Chapter 8: Returning to Her Maiden Home

Inside the general’s residence, Gu Shijin sat in a chair with a dark, stormy expression. Suddenly, the image of Su Zhining boarding Prince Yu’s carriage flashed through his mind.

Grinding his teeth in fury, he swept the teacup beside him to the floor.

So that was why Su Zhining had been so unyielding—she had Prince Yu as her backing.

Could it be that before he had even returned, the two of them had already been tangled together?

It seemed she was not only scheming and venomous, but also utterly dissolute.

This time, he would certainly have to crush her arrogance properly.

A servant came to report.

“General, Madam she...”

“Has she admitted her fault?”

“Madam has returned to her parents’ home.”

The servant chose his words carefully, speaking slowly. He did not dare look at the general’s face, but he knew it would surely not be pleasant.

As expected, Gu Shijin slammed the table hard and snarled through clenched teeth.

“Su Zhining! You really are something!”

But for now, he could not simply cast Su Zhining aside. That would be bad for Xi Xi’s reputation.

For Xi Xi’s sake, he could only endure.

“Someone, prepare the carriage. We are going to the Su residence.”

If Su Zhining thought the Su family would help her, she was terribly mistaken.

If the Su family dared to stir up trouble, he would not hesitate to wipe them out.

His eyes were full of cold indifference.

Meanwhile, Su Zhining had specially hired a carriage. The scenery outside slipped by like layers of old memories.

The Su family residence was not large and stood in a rather remote place on the outskirts of the capital, perfectly matching her father’s temperament.

He loved quiet and disliked disturbance.

Soon the carriage stopped before the Su house. Yu Shu looked at the familiar residence and tears welled up in her eyes, trembling in the corners.

“Miss, it has been so long since we came home.”

At those words, Su Zhining felt her limbs grow stiff. Her body froze, unable to move for a long while.

For Yu Shu, it had merely been a long time since she had come back.

But for Su Zhining, it was the agony of being torn apart from heaven and earth, a pain that pierced straight through the heart.

Her parents had died before her eyes, and she had watched helplessly as the blood of her closest kin flowed at her feet.

The pain made it hard for her to breathe.

Seeing her young lady turn so pale, Yu Shu could not help growing worried.

“Miss, what’s wrong?”

She hurriedly rubbed Su Zhining’s back, her eyes full of concern.

Su Zhining drew in a deep breath. Though tears still surged in her eyes, she forced a smile.

“I’m fine. It’s just that I haven’t seen Father and Mother for a long time, and I miss them.”

It was the first time Yu Shu had heard her say such a thing, and she could not help feeling distressed for her lady.

She had been raised in luxury and cherished like jade—why should she be treated so cruelly by others?

Her lady had suffered far too much.

“I’m sure Master and Madam will be delighted to see you as well!”

Yu Shu nodded vigorously in agreement. Their young lady had always shared only good news and never burdens. She likely would not speak of the humiliations she had endured in the general’s residence this time either.

“Yu Shu, are the marks on my neck really not visible?”

Su Zhining touched her neck uncertainly. She did not want her parents dragged into this matter.

For revenge, she would do it herself.

“Don’t worry, Miss. They can’t be seen.”

Yu Shu thumped her chest in assurance.

“That’s good.” Su Zhining let out a breath of relief, lifted her skirt, and stepped up onto the stairs, with Yu Shu close behind.

Zhang Bo, who had been dozing at the gate, stirred awake at the sound of footsteps. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he could not help muttering, “Who’s there?”

“Uncle!” Yu Shu called out excitedly, her cheeks flushed.

She was a household servant of the Su family and had grown up alongside Su Zhining; the two were as close as sisters.

“Oh, my, it’s the young lady and my Yu Shu coming back.”

“I’d better hurry and tell Master and Madam.”

At the sound, Zhang Bo woke fully at once and hurried to his feet in delight.

“Uncle Zhang, I can go find Father and Mother myself.”

Seeing Zhang Bo, with his hair gone white yet still vigorous and lively, Su Zhining could not help but redden around the eyes.

“No, no, I have to let the whole household know that the eldest young lady is home!”

Zhang Bo ran inside joyfully, his happiness plain to see.

“My father really is...” Yu Shu clenched her handkerchief and stamped her foot in exasperation.

Yet to Su Zhining, all of this felt wonderfully precious. A bright smile spread across her face as she lifted her chin and walked into the residence with her head held high.

Warm greetings rose all around her. Though the Su family was not large, it still supported dozens of people, and they were all so innocent.

“Zhining is back! My dear daughter, did that little brat Gu Shijin bully you again?”

Madam Su wore a long gown of deep purple with peony patterns. The collar was embroidered with auspicious cloud motifs in silver thread, and several jade-inlaid gold hairpins adorned her temples. She was spirited and neat, her bearing sharp and commanding, clearly ready to stand up for her daughter.

Right behind her came Father Su, dressed in the same color family. Though age had left some weathering in his features, his eyes were bright, and it was plain to see that in his youth he must have been a strikingly handsome man.

“Zhining, if you’ve been wronged, just come home. At worst, we’ll divorce him. Your father can still afford to support you.”

As an official, Father Su naturally knew all about these matters. It was not that he had never considered bringing his daughter back by his own decision, but he had feared that his daughter was deeply attached to Gu Shijin.

Now that she had returned, he could finally breathe easier.

That dog of a Gu Shijin—treacherous, shameless, and vile beyond measure. He was nothing but a beast in human skin.

Back then, they had truly been blind to agree to marry their daughter to him.

“Zhining, don’t be afraid. Whatever it is, just tell Mother. I must get justice for you!”

Feeling the favoritism and protection from her parents, Su Zhining only felt warmth flood her heart.

Yu Shu, hearing these words nearby, nearly could not hold back the grievances of the past days and almost burst into tears.

“Father, Mother, your daughter missed you!”

Su Zhining could hold back no longer. She rushed forward and embraced them both. At once, Father Su and Madam Su’s eyes turned red.

If she had not suffered terrible injustice, how could Zhining be like this? That damned Gu Shijin—what in the world had he done to their daughter?

Madam Su was nearly ready to kill someone.

Watching this warm and touching scene, Zhang Bo could not help lifting a hand to wipe the corner of his eye.

“Master, Madam! The son-in-law has arrived!”

The servant’s announcement rang out sharply, instantly provoking Madam Su into a furious tirade.

“Tell that wretch Gu Shijin to get lost!”

“Yes!”

“Wait!” Father Su stopped him again. Madam Su shot him a warning glance.

Father Su then said in a booming voice, “From now on, do not call him son-in-law. Our Su family has no son-in-law like him!”

“Yes, Master.”

The young man called Youqing slipped and nearly ran out again.

“Wait!” Su Zhining called him back.

“Let him in.”

“?”

Youqing looked at the madam, then at the master, and finally agreed.

“Understood, Miss.”

Father and mother looked at each other. Neither of them dared to speak. After a long while, Madam Su’s eyes flashed with determination.

Carefully, she probed, “Zhining, do you still like him? Can’t you let him go?”