"Yes, please come in." She was quite curious about why Su Shiyan had come to see her.
Su Wanyan had little memory of Su Shiyan.
In the Marquis of Yuanning's mansion, men and women lived in separate courtyards. Because the original owner rarely left the inner courtyard and lived cautiously in the backyard, she had few opportunities to come into contact with Su Shiyan.
In addition, Su Shiyan was already thirty years old. The original owner was born late and was born out of wedlock. By the time she was old enough to understand, Su Shiyan was already busy with court affairs, so they could hardly meet.
Therefore, Su Wanyan only knew that such a person existed, but had no impression of him at all.
When Su Wanyan arrived at the main hall, she saw a straight back standing in the hall, his head slightly raised as if he were looking at the Prince's Mansion.
He was dressed in a vermilion court robe, clearly having deliberately chosen to visit before the court session.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Su Shiyan slowly turned around.
Although Su Shiyan was already thirty years old, he still looked very young. If it weren't for the mustache on his lip that made him look more mature, people would believe he was twenty-five or twenty-six.
Perhaps due to his long exposure to officialdom, when he looked back at Su Wanyan, his gaze was very experienced. After a moment, he lowered his brows and respectfully greeted Su Wanyan: "Your humble servant Su Shiyan greets Your Majesty."
Unlike Zhen Yuhuai's domineering nature, or Su Muqing's arrogance, he also lacked the aloofness of Marquis Yuanning.
He seemed very humble and polite.
Since he was so polite, Su Wanyan naturally wouldn't say anything hurtful. She smiled charmingly and asked, "May I ask what brings Lord Su here to see me?"
They were nominally siblings, but this was the first time she had met Su Shiyan. Su Wanyan suddenly realized what he looked like.
As he spoke, he had already passed Su Shiyan and sat down in the main seat.
Su Shiyan didn't really know Su Wanyan. He only heard her name because he was marrying in place of Su Muqing. Before that, his mother only said that she was a timid and cowardly concubine's daughter who was not destined for greatness.
Her mother died at birth, so it was said that no one would stand up for her if she were married off to Prince Gong's mansion, which would save her a lot of trouble.
However, upon seeing him today, he was nothing like the timid and cowardly man his mother had described.
Facing him for the first time, she acted very composed, her expression not at all like that of a fourteen-year-old girl.
He suddenly wondered how Su Wanyan dared to face Emperor Yuanhe without any stage fright.
Were the absurd things she did when she first married into the Prince's mansion truly foolish or intentional?
If he's foolish, then who is this woman standing before him now, whose expression exudes sophistication?
And how did she survive in Yu Nanqing's hands?
According to rumors, Yu Nanqing is not the kind of person who can be softened by a few words.
Containing his thoughts, he bowed respectfully to Su Wanyan again: "Your Majesty, I am ashamed that it is only now that I have the time to visit you. I apologize to Your Majesty for the mistakes my younger sister and mother made."
The dead should be respected, and bringing this up now means that Su Wanyan is certain that she will no longer dwell on these matters.
However, Su Wanyan never tolerated these people's bad habits. She smiled and said, "Does Lord Su hope that I can wipe the slate clean between myself and the Marquis of Yuanning's mansion? Unfortunately, I am the kind of person who holds grudges. Although they are gone, there is still the Marquis of Yuanning and you. It is not unreasonable for the son to pay for the mother's debts. What do you say, Lord Su?"
Su Shiyan's eyebrows twitched, and he composed himself: "Of course, I have come today to apologize to Your Majesty."
He pulled out a stack of land deeds and shop deeds from his sleeve and presented them to Su Wanyan: "These are all my father's wishes."
Qiu Ye took the land deed and shop deed that he handed over and gave them to Su Wanyan. Su Wanyan took them and glanced at them, but for a moment she couldn't figure out what Su Shiyan was up to.
What did Su Youwei mean?
Definitely not, it must have been Su Shiyan's idea.
But why? Why do I suddenly have to please her?
However, since she had already given it to her, Su Wanyan wouldn't refuse it. Judging from Su Shiyan's expression, she seemed to be able to ask for more.
Su Wanyan placed the stack of land deeds and shop deeds on the tea table and smiled, "A few land deeds are Su's way of showing her sincerity in apologizing?"
"Since Your Highness is the Princess Consort of Prince Gong and is marrying as the legitimate daughter, Father has decided to posthumously honor Consort Chu as a secondary wife on a chosen date, and her memorial tablet will be placed in the mourning hall. Father has instructed me to tell Your Highness that if Your Highness has time, you may return to the residence to offer incense at any time. In addition, if Your Highness has any other needs, you may tell me at any time, and I will certainly fulfill them one by one."
"..." Is that even possible?
Aunt Chu was the original owner's biological mother, and she's been dead for so long. What good is it to make her a concubine now?
Moreover, Aunt Chu died in childbirth when the original owner was born. Not to mention Su Wanyan, even if the original owner were alive, she wouldn't have much affection for Aunt Chu.
However, in Su Shiyan's eyes, this was already the greatest sincerity he could show to Su Wanyan.
From being an unfavored concubine's daughter to being elevated to the status of a legitimate daughter, and now having her mother's memorial tablet enshrined in the mourning hall as a concubine, this can be considered an immense favor.
I thought I would see Su Wanyan be grateful, but to my surprise, I didn't.
Not only did not it, but it also drew a sneer from Su Wanyan: "I understand."
Su Wanyan smiled at Su Shiyan: "Does the Marquis of Yuanning's mansion acknowledge my status as the legitimate daughter?"
The fact that she was previously elevated to the status of legitimate daughter was merely a spur-of-the-moment decision, just for show.
But now, the Marquis of Yuanning's mansion is really going to give her the status of a legitimate daughter. Zhen Yuhuai is already dead, and they have posthumously made Concubine Chu a secondary wife, so she is now the legitimate daughter of the first wife.
These compensations given to her are what she, as the legitimate daughter, should receive.
But……
"Doesn't Lord Su find this amusing?" Su Wanyan laughed. "I'm already the Princess Consort of Prince Gong. Why would I care what status the Marquis of Yuanning gives me? What difference does it make whether I'm born of the principal wife or a concubine? To me, this seems like the Marquis of Yuanning is doing me a favor. If they really cared, why would they wait until now?"
However, it was only because they were attracted by Yu Nanqing's influence.
Whether they intend to use this momentum to ruin Yu Nanqing or to reach new heights remains to be seen.
Su Wanyan felt that they were so shrewd that they couldn't possibly be doing it for Yu Nanqing's benefit.
Su Shiyan, however, disagreed and looked up at Su Wanyan: "Your Highness is now the Princess Consort of Gong, but can you guarantee what will happen in the future?"
Su Wanyan met his gaze directly, her smile unchanged: "What does Lord Su want to say?"
"The Prince dotes on the Empress now, so the Empress naturally has reason to be proud. But if the Prince loses interest in the Empress, will the Empress still have her current status?"
His experienced eyes narrowed slightly: "Having a powerful and reliable maternal family is the foundation for Your Highness's position in Prince Gong's Mansion. If Your Highness loses the protection of your maternal family and falls out of favor, what will become of you?"
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