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Early the next morning, after Su Li rose and completed her morning ablutions, she took her maid and boarded the carriage.
The capital was blanketed in heavy snow, but with a charcoal brazier burning inside, the carriage was quite warm.
The carriage swayed gently as it made its way towards the Imperial Palace.
Su Li possessed a token that granted her entry to the palace at any time.
A palace attendant led her to the entrance of the Imperial Study and said, "County Mistress, please wait a moment. This servant will go in and announce you."
Su Li curtsied. "Thank you, Eunuch."
How could the attendant dare to accept her bow? He quickly stepped aside.
"County Mistress, you honor this servant too much."
With that, he entered the Imperial Study.
A short while later, the attendant emerged.
"County Mistress, please enter."
Su Li nodded and stepped into the Imperial Study.
Upon entering, Su Li was taken aback for a moment. Jun Mo was also present, smiling at her.
Su Li quickly composed herself and bowed towards the figure seated above. "This subject-daughter greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years!"
The Emperor's dignified voice sounded, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Su Li rose and stood respectfully.
"We summoned you to the palace today because you donated so much grain during the disaster relief efforts in the south, thereby rendering great service. You also cooperated with Prince Jing in dismantling the rebels' stronghold. Tell Us, what reward do you desire?"
Su Li glanced at Jun Mo.
Jun Mo smiled. "This Prince merely relayed the facts to Imperial Father."
The Emperor above seemed to be in a good mood. "Speak. You've earned this."
Su Li's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, can this subject-daughter ask for anything?"
Then, feeling her words were somewhat audacious, she quickly corrected herself, "This subject-daughter has a wish she hopes Your Majesty will grant."
"Speak your mind," the Emperor said. As he finished, he glanced at Jun Mo.
Jun Mo's heart skipped a beat. She wouldn't... she couldn't be asking for...
"This subject-daughter wishes to annul her engagement with His Highness Prince Jing."
Just as I thought, Jun Mo mused silently.
The Emperor was taken aback, then frowned.
"Nonsense!"
Su Li immediately knelt but continued, "Your Majesty, the engagement between this subject-daughter and Prince Jing was entered into under duress. His Highness Prince Jing, being kind-hearted and benevolent, saw that this subject-daughter was being cornered by the Nanjiang Heir Apparent with no way out, and thus stepped forward to rescue this humble girl from her predicament. Now that the Nanjiang crisis has been resolved, this subject-daughter cannot continue to hold His Highness back. I implore Your Majesty to understand!"
The Emperor shot a glance at his youngest son, his eyes filled with disdain.
To think he hasn't managed to win a young lady's heart after all this time.
He knew his son better than anyone. If he hadn't been willing, if he hadn't had feelings for this young woman, who could have possibly forced him?
Kind-hearted and benevolent? Couldn't bear to see her pressured? If this boy hadn't taken a fancy to her himself, he wouldn't have batted an eye even if she were forced to her death.
Ah well, he thought, as his father, I'll just have to give him another push.
"There will be no further mention of annulling the engagement. You worked together during the disaster relief, saving the common people from dire straits, and your reputation among the populace is excellent; they believe you are a match made in heaven. If We were to allow you to annul the engagement, I fear it would incite public outrage, and We would be branded a muddle-headed ruler."
Having said this, he glanced at his son.
A hint of a smile flickered in Jun Mo's eyes.
The Emperor saw this and knew he had guessed his son's thoughts correctly. A pleased look appeared in his eyes.
See? Still have to rely on your old man, eh?
Su Li stood there, stunned, her mouth slightly agape.
She just wanted to annul an engagement, and it would implicate the Emperor in becoming a muddle-headed ruler? Was the impact really that significant?
Seeing Su Li's dazed expression, the smile in Jun Mo's eyes deepened.
"Imperial Father speaks with reason. In that case, Imperial Father, perhaps you could reward her with something else."
The Emperor waved his hand magnanimously. "Su Li, daughter of Minister Su, for donating grain and providing relief during the southern disaster, saving the common people from dire straits and rendering great merit, is hereby specially enfeoffed as County Mistress Changning, awarded ten thousand taels of gold, and one thousand qing of fertile land. By Imperial Decree!"
Su Li prostrated herself. "Thank you, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years!"
"Very well. We have memorials to review. You may both withdraw."
Su Li followed Jun Mo out of the Imperial Study, her mind still somewhat muddled.
The engagement wasn't annulled, but her status had certainly risen.
Looking at Jun Mo, who remained as calm and composed as ever beside her, Su Li said guiltily, "Your Highness, I'm sorry. I didn't anticipate this outcome."
Jun Mo suddenly smiled, his refined, handsome features becoming even more striking. Half amused, half resigned, he said, "Li'er, does our engagement truly displease you so much?"
Su Li stopped walking and said earnestly, "Your Highness, an engagement is not a trivial matter. Perhaps you simply haven't yet met someone who truly captures your heart, which is why you feel it doesn't matter who you're engaged to. When you do meet such a person, our engagement will become the greatest obstacle. At that time, Your Highness will find this betrothal inconvenient, and me an eyesore. This subject-daughter does not wish for us to reach that point."
Su Li's words made Jun Mo frown.
He had thought his actions were obvious enough.
Does she think I'm so easily approachable? That I would casually step forward for any woman and gamble my entire life away as a joke?
"Li'er, you are heartless."
His voice was clear, low, and cool. No emotion could be discerned in his eyes, and the lines of his face remained gentle and relaxed, even the curve of his lips perfectly composed.
Having said this, he strode away.
Staring blankly at Jun Mo's departing figure, Su Li was puzzled.
Is he angry? But... why?
Su Li exited the palace gates and boarded her family's carriage.
Siqin, seeing that her mistress had received a significant reward yet still seemed unhappy, couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what's wrong?"
Su Li sighed. "It's nothing."
Oh well, she thought, if I can't figure it out, I'll stop dwelling on it. Let nature take its course.
After Su Li returned to her residence, the imperial edict for her reward also arrived at the Minister's Estate.
Soon, news that the Minister's official daughter had been enfeoffed as Commandery Mistress Changning for her meritorious service in disaster relief spread throughout the capital.
Truly, some rejoiced while others seethed with resentment.
Everyone was saying that this Miss Su had been too much in the limelight in recent months.
For defeating the Seventh Princess of Beiyan, she went directly from being an ordinary young lady to a titled County Mistress.
Now, she had generously donated grain, solving the Emperor's most pressing crisis, and had instantly soared to the esteemed status of a Commandery Mistress. Moreover, she was still engaged to Prince Jing.
Her maternal grandmother's family was the Duke's household, wielding military power, and her father was the Minister of Revenue, controlling the Tianqi Empire's finances. Her birthright was already excellent. Previously, she was merely derided as a good-for-nothing and an ugly woman, which had allowed the other noble young ladies to feel somewhat more balanced.
Now, with so many honors bestowed upon her, it naturally incited intense jealousy among the noble young ladies.
For a time, the title of "Tianqi's Number One Ugly Face" for the Su family's young miss paradoxically became even more renowned.
That evening, Su Li was in her room, arranging a sprig of red plum blossom, freshly cut from the courtyard, into a porcelain vase. The snow had come early this year; flowers that typically bloomed only at year's end were already in flower.
Just then, Mohua burst in, fuming. Su Li smiled and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Who's upset our Mohua?"
Mohua huffed, "Miss, how can you still smile! You should hear the awful things they're saying about you outside! Calling you an ugly, faceless woman, saying you'll wait forever for a matchmaker who never comes, and that you'll end up crying your woes to the temple goddesses! It's infuriating!"
Su Li smiled reassuringly. "Why be angry? What they're saying isn't true."
Mohua looked at her mistress's ethereal, jade-like beauty and grew even angrier.
"Miss, since your face has healed, why do you still insist on wearing a veil?"
Su Li paused. Initially, she had concealed her features because she knew her face was too striking and simply wanted to avoid trouble.
Although she had an engagement, she believed it wouldn't last. Once it was annulled, her appearance would inevitably attract unwanted attention.
But now that she knew the engagement couldn't be annulled, it seemed there was no longer any need to hide her face.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry."
Mohua suddenly said, "Oh, right, Miss! There's something else this servant almost forgot."
Su Li walked to the table, took a sip of tea, and asked, "What is it?"
"Young Master Xu mentioned that recently he's noticed many people trying to find out who the true owner of Jin Zhao Zui is."
Su Li frowned. "Does he know who they are?"
"It seems to be Yun Xuan's people, but he's not entirely sure."
Su Li tapped her fingers on the edge of the table.
Jun Hui, I wasn't looking for trouble with you, but you've come looking for me!
"I understand. Tell Young Master Xu not to engage with them, but to be vigilant and ensure no one exploits any openings."
"Yes, Miss."
Su Li stood up. Seeing it was getting late, she said, "Let's go. It's time for dinner in the main courtyard."