Chapter Forty-Two: The Game

Susan could not accept it, pointing at Su Lilu and shouting, “Su Lilu, you’re not fit to be the legitimate eldest daughter at all. If you go out, you’ll only embarrass all of us.”

Su Lilu merely gave a cold smile, the mockery in her eyes perfectly clear to Susan. “If I’m unfit, then who is? You?”

Su Lilu looked Susan up and down, her contempt undisguised. Susan’s face flushed with shame and anger, unable to utter a word for quite some time. Yao Ruoshui was right ahead, so naturally Susan dared not voice her own desire to be the legitimate eldest daughter.

Seeing the quarrel escalate, Yao Ruoshui gently but sternly reproached them, “This is the Prince of Annan’s residence. Do you mean to bring disgrace upon the Prime Minister’s household?”

Her sharp gaze swept over Su Lilu, who laughed lightly. “Mother is right. My two younger sisters are far too unruly, making such a scene here in the Prince’s mansion. This is not the Prime Minister’s house. Let the maids escort you to change your clothes. If anyone were to see you like this, it would reflect poorly on our family.”

Su Lilu looked at Yao Ruoshui with apparent sincerity, as if speaking solely for the sake of her sisters. Yao Ruoshui suppressed her irritation and managed a gentle smile. “Lilu is more sensible than the rest. Han’er, have the maid take you to change. No more nonsense.”

Yao Ruoshui wished she could properly discipline her daughter, glancing at her with a mix of disappointment and frustration. It was such a trivial matter—she could easily deal with it once they returned home. There was no need to make a scene in front of others.

After Yao Ruoshui’s admonition, Su Baihan felt even worse. Tears silently dripped onto her collar as she choked out, “I’ll go now, Mother.”

Her chief maid, feeling sorry for her, helped her up, and with an older servant leading the way, they disappeared behind the arched moon gate.

Yao Ruoshui sternly warned, “Don’t forget where you are. Behave yourselves. I’m going to pay my respects to the Princess.”

“Farewell, Mother.” The girls watched Yao Ruoshui leave, then turned their attention to the lively scene in the garden. Though Su Lilu and the others had not arrived late, the garden was already filled with the daughters of noble families, clustered in small groups, making for a lively atmosphere.

Su Baizhi quickly blended into the crowd, and Susan managed to join the conversation from time to time. Only Su Lilu stood quietly to the side. Upon seeing her, some of the other girls immediately recognized her as the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s household.

One lively young woman cried out, “My goodness, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s house has become so beautiful! Do you have a secret remedy?”

The others immediately perked up at the mention of her newfound beauty and eagerly pressed her, “Yes, don’t keep it to yourself, share your secret with us!”

Feigning ignorance, Su Lilu touched her face in surprise. “Really? I haven’t done anything special. Perhaps it’s just that I go to bed early these days, so my complexion has improved.”

Beneath a distant tree, two young men stood together. One, radiant as sunlight after rain, possessed a refined and gentle air. Though a trace of frailty lingered about him and his lips were pale, it did nothing to diminish his presence.

The other, a little younger, had a perpetual smile at the corner of his mouth and delicate features. While not as striking as the first, he was still a handsome gentleman—none other than the Heir of Annan.

“Your Highness, that young woman is quite bold. To trip her own sister in front of so many people—does she not fear being exposed in public?” The Annan Heir had noticed how well Su Lilu was received among the noble ladies, though he couldn’t fathom what methods she’d used.

Yun Yanyi felt nothing but disdain, pressing his lips together in silence. The Annan Heir didn’t mind, instead calling over his attendant. “Go find out for me who that young lady is.”

A stick of incense later, the attendant returned with his report. “Heir, that is the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister’s household. The one who was helped away to change is the fourth daughter.”

With a snap, the Annan Heir closed his folding fan. “Your Highness, it seems the young ladies of the Prime Minister’s family aren’t as ugly as rumored. Where did such nonsense come from?”

“I have no idea,” Yun Yanyi replied coolly. “Why this sudden interest in the Prime Minister’s daughters?”

The Annan Heir cast a curious glance in Su Lilu’s direction. “I don’t know myself. I just find it amusing. Since things are so lively over there, why don’t we join in?”

Without waiting for a reply, he pulled Yun Yanyi along toward Su Lilu and her group.

One of the young ladies was the first to spot them, exclaiming, “His Highness and the Heir of Annan are here!”

The previously cheerful chatter instantly fell silent. The young ladies quickly straightened their attire, composed themselves, and greeted the two men in unison, “Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Heir of Annan.”

“There’s no need for such formality,” the Annan Heir said warmly. “We were simply drawn by your lively gathering. Please, don’t let us spoil your enjoyment.”

His gentle manner made many of the young ladies blush, wishing they could draw him to their side right then and there.

Standing at the front, Bai Yingnan felt a flush rise to her cheeks at the sight of Yun Yanyi. Noticing his cold detachment, she grew a little dissatisfied, coughed softly, and stepped forward. “Ladies, since His Highness and the Heir of Annan have joined us, why don’t we play a game to pass the time instead of standing around idly? What do you all think?”

Someone asked with curiosity, “What sort of game does the Princess have in mind?”

Seeing Yun Yanyi glance in her direction, Bai Yingnan’s heart beat faster. She raised her voice, “Let’s each contribute a small item as a forfeit. We’ll sit in a circle and pass it around. When the forfeit lands in someone’s hands, that person must perform a talent. How does that sound?”

Su Baizhi, confident in her own abilities, immediately agreed. “That’s a wonderful idea, Your Highness! But how will we decide when to stop? If it’s up to us, it won’t be as much fun.”

Bai Yingnan laughed. “Of course not. I’d like to invite the Heir to call out the stop. He’ll turn his back to us, and when he says stop, whoever holds the forfeit will perform. What do you all think?”

At the idea of the Annan Heir joining in, even those previously uninterested quickly nodded their approval. “The Princess has such good ideas! I wonder if the Heir will agree?”

The Annan Heir glanced absentmindedly in Su Lilu’s direction. Standing beside her, Susan blushed furiously and shyly lowered her head when she saw his gaze, while Su Lilu merely looked at her in confusion.

Seeing the hopeful looks from the crowd, the Annan Heir nodded. “Since the Princess invites me so sincerely, how could I refuse? Today, I shall be thoroughly entertained.”

At these words, some of the girls nervously clutched their handkerchiefs, biting their lips in shy excitement, eager to shine in the game and perhaps catch the Heir’s attention.