“As a child of the Su Family, how can you not pay respects? Even Mengmeng’s mother, who has achieved military merits, would kneel upon arrival!”
The Clan Leader explained, unintentionally comparing the two pairs of mother and daughter.
Even someone as impartial as him, the family’s leader, had unconsciously leaned toward Si Yao and her daughter.
However, Qing Bao didn’t dwell on this.
Having served as a Judge for many years, she naturally understood that human nature tends to favor those in power who can bring them benefits.
Her own mother, unloved by both her maternal and marital families, had lived in the countryside for two years with her foster parents now missing. She was undoubtedly among the weakest of the weak.
But fortunately, Qing Bao had returned.
In this lifetime, they would never suffer grievances again.
“Others are others, I am me. How can they compare to me?” Qing Bao retorted to the Clan Leader without hesitation.
Just as the Clan Leader was about to scold her, Qing Bao took her mother’s hand and returned to their courtyard.
Bang—the little one shut the door.
The Clan Leader was infuriated by her.
“Look at your fine daughter. I thought she’d learned some sense after two years of hardship,” he complained to Su Xiao.
Su Xiao stared at the courtyard, his expression growing increasingly displeased.
There was still some time before dawn.
The villagers returned to rest and prepare for the upcoming ancestral worship ceremony the next day.
Qing Bao’s injuries from Su Mengmeng’s earlier assault still lingered. Si He gently rolled a warm egg over Qing Bao’s face while tears of heartache streamed down her cheeks.
“I was only gone for a short while, and they bullied you like this.”
It was all because she had been stolen at birth, leaving her without enough influence to protect her daughter.
Qing Bao’s face was rounder than the egg. She opened her sparkling eyes and said brightly, “Mother, don’t cry. We’re much better off now.”
She didn’t dare tell her mother how miserable their previous life had been.
Having lived here for two years, they often waited ten days or more just to eat an egg, and only received one new set of clothes per year.
Malnourished, Si He had grown much thinner and weaker.
Yet she had managed to raise Qing Bao with chubby, round cheeks—fair, soft, and even more beautiful than the babies in New Year paintings.
“Don’t cry, Mother won’t cry. Qing Bao, have some Sugar Crisp.” She had brought back the Sugar Crisp during the day, but Qing Bao hadn’t had a chance to taste it.
Seeing the Sugar Crisp, Qing Bao hesitated, recalling the pain when Su Mengmeng had forced it into her mouth, cutting her gums.
But she said nothing, picked it up, and took a big bite.
The little one chewed happily, squinting with satisfaction like crescent moons. “So sweet, thank you, Mother.”
Si He, worried she might choke, poured her some water.
After a brief stay, she took the items and left the room, turning her back to her daughter to eat the egg she had just used on Qing Bao’s face.
Suddenly, she noticed a crispy, sweet taste inside the egg white. Si He paused, remembering that when she had poured water for her daughter earlier, one piece of Sugar Crisp was missing from the table.
Her heart felt very sweet.
At daybreak.
The villagers gradually gathered at the Ancestral Hall.
The Clan Leader had ordered someone to hide the bodies of Su Dazhuang and his mother in their home, postponing the funeral until after the worship ceremony.
Since the founding of the Su Family, there had never been such a joyous occasion, and everyone took it extremely seriously.
Si He brought her daughter along, dressed in the new clothes she had brought back the previous day.
Outside the Ancestral Hall.
Old Madam Su was stopped by the Clan Leader’s orders.
“Clan Leader, I was momentarily foolish. Can we settle yesterday’s matter later? Please let me enter and pay my respects today. The one who returned victorious is my son, after all.”
Although Old Madam Su was the matriarch of the General’s Residence, the Clan Leader remained the ultimate authority in the Su Family.
Even the late General Su would not dare defy the Clan Leader, as doing so would show disrespect to their ancestors.
“Old Madam, if you truly recognize your mistake, you should apologize to Si He. If she forgives you, I may reconsider my earlier decision.”
The Clan Leader wasn’t determined to punish Old Madam severely, but she had wronged her own daughter-in-law.
If he didn’t impose some consequence for such a disgraceful matter, the clan would surely gossip.
Thus, he shifted the responsibility elsewhere.
Si He had just arrived with Qing Bao when Old Madam and the Clan Leader summoned her.
Old Madam grasped Si He’s hand and said, “Si He, tell the Clan Leader that you’ve forgiven me for yesterday’s incident.”
Accustomed to commanding Si He, Old Madam failed to see anything inappropriate in her words.
She viewed Si He as nothing more than a compliant tool, carrying out orders without emotion.
Si He pressed her lips together and looked at the Clan Leader. “I cannot pretend nothing happened. This concerns my reputation and two lives. I hope you will handle this more justly, not leniently.” With that, she shook off Old Madam Su’s hand and took Qing Bao’s.
“Qing Bao, let’s go.”
Qing Bao nodded obediently, toddling on her short legs as she followed her mother into the Ancestral Hall.
Old Madam Su fumed, feeling as if she had been publicly slapped in the face.
“Si He, how dare you speak to me like that! Unless you return and apologize, don’t expect to enjoy the comforts of the Su Family again!”
“Si He!!!”
Her furious shouts drew the attention of many clan members.
Old Madam Su quickly covered her mouth. “Clan Leader, when my son sees how she disrespects her mother-in-law, he will surely divorce her eventually. Pay no mind to whether she forgives me or not.”
“This isn’t about her forgiveness,” the Clan Leader said with a troubled expression. “My hands are tied. Please wait outside.”
Having spoken, he entered the hall as well.
Old Madam Su stamped her feet at the entrance, gnashing her teeth in rage.
Inside the Ancestral Hall.
The Clan Leader performed the worship rites first, with Su Xiao kneeling beside him.
They lit incense, offered prayers, and burned memorials to inform three generations of Su ancestors that Su Xiao had returned with great military achievements.
Upon his return to the capital, he would be appointed a sixth-rank General.
Next came the family worship.
After Si He paid her respects, it was Su Mengmeng’s turn. She knelt perfectly and addressed their ancestors in a sweet voice,
“Mengmeng thanks Great-Grandfather, Great-Great-Grandfather, and Ancestral Grandfather for protecting Father and bringing him home safely. Mengmeng vows to bring honor to the Su Family and never disgrace Great-Grandfather, Great-Great-Grandfather, Ancestral Grandfather, or Father…”
Her soft, cooing voice earned praises from the adults for her maturity.
Su Mengmeng looked up at the adults. “It’s all because Father and Mother taught me well. Mengmeng isn’t really that outstanding.”
Su Xiao patted her head, beaming with pride.
Truly, she was his and Yao’er’s child.
Then, it was Qing Bao’s turn to kneel.
Qing Bao stood to the side, sucking her thumb in thought. “If I pretend to faint, maybe I won’t have to kneel.”
“Qing Bao, your turn!” the Clan Leader called to her.
Qing Bao snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head vigorously. “Clan Leader, I can’t kneel!”
She was a Judge—in the Netherworld, everyone except Yama had to kneel to her!
If she were to kneel, probably not a single spirit could bear it.
Qing Bao shook her little head like a rattle drum, “Besides, I already told you all last night that I could come today, but I cannot kneel and worship.”
She had been very polite.
But these people seemed not to understand.
The Clan Leader said, “Qing Bao, you’re not at all as sensible as Mengmeng. Come and pay your respects quickly, or don’t blame Clan Leader Grandpa for getting angry.”
Qing Bao frowned.
Did this Clan Leader not understand human language?
Fine, she’d let him hear some ghostly words later.