The entire process was extremely quick, taking less than five minutes, and made no sound at all. After confirming that all four cameras were firmly installed and angles were correct, Su Wanxing silently climbed down from the wall and returned along the same path.
Back at home, Su Wanxing pushed open the courtyard gate and saw Su Wanfeng sitting on a stone bench, holding Su Wanyue’s hand, waiting obediently. She felt an immediate sense of relief.
“Sister, you’re back!” Su Wanfeng exclaimed and immediately ran toward her.
Su Wanxing smiled and patted his head. “Yes, sister is back. Wanfeng, you’ve been very good taking care of your sister.”
She went inside and connected her consciousness to the miniature cameras. Soon, the footage from all four cameras appeared clearly in her mind, and she could hear the conversations in the hall with perfect clarity. She heard Su Baozhu discussing with the others about going to the county the next morning to contact her cousin and Zhang Yuanwai, in order to sell Su Wanxing, while also plotting how to deal with Su Wanfeng and Su Wanyue.
Su Wanxing’s eyes instantly turned icy. She had considered leaving them some leeway, but now it was clear there was no reason for mercy. Since they were determined to put her and her siblings in danger, she would respond in kind.
“Sister, what’s wrong?” Su Wanfeng noticed her expression and asked with concern.
Su Wanxing hid her cold gaze, shook her head, and smiled. “Nothing, sister is just a bit tired. Tonight we’ll have a good meal to celebrate moving into our new home.”
“Yay!” Su Wanfeng jumped up excitedly.
Su Wanxing went to the kitchen, bringing out fresh ingredients from the space—fish, meat, vegetables, and some fruits. As she cooked, she also monitored the old household through her consciousness. She decided not to act hastily; she would let them enjoy a few comfortable days, and strike decisively when their plan was about to unfold, ensuring they would pay dearly for their malice.
Meanwhile, at the Su family’s old house, everyone had already finalized their scheme. Su Baozhu confidently promised she would handle it. They were all immersed in the joy of the anticipated fortune, unaware that every move was being monitored by Su Wanxing, and a catastrophic downfall was quietly approaching.
At dinner, Su Wanxing prepared a sumptuous spread: braised fish, braised pork, stir-fried greens, steamed egg custard, and a few plain buns. The three siblings sat around the table happily eating. Su Wanfeng ate heartily, repeatedly serving Su Wanyue, who had her face smeared with food, smiling with pure happiness.
Watching them, Su Wanxing quietly resolved to protect these two children and ensure they grew up safe and happy. As for the old household, she would make them pay for their deeds.
Elsewhere, Wang Ershen found Li Aunty and told her everything she had overheard. Li Aunty slammed the table in anger. “The Su family’s old household is too malicious! It’s hard enough for Wanxing and the two children to live peacefully, and now they want to sell her and harm the kids!”
Wang Ershen anxiously asked, “Li Aunty, should we tell Wanxing? But I’m afraid of retaliation from the old household.”
Li Aunty thought for a moment and said, “We must tell her! But quietly—we’ll inform her discreetly so she can prepare. Wanxing is capable; if she knows, she can handle it. We may not be able to do much, but at least we can warn her.”
After agreeing on a plan, under the cover of night, they quietly went to Su Wanxing’s new home. Hearing a knock, Su Wanxing peeked through the door and saw Li Aunty and Wang Ershen, then opened it. Learning their purpose, her heart warmed, and she thanked them promptly: “Li Aunty, Wang Ershen, thank you for coming to tell me. Don’t worry, now that I know their plot, I’ll be prepared.”
Seeing that Su Wanxing was already ready, both women breathed a sigh of relief. Li Aunty cautioned, “Wanxing, be careful. The Su family old household is capable of anything. If you need help, just ask.”
“Thank you,” Su Wanxing said, seeing them off and closing the gate. She knew there were still good people in the village.
The next morning, at the first crow of the Su household’s chickens, Su Baozhu got out of bed. She carefully dressed in a lake-blue fine cloth gown from her cousin and styled her hair with a silver hairpin—her most presentable attire, intending to impress both her cousin and Zhang Yuanwai’s people in the county.
“Father, Mother, I’m going to the county to see my cousin,” Su Baozhu declared confidently in the hall, where Li Cuihua and Su Yuanzheng sat, and behind them stood Su Changhe and Su Changhai. Su Guangzong was away at the town academy. Su Baozhu’s chest was high, and her tone full of certainty: “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this. I guarantee we can sell that cursed girl Su Wanxing for a good price, and our family will make a tidy profit!”
Li Cuihua quickly stood up, holding Su Baozhu’s hand, her eyes slightly red. “My little girl, be careful on the road. Don’t let yourself be wronged at your cousin’s. If it succeeds, I’ll make your favorite steamed egg custard.” Having had three sons and only this one daughter, Li Cuihua had spoiled her endlessly, which had nurtured Su Baozhu’s selfish and greedy nature.
Su Yuanzheng also said gravely, “Baozhu, this concerns the whole family, so be meticulous. Especially regarding Su Lizheng, don’t let him find out.”
“Got it, got it!” Su Baozhu impatiently pulled her hand back, picked up her prepared bundle, and said, “I’m not three years old! Can’t handle this? I’m off!” With that, she quickly left the courtyard toward the county.
The journey from Sujia’ao to the county took over two hours by mountain path. Along the way, Su Baozhu schemed over the 200 taels of silver she would get for selling Su Wanxing. She planned to first buy herself a few fine silk dresses and jewelry to look more presentable, then have her cousin help find a wealthy household to marry into as a young mistress, leaving behind the impoverished life. Excited by her imagined future, she quickened her pace, ignoring the stones digging into her feet.
Near noon, she finally arrived at the county. She had no interest in shopping and went straight to her cousin’s house, a small courtyard in the western alley. Her cousin’s husband ran a small business and lived better than the Su household, which was why Su Baozhu often visited.
“Cousin!” Su Baozhu pushed open the courtyard gate and saw Wang Xiu in the yard preparing vegetables.
Wang Xiu was momentarily stunned but smiled and came over. “Baozhu? What brings you here? I thought you said you had something to do in the village?”
“This is exactly why I came—to see you,” Su Baozhu said, pulling Wang Xiu into the hall, speaking mysteriously, “Cousin, I have good news—something that can make us a lot of money!”
Wang Xiu, seeing her secretive manner, was curious. “What news? What way do you have to make so much money?”