Chapter 103: Reaching an Agreement

Yao Ruoshui stood to the side, pointing an accusatory finger. "You are being utterly unreasonable. As a woman, how can you show your face in public? Where is your sense of propriety?"

Su Liluo retorted instantly, "Why can’t I? My mother was a Great General, renowned on the battlefield, having slain over ten thousand enemies with illustrious combat achievements. Compared to her, what I have done is far from sufficient. It is merely running a shop; how could it be as serious as you claim?"

Upon hearing Su Liluo mention her mother, Su Hong’s face turned crimson with rage. He roared, "Su Liluo, you unfilial daughter! Today, I shall cast you out of the Prime Minister’s residence. From this day forward, you are no longer a daughter of mine. You are a disgrace to me!"

"Liuying, take the others and step outside first," Su Liluo said, turning slightly to instruct her maid.

Liuying looked at Su Hong with concern. "Miss, but the Master..." Fearing her mistress might suffer, she hesitated. Su Liluo patted her shoulder comfortingly, "Do not worry, I will not let myself be harmed. Go on out; I have some things I wish to discuss with Father."

Only then did Liuying lead Qingyi and Qingyao out of the ancestral hall. Su Liluo then looked up at Su Hong and asked calmly, "Father, may I have a word with you in private?"

Su Hong eyed her with surprise. This daughter had grown up when he wasn't paying attention; she had shed her former timidity and was becoming more eye-catching with each passing day.

He nodded, "Very well. If you have something to say, we shall speak in the side room next to the ancestral hall. Madam, Zhier, stay here and look after Mother. Send someone to fetch a physician immediately."

"The physician is already on the way. My Lord, will you be alright alone with her..." Yao Ruoshui glanced at Su Liluo, clearly distrusting her.

Su Hong patted Yao Ruoshui’s hand to reassure her. "Do not worry; she would not dare do anything to me. You comfort the servants. She would not dare act presumptuously in my presence."

Yao Ruoshui nodded hesitantly, her eyes following Su Hong all the way into the side room. Su Liluo looked at the man before her—to her, he was certainly not a successful father. After a long moment of silence under Su Hong’s deep frown, Su Liluo spoke directly: "Father, since you do not wish to have me as a daughter, then cast me out. In any case, I have long since had no desire to remain in the Su residence."

"What did you say?" Su Hong thought he had misheard. How could someone offer to leave home voluntarily? Especially Su Liluo—if she left the Prime Minister’s residence, where would she find shelter? Was she being too naive?

The mocking smile on Su Hong’s lips left Su Liluo speechless. Did she look like someone who couldn't fend for herself? Furthermore, she had enough silver to ensure her own food and clothing. Without these annoying people before her eyes, she would live quite comfortably. Changing her name and heading south would also be an option. Su Liluo scoffed inwardly; Su Hong was underestimating her.

"Prime Minister, you heard correctly. I am asking you to cast me out of the Prime Minister’s residence, and I will leave immediately," Su Liluo repeated loudly, her tone resolute.

Only then did Su Hong realize that Su Liluo was serious. He shook his head immediately. "No, you cannot leave."

"Why? Was it not you, Prime Minister, who said so just moments ago?" Su Liluo was anxious. A life of freedom was right before her; could a Prime Minister go back on his word?

"I said no, and I mean it. What I said earlier was spoken in anger. It was because you went too far that I threatened to drive you out. We have had our talk, and now that things are settled, you do not need to leave. Stay in your courtyard and be at peace." If Su Liluo left, how could he use her to secure a marriage alliance with Prince Jin? Su Hong would never make a losing deal, so he shook his head with firm opposition.

Su Liluo chuckled. Knowing Su Hong still wanted to use her, she immediately put forth her own demands. "If you wish for me to stay, Father, then I must manage the Xuexiu shop myself. Since I am still your daughter, the money I earn will naturally belong to the Prime Minister’s residence. Business at Xuexiu is good; I will certainly subsidize the household often, and I will be generous in my filial offerings during holidays. What do you think, Father?"

"The Prime Minister’s residence is not lacking for such a pittance of silver. Just stay in your courtyard; women are meant to be married off in the end, why learn so much?" Su Hong subscribed to the belief that a woman's lack of talent was a virtue, and he strongly disapproved of Su Liluo’s desire to run about.

"Father, if you do not agree, that is fine too. You likely think your schemes are known to no one. One moment it is the Crown Prince, the next it is Prince Jin. If the Emperor were to find out, what would the consequences be for you?" Su Liluo paused, then answered her own question: "Daughter thinks your time as Prime Minister would come to an end. Once any of these factions realizes you are double-dealing, they will surely cease to value you."

"Are you threatening me? I could have you killed without a sound. I have plenty of daughters; sacrificing one is nothing. People with loose tongues always have short lives." Su Hong looked at Su Liluo with a bloodthirsty expression, wishing he could tear her apart to quell his resentment.

"Father is absolutely right. However, Prince Yi now wishes to marry me, and I have men sent by the Prince to protect me. If he were to find out I was killed by you, Father, how do you think he would retaliate?" Su Liluo felt nervous inside, but she kept a cold face, not daring to let her guard down.

"I would make sure the job is done cleanly. No one else would ever know," Su Hong persisted, still unwilling to let her go easily, trying to scare her.

Su Liluo gripped her clothing, not daring to show even a hint of fear. Her face was stiff as she threatened: "Father can try and see if the Prince will find out. If you try to do anything to me, I will not go down quietly. I don't care if the entire Prime Minister’s residence goes mad with me; your reputation will certainly suffer, won't it?"

Su Hong’s eyes darted around for a long moment. Su Liluo now had Yun Yanyi as her backing. If the Emperor found out he was playing both sides with the princes, he would surely fall out of favor. It was better to appease her for now. "Fine. You want to go out, is that it? I can permit you to leave freely, but you must know your place. Do not touch anything treasonous. If any trouble arises, I cannot protect you."

"Daughter understands. Even for my own sake, I would not do such things. Thank you for the permission, Father." Having obtained her desired terms, Su Liluo immediately broke into a smile. Su Hong, impatient with her appearance, merely snorted and walked out of the side room.

Su Liluo stood in place for a long time. Once no one was in sight, she bent over and let out a long, hot sigh. Her clothes were sticky, and her back was drenched in cold sweat. Today’s success was entirely due to the formidable power of Yun Yanyi; had Su Hong not been wary of him, she would have had no way to save herself.

"He is truly a man obsessed with power, unwilling to let even the smallest opportunity slip by. No wonder he agreed to my demands so easily." Thinking of Su Hong’s hesitation, she realized it was largely due to the Emperor. It seemed power was the most important thing to him, and a flicker of joy appeared on her face—this was something she could exploit.

Su Liluo inexplicably recalled the Emperor’s strange attitude; the day he heard Yun Yanyi wanted to marry her, he had immediately refused. Was there a reason behind this? And since she once had a betrothal to the Crown Prince, was there some hidden implication? Su Liluo frowned, her face scrunching up.

Yet, in an instant, she laughed aloud. "I can finally earn money freely! This is wonderful!" She couldn't help but exclaim. Fearing someone might call her brazen, she lowered her head, her shoulders shaking as she let out soft, faint giggles.

When Su Hong emerged, Yao Ruoshui asked with concern, "My Lord, what did you and the eldest daughter decide? How do you intend to punish her? Mother is still unconscious." Yao Ruoshui specifically mentioned the Old Madam to remind Su Hong of Su Liluo’s abominable behavior, which surely could not be easily forgiven.