Chapter 259: Advantage

Words : 1357 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

The carriage slowly stopped in front of Duke Zhen’s Mansion.Su Jin and Xie Jingchen stepped up the stairs. Inside the Duke Mansion came the shout of a servant, "The Eldest Young Madam is back!" The sound was deafening. Su Jin, "...." Xie Jingchen, "...." Did they really need to welcome her back with something akin to setting off firecrackers? Manager Li came up and said, "The Eldest Young Madam is finally back; Mr. Liu has been waiting for you all afternoon." "Who is Mr. Liu?" Su Jin feigned ignorance. "The Mr. Liu from the Empress Dowager’s palace, sent under her command to deliver rewards," Manager Li was burning with anxiety. "He’s been waiting for you at the Duke Mansion for over an hour." No eunuch has ever waited so long to deliver an imperial decree. The Eldest Young Madam was out playing and didn’t know to come back. But the entire Duke Zhen’s Mansion was trembling with anxiety as they waited. Su Jin walked into the main hall, just saw Mr. Liu drinking tea, and the accusations from Princess Nanzhang struck like lightning. "Didn’t you know long ago that the Empress Dowager intended to reward you?!" "You’ve been out of the mansion all afternoon without returning; several groups of people were sent out but couldn’t find you. Where have you been?!" Princess Nanzhang’s voice was icy. Did they really send anyone to look for her? Su Jin had her doubts. She had wandered the bustling streets for most of the day and then visited the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. No one looked for her, nor did anyone inform her. These words weren’t meant for her, but for Mr. Liu to convey to the Empress Dowager. Su Jin stepped forward and said, "My husband took me around the Capital City and incidentally saved the Heir of Duke Chong." Princess Nanzhang’s face turned pale, "Saved the Heir of Duke Chong?!" She only knew that the Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion had kicked the Heir of Duke Chong and Heir of Wu’an Bo off their horses. The Heir of Duke Chong had fallen onto tofu. Now the people of the Capital City have nicknamed him: Tofu Heir. "Mother, don’t be too surprised; the Heir of Duke Chong was just lucky to encounter me on an outing, coincidentally with Antidote Pills on me, or else his life would have been at stake," Su Jin smiled gracefully. Saving the Heir of Duke Chong was a great merit for Duke Chong’s Mansion. Compared to the merit of saving a life, making Mr. Liu wait for over an hour seemed insignificant. So any anger had to be swallowed. Princess Nanzhang’s face turned as purple as a beet, restraining herself from further pointing at Su Jin. Now, she couldn’t find the words to describe her loathing for Su Jin and the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. Mr. Liu stood up, took the Empress Dowager’s decree from the little eunuch who was standing trembling beside him. Last time, Su Jin used the excuse of leg pain not to kneel, but this time she couldn’t. She kneeled to receive the decree. The Empress Dowager rewarded her with a coral tree, gleaming and pleasing in color, symbolizing wealth and auspiciousness. Also with Brocade and six hundred acres of fine land, as well as various pearls, bracelets, and other jewelry. The reward was significant. "Thank the Empress Dowager for her grace," Su Jin said. Mr. Liu handed the Empress Dowager’s decree to Su Jin. With things settled, Mr. Liu said, "I’ve been out of the palace for a long time, I should return to report." Manager Li escorted Mr. Liu out. Xingxing circled the coral tree, "So beautiful." "There’s one even bigger and more beautiful in the Marquis Mansion’s storeroom," Xingxing said. Su Jin, "...." Xie Jingchen, "...." The maid was telling the truth. But the truth was somewhat piercing. The Dongxiang Marquis Mansion came to the Capital City without bringing any valuable items. After defeating Duke Chong’s Mansion, they were only given half an hour to move. Many rare items weren’t taken away, ultimately benefiting the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. Princess Nanzhang was so angry her teeth hurt. She flicked her cloud sleeves and walked away. Su Jin raised her hand and knocked on Xingxing’s head. Xingxing looked at Su Jin with a face full of confusion, completely unaware of what unpleasantness had occurred. Su Jin held her forehead, "Take the items back to the Agarwood Pavilion." Yongning Palace. The Empress Dowager sat on the Phoenix Chair, sipping tea lightly. Mr. Liu walked up. Nanny Li hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, Mr. Liu is back." When Mr. Liu came forward, Nanny Li asked, "Why did it take so long?" "Pardon for keeping the Empress Dowager waiting, the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion went out to play, making us wait for over an hour," Mr. Liu replied. "Did she discover anything?" Nanny Li asked worriedly. "No." "Don’t worry, Nanny Li, she won’t find out," Mr. Liu said assuredly. Nanny Li sighed in relief. The delay of Mr. Liu’s return had her most worried that the Eldest Young Madam of Duke Zhen’s Mansion had discovered something and would have Mr. Liu beaten half to death and brought back to the palace. As long as nothing was discovered. After repeated misfortunes, this time they should gain the upper hand. Inside the Agarwood Pavilion. The maids helped carry all the rewarded items into the Agarwood Pavilion. Seeing the pile of rewards, Xingxing touched the Cloud Brocade, happily saying, "This time they didn’t reward cakes to the young lady." "Just because there are no cakes doesn’t mean there is no problem," Su Jin said. "Ah?" Xingxing looked at Su Jin. Su Jin poured herself tea, the sound of water gushing out, releasing the aroma of tea. "The Dongxiang Marquis Mansion and Duke Chong’s Mansion are practically irreconcilable; such a good opportunity, I believe the Empress Dowager won’t miss," Xie Jingchen said. "Check carefully and ensure nothing goes wrong," Su Jin said. Xingxing thoroughly checked the rewards one by one, and found no issues. "Young lady, could it be that we are overthinking?" Xingxing asked. She put down the brocade box. Su Jin picked it up casually. The brocade box contained the six hundred acres of fine land rewarded by the Empress Dowager. When the brocade box was opened, a faint fishy smell came to her nose. Others might not notice, but Su Jin’s nose was keen. She took the land deed in her hand and sniffed it gently. "Here waiting for me," a cold gleam flashed in Su Jin’s eyes. "Is the paper poisoned?" Xie Jingchen frowned. "No poison." "...." "Then what’s the problem?" Xingxing asked, confused. Aside from possibly poisoning the paper, Xingxing couldn’t think of what else could be wrong with the land deed. It couldn’t possibly be fake, could it? Su Jin casually tore the land deed in half and laughed, "Now there’s no problem." Xingxing, "...." Xie Jingchen, "...." Seeing the land deed torn in two by Su Jin, Xingxing’s heart broke as well. That was six hundred acres of fine land! It was casually torn up by the young lady. Wondering if it can be used after being pieced together. Su Jin tossed the torn paper onto the table, Xingxing picked it up, looking at Su Jin with heartache. "Young lady, why are you doing this?" Xingxing asked. "This land deed has issues, keeping it is useless," Su Jin said. Xie Jingchen gazed at her. Su Jin clapped her hands and said, "By destroying the fake land deed, I have a reason to enter the palace and request the Empress Dowager make a new one." Xingxing was amazed. "But you didn’t have to tear up the land deed; we could have taken it to the Emperor to file a complaint," Xingxing said. "...." "Taking a torn land deed to complain, just to let the Emperor know I am sparing the Empress Dowager and Royal Family’s face." "By being this sensible, the Emperor will surely reward me again in time," Su Jin smiled. Xingxing, "...." Xie Jingchen, "...." "Young lady, you are truly brilliant!" Xingxing’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Chapter 259: Advantage

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