Chapter Sixty-Five: A Fatal Mistake

All the young ladies gathered around. Someone kindly helped the daughter of the minor official to her feet. Seeing her clutching her hand in pain and gasping, they quickly took her hand for a look—her palm was already scraped in several places. Displeasure spread across their faces as they turned to Su Baihan and reproached her, “How imposing the Prime Minister’s daughter is! This young lady was merely careless; was it necessary for you to lose your temper so?”

As the hostess, Princess of Anping hurried over at the first sign of injury. The official’s daughter, eyes brimming with tears, looked pitifully at the princess.

Princess Anping soothed her, “The physician will arrive soon. Sit quietly—it’s best to tend to your injury first.”

The young woman sat on the brocade stool, casting a grateful glance at the princess. “Thank you, Your Highness,” she said.

The general’s daughter, seeing that Su Baihan showed not the slightest hint of remorse, mocked her, “No wonder you are the child of a second wife. Where is the bearing of a legitimate daughter? You act even less than a concubine’s child.”

Su Baihan was already feeling aggrieved—the wretched girl had bumped into her of her own accord. When she tried to explain, everyone cut her off with accusations. Anger surged within her; she raised her hand to strike and shouted furiously, “Today I’ll make you pay, you little wretch!”

Su Liluo quickly seized Su Baihan, gripping her shoulders and shaking her as she pleaded, “Sister, come to your senses! It was just a trifling matter. Why must you make such a scene?”

“I did nothing wrong! She walked into me—and now they slander me! I must teach her a lesson so she knows Su Baihan is not to be trifled with!” Su Baihan made to lunge forward again, but Su Liluo’s voice cut through, low and severe, “Su Baihan, if you cause any more trouble and Mother finds out, you know what awaits you when we return.”

Su Baihan, jolted by the reminder, suddenly panicked. Her mother had warned her repeatedly before they left, but in her anger, she’d forgotten everything. Now, seeing the Princess of Anping’s displeased gaze, a chill crept into her heart.

Relieved to have restrained Su Baihan, Su Liluo exhaled softly and turned to comfort the official’s daughter, her tone gentle, “You have suffered grievance today, little sister. Rest assured, another day I shall bring Han to your home to offer her apologies. You are generous; please do not hold it against her. As your elder, I thank you in advance.” Su Liluo curtsied respectfully.

Startled, the official’s daughter shrank back and waved her hands, “You flatter me, sister. Han’s actions today were unintentional; I understand.”

Su Liluo took her hand and offered sincere praise, then applied medicine to her wounds, finally settling the matter. Su Baihan sat aside, bearing the brunt of the others’ pointed looks, her heart full of indignation, glaring at the official’s daughter. Noticing her stubbornness, Su Liluo shot her a fierce look—her warning clear without words.

The official’s daughter sat apart, noticing Su Baihan’s isolation, a trace of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. But as Su Baihan shot her an angry glare, the girl trembled and quickly dropped her head, hiding her fleeting triumph from all.

To the others, it appeared Su Baihan remained unrepentant, and their disapproval of her continued to grow.

Seeing the atmosphere restored, Princess Anping drew the young ladies into lively conversation, and the earlier unpleasantness was soon forgotten. Time passed swiftly; the ladies donned their cloaks in twos and threes as they left the lodge. Princess Anping escorted her guests to the secondary gate before turning back toward the Princess of Annan’s courtyard.

When Annan Princess Consort learned her daughter had returned, she knew the plum-blossom gathering had ended. Seeing her daughter’s cheeks flushed as she approached, she embraced her at once. “My dear, was everything well? Did anything occur?”

“Mother, nothing of consequence. It’s only that the eldest Miss Su truly lives up to her reputation…” Princess Anping recounted Su Liluo’s conduct to her mother, who nodded approvingly, “Indeed, she has the bearing of a legitimate daughter. And the others?”

“Mother, those girls only know how to snipe. If I speak with Miss Su for a moment longer, they begin to needle her, which greatly displeases me.” Annoyance clouded the princess’s face as she recalled the young ladies’ affectations.

The Annan Princess Consort asked no more, merely inquiring softly what her daughter would like for supper. Inwardly, she had formed her own ideas and resolved to mention the matter to the prince that evening.

Su Liluo and her sisters boarded the carriage. Su Baihan, seething, sat by the window. Su Liluo said coldly, “Fourth Sister, tomorrow you will take a gift and apologize at that young lady’s house. Let this matter rest.”

“Why should I? She fell on her own—it has nothing to do with me. If you wish to apologize, do so yourself. I will not humble myself before that wretch—I did nothing wrong!” Su Baihan retorted, her chin raised defiantly.

Only now did Su Liluo reflect on the incident. It seemed everyone believed her fourth sister had pushed the official’s daughter—even she herself had seen it that way. Could it be that girl had played a trick? Su Liluo’s expression darkened; seeing Su Baihan oblivious to her own fault, she was left weary and exasperated.

Assuming Su Liluo’s silence meant she had yielded, Su Baihan muttered, “Su Liluo, Mother entrusted you to look after me, but you side with outsiders against me. You agreed to apologize, not I. I am the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter—how can I apologize to a mere seventh-rank official’s child? Where does that leave my dignity, or the Su family’s?”

Su Liluo’s headache grew as Su Baihan rambled on. She regretted ever taking on this responsibility. As Su Baihan continued, Su Liluo finally snapped, “Su Baihan, be quiet!”

Seeing Su Liluo’s grim expression, Su Baihan was cowed, snorted softly, and averted her gaze. The carriage fell silent, and Su Liluo at last closed her eyes for a brief rest.

When they alighted, maids from the old madam’s quarters awaited at the gate. Upon seeing them, one exclaimed with relief, “Misses, you are finally back! Old Madam has been waiting in the courtyard. Please come with me.”

Su Liluo led her sisters to the old madam’s apartments. Su Baihan darted inside ahead, and before Su Liluo even crossed the threshold, she heard Baihan’s wailing, “Grandmother, you must uphold justice for me! Eldest Sister joined with outsiders to bully me and made me a laughingstock before the princess!”

“What happened, Liluo?” Old Madam’s stern inquiry met Su Liluo as she entered. After paying her respects, Su Liluo calmly recounted the day’s events, then stood with head bowed, awaiting the old lady’s judgment.

Su Baihan, seeing the old madam’s cold gaze upon her, hastened to defend herself, “Grandmother, don’t listen to Eldest Sister’s nonsense! That girl fell on purpose to frame me—your granddaughter is innocent, you must believe me…”

“Silence!” Old Madam’s forehead throbbed at Baihan’s whining. Seeing her open her mouth to protest further, the old lady gave her a shove. Baihan stood frozen, staring at her grandmother. “You foolish child, kneel! Perhaps that will clear your head.”

“Grandmother, it truly wasn’t my fault—why must you punish me?” Su Baihan protested, her neck stiff with defiance.

The old madam, hand trembling, pointed at her, “Well, you’ve grown bold indeed! You won’t even listen to your grandmother? I shall tell your father later—he will see to your discipline.”