Chapter Sixty: Delivering Charcoal in the Snow

“That’s perfect. I haven’t seen Mother today either, so I’ll go pay my respects,” Su Baizhi said, watching as Su Lilu put on her cloak once more and, accompanied by her maid, stepped out of the room.

Su Baizhi remained frozen in place for a long moment, until Su Lilu turned back and urged, “Weren’t you saying you wanted to visit Mother? Why are you standing there, unmoving? Are you deceiving your sister?”

“Of course not… I’m coming now.” With her maid’s help, Su Baizhi donned a bright red cloak and joined Su Lilu as they made their way to Yao Ruoshui’s quarters.

“Mother, your daughters have come to pay their respects,” Su Baizhi and Su Lilu removed their cloaks and bowed together before Yao Ruoshui. Seeing Su Baizhi, Yao Ruoshui’s face lit up with delight. “It’s such a cold day, why isn’t Baizhi staying indoors?”

Su Baizhi could only force a bitter smile. “I missed Mother. Besides, paying respect is the duty of a daughter. I just wished to show my filial devotion.”

Yao Ruoshui noted her daughter’s displeasure, and seeing both Su Baizhi and Su Lilu together, sensed something was amiss. She smiled gently and said, “Mother knows your heart, Baizhi. Come, sit down. Lilu, what brings you here today?”

Su Lilu’s eyes curved in a smile. “I came to see Baizhi, and when she said she wanted to visit Mother, I realized I hadn’t paid my respects today either, so I thought I’d come along. Mother won’t mind me coming uninvited, will she?”

“Of course not, child. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. How could I ever mind?” Tears rimmed Yao Ruoshui’s eyes as she looked at Su Lilu, moved.

Su Lilu bowed gratefully. “As long as Mother is pleased, I’ll come more often to keep you company.”

Yao Ruoshui was momentarily stunned, uncertain what Su Lilu was really up to. Su Baizhi clutched her sleeve, knowing Su Lilu had decided to attach herself to Mother.

That visit stretched on for half the morning; Yao Ruoshui wanted to speak intimately with her daughter but could not, for Su Lilu remained there, lively and present. Yao Ruoshui could only occasionally ask after Su Lilu’s well-being, and Su Lilu answered each question with a cheerful smile.

Seeing Su Lilu still seated after two rounds of tea, showing no sign of leaving, Yao Ruoshui glanced at Su Baizhi, who only smiled bitterly and shook her head. Just as Yao Ruoshui prepared to speak, she heard Su Lilu below say, “Mother, the pastries here are truly delicious.”

“…If you like them, eat as much as you wish. You child, is the manor lacking pastries for you?” Yao Ruoshui watched Su Lilu eat, unable to bear the sight.

“There’s no shortage of pastries, but somehow, those in Mother’s quarters taste especially sweet. I can’t help myself,” Su Lilu replied, her words flattering and pleasant. Yao Ruoshui couldn’t bear to ask her to leave, so she repeatedly instructed the maid to serve Su Lilu more pastries, lest she be neglected.

After an hour, Yao Ruoshui could no longer hold back. She summoned Nurse Ping and whispered a few instructions in her ear. Nurse Ping soon left, and seeing the two daughters’ curious expressions, explained, “It’s almost time for lunch. You two should stay. I’ve asked Nurse Ping to tell the kitchen to prepare.”

“Mother is always so good to me,” Su Lilu replied with a smile.

Yao Ruoshui felt stifled but maintained a cheerful face. She turned her attention to the door, waiting for the familiar footsteps to arrive.

Within the time it takes for incense to burn, Yao Ruoshui heard the voice she’d been anticipating and leapt up in excitement. Su Baizhi and Su Lilu also rose when they heard the sound. Su Hong entered, smiling at the sight of the three women, “Baizhi and Lilu, what brings you to Madam’s rooms?”

Yao Ruoshui helped Su Hong to the seat of honor, took tea from the maid, and handed it to him. “The girls came to pay their respects, but I remembered something I wished to discuss with you, so I had you brought here,” she replied.

Seeing her father arrive, Su Baizhi quickly bowed. “Then I won’t disturb Father and Mother. I’ll take my leave.”

Yao Ruoshui looked to the side at Su Lilu, who stood there dumbly. Yao Ruoshui had to remind her, “Lilu, I have things to discuss with your father. You should return for today.”

“Didn’t Mother just say she wanted me to stay for lunch? Why send me away now?” Su Lilu protested, aggrieved.

Yao Ruoshui was at a loss, soothing her gently, “We can have lunch together another day. Today, your father and I have matters to discuss. Be good, Lilu.” Su Hong, hearing this, felt Su Lilu was behaving like a child.

“Daughter only came today to keep Mother company. Is it so wrong to listen to what Mother and Father discuss? I’d hoped to spend more time with Mother in the future, to fulfill my filial duty. It seems Mother doesn’t want me to come,” she said, her expression clouded. Su Hong frowned at Yao Ruoshui.

Yao Ruoshui was startled, unable to bring herself to ask her to leave. She could only comfort her softly, “Mother knows your sincerity, Lilu. But don’t you have your own affairs? If you spend every day with Mother, you’ll tire of it eventually.”

Su Lilu quickly argued, “Never! Spending more time with Mother can only strengthen our bond. How about this: tomorrow, I’ll bring half the charcoal from my room to Mother’s. Since I’ll be here all day, I only need half the fire in my room. That way, we can save the household some expense. What do you think, Father?”

Su Hong laughed heartily. “Lilu is truly considerate. Your mother will surely be delighted. Since you wish to do so, let it be. Madam, your daughter wants to deepen your relationship. Don’t send her away again.”

“How could I? I’m more than glad.” Though she smiled, she seethed inwardly. In front of Su Hong, Yao Ruoshui dared not say more, lest he suspect her intentions.

The following morning, Su Lilu arrived early at Yao Ruoshui’s quarters, bringing a basket of inferior charcoal. She respectfully said, “Mother, I don’t need this charcoal, so I’ll leave it here. It’s a token of my devotion.”

“You child, Mother isn’t lacking for charcoal. If you leave it here, what will you use in your own room? Take it back, or the servants will laugh,” Yao Ruoshui replied, knowing full well the quality of the charcoal. She smiled and pushed it away, coldly sneering inside. As the wife of the prime minister, how could she use such poor charcoal? Only Su Lilu, that wretch, deserved to enjoy it.

Su Lilu gazed at Yao Ruoshui, wide-eyed. “Mother really won’t accept my gesture?”

“Don’t say such silly things. Take the charcoal back. Mother lacks nothing,” Yao Ruoshui insisted, watching quietly to see if Su Lilu would relent.

Su Lilu’s eyes darted, and she immediately came up with an idea, replying in a wounded tone, “If Mother won’t accept it, then I’ll give this smoky charcoal to the common people in Mother’s name. But I wonder, if I send out such charcoal, will Mother’s reputation remain intact?”