Chapter 1058: Chapter 1034: Honor Amidst Chaos 102
Su Yu went to the Nuan Pavilion and felt uneasy upon seeing Anning.
She was so fearful that she almost moved with her hands and feet in sync.
Mrs. Mei saw this and laughed, "This child is becoming more and more unruly."
Anning smiled and beckoned Su Yu to sit next to her, "This spot is closer to the stove, you can sit here and stay warm."
Su Yu sat down cautiously, and Anning asked her, "How is your time in the Southern Yi? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? What do you usually do at home now? If you feel bored, come over and play with Huihui and the others. Wait awhile, and then let Huihui and Fufu introduce you to some girlfriends. You young ones shouldnât be cooped up at home all the time; itâs better to play and have fun."
"Thank you for your concern. I find the Southern Yi quite nice."
Su Yu murmured softly with her head down.
Anning smiled kindly at her, speaking gently, yet Su Yu felt deeply afraid. She always sensed a malicious intent behind Anningâs smile, like a smiling tiger ready to strike.
Su Yu thought to herself, indeed, she truly lives up to her historical reputation as the renowned Worthy Empress. Her patience and cunning are unmatched.
Even though Anning knew she had previously tried to seduce Xiao Yuan, she harbored no grudge upon meeting. Instead of making her lose face, Anning was attentive and courteous. Those unaware might believe Anning genuinely cared about the younger generation.
Mrs. Mei laughed and said to Anning, "Weâve just arrived at the Southern Yi and arenât familiar here. This child, Yuâer, has nowhere to go and always complains about being cooped up at home, which stresses me. We should definitely let her go out with Huihui and the others."
"Exactly."
Anning poured more tea for Mrs. Mei, "Seeing them reminds me of my own time before marriage; I was quite wild in the countryside, always running off, up mountains and down rivers like a mischievous monkey. My grandmother, too old to manage, would sigh at me, lamenting that I was born wrong, in that I ought to have been a boy."
Her words made Mrs. Mei laugh as well, "I still remember how your grandmother would angrily scold you. So many years have passed, and now your daughter is even older than you were then."
Su Yu sat there with a forced smile, hating how slowly time passed. She wished she could hasten the end of the day to quickly return to the Mei Mansion. She resolved never to visit the Xiao Family again if she could avoid it.
After watching the play and having dinner, Mrs. Mei finally took Su Yu home.
On the carriage ride, Su Yu clung closely to Mrs. Mei, tightly clutching her hand, "Grand-aunt, Iâm... Iâm so scared now. I swear I wonât have any more schemes. Do you think the Third Madam will hold a grudge against me? If she truly wants to deal with me, Iâm helpless."
Hearing this, Mrs. Meiâs expression softened somewhat, "You child, who do you think Anning is? She wouldnât bother with a child like you. I took you over today to apologize, and weâve already made our stance clear. You behaved so well at the event, sheâs surely noticed youâre scared. She wonât trouble you. Donât worry, from now on, interact more with her, get to know the Xiao Family girls; it will be good for you. Also, by staying close to her, youâll learn shrewdness, and if you gain even a fraction of her tactics, Iâd be reassured."
Su Yu lowered her head, tears dripping down, "I understand. I did make mistakes before, but I wonât do it again."
Even though tears rolled down, Su Yu couldnât help but think that there were still many notable figures in the Dajing Dynasty. Aside from Xiao Yuan, numerous future important courtiers were quite handsome, too. She refused to believe she couldnât win over one she liked. Anning and her raised daughters were formidable and untouchable, but others... This time, sheâll find an unmarried one and, with the Mei Familyâs backing, surely succeed.
Seeing Su Yuâs sincere remorse, Mrs. Mei felt somewhat moved, "Alright, everyone errs in their youth; what matters is correcting them once you realize."
Meanwhile, at the Xiao Family, Xiao Yin too discerned that Su Yu was rather harmless, just one to make a fuss.
The dayâs events likely terrified Su Yu; sheâd surely not dare have designs on her father again.
Yet despite this, Xiao Yin no longer held a favorable impression of Su Yu and wouldnât befriend her in the future, only maintaining formal politeness.
Anning spent the entire day hosting Mrs. Mei and Su Yu, while Xiao Yuan visited the Dong Family residence.
Dong Da had recovered since last year and was mostly fine now.
Xiao Yuan, finding some free time today, decided to visit Dong Da.
Seeing Xiao Yuan delighted Dong Da.
He immediately had the cook prepare some drinks and dishes, insisting on sharing drinks with Xiao Yuan.
Li Chenshu, Yuan Wei, and several generals under Dong Daâs command were also present; with a lively crowd, they all gathered for drinks.
It had been a while since Xiao Yuan sat drinking with both civil servants and military generals, so he took this chance to enjoy it.
He initially intended to stop Dong Da from drinking too much, but Dong Da, determined in his efforts, was unappeasable, soon over-indulging.
Dong Da harbored some discontent. Remembering the matters with Ms. Chen aggravated him, so he naturally vented once drunk.
"What nonsense!"
An inebriated Dong Da banged the table, cursing, "She clung desperately to me during tough times, but once she found her family, she acted as if I forced her into it. That woman is heartless... Oh, Third Young Master, I feel wronged. How could I have been blind enough to marry such a woman? Even if she doesnât acknowledge me, those two children are mine; I cared for them like my own eyes. How can they not recognize me as their father? If I had wronged them, itâd be understandable, but I truly cherished them."
"Donât dwell on it. Our future will only improve."
Xiao Yuan comforted Dong Da with a pat on his shoulder.
Li Chenshu and the others consoled Dong Da as well.
With his face flushed and neck red, Dong Da drank a few more cups and began crying, "Third Young Master, how did I end up like this? No wife, no children, everythingâs gone. Iâm left alone. Iâm so wronged, so sad. No wife..."
By now, Xiao Yuan was also quite inebriated. Annoyed, he said, "Look at your lack of ambition. Sheâs just a woman. Youâre hung up on her, but she doesnât care about you. We wonât think about her moving forward. No wife? Iâll find you one."
Yuan Wei laughed, "Exactly. The Third Young Master has great taste; let him find you a wife. Letâs live well going forward. She was heartless, so donât think of her."
Xiao Yuanâs face was rosy with drink, and his tongue a bit unresponsiveâhe was truly drunk. "Brother Dong, youâre... a loyal and righteous man. Shame I donât have a sister, otherwise, Iâd have her marry you."
Yuan Wei chimed in, "Too bad my sister is already married."
Li Chenshu chuckled softly, "Too bad my daughter is young. If she were older, Iâd have you as my son-in-law."
Xiao Yuan slapped the table, standing up unsteadily, feeling even more muddled, "Brother Li, your daughterâs young but mine is grown. Brother Dong, isnât my daughter lovely? My daughter is impeccable, beautiful, caring. Donât be sad; how about I give her to you as a wife?"
The lot, all drunken and confused, joined in cheering, "Great idea! Great idea! Dong Da, become the Third Young Masterâs son-in-law. His daughter is excellently raised; youâd be lucky."
Xiao Yuan laughed, "Indeed, my Huihui is exceptional. But when it comes to finding a son-in-law, I worry about her being wronged. Dong Da, I trust you; my daughter being with you is reassuring. Letâs settle it. Tomorrow you can propose, and Iâll give you my daughter."
Yuan Wei, eyes reddened from drinking, forgot everything but urged on, "The Third Young Master agreed. Dong Da, toast him and call him father-in-law."
Even Dong Da got confused, doing exactly as told.
He knelt with a cup and toasted Xiao Yuan, "Father-in-law, itâs settled. From now on, youâre my dad. Dad, drink up."
The old steward of the Dong residence watched anxiously but dared not intervene, merely fretting internally.
He thought, whatâs this madness? A group of drunks causing this mess. The Third Young Masterâs daughter is outstanding, yet Dong Da isnât fit. Drunk now, it might be easy; once sobered, theyâd surely regret it. If the Third Young Master retracts, how embarrassed would his master be?