In her previous life, Li Yuan had been so panicked during labor that the delivery dragged on for a whole day and night, and the child was born weak and sickly. But this time, in less than two hours, the baby was born safely—both mother and child were well.
“Thank you, Miss Su. If it weren’t for you, my child and I might not have survived,” Li Yuan, in her twenties and slightly plump from pregnancy, looked down at the baby in her arms, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Madam is blessed with good fortune. Even without me, you would have had a safe delivery,” Su Shuyao said gently. “Rest well now. After childbirth, avoid sadness and emotional distress.”
Li Yuan had taken a liking to her at first sight. “Miss Su, once I finish my confinement, I must thank you properly.”
As they spoke, the Great Scholar Li arrived.
He had rushed over after hearing about his daughter’s ordeal. Su Shuyao stepped out of the room, leaving space for father and daughter.
It wasn’t suitable for Li Yuan to remain at a farmhouse for her postpartum recovery, and the Great Scholar Li was uneasy, so he arranged for her to be brought home. Before leaving, he personally came to thank her. “Many thanks, Miss Su. I have no way to repay such a great favor. If you need anything, just say the word.”
Su Shuyao answered with calm composure, “It was a small effort, not worthy of reward. But I’ve heard that you are profoundly learned and highly respected. I have an older brother preparing for the imperial examination. I wonder if you would be willing to offer him some guidance.”
The Great Scholar Li hesitated. Ever since he had served as the Crown Prince’s tutor, he no longer accepted students.
Li Yuan smiled, “Father, she’s just asking for a bit of advice, not asking to become your student. Why hesitate?”
In her past life, the Great Scholar Li had only agreed to guide Su Mingpei, but Su Mingpei had boasted everywhere that he was the Great Scholar Li’s last disciple.
Later, when Su Mingpei rose to high office, the Great Scholar Li didn’t want to offend him and chose not to refute it.
Su Mingpei used this connection to build ties with the Crown Prince and other royal heirs.
His success in the previous life was largely due to becoming the Great Scholar Li’s disciple.
But in this life, that chance was no longer his.
Su Shuyao smiled. “To receive your guidance is already a blessing. Please be assured, my elder brother will never try to force himself upon you as a disciple.”
The Great Scholar Li laughed. “I was being narrow-minded. Miss Su, bring your brother over sometime. I’d be happy to give him some advice.”
With that matter settled, Su Shuyao returned to the residence.
The moment she stepped in, Su Mingzhu came looking for her.
Su Shuyao immediately knew her intentions—she was trying to get information, to see whether she had met Li Yuan.
Su Mingzhu hadn’t come alone. She brought along their younger sister, Su Mingzhi. The two held hands, acting like they were very close.
Su Mingzhi was two years younger than Su Shuyao. Su Shuyao had always doted on her.
As a child, Su Mingzhi was often sick and refused to take medicine.
Madam Wan disliked sick children and always avoided her. It had been Su Shuyao who stayed by her side during illnesses, telling her stories and coaxing her to drink her medicine.
Su Shuyao even learned to cook her favorite foods.
She had once thought those memories would mean something, but the moment Su Mingzhu returned, Su Mingzhi turned her back on her, clinging to Su Mingzhu every day.
In her past life, Su Mingzhi had insisted on marrying a poor scholar. Su Shuyao tried her best to stop her, explaining the pros and cons. In the end, Su Mingzhi married into a noble family and lived a life of luxury. This chapter was taken from novelping dot com without permission.
But only on her deathbed did she realize Su Mingzhi had hated her all along.
She blamed Su Shuyao for ruining her love and blamed all her marital misfortunes on her.
In this life, if Su Mingzhi wanted to marry a poor scholar, Su Shuyao would support her with both hands and feet.
Looking at them as if watching a play, Su Shuyao said, “Why have you come?”
Su Mingzhu didn’t answer but looked at Su Mingzhi, who spoke up, “Sister, where did you go today?”
Her tone was arrogant, as if interrogating a criminal.
“Mother said unmarried girls shouldn’t run around outside every day. It’s improper!”
Su Shuyao said calmly, “I won’t go out anymore.”
Su Mingzhu grew anxious. If she didn’t go out, how would she intercept her? “Mingzhi, don’t say that. I’m sure Sister went out for something important.”
Su Mingzhi sneered, “She doesn’t manage the household or the shops. What business does she have outside? Su Shuyao, when did you become so frivolous?!”
Su Mingzhu tugged her hand. “Sister, don’t be angry. Mingzhi’s just worried about you. She has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Please don’t take it to heart.”
Su Shuyao found it amusing. She had treated Su Mingzhi with genuine care, only being a bit strict. Yet Su Mingzhi resented her for it.
Meanwhile, she let Su Mingzhu use her like a pawn and still thought Su Mingzhu was a good person.
Truly brainless.
Su Shuyao looked at Su Mingzhu. “If you have something to say, say it. Then leave.”
“Sister, I…” Su Mingzhu’s eyes turned red as she spoke.
Su Mingzhi immediately raised her voice. “Su Shuyao! You’re bullying Sister Mingzhu again! I don’t like you anymore!”
Su Mingzhi was always casual in front of Su Shuyao because she knew no matter how she acted, Su Shuyao wouldn’t mind and would still treat her well.
But Sister Mingzhu was different. She was petty and held grudges and cried easily. Su Mingzhi didn’t dare act out in front of her—only in front of Su Shuyao could she act without restraint.
Su Mingzhu was secretly pleased but outwardly tried to calm things. “Sister, Mingzhi rarely goes out and is curious about the outside world. Just tell her where you went today, and she’ll be happy.”
Su Shuyao replied flatly, “I went out to buy an orchid.”
She only wanted to send them away quickly.
Su Mingzhu didn’t believe her. “Really?”
“Why are you so concerned about where I went?” Su Shuyao asked with a faint smile.
Seeing how calm she was, Su Mingzhu relaxed. She probably hadn’t met Li Yuan. “Sister, thinking of getting rich through orchids is just too naïve. Let me give you a word of advice—life and work should be built step by step with a steady foundation.” This chapter was taken from NovelPing without permission.
Su Shuyao smiled lightly. “Then I return that advice to you, Sister.”
…
Meanwhile, the Marquis of Weiyuan ordered Su Mingpei to visit the Great Scholar Li and offer an apology.
Su Mingpei sought out the shop where Su Shuyao had bought a Go set in their past life, intending to buy the same one.
When he asked for the price, it was 5,000 taels.
His eyes widened. “F-Five thousand taels?!”
So expensive?!
Instead of being grateful for how much Su Shuyao had spent for his sake in the past life, he thought, How much silver did she embezzle from the Marquis Residence’s Inner Household Affairs?!
She spent 5,000 taels on a Go set without blinking!
“I sincerely want to buy it. Can you give me a discount?”
The shopkeeper smiled. “Lowest price is 4,850 taels, sir. These white pieces are made of top-grade mutton-fat jade, and the black ones are rare black jade. There’s only one set like this in the entire capital. You’re lucky—it just arrived today. If you came half a day later, it would’ve been sold.”
“Fine, I’ll take it!” Su Mingpei grabbed the Go set and tried to leave.
The shopkeeper blocked him. “Sir, we don’t give credit here.”
“I’m the Heir of the Marquis of Weiyuan!” Su Mingpei flashed his identity.
In his past life, wherever he went, just revealing who he was would make merchants fall over themselves to please him, even offering things for free.
A mere 4,850 taels—how could he not pay?
The shopkeeper sneered. “Never heard of the Heir of the Marquis of Weiyuan. If you don’t pay, I’ll have to report this to the authorities.”
Su Mingpei asked, “Who’s your master?”
“The Heir of Duke Hua.”
“I know the heir’s official wife!” In his past life, they had been as close as brothers, and he’d helped him many times.
“Send someone to tell him that the Heir of the Marquis of Weiyuan, Su Mingpei, is borrowing his Go set.”
The shopkeeper wasn’t sure if it was true but sent a servant anyway. When the servant returned, he spat at Su Mingpei. “The young master said, ‘Who’s this Su Mingpei Heir of the Marquis? Never heard of him. Must be a fraud. Throw him out!’”
“Bah! What kind of disgraceful pauper is this?!”
Su Mingpei was thrown out and humiliated once again.