Chapter 68: Stepping on the Face and Grinding It into the Dirt

Su Yanshu had searched the back mountain with great difficulty. When he spotted Yu Sengsheng's figure, just as he was about to heave a sigh of relief, he saw her about to be struck.

How could he let this stand? He immediately let out a loud shout.

Usually, when Yu Sengsheng was punished or beaten at home, that was a family matter; being bullied by outsiders, however, was an entirely different story.

Su Yanshu strode up to Yu Sengsheng and shielded her behind him.

He glared furiously at the old servant, his face as dark and gloomy as water.

Although he was a scholar, he was also the son of a general and had long served by the Crown Prince's side; his imposing and formidable aura was effortless to project.

The old servant was startled, instinctively trading glances with her companion, and took two steps back.

Su Yanshu sternly rebuked, "Such audacity! To dare lay a hand on someone from my General's Manor—do you take my Su family for a pushover?"

Only after asking this did he look toward Princess Duanyang, his expression softening slightly. "Greetings, Princess. I had no idea Your Highness was also here to listen to the sermon. I wonder how my younger sister has offended you to provoke such a violent display in this place?"

First, he stated his family background, then reminded her that this was a sacred Buddhist sanctuary, and finally pointed out that Yu Sengsheng had done nothing to offend Princess Duanyang.

This rapid succession of questions made Princess Duanyang flush red, leaving her barely able to maintain her composure.

She let out a cold snort. "I was wondering who it was, and lo and behold, it's the Second Young Master Su. How is she considered your sister? If it were the Princess Rongyang, this Princess might show some restraint, but this Yu Sengsheng..."

Su Yanshu interrupted her. "Sengsheng is my sister as well. If she has been impolite, it is still for me to correct her; I would naturally punish her and make her apologize to Your Highness. But if she has done no wrong, she has even less need for Your Highness's leniency."

"May I ask, what did she do wrong to make Your Highness so furious that you would resort to beating her in a place like this?"

Every word he uttered was resolute and clear, without a shred of ambiguity, and with no intention of sweeping the matter under the rug.

Yu Sengsheng was shielded behind him. A strand of his hair was caught by the breeze, brushing gently against her cheek.

Yu Sengsheng turned her face slightly, letting the hair drift past.

Within her heart, there were no ripples of emotion.

Had this been a year ago, her heart would likely have been filled with joy, having an older brother to protect her, defying the powerful and arguing with reason.

But now, she was no longer the Yu Sengsheng of the past.

The Su family had riddled her with scars, treating her as a mere bargaining chip for their interests, trading her away without the slightest regard for her wishes. Could a mere shred of minor kindness, a superficial defense, truly move her?

I am afraid it was only they who were moved by their own performance.

The corners of Yu Sengsheng's lips curled into a trace of mockery, her gaze drifting toward a pair of small birds in the distance.

Flapping their wings and chirping happily, they skimmed together across the treetops and flew off into the far distance.

She and Qi Mubai would soon be just like those two little birds.

...

While the abbot was lecturing on Zen, Hao Mengye finally had a moment of leisure. Taking the painting from his subordinate, he unfurled it and let out a light breath.

"Has the person arrived?"

"Reporting to the Grand Commander, they have. They are currently lighting the everlasting lamps in the front hall."

"Invite him over."

"Yes."

It was time for this painting to play its crucial role, Hao Mengye thought to himself. Once this matter was accomplished, he would no longer owe Yu Sengsheng anything.

As he was deep in thought, a subordinate came to report, "Grand Commander, Princess Duanyang and Miss Yu have gotten into a conflict near the calligraphy stele in the back mountain."

Hao Mengye frowned. "Princess Duanyang? What is she obstructing now..."

Before he could finish, he already understood.

He chuckled softly. "Truly, what one wishes to avoid, one cannot escape; what one desires and cannot obtain turns into spiteful fury."

"Kong Dezhao probably never imagined that Princess Duanyang would harbor such jealous rivalry over him."

"As the Grand Commander says, Su Yanshu has already gone over there, so shall we..."

"Pay it no mind," Hao Mengye snorted. "Su Yanshu will undoubtedly fight tooth and nail to protect his cousin."

...

Su Yanshu protected Yu Sengsheng, refusing to yield an inch in the face of Princess Duanyang.

Princess Duanyang grew furious. "Su Yanshu, what do you think you are? How dare you defy this Princess? Do you believe me if I say I'll beat you right along with her!"

"Men, seize them!"

The two old servants acknowledged the order, but their hearts were trembling with insecurity.

While this Second Young Master Su held no official post, his background was formidable, and he was currently a favorite in the Crown Prince's inner circle. To strike him? Wasn't that courting death?

Su Yanshu sneer-laughed. "Princess would do well to think twice. If my sister and I are beaten in this pure Buddhist sanctuary, whether Your Highness can clean up the mess afterward... Today there are many distinguished guests present, and should word spread, does Your Highness possess the capability to walk away unscathed?"

Princess Duanyang was driven purely by temper, and since Su Yanshu refused to yield an inch, she was backed into a corner.

Now that her bluff was exposed, her embarrassment turned to rage.

To strike them—she genuinely feared the consequences; not to strike them—would cause her to lose even more face.

"Don't you dare try to frighten this Princess! As a member of the imperial family, is it possible I cannot deal with the likes of you? Guards, beat them for me!"

The old servants had no choice and raised their hands. Before the blow could fall, however, a sharp whistling sound ripped through the air, piercing squarely through the palm of the servant who was about to strike.

The old servant let out a miserable shriek as a small crossbow bolt violently pierced entirely through her hand!

Yu Sengsheng's nonchalant expression shifted slightly, her entire body tensing up.

She recognized this crossbow bolt; it belonged to Kong Dezhao.

Kong Dezhao's voice, laced with chilling laughter, drifted over leisurely: "I was wondering who possessed such grand airs, and lo and behold, it is the esteemed daughter of our Prince Rui's estate, peerlessly beautiful, uniquely talented, and of most noble birth—Princess Duanyang."

He arrived leisurely carried on a sedan chair borne by two men, his gaze like an arrow shooting straight toward Princess Duanyang.

"The capital's spiritual waters truly nourish people; look at how Princess Duanyang's grand demeanor is now completely different from when she was in Nanshun."

"Seeing you now acting so overbearing and eager to dish out beatings, this Marquis's Heir almost forgot how much you and your father behaved like whimpering lapdogs back in Nanshun."

The surroundings fell completely silent; even the groans of pain from the old servant grew faint.

Princess Duanyang's face turned a mottled shade of pale and green, her fingers tightly wringing together as cold sweat seeped from her back. The air hung heavy with the scent of blood; the servant who had moments ago raised her hand to strike now knelt half-grounded, her hand trembling in agony.

She never expected to reunite with Kong Dezhao in such a manner, nor did she imagine that Kong Dezhao would mock her so mercilessly in front of so many people—especially in front of Yu Sengsheng.

She had originally wanted to salvage her dignity, but now, not only had it been completely shattered, it had been trampled ruthlessly into the dirt.

How was she supposed to conduct herself now? How could she ever show her face in the capital again?

"Young Marquis, you..." Princess Duanyang stepped forward. "How am I acting with grand airs? It is clearly Yu Sengsheng who tampered with the calligraphy stele without permission. With her status, how could she possibly be worthy? I was merely teaching her a lesson when she refused to admit her wrongdoing."

Su Yanshu cupped his fists and said, "If the Young Marquis would permit me to explain, this calligraphy stele has stood here for over a hundred years. Anyone is permitted to make rubbings from it; there has never been any restriction based on social status."

Kong Dezhao waved a hand dismissively, caring little for what Su Yanshu had just said.

"Men, dig the stele up."

As soon as these words were spoken, leave aside Princess Duanyang; even Yu Sengsheng and Su Yanshu were startled.

Kong Dezhao looked at Yu Sengsheng and smiled at her like a fierce tiger.

"You like it? That's easily settled. I'll have it dug up and send it to you."

Yu Sengsheng hurriedly curtsied. "Many thanks, Young Marquis, but there is no need for that. I have already made my rubbings..."

"What does that matter? Dig it up and take it back, so you can make as many rubbings as you wish." Kong Dezhao rested his arm on the railing of the carrying chair and beckoned to her.

"Come here."