"The Second Princess?"
Su Yu and the others looked puzzled for a moment, then shook their heads.
They had completely forgotten about the Second Princess. Ever since the tiger incident at the Second Princess's manor, she had kept a low profile for a while.
Even when the Su family held a banquet for Su Zhen, the second princess did not appear.
"Yes, Second Princess, you should have Eldest Brother go to her. She likes him, and she'll definitely agree if he asks."
Su Wanshi said excitedly.
"Why didn't Lian Wu mention that?"
Su Yu asked again, puzzled.
If Su Lianwu had known that the Second Princess could help, why didn't he speak up?
Upon hearing this, Su Wanshi's eyes showed dissatisfaction.
She knew why her elder brother didn't mention it, because Su Lianwu simply didn't want to ask the Second Princess for help.
Back then, if I hadn't forced him, he wouldn't have wanted to associate with the Second Princess at all.
Now that he's in prison and his mother is dead, with no one around to pressure him, he naturally won't take the initiative to approach the second princess.
So, Su Wanshi pitifully complained to Su Yu, asking him to force Su Lianwu to go find the Second Princess no matter what.
Su Yu and the others felt sorry for Su Wanshi, so they immediately called Su Lianwu over after they returned.
Together with Old Madam Su, they all demanded that Su Lianwu plead with the Second Princess on behalf of Su Wanshi. In the end, Su Lianwu had no choice but to agree.
A day later, Su Lianwu went to the Second Princess's residence. When he came out, his neck was covered with red marks, and his face was gloomy and dissatisfied.
However, the second princess of the princess's residence had just finished her bath and was quite satisfied. She then happily instructed her servants, "Make preparations. I will go to the palace to see my father tomorrow."
Since her male favorite had spoken up, how could she not help with such a small matter?
The next day.
The second princess entered the palace in a magnificent sedan chair.
"Father, I haven't asked you for anything in recent years, but today I want to ask you for a favor?"
After entering the palace, the second princess affectionately took Emperor Wenjian's hand and acted coquettishly.
She was Emperor Wenjian's most beloved princess. She used to have everything she wanted in the palace. If it weren't for the fact that her former husband died such a horrible death because of her, Emperor Wenjian would not have sent her outside the city for two years.
Seeing his daughter return and acting like a child, Emperor Wenjian was still in a good mood.
"What does Xin'er want to ask her father for?"
Emperor Wenjian asked with a smile.
The second princess's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "Father, the love I desire is for Su Wanshi, the legitimate daughter of the Su family."
"What? The one who harmed someone at General Su's banquet? The one who caused the Chu King's intended Princess Consort to lose her chastity?"
Emperor Wenjian exclaimed in surprise, his displeasure barely concealed.
How could his daughter plead for such a woman?
The second princess noticed Emperor Wenjian's displeasure. She pouted and said, "Father, I know you all dislike her, but she once saved my life! Tell me, shouldn't I plead for her?"
"She saved your life? When did that happen?"
Emperor Wenjian was somewhat skeptical.
But the Second Princess had already prepared her explanation. She had heard about what Su Wanshi had done and knew that Emperor Wenjian would not easily agree.
Therefore, she deliberately said that Su Wanshi had once saved her.
With such a great favor to be done, the Emperor would certainly find it difficult to refuse his request.
"Just before, my daughter went to..."
So the second princess told the story she had made up.
As expected, Emperor Wenjian's expression turned very serious after hearing this.
He did not like the daughter of the Su family, but he heard from the Second Princess that she had saved his life, so he did owe her a debt of gratitude.
"She did save you, that's true, but her merits and demerits don't offset each other. She should be rewarded or punished accordingly."
Emperor Wenjian's Way.
"Father, she's been in jail for over a month already, isn't that enough? Let her out, okay? Do you know how terrible it is for a girl to be in jail?"
When I last visited her, she cried and told me she knew she was wrong and wanted to be released. She didn't want any reward. Father, please release her!
The second princess then grabbed Emperor Wenjian's arm and shook it.
Then, she pleaded with Emperor Wenjian for a long time, and finally Emperor Wenjian agreed to release Su Wanshi.
However, he forbade anyone to talk about how she saved the second princess. He didn't want the royal family to owe Su Wanshi a favor, only to have Su Wanshi bring it up again in the future.
The second princess was just making things up anyway, so naturally she nodded in agreement to Emperor Wenjian's words.
The Emperor's decree was quickly conveyed, and the Second Princess immediately sent someone to inform Su Lianwu.
The Su family was overjoyed upon hearing the news and quickly brought Su Wanshi out of prison.
Madam Su even placed a brazier at the entrance of the Su residence and asked Su Wanshi to step over it, as a way to ward off bad luck.
"Waaah... My poor Wanshi, you're finally back! Quick, hurry up and step over this brazier!"
When Madam Su saw Su Wanshi, who had been brought back by Su Yu and the others, dressed in dirty clothes and looking much thinner, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
The Su family members and many maids and servants stood on both sides to welcome Su Wanshi back to the mansion. The scene was so grand that anyone who didn't know the situation would think that Su Wanshi had done something great and returned home.
Since Su Zhen was busy with official business, Cui Niang and her two children were at the eldest son's house.
"The Second Princess is so much better! She pleaded with the Emperor on your behalf and got him to agree! Before, everyone said the Emperor wouldn't budge, but they just weren't willing to do it!"
They call themselves family, yet they're unwilling to lend a hand when they could! Hmph, some people are truly heartless!
After leading Su Wanshi into the hall, Old Madam Su gave Cui Niang a meaningful glare.
They had privately begged Su Zhen several times before, asking him to use his merits to plead with the Emperor again.
However, Su Zhen refused them again, citing that Su Wanshi had committed a grave mistake and that the Emperor would not back down.
Now that the Second Princess has managed to bring Su Wanshi back with just a few words, Old Madam Su naturally feels that Su Zhen was unwilling to help in the first place.
Now that Su Zhen was not in the mansion, she spoke to Cui Niang in a sarcastic tone.
"Madam, if it weren't for the master's sake, the Emperor wouldn't have punished him so lightly. The Emperor has already shown extraordinary leniency; you cannot go any further—"
"Pah! What special favor? He just didn't do his job properly!"
Before Cui Niang could finish speaking, Old Madam Su spat at her.
Cui Niang was stunned and stood there, never expecting that the lady of a wealthy family would behave in such an indecent manner.
Although she was timid, she couldn't help but protect her husband's reputation when she saw the old lady slandering him like this.
So she continued, "If it weren't for you, sir, none of you would be able to return to the Su family's old residence. The way Madam Su treated your wife and children is appalling. You've already done more than enough—"
"Smack!"
As soon as Cui Niang finished speaking, the old lady stepped forward and slapped her hard.
"Guards! This lowly concubine dares to talk back! Drag her away and give her twenty lashes!"
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