Su Ruanruan gave a wry smile, "So you really did ask about that jade pendant for me! You're such a nice person, thank you so much! My good sister."
"You mentioning the night you were kidnapped by the flower thief reminds me of the night I was tortured by Butcher Zhou, which I don't think I've ever told you about."
“I still remember that dark night when Zhou the butcher hooked my shoulder with a hook, kicked me again and again, held me underwater and struggled in pain, and touched me with his dirty hands. I was desperate. I thought I would never see the sun rise the next day. At that moment, I thought I would never live again.”
She looked calmly at Su He, "What happened to me wasn't my fault. Tell me, am I innocent? And who should I blame?"
Su He's face gradually turned pale. "I...don't know."
"You don't know? You really don't know? I fell into Zhou the Butcher's hands, and you dare to say you weren't involved?"
"Mu Bai fell into the water because you were about to throw his purse into the river. He was struggling in the water, and what did you do? You turned around and left, refusing to help him!"
"Did you really go looking for that jade pendant for me? Even now, you still show no remorse."
"You want me to feel guilty and beg Lord Bai to show leniency? That's just wishful thinking."
"You almost let me be defiled by Butcher Zhou, and you almost let Mu Bai drown. You deserve to die! This is just a minor punishment for you."
Su He suddenly stood up and knocked over the bowl of wontons in her hand.
"You...you knew everything!" Her expression suddenly changed drastically as she realized something. "That jade pendant...Mu Bai's mother didn't have any belongings, right?"
Su Ruanruan said, "What does it matter whether I said it or not? You are already infamous. As long as I don't admit that I said such a thing, no one will believe me even if you say it a hundred and eighty times."
Su Ruanruan picked up the food box and her gaze fell on Su He's face.
"Good luck to you. I probably won't be coming back here."
Having said that, he turned and left without lingering.
All that remained was Su He's heart-wrenching scream, "Su Ruanruan, you wicked woman, I curse you to never find love again!"
Su Ruanruan walked on, ignoring her words.
Unable to find love? No way, she already has Brother Mu Bai.
This sudden shout woke up the sleeping white clouds in the distance.
She was about to start cursing when she heard someone call Su Ruanruan's name.
She quickly went to the fence and looked out, only to see Su Ruanruan passing by her cell door. When she saw her, Su Ruanruan glanced at her slightly.
"Hey, what's wrong? Who's insulting you?"
Su Ruanruan moved closer and stared at her, "I want to know, but I'm not going to tell you."
She reached out and pinched Baiyun's cheek hard. By the time Baiyun realized what was happening, Su Ruanruan had already run away with the food box.
Day and night alternate, stars change, and in the blink of an eye, it's the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
Beijing
Early in the morning, Su Qingyu was woken up by her maid to change and wash.
Granny Shu carefully explained the things to pay attention to during the coming-of-age ceremony and some necessary procedures.
The coming-of-age ceremony is the most important ceremony for girls, signifying that they have reached adulthood and are ready to get married.
Families like the Duke of Su's mansion, which belonged to the imperial family and were of noble lineage, were the kind of places that all other prominent families wanted to associate with.
Although Su Qingyu was only an adopted daughter, Princess Jingyi raised her as if she were a legitimate daughter, and even taught her to become the most noble lady in the capital.
Su Qingyu sat upright, letting the maids carefully prepare her. She listened attentively, afraid of making a mistake at her coming-of-age ceremony and becoming a laughingstock.
Princess Jingyi lifted the curtain and entered, looking at the beautiful woman who resembled a lotus emerging from the water, and became even more satisfied.
She pinned her favorite gold hairpin to her hair bun. "Qingyu has really grown into a beautiful young lady."
Su Qingyu could clearly see the entire golden hairpin through the bronze mirror in front of her.
"Mother, this is the dowry that the Empress Dowager gave you. Qingyu cannot accept it."
She reached out to take it, but Princess Jingyi pressed her hand down, saying, "It's a gift for you, so just take it. This is your mother's heartfelt gift, so don't let it go to waste."
Su Qingyu quickly stood up and bowed slightly, saying, "Qingyu thanks Mother for her kindness."
There was only one of these hairpins, so the noble ladies of the capital city would naturally recognize it.
The mother did this to let others know that she treated her like her own daughter, so that others would not look down on her.
Seeing her dignified demeanor and graceful manners, Jingyi nodded in satisfaction.
Many guests have come to the mansion today, including several princes.
A peaceful and lively scene unfolded.
Once all the guests have arrived and the host and guests have taken their seats, the coming-of-age banquet begins.
The coming-of-age ceremony was a complicated affair, lasting until dusk before the guests finally left after a night of drinking.
Princess Jingyi leaned back on the soft couch, flipping through the gift list in her hand.
Granny Shu glanced at the sky outside. "Princess, I'm afraid the Duke will be angry with you again."
"What's there to be afraid of? Ever since he took Concubine Liu as a concubine, haven't he been at odds with me enough? It's just a title of princess, it was the Emperor's decree, what can he possibly do to settle scores with the Emperor?"
At her coming-of-age banquet, an imperial edict bestowing a title upon Su Qingyu added a touch of splendor and brilliance to the occasion. From then on, she was not only the fourth young lady of the household, but also Princess Lai'en.
Princess Jingyi was certainly involved in this.
Princess Jingyi waited until the night grew cool, but Su Zhen never came to confront her.
"Go and see where the Duke is," said Granny Shu, sending a maid out to inquire.
She pursed her lips and said softly, "Princess, today is also Miss's coming-of-age ceremony, you..."
Jingyi glanced at her, "Stop talking nonsense, why bring her up out of the blue?"
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