As Qin Mingyan left in a huff, she bumped into someone just outside the mansion gates.
Without even looking, she unleashed a torrent of abuse, "Are you blind? Can't you see where you're going!"
Su Yinyin felt a pang of injustice; it was Qin Mingyan who had run into her.
Despite this, Su Yinyin still apologized, "I'm sorry."
Her current situation was different from before. If she suffered any more grievances outside, her family would not protect her; they would only push her out.
Qin Mingyan looked down at Su Yinyin, "Well, well, I wondered who it was. It's that wretched girl from the Su family again!"
Recalling the humiliation she had just suffered at the General's mansion, her anger flared up. She raised her hand and slapped Su Yinyin across the face.
"Not a single one of you Su family girls is any good. All of you are little vixen spirits who seduce others, you little bastards!"
Su Yinyin cried out and was knocked to the ground. Tears welled up in her eyes, "What are you doing? I didn't provoke you!"
Everything that happened that day was her mother's scheme. It had nothing to do with her; she was also a victim. Why were all these people scolding her!
"You didn't provoke me, but Su Yunmo did. Since you're all from the same family, you deserve it!" Qin Mingyan kicked her hard, spat, and turned to leave.
Su Yinyin clutched her stomach, lying on the ground, sobbing.
It wasn't as if she had wanted to be born into the Su family. Was it only because she and Su Yunmo both shared the surname Su that she had to endure such treatment?
Why, why!
"Miss Yinyin? What's wrong?" Acai came out of the mansion and saw Su Yinyin lying on the ground. She stepped forward to help her up.
"Are you feeling unwell? Shall I call for a doctor?"
Su Yinyin endured the pain and shook her head, wiping away her tears.
Acai asked, "Then why are you here? Are you looking for Madam? Or Miss?"
Su Yinyin opened her mouth, but swallowed her words, "I was just passing by. It's nothing."
She had originally intended to find Su Yunmo, to thank her for saving her yesterday, and to ask for a favor.
It seemed that was no longer necessary.
Su Yinyin withdrew her hand and turned to leave.
Seeing her dejected state, Acai felt a twinge of pity but ultimately sighed and did not call out to her.
The Third Young Master had just calmed down a little. It was best to avoid trouble with the Second Branch if possible.
Su Yinyin, clutching her stomach, returned to her residence. It took her nearly half an hour to get home.
Because of Su Xingzhe's affairs, the family had lost a lot of money. They could no longer afford to live in the main house and had to move to the side courtyard.
As she approached the courtyard, she headed towards the main hall.
Before she could even enter, a teacup flew out from inside.
Su Xingzhe's voice could be heard from within, "How can I drink such terrible tea? The new cook is no good either, making all sorts of rubbish!"
The table was kicked over, and the teacups shattered on the floor.
Dou Ying tried to placate him, "Just make do for now. The household is short on funds. Once things stabilize, I'll hire a better cook and maids for you."
"Wait? How long do I have to wait!" Su Xingzhe yelled impatiently.
"If you're really out of money, why not sell those jade ornaments at home?"
Dou Ying replied, "How can that be? Those were gifts from His Majesty to the Su family in previous years. How can we sell them casually?"
"If we can't sell the jade, then let's sell people! Sell all the maids, and we still have Su Yinyin. She's useless now anyway, sell her to a brothel."
Su Yinyin's heart sank. She bit her lip hard.
Dou Ying exclaimed, "What are you saying? She's your own sister! No matter what, you can't sell her to a place like that."
"I can't even take care of myself right now, how can I take care of her?" Su Xingzhe kicked over a stool and walked out.
He saw Su Yinyin head-on, gave her a hateful glare, and strode away.
Su Yinyin lowered her head, holding back her tears, and walked into the room, "Mother."
Dou Ying saw her and quickly went over, "Yinyin, you're back. Did you hear what your second brother said just now? Don't take it to heart. He's just in a bad mood and speaking carelessly."
Su Yinyin forced a smile, "I know. I don't blame second brother."
"You truly are Mother's good child." Dou Ying's tone shifted, "Didn't you go to the General's mansion to borrow money? How much did you get?"
Su Yinyin shook her head, "Su Yunmo refused to lend it to me."
The smile on Dou Ying's face vanished, and her expression turned sour, "Didn't she save you at the palace yesterday? She's been so good to you, and you couldn't even borrow a little money?"
"You must not have spoken to her properly! This is a critical time, why do you always put on your airs of a young lady? If she wouldn't lend it to you, why didn't you kneel and beg her?"
Su Yunmo, despite her young age, was still proud. Perhaps she would have given it then.
Su Yinyin's eyes welled up with tears. She pinched herself, suppressed her tears, and lowered herself, acting meek.
"Su Siyuan said he wouldn't lend it to me even if he threw money away. I really had no choice. It's all my fault for being useless, Mother, please don't be angry."
Dou Ying frowned.
So it was Su Siyuan who said that. That explained it.
"Alright, Mother isn't blaming you. It's just that our family is in such dire straits now. For your second brother's sake, Yinyin, you'll have to bear with it. Find a time to avoid Su Siyuan and discuss it with Su Yunmo again."
Second brother, second brother! It's always for second brother!
The hatred in Su Yinyin's heart grew unchecked.
But she didn't cause a scene.
She nodded, obedient and sensible, "Don't worry, Mother. As long as it's for second brother, Yinyin will do anything. I'll ask Su Yunmo out tomorrow."
Dou Ying kissed her on the cheek, "Yinyin, you're so good! You must borrow the money, and borrow more."
As for when it would be repaid, that was another matter. The General's mansion owed Yinyin such a huge favor, they would hardly dare to ask for the money back.
"Yinyin will listen to Mother and will surely help Mother take good care of second brother." In just a few days, Su Yinyin had learned to flatter and cajole.
She was incredibly obedient and then sighed with feigned worry, "But even if Su Yunmo lends us a lot of money, it won't be enough. Because of second brother's affairs, we still owe money to others, and the borrowed money will have to be used to repay debts first."
This statement also troubled Dou Ying.
Only spending and no income was indeed a big problem.
Su Yinyin added, "It would be great if we could secure a good marriage at this time. If the other party is wealthy and influential, they could not only help us resolve our family's issues but also help us repay our debts."
Dou Ying was suddenly enlightened and looked at Su Yinyin with some excitement.
Before Dou Ying could speak, Su Yinyin interrupted her, "It's just a pity that Yinyin is now like a withered flower, unwanted. Let alone getting married, even selling Yinyin wouldn't fetch much money."
The light in Dou Ying's eyes was extinguished.
Indeed, who would spend money to marry such a girl whose reputation was ruined.
Seeing Dou Ying's troubled expression, Su Yinyin's eyes flickered, "However, my brothers are better off than Yinyin. They can still find a good marriage."