Chapter 149 Joining Forces

Su Dongxuan looked at the tea in Mammy Ping's hands with suspicion, not daring to take it for a long time, deeply afraid that this was a trap. Mammy Ping's voice turned somewhat cold as she spoke again, "Fifth Young Miss, please take the tea."

Su Dongxuan's body shuddered, a look of fear deep in her eyes. She took the teacup from Mammy Ping with both hands and offered it to Yao Ruoshui, "Mother, please have some tea."

The teacup was somewhat scalding. Seeing Yao Ruoshui's hand resting on the rim, Su Dongxuan relaxed inwardly and loosened her grip. Instantly, a scream rang out, "Ah! What are you doing? Are you trying to scald me to death?"

Su Dongxuan's skirt was soaked with the liquid. Pointing at her, Yao Ruoshui ordered, "Mammy Ping, drag her out and make her kneel properly outside. Let's see if she dares to pull this stunt again next time."

Su Dongxuan kowtowed and begged for mercy, "Mistress, have mercy. Xuan'er didn't know why the tea was so scorching. I clearly received it directly from Mammy Ping's hands."

"Fifth Young Miss still dares to talk back! The Mistress was almost scalded, yet you show not the slightest shred of remorse. It seems the Mistress has punished you too lightly." Mammy Ping watched Su Dongxuan's pleas with cold eyes, as if looking at a clown performing a farce.

"Since that is the case, give her another twenty strikes to the palm of her hand so the Fifth Young Miss can learn a proper lesson." Yao Ruoshui leisurely picked up another cup of tea and took a small sip. Seeing Su Dongxuan's slightly red eyes and upturned lips, she assumed the girl must be feeling deeply aggrieved, which happened to suit her wishes entirely.

The sound of whipping soon echoed through the courtyard. Su Dongxuan endured it at first, but when she could bear it no longer later on, she broke down in cries and screams. Mammy Ping showed not the slightest mercy, and the wooden strip fell against her palms heavier each time than the last.

After receiving twenty strikes, she was still required to kneel for a full half-hour. Upon learning that Su Dongxuan was being punished, the Third Concubine rushed immediately to the main courtyard. Upon entering, she saw Su Dongxuan kneeling outside in the courtyard, her tears falling continuously and uncontrollably.

"Fifth Young Miss..." Her lips parted, uttering her name soundlessly. Su Dongxuan kept her head lowered, as if nothing could arouse her interest anymore, wishing only to endure this half-hour to the end.

The Third Concubine wiped away her tears and hurried into the main room. Seeing Yao Ruoshui sitting in the seat of honor, she dropped to her knees right before her and pleaded, "Mistress, this concubine knows her wrongs. I beg you to spare the Fifth Young Miss. She is still young, and her body surely cannot withstand such a heavy punishment."

"What? Is the Third Concubine feeling emboldened now that she has caught the Master's favor, coming here to crowd me? As the Fifth Young Miss's legal mother, naturally I must prioritize her upbringing. Today she can bungle the simple task of serving a cup of tea; who knows what might happen if she goes elsewhere in the future?" Yao Ruoshui fabricated her justification righteously. Knowing full well that the woman was doing it on purpose, the Third Concubine had no evidence to grasp and could only endure the injustice in silence.

"Mistress, this concubine will take the blame on behalf of the Fifth Young Miss. The Fifth Young Miss has a weak constitution; this concubine is willing to endure the remainder of the punishment the Mistress has decreed in her stead." The Third Concubine only wished to protect Su Dongxuan. Because Yao Ruoshui had taken a hit of anger from Su Liluo, she refused to relent in the slightest.

"The Third Concubine is now a concubine of the Master. If punishment is to be dealt, it should be executed by the Master. Though unworthy, I am fully capable of disciplining a young miss. If the Third Concubine says another superfluous word, the punishment on the Fifth Young Miss's body will be doubled." Hearing Yao Ruoshui's ruthless words, the Third Concubine harbored secret hatred in her heart, knowing that this woman was deliberately humiliating the mother and daughter pair.

Though her hatred burned fiercely, she did not reveal a single trace of it on her surface. Keeping her head lowered and speaking no more, she attended to Yao Ruoshui's side. Her cautious and timid appearance made Yao Ruoshui feel much more at ease.

After attending to Yao Ruoshui through her midday meal, the Third Concubine was finally permitted to leave once the Mistress went to take her afternoon nap. Outside the dwelling, Su Dongxuan's figure was already gone, having presumably been dismissed back to her quarters. Massaging her aching and sore back, the Third Concubine returned alone to her own courtyard.

Su Hong had given instructions early on that he would partake in the evening meal at the Third Concubine's quarters. Learning that the Third Concubine had been disciplined by Yao Ruoshui, Su Liluo brought her personal maids to the courtyard just as evening fell. Su Hong was indeed there; seeing Su Liluo arrive, he asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

"Your daughter has come to bring some items for the concubine to nourish her health. Concubine must make good use of them, as these are all beneficial to the body." Su Liluo instructed her maids to place various sized packages one by one on the table, among which were quite a few precious tonics. The Third Concubine declined, "How could I dare trouble the Eldest Young Miss? I do not need these; they are far too valuable. Eldest Young Miss should take them back."

"What foolish words is the Concubine speaking? Father still requires the Concubine to attend to him properly. The Concubine must first take good care of her own health before she can better serve Father. Concubine, quickly accept these things. The hour is growing late, so Liluo will head back first." Seeing the trace of heartache in Su Hong's eyes and realizing her objective had been achieved, Su Liluo did not linger lest she become an eyesore.

Looking at the luxurious tonics on the table, the Third Concubine felt a sudden wave of panic. She cast an anxious look toward Su Hong and called out softly, hoping he would make a decision, "Master, what do you think?"

"Since it is a token of Liluo's sincerity, you should accept it. Your frame looks somewhat delicate; you truly need proper nourishment, or how will you bear me another child in the future?" Su Hong whispered the final sentence softly right beside the Third Concubine's ear.

Her earlobes immediately flushed bright red. Finding her reaction charming, Su Hong gently captured her jade-like earlobe between his lips. The Third Concubine's body went limp, causing her to fall directly into his arms, prompting Su Hong to chuckle softly, "It seems you can hardly wait any longer. Your master shall dote on you thoroughly."

With her cheeks flushed as if stained with rouge, the Third Concubine was swept up horizontally in Su Hong's arms as the two of them walked toward the inner chamber. Before long, the sounds of a woman's soft cries and a man's low groans drifted out from within.

After a night of sweet dreams, once Su Liluo delivered the tonics, Su Hong gained a clear understanding of the Third Concubine's plight. From time to time, he began sending provisions to her quarters, and the servants no longer dared to dock her monthly allowance. The Third Concubine's days gradually grew much better. For the sake of her mother, Su Dongxuan made a special trip to Su Liluo's courtyard.

"Fifth Sister is here. Come right in; why are you standing outside?" Hearing that Su Dongxuan had arrived, Su Liluo immediately hurried out to greet her. Seeing Su Dongxuan's timid appearance, she offered gentle comfort.

Su Dongxuan's voice was pitifully small, "Eldest Sister, I came today specifically to thank you for your help. If not for you, Concubine might have..."

Su Dongxuan choked up and could not finish her words. Without Su Liluo, her mother might still have languished away in obscurity inside a tiny courtyard, never once receiving the Master's favor.

"What nonsense is Sister speaking? Everything the Concubine has obtained now is due to her own destiny. Sister must protect herself well and take care not to let the Mistress make things difficult for you again." Whenever Yao Ruoshui wanted to deal with daughters like them, she could seize upon any minor fault and refuse to let go. As for Su Dongxuan, she could not offer too much help; everything would ultimately depend on the girl herself.

Understanding this, Su Dongxuan nodded and expressed her gratitude, "Sister's words are permanently etched in my heart. In the future... in the future, may I often come to visit Eldest Sister?"

Su Dongxuan's desire for closeness aligned perfectly with Su Liluo's intentions. Nodding happily, she replied, "Of course you may. Sister, come often in the future, and then I won't be bored all alone in this courtyard."

Su Dongxuan immediately nodded in assent, "I will listen to Sister."

After lingering for a short while, Su Dongxuan took her leave. From then on, Su Dongxuan would come to check on Su Liluo every few days, and whenever Su Liluo acquired anything pleasant, she would always send a share to Su Dongxuan. Because of their frequent interactions, their bond grew even deeper than before.

Seeing that the Third Concubine and Su Liluo had colluded together, Yao Ruoshui turned various schemes over in her mind, wishing she could instantly banish the Third Concubine to a remote rural estate just as she had done with Madam Shu. However, because Su Hong currently doted on her intensely, Yao Ruoshui could only vent her anger impotently while keeping other actions temporarily shelved. At the same time, she grew increasingly vigilant regarding Su Liluo's audacity in meddling in the factional disputes between the Prime Minister's wife and concubines.

"Mammy Ping, it seems the ambitions of that Third Concubine are growing ever larger. In a little while, I'm afraid she'll be climbing right over my head. It looks like she's staging a rebellion!" Yao Ruoshui said with bitter hatred.

Mammy Ping gave a slight nod and consoled her, "The Mistress's position as legitimate wife will never be usurped by that little hussy. Surely you know what the Master is like!"

Hearing these words, seven-tenths of Yao Ruoshui's anxiety settled back into place. The Master's affection was merely a passing fancy; after a period of time, he would inevitably cast that woman to the back of his mind. With this thought, a smile gradually bloomed across Yao Ruoshui's face once more.