ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 56

The Eldest Princess did not take the bottle of golden melon seeds with her, but said to Xiao Yan, If its for your sisters coming-of-age ceremony, well accept this gift. Now that she is my daughter and you are my nephew, you can be considered as having a sibling relations.h.i.+p. Its 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, dont you have any expression for your sisters coming-of-age ceremony? It seems a bit unreasonable.

Xiao Yan:

He had no choice but to say, Aunts 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 didnt 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 Princesss 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 Zhizhis 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 Princesss high regard for Li Zhizhi, and no one dared to show any disrespect. Both the upper and lower levels of the Eldest Princesss 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 Zhizhis days in the Eldest Princesss mansion are incredibly relaxed, with a mother who spoils her to the heavenssomething she never dared to dream about.

In the past few days, Li Zhizhi hasnt been to Ming Garden. Due to the favor of the Eldest Princess, she doesnt 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 Shaner, Xiao Man, and others. Now, she unexpectedly showed goodwill towards herself, giving a somewhat subtle feeling.

Zhizhi!

Su Tangyus voice came from behind, and Li Zhizhi turned around to see her and Jiang Ziyu coming together. She joyfully said, I thought you wouldnt come to the school today.

Li Zhizhi smiled and said, After skipping a few days, if I dont come to study, Im afraid Mr. Zhou will be displeased.

What are you afraid of? Su Tangyu pouted and whispered, Its not just you who didnt come.

Jiang Ziyu added, Li Suwan didnt come either. I guess its 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 shes 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 Suwans 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. Its just karma catching up.

Li Zhizhi turned her head and found that the speaker was Zhao Shaner. 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 dont feel sorry for her, do you?

How could I? Li Zhizhi recalled the various hards.h.i.+ps she had endured in her previous life, smiled faintly, and said in a voice only she could hear, I just feel its 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 hasnt returned; the gatekeeper said he hasnt seen him.

Is he out drinking again? Lady Lis 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 Im not feeling well, ask her to leave.

The servant hesitated and said, She brought gifts and mentioned that its a congratulatory gift for our little misss 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. Lis 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 didnt tell me it was Zhizhis coming-of-age ceremony. The sets of clothes I sent were made based on Suwans measurements. If Zhizhi finds them unsuitable, Ive prepared another set of gifts. Please convey to her, so she wont 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 Waner? I dont see those two children.

The smile on Mrs. Lis face stiffened, and she replied, Waner is in the study, and Zhizhi has been staying at the Eldest Princesss residence these days, not at home.

Oh, Mrs. Song said with a sly smile, Shes really climbing up the social ladder. Sister, youre really fortunate. She then inquired, By the way, I still dont know who Zhizhis biological parents are. Now that shes of age, its a big event. Her parents had such an unfortunate fate, leaving so early and not witnessing their daughters coming-of-age. Since youve adopted Zhizhi, you should burn incense for them and inform them.

Mrs. Lis face turned cold, but Mrs. Song seemed oblivious. She leaned slightly and said, Sister, Zhizhis appearance seems to have some connection with our w.a.n.g family. I asked around but didnt hear about anyone pa.s.sing away early, leaving an orphaned girl behind.