Marrying the Crown Princess - Chapter 3

The visitor was the sixth young lady of the Marquis of An Ning’s Mansion—Su Ruolan. She was just over four months older than Su Qiuqiu. With delicate, refined features and spirited, wide eyes beneath crescent-shaped brows, her beauty carried both the sweet innocence of a young girl and the graceful poise of a grown woman.

She wore a soft goose-yellow cloak embroidered with plum blossoms and butterflies, her hair was pinned up with a bejeweled hair ornament that swayed with every step—elegant and eye-catching.

Her clothes were pretty, and so was her face. Su Qiuqiu couldn’t help but display a “silly grin.”

Su Qiuqiu had always been a die-hard face-con. Whenever she saw a beauty, she’d go starry-eyed. Her condition could be called terminal beauty sickness, the severity of which depended on the attractiveness of the person before her.

If the pretty little maids Yunxiang and Lingxiang were enough to ease her discomfort and make her temporarily forget her woes, then this Sixth Miss was a whole different level—enough to make Su Qiuqiu forget the cold wind outside and swoon a little.

“We sisters have some private words to share. You may all leave,” Su Ruolan said softly as she let the maid behind her help her remove her cloak. The maids curtseyed and exited the room.

“Sister, don’t tell me you don’t recognize me anymore?” Su Ruolan approached with a smile.

“How could I forget someone as beautiful as you Sister?” Su Qiuqiu came back to her senses, attempting to sit up, but was gently pressed back down by Su Ruolan, who even tucked the blanket around her.

“You’re still unwell, little sister. No need to get up, I’ll sit and chat with you right here. Are you feeling better? I’ve been so worried these past few days, I could barely sleep…” Su Ruolan gently patted Su Qiuqiu’s hand in a show of affection. Su Qiuqiu casually grasped her hand in return, lightly stroking it. Su Ruolan’s brow twitched slightly at the odd gesture, but she couldn’t pull away—only glanced carefully at Su Qiuqiu, feeling something had changed. She no longer seemed timid or meek. If anything, she looked even more dazed and foolish.

“Thanks to Sixth Sister’s blessings, I’m much better now. Sister need not worry,” Su Qiuqiu replied while stroking Su Ruolan’s hand, very pleased—soft, warm, with a graceful shape. A fine hand indeed…

As for Su Ruolan’s sudden show of affection, Su Qiuqiu didn’t take it seriously. In her memories, she’d barely spoken to this sister a few times. Who knew why she was suddenly acting so close now? But Su Qiuqiu didn’t care—watching a beautiful woman perform a charade right beside her, with the bonus of being able to touch her? Not bad, not bad.

“Well, that puts my heart at ease. Sister, I know your heart must still ache, but you mustn’t harm your health. If anything weighs on your mind, talk to me. I might not hold much power, but I’m not entirely useless either.” Su Ruolan’s voice was gentle and warm.

“…Sister is so kind… I… I’ve resigned myself to fate. I won’t think of him anymore…” Su Qiuqiu lowered her eyes, her voice sorrowful—but in her head, she was already wondering, What’s this beauty planning? Is she trying to set me up with someone else?

“Sister, do you still remember the third young master of the Duke of Anguo’s household who came to our mother’s birthday banquet? He’s been thinking about you ever since. A few days ago, when he heard you’d fallen into the water, he was very worried. He even sent a fine ginseng root to aid your recovery. He’s asked my aunt about you, saying he wishes to marry you… The Anguo family is wealthy and noble, and the third young master is dearly loved by the duchess. He already holds a post in the Ministry of Revenue—his future is limitless… It’s really a pity…” Su Ruolan’s voice remained sweet and melodic, though her words were not at all in line with what a proper lady should be saying.

She’d witnessed Su Qiuqiu’s suicide attempt herself. Although she hadn’t cared much at the time—after all, she was already engaged—things had changed. Recently, her fiancé’s family, the House of Chengyuan, reached out, asking her to arrange a match between Su Qiuqiu and the third young master of the Duke of Anguo’s household. The real reason for today’s visit was to curry favor with him and boost her future husband’s career.

The seventh young lady was soft and easy to manipulate. If she married into the Song family, any benefits would naturally help her own future husband.

“Heh…” Su Qiuqiu chuckled softly. Such a lovely face, but so devious inside. She didn’t fully understand ancient customs, but in her memories, she recalled gossip about this Third Young Master Song. He’d had women in his bed since he was twelve or thirteen. Although he was not yet twenty, he already had several illegitimate children. The maids in his house weren’t enough—he’d sneak around outside too. Worse yet, he had a legal wife who was hideous. Su Qiuqiu had glimpsed her once through a screen at a banquet: crooked eyes, uneven teeth, a face like a battlefield—horrifying.

To become a concubine to such a lascivious freak? She’d rather die.

It looks like the poor heir of the Prince of Zhen’nan had really been smeared to be compared with that.

“What do you think, sister? If you’re willing, I’ll do everything I can to help…” Su Ruolan asked softly when Su Qiuqiu didn’t respond.

“Sister, your kindness is appreciated, but I dare not go against the will of our father and mother… Please, don’t bring it up again,” Su Qiuqiu replied with docile eyes, playing along to avoid breaking her character. Might as well enjoy the drama.

“Sister, you really should think for yourself… The Prince of Zhen’nan’s household might have high status, but it’s been declining in recent years. You’ve heard about the Heir… How could it compare to the Duke of Anguo’s family?” Su Ruolan was no longer gentle; her tone was turning cold and firm, clearly trying to brainwash Su Qiuqiu, who just kept holding her hand with a troubled look.

Their conversation was soon interrupted by Lingxiang reporting that the eighth young lady, Su Ruoying, had arrived. Only then did Su Ruolan stop talking.

“Su Qiuqiu! You’re truly shameless! Do you think attempting suicide will make Father and Mother change their minds? Dream on! And don’t think you can die and make me take your place!” The moment Su Qiuqiu looked up, a gust of cold wind hit her. A red figure flashed by—a fiery-tempered fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl with twin buns and a crimson cape stormed in, her face flushed with rage.

“Eighth Sister! Is this how you speak? Is this what Mother has taught you? Do we need the governess to give you more lessons?” Su Ruolan scolded with a frown.

Su Ruoying was a few months younger than Su Qiuqiu, not yet of age. Su Ruoying’s mother, the Fifth Concubine, remained favored and had a five-year-old son, which often led to Su Ruoying being a bit spoiled and overbearing.

With her arrival, the room immediately became livelier. Although Su Ruoying had not yet fully developed her physical appearance, it was evident that she was a budding beauty. Even her anger didn’t spoil her appearance. Su Qiuqiu actually didn’t mind her much—at least she was blunt and straightforward.

“Are you afraid your future husband’s family will think you’re uneducated and that’s why you begged the palace for a governess?” Su Ruoying sneered at Su Ruolan.

“…Su Ruoying, I am your elder sister. Have you forgotten every rule you’ve ever been taught?” Su Ruolan snapped.

“Sixth Sister, Eighth Sister, please don’t quarrel.” Su Qiuqiu stepped in gently. “Eighth Sister, don’t worry. I won’t harm myself again. I will marry the Heir of the Prince of Zhen’nan…”

“Are you serious?” Su Ruoying was ready to lash out at Su Ruolan again. She froze mid-sentence, with eyes wide.

“Of course. Don’t worry, Sister.”

“Who’s worried! Hmph! You’d better marry him obediently!” Su Ruoying’s face shifted, then she stormed off again in a huff.

Su Ruolan said a few more words before taking her leave as well—she had her own lessons to attend with the governess.

Once they were gone, Su Qiuqiu felt worn out and took a nap. Around noon, it was time for her medicine and meal.

Ancient Chinese medicine was bitter but effective. After two more days of it, her condition improved significantly. Her fever had gone, and with food in her belly, she felt stronger.

The Sixth and Eighth Misses didn’t come back again, much to Su Qiuqiu’s disappointment. In contrast, Fourth Concubine Madam Qin visited every day, consistently bringing snacks as if she were worried that Su Qiuqiu might starve.

Madam Qin had followed Su Qiuqiu’s advice, and the swelling in her face was gradually subsiding, though she still cried too easily. Every time she did, her eyes puffed up again, much to Su Qiuqiu’s exasperation.

During these days, Su Qiuqiu also took stock of her assets—utterly pitiful.

Her monthly allowance was five taels of silver, yet who knew where it all went. She had only about ten taels saved. Based on the conversion rates, one tael was worth roughly 1,200 wen, and one wen was like a modern yuan. That meant she had just over 10,000 yuan in liquid assets.

The amount was not insignificant, but it was undoubtedly insufficient for any significant purpose. In a noble household like this, everything required money—especially if she wanted to track down Zi Rui. Who knew how much it would cost to get her back by her side? Just thinking about it gave Su Qiuqiu a headache.

That day, the weather was clear, and her body felt much better. As soon as she got up, Madam Zhang (Head Maid) had Lingxiang and Yunxiang dress her up, putting on a warm cotton robe and cloak to go pay respects to her stepmother, Madam Wang.

Su Qiuqiu let them dress her up, squinting into the bronze mirror. The reflection was too blurry to make out much—just colors and vague shapes.

These past few days, Su Qiuqiu had been lying in bed with her hair loose and unkempt. Now, with her hair suddenly tied up into a proper bun, she felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Her hairpin and clothes were all new—things far finer than anything she remembered ever owning. Everything, including a cloak lined with fur, a handwarmer tucked in her sleeve, and fur cuffs, was warm and comfortable. Accompanied by her maidservants and a few older attendants, she made her way toward the courtyard of her legitimate mother.

“Today, the Princess Consort of Zhen’nan is visiting. Mind your manners, and speak as little as possible. If you say anything out of turn and offend her, both you and the Fourth Concubine will suffer the consequences,” Mama Zhang warned her coldly before they left. Her tone was grim and commanding—not at all what one would expect from a servant speaking to her young mistress.

No wonder they’d dressed her up so “appropriately”—turns out they were preparing her to meet an outsider. Su Qiuqiu cast Mama Zhang a glance and nodded, silently making another mark in her mental ledger against the woman.

That day, when she had spoken with the Sixth and Eighth Misses in the room, Madam Zhang had stayed the entire time. Su Qiuqiu had made her stance clear on purpose—she knew Madam Zhang was loyal to the legitimate wife and would surely go back and report everything. The fact that the Sixth and Eighth Misses hadn’t visited her in the past few days was likely the direct result of Madam Zhang’s tattling.