Su Ye returned to Zhaohua Cottage to find Sun Jiarou and Su Leyun already changed into outdoor attire, waiting for him to depart together.
“Yun’er has been back for some time now. It’s about time she pays a visit to her maternal grandfather.”
Sun Jiarou selected a gold hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers from her jewelry box and carefully pinned it into Su Leyun’s hair. After examining it from all angles, she nodded with a smile.
Her daughter was naturally beautiful—no matter how she was dressed, she always looked fitting.
“Grandfather dotes on his descendants the most. Don’t be afraid, little sister. He’s sure to like you!”
Su Ye reassured Su Leyun with a smile as they headed out, then called out loudly to the gatekeeper to prepare the carriage.
With the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves, Sun Jiarou held Su Leyun’s hand in the carriage, recounting details about her maternal grandfather’s family.
A faint smile touched Su Leyun’s lips. In her previous life, her mother had been just as meticulous. But back then, she had listened impatiently, her attention captivated only by the bustling sights and sounds of the capital’s streets.
Her maternal grandfather, Sun Shao, was a seasoned general who carried an aura of authority and martial prowess. In her past life, she had feared this grandfather deeply. Apart from annual festivals, she had never visited him on her own initiative, let alone fulfilled her filial duties.
Yet it was this seemingly stern grandfather who had worn his heart out for her in her previous life—first forcing the Su Family to restore her reputation, then securing the marriage alliance with the Li Family for her.
In her past life, she had watched helplessly as her grandfather was framed and died tragically in prison, powerless to intervene.
When the wall collapses, everyone pushes it further. Pitifully, her grandfather, who had dedicated his life to serving the country and fighting on the battlefield, did not even receive a proper burial in the end…
In this life, she would not allow the past to repeat itself. Moreover, she would make up for all the filial piety she had failed to show to the grandfather who had tirelessly planned for her.
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the General’s Mansion, where the old steward immediately came out to greet them.
“The young mistress has finally returned. The master is waiting inside.”
A maid assisted the mother and daughter as they alighted, and the group entered the Sun residence.
The Sun residence was spacious. Although its pavilions and courtyards lacked the extravagance of the Su Family’s estate, they carried the straightforward and unpretentious air of a military household.
The steward led the mother and her two children into the main hall.
Beside a rosewood carved table, a tall, dignified, and white-haired old man sat in the seat of honor.
Su Leyun gracefully knelt and bowed solemnly.
“Your granddaughter pays her respects to Grandfather.”
“It’s good that you’ve returned. It’s good that you’ve returned.”
Sun Shao rose and helped her up, examining his slender and petite granddaughter from head to toe. His kind eyes were filled with affection.
This child was far too thin and frail. She would need proper nourishment from now on. He immediately instructed the steward to retrieve the imperial-bestowed tonics and medicinal herbs from the storeroom for them to take when they left.
Sun Jiarou guided Su Leyun to sit in a row of seats on the right, while Su Ye cheerfully took a seat beside his grandfather, grinning cheekily.
“Grandfather, last time you promised that if Ye’er handled his duties well, you’d reward me with the Moon-Shooting Bow.”
The hint of sorrow in Sun Shao’s heart was dispelled by these words. He patted Su Ye’s shoulder, both amused and exasperated.
“Fine, it’s yours! From now on, protect your sister well. If she suffers any grievances, you’ll be the first one I won’t spare!”
Su Ye thumped his chest in assurance.
“Grandfather, you have nothing to worry about!”
Sun Shao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Su Leyun with a gentle tone.
“Your grandfather is a military man and doesn’t know what you might like, so I’ll give you two female warrior attendants.”
The steward brought forward two maidservants, both around eighteen or nineteen years old, who bowed in unison to Su Leyun.
“Your servants greet the young miss.”
Looking at the two familiar faces, though younger and less mature than she remembered, Su Leyun fought back the tears welling in her eyes and motioned for them to rise.
The one in the peach-colored gown was called Lianxin, and the one in the jade-green gown was called Cuiliu. One was skilled in medicinal arts, the other in martial arts.
In her past life, her maternal grandfather had also gifted her two carefully trained female warrior attendants. At the time, she had disliked their straightforward manner of speaking and had sent them to the courtyard to work as lowly maids.
Yet it was these two maids, who had never received even a shred of kindness from her, who remained by her side through every circumstance, loyal to the very end.
Unfortunately, by the time she came to realize this and wanted to treat them well, it was already too late.
“Thank you, Grandfather. I like them both very much.”
“As long as you like them, my dear child. You must have suffered greatly during these years away. Don’t worry, your grandfather will make it up to you.”
Sun Shao gazed affectionately at his granddaughter, whose demeanor was poised and graceful, elegant and lovely. The more he looked, the more pleased he felt.
“Yun’er has been back for some time now. Why hasn’t the in-laws’ family publicly announced her identity?”
Sun Jiarou hesitated, her eyes filled with guilt, but not wanting to worry her father, she replied gently, “My mother-in-law wishes to wait until after the New Year to arrange it.”
Sun Shao understood the situation, frowning slightly as he nodded.
The mother and her two children stayed for lunch at the Sun residence and spent the afternoon chatting leisurely with Sun Shao. It was not until the moon had risen high in the sky that they returned to the Su residence.
After bidding farewell to her mother and brother, Su Leyun returned to her own courtyard with her two newly acquired maids. Lanterns lit the path lined with oleanders, and Nanny Zhang stood at the courtyard gate, peering anxiously outside.
As soon as Su Leyun entered the room, Chunxing hurried forward, eagerly helping her remove her cloak.
“You look absolutely stunning in this outfit today, Miss. You’ve outshone all the noble ladies in the capital.”
A faint smile touched Su Leyun’s lips, but she did not miss the shrewd calculation in Chunxing’s eyes.
In her past life, Chunxing had been just as honey-tongued and deceitful. Yet, foolishly, she had fallen for it, promoting Chunxing to her personal maid, making it easier for her to serve Su Wan’er and plot against her.
“Nanny, these are Lianxin and Cuiliu. From now on, they will serve in my chambers.”
With these words, Su Leyun established the two as her senior maids. They would attend to her personally when she was present and take charge of matters in her chambers when she was away.
Lianxin and Cuiliu had not expected to receive such immediate trust from the young lady upon arriving at the Su residence. Together, they curtsied in gratitude.
Chunxing stood to the side, casting a disdainful glance at the cheap fabric of their clothes.
“Miss, even those of us who were born and raised in the household are only allowed to serve outside. Yet these two, of unknown origins, are permitted to enter your chambers.”
Su Leyun glanced at Chunxing, then calmly took her seat in the main chair.
“Cuiliu, slap her.”
Cuiliu stepped forward and delivered two sharp, resounding slaps to Chunxing’s face.
Tears welled in Chunxing’s eyes as she shot a resentful glance at Su Leyun.
Su Leyun held a teacup, gently blowing away the foam before taking a slow sip. Her voice was cold as she said, “These two slaps are to remind you of the proper order between master and servant. Matters in my chambers are not for a mere maid to meddle in.”
Her icy gaze met Chunxing’s, who instinctively flinched, lowering her head without daring to speak.
Setting down the teacup, Su Leyun walked over to her with a cold smile, enunciating each word clearly.
“If there is a next time, I will report to Mother and have you sold off.”
At these words, Chunxing’s knees buckled, and she immediately knelt, pleading for mercy.
“This servant will never dare again, I beg for your mercy, Miss.”
She was a household-born servant, raised in the Marquis Manor since childhood. If she were to be sold off, who knew what wretched place she might end up in? Her life would be ruined.
Without a change in expression, Su Leyun raised her hand slightly, signaling for her to leave.
She then turned to Nanny Zhang and said, “You’ve been standing at the door for quite some time, and it’s late. You should go back and rest early.”
Nanny Zhang curtsied and left with the maidservants.
Su Leyun stood up and had Lianxin and Cuiliu follow her into the bedroom.
Candles as thick as a child’s arm illuminated the room as brightly as day. The bed had already been made, with a soft and finely woven brocade quilt. Su Leyun drew back the bed curtains and moved the pillow aside, revealing a white jade bracelet with a faint water-like pattern in its original place.
“She truly couldn’t sit still any longer.”