Chapter 70: Completely Erased

Note: Don't Forget to join my Patreon.com/flokixy to get access to +50 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you Lady Xia, locked in the firewood shed, initially screamed and pleaded for mercy, but when she realized it was futile, she began spewing curses. She cursed Su Fu for being heartless and deserving of his cuckolded fate. She cursed Madam Su for standing in her way, cursed fate for being unfair, and even cursed everyone in the Su household, eventually turning her wrath on her own parents. Her tirade was utterly irrational. After cursing, she would beg for help, only to return to cursing again. This cycle repeated endlessly. The servants guarding outside couldn’t help but cluck their tongues in disbelief, wishing they could stuff cotton into their ears to block out the noise. This was no longer the gentle Lady Xia they once knew—she had become a vulgar, foul-mouthed woman. After two hours of shouting herself hoarse, with no one paying her any mind, Lady Xia finally ran out of steam. She collapsed into a corner, defeated. Death itself wasn’t the most terrifying thing—it was the wait leading up to it that truly broke her. The torment, fear, regret, hatred, and reluctance consumed her as she endured the long night. At the first light of dawn, Xu Jin gagged her, bound her, and threw her onto a carriage. Several carriages rolled out of the capital city and arrived at the moat by the city walls. When Lady Xia was dragged off the carriage, she stared in terror at the surging river. She tried to plead for mercy but found only Xu Jin and a few expressionless servants around her. Despair overwhelmed her. Su Yi, how cruel you are! You didn’t even come to see me for one last time! Xu Jin read aloud a lengthy list of Lady Xia’s crimes. "Lock her in the cage!" An iron cage was brought over and placed by the riverside. Lady Xia was shoved inside. "Add stones!" The servants loaded rocks into the cage. "Throw it into the river!" As the iron cage disappeared beneath the water's surface, Su Li finally boarded her carriage. Xu Jin approached and bowed. "Young Miss, Lady Xia is dead." From within the carriage came Su Li’s calm voice: "Let’s return to the residence." "Yes!" The carriages made their way back to the city, just as grandly as they had arrived. Inside her carriage, Su Li closed her eyes halfway. Xia Qingzhi, in your past life, you caused my unborn younger brother to die in the womb and hastened my mother’s death. Past causes, present effects. Soon enough, you’ll be reunited with your daughter! Upon returning to the residence, a low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance. As the thunder faded, a streak of blue lightning split the sky. Suddenly, it was as if the heavens had cracked open, pouring down raindrops the size of beans. At first chaotic and scattered, the rain soon fell in an unrelenting torrent. Standing by the window, Su Li furrowed her brows. This rain was a signal. The south had already suffered through a year of drought, leaving crops in poor condition. Just as harvest time approached, continuous heavy rains wiped out what little remained. Several merchant houses under Jun Hui took advantage of the situation, inflating grain prices and profiteering from the nation's hardship. For ordinary people, this was yet another crushing blow. The wealthy could still afford to buy food and live comfortably. But the common folk were left to suffer, eating tree bark and grass roots, teetering on the brink of starvation. The imperial court wanted to open the granaries to distribute food, but unfortunately, heavy snow blocked the roads in the north. Yes, after this rain, the capital would grow colder. This year would not be peaceful. Summer would quickly give way to winter. By the end of September, snow would accumulate in the north, causing snow disasters, while famine would ravage the south, spreading fear among the people. In the south, Jun Hui had a secret granary. When the people were on the verge of despair, he appeared like a god descending from the heavens, setting up shelters to distribute porridge. Thus, he earned the title of "Wise Prince," marking the beginning of his rise in politics. Su Li sneered. The grain in his granaries came from the leftovers of price gouging—a classic case of pulling off a scheme without spending a single coin, all while gaining public favor. This time, I’ll see how you manage! The letter she had sent to Wang Wei instructed him to establish a granary in the south, stockpiling food, warm clothing, and medicinal supplies. The grain stored in the capital’s secondary residence was nearly sufficient. Even if heavy snow blocked the roads, there would be enough to sustain Zui Xian Ju and the Su residence for a year. Zhi Shu entered, carrying a tray, and stood beside her. "Young Miss, you caught some wind earlier. Please drink this bowl of ginger tea." Su Li closed the window, shutting out the incessant sound of rain, and sat down at the table. She picked up the bowl of ginger tea handed to her by Zhi Shu and drank it in one gulp. "How is Father today?" Zhi Shu replied, "Young Miss, please rest assured. With Madam’s comfort, Master is fine. He went to court as usual early this morning." Su Li nodded. "That’s good." It wasn’t that she was overthinking things—any man would feel weighed down by such events. Even though Father may not have had feelings for Xia Qingzhi, he certainly cared for Su Yue. At that moment, Siqin entered and reported, "Young Miss, the steward has given the mute potion to Wei Momo, her daughter, and Liu’er, then sold them off. The others were dismissed with their indentures." Su Li nodded. Only these three knew the truth, so this resolution was appropriate. The rain continued for nearly three days, making it impossible to go outside. Even with an umbrella, anyone who ventured out returned drenched. After being cooped up indoors for three days, the skies finally cleared on this morning. Pushing open the door, the sunlight felt unusually blinding. The scorching heat of summer had dissipated, replaced by the coolness of autumn. Occasional cicada chirps filled the air, and the leaves glistened vibrantly after the rain. There was no sign that snow would fall anytime soon. Whether it was the pleasant weather or the absence of those troublesome individuals, the Su residence now felt clean and serene, dispelling the gloom of the past few days and lifting everyone’s spirits. Su Li, accompanied by her three maids, went to pay respects to Madam Su. "Mother, after three days, I feel like your belly has started to swell!" Su Li exclaimed joyfully, gazing at Madam Su’s abdomen, where her younger brother resided. In our past life, we never had the chance to be siblings. In this life, I will protect you completely! Madam Su smiled. "It’s been over three months. The bump is starting to show." Su Li gently touched her mother’s belly, then helped her sit at the table to enjoy breakfast together. After passing the third month, Madam Su no longer suffered from morning sickness and found everything delicious. As they ate, Madam Su suddenly said, "Your father suggested sealing off the western courtyard. I think it’d be a waste. Do you have any better ideas, Li’er?" Su Li thought that Father likely wanted to erase all memories of those people and events. "Mother, we have plenty of rooms in the residence. Why not dismantle the western courtyard? I’d like to cultivate some medicinal herbs myself." Sealing the courtyard wouldn’t erase its existence. It was better to completely transform it into something new. Madam Su pondered for a moment. "That’s a good idea. I’ll inform the steward shortly." Su Li beamed. "Thank you, Mother." After finishing breakfast in the main hall and informing Madam Su of her plans, Su Li set out with her three maids.