Chapter Sixteen: Your Dignity Does Not Matter

Lu Xingzhan sat on a sedan chair carried by two men, a canopy shading him from above, swaying unsteadily as they made their way forward. He remained suspended in midair, never stepping down, while a servant hurried over to fan him.

Su Zhiyi gave a half-smile, half-sneer. "Third Young Master Lu, do you still intend to meddle in the affairs of my General's residence?"

Lu Xingzhan lazily rested his arm on the chair's armrest. "If it’s your family’s business, what crime is it to send someone to ask me about it?"

"Grand Princess, I remind you, the eldest of the Su family hasn't appeared yet."

Su Zhiyi clenched the wheelchair’s armrests, unable to swallow her indignation. She fixed her gaze on Yu Shengsheng. "Sister, how did you convince Third Young Master Lu to back you? Would you be happy if outsiders came to bully your own family?"

Yu Shengsheng turned slightly, her bloodied back facing her. "I went to the Lu family like this and returned like this. Where do you see me happy?"

Lu Xingzhan clapped his hands mockingly. "I was wondering why that fool insisted on coming back on her own. Now I see. Grand Princess, with your sharp tongue, even a mosquito flying by would end up coughing up blood."

Su Zhiyi was speechless.

Lu Xingzhan glanced at Jin Baobao. "You—go into the mansion with this fool and make sure no one bullies her to death. I’ll cover the monthly wages."

Su Zhiyi was about to speak when Lu Xingzhan raised an eyelid and looked at Lady Su. "Lady Su, your son hasn’t come out yet. If you agree, go fetch someone. If not, forget it."

Lady Su quickly nodded. "Agreed, agreed. We intended to assign a few more servants to Shengsheng anyway. This girl looks decent."

Lu Xingzhan closed his eyes. "Go to Changchun Garden and find some entertainment to cool off!"

The two sedan bearers changed direction and swaggered away.

At the crossroads, a servant looked back. "Young Master, the Su family members have all gone in. Why are you helping that young lady?"

Lu Xingzhan showed disdain. "I’m not helping her out of boredom. I just can’t stand the Su family’s attitude."

Lady Su followed Yu Shengsheng into the courtyard, crying all the way, wanting to tend to her wounds herself. But upon seeing the blood-soaked back and the clothes stuck to her flesh, she fainted.

Su Zhiyi accompanied her back to the courtyard. Yu Shengsheng was left with only Nurse Zhou and the newly arrived Jin Baobao.

Jin Baobao was about to tend to her wounds but was stopped by Nurse Zhou. "Miss, let this old servant handle it."

Yu Shengsheng lay on the bed, weak and breathless. "Madam, find her some clothes and a pair of shoes to change into."

Nurse Zhou hurriedly agreed. "Alright, Miss, try not to speak anymore."

Yu Shengsheng could no longer hold on and fainted.

Su Zhiyi’s face darkened as she stared at a newly blossomed lotus flower swaying in the distance.

"Princess, this servant has failed you and brought you shame," Ru Jian knelt on one knee, slapping himself twice.

"What happened?"

"I was careless and let that wild girl slip through. She’s no expert, just a street fighter."

"Princess, that wild girl is young, and under your watch, she shouldn’t have caused trouble. But how could Third Young Master Lu speak up for Yu Shengsheng? We mustn’t underestimate this."

Su Zhiyi pointed at the lotus flower. "Pick that one for me."

Holding the flower, Su Zhiyi’s long nails traced the tender petals, gradually cutting into them.

"Yu Shengsheng, you think Third Young Master Lu can protect you? This isn’t over."

Yu Shengsheng slept until afternoon. As the sun began to set, she opened her eyes to see Jin Baobao leaning by the window, gazing outside.

The young girl had bathed and brushed her hair, dressed in clean clothes, her round face plump and lively.

"Jin Baobao."

Jin Baobao immediately turned and jumped onto the bed. "Miss, you’re awake! Does it still hurt? Nurse Zhou’s methods weren’t good; I wrapped your wounds myself."

Yu Shengsheng felt the bandages. "Much better. How do you know how to do this?"

"Hmph, getting hurt all day makes bandaging second nature. Shall I help you up to move around? You can’t just lie there."

Her words came fast and clear, like rapid-fire, stirring a series of bubbles in Yu Shengsheng’s quiet heart, rippling outward.

But warmth lasted only a moment. Just as Yu Shengsheng got out of bed, Su Dingqin and Su Zhiyi entered one after the other.

Su Dingqin exuded a gloomy aura; Su Zhiyi looked anxious.

"Big brother, let’s talk calmly."

"Sister must have her reasons; don’t blame her just yet."

These words only poured fuel on the fire. Su Dingqin fixed his gaze on Yu Shengsheng.

"As your elder brother, I’ve always thought of you, stood up for you, even risking being detained in the Jingzhao Prefecture prison."

"The reputation of the Su family, my own honor—Shengsheng, does any of it matter to you?"

Su Dingqin stared at Yu Shengsheng’s expressionless face, her calm eyes, feeling his anger boil, leaving little reason behind it.

He couldn’t understand when his beloved sister had sided with that Third Young Master Lu.

Recalling the time he was released, the smirking Lu servant “reminding” him not to go too far, that the family’s face would be saved by the youngest girl first, no matter what battles were fought, his heart burned with rage, painful beyond endurance.

His cherished sister had actually allied with an outsider to suppress their own family, to suppress him as her brother!

Ai Yi, though physically limited, had been at the mansion gate to greet him, knowing of his grievances, soothing him gently. But Shengsheng?

She didn’t even come to meet him, remaining utterly indifferent!

How cold was her heart? Could it ever be warmed?

Yu Shengsheng calmly let him vent. "I wonder where the Major General got that idea? The Su family’s honor, your own face, have never been something your cousin could carry."

"Whether you stand up for me or for the family’s face, ask yourself that honestly."

Su Dingqin clenched his fists, eyes wide. "You!"

Yu Shengsheng knew him well. If the second brother cared most about his own reputation, then the eldest cared most about the Su family’s honor.

Third Young Master Lu might be a rakehell, but from what he just said, Yu Shengsheng felt he was clever—he must have said something damaging to the Su family’s face, which angered Su Dingqin.

It was definitely not because of her—now, seeing Su Dingqin’s reaction, she knew her guess was right.

Su Zhiyi frowned, incredulous as she looked at Yu Shengsheng. "Sister, Third Young Master Lu and the others slander you. Big brother only cares about you. He’s never lost face or suffered such grievances before."

"For me?" Yu Shengsheng chuckled lightly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’ve never had conflicts with others. What they say is just about past matters."

"My background, the fact that I’m the culprit who harmed you, that I was taken away to learn discipline."

"That’s the truth. What else have they falsely accused me of?"

Su Dingqin’s eyes grew bloodshot. Yu Shengsheng’s words felt like giant hands tearing him apart.

His honor, his heart, shattered to pieces.

Yet Yu Shengsheng didn’t even look at him, instead pointing at the bloodied clothes by the bedside.

Su Dingqin followed her gaze—plain garments stained with glaring blood.

Those were Shengsheng’s clothes? How did she bleed so much?

Confusion and panic flashed across his eyes as he searched over Yu Shengsheng’s body.

Jin Baobao snorted. "Miss injured herself trying to save you, bearing the punishment. The bloodied clothes are proof, with countless wounds on her body. Does your face have any scrapes?"

Su Dingqin was filled with shock and fury; his blood raced wildly through his veins.

Jin Baobao’s taunt seemed to give him an opening.

He roared, "Shut up! Vile servant!"

Right—Third Young Master Lu had even threatened, insisting this maid enter the mansion. When did the Su family’s affairs become Lu’s business, especially a rakehell’s?

Su Dingqin’s lingering concern was swallowed by rage. He raised his hand and struck at Jin Baobao.