Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “I wonder what the Mighty General considers himself to be?”

The man sneered coldly. “Li Weiyang, you truly ate the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard to dare speak to me this way!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Cousin Nan, you’re merely a third-rank general, while I’m a second-rank County Princess. Not only do you fail to perform proper courtesy upon seeing me, you’re also so arrogant and domineering—have you forgotten all about rank hierarchy and cast it to the nine heavens?”

Jiang Nan’s expression froze for an instant, then he smiled faintly.

Li Weiyang spoke correctly. She was a County Princess of the second rank, which was indeed one rank higher than his third-rank Mighty General position. When the two met, naturally he should be the one performing courtesy. However, his third rank came from real military achievements, completely different from how women obtained their ranks. Moreover, in the Great Li Dynasty, women rarely received such honors for merit. So Jiang Nan truly hadn’t thought of this at first. Besides, this wasn’t a formal occasion where a general needed to perform grand ceremony—spreading such news wouldn’t sound good. Therefore, Jiang Nan had no intention of dismounting to pay respects. Instead, he looked down at Li Weiyang from his elevated position, his face showing a trace of arrogance. “Li Weiyang, your discernment is quite good. We haven’t met before, have we?”

Li Weiyang smiled. The person before her was Jiang Xu’s fourth son, Jiang Nan. His appearance inherited the Jiang family’s consistently noble and outstanding looks. Moreover, at such a young age yet wearing the armor of a third-rank general—in the entire Great Li Dynasty, he was the only one.

In the past, she had greatly admired this Fourth Young Master Jiang who was constantly campaigning abroad.

In her impression, among the five young men of the Jiang family, the most steady was First Young Master Jiang, the most gloomy was Second Young Master Jiang, the smartest was Third Young Master Jiang, and the most skilled in battle was actually this fourth-ranked Jiang Nan. Setting aside the mysterious Fifth Young Master Jiang, Fourth Young Master Jiang, despite his young age, was the most prominent.

Of course, if Jiang Nan hadn’t been favored by the goddess of fate, he would have been a mediocre person born into wealth and privilege, living an ordinary life in a muddle. However, he happened to be born into the Jiang family, so from childhood he followed his father, absorbing military strategy through constant exposure. At age eight, Jiang Xu brought him to the battlefield. Initially, because he was young, he wasn’t allowed on the battlefield and remained alone in the military tent. People were curious that an eight-year-old child could actually endure staying put. Later they discovered he was playing chess by himself in the tent, using his left hand against his right hand. However, it wasn’t until Jiang Nan turned thirteen that he gradually entered people’s view. His military talent was trained through the strategic and tactical art of chess. One could say a single wrong move brings complete collapse. Deeply understanding this principle, Jiang Nan applied it freely on the battlefield with ease. He not only achieved defense through offense, advancing step by step with a three-moves-ahead chess strategy, but also displayed great general’s demeanor in battle, neither hurried nor slow. When Jiang Xu campaigned against Min Yang, once the rebels took advantage of Jiang Xu and others being absent from camp to launch a night raid on the military tents. Who knew Jiang Nan had already led men to ambush at the site, catching the enemy in one net. Then under cover of night, he led troops to raid the rebel strongholds around Min Yang City, capturing four in one night. At dawn, he ordered the rebel captives to line up in formation and charge ahead, while his own army followed closely behind, attacking the rebels’ remaining nine strongholds. The slaughter outside Min Yang City was so intense that corpses piled into mountains and the river’s flow was blocked. It was precisely this battle that made Jiang Nan famous overnight. However, what people admired most wasn’t merely his military ability but more importantly, he always led from the front in every battle. Ancient texts warn: Military strategy most forbids advancing deep alone. Yet this saying simply didn’t apply to Jiang Nan. His specialty was winning with fewer numbers, and whenever facing enemies ten or even twenty times his force, he could rise up to attack, respond calmly—wherever his troops passed, all fell before them! Therefore, at such a young age he was already enfeoffed by the Emperor as Mighty General, truly worthy of being called a generalship prodigy whose name would flow through millennia.

If Jiang Nan was already this outstanding, not to mention he had three remarkable elder brothers—who knew how much incense the Jiang family burned in their past lives that their men were each more outstanding than the last. Li Weiyang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. She truly didn’t want to get entangled with this fierce family, but many people’s positions were destined from birth to be adversarial—like herself and Li Changle, like Tuoba Yu and Tuoba Zhen. This lifetime they were already destined to stand on opposing sides, fighting to the death. Thinking this, she instructed a eunuch nearby: “Come here and help the driver to the side.”

The four matrons accompanying the carriage had all been left outside the third palace gate. Only the driver, Bai Zhi, and Zhao Yue were inside the second gate. At this moment, Bai Zhi was too nervous to speak, while Zhao Yue’s hand unconsciously went to her waist, only then remembering that her sword had been left outside when entering the Imperial City. She immediately felt frustrated.

The distant eunuch looked at Jiang Nan fearfully and didn’t say a word.

Li Weiyang raised her voice: “Can’t you hear?”

The eunuch rarely saw a woman speak with such harsh severity, and with that expression carrying a hint of warning, he was greatly startled. Instinctively he walked over to help up the driver and took him aside to apply medicine.

Only then did Li Weiyang glance at Jiang Nan. The other party was staring straight at her. His eyes actually held a trace of appreciation that even he hadn’t discovered—she was truly rarely this strong. Many men who considered themselves powerful hoped women around them would be delicate and weak at all times to inflate their confidence immensely. But men whose hearts were firm as stone appreciated women equally strong as themselves—only then could they feel the pleasure of conquest. Having stayed on battlefields too long, Jiang Nan deeply detested those fragile young ladies in his bones, especially his own devastatingly beautiful cousin who would tremble at the slightest breeze. But this Li Weiyang, though young, combined softness with strength—very interesting. However, her birth was truly too base, so base that even speaking to her made him feel insulted.

“Why don’t you answer my question?”

Li Weiyang laughed, her smile carrying three parts mockery. “Cousin Nan, I don’t know whether you’re blocking my carriage to rob me or take the opportunity to teach me a lesson. If the former, please look at the location! If the latter, please consider whether you’re qualified! If it were my great uncle, the first-rank Grand General, that would be one thing. But you, a third-rank military officer—what qualification do you have to throw your weight around here?! This is the corridor of the palace’s second gate. Do you think this is a marketplace?”

Jiang Nan was a favored son born with a golden spoon, and with his youthful success, he’d grown up in the spotlight his entire life, always surrounded by applause and admiring gazes. Never had anyone dared use what he was most proud of to mock him—Li Weiyang was the first. Come to think of it, his generalship came from real military merit, while Li Weiyang obtained her second-rank County Princess title merely through honeyed words. This was indeed hard for generals under heaven to accept. But unable to accept it or not, they had to accept it. Even with his noble status, he must bow his head before the base-born Li Weiyang—this was cruel reality.

But was Jiang Nan someone who would meekly submit? He sneered coldly: “Sharp-tongued—still just base-born trash.”

“There are two kinds of base people. One kind is born that way, helpless. The other kind is self-righteous, enjoying making trouble for nothing! Another name for them is ‘asking for it.'” Li Weiyang smiled very innocently, very fitting for a girl her age.

Jiang Nan didn’t get angry but laughed instead, his handsome features shining brilliantly in the sunlight. “Li Weiyang, your bodyguard’s martial skills are quite good.”

Li Weiyang had originally wanted to turn and board the carriage, but hearing these words, her movement paused. Zhao Yue shot forward from behind her like an arrow: “You’re the one who injured my elder brother?!”

Jiang Nan’s expression showed what could be called a cruel smile. “Just a small souvenir. If he hadn’t run fast, he would have left behind a leg.”

Zhao Yue clenched her fists tightly. Li Weiyang said, “Stand down!” Zhao Yue gritted her teeth but ultimately didn’t dare show her anger. Li Weiyang looked at Jiang Nan. “What exactly do you want to say?”

Jiang Nan gazed at her coldly. “I want to remind you to remember your own status and not covet things that don’t belong to you!”

“Such as?” Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows.

Jiang Nan said slowly, “You and I both know perfectly well. You, a mere common-born daughter, dare to deal with your legitimate elder siblings—your courage is already great enough. Yet you even dare send people to assassinate your own elder brother—truly extremely cruel. If you still don’t know restraint, don’t blame me for telling your father the truth and letting him know what you’ve done! By then, everything you’ve painstakingly built up will all be finished!”

Li Weiyang smiled. “Go tell him quickly, or you’ll be too late.”

Jiang Nan frowned. “What do you mean?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was very amiable. “You go tell Father about Elder Brother being assassinated, and I’ll go tell His Majesty about how the Jiang family left their garrison posts without imperial decree. Tell me—a family’s internal strife versus disobeying an imperial edict—will I die first, or will you die first!”

Jiang Nan gripped his riding crop tightly, almost whipping it out. He had to suppress his anger because his third brother had already warned him about this exact thing once! This was also why the Jiang family had to endure! Originally when they received the secret letter, Father sent people back to rescue. Fortunately, he wasn’t at ease and went personally, otherwise Li Minfeng would definitely have died at the hands of the highly skilled assassin! At that time, he wanted to kill that assassin who had seen him to silence him, but who knew Zhao Nan actually escaped! However, this also left the Jiang family with leverage, making it impossible to convict Li Weiyang!

Jiang Nan was furious inside, yet his face showed no emotion. He said slowly, “Li Weiyang, in our eyes, you’re nothing but a clown jumping up and down.”

Li Weiyang laughed. “Oh, I’m a clown?”

Thinking of what Li Minfeng said about Li Weiyang’s close relationship with Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu, Jiang Nan’s smile carried a hint of malice. “A common-born base thing—once enfeoffed as County Princess, given beautiful clothes and jewelry, receiving others’ obsequious bows, you think you’ve ascended to heaven. You’ve acted enough and forgotten who you are… actually attempting to cling to dragons and phoenixes—it’s simply disgusting! Let me tell you, your mother was just a foot-washing maid. If I killed you with one sword when no one’s around, no one would stand up for you!” Jiang Nan sneered coldly. “You’d better be smart.”

“Then… what are you waiting for?” Li Weiyang’s eyes, clear as water, looked at him. Her voice was soft yet disdainful. “Feel free to kill me with one sword! However, you’d better remember clearly—what kind of family is the Jiang family, and what kind of family is the Li family? Is my threat greater, or is the scandal of Young General Jiang killing his cousin for no reason greater? Mighty General, you’d better weigh it carefully in your heart…”

Jiang Nan was stunned. He had merely thought Li Weiyang was a woman, so relied on his battlefield reputation to intimidate her. Who knew she understood everything clearly in her heart, knowing the details even better than he did!

He was so angry he couldn’t speak for a long while.

“If Cousin Nan insists on killing me, I’m helpless. But I enter the palace every few days to transcribe Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager. If something happened to me, it wouldn’t sound very good when the Empress Dowager asks about it. Oh right, remember when you see the Emperor and Empress Dowager, don’t mention Elder Sister—they don’t much like her…” Li Weiyang smiled gently as she finished these sentences, then suddenly her eyes looked toward the distance. She quickly said, “I must go pay respects to a noble personage. I’ll take my leave.” With that, she quickly walked forward. As she walked, she rapidly disheveled her own hair and clothes, making herself look frightened—who knew what she was planning.

Jiang Nan watched in shock as she flew over and curtsied to an approaching luxurious carriage in the distance. Then, not knowing what she said, she actually boarded the carriage. He narrowed his eyes. Though he didn’t often travel through the palace, he could still tell that carriage clearly belonged to… After quite a while, just as he prepared to leave, a eunuch came over and said, “Mighty General, the Princess requests your presence.”

Jiang Nan was stunned, then immediately dismounted and walked over quickly, performing a respectful salute. “Jiang Nan pays respects to the Princess.”

A palace maid lifted the pearl curtain, revealing the person inside—magnificently adorned with flowers and brocade, yet with an emaciated face. This face undoubtedly belonged to Princess Yongning. She looked at Jiang Nan, her expression rather displeased. And Li Weiyang sat quietly to one side, her shoulders twitching as if crying.

What was going on? Jiang Nan felt something wasn’t right.

Princess Yongning said coldly, “I often hear people say the sons of the Jiang family are all talented. Today I’ve certainly witnessed it—at the palace gates, you actually dare draw your sword to kill someone. Truly outrageous!”

Jiang Nan was slightly stunned, then his gloomy, hawk-like gaze fell on Li Weiyang.

Li Weiyang raised her eyes. Her delicate face actually showed fear, her eyes holding uneasy tears, her manner pitiful as if she’d suffered great injustice. Seeing Jiang Nan’s fierce gaze, she seemed even more frightened, quietly hiding behind the Princess.

Jiang Nan was extremely astonished. Just moments ago, Li Weiyang’s sharp-tongued and unflappable manner had left a deep impression. Now this appearance seemed like a completely different person. Was she a natural actress? Just now she’d been rattling off words that left him speechless, yet after turning around she told Princess Yongning about this matter and even put on an appearance of suffering tremendous grievance—this—how could such a shameless woman exist in the world?!

He was so angry his liver and heart nearly trembled.

Princess Yongning comforted Li Weiyang. “Don’t be afraid. This is the palace, not the Jiang family’s front gate. I don’t believe he still dares draw his sword here!”

Drawing a sword at the palace gates was equivalent to treason. Jiang Nan understood this very clearly. He hurriedly said, “Princess, this is all a misunderstanding! I was just joking with my cousin…” At this point, Jiang Nan smiled awkwardly. “Weiyang, you’re being improper telling the Princess about jokes!” His voice held suppressed anger.

Princess Yongning frowned. In her view, this was undisguised threatening.

Li Weiyang seemed very fearful, clutching Princess Yongning’s arm without letting go. “Princess, please let me avoid him in the carriage! Though the Mighty General is my cousin, he only recognizes my legitimate elder sister as his sister. He’s very disgusted with me, this common-born one. If I unfortunately die here, making my grandmother and father experience white-haired people sending off black-haired people would be most unfilial…”

Her voice carried boundless grief. Princess Yongning comforted her, her face showing uncontrollable anger. Common-born! Common-born! What legitimate versus common-born! Her own birth mother was merely Consort Hui—in the end, just the Emperor’s concubine. Though she, this princess, was raised before the Empress, palace servants often gossiped behind her back about how she wasn’t the Empress’s legitimate princess—hearing such talk made her furious!

Jiang Nan stood awkwardly to the side. He hated until his teeth itched. This woman was too hateful! Such deep scheming, so hateful! No wonder she ran so fast just now—before he could even react, she’d run before the Princess to play pitiful and even used Princess Yongning’s background to make her case. He’d been too complacent, actually played by a little girl!

Actually, it wasn’t strange for Jiang Nan. Usually he contemplated battlefield tactics and strategic planning. In terms of reporting others behind their backs and stabbing them in the back, he was far inferior to Li Weiyang.

Princess Yongning consoled her. “Don’t cry. He doesn’t dare act recklessly. Don’t talk about dying—it’s inauspicious! You’re a County Princess personally enfeoffed by the Emperor Father. I’d like to see who dares touch a hair on your head…”

The female officials also consoled her from the sides. Jiang Nan’s face gradually turned livid as he cast a pleading look toward one of the female officials. He was a very clever person, knowing he couldn’t gain anything good from this harsh widow princess, so he took a roundabout approach to find another method.

Lady Tao, a first-rank maid beside the Princess, glanced at Jiang Nan and was stunned by his handsome appearance. Then she quietly blushed and persuaded, “Princess, this must be a misunderstanding. Surely the General wouldn’t be so bold. This is after all the palace corridor. If our carriage blocks here, His Majesty might find out, and if the matter escalates, it won’t be good for the County Princess either.”

Li Weiyang caught Lady Tao’s expression from the corner of her eye. Knowing Jiang Nan could play tricks, tears rolled down again. “I’ll leave immediately—I absolutely cannot let this matter escalate…”

Everyone looked at her in shock.

Jiang Nan was stunned. Li Weiyang compromised so easily—he wasn’t used to it.

Then he heard Li Weiyang’s tone shift. “Originally, the Mighty General is third rank—if he demanded I pay respects, it would be reasonable. It’s just he shouldn’t have struck my driver without a word. Now I want to leave but can’t. Please lend me a driver, Princess. Otherwise, I’ll turn back to the palace and borrow one from the Empress Dowager…”

Princess Yongning’s expression changed. What? Even injuring someone’s driver—the Jiang family was truly too excessive!

Li Weiyang understood very clearly that Princess Yongning wasn’t foolish. She wouldn’t willingly participate in the disputes between the Li and Jiang families. But the problem was, Princess Yongning’s former husband came from Duke Yingguo’s Zhou family. Setting aside how the Zhou and Jiang families never got along, when the Princess was selecting a husband back then, the Jiang family’s eldest son Jiang Hai happened to be of age and was both civil and martial—he could be said to be the best candidate. But if Jiang Hai married the Princess, not only would he be unable to go to battlefields to establish merit in the future, it would also affect the Jiang family’s ability to command troops. So within half a month, Jiang Hai married Lady Han. Princess Yongning vaguely knew about this matter. Could she truly have no resentment toward the Jiang family? Not even ghosts would believe that. Thinking of how the Jiang family’s eldest rejected her years ago, and now even this fourth son didn’t put her in his eyes, Princess Yongning rarely felt her temper rise. The Jiang family’s power was indeed great, but they would forever be subjects of the imperial family! They mustn’t miscalculate!

Lady Tao was also clever. Seeing the Princess’s expression shift uncertainly, she also thought of past events. Her desire to help this young general immediately cooled by half.

Li Weiyang continued, “Princess, the Mighty General came to pay respects to His Majesty—perhaps he has urgent official business to report. Please let him go quickly, lest he miss the time and His Majesty blames him. Then Weiyang’s fault would be great…”

Lady Tao’s back went cold.

Princess Yongning’s eyes showed a fierce light. Urgent official business? Having official business meant he could disregard her, this princess? She looked coldly at Jiang Nan. “You apologize properly to Miss Li, then compensate her with a driver. After that, you may go see my Father Emperor.”

Her voice held rare authority.

Jiang Nan was utterly embarrassed, but he was after all no ordinary mortal. He knew how to weigh the gravity of this matter and immediately performed a respectful salute. “Cousin, I misspoke momentarily. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Li Weiyang quietly blinked. “In the future, Cousin won’t say he wants to kill me anymore, right? If in the future—”

Princess Yongning sneered coldly. “If in the future you’re missing even a piece of skin, I’ll report to Father Emperor and charge him with the crime of murdering a County Princess!”

Jiang Nan felt the fury in his heart rushing upward, wanting nothing more than to drag that false little rabbit acting beside the Princess down from the carriage. But on his face he wore a smile, repeatedly saying, “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”

After sending off the Princess’s carriage, Li Weiyang smiled at Jiang Nan. “Now I feel much safer.”

Jiang Nan ground his teeth. “Do you still want me to compensate you with a driver?”

Li Weiyang stood quietly, gazing at Jiang Nan. Her eyes gradually calmed until they were like an ancient pool—clear water without waves. Her voice was also clear. “That won’t be necessary. Oh right, didn’t Cousin Nan just say I’m disgusting? I forgot to tell you—in the future, there will be many more things that disgust you. Slowly endure them.” With that, she turned and boarded the carriage. Zhao Yue glanced coldly at Jiang Nan, jumped onto the carriage, raised the whip and struck sharply. The horse raised its hooves and rapidly drove forward.

Jiang Nan watched the carriage depart with a dark expression, recalling what Third Brother had said before returning: Li Weiyang is clever and cunning, sinister and cruel. Try not to clash with her directly. The great cause comes first… He had long passed the age of naive ignorance, viewing things much more worldly. No matter how formidable Li Weiyang was, she was confined to the inner chambers—she couldn’t really make waves. Getting annoyed at an ant wasn’t worth it! A man’s energy should be devoted to the imperial court. Jiang Nan clenched the riding crop in his palm. However, thinking of how Great Aunt suddenly died and Li Minfeng was forced into exile… this woman was truly an eyesore.

Fortunately, no matter how proud she was, she couldn’t stay proud for more than two days!

Li Minde was in his study instructing Zhao Nan on some matters when he saw Li Weiyang return.

She wore an apricot-yellow gown embroidered with lilies and light pink embroidered shoes. Her eyes were bright and clear, yet the person seemed to lack spirit. Upon entering, she said, “I’m starving to death. Is there anything to eat?”

Li Minde and Zhao Nan looked at each other. He hurriedly asked what had happened.

“The palace didn’t give me food.” Li Weiyang sounded listless.

Li Minde hurriedly ordered people to prepare. Seeing her appearance, she must have been hungry for a long time. When hungry for too long, the stomach’s tolerance weakens—she should eat easily digestible things. He instructed, “Use less oil. All dishes should be light.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang said, “Don’t be so particular. Leftovers from lunch are fine too—just be quick.”

Li Minde was taken aback. But freshly making food would take at least an hour, so he could only comply. Soon, crispy chicken, oil-braised eel, vinegar-pepper monkey head mushrooms, divine duck, immortal tofu… filled the table. Though leftovers from lunch, at most only one or two bites had been taken. Li Weiyang picked up chopsticks and swallowed the food rapidly. Li Minde was slightly shocked. Li Weiyang glanced at Bai Zhi and Zhao Yue beside her and quickly said, “You two go eat quickly. Don’t stand here watching anymore.”

Having waited up all night for the young miss to leave the palace, both maids were starving. They didn’t decline and quickly went out to eat. Li Minde was initially worried, but seeing Li Weiyang say one sentence then lower her head to eat, her appetite obviously very vigorous—probably nothing was wrong. He breathed a sigh of relief.

The dessert was date paste osmanthus cake. The pastry chef used the suspended paste technique—first making water-ground flour from glutinous rice flour, then wrapping in filling made from date paste, walnut meat, osmanthus, preserved plums, and a dozen other fruit ingredients. This dessert was characterized by its moon-like color—sweet, fragrant, and refreshing. Just looking at it, one seemed to feel rich pure fragrance floating. This was something Li Minde had previously ordered prepared, originally meant to save for Li Weiyang as dessert. Now he brought it out early. Seeing it, Li Weiyang’s gluttony was completely aroused. She ate large mouthfuls, finishing in moments, then requested another piece before finally feeling like she’d come back to life.

After she finished eating, Li Minde asked, “What happened today? Didn’t you say you’d return shortly after going to the palace?”

Li Weiyang sighed contentedly. “I was transcribing Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager, then encountered a small matter that delayed the meal time. It’s nothing serious.”

A small matter? She spoke lightly, but Li Minde didn’t think so. Just then, Li Weiyang suddenly looked up and asked Zhao Nan beside them, “That day you mentioned encountering a young man—did he have long eyes, a high nose bridge, very fair skin, a very tall build, and a rather arrogant expression?”

Zhao Nan was startled, then realizing what Li Weiyang was asking, he quickly nodded. “The County Princess’s description is very apt. It’s exactly him.”

So it was him. Li Minfeng had been rescued by Fourth Young Master Jiang. Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows thoughtfully.

Li Minde quickly understood. He glanced at Zhao Nan, slightly frowning. “Someone from the Jiang family?”

Li Weiyang nodded. “The Jiang family’s fourth young master, Jiang Nan.” She thought for a moment and added, “I ran into him in the palace today.”

Li Minde nodded. He didn’t think Fourth Young Master Jiang would dare do anything to Li Weiyang in the palace, but one must guard against others. Making enemies with the Jiang family still required extra caution.

“He’s a man after all—how could he say much to me, a young girl? Don’t worry. Not just him—even my uncle can’t directly come scold me.” The inner chambers and outer court were indeed closely related. If the outer court was successful, the inner chambers would naturally be smooth sailing. But regarding disputes among women in the inner chambers, men couldn’t easily interfere. So in the inner chambers, survival depended on individual ability. No matter how formidable the Jiang family men were, could they run into the courtyard to teach Li Changle how to deal with her? That seemed impractical. However, the Jiang family’s greatest fault was being overprotective. She’d sent the First Madam to her death—they definitely wouldn’t let it go. But exactly how they would act was another matter entirely.

After Li Weiyang finished eating, Mozhu came to report. “Miss, Seventh Concubine Tan sent over a pair of shoes this morning. Should this servant try them on for you?”

Li Weiyang thought for a moment and stood. “I’ll go see her.”

Arriving at Seventh Concubine’s courtyard, Concubine Tan was reclining against the bed head doing needlework, embroidering a small belly band.

Li Weiyang glanced at it, her heart inexplicably stirring. The corners of her lips curved slightly upward as she called, “Mother.”

Concubine Tan was delightfully surprised. She set down her needlework and grasped Li Weiyang’s hand, smiling. “You’re back. Are you hungry? Mother has food prepared here.”

She already knew she’d gone to the palace. Li Weiyang smiled. “I’ve already eaten. Mother’s complexion isn’t very good.”

Concubine Tan touched her own face and smiled. “It’s nothing. Just my appetite hasn’t been good.”

Li Weiyang said, “Mother, this courtyard is decorated too plainly. I’ve sent people to buy new furnishings. You should stay at my place for a while first. Then I’ll have people repaint, clean thoroughly, and rearrange the furniture before you move back.”

“No need—living here is quite good!” Concubine Tan hurriedly said. “Don’t make such a fuss!” She was already very happy moving from that remote place to this small courtyard. “The First Madam just passed away a month ago. If I rush to move courtyards, it doesn’t look good.”

Li Weiyang shook her head. “Who knows? I’m not afraid. Just listen to me properly.”

That Li Weiyang dared say such things proved she was very confident. Concubine Tan nodded, light rippling in her eyes.

Li Weiyang continued, “I’ll come again tonight. Is there anything special you want? I’ll have people buy it for you…”

Concubine Tan didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm and said, “I’d like some fresh embroidery patterns…”

Li Weiyang immediately agreed. Concubine Tan’s eyes then showed some tears. Li Weiyang’s heart softened. She never felt she treated Concubine Tan particularly well, yet the other party was so moved she didn’t know what to say. She turned to look at the small belly band. “Who is this for?”

The small belly band was embroidered with beautiful little mandarin ducks and lotus flowers—exquisite and delicate. Concubine Tan smiled. “Ninth Concubine will give birth in another two months. This is for her.”

Li Weiyang set down the belly band and said indifferently, “Mother needn’t trouble herself. She has people to look after her.”

Since the First Madam’s death, Ninth Concubine had moved back. Li Weiyang felt it was better to keep distance from this concubine. After all, she held the woman’s leverage. Though they’d briefly cooperated because of a common enemy, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t turn on each other. Now Ninth Concubine’s belly carried a precious child. Father had great expectations, hoping for a boy… Anyway, Li Weiyang didn’t covet anything from the Li family. Whether Ninth Concubine bore a son or daughter didn’t matter to her. But others might not think the same way.

Just then, Concubine Tan suddenly dry-heaved. A maid quickly brought over a spittoon. Concubine Tan retched for a while but vomited nothing. Li Weiyang’s bright eyes lit up. “Mother?!”

Concubine Tan smiled, her face inexplicably flushing red. “I had a physician look. He said it’s been three months.”

Li Weiyang had only suspected in her heart. Now hearing this, she was completely stunned. Concubine Tan was pregnant? Good heavens—she was going to have a younger brother? This… how was this possible? In her previous life, Concubine Tan died early. There was absolutely no such child—

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier about something this important?” Beyond her joy, Li Weiyang couldn’t help feeling very surprised.

Concubine Tan’s face held a peaceful smile. “I only just found out myself. During the First Madam’s funeral, I also helped and kept feeling dizzy and foggy. Later when I called a physician, I learned it had already been three months.” After the First Madam fell ill, Fourth and Sixth Concubines fought even more fiercely. Ninth Concubine was pregnant. Li Xiaoran had no heart to take new women, so he occasionally came to sit at Concubine Tan’s place. Compared to those seventeen or eighteen-year-old girls, Concubine Tan seemed more steady in character, understanding, gentle, and considerate, making him feel very comforted. In a month, he’d rest at her place five or six days. Others saw this, but because Concubine Tan was detached by nature, contented with her lot, and Li Weiyang was no pushover, no one dared make trouble. That said, Concubine Tan was already thirty-two this year. A sudden pregnancy was still an unexpected joy.

Li Weiyang smiled, her heart rarely so comfortable. She was going to have another biological younger brother! But soon her smile faded. “Does Father know?”

Concubine Tan didn’t know why her expression suddenly changed and felt a bit uneasy. “The Master hasn’t come these past few days. I planned to tell him in a couple days.”

Li Weiyang nodded. “Let me find an appropriate time to tell everyone.”

She said “everyone,” not Li Xiaoran. There was obviously a big difference. Concubine Tan was simple-minded and didn’t think that much, just smiled and nodded.

Li Weiyang turned to Zhao Yue. “From today on, my mother moves to my courtyard to live. All three meals must be carefully attended to.”

She didn’t give the instruction to Mozhu or Bai Zhi, but spoke to Zhao Yue—the meaning was already very clear. Currently, the Li family’s eldest young master had fallen from favor. The Master had no favored sons. Whether Seventh or Ninth Concubine gave birth to a son first, that child’s status in the family would be completely different. Moreover, the Second Madam was still waiting for the main branch to have no heir so she could benefit… Li Weiyang didn’t care about this, but could those who were watching hungrily truly not care at all?

One must guard against others!

Li Weiyang reported the matter to the Old Madam. She mentioned nothing else, only saying Seventh Concubine’s courtyard leaked and needed repairs, so she was bringing Concubine Tan to stay in her courtyard for two months. The Old Madam felt it inappropriate. The household was so large—there was absolutely no reason to have a concubine squeeze in with a young miss. However, Li Weiyang insisted. After all, this wasn’t a major matter, so eventually she agreed.

For an entire month the weather was continuously good. During evening meal, the Old Madam glanced at the heavily pregnant Ninth Concubine and inquired with great concern, “You’ll give birth in another month, won’t you?”

Ninth Concubine’s face was full of rosy glow. “Yes.”

The Old Madam smiled and nodded, then restrained her expression and said seriously, “This is good. I hope you all can flourish the Li family’s branches and leaves, bearing me many grandsons. Then I’ll be happy.”

Hearing this, Li Xiaoran looked at Ninth Concubine with satisfaction.

The Second Madam curled her lips. Her own husband was common-born and had always been posted away. The Old Madam simply didn’t care about him. Consequently, their second branch’s grandson wasn’t favored either. She’d originally thought that after the eldest young master fell from favor, her own son’s status in the Li family could greatly improve. If Li Xiaoran had no one to inherit his business in the future, the entire Li family would belong to her son. Who knew that fox spirit Ninth Concubine was about to give birth? Her hopes immediately evaporated.

After the Old Madam said this, she sighed again. “Your wife is gone. I know you’re not feeling well. Looking at you these days, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight, with dark circles under your eyes. Seeing you so melancholy and depressed, I feel anxious too.” As she spoke, her tone held slight displeasure. “Fourth Concubine, you should also spend more time with the Master, console him!”

Only Ninth Concubine, because of her pregnancy, could sit on a stool to the side. Fourth Concubine could only stand aside arranging dishes. Hearing these words, her face showed a slightly flustered expression. “What the Old Madam says is correct. I will certainly do my utmost to console the Master.”

Sixth Concubine watched coldly, not saying a word.

The Old Madam stroked her tea bowl and sighed. “Though you have several concubines at your side, too few have children. You should still take new women.”

Li Weiyang, who had been quietly sitting drinking tea, suddenly raised her head and smiled leisurely. “Old Madam, Father, I haven’t yet congratulated you—Seventh Concubine is also over four months pregnant.”

Li Xiaoran was shocked, then overjoyed. He grasped the hand of Seventh Concubine, who had been standing to the side with lowered eyes and obedient manner. “Is what Weiyang says true?”

Li Weiyang’s smile was warm as spring breeze. “Father, your daughter may speak carelessly, but I wouldn’t dare joke about something like this. Seventh Concubine’s constitution is weak. Originally she only thought her stomach was poor. Later when she called a physician, she learned she was pregnant. She was also cautious, fearing a mistake, so I consecutively called three physicians to confirm before coming to report.”

This meant it absolutely wasn’t fraud or deception. Li Xiaoran’s face was full of joy. He was a middle-aged man yet his progeny wasn’t prosperous. Suddenly having two more children—wasn’t this Heaven’s blessing?

Actually, it wasn’t strange. If not for the First Madam’s obstruction, he’d already have children and grandchildren everywhere by now.

The Old Madam was also very happy, looking at Seventh Concubine. “Good news, truly great news!”

Fourth and Sixth Concubines looked at Seventh Concubine’s belly, feeling sourness from their mouths to the roots of their tongues. Their eyes nearly sparked fire.

Ninth Concubine’s smile remained faint, like a thin, soft cloud of smoke atop the sky after rain—always with vague shadows, making it impossible to discern the true meaning behind that smile. “This is truly wonderful. In the future, my child will also have a companion.”

Li Weiyang glanced at her. Ninth Concubine immediately lowered her head, appearing very fearful. Li Weiyang had already discovered this woman was different from before. Looking at her silks and satins, she probably couldn’t wait to quickly bear a son to inherit the Li family in the future. If her previous self still held that former lover in her heart, now she probably only thought of wealth and glory. People would ultimately change!

Just then, Nanny Luo came to report. “Old Madam, the Duke’s wife and the Duke’s eldest daughter-in-law have arrived.”

Li Weiyang looked intently. The Old Madam, supported by Nanny Luo’s hand, stood up. “Very well. I have matters to handle. You may sit a while, then disperse.”

Li Weiyang watched the Old Madam depart. This time, the Old Madam didn’t require her to accompany.

Li Xiaoran looked at Concubine Tan’s belly, overjoyed beyond measure. He turned to instruct people, “Tonight, tidy things up. I’m going to the ancestral hall to offer incense and pray, thanking the ancestors for their protection.” He then grasped Seventh Concubine’s hand. “You’ve worked hard.”

Seventh Concubine’s face flushed with embarrassment, unable to speak. She was still too honest. The Second Madam thought to herself, then looked at Li Weiyang and couldn’t help curling her lips. She truly didn’t know how such an honest person could produce a poisonous scorpion from her belly.

However, Li Weiyang paid no attention to the undercurrents there. Her eyes only stared in the direction the Old Madam departed, her heart inevitably filled with suspicion. Jiang Xu had entered the capital to report on his duties. Li Weiyang had originally thought he would take action, but everything had been calm all along. Today, the Duke’s wife and Jiang Xu’s wife suddenly visited—what would happen?

She didn’t know why, but her right eyelid kept twitching particularly fiercely…