Su Jinhuan acted obediently and lowered her head, saying, "Jinhuan knows she was wrong!"
Seeing her so docile today, Jiang Shuying was actually a bit surprised. "Oh? Then tell me, where exactly did you go wrong?"
"Jinhuan shouldn't have mocked Madam Lu like that!"
Jiang Shuying shook her head and took Su Jinhuan’s hand in hers.
"That’s not it!"
"Do you know why I was so stern and harsh with Li Wanqing today?"
Su Jinhuan thought for a moment. "Mother didn't want me to marry into the Anping Marquis Estate and suffer!"
Jiang Shuying squeezed her hand a little tighter. "That is one part of it."
"But if it were only that, I wouldn't have needed to be so harsh."
"The Anping Marquis Estate is in decline. They came to my Chancellor's Estate to propose marriage, yet they arrived empty-handed, completely lacking in sincerity!"
"My Chancellor's Estate is not lacking in such things, but the proper etiquette must be observed!"
"To skimp on it is to show a lack of respect for you!"
"Furthermore, given the current status of the Anping Marquis Estate, it is nowhere near the standing of my Chancellor's Estate. For them to seek your hand is to reach far above their station!"
"The Anping Marquis Estate may have known wealth in the past, but they lack self-awareness. Noble families place great importance on social parity."
"There is a justification for a match where one marries down into our estate, but there is absolutely no justification for the Anping Marquis Estate to come seeking a marriage when they know full well their status is inferior."
"To come regardless is to be utterly ignorant of their own place, dreaming of climbing the social ladder!"
Jiang Shuying weighed every word, making the reasoning crystal clear.
Su Jinhuan nodded. "Huan'er understands now!"
Only then did Jiang Shuying’s eyes crinkle with a smile. "Then do you know where you really went wrong?"
Seeing that Su Jinhuan still looked somewhat blank, Jiang Shuying stopped keeping her in suspense.
"When Li Wanqing came to the Chancellor's Estate, you should have waited for Mother in any case. Coming alone—what would you have done if she had bullied you?"
"Besides, Li Wanqing is delusional, and Mother would have dealt with her. Why did you mock her like that? If she were to spread rumors, what would become of your reputation?"
Seeing the genuine concern on Jiang Shuying’s face, Su Jinhuan felt a sudden warmth in her heart.
In her past life, she had been blinded by Lu Jin'an. When Jiang Shuying tried to advise her with earnest, heartfelt words, she had only felt that her mother didn't understand her.
Now, having lived through it all once more, she finally understood.
When parents love their children, they plan far into the future for them.
Everything Jiang Shuying had done was for her own good.
Jiang Shuying was still looking at her with gentle eyes. Su Jinhuan leaned her head against her mother and acted coquettishly. "Mother..."
Jiang Shuying pulled her into an embrace, the smile on her face deepening, though she complained, "Enough, you’re not a child anymore, still acting like one with your mother!"
"I don't care, no matter how old I get, I'll always be your daughter!" Su Jinhuan chirped playfully.
"Fine, fine, fine!"
Jiang Shuying looked helplessly resigned, though in her heart, she was blooming with joy.
Su Jinhuan savored this rare moment of tenderness. No matter what happened, since she had returned to this life, she would absolutely never let the Chancellor's Estate repeat the same tragic fate.
However, Jiang Shuying quickly realized something.
"Hey, Jinhuan, how did you know the name of Young General Mo?"
Su Jinhuan tapped her forehead—darn, how had she forgotten that?
She quickly signaled to Lianshu, who stood to the side. Lianshu caught on immediately. "Oh! Miss, aren't you hungry?"
"Wenqin went to the small kitchen to get some food; she must be back by now!"
Su Jinhuan hurried to pull away from Jiang Shuying. "Mother, I’m hungry, so I’ll head back to Fuhuan Courtyard first!"
With that, she took Xiyin and Lianshu and hurried away.
Only Jiang Shuying was left behind, full of curiosity. A man’s name was not exactly a state secret, but under normal circumstances, Jinhuan shouldn't have known Young General Mo’s name.
After thinking about it for a long time without reaching a conclusion, Jiang Shuying simply gave up.
Forget it. Jinhuan is grown now; it’s normal for her to have her own little secrets.
As long as she doesn't set her heart on that Lu Jin'an, everything will be just fine.
When Su Jinhuan returned to Fuhuan Courtyard, Wenqin and Zhihua rushed over, looking curious.
"How did it go? How did it go?"
"Was it really someone from the Anping Marquis Estate?"
Xiyin and Lianshu, who had been holding back their laughter, hurriedly recounted everything that had happened in the main hall.
When Wenqin and Zhihua heard it, they couldn't help but laugh as well. They hadn't expected their young mistress to have such a side to her.
Su Jinhuan, however, sat down, lost in thought over Jiang Shuying’s question.
Young General Mo was Mo Yunqian, the only son of the current General Zhenyuan, Mo Jinchuan. His given name was An.
She remembered him because, in her past life, this devil-may-care young general had stunned everyone during the Nanjiang war and achieved legendary military exploits.
Later, he even led the Beishu army to reclaim the sixteen prefectures of Yanlin, which had been occupied by Nanjiang for a hundred years.
Because of this, the Emperor bestowed a title upon him, calling him the "Marquis of Shengning."
It signified that as long as he was there, Beishu would enjoy a prosperous and lasting peace.
The Emperor’s high regard for him was evident.
As for why she knew Mo Yunqian’s name, it was actually by chance.
Back then, her health was still good, and she wasn't yet trapped in the Anping Marquis Estate.
Once, when Mo Yunqian returned to the capital in triumph, she had taken Xiyin to join the crowds, and she heard some women in the crowd calling him "Mo An."
Then, that majestic and awe-inspiring general had suddenly turned bright red—she had found it quite amusing.
And so, it left a deep impression.
Today, she had intended to mock Li Wanqing, but fearing that Li Wanqing might find fault or use her words against her later, she had used Mo Yunqian as a shield.
It had truly been a choice born of necessity.
While she was lost in thought, Wenqin had already served her food.
It was her favorite, West Lake Silverfish Soup.
"The Madam said that since you are still injured, Miss, you shouldn't eat anything too rich, so she only had the kitchen make your favorite West Lake Silverfish Soup," Wenqin explained from the side.
Su Jinhuan waved her hand and took the bowl from Wenqin.
However, the dish she had loved in the past now tasted like nothing.
After eating a few mouthfuls, she asked Wenqin to clear it away.
In her past life, ever since Bai Xiluoge entered the Anping Marquis Estate, her situation had become increasingly dire.
After the Su family fell into decline, she had been driven into the back courtyard by Li Wanqing.
As for her meals, they were no different from the servants'.
Therefore, she no longer had much craving for food.
Seeing that she had only eaten a little, Wenqin couldn't help but feel pained. "Miss, why not have a little more?"
"Or if today's soup isn't to your taste, I'll go have the kitchen remake it!"
Su Jinhuan waved her hand. "No need. My appetite is just poor today! You clear it away."
"You all should go and rest as well."
She had lost her temper with Su Huaize yesterday, and today, after she had been hurt, the four of them had been on pins and needles, running around busy for her.
Even if they didn't say it, she could clearly see the exhaustion in their eyes.
"It's okay, I'm not tired. I'll stay here and keep you company, Miss!" Lianshu said, her tone cheerful, wanting to stay.
Su Jinhuan looked up at Lianshu. The young girl had a delicate, oval face and was looking at her intently with large eyes.
Lianshu was the youngest of the four, only fourteen years old. She was still growing, and the continuous labor was more than her body could handle.
The whites of her eyes were already traced with dense red blood vessels.
In her past life, it was this youngest girl, the one who feared pain the most, who had been beaten to death while trying to get a doctor for her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but think of Li Wanqing again.
Just mocking Li Wanqing was far too lenient.
When the opportunity arose, she would definitely take proper revenge for her past life.
Thinking this, Su Jinhuan told them to go rest, and by the way, told all four of them to collect two taels of silver each.
They were all just young girls in their growing years.
Having a bit more silver would make their lives a little easier.
Lianshu originally wanted to stay, but she was dragged away by Xiyin.
The Miss had just woken up and had already dealt with Madam Lu; she must be exhausted.
The best thing they could do was leave and let her rest properly.
Meanwhile, Li Wanqing had been anxious when she arrived, and now that she had been rebuffed, she could only sneakily retreat.
Back at the Marquis Estate, she asked the gatekeeper and learned that Lu Jin'an had already returned from the Ministry of War, so she headed straight to Wensi Hall.
Because Lu Jin'an loved quiet, Wensi Hall was located to the south of the front courtyard and was relatively secluded.
When Li Wanqing arrived at Wensi Hall, she saw Lu Jin'an standing by the window of his study, staring blankly at the crabapple tree in the courtyard.
It was early spring, a time when the weather was still cold, yet Lu Jin'an was wearing thin clothing, his frame appearing somewhat frail from a distance.
Li Wanqing watched him from afar. He was, after all, her son, born with a handsome face, and now a fifth-rank Assistant Minister in the Ministry of War—he could be considered young and promising.
With that thought, she dismissed the idea of interrogating him, ordered her nanny to fetch a cloak, and only then did she step forward.