Time Is Slow - Chapter 37

Old Madam Deng’s gaze settled on Li Jiao and she sighed.

“Grandmother knows you’ve been upset ever since your engagement was broken off, and that’s probably why your thoughts went astray. But you must never act like this again, especially not by siding with outsiders to trample on your own cousin from the same household. That is absolutely unacceptable.”

In front of everyone, Old Madam Deng’s words made Li Jiao flush with shame. She murmured, “Granddaughter understands.”

Seeing her grandmother’s expression soften, she quietly let out a breath of relief.

Old Madam Deng coughed lightly.

“From now on, after your studies each day, copy Buddhist scriptures seriously. Don’t fall behind others during this year’s Buddha’s Birthday celebration.”

In the past, she hadn’t cared much about these things, but her powerful sister-in-law from the Eastern Residence was getting too overbearing. If she didn’t push back a little, her teeth would ache from the frustration. Did that woman really think the Western Residence was such an easy target?

Li Jiao quickly walked up to Qiao Zhao and reached out to take her hand.

“Third Sister, it was all my fault. I knew well that you suffered a lot after being abducted, but compared to your hardships, my troubles are nothing. Yet, I couldn’t help but take it out on you. Please forgive your elder sister for being momentarily blinded by foolishness.”

“Third girl—” Old Madam Deng began to speak.

Qiao Zhao withdrew her hand and gave Li Jiao a light pat on the back of it. 

“It’s fine.”

She didn’t really care about forgiving or not. But the original Qiao Zhao probably wouldn’t have forgiven her so easily.

If someone shows you a drop of kindness, you should return it with a spring. Well then, let the future play itself out.

Qiao Zhao looked up. 

“Grandmother, did you call me?”

Old Madam Deng was momentarily caught off guard.

She had assumed this granddaughter would cling to the issue and demand that she punish Li Jiao. But now that the girl had let it go so easily, she was left feeling a little embarrassed.

Why did it feel like she’d become the stereotypical evil grandmother?

Old Madam Deng suddenly felt a bit stifled and cleared her throat. 

“Zhao Zhao, you’ve been wronged today. I have a Duan inkstone with a ‘koi playing among lotuses’ motif left by your grandfather. I’ll have it sent to you later. Practice your calligraphy well.”

Li Jiao snapped her head up in shock, eyes fixed on Old Madam Deng.

Among all the girls in the two households, she admitted that she couldn’t match Li Jiao in horseback archery, but when it came to the refined arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, no one surpassed her. She had long coveted that very inkstone. She’d even tried subtly hinting that she wanted it before, but her grandmother had ignored her. She assumed it was because it had belonged to her grandfather and was too precious. She’d given up on it, only for her grandmother to gift it to Qiao Zhao today!

Clearly, her grandmother truly believed Qiao Zhao had been wronged. How unfair! She herself had endured so many grievances over the years, and her grandmother had never made much of a fuss. But Qiao Zhao suffers once, and she’s consoled with a treasured heirloom?

Grandfather’s inkstone… there’s no way Third Sister would dare turn it down!

Li Jiao forced herself to remain calm and looked at Qiao Zhao with a strained smile.

Qiao Zhao gave Old Madam Deng a proper bow and smiled sincerely. 

“Then I thank Grandmother very much.”

Li Jiao’s eyes widened in disbelief.

How could she accept it so easily?

At that moment, not just Li Jiao, but even He Shi looked a bit uncomfortable. Second Madam Liu was wringing a handkerchief until it resembled pickled vegetables.

Seeing Qiao Zhao accept it without hesitation, Old Madam Deng grew even more pleased. 

Smiling brightly, she said, “Good. I’ll have Qingyun deliver it to you shortly. Now then, let’s clean up all this broken porcelain and call it a day.”

—

Back in the East Wing, Li Jiao stood in front of her carved dressing mirror, staring at the ugly bruise on her forehead. Her heart burned with frustration. She snatched up a rouge box from the table, intending to smash it.

However, just as she raised her hand, she put it back down.

Walls have ears. If word got out that she’d been throwing things in a tantrum, how shameful would that be?

Li Jiao set the box down and collapsed onto her dressing table, crying.

If her mother were still alive, she would never have had to suffer such humiliation or live like this…

“What’s wrong, my lady?”

“Nanny.” Li Jiao threw herself into the older woman’s arms.

The nanny saw the bruise on her forehead and felt a pang of heartbreak. She immediately gave Chunfang a look.

Chunfang understood and hurried off to find the third young master.

When Li Hui heard that Li Jiao had been hurt, he rushed to the East Wing in a panic. The moment he saw her bruised forehead, he erupted with anger. 

“Big Sister, what happened to your forehead?!”

Li Jiao didn’t answer. 

He sneered, “I get it. It must’ve been Li Zhao, right?”

He turned to leave, but Li Jiao quickly grabbed his arm. 

“No, this time it was my fault—”

Li Hui wouldn’t listen. He shook off her hand and stormed straight to the West Wing.

Ah Zhu had already tidied the room until it looked spotless, as if nothing had ever happened.

He Shi hadn’t left yet. She was sitting with Qiao Zhao and spoke gently. 

“Zhao Zhao, why did you accept that inkstone so readily? Your mother has money. Whatever kind of inkstone you want, I can buy for you. But that one is your grandmother’s treasure. You took it so easily. I’m worried—”

Qiao Zhao smiled. 

“No need to worry, Mother. A gift from an elder shouldn’t be declined lightly. Grandmother isn’t one for empty gestures. If she’s willing to give it, I’m willing to accept. Isn’t that just right?”

“Oh, well, if that’s how it is…”

Her daughter always made sense.

Suddenly, Binglu’s shrill cry can be heard.

“Third Young Master, how can you barge in without even announcing yourself?!”

Qiao Zhao really wanted to cover her ears. That girl’s voice was something else.

He Shi stood to see what was going on when Li Hui suddenly burst into the room.

Seeing the angry young man, Qiao Zhao quietly thought to herself. 

‘The girls and boys in the Li household really like barging into another person’s room, don’t they?’

“Oh, the madam is here too?” Li Hui paused.

He Shi frowned. 

“Li Hui, what are you doing storming into your sister’s room like this?”

Li Hui had no fear of this stepmother of his. He said coldly, “It’s perfect that you’re here. I want to know… how did my big sister get hurt? Li Zhao, was it you again?”

He Shi couldn’t hold back her temper and snapped, “Nonsense! That black-hearted girl bullied Zhao Zhao!”

Li Hui took a step back, sneering. 

“How shameless, turning truth into lies.”

He Shi was about to retort when Qiao Zhao gently tugged at her sleeve.

“Why doesn’t Third Brother just go ask Big Sister directly what happened?” she said.

Li Hui laughed in anger. 

“Hah, Big Sister’s too kind. Even if you bullied her, she’d still cover for you. But I’m not blind, I saw it all clearly!”

Qiao Zhao was starting to feel exhausted by all this Li family drama. So much excitement in just two days, it was draining.

She sighed and said plainly, “Grandmother knows exactly why Big Sister got hurt. If you want answers, go ask her. I’m tired, so I won’t be entertaining you further.”

Before Li Hui could react, she raised her voice. 

“Binglu, please see Third Young Master out.”

“Third Young Master, this way please.” 

Binglu had no smile left to give. After all these intrusions, she was fuming inside. If I’d known being a personal maid was such a physical job, I’d have trained with Third Uncle to break bricks with my chest. Let’s see who dares barge in then!

Li Hui didn’t want to wrestle with a maid, and since He Shi was present, there were many things he couldn’t say aloud. He gave a cold snort, turned, and marched off, heading straight for Qingsong Hall.

“Grandmother, Big Sister’s been wronged and now she’s just hiding in her room crying. You have to stand up for her!” he said as he entered, giving a full report with a bit of a pout.

Old Madam Deng set down her tea cup and looked at her handsome, delicate-featured grandson, her expression complicated.