Chapter 2: Losing One's Temper

After returning, Madam Wei was completely bedridden, spending most of her day in a stupor. Su Yunxi set aside everything else to attend to her bedside. She knew nothing of medicine and could do nothing; she could only pray that the heavens would hear her cries and let Madam Wei’s health improve. When tired, she would doze for a moment on the footstool; when hungry, she would hastily eat a meal in the outer room; even her washing and changing were done in Madam Wei’s room.

Yet, even so, she could not stop Madam Wei’s body from rapidly declining.

Mama Wen stepped forward and gently stroked Su Yunxi’s back. "Young Miss, you cannot go on like this. If the Mistress knew, she would not allow it. You must take care of your own health. The Mistress cannot get up now, and the young master relies solely on you. If you were to collapse as well, what would become of us!"

Su Yunxi’s face was calm, her eyes fixed on Mama Wen with determination as she said, "Don't worry, Mama. I know what I am doing; I have my own judgment." She paused, then added, "Where is Brother Yuan? I haven't seen him all day."

"The Old Madam said she feared the Mistress might pass her illness to Brother Yuan, so she had him taken away."

Su Yunxi gave a mocking smile. "I recall that just a few days ago, the Old Madam took Brother Xing from the first branch and Brother Shen from the second branch to be raised by her side."

"Exactly so," Mama Wen whispered.

Su Yunxi continued, "Brother Yuan is still so young, and he has no capable people around him. If he is bullied, I fear he won't even have a place to go and cry."

"Who is to say otherwise? But the Old Madam has given the order; we servants cannot disobey."

Su Yunxi smiled coldly. "Mama Wen, trouble yourself to make a trip to the Rongxi Hall. Tell them that I, his sister, miss my brother, and I am going to bring Brother Yuan here. Once we siblings have finished talking, I will send him back to the Old Madam."

"Young Miss, is that appropriate? What if the Old Madam...?" Mama Wen was very worried.

"There is nothing inappropriate about it. A sister visiting her brother—could anyone possibly stop that? Besides, Brother Yuan is the legitimate eldest son of our third branch. Now that Mother’s health is critical, he is the son she cherishes most in her heart. As a son, shouldn't he come to visit his mother? Go now, Mama Wen. If anyone asks, tell them my words. If they refuse to release him, then even if you have to snatch him, you must bring Brother Yuan back." Su Yunxi’s tone carried a sense of martial resolve that made it hard for others to look her in the eye.

"Young Miss, that won't do." Mama Wen waved her hands repeatedly.

Su Yunxi sneered. Mama Wen and the others had suffered in the Su household for years, to the point where they had lost even this bit of courage. It was truly lamentable. "There is nothing that won't do. Take a few more sturdy matrons with you. If anything happens, I will take responsibility. Father is not in the manor, and Mother is critically ill; as of now, I am the one who decides for the third branch. Whoever dares to ride over the third branch is going against me. Go, don't worry. Even if Mother knew, she would approve of my decision. Mama Wen, don't forget, Mother was never a weak person who could be bullied. If not for her health, how could she have fallen into such a state?"

Mama Wen seemed persuaded and nodded heavily. "This servant will obey you, Young Miss, and go to the Rongxi Hall to bring Brother Yuan back."

"Go."

Su Yunxi continued to attend to Madam Wei, who had been unconscious for a day and a night and showed no signs of waking. She couldn't even get medicine down her throat. She knew very well that Madam Wei did not have much time left, but she was truly unwilling to accept it.

When Mama Wen brought Brother Yuan back, Su Yunxi composed herself and went to the outer room to see him.

Brother Yuan was only a six or seven-year-old child, at the age where he was most mischievous. Su Yunxi smiled when she saw him and stroked his head. "Seventh Brother, Mother is ill."

"Fourth Sister, I know. They said Mother will get better soon, as long as I don't disturb her." Brother Yuan grinned.

Su Yunxi felt a pang of sorrow. "While you were at Grandmother’s, did anyone bully you? Did you have fun?"

"No one bullied me, but I don't like it there. I want to be with Sister."

Su Yunxi nodded. "Good, you shall stay with Sister. Have you been reading and practicing your calligraphy these days? Have you been reviewing your lessons?"

Brother Yuan immediately looked guilty and stepped back.

Su Yunxi’s face hardened instantly. "Have you forgotten everything I told you?"

"I didn't forget, I just... forgot these days." After saying this, he lowered his head in shame. Then, thinking of something, he said, "I saw Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother not reviewing their lessons, and I didn't see them reading or practicing calligraphy either. Why must I do it? Reading is very hard."

"How insolent!" Su Yunxi felt a mix of anger and disappointment. "Are you the same as them? You are the legitimate son of the third branch. The family business of the third branch must be inherited by someone capable. Do you think you can become a capable person without reading or practicing calligraphy? Mother is ill, and you may never see her again. If you don't work hard, who will you rely on in the future? Who will look up to you? Do you want to make Mother worry? Why don't you know how to strive for better? Are Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother the same as you? Can you compare yourself to them? If you think you don't want the third branch's inheritance and want to hand it over to the eighth brother, then I won't ask you to read or practice calligraphy anymore. You can play however you like. I don't want to manage you anymore anyway." Su Yunxi was frantic, her words coming out fast and sharp. She was indeed anxious and burning with frustration; her mouth was full of sores, and with the sweltering heat, she felt as though she could barely hold on.

Seeing Su Yunxi angry, Su Muyuan was terrified. He quickly hugged her, crying as he said, "Sister, don't abandon me. I will strive for better, I will read and practice calligraphy, I will work hard. Sister, don't leave me..." His face was covered in tears, and he sobbed uncontrollably, gripped by the fear of being abandoned, his whole body trembling.

Seeing Su Muyuan cry, Su Yunxi couldn't help but cry as well. She hugged him tight. "Don't worry, Sister won't abandon you. But from now on, you must study hard, do you understand? Father likes children who can read best. In a family like ours, only by reading can we find a way out. Only by reading can you stand above others, obtain everything that should belong to you, and gain the approval of others. You can even do things that others cannot. Brother Yuan, you are not small anymore. You must understand that reading is not just reading; it is the capital for your survival. If Mother... in the future, it will only be the two of us. If you don't work hard, Sister truly has no other way."

"Sister, don't cry. I will work hard, I will definitely work hard."

Su Yunxi nodded, turning her head to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Good boy. Let's go inside and visit Mother. Mother is not well; you talk to her nicely, perhaps she will get better. Do you know?"

"I know. When Mother gets better, she can take me out to play. I still want to go to the temple fair; it's so lively there."

"Alright, when Mother’s health improves, Sister will take you to the temple fair."