The Substitute

The soldier looked suspicious, then released me.

I stood up. Behind everyone, I faintly saw a silver-white hem.

I smirked, tearing off the clothing my father had draped over me, revealing the coarse cloth attire of a Su family servant: "I am the Su family's flower-tending maidservant."

I extended my hand. Though slender and fair, it was still different from the pampered hands of a young lady from a noble family.

On my hand, there was still a scar from a thorn prick a few days ago: "The Eldest Young Lady of the Su family has an injured hand; how could it not be treated with medicine?"

Upon hearing this, the two soldiers immediately slammed the door shut, trapping everyone inside: "We are ordered to apprehend all members of the Su family's main branch. If anyone wishes to act as a substitute, do not blame us for taking your head."

With that, they glanced back and forth at my father.

My father's face turned ashen, his eyes dark as if they wanted to pierce through me.

In my previous life, when I was taken away, I witnessed my father, amidst the chaos, protect Su Yue Ying as she left with the crowd. I waited anxiously in prison, but in the end, I only received an imperial edict exiling me to the pleasure quarters.

I stepped into the crowd, standing behind Su Yue Ying.

Even though she had changed into servant's clothes, a hint of silver-white hem was still visible. I didn't know whose clothes Father had snatched in his panic.

Su Yue Ying's beautiful face was smeared with ash, her hair disheveled. Standing among the servants, she truly wasn't noticeable at all.

I quietly reached out and pinched her waist hard.

"Ah!" Su Yue Ying jumped up.

Her clear, oriole-like voice attracted the two officers, who immediately approached, each grabbing one of her arms.

I saw my father standing not far away, his hands veined, his eyes filled with such sorrow that they seemed about to overflow.

"I am not Su Yue Ying," she said, tears welling up, looking at the officers with pitiful eyes.

Unexpectedly, the officer showed no pity. He tore open Su Yue Ying's sleeve, revealing the silver-white dress underneath: "So you're a maidservant dressed like this, even wearing Yue Ying fabric from the palace."

The officer sneered: "Take her away."

When I was escorted to the main courtyard, I happened to hear the First Madam's cries: "Ying'er is a young lady; how can she endure imprisonment?"

The ones taken away were the Old Master and the men of the Su family's main branch. Su Yue Ying, because she often disguised herself as a man to follow her elder brothers, was the only female relative apprehended.

The second and third branches of the Su family were all gathered here, no one speaking a word, only the mournful cries of the First Madam echoing.