Rebirth: Find a General as Your Backer

The strategist sneered and said sarcastically, "Lord Su, you keep saying that your daughter has been wronged, but what evidence do you have?" His tone seemed to say that Minister Su himself knew best what kind of person Su Lianyi was.

"This...this..." Minister Su was speechless for a moment, inwardly lamenting his predicament. How could he possibly produce evidence? He knew in his heart that this was clearly an attempt to extort benefits.

Chu Moyao sat quietly to the side, saying nothing, as if waiting for something. Minister Su pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Your Highness, I will definitely prepare a generous dowry for my daughter and will never let Your Highness suffer any loss."

For a moment, the room was so quiet that only the howling wind outside could be heard. After a long while, Chu Moyao finally spoke slowly: "Then it depends on Minister Su's sincerity."

"I certainly won't disappoint Your Highness," Minister Su hurriedly assured him. At this point, he had no way out. Between the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince, he could only gamble everything and choose to stand on the Third Prince's side, hoping to preserve the Su family's wealth and glory.

In truth, the Third Prince Chu Moyao didn't really care whether Su Lianyi had an affair with the third-ranked scholar. He didn't actually like Su Lianyi much either. If it weren't for wanting that money, why would he marry such a stupid person?

Watching Minister Su's departing figure, the strategist couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, how much do you think Minister Su will give as dowry for his daughter?"

The Third Prince, Yao Wang, couldn't help but sneer, "At that point, he won't have a choice."

The strategist couldn't help but let out a cold laugh upon hearing this.

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A heavy snow fell overnight in the capital, swirling and fluttering like goose feathers blanketing the sky, transforming the entire world into a silver-white wonderland. The next morning, Minister Su hurried along, his steps uneven as he trudged through the icy snow towards his residence. His hurried pace and unsteady gait caused his rapid breaths to turn into puffs of white mist in the frigid air.

Stepping into the main hall, Minister Su was enveloped in the chill of the outside air, his shoes leaving wet footprints in the snow. Ignoring it all, he forcefully ripped off the belt around his waist. The jade-inlaid silver hook scraped violently against the nearby rosewood screen, producing a sharp, piercing sound, like metal scraping glass, instantly shattering the hall's tranquility. This sound, like the unrestrained and shrill laughter of the strategist from the Third Prince's residence, was now stabbing viciously into his temples, causing a splitting headache and filling him with utter irritation.

"Get out, all of you!" Minister Su's long-suppressed emotions erupted instantly. He roared, his voice booming like a bell, causing the air in the room to tremble slightly. This sudden roar startled the young maid who had just entered carrying a copper basin. The basin tilted, spilling water all over the floor. The rippling water reflected the newly hung glass lanterns in the corridor, the shimmering light and shadows causing his thoughts to drift back to the scene at the Third Prince's residence.

At that time, the people around the Third Prince stared at the jade pendant bestowed upon him by the emperor like greedy wolves. Their burning and lustful gazes still haunt him to this day.

Just then, Madam Su, lifting the hem of her skirt embroidered with lotus scrolls, carefully stepped over the threshold. However, before she could even see what was happening inside, she saw her husband suddenly smash a jade paperweight against the antique shelf.

With a sharp "bang," the precious white jade Guanyin statue from the previous dynasty shattered into pieces, scattering across the ground. Madam Su stared at the mess before her, a chill running through her. Was this man, his eyes blazing with fury and almost crazed, still her husband of so many years? He seemed so unfamiliar to her.

"Third Prince..." Madam Su had barely uttered three words when Minister Su abruptly interrupted her. He turned sharply, creating a gust of wind that overturned the "Admonitions for Women" on his desk. The pages rustled in the wind, flipping rapidly until they finally stopped at the section on "Women's Appearance."

In the faint light of the exploding candle wick, Madam Su could clearly see the surging ferocity in her husband's eyes. His gaze was like that of a demon from hell, which terrified her so much that her legs went weak and she collapsed to the ground.

"Look at the fine daughter you've raised!" Minister Su roared in fury, grabbing the gift list from the table and hurling it fiercely at Madam Su's face. The gold-flecked paper, sharp as a blade, grazed her earring, leaving a thin, long gash on her neck. Then, he roared viciously, "Tomorrow, add all the antiques and paintings from our household to the dowry list. If that wretched brat dares to cause even the slightest disturbance—"

As Minister Su spoke, he suddenly stepped forward, grabbed his wife's chin tightly, and pressed his thumb heavily on the burn scar she had left from testing medicine for him years ago. With a ferocious expression, he threatened, "You take your precious daughter and go back to your parents' home. Don't ever set foot in my Minister's residence again! My Minister's residence can't afford to support a bunch of idiots like you!"

The sound of the water clock could be faintly heard amidst the howling wind and snow, one beat after another, as if pounding on Madam Su's fragile nerves. She trembled as she knelt down to pick up the gift list scattered on the ground.

After many twists and turns, Su Lianyi's marriage was finally settled, which was undoubtedly a great relief for the Su family.

Surprisingly, her wedding date was set for the same day as Su Lianxue's wedding to Prince Rui. Immediately, the entire household was abuzz with discussion. Some speculated that it was to save manpower and resources for organizing the wedding, making things easier; others secretly wondered if there were some hidden motives behind it.

The Su Lianyi of today is completely different from the unrestrained, flamboyant, and reckless woman of the past.

After experiencing all sorts of turmoil, she was truly terrified. The fear deep within her was like an invisible hand, tightly gripping her throat, preventing her from making the slightest mistake. Recently, she has been staying at home quietly, her days filled with anticipation and anxiety about the future, eagerly awaiting her wedding day.

In her heart, as long as she successfully married into the Third Prince's household and firmly secured her position as the Third Prince's consort, it would be as if she had ascended a stable throne of power. At that time, no one would be able to arbitrarily control her destiny. Thinking of this, a resolute light flashed in Su Lianyi's eyes.

She knew that in this turbulent and unpredictable situation, only patience was the path to success. So, she put away her former sharpness, restrained her impetuous nature, and silently endured the loneliness and torment of waiting, hoping that her wedding day would arrive soon and begin a new chapter in her life.