Su Ziyan, Zhou Shi’s son and one year younger than Su Qing, was currently studying at Hengsheng Academy.
He had returned this time for the Old Madam’s birthday celebration.
With a gentle smile, he sat down in the empty seat beside Su Fu. “Elder Sister, I returned yesterday. Mother told me you were ill some days ago. I was quite worried. Seeing you well now, I’m relieved.”
Su Fu mocked him inwardly. If he were truly worried, would he only be asking now?
She didn’t even look at him, replying indifferently with two words, “Thank you.”
Seeing her attitude, Su Ziyan did not grow angry. He maintained his refined, scholarly demeanor.
“Then I won’t disturb Elder Sister from enjoying the opera.” With a smile, he stood and left.
When it came time to present birthday gifts, everyone brought out the presents they had prepared in advance.
Among the grandchildren, Su Fu, as the eldest granddaughter of the Su family, was the first to step forward.
She took the scroll from Qiushuang and slowly unfurled it.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter presents you with a painting I made myself. I wish Grandmother a long life and enduring health.”
The crowd focused their gaze—it was a landscape painting.
Towering mountains rose sharply into swirling mists. A clear stream wound gently between them. At the foot of the mountains stood several tall pine trees along the bank, their trunks thick and powerful, each branch seeming to pulse with tenacious vitality.
The painting was so vivid it felt as though one were truly standing within the scene.
Everyone present was astonished that Su Fu possessed such skill. Praise filled the air. Some remarked that the painting evoked a sense of serenity and peace.
Others admired the pine trees in particular, saying they brought vitality and strength to the entire piece.
Even Su Zhe, who rarely paid much attention to Su Fu, showed a flicker of surprise upon seeing it.
Zhou Shi and Su Qing’s expressions darkened considerably. Su Qing stamped her foot lightly in irritation and whispered to her mother, “Mother! Since when did Su Fu become so skilled at painting? Did she secretly learn somewhere?”
Zhou Shi was equally perplexed.
Her eyes narrowed. “That little wretch grows more unpredictable by the day. Could it be she’s been pretending in front of us all along?”
A lady friendly with the Su family commented, “I’ve always heard that the Second Miss of the Su household is a talented young lady, but rarely anything about the Eldest Miss. I never expected her to be so outstanding as well. Old Madam is truly blessed!”
Hearing praise for her granddaughter, the Old Madam naturally beamed, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepening.
“Hahaha! Madam flatters her. My eldest granddaughter is rather quiet and seldom goes out, so it’s only natural you haven’t heard much of her.”
Next came Su Qing.
From an exquisite box, she took out a string of sandalwood prayer beads.
“Grandmother, your granddaughter presents you with these purple sandalwood beads. I personally went to Hanshan Temple to pray for them. I’ve heard wearing them ensures safety and increases blessings. I hope they bring Grandmother fortune and health.”
The Old Madam accepted the beads and examined them carefully. A faint fragrance emanated from the dark, understated wood.
Her smile widened. “Good child, you are thoughtful. With such filial piety, Grandmother will surely live to a hundred.”
But with Su Fu’s painting having set the bar, Su Qing’s gift did not draw much amazement. The crowd only praised her filial devotion.
After her came Su Ziyan, followed by Su Zhe’s other concubine-born sons and daughters, and then the collateral branches of the Su family.
Throughout the day, Su Fu remained highly vigilant, carefully observing every move Zhou Shi and Su Qing made. She knew well how scheming and ruthless the mother and daughter could be and did not dare relax her guard.
As the banquet neared its end and the guests were gradually seen off, Zhou Shi and Su Qing made no suspicious moves. Su Fu felt somewhat relieved.
At that moment, Su Qing swayed her hips lightly and approached Su Fu, her eyes sparkling with feigned curiosity.
“Elder Sister, the painting you gave Grandmother today was truly impressive! How is it that I never knew you painted so well?”
Su Fu merely smiled faintly. “It’s nothing more than idle scribbling when I have free time.”
She turned her head slightly, no longer paying attention to Su Qing.
Su Qing, seeing her composure, did not flare up as she once might have. Thinking of her mother’s plan, she hid the upward curl of her lips behind her handkerchief.
Only after returning to Lanxiang Pavilion did Su Fu finally let down the tension she had maintained all day. By then, night had fallen.
She felt unusually drowsy, assuming it was due to exhaustion from the day. After Qiushuang and Qiuxue helped her wash and change, she instructed Qiuxue to keep watch that night and allowed Qiushuang to return to her quarters to sleep.
Lying in bed, her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. The sleepiness felt overwhelming.
The more she thought about it, the more something felt wrong.
Suddenly, a possibility struck her.
She had assumed Zhou Shi would act during the banquet, taking advantage of the crowd—but she had overlooked one thing…
She sat up abruptly and called softly to Qiuxue, who had already fallen asleep. “Qiuxue! Qiuxue!”
After two calls went unanswered, Su Fu hurried down from the bed and shook her awake.
Qiuxue rubbed her eyes groggily. “Miss… how did I fall asleep so suddenly?”
Su Fu pressed a finger to her lips for silence.
She poured two cups of tea, drained one in a single breath, and handed the other to Qiuxue. Her expression was grave as she leaned close and whispered, “Something’s wrong.”
After drinking the tea, Qiuxue felt her mind clear somewhat. She, too, sensed the abnormality and grew anxious.
“Miss, what should we do?”
Su Fu had already regained her composure. “Don’t panic. Tell me—today when we all went to Chengsong Courtyard, who remained here in our courtyard?”
Qiuxue thought for a moment. “All the maids and old women were called by Madam to help at Chengsong Courtyard…”
Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Miss! Xiao Chun stayed behind. This morning she said her stomach hurt, so Sister Qiushuang allowed her to remain and watch Lanxiang Pavilion.”
“Xiao Chun?”
Su Fu searched her memory and pictured the young maid.
Xiao Chun was responsible for sweeping the courtyard. She rarely spoke, and Su Fu had seldom paid attention to her.
Grabbing Qiuxue’s arm, Su Fu’s expression turned unprecedentedly serious as she whispered instructions into her ear.
Qiuxue nodded earnestly. “Miss, rest assured. I’ll go at once.”
“Be quick,” Su Fu urged again. “It must be fast.”
If her guess was correct, Zhou Shi would be arriving very soon.
They quietly pushed open the door, slipping outside before carefully closing it behind them.
Once outside, they split up.
Qiuxue turned down a corridor and reached Qiushuang’s side room. She pried a small hole in the window paper, took out what Su Fu had given her, and blew several breaths into the room.
After waiting a moment, she gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.