The Su Family Mansion
The news of Su Su’s promotion in the palace reached the Su residence in the afternoon.
The steward, Li Zhong, held the congratulatory message sent from the Imperial Household Department. He almost ran through the corridors, forgetting all etiquette, and only stopped in front of the main room, trembling as he reported, “Master, Madam! There’s joyous news from the palace Miss… Miss Su has been promoted to Consort Su!”
The room fell silent for a moment, then there was a soft “clang” as the teacup beside Su Mufeng was knocked over by his sleeve. The warm tea quickly spread across the table, but he didn’t notice at all. He abruptly stood and opened the door, his usually calm face betraying his anxiety: “What did you say?”
Li Zhong knelt and presented the message with both hands. “It’s absolutely true! The news just came from the Imperial Household Department. Miss Su has been restored to the rank of Consort. Though she hasn’t moved back to the palace, Changxin Palace has been refurbished according to the regulations for her rank, and all rewards have been sent as well!”
From the inner room, faint movement was heard. Tang Wanqing hurried out, leaning on the doorframe. Her face was still pale, and her voice trembled: “Su’er… is my Su’er alright?”
“Good! Very good!” Li Zhong replied. “I heard that the eunuch Qian from the Imperial Household Department personally handled everything. Everything is of the finest quality!”
Tang Wanqing swayed, and Su Mufeng quickly reached out to steady her. Tears glimmered at the corners of her eyes, but for the first time in days, a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
“That’s wonderful…” she whispered, gripping her husband’s hand tightly in return. “I knew Su’er wouldn’t have to suffer forever.”
Su Mufeng helped his emotional wife sit on the couch, looking at her with gentle eyes. Ever since their daughter had been demoted, she hadn’t smiled like this for a long time. He reached out to wipe the tears from her eyes and whispered in comfort, “You can rest easy now. I’ve always said, our Su’er is a blessed child.”
Tang Wanqing’s tears turned into laughter, and she gave him a playful glare. “You always know what to say.” Then she leaned her head on his shoulder, softly murmuring, “These past days, I’m so grateful you’ve been here with me.”
Outside the window, Su Jizhi had hurried over upon hearing the news. He saw his parents leaning on each other and quietly stepped back along the corridor, not wanting to disturb them.
The setting sun shone through the carved window, casting a warm glow over them. His father whispered something to his mother, making her smile—a smile like a begonia blooming in early spring. Su Jizhi suddenly remembered how, when he was a child, he often saw his father cheering his mother up like this. So many years had passed, yet this deep affection had never changed.
After a while, Su Mufeng noticed his son outside the door.
“Jizhi’s here? Why didn’t you come in?”
Su Jizhi entered the room with a smile. “I came as soon as I heard the good news about my sister’s promotion.”
The three of them shared smiles, and the atmosphere in the house was lighter than it had been in months.
The next morning, the long-absent elder, Su Qiming, came to the Su residence upon hearing the news.
“Mufeng, this is truly joyous news!” Su Qiming’s face was flushed with excitement, a stark contrast to the cold attitude he had shown toward the main branch yesterday. “Su’er has always been a remarkable child. Now that she has regained the Emperor’s favor, it is truly a blessing for the Su family!”
Su Mufeng replied calmly and ordered tea to be served.
Tang Wanqing sat nearby with a polite smile on her face, though a trace of coldness lingered in her eyes. She had never forgotten how, when their daughter had been demoted, the elders had been quick to distance themselves from the Su family.
After some polite conversation, Su Qiming finally brought up the matter at hand. “Speaking of which, Jizhi is already twenty-two this year, isn’t it? It’s time he settled down.”
Su Jizhi paused slightly, holding his teacup.
“The daughter of the Eight Banner Guard Commander Lan Yutian, Lan Zhao’an, has just turned sixteen this year. She’s at the perfect age for marriage,” Su Qiming said, stroking his beard with a meaningful smile.
“She’s very fond of Jizhi. She even asked about him a few days ago,” he added.
Su Mufeng and Tang Wanqing exchanged a glance, both surprised.
Lan Zhao’an was a well-known noblewoman in the capital. Her father, Lan Yutian, controlled the city’s defenses and wielded significant power. Such a match would have been unimaginable for the Su family in the past.
“This…” Su Mufeng considered his words carefully. “Miss Lan is of noble status; I’m afraid Jizhi may not be a suitable match.”
“What are you talking about!” Su Qiming waved his hand. “Now that Su’er has regained her consort rank, and Jizhi is an imperial guard, they are well-matched. Besides”
He looked at Su Mufeng and smiled subtly. “Miss Lan has always favored Jizhi greatly.”
This was true. In the capital, it was known that Lan Zhao’an had long admired Su Jizhi.
During last year’s spring hunt, Su Jizhi had ridden across the training ground in full military attire. The sunlight hit his handsome profile, leaving Lan Zhao’an enthralled in the stands. From that moment on, this proud young lady had taken a particular interest in him.
However, Su Jizhi held no affection for Lan Zhao’an. He had seen her publicly whipping servants and heard rumors of her punishing maids over trivial matters. Such arrogance…
Her temperament was simply not a suitable match in his eyes.
“Thank you for your kind intentions, Elder,” Su Jizhi stood and bowed respectfully but firmly. “But your grandson has no plans to marry at present.”
Su Qiming’s smile froze. “Why is that? A marriage with the Lan family how many people would give anything to obtain such an opportunity!”
Tang Wanqing spoke softly, “Elder, regarding the children’s marriages, it is still best to ask for their own opinions.”
“Foolish!” Su Qiming slammed his hand on the table. “What a perfect chance this is! A union with the Lan family would benefit the Su family and Su’er’s position in the palace as well!”
Su Mufeng’s voice was calm but firm. “Elder, the Su family does not need to rely on selling our sons and daughters to secure our future.”
“You!” Su Qiming’s beard trembled with anger. “Do you intend to let Jizhi repeat your mistakes? Back then, you insisted on marrying a merchant’s daughter, and how many opportunities did the Su family miss! And now you would let your son be willful as well?”
His words were harsh, implying a slight against Tang Wanqing’s background. Tang Wanqing’s face instantly turned pale.
Su Jizhi stepped forward, placing himself between his mother and the elder. His posture was upright, his expression stern, and yet his peach blossom eyes inheritance from his mother were filled with icy resolve.
“Elder, your words are mistaken. My father married my mother out of true love what fault is there in that? If your grandson is to marry, he will choose a woman whose heart is in harmony with his, not one who is haughty and domineering merely for the sake of family gain!”
“You… you say Miss Lan is haughty and domineering? Don’t speak nonsense!” Su Qiming clearly did not want to believe it.
“Last year in the twelfth month, Miss Lan ordered a maid to be beaten nearly to death just for knocking over a teacup. Such a woman is not someone your grandson has the fortune to endure,” Su Jizhi said coldly.
Su Qiming trembled with rage, pointing at Su Jizhi, speechless for a long moment, then suddenly stood up. “Fine! Very well! Now that your main branch has the support of a consort in the palace, you no longer care for the family’s interests! Let’s see how long your pride will last!” With that, he swept his sleeve and left.
After sending off the furious elder, the hall fell into silence.
Tang Wanqing looked at her son with some concern. “Jizhi, do you think you were a bit impulsive just now?”
“Mother, do not worry. I do not regret it,” Su Jizhi replied firmly. “If I am to marry, I will not marry a woman like that. I would rather remain unmarried for life than wed someone like her.”