The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

Madam Su hurriedly stepped forward, her face filled with anxiety, and said, "Master, what should we do? Ning'er has caused such a disaster. If word gets out, where will our General's Mansion put its face?"

General Su's face was so dark it seemed like it could drip water. He slammed his hand on the table and roared, "That ignorant brat! She's infuriating! She's completely disgraced the General's Mansion!"

At this moment, Su Wenhan, who had been silent all along, stood up and calmly said, "Father, please don't get angry. The most important thing right now is to find a way to deal with the negative impact of this matter."

Su Yunruo frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Father, elder brother, I think that although this matter is thorny, it is not entirely hopeless. In fact, the Third Prince has long been interested in Ning'er, but Ning'er's status is too low, and it is indeed very difficult for her to marry into the Yuan Prince's Mansion. Now that this has happened, although it is not very honorable, at least Ning'er has entered the Third Prince's Mansion."

General Su frowned, looked at her with a puzzled expression, and asked, "Yun Ruo, what do you mean by that?"

Su Yunruo looked at everyone with a determined gaze and said softly, "Although I haven't been home long, I've noticed the close ties between our General's Mansion and the Third Prince's Mansion. Moreover, the Third Prince's position in the palace isn't entirely secure yet. If Ning'er can go to the Third Prince's Mansion this time, she can not only help gather information but also strengthen the relationship between our two families. This would be good for our General's Mansion as well!"

After listening, General Su frowned slightly and pondered for a moment before speaking: "What Yunruo said does make some sense. However... given Ning'er's personality, can she really shoulder this heavy responsibility?" He couldn't help but show a worried expression.

At this moment, Su Wenhan quickly took over the conversation, saying with certainty, "Father, don't worry. Although Ning'er is sometimes willful, she knows what to do when it comes to the family's interests."

However, Madam Su still frowned and said with a worried expression, "But what if Ning'er suffers some injustice at the Third Prince's residence?" Her eyes were full of heartache and unease.

Seeing this, Su Yunruo quickly comforted her, "Mother, don't worry. As long as we plan and arrange things properly, we will definitely be able to ensure Ning'er's safety." After saying that, she gently patted Madam Su's hand, trying to soothe her emotions.

General Su sighed and said helplessly, "Things have come to this, and this is the only way. Wenhan, go and make arrangements quickly. Make sure Ning'er is well prepared and that nothing goes wrong."

Su Wenhan cupped his hands and replied, "Yes, Father, I will go and do it right away." After saying that, he turned and left.

As Su Yunruo watched Su Wenhan's departing figure, she silently plotted her next move.

Just then, Su Ning'er burst into the main hall, making a scene. Her face was streaked with tears, and her eyes revealed a hint of panic.

As soon as Su Ning'er saw General Su on the main seat and Madam Su beside him, she rushed into Madam Su's arms and cried, "Aunt, Ning'er is innocent! Ning'er did nothing! Ning'er did not poison the Third Prince!"

General Su, his face full of anger, glared fiercely at Su Ning'er and shouted, "Still dare to argue! In this situation, the evidence is conclusive, you have no choice but to admit it!" Su Ning'er raised her tear-stained face, sobbing continuously, and said in a trembling voice, "It really wasn't me, Uncle, someone must have deliberately framed me."

At this moment, Su Yunruo slowly stepped forward and said softly to Su Ning'er, "Sister Ning'er, there's no point in saying anything now. Since things have already developed to this point, we might as well follow the arrangements." Su Ning'er suddenly turned her head, glared fiercely at Su Yunruo, and shouted angrily, "Were you the one pulling the strings behind the scenes? I knew you had ulterior motives."

Upon hearing this, Su Yunruo's face instantly darkened. A hint of grievance flashed in her eyes as she replied in a low voice, "Sister Ning'er, you've gone too far. I'm only thinking about the future of the General's Mansion. How could I possibly harm you?"

Madam Su hugged Su Ning'er tightly and gently comforted her, "Ning'er, don't talk nonsense. Yun Ruo really cares about you." However, Su Ning'er broke free from Madam Su's embrace and burst into tears, crying and shouting, "I don't believe it! You don't trust me at all!"

At this moment, Su Wenhan hurriedly returned to the main hall and said, "Father, everything has been arranged. Ning'er will be able to enter the Third Prince's residence in three days."

Upon hearing this, Su Ning'er's face turned ashen, her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground, crying out in despair, "I don't want to be a concubine!"

General Su frowned and said in a deep voice, "This matter is settled, and you have no choice in it. Stay in your room for the next few days and reflect on your mistakes." After saying that, he turned and left.

After everyone left, Su Ning'er remained alone in the hall, tears streaming down her face. She knew her fate was beyond redemption, and her heart was filled with despair and resentment.

Seeing this, Su Ning'er called out to Xiangling, "Xiangling, help me to Grandmother's." The two hurried towards Rongtai Courtyard, but before they even reached the gate, they heard Grandmother's hearty laughter coming from inside. Su Ning'er was frantic with worry and, disregarding etiquette, rushed into the courtyard, crying out loudly, "Grandmother, save me!"

Upon hearing Su Ning'er's voice, Grandmother hurriedly came out of the house. Seeing Su Ning'er's disheveled appearance, she felt extremely distressed and asked, "Ning'er, what happened? Who bullied you? Tell Grandmother quickly."

Su Ning'er threw herself into her grandmother's arms, sobbing as she recounted what had happened. Upon hearing this, her grandmother trembled with rage, exclaiming, "This is outrageous! How could they treat my granddaughter like this? This Third Prince is too cruel! How could my Ning'er suffer such injustice?" Su Ning'er tugged at her grandmother's sleeve, pleading, "Grandmother, you must help Ning'er! Ning'er doesn't want to be a concubine."

Grandmother gently patted Su Ning'er's hand, her eyes full of love and determination, and comforted her, "Ning'er, don't be afraid, Grandmother will definitely find a way to help you." Su Ning'er nodded slightly, feeling a little relieved.

Xiangling, extremely anxious, couldn't help but interject, "Madam, the general has already given the order that Miss will be entering the Third Prince's residence in three days. What should we do?" Her voice carried a hint of fear, as if she could already see Su Ning'er's tragic future.

After a moment of silence, a resolute glint flashed in her eyes. She said, "Don't rush. Xiangling, go and fetch the General." Xiangling obeyed and left. Before long, General Su hurriedly arrived at Rongtai Courtyard.

Upon seeing General Su, the grandmother immediately stood up, glared at him, and said sternly, "How could you force Ning'er like this? There must be a misunderstanding!"

General Su looked helpless and explained with a wry smile, "Mother, this matter is of great importance and there is no room for maneuver."

Grandmother trembled with anger and retorted loudly, "Is it of great importance? Then we can't sacrifice Ning'er's happiness!"

General Su bowed and said solemnly, "Mother, this is for the sake of the future of the General's Mansion."

Grandmother snorted coldly and replied without any politeness, "I don't care about the future, I only know that Ning'er cannot suffer this injustice."

General Su frowned, looking troubled, and said, "Mother, I had no choice but to do this."

Grandmother pointed at General Su and said in a trembling voice, "If you insist on doing this, I will disown you as my son!" General Su was silent for a moment, a trace of helplessness and pain flashing in his eyes, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Mother, this matter is settled and cannot be changed."

The grandmother slammed her fist on the table in anger and shouted, "Then don't worry about what this old woman does! I will never let you get away with it!" General Su sighed and said slowly, "Mother, please don't make things difficult for your son." After saying that, he turned and left resolutely.

As Grandmother watched General Su's figure disappear from sight, she clutched her chest in anger, unable to breathe. Su Ning'er, tears streaming down her face, tugged at her grandmother's sleeve and cried, "Grandmother, what should I do?" Grandmother hugged Su Ning'er tenderly and comforted her, "Ning'er, go back to your courtyard first, Grandmother will think of a way for you."

Su Ning'er nodded, wiped away her tears, and left Rongtai Courtyard. Along the way, her heart grew heavier, as if a thousand-pound burden weighed on her. She knew that although her grandmother loved her dearly, she was probably powerless to help in this matter. Su Ning'er returned to her own courtyard, sat quietly by the window, gazing at the scenery outside, her heart filled with confusion and helplessness.

At this moment, Madam Su arrived at Yuening Garden. She slowly stepped into the room and immediately saw Su Ning'er sitting on the edge of the bed, looking haggard, with bloodshot eyes and a face as pale as paper.

Madam Su couldn't help but feel pity and said softly, "Ning'er, don't torture yourself like this, your health is the most important thing." Hearing this, Su Ning'er turned her head and looked at Madam Su with teary eyes. Her voice choked with sobs, she said, "Aunt, Uncle always dotes on me the most, why are you so cruel this time?" As she spoke, tears slid down her cheeks again.

Madam Su sighed softly, walked slowly to Su Ning'er's side, took her hand and sat down together, saying gently, "Ning'er, your uncle has his reasons. The implications are not something you can fully understand." Su Ning'er suddenly broke free from Madam Su's hand, crying out excitedly, "Then can my happiness be ignored? How could my uncle bear to marry me off to that sickly prince!" Her emotions became increasingly out of control, and her cries echoed in the room.

After a moment of silence, Madam Su slowly spoke: "Ning'er, your aunt knows that you are unwilling to become a concubine, and understands your grievances and resentment. In fact, the Empress once asked for your opinion in the palace, but due to the special circumstances at the time, it was really inconvenient for your aunt to speak up for you."

Su Ning'er's eyes were vacant, as if she had lost all hope. Her body slumped softly into the chair, and she kept repeating that sentence as if her soul had been ripped out, "Am I really going to become a concubine and live a life of suffering from now on?"

Seeing her daughter in such pain, Madam Su felt as if a thousand ants were gnawing at her heart. She pondered whether she should tell Su Ning'er the truth. After some thought, she finally made up her mind and said, "Ning'er, there is something I must tell you." Then, she instructed the nanny beside her, "Nanny, take these people out first, then guard the door and don't let anyone near here."

Granny Su respectfully responded, then led the maids out of the room, closing the door behind her and standing guard outside.