Chapter 195: Farewell Approaching

After experiencing the dangers in Qingyun Mountain, Su Wan returned to the Regent’s residence and went straight to the front yard study room to visit the Regent.

The Regent’s complexion was even worse than before, causing Su Wan’s heart to tighten.

The medicine he had been using had been carefully and repeatedly considered.

Although it couldn’t cure his poison, at least his condition had remained stable.

Suddenly, she thought of Qi Min.

Could it be that her condition had worsened, leading to the Regent’s situation deteriorating as well?

“Let me take a look.” Su Wan pressed her lips together. Since returning from Master Huiren, her mood had changed. She no longer resisted the idea of going to Xiliang, and instead felt a sense of urgency. “We depart in two days.”

In just three days, time had suddenly become exceedingly long.

Su Wan wished she could grow a pair of wings and fly to Xiliang in an instant.

The Regent saw the furrowed brows on her face as she murmured about the upcoming journey to Xiliang, the anxiety in her eyes revealing a rare hint of the youthful demeanor she should have had.

Ever since he formally got to know her, she had always displayed a calm and composed demeanor.

Mature beyond her years.

“You’re that eager to go?” The Regent held a black handkerchief, covering his mouth as he muffled a few coughs. “Tell me about the things you encountered today. I’ll listen.”

Su Wan was taken aback.

“I had nothing to do today, so I asked Luo Cheng about your past.” The Regent smiled faintly, a trace of melancholy appearing in his eyes. “Before you were married, if I had acknowledged you as my daughter, I could have done more for you, arranged many things for you. Back then, you loved being pampered and beautiful, and you liked pretty things.

What you wanted most… was a father who would love you wholeheartedly. It was my momentary mistake that forced you to grow up. You’ve done well in every way, so much so that when I wanted to fulfill my role as a father, I didn’t know where to start.”

As he said this, the strong man before her curved his lips in self-mockery.

“You were wrong. Whether it was the past me or the present me, what I’ve always wanted most is a father who truly loves me.”

Su Wan withdrew her fingers from checking his pulse, pulled down his sleeve, and smoothed it out. Her tone carried a hint of laughter: “Today, I went to the Su residence to fetch the Old Lady and gave Su Jihong a stab. At that moment, what I thought was, ‘I have a father who can cover the sky with one hand, I’m not afraid of Su Jihong seeking revenge because my father has my back.'”

“Anyway, I have a powerful father who gives me great courage. I can act recklessly outside, without fear or hesitation, and simply follow my heart in matters of right and wrong.”

“But you, on the other hand, now have a daughter who only causes trouble, giving you much to worry about.” Su Wan tilted her head and gave him a bright smile, her dark eyes filled with affection. “Father, you must get better. As long as you’re here, no one will dare bully me.”

The Regent let out a low chuckle, hearing her childish words, which comforted him as a father longing to be close to his daughter, yet feeling powerless to find the right way to do so.

“You are Ji Xuan’s daughter; you should live with such freedom.” The Regent’s large hand rested on her head, gently stroking her soft hair. “You’ve had a long day. Go and rest now.”

“Alright.” Su Wan was ready to return and continue studying her medical books.

“Wait.” The Regent covered his mouth, coughing, and once he had caught his breath, he said, “If the Su family or Ji Wufeng sends you messages, you don’t need to pay them any mind.”

Su Wan understood in her heart. He was likely planning something against the Su family and Ji Wufeng, fearing that they might be driven into a desperate corner and drag her into it… After all, she was now the Regent’s personal doctor.

“I have nothing to do for the next couple of days, so I’ll stay in the residence and go nowhere,” Su Wan said as she tidied her hair, waved to him, and left the study.

The Regent couldn’t help but smile, his fingers resting on the cold white jade teacup, but the smile slowly faded.

When Luo Cheng entered, he saw the Regent’s gaze fixed on the empty air, his fingers holding a cup of cold tea.

“Master, let me change your tea for a fresh hot cup.”

As he spoke, Luo Cheng walked over to take the cup.

“No need.” The Regent avoided his hand and placed the teacup on the kang table^[1]A kang table is a low traditional Chinese table used on top of a kang, which is a heated brick or earthen platform common in northern China. The kang table served as a surface for activities such as … Continue reading, his fingers lightly tracing half a circle around the rim of the cup. “Any news?”

“Ji Lin killed Qinglan, and Su Jihong plans to take revenge on the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince has arranged for Ji Lin to investigate the whereabouts of Elder Jiang. It seems Elder Jiang had long been aware of the political situation in court. He has taken Gu Baozhu and Gu Jingyun into hiding. The Crown Prince’s plan to use Elder Jiang to counter you has fallen through, but there’s a concern that, if pushed too hard, he might make a desperate move.”

Luo Cheng, still uneasy, said, “You have only two days before you leave the capital. If you want to bring down the Crown Prince, I’m afraid there isn’t enough time.”

“If he intends to fight with his back against the wall, it’s nothing more than making a move against me.” The Regent’s tone was calm, and a trace of cold mockery appeared at the corner of his lips. “My mission to Xiliang presents a perfect opportunity. I’ll leave everything to Tingyuan. On the grounds that the Crown Prince conspired to assassinate me, imprison him in the Clan Court. If he claims injustice, tell him to wait until I return from Xiliang to personally interrogate him.”

Once the Crown Prince is imprisoned, his supporters will be leaderless, scattering like a headless mob. Half a year’s time is enough for Gu Huaizhi to uncover the Crown Prince’s crimes and expose his hidden cards.

Luo Cheng had long grown accustomed to the Regent’s domineering way of doing things. In dealing with the Crown Prince, the Regent was still relatively courteous, at least going through the motions of laying out a trap and baiting the hook, waiting for the Crown Prince to bite.

For others, it was simply based on his mood. If he said you were guilty, he would order you shackled and taken away. Eighteen types of torture would be used in turns, and even without evidence, confessions could be forced out. 

If it was a hard-headed person who feared neither life nor death and died without confessing, they would simply be labeled as having committed suicide out of guilt.

Who would dare question him?

None of the people he captured were innocent.

Though he appeared to be ruthless and cold-hearted, in reality, he valued loyalty and righteousness above all.

Even though the Empress Dowager had plotted against him and sought to take his life, out of gratitude for the debt of raising him, he merely imprisoned her in Guo temple.

At this moment, Luo Cheng felt a sense of gratitude toward Qi Min, thankful that she had left the master with a child.

——

Su Wan’s heart was almost already in Xiliang, but she knew that rushing wouldn’t help. She could only pray that Qi Min’s situation would turn from danger to safety.

She was like distant water unable to quench the nearby fire, unable to control the situation over there from the Regent’s side.

So, instead of reading her medical books, she started packing her luggage, staying in the courtyard waiting for Gu Huaizhi, hoping to cherish the brief time they had together.

But Gu Huaizhi was too busy. She stayed up until the middle of the night, eventually falling asleep from exhaustion, without seeing him return. When she woke up the next day, there was only a lingering warmth beside her — he had already left.

Su Wan hadn’t had the chance to say a single word to Gu Huaizhi, but she understood that the current situation was tense. The atmosphere in the capital was heavy and solemn, with a sense of impending storm, and he was overwhelmed with responsibilities.

She feared that on the day she was to leave, they might not even get to see each other or exchange a single word.

On the last day, she prepared some ointment and resolved to wait for him, determined to see him when he came.

The Regent and Luo Cheng were not in the residence, so Su Wan ate dinner alone.

She was about to head to the Gu residence when she rose to her feet and heard steady footsteps approaching from afar.

After looking up, she saw Gu Huaizhi coming through the night. A row of lanterns hung beneath the eaves, their lights flickering on and off. He seemed to sense something, pausing beneath the lanterns, and his dark eyes gazing deeply in her direction.