Early in the morning, the air was chilly and the sky gloomy. Su Leyun, holding a hand warmer, hurried to the school.
As soon as she entered, everyone’s eyes fell upon her, especially Li Rui, whose eyes burned with an indescribable resentment.
Thanks to Su Wan’er’s deliberate spreading of rumors, everyone knew that Prince Jin had taken an interest in the newly found country-born legitimate daughter.
People pointed and exchanged glances, whispering in hushed tones.
“What kind of person is Prince Jin? How could he take a liking to a country girl?”
“In the end, it’s all because of her maternal family’s influence.”
“What’s so great about her? How could she possibly be worthy of Prince Jin!”
Ignoring the murmurs around her, Su Leyun remained calm and composed. She went straight to her seat and quietly waited for the teacher’s lecture.
Li Rui sat nearby, staring at her delicate yet indifferent face, which showed neither joy nor sorrow. His resentment grew stronger—how could a country girl like her catch Prince Jin’s attention? No wonder she had been so dismissive of him.
Pretending to be aloof, he had thought she knew her place and dared not aspire to the Li Family’s status. But it turned out she was simply aiming higher.
Li Rui withdrew his contemptuous gaze and turned to look at Su Wan’er. The corners of his lips unconsciously lifted, his eyes filled with admiration.
But perhaps it was for the best—at least she wouldn’t disturb him and Wan’er anymore.
Across the room, Su Wan’er kept her eyes forward, ignoring Li Rui’s intense gaze.
Su Leyun observed their reactions, shook her head with a faint smile, and then opened her book, carefully taking notes on the teacher’s teachings.
In her past life, she had been too afraid of ridicule to attend school. Now that she was here, she realized the teacher’s words were full of wisdom. Even understanding a fraction of it would be immensely beneficial.
After class, Su Wan’er immediately stood up. Li Rui followed closely behind, chattering about trivial matters.
“Wan’er, the servants went to deliver money to the midwife the other day but couldn’t find her. After asking around, they found out something had happened to her.”
“Hmm.”
Su Wan’er responded indifferently, quickening her pace.
“Wan’er, who would have a grudge against an old woman like her? When I heard the news, I was worried you might feel guilty.”
Li Rui walked beside her, a hint of guilt in his expression.
The midwife had been living peacefully in her rural hometown. If he hadn’t forcibly moved her elsewhere, perhaps she wouldn’t have met such a tragic fate.
Su Wan’er avoided his gaze and frowned impatiently.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“It’s my fault. Did I scare you?”
Li Rui quickly apologized, annoyed at himself for being so thoughtless. Wan’er was a delicate young lady—how could she bear to hear about violence and death?
In a corner of the corridor, Su Leyun unintentionally overheard their conversation clearly.
She furrowed her brows, lost in thought.
When Prince Jin had visited the manor that day, she had been too preoccupied to think deeply about the midwife’s situation.
An old woman like her—unless she was involved in the Marquis Manor’s past affairs—why would anyone trouble her?
Su Ye hadn’t been able to find her because Li Rui had taken her away. It was obvious who had instructed him.
But who had killed her?
As she carefully recalled Su Wan’er’s reaction, a trace of suspicion arose in her mind.
“Miss, do you suspect the eldest young lady?”
Cuiliu followed her gaze and asked in a low voice.
“Keep an eye on whether she has people outside the manor.”
Su Leyun instructed softly, then added as if remembering something, “Have you made any progress on what I asked you to investigate earlier?”
“The Marquis has indeed failed to return home promptly several times after leaving the yamen. As for where he went, this servant has yet to ascertain the specifics.”
Cuiliu, carrying the book box, paused her words, hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and spoke.
“Miss, the person investigating told this servant that the Marquis might have… have a mistress outside.”
She stammered through her words, cautiously observing Su Leyun’s expression.
Unexpectedly, Su Leyun’s expression remained calm, only a trace of mockery flickering at the corner of her eyes.
As expected, her dear father, when not at the residence, was indulging with his mistress.
“Continue investigating, but remember, do not let any news leak out.”
Su Leyun softly instructed, stepping into Morning Glory Cottage. Spotting Sun Jiarou from afar, she immediately wore a faint smile on her face.
Back then, Sun Jiarou had chosen the unremarkable Su Changqing from among her many suitors, drawn by his devotion. Now, with that affection misplaced, how could she bear it?
“Mother.”
Sun Jiarou approached her as soon as she entered, taking her hand and leading her to a middle-aged woman dressed in sapphire-blue robes. She introduced, “This is Aunt Liu, whom I mentioned to you.”
Looking at the familiar face before her, Su Leyun smiled gently and curtsied in greeting.
“Leyun pays her respects to Aunt Liu. I shall trouble you to take care of me during this time.”
Aunt Liu’s tense expression softened slightly as she took Su Leyun’s hand and helped her up, her eyes appraising her up and down before slowly nodding.
“When I first entered the residence, I heard some idle gossip. Now it seems, Miss Yun’er’s upbringing is quite commendable.”
Aunt Liu smiled and bowed to Sun Jiarou, promising in a gentle tone.
“Rest assured, Madam, I will certainly teach the young lady well.”
“You are too kind, Aunt Liu. It is my daughter’s fortune to receive your guidance.”
Sun Jiarou beckoned a maid to lead Aunt Liu to the already prepared courtyard for her to rest.
As Aunt Liu followed the maid out, only the mother and daughter remained in the main hall.
Sun Jiarou took out a handkerchief, wiping the ink stains from Su Leyun’s fingers, then picked up an invitation from the table and handed it over.
“Take a look. Would you like to go?”
Opening the invitation, the words “General Zhao’s Residence” caught her eye.
The Zhao family’s legitimate daughter was celebrating her sixteenth birthday, inviting various ladies and noble daughters to the residence for festivities.
Zhao Mingyan was a general’s legitimate daughter, with a fiery and straightforward temperament. Though they had never met in her previous life, Su Leyun was well-acquainted with her various affairs.
Ultimately, regardless of status or disposition, no one could escape the entanglement of love.
Seeing Su Leyun remain silent for a long time, Sun Jiarou took the invitation and set it aside.
“If you do not wish to go, then forget it. It is not an important matter anyway.”
Su Leyun grasped Sun Jiarou’s hand, retrieved the invitation, and shook her head. “Mother, I want to go.”
Sun Jiarou was surprised, then smiled dotingly, pulling Su Leyun into her embrace.
“Very well, since Yun’er wishes to go, then we shall.”
As her words fell, the sound of a maid’s greeting came from outside the door.
“Miss Wan’er.”
Su Wan’er walked gracefully in, stood still, and bowed in greeting.
“Wan’er pays her respects to Mother.”
Sun Jiarou looked at this daughter who had called her mother for over a decade with complex emotions. It would be false to say she held no resentment, yet there was not entirely no affection either.
She lowered her gaze, sighed, and raised her hand to indicate that Su Wan’er need not stand on ceremony.
“Is there something you need?”
Su Wan’er timidly raised her eyes and spoke cautiously.
“Daughter heard that Aunt Liu has come to teach younger sister etiquette. I also wish to learn together.”
Sun Jiarou’s expression turned troubled, hesitating without giving an answer. The etiquette tutor was specially invited for Yun’er; she had not expected Wan’er to want to join as well.
“Mother, I only wish to learn proper etiquette well, to bring honor to our family. I have no intention of competing with my younger sister.”
Su Wan’er spoke with such pitiful sincerity that Sun Jiarou found herself unable to refuse.