Chapter 4: Refusal

"Miss, the Old Madam has sent people over again. She says if the Seventh Young Master is not sent over, then she requests that you personally make a trip to the Rongxi Hall," the maid, Pu Tao, said cautiously.

Su Yunxi glanced at the sky, asked for the time, and smiled. "Go back and tell them that it is already late and the gates will be locked soon. I am taking care of Mother, who has already fallen asleep, so any matters can wait until tomorrow morning."

"Miss?" Pu Tao was very worried. "If you do this, Miss, and the Old Madam blames you, what should we do?"

Su Yunxi turned to look at Pu Tao and gave a cold smile. Pu Tao was startled and hurriedly lowered her head, not daring to meet Su Yunxi’s gaze. "Just say exactly what I told you. If you feel that isn't enough, add that I caught a chill while kneeling in the ancestral hall these past two days and am feeling unwell; I fear passing the sickness to the Old Madam, so I ask for her understanding. Go. If you can't handle this well, I'll have someone else go."

"This servant will go, this servant will go right now, this servant will definitely handle it well." Pu Tao left in a hurry.

Su Yunxi rubbed her weary shoulders. There were too many things she needed to worry about; she had no time to deal with the Old Madam’s petty schemes. The Old Madam was simply feeling disgruntled and needed someone to vent on. She just happened to be in the line of fire, and since Lady Wei was not favored, who else would she target if not her? But that did not mean she would obediently submit. Although the Old Madam was the most esteemed person in the household since the Old Master passed away and everyone fawned over her, that did not mean one had to be submissive in all things. With the Old Madam’s limited perspective, it was better to hear fewer of her lectures. As for the consequences of defying the Old Madam, Su Yunxi had her own ways of dealing with them.

That night, Su Yunxi slept in Lady Wei’s room as usual. The next day, just as the sky was turning white, Su Yunxi was already up. After washing, she had someone call Yuan Ge'er over.

When Yuan Ge'er arrived, he wanted to throw himself into Su Yunxi’s arms, but at a glare from her, he immediately stopped his steps, gave a proper salute, and only then rushed into her embrace. Su Yunxi laughed and rubbed Yuan Ge'er’s little cheeks. "You woke up quite early today. Do you feel sleepy?"

"I was very sleepy when I first woke up, but I'm not sleepy now."

"Hmm, how about I accompany you for a nap at noon?"

"Really? That’s great!" Yuan Ge'er beamed.

"Come, go inside with me to see Mother. Talk to her; perhaps Mother will wake up."

"Okay, I will talk to Mother."

Su Yunxi held Yuan Ge'er’s hand as they walked into the room. Lady Wei was still in a coma. If not for the faint breath and the rising and falling of her chest, one might suddenly think she was already gone. Every time she approached the bed, Su Yunxi would nervously check Lady Wei’s breathing, only feeling relieved once she confirmed it. This time was no exception. Yuan Ge'er, not understanding, mimicked her actions, and Su Yunxi felt a pang of sorrow.

Yuan Ge'er leaned against the bedside. "Mother, wake up. Your son has come to pay his respects. I went to Grandmother’s room to play a few days ago. There are many older sisters in Grandmother’s room, and they are all very gentle. I like them very much. However..."

Hearing this, Su Yunxi’s expression changed. Although Yuan Ge'er was still young, his character and habits needed to be cultivated from a young age. If she sat by and watched him spend his days surrounded by powder and rouge, wouldn't he grow up to be a dissolute playboy, just like Baoyu in the books? Thinking of this possibility, Su Yunxi became even more determined not to let the Old Madam take Yuan Ge'er away. In any case, the Old Madam had many grandsons; if not Yuan Ge'er, there were others.

Yuan Ge'er talked to Lady Wei for a long time, but Lady Wei never woke up. Su Yunxi pulled Yuan Ge'er out of the room and ordered them to serve a meal. Breakfast was simple: clear porridge, side dishes, steamed buns, and dumplings. Yuan Ge'er had a good appetite and ate happily. Su Yunxi managed to drink a bowl of porridge but couldn't eat anything more. The maid, Yue Gui, tried to persuade her from the side, "Miss, please eat a little more. Look at how much weight you've lost recently."

Su Yunxi shook her head. "No. I'll eat when I'm hungry."

After Yuan Ge'er finished eating, Su Yunxi took him to the study, assigned his lessons for the day, and then prepared to pay her respects to Old Madam Su.

Nanny Wen was worried. "Miss, are you not taking the Seventh Young Master with you to pay respects?"

Su Yunxi shook her head. "No. I will go alone today."

Seeing that Su Yunxi had made up her mind, Nanny Wen did not try to persuade her further. However, before she could leave, the gatekeeper reported that Concubine Xia and Concubine Wen had brought the Fifth Miss and the Eighth Young Master to pay their respects to the mistress. He asked if Su Yunxi wanted to let them in.

Su Yunxi gave a cold laugh. They were never this diligent on ordinary days; now they were putting on a show of concern. It was nothing more than wanting to see her make a fool of herself. Su Yunxi said to Nanny Wen, "Nanny, go and send them away. I have no patience to see them."

"This servant obeys."

Su Yunxi thought it would be a simple matter of sending them away, but she didn't expect them to be so persistent, actually causing a scene at the courtyard gate. Concubine Wen simply brought Su Mutai and barged in. Seeing Su Yunxi standing calmly under the veranda, Concubine Wen paused, then smiled. "So it is the Fourth Miss. Fourth Miss, this concubine has brought Tai-ge'er to pay respects to the mistress. I ask that the Fourth Miss be accommodating."

As soon as she finished speaking, Concubine Xia arrived with Su Yunwan.

Su Yunxi smiled. "You two concubines are very thoughtful. However, Mother is unwell and not in a state to see anyone. If you are truly sincere, you may kowtow right here."

"Here?" Concubine Wen’s expression turned ugly.

Su Yunxi smiled gently. "Why, is it not possible here? I see that you two concubines, as well as the Fifth Younger Sister and Eighth Younger Brother, are full of sincerity, so I am giving you a chance to show it. Could it be that you feel my arrangement does not reflect your sincerity? Then, perhaps..."

"No, that's not it, Fourth Miss, you've misunderstood. We don't mind this at all. We came to pay respects to the mistress, and since she is unwell, we are all very worried. Since we are here today, Fourth Miss, you should at least let us see the mistress, right?" Concubine Wen took the lead and said to Su Yunxi.

Su Yunxi continued to smile. "Concubine Wen, are you unable to understand what I said? Mother is unwell and not in a state to see anyone."

"Then... we will just take a look from outside the door, just one look."

Su Yunxi smiled. "If I don't agree, are you two planning to force your way in today?"

"We wouldn't dare." Concubine Wen still felt a bit guilty.

"It is good that you wouldn't dare. Mother’s illness requires quiet rest; what kind of decorum is this, making such a racket here? If there is nothing else, kowtow and leave." Su Yunxi hardened her face and issued a direct order to leave.

Concubine Wen exchanged a look with Concubine Xia, and Concubine Wen said, "This concubine knows that the Fourth Miss is capable, but it is not yet the Fourth Miss's place to make decisions for the Third Branch."

"Oh, is it not my place to decide?" Su Yunxi looked at Concubine Wen with a half-smile and walked toward her step by step. Concubine Wen felt an inexplicable fear, but she endured it and did not step back.