Chapter Twenty-One: Forced Interrogation

Su Lilu looked up at the time, then saw Su Baizhi staring at her intently. Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes as she choked out, “It’s not that I don’t want to, but Third Sister is anxious to return to her courtyard. There’s nothing I can do. Besides, Baizhi is now the Crown Prince’s concubine—she has no need to respect me as her legitimate elder sister. I’ve lost my mother, so I can’t blame Baizhi for treating me so poorly.”

Her words drew the attention of several maids outside the door, who kept peeking in. After Su Baizhi listened to her rebuttal and understood what she meant, her face turned pale.

“Sister, you can eat and drink recklessly, but you mustn’t speak carelessly. When have I ever mistreated you? Don’t make baseless accusations, or the servants will misunderstand, and surely you don’t want disharmony in the household?”

Su Baizhi would never admit to the charges Su Lilu laid at her feet. Su Lilu simply smiled lightly, the disdain at the corner of her mouth clearly visible to Su Baizhi, who was somewhat angered but knew now was not the time to show it.

“It seems this family can’t tolerate a daughter without a mother. I only asked you not to barge into my courtyard, Sister, and yet you drag in family matters. I refuse to accept the blame you place on me.” Su Lilu feigned a couple of tears, and Su Baizhi opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t utter a word.

“What’s all this? Quarreling and making a fuss—do you want others to laugh at the Su family?” The voice of Madam Su suddenly rang out in the room. Su Baizhi and Su Lilu looked up to see Madam Su entering, supported by Nurse Hua, with Yao Ruoshui following calmly behind.

“Grandmother, Mother,” the two greeted in unison. Madam Su cast a cold glance at them both. Yao Ruoshui hurried past Madam Su to help Su Baizhi up, defending her, “Mother, Baizhi’s health isn’t good. Standing too long is harmful; let’s sit and talk.”

Madam Su saw Yao Ruoshui’s blatant favoritism and, silent for a moment, finally spoke, “This family is becoming more undisciplined. The younger sister barges into the legitimate elder sister’s courtyard and even strikes people. Baizhi, where did your manners go?”

Su Baizhi’s face flushed red with both shame and anger, her fists clenched tightly. Madam Su had just humiliated her in front of so many servants; how could she maintain any authority in the household now?

Yao Ruoshui was the first to object. “Madam, Baizhi was only standing up for Shan’er, and besides, it was just a maid—not anything serious. Why get angry?”

Madam Su showed no mercy, her face dark as she said, “Is this how you fulfill your duties as the Prime Minister’s wife? Go outside and silence the servants at once. If today’s events spread, how can the Master hold his office at court?”

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Yao Ruoshui was startled and softened her tone, “Madam is right; I’ll handle the servants immediately.” She gently patted Su Baizhi’s hand and sent her own Nurse Ping to the outer courtyard to scold the maids and servants. Today’s incident must be kept secret.

Su Lilu bowed her head, shoulders trembling as she sobbed, “Grandmother, please stand up for me. Today, Sister barged directly into my courtyard and struck my servants at will. If word gets out, people will think our Su family is uneducated, with young ladies abusing their power.”

Madam Su struck her cane heavily a few times. Su Baizhi shrank behind Yao Ruoshui in fright, and Su Shan’er, who had been trying to remain invisible, shrank even further, fearing Madam Su might call her out.

The room fell silent, with only Su Lilu’s occasional hiccup breaking the stillness. She had cried so long she could barely catch her breath, feeling embarrassed as her cheeks flushed.

Madam Su’s gaze swept over her granddaughters, finally settling on Su Baizhi. She struck her cane again and asked sternly, “Baizhi, do you acknowledge your fault?”

Su Baizhi immediately stepped forward and knelt at Madam Su’s feet. “Grandmother, I know my fault. I shouldn’t have entered Elder Sister’s courtyard without permission. I acted impulsively, wanting to know why Third Sister fainted, so I allowed my servants to act. Please forgive me just this once.”

Madam Su pondered, her eyes conflicted and reluctant. Su Baizhi would soon become the Crown Prince’s concubine, but her temperament was too unstable—she dared act so arrogantly even before leaving the Su household.

Yao Ruoshui saw her daughter kneeling, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead. Anxious, she quickly reminded, “Madam, Baizhi is the Crown Prince’s concubine. If the Prince hears of this…”

“I am not afraid even if the Crown Prince comes. I am her grandmother—can I not say a few words? Baizhi, do you think my punishment is unjust?” Madam Su’s wise gaze fixed on Su Baizhi.

Yao Ruoshui hadn’t expected Madam Su to invoke filial piety. Her eyes shifted coldly to Su Shan’er standing nearby. “Shan’er, come here. I have a few questions for you.”

Su Shan’er was helped forward by her maid, and after the proper greeting, Yao Ruoshui wasted no time, “Shan’er, tell me, did you see clearly?”

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Su Shan’er looked at Su Lilu, who knelt calmly nearby and even smiled at her when their eyes met. Suddenly, Su Shan’er wasn’t sure what was real in her mind and stammered, “I… didn’t see very clearly.”

Yao Ruoshui was tempted to slap her, but with Madam Su present, she took a deep breath and restrained herself.

Su Baizhi stared at Su Shan’er in shock. “Shan’er, that’s not what you told me earlier. Why are you turning on me now?”

Su Baizhi tried desperately to appear innocent, her eyes shining with bitterness. “So, now that you can’t remember, you can wash your hands of it. I only looked out for you, and it seems I was wrong…”

Su Lilu noticed Madam Su’s face was stern, but her eyes softened at Su Baizhi’s words—perhaps she was beginning to believe her.

Yao Ruoshui glared at Su Shan’er, asking again, “Shan’er, tell Mother the truth—did you see it or not? You must speak honestly, or else…”

Su Shan’er frowned, trying hard to recall, but her head ached. She remembered the servants all saying they hadn’t seen anything. If she said she had, she’d become the target of everyone’s wrath. Shaking her head, she answered, “Mother, I really can’t remember. The others all said they didn’t see, but my maid and I said we did. Maybe you should ask my maid—perhaps she remembers.”

Su Baizhi felt Yao Ruoshui’s cold gaze fall on the maid and relaxed instantly, exhaling softly, wishing she could wipe the sweat from her brow. The atmosphere in the room was so tense. She hoped to ease things, as long as Yao Ruoshui didn’t focus on her again.