Si Beichen followed Xiao Junhe’s gaze and looked over as well. Curious, he asked, “Why do you keep looking across the way? Could it be there’s a pretty young lady over there?”
Xiao Junhe withdrew his gaze. “No!”
…
Su Fu sat in the carriage on her way back to the residence when Qiushuang suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Miss, look! Isn’t that the Second Miss and the Crown Prince?”
Su Fu lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and looked in the direction Qiushuang pointed. She saw Su Qing and the Crown Prince standing at the corner of a wall. The two of them were standing very close to each other.
Several of the Crown Prince’s guards were stationed at the intersection. Afraid of being discovered, Su Fu quickly lowered the curtain.
Qiuxue asked curiously, “How did the Second Miss end up with the Crown Prince?”
Su Fu recalled her previous life—Su Qing had ultimately gotten her wish and become Empress.
Su Fu pondered silently.
It seemed that after seeing General Xiao return to the capital, the Crown Prince could no longer suppress his anxiety and was eager to find allies.
Su Qing’s maternal grandfather was the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate. In court, he had cultivated many connections and enjoyed extensive influence. Not only did he maintain close ties with numerous powerful officials, but he was also deeply trusted by Emperor Jingwen.
As the saying goes, serving the ruler is like serving a tiger—an emperor’s thoughts are hard to predict. As a censor, sometimes just a single sentence or action could cause the emperor to change his opinion or decision.
The Crown Prince’s current impatience in trying to win over Su Qing and the forces behind her showed that he was truly anxious.
After all, gaining the support of the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger, allowing the Crown Prince to further consolidate his position at court.
Faced with the Crown Prince’s initiative, Su Qing was overjoyed. A blush spread across her cheeks as she shyly lowered her head and called softly, “Your Highness.”
Looking at Su Qing—her face like peach blossoms, bashful and delicate—the Crown Prince felt a softness stir in his heart, as if a small hand were gently scratching at it.
“Second Miss Su, ever since I saw your dance at the palace banquet, it has lingered in my mind. Today, I took the liberty of inviting you to meet. I hope you will not blame me for being presumptuous.”
Su Qing’s cheeks grew even hotter, her heartbeat quickening like a startled deer, unable to calm down.
She tried to steady her voice and said gently, “Y-Your Highness is a true gentleman of noble character. How could you be discourteous?”
When Su Qing returned to the residence, she still felt as though she were walking on air. Thinking of what the Crown Prince had said to her today made her blush and her heart race again.
Madam Zhou entered the room and immediately noticed her daughter’s lovestruck expression.
Frowning, she asked, “Did you go out today to see someone?”
Su Qing replied with a hint of pride, “The Crown Prince invited me to meet him.”
Madam Zhou froze for a moment, then her eyes lit up. “Really? Why would the Crown Prince suddenly ask to see you?”
Blushing, Su Qing said shyly, “His Highness said that after seeing me dance at the palace banquet last time, he was deeply impressed.”
Joy spread across Madam Zhou’s face, her tone filled with affection and pride. “I told you long ago—my daughter is so outstanding. Of course the Crown Prince would take a liking to you!”
Then she lightly tapped Su Qing’s forehead and cautioned, “However, you are not yet formally engaged. You must not get too close to him or let him take advantage of you. Otherwise, you’ll be the one who suffers in the end.”
Su Qing pouted playfully. “Mother! I know.”
Thinking of Su Fu, Su Qing asked, “Mother, how is the matter you mentioned last time progressing?”
“I’ve already returned to your maternal grandfather’s family to seek his help. I believe there will soon be some movement on your father’s side.”
A vicious look flashed across Su Qing’s face. “Hmph! Once she marries Wu Yuan, she’ll have plenty of suffering ahead of her.”
That day, as soon as Su Zhe returned to the residence, he went straight to Chengsong Courtyard…
The Old Madam reclined in a grand armchair. After hearing Su Zhe’s words, she asked curiously, “Marry Su Fu into the Duke of Wu’s residence? Which young master of the Duke’s household?”
“The Fifth Young Master of the Duke of Wu’s residence—Wu Yuan.”
The Old Madam gently fingered the prayer beads in her hand, silently calculating the benefits Su Fu’s marriage into the Duke of Wu’s household would bring to the Su family. She did not consider Wu Yuan’s character, nor whether Su Fu would suffer after marrying him.
Su Zhe continued, “Mother, the Duke of Wu’s residence is a century-old aristocratic family with deep foundations. Their ancestors even rendered meritorious service in assisting the founding emperor in establishing the dynasty. If Young Master Wu hadn’t taken a liking to Su Fu, we would not even be worthy of climbing so high. If Su Fu marries there, it will also give your son support in court in the future.”
The Old Madam nodded. “You make sense. For a household like the Duke of Wu’s, it would be her good fortune to marry into it. You may handle this matter as you see fit.”
Su Zhe thought of how Su Fu usually appeared indifferent, as though she cared about nothing. Yet whenever it involved something she was unwilling to do, she became exceptionally stubborn.
Thinking of this, Su Zhe looked at the Old Madam with some concern. “Mother, what if Su Fu refuses?”
“The parents’ command and the matchmaker’s word—since when does a young girl like her get to decide whether she agrees or not?” the Old Madam said dismissively.
Then she instructed Nanny An, who stood behind her, “Go to Orchid Fragrance Pavilion and summon the Eldest Miss. Tell her I have something to discuss with her.”
At that moment, Su Fu had just finished dinner and was sitting in the courtyard.
As soon as Nanny An entered, she saw Su Fu and stepped forward to bow. “Eldest Miss, the Old Madam requests your presence.”
Su Fu wondered what they wanted from her at such a late hour. Had they come up with another scheme against her?
“Did Grandmother mention what it’s about?”
“No, she did not,” Nanny An replied cautiously.
“Then please wait a moment while I fetch a cloak,” Su Fu said. Qiushuang went inside and brought one out for her.
After helping her put it on, Qiushuang said, “All set. Let’s go.”
When Su Fu arrived at Chengsong Courtyard and saw that Su Zhe was also present, she felt even more certain that this matter would not be simple…
“Greetings, Grandmother. Greetings, Father.”
The Old Madam’s wrinkled face was full of benevolent smiles as she beckoned to Su Fu. “Come, sit beside Grandmother.”
The more kindly the Old Madam smiled, the more certain Su Fu became that nothing good would come of this.
Obediently, she went over and sat down.
The Old Madam began earnestly, “Fu’er, your birth mother passed away early. Now that you have reached marriageable age, your father and I can only worry on your behalf. We have discussed this for a long time, fearing we might choose someone unsuitable and that you would suffer after marriage.”
A sly glint flashed through Su Fu’s phoenix eyes, though her expression remained gentle and obedient. “Fu’er knows that everything Grandmother and Father do is for my good. I will listen to whatever you decide.”
Hearing this, the Old Madam’s eyes brimmed with satisfaction, and she nodded approvingly.