At this moment, Su Qing’s mood was far from pleasant.
She had originally intended to use this opportunity to make Su Fu embarrass herself in public.
Unexpectedly, it had instead given Su Fu a chance to shine.
Su Qing deeply regretted it. Not only had she failed to win the Empress’s and Princess Yongping’s rewards, she had even handed Su Fu an opportunity to display herself before so many nobles.
..
In the carriage returning to the Su Residence, Su Fu looked at Su Qing, whose eyes were filled with resentment. Calmly, she took out the phoenix hairpin and bracelet bestowed upon her by the Empress and Princess Yongping.
Smiling faintly, she said, “I truly must thank you today, Second Sister. If you hadn’t given Elder Sister this opportunity, I might not have received these rewards. It’s just a pity—you prepared for so long, yet in the end gained nothing.”
Flames seemed to burst from Su Qing’s eyes. She raised her hand to strike Su Fu, but Su Fu caught her wrist midair.
Her gaze turned icy. “You wish to hit me? Unfortunately, I am no longer the Su Fu who allowed you all to manipulate me.”
She flung Su Qing’s hand aside.
Su Qing had never seen Su Fu like this before. A chill crept into her heart.
Glaring wide-eyed, she snapped, “Su Fu, don’t get smug too soon! Grandmother and Father both dislike you. Do you think your future will be any easier?”
Su Fu let out a cold laugh. “Yes, they may dislike me. But if I am useful to them—if I can bring benefits to the Su family—that may not remain the case.”
Su Qing’s heart churned.
She knew that her grandmother’s and father’s affection was not solely rooted in family ties. To them, the interests of the Su family mattered above all else.
More importantly, she had a distinguished maternal grandfather—the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.
Fear gripped her. What if one day Father discovered that Su Fu was a more suitable candidate to become Crown Princess?
Everything she possessed would vanish like bubbles.
No. She would never allow that to happen.
“Su Fu, don’t even think about taking what belongs to me. My maternal grandfather is the current Left Censor-in-Chief. And you—what do you have to compete with me?”
Su Fu leaned closer. “Then what are you so nervous and afraid of?”
Su Qing retreated until her back pressed against the carriage wall. “I’m not afraid! Why would I be afraid of you?”
..
As soon as they returned to the Su Residence, Su Zhe summoned both daughters to his study.
He was in high spirits, even viewing Su Fu with slightly improved regard.
Recalling the friendly attitude shown toward him by the Duke of Wu today… perhaps this daughter he had never thought much of could, after all, bring some value to the Su family.
“You both performed well at the palace today, which pleases me greatly,” Su Zhe said. “Especially you, Fu’er. You earned praise from His Majesty, the Empress, and the Princess. You have brought honor to our Su family. I am very gratified.”
Su Fu’s expression remained calm, revealing nothing of her true thoughts.
“As a daughter of the Su family, bringing glory to the clan is only what I ought to do,” she replied lightly, as if stating something utterly ordinary.
Her answer pleased Su Zhe even more.
Rarely did he smile at her, but now he did. “It is good that you think so. You are both daughters of the Su family. Only if the Su family prospers can you prosper. Remember—always put the family’s interests first.”
Hearing him praise Su Fu, Su Qing felt even more unsettled, as though something in her grasp was slipping away.
Noticing her displeasure, Su Zhe’s tone softened considerably. “Qing’er, your performance today was also commendable. You did not disappoint my usual training and expectations.”
“Thank you, Father. I will continue to work hard and not let you down.”
In truth, his words did nothing to ease her heart. If anything, they deepened her anxiety.
..
The moment Su Qing left the study, she went straight to Madam Zhou.
Seeing her daughter’s expression, Madam Zhou asked with concern, “Qing’er, what’s wrong? Did something happen at the palace?”
Su Qing recounted everything—from the events in the palace to what Su Fu had said in the carriage.
Her eyes gleamed fiercely. “Mother, Su Fu truly isn’t the same anymore. She’s no longer the Su Fu we could control. Even Father treats her differently now—he just praised her!”
Madam Zhou leaned back in her armchair, eyes narrowing slightly.
“It seems we can no longer keep that little wretch in the residence. We must quickly find a suitable match and marry her off. No one must stand in the way of you becoming Crown Princess.”
“Mother, who do you think would be suitable?”
Madam Zhou lifted her teacup, a calculating light in her eyes. “I heard from your grandfather that the Duke of Wu has been quite close to your father lately.”
Su Qing frowned thoughtfully, then her eyes brightened. “Mother means the fifth son of the Duke of Wu’s residence—Wu Yuan?”
Madam Zhou smiled. “My daughter is clever indeed.”
..
Meanwhile, Su Fu had just returned to Lanhua Pavilion when she saw Qiuxue waiting anxiously at the courtyard gate.
Relief washed over Qiuxue’s face when she saw Su Fu safe and sound.
“Miss, why are you back so late? I was worried sick!”
Su Fu smiled and took her inside. Knowing the girl had been concerned, she explained, “Father summoned me to the study after we returned, so I was delayed.”
Understanding that Su Fu must be exhausted, Qiuxue quickly prepared her bath.
Afterward, she dried Su Fu’s hair and helped her onto the bed.
Lying there, Su Fu closed her eyes comfortably, recalling events from her previous life.
If things followed the same course, Su Zhe would soon arrange for her to marry Wu Yuan, the Duke of Wu’s son. When Xiao Junhe learned of it, he would enter the palace to request an imperial decree for their marriage.
That was why she had deliberately provoked Su Qing in the carriage—to hasten the chain of events.
Slowly opening her eyes, her beautiful phoenix gaze curved slightly.
“You’d better not disappoint me.”
..
That day, Su Zhe visited Madam Zhou’s chambers.
She cautiously broached the topic. “My lord, Fu’er has reached marriageable age. Should we not begin considering her betrothal? After all, if the elder sister remains unmarried, Qing’er cannot properly wed before her.”
“Mm,” Su Zhe nodded. “I have been considering it lately. However, there is not yet a suitable candidate. We must not rush such matters.”
“I heard from my father that the Duke of Wu has been rather close to you recently?” Madam Zhou said, carefully observing his expression.