Placing the old madam back on the soft bedding, Madam Jiang said: “Didn’t you obtain that wretched firearms formula from that little harlot?”

“The old madam said that no matter what, she must hold on until you’ve established yourself firmly in the Divine Pivot Battalion. When the time comes that you return home for mourning and His Majesty will certainly compel you to remain in office, she will no longer hold on.”

These past days, Madam Jiang didn’t know how many tears she had shed, but even when her tears ran dry, she still had to force herself to carry on. Carefully tucking the quilt around the old madam and selecting several goose-down pillows to place under her elbow joints, Madam Jiang finally asked: “By the way, how is that firearms development going? Will it be enough to make His Majesty compel you to remain in office, making you indispensable?”

At these words, Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes without speaking. The wretched firearms formula Lin Jiayue had given him was seen through at a glance by those responsible for developing military weapons as soon as it was sent to the Divine Pivot Battalion. Though the formula was written in an extremely complicated manner, it was clearly just a firecracker with stronger explosive power. This thing was cast aside as soon as it arrived, with no one paying it further attention. However, fortunately, her addition of tung oil and flour was considered rather ingenious, and the craftsmen were now studying whether it could be incorporated into military weapons.

If not for the sake of the Fifth Prince and Lady Jiang Fei, he would have likely been impeached and kicked out of the Divine Pivot Battalion long ago. Now when he went there daily, it was merely to manage affairs up and down the hierarchy, striving to establish himself more securely. But regardless, using this to leave the Shanglin Garden Bureau was still a good thing.

Jiang Xingjian turned to look at the old madam who had raised him, overcome with grief. However, when facing Madam Jiang again, he smiled faintly: “That firearm is quite remarkable. Mother can rest assured that I have everything in the household under control. You need not worry excessively.”

Hearing this, Madam Jiang wept copiously. “Then all is well, all is well. As for the old madam’s situation…”

Jiang Xingjian gritted his teeth, unable to bear looking at Old Madam Jiang. After a long silence, he slowly uttered: “I can only ask mother and grandmother to help your son hold on for a while longer.”

Having said this, he could not face the two of them and fled in disarray. Jiang Xingjian walked to the outer courtyard in a daze, feeling that even being scorched by the blazing sun could not dispel the chill in his body. The marquis residence’s century-old foundation had been passed down for several generations—it absolutely could not be ruined in his hands.

Thinking of Duan Yiting’s inexplicable visit and of grandmother wasting away to skin and bones during her illness, barely clinging to life, Jiang Xingjian felt his chest weighted down as if by a massive stone.

“Elder brother, are you unwell?”

Jiang Yan had just emerged from Yuling Study when he saw Jiang Xingjian looking absent-minded. After brief consideration, he inquired.

Jiang Xingjian came to his senses, realizing he had somehow arrived at the entrance to Yuling Study. Rubbing his face roughly, Jiang Xingjian said: “Do you have any business today? If not, shall we brothers drink a few cups together?”

Jiang Yan lowered his eyes: “It would be my honor.”

Inviting him into Yuling Study, Qing Zhai and Su Mian prepared dishes for the two, and Jiang Yan brought out a jar of wine and placed it before Jiang Xingjian.

“A friend gave this to me, saying it was fine wine that your younger brother had never tasted. I’ve had a few cups before—it’s truly top quality.”

Breaking the mud seal, Jiang Yan lifted his hand to pour the wine. As soon as the lid was opened, Jiang Xingjian smelled the overflowing wine fragrance. He looked at the honey-colored liquid in the cup and slightly raised his brow.

“I wonder what your friend’s background is?”

Jiang Yan smiled: “He comes from humble origins, with no particular reputation.”

Jiang Xingjian lifted the wine bowl and tasted it carefully, then said: “This wine is called Mandian Xiang. It comes from the palace interior. I too only had the good fortune to taste it in my youth when accompanying father to a palace banquet.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yan’s handsome brows knitted tightly. Seeing that he didn’t seem to be pretending, Jiang Xingjian couldn’t help saying: “Jianghu people have wide connections. Perhaps he obtained it from somewhere without knowing its origin.”

“That he’s willing to share such precious items with you truly shows excellent friendship.”

Having said this, Jiang Xingjian drained his cup in one gulp. The wine was intoxicating, and since he already had his mind full of troubles, after drinking just over half the jar, clouds and mist swirled before his eyes, unable to distinguish the King of Xiang from the goddess.

“Elder brother is drunk.”

Jiang Yan spoke out. Jiang Xingjian’s gaze was rigid, and after a long while he murmured: “Speaking of now, I actually envy you.”

What was wrong with being a concubine-born son? Being a concubine-born son meant not having to bear the responsibility of revitalizing the family business. Being a concubine-born son meant not being constrained by the palace. Being a concubine-born son meant Jiang Yan could be uninhibited and carefree.

“What’s wrong with being a concubine-born son?”

Jiang Xingjian murmured softly. Hearing this, Jiang Yan lowered his eyes without speaking. How could he not want that legitimate son status?

After a long silence, Jiang Yan drank down the last bowl of wine and pointed at the already drunken Jiang Xingjian: “Send the marquis…”

“To Lanting Courtyard, send me back to Lanting Courtyard.”

Jiang Xingjian murmured softly, seemingly calling out Song Wan’s name several times. Jiang Yan pressed his thin lips tightly together, his complexion instantly turning from red to white upon hearing that name. He stared at Jiang Xingjian for a long moment, his expression gloomy: “Send the marquis to Huai Su’s chambers.”

When Qing Zhai went to find Huai Su, she was in her room sewing an inner garment for Jiang Xingjian. She had originally been Jiang Xingjian’s personal maid, and though she had now been elevated to concubine status, it was not much different from before. She knew that in Jiang Xingjian’s heart there was either Song Wan or Lin Jiayue, but she never minded these things. She was fond of Jiang Xingjian—just being by his side was enough.

But Huai Su had never imagined that she too would have a day when she could become his bedside companion. Looking at her intoxicated beloved, Huai Su blushed as she helped him change clothes and wash.

Early the next morning, Jiang Xingjian only felt warmth in his embrace, as if holding soft jade and warm fragrance. His mind was not yet clear, and he assumed he was in Lin Jiayue’s chambers. But after the dullness and confusion from his hangover dissipated, he discovered that the person in his arms was considerably more full-figured than the currently ill Lin Jiayue.

Jiang Xingjian suddenly stiffened, as if not daring to believe what he was thinking.

“Wan’er?”

Huai Su opened her eyes but did not turn her head. She was both ashamed to face Jiang Xingjian, ashamed of having taken advantage of the situation, and bitter that the person she had served since childhood had never had her in his heart.

As soon as Song Wan’s name left his mouth, Jiang Xingjian sensed something was wrong. With Wan’er’s temperament, she would never allow him to enter her room drunk, so how could she…

Jiang Xingjian got up on his own. Huai Su, face flushed, wrapped herself in the bedding and stared at him blankly.

“Change my clothes.”

Seeing that he hadn’t asked a single question about last night’s events, Huai Su’s heart suddenly didn’t know whether to feel joy or sorrow.

“The marquis, please wait a moment.”

Efficiently putting on her clothes, Huai Su hurriedly got down and attended to Jiang Xingjian. Just as she finished dressing him properly, Shi Zhu came to report that Song Yan had been waiting in the outer courtyard for quite some time, not knowing what major incident had occurred.

Jiang Xingjian pressed his temples and, enduring his headache, found Song Yan: “What has happened that you’re so anxious?”

Song Yan lowered his voice and drew close to his ear: “This is bad, marquis. The palace is about to see a great change.”

“A message came from the palace yesterday. Chief Seal Holder Duan died suddenly in the deep of night, and the Crown Prince… the Crown Prince has awakened.”

“Though still gravely ill, he has indeed regained consciousness.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xingjian was greatly shocked: “Duan Yiting died suddenly? Wasn’t he perfectly fine when he came to the marquis residence yesterday?”

Song Yan pursed his lips, his face also full of worry.

Song Wan learned of these two pieces of news only half a day later. Hearing that Duan Yiting had died suddenly filled her with cold sweat. He had clearly come to the marquis residence during the day—how could he in one night…

Looking at that cloak from yesterday, Song Wan, suppressing her fear, had Heng Zhi bring a brazier and burned it to black ash. Watching the flames slowly devour it, she spoke with worry: “The tide is changing. I pray for Aunt and the Third Prince’s safety.”