Chapter 10: Since When Was My Sister So Close to President Sheng?

Aunt Yun recalled, “This afternoon the staff from the International Mall delivered some clothes for Miss Su Rong. I placed them in the young lady’s room.”

Old Madam Su added, “That must be something your mother bought for you. Do they fit?”

“They fit quite well,” Su Rong replied, though her chest tightened. After all, Bai Fei had joined hands with Su Xue’er to send her to prison—how could she feel grateful?

Aunt Yun then explained, “I asked them, and they said it was the young master who bought them.”

So it was Su Heng. Ever since her return, Su Heng had made no effort to hide his disdain, always throwing cold remarks her way. She hadn’t expected him to buy her so many clothes, each size perfectly chosen. Su Rong couldn’t tell what she was feeling.

Old Madam Su smiled. “Ah Heng has loved Rongrong dearly since childhood. He’s being thoughtful. It’s getting late—Rongrong, rest early. Tomorrow you’ll be going to Imperial Palace; you must be in good form.”

“Yes, Grandma. You should rest early too.”

Su Rong went back to her room.

The next morning, after washing up, she picked out the clothes she had bought yesterday, planning to wear matching outfits with her best friend Liu Xu for their trip to Imperial Palace. Sitting before the mirror, she carefully applied delicate makeup. Before her imprisonment, her skin had been flawless, so smooth she had never bothered with makeup. But three years behind bars had taken their toll.

Just as she was about to leave, her eyes fell on the clothes Su Heng had bought. After a moment’s thought, she set aside her own and changed into one of his picks—she couldn’t brush aside his intentions so easily.

When she opened the door, Su Heng happened to come out of his room. He gave her a once-over. The clothes fit perfectly, and with makeup she looked stunning, though thinner than before—she would need some nourishing. Remembering his cold words from the past few days, Su Rong forced a polite, distant smile.

“Thank you for buying me the clothes,” she said.

The formality in her tone displeased him. In the past, she would have squealed with delight whenever he bought her gifts, leaping into his arms or clinging to him, crying “Brother, brother” endlessly. That was why he had always brought her something back—whether from a trip or even without one, just little surprises to make her happy.

And now? After all his efforts, he received only a flat “thank you,” her face blank, not even willing to call him “brother.”

Irritated, he snapped, “No need to thank me. I only bought them so outsiders won’t say the Su family mistreats you.”

The implication: it was for appearances, not out of concern.

Su Rong gave a self-mocking smile. “I see. Understood.”

Understood? She didn’t understand at all. Su Heng hadn’t cared about the Su family’s image—he had only been thinking of her, buying her clothes because he was distressed for her. But she didn’t realize it, and once again his warm hand had pressed against cold indifference. With a snort, he quickened his pace, leaving her behind.

Su Rong’s heart trembled. Even the clothes on her body felt awkward now, but since she was already wearing them, she could only endure.

After breakfast, she went with Liu Xu to Imperial Palace. As the Liu family’s daughter, Liu Xu was naturally entitled to enter.

Su Xue’er’s eyes widened when she saw Su Rong. “Why are you here?”

Liu Xu, who had never liked Su Xue’er, retorted, “If you can come, why can’t Su Rong?”

Su Xue’er pretended at sisterly harmony while secretly scheming. “I only meant that the Ladies’ Hall requires approval before joining. It’s not for just anyone.”

Liu Xu raised her chin proudly. “Su Rong is so outstanding—she doesn’t need approval. She was admitted directly.”

“How is that possible?” Su Xue’er was stunned. Just yesterday she had thought Su Rong could never pass the review—was she slapped in the face so quickly?

Qin Yu, standing by Su Xue’er, sneered. “That’s against the rules. Su Rong, you didn’t use underhanded means, did you?”

Liu Xu bristled. She still remembered how Qin Yu had once fawned over Su Rong before her background was revealed, then immediately turned to flatter Su Xue’er once she returned. A perfect fence-sitter.

“Only people like you would stoop to tricks,” Liu Xu snapped. “Su Rong joined fair and square—personally approved by President Sheng.”

“Sheng Qiye?” Su Xue’er remembered the man stepping forward to defend Su Rong at Old Madam Su’s birthday banquet. She had thought he was merely meddling. “Since when did my sister get so close to President Sheng?”

Su Rong’s gaze turned cold. “Is there a problem with that?”

“This just doesn’t add up…” Su Xue’er quickly called Old Madam Su, and only then learned it had been the old lady who approached Sheng Qiye. “So it was Grandmother’s influence again. Her face must be worth a lot…”

Seeing more people arrive, Su Xue’er smiled sweetly, introducing, “This is my sister, Su Rong. She’s new here, so please take care of her.”

Everyone offered polite greetings, then turned away to whisper:

“Isn’t she the one who just got out of prison?”
“How could she come here?”
“Makes Imperial Palace’s Ladies’ Hall seem cheap. If any stray cat or dog can get in, what’s the point of us being here?”
“One bad apple spoils the whole bunch. Disgusting.”

Su Xue’er’s eyes reddened, but her ears strained to catch every word. Deciding the insults weren’t sharp enough, she added fuel:

“Don’t say that. My sister is actually very talented. She’s already paid the price for what happened three years ago. I believe she’ll change for the better. Let’s give her another chance to live a new life…”

Liu Xu wanted to lash out, but Su Rong stopped her. She had known such treatment awaited her today. If she didn’t like what she heard, she simply wouldn’t listen. Taking Liu Xu’s hand, she found a seat.

So these were the so-called society ladies? Nothing special.

The Ladies’ Hall was meant to cultivate the refinement of wealthy daughters, offering elective courses according to one’s interests. Classes were booked in advance and usually attended two or three times a week, not daily, but frequent assessments were held.

Su Rong went to the piano room, where rows of Steinways awaited, one for each student. No wonder the fees were so high.

The whispers hadn’t stopped when Professor Zhang, the world-renowned pianist with numerous awards to his name, walked in.

“I hear we have a new student,” he said. “Come forward and introduce yourself.”

Su Rong stepped gracefully onto the stage and bowed. “Hello, everyone. My name is Su Rong. I’m new here. Please…” She paused. “I won’t ask you to ‘take care of me.’ As someone once said, ‘The prejudices in people’s hearts are like a mountain. I only hope that one day, I can help you climb over it.’”

Professor Zhang, who had read her background, trusted Sheng Qiye’s judgment. “Miss Su, I see from your record that you once participated in a piano competition and even won an award. How about playing something for us?”

He hoped she could silence the crowd with her strength.