The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 280 - 284: The Struggle in the Inner Courtyard (10)

Chapter 280: Chapter 284: The Struggle in the Inner Courtyard (10)

Just thinking about it made her feel that the other party had ulterior motives.

After more than a decade of no contact, they suddenly came knocking, claiming they missed their granddaughter/daughter?

Such nonsense couldn’t even deceive her.

Su Li’s expression remained unchanged as she lifted her eyes and smiled warmly at Zhushu, "Just convey my message back, the rest is no concern of yours."

"The thing I fear the least in my life is being threatened."

"The last person who said that to me is probably having grass several feet high on their grave by now."

Zhushu was sweating profusely, trembling, and didn’t dare to say any more, fear clearly written in his eyes that he couldn’t hide.

Looking at the former Madam beside him, who was oblivious, he no longer dared to underestimate what seemed to be a frail young lady.

Probably, only he felt the full force of it—the mere aura from the other party was enough to make his legs shake. Had that aura not been quickly withdrawn, he might be kneeling on the ground by now.

Many could achieve this extent, but all of them were very old and capable people.

In contrast to Miss Su Li’s age, that was a bit terrifying.

Zhushu couldn’t wait to leave this place at all; he only wanted to quickly deliver the news back to Lord.

Everything Duke Ying Mansion did to Gai Yinyin and her daughter was witnessed by Zhushu.

Who could have predicted that the infant who was so weak in Gai Yinyin’s arms could grow to this extent?

It seemed that she didn’t simply have no grudge against Duke Ying Mansion.

If she wanted to do something to Duke Ying Mansion, Lord might not be able to withstand it.

Right now, Lord might be in favor with Your Majesty, but if he were to provoke a young person of the Grandmaster Realm because of him, I’m afraid...

Nowadays, although Jinjiang was dominated by the court, the power of the worldly society also could not be underestimated.

The more capable the person, the less they wanted to be bound by the court. For a Grandmaster who could easily determine the direction of the worldly society with their own power, the court has always aimed to recruit them first.

Even those Tributors who are highly esteemed by Your Majesty, ranking above the courtiers and Princes, only possess the strength of a Grandmaster. As for a Great Grandmaster, the Jin Dynasty had not seen one for many generations.

Zhushu had already highly overestimated Su Li, but he would have been scared to death to think that she was even more formidable than he thought.

Seeing her daughter speak like this, Gai Yinyin, who had just been anxious and upset, quickly regained her smile.

After all, her daughter was just that amazing, and Gai Yinyin had no doubts about Su Li’s abilities.

Su Li, amused, watched Gai Yinyin’s carefree attitude; it was one of her best traits.

She never doubted what she said, blindly believing that her daughter was the strongest, and even for some aspects that defied common sense, she felt no need to offer further explanation.

If it was anyone else, Su Li would have the headache of figuring out how to explain the oddity of having learned martial arts without a teacher.

Zhushu scrambled away with his tail between his legs.

That very night, the study at Duke Ying Mansion was rearranged.

The emergence of a wild Grandmaster was now not just the business of Duke Ying Mansion.

Early the next morning, Su Shi changed into his court attire and got into the carriage for the Imperial Palace.

It wasn’t until nearly noon that he returned from the Imperial Palace, exhausted.

Upon his return, he didn’t even change out of his court clothes, heading straight for the Old Madam’s Jingxin Residence, which left Zhu Liusha, who had been waiting for him to dine, quite puzzled.

Zhu Liusha had the servants reheat the cooled meal for the second time.

Then she beckoned to a servant and asked in doubt, "Has Lord Duke not returned yet?"

"Madam, Lord Duke has gone to Old Madam’s courtyard."

The ever-so-proper Su Ying nearly twisted her handkerchief into a shreds, unable to contain her impatience as she interjected, "Did Father say when he would come?"

Zhu Liusha immediately scolded sharply, "Ah Ying, what are you saying? Your father has gone to your grandmother’s place."

Knowing she had misspoken, Su Ying quickly lowered her head in acknowledgment of her error.

If outsiders were to know of her slip of the tongue just now, they would definitely question her filial piety.

Zhu Liusha said gently, "Then you go on down first. After Lord Duke comes out from Old Madam’s courtyard, have a maid come and inform me."

Even when speaking to a second-class servant in the mansion, Zhu Liusha maintained a polite and pleasant demeanor.

After the servant departed, Zhu Liusha turned and frowned at Su Ying, "You have been increasingly indiscreet lately."

Su Ying felt wronged, but she also knew her mother meant well.

If her twins Su Ming or Su Xue had spoken those words today, her mother certainly wouldn’t have said anything.

Because of her status as a stepdaughter, she always had to handle things more meticulously than her brother and sister.

Seeing that Su Ying was obedient, Zhu Liusha’s heart softened, and she spoke earnestly, "Mother does not want to constrain you, but you know the attitude your grandmother holds towards me and you, that’s why I have to..."

"Mother, I understand," Su Ying cut in.

Zhu Liusha let out a heavy sigh, glanced at the still naïve Su Ming and Su Xue nearby, and then back at her eldest daughter, who was deep in thought.

There was but little more than a year, less than two, between their ages, yet their circumstances were worlds apart.

She could understand her eldest daughter’s cautiousness, as sometimes she felt the same way herself.

It was precisely because she understood that she felt even more pity for Su Ying, more so than for the twins.

"Stop worrying. Your father is a man who always keeps his word."

Zhu Liusha didn’t doubt this at all; over the years, Su Shi had proven this to her with his actions. Everything he promised, he had truly and fully fulfilled.

"Although I feel sorry for that child, people are inherently selfish," Zhu Liusha expressed with a hint of guilt.

More than a decade ago, she had wronged another woman, and now, a decade later, her daughter was about to wrong that woman’s child.

All this was fate.

Su Ying pursed her lips, feeling no attachment to the child her mother mentioned.

If she didn’t stand in for her, she would have to marry the Second Prince herself, something she did not desire at all.

She had great ambitions and the means to reach her goals, and she could not allow irrelevant people to ruin everything.

Mother and daughter Zhu Liusha shared the same sentiment, deciding to wait until Su Shi returned to inquire further.

Su Ying couldn’t be blamed for her anxiety; her close friends had visited her today, inquiring about the Second Prince’s conspicuous movements outside. He would soon have the betrothment gifts prepared.

She heard he even went to the Royal Hunting Ground to shoot two large geese.

Having the Duke’s assurance, yes, but until the girl entered the mansion, Su Ying could not be at ease.

Unlike her daughter, Zhu Liusha was not in such a rush. After all, Su Shi had never broken a promise to her.

What puzzled her even more was Lord Duke’s unusual behavior today.

Due to their relationship, the relationship between the Duke and Old Madam had almost reached freezing point. If there weren’t any particularly important matters, the Lord Duke would always dine in his own courtyard, taking the opportunity to bond with the children as well.