Chapter One Hundred Nineteen: Composure

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“Shan’er is currently unconscious. To avoid harming Her Highness the Crown Princess, Qingyi and Qingyao, please assist Third Miss. Your Highness, this servant takes her leave,” Su Lilu ordered two maidservants skilled in martial arts, while exchanging polite words with Lady Huo. Lady Huo noticed Su Shan’er struggling to break free from the maids’ support and frowned. “Miss Su, are you sure you don’t want me to send someone with you?”

“The Crown Princess is also tired today. Shan’er will recover shortly, so there’s no need to trouble you, Your Highness. Qingyi, let’s go. Make sure to support Third Miss properly.” Su Lilu emphasized the last two words, but Lady Huo, seeing Su Shan’er’s frantic state, failed to notice the subtle weight in her tone.

Qingyi and Qingyao nodded, gripping a little tighter, causing Su Shan’er to wince in pain. She cried out, “Ugh, it’s so uncomfortable. Let me take off my clothes.”

“Don’t be anxious, Shan’er. You’ll feel better soon. Let’s hurry. Your Highness, please return quickly.” Su Lilu dared not delay further and had Su Shan’er briskly led away from the Crown Princess’s chamber. Lady Huo watched them depart, shaking her head. A maid nearby warned, “Your Highness, the wind outside is strong. Please take care of your health.”

Ahead, palace servants carried lanterns as Lady Huo was accompanied back to her quarters.

Su Lilu had the maidservants hold Su Shan’er behind her as she strode directly toward the lake. A gust of wind brought a faint misty scent, and a cold smile played on Su Lilu’s lips. She glanced back and ordered, “Pick up the pace, or Third Miss might not hold out much longer.”

Upon reaching the shimmering lake, Su Lilu’s face curved into a cunning smile. “Throw her in.”

Without a word, Qingyi and Qingyao raised their hands, and Su Shan’er collapsed forward into the water with a splash. Moments later, a woman’s scream pierced the air. “Su Lilu, are you mad?”

Su Shan’er flailed in the icy water, bobbing up and down. Seeing Su Lilu standing by the shore, amused, she opened her mouth to curse, but water surged in, forcing her to swallow copious amounts.

Moonlight cast a silver glow over the lake. Su Shan’er’s struggling weakened. Seeing she had learned her lesson, Su Lilu whispered, “Third Miss has come to. Pull her out.”

Qingyi extended a bamboo pole toward Su Shan’er, softly calling, “Third Miss, hold on tight. We’ll pull you up.”

Faintly hearing the voices and seeing hands reaching out, Su Shan’er grasped the pole firmly.

With a strong tug from Qingyi, Su Shan’er soon floated to the shore. Together, the two maids hauled her out with ease.

Back on safe land, Su Lilu, ignoring Su Shan’er’s shock, warned coldly, “Third Miss, this is the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, not the Prime Minister’s residence. If you plan any schemes, do not drag us into it. Otherwise, the entire Prime Minister’s household might lose their heads. I still hope to live a little longer.”

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Su Shan’er’s clothes were soaked through, and after choking on the water, the night breeze made her tremble with cold. Instead of comforting her, Su Lilu spoke coldly. Su Shan’er, who had always been pampered, could hardly bear it.

Furious, Su Shan’er hurled curses at Su Lilu. “My purity is ruined; who cares about others now? Might as well drag us all down to hell together…”

Su Lilu shook her head, watching her as if she were incorrigible. “Third Miss, where is the composure you once had? Every cause has its effect. Your miserable defeat today is the consequence of your past misdeeds.”

Su Shan’er refused to listen, her eyes bloodshot as she shouted wildly, “Why should I bow to anyone? I want her to suffer. I won’t marry into a good family anyway. Let’s all go mad together.”

Su Lilu ceased trying to reason and left with the maids, leaving Su Shan’er slumped alone on the ground. Seeing Su Lilu’s heartlessness, Su Shan’er cursed behind her back, “Su Lilu, who are you putting on a show for with that innocent look? You were also made a laughingstock in public and held back your revenge. I’m ashamed for you, you coward.”

Su Lilu ignored the insults. The maidservants following her were furious and shot Su Shan’er cold looks. One suggested, “Miss, perhaps she should suffer a bit more.”

“She acts like this to everyone now. Why stoop to the level of a mad dog? Let’s go.” Su Lilu sighed inwardly. It seemed the cold plunge had not calmed Su Shan’er.

Returning to the front courtyard, Su Lilu saw many guests still seated at the banquet, but the guest of honor was nowhere to be found. Curiously, she murmured, “Where has the Crown Prince gone, leaving so many guests behind?”

Looking around, she heard the noisy chatter and finally understood: His Highness the Crown Prince had disappeared midway.

Though surprised, Su Lilu did not dwell on it. Without Yun Fengxiao, she felt more at ease. But recalling Su Shan’er’s poisoning and that she was delivered by someone from Yun Yanyi’s entourage, she wondered aloud, “How did she cross paths with him?”

Seeing Leng Feng approaching, Su Lilu beckoned. Leng Feng gestured to himself; Su Lilu nodded. He strode over quietly, as she sat in a corner of the banquet unnoticed.

“Leng Feng, how did Shan’er meet the prince? And how did she get poisoned?” Su Lilu asked, curious. Watching Leng Feng’s stern face, she longed to see him smile someday.

Leng Feng recounted the entire incident clearly. Su Lilu sighed, “Truly, she brought this upon herself.”

“Well? Are you satisfied with what you saw?” Yun Yanyi suddenly spoke. Su Lilu covered her pounding heart, glaring at him and scolding, “How can you sneak up like that? You nearly scared me to death.”

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“The proud Miss Su afraid of such a small matter?” Yun Yanyi raised an eyebrow, teasing as he noticed her pale complexion.

Su Lilu shot him a sharp look. “Yes, Prince Yi, you are brave. I’m no match for you.”

Yun Yanyi, unfazed by her sarcastic compliment, gazed at the lively wedding scene and quietly asked in her ear, “Was tonight’s drama entertaining?”

“Did you do it?” The cheerfulness Su Lilu had earlier had faded. Seeing Yun Yanyi nod, she shivered. He kindly asked, “Are you cold?”

Su Lilu hurriedly shook her head. Yun Yanyi looked at her suspiciously. Seeing the growing fear in her eyes, he understood her unspoken thoughts and felt some anger, but worried that angering her would only frighten her more.

“Don’t be afraid. As long as you obey me, I will never use such methods on you,” Yun Yanyi assured her. Su Lilu found him even more terrifying but merely nodded vaguely, offering no promise.

With the protagonist absent, the wedding banquet soon dispersed. Lady Huo heard a servant report, “The Crown Prince is with the secondary consort?”

“Yes, Your Highness. That shameless little wretch. The Crown Prince was still entertaining guests when her maid summoned him. It hasn’t calmed down since.” The maid blushed at her words and, hearing noises from Su Baizhi’s residence, her heart pounded with anger.

Lady Huo glanced at her calmly, saying nothing. The maid wanted to speak further in defense of Lady Huo, but Lady Huo shot her a fierce glare. “Do you even understand etiquette? Matters concerning the Crown Prince are not for you to discuss. Leave immediately.”

The maid’s eyes reddened, tears streaming down her cheeks as she withdrew, aggrieved. “This servant takes her leave.”

Lady Huo rubbed her temples, muttering to her confidant, “They’re all so troublesome.”

“Your Highness, please be patient. The Su family has just entered the palace and will become part of the Eastern Palace household. Your Highness only needs to maintain your position as the principal consort. No matter what she does, she will never rise above you,” the maid comforted. Lady Huo smiled genuinely. “You truly understand my thoughts.”