The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

The Su family residence in the capital.

Inside Ruolan Garden, Su Yunruo leaned against a chaise longue, engrossed in an ancient book. She occasionally turned the pages, her brow furrowing slightly, seemingly lost in thought. Luo Chun stood quietly beside her, glancing at Su Yunruo from time to time, awaiting her instructions.

Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew in from outside, bringing a chill. Su Yunruo put down her book, rubbed her temples, and turned to look at the doorway. There stood Ying Qi, covered in a thin layer of snowflakes, as if she had just stepped out of a snow-covered landscape. Aunt Rou hurriedly went over, gently patting the snowflakes off Ying Qi, then took her hand and said softly, "It's cold outside, come in and warm up." Ying Qi nodded, stepped inside, and felt a wave of warmth wash over her.

“Miss, Song Yi has already arranged for someone to investigate your identity. If all goes well, he should report back to Su Wu based on the information you provided in about five days,” Ying Qi respectfully reported to Su Yunruo. Su Yunruo smiled slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. “Very good. This way, Su Wu shouldn't easily suspect my identity.” She nodded gently.

Luo Chun said from the side, "The Second Young Master is planning to take you for a stroll through the shops so that the shopkeepers can all greet you." Hearing this, Su Yunruo's eyes lit up, but she immediately shook her head and smiled, "Let's not go today. Let's wait until the snow stops. After all, snowy days are perfect for sitting around a stove, brewing tea, and enjoying some leisurely time." After saying that, she turned to Aunt Rou and instructed, "Aunt, bring up the fruit and tea I asked you to prepare a couple of days ago. Let's be carefree for the day." Aunt Rou smiled and nodded, then turned to prepare.

A moment later, Aunt Rou came in carrying a plate of fresh fruit and a pot of hot tea. Su Yunruo took the teacup, took a small sip, and felt the aroma of the tea spread in her mouth, instantly feeling refreshed. She chatted with Ying Qi and Luo Chun while enjoying the delicious fruit.

The door opened, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. The second senior brother, Nangong Sheng, came in covered in snowflakes.

Su Yunruo looked up and chuckled, "Second Senior Brother, why are you out in this weather?"

Nangong Sheng shook off the snowflakes from his clothes, walked over and sat down next to Su Yunruo, saying, "I came to see you to talk about the shop in the capital, but I didn't expect you to be so leisurely." Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere in the room became even warmer.

Nangong Sheng picked up a piece of fruit and put it in his mouth, praising, "This fruit is very fresh. Junior Sister, let's go to the shop after the snow stops." Su Yunruo smiled and said, "Second Senior Brother, if you like it, eat more. There's no rush to go to the shop." At this moment, the snow outside the window was falling heavier and heavier, as if it wanted to cover the whole world in white. Inside the room, everyone sat together, chatting and laughing, enjoying themselves immensely.

Just as everyone was immersed in this warm atmosphere, a sudden, urgent knocking came from the door. Luo Chun went to open it and saw a servant standing there, panting. "Miss, someone from the Crown Prince's residence has come, saying they are looking for you," the servant said anxiously. Su Yunruo frowned slightly, puzzled, and asked, "Do you know who it is?" The servant shook his head: "I don't know, but the person seemed to be in a hurry." Nangong Sheng stood up and said, "Junior Sister, don't worry, I'll go with you to see."

Su Yunruo nodded and rose to follow Nangong Sheng to the front hall. Upon arriving, they saw a eunuch pacing anxiously back and forth. Seeing Su Yunruo and the others, the eunuch quickly bowed and said, "Miss Su, His Highness the Crown Prince requests your presence. He hopes you will come with me to the East Palace immediately." Su Yunruo's doubts deepened, but she dared not delay, saying, "Please wait a moment, sir, allow me to tidy myself."

Su Yunruo returned to Ruolan Garden with Aunt Rou. "Aunt, help me change into men's clothing. I guess the Crown Prince wants to see me, otherwise he wouldn't be here at this time. Everyone knows that His Highness the Crown Prince and my eldest brother have a good relationship. It will be safer for me to go there in men's clothing," Su Yunruo instructed Aunt Rou.

Aunt Rou quickly dressed Su Yunruo in men's clothing and carefully tidied her up. Su Yunruo looked at herself in the mirror and, finding no flaws, left Ruolan Garden with Aunt Rou.

Back in the main hall, Su Yunruo nodded to Nangong Sheng, indicating they could depart. The eunuch led the way, and the group hurried towards the East Palace. Along the way, Su Yunruo kept wondering why the Crown Prince had summoned her. Snow continued to fall softly, landing on everyone's shoulders.

Finally arriving at the East Palace, Xiao Quanzi was waiting outside the gate. Seeing Su Yunruo's attire, he mistook her for Gongsun Lin and was about to bow when he realized it was Su Yunruo. A look of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly regained his composure. "Miss almost fooled this servant," Xiao Quanzi murmured. "His Highness is waiting for you in the study. Please follow me." He was about to lead the way when he glanced at Nangong Sheng behind Su Yunruo and paused. "And this is?" Xiao Quanzi asked in surprise. "This is my senior brother, Nangong Sheng," Su Yunruo said to Xiao Quanzi. "Then please follow this servant," Xiao Quanzi said, leading the way.

Su Yunruo and Nangong Sheng followed Xiao Quanzi through the long corridor and arrived at the East Palace's study.

"Your Highness, the person has arrived," Xiao Quanzi said respectfully outside the study door.

"Let him in," the Crown Prince said calmly from inside the study, his voice carrying a hint of authority.

"Brother Crown Prince, why did you send someone to find me?" Su Yunruo blinked her big eyes and looked at the Crown Prince curiously.

"What do you think? You brat, have you not been to the palace since you came back?" The Crown Prince glared at her with a stern face, feigning anger.

"Ah..." Su Yunru lowered her head guiltily and muttered softly, "It seems so..."

"How dare you say that!" The Crown Prince was furious. "Father and Mother were furious when they found out you went to the General's Mansion's birthday banquet yesterday. They said you didn't even visit them after returning to the capital, and they scolded me for not taking you to the palace to see them." He stared at Su Yunruo with a reproachful gaze, as if trying to see right through her.

Su Yunruo stuck out her tongue, smiled playfully, and said coquettishly, "Oh dear, Crown Prince, I've just returned and I've been busy, so I was a little careless."

"Hmph!" The Crown Prince shook his head helplessly, at a loss for what to do with his newly recognized cousin. "You always have an excuse. This time, you absolutely have to come to the palace with me to apologize to Father and Mother."

"Okay, okay, I know, I'll listen to whatever you say, Crown Prince." Su Yunruo nodded obediently, her face beaming with a happy smile.

Nangong Sheng watched the two of them quietly from the side, a faint smile on his lips, without saying a word.

The Crown Prince turned his gaze to Nangong Sheng and said with a smile, "Brother Sheng, I must thank you for accompanying Yun Ruo this time." Nangong Sheng quickly cupped his hands in response, "Your Highness is too kind. It is what I should do."

The Crown Prince slowly stood up and began pacing back and forth, a worried look on his face: "Yunruo, you must perform well this time you enter the palace, otherwise I will be scolded again." Su Yunruo pouted and replied coquettishly, "Brother Crown Prince, how dare I?" Everyone burst into laughter at this.

Just then, the Crown Prince's expression suddenly turned serious. He solemnly said, "However, there is one more thing I need to tell you. The situation in the court has been quite complicated recently, with various forces stirring up trouble. You must be extra careful when you are out in the world." Hearing this, Su Yunruo and Nangong Sheng exchanged a glance, their expressions instantly becoming grave.

The Crown Prince added, "Especially Yunruo, you are simple and kind-hearted, and easily trust others. You must never trust others so easily in the future."

Su Yunruo solemnly assured the Crown Prince, "Brother Crown Prince, please rest assured, I will be extremely careful."

"Alright! Let's get ready quickly and go to the palace as soon as possible, so that Father and Mother won't give me trouble if we're late," the Crown Prince instructed.

After Su Yunruo and Nangong Sheng followed the Crown Prince into the palace, they passed through layers of palaces and pavilions, finally arriving at the Emperor and Empress's bedroom. As they stepped inside, Su Yunruo immediately knelt and respectfully greeted them: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"

The Emperor and Empress smiled with delight upon seeing Su Yunruo. The Emperor said with a smile, "Yunruo, you've finally arrived! Come, let the Empress and I take a good look at you."

Su Yunruo rose and slowly walked to the Emperor and Empress, then bowed slightly. The Emperor and Empress carefully examined her, their eyes filled with affection.

The Empress asked with concern, "Yunruo, is everything alright outside the palace? Have you suffered any injustice?"

Su Yunruo replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, Yunruo is doing well. Thank you for your concern."

The Empress nodded gently and said with satisfaction, "That's good. I was worried that you would suffer outside the palace."

The emperor chimed in, "Yunruo, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell me, and I will definitely help you."

Su Yunruo was moved to tears and quickly thanked them, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty and Empress. I will remember it forever."