Chapter 16: It's not like a discussion, but more like a trial by three judges
Luo E brought people and things back to Chaoyang Courtyard. After greeting Su Rui, they quickly went back to their respective positions.
Luo'e was in charge of personnel matters, another older woman, Yang Mama, was in charge of miscellaneous matters, and the three palace maids who had reached the age of marriage, like Xier, were first-class maids serving Su Rui, and the four younger ones were second-class maids doing miscellaneous tasks.
The originally empty Chaoyang Courtyard was filled up in an instant, and Su Rui's every move was within their sight.
But in the same way, Lady Marquis Liang couldn't reach in either.
Not to mention adding people, even the workers sent to repair Chaoyang Courtyard were replaced by Luo E's own. They restored it according to Su Rui's requirements, retained her small vegetable garden, and added a heavy courtyard gate to keep all the evil spirits out.
Several days passed by, spent in quiet time reading Buddhist scriptures and dozing off.
Until this morning, shortly after the news came that she was ordered to go to Fahua Temple again, there was another knock on the gate.
"Miss, the old lady sent someone to invite you to Shoukang Hall." Luo E came into the room to report.
Finally, I asked my grandmother to step in and suppress her.
Filial piety is the most important thing. Madam Liang is just a stepmother, so Su Rui can use this as an excuse to refuse her. But the old lady is her biological grandmother, and she cannot refuse her since she has spoken.
When she arrived at Shoukang Hall, everyone was there except Zhou Yao, whose face was still healed. Seeing her come in, Su Ye snorted in disgust and turned his head away from her.
"Our eldest daughter is really different now. Even if mother sends someone to invite her, she will have to be the last to appear." Third Aunt Ke said with a sarcastic smile.
She was originally a relative of the Marquis's wife, Mrs. Liang's mother's family, and was able to marry into the Marquis's mansion with the help of Mrs. Liang. The third branch relied on Mrs. Liang for its well-being, so naturally she followed Mrs. Liang's lead.
The fact that the grandmother did not rebuke Mrs. Ke was a disguised expression of her dissatisfaction with Su Rui.
Having been the old lady of the Marquis's mansion for many years, she has long been accustomed to being the center of attention. Even though she is deeply favored by the Marquis of Yong'an, Liang, who is now in charge of the entire mansion, has to be humble in front of her.
As for Su Rui, even if she met Queen Lin and received a reward, she should not have taken advantage of the old lady's presence.
Especially after hearing those previous words, he was even more displeased.
"Perhaps the servant was delayed on the way. Rui'er wouldn't be late on purpose." Madam Liang tried to make amends for Su Rui while waving at her, "Come and apologize to your grandmother."
Su Rui stepped forward and saluted, but did not apologize.
"Who are you trying to show off to?" Su Ye slammed the table and stood up, pointing angrily, "It's fine if you treat me like this, but you dare to be so rude to my grandmother. What? Does this mean that my grandmother has to listen to you?"
"When did I say that?" Su Rui turned around, staring coldly at Su Ye. "I came to Grandmother's house as soon as I received the message from the messenger. I didn't realize it was urgent, and I didn't realize everyone was already here. I just walked over normally. Why is brother accusing me of being unfilial? Is this revenge for my mistake a few days ago?"
When Su Ye heard the word "failure", he couldn't help but recall the taste and texture. His stomach was churning and he could only close his mouth tightly to prevent the stomach from gushing out.
"You two, brother and sister, are fighting again? Stop it." Liang stopped them and turned to the old lady, "Mother, it's all my fault for not having someone explain things clearly to Rui'er. That's why it's been delayed."
"Forget it, we are all family, just don't delay things." The old lady said forget it, but her shrewd eyes looked at Su Rui, as if looking for something.
Madam Liang nodded fearfully, then turned to Su Rui and said softly, "Grandmother called you here today because she has something to discuss with you."
Discuss?
This scene does not look like a discussion, but more like a trial by three judges.
"In ten days it will be your grandmother's birthday, and since you've returned to Beijing, I've suggested to your grandmother that we host a banquet for the noble families in Beijing this year. Firstly, your grandmother hasn't had a big birthday banquet in a while, and secondly, you haven't shown your face since you came back. You'd better meet people on your grandmother's birthday so that you can integrate into the circle in the future."
The circle of noble ladies in the capital could not tolerate someone like her who had been a military slave. Not to mention that she was just the legitimate daughter of a marquis, even princesses would not bother to associate with her.
Unless the power is so great that those people are forced to bow their heads and submit.
And how could Liang be so kind as to pave the way for her?
Su Rui said nothing, but just looked at Liang indifferently, which made Liang feel a little uneasy.
But it was only for a moment.
In Liang's eyes, even if Su Rui was no longer the foolish girl who was easily deceived, and she could see through the situation, what did it matter? Today she was caught in a trap, and she had to agree.
"Everyone in Shengjing knows that you received a gift from the Empress. If we have a banquet, it will definitely be mentioned. It's hard to hide it. I thought of using the fabrics the Empress gave me to make clothes for your grandmother and you. This way, we will not only live up to the Empress's gift, but also let people know how much she values you."
There were two kinds of fabrics, one for her and one for her grandmother, and naturally her grandmother used fish-tooth silk.
"Of course, this is something I've discussed with you. If you don't want to, I won't force you. It's yours after all." Liang added hurriedly, her face full of fear that Su Rui would be unhappy.
"We are a family, but we are still divided into you and me. As the younger generation, you should send a gift to your grandmother on her birthday. No matter how valuable the fish-tooth silk is, is it more important than filial piety? Could it be that you are so used to robbing things on the border that you hold on to any good thing and won't let go?" Third Aunt Ke said to her daughter half-jokingly, but the sneer in her eyes was naked.
It didn't hurt Su Rui at all, but it hurt Su Ye's self-esteem.
He had just sat down when he stood up again and scolded, "You're going to get into the coffin with these things in your hand! Do you think Grandmother and Mother need these little things from you? This is all for your own good, and you still don't know what's good for you! Someone! Go to Chaoyang Courtyard and get these things!"
The attendant waiting outside was about to leave, but Xier immediately stopped him. Luo'e bowed towards the inside and said, "The Empress's reward is for the eldest lady. If the prince takes it for himself, he will be offending the Empress."
Su Ye gritted his teeth, but there was nothing he could do. He could only glare fiercely at Su Rui who had always embarrassed him.
The old lady at the head also looked gloomy.
Madam Liang was pleased with herself, but with an anxious look on her face, she advised, "Rui'er, your brother doesn't mean that. If you don't want to, forget it. Forget it."
Count? How can it be counted?
If she just said "no", she would be accused of being unfilial the next moment and she would not be able to go to Fahua Temple anymore.
"When did I say I didn't want to? Since my aunt has made all the plans, I'll just do as she says." Su Rui raised a cooperative smile.
Liang smiled in surprise, nodding and praising her repeatedly, "Good boy, you are very sensible. Don't worry, I will ask the best tailor and embroiderer in Shengjing to make clothes for you this time. Just go to Fahua Temple with peace of mind, and let your brother take you there in the carriage of the mansion."
Su Ye wanted to refuse unwillingly, but Liang gave him a dissuading look, and he finally lowered his head in anger and agreed.
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