The Eldest Daughter Returns with Power

Su Yunruo watched Su Ning'er run away, her heart unmoved, only finding it somewhat laughable. She slowly walked into the mansion, through the long corridors and courtyards, and returned to her room.

The room was elegantly decorated, with a delicate embroidery hanging by the window and a soft brocade quilt spread on the bed. Su Yunruo sat on the edge of the bed and sighed softly. She knew that Su Ning'er had always been jealous of her, but she didn't want to argue with her too much.

A moment later, Su Yunruo's personal maid, Luo Chun, entered. Seeing the exhaustion on Su Yunruo's face, she felt a pang of heartache. She walked to Su Yunruo's side and asked softly, "Miss, are you alright? What Miss said just now was truly too much!"

Su Yunruo smiled slightly and comforted her, "It's alright, Luo Chun. Don't take her words to heart, I know what I'm doing."

Luo Chun was still somewhat worried, and frowned as she said, "But Miss, if Miss Biao targets you like this, it will probably cause you even more trouble in the future. Should we tell Madam?"

Su Yunru shook her head and said firmly, "No need. This little thing isn't worth bothering Mother. Besides, even if we told Mother, it might not solve the problem. I believe that as long as I stay calm, I will be able to deal with Su Ning'er's provocation."

Luo Chun nodded, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. She knew her young mistress had always been strong, even back at the manor, and was certainly capable of handling this matter well. Therefore, she said nothing more and silently withdrew, letting Su Yunruo rest well.

As night fell, the entire mansion was enveloped in tranquility. However, this tranquility did not last long.

That evening, the general finally returned to his residence. Upon hearing the news, Su Ning'er immediately ran to the general and tearfully recounted her ordeal. She embellished the story of what had happened during the day, placing all the blame on Su Yunruo.

Upon hearing this, the general's face darkened horribly. He stood up without a word and walked towards the Rose Pavilion where Su Yunruo was. Along the way, his mood grew increasingly heavy, filled with anger at Su Yunruo's actions.

When the general pushed open the door, Su Yunruo was sitting at the table, quietly sipping a cup of fragrant tea. Hearing the noise, she looked up and saw the general standing in the doorway. Her eyes were calm and serene, without the slightest hint of panic.

The general glared at Su Yunruo and shouted, "Su Yunruo, why are you bullying Ning'er?"

Su Yunruo stood up and replied calmly, "Father, you are wise. I have never bullied my cousin. Today's events were all caused by my cousin's misunderstanding."

The general snorted coldly and said skeptically, "Ning'er was crying so heartbrokenly, could it be fake?"

Su Yunruo's gaze remained firm. She looked directly into the general's eyes without flinching and said, "I have acted uprightly and honestly. My cousin's words are pure slander. Please, Father, investigate thoroughly."

The general frowned slightly, scrutinizing Su Yunruo with sharp eyes, as if trying to find a flaw in her face: "You really didn't do anything inappropriate to her?"

Su Yunruo straightened her back, met the general's gaze without fear, and answered firmly, "Father, I have a clear conscience. It was just a private matter for a daughter. I met my cousin at the gate when I returned today. She spoke without thinking, so I said a few words to her. There were servants in the manor who saw this. If the general doesn't believe me, he can go and ask."

The general remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, before finally speaking slowly, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly." With that, he turned and strode away from the Rose Pavilion.

As Su Yunruo watched the general's departing figure, she secretly mocked him, thinking, "They really are a family, all so unable to distinguish right from wrong."

That evening, the general summoned the servant who had witnessed Su Yunruo and Su Ning'er arguing at the gate of the mansion that day for questioning. The servant stood trembling before the general, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, his voice shaking with nervousness.

The general, his face grim, asked sternly, "Tell me everything that happened at the gate of the mansion today, without a single lie!"

The servant was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground and stammered out a truthful account of what he had seen, daring not to conceal anything. After listening to the servant's account, the general's face turned gloomy. He realized that Su Ning'er was lying, and he couldn't help but feel some resentment towards her.

The next morning, Su Wu sent someone to summon Su Ning'er to his study. Su Ning'er knew that Su Wu wanted to see her because of what happened the day before, and she felt uneasy, keeping her head down and not daring to look at Su Wu.

Sure enough, Su Wu looked at Su Ning'er with a serious expression and sternly reprimanded her, "You actually lied and slandered Yun Ruo, this is really wrong." Upon hearing this, Su Ning'er's face turned pale instantly, and she hurriedly explained, "Uncle, I, I know I was wrong." Su Wu looked at Su Ning'er and sighed inwardly. He thought to himself, how could this child be so insensible?

He waved his hand, signaling the servants inside to leave, and then said to Su Ning'er, "You may all leave. I have something to say to Miss alone." The servants and Su Ning'er's maids left upon hearing the order.

After everyone left, Su Wu looked at Su Ning'er, his tone softening slightly but still stern. He said, "Ning'er, your mother has already told you about your background. You were too impatient. If Su Yunruo has her uses, you are not allowed to provoke her again. I have other plans for keeping her around, understand?" Su Ning'er nodded, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she still obediently replied, "Yes, Uncle, I understand."

Seeing that Su Ning'er didn't seem to fully understand his meaning, Su Wu continued, "Also, you will be going to the palace with us for this year's New Year's banquet. I will have your mother prepare your clothes and jewelry for the palace, but you absolutely must not scheme against Su Yunruo again, understand?" Su Ning'er nodded with tears in her eyes, feeling wronged, "Yes, Uncle, I understand."

Su Wu sighed helplessly and said earnestly, "Ning'er, your uncle is doing this for your own good. In this manor, you must not act willfully or recklessly, otherwise you will suffer the consequences in the future." Su Ning'er bit her lip, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes, but she still nodded gently and obediently said, "I will remember your teachings, Uncle." Su Wu waved his hand and said gently, "Go back and think about it carefully." Su Ning'er bowed and turned to leave the study.

…………

Back at Yuening Pavilion, Su Ning'er plopped down on the couch, her face contorted with rage, the handkerchief in her hand crumpled beyond recognition. A series of cracking sounds echoed from the pavilion, and everyone in the courtyard moved with extreme caution, afraid of accidentally offending the powerful woman inside. Su Ning'er clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth as she said, "Su Yunruo, why should I always give in to her!"

The maid Xiangling, startled, quickly knelt down and tremblingly pleaded, "Miss, please calm down. Don't upset yourself." Su Ning'er looked at Xiangling, her eyes filled with anger and resentment. She forcefully threw the handkerchief in her hand to the ground. "It's all because of that bitch that I've suffered such injustice!"

Su Ning'er suddenly stood up, raised her foot and kicked Xiang Ling hard, cursing, "What a useless piece of trash, all you do is spout this useless nonsense all day!" Xiang Ling was kicked to the ground, but she dared not make a sound, and could only silently endure Su Ning'er's beating and cursing. At this moment, Madam Su slowly walked into the room. Seeing the mess on the floor and Su Ning'er's anger, she frowned.

"Ning'er, why are you doing this?" Madam Su sighed helplessly. Hearing her mother's voice, Su Ning'er turned around, tears streaming down her face like broken beads. "Mother, Father is actually siding with that bitch Su Yunruo! I simply cannot accept this fact!"

Madam Su walked to Su Ning'er's side, took her hand and helped her sit down, gently comforting her, "Daughter, you must be patient. I told you long ago that your father kept Su Yunruo around for his own purposes. But you just wouldn't listen to me. The situation is very unfavorable for us now, and you absolutely cannot act impulsively again."

Su Ning'er gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with resentment. "Mother, are we just going to let her go like this?" Madam Su gently patted Su Ning'er's hand. "Of course not, but we need to rethink our plan." Upon hearing her mother's words, a sinister glint flashed in Su Ning'er's eyes. "Yes, Mother, I will follow your arrangements."

Mrs. Su nodded. "That's my good daughter."