Chapter 52: Drifting (1)

Shen Xiling never expected that her sleep that day would later bring her such calamity.

The origin of this matter could be traced back to the academy.

Though Master Wang had granted Shen Xiling three days off, he did not extend the same courtesy to Zhao Yao. The next day, Zhao Yao still attended the academy as usual, her left hand wrapped in layers of bandages, resembling a small dumpling.

That morning, Fu Rong and the two Qi brothers arrived early. Upon seeing Zhao Yao’s pitiful state, Qi Le was deeply distressed and hurriedly asked if she was still in pain. Irritated, Zhao Yao threw a tantrum, saying, “What do you mean, Fourth Brother? How could I not be in pain like this? Master Wang didn’t beat you all so harshly—why treat me like this!”

Overwhelmed by both pain and injustice, she pouted and began crying again.

Qi Le grew even more flustered, unsure how to comfort her, when Fu Rong interjected, “Sister Yao, stop crying quickly. Master Wang will be here soon. What if he punishes you again?”

Zhao Yao already had some grievances with Fu Rong. Hearing this only fueled her anger. With her uninjured right hand, she slammed the table and exclaimed, “I’m just crying! Why should he punish me for that? Is this academy a place where even crying is forbidden?”

Fu Rong sat at her desk, turning around to look at Zhao Yao. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her expression apologetic as she said, “Sister, don’t be angry. My words were inappropriate. I just…”

She paused, glancing subtly toward the empty seat where Shen Xiling usually sat.

Zhao Yao didn’t understand the meaning behind this glance but instinctively felt that Fu Rong was implying something. She pressed further, “Just what?”

Fu Rong smiled ambiguously and replied, “Nothing much. I just heard that although Wenwen also received punishment yesterday, Master Wang gave her three days off, whereas you didn’t. It seems Master has higher expectations for you. Given that, he wouldn’t want to see you crying like this…”

Zhao Yao had been beaten so badly by Master Wang the previous day that she hadn’t noticed Shen Xiling’s fate. Now, hearing Fu Rong mention it, she became furious, exclaiming, “How outrageous! How can Master Wang be so unjust!”

Seeing her rage, Qi Le hurriedly consoled her. Meanwhile, Qi Ning, who couldn’t bear to watch, spoke up for fairness: “It’s hardly unjust. Yesterday’s incident wasn’t initiated by Wenwen. Master Wang did punish her, but considering she’s physically weaker, giving her three days off is reasonable.”

His implication was clear: Zhao Yao, as the instigator, shouldn’t have received any leave.

Zhao Yao had already been at odds with Qi Ning recently. Now, infuriated, she burst into tears, her anger intensifying. Before she could lash out, Fu Rong added, “Jing’an’s words might be somewhat unfair. Though Wenwen didn’t initiate yesterday’s incident, if she had been more careful, perhaps Sister Yao wouldn’t have been punished…”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao immediately understood.

So! She always wondered why that orphan would help her cheat. It turned out she had been plotting against her! Pretending to assist while deliberately getting caught by Master Wang—this way, she neither offended Zhao Yao nor avoided punishment herself!

What a venomous heart!

Since entering the academy, Zhao Yao had felt nothing but frustration. She wasn’t suited for studying; her only purpose was to gain more attention from her Second Brother. But now, despite daily toil without results, she rarely saw him and frequently endured beatings, making her life miserable. All her pent-up anger now focused on Shen Xiling, believing the impoverished girl dared to scheme against her because she seemed easy to bully! If an outsider acted this way and she tolerated it, how could she ever find a foothold in the Qi household?

With this thought, anger clouded her judgment. Feeling reckless, Zhao Yao abruptly stood up and stormed toward the door of the study. Qi Le tried to stop her but failed.

Qi Le panicked, asking his older brother and cousin, “What should we do? Yao seems intent on confronting Wenwen!”

Qi Ning was also alarmed, unsure what to do. Only Fu Rong remained calm, suggesting, “This situation is beyond our ability to mediate. I suggest we seek Grandmother’s intervention.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Yao, accompanied by two maids from the Zhao family, arrived at the courtyard where Shen Xiling resided. They noisily demanded her presence, shouting at the gate and demanding an explanation.

Zi Jun, who had been sweeping at the entrance, saw this noblewoman storming in like a shrew, instantly igniting her own anger.

As a servant of Feng He Garden, Zi Jun didn’t fully grasp the affairs of the main house and had little regard for relatives like Zhao Yao. Moreover, her straightforward nature made her resentful after hearing last night that her young mistress had been beaten because of this noblewoman. Now, facing her provocation, Zi Jun’s fury reached its peak. Determined not to yield, she brandished her broom and blocked the entrance, refusing them entry.

Seeing this, Zhao Yao grew even angrier, ordering her two maids to pull Zi Jun away. A scuffle ensued. Outnumbered, Zi Jun was overpowered until Feng Chang, alerted by the commotion, rushed out to help. Soon after, Shui Pei joined them.

Of the three, Shui Pei was the most level-headed, understanding they couldn’t confront Zhao Yao directly. She quickly pulled Zi Jun and Feng Chang aside, bowed politely to Zhao Yao, and said courteously, “Is Miss Zhao here to see our young mistress? Unfortunately, she’s still asleep and hasn’t risen yet.”

Zhao Yao sneered, angrily retorting, “What kind of young mistress is she—a fatherless, motherless orphan from Bajun? Not awake? Then wake her up! Step aside!”

Without further negotiation, Zhao Yao pushed past Shui Pei and barged in. Realizing the situation couldn’t be resolved peacefully, Shui Pei, along with Zi Jun and Feng Chang, tried to block Zhao Yao and her group.

Enraged, Zhao Yao laughed bitterly and called for several servants from the main house to assist. Weighing their options, these servants sided with Zhao Yao, given her connection to the Qi family, unlike the mysterious Fang family’s young mistress. Together with Zhao Yao’s two maids, they restrained Shui Pei and the others, allowing Zhao Yao to storm inside with her entourage.

The commotion outside was immense but failed to wake Shen Xiling.

Still sick, she remained groggy after a night of restless sleep, wrapped in Qi Yin’s coat just as she had been the previous night. It wasn’t until Zhao Yao forcefully pushed open her bedroom door and barged in with a group that she was startled awake.

Confused, Shen Xiling felt as though she had returned to her childhood, recalling the scene when her father’s wife had stormed into their home. Sweating profusely, she regained her senses upon recognizing Zhao Yao.

However, realizing she hadn’t hidden Qi Yin’s coat, her heart tightened painfully. She didn’t understand why she felt so tense, compounded by an inexplicable sense of shame. Clutching the edge of the coat, she froze, unsure what to do.

Fortunately, Zhao Yao, blinded by rage, didn’t notice anything amiss about Shen Xiling’s attire. Marching straight in, she placed her hands on her hips and angrily accused, “You wretch Fang Yun! How dare you scheme against me! Tell me! Did you intentionally let Master Wang catch us yesterday?”

The sudden barrage of accusations left Shen Xiling bewildered. Before she could react, Zhao Yao, losing all rationality, lunged at her to attack.

Zhao Yao harbored deep resentment toward Shen Xiling since first seeing her at Feng He Garden during the Lantern Festival. She resented her living in Second Brother’s private residence, driving a wedge between Third Brother and herself, excelling in studies to gain Master Wang’s favor, and possessing a strikingly beautiful face.

In her fury, Zhao Yao attacked viciously, targeting Shen Xiling’s face. With long nails, she left a bloody scratch across Shen Xiling’s cheek. Surprised by the blood, Zhao Yao hesitated momentarily, but this only fueled her aggression. Deliberately, she clawed Shen Xiling’s face again. Instinctively dodging, Shen Xiling managed to deflect most of the force, but a deep gash still marked her face.

Already weakened by illness, Shen Xiling lacked the strength to fight back. Physically frail compared to Zhao Yao, she was utterly defenseless. Shui Pei and the others, restrained by Zhao Yao’s summoned servants, could only watch helplessly as Shen Xiling was bullied. Feng Chang struggled and cried, while Zi Jun, fiery-tempered, fought with a servant restraining her, unable to assist Shen Xiling.

Amidst the struggle, Shen Xiling’s grasshopper slipped from her palm and fell to the floor, where Zhao Yao inadvertently stepped on it. Until then, Shen Xiling had no intention of fighting back, but this act enraged her. Summoning unexpected strength, she pushed Zhao Yao away and crouched down to inspect her grasshopper. The item, delivered from afar just last night, was now shattered, its lifelike strands completely broken.

Qi Yin had given her that… and now, after just one night, it was ruined.

Zhao Yao, shocked that Shen Xiling dared retaliate, became even angrier. Screaming, she lunged at her again. The courtyard erupted into chaos, filled with shouts, cries, and scuffles. Such a spectacle was rare even in Jiankang’s bustling streets, let alone within the prestigious Qi household.

Everything came to an abrupt halt when Grandmother Qi arrived.

Having passed seventy last year, Grandmother Qi had once been strong-willed but now, due to age and poor health, rarely interfered in household matters. However, when her beloved niece-granddaughter came seeking her help, saying Zhao Yao and the Fang girl were in a dispute, she became intrigued. Knowing Fu Rong’s composed and respectful nature, the fact that she sought mediation indicated the severity of the conflict.

Dissatisfied with the girls’ behavior, Grandmother Qi decided to investigate. Rumors of Fang’s unclear ties with Jingchen had planted seeds of concern. Today’s incident provided an opportunity to assess the situation and possibly gain leverage.

With this in mind, supported by Fu Rong, she headed straight for Shen Xiling’s courtyard.

Even before entering, the uproar was unmistakable. Upon arrival, she witnessed Zhao Yao, a noblewoman, utterly losing her dignity while attacking the Fang girl. Though overpowered, Shen Xiling hadn’t forgotten to retaliate, pulling Zhao Yao’s hair into disarray. Maids cried and shouted, creating a chaotic scene.

Thankfully, Zhao Yao’s maid, more perceptive, noticed Grandmother Qi’s arrival and quickly restrained her mistress. Zhao Yao, previously throwing a tantrum, froze upon seeing Grandmother Qi behind her, instantly terrified.

Aware that Grandmother Qi didn’t dote on her like Lady Yao, Zhao Yao knew her mother, a concubine-born daughter of the Qi family, had clashed with the old lady in her youth. Frightened, she collapsed to her knees.