Arriving at the old estate, my emotions no longer fluctuated over that scoundrel and his mistress. I missed Grandma. If I had known that the week before the wedding would be our last meeting, I would have spent more time with her. Nearly three weeks had passed—had her health improved at all?
Lu Shiyan sought Grandma's permission before stepping over the threshold, wearing a gentle smile. "Grandma, I've come to see you." Perhaps afraid she might overthink, he offered an excuse before even seeing her: "I was delayed by some matters, so I let Wanwan come ahead to visit you. Are you feeling better?"
Before Grandma could respond, a medicine bowl came flying toward Lu Shiyan. Too weak to hit him, it shattered at his feet. Knowing Grandma blamed him for fleeing the wedding, Lu Shiyan didn't react angrily. Instead, he stepped forward, continuing toward her.
I saw Grandma lying in bed, looking even more frail. She struggled to sit up, and a maid rushed to assist her. "Grandma, take it slow," Lu Shiyan said, quickening his pace to help. He added, "Wanwan is so careless. Knowing you're unwell, where could she have gone instead of staying with you?"
The moment he got close, Grandma raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. "Don't touch me! Get out!"
Lu Shiyan's smile froze briefly, but he maintained his composure. "Grandma, I know I've done wrong. Scold or hit me as you please."
"Mom, what are you doing? Your grandson-in-law came to see you with good intentions. Why hit him?" My mother's voice rang out before she even entered the room.
Grandma shook off Lu Shiyan's hand, letting the maid help her lean against a soft pillow. Pointing at him, she spat, "I don't have such a heartless grandson-in-law. I regret it—when the Lu family was in financial trouble, I shouldn't have listened to Wanwan and let the old man lend them money. Who knew we'd save a viper? You wretched boy, how dare you abandon my granddaughter at the wedding? You're cruel!"
Tears streamed down Grandma's face. My heart, deadened by the betrayal of my lover and family, stirred back to life. Kneeling by the bed, I begged, "Grandma, don't cry. Your granddaughter is back..." I reached out repeatedly to wipe her tears, but my fingers passed through her cheeks. She couldn't hear me or see my desperation.
"Mom, you can't blame Shiyan. He did it for An'an. You know how frail An'an is. It was just a small matter, but that wretched Su Wan had to make a scene and drag it out for everyone to see."
Grandma, already furious, turned her finger toward my mother. "What nonsense are you spouting? When a husband abandons his bride at the wedding, you don't blame the perpetrator but instead berate the victim? Have you lost your minds? Ever since Su Ning'an returned, this family has been in constant turmoil. In the past, I let it slide, but now you still dismiss everything and pin all the blame on Wanwan?"
"Mom, don't be angry. It's just that Su Wan insists on stirring up trouble. Who doesn't want a peaceful family life?"
"I watched Wanwan grow up. Do you think I don't know what kind of person she is? She wouldn't even harm an ant—how could she hurt her own sister? What would she gain from it? Meanwhile, you, her parents, keep falling for Su Ning'an's lies."
Su Ning'an entered, sobbing. "Grandma, I know I grew up away from the Su family and couldn't serve you, but you shouldn't favor Sister and slander me like this. I'm your granddaughter too. How can you be so unfair?"
"You little vixen! You're the one who's thrown the Su family into chaos! What did your sister ever do to you that you had to ruin her wedding day?" Grandma grabbed a nearby cane and swung it at Su Ning'an's head.
"You wretched girl! I'll teach you to stir up trouble in the Su family and make your sister disappear! I'll beat you to death!" But Grandma, weakened by illness, had no strength left.
Even so, Lu Shiyan immediately shielded Su Ning'an, taking the blow on his back. Grandma grew even angrier. "Fine! You shameless pair! Daring to act like this in front of me—no wonder you drove my precious granddaughter to despair!"
I had once been cheerful but gradually became timid and insecure, constantly suspicious of Lu Shiyan and Su Ning'an's relationship. Tormented, I cycled between pain and forced healing until my mind was in shambles, relying on medication to suppress my anguish. I grew quieter and more withdrawn. Grandma noticed and ached for me, while the rest of the Su family focused solely on Su Ning'an. No one cared about my feelings, let alone my decline.
"Mom, you're going too far. An'an grew up in the Lu family all these years. Shiyan has always treated her like a sister. If others heard what you said, what would they think of An'an?"
Grandma's face twisted in grief. "You only care about what others think of Su Ning'an—have you ever considered Wanwan's feelings? Lu Shiyan is her husband!"
Tears trickled down Grandma's wrinkled cheeks. "Even bedridden these past two years, I'm not blind. Open your eyes and use your brains—do you really believe Wanwan is the kind of person you've made her out to be?"
Her words left everyone in the room lost in thought, as if reassessing everything.
Grandma continued, "I heard she vanished after leaving on her wedding day and still hasn't been found. Yet you're all gathered around this little fox, dancing to her tune. Su Wan is also your child, born after ten months of pregnancy! How could a mother be so cold-hearted as to not love her own daughter?"
Lu Shiyan, still holding Su Ning'an, looked stunned. "Grandma, what did you say? Su Wan hasn't returned home?"
My parents and brother exchanged glances. Like me, they must have assumed I'd gone to the old estate to visit Grandma earlier. Not seeing me, they probably thought I'd gone to make her favorite plum blossom cakes, as I always did.
My mother's face paled in shock. "That wretched Su Wan isn't at the old estate?"