Chapter 164: Grandmother’s Instructions

Xie Wuya had never given up on finding the person who could solve the chess game.

Unfortunately, there was no news at all.

He returned to the temple again and agreed with the Eldest Princess to return to the residence every ten days to accompany her for a day.

Today, after attending the morning lessons with Abbot Huiming, just as he was preparing to go down the mountain, he heard news from Taoist Temple. It was said that the person who had solved the chess game had gone to Taoist Temple, and Daoist Jiu Yu had seen them.

Xie Wuya, half-believing and half-doubting, sent his attendant to Taoist Temple to inquire with Jiu Yu.

The young Daoist apprentice stopped them, informing them that Jiu Yu was in the pharmacy preparing medicinal herbs and was not to be disturbed during this time.

Xie Wuya, worried that the Eldest Princess might overthink if she waited too long, decided to lead his people down the mountain first. Since there was at least some lead, he planned to return to the temple tomorrow to question Jiu Yu. Unexpectedly, he found a sachet at the foot of the mountain.

Taoist Temple had been quiet before, but now this sudden news likely meant that the person who solved the chess game had returned to the temple.

Xie Wuya lowered his gaze, staring at the sachet in his hand. It emitted a faint herbal scent, along with a subtle trace of sandalwood.

A girl of around fifteen or sixteen years old.

He couldn’t help but recall how Su Mixue had previously falsely claimed credit.

Xie Wuya didn’t hold much hope for the girl Jiu Yu mentioned, worried that it might just be another misunderstanding.

He boarded the carriage and returned to the Eldest Princess’s residence.

The Eldest Princess had long been eagerly awaiting his return. When she heard the maid announce his arrival, she stood at the entrance of the main hall. Seeing Xie Wuya approaching leisurely, she smiled kindly. “Wuya, were things delayed today? Mother thought you weren’t coming back today.”

“There was news about the person who solved the chess game today, which caused a bit of a delay,” Xie Wuya said, handing the sachet in his hand to the Eldest Princess. “Mother, do you recognize this sachet?”

The Eldest Princess took it, carefully examining it, and shook her head. “I don’t recognize it. Is the owner of this sachet the one who solved the chess game?”

Xie Wuya responded with a light “Hmm.” “They say it’s a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old.”

The Eldest Princess furrowed her brows, recalling some unpleasant memories.

At that moment, the attendant returned to report, “Your Highness, Young Master, I inquired and found that the person who went to Taoist Temple today most closely matching the description is Young lady Su. She went there today to meet Daoist Jiu Yu, and she is indeed sixteen years old.”

“Young lady Su? Which Young lady Su?” Upon hearing this surname, the Eldest Princess couldn’t help but feel a sudden jolt.

“Su Wan.”

“Wanwan?” The Eldest Princess exclaimed in surprise, “She’s the one who solved the chess game?”

“It’s indeed her,” the attendant explained. “I also thought there was a mistake at first, so I specifically asked the gatekeeper apprentice. Daoist Jiu Yu only saw Young lady Su today and another young lady she brought with her. That lady is said to be Daoist Jiu Yu’s long-lost younger sister, who just returned to the capital.”

The Eldest Princess was stunned. “I never expected that this girl actually solved the chess game, and she didn’t even tell me.”

Back then, when she was troubled by Xie Wuya’s refusal to come down the mountain, Su Wan had sweetly comforted her, saying: “Aunt, please don’t worry. Cousin will come down the mountain eventually to be by your side and fulfill his filial duties. He’s just taking advantage of your youth to freely do what he enjoys for now.”

Su Wan had also said she would work hard to learn chess, hoping that one day she could solve Cousin’s chess game, so that the mother and son could reunite sooner, and that the Eldest Princess’s affection for her would not be in vain.

After Su Wan got engaged to the Crown Prince, the Eldest Princess had asked her to call her Aunt.

Later, it was said that after returning home, Su Wan hired a tutor to learn chess. However, she didn’t seem to have much talent for it, and soon there was no more news about it.

Who would have thought that she would keep her promise and quietly achieve such success without seeking recognition?

“This girl has a warm heart and a strong spirit, just like the Qi family. She didn’t take after the Su family. Su Mixue has fallen out of favor and has been sent to the Cold Palace. Su Jihong treats that wild chicken like a phoenix, spoiling her, and has severed ties with the children born to his legitimate wife.”

The Princess’s expression was filled with disdain. “This is fortunate for Wanwan. Having such a family that would devour her without mercy would have dragged her down sooner or later.”

In a way, Su Jihong had done something good.

The Eldest Princess had heard about Su Wan’s achievements, knowing that her career was flourishing.

Gu Huaizhi had passed the imperial provincial-level exam, and in the future, he would be entering officialdom.

The Eldest Princess, with a loving expression, said, “Wanwan is my benefactor. From now on, the people of our household must make an extra effort to support her.”

Xie Wuya remained silent, but he planned to meet Su Wan the next day.

If it was confirmed that she was the one who solved the chess game, then as kindred spirits, Xie Wuya would naturally take care of her.

“Misao, send a message to the Gu family. Tomorrow, I will pay them a visit,” 

Xie Wuya instructed his attendant.

“Huh? It’s still early today. Why wait? Let’s go now!” The Eldest Princess was about to instruct the maid to prepare generous gifts, but Xie Wuya stopped her. “If we go unannounced, and Su Wan has her own matters to attend to, wouldn’t we be causing her trouble?”

The Eldest Princess thought for a moment and realized he was right. She sighed, “Alright then, we’ll go tomorrow.”

—

As Xie Wuya had predicted, Su Wan indeed had her own matters to handle.

Since arriving in the capital, she had been busy non-stop, with everything scheduled tightly.

After returning from Taoist Temple, she headed to the Dingyuan Marquis’ residence to visit Old Lady Su.

The gatekeeper was startled when he saw Su Wan. He blocked the door with his body and said, “Eldest Young lady, the Marquis has ordered that you are not allowed to enter the residence.”

“Is that so?” Su Wan blinked at him.

The gatekeeper was dumbfounded, not understanding what she meant. Before he could react, Su Wan suddenly struck, throwing a punch at him.

Just as her fist was about to brush against his face, the gatekeeper let out a yelp and fell to the ground.

The other servants, witnessing this, were terrified and quickly ran off to report the incident.

Su Wan curved her lips into a smile and boldly walked inside.

With her hands clasped behind her back, Su Wan gave the gatekeeper a thumbs-up.

The gatekeeper lay on the ground, his limbs limp. If he hadn’t reacted in time and if Su Wan hadn’t pulled back her punch, wouldn’t all his teeth have been shattered?

Su Wan headed straight to Fuxi Hall, and no one dared to stop her.

That’s because Su Wan really would hit people. Although the Marquis had posted a notice declaring the severance of their father-daughter relationship, the two had never met face to face. Who knew how much of it was true and how much was for show?

She made it to Fuxi Hall without any obstacles. When Xiao Tao saw her, she happily ran over, exclaiming, “Eldest Young lady! You’ve finally come back!”

Hearing Xiao Tao’s loud voice, Old Lady Su, while leaning on her cane, came out from the house.

“Wanwan, you’re back!” Old Lady Su’s eyes reddened as she touched Su Wan, muttering softly, “You’ve gotten thinner, so much thinner.” She said apologetically, “Your grandmother is useless, letting him sever ties with you and make a laughingstock out of us.”

“Grandmother, please don’t blame yourself. I’m fine. His severing ties with me is exactly what I wanted. Now I won’t have to worry about him using filial piety to pressure me.”

Su Wan helped Old Lady Su into the house, assisted her in sitting down, and then checked her pulse. After confirming that her health had improved, Su Wan’s expression relaxed. “Have you been well during this time?”

Old Lady Su carefully observed Su Wan, and once she was sure that Su Wan wasn’t upset by the situation, she felt a bit more at ease.

“I’m doing well. In a few days, your grandmother will go to the temple for spiritual practice. After that, I won’t be returning to this Marquis residence.”

The old maid hurriedly took out a wooden box and placed it on the small table.

Old Lady Su held the box in her hands and placed it into Su Wan’s. “You must keep the things inside this box well hidden.”