Chapter 3: The Barking Dog

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Su Yunqing held the cup to her grandfather’s lips with one hand, while gently patting his back with the other.

“Grandfather, are you all right? I heard you coughing—I was so worried just now. It’s all that damned eunuch’s fault for blocking me from going out…”

Before she finished speaking, Elder Su choked and spat out a mouthful of water, coughing violently again.

Su Yunqing hurriedly put down the cup and anxiously patted her grandfather’s back. “Sorry, Grandfather, I fed you too quickly.”

Elder Su finally managed to stop coughing. Raising his hand, he shook his head at her and said, “It’s not the tea, Qing’er. Do you realize how much hardship you’ll suffer if you leave home with that temper of yours?”

Su Yunqing looked innocent. “What’s wrong with me?”

Elder Su sighed deeply. “You even dared to lay hands on someone from the palace. How many heads do you have?”

“But he just doesn’t look like a good person.”

Elder Su frowned. His son and grandson were all refined to the point of fragility, not one like him. Only in this little granddaughter did he see the shadow of his own youth.

Clear in love and hate, outspoken and straightforward, abhorring evil—he had lost count of how many times he had fallen because of this. In his old age, refusing to bow to Consort Zhang’s faction had cost him his only son’s life, and his wife had followed…

The pain of losing his son and wife had worsened his health over the years. Knowing his days were numbered, how could he rest easy with this child’s reckless ways?

What surprised him even more was that, having raised her by the standards he set for boys, she endured scolding and punishment without fear. Her sharpness had not lessened; on the contrary, frequent water fetching had forged her strong arms…

“Qing’er!”

“I’m here, Grandfather.”

“The Cheng family will arrive soon. After the disaster that befell the Su family, the road ahead will be difficult. Since this was the marriage arranged by your father while he was alive, and since Cenzhou is far and mountainous, once they return, you should go with them. It’s better to marry than to stay at home…”

“Grandfather, are you confused?” Su Yunqing reached out and felt his forehead. “This time, the Cheng family is here to propose, not to bring the bride.”

Elder Su held her hand in his. “I know, but times are different now. Before I die, I want to see you wed safely.”

Su Yunqing’s eyes flashed indignantly. “What nonsense is that? Whether life or death, it’s precisely because the times have changed that the Su family must not be underestimated. Besides, my eldest and second brothers are not yet married.”

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“Your eldest and second brothers had their engagements three years ago and had set wedding dates. Your father mourned for three years, so the weddings were postponed. Now that the three years have passed, the weddings will be held soon.”

Su Yunqing smiled mischievously. “Then I’ll welcome my two sisters-in-law into the family before I leave.”

Just then, her eldest brother Su Yunlang entered. “Grandfather, the elder of the Cheng family and the eldest son, Cheng Ji, have arrived.”

Elder Su raised his hand, signaling Su Yunlang. “Help me up. It’s troublesome for Lord Cheng to come all this way in person.”

Su Yunqing stood awkwardly. “Um, Grandfather, Eldest Brother, I’m going back to my room first.”

Elder Su chuckled teasingly. “What, are you shy too?”

Su Yunqing said nothing and turned away.

Cheng Ji was her fiancé, the man she was to spend her life with. Yet she had never met him; her father had unilaterally decided her marriage. Lord Cheng was her father’s old schoolmate, close as brothers. Later, when Lord Cheng’s official career faltered, he returned home to take up the family business. Though separated by great distance, their correspondence never ceased.

Through their letters, her father betrothed her to the Cheng family’s eldest legitimate son, Cheng Ji. She was furious when she heard this—how could marriage be decided so hastily?

Before she could resist, her father died…

Thus, her marriage into the Cheng family was an unchangeable fact. She had no interest in knowing what kind of man Cheng Ji was. Since he was not of her choosing, all men were the same. Since it was her father’s dying wish, she would comply.

During the three days the Cheng family father and son stayed at the Su residence, she did not once step outside the inner courtyard. This was entirely reasonable. However, the idea her grandfather mentioned of having her leave early to travel south to Cenzhou and marry Cheng Ji was impossible.

As soon as the Cheng family left the Su residence, another group arrived.

It was Wang Hong, the eunuchs who had been in the inner courtyard that day, and the county magistrate Liu Qing with a dozen constables trailing behind, timid and respectful. Among them was also a dog.

At Wang Hong’s command, the constables surrounded the gate tightly as he swaggered inside.

He produced an imperial edict: “Grand Secretary Su Yuan receives the Emperor’s decree…”

Elder Su, along with the male members of the outer courtyard, knelt hastily to receive the decree. What new order did the Emperor have now?

When the edict was finished, they realized it was identical to the previous one, word for word. What game was Wang Hong playing?

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With a wave of his hand, Wang Hong and his men stormed into every room of the inner courtyard once again. Elder Su knew his worst fears were coming true. Wang Hong was waiting for the Cheng family to leave before conducting another search, this time for the betrothal gifts they brought.

Elder Su sighed deeply. The nation was being destroyed by these lawless, unscrupulous men.

Wang Hong entered the inner courtyard and saw a furious Su Yunqing approaching him. Suddenly, the lingering pain in his backside and the back of his head flared up again, and he instinctively took a step back.

Su Yunqing’s eagle-like gaze made him uneasy; he involuntarily twitched his lips.

“Haven’t you already searched once? Why come again?”

Wang Hong shamelessly replied, “Miss, you don’t understand. To prevent traitors from hiding valuables, we officers must endure more hardship. Another inspection is necessary.”

“Shameless and absurd! Even the Emperor must abide by the laws revised by the Taizu Emperor. How dare a lowly rat like you act so outrageously…”

She raised her hand to strike, but Wang Hong was prepared this time. He dodged swiftly and shouted, “Guards! Drag this unruly brat away! Don’t let her obstruct official business and delay the important affairs. We cannot explain this to His Majesty.”

Several eunuchs seized Su Yunqing and prepared to bind her hands behind her back. Qin Yueniang rushed forward, pushing the eunuchs aside fiercely, pulling Su Yunqing behind her. Suppressing her anger, she said calmly to Wang Hong, “Sir Eunuch, please be magnanimous. This girl is young and ignorant. I will take care of her and ensure she causes no more trouble.”

“Mother, they’ve gone too far…”

“Enough. If you want our family to have a few more peaceful days, swallow this anger for me.”

Wang Hong clapped his hands. “The lady knows what’s best.”

The gold, silver, jade, silk, and brocade gifts from the Cheng family were not even hidden, easily taken away by them.

At Wang Hong’s order, all the servants in the residence were also taken. Last time, he had deliberately left some behind to have an excuse for returning.

As they were about to leave, the dog was nowhere to be seen.

Only faint barking came from the stables in the servant’s quarters. Seeing this, Elder Su lost his breath and fainted on the spot.