Chapter 129 Could it be that they still haven’t given up on her marriage?
As soon as Rong entered the side hall, she was supported by Xiu Yu and Su Ying on her left and right and sat at the top of the table, acting like the mistress of the Du family.
Su Run had met this Madam Du before, and when he saw that she didn't even glance at him, he felt suspicious. If Xiu Yu hadn't come forward with a cold face and accepted the letter he held with both hands, he would have doubted whether he had even spoken.
Rong opened the letter, glanced at it, and put it aside in disgust.
When her elder sister and Su Jianrong fell in love, she had been their little follower. She was probably the most familiar with Su Jianrong's handwriting, aside from her elder sister. The letter formally asked about the well-being of everyone in the Du family, and then feigned longing for his daughter, saying he had been away on business for years and had neglected to look after her. Now, with the important event of her coming of age, he didn't want to miss it.
Su Jianrong was always like this, constantly harping on family ties, only to abandon them for his own selfish desires in the blink of an eye. If Rong hadn't witnessed how Su Jianrong allowed Lin to be carried into the Su residence even before his elder sister's body was cold, who would have believed that Su Jianrong, who had single-handedly carried the elderly people trapped in their homes during the flood in his hometown, was such a lustful and unruly person?
Rong snorted coldly and said, "Your master has been doing business for a long time, and his skills have improved a lot!"
Su Run was stunned, not understanding Rong's intention for a moment. He could only hum and haw in agreement: "Thanks to the madam, the master's business is indeed getting more and more prosperous!"
Like a man, like a servant. Rong smiled faintly, and said sarcastically: "You are becoming more and more shrewd in business. Did you also carefully calculate the time when you sent someone to pick up your daughter?"
"Even if we take a boat these days, it will take more than ten days with favorable winds and seas. Does your master intend to hold the coming-of-age ceremony for the young lady as soon as she gets off the boat?"
This question left Su Run speechless. He had been with Su Jianrong for many years and knew that the master only cared about the second son and third daughter born to Lin. As for the eldest daughter, she had long been regarded as insignificant.
But he had a mission to carry out, and he could only complete it by bringing the young lady back.
When he arrived, his wife specifically called him over and warned him, "No matter what the Du family, especially the Second Madam, say, you must insist that the young lady return home to hold her coming-of-age ceremony. Don't say anything else. The more you say, the more mistakes you will make!"
So, he said with a smile, "Madam Du, you may not know that last month, the master went to Fujian and was caught in a hurricane. Fortunately, everything was fine. By the time he returned home, he had missed the good time. That's why I hurried to pick up the young lady."
Then, raising his voice a bit, he said, "It's only natural for the young lady to return home for her coming-of-age ceremony. We know Madam is reluctant to let her go, and we also understand that Madam truly loves her. The real worry is that those who don't know the inside story might think the Du family has failed in etiquette and refused to let her go, which would make our young lady a laughing stock."
This is where the Su family is best at controlling people's hearts!
Relying on the fact that they are Ying'er's father and stepmother, even if the Rong family has the intention, they can never protect Ying'er with justification. They have to exchange benefits with them in order to temporarily protect Ying'er.
Ten years ago, in order to bring Ying'er back to Yandang Mountain, Master Rong, despite possessing the account books that his eldest daughter's personal maid risked her life to keep, ultimately suppressed his rage and refrained from accusing Su Jianrong of misappropriating his daughter's dowry during her final moments. He fought for nothing, demanded nothing, and simply sought to "redeem" Ying'er.
Ten years later, to prevent Su Jianrong and Lin from marrying Ying'er off to a wealthy widower for personal gain, the Rong family once again protects her in exchange for a two-year agreement. However, this time, the two elders remain shrouded in secrecy. What was the price of those two years of arranging Ying'er's marriage?
Time and again, the Su family took advantage of their blood relationship to bully the Rong family, forcing them to give in for Ying'er again and again. This was because they knew that the Rong family truly loved Ying'er, and even if they were extremely angry, they would eventually give in and agree to everything.
No matter how calm Rong's face was, the way she crumpled the letter into a ball and held it tightly in her palm still betrayed her anger.
She knew she couldn't stop him. If she agreed one day later, Ying'er would return to Yueqing one day later, missing her birthday and delaying her coming-of-age ceremony. The Su family would simply shift all the blame onto the Du and Rong families. Su Run was right. Those who didn't know would only laugh at Ying'er for missing her coming-of-age ceremony.
Su Ying watched her aunt's every move, knowing that even if her aunt refused to let go, the Su family was always right. She felt that the heavens seemed to like playing tricks on her, as if every time something happy happened, something would always pull her down from the clouds to the dust.
She didn't believe the Su family had called her back just for the coming-of-age ceremony. If they valued her so much, why did they allow her to go to the capital? They could have told her grandfather and let her stay in his academy for a while, and then go to her aunt after the coming-of-age ceremony.
Could it be that they still haven't given up on her marriage?
Just as Su Ying was about to speak, Rong Shi asked first, "Since your master has already chosen a date, let me ask you, when do you plan to bring the young lady back?"
Su Ying looked at her aunt in disbelief, wondering why her aunt asked such a question.
However, Rong did not look at her. She still looked solemn and stared at Su Run. Under the pressure, Su Run did not dare to refuse to answer.
"To save Miss the trouble, Master has booked a government-issued boat. It's now moored at the canal wharf, ready to depart at any moment."
So-called official-built passenger ships were modeled after official vessels. Compared to ordinary passenger ships, especially the one Su Ying took to the capital, they were wider, more stable, and could carry more. With favorable winds and currents, they could travel even faster. These vessels were typically only used by high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants. This time, Su Jianrong had truly invested heavily. At least in the eyes of outsiders, everything he had prepared for his daughter was impeccable.
Rong asked again, "Besides you, who else did you bring?"
Su Run replied, "There are also two servants, a maid, and a maid."
As if worried that Rong would find fault with his words, Su Run added, "There are several boatmen on board, sufficient supplies, and ample warehouses. Everything is well arranged. Madam, there is no need to worry."
I thought my aunt would find some faults and stop Su Run, but unexpectedly, my aunt nodded and said, "In that case, I will send someone to speed up the preparations. We will set off tomorrow at the earliest, or the day after tomorrow at the latest."
These words startled Su Ying so much that she felt a buzzing in her ears and could not help but look at her aunt.
Su Run was overjoyed, thinking to himself: I didn't even have to say a few words to get Mrs. Du to agree. It seems she's not as hard to convince as she'd said. He quickly bowed and said with a smile, "Thank you, Madam, for your understanding. I'll stop bothering you."
Before leaving, he seemed to be worried that Rong would change her mind, so he added, "I will temporarily stay at the Yunlai Inn near the pier. In two days, I will be there to personally welcome the young lady and set off."
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