In the next morning, Su Qingtan came to the main courtyard. He saw his father having breakfast with the first mother and second mother before he entered the door.
When the First Madam saw him coming, she gave a slight cough and smiled affectionately and said, âTan, come and sit down. Today I ordered the kitchen specially to cook birdâs nest syrup.â
The Second Madam was a little confused. Usually, her son never came to the main courtyard for breakfast. How did Zhu Yan know that her son would come today?
Su Qingtan snorted coldly, sat down and said, âFather, Iâm coming for...â
âYour first mother has told me why you are here.â
Su Huanli put down the chopsticks, looked up with a pair of dignified eyes, and interrupted, âThis matter should not be announced. Itâs ok to take Erya back and Iâve cooped Zipei up. Thatâs all.â
His fatherâs words made Su Qingtan incredible. âEven if the second sister comes back, sheâs on such a charge. How is she going to face the others? Thereâs nothing wrong with her. Why?â
Su Qingtan said more and more seriously. Su Huanli became a little hesitant. âOh,â The First Madam chimed in at once. âTan, you canât say that. If you involve your third sister in, how can she find someone else to marry in the future? Besides, it has been more than a month since the incident happened, and the storm has died down for a long time. Perhaps others have forgotten it. If we talk about it again, there will be someone who laughs at us.â
Madam Zhu got the point. Su Huanli became tough again and yelled at Su Qingtan, âThereâs no need to talk about this! Your first mother is Eryaâs mother. She doesnât mind and you donât need to meddle with!â
Su Qingtan felt very angry. Looking at the friendly smile on the first motherâs face, he could not help satirizing, âWe all know that you are the mother of the second sister. If we didnât know about it, I would think that the second sister was picked up from the garbage.â
First Madamâs face changed at once.
âItâs too much!â
Su Huanli patted the table and spilled the porridge. âCame here early in the morning and contradicted the elders. Thatâs what youâve learned from your book?â He said angrily.
âMaster, he didnât mean it. It was because he was angry that he had failed to get the recommendation!â
Madam Cui, the Second Madam who was watching the play, hurriedly stood up and whispered, âApologize to your father!â
Hearing his motherâs words, Su Qingtan took a deep breath. He bowed his head and said sincerely, âFather, Iâm sorry. But I hope my second sister can be compensated.â
Su Huanli swung his sleeves heavily. The Second Madam mentioned the recommendation. His favoritism for the First Madam immediately dropped a lot. He nodded and said, âShe can stay with you in the eastern courtyard before she gets better.â
The Second Madam turned to remind Su Qingtan, who was standing still, âSay thanks to your father!â
âThank you, father.â
Su Qingtan knew that he could only take the second place and salute hurriedly. This matter was settled before the First Madam had time to object.
The Second Madam flashed a secret smile in her eyes when she heard the words. Although the First Madam still had a smile on her face, her expression was obviously stiff.
In the past, Madam Cui respected her so much that she dared not make a mistake. She didnât expect that she would suddenly challenge her today.
For her, Erya was like a thorn in her heart. If she couldnât get rid of her, she wouldnât feel relax! Because she really picked her up from the other place.
âThat bitch girl gave me so much trouble!â She said viciously.
...
When Su Qingtan came back, he stood in front of the bedroom, ashamed and afraid to go in.
âIs it eldest brother?â
The cowardly soft voice came from the room. Su Qingtan had a sour heart. Then there was a peaceful smile on his face. He pushed the door and went in, and asked loudly, âSecond sister, did you have a good rest today? I brought you birdâs neat syrup.â
When he entered the room, Su Qingtan saw in surprise that Su Li was struggling to get out of bed. He hurriedly put down the food box and rushed to the edge of the bed to hold Su Li, âWhat are you doing? Lie down!â
âIâm going to chop the wood and draw water.â Su Li looked puzzled. âIf I donât chop the wood, Mammy Zheng will hit me.â
Su Qingtan shook his eyebrows violently and whispered, âYou do not have to chop wood and draw water here. The only thing you have to do is to lie down and be healthy as soon as possible.â
âOkay.â
Su Li tilted her head and huddled into the warm quilt. Her dark eyes were lit up in a flash.
Su Qingtan could not help laughing. He touched Su Liâs forehead and asked, âSecond sister, you were bullied. Why didnât you tell me?â
âBecause Mammy Zheng didnât let me tell you.â
Su Li seemed to think of something, and there was a look of fear on her face, and she said no more.
Su Qingtan could not help sighing. âSilly girl, you are so soft and weak,â Su Qingtan said in his heart. âWhen I go to the Provincial Office, how can I leave you here?â
He found that his First Mother hated Erya very much. The father was busy with business, and the First Mother was in charge of all the little things in the family. After his left, the second sister was sure to be beaten and bullied again.
Somehow, Su Qingtan suddenly thought of Dr. Qi of Baicao Tang. Was it really necessary, as he said, to send the second sister to Baicao Tang? But how could it be carried out in order to get father to agree with it?
Su Qingtan shook his head slightly in dilemma. There were still a few months to go before the recommendation period. This matter should be discussed in detail. Perhaps his mother would have a way about it.