Chapter 14 Lan Zhao'an's Heart Set on Su Jizhi
Chapter Fourteen: Lan Zhao'an's Heart Affection for Su Jizhi
The Su family mansion.
When the news of Su Su's promotion reached the Su residence, it was already afternoon.
The steward, Li Zhong, carrying the congratulatory letter from the Imperial Household Department, practically ran through the corridors, forgetting all manners, until he reached the main room before stopping and reporting in a trembling voice, "Master, Madam! Good news has come from the palace! The eldest young lady... the eldest young lady has been promoted to Consort Su!"
There was a moment of silence in the room, followed by a soft clatter. Su Mufeng's teacup had been knocked over by his sleeve, and the warm tea instantly spread across the table. He seemed oblivious, abruptly standing up and flung open the door. His usually composed face betrayed his barely concealed urgency: "What did you say?"
Li Zhong knelt on the ground and presented the good news with both hands: "It's absolutely true! The Imperial Household Department just sent the news that the eldest daughter has been promoted to the rank of Consort. Although she has not moved to another palace, Changxin Palace has been renovated according to the regulations for Consorts, and the rewards have been sent!"
A slight noise came from inside. Tang Wanqing hurried out, leaning against the door frame, her face still somewhat pale, but her voice trembling: "Su'er... is my Su'er alright?"
“Excellent! Very good!” Li Zhong replied, “I heard that the task was personally handled by Eunuch Qian of the Imperial Household Department, and everything he did was top-notch!”
Tang Wanqing swayed, and Su Mufeng quickly reached out to support her. He saw tears glistening in his wife's eyes, but she also revealed a smile that had been absent for a long time.
“That’s wonderful…” she said softly, holding her husband’s hand tightly in return. “I knew Su’er wouldn’t suffer forever.”
Su Mufeng helped his excited wife sit down on the couch, looking at her tenderly. She hadn't smiled like this in a long time since their daughter was demoted. He reached out to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes and gently comforted her, "Can you rest assured now? I told you long ago that our Su'er is a blessed child."
Tang Wanqing burst into laughter through her tears, giving him a reproachful look: "You're so good with words." But then she leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "These days, I'm so grateful to have you by my side."
Outside the window, Su Jizhi rushed over upon hearing the news and happened to see his parents cuddling together. He tiptoed and stood under the eaves without disturbing them.
The setting sun shone through the carved window lattice, casting a warm glow on the two of them. The father was speaking softly to the mother, which made her smile. Her smile was like a crabapple blossom in early spring. Su Jizhi suddenly remembered that when he was a child, he often saw his father making his mother happy in this way. So many years have passed, but this deep affection has never changed.
After a long while, Su Mufeng finally noticed his son outside the door.
"Ji Zhi is here? Why aren't you coming in?"
Su Jizhi stepped into the house with a smile on his face: "My son came over immediately after hearing the good news of his sister's promotion."
The family of three smiled at each other, the atmosphere inside the house more relaxed than it had been in months.
The following morning, Elder Su Qiming, who had not visited for a long time, arrived at the Su residence with his men upon hearing the news.
"Mu Feng, this is a joyous occasion!" Su Qiming's face was beaming, as if he wasn't the one who had treated the eldest son's family coldly just yesterday. "Su'er has been promising since she was a child, and now that she has regained the Emperor's favor, it is truly a blessing for the Su family!"
Su Mufeng responded indifferently and ordered someone to serve tea.
Tang Wanqing sat to the side, a polite smile on her face, but a hint of indifference in her eyes. She would never forget how these elders were so eager to sever ties with the Su family when her daughter was demoted.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Su Qiming finally revealed his purpose: "Speaking of which, Ji Zhi is twenty-two this year, isn't he? It's time for him to settle down and start a family."
Su Jizhi paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.
"Commander of the Imperial Guard, Lan Yutian's daughter, Lan Zhao'an, has just turned sixteen this year, which is the perfect age for marriage." Su Qiming stroked his beard, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.
"Commander Lan thinks highly of Ji Zhi; he even asked about him a few days ago."
Su Mufeng and Tang Wanqing exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Lan Zhao'an was a famous noblewoman in the capital. Her father, Lan Yutian, was in charge of the defense of the capital region and was a powerful figure. Such a marriage would have been unthinkable for the Su family in the past.
“This…” Su Mufeng hesitated before speaking, “Miss Lan is of noble status, I’m afraid Ji Zhi is not worthy of her.”
"Oh, what are you saying!" Su Qiming waved his hand. "Now that Su'er has been elevated to the rank of Consort, and Ji Zhi is an Imperial Guard, they are a perfect match. Besides—"
He glanced at Su Mufeng and smiled knowingly: "Miss Lan seems to have a high opinion of Ji Zhi."
This is true; there are indeed rumors in the capital that Lan Zhao'an has long admired Su Jizhi.
Last spring, during the hunt, Su Jizhi, dressed in military attire, rode his horse across the training ground. The sunlight shone on his handsome profile, captivating Lan Zhao'an in the stands. From then on, this proud and arrogant young lady took a liking to the young master of the Su family.
However, Su Jizhi had no good feelings towards Lan Zhaoan.
He had seen Miss Lan whipping servants in the street, and he had also heard rumors that she would punish maids for the smallest things. Such a spoiled nature was really not the right match for him.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Elder." Su Jizhi stood up and gave a respectful but firm bow. "However, I have no plans to get married at the moment."
Su Qiming's smile froze on his face: "Why is that? This marriage with the Lan family is something countless people would kill for!"
Tang Wanqing spoke softly, "Elder, we should ask the children for their own opinions regarding their marriages."
"Foolish!" Su Qiming slammed his hand on the table. "What a wonderful opportunity! A marriage alliance with the Lan family would benefit the Su family and Su'er's position in the palace!"
Su Mufeng said in a deep voice, "Elder, the Su family does not need to sell its children to secure its future."
"You!" Su Qiming's beard trembled with anger. "Are you trying to make Ji Zhi repeat your mistakes? Back then, you insisted on marrying a merchant's daughter, causing the Su family to miss so many opportunities! Are you going to indulge your son's willfulness again?"
These words were extremely harsh, tantamount to looking down on Tang Wanqing's background, and Tang Wanqing's face instantly turned pale.
Su Ji stepped forward, blocking his mother's path. He stood tall and straight, his face cold and stern, but his peach blossom eyes, inherited from his mother, were filled with frost.
"Elder, you are mistaken. Father married Mother because he truly loved her. What is wrong with that? If I am to marry, I must marry a woman who understands me, not a spoiled and domineering woman for the sake of the family's interests!"
"You...you're saying Miss Lan is arrogant and domineering? Don't talk nonsense." Su Qiming clearly didn't want to believe what he said.
“Last December, Miss Lan ordered her maid to be beaten half to death because the maid spilled a cup of tea. I am not worthy of such a woman,” Su Jizhi said coldly.
Su Qiming was so angry that he trembled all over. He pointed at Su Jizhi and couldn't speak for a long time. Finally, he stood up abruptly and said, "Fine! Very well! Now that your eldest branch has a concubine to back you up, you don't care about the family anymore! I want to see how long you can be so smug!" After saying that, he turned and left.
After the angry elder left, the hall fell silent for a moment.
Tang Wanqing looked at her son with some concern: "Jizhi, weren't you a little impulsive just now?"
"Mother, don't worry, your son has no regrets." Su Jizhi's tone was firm. "If I had to marry a woman like that, I'd rather never marry at all!"
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