Chapter 93

Su Mingde failed to bring Jian Yujue back to the Su residence in the southern part of the capital. Before leaving, he appeared indifferent and unconcerned.

Therefore, upon his return to the capital, he went straight to the residence of Mrs. Yu.

He had his own plans. Now that he knew what Auntie Zhao had done, as a man, if he simply admitted his mistake, Mrs.Yu would surely come back out of the bond they had formed over the years. With the mother and son united, he firmly believed he could persuade Jian Yujue to return to the Su family.

“What are you here for?” Yu Qingniang’s tone was quite cold, and she had nothing good to say to Su Mingde.

“I went to see Xiong’Er a couple of days ago,” Su Mingde said without caring about Mrs. Yu’s estrangement.

“What? How did you know?” Yu Qingniang didn’t even finish her sentence before she guessed it. She had left in a hurry, accompanied by some old servants from the Su family. Su Mi had mentioned this several times, so those who came with her naturally figured it out.

“Su Mingde, don’t even think about it,” Yu Qingniang said with a hint of disbelief.

“What do you mean by ‘thinking about it’? He is my son; shouldn’t he come back to the Su family?” Su Mingde’s brows furrowed, and his voice grew louder.

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At that moment,Auntie Lan entered the room. Seeing that the two were about to argue again, she shook her head at Su Mingde and gave Yu Qingniang a glance before leaving.

After Su Mingde left, Yu Qingniang seemed to deflate and slumped onto a chair.

Auntie Lan approached and poured her a cup of tea, then advised her, “Qingniang, I just heard from the servants that Auntie Zhao has been locked in the firewood shed for several days, waiting for you to go back and deal with her. Master also knows he was wrong, and from now on, the Su family will be under your control. Why don’t you go back?”

“I won’t change my decision once it’s made. Besides, if it weren’t for Xiong ‘er’s success in the imperial examination, he wouldn’t be in such a hurry to have me return to the Su family.”

“He has his own selfish desires, which is normal. The real benefit is when the family is reunited!” Auntie Lan wasn’t trying to favor Su Mingde; she just felt sorry for Yu Qingniang. At her age, it would be difficult for her to remarry, so why insist on divorce?

“Auntie Lan, I have endured for half a lifetime, and I don’t want to endure any longer for the remaining time.”

Yu Qingniang raised her head. Lan Yi couldn’t understand. Even without Auntie Zhao, there was still Auntie Lu. Or rather, she had already given up on Su Mingde in the courtroom that day, so how could her heart be swayed back?

“But what about Xiong’er? It was so hard for him to find his birth parents.”

Yu Qingniang didn’t respond to Lan Yi’s words. She just whispered quietly, “As long as he’s alive, that’s already good enough—really good enough.”

…

After leaving Mrs. Yu’s place, Su Mingde still felt unsatisfied and went to the main residence of the chief to find Su Mi. Naturally, it was about Jian Yujue.

If one became an official in the court and had their name recorded, it would be difficult to change their registration. This was why Su Mingde was in a hurry. He wanted to restore Jian Yujue’s original name, Su Xiong, before he officially entered the Imperial College, to bring glory to the Su family’s ancestors.

“Mi’er, once he enters the court in the future, you will have someone to rely on. The chief will not neglect you anymore. But in case he grows tired of you one day and you don’t have any children, you won’t even have a backer. So, you must go and persuade your mother,” Su Mingde reminded her before leaving.

“Yes, father, I understand,” Su Mi replied casually, accompanying Su Mingde out of the gate with Feng Bao and Chun Mei.

***

Qin Yan was still in Mocheng, so Su Mi wholeheartedly focused on Jian Yujue.

She had sent Chun Mei to keep an eye on the old bookstore, so she knew that Jian Yujue had bought a small courtyard in a corner of the capital and settled there with Grandma Jian and Uncle Li.

Since Jian Yujue had some free time before entering the Imperial College as an editor, he often stayed in the old bookstore reading books.

After Su Mingde visited him, he refused to see anyone related to the Su family. Mrs.Yu and Su Mi had to secretly go and see him a few times, but they only watched from a distance and didn’t approach.

Later, they obtained his address from shopkeeper Li. Every time Yu Qingniang saw him peacefully in the evening, she would prepare some of his favorite dishes and send them to his residence.

As these occasions became more frequent, she became acquainted with Grandma Jian, and through her, Grandma Jian also heard some things about the Su family.

“Qingniang, stay a little longer. Yujue has finished his study session, and we can have dinner together.” Grandma Jian felt sorry for Yu Qingniang.

Yu Qingniang looked towards the study room door and smiled. “It’s alright; Auntie Lan is still waiting for me at home. I’ll leave first.”

“Ah…”

After Yu Qingniang left, Jian Yujue finally emerged from the study. He looked at the extra dishes on the table but didn’t touch them. He sat down and remained silent, lowering his gaze.

“Yujue, your mother has been through a lot these years. Why are you being stubborn with her?” Grandma Jian couldn’t help but speak up.

It was clear to perceptive people that she and the Su family’s old master were not of the same ilk. Yujue was quite sensible, so why wouldn’t he compromise in this situation?

“Tomorrow, I’ll ask her to have dinner with us anyway.” Grandma Jian finished speaking and glanced at Jian Yujue’s expression.

“Grandma, please have a seat.”

Grandma Jian understood his temperament, and not rejecting her was a sign of hope. “Yujue, did you…did you agree?”

Jian Yujue picked up his chopsticks. Although his handsome face still lacked expression, he softly replied, “Mmm.”