Chapter Ninety-Two: Bewildered into Unconsciousness

"Very good. Zhier has a considerate heart," Su Hong praised with a smile. Su Baizhi replied shyly, "This is only what Zhier ought to do."

Su Hong laughed again and again. "You and your mother must study diligently. Above all, do not be careless."

"Your daughter will obey Father's teachings." Su Baizhi answered at once.

Seeing Su Hong pleased, Yao Ruoshui's own heart lifted as well. She took up a sheet of red paper and handed it before him. "My lord, these are the people to be invited on your birthday. Please see whether any others should be added."

Su Hong examined it and nodded. "No need. These will do."

Yao Ruoshui smiled and put it away. Su Hong silently approved. Then he looked toward Su Baizhi, who stood obediently to one side, and nodded to himself. She had at least made some progress.

No sooner had Su Hong left Yao Ruoshui's courtyard than one of Old Madam Su's people summoned him. When he went in, he found Su Lilu already there.

"Mother, what is this?" Su Hong asked with a frown, pointing at Su Lilu. He had never once taken the trouble to look at her properly, yet with a single glance now, it seemed his daughter looked somewhat better than before.

"Lilu pays her respects to Father."

Su Hong merely lifted his eyes briefly before turning to Old Madam Su in concern. "Mother, what urgent matter made you send for your son so hastily?"

Old Madam Su held Su Hong's hand and made him sit down beside her. Su Hong swept his robe aside and took his seat. Soon a maid brought tea, and Old Madam Su dismissed the attendants, leaving only the three of them and Aunt Hua in the room.

"Mother called you here today to discuss having Lilu help manage your birthday banquet," Old Madam Su said.

This startled Su Hong into looking up. He stared at Su Lilu for a long while without speaking. Su Lilu sat quietly to one side with lowered eyes, her expression hidden beneath her lashes.

"What is there to be surprised about?" Old Madam Su said. "I only want Lilu to gain some experience so that she will not panic when trouble comes later."

"Mother, there's no need. Madam already has Baizhi helping her, and besides, Lilu doesn't know anything. If she goes, she'll only make matters worse. The birthday banquet is imminent; Lilu should simply stay quietly in her room."

After some thought, Su Hong still refused.

Old Madam Su's face hardened. "What sort of thing is that to say? If she does not know, then she must learn. Besides, Lilu is no longer young. If you do not let her learn how to manage a household, how will she ever manage her own dowry in the future?"

Su Hong's brow remained tightly furrowed, plainly unconvinced. Seeing the two of them at an impasse, neither willing to yield, Su Lilu stepped forward at once and said loudly, "Father, if I do not know, I can ask Madam for guidance. I promise I will study earnestly and do my utmost to handle everything well, and I will not bring shame upon Father's name."

Seeing her earnest assurance, and then Old Madam Su's stubbornness, Su Hong let out a troubled sigh. After a long moment, he finally nodded. Su Lilu immediately said with delight, "Thank you, Father. Thank you, Grandmother."

Old Madam Su only then smiled. Seeing Su Lilu's excited expression, she seemed infected by her joy, the wrinkles in her face deepening. She instructed her, "You must do a proper job."

"Rest assured, Grandmother. Lilu will not bring disgrace to the Su family. Then this granddaughter will take her leave first. Father, Lilu withdraws."

Seeing that Old Madam Su and Su Hong still had matters to discuss, Su Lilu wisely retreated.

Once she was gone, Old Madam Su gave Aunt Hua a glance. Aunt Hua curtsied and withdrew. When only mother and son remained, Old Madam Su asked, "Hong'er, the reason I had her take part today was for the good of the Su family. Look at the daughters of our household now, each one more notorious than the last. Only this child, because of Xiu Xiu and the Empress's regard, has had some favorable reputation spread outside. Why can you not understand your mother's heart?"

Su Hong suddenly understood. Ashamed, he lowered his head and admitted his fault. "Mother, your son was wrong. Everything Mother does is for the Su family. It was your son who thought too narrowly."

"Knowing that is enough. All I hope for is that the Su family will keep going farther and farther." Old Madam Su took his hand and said tearfully.

Su Hong nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Mother. With your son here, the Su family will only grow better."

Before long, the day of Su Hong's birthday banquet arrived. Early in the morning, the servants of the Su residence were already busy. Large birthday characters were pasted upon the gates and windows, and a stage had been erected in the open courtyard. Gongs and drums sounded in lively celebration, filling the whole mansion with excitement.

Many carriages and sedan chairs were parked at the front gate. Su Hong, as the imperial chancellor, naturally had no shortage of colleagues coming to offer congratulations. The male guests were received by Su Hong and his attendants, while the ladies were under the charge of Yao Ruoshui, the chancellor's wife.

As the crowd chatted merrily, Su Hong saw the steward hurrying over and sharply rebuked him in a low voice, "What are you doing? Why are you rushing about so unseemly?"

Breathless and panicked, the steward pointed toward the gate. "My lord... the emperor has sent someone to deliver birthday gifts. A eunuch is waiting at the gate. My lord, please come quickly to receive the imperial messenger."

Su Hong's expression tightened. He immediately ordered the steward to lead the way.

Everyone in the Su residence had already gathered, and the surrounding guests also stood aside. Su Hong led the kneeling, and the rest, hearing it was the emperor's decree, likewise dropped to their knees.

The eunuch straightened himself and said in a shrill voice, "By imperial decree: since Chancellor Su celebrates his birthday today, His Majesty specially bestows one hundred taels of gold, a pair of jade ruyi scepters, one chest of South Sea pearls, ten bolts of brocade, and..." The eunuch continued reading for quite some time before finally stopping. He then produced a painting and handed it before Su Hong, his brows and eyes all smiling. "Chancellor, this was written especially by His Majesty."

Su Hong took it and saw that it was indeed the emperor's own hand: a large birthday character. He said gratefully, "This minister humbly thanks His Majesty for his boundless grace."

After receiving the imperial edict, Su Hong invited him to stay. "Eunuch, you have worked hard today. Why not have a cup of wine before you go?"

"No need. His Majesty still awaits this servant's report. There is no need to see me off."

After the eunuch delivering the decree had gone, Su Hong immediately ordered the imperial gifts to be taken into the storeroom. Just as he was about to invite the guests inside, a servant at the gate reported, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Prince of Jin, Prince Yi, and the Young Lord of Annan have arrived."

Su Hong hurriedly went out again to receive them. Upon seeing the Prince of Jin, his face blossomed with smiles. "This minister greets Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Prince of Jin, Your Highness the Prince Yi, and the Young Lord of Annan."

"Chancellor, there is no need for such ceremony," Yun Fengxiao said at once, helping Su Hong up. Su Hong did not refuse.

Stepping aside himself, Su Hong smiled at Su Lilu and said, "Lilu, why don't you come and greet our honored guests?"

Su Lilu curtsied and stood with her head lowered to one side. Su Hong said warmly to the Prince of Jin, "Your Highness, this is my eldest daughter. Because she has always remained in the inner quarters, she is somewhat shy around strangers. I hope Your Highness will not take offense."

Hearing Su Hong speak as though he were trying to peddle her off, Su Lilu lifted her eyes in astonishment. Yet she saw her father pulling her forward, as though he wished to press her right against the Prince of Jin.

The Young Lord of Annan, watching this, joked, "Has the Chancellor perhaps forgotten about the rest of us? Your Highness the Prince of Jin, I must say the Chancellor's residence truly has taken pains today. Just look at the food..."

He pulled the Prince of Jin aside. Su Lilu quietly breathed out in relief. Su Hong, interrupted and unable to say anything, could only set his thoughts aside and continue greeting the other guests.

Yun Yanyi saw Su Lilu standing right before him and was about to step forward to exchange a few words when a maid appeared, whispered something into Su Lilu's ear, and Su Lilu hurried away with her. He could only watch her retreating figure in annoyed silence and wander about alone.

Su Lilu followed the maid toward the rear courtyard, thinking over what she had just said. If there truly was trouble in the back court, Su Hong would surely be angry, and then she would be scolded again. Thus her steps quickened.

"Miss, look, it's over there." The maid pointed ahead.

Su Lilu looked over. Suddenly she covered her face with a handkerchief, struggled twice, and then collapsed into the arms of a servant boy.

Seeing the person arrive, the maid quickly looked around and called out, "Quickly, carry her into the room."