Chapter 229: Chapter 214: Mind Games, Turning the Tables (Part 1)
Under the Emperor’s feet, there aren’t many respectable men willing to become a son-in-law by marriage.
Yet, a man like Hao Yun marrying the Imperial Uncle’s daughter acquires a bit of respectability, despite being unworthy.
As a family of in-laws constantly amassing power to overthrow the Emperor and support a puppet for their hegemony, the Prime Minister’s Mansion undoubtedly succeeds in some areas.
For instance, they’ve successfully made the public focus more on their family than the filthy gossip of the streets and alleys.
For this reason, when Su Yu and her mother acknowledged their relatives, the matter nearly blew over. Su Xiang reluctantly took them in under the pressure of public opinion.
They had no choice. With their great skills, even the slightest stir would have the entire Capital eagerly awaiting the spectacle.
For Su Yu and her mother, Su Xiang couldn’t do anything but swallow the grievance silently.
Fortunately, over the past year, that mother-daughter pair had long faded from everyone’s sight.
Just as Su Xiang was enthusiastically researching how to bring down Emperor Guangxi, a bolt of lightning struck their roof—his son-in-law bribed a Yao Jie to intrude upon the new third-place scholar’s bed.
It’s well understood that officials should not be tainted, especially a leading civil servant like Su Xiang.
Even if tainted, it should be hidden. Who would be foolish enough to wear their deeds on their face?
Coincidentally, their son-in-law was just that.
Upon hearing the news, Su Xiang was so furious his nostrils flared.
A mere country person remains as such: bamboo shoot from a small place, sharp-tongued, thick-skinned, empty inside, unable to achieve anything significant but always ruining matters.
He immediately found Hao Yun to question him directly, "How could you manage things this way? To stuff a Yao Jie onto someone’s bed and still get discovered, is your brain on your rump?"
Hao Yun was puzzled too. He had indeed not appeared personally; the tasks were delegated several times over. How did Shuntian Prefect have so much power to trace back to him?
What he didn’t realize was that as long as the couple remained united, even the slightest misdeed he intended, Wen Wan could clearly catch every detail, and with those two subtly guiding, even a timid Shuntian Prefect could become a detective overnight.
"Father-in-law, there must be some misunderstanding here."
"So what you mean is, you didn’t do it?"
"It was my idea, but I didn’t personally intervene. The people under me transferred the task through several hands with Silver, there’s no reason for the Shuntian Prefect to trace it directly back to me."
This statement did not sit well with Su Xiang, who only saw results. With evidence clearly pointing to you, who doesn’t claim innocence in court?
Su Xiang thought that whoever ties the knot should untie it. He instructed Hao Yun to visit the Song family and personally explain to Song Wei that it was purely a misunderstanding.
As long as Song Wei did not mind, the rumors outside would not last.
Seeing the situation, there was no other way.
Hao Yun returned to his courtyard, prepared a carriage, and planned to head to the Song family at once to clarify matters.
The incident of Su family’s son-in-law bribing a Yao Jie onto the new third-place scholar’s bed spread to most of the Capital in less than a day, thanks to the covert assistance of people from the Princess Mansion.
In the position of a victim of being drugged and violated, Su Yu felt that whoever came up with this trick was a scumbag. Moreover, as an admirer of Song Wei, having a Wen in the way was bad enough, now someone was sending a filthy and smelly Yao Jie to her beloved’s bed, how could she be at peace?
So when Hao Yun returned, Su Yu’s voice was filled with sarcasm and a cold smile, "Some people, even when climbing high branches, can’t turn into phoenixes; lowlife remains lowlife; the tricks they use can never escape being ’cheap’."
Hao Yun’s face stiffened slightly, his fingers tightened, then relaxed, and he smiled at her, "Who made you angry?"
"Just a scumbag." Su Yu made no effort to hide the ridicule in her eyes, "The things done make me feel utterly disgusted."
Knowing she was mocking him, Hao Yun could only pretend not to understand, massaging her shoulders for a while. When someone outside announced the carriage was ready, he courteously bid farewell to his wife, saying he had something to attend to and that she shouldn’t wait for lunch.
——
After Hao Yun left, Su Yu went to the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s back garden, where Fourth Young Master Su Yaoqi was already waiting. Upon seeing her, he greeted politely, "Big Sister."
Su Yaoqi was the only one in this mansion who was courteous to her.
Hearing the "Big Sister" made Su Yu feel utterly comfortable. She walked into the pavilion, seated herself, and asked him, "What’s the matter you called me for, Fourth Brother?"
Su Yaoqi’s handsome face flushed slightly, "I’d like to ask Big Sister for advice."
Su Yu smiled, "Just tell me what the matter is. We are a family; there’s no need to be so formal."
"I like the girl I saw that day." Su Yaoqi summoned his courage and said, "I just don’t know her name, where she lives, even if I wanted to propose, I have no way to find her."
Su Yu took a sip of tea, "You’ve only seen her once, and from a distance at that, and you’ve already taken a liking to her?"
Su Yaoqi’s handsome face turned even redder, his voice softened considerably, "No, I’ve observed her for several days."
"Observed?"
"Not really, it’s just that I stand across the street watching her when she goes to and from school, thinking she’s just perfect everywhere, as if royalty made her to suit my tastes. Whenever I see her, I feel invigorated for reading the whole day."
Su Yu’s lips curved slightly.
She disdained using Hao Yun’s underhanded tactics, preferring a straightforward approach.
Earlier inquiries revealed that Song Wei is already in his thirties, a whole cycle older than Wen Wan.
A girl like Wen Wan, who is easily dazzled by novelty, might find the first few years of marriage a bit exciting. But as the man ages and she grows more independent, the age gap will inevitably lead to other thoughts, even if she doesn’t dare voice them.
Su Yaoqi was the legitimate son of Su Xiang, only seventeen this year, with impressive looks and a gentle disposition like jade.
A girl from Wen’s background who hasn’t seen much of the world, if suddenly approached by such an outstanding young man, it wouldn’t be surprising if her heart fluttered.
Speaking of which, Su Yu discovered Wen Wan on the day of new student enrollment at Hongwen Academy.
Su Yu heard that Seventh Uncle from Martial Champion Mansion got a spot for Seventh Aunt, intending to send her to Hongwen Academy. Feeling envious, she decided to accompany them, and from afar, she spotted Wen Wan. To her surprise, she heard the woman speak.
Seeing that Wen Wan was masquerading as a maiden, Su Yu was certain she would be cautious about Song Wei’s presence at Hongwen Academy, thus lessening many troubles. So, she devised a plan and one day went to pick up Su Yaoqi from Imperial College. By chance, Wen Wan left Hongwen Academy, prompting her to remark casually, "That little girl is quite pretty."
The seemingly offhand remark made a lasting impression on Su Yaoqi.
The young man was nearly love-struck at first sight, rendered captivated ever since, often standing beneath the camphor tree outside the Imperial College archway, gazing across the street.
Su Yu took a glance at the besotted Su Yaoqi and set down her teacup, "Are you hoping I can help you look into this?"
Su Yaoqi nodded with anticipation, "I hope Big Sister can help."
He truly liked that girl.
Su Yu nodded, "Helping you inquire isn’t a problem, but just standing there admiring her won’t accomplish anything. You need to find an opportunity to meet her and make her aware of your existence, otherwise, wouldn’t all your unrequited feelings be in vain?"
Imagining the soft and gentle girl made Su Yaoqi a bit nervous, "Big Sister, do you think if I suddenly appear before her, it will scare her?"
"That depends on how you do it." Su Yu suggested, "If you appear at a moment when she just happens to need someone, wouldn’t she have a good impression of you?"
Su Yaoqi thought this made sense, his eyes brightened, "I understand now, thank you, Big Sister."
Su Yu smiled faintly, a grim glint momentarily crossing her eyes.
If not for the third-place scholar, she wouldn’t have married that scumbag.
Her unhappiness would ensure Song Wei couldn’t feel too comfortable either.
Su Yaoqi’s feelings were genuine. If he truly moved Wen Wan, it wouldn’t be her fault for serving up the green hat; it would be Song Wei’s fault for failing to hold onto the girl’s heart.
The taste of having the prize snatched away is best when shared by everyone.
——
Hao Yun sat in the carriage, pondering how to speak to Song Wei later to dispel any misunderstandings.
As the carriage entered the market, sudden bursts of firecrackers sounded from ahead.
The horse panicked, reared up and neighed loudly, then charged forward wildly.
The coachman was thrown off.
Inside the carriage, Hao Yun’s face changed drastically, thinking to jump out, but the horse was too erratic. As soon as he reached for the curtain, he was thrown back, his head hitting the side wall, leaving him too dazed to react.
The runaway horse wouldn’t stop anytime soon. Spectators on the street cried out, scrambling to dodge.
The speed of the carriage completely drowned out the cries for help from inside.
Desperate, Hao Yun retrieved a dagger from under the seat, struggled to stabilize himself by clawing at the door frame, and raised his hand intending to stab the horse’s rump. Suddenly feeling dizzy, the horse failed to halt in time, crashing the whole cart—with him inside—straight into the lake.