Su Yunmo narrowed her eyes and glanced at the finger pointing at her.
Today was her grandmother's birthday, and seeing blood was inauspicious. She would spare his finger for now.
Su Chenghai met her cold gaze, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He instinctively retracted his hand.
But then he thought again, as an elder, he had nothing to fear from her, so he straightened his back.
"Grandmother, you don't know, but something happened at home, and I wanted to borrow some money from Fourth Brother to get by. But this girl promised me and then played a trick on me!"
Fourth Brother was even more outrageous. After he had painstakingly returned the money to Eldest Brother, he went to the General's Mansion, but Fourth Brother actually had the gates closed and refused him entry!
This was clearly a conspiracy between father and daughter to scheme against him!
"Oh? Is there such a thing?" Old Madam Qian lowered her head and looked at the little dumpling in her arms. "Momo, is what your second uncle said true?"
The little dumpling nodded honestly. "Second Uncle borrowed a lot of money from Eldest Uncle and deliberately didn't repay it. He even went to Eldest Uncle's house to cause trouble. Momo couldn't stand it, so she played a trick on him."
Su Chenghai scoffed, "Grandmother, you heard that? This girl, at such a young age, has such a wicked heart. What will she be like when she grows up?"
She hadn't even fully grown and was already thinking of deceiving her elders. What child was like her?
"If you can't speak properly, then shut your mouth. You still have the nerve to not repay borrowed money?" Old Madam Qian waved her hand dismissively. "Alright, I understand this matter. You may withdraw."
Su Chenghai was stunned. "But Grandmother hasn't resolved this matter yet?"
For this girl to do such a thing, she should be dragged out and severely beaten. How could it just be let go like this?
Old Madam Qian frowned. "Today is my birthday. I don't want to hit anyone. Seeing blood is inauspicious."
Su Chenghai glared fiercely at Su Yunmo. "Grandmother, unfilial descendants must be disciplined. Otherwise, there will be serious trouble in the future."
"What you say is also true." Old Madam Qian raised her voice and called out, "Guards!"
Two servants entered from outside.
Su Chenghai snorted with satisfaction.
Even if he couldn't get the money, beating that brat would be good for venting his anger. Fourth Brother dared to have him shut out of the mansion, so he would make him lose face!
"You two, drag this useless brat out and give him ten planks."
The two servants said "Yes" and quickly stepped forward to grab Su Chenghai.
Su Chenghai struggled and cried out, "Let go! You've got the wrong person! The one who should be beaten is that girl Su Yunmo! Let go!"
He loudly called out "Grandmother," but Old Madam Qian ignored him, lowering her head to play with the little dumpling in her arms.
As he was about to be dragged out of the hall, he began to panic and yelled, "Grandmother, today is your birthday! Seeing blood is inauspicious!"
Old Madam Qian replied without looking up, "Then change the punishment from planks to hitting his hands. Remember not to draw blood."
"Ah!!!" Su Chenghai was dragged out screaming.
There were guests in the front courtyard of the back hall, so the servants dragged him to a secluded corner where no one was around to hit his palms.
Ten planks were changed to twenty ruler strikes. Each strike made his hands swell but did not break the skin.
After the punishment, Su Chenghai's hands were swollen like steamed buns.
The servants had all left.
He knelt on the ground, unable to clench his fists, and gritted his teeth, "Su Yunmo! Su Qingtian, I'm not done with your family!"
When he found an opportunity, he would surely make the entire General's Mansion a mess and let them taste his power!
"Second Master seems to be in a bad mood." A light, ethereal voice sounded.
Su Chenghai turned around and saw Ye Yuanlin walking towards him elegantly. He was stunned for a moment, unable to recall who she was.
Ye Yuanlin curved her lips. "Second Master is truly forgetful. What? In just a few years, you've forgotten this princess?"
Su Chenghai suddenly realized, "So it's Your Highness the Princess."
He remembered that when Fourth Brother had just married that girl Zhou Wanyou, Third Uncle was displeased and had joined forces with him to propose marriage to this princess, but after a period of turmoil, the matter had not materialized.
He quickly got up and cupped his hands in a salute, but the salute was not standard, as his hands couldn't be put together properly. "Is the Princess here to wish Grandmother a happy birthday?"
A trace of hatred and anger flashed in Ye Yuanlin's eyes, but she quickly suppressed the emotion.
"I was originally here to wish you a happy birthday, but it seems the General's wife does not welcome me, so I shall forgo the birthday wishes."
Su Chenghai frowned in disgust. "Princess, you don't need to bother with people like her. Fourth Brother's wife has always been petty."
Even after so many years, she still held a grudge over trivial matters and had no grace of a noble lady.
"Never mind, let's not mention past matters." Ye Yuanlin sighed, her gaze sweeping over his swollen hands. "Second Master seems to have encountered troublesome matters as well?"
Su Chenghai scoffed, "It's all because of Fourth Brother and his family. We are brothers, and while it's one thing not to help when I'm in trouble, they even speak ill of me behind my back!"
Ye Yuanlin: "General Su does such things? That is indeed his fault. However, Second Master, if you need money to get by, you don't necessarily have to ask people from the General's Mansion."
Su Chenghai was stunned for a moment, looking at her with bright eyes.
"It's a pity that my Princess's Mansion only relies on a small stipend from the Imperial Household Department each month, so I cannot offer assistance. Otherwise, I would not hesitate." Ye Yuanlin shook her head helplessly. xxs one
She caught a glimpse of Su Chenghai's expression instantly dimming and then said, "Although I cannot, I have heard that General Su's father is a kind person. If you seek his help, perhaps there is a way."
As soon as these words were spoken, Su Chenghai's eyes lit up.
That's right, why hadn't he thought of it? Third Uncle had acquired quite a bit of land over the years, so he must have some savings.
Moreover, no matter what, he was Fourth Brother's father. If he spoke up, he didn't believe Fourth Brother could refuse.
"Thank you for the Princess's guidance." Su Chenghai cupped his hands and left with a joyous stride.
Ye Yuanlin watched his departing back and gritted her teeth hatefully.
Zhou Wanyou, I will let you know that a minister's daughter can never compete with royalty!
At this time, the banquet had already begun.
Several children had formed groups and entered the house to pay their respects and wish Old Madam Qian a happy birthday.
Su Qing had finished congratulating her early and came out to greet guests.
Su Chenghai found him, secretly asked a servant to carry Su Qingtian and his wife, and called him out. He then exaggeratedly recounted the events of the past two days.
"There's such a thing! That brat Su Yunmo is becoming more and more outrageous!" Su Qing berated, his face turning red with anger.
After all, Second Master was her elder. Her actions were clearly stirring up discord within the family.
That rascal Su Qingtian was also incompetent, to be swayed by a little girl.
"Don't worry, Third Uncle will handle this. Later, Third Uncle will go find..." Su Qing's words suddenly stopped.
He vaguely recalled what Old Madam Qian had said in front of the General's Mansion regarding the matter of Su Xiamon last time.
Su Qing paused, his anger subsiding slightly. "Actually, this isn't a big deal. Since your Fourth Brother didn't lend you money, perhaps he also has his difficulties."
Su Chenghai cursed this person as a coward in his heart, but his face showed a look of helplessness. "I thought so too, so I didn't want to trouble Fourth Brother."
"But the family is really struggling to make ends meet, so I can only come to you. If it's convenient for you, perhaps you could lend me some first?"