Chapter Six: Su Zhi’er is Punished

Madam Ping eyed Su Lilu suspiciously, her sharp gaze falling directly upon the soft couch. Before Su Lilu could stop her, she strode forward in a flash and lifted the quilt without hesitation.

Su Lilu’s heart clenched with the movement, but to her relief, the couch beneath the covers was empty; Yun Yanyi was nowhere to be seen.

A wave of calm washed over Su Lilu, and she let out a long sigh.

Yet as she turned away, out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of a gentle white glow behind the foot of the bed. The light in her eyes flickered—Yao Ruoshui’s hands were indeed quick.

“All of you, be careful! Don’t you dare damage anything in the young lady’s room, or don’t blame me if I peel your skin off!” Madam Ping stood in the center of the room, arms akimbo, scolding the gathered maids.

As her words faded, she moved toward the bed.

Su Lilu stepped forward, blocking Madam Ping’s path. “You’ve worked hard enough, Madam. Let the others do it, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself.”

“What are you saying, Miss? This is all within my duty,” Madam Ping replied quietly, advancing regardless.

A glint flashed in Su Lilu’s eyes. In a swift motion, she pressed a silver needle into the back of Madam Ping’s head.

Moments ago, Madam Ping’s eyes had been sharp and bright; now, they grew vacant. She bent down obediently, searching the bed, and finally retrieved the jade ruyi from beneath it. Seizing a moment when no one was watching, she handed it directly to Su Lilu.

Su Lilu curled her lips into a subtle smile, took the ruyi, and tucked it into her sleeve.

“Ahem, Madam, are you finished? Grandmother is still waiting!” Su Lilu straightened and strode out of the room.

Madam Ping followed in a trance, and the other maids, seeing this, could only file out as well.

Outside in the courtyard, Yao Ruoshui craned her neck for a glimpse inside, nervously shredding her handkerchief, a mix of excitement and anxiety in her heart. Su Baizhi felt the same, biting her lower lip, afraid Grand Madam Su would grow suspicious; she stood demurely, only occasionally casting a glance toward the house.

Yao Ruoshui, seeing that Madam Ping and the others had yet to emerge, wished she could rush in herself. Grand Madam Su noticed her daughter-in-law and granddaughter’s unease and gave two sharp coughs. At once, Yao Ruoshui lowered her head and Su Baizhi stopped her furtive glances.

“Mother, I just wonder what’s taking so long. Could it be they truly found something?” If so, she would finally have leverage over Su Lilu.

“Don’t speak without evidence. Does the Yao family also speak so recklessly?”

Grand Madam Su’s words caught Yao Ruoshui between a rock and a hard place. She could neither reply nor remain silent, and could only glare to the side in frustration, ceasing her scheming. Su Baizhi pressed herself close to Yao Ruoshui, silent as if invisible—her grandmother was in a foul mood, and it was best not to provoke her.

Before long, Hua Momo and her group returned. Seeing Hua Momo shake her head, Grand Madam Su said, “Very well. Since nothing was found, continue searching elsewhere.”

Yao Ruoshui fixed her gaze on Madam Ping, who sighed and shook her head, leaving Yao Ruoshui deeply disappointed. Clearly, Madam Ping had failed. Glancing at Su Lilu, she saw that hateful woman smirking, clearly taunting her.

Grand Madam Su set off toward Su Baizhi’s courtyard, with Su Lilu close behind.

Having failed in their scheme, Yao Ruoshui and Su Baizhi lost all interest in the spectacle—they knew Grand Madam Su was determined to find the ruyi. Fearing further complications, Yao Ruoshui tried to persuade her to rest for the night, but Su Lilu was already stepping forward.

“Grandmother, to clear all suspicion, this time Hua Momo and I should lead the search, so there will be no ground for anyone to cast aspersions on Mother or Sister,” Su Lilu said, her words polite, yet everyone understood the barbed implication.

“Su Lilu, what do you mean by this? Baizhi is your own sister. As the elder, how can you suspect your sibling?”

Su Baizhi, her voice trembling with tears, asked, “Sister, how could I possibly have hidden the ruyi? Your words chill me to the bone.” The exchange between Yao Ruoshui and Su Baizhi painted Su Lilu as cold and heartless. Grand Madam Su only frowned at their accusations.

“Enough! One more word and you’ll face family discipline. When they searched Lilu’s room, I didn’t see either of you speak up for her.” Yao Ruoshui and Su Baizhi’s faces turned pale with shame at Grand Madam Su’s defense of Su Lilu.

“Please, Grandmother, don’t upset yourself. Mother and Sister misunderstand me. I only wish to prove my sister’s innocence. If Madam Ping enters, even if my sister is innocent, she might not be able to clear herself.” Su Lilu’s concern for Su Baizhi was clear, and Grand Madam Su saw in her the model of a true eldest daughter.

“Very well, you may lead the search,” Grand Madam Su agreed gently, not granting Yao Ruoshui any chance to object.

“As you command, Grandmother. Sister, don’t worry—I will personally ensure no one wrongs you even the slightest bit,” Su Lilu promised. But her words only unsettled Su Baizhi. She wanted to follow, but seeing Grand Madam Su’s displeasure, she suppressed her urge.

Entering Su Baizhi’s chamber, Su Lilu surveyed the lavish surroundings. “Begin,” she ordered.

Hua Momo started at the wardrobe, while Su Lilu, with her back turned, quickly slipped the jade ruyi under the covers, then moved to the other side, pretending to search.

“Ah! Miss, I’ve found the ruyi!” Hua Momo cried, holding up the piece Su Lilu had just placed. “It’s good we’ve found it—the Prime Minister’s household is safe.”

Soon after, Su Lilu and Hua Momo knelt before Grand Madam Su, presenting the ruyi. “Madam, it was found in Second Miss's bed.”

Grand Madam Su struck her dragon-headed cane on the ground, her anger resounding. “Well! What a fine granddaughter, what a fine daughter-in-law! Do you mean to bring down the entire Prime Minister’s household with you?”

Su Baizhi stared in disbelief, then fell to her knees, kowtowing repeatedly. “Grandmother, I didn’t take it—I’m innocent!”

“The evidence is clear—what have you to say?” Grand Madam Su cared only for the facts: Hua Momo had retrieved the ruyi from Su Baizhi’s room, yet she still tried to argue.

“Grandmother, there are countless ruyi in my room—why would I risk such a grave offense to steal this one? Please, Grandmother, see the truth!” Su Baizhi, seeing the smile on Su Lilu’s lips, pointed at her and screamed, “It was her! She’s framing me!”

“Enough! Blaming Lilu for your own misdeeds. Someone, take this unfilial granddaughter to the woodshed and await the master’s decision tomorrow.” Grand Madam Su saw Su Lilu lower her head, seemingly aggrieved by Su Baizhi’s accusation.

Softening her tone, she added, “Lilu, you’ve had a tiring day—go and get some rest.”

Two old nursemaids each seized one of Su Baizhi’s arms, dragging her toward the woodshed. She twisted and struggled, but was no match for their strength. Still defiant, she tried to protest but Hua Momo quickly stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth.

Yao Ruoshui, seeing her daughter thus humiliated, lost her composure. She fell to her knees before Grand Madam Su, knocking her head on the ground again and again. “Madam, Baizhi grew up under your care—you know her nature! She would never take the ruyi. Please, have mercy!”

Grand Madam Su turned to Su Baizhi, who was now weeping uncontrollably. When Su Baizhi met her gaze, she shook her head desperately, muffled cries escaping, her hair disheveled—nothing left of her noble appearance.

Su Lilu saw Grand Madam Su’s resolve waver and stepped forward. “Grandmother, my sister meant no harm. Though the ruyi was a royal gift, if you simply instruct the servants to hold their tongues, the matter need not reach outsiders.”

At these words, Grand Madam Su’s wavering heart hardened. “Did you not hear me? Lock the second young lady away. Anyone who pleads further will join her in the woodshed!”

Grand Madam Su understood well that Su Lilu’s plea was a veiled warning. If the theft of a royal gift was not properly punished and word got out, the entire Prime Minister’s household would suffer.

No servant dared delay any longer. No matter how Su Baizhi struggled, she was dragged forcefully toward the woodshed, unable to speak with her mouth gagged, her tear-filled eyes fixed on Yao Ruoshui.

Seeing her daughter’s pleading gaze, Yao Ruoshui felt her heart shatter. Crying and yelling, she tried to prevent Su Baizhi from being taken away. “Madam, Baizhi is innocent! She is frail—how can she endure a night in the woodshed?”

“If you’re so concerned for her, go keep her company.” Grand Madam Su cast a cold glance at Yao Ruoshui and, leaning on Hua Momo’s arm, returned to her own courtyard.

“Respectfully sending Grandmother off,” Su Lilu said with a proper bow.

Yao Ruoshui, however, remained prostrate on the ground, unmoving for a long while. Seeing that Grand Madam Su had gone, Su Lilu let a sly smile curve her lips and addressed Yao Ruoshui, “Mother, are you enjoying lying there on the ground?”

Yao Ruoshui raised her head, her eyes burning with hatred. “Su Lilu, don’t get smug—just you wait!”

“I don’t understand what Mother means. You should worry more about Sister.” Su Lilu yawned. “It’s late, Mother. I won’t keep you company any longer. Rest well!”

She turned away, her smile deepening—Yao Ruoshui would surely have a sleepless night.

Watching Su Lilu’s retreating figure, Yao Ruoshui’s hatred only grew. “I will never let that little wretch Su Lilu off!”