Chapter 46: Perhaps More Beautiful Than the Crimson Plum Blossom

Chapter 46: Perhaps More Beautiful Than the Crimson Plum Blossom

In the Su household, there was no matriarch. Lady Liu had been in charge of managing the family affairs before, and she naturally had to treat the favored eldest daughter, Su Youyue, with respect. However, it would be strange if she treated Su Rong kindly behind closed doors, considering that Su Rong's birth mother was no longer around. As for the elderly madam, due to her frail health, she could not properly educate her granddaughters. Su Rong had grown up under the care of a nanny, but that nanny had long been bribed by Lady Liu. It was unexpected that Su Rong could develop a good temperament under such circumstances.

Su Youyue, who had lived two lifetimes, would be a fool if she could not see through these dynamics. However, she still felt a sense of responsibility as an elder sister towards Su Rong. As for Su Qian, there was no hope for her. She was inherently wicked, and Lady Liu was not even as malicious as she was.

Hearing Su Youyue's perspective, Jin'er found some truth in her words. Recalling Su Rong's behavior that day, her dislike for her softened slightly.

"Miss, you're right. However, Miss Third's reputation outside is also not good. People say she's petty and narrow-minded. I doubt she can secure a decent marriage."

If not for Su Qian's fame as a beauty, Su Rong might not have been criticized so much. But with a precious pearl in front, a piece of pottery would always pale in comparison. Those who were envious of Su Qian and could not compete with her would vent their frustration by degrading both Su Youyue and Su Rong.

Thinking about how much of Su Qian's reputation was built on stepping on her sisters' names, and how she aimed for a high-class marriage while pulling down her sisters' prospects, Su Youyue's eyes flashed with sarcasm.

In her previous life, she had managed to create a scene in the main hall and preserve her marriage to the Lu family thanks to Su Qian's scheme. Similarly, Su Rong's marriage to a prestigious family was also facilitated by Su Qian and Lady Liu. They had convinced Grandmother that the prospective family was reputable and that their son was capable, leading her to give her consent.

Otherwise, how could the grandmother have married Su Rong to such a family?

"No matter how insignificant, she is still Father's daughter. As long as no one is deliberately plotting against her, how could she not find a good match?"

Though the Su household of this generation lacked male heirs, it implied that these daughters would have no brothers to support them after marriage. However, with Father's soaring career in the court and his great favor from the Emperor, the benefits associated with the Su family would remain as long as Father was still in power. Those who aspired to form alliances with the Su family wouldn't come from humble backgrounds.

Moreover, should a few of the sisters make fortunate marriages, it is generally the case that their brothers-in-law would be able to support one another.

Of course, given Su Qian's ungrateful nature, it was already commendable that she didn't throw her own sister to the wolves, let alone ask her husband to help advance her sister's husband's career.

Upon hearing this, Jin'er's silly grin returned. Though she still didn't fancy Third Miss, as long as Miss Eldest desired a good match for Third Miss, she too held the same wish.

Another day passed swiftly, drawing ever closer to the Plum Blossom Banquet, yet news reached from the Fu Shou Garden that Lady Su and Lord Su had discovered Madam Liu's tampering with the account books. They reprimanded her severely, demanding she replenish the funds and even came close to placing her under house arrest.

Rumor had it that Madam Liu had sobbed in front of Master Su, blaming him for never giving her any personal allowance all these years. She had claimed that her hardships had driven her to contemplate dishonorable means. Unfortunately, Master Su showed no sympathy; instead, he scolded her severely.

Had it not been for Su Qian's plea, insisting on attending the Plum Blossom Feast with Lady Liu, she might well have been punished with confinement.

The winds of change in this rear residence shift swiftly; just a few days ago, some servants were still disobedient, pining for their former masters and not entirely submitting to Su Youyue's authority. But in recent days, observing that Su Youyue's management of the household has not only avoided any blunders but has actually surpassed the order under Madam Liu's previous tenure, coupled with the rare display of dissatisfaction from Master Su, the head of the family, towards Madam Liu, the majority quickly fell in line.

There were one or two troublemakers left, but Su Youyue was in no rush to deal with them.

Madame Liu had recruited the two instigators, both long-time servants in the household. If Su Youyue had acted impulsively, she would have fallen right into their trap and given them ammunition for gossip.

When heaven desires someone's downfall, it first drives them mad. These two were so deluded they failed to see that Madame Liu's repeated punishments proved she was no match for them. It was only a matter of time before she found a legitimate reason to settle scores.

Moreover, with Madame Liu draining her resources to pay off the ledger, she likely had neither authority nor money left for rewards. Few would be genuinely willing to work for her now.

As usual, she was foolish. Despite knowing her father never wished to take her as his concubine from the start, she dared to blame him for neglecting her all these years. Her father had every right to be angry.

If Madame Liu hadn't given birth to the clever Su Qian, she might have been sent away by Father long ago...

Thus, while outwardly managing the household accounts, Su Youyue secretly prepared for the upcoming plum blossom banquet by arranging personnel behind the scenes.

Though Chunya wasn't particularly close to her in her previous life, she was just as loyal as Jin'er and never betrayed her. She left only after getting married. This girl was much more meticulous than Jin'er; her handling of several tasks had pleased Su Youyue, so she entrusted Chunya with the responsibility of discreetly organizing the manpower.

Chunya was thrilled to earn Su Youyue's trust and didn't hesitate to dedicate herself to the task without asking questions.

Maintaining her calm demeanor, Su Youyue swiftly organized her shop's ledger. With the shop and its staff already purchased, all that was left was waiting for the goods to be produced and sold. Drawing on her past life's experience, her progress in setting up the shop was swift.

It was believed that the plum blossom feast would pave the way for its grand opening.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the plum blossom feast arrived. Su Youyue adorned herself with the complete set of red jade accessories that Xiao Feiyan had gifted her. She wore a deep crimson jacket with matching, intricately patterned palace skirt of the same hue.

The ensemble was predominantly red, but she draped a pristine white fox fur stole over her shoulders, leaving only the hem of her red skirt peeking out from beneath it, cascading down as she sat.

The vast expanse of white didn't appear monotonous due to the red jade pendants hanging from her hairpins, which reached all the way down to the snowy fur on her shoulders, creating a harmonious contrast. This accentuated her already radiant and delicate features even more.

Jin'er had previously tried the accessories on her lady and found them lovely, but she was genuinely astonished when paired with this outfit. After dressing Su Youyue up, Jin'er stood rooted to the spot, her mouth agape in awe for quite some time.

"Miss, you're so beautiful!"

Though Miss had always been beautiful, Jin'er had grown accustomed to it and wasn't easily stunned. However, at this moment, she was utterly captivated.

Spring Bud, Summer Flower, and the others were equally mesmerized, showering her with compliments. "Miss, I bet you'll be more stunning than the plum blossoms today!"

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Su Youyue was also momentarily taken aback. In her previous life, after getting married and being consumed by business and family affairs, she aged rapidly, resembling a forty-year-old woman before turning thirty. It had been far too long since anyone had praised her appearance.

There were mentions of her beauty before her marriage, but they were fleeting, quickly followed by laments. They lamented that she was a calamity, that her nature was malevolent, that she lacked the grace of Su Qian, and that her face was wasted on such a personality.

Initially, hearing it would sadden her, but as time passed and she was out in the world, she gradually dared not lift her head too high.

She had never realized that she could possess such a radiant appearance.

Fortunately, the heavens granted her another chance. She had squandered her precious time on despicable people in her previous life; this time, she intended to make up for it to herself.

A genuine smile of joy spread across Su Youyue's lips.

Upon arriving, Xie Yuan caught sight of that smile, causing him to pause momentarily on the spot.