Overdo

That evening, when she found Murong Qingyi free, she told him about the matter. As expected, Murong Qingyi frowned and said, "She's being too greedy. The amount involved in this transfer is no small sum." Lei Shaogong said, "I also mentioned that you might find it difficult, as it's not a trivial matter. Besides, it's not directly under your jurisdiction. If word gets out, it could cause trouble." Murong Qingyi looked impatient. "Forget it, let's just do as she says. I'll talk to them later. It's a permanent solution, so she won't cause any more trouble."

They were speaking in the living room. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Lei Shaogong saw Susu coming from the garden and fell silent. Murong Qingyi turned and saw it was her, so he asked, "I've noticed your skills have improved a lot lately. Are you going to arrange these flowers again?" Susu replied, "I'm just learning from Mother, but it's like imitating others without mastering the essence."

Seeing her come in, Lei Shaogong had already taken his leave and left. Murong Qingyi noticed Susu was wearing a light cyan cloud-patterned brocade cheongsam with very faint pearl-gray embroidery. He said, "The weather is getting warmer. Actually, Western-style clothes are cooler than cheongsams." Susu said, "I'm just not used to wearing Western-style clothes at home. The skirts are so short." This made him laugh. She herself felt quite embarrassed, so she asked, "When will you be back from this trip?" Murong Qingyi said, "I'm not sure, probably two or three days." Seeing her holding the small silver scissors and slowly trimming the excess leaves from the roses, he added, "Once I'm less busy, let's go out and have some fun. We've been married for so many years, and I've never taken you anywhere." She said, "It's fine. You're so busy, and honestly, I'm too lazy to go out." He said, "When I get back this time, I'll make sure they arrange a few days for me no matter what. I'll take you to Changxinghai. There's an official residence there, so it'll be convenient." He casually took the rose from her hand and pinned it to her lapel. "It'll be just the two of us, spending a few days in peace and quiet." Hearing this, Susu felt a sense of longing. Seeing him gaze intently at her, even after years of marriage, she unconsciously lowered her head. The sweet, intoxicating fragrance of the rose on her lapel was overwhelming.

After he left, Susu stayed home alone. That day, she went to the Shuangqiao Official Residence to have lunch with Madam Murong. Coincidentally, Weiyi brought her child over, and Susu held the child while playing in the courtyard. Seeing how much Susu adored the child, Weiyi turned to Madam Murong and whispered, "Third Brother has finally come to his senses. It's a pity Third Sister-in-law has endured all these years." Madam Murong sighed softly and said, "There's still some imperfection. If only they had a child, it would be the perfect touch. Your third brother will be thirty in a couple of years. When your father was his age, he already had your eldest sister and second brother." Weiyi seemed to remember something and glanced at Susu before lowering her voice and saying, "Mother, I heard a rumor outside. I wonder if it's true?" Madam Murong knew her youngest daughter was not one to gossip and found it slightly strange. So she asked, "What is it? Does it have something to do with your third brother?"Weiyi said in a low voice, "I heard that Wang Qilin and Third Brother have been quite close lately." Madam Murong asked, "Wang Qilin? Is she the second daughter of the Wang family, the one with delicate features?" Weiyi nodded. "Xicheng ran into them together twice. You know Third Brother's temperament—he doesn't hide things." Madam Murong chuckled and said, "Young people are easily impressed; it's nothing serious if they have some fun outside. Your third brother has always known right from wrong, and lately, I think he's been quite proper." For some reason, Weiyi let out a long sigh. Hearing the distress in her tone, Madam Murong asked, "What are you hesitating about? Just say it." Weiyi glanced at Susu from afar, watching her hold the child while feeding bread to the fish, causing them to rise and nibble. The child giggled happily, and Susu smiled too, freeing a hand to tear the bread for the child, teaching him to scatter the food into the pond. Weiyi whispered, "Mother, I heard Miss Wang is pregnant."

Madam Murong felt her eyelids twitch slightly and asked with a serious expression, "Are you saying the child is your third brother's?" Weiyi replied, "That's what people outside are saying, though many are half-convinced. Matters like this, only the two of them truly know." Madam Murong said, "Third Brother wouldn't be so foolish. Who did you hear this from?" Weiyi answered, "By the time it reached my ears, it had passed through several channels. I don't really believe it. But there's another matter—do you know about it?" She paused before continuing, "Regarding the road construction project at Qiyu Mountain this time, I heard Third Brother took charge of it all and handed the entire contract to one company. Coincidentally, that company is under the name of Wang Qilin's uncle."

Madam Murong's expression grew grave. "If that's the case, there might be some truth to it. How could Third Brother act like this? If your father finds out, it'll be the death of him."

Weiyi said, "Third Brother has risen too quickly these past few years, and people outside say all sorts of things. The problem is, he's always acted recklessly—sooner or later, he'll pay the price."

Madam Murong thought for a moment and said, "I'll ask him when he returns." Gazing at Susu's back, she added, "Don't tell your third sister-in-law, to spare her any worry." Weiyi retorted, "Mom, do you think I wouldn't know that?"

Susu returned home after dinner and immediately received a call from Mulan. "I've been trying to reach you all day, but you weren't home." Susu smiled apologetically and said, "I went to Shuangqiao today. Is something the matter?" Mulan replied, "Nothing urgent, but I wanted to invite you to dinner." Susu said, "I'm sorry, I've already eaten. How about I treat you another day?" Mulan insisted, "I have something very important to tell you. Come over—I'm waiting for you at Yixinji."

Susu hesitated and said, "It's so late now. How about I treat you to tea tomorrow?" Mulan said, "It's only a little past eight; the streets are still lively. Come out—this is really important. Hurry, I'm waiting."Hearing the urgency in her tone, Susu thought there must indeed be something important and had no choice but to take a rickshaw to Yixinji. Yixinji was a time-honored Suzhou-style restaurant that catered exclusively to high officials and celebrities. The waiter, spotting the license plate from afar, hurried over to open the door for her. "Third Young Mistress, what an honor to have you here." Susu had never been fond of such flattery but could only nod with a faint smile. The waiter asked, "Are you alone, Third Young Mistress? Would you like a private room?" Susu replied, "No, Mrs. Zhang is waiting for me here." The waiter smiled and said, "Mrs. Zhang is in Sanxiao Pavilion. Let me take you up."

Sanxiao Pavilion was an elegant private room, distinguished by a portrait of a noble lady hanging on the wall—an authentic work by Zhu Zhishan. The other calligraphy and paintings were also masterpieces by contemporary artists. Over the years, Susu had gained enough experience to recognize their value at a glance. She saw Mulan sitting alone at the table, staring blankly at a cup of tea, and asked with a smile, "Mulan, what’s the matter that you’ve called me out in such a hurry?"

When Mulan saw her, she slowly revealed a bitter smile. Susu quickly asked, "What’s wrong? Did you have a quarrel with Mr. Zhang?" Mulan sighed and said, "I wish it were just a quarrel." Susu sat down, and the waiter asked, "What would you like to eat, Third Young Mistress?" Susu replied, "I’ve already eaten. Ask Mrs. Zhang to order." Then, turning to Mulan with a smile, she said, "Quarrels are perfectly normal. Don’t be upset. This meal is on me. Eat heartily, and I guarantee you’ll feel better."

Mulan told the waiter, "You may go. We’ll order later." After watching him leave and close the door, she took Susu’s hand and said, "You silly girl, do you really not know?"

Susu never expected the conversation to turn to herself and asked in confusion, "Know what?"

Mulan hesitated, then said, "By rights, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I suppose no one else will—Susu, I’m truly sorry."

Susu grew even more puzzled and forced a smile. "Look at you, you’ve got me completely baffled. You’ve never been like this. With our friendship of over ten years, what can’t you say?" Mulan replied, "When you hear this, don’t be angry or upset." Susu began to guess a little and, oddly enough, felt a sense of calm. She asked, "What have you heard?"

Mulan sighed again and said, "I met Wang Qilin last year because she’s related to Mingshu’s cousin. I never imagined things would turn out like this."

Susu responded with a faint "Hmm," her tone detached. "I don’t blame you, nor anyone else. No wonder he told me not to associate with Miss Wang—so this is what it was about." Mulan said, "I think Third Young Master was just playing along. I heard he’s already cut ties with Wang Qilin."