Chapter 112: Birthday Gift

He is Jiu Yu?!

In the later part of the novel “Dominance,” Jiu Yu occupies a significant role.

His lost sister is found by Su Mixue, and Jiu Yu willingly serves her. During the later conflicts between the Crown Prince and Su Mixue against Gu Huaizhi, it is Jiu Yu’s assistance that barely gives them an edge over Gu Huaizhi.

Jiu Yu is a master of poisons. When Gu Huaizhi was about to succeed in eliminating the Crown Prince and Su Mixue, Jiu Yu triggered the suppressed poison in Gu Huaizhi’s body, leading to his death by poisoning.

In the book, Jiu Yu and Gu Huaizhi are adversaries.

In this life, if Su Mixue finds Jiu Yu’s sister again, Jiu Yu will become an enemy to both Su Wan and Gu Huaizhi.

Su Wan’s mind was in turmoil. She finally understood that the key plot involving a significant character would only be triggered upon meeting that person in reality.

Suppressing the tumultuous emotions within her, Su Wan clenched the bracelet tightly. In the previous life, Jiu Yu had given this bracelet to Su Mixue, which led her to find him.

This time, he gave it to her. Could this mean a deviation from the original plot?

“I find this bracelet quite appealing. Today is my birthday, so let’s consider it your birthday gift to me.”

Su Wan smiled as she tucked the bracelet into her sleeve pocket and bowed to him. “Are you going down the mountain, Taoist master?”

“Indeed,” Jiu Yu replied with a bow before leaving, without asking Su Wan’s background or name.

Su Wan watched Jiu Yu’s departing figure with a thoughtful expression. Was the poison in Emperor Jing’s body Jiu Yu’s doing?

Mo Chen’s eyes were practically glued to Su Wan’s sleeve, as if trying to bore a hole through it to make the bracelet fall out.

“Mrs. Gu, you are a married woman. You shouldn’t casually accept gifts from other men, right?”

Mo Chen, still unwilling to give up, tried to persuade Su Wan to throw away the bracelet. “I see that Master Gu cares a lot about you. Wouldn’t he be angry if he found out?”

“Angry?” Su Wan took out the bracelet and tossed it playfully. “There’s nothing I can do about that. I quite like this bracelet.”

She then put it on her wrist.

The bracelet was a pair, and Jiu Yu’s sister had the other one. If she saw it, she would definitely come looking for her.

This time, she couldn’t let Su Mixue find her first.

After Gu Huaizhi returned, the group descended the mountain.

Mo Chen followed behind, hesitating to speak.

Gu Huaizhi gave him a faint glance.

Mo Chen’s eyes darted to Su Wan’s wrist.

Gu Huaizhi looked and saw the bracelet from Jiu Yu on her fair wrist. His face immediately darkened.

“Hmm?” Su Wan noticed the stone tablet. The chess piece she had placed was removed by someone.

She looked up in the direction of the Guo Temple at the peak and asked softly, “Has there been any news from the Guo Temple?”

“No,” Mo Chen replied suspiciously. “Has someone solved the chess puzzle?”

Su Wan shook her head. Whoever removed the chess piece she placed must understand the game. It could mean that someone didn’t want Xie Wuya to descend the mountain, or Xie Wuya himself was unwilling to come down. Another possibility was that someone intended to take credit by using this solution.

In the book, there is a brief description of the Eldest Princess: she was the first child of the late Emperor and was immensely loved and pampered.

As she grew up, she married her childhood sweetheart, and they shared a deep love. Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived as her husband passed away in the fifth year of their marriage. The Eldest Princess did not remarry and devoted herself to hoping that her son, who lived in seclusion at the Guo Temple, would come down the mountain to continue his father’s legacy.

In the 22nd year of Zhengde, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Eldest Princess personally visited the Guo Temple to see her son, only to find Xie Wuya dead in his room.

White-haired sending off black-haired, the Eldest Princess completed the funeral arrangements for Xie Wuya and then ended her own life with a cup of poisoned wine.

Su Wan solved the chess puzzle in hopes of changing Xie Wuya’s fate.

Considering the current situation and connecting it with the plot of the book, she guessed it was the first scenario: someone didn’t want Xie Wuya to descend the mountain and intended to harm him.

If it were the second scenario, there wouldn’t be much she could do about it.

A third possibility… Su Wan sneered, not afraid of someone trying to steal the credit.

A puzzle that remained unsolved for so many years, suddenly being solved, would certainly raise a checkpoint on Xie Wuya’s side for anyone seeking credit.

If they couldn’t match Xie Wuya’s challenge, not only would they fail to gain credit, but they might also bring trouble upon themselves.

Su Wan sighed. The Eldest Princess was a kind and pitiful old lady who had been very good to the original Su Wan. She had already done her part; if it proved futile, there was nothing more she could do.

She pursed her lips and placed the chess piece back in its place.

“Mo Chen, send a message to the Eldest Princess’s residence, informing them that the puzzle has been solved and they should come to fetch him.” Su Wan paused and then added, “Make sure not to reveal your whereabouts.”

Gu Huaizhi could solve the puzzle, but he didn’t, indicating he didn’t want the credit. To him, this credit might just be a burden.

“Yes,” Mo Chen replied, glanced at the puzzle and then at Su Wan with a look of admiration in his eyes.

Su Wan looked at Gu Huaizhi, who seemed deep in thought, lost in his own musings.

She fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist and leaned her head towards him. “This bracelet was a gift from Taoist Master Jiu Yu. I have a use for it.”

Gu Huaizhi didn’t even raise an eyebrow, merely responding with a faint “Hmm.”

The two of them descended the mountain and returned directly to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.

—

A carriage stopped at the palace gates.

Jiu Yu stepped out of the carriage, seemingly injured, and limped towards the palace.

Su Mixue quickly followed him down and called out, “Taoist Master Jiu Yu, wait a moment.” She hurried over and handed him a bottle of medicine.

“This medicine works very well. Apply it to your sprained ankle twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. In a few days, you’ll be walking normally.”

Jiu Yu’s calm eyes met Su Mixue’s, her face glowing with a gentle smile. He couldn’t help but recall Su Wan’s radiant smile, the way she looked guilty yet tried to cover it up, reminiscent of his sister’s expression when she made mistakes.

He refused, “No need.”

Jiu Yu took a small piece of silver from his sleeve and placed it on the horse’s back. “This is for the carriage fare.”

Su Mixue watched as Jiu Yu walked away without looking back, her fingers digging tightly into her palm.

Unyielding!

“Young Lady,” Qingyu said with a worried expression, “the Marquis has woken up. You don’t need to please Jiu Yu anymore. He’s just an arrogant Taoist, thinking highly of himself because he makes elixirs for the Emperor.”

“Shut up!” Su Mixue angrily reprimanded Qingyu. She has her own reasons for wanting to win over Jiu Yu.

Qingyu fell silent.

Su Mixue boarded the carriage and returned to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, heading straight to see Su Jihong.

Su Jihong was in the courtyard practicing martial arts to strengthen his body.

“Father!” Su Mixue’s eyes reddened instantly upon seeing Su Jihong. Like a fledgling returning to its nest, she rushed towards him. “You’re finally awake. I was so scared, scared of losing you.”

Su Jihong caught Su Mixue and comfortingly patted her back. “Don’t be afraid. I will live a long life to protect you and your mother.”

“It’s wonderful; our family is still whole,” Su Mixue said happily as she let go of Su Jihong. “Father, I have good news. I managed to solve the puzzle left by Xie Wuya.”