Chapter Seventy-Four: The Reward

Su Baizhi suppressed the hatred in her heart, forcing a stiff smile as she said, "How could I not be happy? I'm simply delighted for you, sister. You must cherish this—such opportunities won't come often in the future." A fleeting trace of amusement flashed at the corner of her eyes. Su Liluol let out a soft laugh, instantly realizing that Su Baizhi was simply finding a new way to flaunt her superiority.

"Don't worry, I will certainly cherish it," Su Liluol replied. As they spoke, a eunuch's resounding voice echoed from the entrance of the hall: "His Majesty has arrived!"

A procession of princes and dukes followed the emperor in. Once the emperor was seated upon the high throne, the princes and dukes each took their places, and the hall gradually fell quiet.

The emperor, noticing the lively atmosphere just moments before, asked with curiosity, "What was happening just now? The empress seemed in high spirits. Tell Us, so We may share in the merriment."

The empress glanced toward Su Baizhi and Su Liluol below. Noticing the empress's gaze, Su Baizhi smiled gently, lowering her head with modesty, while Su Liluol sat gracefully in her place, unperturbed, her composure unbroken. Seeing this, the empress felt much at ease.

Covering her lips with a handkerchief, the empress replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, eldest Miss Su just performed an astonishing magic trick. Even I was remarkably impressed."

"Oh? Is that so? I've never witnessed such a thing. Miss Su, would you perform it again, so those of us who missed it may have the pleasure?" The emperor lifted his wine cup, a smile in his eyes, clearly in excellent spirits.

Su Liluol stepped forward and knelt in salute. "As Your Majesty commands." She then repeated her earlier performance. When it was done, the emperor exclaimed with delight, "Truly marvelous! Someone, bring the jade ruyi I've received and present it to Miss Su as a reward!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generous favor." Su Liluol immediately knelt to express her gratitude. The eunuch brought forth the jade ruyi, which she received with both hands raised above her head before returning to her seat. The other young ladies watched her enviously, their gazes lingering especially on the piece of jade in her hands.

Su Baizhi bit her lower lip in rage, the previously smooth hem of her dress now creased in several places. Su Baihan glared at Su Liluol, wishing she could snatch the jade ruyi from her grasp then and there.

All eyes in the hall were now fixed upon Su Liluol. Her every move was under scrutiny, yet she showed no sign of panic. With a perfectly measured smile, she maintained her poise, displaying the dignified bearing of a trueborn daughter.

"Prime Minister Su, you have truly raised a fine daughter," the emperor suddenly praised.

The unexpected compliment made Su Hong hasten to his knees in alarm. "Your Majesty overpraises me. I am unworthy of such honor."

The emperor, amused by Su Hong's flustered demeanor, took another sip of wine before chuckling, "No need for such modesty. Your daughter is indeed accomplished—a worthy daughter of the house, possessed of extraordinary presence."

Su Hong deferred the praise once more, but the emperor simply waved him back to his seat. Su Baizhi, hearing the emperor speak so highly of Su Liluol, pouted in displeasure and muttered, "What is wrong with Their Majesties? I am to be the future crown prince's consort, yet Su Liluol steals all my glory."

Su Baihan’s face was equally sour. She and her sister were both daughters of the Su family, so why did the emperor praise only Su Liluol? Was it because her own mother was merely a concubine? At the thought, she nearly felt resentment toward Yao Ruoshui as well.

The emperor was in high spirits, and the concubines at his side continued to flatter him. After half an hour, he was visibly tipsy, his gaze hazy as he looked down at the guests. Blinking a few times to focus, he spotted Su Liluol's place and praised her with a smile, "As expected of the general's daughter—your performance truly delighted Us today. Yes, the general's daughter indeed."

He mentioned the general twice in quick succession, bringing a sudden hush over the previously boisterous hall. Hearing the emperor invoke her mother, Su Liluol immediately looked toward the high throne, only to see the empress promptly announce, "His Majesty has had too much to drink. Noble Consort, see him safely back to his chambers."

The Noble Consort did not hesitate, her tone gentle as she said, "Your Majesty, you are in your cups—allow me to escort you back." She instructed the eunuchs to support the emperor on one side, while she took the other; soon, they disappeared from the throne.

Su Liluol cast a probing look at the empress, but the empress betrayed nothing. She glanced at the others—though a few seemed uneasy, no one exchanged words. Puzzled, Su Liluol wondered, What had her mother done to inspire such alarm at the mere mention of her name?

Then she thought, The emperor only mentioned her mother while drunk, and the empress immediately had him removed—was it deliberate, to prevent him from saying more? A thousand questions swirled in her heart, but she forced herself to remain composed, betraying nothing on her face. She desperately wanted to know why her mother’s name could not be spoken.

At the sound of the words "the general," Su Hong’s face darkened instantly. Yao Ruoshui and the Dowager Madam Su at his side reacted much the same. Noticing their expressions, Su Liluol felt a heaviness settle in her chest, an oppressive weight making it hard to breathe.

With the emperor’s early departure, and the empress in no mood to continue the banquet, the gathering soon dispersed. Su Liluol did not voice her suspicions, instead keeping her lips tightly sealed, as though she had not heard the mention of "the general" at all.

Back in her courtyard, Su Liluol slumped over her desk with a sigh. Liuzhu, seeing this, brought her a cup of water and placed it before her. "Miss, what’s troubling you?"

"It’s just vexing," Su Liluol muttered. The matter of the general left her feeling as though an invisible hand gripped her throat, making any attempt to investigate utterly impossible.

"Miss, did you receive any reward at the palace banquet this time?" Liuzhu tried to lift her spirits by changing the subject, curious about what had happened at the banquet and whether the performance her mistress had prepared early that morning had been useful.

"Yes, and I have a shop as well. Since her matters are best left unspoken for now, there’s no use dwelling on them. I might as well see to the shop first." Prompted by Liuzhu, Su Liluol pulled herself from her reverie. Hugging Liuzhu tightly, she exclaimed, "Liuzhu, you truly are my best maid. I’ll go to Grandmother right away."

Liuzhu’s smile froze, the scent of her mistress's embrace still lingering. She frowned to herself, wondering just what she had said to make her mistress so cheerful.

Su Liluol hurried to the Dowager Madam Su’s chambers. The old lady had just changed her attire with the help of her servants, a dark blue kerchief adorning her head. Seeing Su Liluol rush in, she scolded, "What’s the matter with you? Have you forgotten your manners?"

"Please don’t be angry, Grandmother. Your granddaughter is just a little anxious," Su Liluol quickly subdued her earlier exuberance, her expression shifting to one of dignified composure. The Dowager’s sternness eased at once.

"Well, what is it? What brings you running so hastily to see me?" The old lady reclined as a maid gently massaged her feet with a small hammer.

"Grandmother, Her Majesty the Empress said she would grant me a shop. I was hoping to go out and see it first, so that I can complete the arrangements as soon as possible," Su Liluol replied in a calm and unhurried manner.