Chapter 270

The maid gently laid Su Xuerong on the ground and began kowtowing repeatedly to Sun Chu.

“This servant knows she was wrong. Please, Young Master, save my lady!”

With every sentence, she struck her forehead against the ground.

By the time Sun Chu reached her, her forehead had already swollen, and blood was beginning to seep from the wound.

Satisfied, Sun Chu crouched down and helped Su Xuerong up.

He lifted her chin, placed his thumb against the center of her chest, and slid it downward.

Once.

Then again.

To anyone watching, it appeared that Sun Chu was deliberately taking advantage of Su Xuerong.

The maid thought the same as the onlookers, believing that he was using the opportunity to molest her mistress.

Her eyes widened. She stopped kowtowing and wanted to stop Sun Chu’s indecent actions, but she was afraid that interfering would delay him from saving her mistress.

For a moment, she was so anxious that she broke into a cold sweat.

The sweat trickled into her wound, causing such pain that her eyes reddened and her body began to tremble.

“You… you… Why hasn’t the pill in my lady’s mouth been swallowed yet?”

The implication was clear: Are you deliberately taking advantage of my lady?

Seeing Su Xuerong begin to swallow, Sun Chu immediately stopped.

He pinched her jaw and forced her mouth open.

“Look carefully. Is the pill still there?”

After confirming that Su Xuerong had swallowed the life-saving pill, the maid finally let out the breath she had been holding.

She sincerely kowtowed to Sun Chu.

“Thank you, Young Master, for saving my lady’s life. Once she wakes up, she will certainly prepare a generous gift to thank you.”

“May I ask your name and where you live?”

The moment the maid finished speaking, the guards who had accompanied them came rushing over, dropping to their knees one after another to beg forgiveness.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Sun Chu clutched his neck and slipped away, heading to Wanfu Temple.

If he had given them his name and address, it would have seemed beneath him.

Besides, given how much Su Xuerong was favored, it would be as easy as lifting a finger for her to have Su Chengzong find him.

After scolding the guards, the maid discovered that Sun Chu had already vanished.

Knowing that she had previously mistaken him for one of the villains, she felt extremely guilty.

She hurriedly questioned the onlookers.

“Does anyone know the Young Master who just saved my lady?”

As she spoke, she took out all the loose silver in her sleeve pocket.

“Whoever can tell me may take all of this.”

A woman hesitated for a moment before saying, “That Young Master just now seemed to be the owner of the Thousand Gold Gambling House.”

Her husband was a compulsive gambler. The day before, when she had gone to the gambling house to drag him home, he had mentioned that the owner was gambling against someone and insisted on taking her to watch.

However, there had been too many spectators, and her husband had been unable to squeeze his way inside. She had only caught a distant glimpse of him.

The maid handed the woman a piece of silver.

“Whether or not that Young Master is truly the owner of the Thousand Gold Gambling House, I am still grateful that you told me.”

Just then, a physician who was drenched in sweat came hurrying over.

He immediately took Su Xuerong’s pulse.

“Miss’s heart condition is extremely serious. Fortunately, she took the medicine in time. Otherwise, there would have been nothing I could do.”

The maid felt a wave of lingering fear.

After speaking, the physician took out three silver needles and inserted them into the Renzhong, Baihui, and Tanzhong acupoints.

Before long, Su Xuerong slowly regained consciousness.

The maid burst into tears of joy.

“Miss, you’re finally awake! Thank goodness!”

Su Xuerong recalled what had happened before she lost consciousness. Her delicate brows drew together, and a trace of anger appeared on her pale face.

She was just about to ask where the man who had stopped the carriage by cutting down the horse had gone when the physician withdrew the needles.

“Miss is no longer in danger and only needs to rest. I’ll go treat the other injured people.”

He slung his medical case over his shoulder and stood up, preparing to treat the civilians who had been thrown aside by the carriage earlier. However, the guards stopped him.

“Until Miss gives the order, you aren’t permitted to go anywhere!”

Hearing the cries of pain rising one after another, Su Xuerong’s already pale complexion became almost translucent.

She hurriedly said, “Tao’er, pay the physician. Let him go treat the injured.”

The maid handed all the loose silver to the physician.

“Doctor, please do everything you can to treat them. If the payment isn’t enough, I’ll send more money to your clinic later.”

Miss had only gone out to offer incense today, and most of her money had been donated as temple incense money. She had kept only a little loose silver for emergencies.

The physician nodded, accepted the coins, and left.

Chun Tao helped Su Xuerong to her feet.

The head guard said, “Please wait here, Miss. I’ll immediately rent a carriage nearby.”

Su Xuerong shook her head. “I’m not returning home today. Go and inform Father that I’ll be staying at Wanfu Temple for a few days to pray for him.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Make certain that today’s culprits are captured.”

“Your subordinate will obey!”

Chun Tao reminded the head guard, “Miss’s medicine was destroyed. Go to the storehouse and withdraw fifty-five taels of silver. Use fifty taels to buy a bottle of heart medicine from Doctor Wan, and give the remaining five taels to the physician treating the injured civilians.”

“Yes, Miss Chuntao.”

The head guard sent one of the guards back to the Su residence to report the dangerous incident that had just occurred.

He left two guards behind to deal with the dead horse and the damaged carriage.

The remaining guards escorted Su Xuerong to Wanfu Temple.

Looking at the civilians who had been injured because of her, Su Xuerong felt deeply guilty.

“Chun Tao, count how many people there are. Later, give them some money according to the severity of their injuries. Take it from my private treasury.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Did your forehead get injured when you fell out of the carriage?”

At those words, Chun Tao remembered that Su Xuerong and Sun Chu had made physical contact in full view of the public.

She immediately stopped and said to the head guard, “Warn everyone who was present today not to spread nonsense and damage Miss’s reputation.”

“Your subordinate will take care of it immediately!”

After the head guard left, Su Xuerong grabbed Chun Tao by the arm.

“What happened after I lost consciousness?”

Chun Tao hesitated, seemingly unable to decide what to say.

“Miss, I’ll tell you once we reach Wanfu Temple.”

Su Xuerong guessed that whatever Chun Tao wanted to tell her was not good news. The little color that had just returned to her face faded away again.

It took them roughly half an incense stick of time to walk from one end of the alley to the other.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance to Wanfu Temple.

The monks were in the middle of coming out. Some were heading into the alley to rescue the injured, while others had gone to search for the people who had tried to seize Su Xuerong.

Su Xuerong had nearly met with disaster right outside the temple gates. The monks had to do something to make amends.

Wanfu Temple could not afford to incur the wrath of General Su!

When the monks saw Su Xuerong returning, they hurriedly bowed and apologized.

“We are deeply sorry that Miss Su was frightened. This was Wanfu Temple’s fault. We will certainly strengthen our security measures in the future.”

Su Xuerong shook her head slightly.

“It has nothing to do with you. I would like to stay at the temple for a few days.”

“Miss Su, please. The guest rooms in the Lakeside Pavilion have always been kept ready for you.”

“Thank you.”

With that, she entered Wanfu Temple.

Because Ningzhou City was under lockdown, there were few visitors coming to offer incense at the temple lately.

The century-old trees in the courtyard were covered with prayer ribbons, which fluttered in the breeze.

All the monks in the temple recognized Su Xuerong and bowed to her as she passed.

Under normal circumstances, Su Xuerong would have returned each greeting. But today, her thoughts were in turmoil, and she paid no attention to anyone.

After passing through the main hall, they reached the place where the monks conducted their morning lessons.

Beyond that were the guest rooms where worshippers could stay.

Chun Tao had just seen Sun Chu step out of one of the rooms when her eyes widened in astonishment.

“Why are you here?”

The coincidence was simply too great, and she began to suspect once again that Sun Chu had ulterior motives.

Seeing through her thoughts, Sun Chu said, “I had no idea you would be returning to Wanfu Temple.”

With that, he quickened his pace and left.

Chun Tao hurriedly called after him.

“Young Master, please wait!”

She hurried over to Sun Chu and said, “It was wrong of me to suspect you, Young Master Sun. Please forgive me. And thank you for saving my young lady.”

Su Xuerong’s gaze fell upon Sun Chu.

His collar was stained with blood, and his injured neck was wrapped in white bandages. Dust clung to his clothes, leaving him looking rather disheveled.

“Were your injuries caused by saving me?”

Su Xuerong knew a little martial arts.

She had already considered the situation carefully. With so many people in the street, the horse would eventually be forced to stop.

If someone could control it, all the better. If not, the horse would be struck down, bringing the carriage to an abrupt halt.

She would use the force of the impact to leap out first, then catch Chun Tao.

That way, neither mistress nor maid would be hurt.

Unfortunately, plans could never keep up with changes.

Sun Chu had appeared too quickly, causing the two of them to collide unexpectedly.

Su Xuerong already suffered from a heart condition. After being tossed around inside the carriage and then struck, she had immediately fallen ill and fainted, nearly losing her life.

She knew she could not blame Sun Chu, but she still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it.

Meeting Su Xuerong’s clear, concerned eyes, Sun Chu shook his head, then nodded.

“More or less. My neck was already injured before I saved you, but the wound was aggravated just now.”

He had a feeling that this woman, who looked as pure as a lotus rising from clear water, was hiding a sharp and calculating nature beneath the surface.

Su Xuerong was slender, with skin fairer than snow and delicate, beautiful features. She was even gentler and more charming than women from the south.

She folded her hands before her waist and gave him a slight curtsy.

“Thank you for saving me, Young Master Sun. I am deeply grateful. Once I have recovered, I will certainly visit your residence to express my thanks.”

“Miss Su, there’s no need for such formality. I share a deep relationship with your father. Saving you was only right.”

Before taking action, Sun Chu had not known that the people in the carriage were Su Xuerong and Chun Tao.

The carriage was ordinary and bore none of the Su family’s markings.

Su Xuerong rose to her feet, surprise appearing on her lotus-like face.

“You know me?”

Sun Chu glanced at Chun Tao. “Your maid told me.”

As soon as Chun Tao was mentioned, she hurriedly asked, “Are you the owner of the Thousand Gold Gambling House?”

“I am. Sun Chu.”

Su Xuerong had heard of Sun Chu. After all, for the past three years, a considerable portion of the Su family’s income had come from him.

Su Chengzong also often used Sun Chu to berate his sons.

“Look at Sun Chu, then look at yourselves! You’re all around the same age, so how is it that he’s managed to amass a fortune while you’re nothing but useless wastrels who know only how to spend money?”

Whenever Su Xuerong heard that, she had wanted to reply:

“If you neither raised nor taught them, isn’t it only natural that they grew up to be useless wastrels?”

Unfortunately, as a considerate and obedient daughter, she could not say such a thing.

Thinking of this, Su Xuerong said, “I have often heard Father speak of you, Young Master Sun, and he has praised you highly. It is a pleasure to meet you today. You truly are an outstanding young man.”

“I’m nothing but a merchant covered in the stench of money. I hardly deserve Miss Su’s praise.”

“Everyone in the world pursues profit. Merchants are merely the ones who make it visible to all.”

Sun ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍Chu was rather surprised by this.

Could he have encountered another transmigrator?

“Imperial Jade Liquor.”

The abrupt change of subject left Su Xuerong bewildered. Confusion surfaced in her clear eyes.

“This humble woman is slow-witted. I beg Young Master Sun to explain.”

Sun Chu grumbled inwardly: Just as I thought. How could there possibly be so many transmigrators?

He casually made something up. “Imperial Jade Liquor isn’t something just anyone can drink. I hope that one day, as a mere merchant, I might have the honor of relying on General Su’s favor to enter the imperial palace and enjoy a cup.”

Though he had phrased it tactfully, Su Xuerong understood his meaning.

Her expression remained impassive, but her mind began analyzing why Sun Chu had said this to her.

It was said that merchants possessed sharp minds and keen eyes. Sun Chu had likely already realized that Su Chengzong was plotting to seize the realm.

But why had he used this matter to test her?

What benefit did he hope to gain from her?

A flash of insight crossed Su Xuerong’s mind, bringing two words with it.

Marriage alliance!

So that was why he had saved her life!

He wanted her to repay him with her hand in marriage!

With that thought, Su Xuerong began to suspect that what had happened today had been arranged by Su Chengzong.

After all, her father was selfish enough to sacrifice anything. For the sake of his ridiculous dream of becoming emperor, arranging for her to marry Sun Chu in order to obtain the money needed to recruit soldiers was exactly the sort of thing he would do.

“Young Master Sun possesses great talent for commerce. If you become an imperial merchant, you will be able to enter the palace and enjoy tribute wine.”

Regardless of what Su Chengzong was plotting, Su Xuerong would never sacrifice herself.

She decided to bring forward her plan to fake her death.

From now on, she would live for herself.

Seeing that Su Xuerong had deliberately avoided mentioning Su Chengzong, Sun Chu realized that she knew about his plans to rebel.

“Then I’ll take Miss Su’s good wishes. I will certainly become an imperial merchant and rise to the highest ranks as a businessman, until no one dares look down on me.”

Seeing the blazing ambition in Sun Chu’s eyes, Su Xuerong understood why he had chosen to support Su Chengzong.

Ambition could make a shrewd person lose sight of reason and turn into a gambler.

She sneered inwardly, but her voice remained as gentle as ever.

“I sincerely hope Young Master Sun achieves all your wishes.”

With that, she gave Chun Tao a subtle glance.

Chun Tao understood at once and hurriedly said, “Young Master Sun, my lady is unwell and needs to rest. We’ll come visit you another day to express our thanks.”

Sun Chu noticed Su Xuerong’s indifference and guessed that she had misunderstood his words.

“Miss Su, there’s no need to be so polite. We’ll be family soon enough.”

He had yet to say, “I’m going to marry your sixth brother,” when Su Xuerong interrupted him in agitation.

“Young Master Sun, my health is poor, and I don’t have many days left. There’s no need for you to marry me to repay the favor of saving my life. Otherwise, I might pass my bad luck and illness on to you.”

Looking at Su Xuerong, who seemed desperate to keep her distance from him, Sun Chu confirmed that she was not on the same side as Su Chengzong.

If she had been, she would certainly have done everything in her power to win him over.

He smiled and said, “Miss Su, you’ve misunderstood. I do intend to marry someone from the Su family, but it isn’t you.”

Su Xuerong did not lower her guard because of his words.

“Who is it?”

Sun Chu did not answer immediately. Instead, he looked up at the glaring sun.

“It will soon be time for lunch. If Miss Su doesn’t mind, we can eat together at the dining hall and talk then.”

Su Xuerong considered that Ten Thousand Blessings Temple was practically her territory, so she agreed.

“The dining hall will be crowded, and it won’t be convenient to discuss private matters. When the monks serve the midday meal, Young Master Sun can wait for me at the pavilion in the rear garden.”

“All right. See you later.”

After saying this, Sun Chu went to the main hall to donate incense money.

As long as one gave enough silver, it became much easier to coax information out of people.

Once Sun Chu’s figure had disappeared, Su Xuerong turned and walked toward the island in the middle of the lake.

Chun Tao immediately followed.

The guards remained stationed at the entrance leading to the island.

A small palace stood on the island, surrounded by gardens filled with beautiful scenery.

After entering her chambers, Su Xuerong began removing her soiled clothes as she asked Chun Tao, “What exactly happened after I fainted?”

Chun Tao hurriedly fell to her knees and explained everything in detail: how her mistress had fallen onto Sun Chu, and how Sun Chu had helped her take her medicine.

“Miss, this servant was incompetent and allowed you to be… to be… taken advantage of by Young Master Sun.”

Though the circumstances had forced him to act, a ruined reputation was still a ruined reputation.

Su Xuerong did not care about so-called reputation.

Su Chengzong was addicted to lust, and plenty of people spoke ill of him behind his back. Had that ever stopped him from doing as he pleased?

Life was short. One should enjoy it while one could.

“Get up. You didn’t do anything wrong. However miserable life may be, it’s still better than death.”

Chun Tao helped Su Xuerong into a fresh set of clothes.

“Miss, what happened just now is sure to spread quietly. Your prospects for marriage will be difficult from now on. Why not take advantage of the situation and marry Master Sun?”

Su Xuerong spread her arms and let Chun Tao attend to her.

“Do you think Master Sun is wealthy enough to use the best medicines to care for this sickly body of mine and help me live a few more years?”

“Pah, pah, pah! Miss, don’t say such things. You’ll surely live to a hundred!”

Chun Tao’s tone was firm, but her heart ached terribly.

The physician had said that Miss would not live past twenty.

Su Xuerong did not want to die, but she had long since learned to take life and death lightly.

Ever since she could remember, she had come within a hair’s breadth of death nearly a hundred times.

“Chun Tao, Ningzhou City is probably going to see a war soon. Hurry and pack our things. I’ll find a suitable opportunity for us to leave.”

At those words, Chun Tao’s breathing stopped for a moment, and her heart began pounding.

“Miss, can we really get away?”

After changing clothes, Su Xuerong pushed open the window and gazed at the shimmering surface of the lake. The corners of her lips curved upward.

“If I don’t take a gamble, then I’ll have lived this life for nothing.”

She had had enough of living like a caged bird!

The lake was connected to the waterways beyond the estate. If she swam for nearly a quarter of an hour, she could escape this cage.

For this day, she had trained her frail body every day, enduring the danger of an attack while practicing holding her breath.

At last, she was about to glimpse the light of day and win her freedom.

Chun Tao knew all too well how difficult life had been for her mistress over the years.

With a smile, she said, “Whether we live or die, this servant will accompany you.”

She might not know martial arts, but she was an excellent swimmer!

Su Xuerong tidied her appearance in front of the mirror.

“Chun Tao, when we dine with Master Sun later, I’ll try to sound him out. Cooperate with me.”

“Yes, Miss!”

“Once we leave Ningzhou City, you won’t be a servant anymore. Let’s go.”

When the mistress and servant arrived at the garden pavilion, Master Sun had not yet appeared.

“Dong!”

The bell announcing the meal rang.

Chun Tao asked, “Miss, shall I have the meal served first, or should we wait for Master Sun?”

“Have it served. Master Sun should be here soon.”

“Yes, Miss. I’ll go to the kitchen right away.”

Not long after Chun Tao left, Sun Chu arrived at the pavilion, escorted by a monk.

Only after the monk confirmed that Su Xuerong would be dining with Sun Chu did he leave.

Sun Chu took the seat opposite Su Xuerong.

He had spent ten thousand taels in banknotes and, posing as Su Chengzong’s son-in-law, had coaxed some information out of the abbot.

Although Su Xuerong had always been extremely cautious and the abbot knew very little, he had extracted two crucial details.

First.

Su Xuerong suffered from a serious heart condition, yet she had been practicing holding her breath for a long time.

Her explanation was that it would strengthen her heart.

At first glance, there seemed to be nothing wrong with that.

But holding one’s breath for extended periods placed greater strain on the heart. She was practically courting death!

Second.

Su Xuerong had lit an eternal lamp, and the birth details placed beneath its base belonged to her mother.

It was not unusual to light an eternal lamp for a living person, but Concubine Fang and her fiancé had been born on the same day!

These two points could not prove that Su Xuerong was not Su Chengzong’s biological daughter, but they did show that she and Su Chengzong were not on the same side.

There was something wrong with her!

Su Xuerong noticed that Sun Chu had been staring at her as though he wanted to see straight through her.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and asked, “Why have you been staring at me, Master Sun?”

Sun Chu did not waste time with small talk. He got straight to the point.

“How long are you planning to keep up the act, Miss Su?”

Su Xuerong’s brows drew together slightly, and a trace of anger appeared on her fair, delicate face.

For some reason, she felt a surge of panic, as though he had seen through her.

“If Master Sun has come here to pick a fight, then there’s no need for us to finish this meal together.”

With that, she rose and turned to leave.

Sun Chu spoke quickly. “If you leave, General Su will immediately find out that his most beloved daughter has been trying all along to escape from him—that you weren’t practicing holding your breath to strengthen your heart, but to swim out through that lake.”

Those words made Su Xuerong’s heart pound like a drum, and she felt the early signs of an attack.

She was immensely relieved that the guards were not protecting her at close range.

Otherwise, if these words reached Su Chengzong’s ears, then even if he did not believe them, he would eliminate every possibility of escape.

She would lose her chance to get away!

Su Xuerong knew very well that Sun Chu was not certain she intended to fake her death and flee. He was merely testing her.

She should have pretended not to hear him, perhaps even mocked him: “If you don’t go tell my father, then you’re nothing but a coward!”

By responding with indifference or hostility, she could dispel Sun Chu’s suspicions.

But on the one hand, she did not dare to take that gamble.

On the other, she wanted to make an even bigger gamble.

Seeing Su Xuerong stop, Sun Chu continued, “Miss Su, I mean you no harm. Sit down and talk.”

His tone had softened considerably and was no longer so aggressive.

After struggling to calm her frantic heartbeat, Su Xuerong returned to her seat.

She shed her disguise of gentleness and innocence and stared coldly at Sun Chu.

“Who are you, exactly? What do you want?”

Sun Chu was just about to answer when Chun Tao arrived carrying a pot of tea, followed by a monk bearing the dishes.

After setting down the food and tea, the monk left. Sun Chu asked Su Xuerong, “Can your maid be trusted?”

The implication was clear: Could Chun Tao hear what they were about to discuss?

Su Xuerong nodded. “She can.”

Then she looked toward Chun Tao.

“Chun Tao, stand outside the pavilion. If you notice anyone approaching, warn me immediately.”

Chun Tao sensed the tension in Su Xuerong’s voice, and concern appeared on her face.

“Miss, has something happened?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. No matter what you hear, don’t say a word, and don’t let anyone see that anything is wrong.”

Those words made Chun Tao even more nervous. Her heart pounded wildly.

But she, like Su Xuerong, had long since mastered control over her expressions.

She lifted the corners of her lips into a sweet, relaxed smile.

“Yes, Miss.”

With that, she left the pavilion.

Su Xuerong raised her chin at Sun Chu, signaling him to continue what he had been saying.

Sun Chu did not answer her earlier question. Instead, he asked, “What do you think about General Su’s plan to rebel?”

The question nearly made Chun Tao lose control of her expression where she stood outside the pavilion.

Su Xuerong let out a cold laugh and mocked him bluntly. “My father spends all day buried among women. He has no ability, no money, and no brains, yet he dreams of conquering the world. It’s utterly ridiculous!”

Chun Tao nearly burst into tears.

Oh, Miss! Was that really something she could say to an outsider?

Sun Chu clearly agreed with Su Xuerong’s assessment.

“Why don’t you try to persuade him?”

Su Xuerong had no idea what Sun Chu was truly after, so naturally she would not reveal her thoughts in full.

“Master Sun, I’ve already answered your question. Now it’s your turn.”