Listening to Wei Shi’s complaints, Worthy Consort didn’t suggest that her nephew should divorce Qiao Niang.

Originally, if a son of the Duke of An’guo’s family married a commoner and the young couple couldn’t get along, divorce and remarriage would be a simple matter. However, since the Duke of An’guo’s family was Prince Qi’s maternal family, Worthy Consort didn’t want her natal family to bear the stigma of divorce, potentially affecting her son’s future.

At this crucial moment, even the slightest flaw could become ammunition for their opponents. Worthy Consort didn’t want to create additional problems.

After Wei Shi spoke for a while, the tea had gone cold. She took a sip and put it down, her brows furrowed with worry.

Worthy Consort gently consoled her, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. Yi is still young. In a couple of years, he’ll be more sensible. At least he’s filial to you—”

Wei Shi shook her head and scoffed, “If that unfilial child were truly filial, he wouldn’t have insisted on marrying a commoner in the first place…”

Although the Earl of Dongping’s family was of lower status, their daughter would still be far better than an ill-mannered commoner.

Thinking about her initial disdain for Jiang Si, Wei Shi felt a pang of regret. If only she had known—

Hearing Wei Shi mention this, Worthy Consort felt a surge of anger.

If her natal family hadn’t caused such a mess back then and had successfully arranged the marriage with the Earl of Dongping’s family, how could Jiang Shi have become her daughter-in-law?

It seemed that failing to harm her sister-in-law had led to her misfortune.

On second thought, considering that Wei Shi’s current third daughter-in-law was even worse, Worthy Consort’s irritation subsided slightly. She said calmly, “What’s done is done. Sister-in-law, just focus on teaching Qiao Niang. One’s surroundings shape one’s character. Although Qiao Niang comes from a humble background, with time in the Duke’s mansion and your guidance, she won’t turn out badly.”

Wei Shi nodded reluctantly, changing the subject.

“How is Mother’s health?”

“The Old Madam is doing well, quite robust.”

“And my elder brother, is he still busy?”

“Your elder brother has delegated many tasks to Chong Li now, so he’s not too busy…”

After chatting for a while, Worthy Consort lowered her voice, “Sister-in-law, as you know, Zhang is at a crucial moment. He needs elder brother’s support…”

Wei Shi paused for a moment, then said, “As a woman, it’s not my place to make decisions—”

Worthy Consort smiled slightly, “I can’t meet with elder brother directly. Could you just pass on a message and ask for his thoughts?”

Seeing Wei Shi’s hesitation, Worthy Consort sighed, “Zhang hasn’t been well lately. He and his wife had been living harmoniously for so many years, and my daughter-in-law was capable, of managing Prince Qi’s household efficiently. Who would have thought that a single visit to burn incense would lead to such misfortune? Now she’s gone mad and can’t bear to see anyone. Who knows when she might… How can Zhang be left without someone to care for him? In the future, we might have to trouble you, sister-in-law…”

Wei Shi’s heart skipped a beat. She looked deeply at Worthy Consort, meeting her meaningful smile.

Wei Shi understood perfectly. Worthy Consort was dangling bait before her.

If Prince Qi advanced further, she could have a say in choosing his next wife. Although she had no daughters, her natal family had nieces.

Setting that aside, Wei Shi would be pleased to see Prince Qi ascend to that position. After all, the Duke’s family was Prince Qi’s maternal family, naturally aligned with him.

“Your Highness, don’t worry. I’ll speak to your elder brother when I return.”

Worthy Consort picked up her teacup, satisfied.

Wei Shi left the palace and returned to the Duke’s mansion. That night, as they retired, she brought up the matter with the Duke of An’guo.

Upon hearing this, the Duke’s face darkened, “Nonsense. Why meddle in these affairs?”

“My lord, how is this meddling? Prince Qi is your nephew. If he succeeds, won’t we benefit as well—”

The Duke of An’guo laughed coldly, “I think you’ve lost your senses. I’m already the Duke of An’guo. How much better can it get? Isn’t enjoying our current wealth and glory enough?”

Wei Shi disagreed, “My lord, the Duke of An’guo’s family is Prince Qi’s maternal family. In others’ eyes, we support him. We may stay neutral now, but if Prince Qi loses, others won’t care about the reality—they’ll suppress us anyway. Rather than being at others’ mercy then, why not help Prince Qi become the victor?”

“It’s not as simple as you think!” The Duke of An’guo’s face turned stern as he said in a low voice, “In any case, don’t get involved in these matters. I know what I’m doing!”

“My lord—”

As Wei Shi tried to persuade him further, the Duke of An’guo had already closed his eyes and turned his back to her, silent.

Wei Shi bit her lip, forced to sleep with her frustrations.

The Duke of An’guo, however, was far from sleepy.

Years ago, when his sister entered the palace, it was his mother’s decision, and he had no say. As he grew older and inherited the title, seeing the Crown Prince’s stable position, he felt somewhat at ease. Who could have imagined that the Crown Prince would bring about his downfall, forcing the families of the princes to be drawn into this strife?

Although he had just told his wife not to meddle, in reality, when tensions ran high, staying out of it wouldn’t be an option.

In the end, the Duke’s family might have no choice.

But Prince Qi—

Thinking about his nephew, whom everyone praised, the Duke of An’guo felt inexplicably irritated for some reason.

His nephew was good, but perhaps being a straightforward person himself, he naturally didn’t get along with someone of his nephew’s mild temperament.

Contemplating the future, the Duke of An’guo felt troubled, and it was a long time before his snores could be heard.

Meanwhile, Jiang Si finally returned to Prince Yan’s mansion on the seventh day of the first lunar month.

The moment she saw Jiang Si, Jiang Yi burst into tears, “Fourth Sister, you’re finally back.”

“Why has Elder Sister lost weight?”

Jiang Yi’s lips trembled as she honestly replied, “If you had come back any later, Fourth Sister, I would have lost even more weight.”

These days of constant worry were no way for a person to live.

Jiang Yi even felt that after this ordeal, she could face anything in the future with composure.

“I’m sorry for troubling Elder Sister, but this trip was worth it.”

“Fourth Sister, why did you go south?” Not seeing Yu Jin return with Jiang Si, Jiang Yi understood that her sister’s southern journey had not been so simple.

Jiang Si dismissed the others and whispered in Jiang Yi’s ear, “Elder Sister, I found Second Brother.”

Jiang Yi’s whole body trembled, tears flowing uncontrollably, “Se-Second Brother’s remains were found?”

Jiang Si paused, looking at her deeply moved elder sister, and spoke even more softly, “No, Second Brother… he didn’t die—”

Jiang Yi gasped, covering her mouth, “Fourth Sister, what are you saying?”

Jiang Si hadn’t revealed the truth to Jiang Yi before leaving, fearing she might overthink and have unrealistic hopes. Now that she had truly brought Second Brother back, there was no need to hide it anymore.

“I made this trip specifically to bring Second Brother back. He’s with Jin now, and they’ll arrive a bit later…”

By now, Jiang Yi was sobbing uncontrollably.

After instructing Jiang Yi not to reveal anything, Jiang Si freshened up and went to spend time with her precious daughter, whom she hadn’t seen for days.

On the second day after Jiang Si’s return, Yu Jin arrived in the capital, bringing Jiang Zhan directly to the Earl of Dongping’s mansion.