No sooner had Su Fu sat down than Madam Zhou smiled brightly and said, “Good news!”
Her gaze swept over Qiu Shuang, who stood beside Su Fu, graceful and blooming like a flower.
“Fu’er, just look at Qiu Shuang. She has grown into such a fine young lady. As she gets older, it’s about time to discuss her marriage. As your mother, it’s only natural that I worry about her lifelong happiness for you. After all, you are still young and not yet betrothed yourself—perhaps you haven’t considered these matters thoroughly. So I’ve taken the liberty of choosing someone for her.”
Su Fu’s heart tightened.
In her previous life, after Qiu Shuang married Qi Chuan—the steward’s son—she had passed away not long after.
No. In this lifetime, Qiu Shuang must not marry Qi Chuan.
Qiu Shuang herself froze when she heard the word “marriage.”
Su Fu smiled faintly. “May I ask whom Mother has chosen?”
Seeing that Su Fu did not immediately refuse, Madam Zhou felt slightly relieved.
Qiu Shuang had served Su Fu since childhood, and her contract of sale was in Su Fu’s possession.
If Su Fu objected, this matter would indeed be troublesome.
“It’s Qi Chuan, the steward’s son in our household. You’ve met him before. Rest assured, I’ve had someone look into him—he’s a decent young man. Once Qiu Shuang marries him, he will surely treat her well.”
As expected. Qi Chuan again.
In her previous life, she had been persuaded by such words, believing him to be a good man. She had agreed to the marriage—and it had cost Qiu Shuang her life.
Qi Chuan worked in the outer courtyard.
Su Fu had seen him several times before; he appeared honest and dutiful. Qiu Shuang had never complained after her marriage, so Su Fu had truly believed he treated her well.
Only after Qiu Shuang’s death did she learn the truth.
Qi Chuan had a gambling habit.
When he lost heavily and couldn’t repay his debts, the gambling house owner learned that he had a beautiful young wife. He demanded Qiu Shuang as collateral.
By then, Qi Chuan had already gambled himself into madness. He did not hesitate to agree.
When the gambling house came to claim her, Qiu Shuang refused to submit. She bit her tongue and killed herself.
The memory of her tragic end filled Su Fu with guilt. If she had not agreed to that marriage, Qiu Shuang would not have died so miserably.
Su Fu lifted her cool, clear eyes and looked directly at Madam Zhou.
“Qiu Shuang was left to me by my birth mother. My mother has been gone for many years, and all this time Qiu Shuang has stayed by my side. I already regard her as family. I wish to keep her with me for a few more years—I do not want her married off so soon.”
Before anyone else could speak, Qiu Shuang suddenly knelt before Su Fu.
“Please grant me this, Miss. This servant does not wish to marry. I only want to remain by your side.”
Su Qing interjected, “Elder Sister, Qi Chuan has good conditions and is honest. For Qiu Shuang to marry him would already be climbing up! Besides, even after she marries, she can still come back often to see you.”
Su Fu rolled her eyes inwardly. If Qi Chuan were truly that good, they would not be standing here today.
A faint, ambiguous smile curved her lips as she said coolly, “Qiu Shuang is my personal maid. There is no need for Mother or Second Sister to trouble yourselves over her lifelong affairs.”
Su Qing opened her mouth as if to argue further, but at a glance from Madam Zhou, she swallowed her words.
Madam Zhou sighed, wearing the expression of someone whose good intentions were misunderstood.
“I only meant to find Qiu Shuang a good marriage. Since you are unwilling, we shall let it be.”
Once Madam Zhou and Su Qing left, Qiu Shuang immediately knelt again before Su Fu and knocked her head firmly against the floor.
“Thank you, Miss, for standing up for this servant.”
Su Fu quickly helped her up and took both Qiu Shuang’s and Qiu Xue’s hands.
“You two have been with me since childhood. Naturally, I will protect you. In the future, if you truly meet someone suitable and wish to marry, tell me—I will make the arrangements for you.”
“I won’t marry. I’ll stay with Miss forever!” Qiu Xue declared earnestly, her eyes wide.
“I also do not wish to marry,” Qiu Shuang added.
“Enough. We won’t speak of that for now. Since I refused Madam Zhou today, she will not give up so easily. She will surely think of another scheme. Qiu Shuang, unless necessary, do not leave Lanxiang Pavilion these days. Do not give them any opportunity.”
Back in their quarters, Su Qing spoke angrily.
“Mother, why didn’t you let me continue just now? Is this matter simply over? You promised the steward this would be settled!”
Madam Zhou dismissed the servants and pulled Su Qing down to sit beside her, calculation filling her eyes.
“Do not rush. Qiu Shuang’s contract is in Su Fu’s hands. If we forced the matter today, Su Fu would certainly resent us. We haven’t secured the dowry yet. It’s not wise to tear our faces apart with her now.”
Su Qing pouted. “Then what do we do?”
Madam Zhou’s eyes shifted, a crafty gleam flashing within them. A dangerous curve formed at her lips.
“Though we cannot openly break with her, that does not mean we cannot act behind the scenes.”
Thinking of Yun Qing—beaten bloody and expelled from the residence—Madam Zhou’s anger deepened.
“She dared to punish my maid? Then I shall punish hers.”
Su Qing immediately understood—her mother had a plan.
The next day, when Su Fu came to pay her respects, Madam Zhou behaved as usual—every inch the loving mother.
Su Fu observed carefully for a long while but found nothing amiss.
And that only made her more uneasy.
Half a month passed peacefully.
Then the Su household welcomed the Old Madam’s birthday celebration.
The banquet was held in Chengsong Courtyard.
Many guests arrived that day. Fearing there would not be enough servants, Madam Zhou reassigned some from the outer courtyard to assist—including Qi Chuan.
At that moment, Qi Chuan lurked in a corner, his gaze fixed on Qiu Shuang, who was busy pouring tea for Su Fu not far away.
When he saw her delicate, blooming beauty, joy surged uncontrollably in his heart.
“My father truly didn’t lie to me,” he thought excitedly. “This Qiu Shuang by the Eldest Miss’s side is indeed a beauty.”
With many guests present, Su Fu had specifically instructed Qiu Shuang and Qiu Xue not to wander off—to prevent Madam Zhou from finding any opportunity.
“Elder Sister!”
A young male voice called out.
Su Fu withdrew her gaze from the opera stage and turned toward the sound.
The youth bore some resemblance to Su Qing in his brows and eyes.
Su Fu offered a faint, distant smile.
“Third Brother.”
It was Su Ziyan.
Seeing her reserved attitude, Su Ziyan felt puzzled. In the past, she had been warm toward him, treating him like her own younger brother, always saving the best things for him.
Why had she become so distant after he had been away for only a short time?