Chapter 317: Prophetic Insight

Su Wan received the mother and daughter in the main courtyard. This courtyard had not been stained by blood, and the house was filled with the faint, refreshing fragrance of cold plum blossoms, soothing to the senses.

She sat upright in the seat of honor, while Madam Cao and Cao Wanqing sat on the chairs to her left and right.

A maid served two cups of tea and then withdrew, closing the door behind her.

“Madam Cao, Young lady Cao, for what reason have you come today?”

Su Wan was the first to break the silence, inwardly thinking that Gu Huaizhi truly had prophetic foresight—sure enough, someone had come knocking.

She did share some acquaintance with Cao Wanqing, but not enough to spare Cao Guangyi on her account.

Madam Cao had a delicate and graceful appearance, with a cool and aloof demeanor that gave her a unique elegance.

She took a sip of hot tea to suppress the itch in her throat, her voice calm and clear: “My husband has committed a crime and is now held in the Imperial Prison. The court has yet to issue an order to confiscate our household, but it’s likely they’ll want to interrogate and uncover his accomplices. At most, in three days, the case will be concluded, and the Cao family will fall like a crumbling tower.”

Su Wan listened quietly, her fingers brushing through the motes of dust drifting in the sunlight, lost in thought.

“I have come today to ask a favor,” Madam Cao looked up at Su Wan, her expression solemn. “If the Cao family is implicated, I earnestly beg Your Highness to save Qing’er and ensure her safety.”

“Mother…” Cao Wanqing was startled, unease rapidly spreading through her heart.

Madam Cao raised her hand to press down on Cao Wanqing’s, stopping her from speaking. A cold resolve settled in her brows and eyes. “The Empress Dowager seeks to hold sole power. The Little Prince entering the palace is a great threat to her. Though the opportunity has been missed, there is still a sliver of hope.”

“This sliver of hope lies in what you are about to do. When His Majesty passes and the new emperor ascends the throne, there will be a general amnesty. At that time, the deposed Crown Prince and Cao Guangyi will both be released, and the Empress Dowager’s position will be restored.”

Madam Cao, her hands accustomed to a life of luxury, lightly brushed her sleeve and pinched the pouch hidden within—a pouch heavy with tokens of significance. “I can help ensure that Cao Guangyi will never rise again.”

Su Wan narrowed her eyes. Madam Cao was not only perceptive but also remarkably shrewd.

“Madam Cao, you should know—we’ve considered what you’ve just said as well. Just based on Cao Guangyi’s unauthorized entry into private homes and his indiscriminate killing of civilians, it’s already enough to have him imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.”

“When the new emperor takes the throne and the general amnesty is declared, we will dig up the old accounts and expose the evidence of his crimes committed while he served as a local official. That way, he will have no chance of turning things around.”

“Since we are already clearing all his charges together, we are fully confident that the emperor’s pardon will not extend to him.”

Su Wan let out a soft laugh. “As for your offer, to me, it’s not even worth calling a chicken rib.”

Yet Madam Cao showed not the slightest trace of embarrassment. After all, she had only been testing the waters. With a relaxed expression, she chuckled lightly. “Forgive me for making a fool of myself before the Commandery Princess.”

She took the token from her sleeve and placed it on the small table beside Su Wan. “This represents half of the Cao family’s estate. Left to her, she won’t be able to keep it. Even if she can, she won’t live long enough to spend it. I earnestly ask the Commandery Princess to spare her life. For the sake of the slight acquaintance between you and Qing’er, this is my token of gratitude.”

She gave Su Wan a deep ceremonial bow.

“There’s no need for such formalities. I’ll help if I can,” Su Wan quickly supported Madam Cao. “As for this money, keep it. Without money in hand, Young lady Cao won’t be able to take a single step. The days ahead will be hard.”

The heavy weight pressing on Madam Cao’s chest finally lifted, and she let out a long breath of relief.

Cao Wanqing pressed her lips together, her gaze fixed on the token lying on the small table. She suspected it was something her grandmother had entrusted to her mother during a private conversation.

Su Wan picked up the token and handed it back to Madam Cao.

But Madam Cao refused to take it. “The Commandery Princess cannot help us for nothing. Please accept this money. As for Qing’er’s betrothal—it likely can no longer be upheld.”

“In the future, when she finds a suitable family, just prepare a generous dowry for her. I still have some savings in hand—enough to provide her with a comfortable life.”

She paused slightly, her smile growing ever more faint. “My father was the former Governor-General. It was with his support that Cao Guangyi was able to quickly establish himself. Though he has now been stripped of power and the court has sent officials to reclaim control, it will likely take some time. I can still offer some assistance in that regard.”

“Madam, your thoughtfulness is appreciated,” Su Wan said as she asked them to wait a moment. She entered the inner chamber and returned with a small porcelain bottle. “If the Cao family is purged and you two are implicated, take the pills inside. I will find a way to get you both out.”

Madam Cao was deeply grateful.

Cao Wanqing felt a mix of emotions. In her heart, she saw Su Wan as a friend, even a savior—but her father stood in direct opposition to her.

And now, her mother was begging Su Wan to save her. The shame in her heart grew stronger, leaving her unsure of how to face her.

With embarrassment clouding her expression, she called out softly, “Wanwan…”

“If you bear no ill intent toward me, then there’s no need to feel burdened,” Su Wan said with a teasing tone. “Su Jihong once tried to harm Huaizhi—should he divorce me for that?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant,” Cao Wanqing’s eyes grew misty with tears. Overwhelmed with shame, she said, “You saved my life, yet my family repaid kindness with enmity. I truly owe you an apology. I was afraid this matter would drag you down, and I didn’t know how to bring it up.”

“If you feel burdened, then think of it from another angle—we’re making a deal. I save your life, your mother gives me half the Cao family’s estate and offers her network as support. I’m not helping you for free.”

Su Wan picked up the token and waved it lightly in front of her, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m short on money right now—this is like timely rain for me.”

Instead of feeling relieved, Cao Wanqing felt her throat tighten even more. “I still have money. I can give it all to you.”

“Pfft—”

Su Wan couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “Alright then, I’m still short. I’ll take it from you.”

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Cao Wanqing’s lips.

Seeing this, Madam Cao felt even more at ease.

The mother and daughter took their leave and returned to the Cao residence, only to find that it was already heavily guarded outside.

Cao Wanqing’s face turned pale.

Madam Cao gently patted her daughter’s arm and lowered her voice. “Don’t be afraid. Since she promised to protect you, she will surely keep her word.”

Cao Wanqing trusted Su Wan as well, but that wasn’t what troubled her. “What about the money…”

Madam Cao spoke coldly, “Your grandmother wants me to ask your maternal grandfather for help, to safeguard this portion of the estate so that the descendants of the Cao family might one day rise again.”

But what did those people have to do with her?

She only wanted to protect Cao Wanqing.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, how did it go?” Cao Guanglin, though weary, had a glint in his eyes, filled with hope.

The Old Madam had issued an order for all the men of the family to resign from their posts and focus on preserving their lives.

But Cao Guanglin was ultimately unwilling to accept defeat. Clinging to a sliver of hope, he stopped them from submitting their resignations, wanting to wait and see how things unfolded.

Who would have thought that soon after, the court would dispatch heavy guards to surround them.

Madam Cao turned toward the sound, sorrow lingering between her brows. “The Gu family refused to help.”

Cao Guanglin said with disappointment, “No one in the residence is allowed to leave, except for two servants permitted to go out for daily necessities.”

He paced back and forth in frustration, his tone laced with suppressed fury. “They’re trying to prevent us from transferring our assets—waiting for the right moment to confiscate our household, aren’t they?”

The last trace of color faded from Madam Cao’s face, her eyes bleak. “Then what else can we do?”

A faint light flickered in Cao Guanglin’s eyes. He glanced around, then leaned in close to Madam Cao and whispered, “Eldest Brother merely stepped on the toes of certain people. What they want is Jinzhou. Sister-in-law, if your father could incite a rebellion, and the court has no one capable of suppressing it, then they’d have no choice but to rely on the Eldest Brother. Once he quells the unrest, he can use that merit to atone for his crimes.”