Chapter 296: Lesson

Tang Haoyue was about to leave when she saw the tightly closed door open. Su Wan stepped out from inside, her bright eyes moist, carrying a natural charm and allure. With just one glance, it was obvious what they had been doing inside!

She gritted her teeth in hatred, finding Su Wan more and more displeasing the longer she looked at her.

Before Su Wan could come over, Tang Haoyue quietly quickened her steps and slipped away from the side.

Su Wan immediately spotted Tang Haoyue sneaking away with a hunched posture. She turned to Mo Li and asked, “How long has she been here?”

Mo Li replied, “She arrived right before you.”

Su Wan clicked her tongue. The people around Gu Huaizhi were all so stern and unsmiling.

The only one who didn’t wear a cold face was Mo Chen, but he was somewhat unreliable.

After adjusting her sleeves, Su Wan headed toward the banquet.

On the way, she encountered a maid from the Zhao residence.

“Divine Doctor Su, this is for you.” The maid handed her a folded note.

Su Wan took it, but before she could even look at it, the maid hurried away. She raised her eyebrow, unfolded the note and immediately recognized Zhao Wei’s handwriting. It was an invitation to Penglai Pavilion.

Su Wan gazed at the note thoughtfully for a moment, then folded it neatly and tucked it into her sleeve.

“I was wondering who it was—turns out to be Young lady Su!” County Princess Lin’an approached from the side, having freshened up and dressed anew. Her long black hair was styled into a ruyi bun, and she wore a pomegranate-red pleated skirt embroidered with scattered floral patterns. A pair of pearl earrings dangled from her earlobes, accentuating her radiant beauty. Lifting her chin, she looked down at Su Wan with disdain. “No, that’s not right. Now that you’re married, I should be calling you Juren’s wife, shouldn’t I?”

Seemingly amused, County Princess Lin’an let out a light, mocking laugh, her eyes filled with contempt.

“Your husband failed the spring examination, and your whole family is living in the capital—quite an expense, isn’t it? Relying on you alone, a mere merchant, to support the household. Why don’t you beg me?”

Her expression was haughty, her gaze brimming with disdain. “If you manage to please me, I might arrange an official position for your husband.”

Su Wan didn’t get angry. Instead, she unhurriedly pointed at County Princess Lin’an’s cheek. “County Princess, the mark from that slap on your face hasn’t faded yet.”

A flash of anger crossed Lin’an’s eyes—this wretched woman dared to provoke her!

“It looks rather odd,” Su Wan added casually.

The fury in County Princess Lin’an’s eyes erupted as she raised her hand, ready to strike Su Wan’s face.

“Pa—”

Su Wan was faster, delivering a slap of her own.

County Princess Lin’an was stunned by the blow.

Su Wan glanced at her face and chuckled. “Now it’s symmetrical—much more pleasing to the eye.”

“You wretch! How dare you hit me!” County Princess Lin’an shrieked sharply. “Guards! Seize this wretch and slap her—ah!”

Before she could finish, Su Wan grabbed her by the throat. A faint smile played on Su Wan’s lips, but it never reached her eyes. “County Princess Lin’an, you’re wronging me. Princess Yongfu said you were possessed by evil spirits—I was merely helping you drive away the filth.”

The maidservants behind her stepped forward, attempting to seize Su Wan.

Before they could reach her, Qi Sixteenth and Qi Fifth emerged from the shadows, positioning themselves in front of Su Wan. Their presence alone was enough to intimidate the maids into retreating.

County Princess Lin’an glared at Su Wan with deep resentment, struggling in pain as she pried at Su Wan’s fingers. Through gritted teeth, she forced out each word: “You wretch… if you have the guts, kill me today! If you don’t, I will make sure you suffer a thousand cuts!”

Su Wan tightened her grip, watching coldly as County Princess Lin’an struggled. She held a silver needle between her fingers, and said indifferently, “County Princess, your liver fire is too excessive. I won’t hold this against you. In fact, I’ll even let bygones be bygones and treat you.”

County Princess Lin’an’s eyes widened in terror. She wanted to dodge, but with Su Wan’s hand clamped around her throat, she had nowhere to escape. A sharp pain shot across her face—she let out a piercing scream.

“Bang—”

Su Wan threw her to the ground, with an icy gaze. “Watch your mouth. Next time, the lesson won’t be this mild.”

County Princess Lin’an clutched her throat, coughing violently. Seeing Su Wan about to leave, fury burned within her. “Stop her!”

But as she spoke, she realized her words were slurred. Stunned, she covered her mouth in shock.

The maidservants saw that her mouth was crooked and turned deathly pale in fright.

“County Princess, you… you…”

County Princess Lin’an touched her mouth, clearly feeling the distortion. Terror and panic surged through her. When she met Su Wan’s smiling face, a sharp buzzing filled her mind—she completely lost all reason.

“You wretch! You… you stop right there! I am the County Princess—who gave you permission to leave?”

County Princess Lin’an struggled to speak, only to realize in horror that saliva was trickling from her mouth. Her hatred deepened. Unable to best Su Wan in a fight, she resorted to using her status to humiliate her. “You…”

Just as she spoke, she saw the Zhao residence’s butler rushing over. His eyes lit up upon spotting Su Wan. “Madam Gu, an imperial decree has arrived for the Gu family. Your household has sent someone to request your return to receive it.”

“An imperial decree?” Su Wan was startled.

“I heard it is to confer you the title of Commandery Princess. Congratulations, Madam Gu,” the butler said with a smile.

Su Wan was even more bewildered. She quickly expressed her thanks and left with her people.

County Princess Lin’an was utterly stunned. Su Wan… conferred the title of Commandery Princess?

No—

How could that be possible?!

Her gaze turned dark and brooding. Just as she was about to say something, her eyes suddenly froze. She spotted a piece of paper lying on the ground, seemingly having fallen from Su Wan.

Ignoring everything else, County Princess Lin’an’s mind fixated on one thing—seizing any leverage against Su Wan and exacting swift revenge.

She picked up the note and immediately recognized Zhao Wei’s handwriting!