“How is that possible! Su Lingqing, that wretch who’s practically dying from illness six bandits still couldn’t take her down?!”
The woman stood up as she spoke, then collapsed heavily back into her chair. Her face instantly turned pale and haggard, as if she had aged more than ten years.
Dongxue and Qiuyun were also trembling with fear. No one had expected Su Lingqing to return safely.
“Madam… should we go over there and check?” Qiuyun asked through gritted teeth.
Having lived for thirty-two years, Zheng Rui quickly calmed herself.
“No. First deal with those bandits as quickly as possible. No one must discover anything!”
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
“I thought that little wretch would certainly die. I didn’t pay much attention to the things she said today… It seems I miscalculated.”
Tomorrow Su Huai would return. If he heard those rumors spreading, he would surely become furious.
Zheng Rui ground her teeth in hatred.
She lifted her brows and looked at the two maids.
“We can only shut those mouths now. Leave Weirui Pavilion alone for the moment. That little wretch might still have tricks up her sleeve. At the very least, we must get through tomorrow safely first.”
After making these arrangements, Zheng Rui seemed utterly exhausted. She leaned back against a couch and closed her eyes to rest.
The two maids accepted the order and withdrew. Walking quickly with furrowed brows, they exchanged a glance before heading off in different directions.
It seemed that some things were already going very wrong.
Su Yaoyao paced back and forth in her room, glancing toward the door from time to time.
Two maids, Chaochun and Nianxia, entered together, both wearing black cloaks that blended into the night.
“Well? Is everything done?!” she asked urgently, eyes wide.
Nianxia nodded. “Don’t worry, Miss. Everything was handled exactly as you instructed.”
Su Yaoyao burst into loud laughter, forgetting all about her usual elegant appearance.
“Excellent! I originally planned to let that wretch Su Lingqing live a few more years! But since she refuses to appreciate my kindness, don’t blame me for getting rid of her early!”
By the end of her sentence, her expression was terrifying completely different from her usual gentle and lovely demeanor.
“Miss, we should still inform Madam. After all, this matter…” Chaochun began cautiously.
“You’re not allowed to say anything! Mother would never allow it. No matter what I want to do, she always refuses! I can’t swallow today’s humiliation. This helps me and helps Mother too. Afterward she certainly won’t blame me. It’s decided!”
Nianxia showed no particular reaction. Chaochun sighed and could only withdraw.
Mother and daughter each harbored vicious thoughts. They remained furious for a long time before finally extinguishing their lamps and going to sleep deep into the night.
That night, aside from Fusheng Courtyard, the rest of the residence was peaceful and quiet.
The next morning, the Ministry residence was extremely lively. Su Huai, the head of the household, had finally returned after being away for more than three months.
Even Zheng Rui, who usually never revealed her emotions, wore a smile.
Even the First Madam, who had only recently recovered from illness, and the obedient yet beautiful Concubine Rong came out of their courtyards, eagerly waiting for Su Huai to appear.
Su Yang and Su Yue stood obediently beside their mother, never daring to raise their eyes toward Zheng Rui’s direction.
Everyone had gathered at the residence gate.
Only one light and graceful figure was missing.
Zheng Rui raised her eyebrows slightly. She had long noticed that Su Lingqing was absent, yet she didn’t ask about it nor send anyone to call her.
It was clearly intentional.
The First Madam stood at the far edge. Beside her was Su Huai’s eldest son, Su Liao, now seventeen years old.
Su Liao secretly looked back for the fourth time, waiting for someone to appear.
The First Madam finally reminded him, “Stop looking.”
He could only lower his eyes.
Just as the carriage entered the alley, Su Lingqing finally arrived.
“I came a bit late. I’m not too late, am I?” her cool voice suddenly rang out.
Su Yaoyao forced a smile.
“Sister certainly knows how to choose the right moment. Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’d been waiting here with us all along.”
Su Lingqing smiled faintly.
“It’s fine. Later you can complain properly to Father.”
Su Yaoyao’s expression immediately changed. She hadn’t expected that after one night, Su Lingqing could still be so infuriating.
But soon she laughed inwardly.
It didn’t matter. Let that wretch be arrogant for a little while longer soon she would wish she could die but wouldn’t be able to!
Su Lingqing shifted her gaze and saw the carriage stop as Su Huai stepped down.
Su Yaoyao ran forward with a bright smile, but suddenly froze in place with disbelief.
Su Huai ignored the daughter he hadn’t seen for three months. He didn’t even glance at her.
Instead, he turned and extended his hand, slowly helping a beautiful and gentle woman from Jiangnan out of the carriage.
Su Lingqing felt the silence around her become so heavy that a needle could be heard dropping.
Her lips curved slightly as she glanced sideways at Zheng Rui.
Didn’t you like excitement?
Now that the show had begun, why did you suddenly look unhappy?
Su Yaoyao stared at the stunning young woman before her, feeling as though the entire world had turned upside down.
Although the woman was not as beautiful as Su Lingqing, she was still extremely striking. Moreover, she possessed a delicate, graceful charm like a willow swaying in the wind exactly the type Su Huai liked most.
Almost collapsing, she pointed at the woman and asked Su Huai:
“Father! Who is she?!”
Su Yaoyao usually acted obedient in front of Su Huai. For her to lose control like this showed how strongly she felt the threat for the first time.
Zheng Rui stood frozen in place. The muscles on her face twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled again.
She knew that after years of maintaining control in the residence, those women including Su Lingqing were all waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
At times like this, she absolutely could not panic.
After all, it was only some cheap woman who had thrown herself at a man to become a concubine. What was there to fear?
Thinking this, she walked forward gracefully.
At that moment Su Huai had already shouted sharply at Su Yaoyao:
“Insolence! I’ve spoiled you too much before. How dare you shout like this when your father has just returned home!”
Those words made Zheng Rui’s steps falter slightly, her expression stiffening.
Reprimanding her daughter like this in front of others was equivalent to slapping her in the face.
Sure enough, Su Yaoyao showed a wronged expression and turned to Zheng Rui, almost in tears.
Zheng Rui’s gaze swept forward, lingering the longest on the young woman.
Only then did she understand why her daughter had lost control earlier.
The woman did not show pride or smugness, nor fear or shyness.
She remained composed, gentle, and dignified throughout.
When Su Huai saw Zheng Rui approaching, he restrained himself slightly and greeted her.
“Madam.”
Zheng Rui smiled politely in return and stepped forward to adjust his cloak.
“The cold wind in Shengjing is much harsher than in Jiangnan. Husband should wear more.”
Their intimate posture caused the beautiful woman to glance at them briefly before looking away and even stepping farther from Su Huai.
Su Yaoyao had always feared Su Huai from the bottom of her heart. Seeing her mother act as if nothing was wrong, she could only bite her lip and swallow her harsh words.
Zhou Jianyue the beautiful woman stepped forward after the couple finished speaking.
She bowed gracefully to Zheng Rui. Her posture was light and supple, and when she lowered her head a slender white section of her neck was revealed.
Zheng Rui’s pupils shrank slightly, while beside her Su Huai’s eyes seemed almost glued to Zhou Jianyue.
“Greetings, Madam. Jianyue pays her respects.”
Su Lingqing’s expression also became somewhat serious. She stared intently at Zhou Jianyue, confusion appearing between her delicate brows.
Strange…
In her previous life, when Su Huai returned, he had indeed brought a woman with him.
But it was not Zhou Jianyue.