Chapter 174: The Mystery Inside the Wooden Figurine 

Su Wan instinctively ignored the former and pondered the intentions of Xiliang. Most likely, it was about forming an alliance.

Gu Huaizhi quietly analyzed, “There has been friction between Xiliang and Dongyang, a standoff that has lasted for quite some time. Both sides have sent envoys to negotiate at the border. Inviting people from other countries to observe is likely related to the matter of forming an alliance.”

“In December, the Crown Prince will be established. If the Regent wants to go, he can only follow the regular travel schedule. It will take more than three months to reach the capital of Xiliang, so the journey must begin soon.

However, his body does not allow him to travel far immediately. After the poison is detoxified, he must rush to Xiliang, which would cause great harm to his body.”

“Huaizhi, do you have any way to stop him from going to Xiliang on this diplomatic mission?”

Su Wan had a selfish thought. She felt quite sympathetic toward the Regent. Watching the woman he loved marry another man and bear children must have been heartbreaking.

Not long after, bad news came, and since then, she had only lived in his heart. Over a decade had passed, and now, suddenly, he hears that the woman he cherished is still alive, but now there’s another man by her side, with children surrounding them.

Su Wan didn’t dare imagine what would happen if the Regent went to Xiliang and saw the Empress.

“Once he departs, it’s unlikely he will return until early summer next year.”

Su Wan felt a sense of melancholy and silently hoped that the Regent would let go of Qi Min.

“Godfather knows what he’s doing.” Gu Huaizhi lowered his gaze. The decisions made by the Regent could not be changed by anyone. “How is his health?”

“He’s fine.”

“I’ll escort you back to the residence.” Gu Huaizhi pulled Su Wan up from the chair and tidied the stray hair on her forehead. “I will do my best to stop him.”

“You don’t need to escort me; I can return by myself.” Su Wan, not wanting to delay Gu Huaizhi any further, left the Regent’s residence directly.

Gu Huaizhi escorted Su Wan onto the carriage, then returned to the main courtyard. After waiting for two moments, the Regent emerged, wearing dark undergarments, his wet hair casually draped behind him. He cast a cold glance at Gu Huaizhi before sitting with an air of authority on the couch.

“Here to discuss the mission to Xiliang?” The Regent picked up a cup of water, took a sip, and remained expressionless. “The other two countries are sending royal family members. Whom should I send?”

A trace of cold mockery appeared on his lips. “The Crown Prince?”

Gu Huaizhi’s expression grew solemn. If the Empress of Xiliang was indeed Qi Min, then it would be inappropriate for the Crown Prince to go.

“The rest are all useless,” the Regent placed the teacup on the table, his dark, cold eyes quietly gazing at the falling leaves outside the window. “As for Xiliang, I must go myself.”

Gu Huaizhi softly said, “Tingyuan can go to Xiliang in place of Godfather.”

The Regent sneered, “Would Su Wan agree?”

Without waiting for Gu Huaizhi to say anything further, he made the final decision: “When I return, I expect you to have achieved top honors in the imperial examination.”

—

Su Wan stepped down from the carriage after arriving back at her residence, just in time to see another carriage pull up across from her. Cao Wanqing descended from it.

“Mrs. Gu,” Cao Wanqing called out softly, walking gracefully toward Su Wan. “Do you have a moment?”

Seeing the sorrow lingering between her brows and her poor complexion, Su Wan immediately understood why she had come.

“I do, please come in.” Su Wan invited Cao Wanqing into the residence and led her straight to the main courtyard. “Xiao Tao, bring tea.”

Xiao Tao brought two cups of tea, and placed them in front of Su Wan and Cao Wanqing.

“Today, I sincerely came to thank you for saving me,” Cao Wanqing said, her delicate fingers clutching a handkerchief, and her face slightly pale. “There’s also another matter. I received your letter yesterday, and there are a few questions on my mind. I was hoping Mrs. Gu could help clarify them.”

Su Wan remained silent, quietly waiting for Cao Wanqing to continue.

“Suxue’s mother was my mother’s maid, part of her dowry when she married. When my mother was pregnant with me, following my grandmother’s arrangements, she gave Concubine Liu to my father.

Concubine Liu quickly became pregnant, and Suxue and I are only three months apart in age. Concubine Liu is a very quiet person. Even after giving birth to my father’s child, she never fought or competed for favor and stayed by my mother’s side to serve her.

My mother, gentle and soft-hearted by nature, treated Concubine Liu well and raised Suxue as if she were her own. Everything I had, Suxue almost always had too.”

Cao Wanqing’s nose tingled, and her eyes filled with mist. “Though we don’t share the same mother, we grew up together and were incredibly close. I can’t understand what made her hate me so much that she would hire someone to kill me.”

“Human desires are endless. Perhaps it was because you treated her too well, which only fueled her ambition,” Su Wan remarked, curling her lips slightly, not wanting to get involved in the Cao family’s affairs. “Sibling rivalry almost always comes down to power and interests. What else could it be?”

Cao Wanqing was rendered speechless, and tears streaming down her face.

It felt like a knife had been twisted in her heart.

Although she had her suspicions at the time, she never once doubted Cao Suxue.

She had only thought that a traitor must have been among the accompanying guards.

“Mrs. Gu, thank you for reminding me.” Cao Wanqing wiped the tears from her face and, with a sincere gaze, said, “You’ve helped me twice now. If you ever need assistance, just let me know.”

“Actually, there is something you can help me with,” Su Wan replied bluntly. “Deal with Cao Suxue’s matter as soon as possible. Don’t let her cause trouble in front of me; it’s too annoying.”

“I’ll inform my grandmother and arrange a marriage for her, sending her far away. Before that happens, I’ll have her confined so she won’t cause you any more trouble.”

Cao Wanqing steeled her heart, fully aware that Cao Suxue had changed, becoming cruel and ruthless. She was determined not to keep her around any longer.

She felt fortunate in her heart, thankful that her father had not foolishly agreed to her mother’s suggestion of adopting Cao Suxue under her name and making her the nominal legitimate daughter.

Although her father liked Cao Suxue, he understood the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children and knew that the two should not be confused.

Cao Wanqing, though she appeared to be a delicate woman, was not weak.

The matter of marrying off Cao Suxue would require careful thought.

Her father did not like seeing siblings turn against each other.

She planned to choose a marriage for Cao Suxue that, while appearing respectable on the surface, would actually be an empty facade, ensuring that she would have no chance to rise again.

Cao Wanqing left behind a token of gratitude, bid farewell to Su Wan, and departed from the Gu residence with her entourage.

Su Wan placed her hand over her chest, feeling a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, as if something was about to happen.

“Young lady, are you feeling unwell?” Xiao Tao asked with concern. “Shall I fetch a doctor?”

“It’s nothing,” Su Wan smiled. “Silly girl, I am a doctor myself.”

Xiao Tao blushed slightly.

“I’m just a bit tired and want to rest for a while. You can go now.”

Su Wan waved Xiao Tao away, then went into her inner chamber and took out the small wooden figurine.

Su Wan sitting cross-legged on the couch, and examined the little figure in her hand. It was chubby, wearing only a small bellyband, and was particularly cute.

She poked the round little belly with her finger, coincidentally pressing the two characters for “peace” carved on the bellyband. A faint sound was heard, and the belly sank in slightly. Suddenly, the puppet’s smooth little head fell off, rolling under the table with a clattering sound.

Su Wan was immediately surprised.

The head wasn’t actually attached?

She picked up the head and saw that it was hollow, with something hidden inside.

Her heart started pounding like a drum. As if guided by instinct, she found a thin wooden stick and carefully fished out whatever was stuffed inside. Little by little, she pried it out, discovering that it was a folded piece of paper.