Volume One, Chapter 11: I Will Always Have Your Back

Xiao Beiming found the manner in which this woman appeared and her way of handling things utterly incredible. Yet, now that he was cornered with no options left, he had no choice but to step into the trap and take it one step at a time...

Today, Su Yi’an had learned her lesson—she administered the acupuncture and withdrew the needles without uttering a single word before leaving.

Xiao Beiming’s suspicion of her only deepened.

When Su Yi’an left the Northern Duke’s mansion, she was naturally followed. After walking quite a distance without shaking off her tail, she decisively turned back and dragged out the two undercover guards hiding behind a corner. With resolute strength, she retorted sharply, “Are you truly intent on ruining my reputation and condemning me to death? Take one more step following me, and I’ll quit this altogether!”

Her vulnerability was suddenly exposed, and the two guards exchanged glances, unwilling to continue the pursuit.

To be safe, Su Yi’an even took a nap at an inn. Confirming no one was tailing her, she quietly made her way to the city gate.

Yet, the plainclothes guards of the Northern Duke’s mansion were still stationed there!

For several days afterward, men from the Northern Duke’s mansion lurked at the city gate, watching her.

Su Yi’an was deeply frustrated: with her face injured now and unable to hide her appearance, escape was impossible.

With her wedding day just two days away, she sighed heavily, “Little tiger, I’m sorry. For the sake of freedom, your sister must shamelessly ask you to retrieve that century-old rhinoceros horn. Once the Northern Duke is cured of the poison, he won’t watch me so closely, right?”

That night, Su Yi’an set off signal arrows in the street, but instead of the little tiger arriving, Wu Er appeared, galloping in with a squad of guards.

“This is the spot. Who uses signal arrows to communicate with good people? Search them!”

Su Yi’an hurriedly hid herself.

Damn it! You pesky lot are truly everywhere!

She waited from dusk till dawn, and from dawn till dusk, but the little tiger never came.

With tomorrow being the wedding day, she sighed again: “Fine, I’ll endure a bit longer. I’ll grab a good dowry and leave; it’s all the same.”

Su Yi’an returned to the Su residence.

At the gate stood a luxurious carriage.

“Young mistress, you’ve finally returned. Madam Pei of the Southern General’s mansion has been waiting for you a long time.”

Madam Huo Qingchu, wife of the Southern General, upon seeing the grown Su Yi’an, immediately welled up with tears and embraced her.

“Child, at last I’ve found you. I am your aunt.”

Su Yi’an returned the embrace politely, noting the woman’s trembling sobs.

“Sorry, Aunt, I’m a bit slow and bad at remembering faces.”

Huo Qingchu released her and appraised her from head to toe. Seeing her graceful figure and large, fluttering lashes framing beautiful eyes, she was undoubtedly a striking young lady.

What a pity—such a fine girl was rendered dull-witted and disfigured by an illness...

She refused to believe it was all mere misfortune.

“Child, it’s not that you don’t recognize me; this is actually our first meeting. I am Huo Qingchu, the adopted daughter of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household, and your mother’s sister. Your elder sister married in the capital, while I was wed in the southern borderlands.”

“Oh,” Su Yi’an nodded.

Huo Qingchu’s face was filled with regret.

“The year you were born, the entire Loyal and Brave Marquis’s family sacrificed their lives for the country. Your elder sister was frail after childbirth and died of grief. After that, you were sent to a Taoist temple to cultivate in hardship until marriage, praying for your late mother, forbidden from seeing anyone.

That is why we never met…”

Only then did Su Yi’an understand why her earliest memories were of a temple.

Locking a daughter away from birth until marriage, forbidding visitors—such cruelty was beyond belief. That worthless father was truly despicable!

Wiping away tears, Huo Qingchu pulled her son, who was leaning nearby.

“Yi’an, this is your brother, Pei Siyuan. Ah Yuan, come greet your sister.”

Pei Siyuan stepped forward, cupped his fists in a military salute.

“Ah Yuan pays respects to sister. May you be blessed with great fortune and health.”

The boy’s face was handsome yet still youthful, his eyes shining, lips curved in a sincere and warm smile.

A dashing, obedient young gentleman indeed!

Hearing “sister” so affectionately, who could resist?

Su Yi’an promptly pulled out a five tael silver note as a gift.

In wealthy families, this was a typical New Year’s gift for children.

Pei Siyuan waved his hands repeatedly, smiling and declining.

“Sister, I turn sixteen after the new year. I’m already an official drawing a salary. I can’t accept pocket money anymore.”

“Sixteen and already an officer? Truly, heroes emerge young through the ages.”

Su Yi’an complimented him, causing Pei Siyuan to blush. Scratching the back of his head, he smiled shyly.

“Sister flatters me. I’m just a low-ranking minor officer.”

“Ninth rank? Then there’s plenty of room to rise. Young General Pei has a bright future ahead.”

Pei Siyuan was momentarily stunned, then looked to his mother with earnest admiration.

“Sister, you speak so well. You’re really smart!”

Huo Qingchu shot her son a sharp glance, then took Su Yi’an’s hand, her eyes full of tenderness.

“Yi’an, from now on, as my son establishes his household in the capital, we’ll see each other often.

We received the imperial edict appointing Ah Yuan, so we hurried day and night to reach the capital in time for your wedding. We’ll see you off in style.

Let’s go to your courtyard and look at the dowry I prepared for you.”

“Thank you, Aunt. Please lead the way.”

Huo Qingchu held Su Yi’an’s hand and looked toward Pei Siyuan.

“You’re a man, so it’s not proper for you to visit the inner courtyard. Return to the mansion. You’re new to the capital and unfamiliar with the place. Don’t wander about; rest at home.”

“Yes, Mother.”

As Huo Qingchu led Su Yi’an toward the rear courtyard, she recounted the past.

“My biological parents died in battle long ago. The old Marquis Huo took me to raise in the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household.

I never wanted to marry far away, but the marriage was arranged before I was born. Loyalty above all, I had no choice but to comply.

I often wonder, if I had insisted on staying in the capital, would my elder sister still be alive with me by her side during the upheaval...”

Huo Qingchu choked up, eyes heavy with guilt.

“At that time, my husband was just a junior border officer. I couldn’t always return to the capital or speak for you in the Su mansion.

You suffered living in that temple all those years. This time, my husband has been promoted, and I’ve returned to the capital. I will support you and ensure you marry off with glory.”

Su Yi’an glanced at her askance:

The husband’s promotion and the young son’s appointment as an official in the capital were clearly moves to act as hostages.

Earlier, she warned her son not to wander, showing awareness of their precarious situation and the need to keep a low profile.

Yet now, she was willing to stand up for Su Yi’an.

This aunt truly was a good woman.

On the eve of the wedding, Su Yi’an’s courtyard was draped in red silk. Red lacquered dowry chests filled the yard.

The wedding attire and dowry inventory were also delivered to her chamber.

Huo Qingchu glanced over the list and frowned.

“The dowry barely amounts to a tenth or twelfth of what your elder sister brought.

Even if the Su family’s expenses depended on your sister’s dowry these years, it shouldn’t have dwindled to this little.

It’s utterly outrageous.”

Su Yi’an, who had remained silent, finally showed interest, casting a pitiful look at Huo Qingchu.

“Aunt, you must help me reclaim my mother’s dowry!”