Su Rongrong had been quiet in the side courtyard for a few days when she suddenly asked to see me. She said she had secrets about the Su family to tell me, as long as I would spare her.
I entered the room with two elderly maidservants and saw her sitting in front of the mirror combing her hair. Her face was horrifyingly pale.
"Wanning, we have fought for so long. You won, but the child in my belly is innocent. You are a woman, too. Can you really bear to see him born with no status or name?"
She turned her head, her eyes actually holding a hint of pleading, but I knew this was just another act of hers. I walked over to the table and sat down, looking at her face, which was filled with resentment.
"Young madam, if this child had been born in the past, he would naturally be noble. But now, he can only be the descendant of a guilty official's son."
Hearing this, Su Rongrong snapped the comb in her hand. She suddenly pulled a pair of gardening shears from her sleeve and lunged at me like a madwoman. The older maidservants behind me were quick and agile. They pinned her down onto the table immediately.
"Wanning, you wretched servant, you will die a horrible death!"
Looking at her face distorted with rage, I felt no emotion whatsoever. I had the maidservants take away the shears and told her that the Duke had already decided. Once the child was born, she would be sent to a nunnery in the south, never allowed to set foot in the capital again for the rest of her life.
Su Rongrong collapsed to the ground and began to laugh hysterically. She said the Su family still had connections in the palace, and as long as her father hadn't fallen, she would have a chance to make a comeback. Looking at her crazed state, I knew in my heart that she was still pinning her hopes on the Su family, who could barely save themselves.
To completely quiet the rumours outside, the Duke decided to officially grant me my proper status. He did not host a grand banquet, but simply invited a few close former subordinates to have a few tables of wine at the manor. But I knew the significance of this meal was extraordinary. He was announcing to the entire capital that I, Wanning, was no longer a concubine, but the legitimate mistress of the ducal manor.
I changed into a bright red formal gown. Though it was not the official bridal crown and embroidered robe, it was dignified enough. The Duke took my hand and led me step by step into the main hall. Watching those generals who used to gossip about me bow their heads in respect, I had an indescribable feeling in my heart.
"From now on, Wanning is the lady of this estate. Anyone who disrespects her is disrespecting me, Fu."
His words were powerful and echoed through the hall. Standing by his side, I looked at the few spies from the Su family sitting below. Their expressions were extremely sour, yet they had to force themselves to come forward and offer me tea. I took the teacup and took a light sip, but in my heart, I was thinking, this is just a title. Real power still must be grasped by my own hands.
At that moment, the steward suddenly walked in with a panicked expression and whispered a few words in the Duke's ear. The Duke's expression changed slightly, his eyes instantly becoming sharp. He put down his wine cup, stood up, excused himself to everyone, and quickly left with the steward.
I sat in my seat, watching him walk away, a sense of unease rising in my heart. Although the Su family had suffered a setback, Lord Su had operated in court for many years and would never sit waiting for death. This banquet for my recognition was likely just the beginning of another storm. I tightened my grip on the handkerchief in my hand, looking at the gloomy sky outside the window, knowing that the road ahead would only be more difficult than before.
After the Duke left the table, the originally bustling hall instantly fell silent. Several old subordinates exchanged glances and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. I knew that at this critical juncture, the matter that could make the Duke's face change must be no small thing.
I calmed my mind and raised my wine cup with a proper smile on my face. "My lord has some temporary official business to handle. Please do not stand on ceremony, gentlemen. Please continue with your meal."
I took the maidservants with me to toast each table, showing not the slightest hint of panic in my speech or manners. Those Su family spies who had wanted to see me make a fool of myself saw how calm I was and instead became somewhat unsure of the situation.
During this time, the steward quietly slipped back in through the back door and whispered a few words in my ear. It turned out Lord Su had allied with several imperial censors in court to jointly submit a petition impeaching the Duke, accusing him of forcibly taking a woman of common birth and behaving immorally.
This was a truly ruthless move. They didn't talk about money or family property. Instead, they focused entirely on making an issue of my identity. As long as they could prove the Duke was blinded by lust, both his military power and his reputation would suffer.
After hearing this, my grip tightened on the handkerchief in my hand, but my face remained completely expressionless. I ordered the estate's guards to secure every corner, especially the side courtyard, to make sure Su Rongrong wouldn't cause any trouble at a time like this.
I continued to mingle with the guests at the feast until night fell and they finally began to disperse one after another. Standing on the steps and looking at the empty courtyard, I knew in my heart that the Su family was ready to fight to the death. The Duke had not yet returned and there was no word from the palace. This kind of dead silence is often the prelude to an approaching storm.