Chapter Seventy-six: Seizing the Shop

“That’s more like it. Your Highness, you must understand, I am working for our mutual profit. Aren’t you afraid you’ll hurt my feelings by saying such things?” Su Lilu asked in a plaintive tone, tinged with reproach.

Yun Yan Yi found her unreasonable and sneered inwardly, thinking, “I am a man; I will not stoop to squabbling with a woman.”

He straightened his expression and changed the subject. “Miss Su, you are of a marriageable age. Even if you were not engaged to the Heir of Annan, you’d need to consider your own prospects. Have you any thoughts on this matter?”

“Why does Your Highness suddenly bring this up? A woman’s marriage is decided by her parents and a matchmaker. Do you foresee something unexpected for me?” Su Lilu’s brows knitted the moment Prince Yi mentioned her marriage.

“That is not what I meant,” Yun Yan Yi explained. “It’s simply that our interests are now tied together, so I offer you this advice: I hope you will marry someone you truly like, or at least someone you can control. Don’t let all your hard work become another’s dowry.” Had Leng Feng been present, he would have been astounded to hear his lord speak at such length.

Su Lilu laughed heartily. “Great minds think alike! That is precisely my thought as well. Rest assured, Your Highness—I will see to it myself when I return home, and I won’t let anything hinder your fortune.”

She patted her chest in assurance. Though Prince Yi had invested silver, the shop was built on her own painstaking effort; she would never allow anyone to obstruct her.

With their understanding reached, Su Lilu took Liuying and returned to the Prime Minister’s estate. Now that she had a good pretext to leave the residence, Yao Ruoshui could no longer restrain her.

Su Lilu behaved herself for a while at the estate. With the New Year approaching, she did not wish to provoke jealousy by going out too often, and so she remained quietly in her courtyard, contemplating the interior design of Snow Elegance.

Yao Ruoshui, ever mindful of Su Lilu’s shop, went to pay her respects to the old madam one day and lingered afterward. “Mother, here is a list of New Year’s preparations made for the estate. Please have a look and see if there is anything more to add, so I may see to it at once.” She handed over a sheet densely covered in writing.

The old madam glanced at it and nodded approvingly. “You’ve done well. I am at ease with you managing this household. In future, you may handle such matters as you see fit—there’s no need to consult me.”

With humility, Yao Ruoshui replied, “Mother, you are the elder. I will of course ask your guidance in what I do not understand. By the way, do you know what Lilu has been up to lately?”

Suddenly steering the conversation toward Su Lilu, the old madam narrowed her eyes and asked, “Why? Has she gotten into trouble again?”

Yao Ruoshui hesitated, as if troubled, and said nothing for a long while. The old madam slammed her hand on the table in irritation. “Speak plainly! Why do you hedge so? Has she caused trouble again? If so, I will not let her off lightly.”

A flicker of joy crossed Yao Ruoshui’s heart, though her face remained worried. “Mother, you do not know. Lilu is too unruly. Ever since she acquired her shop, she’s always wanting to leave the estate. What well-bred young lady acts so? Are we not inviting ridicule upon our household?”

The old madam merely lowered her head and sank into thought. Sensing her hesitation, Yao Ruoshui pressed her advantage. “Mother, Lilu is of age now—shouldn’t we arrange a match for her? If word gets out that she comes and goes as she pleases, it will be hard to find a good marriage for her.”

Her anxious demeanor drew another look from the old madam, who seemed to waver. Yao Ruoshui continued, “Mother, this is Lilu’s first time managing a shop. I fear she is too young and may be deceived by her subordinates. Why not let me assist her for now, to guide her as needed? What do you think?”

The old madam eyed her suspiciously, recalling her son’s words, then nodded. “Very well. Once I have spoken with Lilu, I’ll have someone inform you.”

Yao Ruoshui pressed her palms together, thanking her repeatedly while suppressing her delight. “Mother, your foresight is admirable. I will certainly do my utmost to guide Lilu.”

“That will do—Lilu is still young. As her mother, you must teach her well, so she won’t be ignorant of household affairs when she marries.” The old madam frowned slightly at the thought of Su Lilu’s marriage. The royal family would hardly approve of a daughter-in-law who appeared in public. It would be best to have someone else manage her shop as soon as possible.

“Your admonition is wise, Mother; I understand.” With that, Yao Ruoshui respectfully accompanied the old madam for breakfast before returning to her own quarters.

As soon as she left, the old madam ordered Madam Hua to summon Su Lilu. Before long, Su Lilu arrived at the old madam’s courtyard, where Madam Hua greeted her eagerly.

“Young Miss, the old madam was just thinking of you. Please, come in.” Su Lilu followed her inside. The room was dim, and she kept her head bowed, not seeing the old madam’s expression as she sat in the place of honor.

“Lilu greets Grandmother.” She wore a jacket trimmed with silver and green, and her hair was adorned with a pearl hairpin, her beauty bright and clear.

The old madam regarded her for a long time, the prayer beads in her hand clicking softly. Su Lilu’s knees began to ache from kneeling, yet she did not move, only clenching her fists and biting her lip.

“Rise, and sit.” Noticing Su Lilu’s endurance, the old madam relented. Relieved, Su Lilu stood and seated herself in the first place below.

“I called you here today just to talk. Has managing the shop been hard?” the old madam asked gently, though Su Lilu’s heart leapt with anxiety.

“It isn’t hard, Grandmother. The Empress herself bestowed it on me; I must manage it well to be worthy of her kindness.” Su Lilu invoked the Empress, which displeased the old madam.

Sensing the tension, Madam Hua interjected, “Old madam, have some tea to moisten your throat. These maids—Miss has been here for ages and they haven’t even served tea. I’ll see to it.” With that, she left, giving the two some privacy.

The old madam took a sip and set the jade cup down, dabbing her lips before speaking. “Though the shop was a gift from the Empress, you are not yet married. Managing such a large establishment must be too much for you. Why not let your mother oversee it for now? After you marry, she’ll return it to you, and then you’ll be free to devote yourself to it. What do you think?”

Though she spoke as if seeking agreement, her meaning was plain: she wanted Su Lilu to hand over the shop. Su Lilu laughed coldly inside, her expression losing all its former gentleness. In a cool tone, she replied, “Grandmother, you are too kind. Mother already bears the burden of managing this great estate—my small matters need not trouble her any further.”