Su Huai’s tense emotions instantly relaxed. The person appearing before everyone was none other than the son he cherished the most and the one who resembled him the most.
Su Yuan was only eleven years old. His cheeks still carried a bit of childish softness, his eyes were bright, and his features were refined and handsome.
He looked like Zheng Rui, but even more like Su Huai.
Zheng Rui and Su Yaoyao both relaxed a little. Su Yaoyao happily said, “Little brother, you’re back!”
The tense atmosphere that was about to explode was easily resolved by Su Yuan. He removed his cloak and ignored Su Yaoyao, instead walking straight up to Su Lingqing.
Seeing this, the girl took a small step back.
He was Su Huai’s precious treasure. If Su Yuan clashed with her now, she would inevitably be at a disadvantage.
Su Yuan’s action caused the room to fall silent. Zheng Rui raised her eyebrows slightly, while excitement appeared on Su Yaoyao’s face as she eagerly awaited what her younger brother would do next.
“Sister Lingqing, we haven’t seen each other for quite a while, have we? You’ve become even more beautiful. Yuan’er likes pretty sisters the most!” the young boy said with a bright smile.
Zheng Rui, Su Yaoyao: “?”
Su Lingqing: “……”
The girl stepped back again, but he persistently followed her.
“Fourth brother, long time no see,” Su Lingqing said, simply moving behind Su Huai to avoid him.
Su Huai frowned at her. “You haven’t seen your brother for a long time, yet you say nothing, and now you hide behind your father what kind of behavior is that?”
Su Yaoyao finally seized the chance to speak. “Father, perhaps Second Sister doesn’t like Fourth Brother, that’s why she’s acting like this!”
Su Huai’s brows furrowed even tighter. “You used to complain that no one in the household talked to you. Now that Yuan’er is taking the initiative to talk to you, you behave in such an uncouth manner!”
With a flick of his sleeve, the man returned to his seat.
Su Yuan still stared intensely at Su Lingqing. If the person before him were not related to him by blood, he would definitely keep such a beauty by his side!
Of course, he also knew that his mother and sister disliked her but what did that have to do with him?
It seemed that Su Yuan not only looked like Su Huai, but also resembled him in his selfish and petty nature.
“Yuan’er, come sit beside your father,” Zheng Rui called out.
Su Yaoyao secretly glared at Su Yuan before turning a venomous gaze toward Su Lingqing.
Su Lingqing returned to her seat. She had been hungry for quite a while and could finally eat a few bites of food properly.
It would be even better if those burning gazes weren’t fixed on her.
Su Huai barely ate anything. His mind had already flown to Zhou Jianyue.
She was the daughter of a minor official from Jiangnan. Willing to follow him back here, she greatly satisfied Su Huai’s pride especially since she had once saved his life.
Zhou Jianyue was skilled in medicine. With her capable hands, she had treated tens of thousands of disaster victims and was praised as the “Little Bodhisattva.”
“You’ve all worked hard today. Eat slowly I’ll return to my room to rest first,” Su Huai said, unable to resist leaving early.
Zheng Rui’s breathing quickened slightly. She clenched her teeth but said nothing.
If she tried to persuade him to stay again, even the last bit of dignity she had would be gone.
Su Yaoyao didn’t notice her mother’s unusual expression. She only kept staring at Su Lingqing. Su Yuan did the same, though his gaze was one of pure admiration, without malice.
Unfortunately, Zheng Rui didn’t notice otherwise, how cold her heart would have felt!
As Su Huai passed by Su Lingqing, he paused and looked at her with a complicated expression.
“Lingqing, Jianyue has just arrived and isn’t familiar with the residence yet. If your health is fine, take her around for a walk. For the next few days I must report to His Majesty and will be rather busy.”
Su Lingqing immediately guessed that this had been Zhou Jianyue’s own request.
The girl was silent for two seconds before smiling sweetly. “Alright! Thank you for trusting me, Father. I’ll get along well with Sister Jianyue.”
Even though he disliked this daughter, seeing her so obedient and compliant still made Su Huai feel somewhat satisfied.
…
“Sister Jianyue, this is Fangfei Garden. You’ll live here from now on.”
Su Lingqing brought Zhou Jianyue to the residence. Her voice was soft and pleasant to the ear.
Zhou Jianyue casually looked around before glancing at the few maids following behind them.
They had walked in silence all the way when suddenly Zhou Jianyue exclaimed, “Oh no!”
The servants immediately looked over nervously. This woman was someone their master cherished dearly they had to take good care of her!
“Oh dear! My jade pendant is missing. I don’t know where I dropped it! The master gave it to me!” Zhou Jianyue said anxiously.
Su Lingqing looked at her for two seconds before instructing the others, “Quickly go back along the path and help search for it. Sister Jianyue has me here. Otherwise Father will surely blame you.”
The maids were extremely grateful. Who said the eldest miss was bad? She was far too kind!
The crowd quickly scattered, leaving only Su Lingqing and Zhou Jianyue behind.
The girl put away her nervous expression. “Shall we talk here, or go to my courtyard?”
Seeing how smoothly Su Lingqing switched her “acting,” Zhou Jianyue couldn’t help curling her lips into a smile.
How interesting. No wonder that person was so fascinated with her.
“Don’t worry. I have no ill intentions toward you. If there’s something you can’t handle or it’s inconvenient for you to act, remember to come to me,” Zhou Jianyue said softly.
The girl frowned, not understanding why this person wanted to help her.
Thinking hard about her previous life, no one had ever pulled her out of danger like this. She had always gritted her teeth and endured everything alone.
“Thank you, but I don’t need it.”
Zhou Jianyue didn’t expect her to refuse. In such a dangerous environment, no one would want fewer allies.
“Miss, don’t speak so absolutely. The gates of Fangfei Garden will always be open for you. Besides…”
She stepped closer to Su Lingqing and gently lifted the girl’s delicate chin.
“You wouldn’t want me to become your enemy, would you?”
Her breath was fragrant and her eyes seductive. Su Lingqing blushed instantly at being teased like that.
“You! Let go!”
Though her face flushed, her gaze was sharp. That look made Zhou Jianyue’s heart tremble, and she subconsciously released her hand.
After reacting, Zhou Jianyue realized she had actually been a little afraid of her.
She had only ever felt this kind of feeling from that person.
Could it be… they were the same kind of people?
Originally treating the situation playfully, Zhou Jianyue quickly put away her mischievous thoughts and faced Su Lingqing more seriously.
“I’m serious. I understand that you don’t trust me right now, but if you ever need help in the future, you must come to me.”
Su Lingqing glanced at her. “Why would you help me like this? Do you like me?”
Zhou Jianyue was momentarily speechless.
She soon laughed lightly. “That’s not it.”
Su Lingqing shook her head faintly. “How are you so sure you can defeat Zheng Rui? If there’s a situation I can’t handle, I’d rather plan carefully before acting than place my hopes on you.”
Zhou Jianyue’s expression changed slightly. “That old witch is only better than me in age. In every other way she’s inferior don’t lump me together with her.”
Su Lingqing said nothing more. Instead, Zhou Jianyue began to feel anxious. Did she really seem that unworthy of trust?
In her twenty-two years of life, this was the first time someone had distrusted her so thoroughly.
Just as she was about to speak again, she noticed the servants gradually returning. It seemed they had found the jade pendant she had left elsewhere.
Suddenly, a somewhat gloomy voice rang out:
“Oh? You two seem to get along quite well. Someone who didn’t know might think you’ve known each other for a long time.”
Zheng Rui had appeared at some unknown time, her gaze locked onto them. No one knew how much of their conversation she had overheard.