Chapter Twenty-Two: Punishment

Meixiang, receiving Yao Ruoshui’s piercing gaze, trembled as she knelt on the floor. Above her, Yao Ruoshui’s cold voice asked, “Did you see clearly?”
Meixiang’s mind was muddled, her eyes rimmed red. She was about to speak when someone interrupted her.
“Mother, do you not believe your daughter’s words either? Third Sister herself said she doesn’t remember clearly—perhaps she saw it wrong. Must you blame your daughter for this?”
Su Liluo wept bitterly. Yao Ruoshui, furious, pointed at her and demanded, “Su Liluo, are you trying to threaten the maid? She was just about to speak—why did you interrupt her?”
Old Madam Su sat quietly to the side, watching the chaos unfold in the room. Su Shaner, seeing trouble once again approach her, hurriedly stepped back, wishing only to escape Yao Ruoshui’s line of sight; she didn’t want to be implicated.
“Mother, what do you mean? I never intended to hide anything. You misunderstood. Third Sister is clearly ill. I saved her, and now it’s become my fault? Is there any justice left in the world?” Su Liluo clutched her handkerchief, dabbing her eyes as tears flowed freely. She was grateful she’d had Liuying splash her with strong chili water early on—it worked wonders.
Yao Ruoshui no longer wished to argue with Su Liluo and turned again to Meixiang. “Liluo, now I want to hear what this maid has to say. Don’t interrupt again, or don’t blame me for misunderstanding. Speak—did you see clearly or not?”
Meixiang’s body shook as she desperately shook her head. “I did not see clearly, I saw nothing at all.” She had no illusions left; she could only follow her mistress’s example and protect herself, lest her life be forfeit.
Yao Ruoshui opened her mouth to ask further, but Old Madam Su’s coughing interrupted her. “Enough. Don’t ask anymore. Even if you do, she knows nothing—it’s a waste of words.” Madam Hua, standing nearby, handed her a cup of tea. Old Madam Su sipped twice, finally feeling her throat soothed.
“Madam, Old Madam is right. This is after all a family matter. If you make such a fuss, outsiders who don’t know the truth will gossip. It’s best to resolve this quickly.” Madam Hua was Old Madam Su’s trusted aide, and Yao Ruoshui had to show her some respect.
Yao Ruoshui looked hatefully at Meixiang, twisting her handkerchief into a tight ball. Her face was dark; this maid was truly ungrateful, just like that illegitimate daughter.
Su Baizhi saw Su Shaner and the maid both deny everything and grew anxious, accidentally sitting down hard on the floor. When Old Madam Su looked over, she immediately knelt upright. “Grandmother, I am wronged…”

“Grandmother, your granddaughter has done a good deed only to be repaid with blame. I dare not meddle in such matters again—please punish me.” Su Liluo was not to be outdone, kneeling and knocking her head on the floor several times, the sound crisp and clear. Old Madam Su was somewhat moved.
“Liluo, get up. You saved your Third Sister—how could Grandmother punish you? You’ve knelt so long, you must be tired. Let the maid help you up.”
Liuzhu, hearing this, immediately stepped forward to Su Liluo’s side. Su Liluo leaned on her, legs weak, nearly collapsing again. After a moment, she finally regained her strength.
Old Madam Su, wearing a deep purple headband, looked more dignified than ever. Despite being favored in the household, Su Baizhi was frightened by Old Madam’s anger. Before she could think clearly, Old Madam Su’s calm voice sounded above her head.
“Zhie’er, you didn’t get to the bottom of things today—you barged into your elder sister’s courtyard without permission. You are confined. You may only leave when I say so.”
Su Baizhi’s worries eased. She crossed her hands, pressed her head to them, and bowed deeply. “Zhie’er understands. I will stay quietly in my courtyard.”
Su Liluo pursed her lips, keeping her head down, afraid her dissatisfied expression would be seen by Old Madam Su. This punishment was truly “severe.”
“All right, get up. Go back and focus on your embroidery. Though many things are handled by the palace, you still must embroider a few personal items for the Crown Prince.”
Mentioning Su Baizhi’s marriage, Old Madam Su’s eyes were filled with joy. She could not truly punish Su Baizhi; Yao Ruoshui’s words had struck her heart, for Su Baizhi was now connected to the Crown Prince.
Su Baizhi’s cheeks slowly flushed at Old Madam Su’s teasing. She replied shyly, “Thank you, Grandmother. Zhie’er understands. I will prepare carefully for the Crown Prince. Before I marry, I also wish to embroider more things for Grandmother, just a small token of my affection. Please don’t refuse.”
“Of course not. Zhie’er, you are thoughtful. Now, what is your maid doing? Help your mistress up at once.”
Jinling apologized and quickly helped Su Baizhi to her feet. Having knelt for so long, Su Baizhi’s face was pale. She was about to walk to Yao Ruoshui’s side, but her legs trembled and she nearly fell.
Yao Ruoshui rushed to her, supporting her with concern. Seeing her daughter’s bloodless lips, she said tenderly, “Child, you don’t know how to take care of yourself. You’re too kind-hearted and have taken this blame for nothing.”
Yao Ruoshui’s words were clearly intended to clear Su Baizhi’s name. Su Liluo could only sneer at this. Su Shaner was also aggrieved and hurried to defend herself.
“Mother, what are you saying? I told Second Sister everything clearly. She pulled me along to Third Sister’s courtyard. How can this be my fault?”
Su Shaner’s words were full of resentment. She thought it absurd to be harmed without reason, and now Yao Ruoshui sought to push the blame onto her. Su Shaner was filled with dissatisfaction, and her nature was such that she could not endure it, confronting Yao Ruoshui head-on.

Yao Ruoshui pointed at her repeatedly. “Well, now even an illegitimate daughter dares to challenge me! Old Madam, what is the point in me being the Prime Minister’s wife?”
She pressed a dark red handkerchief embroidered with a peony to her eyes, sobbing intermittently.
Old Madam Su saw how prickly Su Shaner was and felt a deep resistance toward her. She had Madam Hua press her down to kneel, and pronounced her punishment.
“Su Shaner, your Second Sister acted out because of you. You must be punished more severely. From today, you are to reflect behind closed doors and copy the family rules one hundred times.”
Su Shaner heard her sentence without complaint; her face was full of delight. She glanced smugly at Su Liluo and respectfully knocked her head to Old Madam Su. “Shaner obeys.”
Su Liluo was surprised by her joy, her eyes darting—why was Su Shaner so pleased?
After this ordeal, Old Madam Su felt exhausted. She gave them a few final instructions and, aided by Madam Hua, returned to her own courtyard.
Yao Ruoshui led Su Baizhi and Su Shaner away as well. As Su Baizhi stepped over the threshold, she turned to glance at Su Liluo. Su Liluo smiled at her, and Su Baizhi smiled back.
“Zhie’er, what are you doing? Hurry and follow Mother.”
“Mother, don’t hurry. I’m coming.”
Su Baizhi’s soft, sweet voice faded as she walked away from Su Liluo.