The whole family sat down amicably in the hall, with servants serving tea and dishes.
Su Lingling, the second girl of the Su Family, quietly looked at Song Qianfan. Handsome, such a good marriage match; how did Su Juan, a wild girl growing up in the countryside, get so lucky!?
Thinking of this, her heart was immediately unsettled. She looked at Su Juan and pretended to be clever, asking with concern, "Sister, have you been doing well at the Prince Mansion these past few days?"
"I've always been worried..." Su Lingling's voice was low and soft, and as she spoke, she sneaked a glance at Song Qianfan.
Just at this time, Song Qianfan raised his eyes and their gazes met. Su Lingling was slightly startled, instinctively looked away, and blushed.
The Princely Heir's looks were indeed outstanding, among the people she'd met, apart from Xie Xun, no one could compare to Song Qianfan.
Su Juan curved her lips and played along, "It's quite nice, with plenty to eat and drink. The Prince and Princess Consort treat me very well, thank you for your concern, second sister."
Trying to provoke Su Juan into saying something bad to anger the Princely Heir, Su Lingling continued softly, "As long as you and brother-in-law are doing well, I'll be relieved."
While speaking, she hooked her red lips, eyes smug. With Su Juan's temperament, she would surely retort in her mind, therein angering the Princely Heir, and she'd face the consequences.
Song Qianfan glanced at Su Juan and had heard that after the original mistress of the Su Family, Su Juan's biological mother, passed away, Old Master Su promoted a concubine, now the current Madam Su, to the main wife. She hadn't managed the household for long before sending ten-year-old Su Juan to the countryside under the guise of recovering from illness.
Seeing Old Master Su so blinded by lust, and the second wife not being kind either, Su Juan, this foolish woman, seems to be quite the pitiful figure after all.
However, at this time, Su the "pitiful" Juan was busy rolling her eyes.
[Oh ho! So Su Lingling really has her eyes on Song Qianfan, no wonder, considering Song Qianfan does look quite decent.]
Su Lingling's heart skipped a beat.
Song Qianfan coldly snorted, though his expression belied a hint of pride. Ah, superficial woman.
[After all, Su Lingling likes pretty and fair young lads; isn't Song Qianfan just her type?]
Song Qianfan's temple throbbed harshly, this woman!
He, the noble heir of the Prince Mansion, how dare Su Juan compare him to such lowly people!
Su Juan's inner voice gently echoed: [But now that Song Qianfan has become her brother-in-law, and she still longs for him eagerly, she's really not picky, is she?]
The other girls of the Su Family covered their mouths, snickering and whispering.
Su Lingling usually relied on her status as a legitimate child to flaunt and suppress them, and normally they could only grumble inwardly, not daring to voice it.
Now someone was giving them a voice, they couldn't be happier, all ears perked up, eyes fixed eagerly, just waiting for Su Lingling to embarrass herself.
Su Lingling was both ashamed and annoyed, yet dared not retort, lowering her gaze while secretly observing Song Qianfan's reaction.
[Of course, she wouldn't regard a legitimate daughter exiled to the countryside years ago. After all, she's always considered herself the most talented woman in the Capital City.]
[But looking at these two, one's oblivious, the other arrogant, they quite match each other. Perhaps… should I step aside?]
Song Qianfan's face darkened, eyes sharp, hand gripping the teacup, veins bulging, a chilling aura emanating.
These Su Family girls, one is ruder than the other, how could they compare to Liu Miaoying?
Su Lingling turned pale with fright, no longer caring about earlier schemes, hurriedly bowing her head: Su Juan, stop talking!
[Not to mention Su Lingling had set her eyes on Xie Xun of the Xie Family for his looks too?]
[Yet it's a pity Xie Xun is an infamous playboy, unworthy of herself.]
[In comparison, she likely deemed Song Qianfan better, right?]
Having all her inner affairs exposed by Su Juan, Su Lingling was fuming to the point of teary eyes, glaring at Su Juan but dared not speak back.
Catching Su Lingling's eyes, Su Juan thought: [Poor girl, why hasn't the Emperor arranged a marriage for her? Really wasted, she's pining so much she's almost turned into a resentful woman.]
The Su Family couple's faces were especially unsightly; a maiden so lovesick, letting outsiders know, what a disgrace!
The other girls whispered.
Xie Xun, good-looking beyond question, is the Capital City's most recognized playboy, or else the title of Capital City's number one gentleman wouldn't have so easily fallen onto Song Qianfan.
But regardless of Xie Xun's flaws, the Xie Family's influence was enormous, far beyond what these daughters of merchants could dream of marrying into.
After all, they weren't like Su Juan, who had the luck to be recognized by the Divine Artifact and be granted a marriage by the Emperor.
In essence, the Su Family merely had the title of the "Capital City's top merchant."
At this moment, Song Qianfan's face was darker than ever, his temple veins pulsating.
Endure, endure; one who achieves great things must endure.
"Why isn't anyone eating?"
The eldest son of the Su Family — Su Yaozu, walked into the hall, fanning himself with a bright face.
His entrance shattered the previous awkward atmosphere, but Su Lingling's embarrassment had already been stripped bare, leaving her with no face to meet anyone.
Old Master Su's scolded, "Why are you so late, where have you been fooling around again!?"
Su Yaozu smiled, "Father, I was just studying in the study, which made me lose track of time."
Hearing that he was studying, Old Master Su's expression brightened slightly.
[Ugh, first time hearing someone studying in a brothel.]
All eyes turned to Su Juan, especially those who disliked Su Lingling and Su Yaozu's siblings — their eyes shining.
Even Song Qianfan was curious now, what else could Su Juan reveal?
Old Master Su's face turned dark as coal; he knew well enough the nature of his own son.
Su Yaozu's expression froze, and he hastily explained, "Father, while studying, two maids looked after the ink and brush."
[Looked after the ink and brush? More like guarding the door to prevent others from discovering anything improper, right?]
All eyes were intensely focused, ears perked higher than ever before.
Su Yaozu insisted, "I was truly studying, and Hong'er and Lu'er can vouch for me…"
[This father would never think that the beauty he brought back last night knew Su Yaozu from before. After he'd spent some time in her room, his own son sneaked in and remained for a whole hour and a half before leaving!]
[Early this morning, taking advantage of his father's absence, he engaged again with that beauty, no wonder he looks so refreshed, tsk tsk.]
[This father takes half a cup's worth of time, but the son takes an hour and a half; no wonder the beauty couldn't handle it.]
[Hmm? Why isn't anyone talking?]
Su Juan lifted her head, looking around, only to see Su Yaozu kneeling on the ground, body trembling.
Old Master Su's face was as dark as charcoal, and all the madams, concubines, and girls in the hall lowered their gazes, not daring to make a sound, though inwardly they rejoiced.
This Su Yaozu was always a rogue, who would've thought he'd be reckless enough to lay hands on his father's woman!
Su Juan blinked, [Why is he kneeling now?]
[Old Master Su's face is so sour, like someone owes him eight million and won't pay back.]
Su Juan's eyes darted around, then after a while, she understood!
[Most likely those two maids snitched, and Old Master Su learned he got cuckolded by his own son!]
[This is really thrilling.]