Months had passed since they last met, but looking at the man now, Su Yunmo felt as if years had gone by.
"She is your sister, after all. Even if she made mistakes before, as an elder sister, you should forgive her. Why cause such a scene at her wedding?"
Su Yunmo let out a cold laugh.
She had heard these words many times before.
*Even if they killed you, you must forgive.*
For no other reason than the fire hadn't truly killed her, everyone felt they should just let bygones be bygones.
But why should she! The fire had been set!
She had truly experienced that raging fire, that betrayal!
Why should they expect her to forget everything with just a few words?
Was she meant to suffer just because she was the elder sister? Was she meant to be obedient just because she was a daughter?
Did they ever treat her as a sister, as a daughter?!
"If Marquis Lin has called me here just to lecture me, then I believe I can leave."
Lin Zequ's eyes narrowed, and he remained noncommittal about her address. "You have now integrated into the General's mansion, and Su Qingtian and his wife are not on guard against you."
"From today onwards, you will act as a spy within the General's mansion. When the time comes, you will devise a plan to make the General's mansion an ally to Prince Lian."
Su Yunmo couldn't help but scoff. "On what grounds do you believe I will agree to your proposal?"
"This is not a proposal; it is an order from your father." Lin Zequ's voice was sharp and commanding, his face stern.
"Don't forget, even in your current state, you are still a member of the Lin family and should serve the Lin family!"
Su Yunmo suddenly felt disgusted, utterly disgusted.
For over a decade, he had ignored her, even instructed the siblings she grew up with to kill her, and now he wanted to use her as a pawn?
How could he speak with such righteous indignation?
"I heard that Prince Lian visited the General's mansion on your birthday and intended to take you as a concubine. You refused? Why?" Lin Zequ looked at her coldly.
Su Yunmo's face turned grim. "Don't you know why I refused?"
Lin Zequ frowned, displeased. "Is it because of your sister? Don't forget that her marriage to Prince Lian was bestowed by the late Emperor."
"Moreover, at your current age, you'll need a few more years before you can truly enter the mansion. During this time, let alone a concubine, even being taken as a mere concubine would be considered generous treatment by Prince Lian."
"One should not be too demanding. Since Prince Lian values you and is willing to use you, you should be content to serve him."
"Bestowed by the late Emperor? Well said, 'bestowed by the late Emperor'!" A scarlet glint flashed in Su Yunmo's eyes.
Did he not know who was truly bestowed by the late Emperor back then?
They killed her, took everything from her, and now they wanted to use her as a stepping stone!
What a benevolent father! What generous treatment!
"Don't assume I will help Ye Jingcheng. I will see the An Yang Marquisate destroyed sooner or later!"
Her words were filled with killing intent.
A murderous glint flashed in Lin Zequ's eyes. He waved his hand. "If that is the case, then do not blame me!"
This girl could not be allowed to live!
A red glow flickered in Su Yunmo's eyes.
Before she could even use her abilities, she felt a surge of blood in her chest.
She gritted her teeth, forcefully mobilizing her internal energy.
*Bang!* Two gusts of palm energy met in mid-air, exploding with a sharp crack.
Su Yunmo froze. Before she could turn, someone pulled her into an embrace. A slightly annoyed voice came from above her.
"You little brat, running around everywhere again! Don't you want dinner?!"
Su Yunmo's fingers stiffened, and the turmoil in her heart subsided. "Father..."
Su Qingtian, his anger evident, lowered his head and bit her cheek fiercely. Still not satisfied, he gritted his teeth and glared at the person opposite him. "What does the Marquis mean by this!"
If that palm strike had landed true, the little brat would surely have died!
It was true that she was wrong to run around the mansion without her master's permission, but to strike a child so ruthlessly – was he bullying the General's mansion into thinking no one was here?
Su Yunmo yelped as she was bitten, and her anger subsided, leaving only a trace of grievance.
Lin Zequ's gaze flickered. He withdrew his hand, placing it behind his back, his demeanor calm and seasoned. "I was merely practicing my martial arts. Your esteemed daughter suddenly intruded, and I accidentally injured her."
"Accidentally injured? I'll 'accidentally injure' you too!" Su Qingtian roared, channeling his internal energy and unleashing a palm strike.
Lin Zequ was startled. He truly hadn't expected him to act without preamble. He quickly turned and met the blow with a punch.
The two palm energies collided again, shattering a row of stone lanterns on either side.
The sound drew people from the front courtyard.
As the dust settled, Lin Zequ's face was extremely grim.
There was a tear in his sleeve, as if cut by a sharp blade, extending upwards. It was three centimeters away from his chest.
Su Qingtian, on the other hand, was only dusted with dirt; his clothes were completely intact.
Lin Zequ's eyebrows were sharply drawn, and his dark eyes concealed a sharp edge. "I heard your esteemed daughter was brought back from outside by your wife. General Su, are you not afraid of losing your status by causing a scene at the Marquis's mansion for a mere girl?"
Su Qingtian let out a cold snort. "My daughter is not for others to comment on. If you think the girl is not good, it's because you lack fortune. My daughter is a precious gem by birth!"
Su Yunmo's body stiffened, and her eyes welled up with tears.
Did Father really think that way?
They were both fathers, yet so different.
Su Yunmo had never had such a thought before, but now it suddenly surfaced: If only she were truly Father's daughter.
"However, it seems the Marquis and I disagree. The Marquis's mansion does not welcome me. Since that is the case, I will not linger here to be an eyesore!"
Su Qingtian uttered this, flicked his sleeve, and departed.
Lin Zequ watched their retreating figures, his gaze gradually darkening.
This girl was truly like her mother, stubborn and unyielding!
He feared that from today onwards, he would have to eliminate the General's mansion for Prince Lian!
The people from the front courtyard rushed over, only to see Su Qingtian walking out with a dark expression. They had no idea what had happened.
Zhou Wanyou saw him storming out from a distance and couldn't ask. She could only follow with the three children.
Once they were in the carriage.
Su Qingtian pulled the child from his embrace, his eyes sternly fixed on her. "Do you know who the Marquis of An Yang is?"
A menacing aura emanated from him, causing even Su Sizhuo and the other two to huddle in a corner, afraid to speak.
Zhou Wanyou frowned, wanting to intervene, but swallowed the words before they could be spoken.
Su Yunmo lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip, shaking her head.
She hadn't wanted to drag the General's mansion into this.
But after today's incident, she feared Lin Zequ would now have her father in his sights.
It was her fault. She had promised to protect them, and she hadn't wanted them to get involved.
"If you don't know, then listen to your father!"
"He has made great contributions, repelling foreign enemies and protecting the borders, eliminating corruption internally, and assisting in state affairs. He is a First-Rank Marquis personally bestowed by His Majesty!"
"His martial arts style is also on par with mine! Do you think your current small frame can contend with him?"
Su Yunmo clenched her fists, her body tensing, remaining silent.
Su Qingtian, displeased with her attitude, reprimanded her sternly, "Lift your head and look at me!"
Su Yunmo looked up at him, her lips pressed together stubbornly, her eyes red-rimmed.
Su Qingtian gripped her shoulders and lectured her word by word, "You cannot afford to provoke or defeat someone like that."
"But remember this, not everything in this world can be countered by brute force. If you must confront them, then use gentleness to overcome hardness, and leverage their strength against them."
"Head-on confrontation is not courage; it is foolishness! Do you understand?"