Chapter Eight: Kneeling in the Ancestral Hall

“Su Lilu, I’ve had enough of you!” Su Baihan lunged at Su Lilu, determined to leave some marks on her as well.

Su Baizhi let out a sharp cry and shouted at Su Shaner, “Shaner, Han’er, don’t be reckless—stop this at once!”

But Su Baihan, burning with rage, paid no heed to Su Baizhi’s pleas. Su Lilu was no easy target either; just as Su Baihan was about to reach her, a silver needle flicked from Su Lilu’s fingertips. Su Baihan yelped in pain, lost her balance, and crashed directly into Su Lilu’s hand, earning herself another blow.

“Sister, you ran into me yourself. Don’t blame me for it.” Now, Su Baihan’s face bore a pair of matching palm prints, perfectly symmetrical.

“Su Lilu, I want you dead!” Su Baihan roared, about to charge again, but then suddenly halted at the sound of a familiar voice outside.

“What is going on here? Such commotion—have you all forgotten how a lady of the house should behave?” The Prime Minister’s stern voice resounded from the doorway, prompting his daughters to immediately bow in greeting.

“Han’er, Shan’er, what happened to your faces?” Su Baihan was closest to Su Hong, and as she raised her head, he caught sight of the red imprint on her cheek, startling in its vividness.

Seeing her father’s concern for her injuries, Su Baihan could no longer hold back her aggrieved tears and sobbed, “Father, you must uphold justice for your daughter—Elder Sister has gone too far.”

Su Baizhi knelt beside Su Baihan, her voice full of sympathy: “Father, I witnessed everything. This time, Elder Sister was indeed overprotective of her servant. When Shan’er accidentally knocked over a teacup and injured her maid, Elder Sister struck Shan’er without hesitation. I tried to intervene, but Elder Sister hit me too. Just look at the marks on Han’er’s face, Father—they are still clear as day.”

“Lilu, Han’er is so young, yet you treated her so harshly. Apologize to your sister at once,” Su Hong commanded, his face dark with anger. He had hurried over on hearing the Crown Prince was coming to break off an engagement, only to arrive too late.

What infuriated him even more was finding Su Lilu embroiled in a brawl with the once obedient, accomplished daughters he was so proud of!

“Father, let it go. Sister didn’t mean it. The injuries on Han’er’s face look frightening, but a few days’ rest will heal them,” Su Baizhi quickly stepped forward to soothe him with gentle words.

Su Lilu let out a cold laugh. “Father, what a fair judgment you make. You don’t even ask for my side—just take Third Sister’s word and demand I apologize?”

She shot a sidelong glance at Su Baihan, then met Su Hong’s gaze head-on.

As the head of the household, Su Hong could not tolerate being defied, especially in front of so many people. Seeing Su Lilu’s unwillingness, he snapped, “Fine, fine! You’ve grown bold now—dragging the whole family down with you after the Crown Prince broke off your engagement, and now attacking your own sisters. Yet you still argue? Get to the ancestral hall and beg forgiveness from our forebears.”

Su Lilu sneered inwardly at the fairness of his punishment. This favored Prime Minister of the Yun Kingdom cared only for status and power. Su Baizhi and Su Baihan could still be married off advantageously for his benefit, even Su Shaner could be used to curry favor with officials. But she—disgraced by a broken royal engagement—was now worthless. Who else would he punish, if not her?

Liuzhu, shocked that her mistress was to be punished because of her, crawled forward on her knees, inching toward Su Hong. “Master, I am willing to accept the punishment in my lady’s place. Please spare her—it was all because of me. Let me apologize to Third Miss.”

But Su Lilu could not bear to see Liuzhu beg forgiveness from those who had hurt her. With a firm grip, she pulled Liuzhu up. “Liuzhu, if you are still my maid, then get up at once. My affairs are none of your concern. Father, I am willing to go to the ancestral hall.”

“Did you not hear me? Take her to the ancestral hall immediately. She is not to be released for three days. If anyone dares defy me and bring her food, they will answer to me.”

“As you command.” Several servants came forward, but Su Lilu glared at them so fiercely that they dared not lay a hand on her. “I’ll go myself,” she declared.

She walked ahead, the servants trailing behind.

Liuzhu remained kneeling. Su Hong glanced at the maid. “This servant sparked a fight among her mistresses. Twenty strokes as punishment.” Liuzhu dared not protest, bowed low, and was dragged away.

Su Baihan’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. Su Hong, noticing her, said, “Han’er is injured. I’ll send you some medicine later—take care of your health.”

“Thank you for your concern, Father.” The three girls watched Su Hong leave, unable to hide the glee curling their lips.

Su Lilu gazed at the house before her. It was her first time at the ancestral hall, and before she even entered, she was struck by its chilly, oppressive air.

She stood there for some time, but the servants were in no mood to wait. “Miss, hurry up. In the coming days, you’ll have ample time to appreciate the majesty of the ancestral hall.”

Su Lilu paid no mind to their jeers and stepped inside.

The Su family’s ancestral hall was not large. Upon a high platform stood several ancestral tablets. Su Lilu paused, unmoving, until an old woman behind her gave her a sharp kick, sending her sprawling onto a yellow cushion.

Looking back, Su Lilu saw the woman’s face twisted in impatience. “You’d best kneel quietly, Miss, and don’t think of playing any tricks. I’ll be watching you.”

Knowing this woman was the hall’s warden and would be watching closely for the next few days, Su Lilu saw no need to antagonize her and risk harsher treatment.

She knelt before the tablets, and once the warden saw her obey, she left for a side room. Soon, the sound of snoring drifted out.

Before her, on a table draped with a yellow cloth, sat trays of fresh fruit, and three sticks of incense burned in the brazier.