Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1099: Not Here for a Genuine Reunion or Family Reunion

"Madam, the Su family has sent a visiting card, saying that Miss Su is about to enter the Eastern Palace, and the Su family's matriarch and second madam wish to meet her. What do you think?" the gatekeeper asked Madam Su.

Su Xing glanced at his mother: "After we moved out of the Su family mansion, Grandmother and Second Uncle ignored us. Three years have passed and they've suddenly come back to us. I think they're not genuinely here to reminisce and reconnect with their relatives. I'm afraid it's because of the Crown Prince."

Mother Su smiled and said, "These three years have been the most peaceful three years since your father passed away. Oh well, we know they don't have good intentions anyway, so it's fine to just meet them casually and not let anyone find fault with our manners."

Having agreed to the matter, the next day, the old lady and the second lady of the Su family brought Su Yue to visit as scheduled. The eldest lady of the Su family had invited Princess Xinlan to come over in advance to be a witness.

Upon seeing General Gu's wife, Princess Xinlan, the Su family immediately paid their respects. They had come today for the Gu family's sake, and with Princess Xinlan present, things would be much easier.

When Su Xing saw her cousin again, she noticed that her cousin had become a bit plumper than three years ago. The second branch of the family had been so eager to find a husband for Su Yue, but unexpectedly, not a single marriage had been arranged, and she was still unmarried. Su Xing concealed the surprise in her eyes and sat obediently beside her mother.

"I wonder what brings you here today, Mother?" Madam Su didn't bother with formalities and went straight to the point.

Madam Su's expression hardened: "Eldest daughter-in-law, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you and your daughter insisted on moving out of the Su family home, so we had no choice but to let you move. But you can't just not come to see me even once, can you? Tell me, it's been three years. If it weren't for my old bones still having the strength to come over, would you have wanted to keep me from seeing my granddaughter forever?"

The old lady Su took the initiative, which made the eldest lady Su furious. Even when she lived in the Su mansion, the old lady did not like to see Xing'er. Even if she did see her, she would ask Xing'er to come and serve her.

She said calmly, "Moving out of the Su family back then was out of necessity. I even bought gifts to visit Mother during holidays, but the gatekeeper accepted the gifts and wouldn't let us in. Mother, you may not know these things, but the mistress of the second branch should know, right?"

Madam Su thought that since she was the mother-in-law, and she had a falling out with the second branch of the family, she could simply stop contacting them. However, she couldn't abandon proper etiquette and filial piety was still necessary. Therefore, she sent gifts to Madam Su on her birthday, New Year's Day, and other holidays.

Madam Su quickly distanced herself from the situation: "Oh dear, sister-in-law, please don't misunderstand. I really didn't know! The gatekeeper must have mistakenly thought we had a falling out when he saw you moving, which is why he didn't tell me. I'll definitely investigate when I get back, sister-in-law, don't worry."

No one would believe that. Su Xing rolled her eyes silently.

Princess Xinlan picked up her teacup, took a sip, and continued to watch the Su family cause trouble with great interest.

“Sister-in-law, we are family no matter what. Please don’t let those clueless servants’ foolish actions alienate us.” After she finished speaking, she smiled at Su Xing and said, “My niece is so lucky now. Not only has she recognized General Gu as her godfather, but she has also been chosen as the Crown Prince’s concubine. This is a great honor for the Su family! I brought a box of good things today, specifically to add to my niece’s dowry.”

The Su family's servants carried in a large box and placed it in the main hall.

Princess Xinlan coughed lightly: "The Second Madam Su only brought one box?" After speaking, she pretended to look outside, showing a look of disdain on her face: "It's a bit little, but perhaps there are good things in the box? Someone, open it and see what good dowry the Second Branch of the Su family has given to the Crown Prince's Consort?"

Xinlan is usually the kindest person to others, but today she's going to play the bad cop because she really despises the Su family's sycophantic behavior.

Madam Su was startled, not expecting to have to open the box and inspect the goods on the spot, and her face turned ugly.

The head maidservant beside Princess Xinlan went up and lifted the box, revealing several items inside.

There were about two hundred taels of silver, a small box of jewelry, a few bolts of cloth, and two vases. That was all.

Madam Su smoothed things over, saying, "My husband's career has been unstable these past few years. He's been demoted two ranks and now only holds a nominal seventh-rank position in the capital. It's not like when he was a fifth-rank official. Hehe... But these are things I carefully selected and prepared especially for my niece. Please don't mind, sister-in-law. They're just a small token of our second branch's goodwill."

Madam Su chimed in, "Yes, eldest daughter-in-law, please accept these for now. When I get back, I'll look through my old antiques and pick out a couple of pieces of jewelry to send to Xing'er."

Madam Su smiled and said, "No need, Mother, it would be too much of a hassle for you." She then gave a wink to a servant, who carried the box away. Why not take it? The second branch of the family had certainly squeezed a lot out of the first branch in the past; since they were offering it to her, she had no reason to refuse.

With the gifts accepted, it was time to explain the true purpose of today's visit. Princess Xinlan and the other two waited silently, when they heard Madam Su say, "My niece is so lucky to have her marriage arranged so quickly. Alas, my poor Yue'er has been waiting so long to find a husband."

After she finished speaking, she pulled Su Yue forward and said, "Yue'er is already sixteen this year. I was thinking that my niece is now very knowledgeable and has many connections. Why don't we take Yue'er under our wing and let her get to know some prominent families? Sister-in-law, what do you think?"

She addressed Madam Su, but her eyes were fixed on Princess Xinlan.

She was convinced that Madam Su was useless, and that Su Xing's ability to climb up to the Crown Prince was mostly due to first ingratiating herself with the Gu family, which was her true purpose for coming today.

The Gu family has a son and a daughter. The eldest son, Gu Fengyang, is this year's newly crowned champion in the martial arts examination. He will undoubtedly follow in General Gu's footsteps and serve in the army in the future, with a limitless future. Moreover, the Gu family is related to the Empress. With the Empress as his cousin and Princess Xinlan as his mother, the eldest son of the Gu family has always been highly sought after in the marriage market. He is almost seventeen years old this year, which is a perfect match for Su Yue's age.

Madam Su smiled and said, "How could we know any high-ranking families? You all know that I don't have many social connections. I'm a widow living alone. Who would invite me to their home? We are afraid we cannot fulfill your request, sister-in-law."

Princess Xinlan, who had been talking a lot earlier, was now not responding at all and was just drinking her tea.

Madam Su said anxiously, "How could I not recognize her? Isn't this princess from the most noble family in the capital?"

Madam Su looked at Xinlan with a fawning expression: "I heard that your son is seventeen this year, and my Yue'er is just over sixteen, so they are about the same age. If... if the princess doesn't mind, my Yue'er would be very willing to serve you."

Madam Su spoke bluntly, causing Su Yue's face to turn pale and then red.