Chapter 17: Then Make Everyone Dissatisfied

Chapter 17: Then Make Everyone Dissatisfied

Su Youyue seemed oblivious to the gazes directed at her as she continued, "And there's also Mother's dowry. Stepmother was once so confident in front of Grandmother, promising to take good care of it. But I've heard rumors that she has been embezzling it lately."

"Big Sister, where did you hear such things?" Su Qian's smile faltered as she abruptly stood up, straightening her posture and asking.

"My mother is the most honest person around. She even mentioned recently that when you marry into the Lu family, she could return your dowry intact. How can you doubt her integrity just because of some gossip?"

Her tone grew sharper, revealing her anger. It was well-known that the Second Miss had the mildest temperament, but the First Miss had clearly infuriated her.

Even the nanny standing beside Madam Su couldn't help showing a cold expression towards Su Youyue. "Miss, who has been spreading these rumors? Lady Su's dowry was entrusted by Old Madam to Stepmother. Are you implying that you don't trust Old Madam either?"

Madam Su also frowned. "Yuyue, who told you that Stepmother touched your mother's dowry?"

Su Youyue smiled at Su Qian. "Who said it doesn't matter. What truly matters is whether or not Stepmother actually used my mother's dowry, doesn't it?"

In the room, everyone except for Su Youyue wore grim expressions.

Su Rong, who had followed them in, entered awkwardly, her limbs stiff like a wooden stake.

So it turned out that Su Youyue wasn't targeting Chunya alone! It was a scathing attack without any distinction, not sparing even Second Sister.

Truly deserving of being Su Youyue—she couldn't make everyone happy, so she made sure to make everyone unhappy...

Madam Su still seemed unconvinced that Concubine Liu would dare touch her daughter-in-law's dowry. However, with the situation as it was, it wouldn't do to keep the storeroom sealed without giving Concubine Liu a chance to clear her name.

"Never mind, Mother Zhang. Bring people to ask Concubine Liu for the key and personally verify the dowry list."

Su Youyue wheeled herself over to her grandmother. "Grandmother, Chunya has always been helping me manage the storeroom. Let her come along too."

Madam Su nodded and then turned to Su Qian. "Qian'er, sit down first. If your mother has been wrongly accused today, I will give you and your mother an explanation."

In the Su household, although both the matriarch and patriarch favored Su Youyue more, they were always convincing when it came to matters of justice.

If Concubine Liu had truly been wronged—and so gravely—Madam Su might compensate the mother and daughter with some exceptionally valuable items from her own dowry and have Su Youyue apologize personally, handing over the gossips to face punishment.

Tears shimmered in Su Qian's eyes, making her appearance pitiful. She nodded through her tears, eliciting sympathy from everyone present.

How kind-hearted was Second Miss! How could she endure such humiliation?

The atmosphere in the room was peculiar, but Su Youyue seemed oblivious, cheerfully recounting a few amusing anecdotes that promptly lifted Lady Su's spirits. However, just as the mood improved, someone burst into the room, wailing uncontrollably.

"Sob, sob, sob, what a miserable life I lead! Working tirelessly for the family day and night, and now I'm accused of theft. How can I show my face anymore? In the future, the servants will surely look down on me..."

Upon recognizing the intruder, Su Qian rushed forward, her heart aching. "Stepmother."

"Qian'er, my poor Qian'er, your hard-earned reputation and future are being destroyed for no reason. How will you ever find a husband now? People won't bother to verify the truth; they'll only say you have a stepmother who's a thief, that you were born from a thief's womb!"

Aunt Liu wept with genuine sorrow, her tears flowing freely. Even those servants who usually didn't favor her couldn't help but be moved by her display.

Today, the elder Miss had truly gone too far. So what if she was the legitimate daughter? She wasn't the son, after all. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate daughters in this household wasn't that significant. Could it be that she was dragging the second Miss into her own tainted reputation?

"Exactly, Elder Sister, look at the mess you've caused!" Su Rong chimed in, fanning the flames. "Everyone knows that Second Sister has a better reputation than you. Are you trying to smear her name? Could this have something to do with Lu Song wanting to marry Second Sister?"

As soon as Su Rong spoke, the others saw the light. Though the elder Miss had agreed to annul the marriage herself that day, everyone knew how much she had once loved Lu Song. It couldn't be that easy for her to let go!

Knowing that the Lu family wanted the marriage to be transferred to the second Miss, the elder Miss might well be harboring resentment. Thus, she deliberately framed Second Miss's birth mother for stealing the lady's dowry, making outsiders believe that Second Miss was the daughter of a thief, ensuring a difficult marriage prospect for her in the future!

How utterly wicked!

"Big Sister, I have no connection with that young master from the Lu family. It's only now that I learned about his intention to switch marriages. How could you accuse my mother because of this matter?"

Following Su Rong's lead, Su Qian instantly assumed a teary expression. "If Big Sister has any grievances, direct them at me. My mother has worked hard in this household, and she shouldn't be subjected to such humiliation..."

"Miss, is it truly because of the Lu family's proposal that you're intentionally targeting Second Miss?" Another nanny by Madam Su's side couldn't bear to watch anymore.

The elderly servants around Madam Su had been with her since her maiden days. They naturally had a say in the family affairs of the Su residence.

One after another, they glared, seemingly convinced that the eldest miss was deliberately targeting the second miss. None of them would be satisfied unless Su Youyue apologized to Su Qian today.

Faced with their interrogations, Su Youyue responded lightly, "They haven't returned yet. Why the rush?"

"You!" Su Rong gnashed her teeth in anger. What was wrong with this Su Youyue? She treated their serious inquiries so casually, making people want to strangle her!

"Enough! Mother Zhang hasn't returned yet. Why are you all in such a hurry?" Madam Su scolded her.

She understood her eldest granddaughter's usual temperament. She wasn't one to employ petty tricks that young misses often used. Thus, Madam Su didn't think she was targeting her second granddaughter. However, she didn't believe Concubine Liu had the audacity to touch the dowry left behind by her daughter-in-law.

Just as she finished speaking, Mother Zhang returned with the others, bringing Chunya along with her.

All eyes instantly fell upon her, sharp and focused.

Before Mrs. Zhang could speak, Su Rong interjected with an urgent tone: "Mrs. Zhang, what's the situation? Was it Su Youyue who deliberately framed the second sister?"

Feeling almost scorched by the collective gaze of everyone present, Mother Zhang experienced a rare bout of nervousness. She cast a glance at Su Youyue.

The entire room was filled with an air of eagerness, and this was no less true for the matriarch.

Yet, Miss, with her placid gaze, seemed entirely unruffled, as if she was not the least bit anxious.

Madame Zhang gave an inward sneer and raised her voice to reply, "Matriarch, the list of Madam's dowry has been thoroughly checked. Nothing is missing, not a single thread or a grain."