Chapter Seventy-Eight: Dividends

Nanny Chang could not withstand Su Liluo’s persistent questioning and had no choice but to explain in a gentle voice, “Miss, though the Grand General is a woman, she’s not in the least inferior to the sons of noble families. In fact, she’s even more formidable than most of the officials at court. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘when a subordinate’s merit overshadows that of the ruler’?”

“Of course I have. Nanny, do you mean…” As Su Liluo gradually understood, she looked at Nanny Chang and, seeing her nod, realized her guess was correct.

“Yes, the Grand General was exceptionally capable and accomplished countless feats. But as she grew older, being a woman, it was still considered most important for her to marry. Once she was wed, His Majesty took back her military authority, and gradually, no one mentioned the Grand General anymore.”

Su Liluo nodded, deep in thought, but then suddenly looked up and asked curiously, “Nanny, do you know why my mother married my father?”

Nanny Chang was surprised by this question and looked up at her in astonishment before shaking her head. “No one has ever asked me that before. At that time, I was serving in the inner palace. I only remember that after the General returned victorious from battle, she married the Prime Minister, and soon after, you were born, Miss.”

Seeing that she could get nothing more out of her, Su Liluo let Nanny Chang off the hook and changed the subject to how they should properly celebrate the New Year in the courtyard. After chatting for a while, she excused herself, claiming she was tired, and Nanny Chang tactfully withdrew.

Lying askew on the couch, Su Liluo stared fixedly at a spot, lost in thought. Her father, Su Hong, was truly too heartless toward her, barely concerning himself with her at all. As for her parents’ marriage, it was likely devoid of affection.

“Hmph, so that’s how it is. No wonder he treats Su Baizhi and me so differently. I suppose my mother’s marriage to him was purely for political gain.” A trace of impatience flashed across Su Liluo’s face. She shook her head, but even Nanny Chang knew nothing of the past—who else could she turn to for the truth?

Closing her eyes, Su Liluo pretended to nap for a while, setting aside her troubles for the moment. Eventually, she shuffled over to her desk, where she noticed a blueprint lying on top. She called out urgently, “Yuxin, Yuxin.”

“I’m here, Miss. What are your instructions?” Yuxin hurried in, head bowed respectfully.

Su Liluo slipped the blueprint into an envelope and handed it to Yuxin. As Yuxin glanced up, her gaze fell on Su Liluo’s skin as smooth as jade—her mistress truly had become more beautiful.

“Take this envelope to His Highness. Just tell him I ask for his opinion,” Su Liluo said calmly.

Yuxin took the envelope, feeling its lightness and wondering what it contained, but nodded and replied, “Understood. I’ll be sure to deliver your message, Miss.”

Once Yuxin had left and Su Liluo was sure she had no further instructions, she finally let out a breath of relief. “Now you’ve had your look—if you start clamoring and threatening again, I’ll just rough you up to let off steam,” she muttered.

Wiping the cold sweat from her brow, Su Liluo was so exhilarated by her rebellious plan that she couldn’t sit still.

When Yun Yanyi received the blueprint that Su Liluo had sent, he unrolled it and saw at once that the design was ingenious, with every detail carefully considered. Nodding in praise, he remarked, “Su Liluo isn’t as useless as the rumors claim. She’s clearly quite learned—perhaps she’s just been hiding her talents all along.”

He hadn’t expected Su Liluo to be so clever; a smile touched his eyes as he studied the blueprint, his interest thoroughly piqued.

When Yuxin returned, Su Liluo immediately called her over to ask about Yun Yanyi’s reaction. Yuxin relayed everything she knew: “Miss, His Highness said it was excellent and that you should just keep working hard.”

Su Liluo listened to Yuxin’s words of praise with suspicion, unsure if they truly came from Yun Yanyi or if Yuxin was merely trying to reassure her.

“Yuxin, did His Highness really say that?” Su Liluo pressed again.

Yuxin, somewhat uncertain now, answered awkwardly, “That’s exactly what His Highness said, Miss. Is there something wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just a bit curious—it’s rare to hear a kind word from him.” Su Liluo hadn’t meant to voice her thoughts, but seeing Yuxin pay it no mind, she quickly fell silent.

“Well, since His Highness has made his opinion clear, I understand. Thank you for your trouble—go and get some rest.” Yuxin quickly withdrew upon hearing this.

As night fell, Su Liluo had just finished washing up and dressing. The moment she entered her room, she felt something was off—the atmosphere was unusual. She straightened up, moving cautiously toward the bed. The low-hanging curtains completely concealed whatever lay within. Holding a brocade stool in both hands, she crept to the bedside and gingerly lifted a corner of the curtain, then swung the stool forward with all her might—only to find the bed spotlessly empty, no suspicious figure in sight. Letting out a few rough breaths, she set the stool down by the bed.

Just then, she heard faint footsteps behind her. Su Liluo held her breath, waiting for the intruder to strike.

As the shadow on the floor drew closer, Su Liluo suddenly crouched and spun quickly, aiming to strike first by ramming her head forward.

But her body was pinned down, rendering her unable to move. By the dim candlelight, she finally saw who it was and exclaimed in surprise, “Aren’t you one of His Highness’s bodyguards?”

Leng Feng had grabbed Su Liluo as she attacked him, but seeing she recognized him, he immediately let go, his face cold as he said, “Miss Su, I’m here on His Highness’s orders to deliver something.”

Su Liluo’s forehead was lined with frustration as she glared at him. “Deliver what? Do you know you almost scared me to death?”

She had thought a thief had broken in, only to find it was Yun Yanyi’s bodyguard—a scare for nothing.

Leng Feng showed not the slightest sign of guilt at her words. He simply extended his hand, causing Su Liluo to back away, but as she looked more closely, she saw that he was holding a thick stack of silver notes—there must have been tens of thousands of taels. Pointing to herself, she asked, “Is… is this for me?”

If Leng Feng had startled her just now, she was even more shocked by Yun Yanyi’s generosity. Seeing her hesitate, Leng Feng simply shoved the silver notes into her hands and said in a low voice, “His Highness said this is your share of the profits—a New Year’s gift.”

By the time Su Liluo looked up to ask more, Leng Feng had already vanished. She shivered inwardly and muttered, “Comes and goes like a shadow—thank goodness I’m not his enemy. But why is His Highness being so generous to me this time?”

Only now did Su Liluo truly appreciate the allure of all that silver. Sitting on the bed, she spread the notes out, one by one, and after counting, was so astonished she could hardly close her mouth. “If anyone found out I had this much money, would they come to rob me on the spot? His Highness is really generous this time.”

Given the sheer amount, Su Liluo immediately packed the silver notes away in a box, still puzzled as she muttered, “Perhaps I misjudged him before. Though he’s sometimes a bit unhinged, always threatening violence, he certainly comes through at the crucial moments.”