Chapter Forty-One: Buying Clothes

Suli Luo gritted her teeth as she paid, glancing at the now-empty purse and then at the dress in the shopkeeper’s hands. She could only comfort herself, “You can’t catch the wolf without sacrificing the lamb.”

Yuxin, seeing the pain on Suli Luo’s face, quickly took the garment from the shopkeeper. “Miss, we should return to the residence soon, or else…”

“Alright, I know,” Suli Luo replied, casting another look at the dress and sighing, “It’s necessary. At worst, I’ll earn money sooner, so I won’t have to worry about not having silver to spend.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper, and the shopkeeper, seeing her lips move, couldn’t hear what she was saying.

With Yuxin, Suli Luo made her way back to the residence. Upon entering her courtyard and seeing the clothes laid out on the table, she sat quietly on the divan, deep in thought. Yao Ruoshui clearly had ulterior motives. If she didn’t take the initiative, she might be married off at random, and if she ended up with a fool, her life would be ruined.

A shiver ran through her at the thought, and she rubbed her arms, determination settling in her heart. “I must capture everyone’s attention at the banquet, so Yao Ruoshui can’t manipulate my marriage at will.”

She thought then of her former identity and laughed aloud. “If it were known that the former crown princess was married off at her stepmother’s whim, the remaining young ladies of the Prime Minister’s household could forget about securing any good matches. My father would never allow it.”

Having found her solution, Suli Luo felt at ease, her panic dissipating. The day of the banquet soon arrived. That day, Yao Ruoshui gathered several of the Prime Minister’s daughters to head to Prince Annan’s residence.

Yao Ruoshui, accompanied by her two daughters and two concubine-born girls, waited at the gates of the Prime Minister’s residence. Suli Luo was nowhere to be seen, and Yao Ruoshui’s expression grew darker. Still, she had to bring Suli Luo today if she wanted to finalize her marriage, so she suppressed her anger and waited.

Su Baihan, sharp-eyed, noticed a beauty in purple approaching. Puzzled at first, she soon recognized her as Suli Luo and flames of fury blazed in her eyes. “Suli Luo, why are you wearing those clothes? How dare you not wear the ones Mother gave you?” Su Baihan seized on what she thought was Suli Luo’s wrongdoing, gripping her silk handkerchief and questioning her harshly.

Suli Luo dipped into a graceful curtsey and replied gently, “Mother, it wasn’t intentional. The dress you sent was unfortunately soiled by a servant. In my haste, I had no choice but to have another purchased. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Yao Ruoshui’s face showed her displeasure, but she forced herself to say, “If the dress was dirty, of course it couldn’t be worn. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to Princess Annan. It’s a small matter, no need to dwell on it.”

Suli Luo offered a shy smile. Su Baihan, seeing her look of self-satisfaction, ground her teeth and snapped, “Suli Luo, I order you to change. I don’t like this dress.”

She bristled with resentment—Suli Luo, a fallen legitimate daughter, should never outshine her. Yet the dress on Suli Luo was finer than her own.

“Fourth Sister, if you don’t like it, simply don’t look. It’s getting late—if you go back to change, we’ll be late for Prince Annan’s banquet,” Suli Luo said lightly, glancing up at the sky as if unconcerned.

Su Baihan’s eyes flashed with anger. The more she looked, the less she could tolerate. With a furious shout, she lunged at Suli Luo, a pouch of red powder clutched in her hand. “Suli Luo, I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Seeing Suli Luo unmoved by her threats, Su Baihan’s face twisted into a smug smile as she threw herself at her. But Suli Luo quietly took a few steps back. Su Baihan, emboldened, pressed on, her triumph plain to see. Suli Luo sidestepped, and as Su Baihan rushed past, Suli Luo subtly extended a foot. Su Baihan, unable to stop herself, stumbled over it and crashed to the ground in a most humiliating fashion.

Su Baihan began to wail, casting a pitiful look at Yao Ruoshui. “Mother, you must stand up for me! Big Sister tripped me on purpose!”

“Sister, you must have evidence for your words,” Suli Luo replied with perfect composure. “You were rushing at me, and I simply moved aside. How could I have tripped you? Please, be careful with your accusations.”

Su San’er hurried over to help Su Baihan up. The pink dress was now covered in dust and dirt, and her face was smeared as well—she looked utterly bedraggled.

Seeing Suli Luo’s utter lack of apology, Su San’er scolded angrily, “Elder Sister, do you have no sense of propriety? Zhier fell, and you didn’t even help her up. Do we mean nothing to you?”

Suli Luo replied with biting sarcasm, “Isn’t that what you’re for, San’er? Everyone says the third and fourth sisters are close as true sisters—such a good opportunity should surely go to you.”

A blush rose to Su San’er’s cheeks, but she quickly retorted, “But, Elder Sister, you didn’t help Fourth Sister when she was about to fall. That’s your fault. You were closest—if you’d helped, she wouldn’t be in this state.”

Suli Luo laughed softly, her tone teasing. “San’er, have you lost your senses? Fourth Sister wanted to make a fool of me—should I have helped her, just to let her drag me down as well? If this had happened to you, would you so easily excuse it? I must say, your magnanimity is admirable.”

Su San’er was left speechless. At this, Yao Ruoshui’s face darkened even further. The scene was unfolding at the Prime Minister’s gates, with so many people watching. The disgrace would be the household’s to bear. She spoke in a chilly voice, “If you continue this bickering, you’ll all stay home. Han’er, have the maids help you change at once. Do you really wish to delay Prince Annan’s banquet?”

Su Baihan let her tears fall, aggrieved. Suddenly, Su San’er pointed at Suli Luo and shouted, “Suli Luo, you don’t deserve to be the legitimate eldest daughter! That place should belong to Zhier. You only bring shame on us!”

Suli Luo merely pressed her lips together in a gentle smile and replied softly, “So that’s what you think, San’er. How unfortunate for you that I was born the legitimate eldest daughter. No matter how much you pity Zhier, you can’t take my place. You’d do better to save your words for flattering the young ladies at Prince Annan’s residence.”

Her words stung, a thinly veiled jab at Su San’er’s lack of dignity before noblewomen. But Su San’er seemed oblivious, and took pride in having ingratiated herself to the other legitimate daughters. “It’s my skill to make so many friends, Suli Luo. Are you jealous?”

“Of course not. Your talents are beyond me. And you needn’t trouble yourself with my affairs—just look after yourself.”