Chapter 115: Adding Finery

Su Baizhi nodded slightly, wiped the tears from her face in front of the bronze mirror, and asked her maid to touch up her makeup. No sooner had she finished than Su Baihan and the others arrived.

Seeing the dazzling array of head ornaments on the vanity, a flicker of jealousy crossed Su Baihan’s eyes. Since Su Baizhi was her elder sister, however, she could not voice her discontent.

Unable to suppress her envy, she eventually remarked, "Sister, Grandmother is truly wonderful to you. To gift you so many precious things—I wonder if I shall have such a grand display when it is my turn to be married?"

Su Baizhi, feeling quite smug, offered a gentle, soothing reply: "Of course you will, Han’er. Grandmother dotes on you just as much; there is no need to worry."

Su Baihan merely smiled and remained silent. When they visited the Yao estate, Grandmother Yao would always pull Su Baizhi close for affectionate conversation, leaving her to merely listen from the sidelines. Su Baihan understood that this was all because her sister was more favored than she.

"Sister, I have specifically chosen a gift for you today. Please, take a look." Su Baihan produced a brocade box. Su Baizhi opened it slightly, caught sight of a bracelet inside, and cried out in surprise, "Sister, isn't this what Mother specifically gave to you? Why are you giving it to me? Take it back, I cannot accept this."

As Su Baizhi moved to return the bracelet, Su Baihan refused, insisting, "Sister, since Mother gave it to me, it is mine to give. I am truly happy for you today, and as you are about to marry into the Tai residence, I have nothing better to offer. Please, consider this a token of my heart; do not refuse it."

Su Baihan’s heart was bleeding; had Su Baizhi not been her own sister, and had she not feared the gossip of Su Shan'er and the others, she would never have parted with something so dear.

Seeing that Su Baihan was determined, and since it was such an auspicious day, Su Baizhi had her maid put the gift away. "Sister, I love it dearly. Thank you."

The gold-inlaid jade bracelet had been a gift from Yao Ruoshui to Su Baihan on her birthday. Su Baihan had kept it carefully ever since, rarely even wearing it. Su Baizhi had caught a glimpse of it once before, but Su Baihan had refused to let her even touch it, so she had let the matter drop.

Never having expected the bracelet to end up in her hands today, Su Baizhi took Su Baihan’s hand and showered her with praise: "You are truly so thoughtful, sister."

Su Baihan glanced at Su Shan'er and Su Dongxuan. "Sister, why don't you see what the others have brought?" A hint of smugness lingered in the corners of her eyes. Among all the sisters, she was confident her gift was the most valuable. It was precisely this concern for status that had driven her to give away her prized possession.

Su Shan'er presented an embroidered handkerchief, while Su Dongxuan offered a peony-patterned sachet. Su Baizhi thanked them with a smile, though the curve of her lips was noticeably smaller than when she had received Su Baihan’s gift.

***

When it was Su Liuluo’s turn, Su Baizhi stared at her intently, thinking to herself, *Su Liuluo is our eldest sister and the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s residence. If she doesn’t gift something noble, they will surely mock her later. She certainly won't want to lose face.* Su Baizhi had long coveted a particular item in Su Liuluo’s possession and was waiting for her to offer it as a wedding gift, so she watched with anticipation.

Su Liuluo signaled for her maid to step forward. "This is Cloud Brocade, specifically gifted to you as a wedding present."

Su Baizhi looked at the dark red fabric and felt a wave of disappointment. It looked dull and lifeless, hardly the sort of thing a lively young girl would wear. She had been hoping for the signature treasure of the Xuexiu shop.

"Th-thank you, Eldest Sister." Su Baizhi gritted her teeth, unwilling to lose face in front of everyone, though her hands were reluctant to touch the fabric. It was a gift less valuable than what Su Shan'er and Su Dongxuan had brought.

Su Shan'er touched the slippery material and giggled. "Eldest Sister is truly good to the Second Sister. I hear this Cloud Brocade is worth quite a lot of silver; you are certainly generous." Seeing Su Baizhi’s stiff expression, Su Shan'er’s smile only widened.

Su Liuluo replied immediately, "Third Sister, you jest. What is silver compared to the Second Sister's happiness?"

Su Liuluo looked at Su Baizhi, who was forced to squeeze out a smile in return.

"Sister, please do not dislike it. I searched for a long time; this is the only color available this year, and many cannot buy it even if they wish to. It took quite a lot of connections for me to secure this bolt." Su Liuluo spoke as if it had been an arduous task, and Su Shan'er chimed in with a laugh, "So that’s how it is! Then Second Sister, you must cherish it well. Eldest Sister went to such lengths—surely you don’t dislike it, do you?"

Seeing that Su Baizhi remained silent, Su Shan'er leaned in closer, asking softly, "Sister, there isn't even a smile on your face. Is it possible you really don't like it?"

"Do you not like it, sister? Have I wasted all this effort?" Su Liuluo lowered her head, looking dejected, and the atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Su Baizhi waved her hands hurriedly. "How could that be? You have been so thoughtful, sister; I was merely taken by surprise and didn't know how to react."

Su Baizhi was burning with rage but had no outlet. Su Liuluo had been nothing but perfect, leaving her with no room for complaint.

Su Baihan looked at the bolt of fabric with reddened eyes, digging her fingernails into her palms, terrified that her jealousy would overwhelm her and cause her to do something rash. She lowered her head, trying to ignore the thought of all that wasted silver.

***

Unfortunately, Su Baihan could not help herself. Su Shan'er kept sighing with envy, "Second Sister is so lucky. Everyone loves you and dotes on you; even Eldest Sister gives such expensive gifts. We are truly in awe."

Su Shan'er’s incessant chatter was like pouring oil on the fire in Su Baihan’s mind. Su Baihan pinched herself, feeling bitter. *Why is Su Liuluo spending so much silver on the Second Sister? She wouldn't give me anything I asked for—this is bullying!*

Once out of Su Baizhi’s room, the more Su Baihan thought about it, the angrier she became, her words dripping with sourness. "Sister is truly blessed. Eldest Sister spent such a fortune on that Cloud Brocade, and she still wasn't happy. She truly doesn't know how good she has it."

Su Baihan muttered to her own maid, who could only nod periodically, afraid to speak for fear of offending someone.

Su Baihan did not stop; from the moment she left the courtyard, her mouth never rested. Her vocal complaining meant that soon, every servant in the Prime Minister’s residence knew the eldest miss had given a piece of expensive fabric to Su Baizhi. Many praised, "The Eldest Miss is truly kind to the Second Miss, spending so much silver without a second thought. Why haven't I ever encountered such a generous sister?"

The servants whispered with envy, and by the time the news reached Su Baizhi, she was so furious she nearly vomited blood. As the story passed from one person to another, it had been twisted; everyone cared only about the value of the silver, ignoring everything else.

"Su Liuluo clearly played me, yet now everyone thinks I’m the one who profited! I have grievances I cannot even voice." Su Baizhi smashed a teacup in a fit of rage. She wanted to send her maid to explain, but the rumors had already spread throughout the residence; no one would believe her now.

Tears welled up in Su Baizhi’s eyes. "I truly have a wonderful sister, plotting against me behind my back."

Upon investigation, Su Baizhi discovered the rumors had started with Su Baihan. She hated Su Liuluo for tricking her with an aging piece of fabric she couldn't even use, but she also hated Su Baihan for having no regard for their sisterly bond.

Jinling tried to console her: "Miss, do not be angry anymore. Since the matter has already spread, just act as if you are unaware and focus on your marriage preparations. The rumors will fade in time."

Su Baizhi had no choice but to swallow her resentment. If she were to bring this up, it would surely damage the gentle and generous image she had cultivated. Considering the consequences, she had to endure this humiliation and wait for a chance to take revenge later.