Chapter Ninety-Six: Refusal

A faint chill touched Yun Yanyi’s lips. Did they take him for a three-year-old to be easily soothed?

“Your Majesty, this subject has never believed that you still need to consult the Grand Chancellor’s opinion.”

Yun Yanyi’s words made the emperor understand at once that he did not believe a single word of the explanation just offered. The emperor had no choice but to appeal to sentiment. “Imperial Brother, how could I lie to you? The Grand Chancellor is, after all, her father. Our dynasty values filial duty above all else. If the Grand Chancellor is unwilling, am I to force the matter? Imperial Brother, you must trust your elder brother. Since when have I ever deceived you?”

Seated high on the dragon throne, the emperor wore a grave expression, as though he too were at a loss. Yun Yanyi questioned him no further, knowing that no answer would be gained. He could only sigh. “This subject understands, Your Majesty. I will take my leave first.”

The emperor nodded. Yun Yanyi stepped back a few paces, and only when he reached the hall’s threshold did he turn and stride out of the imperial study. Looking up at the bright sky beyond the palace walls, a trace of helpless amusement surfaced in his eyes. Seeing attendants moving to and fro, he gathered himself and made his way toward the palace gate.

Su Hong brought Su Liluo back to the Grand Chancellor’s residence. The moment they alighted from the carriage, he stormed inside in a rage. Once in the main hall, he took his seat, and a maid immediately served tea. Su Liluo stood obediently below, head lowered.

Yao Ruoshui and Su Baizhi, upon hearing that Su Hong had returned, hurried over at once.

Seeing Su Liluo standing there with such a meek and proper look, Su Hong only felt that she was putting on an act before him. With a sharp flick of his hand, he sent the teacup crashing to the floor at Su Liluo’s feet. Su Liluo started in alarm, but forced herself not to move.

“Now you’re scared? Why were you not afraid when you were colluding with Prince Yi? Have you no shame as a young woman, that you would conduct such disgraceful affairs in broad daylight?” Su Hong raged, his face flushed with fury. That she had humiliated him only made him all the angrier.

Su Liluo listened for a while longer, then could not help but retort, “Since Father is so angry, why not do a noble thing? If your daughter married Prince Yi, then no one would dare speak of it again. Father would no longer be whispered about behind his back, and I could even become a princess. Wouldn’t that bring honor to you as well?”

“You...” Su Hong had not expected Su Liluo to be so unrepentant, still dreaming of becoming a princess. He pointed at her, so furious he could barely speak, then shot her a look of disgust and swept out with a furious fling of his sleeve.

“Alas, my lord, why are you leaving so soon?” Yao Ruoshui had only just entered the hall when she saw Su Hong striding angrily toward the front courtyard. She glared at Su Liluo with bitter resentment and scolded, “Su Liluo, what have you done now to anger your father like this? Do you have even a shred of respect for your elders?”

Su Baizhi also joined in from the side. “Elder Sister, though you are the eldest legitimate daughter, what you did yesterday was truly improper. How could you meet a man in secret at Father’s birthday banquet? What are others supposed to think of the Grand Chancellor’s residence? You have nearly disgraced the family, and because of you, I can no longer even lift my head before the other young ladies.”

Su Baizhi’s eyes were full of accusation, but Su Liluo only gave a cold smile. “You needn’t be so modest, Younger Sister. Compared to what you have done before, I’m still far behind you. In any case, the family’s reputation has long since been lost. Why should you care about losing a little more?”

“You...” Su Baizhi clutched at her chest in anger, her face paling slightly. She had not expected Su Liluo to still be so sharp-tongued at a time like this, and the matter Su Liluo had pointed out was precisely the greatest knot in her heart.

“Why be angry, Younger Sister? If I were you, after something like that happened, I would have had the decency to die of shame. To still be alive, like you, truly requires remarkable courage.” Su Liluo mocked her without the slightest courtesy.

Yao Ruoshui slapped the table hard and shouted, “Su Liluo, you are beyond reason! Not only have you angered your father, now you dare talk back to Baizhi as well. From this moment, I am confining you to your courtyard to reflect on your misdeeds. Without my permission, you are not to step half a pace beyond it. Think carefully about the errors you have committed.”

Su Liluo glared at Yao Ruoshui, but Yao Ruoshui showed no fear and called out sharply, “Someone come! Send the eldest miss back to her room. Keep a close watch on her. Since the young lady is now under confinement, if I discover any of you slacking off in secret, I will deal with you severely.”

The servant woman accepted the order and moved to seize Su Liluo, but Su Liluo dodged aside and said coldly, “Don’t touch me. I can walk myself.” What was so remarkable about being confined to one’s courtyard? It was hardly the end of the world.

Su Liluo shot Su Baizhi a long, hard look. Sensing the coldness in her eyes, Su Baizhi stared back without hesitation, then feigned concern and asked, “Does Elder Sister refuse to accept this? If so, shall we go and explain your conduct today to Father properly?”

Su Liluo immediately looked away. Su Hong already found her disagreeable to begin with; if he were told of this as well, she would surely be scolded again.

Back in her room, Su Liluo sat in the center and gulped down a large cup of tea in a huff. Only then did the gloom in her heart ease somewhat. Too weary to think about those irritating matters, she flung herself onto the couch, tugging at the quilt as though she wished to stare a hole through it.

A few days later, Su Liluo remembered that it was the day she was to go to the pleasure house to teach the dancers. She dressed herself carefully and set out with Yuxin. But just as she reached the gate, two servant women stopped her.

“Eldest Miss, Madam has given instructions. You are not to leave the residence. Please return inside.”

“How is it that I know nothing of this? I have urgent business outside. If I am delayed, can you bear the blame?” Su Liluo tried to frighten them, but the two women did not budge. Their faces remained cold as they said, “We beg the young lady to spare us. Madam has ordered that if we let you out, we will not have a good end. Please return and reflect in peace.”

Su Liluo glanced at Yuxin. Yuxin promptly took out two silver ingots from her sleeve and quietly pressed them into the women’s hands, coaxing them softly, “Nannies, please do us this kindness. The young lady truly has urgent matters and will be back very soon. Madam will not find out.”

The servant women weighed the silver in their hands and wavered, but then remembered Yao Ruoshui’s warning. They immediately returned the silver to Yuxin and shook their heads. “Miss Yuxin, we dare not disobey Madam’s orders. Fine silver is good, but one must also know the proper time for it. Please, young lady, go back and reflect in peace.”

Su Liluo huffed and turned back with Yuxin. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. With a sharp kick, she sent a pebble flying far away, then said in frustration, “Yuxin, go and send word to the prince. I’m not able to go out today. We’ll have to arrange another time.”

Yuxin nodded. “Miss, let this servant escort you back to the courtyard first, and then I will immediately send the message to the prince.”

“There’s no need. Go quickly. I can return on my own. It will do me good to walk and calm myself a little.” Su Liluo waved her away. Yuxin curtsied, then at once carried Su Liluo’s message out to the man assigned to communicate with Prince Yi.

Half an incense stick later, Yuxin returned to Su Liluo with Prince Yi’s reply. Seeing that she remained silent for a long time, Su Liluo asked anxiously, “What did the prince say?”

Yuxin glanced at her expression and innocently shook her head. “The prince said no. If Miss does not go, then he will withhold your silver.”

“That despicable man. He only ever knows how to threaten me with money!” Yuxin lowered her head even farther, as though she were deaf, while Su Liluo, though angry, could only endure Prince Yi’s threat. After all, silver was of the utmost importance to her now.

“Alas, it seems I will have to think of another way out of the residence.” Su Liluo wore a troubled expression and thought hard. The front gate could not be used. Perhaps...

A wall?

The moment the idea came to her, she brightened. “Yes, we’ll climb over the wall. Yuxin, come, let’s find a good spot.” Su Liluo took Yuxin by the hand and led her out. The two of them walked along the edge of the Grand Chancellor’s residence, examining the walls, only to find them rather high.

Su Liluo scratched her head and lamented, “What are we to do? The wall is so high. If there is too much noise, we’ll surely be discovered.”

Seeing Su Liluo so troubled, Yuxin thought of a good place and suggested, “Miss, why don’t we go look over by the garden? Perhaps we can use the trees to get out.”

Su Liluo’s eyes lit up. She patted Yuxin’s shoulder in praise. “What a splendid idea. Let’s go.”