Chapter 108: Su Wan is a Lowly Bastard

Su Wan’s expression changed. The Empress had said that Master Huiren would not return to the capital for a few more days, but unexpectedly, he returned so quickly and had already treated Su Jihong.

“Wanwan, Master Huiren has been here for a while,” Old Lady Su said with a worried face. Even if she tried to stop it, it was too late.

Su Wan understood Old Lady Su’s meaning and felt that some things were destined to happen.

For example, Su Mixue’s protagonist halo.

She was demoted and lost her backing.

Su Jihong was cured.

Su Mixue once again had someone to rely on.

“Let him be treated then. He is my father. If I don’t treat him, I can’t just hope for his death.”

Although Su Wan was eager for Su Jihong to die soon, the situation was already set. She didn’t want to continue discussing this topic and ruin the mood: “Grandmother, it was my oversight before. I didn’t bring Huaizhi with me when I returned, but instead, I gave him a bunch of trivial tasks, which kept him busy. Now that he’s finished them, he’s come to see you.”

“Grandmother, this junior Gu Huaizhi greets you.” Gu Huaizhi saluted obediently.

Old Lady Su supported Gu Huaizhi with a beaming smile and said, “Good child, it’s good that you have this thought. The harmony between you two as a couple is my greatest wish.”

Gu Huaizhi promised, “Since you trust Wanwan to me, I will definitely not let her down.”

Old Lady Su repeatedly expressed her approval and then instructed Su Wan, “Go and brew a pot of tea for Huaizhi.”

Su Wan was fully aware that Old Lady Su had something to say to Gu Huaizhi alone. She cast him a look that implied “good luck” and then turned and left the room.

Only then did Old Lady Su carefully scrutinize Gu Huaizhi. His demeanor was extraordinary, not like that of an ordinary farm boy, but rather like a well-groomed scion of a distinguished family.

She looked at him with great satisfaction, though his background wasn’t quite up to her standards.

“Since the day Wanwan was born, she has never known hardship. She has always been waited on hand and foot. Her birth dictates that her future husband should be either wealthy or noble, allowing her to enjoy a lifetime of luxury and prosperity.

By some twist of fate, she married you, and I have been worried sick. This child has told me that you treat her very well and that she is very happy. This brings me great comfort, knowing she married a good match.”

“However, in families like ours, scheming and plotting are inevitable. She was never favored by her father since she was young, and now with a stepmother in the picture, her life has become even harder.”

“Wanwan retrieved her dowry, and Su Mixue, more or less, resents her because she was deposed from her position as the Crown Princess. She might hold a grudge against her because of this. Now that Master Huiren has cured her father, they will likely join forces to bully her.”

“It will be very difficult for you to live a peaceful life. I am already halfway in my grave and won’t be able to protect her for long.”

Old Lady Su’s eyes were moist, and her withered hand gripped Gu Huaizhi’s hand tightly, as if entrusting him with her final wish. “You have a great talent for studying and are now a xiucai^[1]xiucai (秀才) was a title given to someone who had passed the county-level imperial examination in ancient China. This examination was the first level in the imperial examination system, which was … Continue reading. Soon, you will take the provincial examination. Do well in the imperial exams and become an official. Once you enter the bureaucracy, Old Qi still has some connections at court. They will protect you. When you become influential at court, those evil forces won’t be able to bully you anymore.”

“Child, promise Grandmother.”

Old Lady Su’s eyes were filled with pleading.

Under Old Lady Su’s earnest gaze, Gu Huaizhi solemnly said, “I promise you.”

Old Lady Su smiled, and her heart was finally at ease. With a gentle expression, she said, “You’ve traveled a long way to the capital and must be tired. Go back and rest, regain your strength, and return home as soon as possible. Don’t linger in the capital for too long.”

Gu Huaizhi said, “You should also rest well and take care of your health.”

Old Lady Su nodded. She would strive to live a few more years until they had the ability to protect themselves.

When Gu Huaizhi came out of the room, he saw Su Wan squatting by the door. He walked over and extended his hand to her.

Su Wan was startled and tilted her head to look at his handsome face, then placed her hand in his palm.

Gu Huaizhi gently grasped her hand and pulled her up.

“What did Grandmother say?” Su Wan asked curiously.

Gu Huaizhi replied calmly, “She told me not to bully you.”

Su Wan chuckled and said, “We’ll see who bullies whom.”

Still, she felt quite pleased in her heart.

She led Gu Huaizhi to Haitang Residence.

Halfway there, they had an unexpected encounter with people from Weiwei Pavilion.

Xiu Juan was respectfully escorting Master Huiren out of the mansion.

The steward followed behind them.

Master Huiren was accompanied by a young novice monk.

Su Wan’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she thought of stepping forward.

Master Huiren turned his head to look, and his compassionate gaze became sharp and penetrating when it landed on Su Wan, as if seeing right through her.

Su Wan froze in place.

Master Huiren pressed his hands together in a gesture of respect and continued walking without stopping.

“What happened?” Gu Huaizhi asked gently.

Su Wan shook her head. “I’m fine.” Master Huiren’s glance made her soul tremble, giving her the unsettling feeling that he had seen through her as if she were a wandering spirit.

Gu Huaizhi’s eyes lingered on her pale face, not missing the oddness in her behavior just now.

He watched the departing figure of Master Huiren, his narrow eyes like a deep, unfathomable pool, dark and impenetrable.

—

“Lady, the Marquis has woken up! He has woken up!”

Xiu Juan’s excited voice pierced through Weiwei Pavilion.

Qinglan wanted to get out of bed to visit Su Jihong. As she moved, the pain from her wound contorted her face, and she gasped, “Quickly, carry me over there!”

Xiu Juan hurriedly directed the maids to carry Qinglan over.

As soon as she entered Sansi Zhai, Qinglan keenly sensed that something was amiss.

She immediately saw Su Jihong, who appeared despondent and was struggling to suppress his rage. His left hand gripped the stump of his right arm tightly, with veins bulging on the back of his hand, indicating that he could not accept this reality.

Tears welled up in Qinglan’s eyes. “Marquis, you must stay strong. Ever since you fell into a coma, Wanwan has been bullying us, mother and daughter. She spread rumors that Xue’er is an illegitimate child, took back Xue’er’s dowry, and the Emperor even deposed Xue’er as the Crown Princess. Xue’er and I only have you. If something happens to you, I won’t live either!”

Su Jihong had been lying in bed for about a month. His once strong body had become much thinner, and stubble had grown on his chin, making him look gloomy and somber.

Hearing Qinglan’s tearful complaints, Su Jihong raised his head and saw her leaning against the door, crying her heart out, which caused a dull pain in his chest.

“Lan’er, don’t cry. Since I survived this disaster, even if I’m missing an arm or a leg, I can still protect you and our daughter.”

Su Jihong had Qinglan placed on the bed and gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks. “I only have Xue’er as my legitimate daughter. Su Wan is the one with the lowly status. If she dares to treat Xue’er this way, I will make her regret it!”

“This… how could this be?” Qinglan was shocked.

Because of his male pride, Su Jihong hadn’t shared the full truth with Qinglan.

Qi Min hadn’t truly wanted to marry him; she only agreed to the marriage because he had someone he loved deeply.

On their wedding night, she proposed that they be a couple in name only. She promised to help the Dingyuan Marquisate return to the center of power, but the sole condition was that he sign a divorce agreement, and a year later, they would part ways.

Su Jihong greatly disliked Qi Min’s lofty attitude, but he was acutely aware that the Su family was becoming marginalized at court, while the Qi family held significant military power, making them a powerful faction everyone sought to align with. Swallowing his humiliation, he agreed to the arrangement with her.

Four or five days after their marriage, Qi Min disappeared for two days and returned, having been poisoned with an aphrodisiac, her mind no longer clear. When she frantically searched for the antidote, her whole body trembled uncontrollably, and the medicine bottle fell to the ground.

Seeing her in such unbearable pain, devoid of her usual pride and aloofness, Su Jihong suddenly had a wicked thought as he picked up the bottle.