Chapter 22: Young Miss, why have you only just arrived?

Xu Shuangyi is the foster daughter of that master and the sworn sister of Xu Mu. Could Xu Shuangyi’s foster mother be Xu Mu’s mother? Xu Mu’s mother was named Zhou Wanlian. Has Xu Mu’s mother passed away? Why didn’t Xu Mu notify him of this?

He hurried into the Xu residence, only to see Xu Shuangyi and Xu Mu dressed in mourning clothes. He suddenly recalled that when he had come to find Xu Mu that day, he seemed to have seen the Xu residence holding a funeral. However, because he had been anxious to reconcile the relationship between Xu Mu and Su Hanwei at the time, he had overlooked that detail.

He seemed to understand something now. Perhaps the reason Xu Mu had divorced Su Hanwei was related to his mother’s death. Since Su Hanwei had never mentioned this matter to him, she didn’t even know her mother-in-law had passed away! What a wretched creature!

"Master Su, isn't that your former son-in-law, Xu Mu? Why is he dressed in mourning at the Xu residence?"
"Master Su, could it be that your former son-in-law's mother was the foster mother of the Xu young lady?"
"So your former son-in-law actually has ties to the Xu clan? He shares the surname Xu, could he be from that family?"

Su Tong finally realized the truth. He had been so preoccupied with his rebellious granddaughter lately that he had made a colossal mistake. He should have realized it when his colleagues mentioned going to the Xu residence for a funeral today. Yet, he was only learning the truth now. He had been a truly incompetent grandfather.

Ignoring his colleagues, Su Tong turned around and asked his servant urgently, "Where is Su Hanwei? Why hasn't she arrived yet?"
"Grand Master, I passed on the message to the young lady yesterday. I do not know why she has not yet arrived," the servant replied.
"Go find her at once!"
"Yes."

Meanwhile, at the Liang residence, Su Hanwei had been giving her grandfather the cold shoulder due to the situation with Xu Mu, so she rarely went home and often spent her time with Liang Shucheng. Only Liang Shucheng truly understood her and offered her comfort. Last night, she hadn't returned home at all, staying the night at the Liang residence instead. She nestled in Liang Shucheng’s arms, savoring his tenderness.

"Brother Shucheng, my grandfather told me to go to the Xu residence today and instructed me to dress solemnly. Honestly, I don't want to go at all. I know he just wants me to apologize to Xu Mu and beg him to remarry me," Su Hanwei whispered, her tone filled with grievance.

By now, Liang Shucheng knew of Xu Mu’s influence. Having hitched his wagon to Xu Shuangyi, Xu Mu was no longer someone Liang Shucheng could easily challenge. He had inquired and learned that the Xu residence was holding a funeral. It was only natural that many powerful figures in Liangzhou would attend and that Su Tong would want Su Hanwei to accompany him. Su Hanwei still thought Xu Shuangyi was merely a servant of the Xu household, unaware of her true identity.

Liang Shucheng, however, was looking for a scapegoat. He had set his sights on the Su family. He couldn't come up with the seventeen thousand taels of silver, and his remaining funds had been swindled away by Xu Mu. Su Tong, that old pedant, had been a prefect for decades, yet he still traveled in a battered carriage. Perhaps the old man had tucked away quite a bit of money over the years. Su Hanwei had offended Xu Mu, and as long as Xu Mu lived under Xu Shuangyi’s protection, she would have no future. Continuing to be with her would certainly affect him. Therefore, he had to save himself at her expense.

"You should listen to your grandfather," Liang Shucheng said in a deep voice.
"I really don't want to look at Xu Mu’s sour face again. How could he possibly compare to you, Brother Shucheng?" Su Hanwei complained.
"Then go with your grandfather. Let him see Xu Mu’s true colors for himself. Once he realizes he backed the wrong person, he will understand how wonderful I truly am," Liang Shucheng said.
"You're right, Brother Shucheng. Xu Mu is just a small-minded man; Grandfather will surely see it."

"I bought you a new dress. Try it on."
"Brother Shucheng, you are always so good to me. You give me money and buy me new dresses. Unlike Xu Mu—spending ten taels of silver on him was like taking his life."
Liang Shucheng kissed her. "No one in this world treats you better than I do."
"Brother Shucheng, you are the best, oh..."
"Alright, go and get ready. Let Xu Mu see how beautiful you are. Make him regret it, and let him know you are someone he can never reach."
"Okay!"

Su Hanwei hurried to dress up, put on the new gown, and spun around before Liang Shucheng. "Brother Shucheng, do I look beautiful?"
"There is no one more beautiful in this world. You are truly the woman I chose."
"But Grandfather told me to dress solemnly. Is this outfit too flashy?"
"Not at all. Only a grand outfit can accentuate your beauty. I will have my carriage driver take you to the Xu residence."
"Then, Brother Shucheng, wait for my return."

After Su Hanwei left, Liang Shucheng licked his lips. Her figure was indeed intoxicating; even in the brothels, few women possessed such a physique—curvaceous with a waist so slender it could be held in one hand. Honestly, he wasn't tired of her yet. But to protect his family’s lives, his time with her had to end here. *Su Hanwei, since you love me to death, you should be willing to die for me, right? It’s your honor, after all...*

Inside the carriage, looking at the magnificent dress, Su Hanwei made up her mind: no matter what her grandfather said today, she would show her hand. She would only spend her life with Liang Shucheng, never Xu Mu. A man who wouldn't even spend ten taels of silver on her wanted her to beg for reconciliation?

Arriving at the Xu residence, Su Hanwei stepped out. She composed herself, determined to declare her position to her grandfather, and looked up. She froze. It was a funeral! Many high-ranking officials were coming and going, all dressed in somber, respectful attire. She was the only one dressed in extravagant finery. Was this why her grandfather had brought her here—to attend a funeral?

The servant, having just stepped out of the residence, ran over upon seeing her. "Young Lady, why are you only arriving now? The Grand Master is worried sick! And didn't I tell you yesterday to dress solemnly? Why are you wearing this? Oh, what is to be done!"

Su Hanwei had heard the servant’s words yesterday, but she hadn't paid them any mind.
"The funeral is about to start. There is no time to go back and change," the servant said, hurriedly taking off his own outer coat and handing it to her. "Young Lady, drape this over yourself and go in. Quickly, or the Grand Master will lose his temper!"