Chapter 113: Gratitude

Su Jihong’s expression turned serious. “You can solve the chess puzzle?”

The Eldest Princess had exhausted all efforts for her only son, yet she couldn’t get him to come down the mountain.

If Su Mixue could invite the Eldest Princess down the mountain, the princess would owe Su Mixue a favor.

Both Emperor Jing and the Regent greatly respected the Eldest Princess.

Su Mixue’s rise to prominence would then be within reach.

He asked cautiously, “Did you really solve it?”

“I did!” Su Mixue’s heart was pounding rapidly, but she maintained her composure. “You know, every time I visit the Guo Temple, I try to solve the puzzle. Each time I attempt it, I gain significant insights.”

“On the way down the mountain today, I was feeling quite depressed, so I casually tried to solve it, and unexpectedly, the puzzle was cracked. I haven’t spread the news yet and wanted to seek your advice before going back to the Guo Temple to find Mr. Xie to confirm it.”

Su Jihong’s face showed a proud expression, and he laughed heartily, “That’s my daughter, Su Jihong’s daughter, clever and extraordinary.”

Worried about potential delays, he immediately decided, “No time like the present. We’ll go to the Guo Temple today, and you will solve the puzzle.”

Su Mixue felt uneasy, fearing Su Wan might intervene, but she had no choice.

“Huai’an, prepare the carriage,” Su Jihong instructed.

Su Mixue swallowed her words, feeling like she was being forced into a difficult situation.

At that moment, Xiu Juan came out of the house. “Master Marquis, Young lady, the Lady asked, are you going out? ”

Su Jihong laughed and said, “Tell the Lady that Xue’er is making her proud. We’re going to the Guo Temple and will return later.”

“Yes,” Xiu Juan, seeing it was good news, immediately went inside to inform Qinglan.

Su Mixue waited for a while but didn’t hear Qinglan’s response, so she had to follow Su Jihong out.

As they got into the carriage, they saw Su Wan’s carriage approaching. The two carriages passed each other closely.

Su Mixue’s fingers tightened, and her heart jumped to her throat.

In several confrontations with Su Wan, Su Mixue had not fared well. She blamed it on Su Wan’s shamelessness, while she cared about her own reputation, making it hard to win against her.

She feared that if the news of her taking credit leaked, Su Wan would cause a scene. Even without evidence that Gu Huaizhi solved the puzzle, Su Wan’s commotion would still be annoying.

Su Mixue hoped that Su Wan would leave the capital soon. If she could claim the credit, by the time Su Wan returned to the capital, everything would be settled.

Su Jihong, having lost his right arm, didn’t ride a horse but instead shared the carriage with Su Mixue.

Noticing Su Mixue’s unease, he refrained from asking too much, assuming she was worried that the Eldest Princess might not appreciate their efforts.

The carriage sped towards the Guo Temple, and a modest carriage passed them without anyone noticing.

“Marquis, Young lady, we have arrived at the Guo Temple,” the coachman called out.

Su Jihong and Su Mixue jumped out of the carriage and headed up the mountain. When they passed the stone tablet, Su Mixue froze. It had already been removed, the pit filled in, and a pine tree planted in its place.

Her heart sank, and her mind buzzed with a sense of foreboding.

Seeing the stone tablet gone, Su Jihong frowned. “Xue’er, have you already solved it?” he asked.

Su Mixue panicked inside and almost blurted out, “I didn’t solve it!”

But catching Su Jihong’s deep, probing gaze, she changed her words. “I solved it, but I removed the chess piece and went back to inform you first. I didn’t go to find Mr. Xie immediately. Perhaps someone saw it and informed Mr. Xie.”

“Hurry to the Guo Temple!” Su Jihong’s face darkened, worried that someone might steal Su Mixue’s credit.

They rushed to the Guo Temple, and Su Mixue asked a sweeping young monk, “Little monk, where is Mr. Xie?”

“The Eldest Princess has already taken Mr. Xie down the mountain,” the young monk replied. “They left about half an hour ago.”

Su Mixue’s face changed, and she looked at Su Jihong helplessly.

Su Jihong pondered for a moment and then said, “Let’s return to the residence.”

“Father…” 

“Given the circumstances, we can only go back and gather information before making any further plans,” Su Jihong said fiercely. “No one can take your credit. The Eldest Princess’s gratitude must be in your hands to secure your position in the Eastern Palace.”

Su Mixue felt reassured, and after some thought, she decided not to slander Su Wan for now.

Father and daughter returned to the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion empty-handed. Su Jihong sent people to gather information about the situation at the Eldest Princess’s residence.

If there was no movement from the Eldest Princess’s residence, he would arrange for someone to spread the news that Su Mixue had solved Xie Wuya’s puzzle.

—

At the Eldest Princess’s residence.

The Eldest Princess, accompanied by a maid, arrived at Xie Wuya’s courtyard. As she pushed open the courtyard door and took in the scene inside, she paused in her steps.

Xie Wuya, who was eight feet tall, wore a white long robe. His elegant demeanor and noble aura made him naturally distinguished.

The Eldest Princess’s eyes warmed with tears, seeing a faint resemblance to her late husband in her son.

“Wuya,” the Eldest Princess called softly, her eyes glistening with tears but her face smiling. “Mother has made you Four Happiness Meatballs, Steamed Lily Bulbs, and Braised Duck.”

Xie Wuya turned his gaze towards her, his eyes as clear as spring water. His gaze fell on the frost-white hair at her temples, and his lips pressed into a thin line.

Despite her noble status and life of comfort, the Eldest Princess, now just in her early forties, had grayed hair, indicating the deep sorrow she carried.

Xie Wuya walked over slowly and took the food box from her hands. “Mother, you need not worry about me. I am doing well. It’s been nearly twenty years since Father passed away. You should let go of him and start a new life.”

“Having you is enough for me,” the Eldest Princess replied with loving eyes as she led Xie Wuya inside. She then asked, “Do you know who solved the puzzle? Someone slipped a note under the door, but the doorman didn’t see who it was.”

Xie Wuya calmly lifted the lid of the food box and answered unhurriedly, “I heard it was Su Mixue from the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.”

“Is it her?” The Eldest Princess was surprised. She remembered that when Su Mixue first came to the capital, Qinglan hadn’t married Su Jihong yet, and Su Mixue had been by Su Wan’s side, gaining some fame for her talent.

After becoming Su Jihong’s stepdaughter, Su Mixue’s reputation as a talented woman blossomed, excelling in music, calligraphy, and painting. The Eldest Princess had no doubts. “We must thank her properly tomorrow.”

Xie Wuya showed no particular expression and ate gracefully.

The Eldest Princess, not wanting to disturb him, instructed her maid, “Prepare a thank-you gift. Tomorrow morning, I will personally visit the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion.”

“Yes,” the maid replied and went to prepare the gift.

For the first time, Xie Wuya, who had remained indifferent, suddenly spoke, “Tomorrow, I will go with Mother.”

—

The next morning, Su Wan packed her bags and left the capital with Gu Huaizhi.

Old Lady Su personally came to the door to see them off.

“Grandmother, won’t you come with us to Xinghua Village? The countryside air is pleasant and very peaceful, perfect for your recovery,” Su Wan said, worried about leaving the old lady alone in the capital.

Old Lady Su smiled warmly. “Grandmother will wait for your return to the capital.”

She then looked at Gu Huaizhi. “After the provincial exam in August, when Huaizhi passes, you should all come back to the capital.”

Su Wan, gazing at the kind and gentle face of her grandmother, reluctantly reached out and hugged her. “You must write to me often.”

“Alright,” Old Lady Su said, and patted her on the head. “Grandmother will take care of this home for you.”

Su Wan’s eyes grew warm with emotion, and she promised, “After Huaizhi’s provincial exam, I’ll bring everyone to join you.”

Although she was worried about leaving the old lady alone in the capital, she was equally concerned about Gu’s family in Xinghua Village.

She had everything planned out. Since Gu Huaizhi was pursuing a career in the civil service, they would inevitably need to move to the capital. This time, she would move their business to the capital and bring Gu’s entire family there as well.

“Alright, Grandmother will be waiting for you,” Old Lady Su said, letting go of Su Wan and urging, “You should hurry and get on the road so you won’t be delayed. And you’ll reach the small town by noon.”

Su Wan nodded, turned, and got into the carriage.

“Take good care of her,” Old Lady Su instructed Gu Huaizhi.

“I will,” Gu Huaizhi replied. He needed a legitimate status, and therefore, pursuing the civil service examination was a necessary step.

Old Lady Su watched the carriage slowly depart until it was out of sight. As she turned to head back into the residence, she noticed the carriage from the Eldest Princess’s residence parked at the entrance.

There were also people who had heard the news, gathering in small groups. Soon, a considerable crowd had assembled.

Xie Wuya helped the Eldest Princess down from the carriage. The Old Lady bowed and asked, “Your Highness, what brings you to the Marquis Mansion today?”

The Eldest Princess replied, “The Crown Prince’s concubine has solved the puzzle. Because of this, Wuya finally agreed to come down the mountain and reunite with me. I came today specifically to thank her.”