Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On the first day of her arrival at the Marquisâs Manor, she had already familiarized herself with the people there.
When Su Yingxue went to the parlor for breakfast, Liu Shulan had already prepared a sumptuous table, waiting for her.
Upon seeing her, Liu Shulan immediately greeted her respectfully. âGreetings, Eldest Young Miss. Please take a seat.â
Su Yingxue raised an eyebrow. She thought to herself that Liu Shulan was indeed capable. Despite being the Marquisâs concubine, she was still so deferential in front of her.
Su Yingxue didnât rebuke her immediately, and Su Dingheng felt sorry for Liu Shulan. âLanâer, what are you doing? Youâre older than Yingxue, and youâre making her uncomfortable.â
âAm I causing any discomfort? The Eldest Young Miss of the Marquisâs Manor is of such high status. 1 am just a concubine, so itâs only right for me to show respect to the Eldest Young Miss,â Liu Shulan spoke tactfully as if she wanted to elevate Su Yingxue.
Her words were technically correct, but Su Dingheng looked at Su Yingxue with a trace of displeasure.
Su Yingxue sneered and took a seat beside Su Dingheng. She picked up her chopsticks and said, âLady Liuâs status is still unclear, so thereâs nothing wrong with me accepting her courtesy.â
âYou, what are you saying!â Su Dinghengâs face stiffened. âI married your aunt yesterday. You should address her as âAuntâ now. How can you accept her courtesy so casually?â
âIsnât it a bit too early to call her âAuntâ now?â Su Yingxue replied casually.
Liu Shulan was pleased. The worse Su Yingxueâs attitude towards her, the more sympathy she could gain from Su Dingheng.
She quickly followed Su Yingxueâs lead and said, âYes, if the Eldest Young Miss doesnât want to address me as âAuntâ, I can also serve as a servant and attend to the Eldest Young Miss!â
âLanâer, what are you doing as a servant!â Su Dingheng scolded. âYingxue, quickly apologize to your aunt! I thought you had become more obedient yesterday, but 1 didnât expect you to be like this today!â
Su Yingxue took a bite of a silver silk roll and looked at Su Dingheng innocently. âFather, what I meant was that you havenât submitted the documents for taking a concubine to the Ministry of Rites yet. Lady Liu hasnât been officially recognized. According to etiquette, 1 really canât address her as âAuntâ yet. Itâs because you were slow. How can you blame me?â
There was a hint of grievance in her tone, which left Liu Shulan stunned. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Su Dingheng suddenly realized. âThatâs right, I still need to go to the Ministry of Rites to submit the documents. Yingxue, itâs Fatherâs fault for not thinking it through!â
Su Yingxue was right. As the Marquis, he had to go through the proper process when taking a concubine. This included visiting the ancestral hall and submitting documents to the Ministry of Rites. These steps were essential.
âSo, Father, after breakfast, you should hurry to the Ministry of Rites. When youâre done and return, Iâll personally pour tea and address her differently,â Su Yingxue said graciously and thoughtfully.
Su Dingheng was deeply relieved. âYou are indeed a good child. It was me who didnât treat you well before. 1 understand your intentions now.â
Su Yingxue smiled gently, but there was a coldness hidden in her eyes.
Of course, he understood her intentions. She had already planned everything for him!
Su Yingxue continued to eat her breakfast as if nothing had happened. Since Su Dingheng had praised her, Liu Shulan couldnât help but flatter her.
Liu Shulan was extremely puzzled, but she couldnât decipher Su Yingxueâs intentions. She could only take it step by step.
After being away from the Marquisâs Manor for so many years, her understanding of courtly customs was not as thorough as Su Yingxueâs, the legitimate daughter of the Marquis.
She felt a sense of unease as if she were crossing a river by feeling the stones.
However, despite Su Yingxueâs seemingly casual demeanor, Liu Shulanâs vigilance towards her continued to rise.
She was too enigmatic!