LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 209: Apology
"The Prime Minister is growing increasingly arrogant." Said Old Master Su: "As the Empress's father, he's abusing his power. He's secretly forming factions within the court. It's clear what he's trying to do, even if the Emperor's not happy about it. But due to the ancestral rules, His Majesty has to tolerate his behavior."
"My dearest Rou'er left us too soon, leaving behind this child to live in the palace." Madam Su lamented. She continued with tears in her eyes: "If it weren't for the Queen Mother's care, I'm afraid even my grandson..."
Everyone at the Su table fell silent.
"Don't cry, Mother." Said Su Zi'an: "Cancan is still here!"
"Grandfather, I hit Lan Jie." Conceded Su Chenyu: "Even if that old prime minister goes to the Emperor, we have the law on our side. I'm not afraid of him!"
"Grandpa Su, this is my fault too." Confessed Cui Cancan, feeling guilty: "If it wasn't for me, Brother Yu wouldn't have hit Lan Jie."
"Child, this isn't your fault!" The old master consoled her.
"Sir, General Lan is here." reported the housekeeper from outside.
"Please invite General Lan in."
Moments later, a tall and sturdy man entered the room.
"Greetings, Old Master Su. I've come to bring Cancan home."
The old master gestured for him to sit: "General Cui, please take a seat."
General Cui waved his hand: "No need, I'm aware of what happened today, Old man." He added, turning to Grandpa Su: "I admit I went too far with this bet. I shouldn't have allowed my Cancan to fall for Master Su like this. I was just eager to protect my daughter, but I didn't want outsiders to end up insulting her because of it. So, the bet is off! And... I want to thank Master Su for stepping in today."
"Father!" Cui Cancan sounded flustered at her father's words.
"Cancan, come with me. Tomorrow I'll go plead with the Emperor to let us return to the southwest. Since you came back to the capital, you've had to endure so much - it's been hard on me too."
"General Su, I know Cancan has suffered a lot of grievances. This matter has been widely spread, and it is not good for Cancan's reputation. Don't worry, I keep my word." Said Grandpa Su.
"Grandpa!" Su Chenyu cried.
"Chenyu, General Cui's father was kind to grandpa..." Said Grandpa Su.
Everyone looked at each other, except for Madam Su.
"So that's how it is." General Cui said: "I've just returned to the capital and held a banquet. And here you are, paying me such respect and treating me so warmly. Is that why you came?"
Old Mister Su sighed: "There's not much to say about this matter. It's about the late Emperor's decision on his successor—something that mustn't be talked about publicly. But it's true that a debt of gratitude is owed."
Hearing this, the others didn't press for more details.
"Uncle Cui." Su Chenyu said: "Forgive my rudeness. I have no interest in your daughter. Please find a son-in-law better suited to her. I won't forget the Cui family's kindness to our Su family. I will repay them on behalf of my grandfather if there is a chance."
"Chenyu! What nonsense are you talking about?" Su Zian scolded.
"Fine!" General Cui said sternly: "Master Su's words will be well remembered! Cancan, come with me. Stop daydreaming! Father will find you a husband a hundred times better than this Su Chenyu!"
Cui Cancan's tears kept falling, and she sobbed and said:: "Father, I only like Brother Yu..."
Madam Su wiped away her tears, comforting her: "Cancan, don't be sad. You've just come back. Chenyu doesn't know you yet. As you spend more time together, he'll learn your virtues and change his mind."
"Really? Aunt Yun?" Cui Cancan looked up at Madam Su with teary eyes.
"Not really!" Su Chenyu interjected.
"Hmph! Grandpa Su, we won't stay any longer. Please excuse us first!" General Cui said, cupping his fists towards Old Mister Su.
With that, General Cui took Cui Cancan's hand and led her out the door. Cui Cancan looked back three times before they left.
Once outside, General Cui pulled his daughter into the same carriage.
General Cui sighed: "Cancan, why did you have to choose Su Chenyu? I don't think that guy's any good. He's a smooth talker with pretty boy looks, but that's all. I'll ask my subordinates if there's anyone more manly than him. I remember Da Kui seemed interested in you!"
"Father, when I was a kid, others bullied me and it was Brother Yu who helped me and often played with me. In my heart, Brother Yu is the best person. You can't say that about him." Cui Cancan choked.
"But he's not interested in you! You're a girl running after him—that'll damage your reputation! I know you like him, and I tried to help you with him, but that guy said no. Let's give up on him!" said General Su.
"Father..." Hearing her father's words made Cui Cancan feel even more wronged. But she truly loved Chenyu very much. She was sure it was because she was dark-skinned and fat that Chenyu didn't like her. She decided she had to lose weight.
As expected, the next day at court...
"Your Majesty, you must stand up for this old servant! I have only one direct grandson, and at home, I wouldn't harm him even if it cost me my life. Yet yesterday, out of nowhere, Young Master Su beat him black and blue all over!"
Ye Fenglan, who was sitting on the dragon throne, had also heard about this matter, but he also knew Lan Jie's character, so he pretended to be unaware and asked: "Taifu, is this true?"
Elder Su exclaimed: "Your Majesty, I have a complaint about the Prime Minister's words. It was clearly his grandson who insulted and ridiculed General Cui's daughter in the street. Chenyu just couldn't stand it and took action. Please investigate clearly, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, I have something to say."
"General Cui, please speak."
"Your Majesty, my daughter and I have been back in the capital for a month now. Because my daughter is a bit overweight, the young masters and mistresses of noble families often mock her. Master Lan openly bullies her in the street. Although my status is not as high as that of the prime minister, as a father, how can I bear to hear others say such things about my daughter! It is all thanks to Young Master Su who stepped in to help my daughter get justice." General Cui spoke passionately.
Before Prime Minister Lan could respond, Grandpa Su cut in: "Your Majesty, General Cui has been defending our borders in the southwest against countless raiders. Yet when he returns here, to the very heart of our Empire, he and his daughter are treated so unfairly. How can this not chill the hearts of General Cui and his daughter? The people they've protected are now heaping abuse on them. Your Majesty, you must stand up for General Cui!"
"Grandpa Su! What nonsense is this? I'm only talking about your grandson hurting mine. Don't drag things out of context!" Prime Minister Lan snapped, enraged.
"Prime Minister, I think you know better than me what started all this. Every minister here knows what kind of person your grandson is. If it weren't for you cleaning up after him, I'm sure someone would have cut his throat long ago!" Grandpa Su replied.
"You—!"
"That's enough. This time, Lan Jie really went too far. We cannot let General Cui's daughter suffer such a great injustice without consequence. Tomorrow, Lan Jie will personally deliver an apology and gifts to the General's Manor. If he dares to defy this order, we will not be merciful." The Emperor intervened, his voice firm and decisive.
"Yes! This humble servant will obey your command!" Prime Minister Lan's anger boiled over, but he could only swallow his fury.
The other ministers dared not speak a word. Both the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor were top-ranked officials in the court, and none of them wanted to risk offending either.
"My deepest thanks to Your Majesty for standing up for my daughter. I am forever grateful."
News of what happened in the imperial court quickly spread throughout the capital. Those who had been whispering about Cui Cancan no longer dared to speak freely. After all, if the Emperor could punish the Prime Minister's own grandson, what chance did they have?