Chapter 10

In the evening, Su Xian stood at the small courtyard’s entrance with a troubled expression. After hesitating for a while, she knocked on the door.

The door was answered by Chun Mei.

“Miss Xian, my young lady has already gone to sleep. Why don’t you come back tomorrow to look for her?”

“Mi’er, has she suffered any injuries?” Su Xian asked gently.

Chun Mei thought for a moment about the injury on Su Mi’s palm. “Second Miss only suffered a minor injury. It’s nothing serious.”

“Alright, I will come to see her tomorrow.” Su Xian forced a smile, understanding that Su Mi did not want to see her.

When Su Xian returned to her bedroom, Li Xiuyuan was pacing back and forth anxiously, making her heart sink. However, she maintained a soft expression on her face.

“Husband, Chun Mei said that Mi’er is fine and already sleeping.”

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“Pke usw pll bla?”

“R’x yqayke pbl eslpd’v oydv vs pll xl dso.” “R okzz vau ytykd vsxsaaso,” Fw Dkyd alrzkle.

Nk Dkwuwyd eked’v osaau vss xwnb ycswv Fw Yk dsv oydvkdt vs pll Fw Dkyd. Mblu olal czsse alzyvle pkpvlap, yde vblu nswzed’v calyj vblka alzyvksdpbkr. Gqvla vsxsaaso, vblu oswze pll lynb svbla lhlau eyu, lhld kq pbl eked’v oydv vs.

Nk Dkwuwyd oyp elvlaxkdle vs byhl Fw Yk, yde oblvbla sa dsv pbl oyp y hkatkd, bl oswze qkde swv. Tsolhla, yv vbl xsxldv, bl bye clld awddkdt yaswde yzz eyu yde pvkzz byed’v clld yczl vs alzlypl vbl elxsdkn qkal kd bkp cseu.

“Dkyd’la, yal usw qllzkdt wdolzz vseyu?”

“Ls, obu yal usw ypjkdt, xu bwpcyde?” Fw Dkyd bye fwpv qkdkpble prlyjkdt obld pbl zssjle wr yde xlv Nk Dkwuwyd’p eyaj lulp. Fbl oypd’v y dykhl zkvvzl tkaz, yde pbl dyvwayzzu wdelapvsse vbl xlydkdt clbkde bkp tygl.

“Yu bwpcyde, R yx raltdydv.” Fw Dkyd czwpble okvb csvb pbudlpp yde fsu.

“Dkyd’la, R’zz cl tldvzl.” Mbl esnvsa pyke kv oswzed’v nywpl ydu byax. “Nk Dkwuwyd lxcaynle Fw Dkyd.

“But Su Yue is still outside.”

Li Xiuyuan raised his eyebrows and looked in the direction of the outer room, his desire growing stronger. “It doesn’t matter. It’s better if she hears.”

Soon, the bed curtains began to rhythmically sway, and the man’s unreserved low voice and the woman’s moans overflowed. Su Yue blushed and felt her heart racing, her eyes occasionally glancing inside. When she saw something she shouldn’t have, she quickly lowered her head and dared not look again, the alluring sounds never ceasing.

The next morning, there was an early rain that dissipated some of the summer heat. Su Mi slept in until midmorning and avoided the rain. As she was having brunch, Chun Mei rushed in, sweating profusely.

Su Mi asked with a smile, “Why are you sweating so much? Didn’t you go to the front yard to deliver some jewellery to Chun Lan?” She handed Chun Mei a handkerchief.

Chun Lan was the same age as Chun Mei and worked with her. One was assigned to Su Mi’s side, and the other was assigned to the front hall to do some cleaning and receive guests. This time, besides buying some jewellery for her sister, Chun Mei also bought some for Chun Lan. So this morning, she prepared food for Su Mi and went to Chun Lan’s place.

“Miss,” Chun Mei gasped for breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead before continuing, “Chun Lan just told me that this morning, when she was pouring tea in the front hall, she heard Master Li was arranging for you to be engaged to his eldest son!”

“What?!” Su Mi’s smile froze on her face.

Chun Mei knew what her Miss wanted, so she quickly nodded her head and said, “It’s true, Miss. Chun Lan heard it! It was Master Li who brought it up to the old master. Chun Lan went to make tea afterwards, so she didn’t know what they said. But when she left, she heard the old master agreeing with a smile.”

Su Mi’s heart suddenly felt cold. Su Mingde never cared about her, but unexpectedly, he took an interest in this matter.

Shortly after Chun Mei returned, Yu Qingniang and Su Xian came to the small courtyard together.

“Mi’er.”

Yu Qingniang called Su Mi, and when Chun Mei saw that the two of them didn’t bring any maidservants, she understood and quickly performed a courtesy before turning to the kitchen to boil some tea to avoid the situation.

Su Mi was thinking about how she could avoid marrying Li Xiuyuan when she was suddenly startled by Yu Qingniang’s voice. She looked up and saw Su Xian with her. The purpose of their visit was clear.

“Mother.” Su Mi walked up to them, paused, and then whispered, “Sister.”

“Mi’er, I came today because I have something to discuss with you,” said Yu Qingniang as she pulled Su Mi’s hand and walked towards the pavilion to sit down.

Su Mi glanced at Su Xian and said calmly, “Mother, either you force me or not, I will not marry Li Xiuyuan.”

“Mi’er! How do you know…?” Yu Qingniang was surprised for a moment but didn’t dwell on it and continued, “Anyway, Mother doesn’t care how you know. Don’t be stubborn. You were there when the marriage contract was signed. This is your destiny.”

“Yes, Mi’er, in fact, your brother-in-law also has feelings for you,” Su Xian said, feeling a little sour in her heart. Which woman would admit that her husband likes someone else?

Su Mi only glanced at her and didn’t respond. There was no expression on her face either.

Yu Qingniang looked at her daughter’s stubborn appearance and couldn’t help but soften her voice: “Mother only wants what’s best for you. Look at Auntie Zhao. She’s willing to let her daughter go and become a court lady, but I can’t bear to do that. So when the Zhou family came to propose, I immediately agreed when I saw that you didn’t object. It’s because I was afraid that you might end up on the court lady selection list.”

“You’ve been rejected twice now, and there are rumours outside. It’s not easy to find a suitable husband. If you enter the Li family, your sister can take care of you.”

Su Mi’s originally quiet expression suddenly lit up when she heard Yu Qingniang’s words.

Yu Qingniang and Su Xian thought they had convinced her, but Su Mi lowered her head and thought for a while before speaking, “Mother, I have something to tell you alone.”

After speaking, she glanced at Su Xian. It was a signal for her to leave.

Su Xian smiled awkwardly and said, “Mother, I have some other matters to attend to.” I’ll leave first.”

“Yu Qingniang looked at the two of them exchanging unfamiliar moves with suspicion on her face. She wondered what had happened between the two sisters today.

Su Mi spoke slowly only after Su Xian had walked out the door. “Mother, do you know what happened yesterday?”

…

Su Mi originally didn’t want to mention this matter again. After all, Li Xiuyuan would not stay long, and they wouldn’t have any intersections after he left. But who knew he was still persistent and even wanted to proceed with the marriage proposal? She had no choice but to at least try to get her mother’s support. Of course, she was afraid that Mrs. Yu would worry, so she kept some details hidden, like the man she had met.

After hearing everything, Yu Qingniang’s face darkened, and she frowned. “Did Xian’er really drug you?”

“Mother, do you believe me?” Su Mi looked at her and said.

Yu Qingniang gently stroked Su Mi’s scarred hand and said, “I believe you.” “How could I not believe my own daughter?”

The servants in the house all said that Auntie Zhao had climbed on top of her; how could she not know? Her youngest daughter often helped her fight against Auntie Zhao, but Mier didn’t understand. After all, Auntie Zhao had a son, while she only had these two daughters. She could only wait until they got married with good dowries before she could confront Auntie Zhao.

She didn’t ask for anything else, only that her two daughters be happy.

“Mother, I really don’t want to marry Li Xiuyuan.”

“I know, Xian’er is really confused. How could she do such a thing? It must have been Li Xiuyuan who instigated it.” Yu Qingniang said it with hatred.

“Okay.”

Su Mi understood that they were all daughters of the same mother, and their mother wouldn’t be able to bear to blame her elder sister. Actually, she didn’t want to make a scene yesterday, and she was also considering Su Xian’s face.

“Speaking of which, it’s also my family’s fault,” Yu Qingniang sighed.

Su Mi knew that her mother had been blaming herself for her broken engagement with the Yu family, but what did that have to do with her mother? If someone didn’t like her, she didn’t think it was a big deal.

“Mother, this has nothing to do with you.” Su Mi threw herself into Yu Qingniang’s arms. “Please assist me in convincing father not to marry me off to Li Xiuyuan.”

Yu Qingniang frowned and shook her head. “But your father has agreed. I’m afraid I can’t persuade him. You know his temper. If I tell him about this, he may not even believe me.”

Su Mi’s temperament was actually most similar to Su Mingde’s. Once she made up her mind, she wouldn’t budge. Su Mingde was older and a man, so he was even more stubborn than Su Mi.

Su Mi pondered for a moment with her head down and whispered something in Mrs. Yu’s ear.

“No, Mi’er, this won’t work. The palace is a dangerous place! And you don’t have anyone to rely on.” Yu Qingniang didn’t understand the workings of the imperial court, but she understood these simple truths. Although Su’s family was considered wealthy in Jiaozhou, what did that matter in the capital?

Su Mi held onto Yu Qingniang’s hand. “Mother, it’s not even certain that I’ll be selected. Even if it’s just a delaying tactic, it’s better than marrying Li Xiuyuan. Besides, if I have to marry him, I might as well enter the palace!”

“You…” Yu Qingniang knew Su Mi’s temper and knew that it was useless to persuade her. She also didn’t like what Li Xiuyuan did. She was shaken by Su Mi’s words.

“Mother, please help me,” Su Mi continued to plead.

“Alright, I’ll try.”

When Yu Qingniang walked back to the central courtyard, she passed by the study, where she knew Su Mingde would be if he wasn’t outside during the day. After hesitating for a moment, she decided to enter.

“Master,”

Su Mingde put down his ledger and looked up. “Qingniang, why are you here at this hour?”

“I came to see you, Master.” Yu Qingniang lowered her head. “It’s been a few days since we last saw each other.”

Su Mingde felt guilty for neglecting his wife these past few days. He had been busy with the selection of new maidservants and had also been trying to placate Mrs. Zhao. Before that, he had been dealing with the young Mrs. Lu and her two attendants.

“Qingniang, I have been thinking of you too these past few days.”

In truth, if one looked closely, the most beautiful of his wives was Qingniang. Otherwise, Su Xian and Su Mi wouldn’t have such different looks, with one being elegant and the other charming; both of them are very good-looking. But when he thought of Su Mi, Su Mingde’s heart sank.

Seeing his expression, Yu Qingniang guessed what was on his mind, but she had to bring up the matter: “Master, Mi’er doesn’t want to marry the eldest young master. What do you think?”

Su Mingde snorted, “Nonsense! When it comes to parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words, what does it matter whether she wants to or not? Don’t spoil her.”

When Yu Qingniang talked to Su Mi earlier, she had already anticipated Su Mingde’s reaction, so she continued: “Actually, Mi’er said she wants to enter the palace and become a court lady. I think it’s a feasible idea.”

“Back then, she had a marriage engagement with the Zhou family, so she didn’t enter the selection process. But now that the engagement is over and she has been rejected twice, she still hasn’t gone to the government office to register. In the end, it’s just a rumour in Jiaozhou. I was thinking that we could try to find a way and see if there’s any chance left.”

At first, Su Mingde was impatient, but after hearing Yu Qingniang’s words, he seemed to have some ideas.

Su Mi’s appearance was a few points better than Su Zhen’s. If she could enter the palace, it would be the ultimate glory. Su Xian had already married Li Xiuyuan, and in fact, marrying another daughter would not benefit the Su family’s silk business. His promise to Li Xiuyuan was nothing more than his fear that she would not be able to get married after being rejected twice.

In the worst-case scenario, even if she is not chosen, she can marry Li Xiuyuan. Su Mi is only sixteen years old, and Li Xiuyuan can wait for her.

Su Mingde had a plan in mind. The Su family was the first silk business in Jiaozhou, not the richest but also a wealthy local merchant. He had some dealings with Magistrate Cui and was also a major taxpayer. With a little request to meet, the magistrate should grant him the favour.

“Qingniang, call someone to prepare the carriage. I am going to the government office.”

“Yes, master.”

Su Mi anxiously waited in the courtyard until dusk, when she finally saw Mrs. Yu.

Yu Qingniang handed the flower card to Su Mi and advised her, “Mi’er, let the driver take you to the city tomorrow. Your father said tomorrow is the second round of selection. If you get through, you will be able to go to the capital with Su Zhen.”

“Okay.”  Su Mi lowered her head and touched the crimson card.

“Mi’er, no matter what, if you are not selected this time, your father will still marry you to Li Xiuyuan. Promise me, don’t do anything foolish.” Yu Qingniang thought far ahead, but she had to, as both daughters were her lifeline.

Su Mi smiled and said, “Mother, don’t worry; your daughter will never do what you’re thinking.”

Life is too precious. She wouldn’t sacrifice it for a scumbag. As long as she was alive, there would always be a way.

After seeing off Yu Qingniang, Su Mi returned to her rattan chair and didn’t touch the fruits on the plate.

“Miss, are you really going to the selection?” Chun Mei asked as she sewed clothes and chewed on the thread.

“Well, I don’t know if I’ll be selected,” Su Mi said lightly. In fact, she had read so many novels and had some unrealistic dreams, like meeting a poor scholar who would sweep her off her feet or being rescued by a heroic stranger.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in Su Mi’s mind, smiling mysteriously with an unreadable expression.

Su Mi laughed at herself. What was she thinking? The novels she read were not real. If she didn’t get selected as a court lady, she would have to marry Li Xiuyuan.

“You’ll definitely be selected, Miss.” “But I can’t go to the palace with you,” Chun Mei said.

“If I do get selected, I’ll have my mother give you back your contract, and you can go home and get married earlier,” Su Mi said to Chun Mei.

Chun Mei blushed and put down her needle and thread. “I only want to accompany you, Miss. I haven’t thought about getting married.”

“Silly Chun Mei.”

After Su Mingde left, Magistrate Cui looked at the thick stack of silver bills on the table, and his eyes narrowed into a smile.

Beside him, Clerk Shi stepped forward and said, “Sir, I heard that Miss Su, the second daughter of the Su family, has been divorced twice, and although she is not on the official registry, rumours about her are not good. If she becomes a candidate for the selection and it’s found out later, will there be any consequences?”

Magistrate Cui sneered and said, “Do you think I don’t know? I only agreed to let her participate in the selection. If she fails tomorrow, that’s all there is to it. Who cares if she’s been divorced before?”

“Yes, sir,” Clerk Shi replied.

“Prepare the sedan,” Magistrate Cui ordered.

Clerk Shi asked, “Where are you going, sir?”

“Of course, to visit Lord Qin and invite him to come and see the second batch of selections tomorrow,” Magistrate Cui thought, “I missed the first batch, but I must let Lord Qin see my ability to handle things with the second batch!”

After the incident with the embezzlement of the river fund, Lord Qin seemed to have given him some leeway. Magistrate Cui felt like he had found a way to climb this powerful figure, and he couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

“What are you standing around for?” Go!” Magistrate Cui commanded.

“Yes, yes, sir,” Clerk Shi replied.