When Madam Zhu heard her daughter’s words, she hesitated. Marrying Su Hua—the little bitch—to a crippled, useless prince would indeed be immensely satisfying.
But since the marriage had been decreed by the Emperor, and in order to ensure the wedding proceeded smoothly, she could no longer arrange for Su Hua’s death… this—
Seeing her mother’s expression, Su Xuan immediately guessed what she was thinking. When she returned to the residence earlier, she had gone straight to her mother and already learned what had happened here. It was indeed unexpected—Su Hua, that wretched bitch, had not only survived but was very much alive. Truly a hard life, impossible to kill.
After a brief pause, Su Xuan composed herself perfectly, adopting the refined demeanor of a noble young lady. Her gentle voice slowly sounded:
“Eldest Sister need not worry. This time, Prince Ning will definitely not annul the marriage. Moreover, Prince Jing has already reported Eldest Sister’s drowning to His Majesty. Prince Jing said that the Emperor’s meaning was this—even if Eldest Sister were to die, her memorial tablet could still be placed in Prince Ning’s residence.”
Su Hua understood immediately. So the Emperor’s agreement was not merely indulgence toward his younger brother, Prince Jing. More importantly, it was clear he harbored displeasure toward Prince Ning. There were quite a few hidden royal secrets tangled up in this matter.
Madam Zhu glanced sideways at Su Hua. If that was the case, she would have no scruples about arranging Su Hua’s death later. Even so, she did not forget to mock her:
“His Majesty truly is wise—granting you such a fine marriage. Otherwise, with you being a woman whose engagement was annulled, how would you ever marry again?”
Su Hua’s expression remained calm, though she sneered inwardly. What kind of ‘good marriage’ is this?
Still, she didn’t mind. She didn’t need a man to survive anyway. Using this opportunity to cleanly break away from the Prime Minister’s household would only make it easier for her to settle accounts for the original owner’s grievances.
However, when she looked at Su Bingyan, she noticed a contemplative look on his face. As the Prime Minister, head of all officials, and favored minister of the Emperor, he clearly understood the deeper reasons behind this imperial marriage.
Su Bingyan glanced at Madam Zhu.
After all, she was merely a woman of the inner household—her vision limited to that small domestic sphere.
Prince Ning was the son of Consort Shu, the late Emperor’s favorite. Exceptionally gifted, accomplished in both civil and martial arts, a god of slaughter on the battlefield, and the only imperial prince to be granted a royal title purely through military merit.
Had it not been for that battle years ago, where he suffered severe injuries and became crippled, leaving him frail and confined to a wheelchair, Prince Ning would have been the strongest contender for the throne.
After the current Emperor ascended the throne, he dealt with the late Emperor’s sons. Aside from his own biological brother, Prince Jing, only Prince Ning was left alive.
That was solely because Prince Ning’s military achievements were too great. To avoid criticism from the realm—and because Prince Ning was already crippled—the Emperor spared his life.
Even so, the Emperor’s wariness remained.
As long as Prince Ning lived, that thorn in his heart would never disappear.
This marriage—using Prince Jing as a conduit to wed Su Hua to Prince Ning—was entirely a test.
Or perhaps, the Emperor’s intent to reinstate the Shen clan was also part of the test—using Su Hua to probe the Shen family.
One imperial decree, two birds with one stone.
Madam Zhu and Su Xuan both noticed the subtle shift in Su Bingyan’s expression. Madam Zhu immediately shot Su Xuan a meaningful look.
“Father,” Su Xuan called softly.
Su Bingyan returned to himself and said coldly to Su Hua, “Prince Jing and your younger sister acted with good intentions, finding you a new home. Prepare yourself properly for marriage. In some time, your second sister will also be wed. The household will be busy—do not stir up any further trouble and disgrace the Prime Minister’s residence.”
Faced with Su Bingyan’s warning, Su Hua showed no fear at all. Her gaze swept over Madam Zhu and Su Xuan, her words pointed:
“Then Father should restrain the people by your side—make sure they stop acting cheap.”
Madam Zhu’s face darkened. Su Xuan’s expression also sank.
Su Bingyan said nothing further and flicked his sleeve as he left.
Seeing this, Su Xuan adopted a lecturing posture and said, “Eldest Sister, Father is usually overwhelmed with official duties. Today is rare leisure at home. As a daughter, that was not the proper attitude to take with him.”
Su Hua stepped forward, closing the distance, her voice icy. “What kind of trash thing are you? You think you’re qualified to lecture me? Father’s already gone—what are you still doing here? Get out.”
“You—” Su Xuan exclaimed.
Madam Zhu cut in coldly, “Xuan’er, don’t bother with her. She fell into the lotus pond and only survived by luck. Now she’s arrogant and reckless. With her temperament, she’ll cause disaster sooner or later and won’t even know how she dies. Come, let’s go.”
However, the moment Madam Zhu grabbed Su Xuan to leave, a hand suddenly clamped around her throat.
Su Hua’s eyes were ghostlike, her gaze cold and dark as her voice seeped out:
“Are you threatening me?”
Madam Zhu’s entire body trembled as if plunged into icy depths.
Her breathing grew labored. That bitch Su Hua—she actually dares to lay hands on me!
Seeing her mother being choked, Su Xuan shouted furiously, “Su Hua! How dare you—release Mother at once!”
Su Hua didn’t even spare Su Xuan a glance. Using巧劲, she shoved Su Xuan aside. If not for the nearby maids catching her, she would have fallen hard to the ground.
Ignoring herself, Su Xuan immediately barked orders, “Are you all blind? Seize Su Hua at once!”
Madam Zhu, terrified, forced out a weak warning, “Don’t… move.” Then she said to Su Hua, “If you dare touch me, the Prime Minister will never spare you.”
Su Hua knew that killing Madam Zhu now would bring endless trouble. She had no intention of being reckless. She gave Madam Zhu a sinister smile, lifted her hand, and lightly patted her face.
“You’re right. So the best method is this—when you die, no one will know how.”
“……”
Fear surged violently in Madam Zhu’s heart. Especially when she met Su Hua’s eyes—this time, she was truly afraid. At the same time, a firmer resolve took shape within her.
Su Hua must die. Only then will I truly be at ease.
At that moment, Su Hua released her grip. Madam Zhu coughed violently. Seeing Su Xuan still wanting to act, she stopped her and hurriedly pulled her away.
A group of maids and old servants followed Madam Zhu and Su Xuan out. The courtyard quickly fell quiet, leaving only Su Hua, Granny Xia, and Yun Shuang.
Only then did Granny Xia and Yun Shuang stand up and rush to Su Hua’s side, full of concern. “Miss, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” Su Hua replied.
“How could they do this—actually forcing Miss to marry Prince Ning,” Granny Xia said anxiously.
Yun Shuang looked equally worried. “Exactly! Second Miss even spoke so righteously—it’s obvious she incited Prince Jing to scheme behind the scenes.”
“That’s enough. There’s no need to worry about this,” Su Hua said calmly.
Granny Xia and Yun Shuang exchanged a glance. Seeing that Miss looked confident and clearly had her plans laid out, they said nothing more.
…
Prince Ning’s Residence — Study
Early summer sunlight streamed through the window, light and shadow interweaving as it fell upon a man seated at a desk by the window, dressed in moon‑white robes.
His face was extraordinarily handsome, his features as though carved by divine craftsmanship—sharp angles, clear contours, defined lines. His eyes were deep and keen, like an eagle’s.
Yet this beautiful face carried a trace of frailty, and the wheelchair beneath him constantly reminded the world that his legs were crippled.
A gentle breeze passed by, stirring the green bamboo outside into a soft rustling.
Meteor entered from outside, bowed respectfully, and reported, “Your Highness, news from the palace—the Emperor has decreed a marriage between you and the Prime Minister’s eldest daughter. The imperial edict will be issued tomorrow.”
“Your Highness, throughout the capital, the one famed for beauty and talent is the Prime Minister’s second daughter. As for the eldest—people say she has no talent, no beauty, no virtue. That’s why Prince Jing annulled the engagement. Now that the engagement has just been broken, the Emperor immediately bestows her upon Your Highness—this is truly excessive.”
A flash of cold light passed through Mo Qianhan’s eagle‑like eyes.
His tone was indifferent.
“This is nothing more than my imperial brother’s way of testing me. He wants to see whether I will obediently accept his arrangements, to confirm that I remain firmly under his control.”
Meteor pondered and said, “Your Highness, then should I take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate this Eldest Miss Su?”
“No need,” Mo Qianhan replied coldly, cutting off the idea. “In the eyes of the world, I am a crippled and sickly man. If one truly calculates, she and I are rather well matched.”
“But Your Highness, you are clearly not—” Meteor began, but the moment he met his lord’s gaze, the words died in his throat.
He bowed his head and replied obediently, “Yes.”