TEFSCBSS Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Great Wilderness Monopoly

Su Yi could only nod in agreement when he heard this. After all, he had heard that Miss Su Yao would also attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet, so he thought he could let Miss Su Yao bring Su Li back to the mansion. By providing this clue, Su Yi believed the Prime Minister would no longer make things difficult for him.

With this thought in mind, Su Yi bid farewell to Su Li and left.

…

In truth, Su Li didn’t want to attend any banquets, nor did she want to get involved in any plots. However, since Su Yi had found her, though she didn’t know why he was so “submissive” today, she figured that more guards or even secret agents might come after her in the future. If that happened, it would become difficult to escape the Prime Minister’s clutches.

For now, she could only make use of Su Yi’s “kindness.” She decided to show up at the banquet, creating a scene and making her presence known in front of all the influential figures. By doing so, she hoped to make it clear that she was completely and permanently severed from the Prime Minister’s family, in hopes of breaking free from her fate.

Moreover, the banquet was indeed a good opportunity to promote her script store. If any noble person noticed her games, they might even help her out.

With her decision made, Su Li continued to focus on preparing her new script, carefully considering which tabletop games she could bring to the banquet to play.

Meanwhile, on his way back, Su Yi secretly wiped his tears under the cover of night. “Wuwuwu, the young miss really has forgotten me. She used to love playing with me when she was little, asking me to lift her high in the air. Now she treats me so coldly, wuwuwu… it’s all the Master’s fault, and all Su Yao’s fault.”

The mere thought of Su Yao infuriated him. In his mind, she was just the illegitimate daughter of the Master, nothing compared to Miss Su Li, whose noble birth stood out. And now, for the sake of this illegitimate daughter, the Master had neglected his wife and even claimed Miss Su Li was a bastard.

The Master couldn’t tell right from wrong!

Of course, he could only think these things to himself. When he reported back to the Master, he would put on a cold face and simply say he hadn’t found Miss Su Li, but had heard she might attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet.

When the Prime Minister heard this, he stroked his beard and muttered, “So, she’s just a vain person, not satisfied with my family and seeking a higher backing?”

“Hah, I, the Prime Minister, one step below the emperor, one above ten thousand, what more does she want?”

With that, the Prime Minister waved his hand, dismissing Su Yi.

Meanwhile, Su Yao, upon hearing the news, responded similarly. “I’ve heard that my ‘sister’ is arrogant and eccentric. She doesn’t even think highly of our family, so it’s clear she’s a complete fool. There’s no need to waste energy on her.”

The maids around her also looked disdainful. Who was this girl, anyway? Without the Prime Minister’s family, she would be nothing. How dare she dream of attending the banquet? Didn’t she fear the nobles’ disapproval?

News of the Chrysanthemum Banquet, hosted by the Princess, spread through the circles, with everyone preparing to compete in the most extravagant manner, not only to show off their wealth but also to seek “romantic opportunities.”

Indeed, this kind of banquet always had a hidden purpose — matchmaking.

However, the host of the banquet, the Princess, looked troubled.

“Ma’am, is Yunyang still the same?”

Beside her, the old maid Zhou also had a worried expression. “Your Highness, Princess Yunyang is still spending all her time in the study, only allowing people to bring her food. She refuses to come out even for a step.”

“What is so great about books? Everyone is reading, but they forget about their mother!”

The Princess sighed, frustrated by her children. While other families hoped their children could study for the imperial exams and achieve greatness, she had already attained the title of Princess! Moreover, her husband was the Grand General of the West, even though he was now idle at home. He still had a military background, so why did their children only care about books?

She stroked the long whip in her hand, feeling itchy to use it.

“Your Highness, please calm down. Our young masters are all scholars. They’re not like soldiers…”

Sighing again, the Princess muttered, “Do I not know that? If I lash out, they may not die, but they’ll certainly be hurt. However, we are from a military family! It troubles me!”

Her words were not exaggerated. When the emperor was young, the late emperor had passed away early, and the Princess had stepped in to manage affairs. As a woman, she led troops to defend against barbarian invasions. Now, thirty years later, with the court stabilized, she had retired from the military and focused on her children.

Her husband had said that not entering the military was wise, as it could create resentment with the emperor. They didn’t even need to take the imperial exams, as they would still live in luxury.

The Princess knew all of this. But why, oh why, did her eldest son immerse himself in Daoist teachings, spending his time calculating others’ fate? Her second son was even worse, obsessed with Buddhist scriptures. If she hadn’t stopped him, he would have already joined the monastery and called her “Benefactor!”

And then there was her daughter, once her little “cotton-padded jacket,” now spending her days reading strange books. Lately, she had even been closely involved with the playboy Wang Bokao, talking about going to wild mountains and haunted cemeteries to seek supernatural experiences.

What kind of sin had she committed in her past life?

“No!” The Princess exclaimed, filled with resolve. “They must attend the Chrysanthemum Banquet no matter what!”

“Young Yunyang is still too young, but I must arrange marriages for those two brats! Otherwise, they’ll be lonely their whole lives!”

The old maid dared not speak up but silently lit a candle for the young masters.

…

Soon, the Chrysanthemum Banquet began as expected. Luxury carriages lined up outside the palace, entering one after the other, with attendants guiding them with the utmost care.

But in this solemn atmosphere, an annoying voice broke the silence.

“Little Li, what were you thinking? You used to hide from people, dressing as a man, and now you’re making me bring you to this banquet? Aren’t you afraid the Su family will drag you back?”

Wang Bokao, dressed in light moon-white robes, looked handsome as always, though his irritating expression somewhat ruined the effect.

Su Li could only helplessly reply, “The Su family has already found me. I had no choice.”

“Tsk tsk, so what will you do? Didn’t you say you were facing a calamity?”

“Not a big deal.”

“Come on, at least we’ve known each other since childhood. Our bond is extraordinary. If you just call me ‘brother,’ my Wang family will make sure no one dares to touch a single strand of your hair!”

Wang Bokao wasn’t boasting. Despite his playboy persona, he was the eldest son of the main branch. When his grandfather retired, he would become the head of the family, and protecting someone was no problem.

Su Li rolled her eyes. “No need. I have my tricks.”

Seeing the confusion in Wang Bokao’s eyes, she smiled proudly and lifted the big box in her hand. “Today, I’m bringing a game for everyone!”

“Werewolf?” Wang Bokao’s eyes lit up. He was the king of Werewolf, and his points had placed him in the top three—first place was Han Yueyi, second place was Wu Fei, and even Wang Qingmu couldn’t surpass him. If they played Werewolf at the banquet, he’d impress everyone and put those who always looked down on him in their place.

“No.”

Wang Bokao deflated.

“It’s a new game that no one has played yet.”

Wang Bokao perked up again.

“What game is it?”

Su Li grinned. “Great Wilderness Monopoly!”