Chapter Thirty-One: Crucial (Please continue reading~)

"Sister Xixi, this set of jewelry suits you perfectly! Brother, don't you think it looks beautiful?" Gu Lingxuan asked Gu Shijin while holding the ornaments up to Ren Xixi's head.

"Of course it's beautiful. Everything looks beautiful on Xixi!" Gu Shijin watched their movements with doting eyes.

Ren Xixi blushed, a look of shy, feminine grace washing over her.

"Bah! You bunch of thieves!" Youqing, hanging by the door with blood streaming from his shoulder, glared at them with crimson eyes. Seeing them take what belonged to Su Zhinian, he was filled with indignation and couldn't help but curse loudly.

Gu Shijin's eyes turned icy, and he gave a cold command: "No one is to let him down without my permission! Do not give him food, water, or a doctor!"

"I want to see just how tough his bones really are."

Like master, like servant; Su Zhinian was exactly the same as this man. Realizing he was thinking of Su Zhinian again, Gu Shijin felt an inexplicable irritation.

Gu Lingxuan had taken a liking to a red pomegranate hairpin, and at first glance, Ren Xixi fell in love with it too. "Wow, what a beautiful hairpin."

Seeing that Ren Xixi liked it, Gu Lingxuan frowned with slight displeasure.

"Xuan'er, since your Sister Xixi likes it, why don't you let her have it?" Gu Shijin looked at Ren Xixi tenderly, smiling with doting affection. "You can just pick out a couple more things."

Gu Lingxuan, who had been unhappy, immediately handed the red pomegranate hairpin to Ren Xixi upon hearing this, and went off to pick other items with a smile on her face.

The group chatted and laughed, happily carrying their spoils back to their own courtyard. Youqing could only stare with hatred at their retreating figures, feeling incredibly weak.

"Brother Shijin, Wanwan was like a real sister to me. Now that she is gone, I want to go and keep vigil for her." In Biluo Courtyard, Ren Xixi wrapped her arms around Gu Shijin's lean waist, greedily breathing in the scent that brought her peace of mind.

"You want to enter the palace?" Gu Shijin was startled, but then he quickly reconsidered. After all, Xixi was so sentimental and kind-hearted; it was only natural she would go to such lengths for a friend. He felt a pang of heartache. In the palace, Su Zhinian would surely bully her, relying on the Empress Dowager and the Empress, yet she still insisted on keeping vigil for the Noble Consort. Gu Shijin felt a sour, suffocating ache in his chest, and his loathing for Su Zhinian grew even more intense.

"Don't worry, I will accompany you this time," Gu Shijin said, stroking her hair with a firm tone. He would not let anyone hurt Ren Xixi again.

Ren Xixi tightened her grip on his lapels, her heart sinking. She had to save Bai Wanwan; how could she do that with Gu Shijin constantly by her side? Her mind raced for a solution. Soon, a plan sprouted, and a smile curled her lips. This time, she would ensure Su Zhinian never had a chance to rise again!

At night, Su Zhinian caught the familiar scent of cold pine and suddenly opened her eyes. In the dim light, she saw a familiar figure. Su Zhinian sat up calmly, and as the room's candles flickered to life, the face of Helian Yu, wearing his silver-white mask with datura flower patterns, was revealed.

The chessboard on the table was already prepared, set with a deadlocked game. The few black pieces hung alone in a corner; though they appeared to have a chance at escape, they were actually cut off by white pieces at every turn. This game was lost for the black side.

"I have come to bother Miss Su again; it is truly a sin," Helian Yu said in a calm tone. Though he spoke the words, there was not a hint of guilt in his expression.

Su Zhinian knew better. She simply put on her outer robe, sat opposite him, picked up a black piece with her slender fingers, and after a moment of thought, placed it on the board.

"You are too kind, Prince Yu."

Seeing her move, Helian Yu narrowed his eyes, a hint of confusion in his gaze. The black pieces had no path left; this game was impossible to break. Yet, Su Zhinian's move was completely beyond his expectations, though it still didn't resolve the deadlock. What was she trying to do?

Helian Yu felt puzzled. He lifted a white piece and hurriedly placed it down. Su Zhinian's expression remained serene, her hair falling over her shoulders, making her look as holy and pure as a goddess. She lifted her hand unhurriedly and placed a piece firmly on the board.

"Is Miss Su struggling in vain?" Helian Yu, unable to grasp her strategy, guessed.

"Struggling still offers a glimmer of hope; not struggling is simply waiting for death," Su Zhinian said, lifting her eyes. She was talking about the game, but also about herself.

Helian Yu pursed his lips and placed another piece. "I heard there is an unruly servant in the General's estate who dared to fight the General. The General pierced his shoulder with a spear and left him hanging on the wall without food or drink."

*Clack.*

The piece in Su Zhinian's hand dropped onto the board. Her calm expression suddenly betrayed a flicker of panic. "How is Youqing?"

Helian Yu picked up the fallen piece and held it out to her. In his fair palm sat the ink-black piece. Seeing his calm and self-possessed demeanor, Su Zhinian felt the panic in her heart subside as if smoothed away.

She stared at Helian Yu with dark, deep eyes and reached out to take the piece.

"My people have provided him with medicine, food, and drink. He will survive for the time being," Helian Yu said in a raspy voice, as if discussing a trivial matter.

There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Yet, Helian Yu had helped her time and time again. Su Zhinian took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed to him. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your help."

"Your Highness, may I ask, what debt does the Su family owe you?" If they hadn't saved his life, why would he go to such great lengths to help? After all, she possessed nothing that a Prince would covet.

Helian Yu paused, his eyes fixed on the jade-like woman before him. "Does it matter?" He tilted his head, his eyes as bright and innocent as a puppy's.

Su Zhinian was stunned. She sat back down, suddenly laughing with relief. "You are right, it does not matter."

At that moment, Su Zhinian realized one thing: Helian Yu was testing her step by step. It seemed she had not yet fully gained his trust. However, the favor was owed, so she picked up a piece and focused her mind.

Helian Yu remained calm. This woman was even smarter than he had imagined.

The two played throughout the night. As dawn approached, Helian Yu took his leave.

Mu Dong was puzzled. "Master, why not just have Miss Su play against Elder Wan directly?" He didn't understand why his master came to Miss Su every day, making her solve the deadlocks left by Elder Wan. Running back and forth like this, it would take forever to defeat Elder Wan. The situation was so urgent; why did his master seem so unhurried? It made Mu Dong anxious.

Helian Yu cast a faint glance at him but said nothing.

Another hidden guard pushing the wheelchair shot Mu Dong a look and spoke up. "When General Gu married Miss Su, it was a grand affair, but once she married in, word came that her husband had died at the border. When the old mistress of the Gu family asked Miss Su to remarry, she refused. It shows how much she loves the General. Now, General Gu is the Emperor's favorite. If she told Gu Shijin about Elder Wan, and the Emperor found out that our Master could recover, would he allow such a thing to happen?"