The group lowered their heads guiltily, proving that Su Wenyuan's guess was correct.
Wang Shi and Su Lin'er weren't actually short of charcoal. They were also busy with their own affairs and didn't need to keep a close eye on Su Wenyuan all the time. They just skimped on the charcoal when it was being distributed.
He would occasionally think of Su Wenyuan in the future and then come over to make things difficult for her.
However, some of the remaining charcoal in Su Wenyuan's possession ended up in the hands of these concubines.
They wouldn't ask for it directly; instead, they would bribe the maids and servants. Whether it was stealing or taking, they always had a way.
Because they had to calculate the amount of charcoal they needed, the more the better.
That was the prevailing atmosphere in the manor at that time; everyone bullied the weak and feared the strong. There wasn't a single good person among them, and they had no compassion whatsoever. They even took advantage of people's misfortunes.
Su Wenyuan kindly reminded me, "I only came here today to get some charcoal, and I haven't thought of anything else yet. If I do remember, this little bit won't be enough to satisfy me."
After saying these words, the group turned around simultaneously and walked away quickly without saying another word.
The charcoal is gone, which is a minor issue; Su Yuan can simply buy more. However, if Su Wenyuan keeps bringing up old grievances, who knows what might happen.
Su Lin'er smiled dismissively: "You only said a few meaningless words after coming here, why bother making the trip?"
These words were not spoken to Su Wenyuan, but to the concubines.
Su Wenyuan said, "Things are different now than before. You always have to come over for meals. In the past, we ate in our own courtyards. Now, you shouldn't be allowed to eat and drink as much as you want, right?"
Su Wenyuan was deliberately asking a question she already knew the answer to, just to embarrass Su Lin'er.
After Su Yuan was no longer the prime minister, he had very few opportunities to collect money privately, and all of his savings were stolen by Su Xian to pay off debts.
After the Crown Prince fell from power, Su Yuan's situation became even more difficult. His whole family moved here, and they needed money for everything, from food and drink to clothing.
If they don't start budgeting, the Su family will run out of food.
Despite Su Wenyuan's ridicule, Su Lin'er surprisingly did not lose her temper.
This is all learned from the Empress; no matter how much Su Wenyuan scolds you, you must remain calm.
The Empress was very experienced in this matter, after all, she was the one who had been scolded the most.
With no outsiders around, Su Lin'er was too lazy to pretend to be a close sister to Su Wenyuan. She just wanted Su Wenyuan to make a scene and leave.
The more she looked forward to it, the less Su Wenyuan wanted to let her have her way, constantly making sarcastic remarks and refusing to get down to business.
"Father hasn't returned from court yet. If you're here to see him, you'll probably have to wait a while." Su Lin'er couldn't help but mention Su Yuan, afraid that Su Wenyuan would get so caught up in her swearing that she would forget the purpose of her trip.
Su Wenyuan chuckled and sighed, "You're tired of me now. It's not like you used to call me 'sister' all the time in the palace."
"If you want to hear it, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. You can't avoid it in front of outsiders." Su Lin'er said with a slight smile, her gentle tone disgusting Su Wenyuan.
She was determined to relentlessly pursue Su Wenyuan and had already made it clear to her directly.
Su Wenyuan scoffed, "Is your way of pestering others to tell them your true feelings? Do I need to tell you how people outside are criticizing you?"
Su Lin'er was not angry at all; in fact, she seemed a little happy. She felt that Su Wenyuan was starting to get anxious.
She had done so many things before, but Su Wenyuan had never said so much to her; it was all direct revenge.
This time it seems like they came to discuss something with her. It looks like this tactic worked, so we can continue.
“I know without you saying it, but that doesn’t change my mind. Otherwise, please be kind enough to give me a place to stay, and I promise I won’t bother you and the prince,” Su Lin’er said.
Su Wenyuan snorted disdainfully and said, "I said everything I needed to say in the Empress's palace that day. Other mansions can do this, but Prince Chen's mansion can't. Even if I die, you won't be able to get in."
Su Lin'er narrowed her eyes slightly, shocked by Su Wenyuan's determination.
"If the Emperor issues an edict, would you dare to disobey?"
Su Wenyuan sneered, "I dare to make sure you don't live to receive the imperial decree. You'd better watch yourself."
Su Lin'er felt a chill on her neck and a cold sensation running down her back.
Meng Qi whispered to Su Wenyuan, "The charcoal is all packed. Is there anything else?"
“Yes, go to Su Yuan’s yard and search for some valuables.” Su Wenyuan’s attitude was casual, as casual as if she were taking something from her own backyard.
Su Lin'er frowned and asked, "That's it?"
"If you stop me, it won't just be like this. Do you dare?" Su Wenyuan provocatively retorted.
Su Lin'er said, "Why would I stop you? You came to the Su residence to steal things. When Father comes back, he will naturally come to find you. I am not in charge of this residence anymore. I can't order them around, so I can only let you do as you please."
Su Lin'er neither dared to stop her nor wanted to, and even made up an excuse for herself.
The manor is in such a mess now that when Su Wenyuan comes to get something, no one even bothers to inform Su Yuan.
After court, Su Yuan was leisurely making his way back to his residence when he suddenly encountered the messenger sent by Su Wenyuan.
Before leaving, Su Wenyuan made a list, clearly stating what she had taken and which debt it was used to pay off. She also handed over the letter that Su Lin'er had written to her to Su Yuan.
What was said in the letter was just the tip of the iceberg. There were many other despicable things that Su Lin'er didn't mention, and there were even things that Su Lin'er didn't know about.
Holding the letter, Su Yuan hurriedly ordered the carriage to go faster.
Before he had even finished reading it, he was so angry that he was trembling all over.
First, look at Su Wenyuan's bill. The things written on it made Su Yuan's heart bleed. The mansion only had so few things that could make a good impression, and Su Wenyuan took them all.
Su Wenyuan took it while he was attending the morning court session, without giving him a chance to refuse or stop her.
If Su Yuan saw this, he would definitely turn around and head to Prince Chen's residence to get his things back.
But then he saw a second letter, the one that Su Lin'er had someone write.
The things recorded above are known only to Su Lin'er and Su Yuan. If she didn't write them, who else could have?
Su Yuan returned to the mansion in a fit of rage. Before he even entered, several of his concubines began to pull him aside and complain.
"There's not a single piece of charcoal left in the manor. Su Wenyuan took it all away. Is she trying to freeze us to death?"
"This is absolutely wicked, sir! What should we do?"
"She's surnamed Su too, why is she so determined to wipe us out?"
Su Lin'er sneered from behind, "Are you only just realizing this? Su Wenyuan is determined to fight us to the death. If you're thinking of trying to save your life by currying favor with her, you'd better give up on that idea!"
She was making veiled criticisms, not for the concubines' benefit, but clearly for Su Yuan's.
"We've returned the house to her, but she still comes over and causes trouble every now and then! What are we going to do? She's a princess, how can we possibly compete with her?"
Their thoughts were the same as Su Yuan's; they wanted to back down.
Su Lin'er glared at her and said, "You're already this scared before the fight has even started. You might as well find a rope and hang yourself first, so Su Wenyuan won't come and kill you!"
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