Chapter Twenty-Five: A Fine Marriage

“Second Sister, as long as you become the Crown Prince’s secondary consort, Father will surely listen to your every word. Please choose a good match for your little sister—I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life.” Su Shan’er pouted, insistent, as if acting coy with Su Baizhi could always get her what she wanted.

A flicker of annoyance passed through Su Baizhi’s eyes. Catching this, Su Liluo approached as well, her voice bright with hope. “Second Sister, why not help your elder sister too? I also wish for a good marriage.”

The shadows under Su Liluo’s eyes had yet to fade, and her already unsightly face was now fully revealed to Su Baizhi, who felt a wave of nausea. Earlier, when Su Baizhi had taken Su Liluo’s hand, she’d avoided looking directly at her face. Now, unable to look away, the discomfort was unavoidable.

Forcing a stiff smile, Su Baizhi replied, “Elder Sister, there’s no need for you to worry on my behalf. Mother and Father have long since chosen someone for you. Besides, marriages are arranged by parental command and the matchmaker’s word. How could I, as a younger sister, interfere in your betrothal?”

Without hesitation, Su Baizhi declined, which made Su Liluo laugh aloud until tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “No need to be modest, little sister. If you hadn’t threatened the Crown Prince, how could you have become his secondary consort?”

Su Liluo’s sudden change in tone brought a flush to Su Baizhi’s face. Beside her, Su Shan’er, eager to curry favor, retorted angrily, “Su Liluo, Sister Baizhi is now the Crown Prince’s secondary consort. You’d best worry about your own prospects, lest you never marry at all.”

“That’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” Su Liluo replied, unfazed. “At any rate, I’ll marry before any of you. Second Sister, I spoke rather rashly just now. Please don’t take offense. Do try some of these pastries—I made them myself.”

She pushed a plate of mint cakes forward. Su Shan’er turned up her nose, muttering, “I won’t eat anything you’ve made. Who knows if it’s poisoned?”

“If you don’t trust me, then I’ll eat one first,” Su Liluo said, picking up a mint cake and taking a delicate bite. After swallowing and waiting a moment, she smiled, “See? I’m perfectly fine.”

“I still won’t eat it,” Su Shan’er replied, unmannered. Su Baizhi watched coldly, thinking that this girl, though a concubine’s daughter, carried herself with more presence than herself, the legitimate daughter.

Seeing that Su Liluo was unharmed and had gone to such lengths to please her, Su Baizhi finally picked up a piece of the pale mint cake. In her elegant hand, the pastry looked coarse and humble. She took a small bite, savoring it, and then praised, “Elder Sister, you truly have a gift. I never knew you could cook so well.”

Su Liluo’s cheeks colored with embarrassment. “As long as you like it.”

She brought over several more dishes for Su Baizhi to try. Su Baizhi, not wishing to slight her, sampled each one. Su Shan’er, watching the two of them act so congenially, grew impatient and turned her gaze to the scenery outside, her heart slowly calming.

Noticing Su Shan’er’s lack of attention, and seeing that the maids all waited outside, Su Liluo picked up another mint cake. As she brought it to her lips, her handkerchief slipped to the floor. Placing the cake back on the plate, she bent to retrieve it.

Su Baizhi thought nothing of the dropped kerchief and sipped some tea after sampling the pastries. Su Liluo picked up the white handkerchief, embroidered with a cluster of green bamboo at one corner, and dusted it off. As she did, a fine powder fell toward Su Baizhi.

Tucking the handkerchief into her sleeve, Su Liluo asked, “You’re not eating any more?”

“Thank you, Sister, but I mustn’t eat too much before dinner.” Su Baizhi took a few sips of tea, her stomach feeling much more comfortable. Su Liluo stifled a yawn, and when she saw Su Baizhi looking, she smiled apologetically. “I’m quite tired today. I won’t trouble you any longer.”

“Jinling, see the Young Lady out,” Su Baizhi ordered, glad to be done with the visit. Su Liluo’s face had quite ruined her appetite; she’d only eaten for the sake of her efforts.

Led out by Jinling, Su Liluo left the courtyard. Su Shan’er, seeing her go, finally returned to her usual self. “Sister Baizhi, why are you so nice to that ugly wretch? Why humble yourself before her?”

“Shan’er, when did I humble myself? Last time Grandmother scolded us, do you want to be grounded again?” Su Baizhi tried to explain, but Su Shan’er’s dislike for Su Liluo only grew stronger. Seeing the stubborn look on her face, Su Baizhi gave up, deciding to let her figure things out for herself.

Su Liluo waited quietly for nightfall. After lying down for another hour and reading a few pages of medical texts, she’d just finished dinner when Liu Zhu came in to serve tea. “Miss, the doctor’s been summoned to Second Miss’s courtyard. Would you like to go and see?”

“Is that so? If my little sister is ill, of course I must visit her. Liu Zhu, stay here. Liu Ying, come with me.” Su Liluo rose to leave, and Liu Ying quickly followed.

As soon as they entered Su Baizhi’s courtyard, they heard a commotion—clearly, many people had been disturbed. The moment Su Liluo stepped inside, all eyes turned to her. Su Baizhi was half-reclining on the bed, a silk handkerchief draped over her hand, while an elderly physician in his fifties or sixties was taking her pulse.

“Second Sister, are you alright?” Su Liluo asked with concern. “What’s happened? How did you suddenly become like this?” As she drew near, she saw the rash of red spots scattered densely across Su Baizhi’s once-pretty cheeks. Su Baizhi’s face darkened, and as she noticed Su Liluo staring, she hurried to cover half her face with her kerchief.

Su Liluo quickly averted her gaze and stammered, “I’m sorry, Second Sister. I didn’t mean to stare.”

Su Baizhi was furious but could only hold it in, her neck flushing red with frustration. Was she supposed to tell Su Liluo not to look at her?

“It’s not your fault, Sister. It’s my fate to suffer. I don’t know what illness I’ve caught to end up like this. I’d be better off dead!” With that, Su Baizhi struggled to rise from the bed, panic filling her heart. If these rashes did not fade from her face, how could she ever win the Crown Prince’s favor?

Yao Ruoshui, afraid her daughter might truly attempt something desperate, sat beside her and held her hand, comforting her. “Don’t worry, Baizhi. Mother will make sure you recover your looks. Doctor Sun, what do you make of my daughter’s condition?”

Doctor Sun stroked his beard, his expression troubled. “Madam, I’m afraid I’m powerless. You’ll need to summon someone more skilled.” He had found nothing in the diagnosis to suggest Su Baizhi had eaten anything she shouldn’t have. Unable to determine the cause—and aware of the hidden dangers in high-ranking households—he dared not offend anyone.

Unsatisfied, Yao Ruoshui pressed him anxiously, “Doctor Sun, think of something! She can’t live with these red rashes forever. My daughter is about to become the Crown Prince’s secondary consort. If she loses her looks…” She abruptly stopped, swallowing the rest of her words.