Su Yunmo rubbed her temples, a headache blooming. "Your Highness, I came today because I have something to ask you."
But since she was already here, it would be a waste of a trip not to ask for anything.
"I have something to ask you before you ask me," Ye Yuanlin said, sitting beside her.
The two were separated only by a table.
She leaned closer to Su Yunmo, eager to pry some information from her. "You've been at the General's mansion for a few months now. How has Zhou Wanyou treated you?"
Su Yunmo furrowed her brows. "Mother treats me very well."
"Very well? How is that possible?" Ye Yuanlin scoffed. Her usually gentle face contorted, filled with disgust and hatred.
"That woman is so jealous. How could she possibly accept an illegitimate child like you? What do you know as a child? She's a hypocrite."
Back then, Zhou Wanyou had refused to let her, a princess of noble status, marry Brother Su as a concubine. How could she have become so understanding now?
If it weren't for that damned bitch, she should have been the lady of the General's mansion.
She had forcibly separated them, and she had never forgotten it all these years!
A cold glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes. She tossed the pastry back onto the plate. "Your Highness should be careful with your words. Scolding your mother to her face will get you hit."
Ye Yuanlin paused for a moment. Seeing the annoyance in her eyes, she wasn't startled. Instead, she laughed sarcastically. "Do you really think she's your mother?"
"Everyone knows what happened back then. You're truly mistaking a thief for your mother. Do you know that your real mother was killed by Zhou Wanyou?"
Su Yunmo naturally didn't believe this.
She had memories and knew how Wu Qian had died.
However, if Ye Yuanlin's words were heard by any child lacking judgment, they would surely plant a seed of doubt in their heart.
But clearly, Ye Yuanlin felt this wasn't enough.
She squatted in front of Su Yunmo, gazing at her gently. "Momo, you see, I've given you pastries and tea. Doesn't that mean I'm treating you very well?"
"In this world, only I truly care about you. Zhou Wanyou is just deceiving you. She killed your mother, and she's doting on you as a way to atone for her sins."
"But I'm different. I knew your mother. So, if you help me enter the General's mansion and marry your father, I will definitely dote on you even more in the future."
A sharp light flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes. She raised her hand and flipped the pastry plate over.
Ye Yuanlin was splattered with pastries and suddenly shrieked as she stood up. "Damn girl, what are you doing?!"
Su Yunmo jumped down and looked at her with cold eyes. "Your Highness wants to use a few pastries to bribe me into becoming the General's wife? Isn't that a bit stingy."
Ye Yuanlin gritted her teeth and looked at her. "What do you mean by that? Don't you want to avenge your mother? Think about your mother, dying all alone. She must have been so pitiful. It's all because of Zhou Wanyou!"
The door was pushed open.
Su Qingtian strode in.
"Your Highness should know that Wu Qian died because she coveted what did not belong to her. Those who try to forcibly seize what belongs to others never have a good end!"
The latter part was clearly aimed at someone.
Ye Yuanlin's body stiffened, but her joyous expression did not diminish. "Brother Su!"
After so long without seeing him, he was still as heroic as ever. It was no wonder she had been thinking of him all this time.
"Father!" Su Yunmo straightened her body.
Su Qingtian's gaze fell on Su Yunmo, and he ground his molars. "Furthermore, those are all old matters. Your Highness need not discuss them with the child."
Su Yunmo understood the meaning of his expression perfectly. Father was about to get the shoe sole.
She shrunk her neck, suddenly wanting to run.
But before she could run, she was grabbed by the collar.
Su Qingtian turned and strode outside without delay. "My daughter has caused much disturbance today. This general will take his leave."
"Brother Su, wait!" Ye Yuanlin hurried over and blocked Su Qingtian's path, her eyes full of affection, the love in her eyes almost overflowing.
"We haven't seen each other for many years. Don't you miss me?"
She had specifically organized this banquet for him today, fearing that he would be afraid of Zhou Wanyou and dare not come to see her.
She had even specially sent an invitation to the General's mansion, hoping to meet him as legitimately as possible. Didn't he appreciate it at all?
Su Qingtian cast a cold glance at her. "Please stay away from this general, Your Highness. You are dirty."
Ye Yuanlin's face froze in surprise, and her expression slowly turned to shock. Her eyes suddenly reddened.
She was the youngest daughter of the late emperor, a noble princess of the royal family. How could he call her dirty?
"I'm dirty? What about Zhou Wanyou! Why do you like her so much? She's just a mere subject's daughter. Is she not as noble as I, a princess?"
"Su Qingtian! Do you know how long I've waited for you? Twelve years, a full twelve years!"
She had been so devoted to him, put so much effort into it for him. Now, was this the only evaluation she would receive?
A look of disgust flashed in Su Qingtian's eyes. Without even replying, he turned and walked away.
His expression was as if looking at her for another moment would be an insult to himself.
Ye Yuanlin watched him leave without looking back, then collapsed to the ground.
After a while, she gritted her teeth fiercely, tears falling from her eyes. "Zhou Wanyou! I will never let you go!"
Su Yunmo was thrown onto the carriage by her scruff.
As soon as her bottom touched the seat, she immediately cowered in the corner, hugging herself tightly. "Daddy, you can't hit me, or Momo will cry for you!"
Su Qingtian rubbed his hands together, his teeth grinding audibly. "Cry louder, or I won't be happy listening!"
"Ahhhhhhh!!"
Second Brother, I'm not done with you!
Su Yunmo was sent back to the mansion at dusk.
She lay on the bed.
Lülu brought her food and ate on the bed, constantly muttering.
"Back when the General and the Madam first met, the Princess once secretly sent a letter to the Madam, falsely claiming that they were already engaged. The Madam was heartbroken and refused to see the General."
"The General knelt outside the Zhou family's door for three days and three nights before the Madam opened the door. Everyone in our mansion knows that that princess is a taboo subject for the General."
If Miss didn't avoid him, why did she have to deliver herself to his doorstep?
Su Yunmo felt that the porridge in her hand no longer tasted good. "Lülu, don't you think it's a bit late to be saying this?"
The beating was already over. What was the point of telling her now?
Lülu pouted and stopped talking.
Su Yunmo sighed. "Prepare the carriage tomorrow. I need to go to the Imperial Prince's mansion."
She couldn't get any information from Ye Yuanlin for now, so she had to discuss it with Ye Jingyu.
Moreover, Consort Liang had recovered well, and she really needed to focus on curing his anorexia.
Lülu wanted to persuade her to rest at home tomorrow, but she knew her young lady was not one to sit still. She could only agree.
The next day.
Su Yunmo got up early and busied herself in the kitchen for a while before getting into the carriage to head to the Imperial Prince's mansion.
Ye Jingyu saw her in the study.
As soon as he opened the door and saw her holding a food box, his eyelids twitched. He instinctively stood up and retreated.