“You know me?”

Jiang Yan sat up straight, his eyes revealing hope.

“I do.”

She knew everyone in the Jiang family. Among those of similar age to her who called her sister-in-law, only Jiang Yan fit.

“Why are you crying?”

Song Wan stood by the wall and inquired in a low voice.

She had not been at the marquis manor keeping her widow’s vigil for long, yet found the time unbearably slow.

The vast Lanting Courtyard housed only her and a few servants, making Song Wan quite uncomfortable. If not for this, she would not have been wandering the courtyard tonight and encountered Jiang Yan.

“Why am I crying?”

Jiang Yan murmured in repetition, then said with a sobbing voice: “I cry because I was born different from everyone else, and I cry because no one in this world cherishes or loves me.”

“I cry because in Madam’s eyes, there is only Jiang Yi—she never cares whether I live or die.”

“I cry because Liu Chengxiang is my maternal blood uncle, yet his heart only seeks to profit from me.”

“I cry because Concubine Mother has no genuine feelings, never treating me as her own child, only using me as a bargaining chip to manipulate Father.”

“I cry because I know others have no heart for me, yet I still pray they will treat me sincerely.”

“I cry because everyone else in the world shares deep mother-child bonds, yet only Concubine Liu is cruel and ruthless, showing no mercy.”

“I cry because I know she treats me harshly, yet I’m bound by blood ties and don’t know how to break free.”

“I cry because even though I know she is terrible in every way, I cannot escape the shackles and extortion of filial piety.”

Jiang Yan extended one hand through the drainage opening. The youth’s slender white palm was stained with mud mixed with blood. Song Wan didn’t know what he was thinking, but he forcefully crawled through that drainage opening.

The drainage tunnel was narrow and cramped. With his head covered in blood, Jiang Yan cried as he walked before her.

Song Wan was startled by him and hastily retreated seven or eight steps.

“You are my sister-in-law. Teach me—what should I do?”

Covered in mud, Jiang Yan’s entire face was a mess from crying. As he spoke, tears the size of beans continuously rolled down his cheeks.

The youth just over ten years old was actually half a head shorter than her.

Song Wan furrowed her brows. She had wanted to say he was not only overstepping boundaries but also extremely improper. However, seeing his head covered in blood, she couldn’t help but feel compassion.

“Come with me.”

Bringing him into Longxiang Pavilion courtyard, Song Wan said: “Wait here for me.”

She entered the room and brought out a large lacquered tray, carefully placing it before Jiang Yan. Behind her, Heng Zhi followed, holding a brass plate in her hands.

“Second Young Master Yan, this servant will clean your face.”

Heng Zhi stepped forward to wipe clean the dirt on Jiang Yan’s head, then carefully applied hemostatic and anti-swelling powder to promote healing. After completing all this, she retreated to a short distance away.

Song Wan stood under the corridor lantern, her gaze calm as she looked at him.

Jiang Yan only saw the young lady before him appear dignified and graceful. She stood in the brightest place in the courtyard, momentarily making it impossible to look away.

Song Wan pressed her lips together slightly. After thinking for a moment, she said softly: “If no one in the world loves you, then love yourself. Why indulge in greed, anger, and delusion for others, allowing love and hatred to disturb your own peace of mind?”

“Moreover, others’ love is not in your own hands. If someone loves you today, they may not love you every day. If they love you today, you feel joy and delight. If they don’t love you tomorrow, you feel resentment and sorrow. In the end, you cease to be yourself, and they cease to be themselves—what is the point?”

“As for what you said about Concubine Liu…”

Song Wan furrowed her brows, unwilling to involve herself in their mother-son affairs.

As the saying goes, outsiders should not interfere in family matters. How could she, an outsider, speak ill of Jiang Yan’s birth mother?

But when Song Wan looked up and saw Jiang Yan staring intently at her, his eyes full of desperate longing for salvation, she finally couldn’t help but say: “The world bustles—all for profit. Even blood relatives cannot escape this.”

Jiang Yan pressed his head, his eyes red as he said: “But she is my birth mother. She should cherish me, love me, protect me, and be affectionate with me. All mothers under heaven treat their children this way—why is she alone different?”

“We share the same blood. She shouldn’t treat me like this.”

Lying on the bed, Jiang Yan gazed at the bed curtains strung with small pink beads before him, his heart aching.

Back then, he had been young and thought Song Wan was learned from childhood. But those words, thinking about them now, must have also been questions in her own heart.

In time unknown to others, Jiang Yan guessed she must have read through many books to find answers that could convince herself.

He remembered that Song Wan had fallen silent for a long while before saying faintly: “It is commonly said that between birth and raising, their kindness is equal.”

“Although Concubine Liu gave you life, if she never raised you, this kindness must be halved.”

“Since the kindness is halved, it seems the filial piety in your heart should also be divided, with half given to the nanny who fed and raised you.”

Jiang Yan blinked blankly, understanding what she meant—that he could halve his filial devotion to Concubine Liu.

“The books also say: ‘True friendship lies in mutual understanding; why must it be between flesh and blood?'”

Song Wan clutched the embroidered handkerchief in her hand, her eyes also showing traces of confusion.

Strangers may not be incapable of understanding and trusting each other. Blood relatives, perhaps, need not necessarily be close.

“You say you’re bound by blood ties and don’t know how to break free, yet why don’t you consider that it’s not blood ties binding you, but rather you willingly submitting to their extortion?”

Taking a book from the lacquered tray, Song Wan handed it to Jiang Yan: “I give this to you.”

Jiang Yan opened it dazedly, only to see one page covered with densely packed annotations in red characters.

He looked carefully and discovered it was from “Lunheng, Chapter on the Nature of Things.”

Jiang Yan stared at it for a long time and finally felt at peace.

Yet he didn’t know what he should do to escape his current predicament. He stared into Song Wan’s eyes, asking dumbly.

Song Wan thought for a moment and said: “Cultivate your character, study to understand principles, and become a learned gentleman.”

“When you can look up without shame before heaven and look down without guilt before others, when your mind is undistracted and cannot be swayed by external temptations, you will probably be able to act as you wish, proceeding without obstacles.”

Jiang Yan contemplated for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Sister-in-law’s meaning should be that when he bore the distinguished reputation of a gentleman, even if he occasionally acted like a petty person, no one would dare say anything.

Jiang Yan raised his head, feeling that Song Wan was not only learned but also exceptionally gentle.

He looked at the young lady under the lamplight, his emotions stirring again and again.

Jiang Yan stood dazed in place. Song Wan, seeing his frail form and pale complexion, had Heng Zhi bring him a bowl of the blood-nourishing and energy-replenishing soup that Nanny Zhao was drinking.

The soup was fishy and bitter. Jiang Yan drank until his tongue went numb.

“It is rather bitter. Eat this.”

For the first time, Song Wan extended her hand and gave Jiang Yan a piece of amber-colored rock sugar wrapped in oiled paper.

Jiang Yan knew of this item. This thing was called rock sugar and was only sold in Lingnan. He had only seen Jiang Xingjian eat it before but had never received even half a piece himself.

Unwrapping one piece and placing it in his mouth, Jiang Yan said with reddened eyes: “Can Yan’er come find sister-in-law again in the future?”

Song Wan shook her head: “It would not be proper.”

Jiang Yan held the rock sugar in one hand and the book in the other, murmuring in a low voice: “It’s only improper, not that you dislike Yan’er?”

“Why would I dislike you?”

Song Wan smiled faintly with pressed lips: “No matter who they are, as long as they know good from evil, understand when to advance and retreat, act honorably and maintain a gentleman’s demeanor, they will be liked by others.”

“Does sister-in-law also like such people?”

“Naturally.”

Like…

Jiang Yan lowered his head, a shallow smile curving at his lips.

So as long as he became a gentleman, sister-in-law would like him.

Jiang Yan tightly clutched the book in his hand, his expression devout and earnest: “After today, I will certainly study hard, cultivate my character, and become a gentleman.”

Song Wan smiled gently and nodded.

When leaving, Song Wan followed behind him, seeing him all the way to the corner gate. Jiang Yan looked back several times, gazing reluctantly at the young lady under the lantern.

The burn mark from the tea water on his face showed red swelling. Song Wan looked at the nail marks and spoke: “Unbending hardness without flexibility brings no advantage; the reverse is also true. If you are always compliant and can be bullied, it will only make the abuser become increasingly excessive. Although you were born to Concubine Liu, you should also firmly remember your own status.”

“You are the master; she is the servant. For a subordinate to offend a superior is an unforgivable crime.”

“Next time, don’t let her lay hands on you again.”

Jiang Yan said in a low voice with reddened eyes: “May I do that?”

Song Wan nodded firmly: “Of course you may.”

That day’s Song Wan was unlike how he saw her later.

Jiang Yan used his finger to lightly hook the decorative knot tassel hanging at the head of the bed and held it in his palm.

This tassel was tied methodically yet with slightly immature technique—it must have been made by Song Wan for fun in her youth.

He carefully traced over what seemed to be faded marks on it, delightedly placing it in his embrace.

Jiang Yan knew he shouldn’t do this. This action was not the way of a gentleman.

But in this lifetime, he probably could never become a gentleman.

If possible, he only hoped to be a gentleman in Song Wan’s eyes. That someday when she thought of him, she could sigh lightly that Second Young Master was honorable—that would be enough.

“In here.”

Xiao Jiye entered with Song Fu and the Director of the Imperial Hospital. Jiang Yan slowly raised his eyes and smiled at him: “My belongings—leave them for her.”

Given his status, he had nothing he could give Song Wan except the businesses and silver he had accumulated with Xiao Jiye outside the manor. Jiang Yan knew she definitely wouldn’t accept it, but he was still afraid.

He feared hardship for women, especially for her who had already married out.

The Third Prince’s situation was not good. He feared that in the future, Jiang Xingjian would not treat her well.

As the saying goes, the road of life is difficult to walk without money as your horse. Though copper stench was like dung to her, having silver would at least ensure she had food and clothing.

Jiang Yan trusted Xiao Jiye. Though his actions were rather arrogant, still…

He trusted him.

Seeing Xiao Jiye nod, Jiang Yan closed his eyes.

He heard Song Fu continuously calling his name and also heard the physician say they could not remain here.

Jiang Yan only felt unbearable pain throughout his body and could no longer hold on, fainting.

“There are no medicines here. Bring him to this old one’s medical lodge.”

The white-bearded elder stuffed a red pill into Jiang Yan’s mouth, then instructed Song Fu to take him away.

Xiao Jiye had wanted to follow and leave, but was held back by Song Fu: “Jiang Yan, he…”

Why would Jiang Yan save him?

Today, Qianbai’s severe injury must have involved the marquis manor’s machinations, so why would Jiang Yan risk his life to save him?

Seeing that Jiang Yan had already been carried away, Xiao Jiye lowered his eyes and said: “What is it?”

Song Fu pressed his lips together. Thinking the other party probably didn’t know Jiang Yan’s thoughts either, he released his hand.

“Second Young Master Yan’s great kindness—Song Fu will never forget it in this lifetime and will certainly repay it in the future. But today, chaos abounds and I cannot leave the manor, so I can only trouble you, worthy brother, to look after him on my behalf.”

Xiao Jiye cupped his fists: “Lord Song, rest assured. Second Young Master is a friend of mine. I will naturally care for him properly.”

With that said, he strode out with large steps.

Song Fu watched their retreating figures, his heart uneasy.

“Go to the marquis manor to find someone. You must inform Wan’er of today’s events. If the marquis manor obstructs you, bring her directly back to the manor, at any cost.”

The servant beside him nodded and hurried to find people in the manor.

Earlier, the household servants had all scattered to search for the family head and his wife, so it took some time. By the time everyone reached Chengyang Marquis Manor, the entire marquis manor was guarded tightly by servants—not even a fly could enter.

Jiang Xingjian and Shen Qianshu had been carried back to the marquis manor. Upon returning, he immediately had people guard both the main gate and the inner residence.

Today’s events were too strange. The Third Prince had been plotted against by the First Prince due to Imperial Consort Jiang’s instigation, while Qianshu was injured at Song Yuning’s hands.

But who were the people who shot and killed the First Prince?

Though Jiang Xingjian’s first thought was the Eastern Palace, upon reflection, it seemed illogical. Even if that cripple in the Eastern Palace suddenly recovered, why would he act against Shen Qianchi?

“Master, how are you?”

“I’m… fine.”

The manor physician had just examined him—he had at least six or seven fractures. Lightly pressing his chest, Jiang Xingjian only felt pain everywhere in his body.

“Tell Mother that it’s time at Grandmother’s side. Also…”

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes. After contemplating for a moment, he said: “Carefully guard Lanting Courtyard. Don’t let Madam be alarmed by today’s events.”

He didn’t want Song Wan to know about today’s events. Her temperament was fierce—if she learned of them, the two of them would certainly sever ties and become enemies.

Biting his lip hard to endure the pain, Jiang Xingjian’s heart was full of turmoil.

Though he had long known this day would come, why did he feel such panic when this situation arrived?

“This one understands.”

“Send Shu’er to my room. Today, you must protect the Fifth Prince at all costs.”

The mastermind behind shooting the First Prince had not yet been found. He could not act rashly. Today, outside was in chaos and the palace gates would certainly be closed. No matter what, he had to keep Shu’er safe and sound until the day of return to the palace.

Thinking of Shen Qianshu’s severed leg, Jiang Xingjian’s heart filled with worry.

Now he could only hope that Shen Qianbai would either die or be crippled. Otherwise, everything he had previously schemed would be in vain…

Under guard, the inner residence of the marquis manor was utterly quiet. Song Wan still didn’t know anything that had happened outside. She only vaguely heard that tonight was rather noisy, but thinking that today was Mid-Autumn and commoners were all outside admiring lanterns and enjoying themselves, she felt it was normal.

“Miss, are you feeling better?”

Song Wan nodded.

Actually, not long after Jiang Xingjian left the marquis manor, she felt the pain in her abdomen gradually ease. In less than half an hour, it no longer hurt.

“I haven’t seen Elder Brother or Aunt. I wonder if they will worry about me.”

Song Wan half-reclined on the embroidered daybed, her tone melancholy.

At the mention of Song Fu, Heng Zhi felt uncomfortable for an instant but quickly recovered.

The master and three servants were arranging flower lanterns in the room when they suddenly heard a clicking sound at the window.

Song Wan turned to look and was nearly frightened to tears by Lin Jiayue.

Everyone saw her disheveled, with one hand and one foot clinging to the window, climbing bizarrely into the room.

“Don’t make a sound. Come help me.”

She looked up and saw Song Wan, Heng Zhi, and the others staring dumbly at her, so she called out in a suppressed voice.

“Go help.”

Heng Zhi and Heng Wu hurried forward to assist her inside. But as soon as Lin Jiayue entered the room, she blew out the candles and sat alone beneath the embroidered daybed.

Seeing this action, Song Wan knew she didn’t want anyone to discover her presence.

Were there people outside?

“What happened?”

Her expression turned stern as she immediately became alert.

Lin Jiayue sat on the floor, quietly looking at her. After a moment of silence, she said: “You didn’t go to view the lanterns today—what was the reason?”

Seeing that she had painstakingly climbed through the window just to ask such nonsense, Heng Wu couldn’t help but feel annoyed: “Isn’t it because you recklessly sold off servants in the manor, causing problems in the small kitchen that resulted in our miss being poisoned by a clumsy maid?”

Hearing this, Lin Jiayue smiled faintly: “So it wasn’t your own initiative to stay behind.”

She didn’t believe such coincidences existed in this world. If it wasn’t Song Wan’s own idea, then it must have been Jiang Xingjian’s.

He must have known something would happen outside tonight, so he deliberately kept Song Wan behind to protect her.

Thinking of this, Lin Jiayue let out a snort of laughter, even laughing to tears.

After her foolish laughter, she looked at Song Wan and said: “Do you know? Tonight, something terrible happened outside. Many people died—so many, many people…”