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Su Li handed the blueprint in her hand to the steward.
"Uncle Xu, this is the blueprint for the storefront on East Street. Take a look at it and arrange for craftsmen to renovate it according to these plans."
The steward accepted the blueprint and glanced at it briefly.
"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me," Su Li added.
The steward praised her, saying, "Young Miss, your drawings are incredibly detailed—even someone like me, who knows nothing of construction, can understand them."
Su Li nodded. "That's good. I'll leave this matter in your hands."
"No problem, Young Miss. I'll get started on it immediately."
As the steward left the courtyard, Xu Jin entered.
"Young Miss, the person has been released from prison as you instructed."
Thinking back to the strange feeling of being watched yesterday, Su Li asked, "Where is she now?"
"She first went to the Xia family estate, but last night… she was taken to Lichun Courtyard and sold."
Su Li raised an eyebrow. She had only planned to reduce her to begging, but it seemed the girl had found her own way to ruin herself.
"There's no need to concern ourselves with her anymore. The world already believes that the second young miss of the Su household has passed away. She has no connection to our family now."
Xu Jin bowed. "Understood, Young Miss. Shall we continue keeping an eye on her?"
Su Li tapped her fingers lightly against the edge of the table.
"For now, keep following her. Based on what I know about her, she won't give up so easily."
"Yes!"
"You're dismissed."
"Yes, Young Miss." Xu Jin bowed deeply and retreated.
Su Li gazed toward the direction of what used to be the western garden. It was now a flat expanse of land, planted with flowers and medicinal herbs.
Lichun Courtyard?
She hadn't even made a move, yet things had already come to this. In her past life, she had treated her cousin cruelly; perhaps this was karma catching up to her. Once a noble-born daughter, now fallen into the mire—she wondered how the other girl felt about such a drastic fall from grace.
"Young Miss, the young mistress has arrived." Before Siqin finished speaking, Wei Yuan Yao's voice echoed through the room.
"Lir, I was delayed by something yesterday. Here's the money I promised you. Take a look and see if it's enough. If not, I can ask my brother for more."
Su Li hefted the box in her hand. Hmph! Not bad.
Opening it revealed a thick stack of silver notes nestled inside.
Wei Yuan Yao explained, "I counted my silver notes after returning home and realized I didn't have much left. My stingy older brother initially refused to give me any, claiming it was his 'marriage fund.' But when I told him it was for you, he reluctantly handed over this small amount."
Su Li chuckled. "Cousin, this is no 'small amount'—there's at least two hundred thousand taels here."
She could vividly imagine the pained expression on her cousin's face.
"Two hundred ten thousand taels. Ten thousand of that is mine, hehe."
Su Li smiled. "Every bit counts, and this is already quite generous. Don't worry, Cousin. Before long, every single tael will return to you—with interest."
"No worries then. By the way, while coming here earlier, I ran into Zhirou on the street, though we didn't speak much. Apparently, her mother isn't well, and she rushed off to fetch a doctor."
Su Li frowned. She had meant to visit Lady Youxiang herself to provide treatment but had forgotten amidst her busy schedule.
"Mo Hua, take the silver Cousin brought along with mine and deliver it to Master Xu. Have the steward send someone to accompany you."
Mo Hua accepted the silver and replied, "Yes, Young Miss."
Su Li turned to Siqin. "Siqin, quickly fetch my medicine kit. We're heading to the Right Minister's residence."
"Yes, Young Miss." Siqin turned and hurried into the house.
Wei Yuan Yao stood up. "I'll go with you."
Su Li nodded.
The two boarded the Su household carriage, which sped swiftly toward the Right Minister's estate.
With Wei Yuan Yao's familiar face leading the way, they were granted entry without delay. Yuan Yao guided Su Li directly to Meng Zhirou's courtyard.
Looking at the small, clean, and tidy courtyard, Su Li couldn't help but question whether this was truly where the eldest legitimate daughter of the Right Minister resided.
"Cousin, are you sure this is Zhirou's place?"
Yuan Yao's voice dripped with indignation. "This is it. Originally, Zhirou didn't live here—her courtyard was seized by Meng Zhiyun. Speaking of which, it infuriates me. Her father doesn't care for Gentlewoman Qu, who's kind and beautiful, and instead dotes on some flashy concubine old enough to be his contemporary."
Su Li smirked inwardly. Typical male folly.
"Miss Wei? Is that you? Our young mistress is currently at Lady Qu's quarters."
A round-faced maid emerged from the house, bowing respectfully upon seeing them.
Yuan Yao asked, "Meixiang, is Lady Qu's condition serious?"
The maid named Meixiang sighed, her face somber. "Yes, she's been ill for a long time now, and her condition keeps worsening despite treatments."
Yuan Yao pulled Su Li along. "Let's go to Lady Qu's quarters."
As they approached the main courtyard, the strong scent of herbal medicine filled the air. Closer still, they heard intermittent coughing from within.
They quickened their pace and entered the room.
Meng Zhirou was gently patting her mother's chest to ease her breathing. Seeing their arrival, her face lit up with surprise.
"Ayao! Lir! What brings you both here?"
The two curtsied respectfully to Lady Qu, who lay weakly in bed.
Lady Qu immediately covered her mouth. "Stay back, girls. Don't catch my illness. Rou'er, take them to your courtyard to play."
Meng Zhirou hesitated. "Ayao, Lir, let's—"
Su Li interjected softly, "Lady Qu, may I examine you?"
Lady Qu looked at the veiled girl before her, her eyes wide with innocence. "You must be Lir. Rou'er often speaks fondly of you."
Su Li nodded. "Indeed, I should've visited sooner. Lady Qu, please extend your hand."
Though Lady Qu didn't hold out much hope—after all, countless doctors had failed to cure her—she complied at the sight of her daughter's hopeful gaze.
Su Li stepped forward and took Lady Qu's pulse. As her brows furrowed slightly, Lady Qu murmured, "It's alright, child. If it can't be cured, don't worry..."
Su Li withdrew her hand and spoke gently. "It can be cured. This isn't a severe illness—it just requires your cooperation, Lady Qu."
Meng Zhirou's eyes brightened instantly.
"Lir, you mean... my mother can truly recover? For over a year, she's been unwell, and I—I..." Tears welled up as she clutched Su Li's hand tightly, trembling with emotion.
Su Li reassured her firmly. "Yes, she can recover. Her ailment stems from both physical weakness and emotional distress. Mental ailments require mental remedies. Lady Qu, your health deteriorated because of prolonged neglect and heavy sorrow. If this continues, not even divine intervention could save you."
Meng Zhirou turned to her mother, tears streaming down her face. "Mother, I know Father broke your heart, but you still have me. Please, for my sake, focus on getting better, alright?"
Lady Qu harbored no illusions about her husband's affections. All she feared was leaving behind her daughter alone in this vast mansion, vulnerable to exploitation. While she lived, holding the position of primary wife at least ensured her daughter wouldn't suffer further indignities.
Each time she thought of this, her heart burned with anguish.
Observing the sorrowful mother-daughter pair, Su Li couldn't help but recall her own mother from her previous life. Despite having her father's love, her mother had still fallen victim to scheming concubines.
"Lady Qu, if life here is so unhappy, why not leave with Sister Meng?"
Lady Qu was startled by Su Li's bold suggestion. Almost immediately, Su Li regretted her words. On her first visit, she had suggested divorce—a taboo subject in this era. Though divorce wasn't synonymous with abandonment, societal judgment would follow nonetheless.
However, Lady Qu reconsidered. Perhaps Su Li's candor stemmed from genuine concern, treating her as family rather than an outsider.
"Divorce sounds simple, but with my frail state, where would I go besides my natal home? I'd burden my parents and elder brother, bringing shame upon them. And when I pass, leaving Rou'er dependent on others—how could I bear it?"
Meng Zhirou sobbed. "Mother, if you're unhappy here, let's leave! Grandfather and grandmother, along with Uncle, won't judge you for losing face. They'll only pity you. Daughter doesn't want you sacrificing yourself like this! Even though I bear the Meng surname, I'm treated as surplus in this household—it's no different from living under someone else's roof."
Wei Yuan Yao stepped forward. "Lady Qu, in my memories, you were once radiant and full of laughter. Mother told me that during your maiden days, you were renowned as a talented woman across Tianqi. Look at yourself now, Lady Qu. Stop worrying so much and live for yourself. Imagine how heartbroken Lord Qu would be knowing his daughter endures such hardship."
At the mention of her scholarly father, Lady Qu's eyes brimmed with guilt.
The Qu family was esteemed for its literary heritage, and her father had once served as the Imperial Tutor—a man even the Emperor addressed as 'Teacher.' Yet here she was, a timid daughter unworthy of his legacy.
Su Li observed the internal struggle in Lady Qu's eyes and sighed inwardly. Overprotected since childhood, Lady Qu had grown into a proud woman unwilling to stoop to manipulation or competition.
"Lady Qu, if you continue like this, you'll... Think of your aging father, and consider what might happen to Sister Meng if you're gone. Will she become another version of you?"
Lady Qu froze, sighing deeply. "Let me think about it."
Su Li knew no amount of persuasion from others mattered unless Lady Qu herself reached clarity. Like her own awakening in this life, sometimes painful lessons were necessary.
"Very well. For now, I'll prescribe some medicine to strengthen your constitution. Regardless of your decision, you must first regain your health."
With a sigh, Su Li turned to write the prescription. After finishing, she handed it to a servant to fetch the medicine.
After chatting briefly with Lady Qu, Su Li and Wei Yuan Yao bid farewell and prepared to leave.
Meng Zhirou accompanied them. "Lir, do you really believe my mother can recover?"
"Sister Meng, everything I said is true. Encourage Lady Qu as much as you can," Su Li urged.
Meng Zhirou's expression dimmed. "My mother is stubborn, but I'll try."
Surveying the grand estate, Meng Zhirou remarked quietly, "This place feels suffocating."
Su Li grasped her hand silently, offering comfort.
Just as they neared the entrance, a shrill voice called out from behind.
"Miss Su, please wait!"
The group halted and turned around. A flamboyantly dressed woman hurried toward them.
Frowning, Su Li recognized her instantly—the concubine favored above all others by the Right Minister.