Chapter 332 Persuasion

Qingyuan delivered the message to the Eldest Princess, who came in person to the Gu Residence, unable to contain her excitement. She said to Su Wan in negotiation, “Wanwan, you solved the chess puzzle. We owe you a favor. But if I were to directly tell Xie Wuya that Cao Wanqing is the bride we’ve chosen for him and ask him to develop feelings with her, I fear he wouldn’t agree.”

Seeing the eager look on the Eldest Princess’s face, Su Wan couldn’t help but smile. “I know what to do. Tomorrow, I’ll personally take Young Lady Cao to the Princess Residence and use that favor to ask Young Master Xie to look after her for a year.”

“That favor still stands, and I will personally see to it that it’s fulfilled,” the Eldest Princess said as she handed Su Wan a box. “This is some mountain land I purchased, a token of thanks.”

Su Wan didn’t stand on ceremony with the Eldest Princess and accepted the box.

The Eldest Princess, her expression kindly and gentle, said, “If this matter succeeds, Wanwan, you will have rendered a great service. When the two young ones marry, they must prepare a generous thank-you gift for you.”

Su Wan’s eyes curved into a smile. “Then I’ll offer my early wishes for Your Highness to get what you desire.”

The Eldest Princess, as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, could not stop smiling and returned to her residence in high spirits.

Su Wan opened the box. Inside were ten land deeds. She estimated their value, then walked to the writing desk, took out her ledger, and carefully recorded it. When Xie Wuya got married, she intended to repay it double.

She sent invitation cards to both Xie Wuya and Cao Wanqing, inviting them to meet the next day at the Penglai Pavilion of Zuixiang Pavilion. She had Mo Yuan deliver them.

The next day at noon, Su Wan took Qi Fifth and Qingyuan with her to Zuixiang Pavilion.

The shopkeeper, upon seeing Su Wan, greeted her respectfully. “Young Lady, the guests in the Penglai Pavilion have already arrived.”

Su Wan raised an eyebrow. “How many have arrived?”

“Two,” the shopkeeper replied, preparing to escort her upstairs.

“This is the busiest time for the restaurant. You stay here and manage things. No need to see me up,” Su Wan said as she glanced around at the crowded main floor of the restaurant, then lifted her steps and headed to the Penglai Pavilion on the third floor.

Knock knock—

Su Wan raised her hand and knocked on the door, then pushed it open a moment later.

Xie Wuya and Cao Wanqing were seated face to face, with a large round table stretching the distance between them. The atmosphere in the room was quiet, and both of their gazes were fixed on the teacups before them.

Upon hearing movement at the door, the two looked up. When they saw it was Su Wan, emotion flickered in their eyes.

“Wanwan.”

“Cousin.”

The two of them spoke in unison.

Su Wan looked at Xie Wuya in surprise—had he already learned of her identity?

“You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you?” Su Wan said with a gentle smile in her eyes. There were a few plates of pastries already on the table. She pushed the menu tube toward Cao Wanqing. “You must be hungry. Go ahead and order. We’ll chat while we eat.”

Cao Wanqing replied with reserved grace, “Wanwan, you order.”

She pushed the menu tube back to Su Wan, smiling slightly. “You’re the owner of this restaurant, so you know which dishes taste the best.”

Xie Wuya took a sip of tea, silently agreeing with Cao Wanqing’s decision.

He was already guessing the purpose behind Su Wan’s invitation.

Su Wan didn’t stand on ceremony and selected a few of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

After the waiter left, Xie Wuya asked, “You invited me here today because you have something to ask of me?”

“Nothing gets past you,” Su Wan replied, casting a glance at Cao Wanqing, who lowered her head nervously. Su Wan thanked her, saying, “Qing’er, thank you for your help in persuading your grandfather to assist in regaining control over Jinzhou’s military and financial powers.”

Cao Wanqing was slightly startled. She pressed her lips together and said, “It’s what I should do.”

“No matter what, I owe you a favor.”

Cao Wanqing understood Su Wan’s intent. Twisting her fingers together, she said softly, “We’re good friends.”

“Yes, we’re friends. I’ve looked into your grandfather’s household—within the inner residence, the brothers are at odds with one another. It’s not as harmonious as it appears. If you and your mother return to Jinzhou, I’m afraid your days will not be easy.”

Su Wan let out a gentle sigh, then turned to the silent Xie Wuya and said, “Cousin, I heard you’re planning to leave the capital and travel the world?”

Xie Wuya had been pondering the conversation between Su Wan and Cao Wanqing. When the topic shifted to him, a suspicion rose in his mind.

Could it be that Su Wan wanted him to support Cao Wanqing and personally escort her and her mother back to Jinzhou, and had arranged this banquet for that purpose?

“Go ahead,” Xie Wuya said, not denying it.

“The Cao family is now labeled as criminals. It’s not appropriate for Qing’er to remain in the capital, and as a widow and her daughter, life won’t be easy even with her maternal relatives. You once owed me a favor. I’d like to entrust Qing’er to your care.”

Clang—

Before Su Wan had finished speaking, Xie Wuya’s tea lid slipped from his hand and clattered against the rim of the cup, causing the tea to spill out.

Xie Wuya quickly set the cup down and shook the tea from his hand.

“Did you burn yourself?” Su Wan handed a handkerchief to Xie Wuya. “Wipe it clean and see if there’s any blistering.”

Xie Wuya took the handkerchief and dried his hand. There was only a slight redness on the back of it. “It’s fine. The tea had already cooled.”

He cleared his throat lightly and declined, “A man and a woman traveling together without proper status—this could harm Young Lady Cao’s reputation. I…”

Su Wan cut him off. “Cousin, hear me out first. This isn’t simply asking you to look after her. I actually have something I need Qing’er to do. She’d be traveling alone, and I wouldn’t feel at ease.”

“You already know I’m planning to cultivate medicinal herbs on a large scale. Just planting in the mountainous land near the capital won’t be nearly enough.”

“I want to acquire land throughout Great Zhou. The new emperor has just ascended the throne, and Huaizhi hasn’t been home in half a month. I need to take care of the whole family and can’t leave the capital to conduct site inspections myself.”

“To be frank, half of the Cao family’s estate is now in my hands. There’s a great deal of money involved, and Qing’er is the only one I trust with it. I’m entrusting her with purchasing mountain land across the regions for me. It’s just that since you’re going to travel anyway, I ask that you bring her along and give her a bit of protection along the way.”

These words were well-reasoned and watertight, leaving no room for objection.

Xie Wuya’s brows furrowed ever so slightly.

Cao Wanqing reacted quickly and spoke at just the right moment. “Young Master Xie, at each location, you can tend to your own matters, and I’ll purchase the mountain land I need. We can agree on a time and place to meet before moving on to the next destination together. It won’t delay you.”

Xie Wuya lifted his eyes slightly and cast Cao Wanqing a glance. She was a graceful, composed young woman with delicate features and quiet elegance.

He disliked trouble, but he owed Su Wan a favor—and he had to repay it.

“If it’s inconvenient for you, then forget it,” Su Wan said, looking as if she truly didn’t want to trouble him. “I’ll find someone else or put the plan on hold for now.”

Xie Wuya’s light brown eyes were as clear as glass. He stared at Su Wan for a moment, then lowered his long, thick lashes. “It’s not inconvenient.”

Well, Cao Wanqing seemed quiet and composed, not the type to cause trouble.

Su Wan exchanged a glance with Cao Wanqing, then exclaimed in delight, “You agreed? Cousin, you’re the best! It’s settled, then!”

She eagerly poured tea for Xie Wuya. “When are you leaving? I need to make some preparations.”

Xie Wuya: “……”

He replied, “I’ll depart tomorrow.”

Su Wan turned to look at Cao Wanqing.

Cao Wanqing said, “Then I’ll wait for Young Master Xie at the city gate tomorrow.”

With everything settled, they finished the meal together. Xie Wuya had other matters to attend to and left first, while Su Wan stayed behind to discuss the land purchases with Cao Wanqing.

At first, it had only been a pretext to persuade Xie Wuya, but upon further thought, it truly was a good plan.