After Su Hua recounted the events in full, her cold eyes swept over everyone present, and she spoke in a sharp voice:
“Grandmother, Father, Jisheng Herb Shop was part of my mother’s dowry. Yet it seems to have become nothing more than Zhu Gui’s private possession. Even without mentioning what we found of his embezzlement earlier, just the recent amounts are already considerable—not to mention what’s accumulated over all these years.”
“Fortunately, the Yaowang Pavilion handled this matter fairly. As soon as the wrongdoing was discovered, they issued strict punishment. The senior elders also stated that everything will be investigated and past losses compensated. Tell me—does a scoundrel like Zhu Gui deserve any of this?”
Both the Grand Matron Su and Su Bingyan fell silent.
Zhu Shi, beside them, could say nothing; in this matter, Zhu Gui had truly been trampled under Su Hua’s boot.
Su Hua sneered. “Or perhaps, Grandmother, Father, you were aware all along and merely allowed this scoundrel to act unchecked?”
The Grand Matron reacted immediately, snorting coldly: “What nonsense are you talking? Your father and I would never do such a thing!”
Su Hua then pointed at Zhu Shi. “Oh? Since Grandmother and Father had no part in it, and Zhu Gui is her brother, it seems he relied on her backing to act with such recklessness, doesn’t it?”
“Don’t you dare speak such nonsense! I am the mistress of the Xiang residence. How could I stoop to do such things?” Zhu Shi shot a look at the Grand Matron and Su Bingyan, wearing a face of being wronged. “Grandmother, Father, I had no knowledge of this. My negligence allowed Zhu Gui to act greedily. I sincerely request your understanding.”
The Grand Matron’s voice was firm: “Hua’er, your stepmother manages the entire Xiang household. Daily affairs are numerous; oversights are inevitable. The Jisheng Herb Shop matter has now been clarified. The Yaowang Pavilion has addressed it, Zhu Gui is dead, and the matter ends here. Do not stir up trouble and make the Xiang residence a laughingstock.”
Su Bingyan, concerned about his own face, also nodded decisively: “Hua’er, your grandmother is right. The Xiang residence must never become a source of ridicule or gossip.”
Using “oversight” as an excuse made Su Hua’s gaze curl with disgust at their faces. But she was not one to be easily fooled or swayed.
She continued: “Grandmother, Father, the shops, estates, and forests my mother brought as dowry—those servants originally in charge were all replaced at her behest, supposedly for easier management.”
“Now that full control is in my hands, my intention is to remove all of them and restore the original staff. If a single Jisheng Herb Shop had so many oversights, the others likely do too. Using the original people will be far more effective.”
“Grandmother, Father, what do you think?”
Su Bingyan said, “If it’s your mother’s property under your control, you may manage it however is convenient.”
Su Hua’s tone turned cold as she addressed Zhu Shi: “You heard that. After tomorrow, remove all your people.”
Zhu Shi protested, “In just one day, how am I supposed to—”
Su Hua cut her off sharply: “That’s your problem. I will no longer tolerate unclean, corrupt elements among what my mother left behind.”
“You…” Zhu Shi ground her teeth, anger flashing in her eyes, but could do nothing.
At that moment, a soft, gentle voice entered the room.
“Your uncle is dead. Even if you have much resentment, you should let it go. Asking Mother to dismiss so many servants across the shops, estates, and forests in a single day is unreasonable. No matter what, these are family elders; you should remain courteous.”
Entering was Su Xuan, accompanied by a strikingly handsome man—none other than Prince Jing, Mo Jingyao.
The Grand Matron, Su Bingyan, and Zhu Shi all bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jing.”
Mo Jingyao’s gaze landed on Su Hua, who remained standing without a bow. At that moment, the Su Hua before him seemed very different from the one he had known.
Unlike Su Xuan’s bright, stunning beauty that dazzled at first glance, Su Hua possessed a subtle, enduring elegance. Standing there, she exuded a unique aura. How had he never noticed before?
He recalled the report from a servant: Su Hua had been out shopping with Mo Qianhan, and rumors circulated outside. His brow furrowed.
He had broken off the engagement with Su Hua and forced a woman—lacking talent, virtue, or beauty—onto Mo Qianhan to humiliate him.
Unexpectedly, the two of them seemed perfectly at ease together, laughing and talking.
Even more astonishing, Su Hua had survived her near-drowning and emerged completely changed. Seeing her now was a revelation.
He had failed to humiliate Mo Qianhan, and had, unintentionally, provided him with a worthy partner.
Su Xuan noticed Prince Jing lingering on Su Hua’s figure, her hand instinctively forming a fist as she softly called, “Your Highness.”
Mo Jingyao snapped out of his daze, his face darkening, and glared at Su Hua. “Why do you not bow upon seeing me?”
Su Hua remained calm.
She had encountered this scoundrel before. Handsome, yes, but cruel—a wolf in human skin. A wasted face.
Truth be told, in looks, Mo Qianhan surpassed him.
This man, with his airs of authority, probably assumed that, like Su Xuan and other women, Su Hua should fawn over him simply because he was the Emperor’s brother.
Mo Jingyao and Su Xuan had caused much pain to the original Su Hua. Such things could not simply be forgotten.
Su Hua replied flatly, “Then, thanks to Prince Jing and my good sister. The Emperor decreed our marriage. I am already Mo Qianhan’s fiancée. Mo Qianhan is your fourth brother. In this age, is it proper for a sister-in-law to bow to her brother?”
Mo Jingyao’s face darkened, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Su Xuan hurriedly said, “Eldest sister, you are only his fiancée. You are not yet Princess of Ning.”
Su Hua paid no heed, sneering: “The Emperor’s decree has been issued. A wedding is all that remains. Do Prince Jing and my second sister intend to petition the Emperor to revoke it?”
Su Bingyan scolded, “Nonsense!”
Mo Jingyao looked coldly at Su Hua. “Surviving near-death, you’ve become sharper than before. Truly unexpected.”
“Since Your Highness says I survived, how could I not have changed?” Su Hua said bluntly. “Prince Jing, did you and my second sister come here to interfere with how I manage my mother’s dowry?”
Su Xuan quickly explained, “I heard some commotion in the residence and Prince Jing happened to be nearby. That’s why we came together. Eldest sister, you’re overthinking.”
“I see. My mistake,” Su Hua said, turning her attention back. She reiterated to Zhu Shi, “After tomorrow, remove all your people.”
Then, addressing the Grand Matron and Su Bingyan, she said: “You are fully informed of everything that needs to be known. I will take my leave.”
As she stepped out the door, she added, “Father, it’s hot today. The body should not be left here long. Have someone send it away promptly. We don’t want the yard reeking of corpses later.”
Everyone inside felt as if they had just swallowed something vile.