When Su Fu returned to the carriage, Su Qing had not yet come back.
She sat inside with her eyes closed, resting.
About a quarter of an hour later, Su Qing finally returned with Xiaoshui, carrying large and small packages piled high in their arms.
By the time they arrived back at the Su Residence, dusk had already fallen.
Su Fu and Su Qing went together to pay their respects to the Old Madam. When they reached Chensong Courtyard, the Old Madam’s expression was clearly displeased.
Seated in her armchair, she spoke slowly, “Why have you returned so late?”
Su Fu answered truthfully, “Second Sister had quite a few things to purchase. I simply waited a little longer.”
Su Qing shot Su Fu an annoyed glance, then stepped forward to hold the Old Madam’s arm, acting coquettish. “Grandmother! I came back late because I was choosing a gift for you.”
She signaled Xiaoshui to bring the items forward, then took out a ruby hairpin from a box. “Grandmother, look—this is a top-grade ruby. The shopkeeper said it just arrived today! Do you like it?”
The Old Madam’s stern face immediately softened at the sight of the hairpin. Her brows relaxed, and she lovingly stroked Su Qing’s head.
“Oh my! You rarely go out, yet you still think of your grandmother. I truly did not dote on you in vain.”
After speaking, she glanced at Su Fu meaningfully. “Unlike some people—only thinking of themselves. Truly an ungrateful wretch.”
Su Fu paid no heed, pretending not to understand.
Su Qing’s eyes curved upward. “Grandmother, please don’t blame Elder Sister. She must have simply forgotten for a moment. It’s not that she’s unfilial.”
“Hmph! I don’t expect her to be filial to this old woman anymore. I only hope that, since the Su family raised her, she will at least lend support to the family in the future.” The Old Madam’s eyes were filled with calculation.
Su Fu smiled gently and replied obediently, “Grandmother, what are you saying? Fu’er is a daughter of the Su family. I will naturally support the family.”
How she would support them, however, was another matter entirely.
At that moment, a maid’s voice sounded from outside: “Master.”
Before the words faded, Su Zhe stepped into the room.
“Your son greets Mother.”
“What brings you here at this hour?” the Old Madam asked.
“Today, General Xiao returned to the capital with his army. His Majesty has decreed that a banquet will be held in the palace tomorrow to welcome them. Officials of the fifth rank and below may bring their family members to attend.”
The Old Madam turned to Su Qing. “Then you shall take Qing’er with you.”
Su Zhe had been thinking the same. After all, this was a rare opportunity for Su Qing to come into contact with the Crown Prince.
Su Qing’s heart surged with excitement. Gaining entry into the palace was no easy matter!
Just as she was thinking about what to wear the next day, Su Fu’s voice unexpectedly rang out.
“Father, I would also like to enter the palace and attend the banquet.”
Everyone in the room froze and looked at her. It was no wonder—they were surprised. In the past, Su Fu had never liked attending banquets. Now she was voluntarily asking to attend a palace banquet?
Su Zhe was the first to speak. “What did you say? You want to enter the palace?”
“Yes. I wish to attend the palace banquet.” Her tone was firm.
Su Fu had known that when the army returned, Emperor Jingwen would host a banquet. She had been waiting for this moment. Moreover, she would be able to see Xiao Junhe—how could she possibly not go?
The Old Madam slammed her hand on the table. “Nonsense! Do you think entering the palace is child’s play? You have never even attended an ordinary banquet. If you offend some noble person in the palace, can you bear the consequences? You’ll drag the entire Su family down with you!”
Su Qing added with a worried expression, “Grandmother is right, Elder Sister. If you wish to attend a banquet, next time another household hosts one and invites me, I can take you along.”
“Father, may I go?” Su Fu asked again.
Su Zhe suddenly recalled the words Su Fu had spoken earlier at the residence gates about the soldiers defending the nation. For some reason, a sudden impulse rose in his heart, and he agreed.
“Very well. You may attend the banquet. But remember—palace rules are strict. Do not wander about or speak carelessly. After entering the palace, stay close to your sister. Under no circumstances are you to bring trouble upon the Su family.”
His gaze sharpened as he warned, “If you bring disaster upon this family, you can forget about being the eldest young lady of the Su household!”
Later, Su Qing went to Madam Zhou’s courtyard and complained indignantly.
“Mother! Father actually agreed to let Su Fu attend the palace banquet…”
Seeing Madam Zhou calmly sipping tea, she grew more upset. “Mother, why aren’t you anxious at all?”
Madam Zhou set down her teacup leisurely. “What are you anxious for? In what way are you inferior to her? Do you truly fear you cannot surpass her?”
She pulled Su Qing to sit beside her. “Remember this—your father and your maternal grandfather place high hopes on you. In the future, you are destined to become the Crown Princess. You must not be as impatient as you are now.”
“Su Fu has never even attended a banquet. No one has taught her the most basic etiquette. If she causes trouble in the palace, your father certainly won’t let her off lightly.”
Su Qing’s agitation gradually subsided. She seemed to already see Su Fu making a fool of herself at the banquet and curved her lips in a smile.
“Mother is right. Your daughter will remember your teachings.”
“That’s better,” Madam Zhou replied. “What you should be considering now is how to shine brilliantly before His Highness the Crown Prince tomorrow…”
..
Meanwhile, Su Fu was also preparing for the next day.
In her previous life, after marrying into the general’s household, she had entered the palace. At that time, Princess Yongping had even instructed a senior maid to teach her palace rules and etiquette.
“Miss, how about wearing this tomorrow?” Qiushuang asked, holding up a lotus-purple embroidered satin dress.
“That will do.”
The next morning, at the first hint of dawn, Qiushuang quietly approached Su Fu’s bedside. Seeing her still asleep, she softly called, “Miss, it’s time to rise.”
Su Fu slowly opened her drowsy eyes and allowed Qiushuang to help her up.
After washing and dressing, she sat before the bronze mirror while her two maids carefully styled her hair and applied her cosmetics.
By the time everything was ready, morning light had begun to spread across the sky.
Su Fu turned to Qiuxue. “You stay in the residence today. Qiushuang will accompany me into the palace.”
Qiuxue was less steady than Qiushuang, and Su Fu feared she might cause unnecessary trouble inside the palace.
“Yes, Miss. It is your first time entering the palace—please be careful. I will wait for your return.”
When Su Fu arrived at the front gates of the Su Residence, two carriages were already waiting. Shortly after she arrived, Su Zhe came as well. Seeing Su Fu’s attire today, he felt secretly satisfied.
At the same time, Su Qing appeared in a long purple gauze dress patterned with scattered blossoms, like a blooming violet—bright and striking.
She hurried over. “I’ve kept Father waiting.”
“Get in the carriage. Don’t delay.”
Su Zhe boarded the front carriage, while Su Fu and Su Qing entered the one behind.
With a crack of the whip, the driver urged the horses forward, and the carriage slowly rolled toward the imperial palace.
Inside the carriage, Su Qing’s gaze remained fixed on Su Fu. She carefully examined her attire for the day.