The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 276 - 280: The Struggle in the Inner Courtyard (Six)

Chapter 276: Chapter 280: The Struggle in the Inner Courtyard (Six)

The joyous event at Duke Ying Mansion gave the people in several surrounding streets much to talk about for a long time.

Subsequently, Duke Ying’s deep affection for his madam was lauded by all.

For her sake, he was willing to bear the pressure of his clan and fought to add his stepdaughter’s name to the family register, officially making her the legitimate Miss of Duke Ying Mansion.

For a while, Duke Ying became the model lover in the eyes of all the ladies and misses in the Capital.

Everyone said, "If you marry, marry Duke Ying."

The former madam and miss of Duke Ying gradually faded from public memory, as everyone knew that the two misses and the young master in Duke Ying Mansion were all born of his current wife.

In recent years, Duke Ying’s influence in front of the Emperor grew increasingly strong. Su Ying also thrived in the high doors and grand mansions.

Gai Yinyin, apart from holding Su Li in the very beginning and crying a storm, never brought up that family again.

After Su Li turned three and was able to run and speak, she went out one day and chose the renowned heir of the Dark Pavilion from the worldly society, and their lives gradually stabilized from there.

No one in the court or worldly society knew that the Dark Pavilion had changed masters, and that it was now a three-year-old child.

Gai Yinyin did notice the anomaly in her daughter, but as long as it was her own daughter, she was more at ease with this worry-free life.

If not for today’s report from the Shadow Guard, Su Li wouldn’t even have remembered this family.

This year she turned fifteen, and the memory substitution incident from the original owner’s memories occurred within this year.

Recently, the First Miss of the illustrious family known throughout the Capital, Su Ying of Duke Ying Mansion, was involved in a scandal that was neither too big nor too small.

During an outing in spring that was arranged by the noble sons and daughters, due to the Second Prince’s horse suddenly going berserk, Su Ying, who was initially on horseback intending to dismount, was caught off guard and tossed onto the ground, falling flat on her face.

Though she wasn’t seriously hurt, her undergarments beneath her skirt were exposed to everyone present in broad daylight.

Not only were there sons and daughters from different families, but also a large number of servants and attendants.

Su Ying, who ordinarily carried herself with elegance and grace and possessed a pure aura as if untouched by the mortal world, was instantly so embarrassed that she couldn’t face anyone.

Soon enough, the entire city buzzed with the discussion about the color and pattern of Su Ying’s undergarments, and it didn’t even take one day for the news to spread.

Su Ying hurried back to the mansion and completely sequestered herself in her boudoir, remaining unapproachable despite anyone’s attempts to console her.

To save his lady’s honor, the Second Prince skewered the neck of the crazed horse with his sword on the spot, splattering blood all around.

This action of the Second Prince added yet more gossip for the public to discuss after their meals.

On hearing this news, Su Ying instantly felt an urge to vomit blood.

"Idiot, this idiot." If it weren’t for his distinguished status, Su Ying would have had much more to vent, much more to express.

Su Ying greatly regretted that she hadn’t clearly rejected the Second Prince’s favorable feelings towards her from the beginning; then none of this would have happened—not the spring outing, nor the incident of riding his white horse, and certainly not the humiliating scene.

Su Ying was very proud of her charm, and she never refused the invitations of the Second Prince, but she truly harbored no other thoughts towards him.

In her eyes, the only one she admired was the Crown Prince, who had already entered court life.

Someone like the Crown Prince could never be compared to an idiot like the Second Prince.

The surrounding maids all observed in silence, acting as if they were part of the wall, saying nothing, only bowing their heads lower whenever Su Ying ranted endlessly about members of the Royal family, pretending to be deaf and that they heard nothing at all.

After venting her anger, Su Ying’s rationality gradually returned. Her eyes swept around with ferocity as she said, "You all didn’t hear anything just now, understand?"

"Yes."

Now that things had come to this, more complaints were of no use.

Su Ying had won Su Shi’s favor as a stepdaughter; on the one hand, it was indeed owing to the residual influence of her mother, but on the other hand, it was also because she genuinely possessed intelligence, which made Su Shi love her as his own daughter.

It was only after she calmed down that she recalled where things had gone wrong.

Normally, every time they went out, their horses were taken care of by dedicated people and always watched closely; it was absolutely impossible for a horse to suddenly go mad.

Yet, such an improbable event had occurred.

Being the most famous noble lady in the Capital, she naturally attracted the envy and resentment of many other noble ladies.

Images of several noble ladies with whom she had conflicts and differing stances quickly flashed through Su Ying’s mind.

No matter who it was, she would definitely not let go of the person who had subjected her to such profound humiliation.

But before she could take action herself, the Second Prince—whom she had insulted as an idiot—responded to the incident with a foolish move that made Su Ying completely lose interest in investigating the truth.

Su Li leaned against the doorway of the small courtyard, a handful of melon seeds in her palm. She casually cracked seeds while listening to a voice that sounded both male and female in the empty space.

"So, you’re saying you used a clever trick to make the Second Prince’s horse go mad, causing Su Ying to tumble spectacularly?"

The buzzing voice said, "Yes."

Su Li was overjoyed, "How did you think to take down the Capital’s number one noble lady with such a big loss?"

"Master, you really dislike Su Ying."

The owner of the voice stated this with certainty.

Su Li said with curiosity, "Oh, you do understand me quite well."

"Besides, the First-class Shadow has cost us a lot of effort. Since a woman almost messed it up, it’s only right to inflict a small punishment on her."

Meanwhile, desperate to extricate his beloved woman from the whirlpool of rumors, and truly fond of Su Ying, the Second Prince violently took his anger out on the servants and then impetuously went directly to the Emperor.

He looked up and expressed his wish to marry the daughter of Duke Ying to the Emperor.

The Second Prince, known for his tyrannical nature, was not favored by the Emperor on a regular basis.

The matter concerning the daughter of a favored subject, the Emperor went so far as to ask, "Does the young lady also have affection for you?"

Remembering Su Ying’s coy demeanor in front of him, the Second Prince’s ears turned red, and he awkwardly bowed his head, mumbling a quiet yes.

At that moment, there was none of his usual irritability, which greatly surprised the Emperor.

Despite his dislike, the Emperor was pleased that his not-so-outstanding son had the support of a useful Yue family.

"If that is the case, then I will decree the marriage for you."

Once the marriage decree was issued, there was no going back.

The phrase "disaster strikes from the heavens" perfectly described Su Ying’s feelings as she knelt on the ground with her family to receive the imperial edict.

Listening to the sounds around her, Su Ying’s ears buzzed, her whole body staggered, and if it weren’t for the slight support from her younger sister kneeling beside her, she would have been unable to maintain her usual graceful demeanor.