Xiao Yuexi looked at Jiang Changyang’s cold face and called out with a grin, “Brother Jiang, this is all a misunderstanding. When Lü Shilang gets drunk, he always acts like this…” Suddenly hearing Jiang Changyang’s last sentence, he froze, about to ask what joke Jiang Changyang was playing. Just then, he noticed a servant at the door, face pale, peeking in. His heart tightened, his expression changed abruptly, and he quickly strode out.

Everyone understood clearly who Xiao Yuexi’s “brother” really was. Lord Si and the others exchanged glances, unsure whether to go outside to see what had happened or stay put and wait for Xiao Yuexi’s update. After all, they were all sensible people who knew that some unexpected events in life are best kept private. They glanced at Jiang Changyang again, puzzled as to why, despite knowing about Xiao Xuexi’s mishap, he had come here first to beat someone up before slowly addressing Xiao Yuexi.

Jiang Changyang paid them no mind and simply called for others to follow him. Mudan, looking at Lü Fang lying motionless on the ground, felt that Jiang Changyang’s violent throw might have seriously injured him. She nudged Jiang Changyang and said, “Check if he’s alright.” Seeing Jiang Changyang’s dark face turn towards her, she shrank back momentarily, but then thought, “What do I have to fear?” She straightened up, puffed out her chest slightly, and said quietly, “He’s not with them. He’s not a bad person. Even if you don’t want to deal with him, at least call his servant in. If you won’t, I will.”

How did she know Lü Fang wasn’t with Xiao Yuexi? How did she know he wasn’t a bad person? The way he had looked at her earlier, like a miser seeing gold and silver treasures, suggested he might also be trying to take advantage of the situation! Jiang Changyang gritted his teeth, holding back his anger. He gradually softened his expression and tone, grudgingly calling for someone to come help.

Seeing his softened demeanor, Mudan added in a low voice, “I’ve set dogs on him before, and just now I stepped on his hand hard. I don’t know if I damaged it. If his hand is ruined, he won’t be able to catch flowers anymore. It would be like crippling him.”

Jiang Changyang said nothing, but his expression softened further. He graciously went over to examine Lü Fang’s hand, then said, “He’s fine.” He asked Gui to help Kang’er take Lü Fang back. Turning around, he caught Mudan’s approving and happy gaze, which eased much of his discomfort, gradually lifting his spirits.

Mudan, sensing that he was no longer as angry as when he first entered, smiled slightly at him. Jiang Changyang pressed his lips together firmly, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned upward. Suddenly, they heard commotion outside, with someone shouting for help, mixed with crying. Everyone could no longer sit still and looked towards Lord Si.

As the host, Si could no longer feign ignorance. He had already given Xiao Yuexi some time to handle the situation, and now it was his turn to step in. Lord Si said, “I’ll go see what’s happening. Excuse me.” His meaning was clear – the others should not follow.

Human curiosity is universal, and everyone’s imagination was likely running wild. The others were itching to know more but had to remain in the waterside pavilion waiting for news. However, this situation was not what some people wanted. First, a person came running in, kneeling before Jiang Changyang, kowtowing repeatedly and begging incessantly, “Young Master, Young Master, please save our Master! It truly wasn’t his fault; he was framed!” It was Xiao Ba, Jiang Changyi’s personal servant.

So the man in the cave earlier was Jiang Changyi. Jiang Changyang remained silent. At that time, when he was heading to the waterside pavilion and passed by a rockery, he heard something amiss. Carefully circling to the back of the fake mountain, he saw Xiao Xuexi with disheveled hair, flushed face, seductive demeanor, and misty eyes, her clothes in disarray, embracing a man in the cave… This was a scene he never expected to see, and with no one keeping watch outside. Fearing involvement, he had quickly retreated without clearly seeing who the man was. Now he learned it was Jiang Changyi.

Congratulations to Xiao Xuexi for fulfilling her wish to marry into the Zhu Duke’s family, congratulations to the Duke for gaining a noble daughter-in-law to enhance his prestige, and congratulations to Madam Du for her future restless nights. Jiang Changyang felt like laughing but held it back, sternly reprimanding, “You slave, what are you shouting about? What does this have to do with him?”

Xiao Ba, tearfully explained, “The young miss of the Xiao family sent our Master a note, asking to meet him at the Cangchun Grotto behind the nearby rockery. The Master went… and then what happened after…” He trailed off, then desperately kowtowed again. “There’s no time to explain in detail. Please, save him first.”

Soon after, Shun Hou’er peeked in, eyes brimming with tears, looking terrified and traumatized. With trembling lips, he said, “The gentleman who just left is going to kill someone… It’s so frightening…”

Everyone suddenly understood. What could make the usually calm and elegant Xiao Yuexi want to kill someone? And the person he wanted to kill was a young master of the Zhu Duke’s family. What could have happened between a man and a woman? They all began urging Jiang Changyang: “It’s probably just a small misunderstanding that can be cleared up. Taking a life is unthinkable. Let’s go see what’s happening first.” Without waiting for Jiang Changyang’s agreement, they all crowded around him, heading outside.

Jiang Changyang glanced at Mudan, signaling her to follow, then calmly followed Xiao Ba along the path Mudan and the others had come earlier. They were stopped in front of a towering rockery. Lord Si, sweating profusely, bowed repeatedly, “It’s just a small misunderstanding that has been resolved. It’s cold outside, please everyone return to drink, eat, and warm up by the fire.”

Everyone exchanged glances, looking to Jiang Changyang. He gave a cold smile and turned to leave. Xiao Ba cried and jumped, “Young Master, you can’t abandon him! Save our Master, and I’ll serve you like an ox or a horse!” Suddenly, a servant came around from behind the rockery and said, “Please, General Jiang, come over for a moment.”

Jiang Changyang had already learned what he needed to know. The mess between the Xiao and Jiang families wouldn’t involve him. He was about to ignore it, but after a moment’s thought, he stopped and pulled Mudan along to watch the commotion. The servant frowned, wanting to stop Mudan, but was deterred by Jiang Changyang’s glare. While he hesitated, Jiang Changyang and Mudan had already walked past side by side.

Lord Si urged the others, “Let’s all go back, let’s all go back.”

The crowd smirked, thinking silently, “With all the commotion earlier, and it happening right here where people come and go, how could it be kept secret? Those servants are as clever as monkeys; what couldn’t they find out? In less than five days, it’s likely to spread everywhere. Well, well, since we didn’t see it with our own eyes, we’ll just pretend not to know, though we understand in our hearts.” So they all dispersed.

Mudan had come from behind this rockery earlier and hadn’t seen what was in front. Now she clearly saw that besides the large cave at the base of the rockery, above it was written “Cangchun Grotto.”

Xiao Yuexi stood at the cave entrance, his face ashen. Jiang Changyi, disheveled, was tied up and pressed into the snow, lifeless and unmoving. Xiao Xuexi was nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Ba, showing admirable loyalty, suddenly threw himself at Jiang Changyi, shaking him. His voice, piercing the sky, cried, “Master, poor Master! It clearly wasn’t your fault, yet they say it was. This is life-threatening… Wuwu… Thankfully, the Young Master is here. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be anyone to speak up for you, and you’d be bullied without even being able to cry out for justice…”

Jiang Changyi painfully struggled to lift his head: “Shut up! Although… but I still… Brother Xiao… there’s a misunderstanding. No matter what, it’s my fault. But now that it’s come to this, please just let us be.”

A cold light flashed in Xiao Yuexi’s eyes. He glanced at the servant beside him, who immediately stepped forward, kicking Xiao Ba to the ground and moving to cover his mouth. Jiang Changyang stepped forward, blocking the servant, and calmly said to Xiao Yuexi, “Let’s not be hasty with talk of killing. Wouldn’t it be better to clarify what exactly happened before passing judgment?”

“What a fine son the Jiang family has raised! To actually use such despicable means to harm others. From now on, the Xiao and Jiang families are sworn enemies!” Xiao Yuexi suddenly turned to Jiang Changyang, his eyes filled with hatred, teeth grinding audibly. That Jiang Changyang, having heard the commotion and seen what happened, had simply walked away without a care, not asking any questions. And now he had the audacity to pretend to be concerned, as if his brother had just run into some minor trouble! If Jiang Changyang had bothered to intervene at that time, things might not have become so irreparable.

His carefully arranged chess game had been inexplicably disrupted. Who was it? Who could have done this to Xiao Xuexi? Once he found out who it was, he would grind their bones to dust! In his twenty-some years of life, Xiao Yuexi had never felt such pain and anger. His heart ached so much he could barely breathe.

What did the Xiao and Jiang families being sworn enemies have to do with him? He only knew that now he and the Xiao siblings were sworn enemies. Jiang Changyang met Xiao Yuexi’s piercing gaze without flinching, with a hint of disdain and contempt. He sneered, “Judge yourself by the standards you use to judge others. Don’t always assume it’s someone else’s fault. There’s no need to talk about being sworn enemies. If you truly care for your sister, why not let them be together? Why forcibly separate a pair of lovers?”

Judge himself by the standards he uses to judge others? Forcibly separate lovers? What bullshit lovers! Xiao Yuexi wanted to curse. But then he thought of the scene he had witnessed earlier and found himself at a loss for words. He knew that Xiao Xuexi had been drugged by an unknown substance, was confused and unaware of her actions. But to others who saw Xiao Xuexi, she didn’t seem unwilling at all. Jiang Changyang probably saw a similar scene.

Moreover, Jiang Changyi had just told him that it was Xiao Xuexi who had invited him here. When he asked Jiang Changyi for proof, Jiang Changyi refused, saying he would only produce it when the people from the Zhu Duke’s mansion arrived. He had searched Jiang Changyi thoroughly but found nothing. He wasn’t a child to be fooled, but Jiang Changyi’s confident manner made him hesitate.

He raised his eyes and looked venomously at Xiao Ba. The evidence must be on this dog of a servant! Xiao Ba, catching his glance, immediately jumped up and hid behind Jiang Changyang, shrieking, “Young Master, save me!”