"Sister Yingzhen, I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to see you. Are you alright?"
Her eyes brimmed with deep concern. Anyone unaware would truly believe she cared so much. But Yingzhen was no longer that naive ten-year-old girl who could be easily deceived.
Thus, she smiled and said, "Why is Sister Chen being so polite? I'm just feeling a bit stuffy from sitting on the boat for too long. But is your family also planning to go to Fufeng Jun?" Chen Liu's ancestral home was in Chuzhou, which was quite far from Fufeng Jun.
This was a deliberate question. In fact, Su Yingzhen knew exactly why Chen Liu's family was going. Chen's father's official career had been stagnant, so he placed his hopes on his daughter. This time, Chen Liu's grandmother, Old Lady Chen, brought Chen Liu and her concubine-born younger brother, ostensibly to visit her widowed niece, but in reality, to arrange a marriage.
Whether it was Su Duan or Su Zhi, securing either one would be a success.
Su Duan was the son of Princess Ningyuan, nephew of Prince Shun'an, and moreover, the legitimate eldest grandson of Pingzhang Hou. It wasn't impossible for him to inherit the marquis title. Su Zhi was Chen Liu's second choice—he was the legitimate eldest son of the third-rank Xuanwei Envoy, and his father might also inherit the heir position, making his future prospects limitless.
As for why they didn't choose the Meng family's sons, firstly, Prime Minister Meng's generation didn't have many descendants, and it was simply not the turn of Old Lady Chen's concubine-born branch. Secondly, Prime Minister Meng had just been reprimanded by the Emperor, so the Chen family was avoiding trouble.
Chen Liu, however, put on a sorrowful expression. "We were all deeply saddened to hear of my uncle's passing. My grandmother and I originally planned to return home to pay respects to our ancestors, but on the way, we received news of the Marquis Household's mourning. That's why we decided to go to your residence to offer condolences. Sister Yingzhen, you must take care of yourself."
Yingzhen naturally didn't want her to realize she already knew her true intentions, so she replied, "Ah, to be honest, I'm worried too. I grew up outside and have never been back. I don't know how to get along with the clan members. It's good that Sister Chen knows us—we can keep each other company then."
This was exactly what Chen Liu wanted to hear. She didn't know anyone in Pingzhang Houfu. Her grandmother's sister, the wife of Pingzhang Hou, had long passed away, and Princess Ningyuan wasn't close to them either. If it weren't for her grandmother writing a letter to that Lady Zhou, they wouldn't have been able to come so easily. Lady Zhou was Su Yingzhen's grandmother. By befriending Su Yingzhen, she would surely be able to stay in the Marquis Household smoothly.
She smiled shyly. "What kind of company am I? I just hope you don't mind my clumsy words."
Su Yingzhen also smiled. "What are you saying, sister? If you're clumsy with words, then we're like gourds with their mouths sawed off. But there's one thing—I heard something from my mother yesterday that's been troubling me."
She continued, "My brother is already fifteen. Since he grew up, he hasn't been with us anymore, and my parents are very worried. If he marries a sister-in-law who isn't close to us, what should we do then?"
Chen Liu's heart stirred. Originally, when she went to Pingzhang Houfu, she had her sights set on those few. Among them, Su Zhi was someone she would never let go of if she could secure him. Hearing Yingzhen's words, her heart was moved.
As usual, she comforted Yingzhen a few more times, then quickly returned to her room and told her grandmother, Old Lady Chen, about this. Old Lady Chen clapped her hands and laughed. "It seems your opportunity has come."
"But Grandmother, how can I gain Princess Qinghe's trust?"
Old Lady Chen smiled without answering.
Meanwhile, Yingzhen sent Yingtao out again. As her personal maid who had grown up with her since childhood, Yingtao was extremely obedient to her words. Thus, when Yingzhen spoke, she listened without asking questions.
Old Lady Chen was generous with her spending. After all, she came from the Meng family, and even though she was concubine-born, her dowry was quite substantial. It was still quite easy to bribe a few servants to gather information. Soon, they learned that Princess Qinghe enjoyed eating almond cakes, and with the Ghost Festival approaching, she was also planning to release river lanterns.
This time, Yingzhen intended to deal with her in advance and certainly wouldn’t let her have an easy time. Not only would she ensure she had no good outcome, but she would also make her set her own trap and fall into it.
"Mother, for the Ghost Festival, let’s release some river lanterns together."
Princess Qinghe looked at her daughter. "That’s fine."
"Then I’ll invite the Chen family to join us, is that alright?"
"Didn’t you say you didn’t like Chen Liu?"
"Mother, just sit back and watch the show."
For a moment, Princess Qinghe felt as though her daughter had grown up. She was both pleased and saddened. Although she was concubine-born, because her birth mother was favored, she had lived freely in the household. She had hoped her daughter could be just as carefree and happy in her youth. Clearly, her daughter had matured.
On the day of the Ghost Festival, her second brother, Su Jin, came to find her. He was a young man with somewhat fox-like eyes, his nose reddened by the cold wind. Yingzhen personally brought him a cup of hot tea. "You know how windy it is on the boat, yet you still rushed over like this."
Su Jin laughed. "I came to see you, Zhenzhen. You still owe me a pouch, remember?"
"Oh, I really forgot. I’ll make one for you tomorrow."
Although Su Run and his wife doted on her, they still ensured she learned what was necessary. Yingzhen had started needlework at the age of five, and by ten, she could already sew pouches and embroider.
Su Jin hadn’t really come for the pouch; he had just used it as an excuse to visit his sister. Yingzhen, of course, knew this and offered him some pea cake. "Here, your favorite."
Su Jin put a piece in his mouth. "Delicious."
This second brother, as cunning as a little fox, still acted like a child now. Who would have thought that in the future, he would be the one to uphold the family? For now, he was still focused on having fun.
"Zhenzhen, I heard from Uncle Wang that back in our hometown, discipline for the younger generation is particularly strict. In the future, your brother won’t even be able to take a nap."
This guy often pretended to have a stomachache to fool his tutor. He had even used Su Yingzhen as an excuse, claiming his sister was sick so he could skip school. Listen to that—is that something a decent person would say?
Yingzhen teased him. "Strict discipline is good. It’d be best if Big Brother kept an eye on you."
At the mention of Big Brother, Su Jin became somewhat resentful. "Big Brother barely writes a few letters to Father and Mother in a year. Why do you keep bringing him up?" Compared to Su Yingzhen, Su Jin was older, more perceptive, and could be considered Princess Qinghe’s little confidant. He understood his parents’ grievances all too well.
"Second Brother, if you were left at home, you might end up the same way. Big Brother grew up with Grandmother, and he naturally learned from her ways. Once we return home, he’ll spend more time with us, and things will get better."
Seeing her second brother still acting indifferent, Yingzhen smiled gently. "You’re not worried that Big Brother will become more favored by Father and Mother, leaving you neglected, are you?"
Su Jin jumped up as if her fur had been ruffled, "How could that be? Whoever wins Father and Mother's affection does so by their own merit. Why should I be afraid?"
"Alright, alright, you're not afraid."
In her previous life, when her eldest brother found out she had been schemed against and failed the Imperial Selection, he sought revenge on her behalf and was confined to the ancestral hall. After she married, fearing she might suffer, he took the initiative to work for Prince Su. Her eldest brother, second brother, and parents were the ones who treated her best. She wanted them all to be safe and well.
"Second Brother, let's not talk about this anymore. Have you finished making your lantern? If not, take one from me and make a wish."
Su Jin picked through the lanterns, selected a pink one, tossed it to a servant, and went to pay her respects to Princess Qinghe. Yingzhen couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
As night fell, the women draped themselves in heavy cloaks and gathered together. Chen Liu, seeing them approach, felt a surge of joy. As the old saying goes, "A life saved is repaid with one's own life." Of course, she didn’t expect Princess Qinghe to repay her in that way, but having the Princess owe her a life debt would be more than enough.
Yingzhen, however, stopped in her tracks. "Mother, let's release the lanterns right here."
Princess Qinghe, aware of her status, respected Old Lady Chen as an elder but still maintained the demeanor of a host. "Old Lady Chen, Miss Chen, please come over here."
Chen Liu grew nervous. She had bribed the boatmen to apply tung oil specifically along this path, and with Old Lady Chen’s assistance, the plan had a seventy to eighty percent chance of success. But now, with Princess Qinghe asking them to walk over themselves, Chen Liu broke into a cold sweat, terrified she might slip and fall.
Yingzhen released her lantern and, watching Chen Liu approach, narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "Sister Chen, why are you walking so cautiously? Take a lantern over and light her way."
As people moved, the boat cabin swayed. While others managed fine, Chen Liu and Old Lady Chen, whose shoes had been coated with tung oil, were both flung into the water. Princess Qinghe shouted for someone to rescue them immediately. Then, Concubine Liu exclaimed in surprise, "Princess, why is there tung oil brushed here…?"
This was clearly deliberate.
Su Yingzhen quickly leaned in to whisper into Princess Qinghe’s ear. Princess Qinghe stamped her foot angrily. "Wretched woman! How dare she scheme against me! She’s truly asking for trouble."
Although the Yongding River hadn’t frozen over in autumn, the water was piercingly cold at night. Even though Chen Liu was a skilled swimmer, being thrown in was easy, but climbing back up was difficult. She also had to support her grandmother, making it even more challenging.
"Ugh…"
Why hadn’t anyone come to rescue her yet?
Hearing the sound of splashing water, she felt relieved. However, the rescuers moved slowly. By the time they were pulled out, Old Lady Chen had already fainted, and Chen Liu, despite her swimming skills, had been submerged for too long. Chilled to the bone, she fell ill.
Princess Qinghe, on the other hand, remained composed. She sent Concubine Liu to visit Chen Liu and her grandmother. Chen Liu immediately put on a frail, delicate appearance. "Please convey my regards to the Princess, Concubine Liu."
Concubine Liu replied meaningfully, "The Princess is naturally well. We don’t know who the vile person was who dared to brush tung oil on the deck before it dried. The Princess is furious and determined to find the culprit."
"Cough, cough… Thank the Princess for her concern." Chen Liu, still young, was utterly terrified.
"Miss Chen, rest well. If you need anything, just say so. We’ll arrive at the Marquis Household in three days. You must recover from this chill quickly."
"Yes."
As soon as Aunt Liu left, Chen Liu rushed to Old Lady Chen like a headless fly, anxiously pacing in circles. "Grandmother, they must know, they must know! They know it was us!"
Old Lady Chen coughed lightly. "I heard it will take three days to reach Tongzhou?"
"That's right. Aunt Liu just said so."
"Liu'er, I know you resent your father and our Chen family, but now your grandmother is willing to lend you a hand. They want to catch me out—that's impossible. I'll pretend to die of a cold on their boat. Who would throw mud at an old, dead woman? When the rumors are swirling, you step forward and say it has nothing to do with them. Remember, in front of Lady Zhou, the marquise's wife, you must say I've had a hard life. That way, marrying Su Zhi will be as easy as taking candy from a baby."