Chapter 9: Young Master Xiao’s Disappearance (Part Three)

Chapter 9: Young Master Xiao's Disappearance (Part Three)

"M-mother..."

Unease stirred within Su Rao's heart.

If the Su family truly discovered the truth – that she wasn't Su Rao but Qin Rao – would they hand her over to the Yun family? What should she do? How should she act?

Should she choose to continue hiding, fulfilling her late father and mother's wish, living in seclusion even if it meant clinging to a meager existence?

Should she still risk everything to avenge her parents, seek them out, and reunite with them in the afterlife? For so many years, she had endured unspeakable hardship and pain.

In this fleeting moment, Su Rao felt a layer of sweat break out on her back. She couldn't tell if it was from fear or the intensity of her hatred.

"Phfft..."

Just as the conflicting emotions of restraint and vengeance were about to collide within Su Rao's heart, this sound echoed in her ear - an irrepressible chuckle.

The laughter was soft, faint, and quickly stifled by its source. Yet, Su Rao heard it all the same. All the tangled emotions within her dissipated instantly, and she turned to face the one who had laughed.

Su Yuyuan covered his mouth with his right hand, his fair and vibrant handsome face now flushed red from the effort of holding back laughter.

Noticing Su Rao's gaze, he could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter.

"Li... Little Sister, it wasn't Fifth Brother, I swear it wasn't my idea!"

Upon hearing this, not only Su Rao but also the other heads of the Su family turned to look at him. If their gazes were arrows, Su Yuyuan would have been punctured full of holes, resembling a scarecrow.

The reaction of the rest of the Su family, especially the dark, bearded face of the old General Su, indicated their anger towards Su Wu for causing trouble.

Su Rao suddenly realized that the matter wasn't about her identity as Qin Rao, but something else. The Su family seemed to be conspiring together to intimidate her.

What could it be? Something so significant that even her biological parents, the overly indulgent Old General Su, the gentle Uncle Su Er, and the affectionate Uncle Su San and his family would unite against her?

Who was she?

Recalling the captured 'Young Master Xiao', in just an instant, Su Rao understood the situation. Ying Ying's secret might have been exposed.

In that instant, everything changed.

With a clear mind, Su Rao looked at the entire assembly of Su family members, her face flushed with anger as she placed her hands on her hips and took a deep breath.

"Su... Old... Man..."

Through gritted teeth, she directed her glare at General Su, her eyes wide with fury, her chest heaving with pent-up anger.

A hint of defiance flickered in the corners of her eyes.

"You're not going to explain this to your precious granddaughter, or to us..."

Her gaze shifted to the others, filled with the indignation of being collectively targeted by her family.

Her rage reached boiling point.

Rarely did Father Su and Mother Su's eyes falter; Uncle Su Er clenched his fists near his mouth, coughing softly, either from a chill or from the fear of facing Su Rao's fury. Aunt Three and her two nephews, despite their amiable smiles, also seemed hesitant to meet Su Rao's eyes.

Uncle San, on the other hand, wore a jovial expression, simply adjusting his collar lightly. Aunt San, however, shot a fierce glance at Su Yuyuan, blaming him for the trouble, then turned to Su Rao with the same playful smile.

"Rao'er! Now, about this matter! You see... without Grandfather's word, Aunt San can't overstep the rules, can she? Don't look at me!"

Among these people, Su Er remained indifferent, his face devoid of any expression. However, when Su Rao's gaze fell upon him, he returned her look, the corners of his lips lifting in an almost imperceptible curve.

Finally, Su Rao turned to her eldest brother, only to find him utterly perplexed.

It seemed that her brother was unaware of the situation. Otherwise, with his character, it would be impossible for him to act so naturally; she would have noticed something amiss.

After surveying the room, Su Rao's gaze returned to General Su.

Staring directly at him, the pink hue at the corner of her eyes grew more vibrant.

Old Man Su, if you can't give me a reasonable and perfect explanation, I'll pluck out every single hair on that magnificent beard of yours.

Seeing Su Rao's demeanor, General Su's stern face softened into a smile. He chuckled as he stroked his large beard, then promptly straightened his back and adjusted his already impeccably smooth outer robe.

"Well now!"

Smack...

Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table. The abrupt and thunderous sound caused the fine black sandalwood table to tremble, nearly toppling the cups and spilling their contents.

The entire Su family trembled violently, an instinctive reaction to the situation.

Even Su Rao couldn't control her body, shuddering fiercely.

When the old General Su was enraged, the might of a tiger loomed, and the rest of the Su family obediently fell in line.

Not a single one dared to breathe loudly.

"Xiao... Young... Master... Mmm..."

That "mmm" dragged on with a nasal tone, infused with suppressed anger.

"The precious granddaughter I've raised, ah..."

The posture clearly indicated that someone was about to face the consequences.

Su Rao had been pretending to be upset, but at this moment, seeing the old General's demeanor, she suddenly felt guilty and even more convinced of her own wrongdoing.

No, she had no grounds for being upset. She had no right to be angry at all.

Observing the General, she noticed his face darkening with growing anger, as if he were about to give her a sound thrashing. Su Rao shuddered violently, and the false display of fury she had put on vanished instantly.

Her eyes flickered uncertainly.

Grandfather seemed genuinely enraged...

In the briefest moment, Su Rao sniffled, her lips quivering, and her eyes started to blur. Sparkling droplets formed, and tears came without warning.

"Grandfather, you're intimidating Rao'er, you're actually scaring your beloved granddaughter."

With a choked voice, it came so abruptly.

"Sob... Sob..."

"Rao... Rao'er... Rao'er..."

Su Rao's reaction immediately extinguished the old General Su's anger.

Both of them hurriedly stood up in panic.

More flustered than ever.

"Don't... don't cry, my dear granddaughter. Grandpa was just teasing you..."

But Su Rao's tears had already fallen.

"My dear granddaughter... my dear granddaughter... don't cry... don't cry... Grandpa was wrong, Grandpa was wrong..."

A formidable old general who had spent years on the battlefield and never blinked an eye at the swing of a blade now found himself utterly helpless before his beloved granddaughter's tears, repeatedly apologizing in a panic.

As Su Rao wept, the entire Su family gathered around her.

"Rao'er, don't cry! We were just joking with you."

Su Rao had only intended to shed a few fake tears to diffuse her grandfather's anger. However, seeing her entire family in disarray because of her, a wave of bitterness washed over her, and she could no longer hold back her sobs.

She had been pretending, and she had never been one to enjoy crying. Yet, at this moment, she couldn't help herself.

Although their affection was meant for Su Rao, she was the one receiving it now.

She despised, endured, and lost her birth parents, her homeland, becoming an orphan. Yet, she gained this loving family in return.

Family...

Was it the blessings of her late father and mother that protected her from descending into a life of constant hiding? Thus, she grew up safe and sound within the Su family, without her hatred consuming her conscience. The teachings about the value of life she received never left her.

Even after fifteen years, amidst the chaotic world she found herself in, a world devoid of humanity, she didn't forget. She didn't forget the peaceful era in which she once lived.

"Su Yumo, you with your ridiculous idea! Still standing there waiting for a beating? Hurry up and come here. If you can't console my precious granddaughter, just see what I'll do to you! My dear granddaughter, don't cry!"

Su Rao cried incessantly, her sorrow deepening. Despite the entire Su clan's efforts, they couldn't soothe her. The Old General, in his frustration, blamed the situation entirely on Su Er, the one who had proposed the idea. Seeing him standing idly by, unable to utter a word, the Old General's anger escalated.

Of the five grandsons in the Su family, the Old General cherished Su Er the most. However, when it came to Su Rao, even he had to yield.

The Old General's voice was loud and full of vigor. Despite her continuous crying, Su Rao heard every word clearly, her eyes widening in surprise.

It was her quiet and reserved second cousin who had orchestrated this.

Why would he do such a thing to her?

Confused and utterly perplexed, she couldn't make sense of it all.

With a sniffle, Su Rao's gaze fell upon Su Er, her doubt evident in her eyes.

Su Er also looked at Su Rao. Suddenly, a soft, faint sigh escaped his lips.

Yet, the words that followed left Su Rao wishing she could simply faint on the spot.