Chapter Four: Kneeling All Night in the Ancestral Hall Upon Entering the Door

Yu Shengsheng’s steps faltered.

Seeing the fracture in her eyes, an emotion unlike the calmness from before, Su Dingqin’s lips curled into a slight smile.

“Not fond of kneeling, weren’t you saying you never bowed to ancestors? Now kneel to your heart’s content!”

Madam Su’s tears rolled down her cheeks, about to intervene, but Su Zhiyi frowned, supporting herself on her knees, her expression pained.

“Yi’er, has your leg injury flared up again?” Madam Su asked anxiously.

Su Dingqin and Su Yanshu hurried to her side.

Yu Shengsheng was surrounded by the household guards, separated from the Su family, and escorted to the ancestral hall.

The heavy doors of the ancestral hall slammed shut. She knelt on a straw mat, letting her feet rest for a moment, exhaling deeply.

A faint glimmer of joy stirred in her heart, yet it was overwhelmed by sorrow and guilt.

Of course, she was happy to see Grandma Wu. It had been three years since their last meeting; she wondered if Grandma Wu was well, and whether the money and clothes she had sent before had been received.

But this place was no haven. She still wanted to escape and could not drag Grandma Wu into this fiery pit.

Moreover, Yu Shengsheng keenly sensed that the Empress would not suddenly show mercy and release her, nor was it due to the Su family’s plea.

Then why?

Even bringing Grandma Wu here must have a reason.

Lost in tangled thoughts, night gradually fell. The ancestral hall was dark and no one came to light the lamps.

Yu Shengsheng closed her eyes slightly, a thin sweat breaking out on her forehead. She tried hard to calm herself, repeatedly telling herself this was not the villa, not a dark room.

The whispering wind outside the window was not the roar of beasts.

Yet, the fear built from over three hundred nights still mingled with the stifling air, pressing in from all directions.

...

In the Fragrant Court, lights burned brightly. Opposite the bed sat a small cooling device: underneath, an ice basin; above, a delicate three-leaf bamboo fan. Su Yanshu gently waved the handle, the soft cooling breeze enveloping Su Zhiyi.

This cooling device was one of the first made by the Imperial Household Department and presented to the Eastern Palace. Su Yanshu had won it at a poetry gathering and asked the Crown Prince to let him bring it back as a lucky token for Su Zhiyi.

Su Zhiyi’s long hair cascaded down as she leaned against the headboard, savoring the ice cream Su Dingqin had just purchased for her.

Madam Su entered carrying a bowl of sour plum juice. Seeing Su Dingqin wiping sweat, she chided, “You’re always spoiling her. How can she be so fond of cold things?”

Su Zhiyi coquettishly replied, “Oh mother, I’ll only have a little. I won’t be greedy. Don’t blame big brother.”

Madam Su sighed helplessly but indulged her, “At most half the portion.”

Su Zhiyi frowned, reluctant to part with it. “Then, mother, promise me this: I’ll have Ru Jian book a table at Baiwei Pavilion. You all must join me, okay?”

Su Yanshu smiled gently. “Alright, I’ll bring the pear blossom white wine.”

Satisfied, Su Zhiyi called out, “Ru Jian.”

A female guard in sturdy attire entered through the door.

“Miss?”

“Go to Baiwei Pavilion and reserve a table to be delivered here. Remember, include big brother’s favorite Jin Yu stir-fried double fresh, also Bu Bu Gao Sheng for second brother, and Fu Gui Man Tang for mother.”

...

Ru Jian took her orders and left; laughter echoed within the house.

She passed through the rear courtyard, then turned and headed toward the silent ancestral hall.

Yu Shengsheng’s legs were numb from kneeling, nearly losing all feeling. Her feet were soaked, and she could smell a faint metallic scent of blood.

But none of that compared to the dread she felt toward the darkness. She forced herself to keep her eyes open, clenching her teeth to fight both the darkness and the demons within.

Her entire being was like a taut string on the verge of snapping when suddenly, a chilling and murderous cold brushed her cheek!

A few strands of hair fluttered down, a shallow blood mark appeared on her jade-like face. Yu Shengsheng had no time to care about that; she stared fiercely at the hidden weapon lodged before her.

Attached to the weapon was a note.

She waited a moment longer, peered around—no movement. She pulled out the weapon and unfolded the note.

Supporting herself, she struggled to stand and moved to the altar table, using the faint red glow to read the message clearly.

The note simply stated: Behave and obey the rules, or suffer the consequences.

Yu Shengsheng tightened her fingertips; the red light reflected in her eyes, a fierce, unyielding stubbornness quietly surging.

She opened her mouth, placed the note inside, and very slowly chewed, crushing every word.

Then swallowed it.

If she were alone, there would be nothing to fear—but now was different.

Grandma Wu was still inside the manor, and she had not even seen her yet.

As the night deepened, laughter and chatter in Su Zhiyi’s courtyard finally dwindled, the feast cleared away, and the air still lingered with the scent of wine.

Su Yanshu’s cheeks flushed slightly as he walked slowly toward Yu Shengsheng’s courtyard.

The medicine bottle in his hand was nearly warmed by his grip; his steps quickened involuntarily, but he stopped just before the courtyard gate.

It had been a year since Yu Shengsheng was taken away; he had not come here since.

That arrow from back then… actually, he—Su Yanshu shut his eyes tightly, suppressing the thought.

It was all in the past now. Shengsheng had been away for a year and had returned to the manor; there was no need to bring it up. If he were to feel guilt, it ought to be more toward Ah Yi.

His grip on the bottle loosened. Fine, he’d find another chance.

Turning, he vanished again into the night.

The next morning, the Su siblings went to pay respects at Madam Su’s quarters.

Madam Su had slept well and looked radiant.

Su Zhiyi’s eyes curved with a smile. “Our sister is back, and mother is happy. She even looks healthier.”

Su Yanshu glanced around calmly, masking a trace of impatience. “It’s already this hour; why hasn’t Yu Shengsheng come yet? Could she be waiting for us to invite her?”

Su Dingqin frowned, expression darkening. “Yanshu, Shengsheng shouldn’t be like that.”

Madam Su smiled lightly. “No rush, wait a bit longer. When Shengsheng arrives, we’ll set the table.”

Su Zhiyi’s smile softened. “Maybe sister’s still adjusting, went to bed late, so naturally woke late.”

Su Dingqin’s voice was tinged with anger. “A whole year, no progress at all. I really don’t know how she learned our rules!”

Madam Su soothed, “Enough. She is our sister. If she doesn’t understand, we’ll teach her patiently. Wu Mama, go check on Miss Shengsheng.”

“Yes, madam.”

After a moment, Wu Mama hurried in. “Madam, Miss Shengsheng is not in her courtyard.”

Madam Su was startled. “Not there? Where could she have gone?”

“I... I don’t know, but the bed in her room looks unused.”

Su Zhiyi was surprised. “Could it be that when sister returned yesterday, we spoke too harshly and upset her, so she ran away?”

Su Dingqin slammed the table in anger. “Run away? She’s got some nerve.”

Su Yanshu’s lips curled into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Probably spoiled by the Empress, who won’t tolerate any complaints.”

Madam Su’s face paled slightly. She stood up. “Could it be she went back to the villa? No, I’ll go get her.”

“Mother, if you go yourself, won’t that only encourage her?” Su Yanshu said softly. “Call the servant who guarded the gate last night.”

“I want to ask how our Miss Shengsheng left the manor.”

The atmosphere inside was heavy; the maids and housekeepers dared not breathe loudly.

A sweating footman knelt on the steps outside.

“Tell me, when did Miss Shengsheng leave the manor last night?” Su Yanshu asked.

“Second Young Master, I did not see Miss Shengsheng leave.”

Su Yanshu raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t see? Were you slacking off again?”

The footman kowtowed repeatedly. “Second Young Master, your servant stood watch all night, not once did I slack or nap.”

Su Dingqin tapped the table lightly. “There are also patrolling guards in the manor. Go ask them.”

“Mother, when did you say last night that Shengsheng should return to her courtyard?”

His question caught Madam Su off guard.

“Return to the courtyard? I never gave such instructions. Wasn’t it you who did?”

Su Dingqin was also stunned. “You didn’t? Then...”

He looked toward Su Yanshu.

Su Yanshu’s face mirrored the surprise. “I assumed either big brother or mother had given the order.”

The three exchanged glances, suddenly realizing that Yu Shengsheng might still be in the ancestral hall—kneeling there all night long!