Through Meng Qi's account, Su Wenyuan learned of Su Yuan's tragic situation and immediately went to offer incense to Yu Qingzhu.
"I didn't want to go to the Su residence originally, but now I want to go and take a look. How about I bring Su Yuan over so you can see him too?"
"Choosing him back then was probably a stopgap measure, but his cunning and treachery far exceed your imagination. If you had chosen a man with a conscience, you might not have died."
Su Wenyuan kept rambling on and on, telling her about the current situation of the Su family.
After Su Lin'er and Su Yuan entered the palace, the Emperor, understanding Su Yuan's mobility issues, arranged a sedan chair for him.
The heavy curtains were drawn, and Su Yuan cried even more bitterly.
Snot and tears kept flowing uncontrollably; I tried to wipe them but couldn't. I struggled to raise my arm, but it drooped weakly before even touching my face.
The fur collar wrapped around his neck was partially wet with drool.
Seeing himself in this state, Su Yuan was extremely ashamed and almost wanted to die.
Su Lin'er didn't notice any of this; she was only thinking about what she should say when she met the Emperor.
If the emperor refuses, what reason will he give for doing so?
Not long after, the father and daughter arrived at the Imperial Study. The servants carried Su Yuan down from the sedan chair. When Eunuch Hu saw this, he couldn't help but gasp.
He had seen Su Yuan yesterday when Su Yuan attended the morning court session. How could he have changed so much overnight?
Su Lin'er was on the verge of tears, choking as she tried to speak to Eunuch Hu.
Although Hu Gonggong felt disgusted, he did not show it on his face. He simply raised his hand to signal her not to say anything more, then turned and went inside to report to the Emperor.
When they came out again, they didn't say much, but simply pointed inside and told them to go in.
Su Lin'er cared about many things, but she didn't care about Su Yuan at all.
Su Yuan's appearance was disheveled, which she didn't notice, but Eunuch Hu did.
Serious illness is something no one wants, and it's not something that can be easily cured.
However, it is still possible to keep one's body clean and tidy.
Su Lin'er didn't need to do these things herself; if she cared, the people serving her would naturally care as well.
But right now, Su Lin'er is only focused on crying. Whether she truly cares for Su Yuan or is just using him as a tool, it's obvious to anyone with eyes to see.
Because he had taken money from Su Wenyuan, Eunuch Hu developed a greater dislike for Su Lin'er.
The Emperor knew they were coming and had made ample preparations.
But when he actually saw Su Yuan, he couldn't help but be a little surprised.
Is this still the same prime minister? How did he become like this?
Su Yuan avoided eye contact with the Emperor, not daring to utter a single word, for doing so would only make him appear more pathetic.
"This... Guards! Clean up Lord Su." The Emperor turned his head away, no longer looking at him.
It wasn't that I felt sorry for Su Yuan; at first I was shocked, but later I became disgusted.
It's not like there aren't people around to serve you, so how come you're so dirty?
It's one thing to be so slovenly in the mansion, since he can't see it, but to be like this when going to the palace to pay respects.
Su Yuan sensed the Emperor's disdain from his instructions and felt even more resentful towards Su Lin'er.
In this situation, why should I pave the way for her?
Su Yuan was unwilling to accept this, but he didn't know what to do.
If he doesn't listen to Su Lin'er, his medicine might run out, and without medicine, getting better will be even more difficult.
Since he also has difficulty speaking clearly and his speech is slurred, who can help him?
While the eunuch was cleaning Su Yuan, Su Lin'er was complaining to the emperor about her hardships.
With no mistress to manage the household and no able-bodied men of marriageable age to shoulder the responsibilities, the family had no one to lead them and no idea how they were going to survive.
The Emperor frowned and said, "Doesn't Lord Su have a son?"
Of course there is. If it weren't for that son, the Su family wouldn't be living such a miserable life.
Su Lin'er really didn't hold back on Su Xian's feelings, and directly told the Emperor, "My brother is good for nothing, good for neither literature nor martial arts, and he can't do business either. It's already a miracle that he doesn't hang out with his cronies these days."
The Emperor then asked, "I remember that the Su family has many concubines. If there is one who is gentle and considerate, I can issue an edict to elevate her to the position of principal wife. I'm sure your father wouldn't have any objections."
Su Lin'er was speechless for a moment, feeling that the Emperor was pretending to be stupid.
The household doesn't lack a principal wife, but rather someone of high status and ability to manage the household affairs.
"They are all gentle and meticulous, but none of them can accomplish anything great. They can't even understand the accounts in the mansion," Su Lin'er continued to belittle them.
According to her, the entire Su family is full of useless people.
Su Yuan's health was ruined, and the others were already useless.
The Emperor sighed and said, "Your father has many shortcomings in court, but I never expected that he would manage his own household affairs so poorly. Fortunately, you are still here in the household, and the Su family also has some fertile land and shops. You must take responsibility for these."
Before the Su family's misfortune, Su Lin'er would have laughed herself to death upon hearing the Emperor's words.
But now, she's furious.
Why does the Emperor seem to not understand?
None of the Su family's shops are profitable. Who would want to take on a bunch of unprofitable messes?
The Emperor was feigning ignorance, but Su Lin'er could no longer pretend. She said frankly, "This humble woman doesn't know these things either. Perhaps my father and mother were negligent and didn't teach me."
"Then you'd better learn more." The Emperor said calmly, but inwardly he was cursing.
If Su Yuan hadn't been seriously ill, he would have wanted to scold Su Lin'er.
How could Su Lin'er have the nerve to say that she couldn't do this or that? What would she do if she couldn't do it? The whole family would just stay at home, living off their savings until they ran out of food and starved to death!
The emperor cursed inwardly with the most vile thoughts, but said nothing aloud.
Su Yuan is seriously ill, and he's here cursing other people's daughter. Isn't that just making their lives even more difficult?
At this moment, the emperor suddenly thought of Su Wenyuan. If Su Wenyuan were here, she could scold him for him, and even scold him more harshly than he had imagined.
Su Lin'er also sensed the Emperor's impatience, but she had come with a purpose today.
Some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever.
While the Emperor is hesitant to speak harshly to the Su family for the next two days, she must obtain the imperial edict as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty, I am too dull to learn these things."
Her words were undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire, and the emperor was already very unhappy.
"Then what do you want? For me to arrange a stepmother for you? I can't do such a thing." The Emperor's tone carried a warning.
Given the current situation of the Su family, wouldn't Su Lin'er be setting a trap if she made such a request?
Su Lin'er repeatedly denied it, saying, "That's not true. I was just thinking that not everyone in the Su family is mediocre. Doesn't Father have another daughter?"
Su Lin'er finally mentioned Su Wenyuan and breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, she just wanted to give up and not care about anything inside or outside the mansion.
She just wanted to live a life of leisure in the Prince Chen's mansion, wait for Sheng Zixi to ascend the throne, kill Sheng Jingyu and Su Wenyuan, and then inherit the Prince Chen's mansion's property.
Therefore, she didn't mind trying to please Su Wenyuan, even offering her the entire Su family.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
