Imperial Treasure

Chapter 656 - 424 Su Family

"Hehe~! Those words you speak... trouble is trouble... I didn’t want to go to Duke Zheng’s Mansion either,"

Old Master Su furrowed his brows, "Duke Zheng’s Mansion invited me because they wanted to use the Su Family’s name to draw some people from the literary circles for protection... You know, among those who went that night, some were inevitably implicated. If there weren’t some to provide cover, it would be easy to investigate from above. But now that the implications are so widespread, it makes the investigation difficult..."

"But they still let you go, didn’t they?" Sui Yi said.

If not compelled, why would one go after all~

The person compelling him must be irresistible...

"The higher-ups still requested me to go... saying the nation comes first... The aim was also to cast a long line to catch a big fish..."

Yet, he hadn’t expected them to be ruthless, drawing the big fish only to slaughter it swiftly.

It seemed like not even one was spared.

Upon this, Old Master Su felt rather dejected inside, and he bore quite a bit of guilt towards those from the literary circles.

How frightened they must have been.

With a sigh, Old Master Su asked again: "You came to see me, it looks like Yue Beiqing has taken Pu Qinghan away... What will you do next? Will you investigate on your own, or will you rashly intervene?"

Actually, investigating on one’s own was already intervening...

Sui Yi looked up, his eyes cool and composed, "It’s not rash intervention."

"Hmm?"

"It’s assistance."

The old man was surprised, then heard Sui Yi speak with an clear and efficient tone: "Within three days, they will ask for my assistance."

As he spoke, a chess piece was placed, checkmate!

Old Master Su: "...."

Suddenly, he felt a bit of pain in his knee.

As Old Master Su gazed thoughtfully at the checkmated king, the doorbell rang. A servant came to open The Gate, and before anyone was seen, a crisp youthful voice exclaimed, "Grandpa, grandpa... Tongtong is here~"

Then there was also a beautiful feminine voice, "Tongtong, don’t throw your shoes around after taking them off... You’ve tossed them onto your brother Qi...

It seemed another woman said something, and they all started laughing as they walked in...

The laughter quickly subsided because they saw there was a guest present.

And this guest was playing chess with the old man.

Su Ziyi quickly came out of the kitchen, "Auntie... Big Brother Ding Qi... Ding Lin..."

"Little uncle, little uncle, and Tongtong, Tongtong..." The four-year-old with tiger teeth tugged at Su Ziyi’s trousers and shouted.

"Yes, yes, yes, and Tongtong..."

After all, they were family. Su Yue looked at Su Ziyi, seeking from his eyes the identity of their guest. He smiled and led a few people over...

Before Su Ziyi could speak, Old Master Su said, "Look, this is my daughter... Su Yue, and this is her son."

Following Sui Yi’s words, people saw the person sitting across at the chessboard now turned around.

Outside the window, the breeze was fragrant, and the sunlight was warm; the woman’s face was peacefully serene.

Everyone was momentarily stunned, Su Yue regained her composure and smiled, "Hello Miss Sui... This is my son Ding Chong, nicknamed Tongtong; these two are my husband’s niece and nephew, Ding Qi and Ding Lin."

Sui Yi nodded slightly to everyone, "Sui Yi, nice to meet you."

The beauty and tranquility were unmatched, and the demeanor was simple and subdued.

Yet, it left no room for fault, Su Yue thought to herself that her old father had never liked such distant people before...

"Hello," Ding Qi, much taller than one meter eighty Su Ziyi by half a head, with an upright figure and a stern face, looked at Sui Yi with eagle-sharp eyes, his voice deep and resonant.

His sister appeared much more delicate and pretty, wearing a beautiful dress and skirt, carrying a stylish handbag. She glanced at Sui Yi, her initially beaming smile slightly restrained, then rushed in front of the old man with an even brighter smile, "Grandfather Su, I’ve missed you..."

The old man laughed heartily, "Missed me, yet didn’t come to see me? Wait, I’ll talk to you, girl, after I play another round with Miss Sui..."

"Dad, Miss Sui is a guest, how can you bully her... also playing chess..."

"Bully? She’s bullying me... I’m losing,"

Everyone was stunned, Su Yue looked closely, and indeed, he was losing!

She glanced at Sui Yi, but saw Sui Yi had already begun to reset the chess pieces, her expression calm, inscrutable like an old well.

Suddenly, her movements of arranging the chess pieces halted, and she looked towards the boy standing beside her, craning his neck to watch her.

"Sister,"

"Hmm?"

"Are you a fairy?"

The last pawn was placed on the chessboard, she lowered her gaze, "No."

"So why are you so beautiful..."

This question is indeed...

Pfft!

Su Yue burst out laughing as Ziyi stepped forward to pick him up, "Some are born with beauty... Little Fatty, don’t bother Auntie..."

Auntie? Not sister?

Su Yue looked at Ziyi, who smiled, "Sui Yi and I are friends, how could I call her sister? Then she would be considered a generation higher."

Only then did people learn of Sui Yi’s origins...

Sui Yi had come for Grandfather Su and was also acquainted with Ziyi and Zimu. Naturally, she didn’t have much contact with others. Moreover, Grandfather Su had been persistently inviting her to play chess, game after game. She played along, but stopped after three rounds because Ding Lin constantly tried to engage Sui Yi in conversation beside them... Asking her where she was from, where she studied, and when learning Sui Yi also attended Beijing University, she asked about Sui Yi’s family and so on...

Su Yue intended to give a few hints, but the girl didn’t seem to care much...

Grandfather Su coughed, indicating he could play no more.

So Sui Yi stopped playing too.

Just then, Zimu’s dishes were ready... Although he was reluctant to prepare the crab meat and fresh mushroom dish... In fact, Miss Su made six dishes...

During the meal, knowing that Sui Yi and Ziyi had attended the same high school, Ding Lin brightened considerably, offering soup to Sui Yi proactively, "Miss Sui, Zimu rarely cooks. This is Silver Lotus Snow Soup, you must have never tried it, you’re in luck to be here today..."

That tone seemed a bit off.

Ding Qi looked at his own sister.

Su Yue’s face stiffened, she subconsciously looked at her father and found him calm. Meanwhile, Ziyi was holding back, preparing to speak.

Just as Zimu came out of the kitchen taking off his apron, "Grandfather invited her over the day before, and today Sui Yi graciously accepted. Of course, I had to make an effort to show off, especially since she helped me win a game of chess..." This response served as a reminder to Ding Lin—Sui Yi was a formal guest, not just a casual friend Ziyi had brought home.

Ding Lin clearly got the message, her face looked rather awkward and embarrassed, freezing with the bowl in her hand...

A hand reached over and took it, "Thank you," Sui Yi said lightly.

Ding Lin scoffed silently, maintaining a natural smile on her face.

Ding Qi said nothing.

Su Yue sighed internally, looking at the gloomy Zimu and her immovable father... This matter today was botched, pleasing neither side, especially not Zimu...

She knew that Zimu was being raised exceptionally as the eldest son of the main branch of the Su Family... His succession had been decided in the family records, he was to inherit the Su family...

As for the Ding family, a second-rate family from the Capital City, they had better material conditions than the Su family, but lacked reputation and heritage. They sought after Ziyi because he would soon inherit a significant amount of wealth and would also gain access to many treasures from the Su side. Moreover, with his youth, good looks, talents, and excellent character, he was naturally highly sought after. Not to mention the Ding family’s desire to benefit from proximity, even higher families listed him as a candidate for marriage alliances...

Of course, the first hurdle they had to overcome was Zimu, who was closest to Ziyi.

Fortunately, as it is customary to eat in silence and sleep without speaking, once the meal was over, Sui Yi took her leave.

Ziyi was entangled by Ding Lin, and Zimu, unusually, did not rescue him but instead personally escorted Sui Yi to the gate.

At the gate, Zimu sighed, "I’m sorry for today’s embarrassment."

"No worries," Sui Yi didn’t take Ding Lin’s slight hostility to heart. She looked at the surrounding siheyuans, "Are all these courtyards occupied?"

"The ones next door are occupied, but a few further inside are empty... Because no one lives there, no one maintains them, so they’ve become somewhat dilapidated..."

"Doesn’t the government care?"

Zimu smiled softly, "To simply renovate, it would cost at least several million... If no one foots the bill, it’s not worth doing. However, right beneath the emperor’s nose, these siheyuans can’t be left simply to decay, they’re currently up for auction..."

From a certain perspective, selling them to some wealthy individuals to reside in ensures their preservation. If the government paid, who would live there? The elite of the Capital City are very cautious, unlike those who act recklessly when sent away.

Auction? Seeing Sui Yi’s interested expression, Zimu offered, "Shall I take you to see them?"

He knew her situation; having been in Capital City for less than a month, she didn’t have much real estate here, and a siheyuan would be most suitable for her.

Indeed, Sui Yi nodded, "Then I’ll trouble Zimu."

The two chatted while walking down the tranquil streets, each residence distinct—some purely antique, some like manors with flowers and plants, some with groves, and others who even farmed within, only those with money and leisure could afford to indulge their unique hobbies in this way.

Sui Yi noticed one courtyard where a pomegranate tree was planted... beyond which were the vacant houses.

But someone was showing those houses.

Both the leader of the tour and the ones being led seemed to know Zimu and came over together.

"The leader works for the Ministry of Culture, specifically in charge of this matter, his surname is Zhao," Zimu informed Sui Yi beforehand.

It’s no wonder Zimu couldn’t recall the man’s name, as in Capital City, one’s name is often unimportant compared to one’s surname and position.

Surnamed Zhao, this man did not possess Zimu’s aristocratic surname. He relied solely on his position.

Known as Deputy Director Zhao, he had some connections and influence; otherwise, he wouldn’t have secured such a lucrative assignment, but that was it.

Thus, his smile was extremely typical and manifestly ingratiatingly official.

After greeting them, he turned his attention to Sui Yi, while the one being led, a portly businessman, though unversed in literature and culture, was involved in cultural products. He had previously intended to meet with the Su family to secure a connection, but unfortunately, he failed to gain access. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidien.com to cast your votes or recommend tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)