Chapter Fourteen: The Su Family’s Inhumanity

Page 1/3

Yu Shengsheng could tell from Madam Su’s expression that this was certainly no good idea. She remained calm and listened quietly. Madam Su stepped forward, gently took her hand, her voice tinged with helplessness and sorrow: “Shengsheng, your eldest brother only fought because of you. The third son of the Lu family is the notorious troublemaker of the capital. Your eldest and second brothers usually avoid provoking him; he’s just fiercely protective of you!” Yu Shengsheng sneered inwardly—how ‘grateful’ she was. “Madam, why not just say it plainly? What exactly do you want me to do?” Madam Su sobbed softly, “Why don’t you go to the Lu family to offer a humble apology? If they forgive us, we can bail your eldest brother out.” Yu Shengsheng looked up in stunned disbelief. They wanted her to humble herself and apologize? Because of what Su Dingqin had recklessly done, they expected a young girl to go and beg for forgiveness? A chill froze her heart. She pulled her hand back. “Madam, are you joking? Does the Lu family even know who I am? I’m just a distant cousin of the Su family. Would they even let me set foot in their door?” Su Zhiyi spoke with concern, “Sister, don’t worry about that. I can have Rujian accompany you.” Yu Shengsheng didn’t even glance at her. “No need, Princess. I can’t afford your guards.” The matriarch slammed her hand on the table. “What nonsense are you talking? This all started because of you. Your eldest brother is in prison now for defending you. He is a respected young general, the eldest son and grandson of the Su family. How can you let his face be lost? How about the family’s reputation?” Nurse Zhao hurriedly patted her back. “Madam, please watch your health, calm down. I’ll make you some tea.” Yu Shengsheng sensed the threat beneath the words. Thinking of Grandma Wu still boiling water, she suppressed all her emotions. “Fine. I’ll go.” “Good child, I’m sorry for making you bear this. Your mother understands…” Yu Shengsheng did not want to hear this worn-out refrain and bowed respectfully before leaving. Madam Su watched her retreating figure, her heart breaking—this was her own flesh and blood, carried for ten months, a daughter who had never known ease or comfort. She felt the pain deeply. But what choice did she have? For the eldest son’s sake, this was the only way to persuade the Lu family to relent. She could only let Shengsheng endure the hardship.

Yu Shengsheng reached the mansion’s gate, the thorny branch strapped to her back piercing through her summer garment, sharp points drawing blood that stained like crimson plum blossoms. Her body trembled slightly, and she bit her lip hard. Madam Su hurried to catch up, covering her mouth as she wept. Su Zhiyi softly urged, “Mother, please stop crying. Sister is doing this to save our eldest brother. We have no other choice.” Madam Su nodded. “Shengsheng, when you arrive at the Lu family…”

Page 2/3

Before she could finish, Yu Shengsheng stepped out of the estate. On the street, many bystanders were stunned by the scene: a breathtakingly beautiful girl, skin white as snow, carrying a black thorned branch on her back, bloodstains spreading across her clothes. She walked slowly but with unwavering determination. The murmurs of the crowd died down with each drop of blood. The warm breeze seemed to lose its warmth, chilling everyone’s hearts. “That must hurt so much!” someone whispered. “If her parents saw this, they’d surely be heartbroken.” Yu Shengsheng hadn’t cried when Madam Su proposed this plan; she hadn’t cried when the matriarch scolded her; she hadn’t cried when the thorns pierced her back. Yet now, hearing the passerby’s words, her eyes suddenly grew moist.

At the Lu residence, Lu Xingzhan was in front of the mirror, a servant massaging his face with eggs. “The Su family is really ruthless. Next time I see that guy, I’m smashing his head for you!” Lu Xingzhan sneered, “No one in the Su family is decent scum. Hiss… easy there!” A household servant rushed in. “Third Young Master, someone from the Su family has arrived.” Lu Xingzhan lazily leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. “Don’t see them. Make them wait outside in the sun for an hour.” “Yes, sir,” the servant said as he left, muttering, “That little girl’s gonna get skinned alive.” “Come back,” Lu Xingzhan opened his eyes, “What little girl?” “Someone from the Su family, a young girl carrying a thorned branch on her back.” Lu Xingzhan sat up slowly, pushing the servant aside. “A girl? Pale, very pretty?” The servant nodded repeatedly. Lu Xingzhan cursed quietly, “The Su family really doesn’t treat people like humans.”

Yu Shengsheng stood at the Lu family gate, sweat mixing with blood dripping down, her back clinging painfully to her torn clothes. She was numb from the pain. Curious onlookers gathered nearby, whispering. “Who is this girl? She looks so pitiful.” “I heard she’s from the Su family and offended the third young master of the Lu family.” “The third young master is making things difficult for a girl? That’s too much…”

Page 3/3

Lu Xingzhan stepped outside and faintly caught these words. His anger flared uncontrollably. “The Su family doesn’t treat people like humans. They let me take the blame but don’t even check if I’m the one at fault…” He strode out fiercely, stopping short when he saw Yu Shengsheng’s pitiful state. Her face was pale, sweat soaking her hairline, black hair plastered to her cheeks. Her finely arched brows, washed by sweat, shadowed her deep, dark eyes that weighed heavily on the heart. Lu Xingzhan clenched his back teeth and cursed the Su family a thousand times in his mind. Swallowing his anger, he approached her with thunderous steps. “Are you an idiot? Have you been bullied silly by the Su family?” His tone was fierce, but softened unconsciously at the end. “First taking the blame, now carrying thorns on your back. Is there anything under heaven you won’t bear?” Yu Shengsheng pressed her cracked lips together. “I beg the magnanimity of Third Young Master Lu to spare Su Da Gongzi and allow him to be bailed out.” Lu Xingzhan fixed his gaze on her, studied her a moment, and let out a short, bitter laugh. “Alright, alright. I’m magnanimous. My grandfather’s belly could fit a boat. Enough, go!” Yu Shengsheng stopped and bowed sharply. The movement caused more blood to flow. Lu Xingzhan turned away, scolding the servant, “What are you standing there for? Take her home by carriage. Don’t have her die halfway and blame me.” “Yes!” The servant turned to fetch the carriage, but Yu Shengsheng said, “No need. I’ll walk back myself.” She didn’t want any more complications or to repeat this ordeal. Lu Xingzhan gaped, “Suit yourself! Walk if you want!” Yu Shengsheng turned and walked, the servant following distantly behind.

At the crossroads, inside the carriage, Rujian clearly saw the scene. “Isn’t Third Young Master Lu the notorious troublemaker? Why did he let her go so easily?” Rujian gripped the carriage curtain angrily, “It must be because of her enchanting looks. Even Third Young Master Lu was fooled by her.” Su Zhiyi spoke coldly, word by word, “Shut up.” Yu Shengsheng dragged her heavy steps under the blazing sun, sweat blurring her vision, her entire body aching. Soon, once she returned, this chapter could finally be put to rest. Today, Grandma Wu’s crisis was resolved. She wiped her sweat, and through her hazy sight, a figure charged through a cloud of dust toward her. “Don’t run, stop!”