Su Leyun obediently curtsied, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.
“Thank you, elder brother.”
Su Ye accepted her gesture, thinking only of offering the best of everything in the world to his sister.
Sun Jiarou looked at Su Leyun with pity, noticing the weariness in her eyes, and softly instructed the servants.
“All of you must serve the young lady well. If I find anyone negligent, they will not be spared!”
The maidservants murmured their assent.
“Yun’er, you’ve been traveling for several days. Rest early tonight, as you must pay respects to your grandmother first thing tomorrow morning.”
Sun Jiarou gave Nanny Zhang detailed instructions before reluctantly leaving with Su Ye.
Once her mother and brother had departed, the smile gradually faded from Su Leyun’s face. Her gaze swept calmly over the assembled maidservants. In her previous life, most of these women had been bribed by Su Wan’er, causing her no small amount of trouble.
The heirloom mutton-fat jade bracelet that Old Madam had lost inexplicably appeared beneath her pillow. Before attending a palace banquet, her face inexplicably broke out in red rashes, making her unfit to be seen…
All these incidents were part of Su Wan’er’s schemes.
Given a second chance at life, she would expose the true nature of all those who had once plotted against her and ensure they received their due punishment.
“Everyone has worked hard these past few days tidying up the courtyard. You may all retire early to rest.”
Su Leyun gave Nanny Zhang a meaningful glance. Understanding her intent, Nanny Zhang rewarded each maid with a piece of broken silver.
The maids filed out one by one, and the room suddenly fell silent.
Su Leyun sat before the bronze mirror, allowing Nanny Zhang to undo her hair. Her black tresses cascaded down as Nanny Zhang moistened a comb with osmanthus hair oil and carefully smoothed them.
“This is best for maintaining hair.”
Nanny Zhang smiled as she introduced the various items on the dressing table, explaining in detail how noble ladies in the capital cared for their hair and applied makeup.
“Young lady, please forgive my long-windedness. It’s time to rest now.”
After combing Su Leyun’s hair, Nanny Zhang felt she had spoken too much and quietly apologized.
The young lady had just arrived at the Su residence and was unfamiliar with everything. She feared her excessive explanations might make the young lady uncomfortable.
Su Leyun saw through her thoughts and comforted her with a smile.
“I know, Nanny. You only have my best interests at heart.”
Nanny Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, growing even fonder of this legitimate young lady. Although raised in the countryside, she carried not a hint of pettiness. On the contrary, she was more open-minded and perceptive than the noble ladies of the capital.
“Nanny, let those maidservants serve outside for now. They are not to enter my room.”
Nanny Zhang understood.
“Young lady fears…”
As an old servant of the Sun family, she was quite shrewd and had long discerned that everyone in the Su residence harbored their own motives.
Only her young lady was pure-hearted, wholeheartedly planning for the Su family, even at the expense of her own dowry. Yet that mother and son pair saw her merely as a stepping stone to higher status, with not a shred of genuine affection or respect!
“It’s wise to guard against others. I’m new here, and these small precautions may seem laughable to you, Nanny.”
Su Leyun changed into her sleeping garments and, following Nanny’s instructions, carefully applied the Seven Seeds White Cream to her face for skincare.
“Young lady is quite strategic. This old servant can rest assured now.”
Nanny Zhang retreated from the room, her face filled with relief. Her young lady was pure-hearted, and the eldest young master was straightforward. Now, with the young lady planning for them, there was nothing to fear.
The next morning, the north wind swept fine snowflakes, rustling softly, with breaths turning to white mist in the cold.
Su Leyun rose early to dress and groom herself, heading to Old Madam’s courtyard to pay her respects as soon as the sky brightened.
Old Madam’s courtyard lay at the very center of the Su residence. Not only was it the largest in the estate, but it was also equipped with an underfloor heating system.
Su Wan’er feared the cold, so as soon as winter arrived, she moved into Old Madam’s courtyard. Thus, early in the morning, she stood before Old Madam, attending to her.
Su Wan’er wore a goose-yellow dress, which made her skin appear even more snow-like and her demeanor elegant, though the powder on her face could not quite conceal the dark circles under her eyes.
Old Madam affectionately patted her hand, her tone tinged with both pity and mild reproach.
“Just a small setback, and you can’t bear it? What have I taught you all this time?”
Su Wan’er, her thoughts laid bare, paled and immediately moved to kneel and apologize.
“This granddaughter is narrow-minded…”
Before she could kneel, Old Madam steadied her shoulders and pulled her to sit beside her.
“Rest assured, in this household, no one can surpass your place in your grandmother’s heart.”
Su Wan’er wiped her reddened eyes and nestled against Old Madam’s chest with a grievance. Before she could speak, a maid’s voice came from outside.
“Miss Yun’er is here.”
Hearing this, Su Wan’er rose and resumed her position standing respectfully beside Old Madam.
Su Leyun entered, and a maid helped her remove her bright red cloak, revealing a peach-pink dress underneath. The delicate pink hue made her face glow like peach blossoms, adding a touch of spring to the room.
Staring at that face, which was already beginning to show signs of breathtaking beauty, Su Wan’er bit her lower lip lightly, her clear eyes faintly revealing jealousy.
Knowing her own features were plain, she had always dressed to emphasize a delicate and refined appearance. Without comparison, it hadn’t seemed lacking, but now, with Su Leyun present, that radiant and captivating face made her own seem increasingly dull and unremarkable.
“Your granddaughter pays respects to Grandmother.”
Su Leyun wore a faint smile as she curtsied gracefully.
Old Madam, her expression gentle, motioned for Su Leyun to rise and instructed a servant to bring a thick cushion and hot tea and snacks for her.
“You’ve gone to trouble, coming so early in this cold weather to pay respects.”
“Your granddaughter is humbled. As a junior, this is only proper.”
Old Madam nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at Su Leyun. Though this child grew up in the countryside, she knew how to respect her elders.
“Are you settling in well at the Su residence?”
Old Madam took a sip of ginseng tea handed by a maid and asked softly.
“This is your granddaughter’s home. How could there be any discomfort?”
Su Leyun answered flawlessly, her face still wearing a faint smile, leaving no room for criticism.
The more outstanding Su Leyun appeared, the tighter Su Wan’er clenched the handkerchief in her hand. Seeing the faint satisfaction in Old Madam’s eyes, her heart filled with jealousy and dread to the extreme.
The freshly painted nail dug into her palm, the slight sting helping her calm down a little.
Etiquette and manners could be learned quickly, but what about poetry, music, chess, and calligraphy?
She was known as the top talented lady of the capital. Could she really be outshone by a country bumpkin?
Thinking this, Su Wan’er’s lips curled slightly.
“Yun’er sister has been back for two days now. Tomorrow is the day for the tutor’s lecture. Why not let sister come with me? What does Grandmother think?”
Su Wan’er’s voice was melodious, having regained the dignified composure of a noble young lady.
“Hmm, Wan’er makes a good point. Since she’s back, she must learn what she ought to, so as not to be looked down upon by others.”
Old Madam nodded in agreement.
“Thank you, Grandmother and sister. Yun’er will study diligently.”
Su Leyun raised an eyebrow as she looked at Su Wan’er. In her past life, she had done the same, inviting her to attend lectures together.
When she first arrived at the Marquis Manor, Su Leyun couldn’t even recognize a single character, making a complete fool of herself. In the end, she refused to attend the family school no matter what, and it was Sun Jiarou who later taught her bit by bit.
To marry into the Hanlin Academy, Su Leyun later put in a great deal of effort.
Now, she was no longer that naive girl everyone could bully!