"I know everything. It’s not Chengmin at fault here, it’s that old hag from the Min Family and you."
Old Mrs. Su pointed a finger at the Lu Family, placing the blame heavily on them.
"That old hag encouraged Chengmin to not acknowledge the Su Family, secretly settling the marriage without us knowing. What we need to do is confront that old hag, not Chengmin. As for your fault," Old Mrs. Su sneered at Lu Family, "Why does Chengmin favor the Min Family over the Su Family? It’s all because of your manipulation. You never try to mediate between father and son, but instead constantly stir things up. Every time Chengmin comes home, he argues with his father, isn’t that your doing? Don’t think I’m blind to your intentions. You just want Chengmin to sever ties with the Su Family, so the entire Su Family can be inherited."
Even when her mother-in-law scolded her, Su Shihang never defended Lu Family.
"Mother, you’ve misunderstood me. Haven’t I always tried to mediate between them? But as you know, Chengmin deeply misunderstands me and always believes his mother’s death is related to me. No matter how I try, I can’t fix our relationship." Lu Family cried, "I wanted to keep him within the Su Family so much that I even considered marrying off Yiner to him. Whether as a wife or a concubine, he doesn’t appreciate it, what else can I do?"
Mrs. Min glared and cursed, "Your niece isn’t worthy of my grandson. My grandson is now the Commander of the Imperial Guard, what noble girl wouldn’t want him? He isn’t like his father who had to settle for a hunter’s daughter like you. Don’t think I don’t know your scheme, trying to trap my grandson into marrying into your Lu Family. Keep dreaming."
Lu Family was fuming with rage.
If it hadn’t been for this hunter’s daughter managing the entire household, could Su Shihang study in the county without any worries? If she hadn’t asked her family to pool all their resources for Su Shihang to take the imperial exams in the capital, could the Su Family enjoy their current status?
Of course, she didn’t dare to voice these thoughts.
She feared Su Shihang would divorce her.
She had worked hard for so many years, finally hoping for Su Shihang to become an official, and enduring the death of Min Baozhen, she must hold on to her status as Mrs. Su.
As for the old lady, she wouldn’t live much longer, and it was only a matter of seeing who could outlast whom.
Since the old lady loved Su Chengmin so dearly, and looked down upon the Lu Family, she would go against her wishes.
She planned to put on a grand show at the old lady’s birthday feast.
This performance would not only have Su Chengmin marry Lu Yiner, but also break his ties with the old lady.
With these thoughts, Lu Family said meekly, "Mother, you are right to reprimand me; I didn’t consider things thoroughly. I only wanted Chengmin to remain part of the Su Family. As for his engagement, you don’t need to worry, it’s already arranged, and I’ve given up on marrying off Yiner to him."
Old Mrs. Su’s expression softened slightly.
She turned her attention to questioning Su Shihang about the background of the Gu Family.
Su Shihang filled her in on Gu Taohua’s circumstances, though he omitted the fact that Gu Taohua’s mother, Tong Huaqiong, was wealthy from her business ventures.
Even if he hadn’t, Old Mrs. Su was dissatisfied with the match.
The fact that Gu Taohua was from the countryside, a businesswoman, with no significant official in the family, was enough for Old Mrs. Su to disapprove.
In Old Mrs. Su’s eyes, only noble daughters from three generations of prestigious families in Shengjing were worthy of Su Chengmin.
"Your mother-in-law is up to no good, deliberately arranging this engagement for Chengmin."
Old Mrs. Su cursed at Mrs. Min.
But she dared not confront her directly, having been outmatched in past verbal sparring with Mrs. Min.
Previously, when outmatched, she would vent on Min Baozhen, but now with Min Baozhen gone and her grandson siding with the Min Family, Old Mrs. Su was more reluctant to challenge her in-laws.
"You need to find a way to persuade Chengmin to break off the engagement with the Gu Family. Why go to the Gu Family, that unruly family doesn’t deserve your courtesy."
Old Mrs. Su pitied her son’s humiliation at the Gu Family but did not agree with him breaking it off there, feeling it was best resolved through her grandson.
With this, Old Mrs. Su gave Lu Family another tongue-lashing for not stopping Su Shihang.
Furious, Lu Family’s nails dug into her palms, with an urge to poison Old Mrs. Su.
"Chengmin spends most days in the military camp, not mingling with girls, so he fell for the Gu Family girl. Here’s what we’ll do, my birthday is coming up, use my name to invite young ladies from noble families to enjoy opera and wine. Minister Lin wants to form bonds with us; invite his daughter. His second daughter almost had a childhood betrothal with Chengmin." Old Mrs. Su instructed Lu Family and added, "Invite the women from the Gu Family too. I refuse to acknowledge the engagement; surely they wouldn’t cling to Chengmin in front of me."
Lu Family respectfully agreed.
She pondered and said, "I heard that back then, Minister Lin wanted to betroth his second daughter to Chengmin, but Chengmin’s mother objected. Lin’s second daughter still hasn’t married and I’ve heard she has feelings for Chengmin. Mother, rest assured, I will dissolve Gu Family’s engagement and secure one that satisfies you instead."
For once, Old Mrs. Su smiled at Lu Family.
After all these years, she knew full well what schemes Lu Family was planning.
But she didn’t care, as long as it benefited her grandson, compromising a girl’s dignity was of little concern.
What Old Mrs. Su didn’t anticipate was Lu Family’s insincere compliance, whose true aim was to elevate Lu Yiner instead of Lin’s second daughter.
At night, Lu Family slipped into Lu Yiner’s room.
Lu Yiner wept with eyes swollen red.
Lu Family sneered, "Crying won’t help; do you think tears can dissolve Su Chengmin’s engagement?"
"Let me tell you, when I found out your uncle married Min Baozhen, I didn’t shed a tear. Crying can’t bring your uncle back. I told myself, whoever steals my man, I’ll steal them back, and now with Min Baozhen dead, your uncle is mine again. Su Chengmin is no different, engaged or married, if you want to snatch him, you can."
Lu Yiner wiped her tears and looked at her aunt, "Aunt, should we follow your plan?"
Lu Family raised an eyebrow, "Of course! This birthday, not only will Su Chengmin come, but the Gu Family girl too. When you and Su Chengmin are seen together, we won’t even have to utter a word, Gu Family will automatically call off the engagement. What girl can tolerate her fiancé being with another woman?"
"Right now, I’m not worried about Su Chengmin or Gu Taohua, but about you chickening out. If you can maintain your composure regardless of what others say, you will become the Commander of the Imperial Guard’s wife. If you can’t handle it, we needn’t bother, just forget about Su Chengmin." Lu Family asked, "Can you handle being the center of that scene? If not, don’t waste any effort, and give up on Su Chengmin."
It was a lie to say Lu Yiner wasn’t afraid of what might happen.
Lu Family tapped Lu Yiner’s head, "When it came out that your uncle remarried after discarding his wife, I was mocked for being abandoned. I bit my tongue and let them laugh. Now what? I’m the imperial decree lady of the Su Mansion."
Lu Yiner listened quietly, then lifted her head, resolute.
"Aunt, I’ll follow your lead."