Su Qingyu's expression froze, she put down the book, stood up and walked out.
Li Yunzhou's sleeves were turned up, revealing a small section of his muscular arm. His arms were covered in a crisscross pattern of whipping marks, some of which had yet to scab over. Beneath the fresh wounds, traces of older injuries could still be seen.
Su Qingyu felt like something hit her heart hard. How could Princess Yongjia be so cruel?
When Li Yunzhou saw Su Qingyu coming over, he hurriedly lowered his sleeves.
"What happened? Why was he beaten like this?" Su Qingyu's voice trembled when she asked.
She knew in her previous life that Princess Yongjia often tortured Li Yunzhou, but knowing is one thing and seeing it with her own eyes is another.
Shen Zhixiu guessed she was frightened, and quickly put his arm around her shoulders, explaining in a deep voice, "This isn't the first time. Yunzhou has been beaten by Princess Yongjia since he was a child."
Li Yunzhou gave a bitter laugh, "Master's Wife must be wondering, if that's the case, why don't I leave and stay in Prince Shan's Mansion. I must be greedy for the wealth and splendor of the mansion and can't bear to leave."
He was not surprised that Su Qingyu thought so, because the entire Prince Shan’s Mansion thought so.
But he didn't care. As long as he could get revenge, it didn't matter if he got beaten or scolded a few times.
Su Qingyu shook her head and said softly, "King Goujian of Yue slept on firewood and tasted gall, who dares to say that he was greedy for glory?"
She still remembered the scene of Li Yunzhou and Song Hongshen's triumphant return to the capital in her previous life. The war god who could pacify Liaodong didn't want money, but the lives of those people in the Shanjun Prince's Mansion.
She remembered that after Prince Shan married Princess Yongjia, the late emperor had returned the military power of Prince Shan's mansion, which had been previously taken away. The garrison was located in the northern border, adjacent to Liaodong. In his previous life, Li Yunzhou had relied on this army to raid the rear of Liaodong and capture the King of Liao alive.
He has been enduring, probably just to gain military power.
Li Yunzhou didn't expect Su Qingyu to say that. He looked at her in shock and said, "Thank you for your comfort, Master's wife."
Shen Zhixiu ordered Wenzhu to fetch the ointment from Mr. Zhou, and then said to Li Yunzhou, "June is almost here, and you'll be leaving for battle in August. During this time, go see Song Hongshen more often to discuss the rest of the matter."
Given Princess Yongjia's status and position, unless Li Yunzhou poisoned the entire palace and then perished with them, everything would be in vain. Relying on military exploits to establish a firm foothold in the court was the best way for him to rise to power.
Su Qingyu wasn't surprised to hear that the expedition would begin in August of this year. Because of her rebirth, Shen Zhixiu survived this life. And because Shen Zhixiu survived, many things in the court had changed.
Seeing that the two of them still had a lot to discuss, Su Qingyu said to Shen Zhixiu, "Third Master, I'm a little sleepy. I'll go back and get some sleep. You guys can talk slowly."
Shen Zhixiu and Li Yunzhou walked her to the door. Li Yunzhou bowed and said, "Master's wife, take care."
The word "Master's Wife" almost made Su Qingyu lose her footing.
She still couldn't get used to being a master's wife at the age of sixteen.
Returning to the main room, Feicui said with lingering fear, "It was a close call today, Miss. I hope the Marquis won't cause trouble for Madam again."
Su Qingyu's green fingers tapped the square table on the small couch. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Then it depends on how Father weighs the pros and cons."
Judging from my father's attitude after my mother left today, it seems that he has accepted it. But it is also possible that he didn't want to accept it anymore after a good sleep.
Anyway, this is the first step taken.
Su Qingyu didn't know that the Su family's old house was in chaos at this time.
The second master, Su Chengyan, returned with his wife and children.
Because of the sudden return, the Su family was not prepared, and everyone from the master to the servants was busy.
In the main hall of Songhe Hall, Su Chengyan and his wife He brought their sixteen-year-old daughter Su Xiangling, fifteen-year-old son Su Yuanqing, and three-year-old daughter Su Fuyao to kowtow to the old lady.
Behind the young masters and young ladies were Su Chengyan's three concubines, and the concubines in the second room were all childless.
Su Chengyan didn't know what happened at home yet. After exchanging a few heartfelt words with the old lady, he asked, "Why don't you see my sister-in-law?"
Before the old lady could reply, the third master Su Chengxun hurried back to the house.
As soon as he came in, he said, "Second brother is back?" He then looked at Su Chengye and said, "I just received the letter, how come it has come to the point of divorce?"
This question confused Su Chengyan, "Divorce, who divorced?"
Seeing this, the old lady ordered the concubines to take the young ladies and masters away first, leaving only her, her three sons, and two daughters-in-law in the main hall.
After the family sat down, Su Chengye explained what happened in the morning when Lin divorced and took away the dowry.
After Su Chengye finished speaking, Su Chengyan said, "Brother, you are confused. How can we let them take away the Su family's assets like this?"
Second Madam He also said, "No matter what, our family is still a dignified marquisate. How can we let a mere merchant bully us?"
"If you ask me, I can't let this go."
Su Chengye explained: "Lin Wanyin has the accounts, and those things were indeed earned from her dowry shop."
"If this gets out, our family's reputation will be ruined. You know those censors in the Six Departments Corridor. If they really target me, I'll be in big trouble."
This was said by Shen Zhixiu, and Su Chengye agreed with it deeply, and then told it to Su Chengyan.
Su Chengyan snorted, "Accounts? How could she possibly have all the accounts from the past twenty years since she got married?"
"She said those were all hers. Do you have any evidence?"
"Brother, you are too honest. You can't just assume what they say is what it is. Without evidence, those are the Su family's assets."
Su Chengxun frowned and wanted to speak, but was stopped by Hai. Hai knew him well and knew that he was a decent person, so she would definitely not agree with the second master's words.
But it would be better for the couple to keep quiet about the Su family's affairs. Let's wait and see what they want to do. They can't just go to the Lin family and take the things back, right?
Su Chengye listened to Su Chengyan's words and didn't say anything for a long time. He always felt that Su Chengyan's words were too simple. Could it be okay if he just didn't admit it?
Without the support of Lin's dowry, the Marquis's Mansion would have been wiped out long ago. Even if he didn't want to admit it, he knew in his heart that without Lin Wanyin, he wouldn't have had such a good life these years.
Seeing that he didn't say anything for a long time, Su Chengyan rolled his eyes and came up with an idea.
"Brother, my uncle has been transferred to the Dali Temple. Why don't we go to the yamen and sue the Lin family for robbery."
"Let's make this matter bigger and try to get a joint trial by the three courts. My uncle is in the Dali Temple, the third brother is in the Censorate, and we can use our connections at the Ministry of Justice."
"I don't believe that Lin Wanyin has solid evidence. She's probably just bluffing. As long as she doesn't have evidence, those things belong to the Su family."
"Not only do we need to take back the wealth, but we also need to show the Lin family how powerful we are."
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