Chapter 172: Qi Min is Still Alive

“Yes, Zhao Wei is unparalleled in martial arts and possesses both literary and military strategies. He is more than qualified to be Jingyun’s mentor,” Su Wan thought deeply. Gu Jingyun would eventually become the emperor, and she couldn’t afford to be careless. She believed he should be developed into a well-rounded talent.

Old Jiang had once served as the emperor’s tutor and also held the position of Grand Chancellor, while concurrently serving as the Dean of the Imperial Academy. He surely wasn’t as unreliable as he appeared; he must have been well-versed in imperial tactics.

Teaching the ways of emperors was not something that could be entrusted to just anyone.

Since Old Jiang was one of her own, he would teach with more dedication.

He was the ideal choice.

Xie Wuya, known as a prodigy, was not only skilled at Go but also proficient in music. Through a game of Go, one could glimpse a person’s breadth of mind and strategic thinking, and in this regard, he was in no way inferior.

He had lived for many years at the Guo temple, leading a simple life and maintaining uncomplicated relationships. His nature was somewhat pure, and he posed no danger to Gu Jingyun, making him a suitable choice as his mentor.

Zhao Wei was the Empress’s cousin, and they shared a blood relationship, which made him Gu Jingyun’s maternal uncle as well.

Upon discovering Gu Jingyun’s true identity, not only would he refrain from exposing it, but he would also protect Gu Jingyun and help conceal his identity.

No one was more suitable than him.

“In any case, without me having to say it, you already know the benefits of Jingyun becoming Zhao Wei’s disciple.” Su Wan held in her hand the three promises Zhao Wei had made. She would need to use one of them as an exchange when the time came.

Gu Huaizhi remained silent, having already guessed Su Wan’s intentions.

However, Su Wan’s trust and reliance on Zhao Wei made Gu Huaizhi feel a bit uneasy.

“Mo Yuan, Mo Chen, and even Qi Guang — their martial skills are excellent and would make them qualified to be Jingyun’s masters. But their connections are lacking. Jingyun getting close to Zhao Wei will only benefit him.”

Su Wan sat in her chair, rubbing her tired eyes, and asked Xiao Tao, who stood by her side, “Did you take care of the matter I instructed you about yesterday?”

“Young lady, everything has been purchased. The herbal merchant will deliver the medicinal herbs tomorrow. As for the tools needed to process the herbs, they will take another four or five days,” Xiao Tao reported, handing Su Wan the account ledger. “Here is the cost of today’s purchases.”

Su Wan took the ledger and glanced at it. “Later, go find the matchmaker and have her select a few diligent and reliable people.”

“Yes, I’ll go right away.” Xiao Tao hurriedly left.

“As for the shop’s setup, you don’t need to worry about it. I’ve arranged for people to take care of it. Once everything is in place, you can go and take a look, then choose a day for the grand opening.”

Gu Huaizhi spoke softly, “You don’t need to compromise for anyone. If you don’t enjoy playing Go, there’s no need to agree to it just to have Xie Wuya teach Jingyun. Never compromise for anyone, not even for me.”

“Stop flattering yourself. I would never compromise for you,” Su Wan teased, resting her chin on her hand with a seductive smile. “As my man, the pillar of this household, you should be the one holding up the sky. If you make me swallow my pride for your sake, then it’s you who should reflect on yourself.”

She continued with a playful glint in her eye, “Every woman admires someone stronger than herself, especially someone who is her equal.”

Gu Huaizhi: “…”

Su Wan, now in a good mood, said, “I’m going to check on the shop.”

Gu Huaizhi followed behind her as they both stepped out of the residence.

Suddenly, Su Wan halted in her steps, her gaze falling upon Jiu Yu, who stood at the doorway.

“Mrs. Gu,” Jiu Yu greeted her with a Taoist bow, his voice filled with remorse. “Regarding the matter of the bracelet, I am ashamed before you.”

Su Wan raised her eyebrow. “Your motive?”

Jiu Yu’s eyes lingered on her face. After Jiu Ge had recovered her health, her face had become fuller, making her resemble Su Wan even more.

From the very first moment Jiu Yu saw Su Wan at the Taoist Temple, he had recognized her identity—she was the daughter of his aunt, born in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

With his family ruined, his homeland lost, and his sister missing, no matter how strong-willed Jiu Yu was, he couldn’t remain calm. It was impossible for him to view things impartially, to truly judge who was right and who was wrong.

Jiu Ge was still young—kind and innocent. Jiu Yu couldn’t even begin to imagine the kind of life she had been living.

He knew that their downfall was solely due to his mother’s ambition. In his most tortured and agonizing moments, his thoughts would stray, and he wondered: if his aunt had never returned to Xiliang, would his mother have avoided making her fatal mistake?

Jiu Yu became trapped in his own inner demons, and deep within his heart, a seed of hatred had taken root.

He became a pawn of the Regent in hopes that one day, he could return to Xiliang to exact his revenge.

But in his more rational moments, he would pray that if Jiu Ge could safely return to him, he would let go of all his hatred and start a new life with his sister.

When Jiu Yu saw Su Wan’s eyes, so similar to Jiu Ge’s, he didn’t know why, but he impulsively gave her the bracelet.

After calming down, Jiu Yu smiled bitterly. Su Wan was innocent.

His aunt had only been following orders. Although she had pursued him and Jiu Ge, at the last moment, she had only killed their mother’s confidant, allowing them to escape to the Great Zhou safely, solely because the two children were innocent.

Jiu Yu had planned to meet Su Wan again and offer her a cup of Snow Mist Tea. What he hadn’t anticipated was that she would bring Jiu Ge with her.

And because of the Snow Mist Tea he had specially prepared and his action of asking for the bracelet back, Su Wan sensed that something was wrong. She poisoned the tea as a warning to him.

“The Emperor’s illness—you’re the one who treated him. You found my quarters at Taoist Temple because of the scent of the medicine?” Jiu Yu concealed the truth, replying softly, “I must eliminate any threats. You saved Jiu Ge, and I cannot be ungrateful.”

Su Wan remained noncommittal, instinctively sensing that Jiu Yu was lying.

She recalled the information she had gathered at the Regent’s residence.

Considering Jiu Yu’s identity, a sudden thought struck her, and she formed a bold guess.

With a cold laugh, Su Wan decided to test Jiu Yu: “You’re the son of the former emperor’s eldest daughter of Xiliang, aren’t you? And the reason you acted against me is because of Xiliang’s current Empress.”

Jiu Yu’s expression subtly shifted.

“I guessed right,” Su Wan clenched her fists. So, the Empress of Xiliang was indeed her mother?

Jiu Yu quickly composed himself and replied in a low voice, “So what if it’s true? And so what if it isn’t? She left everything behind in the Great Zhou and went to Xiliang. Your relationship was severed the moment she did.”

“Before she ascended the throne in Xiliang, she followed the late emperor’s orders and married the Grand General of Xiliang. Now, she has both sons and daughters under her care.”

“If you want to live a peaceful life, you should act as if Xiliang’s matters have nothing to do with you.”

Jiu Yu left her with one final, well-intentioned reminder.

Su Wan stood there, momentarily stunned. Yes, it had been fifteen years.

Her mother had her own life now, and everything had changed beyond recognition.

Jiu Yu left.

Su Wan thought of the Regent, who had never married and had always shown her such care. A sense of sorrow welled up within her. She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat felt as though it were blocked by a wad of cotton, and no words could come out.

For the Regent, Su Wan wondered whether it was better that the one he longed for was still alive, or if it would have been easier if she had long since passed.

“Godfather knows,” Gu Huaizhi said softly. “The four nations stand in balance, and he is well aware of the circumstances of each royal family.”

“Don’t overthink it. Even if fate didn’t bring them together, Godfather still wishes her well.”

Gu Huaizhi raised his hand and gently patted Su Wan’s head.

Su Wan nodded. “I’ll make a trip to the Regent’s residence.”