Chapter 129: Remorse

Old Madam Su looked at Concubine Shu’s feigned innocence, recalling how she had made a scene before Su Hong when the marriage arrangements were being made, causing the Old Madam to lose face. "Concubine Shu, your fine nephew has actually dared to infiltrate the inner courtyard of the Prime Minister’s residence. For the sake of our family's reputation, he must be severely punished today."

Old Madam Su turned her head toward Nanny Hua and commanded, "Bring the heavy rods and beat this animal to death." Her face turned crimson with rage, and her body trembled with excitement. Nanny Hua stroked her chest, whispering, "Old Madam, please do not agitate yourself. The imperial physician warned that you must keep a calm heart."

"How can you ask me not to be angry? Such a shameful incident has occurred within these walls. Fortunately, no outsiders witnessed it, or the Prime Minister’s residence would have no face left." She glared at Shu Mei and Su San'er, wishing she could strike them both dead on the spot.

Su San'er noticed the flicker of murderous intent in the Old Madam’s eyes. Terrified, she dared not plead further, keeping her head bowed and trying to make herself invisible, hoping to escape the Old Madam's notice.

When Shu Mei realized that the Old Madam intended to kill both her and her son, she looked at Li Ming’s desperate, pleading expression and kowtowed, begging, "Old Madam, I implore you to spare Ming'er this once. He is the only son of the Li family. If something happens to him, how will my cousin and the others survive? Wouldn't their branch of the family line be cut off? Old Madam, please, I beg you to spare Ming'er."

Seeing Shu Mei continuing to plead for that beast, Yao Ruoshui snapped in fury, "Second Concubine, Han'er has suffered such a great grievance today; I would consider even a few lashes a light punishment. If you speak for him again, I shall have you beaten along with him."

Shu Mei rolled her eyes and retorted sarcastically, "My Lady, how can you be so certain that Ming'er is at fault? He has studied the teachings of the sages since childhood. Could there not be some other hidden circumstance? It is highly likely that the Fourth Young Lady was the one who initiated—"

"You vile woman, how dare you!" Yao Ruoshui cut her off. "You have the audacity to slander a legitimate daughter! I may not be able to control Li Ming, but you are a concubine in the Prime Minister’s residence; I certainly have the authority to discipline an insubordinate concubine." A flash of cruelty crossed Yao Ruoshui's eyes as she turned to Nanny Ping. "Nanny, make sure the Second Concubine stops her tongue. Do not let her spout any more filth."

Seeing her mistress’s anger, Nanny Ping immediately set to work. She had two maidservants pin Shu Mei down, then slapped her left and right repeatedly. Shu Mei was struck until she saw stars and blood trickled from the corners of her mouth. By the time Nanny Ping stopped, her cheeks were swollen and disfigured.

Having vented some of her rage, Yao Ruoshui could no longer bear the sight of Shu Mei’s pathetic, weeping face. "Lock her in the woodshed. When I have time, I will interrogate her properly."

Su San'er had collapsed to the ground in terror while her mother was being beaten. Her heart ached, but knowing Yao Ruoshui was a woman of her word, she could only watch in silence, unable to intercede. She knew she could not let her guard down, or she would be next. She forced herself to stay composed, though her face remained deathly pale.

Observing that Yao Ruoshui had finished disciplining the Second Concubine while the Old Madam looked on coldly, Su Lili stepped forward to suggest, "Mother, this matter has caused quite a commotion. If word gets out, Han'er’s future will be ruined. It would be best to lock everyone involved away to ensure their silence."

Yao Ruoshui considered the concern in Su Lili’s eyes and the importance of Su Baihan’s reputation. She ordered bluntly, "Someone, lock them all up and keep a close watch. There must be no mishaps."

Su San'er shook her head, pleading, "Mother, I am innocent! I do not want to be locked up!"

Yao Ruoshui ignored her, berating the nearby servants who stood frozen, "Are you all dead? Drag the Third Young Lady away at once!"

Su San'er resisted, and the servants used force, causing her to cry out in pain. Fearing they would treat her even more harshly, she clamped her mouth shut and dared not scream again. Li Ming was dragged away in a daze. Seeing the wretched boy, Yao Ruoshui thought of how her precious daughter had nearly been violated and wished she could tear him to pieces.

The Old Madam was displeased that Yao Ruoshui had bypassed her authority, and her frustration was evident on her face. However, Yao Ruoshui, focused entirely on the crisis regarding Su Baihan, failed to notice.

The Old Madam asked with a stiff, angry face, "Lili, tell your grandmother, what exactly happened? How did Han'er end up in such a state?"

Su Lili frowned, remaining silent for a long moment before slowly explaining, "Grandmother, today San'er invited us sisters to gather. She went out to fetch tea. Later, I felt unwell and went to the restroom. When I returned, I found Han'er and Young Master Li..."

Su Lili rubbed her nose, putting on a naive and embarrassed smile. After hearing this, Yao Ruoshui finally identified the culprit.

"It really was Su San'er's doing. It is my fault for trusting her, only for her to frame Han'er." Yao Ruoshui felt a deep sense of regret for not listening to Su Baizhi’s warnings to deal with Su San'er sooner.

"Enough. What is the use of regretting it now? The deed is done. Think about how to handle the aftermath; this cannot leak out, or how will your father hold his head high in the imperial court?" The Old Madam felt exhausted as incidents involving the young ladies of the house happened one after another.

Yao Ruoshui had Nanny Ping support Su Baihan, then wiped the tears from her own eyes and walked to the Old Madam’s side. Apologetically, she said, "Mother, you are exhausted. Allow me to have someone escort you back to rest. I will handle this matter."

"Very well. Nanny Hua, let us go." The Old Madam looked at Su Baihan, who was staring blankly at nothing, sighed, and walked away.

Seeing that the situation was temporarily under control, Su Lili comforted Yao Ruoshui, "Mother, you should have a physician check on Han'er. Speak with her gently so she does not take this to heart. I shall head back now."

Yao Ruoshui nodded, her entire focus on Su Baihan. She did not even hear what Su Lili said. As Su Lili stepped out, she looked back to see Yao Ruoshui gently holding Su Baihan’s hand, her own eyes stinging with unshed tears, and quickly turned away.

Yao Ruoshui called out softly, "Han'er, Mother is here. Let us go back. Shall I have the maids change your clothes?"

Su Baihan stared blankly, unresponsive for a long time. Yao Ruoshui and Nanny Ping exchanged looks, nearly breaking down in tears. Suppressing her heartache, Yao Ruoshui comforted her, "Han'er, it is over now. Do not think of it anymore. Mother promises she will not let Su San'er off easily. Won't you speak to me?"

Nanny Ping suggested, "My Lady, perhaps we should take the Young Lady back and discuss this properly later. We must first summon a physician to check her pulse."

"That is true. Have a sedan chair brought over to carry her back to her courtyard. I am going to see the Master and will return immediately." Thinking of Shu Mei and Su San'er, Yao Ruoshui felt a burning hatred, regretting her past leniency that had led to her daughter's tragedy.

When Yao Ruoshui arrived at the study door, she thought of Su Baihan’s vacant expression and could not stop her tears. She stood before Su Hong with red-rimmed eyes and cried out, "Master..."

"What has happened, my lady?"

"Master, you must seek justice for me and for Han'er..." Yao Ruoshui recounted the incident to Su Hong with added vitriol. Su Hong’s face turned black with rage, and he cursed, "Has the world turned upside down? To dare to commit such an obscene act under my own roof!"

Unable to believe that Su San'er would be capable of such malice, Su Hong asked again, "My lady, have you gathered the evidence?"