Chapter 101: Taking the Dowry is a Slap to the Royal Family

Xiu Qin tightened her fingers, her heart in her throat. “Young lady, I…”

“Just take it. Why so much nonsense?” Su Wan impatiently tossed a box of ointment into her arms, scornfully adding, “Stop walking around with that swollen face; it’s an eyesore.”

Instinctively, Xiu Qin caught the ointment and watched as Su Wan left without a second glance, as if her swollen face was truly too unpleasant to look at. It didn’t seem like Su Wan was trying to bribe her.

Holding the ointment with mixed emotions, she stared blankly at Su Wan’s retreating figure. Xiao Tao tilted her head up to speak with Su Wan, and whatever she said made Su Wan smile and affectionately ruffle Xiao Tao’s hair.

After marrying, the young lady’s temper has become much better.

Envy flickered in Xiu Qin’s eyes as she touched her swollen cheek, her fingers slowly clenching into a fist.

The stepmother appeared gentle and kind in front of others, like a delicate flower needing careful protection. But once the door was closed, her temper was far from pleasant, often resorting to hitting and scolding them.

What she originally intended to throw away, Xiu Qin now slipped into her sleeve pocket.

Xiao Tao, glancing back and catching sight of this, pouted. “Young lady, she’s the stepmother’s person. Why give her ointment?”

Xiao Tao pouted, displeased, and said, “She doesn’t appreciate it at all. It would be better to throw it in the river and see it bubble.”

Mo Yuan didn’t think Su Wan was so kind-hearted as to give a box of ointment to someone who was their enemy without ulterior motives.

Mo Chen, on the other hand, thought that the mistress was truly beautiful inside and out, and the master was fortunate to have married her.

Su Wan smiled; she was playing the long game.

Xiu Qin was someone Qinglan relied on heavily. It wasn’t a box of ointment that could buy her loyalty.

Qinglan wasn’t known for her good temper and often scolded and beat her servants. Even if Xiu Qin was loyal, it was impossible for her not to harbor some resentment.

If Qinglan discovered that Xiu Qin had accepted Su Wan’s ointment, she would surely suspect that Xiu Qin had been bought off by Su Wan.

Xiu Qin would definitely have a hard time, and when Su Wan stepped in to rescue her from the predicament, wouldn’t Xiu Qin be extremely grateful?

Su Wan glanced casually at Mo Yuan and Mo Chen, asking nonchalantly, “Do you know what the situation in the capital is? Has Qinglan gone out to call for reinforcements?”

Xiao Tao scratched her head, looking puzzled. She didn’t know either.

Mo Yuan and Mo Chen’s ears twitched.

Mo Chen was about to explain the situation in the capital to Su Wan when Mo Yuan elbowed him, causing him to close his mouth in pain. Mo Yuan said expressionlessly, “One piece of information, ten taels of silver.”

Su Wan clicked her tongue, feeling like they were acting like mercenaries.

She pulled out ten taels of silver from her pocket and tossed it over, raising an eyebrow. “Gu Huaizhi really knows how to waste money. What kind of people did he hire? Such an expensive piece of information? Here’s your payment. I’m not going back, so you can take the money and leave!”

This won’t do!

Mo Chen glared at Mo Yuan and quickly grabbed the silver, placing it back in Su Wan’s hand. He said dryly, “How can that be? We promised our employer to return you safely and intact.”

From his bulging chest pocket, he pulled out a stack of documents, instantly deflating his chest, and said eagerly, “We had prepared this long ago but just hadn’t had the chance to give it to you.”

Su Wan took a glance at the documents. They were all relationship charts of people in the capital, crisscrossing like a spider’s web.

She sat by the Eight Immortals table^[1]“Eight Immortals table” (八仙桌, bā xiān zhuō) is a traditional Chinese rectangular wooden table with a design often associated with the legend of the Eight Immortals, who are … Continue reading in the side hall, sorting through the relationships, and finally, her finger landed on the name “Regent.”

The plot of the book 《Hegemony》 in her mind was fragmented and incomplete.

Many character storylines were missing, with only the main storyline remaining. However, this main storyline had been largely disrupted due to the butterfly effect of her transmigration.

The Regent was a powerful figure who single-handedly elevated Su Mixue to the position of Crown Princess.

Could he be in league with Su Mixue?

If so, things could get tricky.

After absentmindedly finishing her dinner, Su Wan went to the kitchen to prepare medicinal food for the old lady. The old lady gave her a jade token for entering the palace and sent her off to bed.

Su Wan was so exhausted that she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the soft and fragrant pillow.

The next morning, Su Wan woke up early.

As usual, she checked the old lady’s pulse and confirmed that her condition was stable and gradually improving. Relieved, she finished her breakfast and took the jade token to the palace.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate, and Su Wan got down.

A female official dressed in pink palace attire approached with a gentle smile and respectfully greeted Su Wan, “Young lady Su, you’ve finally arrived. Last night, the old lady sent a message to the palace. Her Majesty didn’t sleep well all night and sent me to the palace gate at dawn to receive you.”

Su Wan felt a stirring in her heart. The Empress’s concern showed that she cared about her, which would make retrieving her dowry smoother.

“Thank you, Aunt Fang,” Su Wan said politely.

Aunt Fang glanced at her and teased, “You seem distant from me.”

“It’s just that I haven’t been to the palace in a long time. I feel a bit apprehensive and inevitably somewhat reserved,” Su Wan replied wistfully. “It’s only been a little over a month, yet entering the city felt like it had been a long year.”

Aunt Fang felt a surge of pity and hinted, “Her Majesty has been longing to see you these days. In her heart, you are like a daughter to her. If you have any hardships, don’t hold back, just tell Her Majesty.”

Su Wan’s eyes lit up. Was this an indication that the Empress would support her?

“It is my lack of filial piety that has caused Her Majesty to worry about me.”

Although Su Wan said this, her face brightened.

Aunt Fang shook her head helplessly and led Su Wan to the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden was shaded with dense trees, and a cool breeze blew through, with tiny rays of sunlight scattered like stars on the ground.

As Su Wan walked through the garden, she saw a pavilion not far away. Four maids stood outside it, while the Empress sat inside, with two maids fanning her.

“Your Majesty, Young lady Su has arrived,” Aunt Fang announced as she entered the pavilion.

Su Wan followed closely behind, and the sight of the Empress matched her memory. Now approaching forty, dressed in a red long dress that made her radiate, she sat regally in the center, exuding the authority of her position.

As soon as the Empress saw Su Wan, her face lit up with a smile, and she beckoned, “Wanwan, come to my side.”

“May the Empress be blessed with peace,” Su Wan greeted her with a curtsey before sitting down beside her.

“You’ve lost weight,” the Empress said, holding Su Wan’s hand and examining her closely. “You’ve suffered.”

“They treated me well. I didn’t suffer much. It was just the initial adjustment that was difficult,” Su Wan replied, her expression free of any sorrow. She was radiant and full of energy. “I’ve gotten used to it now and even find it more peaceful than the capital. My life there is quite satisfying. This time I returned to visit you and my grandmother, and to fulfill a wish.”

The Empress, perceptive as always, guessed her intent without needing further explanation. “You’ve come for your dowry?”

“There’s no hiding it from you,” Su Wan admitted frankly.

The Empress’s smile faded, and she adopted a serious expression. “Your dowry was used as Su Mixue’s dowry when she entered the Eastern Palace. Taking it back would be an affront to the royal family.”