Stick With The Cold Female lead

Chapter 16

The matriarch of the Su Family is the illegitimate daughter of the Pingyang Marquis, and Su Yi herself shares the same status as the illegitimate daughter of her mother. Despite two generations passing, beyond family ties, her social standing isn't much different from that of an ordinary landlord.

So when they arrived at Su Family's ancestral home, which was the residence of Su Yi's grandmother, Su Yi was surprised to see that her mother had to pay money for the servants of the Su residence to let them in. It was truly pitiful that even as her own mother, she had to pay just to enter.

Su Ming gave the money, and only then did the female guard at the entrance allow them to pass and deliver the message. After a while, a gorgeously dressed woman with wrinkles on her face, yet still exuding a dignified air, came out. Her presence made it difficult for people to meet her gaze.

She glanced at Su Yi sitting in the wheelchair, her expression sour. "Why are you so late this year?"

Su Ming immediately lowered her head and respectfully explained, "Apologies, Family Head. My daughter just got married this year, and I wanted to bring her here to see the world. You know she is fragile and  so we often delayed on the road, so we arrived a few days late."

"Hmph, if you had arrived a few days later, you would have lost the land in your name. By then, I'd like to see how you survive with your sickly child, relying on the Northwestern winds. Let's see how you manage on your own!"

Su Jie, the family head addressed by Su Ming, was none other than Su Yi's grandmother. She held an official position, and as the sixth illegitimate daughter, Su Ming could only address her as Family Head, not as a mother. Mother and daughter could only meet on special occasions like birthdays.

"Apologies, Family Head," Su Ming quickly apologized and continued cautiously, "Will my daughter be able to attend her grandmother's birthday celebration?"

Su Jie sneered, "If you come a few days later, you can take your sickly child to beg on the streets! Your little sickly girl won't even be able to hold a begging bowl! Let's see how you manage alone!"

Su Ming nodded and bowed, repeatedly apologized, "Apologies, Family Head, I understand. Apologies, Family Head, it was my fault..."

Su Ming, the head of the Su family, considered powerful in Wind City, was scolded by her own mother as if she were a misbehaving child, forced to bow her head and endure the scolding.

Observing her grandmother's  hot temper, Su Yi remained motionless in her wheelchair, not even daring to blink, trying to be as meek as a quail.

Observing Su Yi's still figure, Ji Qingchi's heart filled with amusement. Considering her current status, equal to Su Yi's in some aspect, she remained obediently standing, acting as a background.

After scolding her disobedient daughter enough, Su Jie finally had time to pay attention to her granddaughter, who was known to be terminally ill.

She took a quick glance and felt a sense of goodwill towards her. The reason was simple: the Su family produced beautiful women, and Su Yi undoubtedly had that aura of beauty which won Su Jie's favor.

However, when she noticed Su Yi's sickly appearance, her pale complexion, she immediately furrowed her brows.

She clearly had the face of someone destined for an early death.

"Your name is... Su Yi?" Su Jie asked.

Su Yi obediently replied, "Yes."

"You're a good child, it's a pity you're so sick."

Upon hearing her own mother notice her precious daughter, Su Ming took the opportunity to bring up something. "May I ask, Family Head, have you heard of Silver Pearl Cardamom?''

Su Jie was puzzled, "What is that?"

Su Ming quickly explained what Feng Ruoqing had told them.

Su Jie shook her head, "That is a tribute to the royal family. How would we ordinary people have ever seen it? In our capital, everyone knows that Ninth Princess loves charity and helping others. If Ninth Princess were in the capital, we could ask someone to inquire with her. Ninth Princess has a kind heart and would certainly not turn a blind eye."

Hearing the words "Ninth Princess," Su Yi was jolted from her drowsiness.

Oh heavens, is her grandmother suffering from poor eyesight? How could she think that Ji Qingchi, the ruthless ruler, has a kind heart?

Su Yi cast a sidelong glance at Ji Qingchi, who had a slight smile on her lips, and her sense of horror intensified. Her back straightened instinctively.

Ji Qingchi was indeed in a good mood. It seemed her image as a just and caring princess had been successfully crafted. Her efforts were not in vain, as everyone now believed she was a princess who cared for her subjects.

Su Ming cautiously asked, "Is Ninth Princess not in the capital?"

Su Jie whispered, "No, I heard that Ninth Princess was injured during a hunt, and her injury is quite severe. His Majesty has ordered her to recuperate in the palace in the Western City."

The smile on Ji Qingchi's lips instantly faded as she heard those words. She knew all too well that if her Fifth Sister dared to make a move, it meant she had made all necessary preparations.

The one designated to recuperate under the imperial order was probably the decoy she had arranged long ago.

But how could Ji Qingxuan make everyone believe her lie so easily?

Perhaps there was a spy among her entourage.

She had wanted to contact her personal guard once she arrived in the capital to quietly return to the palace. But now, she couldn't take that risk. Who knew if Ji Qingxuan had set up assassins outside the palace walls? She had to proceed cautiously.

The date of her return to the palace would be postponed again. Ji Qingchi's smile disappeared completely, replaced by a more fierce and determined look.

Su Yi was petrified, witnessing Ji Qingchi's sudden change of expression happening faster than the change in weather.

Indeed, a female protagonist was still a protagonist. All her good reputation was built on pretending to be weak and playing the role of a tiger disguised as a pig.