Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Beside her, Yuan Ruo was still holding the newly custom-made dowry box. “Miss, look at this new jewelry box. The workmanship is so exquisite!”
“The furniture in Red Brocade Lane has always been well-made! It’s a pity the golden silkwood hasn’t arrived yet, so we can only use this mahogany and rosewood,” Su Yurou snorted in disdain.
If they had the prized golden silkwood, she would make Su Yingxue foot the bill, watching as she emptied the Marquis’s Manor’s treasury and got kicked out by their father!
“Miss, even though we’ve bought so many things and Su Yingxue has paid for them, won’t madam be angry if she finds out?” Yuan Ruo still had lingering fears from her past punishment by Liu Shulan.
In her past role, she followed Su Yurou and enjoyed many benefits, but the circumstances were different now with Su Yingxue in charge of the household. If Su Yurou pushed her limits too far, she, as a maid, might face an unfortunate outcome.
“Why worry? I bought some for my mother too. Immediately send the items to her. She’s been holding back a lot of frustration lately. Let’s make her happy!” Su Yurou ordered with an air of arrogance.
Yuan Ruo delivered the new furniture to Liu Shulan. However, rather than showing joy, Liu Shulan learned that it was Su Yingxue who had paid for them and reprimanded Su Yurou.
Su Yurou’s eyes welled up with tears from the scolding. She pouted, saying, “Mother, even though Su Yingxue is in charge, she can’t mistreat us. 1 don’t believe Daddy would allow us to suffer!”
“Your father may not wish to see it, but Su Yingxue’s cunning schemes are hard to guard against! This time it’s just five hundred taels, not a considerable sum. She won’t likely bring this matter to your father. Even if she tries to make a fuss with these five hundred taels, I can handle it. But if you continue to waste money and give Su Yingxue a handle to grasp, I won’t be able to save you,” Liu Shulan sternly advised.
She didn’t mean to threaten her but felt compelled to issue a serious warning. Previously, when Liu Shulan embezzled a significant sum of money to purchase a deadly plague at Silver Moon Pavilion, she didn’t know how Su Dingheng had found out, and he had nearly lost his trust in her. Over the past few days, she had refrained from spending money, hoping that Su Dingheng’s anger would subside, allowing her to regain his trust and turn the tables against Su Yingxue.
With Su Yurou lavishly spending money now, Liu Shulan felt the need to remind her and set boundaries.
“I understand, Mother,” Su Yurou muttered with a touch of resentment. “Well, I’ve already bought all these pieces of furniture, so 1 can’t return them.”
“These items can’t be returned, but all the custom-made ones you ordered, return them!” Liu Shulan’s tone was uncompromising. “After Su Yingxue falls, I won’t skimp on the money you want to spend. However, until then, you must behave prudently and responsibly.”
Su Yurou let out a resentful sigh.
Liu Shulan firmly gripped her hand and insisted, “Did you hear my warning? Don’t cause any more trouble!”
“I heard you,” Su Yurou replied, trembling. Her mother seldom used such stern words with her.
Su Yingxue spent two days in the accounting room without receiving any additional bills from Su Yurou. She dispatched Zhilan to investigate, and Zhilan returned with puzzling news. “It’s rather strange, Second Young Miss sent someone to Red Brocade Lane and returned all the custom-made items, even forfeiting a deposit of several dozen taels!”
Su Yingxue raised an eyebrow. “It appears that Lady Liu is quite adept at disciplining her daughter.”
Zhilan was a bit concerned. “But won’t this disrupt Miss’s plans?”
Su Yingxue recorded the final entry and smiled. “Not necessarily. Lady Liu may discipline her daughter, but if her daughter doesn’t heed her discipline, what can she do?”
Zhilan saw the gleam of insight in Su Yingxue’s eyes and felt relieved that her Eldest Young Miss had another clever idea!