Just before leaving, Aunt took out a pair of socks and said, “Shuyao, these were handmade by me. If you don’t mind, take them and wear them for fun.”
Su Shuyao was momentarily stunned. “Aunt, now that we have maids at home, these tasks can be left to them.”
After her uncle fell ill, Aunt supported the household by sewing day and night. She was so frugal she wouldn’t even light a lamp at night, and soon her eyesight deteriorated. The physician had warned that she must reduce such work in the future.
Aunt smiled and said, “It’s just a pair of socks, not much effort. A young lady should always wear undergarments or close-fitting clothing made by an elder for safety and peace.”
In the Da Xia Empire, it was believed that unmarried girls wearing close-fitting garments made by elders would not only be safe but would also find a good husband.
Madam Wan always looked down on Su Shuyao—how could she ever make her clothes by hand?
“Take them. If they’re comfortable, I’ll make more for you.”
There wasn’t any fine material at home. The cotton fabric used had come from Aunt’s dowry. She only hoped Shuyao wouldn’t dislike it.
Su Shuyao accepted the socks, a wave of warmth flowing through her heart.
The fabric was soft, the stitches neat—though not luxurious, it was clear Aunt had put great care into making them.
Having lived two lives, let alone socks, Madam Wan had never made her anything.
All her close-fitting garments had been sewn by maids.
For a sixteen-year-old girl, being disliked by her mother was a great grievance.
Reborn once more, she had almost forgotten that sense of grievance. But Aunt still remembered it for her.
“Thank you, Aunt. I will wear them well.”
…
Crash—
A piece of Ru Kiln porcelain shattered on the ground, broken into pieces.
Su Mingzhu was throwing a tantrum in her courtyard, smashing many things.
“Su Shuyao, how dare you secretly go behind my back and save her?!”
Su Mingzhu wasn’t stupid. She had been sending people to watch Su Shuyao and the Li Residence every day.
After hearing that Li Yan had been rescued, she was so angry she broke several bowls, plates, and vases.
These past days, she’d been trailing Su Shuyao—suffering from heatstroke, falling into the river, becoming a laughingstock—yet hadn’t even seen Li Yan once.
She thought her plan was flawless. But in the end, all her effort was for nothing. Who wouldn’t be furious?!
Looking at the timeline, Su Shuyao must have saved her on the day she went to inspect the spices.
Such blind luck!
So what if Su Shuyao saved her?!
The one her eldest brother would thank—would still be her.
Su Mingzhu went to Su Mingpei’s courtyard. He was writing at the time. Upon seeing her, he threw down the wolf-hair brush in his hand.
“Mingzhu, what brings you here?”
“I promised to help you find a teacher. I even went to plead personally with the great scholar, but I still couldn’t move him.”
As she spoke, she knelt before him. “Eldest Brother, I’ve let you down.”
Su Mingpei was overwhelmed with heartache. He rushed over and helped her up in one step. “Mingzhu, how can I blame you?”
“Your efforts—I know them all.”
Su Mingzhu’s eyes turned red, and tears streamed down like large beads. “Eldest Brother, you are broad-minded and don’t blame me, but I feel uneasy. Your future prospects are on the line—this is all my fault. You can scold me, hit me—”
Su Mingpei helped her into a chair and whispered, “Mingzhu, the matter of the apprenticeship is already settled.”
Clearly, Su Mingzhu had come to apologize, but somehow Su Mingpei ended up comforting her instead.
Tears still in her eyes, Su Mingzhu said, “Ah? Really? Then congratulations, Eldest Brother! But why didn’t you inform me? Didn’t we agree to hold a celebration banquet?”
Su Mingpei sighed and explained how Su Shuyao had saved someone and requested guidance from Great Scholar Li.
Su Mingzhu’s heart tensed, but she kept a joyful expression. “That’s wonderful. When will you begin studying under him?”
Su Mingpei snorted, “Su Shuyao is putting on airs, waiting for me to beg her before she’ll take me there!”
Seeing the anger on his face, Su Mingzhu quietly exhaled in relief, then widened her eyes in exaggerated surprise. “Apprenticeship is a serious matter. How could Sister act like that?”
She added, “Eldest Brother, perhaps you’ve misunderstood. Sister isn’t such an unreasonable person.”
Su Mingpei gritted his teeth. “She absolutely is!”
“The more she acts like this, the less I’ll thank her. Mingzhu, if only she were half as understanding as you. She just got lucky and happened to save someone.”
Su Mingzhu thought the same. If she had been the one to encounter Li Yan, she too could have saved her—and used it to build valuable connections.
Li Yan’s husband was highly valued by His Majesty, and Li Yan herself had strong ties among the noblewomen in the capital. If she had saved her, she’d definitely nurture that bond.
“Eldest Brother, your talents speak for themselves. Finding a renowned teacher is only natural! If you were a fool, no matter how many lives Sister saved, Great Scholar Li would never take you as a disciple!”
After thinking a bit more, Su Mingzhu continued, “How about this—I’ll host a banquet, invite all our reputable acquaintances, and say it’s a celebration of your apprenticeship.”
“Once the banquet is held, word will spread. Sister won’t dare delay any longer. She’ll definitely take you to Great Scholar Li’s residence soon.”
Su Mingpei said nothing.He didn’t want to reconcile with Su Shuyao, but the continued delay in apprenticeship had indeed made him impatient.
Su Mingzhu’s idea was brilliant.
It would pressure Su Shuyao to act without him needing to lower himself.
“Mingzhu, you really are the best to me. In the future, when I pass the imperial exam and earn titles and promotions, I’ll protect you for life.”
Even if the apprenticeship succeeded, he would never thank Su Shuyao.
She just wasn’t worth it.
Mingzhu was still the best.
Feeling smug, Su Mingzhu hurried to prepare the celebration banquet.
After she left, Su Mingpei held a book in his hands but didn’t know where to start reading. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
He flipped through a few pages here and there.
He remembered reading these in his previous life, but he couldn’t recall the actual content.
Reading them again now might just be wasted effort.
Shuqi stepped forward and suggested, “Heir, if you can’t concentrate, why not take a walk to relax? Maybe after that, you’ll be able to focus again.”
Su Mingpei threw the book aside and nodded.
Great Scholar Li had profound knowledge. Under his guidance, learning would yield twice the results with half the effort.
A day or two wouldn’t make a difference.
“What’s new in the capital these days?”
Shuqi replied, “I heard there are some new fierce horses at the racetrack. Would you like to take a look?”
The racetrack not only sold horses but also held betting matches.
Shuqi liked to gamble, so naturally the way he suggested relaxing involved betting.
“Fine. Let’s go to the racetrack.”
The Go board that Great Scholar Li had confiscated—Su Mingpei shamelessly retrieved it and exchanged it for silver. He kept the money for himself.
It was originally the apprenticeship fee. Now that the apprenticeship had succeeded, he wasn’t in a hurry to return the silver to Madam Wan. He’d keep it for emergencies.
In his past life, he had always carried silver notes worth over 10,000 taels.
Compared to back then, this life felt far too shabby.
Mother would understand.
Su Mingpei followed Shuqi to the horse-betting track.
Although he hadn’t gambled in his past life, he had heard plenty about dark horses during idle conversations.
He was certain he could win a lot of money.
…
Early the next morning, Su Mingzhu personally came to inform Su Shuyao to attend the banquet.
She said it was a celebration for Su Mingpei’s successful apprenticeship and had invited not only family and friends but also Su Mingpei’s peers.
Su Shuyao understood clearly—this was a Hongmen Banquet meant to force her to publicly promise to take Su Mingpei to Great Scholar Li’s residence.
In front of so many people, if she embarrassed Su Mingpei, he would hate her for life.
Even if she admitted to saving Li Yan and agreed to help, Su Mingpei would never be grateful.
Su Mingzhu was truly a master at scheming.