Chapter 196: Leaving the Capital

Su Wan felt a sudden wave of unease under his steady, unwavering gaze. Her fingers instinctively tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

“Come here,” Gu Huaizhi beckoned to her.

There was a smile at the corner of his brows, his eyes brimming with affection—strong and unmistakable. He stood under the eaves, waiting for the girl before him.

Su Wan tugged slightly at the hem of her skirt and walked toward him. All of a sudden, she was filled with the bashfulness of a young girl running toward her beloved.

“Have you eaten?” Gu Huaizhi extended two fingers, naturally adjusting the collar of her garment.

“I have,” Su Wan replied, catching a faint whiff of alcohol on him. It wasn’t unpleasant—rather, it carried a rich and intoxicating aroma. “Have you been drinking?”

Gu Huaizhi smiled briefly. “Just went for a walk.”

Now that his health had improved, Su Wan saw no reason to stop him from drinking. Since he didn’t answer further, she didn’t press the matter.

The two walked side by side along the stone-paved path. A light breeze brushed against their faces—not cold, but rather bringing a sense of inner peace.

She savored the moment.

“Su Jihong is dead,” Gu Huaizhi said suddenly.

Su Wan froze for a moment, though it felt as if she had expected it.

“Was it Father?”

She speculated that it wasn’t Gu Huaizhi’s doing, but it was likely connected to him.

“Yes,” he responded softly, his words brief and to the point. “The Crown Prince took action.”

“Did you manage to get any leverage?” Su Wan tilted her head to look at him. In the hazy moonlight, his features appeared deep and enigmatic, his eyes even deeper, as if they had no end.

Sensing her gaze, he turned to look at her. The darkness in his eyes faded instantly, replaced with a gentle smile, clearer and more refreshing than the breeze or the moonlight. Su Wan found herself entranced. “We’re leaving tomorrow, and it’ll be more than half a year. I really don’t want to leave you all.”

Gu Huaizhi paused for a moment, not answering her earlier question. Instead, he grasped her hand—soft and delicate beyond belief. “You can write me letters.”

“The journey to Xiliang takes two or three months. By the time my letter reaches you, I might already be back before I even receive your reply.”

Thinking about being apart for so long left Su Wan with a hollow feeling in her heart. How wonderful would it be if he could go with her?

But the capital required his presence. Their journey to Xiliang had been too rushed, and many matters were left unresolved by Father, needing Gu Huaizhi to handle the aftermath.

“It won’t be like that,” Gu Huaizhi chuckled softly. “From the day you leave, I’ll write you a letter every day. By the second day after you arrive in Xiliang, you’ll receive one daily.”

He gently rubbed her hand and placed a light kiss by his lips, with a faint smile in his eyes, he asked softly, “What do you think?” 

Su Wan’s heartstrings were tugged. She bit her lower lip and softly said, “You come home so late from work—where would you find the time to write me letters? Are we supposed to just write our own letters separately?” How boring would that be?

Writing letters should involve an exchange—you ask, I answer, sharing experiences and heartfelt thoughts along the way.

“When you receive my letters, you can write a reply for each one and save them. When you return, read them aloud to me, and I’ll respond to every one.”

“In your dreams.” Su Wan rolled her eyes. Being apart for so long, receiving a letter from him every day meant that her replies would inevitably contain some overly sentimental, cheesy words.

Reading those letters aloud in front of him-how embarrassing would that be?

He wrapped his arm around her slender waist and leaned in.

Su Wan’s heart skipped a beat. His breath brushed against her face, and his hands, warm to the touch, firmly supported her waist. Her throat tightened slightly, yet she made no move to pull away.

He captured her lips, gently but steadily deepening the kiss, invading her mouth bit by bit. A soft tremor ran through Su Wan’s heart as her fingers instinctively clutched the fabric at his waist, tentatively trying to respond to him.

Gu Huaizhi eventually released her, lingering by the corner of her lips, brushing against them with a lazy, tender touch.

Su Wan leaned into his arms, her cheeks flushed, and her breath a little uneven.

“I’ll see you off at midnight,” Gu Huaizhi said, his heart reluctant to part with her. “Have you packed everything?”

The departure had been moved up. Although Su Wan felt a twinge of regret, she didn’t ask further. They likely had other plans in mind, considering her safety.

“Everything’s ready. Did you come back early today just to send me off?” Su Wan tightened her embrace around Gu Huaizhi. “You have to wait for me to return.”

Gu Huaizhi didn’t reply. Instead, he gently ruffled her hair. “You’ll set off first. Mo Yuan will escort you out, and you’ll meet up with Father-in-law later.”

“I’ll leave first?” Su Wan suddenly lifted her head, her brows furrowing tightly, and her expression serious. “Is Father planning to act as bait?”

“No,” Gu Huaizhi shook his head. “The Crown Prince has set an ambush. If you all travel together, the large entourage will attract attention. Moving separately is more discreet.”

Su Wan was skeptical but didn’t show any other emotion. “I’m leaving now?”

Gu Huaizhi studied her expression and saw she was serious. Glancing at the sky, he murmured, “Alright. Leave Xiao Tao at the residence; I’ll make other arrangements to take care of you.”

Gu Huaizhi took her hand and led her back inside the house.

Su Wan had no objections. Whoever Gu Huaizhi arranged would undoubtedly be skilled in martial arts, while Xiao Tao had no such abilities—bringing her along would only increase the risk.

She packed lightly, taking only a trunk of fresh clothes, along with various poisons, antidotes, and silver needles.

Gu Huaizhi handed her a set of servant’s clothes. “Put these on.”

Su Wan’s eyes flickered, but she said nothing. She changed into the servant’s attire and restyled her hair. Blending in with a group of servants, she followed Luo Cheng out of the residence.

Luo Cheng rode on horseback while the servants walked, heading straight to the embroidery shop to retrieve the custom-made clothes for Su Wan.

Su Wan followed the servants inside. The shop seemed to have been cleared out; apart from a few embroiderers and a servant, there was no one else.

While the other servants busied themselves moving items, Luo Cheng pushed Su Wan into a corner, hiding her in the fitting room.

The original servant from the shop was a delicate-looking youth, about the same height and build as Su Wan. He took her place, carrying the items out with Luo Cheng.

“Young Lady, please change into this,” one of the embroiderers said, bringing a set of clothing and helping Su Wan remove the servant’s attire. “Soon, someone will come to purchase clothes. Leave with them—Mo Yuan is waiting on the other side.”

“Thank you,” Su Wan swiftly changed into the new clothes.

The embroiderer styled her hair into twin buns, having everything prepared in advance. She used a damp cloth to remove Su Wan’s disguise and applied fresh makeup.

Before long, a woman arrived to purchase clothes, accompanied by an impressive entourage with several maidservants. Every maid concealed her face with a veil.

The embroiderer discreetly tucked Su Wan into one of the accompanying carriages, which followed the group to Hongxiu House.

“Young Lady Zhao, my master requests your presence,” someone stepped forward, blocking the woman’s path.

Su Wan lifted her gaze and saw the woman point at her. “You, come with me to the carriage.”

Lowering her head, Su Wan followed the woman into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, there were two people, one of whom was dressed identically to Su Wan.

“Young Lady, this is Qingyuan,” the woman said. “She will take care of you on the journey. The night is deep, so I won’t delay your departure any longer.”

Without much further introduction, Zhao’er loosened her collar, smudging the lip rouge at the corners of her mouth, letting it smear faintly on her chin to give the impression of an intimate encounter. Then, taking the other person with her, she exited the carriage.

At night, business at the brothel was at its peak. When Zhao’er stepped out in that disheveled state, onlookers gave knowing smiles, assuming the obvious and thinking nothing more of it.

After all the effort to disguise herself, Su Wan realized that the Regent’s household must have been under close surveillance. Otherwise, Gu Huaizhi wouldn’t have arranged for strangers, completely unassociated with their circle, to escort her away.

The carriage left the capital, passing through a small town where Su Wan transferred to Mo Yuan’s carriage. Together, they headed to the designated meeting place to wait for the Regent.