The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

Su Yunruo arrived at the main hall and saw the General's wife sitting there with a serious expression, her demeanor cold and her gaze sharp as an eagle, as if she could see into people's hearts. Su Yunruo's heart sank, knowing that today's events would probably not be easily resolved, but she still calmly stepped forward and greeted the lady with a bow.

The lady got straight to the point: "Miss Su, after this period of investigation, the general and I have roughly determined that you are our daughter who went missing years ago." Her voice was cold and firm, without the slightest emotional fluctuation, completely unlike that of a mother who had found her lost daughter again.

Su Yunruo sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. She simply curtsied slightly and said, "Then Yunruo is truly fortunate to be able to return to her parents' side." Her tone was calm and gentle, without a trace of joy or excitement, but rather seemed somewhat indifferent.

The General's wife seemed somewhat surprised by her reaction, but quickly regained her composure and continued, "However, some things still need to be clarified. After all, this matter concerns the reputation of the General's Mansion." Her gaze was fixed on Su Yunruo, as if trying to find the answer in her eyes.

Su Yunruo raised an eyebrow and said, "Does Madam have any further doubts? Yunruo will certainly answer them without reservation." Her tone carried a hint of provocation, as if challenging Madam's authority.

The lady coughed lightly and said, "I've heard that you've learned quite a few skills at Qingyu Manor. I wonder if you could demonstrate a few, so that the general and I can rest assured." A sly glint flashed in her eyes, clearly indicating that she was prepared to handle any situation.

Su Yunruo understood that this was just another test from the madam. She calmly replied, "What does the madam want to see Yunruo demonstrate? Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, or martial arts and archery?" Her tone was confident and impossible to ignore.

After a moment of contemplation, the lady said, "Then let's play a tune on the zither first." Su Yunruo nodded slightly and softly instructed the servants to bring the zither. She sat gracefully before the zither, her hands gently stroking the strings, and melodious music flowed out like a gentle stream, filling the entire room.

After the piece ended, a look of satisfaction appeared on the lady's face, but she didn't show much emotion. She continued, "Now let's admire your calligraphy." Su Yunruo picked up the brush without hesitation and quickly wrote lines of elegant and lively characters that flowed onto the paper like clouds and water. The lady nodded slightly and softly praised, "Your calligraphy reflects your personality; you certainly have some talent."

Su Yunruo smiled slightly and replied humbly, "Madam, you flatter me. These are just the basics I learned at the manor."

The lady scrutinized Su Yunruo with her gaze, and after a moment of silence, slowly said, "Miss Su, from today onwards, you are the legitimate daughter of the General's Mansion. You must be careful in your behavior and never damage the reputation of the General's Mansion." A hint of mockery flashed in Su Yunruo's eyes, but she quickly concealed it and obediently replied, "Yunruo understands and will certainly not disappoint the lady's expectations."

"Then you should get ready in the next few days. I'll go back and discuss it with your father, and we'll choose an auspicious day to announce it to the public and hold a welcoming ceremony for you." Madam Su looked at Su Yunruo with feigned affection, her eyes filled with a hint of tenderness, yet also seemingly concealing a complex and indescribable emotion.

Su Yunruo curtsied slightly, a polite smile on her face, and replied, "Thank you, Madam." Her voice was soft and melodious, like a docile little lamb.

The lady nodded, stood up, and gracefully left the main hall. Su Yunruo raised her head, calmly watching the lady's departing figure, the smile on her lips gradually fading.

Over the next few days, Su Yunruo appeared to be busy tidying up in her courtyard, but in reality, she was pondering various matters concerning the General's Mansion. She knew that this return to the mansion was not a simple visit to relatives, but rather fraught with unknown challenges.

Meanwhile, the general's wife was discussing the details of the welcoming ceremony with the general, while secretly harboring some doubts about Su Yunruo's identity. After all, the sudden return of their daughter, who had been missing for many years, forced them to treat her with caution.

“Miss, these past few days everyone in the capital has been talking about the news that the General’s family’s lost eldest daughter has been found. The General’s family plans to host a banquet at their home on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in five days, and will introduce this eldest daughter to everyone. After all, the General’s family has never had an eldest daughter, only a cousin.” Ren Dong said, peeling chestnuts for her young mistress.

Su Yunruo frowned slightly, and said thoughtfully, "It seems that every move of the General's Mansion is under close scrutiny. We must be careful." Ren Dong nodded, looking worried, "Miss, the people in this mansion are complicated. You must be very careful." Su Yunruo patted Ren Dong's hand gently, her gaze firm, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

On the morning of the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, sunlight shone through thin clouds onto the earth, and a light mist hung in the cold air. Steward Su of the General's Mansion rose early, dressed carefully, and arrived at the gate of the Su residence with several servants. He gently knocked on the gate, the sound crisp and clear.

"I am Steward Su from the General's Mansion. I request an audience with Miss Su," Steward Su said politely to the gatekeeper of the Su Mansion.

Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper hurriedly opened the door, invited Steward Su into the mansion, and quickly went to inform Su Yunruo.

A moment later, Su Yunruo gracefully entered the front hall. She wore an elegant light blue dress with a white ribbon tied around her waist, which accentuated her slender figure and noble demeanor. Her beautiful face bore a gentle smile, making people feel kind and warm.

"Butler Su, may I ask what brings you here today?" Su Yunruo asked softly.

Butler Su bowed respectfully and replied, "Miss, tomorrow is the welcoming banquet. Madam asked me to inquire about your preparations and whether you will be returning to the General's Mansion with me today. Madam has already ordered the Rose Garden in the mansion to be prepared, and we are just waiting for you to enter."

Su Yunruo nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Everything is ready. I will bring my men into the manor after lunch. The guards that my master arranged for me also need to enter the manor. I will also trouble the steward to go back and inform my mother to arrange accommodations for them."

Butler Su agreed, saying, "Yes, Miss. Then this servant will go back and inform Madam, and await Miss's arrival." After saying this, he bowed to Su Yunruo again, then turned and left the Su residence.

Watching Butler Su's departing figure, Su Yunruo felt a surge of inexplicable hatred. She knew that although her relationship with the General's Mansion was not close, and Madam Su and General Su were aware of this, the fact that they still held a grand welcoming banquet for the sake of Qingyu Manor behind her made their true intentions obvious.

After lunch, Su Yunruo, accompanied by Luo Chun, Aunt Rou, Ying Qi, Tang Qiu, Ren Dong, and numerous guards, headed to the General's Mansion. Upon arrival, maids were already waiting at the entrance, and upon seeing them, they led the group into the Rose Garden.

Inside the Rose Garden, everything was exquisitely and elegantly arranged. Su Yunruo seemed to casually survey her surroundings, but she was not truly letting her guard down. Just then, a maidservant from the Madam's side came to deliver a message: "Miss, the Madam requests your presence. Please follow me." So, Su Yunruo followed the maidservant to the Madam's courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard, one could see the Madam sitting upright on the couch. When she saw Su Yunruo enter, a kind and amiable smile immediately appeared on her face, and she greeted her warmly, "Yunruo, come here quickly and sit over here." Su Yunruo obediently walked over and sat down next to the Madam, who then reached out and took her hand, gently instructing her, "Yunruo, don't be too nervous about tomorrow's welcoming banquet."

Faced with her mother's concern, Su Yunruo smiled slightly and replied softly, "Mother, don't worry, with you here, Yunruo isn't nervous at all." Hearing this, her mother nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes. Then, her mother gave detailed instructions on some points to note regarding the welcoming banquet the next day, which Su Yunruo listened to attentively and agreed to one by one.

When Su Yunruo returned to the Rose Garden after leaving the Madam's courtyard, Aunt Rou and her people had already tidied it up. She looked around; it was a small, three-courtyard complex, neither particularly large nor small, but rather exquisite. Although it was winter and several snowfalls had already occurred, the courtyard remained tranquil, like a secluded fairyland. A massive white stone gate, intricately carved with plum blossom patterns, symbolized the plum blossom's proud and unyielding spirit in the face of winter. The bluestone path within the courtyard was covered in snow, flanked by bamboo groves laden with icicles; when the wind blew, tiny ice crystals fell, making a crisp sound.

Inside, a roaring brazier radiated warmth, making the entire room feel as cozy as springtime. Before the carved mahogany windows, pots of blooming wintersweet danced like golden flames, releasing a rich and captivating fragrance. This aroma permeated the air, seemingly dispelling the winter chill and immersing one in its embrace, making one forget the cold outside.

Su Yunruo quietly observed the room's furnishings, lost in thought. She recalled her return to the General's Mansion in her previous life. Back then, she had returned on her own initiative to claim her family, and the General's wife's smile was utterly insincere. After returning, she was assigned to live in the most secluded Pine and Bamboo Garden, where there were no such exquisite rooms and furnishings. The difference between her past and present lives filled her with awe; the gap between them was simply too vast.