As long as Lin Shi thought about her precious son—who carried all her lifelong aspirations—wearing mourning garments and holding a Buddhist ceremony for someone else, it felt as if a knife had been stabbed into her chest. She couldn’t listen to anyone’s words anymore.

She slapped the edge of the bed, shrieking at Li Jun like those shrewish women who’d been cheated out of a corner of broken silver: “I won’t drink it! Go bring your older brother back! Tell him I’m about to die of illness and need him to return to attend to my sickbed!”

How was that possible?

With the Pei family as guarantor and the Li family main branch’s agreement, with all the prominent people in Lin’an City watching—how could his older brother go back on his word!

Li Jun’s mouth was full of bitterness as he coaxed his mother in a low voice: “Mother, please drink this medicine first. Once you’ve drunk the medicine, I’ll go find Elder Brother!”

“Go right now!” Lin Shi had already been fooled once and no longer trusted Li Jun. “Bring your older brother back first, then I’ll drink the medicine.”

The two were locked in a stalemate.

Lin Shi loudly cursed Li Jun for being unfilial and demanded he go exchange Li Duan back.

Li Jun kept his head lowered, acting as if he hadn’t heard.

From the Li family’s main residence, Lin Shi’s wails of grief periodically rang out.

Yu Tang stood before the large desk in her family’s study, carefully examining the “Fishing in Seclusion by Pine Stream” painting spread out on the desk.

Originally, to extricate the Yu family from this matter, she had planned to give this painting to the Li family.

But now, she was unwilling!

The Li family had killed Wei Xiaoshan and wanted to escape completely unscathed—that was impossible.

Yu Tang sneered coldly.

The grievances of two lifetimes had accumulated to this moment.

If she couldn’t avenge this, what kind of person would she be!

The Li family had expended so much effort and paid such a high price—sooner or later they would still find a way to get this painting back. She wanted to take revenge on the Li family, but the prerequisite was not to implicate the Yu family. The best method was still, as before, to “give” this painting into the Li family’s hands, but whether the painting’s contents were still the same as before—well, no one could guarantee that.

But now there was a difficulty.

When she’d restored this painting, she hadn’t had this intention yet. Now if she wanted to alter the contents hidden in the scroll, she’d have to take the painting to be remounted again. There weren’t many people with such skills, and moreover, this matter involved some secret affairs that could easily implicate others. Master Qian had already left Hangzhou City, so the simplest method had instead become the most difficult.

She needed to think of another way!

Yu Tang stayed in the study for several days until Madam Wei came to visit and thank Yu Tang for the matter concerning Wei Xiaoshan. Only then did she temporarily set this matter aside to go keep Madam Wei company.

“Regarding Xiaoshan’s matter, I’ve heard both our master and Xiaochuan speak of it.” Madam Wei grasped Yu Tang’s hand and wouldn’t let go, her face full of gratitude. “If it weren’t for you, our Xiaoshan would have died in such unclear circumstances. I gave birth only to sons—I’ve always longed most for a daughter. If you don’t mind, treat me as an elder in your family and visit me in the countryside when you have time.” By the time she reached this point, tears were about to fall.

Yu Tang had originally felt guilty toward Wei Xiaoshan. Hearing these words, she hastily looked toward Chen Shi.

Whenever Chen Shi thought about this matter, she always felt it seemed like Heaven’s will—their two families, going round and round, always ended up together. Her daughter was the treasure in her palm. She was unwilling to have her daughter call anyone “godfather” or “godmother,” but she couldn’t withstand Madam Wei’s tears. Her own eyes moistened involuntarily as she nodded slightly toward her daughter, saying: “Madam Wei, I’ve wanted to say this to you for a while, but there have been too many matters these past days and I couldn’t spare the time. If you don’t mind, let’s become sworn sisters, and have our daughter acknowledge you as her aunt.”

Madam Wei hadn’t originally expected Yu Tang to acknowledge her as a godparent. When Chen Shi said this, how could she not agree?

The two adults happily became sworn sisters. Yu Tang changed her address to call Madam Wei “Aunt.” The two families held a formal recognition banquet. Madam Wei gave Yu Tang a name-change fee, and Chen Shi also gave the Wei family’s several boys name-change fees. The two families made merry for an entire day.

Only Master Wei privately complained to Madam Wei: “Why become sworn relatives? In a few years, we might be able to have A’Tang marry into our family!”

Madam Wei spat at Master Wei and said: “You think I don’t know what scheme you’re hatching? Xiaochuan is too young. What if the two of them don’t see eye to eye? Good in-laws could turn into enemies. Listen to me on this matter and you won’t go wrong.”

Master Wei fell silent and discussed with Madam Wei the matter of Li Jun coming to the Yu family to apologize: “He says he’s coming tomorrow. Should we go help bolster the Yu family’s position?”

Their family had many sons.

“Of course we should go!” Madam Wei said without hesitation. “Why did I want to become sworn relatives with the Yu family? Wasn’t it precisely because Master Yu is an honest man, and we can’t let his family suffer? If the Li family comes to apologize to the Yu family but says something unpleasant instead, if we stand there, we can refute it on the spot. This will prevent A’Tang from doing a good deed only to implicate herself.”

Being abducted because a marriage arrangement didn’t work out—no matter how you told this story, it didn’t sound good. Madam Wei’s fear that the Li family might cause trouble wasn’t groundless worry and wild thinking.

Master Wei felt what Madam Wei said made sense.

The next day, Master Wei brought several sons to the Yu residence.

Li Duan had by now finished holding the Buddhist ceremony for Wei Xiaoshan. People in Lin’an City said all sorts of things, but what was discussed most was still that Li Duan was indeed worthy of being the Li family’s most promising descendant—not only was he magnanimous, but he was also simple and responsible in character. He had performed the nephew’s rites at the Wei family home for the mistake made by a household servant. He was an upright gentleman, someone who could accomplish great things.

His reputation had risen instead of falling.

Yu Tang knew immediately upon hearing this that someone from the Li family was guiding public opinion.

This was exactly the same as the Li family’s methods from her previous life.

When Li Jun came to the Yu residence to offer a humble apology, Yu Tang was on guard against the Li family. Through the Qu family brothers, she had arranged in advance for several idlers to wander around the vicinity. If anyone said something unfavorable to the Yu family, they would immediately refute it. Who knew that the Wei family brothers would all come together? Several tall, horse-like lads standing at the Yu family’s gate reduced the number of people gossiping. Only Li Jun, his face completely red, kowtowed three times at the Yu family’s main gate to Yu Wen, which counted as his apology.

Yu Wen had originally had a good impression of Li Jun. Moreover, these matters actually had nothing to do with Li Jun, so he couldn’t bear to make Li Jun take the blame for the Li family. After Li Jun had kowtowed three times, he helped Li Jun up, gave him a few instructions like “you should act more prudently in the future,” and invited Li Jun inside to drink tea. Not only did he not make things difficult for him, he even gave him a way to save face.

Li Jun was overwhelmed by this favor and followed Yu Wen inside in a daze.

The people of Lin’an City couldn’t help but spread words that the Yu family was magnanimous and honest in their dealings.

Yu Wen didn’t keep Li Jun long. After drinking tea and making a sufficient show, he saw Li Jun out.

Li Jun took his leave submissively. After leaving, he was called back by Yu Tang.

She said: “Have you been riding horses these days?”

Li Jun looked at her still charming face, feeling a dull pain in his heart. He smiled bitterly and said: “There have been so many matters lately—where would I have time to ride horses!”

That was good.

One matter was one matter.

Yu Tang said: “Then you should stay home and cultivate your mind and character. After such an incident, your household will surely be chaotic for a while.”

Li Jun nodded, but thought to himself: Rather than showing concern for me like this and sprinkling salt grains on my wounded heart, it would be better if you glared at me whenever you saw me—that would help me give up hope more easily.