After a short while, Yun Shuang led Aunt Liu into the room.
Liu Shi swayed gracefully as she approached, her slender waist moving like a willow in the breeze. She stepped forward lightly, giving a slight bow to Su Hua. “Greetings, Miss.”
Su Hua tapped her fingers lightly on the table, a faint smile curling at her lips. “No need for formalities, Aunt Liu. What brings you here at this moment?”
She casually studied the beautiful woman before her.
Liu Shi wore a soft peach-colored dress. Her hair ornaments swayed lightly as she moved, every gesture imbued with charm and elegance. Her eyes sparkled with subtle allure, leaving no doubt why Su Bingyan had been so fond of her from the moment she entered the residence.
Though the women in the inner household—from Zhu Shi to the second concubine Yang and third concubine Han—were all beautiful in their own ways, Liu Shi had the advantage of youth.
Unfortunately, Liu Shi had joined the household too late. By now, Zhu Shi’s position in the Xiang residence was firmly entrenched, with two sons and a daughter to solidify her status—something Liu Shi, without offspring, could not challenge.
Even worse, Liu Shi’s humble origins meant her maternal family could offer no support. Coupled with her repeated miscarriages, Su Bingyan’s affection for her had waned. Her position was precarious; Zhu Shi viewed her as a thorn in her side. Should she lose the prince’s favor entirely, and have no children to rely on, she would have no place in the Xiang residence.
Liu Shi straightened, looking directly at the young lady seated before her. In her two years in the residence, she had come to understand Su Hua’s circumstances.
But in just one day—from yesterday to the present—events had unfolded that left everyone astonished.
Liu Shi had seen Zhu Shi embarrassed, watched her forced to hand over all of the late mistress’s dowry, and witnessed Su Hua’s words compel Yang and her sisters to face the prince’s rebuke.
Su Hua had fallen into the pond, and the court physicians said she would not survive—but she had emerged completely unharmed, and with such a dramatic rise in influence.
The servants whispered that divine beings had blessed her, but Liu Shi had no such illusions—there was undoubtedly some unknown, extraordinary force behind it.
Liu Shi bowed respectfully again. “Miss, I have come seeking your cooperation.”
“Cooperation?” Su Hua’s interest was piqued as she looked at her. “Everyone in the household knows you are the most favored by Father. Aside from the Grandmother and Zhu Shi, you outrank everyone else. Why would you come to me for cooperation?”
“Perhaps that was true before, but not anymore,” Liu Shi replied bitterly. “You are aware of my repeated miscarriages. With Father’s affection waning, Madam has long sought an opportunity to remove me. Without the prince’s favor, and with no children, I would have no path forward—only death.”
Su Hua spoke plainly. “So you’ve come to join me in opposing Zhu Shi.”
Liu Shi bit her lower lip, pausing for a moment before speaking with firm determination. “I only seek to save my own life. After what you’ve experienced, you are no longer the same. I believe that by working with you, there is a way forward.”
Su Hua studied her. At first, she had no doubts—but now, standing before her, Liu Shi radiated a certain aura. It was clear that her repeated miscarriages were not natural, but caused deliberately.
Her voice calm and steady, Su Hua said, “I can restore Father’s favor toward you, and even ensure you conceive again and deliver safely.”
Liu Shi’s eyes blazed. She stared intently at the young lady—her intuition was correct. Su Hua’s miraculous survival and rise in fortune were not ordinary events.
“If this is so, I will follow your orders,” Liu Shi said, her tone tentative. “Miss, the physicians all said my body is not conducive to pregnancy. Even if I conceive, it may not be sustained…”
“You’ve been in the residence two years and have conceived twice. Is that not enough to prove it’s possible?” Su Hua replied.
Liu Shi’s eyes widened in sudden understanding. “You mean… the physicians diagnosing me were bribed? It was Zhu Shi behind my miscarriages!”
Su Hua thought to herself that this woman was not stupid—quick to perceive the truth.
Liu Shi steadied herself, then knelt, performing a deep kowtow. “Miss, please guide me. I am willing to devote myself entirely to your service, obeying only your commands henceforth.”
Su Hua, considering how to deal with her enemies, found that Liu Shi’s arrival provided a useful opportunity. She said in a calm voice, “Rise. I do not value empty gestures. Just remember: once you follow me, there can be no duplicity. I can help you, but I can also destroy you utterly.”
Liu Shi stood, meeting Su Hua’s gaze. Her words were light, but carried the weight of a torrent, oppressive and commanding.
“Miss, what should I do next?” Liu Shi asked softly, urgency in her tone.
Su Hua spoke slowly, deliberately: “Aunt Liu, you like osmanthus, don’t you?”
Liu Shi, puzzled, answered truthfully, “Yes. There are several planted in my courtyard.”
“Then return to your residence and dig up the flower beds of those osmanthus trees.” Su Hua didn’t wait for questions. “Go.”
Liu Shi left, bewildered, unsure of Su Hua’s intention, and complied with a bow before retreating.
Once she was gone, Granny Xia, standing nearby, whispered, “Miss, Aunt Liu came seeking you. Is this safe?”
Su Hua replied, “It’s fine. If she can be of use to me, why not? When Mother was alive, Father’s concubines dominated, and Zhu Shi constantly oppressed Mother. Today, it’s time Zhu Shi tastes her own medicine.”
Granny Xia’s worry lingered. “Even when Aunt Liu was most favored, she was still suppressed by Zhu Shi. This may not be easy.”
Yun Shuang, full of confidence, reassured her, “Mama, if Miss says it’s possible, it will be. We should trust her.”
Granny Xia shook her head gently. “It’s not that we doubt Miss, but we fear she might get caught in the inner household’s struggles. One misstep could be dangerous.”
Su Hua comforted her: “Don’t worry. I promised to protect you from any harm. I must remain safe so I can protect you. Everything I do, I do with precision—I will not put myself at risk unnecessarily.”
Granny Xia nodded silently, saying nothing further.
To gain control over a single concubine was, to Su Hua, a trivial matter.
In her previous life, no one under her command ever betrayed her. Those who dared, the moment a hint of treachery appeared, met a fate with no burial.
In this life, there would be no exception.