Not Human at All

Old Master Su was immediately moved and nodded, saying, "Shi Mao's idea is really good. No wonder he studied in the city; he has broad knowledge. He even speaks eloquently about the 'Twenty-four Filial Exemplars,' much more impressive than the countryside folks."

Su Shi Mao saw Old Master Su agree and laughed heartily, "I saw that grandpa and Third Uncle had a falling out, and grandpa was upset. Seeing him unhappy made me uncomfortable too. I'm such a filial grandson; I couldn't bear to see grandpa suffer. That's why I racked my brains to come up with this plan to reconcile grandpa and Third Uncle."

Old Master Su immediately praised Su Shi Mao, but Zhao Shi felt something was off and said, "But Lan Xiang is still Su family's granddaughter; secretly selling her isn't quite right."

Zhao Shi also had daughters and thought about how Sun Shi would be devastated losing Su Lan Xiang.

But Su Shi Mao rolled his eyes at Zhao Shi and said, "Typical woman's view, so foolish! I'm doing this for grandpa and grandma, for Third Uncle, and for the whole family! Su Lan Xiang is lucky to help reconcile her father and grandpa!"

Old Master Su nodded, "Yes, it's Lan Xiang's good fortune. Whose granddaughter can unite the family so harmoniously? Lan Xiang's sale is valuable and worth it!"

Su Daqi also agreed with the plan. Liu Ru and Tofu Beauty silently ate their meals, pretending not to have heard anything.

Su Meixiang lowered her head even more. As a granddaughter who lived off the family, hearing Su Shi Mao's words gave her chills.

Su Shi Mao was too sinister. Su Meixiang couldn't fathom how a man, especially her own brother, could be so cruel...

Now, over a little profit, Su Shi Mao incited grandpa to agree to secretly sell Su Lan Xiang. Would she be next?

Su Meixiang suddenly felt a kinship of sorrow.

Now only Zhao Shi was left to oppose, but with the family heads agreeing, she couldn't say much despite feeling uneasy.

After breakfast, Zhao Shi packed to leave. Su Meixiang hurried back to her room with her head down. Liu Ru and Tofu Beauty huddled together, closed the door, and whispered.

Tofu Beauty was shocked, "I never thought the Su family were even less than human—just beasts in human skin. They could come up with such a plan worse than pigs and dogs!"

Liu Ru curled her lips, "When I was at the brothel, I saw the madams dealing with new girls who didn't listen. I thought they were cruel enough, but compared to the Su family, our madams are downright merciful."

Tofu Beauty grabbed Liu Ru's arm, "Liu Ru, we've been doing business with Su Li. She hasn't exposed us or made things difficult, and she tacitly lets us earn money. We're practically part of Su Li's family now, right? Should we tell her about this and try to earn some credit?"

Liu Ru shook her head, "Tofu Beauty, you don't get it. What good would it do to tell Su Li now? The Su family only plans to kidnap Su Lan Xiang; they haven't sold her yet. If we tell Su Li now, one, she might not believe us; two, even if she does, she'll just praise us and that's it. But if we wait until the Su family actually acts, and Su Li and Third Uncle are desperately searching for Su Lan Xiang, then telling her the truth will earn us much more credit!"