The clan elder stroked his beard, his expression tense, his fingertips rubbing against his sleeve cuff. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke slowly.
“Old sister-in-law, after all, Wan’er is not of the Su Family’s bloodline.”
Having said that, the clan elder turned to look at Su Changqing. “Changqing, this is ultimately your family matter. You should say something.”
Su Changqing glanced at Su Wan’er, who stood stiffly behind Old Madam. Having raised another man’s daughter for over a decade, he was not without resentment.
“Changqing is still inexperienced in such matters. I defer entirely to the clan elder’s decision.”
As his words fell, Old Madam glared at him sharply. Su Wan’er’s eyes reddened as she lowered her gaze to her own shoe tips, her knuckles turning pale from gripping her handkerchief tightly.
Sun Jiarou, holding Su Leyun close, looked at Su Changqing with a faint sense of unfamiliarity in her eyes.
Although she did not like Su Wan’er, she had never considered removing her from the Family Register.
For her husband to act in such a manner was truly too heartless.
Su Leyun sneered inwardly. In her previous life, had Su Wan’er not caught Prince Yu’s favor, she likely would not have been able to retain her place in the Family Register either.
Ultimately, it was because he felt sorry for the daughter born to his beloved, who ranked behind them.
In her previous life, Marquis Su brought his mistress into the household, and along with her came a son and a daughter who were also entered into the Family Register.
Trapped in the Li Family, she had watched helplessly as the mistress’s son seized her brother’s Noble Title, while the mistress’s daughter lived in luxury, taking all that remained of Sun Jiarou’s dowry…
A choked, stifled sob interrupted Su Leyun’s thoughts.
Su Wan’er covered her face with her handkerchief, biting her lower lip tightly. Her pretty face had lost all color, and she seemed on the verge of collapse.
Old Madam’s expression darkened. She took Su Wan’er’s hand and pulled her in front of herself. With trembling fingers, she pointed decisively at Su Changqing.
“If you cannot tolerate Wan’er, then remove my name along with hers!”
After speaking, Old Madam clutched her chest, coughing and wheezing.
Su Changqing was taken aback and hurriedly apologized, supporting Old Madam and patting her back.
“Mother, after all, she is not of the Su Family’s flesh and blood.”
“What if she isn’t! Wan’er has been by my side since she was little. If you don’t care for her, I do!”
Old Madam struck the ground with her cane, scolding her son sternly.
Su Changqing dared not speak. The clan elder paused, then shook his head while stroking his beard.
“Forget it. Consider it as if I never spoke.”
The clan elder cupped his hands in a gesture of farewell, his face stern. Supported by a servant, he left the courtyard without looking back.
Su Changqing chased after him, only to see the clan elder board his carriage. The clip-clop of hooves faded as the carriage disappeared around a street corner.
He stood rooted to the spot, glanced at the Su residence plaque, turned his feet a few times, and then headed down another street with his head lowered.
Returning would inevitably invite Old Madam’s reproach. It would be better to immerse himself in a place of tender comfort for a while.
A servant entered the main hall to report.
“The master has gone to apologize to the clan elder and will not return for the midday meal.”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam’s face darkened further. She took Su Wan’er’s hand and left with a flick of her sleeve.
Only Sun Jiarou and her two daughters remained in the room.
Sun Jiarou sighed helplessly. She had thought that with the whole family gathered together, they could have a peaceful meal. But now, once again, they parted on bad terms.
“Yun’er, you must be tired. Go back and rest.”
Sun Jiarou looked at the faint shadows under Su Leyun’s eyes with heartache, filled with guilt.
“Mother, today is the day your daughter is entered into the Family Register. How about you and brother celebrate with me?”
Su Leyun did not want Sun Jiarou’s originally good mood to be affected by irrelevant people. She leaned close to her mother, trying to cheer her up.
Sun Jiarou smiled indulgently and instructed the maidservant to go prepare.
The household had stored up plenty of fine delicacies in preparation for hosting the clan elders, but unexpectedly, the gathering turned unpleasant, and everyone ended up leaving.
Just as well—the three of them, mother and children, could enjoy a proper meal together and share heartfelt words.
On the redwood octagonal table, dishes were gradually laid out: perch from the south, fresh shrimp from the north, their steaming aromas teasing the appetite.
Sun Jiarou was the first to pick up a bite of greens, then gestured for her children to eat quickly.
“No need to stand on ceremony in front of your mother. Eat more.”
In no time, Su Leyun’s bowl was piled high with various dishes her mother and brother had served her. Seeing the mound of food, she waved her hands repeatedly, signaling she couldn’t possibly eat that much.
“Yun’er is too thin. Before the Spring Banquet, Mother must fatten you up until you’re plump and radiant.”
Sun Jiarou gazed at her daughter with a smile as Nanny Zhang came to report.
“Madam, Aunt Liu has confirmed that she can come to teach our young lady in a couple of days.”
Su Ye set down his chopsticks. “Aunt Liu?”
Su Leyun understood—this was the etiquette tutor her mother had hired for her. Aunt Liu had once served in the palace, where she specialized in instructing princesses and imperial consorts in etiquette.
In her past life, her mother had also invited Aunt Liu to teach her manners, etiquette, and household management, hoping she could establish herself in the Li Family.
Unfortunately, swayed by Chunxing’s provocations, she had mistakenly believed that her mother and the aunt were deliberately making things difficult out of disdain for her background. After only half a month of lessons, she drove the tutor away.
Out of affection for her mother, Aunt Liu had taught her sincerely and skillfully, shaping her up remarkably in just half a month. Regrettably, she hadn’t persevered and failed to continue learning under the aunt’s guidance.
Sun Jiarou held Su Leyun’s hand, speaking earnestly.
“Yun’er, Aunt Liu is quite strict, but ‘comfort breeds no growth, and growth comes with discomfort.’ Mother hopes you can study diligently under her.”
Su Leyun smiled softly, leaning against Sun Jiarou’s shoulder, obediently agreeing.
Sun Jiarou stroked her daughter’s hair and went on to talk about the Spring Banquet.
“In half a month, we will accompany your father to the palace for the Spring Banquet. This will be your first appearance before the nobility as the Su Family’s legitimate daughter. You must leave a good impression on them.”
Su Leyun agreed to everything. Su Ye sat by their side, watching the expectation in Sun Jiarou’s eyes and frowning inwardly.
What exactly were Prince Jin’s intentions toward his sister? The next time they met, he would have to get to the bottom of it.
The three chatted and laughed, but before the dishes were finished, it was already noon.
Sun Jiarou summoned the maids and had them deliver the cook’s freshly prepared dishes to Old Madam’s courtyard. Old Madam took her midday meal at noon, so the food would arrive just in time to be served.
A lavish spread of delicacies was laid out like flowing water on the nanmu table. Old Madam’s face was stern as she waved the maids away.
Su Wan’er, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes, rose to serve Old Madam.
Old Madam looked at Su Wan’er with pity, pulling her to sit beside her. She personally ladled a bowl of soup and handed it to her, comforting her gently.
“Wan’er, no matter how difficult things are, your grandmother will support you. Don’t take it to heart and harm your health.”
Su Wan’er dabbed her tears with a handkerchief, choking too much to speak. After a long while, she trembled and uttered, “Grandmother, please let me leave. If Wan’er stays in this household any longer, I’ll only bring you trouble.”
At these words, Old Madam could no longer hold back, her own eyes reddening.
“Good child, where would you go? Won’t you stay with your grandmother?”
“Since there is no place for me in the Family Register, then Wan’er should return to the Li Family.”
After speaking, Su Wan’er burst into tears. She could never have imagined that the man she had called father for over a decade would so easily agree to remove her from the family register…
“Silly child, the Li Family lives in a remote and impoverished place. Who knows how much hardship you would suffer if you went there.”
Old Madam drew Su Wan’er into her embrace, patting the back of her hand as she comforted her.
“As long as your grandmother is here, there will always be a place for you in the Su Family. I won’t let anyone mistreat you.”