Chapter 1 - ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 1

It was late in the evening when a green carriage drove into the long street and stopped in front of a mansion. Two gatekeepers were idly chatting, but upon hearing the commotion, they leaned out to take a look. One of them quickly exclaimed, “They’ve arrived!”

“Where?” The other one stood up eagerly, bending down to peek outside the gate. “Hey, it’s Old Liu coming back.”

The driver got down from the carriage and called out, and then an old maid stepped out of the carriage followed by a young girl. The girl held her bundle tightly and anxiously surveyed her surroundings. Everything here was extremely unfamiliar to her—the tall mansion gate, the gilded plaque, and the fierce stone lions at the entrance, all making Li Zhizhi feel extremely nervous.

“Miss, please go inside. The master and mistress must be waiting for you,” the old maid urged. Li Zhizhi silently nodded and followed her into the grand mansion. The house was indeed very large, exquisitely beautiful everywhere, with vermilion columns, carved stone railings, and even the floor tiles were adorned with patterns. Her coarse cloth shoes felt out of place on them, and Li Zhizhi felt like she didn’t belong.

There were many servants in the mansion, and their gazes were curious and appraising as they looked at her. It made her uncomfortable, so Li Zhizhi lowered her head, avoiding their prying eyes, and followed behind the old maid into a hall.

The old maid instructed her to wait there and hurriedly left. No one offered Li Zhizhi a seat, but she looked at the carved red chair that was so clean it seemed to shine, reflecting shadows. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to sit down, still clutching her bundle of clothes.

People passed by the entrance of the hall from time to time, sneaking glances inside, their looks filled with curiosity and appraisal. They thought they were being discreet, but their actions were quite obvious.

Li Zhizhi grew weary of it all. She stood up and moved to a corner where those people couldn’t see her unless they entered the room.

She didn’t know how much time had passed, but the sky had turned dark from dusk. There was the sound of footsteps outside, along with hushed voices. Soon, someone entered the hall, leading the way was a middle-aged man dressed in official attire. When he saw Li Zhizhi, he paused for a moment, took off his hat, and handed it to the person behind him, saying, “Has she arrived?”

“Yes, she arrived this afternoon,” replied the person.

Li Zhizhi immediately understood that this middle-aged man was likely her biological father. She stood up, silently gazing at him with mixed emotions.

She didn’t know how to address him. What if she called him the wrong name?

The middle-aged man didn’t notice her uneasiness. He simply asked the person, “Did you inform the mistress?”

The person hurriedly replied, “Wang Pozi went to inform her, but at that time, the mistress was taking care of Miss Ziteng in the Purple Wisteria Courtyard and couldn’t come.”

Li Cen nodded and beckoned to Li Zhizhi. “Child, come here and let your father have a look at you.”

Li Zhizhi suddenly felt a sense of relief. She hadn’t guessed wrong; this was indeed her father. She walked up to him, feeling that he was tall, refined, and kind, creating a somewhat familiar atmosphere.

Li Cen also examined her, nodding and saying, “She resembles her mother when she was young.”

The person flatteringly added, “Indeed, she is a rare beauty.”

Li Zhizhi lowered her head, feeling shy and embarrassed by their scrutiny. She didn’t want to be the focus of everyone’s attention.

Just as Li Zhizhi was hesitating whether to let go of her burdens, a servant rushed over and whispered a few words to Li Cen. His expression changed slightly, and he turned to Li Zhizhi, saying, “Let’s go see your sister later. Her condition is not good right now; she needs rest.”

Li Zhizhi’s heart tightened. She didn’t know the exact situation of her sister, but seeing her father’s expression, she knew it might not be good.

Li Cen gave a few more instructions to the servant before saying to Li Zhizhi, “Let’s visit her later. She’s not doing well right now and needs some quiet rest.”

Li Cen took Li Zhizhi to Ziteng Garden. Although the courtyard was not big, it was meticulously maintained. It was late spring, and the purple wisteria climbed up the small building, blooming with clusters of light purple flowers, ready to bloom. It curiously observed the newcomers. There was a plaque in the wisteria bushes at the entrance, with three beautifully written characters that Li Zhizhi didn’t recognize.

She quickly averted her gaze, lowered her head, and followed behind Li Cen. They passed through the wisteria pergola and before entering the house, they heard the weeping voice of a young girl from inside, whimpering, “Mother, am I going to die…? I’m in so much pain…”

Immediately, a woman choked up and said, “Silly child, why are you saying such silly things? If something happens to you, how can your mother go on living?”

The young girl sobbed, saying, “It’s my filial piety that’s lacking. Father and Mother have raised me for so many years, and I can’t repay your kindness. I regret it so much… It seems like it’s my destiny to snatch someone else’s place, even the heavens can’t bear to watch…”

“Nonsense!”

A young man’s slightly angry voice interrupted, “Who told you these absurd things? What snatching someone else’s place? You’re my only sister. Don’t say such things anymore. Take your medicine properly, and you will get better soon!”

The woman also hurriedly said, “Which maidservants have been whispering in your ear? Mother will punish them severely. You were raised by your mother, no matter what happens, you are Mother’s obedient daughter.”

The sobbing of the young girl softened, and she moved by their words, said, “Mother and brother’s kindness, in the next life, I will be a cow or a horse to repay…”

It was truly a scene of maternal love and filial piety, deep sibling affection. Li Zhizhi’s eyes flickered with a hint of sarcasm. She suddenly felt it was uninteresting. If the emotions were so profound, why did the Li family go through the trouble of bringing her all the way from Suixiang?

She heard Li Cen coughing, and Li Zhizhi snapped back to reality. At the same time, the people inside also noticed their arrival. The weak voice of the young girl said, “Is… Father here?”

Li Cen entered the room, and Li Zhizhi followed him around the folding screen, immediately spotting the carved and embroidered bedspread on the carved bed. There was a circle of people around the bed, like stars surrounding the moon. Li Xingzhi, whom she had seen before, was also there, along with a dignified and beautiful woman holding the delicate hand of the girl on the bed, wiping away tears incessantly. This person must be Lady Li, her birth mother.

The young girl tried to sit up, but Lady Li quickly pressed her down and said, “You’re still ill, don’t move around. Lie down quickly.”

Li Cen walked forward and asked with concern, “How is she? Has there been any improvement?”

The young girl coughed lightly and hurriedly said, “Much better, thank you… cough, thank you, Father, for your concern.”

Lady Li scolded, “She was just in pain a moment ago. Don’t try to act strong.”

The girl was placed on a soft brocade quilt. She was beautiful, but her face was pale, bearing a trace of illness. She looked like a delicate white flower that couldn’t withstand the wind, making people worry that it would break at the slightest touch.

Li Xingzhi noticed Li Zhizhi standing nearby and said to Li Cen, “Father, why did you bring her along too?”

For a moment, everyone’s gaze fell on Li Zhizhi. Some looked surprised, while others were curious, making her the center of attention. Li Cen didn’t mind and said, “I came to see Wan’er and thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce her to everyone.”

Li Suwan looked over and blinked her long eyelashes. Her voice was weak as she asked, “Is this sister? I-I’m Li Suwan. May I know your name, sister?”

Li Zhizhi remained silent, not answering.

Feeling a bit unsure, Li Suwan’s voice became softer, and she nervously asked, “Sister, why…?”

Before she could finish, Li Zhizhi finally spoke calmly, “If you’re asking about my name from before, I was called Li Zhizhi. We are the same age, so there’s no need to call me sister.”

Her voice was placid, lacking any emotion, and with a hint of impoliteness due to her rural accent. Li Xingzhi immediately reprimanded, “Why are you speaking like this to Wanyue?”

Li Suwan’s face grew paler, and she quickly tugged at Li Xingzhi’s sleeve, forcing a smile, “It’s alright, brother. Sister Zhizhi and I are still getting to know each other. Please don’t be upset. By the way…”

She seemed to remember something and started coughing. Li Madam quickly comforted her, “Good child, don’t say so much. Lie down now.”

Li Suwan shook her head and waited for her breath to steady before smiling at Li Zhizhi and explaining, “This Purple Wisteria Residence was originally prepared for you by mother. It was just a coincidence that I ended up occupying it for so many years. Now that you’ve returned, it’s only right to return it to its rightful owner. cough I’ve already had the servants pack up everything, and I can move out today.”

“Suwan!” Li Xingzhi interjected with a frown. “Don’t say such foolish things. There are so many courtyards in the mansion; we can have another one arranged for her. You don’t need to move out.”

“That’s right,” Li Madam also advised, holding her hand. “Besides, you are still unwell, my dear.”

Li Suwan shook her head, “But this is sister’s courtyard. I’ve lived here for so many years; I can’t stay here any longer…”

“Then you can continue to live here,” Li Xingzhi’s tone was firm. “Listen to your brother; nobody will force you to move out.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Li Zhizhi, his gaze carrying a hint of displeasure. Li Suwan hesitated for a moment and said, “Then, I’ll move out after I get better…”

As she said this, she looked at Li Zhizhi with an apologetic expression and spoke in a low voice, “Sister, I’m really sorry. I’ll move out as soon as I recover. Please don’t blame Wanyue.”

Li Zhizhi couldn’t figure out what was going on. She hadn’t said a word, yet she was suddenly branded with a big label. What courtyard, what moving out – with such a large place, couldn’t they find a room for her to stay?

Due to her confusion, she didn’t respond immediately, which was perceived by others as unwillingness. Li Suwan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, as if reassured, and Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

“Zhizhi is quite sensible,” Li Cen smiled and said to Li Madam, “With one more child now, our mansion will be livelier.”

Li Madam kept her eyes down and gave a perfunctory smile.

Li Zhizhi suddenly realized that since she entered the room, her birth mother had never looked at her directly, let alone spoken to her. It was as if she were invisible to her birth mother and brother. They seemed to dislike her.

……

Li Zhizhi was arranged to stay in another courtyard called Shuyue Pavilion. If she stayed there a little longer, she would come to understand that it was the most remote part of the entire Li Mansion, close to the corner gate, with a bustling street nearby. Numerous shops lined the street, and vendors and hawkers could be heard shouting their wares from morning till night, creating quite a noisy environment.

Following Wang Pozi, Li Zhizhi entered the room illuminated by the light of an oil lamp on the table. Wang Pozi advised, “You’ve had a tiring journey. Miss, rest early.”

Li Zhizhi remembered something and stopped her, saying, “Granny, my bundle…”

When Li Cen took her to Ziteng Garden, she had been instructed to hand her bundle to a servant. Inside were her spare clothes, but the servant did not return the bundle to her.

Wang Pozi hurriedly replied, “I’ll fetch it for you, Miss.”

She went outside and returned shortly, holding Li Zhizhi’s bundle in her hands. Li Zhizhi felt relieved and took it. For the first time, she wore a somewhat smiling expression and said lightly, “Thank you, Granny.”

She indeed resembled Madam Li; she was very beautiful, unlike Li Suwan, who appeared delicate. She reminded people of wild peach blossoms in the mountains, pure, elegant and spirited. When she smiled, she exuded a unique and passionate beauty.

Wang Pozi softened her heart. Having been in the mansion for a long time, she could see Li Zhizhi’s predicament clearly. After all, Wang Pozi was the one who personally went to bring her back. She couldn’t bear it and advised, “Miss, you’ve just returned to the mansion, and you’re not familiar with the Master and Madam yet. It’s normal. With more time, things will get better. As for Miss Wan’er, don’t compete with her or worry about her. After all, you are the legitimate Miss of the Li family, with blood ties. She won’t surpass you in the end.”

Li Zhizhi was momentarily stunned, clutching her bundle, and replied, “I… I understand.”

Her pretense of not feeling disappointed was fake, but she hadn’t expected to be easily seen through. This made Li Zhizhi feel a bit embarrassed and ashamed, but at the same time, she was somewhat grateful for the advice from Wang Pozi.

After Wang Pozi left, Li Zhizhi stood in place for a while before preparing to rest. She opened the bundle and was surprised.

She had neatly arranged her clothes before, but now they were all in disarray, covered in dust. It seemed as if someone had taken them and thrown them on the ground, and some of the clothes had even been cut with scissors, leaving only a few pieces spared.

How could this have happened?

It was already late at night, and the sounds of unknown insects could be heard outside. Everyone else had fallen asleep, and Li Zhizhi suddenly realized that she was isolated and helpless in this unfamiliar place.

She stood there for a moment before quietly blowing out the candle and then feeling her way onto the bed. It was not until midnight that sleep finally overtook her.

A self-introduction: The female protagonist in this story has the scent of a white lotus, but she is not a selfless and virtuous person. She only lives for herself in this lifetime, so please don’t hold her to high moral standards. Also, please note that the background is fictional (emphasis added). Gender roles are not as strict, girls can attend school, and women can have conversations with men without being condemned or ruining their reputation.