Chapter Seventy: Watch Closely

Su Baihan cried out in disbelief, “Impossible! How could the Princess of Annan be interested in Su Li Luo? On what grounds?”
“Keep your voice down, sister,” Su Baizhi admonished, frowning at Baihan’s incessant complaints. “I only heard about this matter myself. If you shout so loudly, do you want the whole household to know?”
Baihan glared at Baizhi in anger, shouting, “If Su Li Luo can do such things, why shouldn’t I say it? She has neither manners nor proper upbringing. It must be a rumor—why would the Princess of Annan take a liking to her?” Her eyes were red with fury, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. Choked by sobs, she could no longer speak, her eyes brimming with resentment.
Baizhi sighed, gently drawing Baihan into an embrace to comfort her. “Don’t be upset, Han’er. I only heard Mother mention it to Father. There’s no use in worrying about it now.”
“I don’t care. I won’t let that wretch get her way!” Baihan refused to listen to a word, stubbornly clinging to her thoughts, turning a sullen face even toward Baizhi.
Seeing that her kind words were futile, Baizhi sneered coldly, “Su Baihan, are you just going to accept this? Don’t you wish to take Su Li Luo’s place and become the Princess of Annan’s daughter-in-law yourself?”
Baihan stared at her, stunned. “Do you have an idea?” she asked, lips pouting, jealousy gnawing at her heart until she was nearly suffocating.
Baizhi smiled shrewdly and beckoned Baihan closer. Whispering in her ear, she said, “Han’er, let word of Su Li Luo’s secret excursions from the estate reach the Princess of Annan’s household. Remember, no one must know it was your doing. I assure you, Su Li Luo will never become the heir’s wife.”
“Is it true, sister? Will this really stop her from becoming the Princess’s daughter-in-law?” Baihan gripped Baizhi’s hand in excitement, unable to believe such wonderful news.
“Of course it’s true. You’re my own sister—would I ever harm you?” Baizhi rolled her eyes at her. Baihan scratched her head and laughed coquettishly, “I only asked one more question. I’ll do as you say, sister, and arrange for it right away.”
Baizhi caught the malice in Baihan’s eyes, but only smiled, taking a cup of tea and sipping it lightly.
Meanwhile, Su Li Luo was preoccupied with matters concerning her shop. Yun Yanyi hadn’t pressed her, but she grew ever more anxious and sent a trusted servant to check on things. Today, she received a letter. Upon reading it, a smile lit up her brow. “Wonderful news!”
“What is it, miss?” Liu Zhu asked, curiosity piqued by Su Li Luo’s delight.

Su Li Luo coughed lightly to suppress her joy. “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking how splendid it would be if I could leave the estate.”
Liu Zhu immediately knelt, pleading, “Miss, you mustn’t even think of sneaking out again! You’ll get us all into trouble!” The mere thought made her wince, her injuries from last time still not fully healed.
Su Li Luo hadn’t expected Liu Zhu to be so frightened, and felt a pang of guilt. She put the letter away and helped Liu Zhu up. “There, there, I was only joking. I wouldn’t really sneak out. Father is watching me closely now—even if I wanted to, there’s no chance.”
Liu Zhu looked visibly relieved. Su Li Luo, seeing her break out in sweat just from a slight movement, said with concern, “Liu Zhu, you don’t need to serve me right now. Go and rest. There’s plenty of time ahead—heal first, then come back. If you still think of me as your miss, then listen to me.”
Liu Zhu was speechless, but finally closed her eyes and nodded. “As you wish, Miss.”
Su Li Luo smiled. “That’s my good Liu Zhu.”
When Liu Zhu left, Su Li Luo couldn’t help but take out the letter again, beaming with joy. “It’s good that we found a location, but it’s still not the right time. I’ll wait a while longer.”
Her heart stirred. She wrote a few lines in reply, instructing her contact to pay the deposit for the cosmetics shop they had found. The sooner she acted, the more at ease she would feel.
But then she paused, frowning. “It’s a pity I can’t buy it outright. If the household finds out, there’ll be trouble.”
She considered that the date Yun Yanyi had set for her to act was still far off. She could choose the shop now, but without her elders’ approval, she had no right to own property. She would have to find another way. With that thought, her eyes curved in delight, her smile irrepressible.
After a period of recuperation, the servants in the courtyard had more or less recovered from their injuries. With Su Li Luo’s care and proper medicine, Liu Zhu and Liu Ying soon returned to her side.
One day, Liu Zhu rushed in, breathless. Su Li Luo was reading a prescription and frowned at being interrupted. “What’s the matter, Liu Zhu? Are you being chased by wolves?”
“Miss... The servants say that before the new year, the estate will take all the young ladies into the palace. Preparations have already begun in the old madam’s quarters,” Liu Zhu said, panting for breath, fanning herself and sticking out her tongue as she looked at Su Li Luo.

Su Li Luo set down her prescription, brows furrowed. “Is this information accurate?”
“Yes, miss. I heard it myself from the little maid in the old madam’s room, and the lady’s quarters have started preparing as well,” Liu Zhu replied indignantly, clearly upset on Su Li Luo’s behalf.
Su Li Luo fell silent in thought before speaking, “Liu Zhu, find out if those who distinguish themselves at the palace banquet are rewarded in some way.”
“Yes, I’ll go at once!” Liu Zhu replied, dashing out as Su Li Luo shook her head. “What an impatient girl.”
Liu Ying poured Su Li Luo a cup of tea and asked curiously, “Why have you sent Liu Zhu to ask about this, miss?”
“I want to know why Mother is taking it so seriously. If it were an ordinary palace banquet, there’d be no need to prepare so far in advance—a few days would suffice. The date hasn’t even been set, so something must be afoot,” Su Li Luo said calmly, sharing her thoughts.
Liu Ying nodded in agreement. “Miss, you’re so thoughtful.”
Su Li Luo smiled, teasing, “You’re clever too, Liu Ying. It’s only Liu Zhu who makes me worry so much.”
Liu Ying laughed with her, and for a moment, both mistress and maid were all smiles. Liu Zhu was indeed quick—she returned before lunch, face alight with excitement. “Miss, those who stood out at the palace banquet in previous years were always rewarded. I hear it’s the same this year. You must do your best, miss!”
“All right, enough of your worrying. I’ll think about it myself.” Su Li Luo paced slowly around the room, her eyes bright with determination. She bit her lip, clenching her fists as though making up her mind. “This is an opportunity I must seize.”
She returned to her desk, pen in hand, chin resting on the table, sighing, “What sort of performance could make me the most outstanding of all?”