Chapter 275 - 275: Liu Shulan Plotted again
“She won’t complain,” Su Yingxue took a sip of tea and spoke calmly.
“Why?” Zhilan’s watery eyes were filled with curiosity.
“Due to the commotion surrounding her arrival in the manor, Father has already lost face, and the Ministry of Rites has also encountered obstacles. Considering Liu Shulan’s mindset, she should understand the consequences if she were to repeatedly provoke the man she relies on as soon as she enters the house.
Moreover, the Marquis’s Manor isn’t a place where she is the only woman. There are two younger and more beautiful courtesans here!”
Su Yingxue raised her eyebrows at Zhilan.
Zhilan smiled and replied, “In that case, not only will Lady Liu be unable to report you, but she’ll also need to clean up Qingxin Court. Otherwise, if Master sees it in a neglected state, he’ll undoubtedly be disappointed and visit the courtesans’ quarters.”
“Exactly! When men have multiple women to choose from, they’ll undoubtedly seek one who pleases them both physically and emotionally,” Su Yingxue added, a hint of disdain in her eyes.
“But I feel that some men won’t be like the Marquis, for instance, our Eldest Young Master, and perhaps… Ninth Prince!”
Zhilan playfully winked at Su Yingxue.
Su Yingxue turned around and narrowed her eyes, saying, “You naughty girl, you’re teasing your Miss!”
“I misspoke, please don’t be angry, Miss! 1 just feel that Ninth Prince is an extraordinary man, and he treats you exceptionally well! He considers everything for your benefit.”
“You naughty girl, you’re still talking!”
Su Yingxue chased after her, and the two of them began to playfully roughhouse in the courtyard.
Zi Wei watched from the shadows. He may not have understood the meaning behind Zhilan’s jest, but he could discern that whenever Chu Yihan’s name was mentioned, Su Yingxue’s smile was genuinely heartfelt.
In Qingxin Court, Liu Shulan and Su Yurou arrived with a group of people. Liu Shulan’s expression was stern, while Su Yurou exclaimed, “Su Yingxue! You’ve gone too far! What kind of place is this? How can anyone live here?”
Su Yurou had joined the Marquis’s Manor late and was unaware of the past events at Qingxin Court. She believed that Su Yingxue was motivated by fear of her mother and had assigned her to the largest Qingxin Court in the Marquis’s Manor.
However, the place was dirty and run-down, covered in dust, and an occasional cold wind sent shivers down one’s spine in the courtyard.
Liu Shulan, who had been pampered by Su Dingheng for years, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anger upon entering Qingxin Court.
However, after a brief moment, she composed herself and immediately instructed Su Yurou’s servants, “Begin cleaning immediately, discard any old items, and move things from Yaoguang Garden. Before Marquis arrives tonight, make sure this place is redecorated to look fresh and appealing.”
The servants promptly went about their tasks, while Su Yurou continued to protest, “Mother! We should complain this to Father and have him stand up for us! Let’s see how Su Yingxue bullies us!”
“You fool!” Liu Shulan gave Su Yurou’s hand a heavy pat. “Can’t you see how skilled Su Yingxue is at her tactics?”
“Your father has stirred up quite a bit of trouble by accepting me as his concubine. We haven’t yet figured out why the Ministry of Rites rejected it. And there are still two young and beautiful courtesans in the manor. If I cause more trouble for your father, no matter how deep his affection is for me, he’ll grow weary of it.
“As for Su Yingxue? Even if 1 report her, what then? She’ll use her recent assumption of family leadership as an excuse to avoid repercussions. Your father won’t punish her severely, and she’ll remain the Marquis’s legitimate daughter.”
Liu Shulan’s gaze turned cold. Every step of Su Yingxue’s plan was carefully aimed at the mother-daughter pair’s lifeline, ensuring that even if they suffered, they couldn’t speak out..