The Su residence.
After returning from the palace that day, Su Tiyue stayed at home waiting for news from Hanzhou.
For several days in a row, he still hadn't arrived.
It seems that Hanzhou also encountered trouble on the way.
These past few days, Yong'an has been in complete chaos. Su Sui has been absent from court for several days, citing illness as the reason.
He knew in his heart that with Zhou Lin becoming regent, the affairs of the court were no longer in the hands of the old ministers like them.
The eldest sister-in-law, Hu Fenglian, was also clever. After Yong'an's incident, she used this as an excuse to persuade her parents-in-law to take Xiaojue back to her parents' home to avoid the storm.
Hu Fenglian's family home is in Youzhou.
Yong'an is about three days' journey from Youzhou.
Su Sui was worried, so she asked Steward Xu to lead a group of people to escort her and her daughter away from Yong'an. This happened yesterday morning.
By a twist of fate, the two of them ended up living happily ever after.
...
At dinner, Eunuch Huang from the palace personally made a trip to present Su Sui with the gift list and marriage certificate.
"Lord Su, regarding the marriage alliance, the Prince and the Rouran prince have reached an agreement. They will first hold a grand wedding banquet in the palace according to the customs for a princess's marriage. After the banquet, the Rouran prince will take your daughter back to Rouran."
Eunuch Huang glanced at Su Sui, whose face was ashen, and continued, "The wedding will be held in three days. Please be prepared, Miss Su, so as not to embarrass the Prince."
Su Sui coughed heavily, neither answering nor giving him a friendly look.
This is clearly forced marriage! How can Su Sui possibly agree to it?
Seeing her father's attitude, Su Tiyue knew that the situation was dire and did not want to offend Zhou Lin.
So she put down her chopsticks, stood up, and gently took the gift list and marriage certificate. She said calmly, "Thank you for making this trip in person, Eunuch Huang. Since it is the Prince's will, then we shall do as the Prince says. My father and I dare not have any objections."
Eunuch Huang smiled slightly and praised, "Miss Su is indeed sensible and knows how to behave. Alright, this servant will now return to the palace to report."
"Take care, sir."
Su Tiyue sighed softly after he had walked away.
Su Sui put down her chopsticks, unable to eat another bite: "If I had known this would happen, I would have preferred to have him take you away sooner."
Su Sui had initially vehemently disagreed, but now that she had seen through Zhou Lin's character, she was also greatly disappointed with the current situation in Beiliang.
That's when I remembered how good Xiao Heye was...
If he hadn't gotten into trouble, he might have been able to escape this unjust fate with his daughter.
Of course, that's a story for another time.
Su Tiyue put the things she was carrying on the table, sat down next to Su Sui, held her father's hand, and whispered, "Father, I'm not afraid. As long as you're both alright... I'm not afraid of anything."
I've grown accustomed to the cruel tricks of fate, accustomed to facing unknown fears alone each time, yet still having to suppress my emotions and comfort those around me.
Su Sui patted the back of her hand and said, "Last night outside the city gate, the prince's soldiers captured another group of people. I think they must be the people he sent to rescue you. Yue'er, Master Xiao kept his promise to you, but...sigh..."
Su Sui sighed, "This time, I really hope he has the ability to take you away. Yue'er, I shouldn't have opposed you so much back then."
"But at the time, I didn't know that Minister Xiao was the late Crown Prince, and I didn't know that he could actually return alive from the snow mountain..."
"The hardships he endured along the way must have made him utterly disillusioned with this world, right? I can't even imagine how much suffering he went through... If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have stopped you from being together. The late Crown Prince suffered so much, and even being with my daughter, he still suffered so much... I deserve to die..."
"Father, please don't say that, I don't blame you. You've always been an upright official in Beiliang, and your pride. This world is chaotic, and I always say that Master Xiao is black, and you are white; you two are inherently incompatible. It's understandable that you would object to my relationship with Master Xiao. But no matter what, you are both the most important people in my life..."
Su Sui shook her head helplessly...
well.
What is black and white? What is an honest official and justice?
Now that Yong'an has been ravaged by the Rouran, Su Sui's mind is no longer on the court.
All he wanted was for his family to be safe, sound, and happy.
The monarch disregards the people's welfare, and the soldiers of Yong'an fail to protect them. The Northern Liang is now beyond saving.
People were filled with complaints and were suffering greatly.
Zhou Lin, in order to completely eliminate Xiao Heye's faction, did not hesitate to turn a perfectly good city into a territory where the Rouran people could act recklessly.
The Rouran soldiers treated the local people as slaves and the local women as objects to satisfy their lust.
Whether they were respectable young girls or prostitutes, none of them could escape their clutches.
Only the daughters of officials who had surrendered to Zhou Lin early on, and the wealthy families, managed to escape this calamity.
Ordinary people, without anyone to protect them, can only be bullied and persecuted at will...
*
The fifth day of the fifth month of the fifteenth year of Chengyuan.
beginning of summer.
A few white clouds drifted in the azure sky, and the sunlight was so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.
It was a rare good day, but Su Tiyue was not happy at all.
Today is another joyous day for her.
The imperial carriage arrived early and stopped at the entrance of the Su residence, where the wedding dresses were neatly folded on the table.
Liu Wan and Qing Wu stood aside, neither of them willing to help her get dressed.
You should know that once Su Tiyue puts on this wedding dress and gets into the palace carriage, there will be no turning back.
Su Tiyue came out of the washroom and saw the two little maids still standing there motionless. She asked softly, "You're usually so diligent, always vying to dress me, but today neither of you wants to move?"
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