In Spring Scenery Garden, Su Shuyao sat quietly in Madam Wan’s small Buddha hall, calmly copying Buddhist scriptures.
“Miss Mingzhu is always so thoughtful. She knew Madam fears the heat and sent two extra basins of ice.”
By Madam Wan’s regular allowance, she should only have one basin of ice a day. But ever since Su Mingzhu took charge, Madam Wan received three basins daily.
Su Shuyao didn’t even get half a basin.
Clearly, her share had been given away to curry favor.
Su Shuyao tightened her robe and drew in a breath of cool air.
Madam Wan turned her prayer beads, face calm and gentle. “When copying scriptures, the heart must be sincere. Only with sincerity can one touch the heavens.”
Su Shuyao smiled lightly. “Madam, I sincerely wish for the wellbeing of everyone in the family, especially Sister Mingzhu.”
Madam Wan fixed her gaze on her, trying to read some trace of sarcasm to use as a reason to punish her.
But after a long look, Su Shuyao remained calm, composed, and peaceful. There was not the slightest sign of mockery.
Madam Wan tried another angle. “I heard you went to see your uncle? Why did you think to do that?”
Su Shuyao replied, “I ran into Su Mingli at the flower market. He said Uncle was seriously ill, so I went to visit.”
Madam Wan rolled the beads in her hand again. “Their family is wicked and selfish. Visiting once is fine, but don’t get too close.”
Su Shuyao looked up at her, her eyes filled with innocent confusion. “Madam, you’re known for your compassion. How could you say such sharp and bitter words?”
Madam Wan always cared about appearances and loved to act kind in public. That remark struck a nerve, and her voice grew sharper. “Su Shuyao, I’m saying this for your own good! Do you not know how greedy and vicious your uncle’s family was during the family split?!”
“Are they doing terribly now? That’s karma for their evil deeds!”
“Just watch, their whole family will meet a bitter end!”
She screamed like a dog that had its tail stepped on.
Su Shuyao found it almost funny.
She pretended to be startled. “Madam, even if Uncle’s family did terrible things, you still can’t curse them to death, can you? Where’s your compassion? Weren’t you the soft-hearted one?”
The so-called kind and gentle lady had become vicious when scolding others.
Madam Wan’s face twisted with anger. “If you don’t listen to me, you’ll suffer sooner or later!”
That was the classic line elders used to suppress the younger generation. Every time someone disobeyed, Madam Wan would say, “I’m doing this for your own good,” or “If you don’t listen to your elders, you’ll regret it.”
In her previous life, Su Shuyao had listened to those words too many times and ended up in misery.
This time, every word from Madam Wan felt like a joke.
Su Shuyao said calmly, “Thank you, Madam. I understand.” Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
She saw the fear in Madam Wan’s eyes.
She had snatched the title of nobility from Uncle’s family—Madam Wan had a guilty conscience.
She cursed Uncle’s family for being greedy and wicked, but the truly greedy and wicked one was her.
That’s why just mentioning Uncle made her lose composure.
Su Shuyao was no longer afraid of Madam Wan.
She was just all bark and no bite.
Madam Wan clutched her chest, trying to calm herself. “Keep copying. Finish two rounds and then you can go.” She didn’t want to see Su Shuyao for even a moment longer—seeing her made her chest tighten.
Su Shuyao resumed copying scriptures in silence.
Not long after, a maid rushed in. “Something’s wrong, Madam! Second Miss has fallen ill!”
A few older servant women came in, flustered, carrying Su Mingzhu on a stretcher.
Her face was flushed red as she lay there weakly, gasping for air.
Su Shuyao held a handkerchief, pretending to be concerned. “Sister, what happened to you?”
Cuihong, a maid at Su Mingzhu’s side, shoved Su Shuyao away. “Eldest Miss, Second Miss ended up like this all because of you!”
She fell at Madam Wan’s feet and wailed, “Madam, you must speak up for Second Miss! She was terribly wronged by Eldest Miss!”
Su Shuyao glanced at Mama Liu behind her. Mama Liu understood immediately, stepped forward, and slapped Cuihong across the face. She pointed at her and shouted, “You little wretch, how dare you speak to the Eldest Miss like that?!”
“The Eldest Miss has been in the residence all day, copying scriptures here with Madam, praying for Second Miss. Don’t spout nonsense!”
“Madam, this wicked maid must be the one who harmed Second Miss and now she’s trying to pin the blame on Eldest Miss. You mustn’t let her off easy!”
Su Shuyao stepped forward and held Mama Liu back. “Mama Liu, don’t get worked up. Let’s ask Cuihong what actually happened first.”
Only then did Madam Wan turn to Cuihong. “Speak. What happened to Second Miss?”
Cuihong said angrily, “Eldest Miss said she was going to the southern hills to pick wild mushrooms. Second Miss went and got heatstroke!”
Su Shuyao lowered her head and laughed. “I said I was going to pick wild mushrooms. How does that harm Sister? What does it have to do with me if she chose to go too?”
Mama Liu stepped up and gave Cuihong another slap. “Ridiculous nonsense! It’s scorching hot. Who goes mushroom picking in this weather? Is Second Miss foolish? Even if someone had to go, a servant would do it. Why would Second Miss go herself?!”
“Madam, this little tramp is clearly lying. You must interrogate her properly or she’ll end up harming Second Miss again!”
Cuihong opened her mouth to speak again, but Su Mingzhu slowly opened her eyes. “Cuihong, enough.”
“Mother, this has nothing to do with Sister. I’m just physically weak. I’ll be fine after some rest.”
She wanted to leave but feared missing Li Yuan’s carriage.
So she kept waiting, even went up the hill to pick mushrooms, and ended up fainting from the heat.
She suspected Su Shuyao might have found out something and deliberately set her up.
Su Mingzhu stared at Su Shuyao, trying to find some clue on her face.
But Su Shuyao’s hair was elegantly tied up. Amidst the clamor, she was like a silent mountain.
Her eyes were clear and tranquil, which only made Su Mingzhu’s own sharp features look more shifty.
After a couple of glances, Su Mingzhu looked away.
When Su Shuyao left Spring Scenery Garden, Madam Wan asked, “Mingzhu, what really happened?”
Su Mingzhu couldn’t say she was trying to rescue Li Yuan’s daughter, so she mumbled, “It’s nothing, just an accident.”
“If Sister goes out again tomorrow, please stop her. As long as you keep her from leaving, I’ll make sure Brother successfully gets his master.”
The next morning, Su Shuyao prepared to go out again.
This time, she wasn’t headed south. She was going north.
She was planning to fish by the river in the northern suburbs.
Though Qiushuang was confused, she still made the arrangements.
But just before they left, Madam Wan summoned her again—to copy scriptures.
Su Shuyao obediently went.
By afternoon, Su Mingzhu was once again carried back.
She had brought plenty of ice this time, but the carriage accidentally slipped into the river and she nearly drowned.
On the third day, Su Shuyao was set to go out again. This time, Madam Wan didn’t call for her.
Su Shuyao finally left the house.
Su Mingzhu had been following her for two days. She wasn’t going to give up so easily and followed again.
Su Shuyao went to a teahouse to drink tea and listen to storytelling. Su Mingzhu hid in the carriage all afternoon.
On the fourth day, it was the same day Su Shuyao had helped Li Yuan in her past life.
Su Mingzhu wanted to follow again, but the midwife claimed she was sick and refused to go.
The midday sun was scorching, and even with double the pay, the midwife still refused to leave.
Soon, rumors began to spread. “Second Miss of the Marquis of Weiyuan’s Residence has a strange habit—she loves taking her midwife out under the blazing sun.”