Chapter 50: The Grand Secretary Forced Me

Still shaken and with her heart suspended in her throat, Su Yao heard Qiuyue already arrive at the courtyard gate, calling out in a loud voice, "Miss Su, the First Madam invites you to the parlor."

Su Yao felt the world spin before her eyes, and her legs instantly turned weak.

She looked beyond the courtyard, where the lingering snow remained unmelted upon the dark green tiles and gray bricks.

The vermilion lacquered pillars exuded a faint chill, and she instinctively steadied herself against one, her fingertips ice-cold.

"Be quick, Miss."

Qiuyue, who was leading the way, tilted her oil-paper umbrella slightly, causing fine snowflakes to fall upon Su Yao's shoulders.

Upon stepping into the main hall, a rich scent of sandalwood rushed at her, tightening Su Yao's throat and almost making her retch.

Enduring the discomfort, she raised her gaze and immediately spotted Madam Lu seated squarely in the main seat.

She hurried to kneel and pay her respects, her voice trembling slightly, "Su Yao greets the First Madam."

Only dead silence answered her, and for a long moment, there was no sign telling her to rise.

Kneeling on the cold green bricks, the chill quickly spread from Su Yao's knees through her entire body, making her shiver all over.

In the stillness, she could only hear the fierce pounding of her own heart.

At last, the crisp sound of teacups clinking rang out from above her head.

Madam Lu leisurely raised her hand, took a light sip of tea, and the sandalwood prayer beads wrapped around her wrist clicked together.

The tassel of the Buddha's head hung right before Su Yao's eyes, swaying back and forth with Madam Lu's movements.

After another long while, Madam Lu finally spoke in a cold tone, "Lift your head."

Su Yao slowly raised her head to meet her gaze.

"Quite the delicate beauty, indeed."

Qiuyue entered the room carrying a bowl of bird's nest.

"Madam, the bird's nest has been simmered."

Sitting upright, Madam Lu turned her head at the sound, her gaze falling upon the bowl of bird's nest.

Madam Lu frowned. She had only just returned to the manor, yet this bird's nest had been simmered to perfection—clearly, it was not prepared for her.

She cast a cold glance at Su Yao on the floor.

"Golden-threaded snow swiftlet's nest; truly a fine delicacy. You certainly live a pampered life on ordinary days. What a pity... these things are not meant for someone of your status to consume."

With that, Madam Lu picked up a spoon and stirred the bird's nest casually.

Kneeling on the floor, Su Yao lowered her head even further, her face alternating between pale and ashen.

She bit her lower lip hard, yet she had no way to defend herself.

Lu Huaijin demanded that she eat this and that every day. A frail woman trapped within these deep courtyards, what could she do besides obey?

Those tonic remedies were nothing more than shackles binding her; there was not a shred of enjoyment to be found in them.

Putting down the spoon, Madam Lu said coldly, "How long have you been with Huaijin?"

"Thr—three years."

"Three years?"

Madam Lu paused. Lu Huaijin had kept this matter airtight, never letting slip even a hint of it beforehand.

Had she not sent Qiuyue to the capital a few days ago, she probably would have remained kept in the dark to this day.

She had originally thought her son to be a man of integrity, wholly devoted to his official career and utterly indifferent to romantic affairs. Over the years, he had declined every marriage match arranged for him by the family.

Seeing that Qiuyue had a proper appearance, a gentle temperament, and looked capable of bearing children, she had sent the girl to him as a concubine, only to discover that he had long hidden such a "plaything" in his back courtyard.

She cleared her throat and slowly began, "My Lu family generations have been honored and upright; how could we tolerate a woman of unknown origin like you dragging our family reputation in the mud? My son has a boundless future—is he someone you can hope to attach yourself to?"

"Madam, this humble woman has never once thought of clinging to your lordship; it is only that... only that circumstances forced my hand."

Madam Lu let out a cold scoff. "Circumstances forced you? I see you are simply greedy for wealth and glory. Today, I will make my words clear: leave my son immediately, or do not blame me for being unmerciful."

"Madam..."

"Silence!"

Madam Lu slammed her hand heavily on the table, cutting Su Yao off. Grioved to the extreme, Su Yao's eyes reddened, yet she dared not shed a tear.

Despair washed over her.

Madam Lu would not easily let her go, but how could Lu Huaijin easily allow her to leave?

A stream of hot tea suddenly poured down over her head, and Su Yao's eyelashes fluttered as scalding water trickled down her neck into the collar of her dress.

With a burning pain in her throat, she stared at the winding trail of water on the floor and begged for mercy, "Madam, I beg you to spare this humble woman's life."

"A way out? Since you dared to step foot into the Lu family's gates, you should have anticipated today's end."

"Speak. What methods did you use to seduce him?"

Her eyes reddening, Su Yao sobbed, "I did not seduce his lordship. If Madam can send me out of the capital, I am willing never to see his lordship again for the rest of my life."

"Ha." Madam Lu let out a derisive laugh and turned to the older matrons beside her. "What does she mean by that? She didn't seduce Huaijin? Could she be trying to say that our Huaijin forced her?"

These matrons were all long-serving trusted servants of Madam Lu, having accompanied her for many years and traveled all the way back to the capital with her.

Hearing Madam Lu's words, they all broke into laughter.

Su Yao's heart was filled with profound sorrow; she had known that no one would believe her.

Yet the truth was precisely that—it was that brilliant and pure Chief Councilor who had used his power to force her, a helpless and defenseless woman.

Hardening her heart, she nodded heavily, "Yes. The Chief Councilor forced me."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room plunged into dead silence. Madam Lu's expression instantly tightened, and she narrowed her eyes. "Look at this. People of this sort will say any wild nonsense just to shirk responsibility."

Madam Lu's servant, Mother Tian, immediately stepped forward and fawned, "Madam, this old servant thinks this girl's mouth is far too stubborn. Unless she is taught a harsh lesson, she will never speak the truth."

Another servant, Mother Wang, hurriedly chimed in, "This girl is much too bold, even daring to smear our young master's reputation. Let this old servant properly discipline her to see if she dares speak nonsense again."

Madam Lu raised her eyebrows slightly. "How would you discipline her?"

Mother Tian hurried close to Madam Lu's ear and whispered a few words, at which Madam Lu nodded slightly.

Watching all this, Su Yao understood that she was about to suffer.

Mother Tian rolled up her sleeves and walked toward Su Yao, saying viciously, "You have quite a pretty face, no wonder you know how to seduce men. But that mouth of yours truly needs teaching."

"Crack!"

A resounding slap landed viciously across Su Yao's face, instantly jerking her head to the side.

"Madam is asking you a question, so answer properly. If you utter another half-truth, don't blame me for being unmerciful."

Holding her cheek, Su Yao could not stem the tears streaming down uncontrollably.

"I will ask you once more: how did you seduce Huaijin?" Madam Lu demanded again.

"The Chief Councilor forced me."

"Crack!"

Another slap, leaving a bright red handprint instantly raised on Su Yao's face.

"Still refusing to tell the truth!"

"The Chief Councilor forced me."

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

Three consecutive slaps left Su Yao's face heavily swollen, bruised and discolored.

Mother Tian rubbed her reddened wrist, panting for breath.

Nanny Li, who served beside the Old Madam, stepped forward and spoke respectfully, "Madam, this vile girl has quite a stubborn tongue. Merely beating her like this probably won't achieve much effect. This old servant has a method..."

Madam Lu looked up at Nanny Li. "Oh? Then you go."

"Yes."

Nanny Li ordered someone to bring over embroidery needles.

Those slender, silvery needles gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight.

"Little girl, it seems you won't shed tears until you see your coffin."