The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits
Chapter 494 - 498: Unparalleled Under Heaven (10)

Chapter 494: Chapter 498: Unparalleled Under Heaven (10)

"In fact, your father met with that master again later, who proclaimed that Su Li was blessed with exceptional luck, and with her by his side, your father would surely accomplish all he desired,"

"The master only said that Su Li wouldn’t live past sixteen, but it wasn’t as though there was no hope at all, misfortune and fortune go hand in hand. If it can be said that Su Li’s luck could propel the Su Family to great heights before she turned sixteen, then after her sixteenth year, if she survived the great disaster, she would inevitably hinder the growth of the Su Family."

Su Qingqing and Su Zhi stood agape, completely unaware of such intricacies.

At this point, ignoring the shock on her children’s faces, she became suddenly vigilant and glanced around, then lowered her voice and said, "There’s something else you undoubtedly wouldn’t have imagined."

"Truth be told, although your elder sister’s health has been poor, it was never to the extent of being beyond the help of medicine."

"She was indeed frail before, but as she grew older, she seemed to have improved significantly from her childhood."

"It’s uncertain whether it’s the sliver of hope that the master spoke of... Your father is afraid..."

Mrs. Su’s subsequent words were nearly inaudible, uttered almost like a murmur to herself. Su Qingqing and Su Zhi had to stretch their necks and lean close to catch the meaning of her words.

Su Qingqing covered her mouth but couldn’t suppress the gasp of shock that escaped her, her eyes wide with alarm.

Su Zhi too was scared enough to step back repeatedly, feeling as if something inside of him collapsed in an instant.

Mrs. Su also felt a wave of empathy and couldn’t help but remind them, "There are people loyal to your father in my courtyard, so when you leave here, don’t show any unusual behavior."

Seeing her children greatly distressed and anxious, Mrs. Su comforted them with pity, "Don’t worry; you are not like Su Li. Your father has always had a tender heart when it comes to you. Even though he craves power, he has always treated you exceedingly well."

"In the future, you must continue to regard him as the most respected person and draw close to him, understand?"

With that last word, Mrs. Su raised her voice, startling Su Qingqing and Su Zhi out of their stupor.

"Su Li is but a grasshopper after autumn, and she won’t be able to jump around for long. After her sixteenth birthday, there’s only one possible outcome waiting for her."

"So even if she’s willful, it won’t last for long. For now, just bear with it and don’t cause any grudge to form between your father and Brother Su."

With a sigh, Su Qingqing and Su Zhi nodded their heads; the resentment and anger they felt earlier washed away in an instant.

After all, who would bother to take issue with someone at death’s door?

----------

Lying half-reclined on her bed, Su Li watched a wisp of blue smoke curl around her side and then slowly inhale through her nostrils.

After the cultivation technique had made its rounds for one week, she finally opened her eyes.

As Su Li’s eyes opened, the entire room rippled like water for a moment before settling back to calm.

Only then did she rise from bed.

Previously, she had cast a blinding technique in the room, so anyone outside would "see" only a person lying flat in rest, not someone half-reclined while practicing a cultivation technique.

The moment she stood up, she immediately became aware of several breaths outside her door.

As soon as Su Li saw the maids that Su Yao had sent over, she knew that besides their decorum, they had light figures, indicating that they were somewhat trained in martial arts.

Though they were not particularly skilled in movement, they were more than adequate for dealing with a young lady who seldom left her household.

Su Yao, her dear elder brother, certainly "cared" deeply for her.

The thread of spiritual power that Su Li had placed on Mrs. Su also conveyed the entire conversation of those people.

"Heh," Su Li curled her lips in a soft chuckle, emitting a sound with unclear intentions.

She had guessed wrong before; apparently, the dark substance added to the Chinese medicine was not Mrs. Su’s doing after all.

It seemed the entire Su Residence harbored nothing but ill will towards her.

Afterward, Su Li went out several times. However, her so-called going out was nothing more than taking short strolls in the small garden within the residence.

Whenever she walked for a bit longer, someone would remind her not to tire herself out and that it was best for her to go back home and lie down.

In the meantime, Su Li had run into Su Qingqing several times. Each time, Su Qingqing acted as though she was on her deathbed and had no quarrels to pick with her.

Su Li: "..." Could you not make it so obvious, as if you’re afraid others won’t notice something is amiss?

Or perhaps, Su Qingqing’s goal was to provoke Su Li into investigating and discovering the truth?

What could be more painful than realizing that all the loved ones of the person you loathe, actually wish for her death?

------------

Amid the daily dose of medicine strengthened with extra ingredients, Su Li’s sixteenth birthday arrived.

Old Master Su had already allocated silver taels a few days prior, inviting a troupe to perform and was determined to host a grand celebration for his eldest granddaughter.

Old Master Su, Mrs. Su, and Brother Su also made their sentiments clear, specifically asking Su Li what birthday gifts she desired.

Without the slightest hint of modesty, Su Li listed a hoard of presents.

Everything for eating, wearing, using, or traveling—she included it all.

It was just Mrs. Su constantly reminding herself that, once this girl was gone, all those valuable items would be left behind; she was merely lending them to her for the time being.

Nevertheless, Su Li’s outrageous demands still left Mrs. Su so angry that she broke three fingernails.

How could she not notice that this girl was becoming more and more detestable?

Shameless and obtuse, she dared to reach for anything.

If matters were addressed directly, Su Li would clutch her chest, panting as if she was about to keel over, an act that was unbearable to witness.

At this moment, Mrs. Su immensely missed the quiet, untroublesome girl from before.

Yet, what could she do but tolerate the annoyance, no matter how unbearable it became?

Everyone in the Su Residence, including the most important person, Old Master Su, had agreed, and both the old lady and Su Yao had expressed their approval; she would not dare to defy them, at least not openly.

After all, Mrs. Su actually harbored fear towards her husband.

Ever since she had skimmed the surface of the truth, she had been walking on thin ice, cautious and vigilant, fearing that one wrong step could bring disaster upon her.

Before, she had merely thought that her husband was fiercely competitive, but now...

He cared so little for his own flesh and blood that he would cast them aside without a second thought, let alone her, who was merely a wife who respectfully served him.

It was the same with the eldest son; she had always instructed her child to stay on good terms with this older brother, never to confront him. The reason was that Su Yao’s nature was exactly like Old Master Su’s.

Both were extremists when it came to their own interests—if someone stood in their way...

The celebration was grand, and families close to the Su Residence were in attendance.

Since Su Li lacked close friends or sisters, the old lady had especially instructed Su Yao, Su Qingqing, and Su Zhi to invite their own friends to the residence.

Naturally, this included Wan Siyi, Mr. Wan.

On Su Li’s birthday, Su Qingqing dressed herself even more beautifully than the guest of honor, fearing she would be overshadowed by her sister’s grace.

Ever since Su Qingqing had noticed Su Li’s extreme beauty, she put even greater emphasis on her own physical appearance.

What surprised her, however, was that the very guest of honor, whom she expected to be dazzlingly dressed, appeared before the guests in plain clothes, not hiding her sickly pallor.