Chapter 27: A Stunning Appearance

The capital is teeming with nobility; those holding titles can be found at every turn. The Su family, at most, ranks as middle-tier. Yet, their patriarch commands armies in the field, the eldest son has earned military merit, the second son is a favored confidant of the Eastern Palace, and even their youngest daughter has secured the title of Junzhu through her own military contributions.

Those in court look toward the long term, not merely the present. Thus, when the second young master of the Su family sent out invitations for a lotus-viewing banquet, no one dared to decline—especially since it was rumored that the Crown Prince himself would attend.

From the moment breakfast concluded, a steady stream of carriages and guests arrived. Su Yanshu had changed into his jade crown and formal robes early. Before heading out to greet the guests, he made a special trip to Yu Shengsheng’s courtyard. Seeing her at her vanity, with the gown delivered earlier that morning from the Golden Thread Pavilion hanging on the rack, Su Yanshu offered a gentle smile.

"Dress the young lady well," Su Yanshu said, placing a small gold ingot on the table. "A reward for your service."

Grandma Wu hurried to bow and offer her thanks.

Su Yanshu personally selected a hairpin and held it up to Yu Shengsheng’s head to gauge the effect. "Do your work well, and you shall have a bright future."

His tone shifted; while his smile remained, a chilling edge crept into his voice.

"If there is any error in her appearance today, you will pay with your life."

"This one will do," he said with a smile.

Yu Shengsheng took the hairpin and held it in her palm. "I shall wear it once I am dressed."

Su Yanshu patted her shoulder lightly. "Your second brother will be waiting for you in the garden."

As he left, Yu Shengsheng closed her eyes for a brief moment. The threat in Su Yanshu’s words could not have been clearer; it was a warning not to try anything with her attire. He was still guarding against her, fearing she might deliberately dress down or forgo jewelry to make herself appear unsightly.

Yu Shengsheng opened her eyes and let a smile bloom in the mirror—how could she? Such tricks were too low-level, and they would only implicate others.

"Proceed with the dressing."

In the garden, many guests had already arrived. Su Yanshu was engaged in a pleasant discussion of poetry and literature with several young noblemen.

"The second young master is a master of both poetry and painting. When might we have the pleasure of seeing your brushwork?"

"Is today not the perfect opportunity? Second young master, might we be so fortunate?"

Su Yanshu waved his hand with a smile. "Today is for viewing the lotuses. I would not dare to present my crude work; how could a painting compare to the beauty of the real lotuses?"

Inwardly, Su Yanshu scoffed. *What sort of person are you, to think you deserve for me to paint for you on the spot?*

As his words faded, someone let out a soft sneer. "I say, Zhao the Fifth, you are just asking to be humiliated. Who is the second young master of the Su family? He is a man who walks within the Eastern Palace, someone who advises the Crown Prince. Would he paint for the likes of you?"

The scene went quiet. The aforementioned Master Zhao felt a flicker of annoyance, but upon turning to look, he suppressed it.

Lu Xingzhan strolled over, holding a jade fan. He wore moon-white summer robes, light and soft as clouds, layered with a translucent, shimmering gauze of the same hue. As he walked, it seemed as if the wind were wrapping around clouds, his demeanor elegant and dashing.

Lu Xingzhan did not have the best reputation, but his appearance was flawless. With fair skin, red lips, and large eyes—his dark pupils constantly darting with mischief—he was a man full of schemes. Whenever his eyes curved into a smile, someone was bound to be in for trouble.

Seeing him, the gathered guests went silent. There was no helping it; with his family background, no one dared to cross him. Furthermore, he was not only backed by a powerful lineage but was also a man of unyielding character and a sharp, stinging tongue. Those who crossed him only ever ended up on the losing side.

While others remained silent, Su Yanshu could not. Despite Lu Xingzhan’s mockery, he stepped forward with a welcoming smile.

"Third Young Master Lu, you have arrived. Please, take a seat."

Lu Xingzhan fanned himself. "I don’t have the qualifications to sit there. Look—in a moment, the sun will shift, and it will be shining right on that spot."

"I don’t care for that kind of face-saving. I’ll sit wherever it’s cool. Besides, I am young; I am no old turtle in need of baking my shell."

Su Yanshu’s temper flared, but his smile only deepened. "Third Young Master, you joke. All who have come today are honored guests, and my lotus pond does not keep tortoises."

Lu Xingzhan raised an eyebrow.

"Third Young Master, please."

...

When Jin Baobao relayed these words to Yu Shengsheng exactly as they were spoken, Yu Shengsheng’s eyes widened in shock.

"That is what he said?"

"Indeed, not a word off," Jin Baobao replied, unable to stop grinning. "That man’s tongue is truly venomous."

Yu Shengsheng could not help but suppress a smile.

Jin Baobao rested her chin in her hands, her eyes sparkling. "Miss, you look so beautiful, it makes my heart flutter."

Grandma Wu chuckled. "You silly girl, shall I dress you up as well?"

Jin Baobao nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! I want those thick, bold brows—they look so imposing!"

Yu Shengsheng took only Jin Baobao with her to the garden, leaving Nanny Zhou and Grandma Wu to rest in the courtyard. She had never attended such an occasion before. For the past two years, Su Dingqin had not attended himself, and Su Yanshu had told her to wait until she could read, write, and master etiquette, so that he could bring her out to stun the entire assembly.

This wait had lasted until today.

Yu Shengsheng walked slowly toward the garden, her hands clenched slightly. Su Yanshu likely could not have imagined that in this single year, she had suffered a lifetime of torment, endured countless beatings, and mastered skills that others took decades to learn.

But none of that mattered today.

Step by step, head held high, she walked toward the trap Su Yanshu had laid for her, the cage he had woven. She had to break the trap and escape the cage.

The garden was buzzing with activity, and the tea had already been served a second time. Lu Xingzhan leaned against a pillar, a servant fanning him.

"Young Master, you do not even like the Su family, why bother coming?"

Lu Xingzhan narrowed his eyes. "I’m bored, that’s all. I want to see what kind of play the second Su son is putting on this time."

The servant suddenly stopped, staring ahead, frozen.

Lu Xingzhan looked in the direction the servant was watching, his own gaze narrowing slightly. At the same time, many others ceased their chatter.

A graceful figure passed through the moon gate, walked along the flower gallery, and headed toward them.

She wore a dress made of pale, goose-yellow shimmering gauze. In the scorching summer heat, she looked like a handful of snow lightly veiled by sunlight—a visitor from another world, chilling to the soul.

A summer breeze brushed against her hem, and the crowd involuntarily held their breath, fearing that even a breath would disturb her as the wind had.

As she drew closer, the crowd realized that while she appeared icy and remote from afar, up close, her face was alluring and exquisite. Her eyes lifted slightly, capturing the hearts of all who looked upon her.

Su Yanshu’s lips curled into a smile involuntarily. He knew Yu Shengsheng was beautiful, but he had not expected her to be this breathtaking.

Today’s plan would surely succeed.

He took a few steps forward and stood still, waiting for Yu Shengsheng to reach him.

"Second Young Master."

Su Yanshu nodded with a smile. "Everyone, let me introduce you. This is my cousin, Shengsheng."

Lu Xingzhan came to his senses and gave a light laugh, glancing at Shen Zhiyuan nearby with a look of disdain.

Shen Zhiyuan tightened his grip on his teacup unconsciously. His throat felt parched; what he drank did not taste like tea, but bitter wine.

Yu Shengsheng, so vibrant and dazzling today, like a butterfly suddenly breaking free from its cocoon—he could not tear his eyes away.

In his heart, in his bones, in every pore, it felt as if sharp needles were pricking him, reminding him of one thing:

Yu Shengsheng should have been his.

It should never have been Kong Dezhao’s turn!

Today, he had to stop this.

On the two-story flower pavilion across the garden, Su Zhiyi sat in her wheelchair, looking through the window at the scene below. Even though she could not see the faces clearly, she could recognize Yu Shengsheng’s figure.

"Is everything ready?"

Rujian stood behind her, holding a teapot.

"Miss, everything is prepared."

"Begin."