ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 56

The Eldest Princess did not take the bottle of golden melon seeds with her, but said to Xiao Yan, “If it’s for your sister’s coming-of-age ceremony, we’ll accept this gift. Now that she is my daughter and you are my nephew, you can be considered as having a sibling relationship. It’s beneficial for us to have more connections. However, since this gift is sent on behalf of someone else and carries a different meaning, it would be inappropriate to accept it. I will return it on behalf of Zhizhi.”

With that, she turned to leave, but suddenly smiled and asked, “But speaking of which, as the elder brother, don’t you have any expression for your sister’s coming-of-age ceremony? It seems a bit unreasonable.”

Xiao Yan:…

He had no choice but to say, “Aunt’s teaching is right. This bottle of golden melon seeds is my gift for her. Please accept it on her behalf.”

This time, the Eldest Princess didn’t hold back, accepted the bottle of golden melon seeds, and said with a smile, “Forget about calling her ‘she.’ It sounds very distant. Remember to call her sister next time.”

Xiao Yan:… “Okay.”

The gift was given, and the letter was sent, but the development of the situation seemed different from what was expected. Xiao Yan pondered to himself, wondering why it seemed like he was the only one who suffered, losing a bottle of golden melon seeds?

…

Li Zhizhi stayed in the Eldest Princess’s residence. The Eldest Princess arranged a beautiful courtyard for her right next to the main courtyard. The courtyard originally had a small flower pond, but due to Zhizhi’s fear of water, the Eldest Princess specifically had it filled in. The fences around the lotus ponds in the residence were also raised.

Everyone knew of the Eldest Princess’s high regard for Li Zhizhi, and no one dared to show any disrespect. Both the upper and lower levels of the Eldest Princess’s residence referred to Li Zhizhi as Miss, treating her as if she were the second mistress.

Here, there are no messy matters involving the Li family, and there are no troubles caused by Li Suwan, Lady Li, and their group. Li Zhizhi’s days in the Eldest Princess’s mansion are incredibly relaxed, with a mother who spoils her to the heavens—something she never dared to dream about.

In the past few days, Li Zhizhi hasn’t been to Ming Garden. Due to the favor of the Eldest Princess, she doesn’t need to ask for leave. Someone takes care of everything, and on the day she returned to Ming Garden, Qianluo accompanied her to Shanshe Hall, smiling and saying, “The Eldest Princess occasionally comes to the small study in the school to read. Seventh Princess also likes that place and often comes. So, there are always people on duty in the small study. If you have anything to instruct, just go there.”

Li Zhizhi agreed, and Qianluo respectfully bowed to her before retreating. When Li Zhizhi turned around, she saw several girls standing at the entrance of Shanshe Hall, whispering to each other and occasionally glancing in her direction.

A girl came out from the door, warmly saying to Li Zhizhi, “Hurry in; Mr. Zhou is about to arrive.”

It was w.a.n.g Lingyue. Although they were in the same school, Li Zhizhi had never spoken to her. She only remembered that w.a.n.g Lingyue used to circle around Zhao Shan’er, Xiao Man, and others. Now, she unexpectedly showed goodwill towards herself, giving a somewhat subtle feeling.

“Zhizhi!”

Su Tangyu’s voice came from behind, and Li Zhizhi turned around to see her and Jiang Ziyu coming together. She joyfully said, “I thought you wouldn’t come to the school today.”

Li Zhizhi smiled and said, “After skipping a few days, if I don’t come to study, I’m afraid Mr. Zhou will be displeased.”

“What are you afraid of?” Su Tangyu pouted and whispered, “It’s not just you who didn’t come.”

Jiang Ziyu added, “Li Suwan didn’t come either. I guess it’s the same as last time, feeling too ashamed to face anyone.”

She saw Jiang Ziyu looking over. Her expression was both a bit evasive and carried a subtle attempt to please. “Now, everyone in Mingyuan knows that she fabricates stories, speaks big words, and her face is full of lies. She boasted so much before, and now she’s fallen so miserably.”

What Jiang Ziyu said was not false. Most of the students in Mingyuan were between fourteen and fifteen to sixteen or seventeen. In an environment where family background and the mention of the official positions of fathers and brothers were common, young ladies from prestigious families were not all innocent. They understood how to seek advantage and avoid harm, flatter and criticize.

Upon entering Shanshetang, Li Zhizhi discovered that Li Suwan’s writing desk had been moved. It was placed in a corner, covered with various items, and a layer of dust had settled on it.

As someone pa.s.sed by from the side and sensed that she was looking, they muttered in a low voice, “She deserves it. Long ago, we saw through her character. It’s just karma catching up.”

Li Zhizhi turned her head and found that the speaker was Zhao Shan’er. She held a small celadon bottle in her hands, with a magnolia flower inserted inside. Seeing Li Zhizhi looking over, she raised her eyebrows and said, “You don’t feel sorry for her, do you?”

“How could I?” Li Zhizhi recalled the various hardships she had endured in her previous life, smiled faintly, and said in a voice only she could hear, “I just feel it’s not enough yet.”

In her previous life, she had lost her life, and Li Suwan had only reached this level. How could it be enough?

Li Zhizhi recalled the people who were present at that time, each face vivid as if it happened yesterday. It was not just Li Suwan; there were also the people behind her, Xiao Man, and Prince Ning…

But she was not in a hurry. She had time and patience.

…

“The Minister of Rites’ Lady presented a pair of white jade hairpins, a pair of peony-patterned silver bracelets, and a letter of silver.”

“The d.u.c.h.ess of Yiguo presented a pair of gold-inlaid jade flower basket hairpins, a pair of sheep-fat jade bracelets, and a letter of silver.”

The maid read the gift list in a soft voice, but Lady Li waved her hand, signaling her to stop. She quickly halted and asked, “Madam, do you have any instructions?”

Due to the matter of the coming-of-age ceremony, Lady Li was truly upset. She had argued with Li Cen several times, and she had suffered from headaches and fever for several days. Today, she finally felt a bit better and had the energy to manage the affairs of the house. However, the signs of illness still lingered on her face. Seeing that it was getting late, she asked a servant nearby, “Go and see if the master has returned.”

The servant went and returned after a short while, saying, “The master hasn’t returned; the gatekeeper said he hasn’t seen him.”

“Is he out drinking again?” Lady Li’s brows furrowed tightly, and anger rose within her. In recent days, Li Cen had been coming home later and later, reeking of alcohol and cosmetics. When she asked him about it, he became impatient and went straight to the study to sleep.

Although husband and wife lived under the same roof, they hardly saw each other nowadays. Lady Li could only endure silently, afraid to say too much. However, she felt extremely uncomfortable inside.

At that moment, a servant came to report, “Madam, Mrs. Song has come to visit and is waiting in the flower hall.”

It was her sister again. Lady Li had no interest in dealing with her at the moment and said, “Tell her I’m not feeling well, ask her to leave.”

The servant hesitated and said, “She brought gifts and mentioned that it’s a congratulatory gift for our little miss’s coming-of-age ceremony…”

Mrs. Li was furious when she heard that it was related to Li Zhizhi. She scolded, “Who gives gifts twice? She must be really idle and bored!”

However, since the person had come to deliver gifts, there was no reason to send her away. Despite Mrs. Li’s impatience, she had to get up and meet them. In the flower hall, Mrs. Song was having tea, and her son, Song Lingyun, quickly got up to salute, “Greetings, Aunt.”

Mrs. Li smiled and exchanged pleasantries with them. Mrs. Song said with a smile, “Last time, my sister didn’t tell me it was Zhizhi’s coming-of-age ceremony. The sets of clothes I sent were made based on Suwan’s measurements. If Zhizhi finds them unsuitable, I’ve prepared another set of gifts. Please convey to her, so she won’t misunderstand that her aunt is careless.”

Mrs. Li felt annoyed inside but maintained a smile and agreed. Mrs. Song looked around and asked, “Where are Zhizhi and Wan’er? I don’t see those two children.”

The smile on Mrs. Li’s face stiffened, and she replied, “Wan’er is in the study, and Zhizhi has been staying at the Eldest Princess’s residence these days, not at home.”

“Oh,” Mrs. Song said with a sly smile, “She’s really climbing up the social ladder. Sister, you’re really fortunate.” She then inquired, “By the way, I still don’t know who Zhizhi’s biological parents are. Now that she’s of age, it’s a big event. Her parents had such an unfortunate fate, leaving so early and not witnessing their daughter’s coming-of-age. Since you’ve adopted Zhizhi, you should burn incense for them and inform them.”

Mrs. Li’s face turned cold, but Mrs. Song seemed oblivious. She leaned slightly and said, “Sister, Zhizhi’s appearance seems to have some connection with our w.a.n.g family. I asked around but didn’t hear about anyone pa.s.sing away early, leaving an orphaned girl behind.”