Chapter 160: Sense of Crisis

Gu Huaizhi handed over the neatly organized letters from the spies to Su Wan.

Su Wan took the documents and skimmed through them quickly.

Her emotions were a complex mix of various feelings.

Having crossed over to this world for nearly half a year, Su Wan had seamlessly integrated into the original owner’s identity without any sense of discord.

Therefore, upon learning that Qi Min was likely still alive, after the initial shock and astonishment, she was immediately filled with anticipation and a sense of helplessness.

It was an instinctive physical reaction.

After finishing reading the documents, the surge of emotions within Su Wan settled into calmness.

Only complexity remained.

There was a strong possibility that the Empress of Xiliang might be her mother.

Given the Regent’s temperament, once he gets definite information, he would surely go to the Kingdom of Xiliang, and what happens afterward is unpredictable.

However, the only certainty is that if her identity as the daughter of the Empress of Xiliang is revealed, it will likely cause a sensation in the Great Zhou and significantly impact Gu Huaizhi’s prospects.

If worst comes to worst and they can no longer make it in the Great Zhou, they could still go to the Kingdom of Xiliang. With her elevated status, she would be able to walk through life with ease.

However, Gu Huaizhi’s primary duty is to support Gu Jingyun’s ascension and assist him in securing the throne.

Su Wan frowned deeply. “Huaizhi, if the Empress of Xiliang is really my mother, I’m afraid your path through the imperial examination might be blocked.”

As a princess of Xiliang, how could the court dare to place great trust in Gu Huaizhi?

They would likely assign him to some remote, impoverished area as a minor county magistrate, with no hope of returning to the capital or entering the center of power.

In the end, he would still have to rely on his status as the Regent’s godson. At that time, with the Regent not overseeing the Great Zhou court, all sorts of hostile forces would likely suppress him.

The once smooth path suddenly became rugged and difficult.

Gu Huaizhi, however, took it all in stride and comforted her, saying, “When Heaven is about to entrust a person with great responsibility, it first tests their will and burdens their body. After enduring countless trials, no one will be able to match me.”

Su Wan rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you just say, ‘Only those who endure the greatest hardships can rise above others’?”

Mo Chen, who was eavesdropping by the window, couldn’t help but open a small gap, revealing his eyes. “Mistress, there’s also ‘A sharp sword is forged through honing, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold.'”

“Scram!” Su Wan slammed the window shut with a bang.

Mo Chen was bewildered, looking aggrievedly at Mo Yuan beside him. “Did I say something wrong?”

Seeing Mo Chen’s confused expression, Mo Yuan looked cold and aloof. He even took a few steps away, as if worried that spending too much time with Mo Chen would lower his own intelligence.

In Mo Chen’s eyes, this looked like Mo Yuan was afraid of being implicated by association and was severing ties with him.

So heartless!

Mo Chen’s heart was filled with unease. Mo Yuan had always been loyal and righteous, but now that he was clearly distancing himself, could it be that Mo Chen had inadvertently committed a serious mistake?

He perked up his ears and pressed against the window again. There was no sound from inside. Could they be discussing his punishment?

Mo Chen silently opened the window again and immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere in the room. Su Wan and Gu Huaizhi were locked in a tense standoff. His heart skipped a beat, and he shivered as he spoke, “Mistress, those words earlier were on behalf of Mo Yuan. He also asked me to pass along another message: you should hurry and punish him. Let him die swiftly and avoid the slow torture of a dull knife cutting into flesh.”

Bang!

Mo Chen quickly shut the window and looked at Mo Yuan, who stood nearby with a stern expression. Mo Chen touched his conscience.

If they weren’t going to be brothers, then at least he could use him as a shield.

Mo Yuan shot him a cold glance, then leapt away, disappearing from the courtyard.

Su Wan pulled the door open and saw Mo Chen sneaking around, trying to slip out of the courtyard.

“Where’s Mo Yuan?”

Su Wan crossed her arms, leaning her shoulder against the door frame.

Mo Chen crouched like a quail under the window, tugging at his wide sleeves with a mournful expression. “If I said he fled to avoid punishment, would you believe me?”

“Then you’ll take the punishment for him,” Su Wan said with a faint smile. “Go clean up the two shops in the capital.”

“Ah!!” Mo Chen’s eyes instantly lit up, and he immediately perked up, bursting with energy. “I’ll get right on it!”

Su Wan watched as Mo Chen dashed out of the courtyard in the blink of an eye, as if afraid that if he left any later, she might change her mind and give him a harsher punishment. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Where did you find this gem?”

Su Wan couldn’t help but wonder how Mo Chen, with his intelligence, hadn’t messed things up before.

Gu Huaizhi remained calm and composed. “As long as he doesn’t mess up the big things, it’s fine.”

Su Wan: “…”

“Nothing has happened yet, so there’s no need to overthink. Perhaps it won’t be as bad as you imagine.” Gu Huaizhi gently comforted Su Wan, his gaze growing softer as he looked at her tired face. “If something does happen, you still have me.”

Su Wan scoffed, “It’s you who’s in big trouble. If I can’t make it in the Great Zhou, I’ll just go to Xiliang and rely on my mother. She’s the Empress of Xiliang, and I’m a princess—how comfortable could my life be? If I’m not careful, I might even become the next Empress. With a harem of three thousand, life would be just too good!”

As she spoke, Su Wan couldn’t help but feel a wave of delight.

Gu Huaizhi flicked her forehead with his finger.

Su Wan winced in pain and let out a small “Ow,” covering her forehead with her hand as she glared at Gu Huaizhi. “What are you doing?”

Gu Huaizhi glanced at the sky. “It’s getting late. You should wash up and go to bed early.”

“Tsk—”

This man was mocking her, implying that her dreams would be quicker to come true if she just went to bed.

Su Wan bared her teeth at him and said angrily, “Don’t provoke me. I may not have many skills, but I do have a knack for making dreams come true.”

“Uh…” Gu Huaizhi sighed helplessly, placing one hand on her shoulder and gently pulling her into his embrace.

With his other hand, he gently massaged her temple and said in a low voice, “My dear wife, forgive me for my insensitivity. Tomorrow, I’ll act as your driver to make up for it.”

With his gentle embrace, soft tone, and apology, Su Wan felt her cheeks heat up, and she replied awkwardly, “I-I was just being snarky, don’t take it to heart.”

She raised her hand to push Gu Huaizhi’s hand away and touched her warm forehead. “You should go to bed early. I’ll think some more about the Regent’s treatment plan.”

Gu Huaizhi knew that Su Wan spoke without really meaning it, but her words made him realize a potential problem. If Su Wan truly was the princess of Xiliang and the Regent went to Xiliang to reveal this identity…

With Su Jihong having already severed ties with Su Wan, would the Empress of Xiliang acknowledge Su Wan as her daughter?

And would this marriage still hold?

Su Wan’s words stirred a sense of crisis in him.

His gaze deepened as he watched Su Wan, who was sitting at the desk, writing furiously. He felt that if he wanted to stay by her side, his strength needed to be formidable enough.

Su Wan had no idea how much her casual joke had affected Gu Huaizhi. After finalizing the treatment plan for the Regent, she placed it in the drawer.

After rubbing her stiff neck, she yawned and headed back to the inner room, where Gu Huaizhi was already lying on the bed, asleep.

The hot water Gu Huaizhi had prepared had already cooled, leaving it just slightly warm.

Su Wan made do with a quick soak, blew out the oil lamp, and crawled from the foot of the bed to the inner side, slipping under the covers. She closed her eyes, ready to sleep.

Suddenly, the person beside her moved, turning over to lie on his side, facing away from her.

Su Wan suddenly became nervous and wanted to move slightly towards the inside, but her whole body ended up falling into a warm embrace, surrounded by a scent uniquely belonging to Gu Huaizhi, cold and fresh like pine.