ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 101
But speaking of Li Zhizhi, who now frequents the imperial palace and has a close relationship with Concubine Rong, she has become quite prominent. Many people envy her, and this has also led to some degree of respect towards Madam Li. Though they gossip behind her back, whenever there’s an event or gathering, they still extend invitations to Madam Li.
Leaving aside the current relationship between her and Li Zhizhi, there is still a mother-daughter bond between them. Time changes everything, who knows what the future holds? It’s always wise not to offend her.
Madam Li’s emotions are extremely complex. On one hand, she feels somewhat pleased as her status has improved. When asked about Li Zhizhi, she avoids divulging details, subtly shifting the conversation to Li Zhizhi, saying that she herself doesn’t want to return to the Li residence, thus unable to host celebrations for her.
While saying these words, Madam Li appears helpless and despondent. Surprisingly, many people believe her, sympathizing with her plight. Some are envious and jealous, adding fuel to the fire with bitter words, gradually tarnishing Li Zhizhi’s reputation as “unfilial.”
One day, Madam Song, who hadn’t visited for a long time, suddenly came to the Li residence. Her expression soured upon entering, and upon seeing Madam Li, she coldly chuckled and said, “Where is my good niece? Is she too ashamed to come out and greet me after doing something shameless?”
Madam Li felt puzzled and furrowed her brows, looking at her sister and scolding, “What madness are you causing in my house today?”
“Me, causing madness?” Madam Song widened her eyes and glared angrily, saying, “You’re really good at playing the victim and painting others as villains. No wonder you raised such a daughter. Seems like she’s learned all your tricks perfectly. Your Li family is just like a dirty pond, with a stench that can’t be ignored!”
Lady Li had a bad feeling in her heart, but she refused to give in on the surface. The two of them argued for a while, and Lady Song began to shout loudly, “Bring out your shameless daughter for me. She has the ability to seduce my son but doesn’t have the guts to face people? A fatherless and motherless little slut! You’ve harmed my son Yun, and yet you still want to hide and protect her. Do you realize the importance of dignity now? If you want to enter my Song Mansion so badly, then come and kowtow to me! We still have an empty stable in our mansion, reserved just for you!”
Her words were sharp and vulgar, she dared to say anything dirty and offensive. Lady Li was so angry that she almost fainted. She angrily ordered, “Someone, come quickly! Shut this shrew up and throw her out!”
“Who dares to touch me?!” Lady Song jumped up, pointing at Lady Li and cursing, “You’ve caused trouble, yet you don’t even realize how bad it smells. Today, I had to cover my nose just to step into your house. If you don’t bring out your daughter, I’ll spread this everywhere. At such a young age, she already knows how to seduce men. I wonder if your Li family has any shame left!”
Lady Li’s face turned pale with anger as she said, “My daughter has always been well-behaved and would never do such a thing. Don’t think you can bully us and put all the blame on her.”
“Ha!” Lady Song spat on the ground contemptuously, saying, “So many people saw it with their own eyes. She wrote a letter inviting my son Yun to the Blue Sea Pavilion, shamelessly trying to seduce him. She’s worse than the prostitutes in the brothel. Now, because of her, Yun’s engagement with the Su family has been broken off. You must give me an explanation today.”
She sat down in the grand chair, fierce and aggressive, “Bring that little slut out to me! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being impolite. Your Li family won’t have peace until this matter is resolved!”
Lady Li was trembling with anger, her personal maid hurriedly supported her, concerned, “Madam, are you okay?”
“Oh,” Lady Song sneered at her, “Is big sister unable to handle this anger? Take it easy, don’t get yourself killed from rage. After all, she’s your precious treasure, born with a golden phoenix fate. Honestly, whether she’s a golden phoenix or not, I can’t tell. Calling her a wild chicken would be too much of a compliment.”
Madam Song is not someone to be trifled with, her mouth is like a sharp knife, cursing with foul language, very rude. She keeps insisting that Lady Li should leave, and after years of rivalry with her, Lady Li naturally couldn’t back down at this critical moment. Just as the two of them were arguing fiercely, Li Cen returned from his duty, accompanied by Li Xingzhi who had just come back from the Imperial Academy.
Upon seeing them, Madam Song immediately jumped up from her chair, took a step forward, and explained the situation, scolding the Li family for their lack of upbringing and improper family values, blaming them for their daughter seducing her son and ruining his engagement.
Li Cen’s face darkened instantly upon hearing this, he was furious and sent for Li Suwan to come out. Madam Song caused quite a stir in the mansion for almost half an hour. Li Suwan had already learned about the incident and was now frightened and regretful.
When she was summoned to the Flower Hall to confront the situation, she tearfully explained that it was Song Lingyun who had sent her a letter inviting her to the Azure Sea Pavilion, and it was he who made unwanted advances, not her intentionally seducing him.
Li Suwan kept insisting on her innocence, which further infuriated Madam Song who continued to curse loudly. Unable to bear it any longer, Li Cen had her kicked out, finally putting an end to the commotion.
After scolding Li Suwan for her lack of restraint and meeting men privately, Li Cen also berated Madam Li for her incompetence in raising her daughter. He angrily declared, “I’ve long said I wanted you to send her back, but you insisted on keeping her as a treasure. Both you and your daughter have such characters. I shouldn’t have married you in the first place, tarnishing the reputation of my Li family! I’ll write a divorce letter now, you go back to the Wang family!”
This statement shocked Madam Li and Li Xingzhi, their faces turned pale. Li Xingzhi quickly tried to calm his father, “Father, please calm down!”
Li Suwan was trembling with fear, kneeling down and clinging to Madam Li’s legs, pleading, “Mother, please save me! I don’t want to be sent away!”
Lady Li is now in such a difficult situation that she can barely take care of herself. She stood still like a wooden chicken, watching as Li Cen’s figure disappeared at the door.
…
Soon, rumors about Li Suwan began to spread. The incident that happened at the Bi Hai Building that day was talked about by people. Whether the capital was big or small, there were ears and tongues everywhere, causing a storm of rumors and gossip throughout the city. At this time, when someone sent an invitation to the Li residence, Lady Li did not come out anymore. Even if someone curious tried to inquire, there was no news, as if it had vanished without a trace.
In contrast, Li Zhizhi’s popularity was soaring, but inevitably, she would be affected by the troubles of the Li family. With some people secretly fanning the flames, even the Grand Princess was worried about her. She sighed and said to Li Zhizhi, “There are too many rumors and gossip. Since there’s nowhere else to criticize, they say you’re disrespectful to your parents. If this continues, it will harm your reputation.”
Upon hearing this, Li Zhizhi smiled, took her hand, and said, “Mother, don’t worry. I am not afraid of how others see me. Let them say what they want.”
After all, she had spent her previous life in the criticism and misunderstanding of others, and Li Zhizhi had long been accustomed to it. She wouldn’t care about those people’s opinions.
The Eldest Princess looked at her with concern and said, “The Li family’s troubles will eventually drag you down. If I had known earlier, I would have informed the Emperor and asked him to issue a decree for you to leave the Li family and sever ties with them.”
Li Zhizhi shook her head and said, “That would only lead to criticism against you.”
Those who like to gossip will probably discuss how the Grand Princess bullies others and takes advantage of her position. Not only did she take someone else’s adopted daughter, but she also forces them to sever ties. No matter what one does, they always have something to say. Li Zhizhi knows this very well.
However, the Grand Princess just smiles faintly and says, “What does it matter? I am older than you and have experienced more things. Why should I be afraid of this? Let them talk.”
Li Zhizhi also smiles, blinks, and says, “Let them talk. If you’re not afraid, I’m not afraid either.”
Despite their words, the next day, Li Zhizhi enters the palace and goes to the Cuinong Palace as usual to teach Concubine Rong how to paint. The two sit at the desk, Concubine Rong holding her chin in her hands, glancing at the painting and then at Li Zhizhi, hesitant to speak.
Li Zhizhi notices this and says, “Is there something on your mind, Your Ladyship?”
Concubine Rong furrows her delicate brows, sighs, and says, “The Emperor has already heard about your situation.”
Pretending not to know, Li Zhizhi asks, “What situation of mine?”
“The rumors,” Concubine Rong grinds the ink slowly, saying, “Pure Consort told the Emperor. She really has a big mouth and can’t stand seeing others do well. I even said she’s jealous of you, right? She acts calm and composed most of the time, but whenever she gets a chance, she causes trouble.”
After listening, Li Zhizhi remains silent for a long time. Concubine Rong then asks, “What do you plan to do now?”
She seems more concerned than Li Zhizhi. Li Zhizhi continues to hold the brush, carefully painting, and replies, “When the enemy comes, we meet them head-on; when water comes, we use earth to block it. What else can we do?”
She pondered for a moment and said to Rongfei, “Your Majesty, would you like me to teach you how to paint?”
Li Zhizhi stayed in the Cui Nong Palace until noon, listening to the palace maids report that the imperial chariot was approaching. Rongfei led everyone in the palace out to greet it. Emperor Jingming entered the hall with his hands behind his back and asked, “What have you been painting these days?”
Rongfei took out a stack of rice paper and presented it with a smile, saying, “I have been diligent these days. Even when I sleep and dream at night, I am painting. Your Majesty, please have a look.”
Emperor Jingming took them and flipped through them one by one, nodding slightly from time to time, and said, “There is indeed progress. At least the resemblance is visible.”
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the last painting. He picked it up and shook it gently. The ink on it was still fresh. Emperor Jingming examined it for a moment and asked, “Did you also paint this?”
It depicted a lush thicket of brambles, with smooth and skillful brushstrokes. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that it couldn’t have been painted by Rongfei, so Emperor Jingming asked intentionally.
“This painting was indeed done by me.”
Li Zhizhi suddenly knelt down, bowing her head and said, “I have a guilty conscience and have hidden this for many days. I dared not inform Your Majesty, fearing to disappoint your favor. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jingming looked at her and said softly, “What crime have you committed? Tell me about it.”
Li Zhizhi knocked her head once and then stood up, her clear eyes filled with tears, her eye sockets red, and said, “In fact, I am not adopted by the Li family but their biological daughter. However, my father and mother refused to acknowledge me, so I have concealed the truth and told others that I was adopted…”
“This matter, Her Highness the Grand Princess, is also unaware of, it’s just that I, as a servant girl, feel ashamed and restless day and night. If I confess, it would be disrespecting my parents, which is unfilial. But if I continue to conceal it, it would be deceiving Your Majesty, which is disloyal. Your Majesty has shown great kindness to me… I really don’t know how to face you…”
As she said this, her long eyelashes blinked lightly, and two clear tears fell silently.