Chapter 133: Squeeze In

Su Liruo arched an eyebrow and laughed, "Sister, you truly have a compassionate heart. Yet, did this woman not commit such an act to humiliate me? Sister, are you perhaps..." Su Liruo hinted that she lacked concern for sisterly bonds. Su Baizhi’s face darkened, and she was forced to explain in a low voice, "Sister, she is but a weak woman. Please, spare her this once."

As they discussed what was to become of Yanhong, a servant entered to announce, "The Master has returned." Su Hong strode in, his gaze sweeping over the women standing and sitting in the room, their expressions less than pleasant. After Su Liruo and the others offered their greetings, Old Madam Su recounted the incident to Su Hong in detail.

Su Hong looked at Yanhong with a grim face. She trembled, fearing her unknown fate. Su Baizhi said apologetically, "Father, I truly did not know Yanhong would deceive me. It is just that I cannot bear to watch her... Perhaps it would be best to send her back to where she came from."

Su Hong straightened his expression and announced loudly, "From this point forward, this matter is not to be mentioned again. Liruo is the eldest daughter of our Su family; she would never go to such a place as a brothel. As for you, Zhier, you were led astray by others and misunderstood your own sister. You should return to your quarters and reflect upon this properly."

Su Hong’s stern words caused Su Baizhi to lower her head in shame. She gritted her teeth, the hatred in her heart for Su Liruo growing ever deeper.

Su Liruo shed tears of gratitude, looking at Su Hong as she choked out, "Daughter thanks Father for your trust. Sister, in the future, you must be more discerning of people and not easily trust rumors from the outside."

A flash of malice crossed Su Baizhi’s eyes. With Su Hong watching, she could do nothing to Su Liruo and could only nod slightly. "Thank you for your instruction, Sister." It was merely a temporary surrender; when the day came that she could trample Su Liruo underfoot, she would repay this humiliation in full.

Following Su Hong’s forceful suppression, Su Baizhi and Yao Ruoshui dared not speak ill of Su Liruo again, and the matter gradually faded into silence.

The sun was scorching. After paying her respects, Su Liruo had walked only a short distance before she was drenched in sweat. Waves of heat washed over her, and she felt a sense of revulsion toward the weather. Sighing, she muttered, "When will it ever cool down? If this continues, I shall surely die of the heat."

Liuzhu, who was carrying a plate of fruit, happened to hear this and immediately spat, "Miss, please do not say such things; they might come true."

Thinking Liuzhu was making a fuss over nothing, she said dismissively, "It is not as serious as you make it sound. I am merely lamenting the heat, that is all. It is fine."

Seeing that her mistress would not take her warning to heart, Liuzhu could only shake her head. Just as she was about to persuade her further, Liuying pushed open the door, holding a letter, and called out in delight, "Miss, Lady Anping has sent you a letter."

"Truly? Let me see it." Su Liruo reached out, and Liuying presented it with both hands, placing it gently into her palms.

After Su Liruo opened it and read the contents, Liuzhu asked impatiently, "Miss, what does the Lady say?"

"The Lady invites me to her estate to escape the summer heat. What do you think—should I go?" Su Liruo asked, though her mind was already made up. She could no longer tolerate Yao Ruoshui and the others, nor Su Baihan, who had become even more unreasonable since the incident. Since Yao Ruoshui indulged her out of pity, Su Liruo felt she had no choice but to avoid them.

Liuzhu waved her hands excitedly. "Of course you should go! It is the perfect opportunity for you to clear your mind. This servant has noticed you have not been sleeping well lately."

Su Liruo thought for a moment, nodded in agreement, and smiled at Liuzhu. "Liuzhu understands me best. Then, send a reply to the Lady; tell her I shall arrive on time."

Her reputation was ruined once more, but that was for the best; she no longer had to worry about suitors coming to propose. To be free and on her own—how wonderful that would be. Thinking of this, she found a reason to be happy and couldn't help but smile.

The appointed day arrived. Su Liruo traveled by small sedan chair to the gates of the Prince of Annan’s mansion. Upon entering Lady Anping’s boudoir, she saw her being attended to by maids while dressing. She bowed slightly, "Liruo pays her respects to the Lady."

"Sister, you have come. I am currently unable to move easily, so please, have a seat; I shall be ready in a moment." A maid was placing a jade hairpin in her hair. When Lady Anping saw Su Liruo, her expression brightened considerably.

"Lady, there is no need to rush. I arrived early, in any case." Su Liruo sat quietly to the side, watching the maids apply scented balm, draw her brows, and paint her lips, feeling not a hint of impatience.

By the time Lady Anping was dressed, it was already quite late. She took Su Liruo’s hand affectionately and asked, "Sister, have you had your morning meal?"

"I have. Has the Lady yet to eat?" Su Liruo looked at the time outside; it was indeed quite late for breakfast. Lady Anping nodded. "I had intended to eat with you, but I did not realize you had already finished."

She wanted to spend more time with Su Liruo, but had not found the opportunity. Unable to bear seeing her disappointed, Su Liruo braced herself and smiled, "I shall keep you company while you eat. We have a long journey ahead, and it will not do to go hungry."

Lady Anping smiled and called out, "Quickly, bring my morning meal."

The maids brought in a spread of rich pastries and porridge. Compared to the Su household, Lady Anping’s breakfast was truly extravagant; there were seven or eight bowls of varying sizes on the table. If she were eating alone, she would likely not even finish a quarter of it.

Once the two were ready, they stepped out of the Prince of Annan’s mansion to find a carriage waiting at the gate, along with two fine horses held to the side, which left Su Liruo feeling puzzled.

No sooner had they stepped out than they heard heavy footsteps. Turning their heads, they saw the Heir of Annan and Prince Yi. Su Liruo immediately knelt halfway to offer her greetings. "I pay my respects to the Heir and to Prince Yi."

The Heir of Annan reached out to help her rise. "Miss Su, please, rise. Mother feared that something might happen to my sister on the journey, so she specifically asked me to accompany you and ensure her safety." He offered this as an explanation for his presence.

Su Liruo turned to look at Yun Yanyi. The Heir of Annan was here to protect his sister, but why was he here? Her brows furrowed slightly, and she was clearly displeased.

"Is Miss Su not happy to see me?" Yun Yanyi observed her expression and pointed it out bluntly, causing both Lady Anping and the Heir of Annan to look over. Su Liruo dared not admit it and shook her head repeatedly. "How could that be? I was merely surprised to see Prince Yi here as well."

The Heir of Annan immediately intervened to smooth things over. "I happened to encounter the Prince on my way back and invited him to join us. I did not expect him to grant me such a favor; I hope Miss Su will not mind."

"How could I? The Lady was kind enough to invite me; I am merely a guest." Su Liruo stated her position. Sensing Yun Yanyi’s lingering gaze, she looked directly at him and found an enigmatic expression in his eyes. She gripped her palms nervously, unable to fathom what game he was playing.

"Alright, alright. If we stand here any longer, the sun will only grow hotter. Let us not delay any further and depart." Lady Anping took Su Liruo’s arm, fearing she might be angry because of the Heir’s presence.

Su Liruo gave her a reassuring smile, and Lady Anping breathed a sigh of relief. A maid helped her into the carriage, and Su Liruo followed immediately after. The Heir of Annan mounted his horse, but seeing Yun Yanyi walking toward the carriage as well, he quickly called out, "Your Highness, the horses are over here. What are you doing?"

"Oh, I cannot withstand the sun, so it is better to be inside the carriage." With that, he stepped onto the stool and lifted the carriage curtain. Su Liruo and Lady Anping both stared in astonishment as he settled inside.

"Your Highness, why are you boarding the carriage? Were there not horses prepared outside?" Su Liruo watched him enter, feeling even more nervous, terrified that she had made a mistake and become an eyesore to this Prince.

"Oh, my constitution is weak; I cannot ride a horse. Therefore, I shall squeeze in with the two of you. You do not mind, do you?" Yun Yanyi arched an eyebrow at Su Liruo.