Chapter Fifty-Three: Mad Jealousy

Deep in the night.

Su Zhiyi gently stroked the dress spread across the bed. It was a gift specially sent to her by Su Yanshu before his departure.

Since Su Yanshu could not celebrate her birthday with her this time, he felt deeply apologetic and sent her a whole pile of gifts all at once.

She was well aware of Su Yanshu's feelings for her.

With reluctance, her fingers left the dress as she walked over to the mirror to take a look at herself.

Her face was undeniably beautiful; even Su Yanshu had been captivated by it. Ever since Yu Shengsheng was brought back and their true identities were clarified—revealing that she and Su Yanshu shared no blood relation—she had sensed a shift in Su Yanshu's attitude toward her.

It was a change that started from the most subtle details, soaking in silently, undergoing a qualitative transformation bit by bit.

When someone has feelings for another, their gaze cannot hide it.

Su Zhiyi smiled at her reflection in the mirror—she merely pretended not to know, basking in the enjoyment of it.

The Su family refused to acknowledge Yu Shengsheng, yet could not bear to let go of her status as a princess; thus, there could never be anything between her and Su Yanshu. She had known this all along.

Unfortunately, smart as Su Yanshu was, he failed to see it.

Perhaps he was still harboring the delusion that once he entered the imperial court and became a trusted official relied upon by the new monarch, he could change the situation.

Su Zhiyi gave a soft, mocking laugh, her brows and eyes filled with scorn.

She had never once intended to let anything happen between her and Su Yanshu.

She had higher ambitions.

Footsteps sounded behind her, but she did not turn around. "How is it?"

"Miss, everything has been prepared according to your instructions," Rujian replied in a low voice. "However, doing this poses a great risk to you as well. Should we reconsider..."

Su Zhiyi turned to look at her, causing Rujian to immediately lower her head and fall silent.

Su Zhiyi stroked her own face, murmuring like a spellbinding demon, "Of course I know there are risks, but Yu Shengsheng is so smug. Am I just supposed to watch her steadily establish her footing and snatch away my things one by one? Never."

Early the next morning, Yu Shengsheng woke up to see Mammy Zhou fussing over an ice basin.

"Miss, someone sent this early this morning. I heard the Madam scolded a few maids yesterday, and now they've finally learned to behave."

"They merely look at who is in power and treat people accordingly; it has always been thus," Yu Shengsheng said, examining Mammy Zhou's face. "Does it still hurt?"

Mammy Zhou smiled and said, "It doesn't hurt. This old servant has thick skin, a slap is nothing."

Jin Baobao puffed out her cheeks as she entered, prompting Yu Shengsheng to let out an amused chuckle. "What is the matter with you?"

"Mammy Zhao is here again, and she brought the Four Treasures of the Study, saying they are for the Miss to use for copying scriptures."

Yu Shengsheng patted the top of her head. "Don't be angry, copying scriptures is a good thing."

Mammy Zhao made a few more sarcastic remarks, claiming that the princess's birthday was approaching and the household was busy, so if there were any oversights, Yu Shengsheng should bear with them.

Yu Shengsheng remained silent and unyielding. Mammy Zhao felt like her punch had landed on cotton, and she left with a cold snort.

For three consecutive days, it was truly as calm as still water.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the birthday arrived. The moment Yu Shengsheng woke up, she felt her eyelids twitching slightly, a lingering intuition in her heart that something was bound to happen.

Jin Baobao and Mammy Zhou carried in a heavy chest.

"Miss, the chest is here. What's inside? It's quite heavy."

Yu Shengsheng glanced at the chest without the slightest desire to open it.

She didn't need to look to know what was inside: every single gift presented to her by Madam Su and the Su brothers ever since she returned to the Su household.

She had engraved each one in her heart, cherishing them like precious treasures.

Yet today, she had to excise them from her heart one by one, casting them away and abandoning them.

Even if it meant tearing through flesh and leaving behind painful, bleeding wounds.

She looked away, stroking the scars on her arms. It mattered not; wounds would eventually heal in time.

Regarding Su Zhiyi's birthday banquet, Su Huaishan had previously stated that she did not need to show her face and only needed to prepare a birthday gift, but Yu Shengsheng had no intention of obeying Su Huaishan.

In the front courtyard, Madam Su had arrived early at the main hall to receive distinguished guests, taking charge of the female attendees, while Su Dingqin had also managed to get out of bed to oversee the male guests.

For the past two days, Su Dingqin had been confined to his bed recovering from his injuries. Through a combination of topical ointments and oral medicine, he had finally managed to get back on his feet by today.

Su Zhiyi's birthday celebrations were always grand affairs, and he refused to be absent. Su Yanshu was already away and unable to return; if he failed to show up as well, how heartbroken would Zhiyi be?

In past years, he and Su Yanshu would personally decorate the venue for Su Zhiyi's birthday banquet. This year, although his injuries prevented him from moving freely, he still kept close attention, demanding reports on what was hung in the courtyard and what decorations were used.

While busy greeting guests, he heard someone shout, "Princess Rongyang has arrived!"

Everyone turned around to see Su Zhiyi seated in a wheelchair, dressed in a vibrant, fiery-red gown that glowed as brilliantly as the evening clouds, slowly approaching.

Her brows and eyes were wreathed in smiles, and a hibiscus floral decal adorned her forehead, adding a touch of exquisite delicacy. Her brows, traced with luozidai pigment, were richly dark, beneath which her eyes shone brightly and clearly. The tip of her nose was faintly flushed, lending her a playful air, and her red lips curved slightly, radiant as peaches and plums.

Miss Liu gasped in admiration, "The Princess is so gorgeous! Is this dress made of Wanyun brocade? I heard that this is a tribute item from the Great Jin Kingdom, and there are only two bolts of it in total."

"One bolt is with the Empress, and the other is in the hands of the Noble Consort."

Rujian wore a proud expression on her face and nodded, "Miss Liu is entirely correct. This is indeed Wanyun brocade, bestowed by the Empress upon His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who in turn gifted it to our Second Young Master."

"Whenever the Second Young Master acquires fine treasures, he always gives them to our Princess first."

Envy filled the faces of the crowd as they gazed at Su Zhiyi.

Su Zhiyi's heart swelled with smug triumph; the feeling of being the center of attention and the object of universal envy was truly intoxicating to her.

At that moment, someone cried out, "Who is that? Heavens, is that a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm?"

The guests attending today were different from those at the flower-viewing banquet; those had been strictly handpicked noble young ladies and gentlemen selected by Su Yanshu. Today's attendees varied in rank—some were old family friends of the Su family, others were high-ranking officials who viewed the Su family as having a promising future, and still others were low-ranking opportunists looking to curry favor.

Naturally, many of them did not know Yu Shengsheng.

That exclamation of "a celestial maiden descending" immediately drew everyone's gaze in that direction.

Su Dingqin and Su Zhiyi turned to look as well.

The woman stepping through the moon gate was dressed in a moon-white gown. With her back straight and her skirt undisturbed, she walked with remarkably steady steps, exuding the refined demeanor of a noble lady of a great household.

Her cloud-like dark hair was softly gathered, adorned with a few tiny pearl flowers. Her brows resembled distant mountains, and her slightly slender eyes tilted upward at the outer corners. Her flowing gaze was profound and tranquil, yet carried an inherent trace of pride.

With a high bridge of her nose and tightly pressed red lips, she wore no makeup whatsoever, yet she instantly made the many meticulously dressed women present pale in comparison.

Su Dingqin felt a sour ache in his nose; ever since he was dragged away that day, he had not laid eyes on Yu Shengsheng.

He had heard from his mother that Shengsheng had gone to the Zhennie Tower to trade for his release, returning a few days later than he did.

He had also heard that Yu Shengsheng had returned to the estate, but he had never gone to see her, caught in persistent internal conflict—he wanted to see her, yet felt ashamed and somewhat awkward.

Even upon returning from the Zhennie Tower, he could not sleep peacefully, constantly plagued by nightmares, let alone Shengsheng, a gentle and delicate young girl.

He had worried about her constantly, and seeing her now, safe and sound, finally allowed him to set his mind at ease.

"Shengsheng," he called out, involuntarily hurrying forward to meet her.

Su Zhiyi tightly clenched her fists inside her sleeves, a flash of jealousy and hatred passing through her eyes.

Yu Shengsheng, you always try to snatch everything of mine, but today I will make you lose utterly and completely!