Chapter 769: Let the Su Family Know She’s Not to Be Trifled With

"You... you’re so scheming, you’ll get your comeuppance."

Old Mrs. Su couldn’t out-scold Mrs. Min and resorted to cursing.

Mrs. Min raised her head and said, "Becoming in-laws with you is my biggest comeuppance, what other comeuppance should I fear?"

Old Mrs. Su was panting with anger.

Mrs. Min deliberately came to ruin her birthday banquet.

Old Mrs. Su was like an agitated cat, ready to attack with its fur bristling.

At this moment, Su Chengmin and Su Shihang arrived one after the other, both looking displeased.

As the eldest grandson, Su Chengmin certainly had to attend Old Mrs. Su’s birthday banquet.

Moreover, knowing that Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua received invitations, he felt even more compelled to come.

Upon arriving at the mansion, he learned from the maid beside Old Mrs. Su that the gatekeeper was stopping Mrs. Min from entering.

Su Chengmin saw clearly that what seemed like a squabble among women was really still about his worthless father not being a proper man.

Su Chengmin went to find Su Shihang for an explanation.

In just a few days, his son had already come to question him twice. Previously, when he went to the Gu Family to break off the engagement, Su Chengmin rushed to the Su Family after finding out, without even asking about his injuries, and directly threatened him.

It was as if he was disciplining a grandson.

Su Shihang suppressed his anger; he couldn’t afford to offend his rebellious son too much.

When he heard that the servants had reported, Su Chengmin became even more reluctant to listen to Su Shihang’s nonsense, especially after Old Mrs. Su had embarrassed Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua. Without another word, he marched out of Su Shihang’s study and hurried towards the main hall.

Tong Huaqiong noticed Su Shihang and Su Chengmin approaching one after the other, raising an eyebrow.

Switching her gaze between Su Chengmin and Su Shihang.

As if possessed by a drama queen, she said, "Oh, isn’t this Lord Su? You really are Chengmin’s father. The other day you came to my house demanding to break off the engagement without explaining clearly, it made me so angry that I picked up my dog-beating stick. You weren’t hurt, were you?"

The crowd seemed to be digesting Tong Huaqiong’s words like they had just eaten some extraordinary gossip.

The implication was that Lord Su had gone to the Gu Family to break off the engagement without telling Su Chengmin or the Min Family.

Not only failing to break it off, but getting beaten by Sui Feng Village Lady with a dog-beating stick.

No wonder Su Shihang had taken sick leave a few days back; it turned out the root of the issue was here.

Su Shihang’s face flushed red with embarrassment, and he really wanted to give the Gu Family a good thrashing.

But because of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Min, he had to swallow this anger.

"It’s all a misunderstanding." The court’s second-ranked official had to explain to Tong Huaqiong.

Tong Huaqiong’s expression slightly eased.

"Chengmin, when we got engaged, you didn’t tell me you had a father. How come overnight you became Lord Su’s son? If I had known this, I wouldn’t have gotten engaged to you." Gu Taohua began to challenge Su Chengmin.

The Su Family had her come just to humiliate her in front of everyone. If she didn’t fight back, wouldn’t she be disturbed by the Su Family people countless times after marrying Su Chengmin?

She had to cut off any possibility of being disturbed.

Let the Su Family know she was not to be trifled with.

Old Mrs. Su looked at her eldest grandson; delight flickered in her heart, thinking breaking the engagement would take some effort.

But this Gu Taohua girl took the initiative to break off the engagement.

How could the Gu Family not know that the Su Family and Su Chengmin were one entity? The reason for breaking off the engagement was just exacerbated by her public denial of this marriage.

She, after all, was an imperial decree holder from a family of second-ranked officials. If her marital family didn’t acknowledge Gu Taohua as a daughter-in-law, she could forget about mingling in the circle of titled women.

"Since that’s the case, then let’s break off the engagement," said Old Mrs. Su.

Su Chengmin hurriedly said to Tong Huaqiong, "Aunt Tong, although my surname is Su, I have almost no relationship with the Su Family. I hardly visit more than twice a year. I make my own decisions about my marriage, and Taohua and I have already exchanged engagement letters. The engagement is set in stone; no one can interfere."

The so-called no one refers specifically to the Su Family as not being able to interfere.

Tong Huaqiong pretended to say, "Your father came to break off the engagement; your grandmother is now dissatisfied with this marriage. My Taohua is not one to be married off for no reason, why mix yourself into this muddy mess with you."

Gu Taohua said with grievance, "My mother is right. Yesterday your father jumped out, today your grandmother jumps out. Who knows how many more relatives will jump out tomorrow? If they do, then fine, but still, they act all high and mighty, demanding to break off the engagement as if they really have a say."

Su Chengmin said to Gu Taohua, "I will certainly ensure a satisfactory outcome for you on this matter."

Old Mrs. Su and Su Shihang’s eyelids twitched.

"Eldest grandson," Old Mrs. Su attempted to use familial affection to sway Su Chengmin.

Su Chengmin glanced at Old Mrs. Su, then at Su Shihang, and said, "Grandmother, Father, if you still consider me even half a Su family member, then don’t interfere with anything I do, especially my marriage; otherwise, all ties between us will be severed. I’ll make good on my word."

Then he announced in front of everyone, "Everyone bear witness. I, Su Chengmin, will not inherit anything from the Su Family; aside from having half of the Su blood in me, everything I have has nothing to do with the Su Family."

Su Shihang’s face turned livid; Su Chengmin was seeking to cut ties with the Su Family.

How dare he.

The tense father-son relationship was something that couldn’t affect the overall situation, but if relations were severed, it meant he couldn’t even handle his family affairs properly.

Today, if ties with Su Chengmin were completely severed, aside from the talks that would drown him, even the Imperial Censor would use this issue to severely criticize him.

Old Mrs. Su pointed at Su Chengmin, wanting to scold him, yet unable to speak.

"Chengmin, you are a Su Family member; don’t mention such estranging words. You and I are one body. I promise not to interfere with your marriage matters. Today is your grandmother’s birthday; you should at least let her happily finish the birthday banquet."

Su Chengmin said nothing.

Su Shihang compromised and apologized to Tong Huaqiong, "What happened before was a rash decision on our part. The Su Family will certainly not interfere with Chengmin and your family’s young lady’s marriage."

Tong Huaqiong smiled warmly and said, "You flatter me, Lord Su; as a father, it’s only natural to care a bit."

Though inwardly, she scoffed.

Old Mrs. Su forced a smile, how could she celebrate anymore; she was dying inside.

Lu Family feared that if Su Chengmin left, their subsequent plan involving Lu Yiner couldn’t proceed?

Hence, she stepped forward to persuade Old Mrs. Su, "Old Madam, Chengmin is your grandson, how can you say break ties and mean it; it’s just angry words. Every generation has its ideas, we will abide by his wishes in the future."

Old Mrs. Su looked at Su Chengmin, her most cherished grandson, wanted to sever ties with the Su Family.

Not unless she were dead.

Best to stabilize this grandson first.

"Alright, I won’t meddle in your marriage, but you must accompany me for longevity noodles, not just today but every birthday before I die."

Su Chengmin said, "Alright, I promise you."

Mrs. Min sat as stable as a mountain.

Su Chengmin was resolute.

After all, only once a year for a family banquet, the Su Family could stir no bigger waves.

"Old Madam, the opera troupe is ready; shall we guide all the ladies to the backyard to watch the opera?" Lu Family was pleased Su Chengmin stayed for the banquet.

If he hadn’t, how could their main event proceed?

Old Mrs. Su descended gracefully, saying, "Every year we get an opera troupe, every year they perform the same old thing. If there’s nothing new today, no rewards will be given."

Lu Family said humorously, "All as you wish."

A subordinate official’s wife of Su Shihang stepped forward playfully saying, "On my way in, I heard the maids in your manor saying the opera troupe has several exciting grand set pieces; Old Madam, wouldn’t you let us go and feast our eyes soon?"

The surrounding women agreed eagerly.

The noblewomen of Shengjing, who after eating gossip can still pretend nothing happened and enjoy a performance.

Tong Huaqiong admired this greatly.