Su Hua’s expression remained calm as she looked at Su Bingyan and Zhu Shi(Madam Zhu) standing in the courtyard.
She spoke with a measured voice:
“I won’t start with the portion I’m entitled to as the legitimate daughter of the Xiang residence each month. Before my mother passed, she told me that when she married into the Su family, my maternal grandfather and grandmother had given her a dowry of ten shops, ten estates, several small forests and hills, and a considerable amount of gold, silver, and jewelry.”
“My mother said it was all for me. Over the years, I haven’t spent a single penny. My living expenses in the Xiang residence have been less than that of a servant. Father, tell me—is your current wife completely shameless?”
“The dowry my mother brought, and all the profits it has generated over the years, should now be returned to me. Father, you are the chancellor(Prime Minister). Surely you would not, like that shameless woman, seize your deceased wife’s dowry and mistreat the daughter of your legitimate wife, right?”
Hearing Su Hua’s words, Zhu Shi felt utterly humiliated.
And when Su Hua mentioned the Shen family dowry, her anger surged.
That little brat still has the audacity to covet those things?
Those assets had long been under her control after Shen Shi’s death, and the profits had all gone into her private coffers—intended for her own children.
Hmph! In the Xiang residence’s inner household, everything is under her control.
Su Hua wanting to reclaim Shen Shi’s dowry? In her dreams. And the audacity to repeatedly insult her verbally!
She may have survived the previous confrontation, but this little brat would not escape death forever.
Su Hua noticed Zhu Shi’s face, twisted with displeasure. There was no doubt that Shen Shi’s dowry had been embezzled by Zhu Shi. Even though the Xiang residence was wealthy and honored, Shen Shi’s dowry was no small sum. Now that Su Hua demanded it back, Zhu Shi’s heart ached—not out of guilt, but fear of losing control.
Su Bingyan watched Su Hua coolly. He had underestimated her; she was sharp-tongued, forcing him to take a stance.
“Of course,” Su Bingyan said sternly to Zhu Shi. “Arrange everything and give it to her in full.”
Zhu Shi screamed in shock, “Su Bingyan! This cannot be! Those are…”
Su Hua snorted coldly, disgusted by Zhu Shi’s expression. She retorted, “What are they?”
Zhu Shi, furious, pointed at Su Hua and shouted, “You truly have no sense of how the world works! Do you really think opening shops guarantees profit? That estates and forests yield harvests every year? Ridiculous!”
Su Bingyan, however, could see through Zhu Shi’s intent: she did not want to return the dowry. Over the years, the Xiang residence’s expenses had been enormous. He knew the dowry’s annual yield was considerable. Handing it to this little girl would not be easy for him either.
Originally, upon hearing that Su Hua had fallen into the lotus pond and nearly drowned, everyone thought she would not survive. Then, the Shen dowry could have been embezzled freely. But now that Su Hua had survived and had the Shen family backing her, she was no longer a child to be easily manipulated.
After some thought, he said, “Your stepmother is right. Let her organize the accounts carefully, and then hand them over to you clearly.”
He added, “We have been negligent in our duties to you over the years. Your stepmother manages the vast Xiang residence; some oversight is inevitable. From now on, I will personally ensure your provisions and expenses are properly arranged.”
Su Hua could only laugh inwardly. A simple word like “oversight” to dismiss years of injustice? Not urgent—revenge could be calculated slowly. She said coldly, “Since Father has spoken, I trust him. As the head of the family, his word counts. No shameless woman could compare.”
She deliberately shot a provocative glance at Zhu Shi.
Seeing Zhu Shi’s face contort in fury, Su Bingyan extended a hand to stop her, saying coldly, “Go.”
Zhu Shi swallowed her rage and followed him, furious beyond measure. Since becoming matriarch, she had never been humiliated like this. Su Hua, just wait.
Su Hua called out as they started to leave, “Wait!”
Su Bingyan frowned but maintained his composure. “What is it?”
Su Hua stood from her chair, stepping closer. She grabbed Zhu Shi’s wrist and forcibly removed the exquisite jade bracelet she wore.
The sudden tug caused Zhu Shi’s face to twist in pain. She raised her hand to slap Su Hua while cursing, “You little wretch! What do you think you’re doing!”
Su Hua avoided the strike, then seized the jade hairpin from Zhu Shi’s hair. Her voice was cold: “If I’m not mistaken, this hairpin and bracelet were my mother’s most treasured dowry items. And you—what right do you have to flaunt them?”
Zhu Shi grit her teeth. “You claim them as yours? Su Bingyan, look at her! So insolent, so disrespectful!”
Su Bingyan observed Zhu Shi’s composure falter. A few strands of hair had come loose as Su Hua removed the hairpin, ruining her poise. Zhu Shi, his legitimate wife, could not allow such repeated humiliation from a young girl.
He said in a stern, commanding tone: “Your mother’s possessions will be organized and handed to you. If you continue this foolishness, don’t blame me for disciplining you.”
Su Hua laughed lightly. “These two pieces are heirlooms from the Shen family. My mother kept them carefully. Each is delicately engraved with the character ‘Shen,’ invisible unless inspected closely. Father, perhaps you should look closely and see—they truly belong to the Shen family.”
Su Bingyan was momentarily silenced.
Zhu Shi was speechless too. When she had used the jewelry from Shen Shi’s dowry, she hadn’t noticed these details. She hadn’t expected the Shen family to leave such a mark.
Damn it! Now, no amount of excuses would work.
Su Hua said, “Father, we’ll see you off now.”
Just as Su Bingyan and Zhu Shi were about to leave, a soft and gentle voice rang from outside:
“Big sister, I’m glad you’re alright. Father, Mother, don’t rush off. I have good news to share with big sister, and you can hear it too.”
Su Hua looked up. It was Zhu Shi’s daughter, the second young lady of the Xiang residence—Su Xuan.
Su Xuan was said to be talented and beautiful, the finest beauty in the capital. Every movement, every smile radiated grace and elegance.
But for Su Hua, who had seen countless beauties in her past life, Su Xuan’s softness was nothing remarkable.
“Xuan’er, weren’t you accompanying Prince Jing? What urgent good news brings you here?” Zhu Shi said, emphasizing “accompanying Prince Jing,” directed at Su Hua.
Su Xuan smiled gracefully. “Mother, Prince Jing felt guilty over big sister’s broken engagement, so he petitioned the emperor to arrange a better match for her. The emperor approved. The marriage decree should arrive at the residence tomorrow.”
Zhu Shi: “A marriage decree?”
Su Bingyan: “The emperor’s decree? For whom?”
Su Xuan: “Prince Ning—Mo Qianhan.”
When Su Xuan mentioned the match, Su Hua recalled from the original memories that Prince Ning had a severe leg injury, was physically weak, and confined to a wheelchair. What kind of good will is this?
When the late emperor passed and the eldest son ascended, of the nine sons, only his own brother and the disabled Prince Ning survived; the other six had perished.
For the emperor to allow his brother to arrange a marriage for her, and to sanction it—was it out of mercy, or simply because he disliked her?
..
NOTE: Zhu Shi = Madam Zhu