrily said, “What are you here for? To laugh at my misfortune?”
“How could that be?” Li Zhizhi looked surprised and said, “Sister Wan’er, you’ve misunderstood.”
“What else do you want? What do you want from me?” She was on the verge of collapse as soon as she spoke. Crying, she said, “Everything has been taken away by you. Mother and Brother no longer like me. They all think I’m not as good as you! Yes, you are now the Princess, and even the Grand Princess supports you. You can have whatever you want, but I have nothing left!”
She looked truly heartbroken, covering her face and sobbing. Slowly, she crouched down, trembling, and cried, “I have nothing left. Even Ziteng Garden has been given to you. Why won’t you let me go?”
Seeing her in such a miserable state, Li Xingzhi couldn’t help but feel moved. He took a step forward to support her and comforted, “There’s no one who doesn’t like you, Wan’er. You should get up first.”
Li Suwan took advantage of the situation and threw herself into his arms, crying with pear blossoms and rain. She said, “I know I’m not as capable as Sister Zhizhi. She can win the favor of the Grand Princess with her eloquence, unlike me, whose brain is so dull. But I’ve really tried my best…”
Li Zhizhi looked at her theatrics with an expressionless face. This tactic worked well on Li Xingzhi, as his emotions had shifted from shock and anger to regret, continuously comforting Li Suwan.
Just as Li Suwan was crying earnestly, Li Zhizhi suddenly said, “Why do you say you have nothing? Don’t you still have the title of Miss of the Li Family?”
At the sudden remark, both Li Suwan and Li Xingzhi were taken aback. Li Zhizhi smirked, looking at the siblings and continued, “Sister Wan’er, you’re really silly. Now you’re the Miss of the Li Family. For so many years, you have a father who cares for you, a loving mother, and a brother who protects you. You live in such a big mansion, and the servants bow and salute you every day. Unlike me, a wild girl from the countryside, growing up without a father’s love, a mother’s affection, or a brother’s protection. Living in a thatched house, eating coarse food, even the stray dogs on the roadside dare to bite me.”
At this point, Li Zhizhi sighed as if lightly. “Sister Wan’er, I should be the one envying you.”
Li Suwan couldn’t continue her act any longer. She originally intended to play the victim, placing herself in a disadvantaged position to gain Li Xingzhi’s sympathy. But she never expected Li Zhizhi to be so ruthless, even better at acting than her.