Chapter 110 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 110

"Miss, Master is back! Master is back!"

Su Xiangyu, dressed in a white mourning gown, her face weary, was dealing with the collateral relatives of the Su family when she froze upon hearing the announcement.

Huang Hu charged in from the doorway, too excited to notice her expression. "Xu An sent word ahead of time. He said Master’s carriage will arrive in half an hour, so we need to prepare early."

"I…I…" Su Xiangyu snapped back to attention, eyes brimming with joy. Forgetting the family disputes entirely, she turned toward the main gate and called out, "Have the servants clean the courtyard at once, and send someone to bring the young miss here."

"Yes, Miss. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it right away," Huang Hu replied.

He too was thrilled. Back when Master had been at the Su residence, he had placed great trust in Huang Hu. Had it not been for that trust, he wouldn’t have become the house steward.

When Master went to the capital for his post, he left Huang Hu behind to care for Miss and the young miss. Three years had passed since their last meeting.

The thought of seeing Master again was exhilarating.

Huang Hu turned to fetch the servants, but before he could move, he caught sight of some Su family members nearby.

He stopped, a mocking glint in his eyes.

Since the death of Old Master Su, some of the Su family had been scheming. Over forty days had passed without news from the capital, and some of these brazen relatives had dared to come seeking favors, leaning on seniority to extract benefits.

Normally, with Miss’s strong and decisive nature, none of this would have been an issue. But with Old Master gone, Madam Su ill, and the young miss otherwise occupied, Miss had been too distracted to handle these intrusions.

Now, with Master returning, Huang Hu wondered if these insolent freeloaders still dared cause trouble.

These few men, in their forties or fifties, were shameless and reckless. Even when Old Master Su was alive, they had dared to impose upon the family.

With Old Master gone, they saw an opportunity to benefit themselves. But they could never have expected that they would run straight into Master’s return.

Seeing Huang Hu, the men shivered and, recalling his earlier words, their faces turned pale. They stammered, "Steward Huang… he… he’s really back?"

Huang Hu snorted. "If your ears aren’t deaf, you just heard me. Why pretend to ask? Master will arrive in half an hour. Why not come welcome him together?"

"No… no, we won’t," stammered the would-be freeloaders.

They had dared to push around the Su family because it was a merchant family and they were distant relatives, but they knew nothing of Master, the high-ranking son-in-law. They did not dare provoke him.

Huang Hu gave a cold laugh and shouted, "Block them!"

The gate guards and courtyard watchmen surged forward, surrounding the men.

Huang Hu stood above them, barking: "Dare to bully our Miss? Wait until Master returns, and you’ll regret it!"

The Su family men went pale and tried to escape, but the guards grabbed them and dragged them back, determined to keep them there.

Huang Hu, satisfied with their quick thinking, nodded to himself. He would let them properly entertain these elder relatives and then return to supervise the courtyard cleaning, finally heading toward Songtao Courtyard.

Since Master’s departure, Songtao Courtyard had been Su Ling’er’s private domain.

At night, she slept in the inner chambers, while most of her daytime hours were spent in Songtao Courtyard.

She had not touched anything belonging to Master. The study remained as it had been for three years, with a large, thick desk and a smaller desk beside it.

The large desk belonged to Master, neatly arranged with books, brushes, and paperweights. It was obvious someone tended it carefully every day.

The smaller desk belonged to Su Ling’er and was the only place with any change in the study.

Huang Hu often doubted he had traveled three years back in time upon entering, half expecting to hear Master’s gentle voice:

"Anything you need?"

But it was Su Ling’er’s voice. Snapping out of his reverie, Huang Hu quickly reported the good news: "Young miss, Master has returned."

"Really!" Su Ling’er exclaimed, dropping an ink block onto the desk, rushing out from behind her desk.

Huang Hu repeated the message he had given Su Xiangyu: "Xu An has arrived and says Master’s carriage will be here in half an hour. It’s true!"

Her eyes widened in disbelief before joy bubbled over. "I want to greet Father!"

Huang Hu followed. Though he longed to wait at the gate for Master, duty called him elsewhere. Now that all the notifications were sent, he could return to the gate, eager to catch up with Xu An.

At the main gate, most of the Su household staff had gathered, whispering excitedly in anticipation.

Su Xiangyu, meanwhile, was chatting with Xu An, frequently peeking outside.

Huang Hu brought a few chairs for the masters so they wouldn’t tire.

Su Xiangyu pressed her forehead with relief. "If it weren’t for him staying behind, I’d have been busier than ever."

Huang Hu replied respectfully: "I’ve served faithfully."

…

Half an hour passed, and Master Ji Xiu’s caravan arrived at the Su residence.

Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er rose in surprise, taken aback by the long, formidable procession, feeling a sudden pang of nervousness despite it being Master returning.

Even the spectators on either side were subdued, not daring to crowd closer.

The lead carriage lifted its curtain, revealing Master Ji Xiu’s familiar face. He looked around casually before stepping down from the carriage.

Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er felt a strange calm wash over them.

Three years had passed, yet Master seemed unchanged, composed as ever, unlike other officials, arrogant and high-handed.

As Master descended, imperial guards followed closely.

He frowned slightly and waved them off: "Wait here. Don’t follow me."

After returning, he didn’t want to alarm the Su family.

Master walked to the main gate, looking up at the few standing on the steps, smiling: "I’m home."

Su Xiangyu stepped forward, tears glimmering in her eyes, silently staring at Master.

Su Ling’er, unable to hold back, threw herself into his arms: "Father, I missed you so much!"

Master’s heart softened. He patted her head: "Don’t cry. I’m back. This time, I’ll stay for at least three years. Don’t worry."

Hearing "three years," Su Ling’er wanted to cry even more.

The family reunion at the gate was emotional, yet everyone was reserved, speaking a few words before entering the courtyard.

Master pointed at Huang Hu: "These people escorting me are imperial guards. Treat them properly."

Huang Hu gulped. "Imperial…guards? The ones who protect the emperor?"

"The emperor is benevolent and concerned for my safety. That’s why they accompanied me."

Huang Hu realized Master’s status was even higher than he imagined.

Once inside, the imperial guards settled under Huang Hu’s guidance, and the crowd dispersed. Only the tale of Master’s triumphant return spread, becoming the talk of Shanglang County.

Master, weary from travel, first visited the side hall to offer incense for Old Master Su, then checked on the ailing Madam Su, and finally bathed, changed, and settled in to speak with Su Xiangyu and Su Ling’er.

In Songtao Courtyard, he updated them on his recent affairs and reiterated that he would stay for three years. Then, changing the subject, he pointed toward the side hall.

"It’s been a month. Why hasn’t the burial taken place?"

Su Xiangyu, weary, explained softly: "Mother refused. She invited a master from Lingyin Temple to perform the rites. The master said the spirit must rest for forty-nine days. Forty-six days have passed. You’re back just in time. Three more days, and it will be the correct day."

Master nodded. "Good. I rushed back, worried I might be late and that outsiders would gossip about the Su family."

He had done well in recent years, and even if the Su family had no intention of leveraging his position, others would seek to curry favor upon hearing his name. The benefits were numerous, but so were the potential backlashes.

Su Xiangyu understood and smiled. "Your return is enough. Don’t worry about outsiders."

Master looked at her. "It’s different. Your capability is yours, but my desire to protect you won’t change."

Su Xiangyu felt warmth and reassurance.

Since Old Master Su’s death and Madam Su’s illness, she had waited more than a month just for these words.

…

As the family conversed and the atmosphere grew harmonious, Huang Hu rushed in, whispering something to Su Xiangyu.

Her expression instantly changed.

Master, sensing something, noted the peculiar tension. Huang Hu had said: "That person is here."

But who could it be to unnerve Su Xiangyu so?

She gently nudged Su Ling’er toward the study, saying she had matters to discuss with Master. The young girl, sensing something, complied and went inside.

Master followed her gaze. Once Su Ling’er disappeared, he turned to Su Xiangyu: "What’s the matter?"

Both mother and daughter knew who had arrived but did not speak.

Su Xiangyu’s expression flickered with guilt. "There’s something I didn’t mention in the letters."

"What?" Master raised an eyebrow, staring at her intently.

Su Xiangyu hesitated but eventually said: "Before passing, your father arranged a marriage for Ling’er."

"What?" Master was stunned. Four years ago, he could understand Old Master Su doing such a thing, back when he had failed the imperial exams four times.

But now, after his success, the Su family dared not oppose him. How could Old Master Su secretly betroth Su Ling’er?

Master’s expression tensed. "Explain everything."

Su Xiangyu sighed. "The person is outside. If you want to see him, you can have him brought in."

Master quickly understood why Huang Hu had been evasive. A trace of cold light flashed in his eyes. "Huang Hu, bring him in."

Huang Hu trembled at Master’s commanding presence, rushing to the side gate.

Master watched the door, while Su Xiangyu looked on with guilt. This was Old Master Su’s doing, and the other party was innocent.

Su Xiangyu began to explain: "He’s not from a prominent family. Born poor, conditions worse than common folk, only fifteen, already a Xiucai, with a promising future. His parents passed away, and he just completed his mourning. If not for that, he would have become a Xiucai a year or two earlier. Honestly, he’s not bad… if it weren’t for your father being uninformed."

"Wait!" Master’s suspicion grew. "What’s his name?"

"Qi Feng," Su Xiangyu replied.

Master fell silent. Qi Feng? That was the male lead.

Even after four years, he had almost forgotten that Su Ling’er still had a pending misfortune.

Master’s thoughts raced, recalling how Qi Feng, clearly infatuated with the nominal sister, entered the Su family, using their wealth to treat his sister while deceiving and exploiting them. Combined with the female lead Zhao Xiaoman—now Qi Xiaoman—it had led to the Su family’s collapse.

At fifteen, standing in the hall in a faded long robe, slender and refined, Qi Feng looked almost identical to Master at the same age, except his eyes were slightly evasive.

Master’s expression gradually turned cold.