◎What gives you the right to think it’s just the blade going and returning, completely undamaged?◎

The horse grounds.

Third Young Master Lan was led by an attendant to Prince Qi’s heir’s side.

The heir of Prince Qi was talking with the Imperial Grand Grandson. The two were similar in age and had grown up studying together since childhood. Setting aside court disputes, they could exchange a few family pleasantries.

The heir of Prince Qi complained that his youngest son was really clingy. He said: “If I don’t hold him, he doesn’t cry, but his eyes roll around. When I’m reading in my study, he recites the Three Character Classic outside the threshold, recites a few lines then peeks at me. How can I bear it? I still end up carrying him in and letting him crawl around the room.”

The Imperial Grand Grandson was a gentle and refined person. Because he had been in poor health since childhood, he wore a fox fur coat. He smiled and said: “Then you should be secretly pleased. My boy is quite stubborn. When you hit him, he holds back tears—they don’t fall, and no matter how much you hit him, he doesn’t move. I remember when you were young and Prince Qi Uncle hit you, you ran faster than anyone.”

The heir of Prince Qi laughed heartily: “I loved hiding in your palace most. Father didn’t dare act presumptuously there.”

Just as he was about to continue talking about his sneaky little son, he saw Lan San approaching. His expression became somewhat subtle.

The people of Duke Zhenguo’s mansion seemed as if the previous generations had burned through all their ancestral blessings, so their graves no longer produced promising descendants. Thus each generation was worse than the last. By this generation, they had become a joke.

Prince Qi was unwilling to use Fourth Master Lan, that mouse-like coward. Naturally, the heir of Prince Qi was also unwilling to use Lan San, this jumping flea.

But the person he was unwilling to use and even cold-shouldered, the heir of Prince Wei—still wet behind the ears—didn’t mind and actually wanted to compete for.

Then go ahead and compete for him.

He smiled at Third Young Master Lan: “I don’t have time right now. Go talk with A’Yang and the others.”

The heir of Prince Wei’s single name was Yang.

Third Young Master Lan came with eager eyes and left with eager eyes.

The Imperial Grand Grandson understood the politics and shook his head: “Why tease people?”

The heir of Prince Qi: “Treating him like a performing monkey—you saw that day too. This person is so self-righteous, a perfect match for A’Yang.”

He wanted to continue talking about his youngest son.

But the Imperial Grand Grandson’s eyes slowly turned.

Many people had come today. The Marquis Ningyuan family, Duke Zhenguo family, Duke Songguo family, Duke Qingguo family—all had sent their younger generation.

His gaze paused for a moment on Song Zhiwei in the distance, then he smiled and asked the heir of Prince Qi: “Why didn’t A’Ji come?”

The heir of Prince Qi frowned: “He’s been confined recently.”

He said quietly: “You should already know—the Shuzhou scholar case. Wu Qingchuan’s disciple didn’t bite down hard, but after all, he was a scholar for next year’s spring examinations. Just like that, his life was gone. Shuzhou has set their sights on it. The Xu family—the Court of Judicial Review won’t back down and refuses to close the case.”

The Imperial Grand Grandson had long known these matters. The Xu family secretly belonged to him.

He smiled slightly: “I heard there’s no evidence, it’s just implicated because of previous matters.”

Surface words still had to be said. He said: “This could be considered an undeserved calamity.”

The heir of Prince Qi: “There really is no evidence. Father also said A’Ji was framed.”

Prince Qi liked Lin Ji very much, feeling he had a reckless energy much like his younger self.

The heir of Prince Qi shook his head thinking of this: “Forget it, let’s not talk about him. It’s truly a confused mess. I don’t want to deal with it, and A’Ji should receive some lessons too.”

Though he was Prince Qi’s son, he wasn’t willing to kill indiscriminately. Whether or not this incident was Lin Ji’s doing, the matter of innocently killing that scholar’s sister three years ago was definitely true.

He and Lin Ji weren’t particularly close. He preferred Duke Songguo’s son Song Zhiwei—young and steady, noble and self-possessed.

Having invited him this time, he certainly wanted to get closer.

But showing goodwill to subjects also required proper methods. He wasn’t in a hurry and began talking with the Imperial Grand Grandson about his youngest son again.

Imperial Grand Grandson: “…”

He said helplessly: “You talk about this every time. My ears are about to develop calluses.”

He waved his hand: “I’ll go sit for a while.”

The heir of Prince Qi laughed loudly: “Fine, I’ll go find someone else to tell.”

He went to find Song Zhiwei.

But the Imperial Grand Grandson didn’t rush to leave. Instead, he stood for a while, thinking about Lin Ji’s matter.

This time, Wu Qingchuan’s disciple had caught his attention. He had thought that disciples taught by Wu Qingchuan should share his stance, but surprisingly they were quite different.

His fingers slowly tightened on the riding crop. He walked slowly through the grass, and after a long while, suddenly laughed.

Wu Qingchuan actually didn’t tell his direct disciple about his long-standing dealings with Marquis Boyuan.

This really was… was this to preserve his own dignity? Or was he planning something else?

The Imperial Grand Grandson sighed.

Wu Qingchuan—he didn’t dislike this person. He was also a pitiful person.

A rake forcibly bent into becoming an elder minister. The difficulty in that, only he himself knew. But immediately after, his father and great-uncle were defeated, and he was exiled to Shuzhou for ten years.

At that time, the Imperial Grand Grandson was still full of guilt toward him. But he could barely protect himself.

His Imperial Grandfather didn’t want him entering court too early and kept him studying in the Eastern Palace until he was twenty-one before letting him out.

After coming out, he also didn’t dare act rashly. His father had been too active, which was why he had died like that. But he still wrote a letter to Wu Qingchuan.

After all, they were old friends. The letter contained family matters, reminiscing about trivial things from the Eastern Palace. But just after sending the letter, he was called over by his Imperial Grandfather.

His Imperial Grandfather smiled and said: “I heard you’ve been getting close to that boy Qingchuan? Be careful. You’re just starting out—one misstep and you’ll fall into a pit.”

The Imperial Grand Grandson broke out in a cold sweat. With such words, he naturally didn’t dare make contact again. But since his Imperial Grandfather had hinted, he also had to dutifully investigate. He could then find out that Wu Qingchuan had already been privately profiting together with Marquis Boyuan.

This really was… in his heart he understood his Imperial Grandfather’s warning, while also sighing at how easily people changed.

But this was also human nature.

People all change. No one can guarantee they’ll keep their youthful aspirations for life.

It was just inevitably somewhat disappointing.

Those who had followed his father and great-uncle back then—the dead were dead, the changed had changed. Now, few remained.

If the Imperial Grand Grandson wanted to use people, he could only start over recruiting and planning.

He slowly turned around, holding his hand warmer, blandly watching these people who had come today. At a glance, he saw Song Zhiwei standing in the crowd yet seeming to lack any worldly air. This was undoubtedly a clever person. But not what the Imperial Grand Grandson wanted.

What he wanted were people like Yu Qingwu—from humble origins who could only rely on imperial favor, people without family background.

After all, he only had this bit of “imperial favor” to give them.

Sometimes when the Imperial Grand Grandson looked at himself, he discovered that besides the identity of Imperial Grand Grandson, his Imperial Grandfather had blocked all his paths. He seemed to have nothing.

He laughed self-deprecatingly, understanding his Imperial Grandfather’s anxiety.

From childhood, he had been personally taught by his father and was also very close to his great-uncle.

So even though he was only nine when they died, he was still inevitably feared.

Actually, there was no need for such fear. He had been too young then and didn’t understand his father and great-uncle’s aspirations, nor did he plan to follow them.

He actually didn’t understand why his father and uncle insisted on walking that path.

If speaking of who ultimately inherited their aspirations, it should be Wu Qingchuan. Now, there was one more—Yu Qingwu… No, now there should only be Yu Qingwu.

The Imperial Grand Grandson couldn’t help but sigh. For those people from the past, and also for Yu Qingwu.

But those from the past were already dead, and Yu Qingwu might not last a few years either.

His mood became low. He turned again toward where everyone was gathered in lively conversation.

They were comparing blades.

When the Imperial Grand Grandson arrived, he saw the heir of Prince Wei showing off the blade he had recently received from His Majesty. Though the corners of his mouth could barely be suppressed, he was still saying: “You all should take out your blades too and have a look.”

The heir of Prince Qi sneered coldly.

The Emperor’s blade was out—who would dare compare?

Mockery showed in his eyes. Just as he was about to leave, he saw that Lan family flea should be trying to flatter, taking out his own short blade: “Ah, then this blade of mine is even more inferior before the heir’s.”

The heir of Prince Qi glanced casually and discovered it was a precept blade, not particularly sharp. It should be quite old, but well-maintained with a glossy sheen—clearly the blade’s owner cherished it.

This was beyond his expectations.

Indeed, several people went over to look. Most of them had never seen a precept blade. They found it quite curious.

Seeing him, Lan the Flea’s eyes lit up. He even planned to come flatter him. The heir of Prince Qi most hated dealing with stupid people and immediately walked away. Turning around, he saw the Imperial Grand Grandson staring quietly at that precept blade.

The heir of Prince Qi smiled and walked over: “What, you haven’t seen a precept blade either?”

The Imperial Grand Grandson also didn’t know how much effort he used to restrain himself, then smiled faintly: “Haven’t seen one.”

He walked into the crowd and said to Third Young Master Lan: “I’ll take a look too.”

Lan San hadn’t expected this would even attract the Imperial Grand Grandson. His hands trembled as he quickly handed it over.

The Imperial Grand Grandson held it in his hands and looked carefully. His finger imperceptibly rubbed the blade’s hilt. His expression froze, and he said: “It is indeed a fine blade.”

——

At the Shou residence.

Lan Shanjun had calmed down considerably and was sitting quietly to the side reading a book.

But Yu Qingwu was already pondering writing her a medical prescription.

He said: “Your blood and qi are insufficient, your heart and spirit are melancholy. You mustn’t hurt your spirit further.”

Lan Shanjun’s thoughts were complicated. What entered her left ear went out her right. She just softly hummed a few acknowledgments. But Nanny Qian looked skeptical: “Can the medicine you prescribe be taken?”

Yu Qingwu: “It can be taken. Trust me, my medical skills are still acceptable.”

After saying this, he looked at Lan Shanjun again, afraid she also had doubts about him. But he saw she just sat quietly, holding the book he had given her today in her hands, slowly flipping through it. Hearing their words, she didn’t raise her head and didn’t make a sound.

Not even a glance.

Yu Qingwu sighed softly.

Actually, he knew she must be grieving again for that lady who died in the temple. Though he didn’t quite understand why she would be obsessed for so long, he happened to just understand obsessions.

He had an obsession about Elder Brother’s death.

These days, at night in his dreams he also confessed to Elder Brother.

“If I hadn’t gone to Teacher’s side that day and had just stopped to listen to Elder Brother speak, what would have happened?”

Perhaps many years later, he still wouldn’t be able to walk out of this sentence.

This wasn’t something medicine could cure.

So he set the prescription aside and didn’t mention it again. He couldn’t help but slowly walk over: “Lady Lan.”

Lan Shanjun raised her head, looking up at him: “Mm?”

Her expression was cool, not as gentle as usual, carrying a somewhat distant indifference.

This attitude actually made Yu Qingwu’s feet stop in place, not daring to approach further. But having come, there must be a reason, otherwise she would think him rash and reckless.

He hesitated and took from his pocket the handkerchief she had given him that day.

He handed it over: “I’ve already washed it.”

Lan Shanjun took it and held it in her hand: “Good.”

Somehow, Yu Qingwu couldn’t help but feel regret.

He thought he should have countless things he could say to her. Why did he particularly have to return the handkerchief?

It wasn’t that he was reluctant to part with the handkerchief, but rather… but rather…

He thought, there were few people in the world who gave help in times of need. Though he and Lady Lan had known each other only briefly, there was ultimately affection between them.

He didn’t know how many more times they would see each other in the future. Perhaps time would pass quickly, and she would be the only person with genuine feelings left around him.

If he kept the handkerchief, he would know that true feelings once existed in the world.

But the handkerchief had already been returned, and asking for it back made even less sense. He could only say again: “Miss Shanjun.”

Lan Shanjun raised her head to look at him again.

She felt weak but also didn’t dare reveal too many flaws.

Then she saw him sit down, sitting with her under the corridor.

He said softly: “Miss, that day you told me that everything must be thought through. Even if obstacles aren’t overcome, at least one’s heart will be more comfortable.”

“Miss also said, no matter what, tomorrow’s morning sun will still rise. The days stretch long—relying on these two sentences from Miss, I’ve managed to endure.”

After Elder Brother’s burial, for those few days, he would lie on the ground crying all night. But after crying, dawn still had to come.

After dawn, there were still many things waiting for him to do.

He had to make connections, to serve as an official.

Behind Teacher’s back, he asked Lady Shou to arrange a meeting with Minister Xu of the Court of Judicial Review. On the sixth day, he went to the Hanlin Academy. As a mere probationary lecturer at the Hanlin Academy, could he put on a mourning face before his superiors?

Just after New Year, no one wanted to see him like that, so he could only smile.

When Teacher saw him, he said: “You’ve grown up.”

He neither confirmed nor denied.

But at night, he couldn’t sleep night after night. He could only rely on these two sentences from Lan Shanjun to comfort himself.

And he actually endured.

He said: “Today, having received Miss’s kindness, I also want to give Miss a few words.”

Lan Shanjun turned her head to look at him: “Mm?”

Yu Qingwu said earnestly: “Miss’s original nature is purely kind, while the world is filthy. Whatever happens, it shouldn’t be your fault. Don’t take the blame upon yourself. This way your heart will naturally be much lighter. Otherwise, if everything becomes an obsession, you’ll trap yourself all day long.”

These words hit right at Lan Shanjun’s heart.

She also thought the same way. A thread of warmth rose in her heart, and even her expression unconsciously softened: “Alright.”

She put away the book and was preparing to stand when she saw Nanny Zhao hurrying in with a woman who personally served Zhu Shi.

Seeing her, the woman said constrainedly: “Sixth Miss, Madam asked this servant to tell you something.”

Lan Shanjun forced herself to rally her spirits: “What is it?”

The woman hesitated.

Lan Shanjun herself came from the countryside and always showed them kindness. Seeing her frightened expression, she smiled and said: “Just say it. Since Mother wants you to come, there’s nothing unspeakable.”

The woman said: “Third Young Master went today to attend the heir of Prince Wei’s invitation. All the families brought blades to compare. But Third Young Master’s blade was confiscated by Fourth Master just before departure.”

She said quietly: “Third Young Master remembered your precept blade…”

The smile at the corners of Lan Shanjun’s mouth slowly fell. Her expression grew colder and colder. She asked: “Did he take away my precept blade?”

The woman quickly nodded: “Because that blade belongs to your master, Madam felt uneasy and had this servant quickly come tell you.”

Lan Shanjun took a deep breath.

She remembered there was no such incident in her previous life.

That day, Lan San had left in glory and returned in glory, saying this heir praised him, that heir favored him. But she had knelt before Grandmother’s room for half a day.

Comparing the two, the disparity in fortune was truly enormous. She had secretly felt inferior in her heart.

She had never seen any imperial nobles.

The most distinguished people she had met were the Duke Zhenguo family.

But now thinking carefully, some things that should have happened did happen. This matter should also have occurred. It was just that Mother and Lan San hadn’t told her. After all, given her temperament, having just quarreled with Grandmother, if they came to ask, she definitely wouldn’t have agreed.

If she didn’t agree, she wouldn’t agree—even if the King of Heaven came, she wouldn’t agree.

Being like this, they secretly took it away and quietly returned it, handling the matter without a sound.

For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

Drawing a line with Mother was useful. At least this lifetime they came to tell her.

But this usefulness didn’t seem particularly great. The blade was still taken away.

She could only say: “I’ll discuss this matter when I return home.”

The woman quickly left.

Madam must be waiting anxiously at home.

Yu Qingwu had been standing to the side without speaking. He roughly knew she wasn’t living well at home, but he hadn’t expected that her family would take away the precept blade her master had given her without her consent.

A deceased person’s belongings—how could they make such decisions without permission?

He wasn’t someone who gossiped, but when Nanny Qian came over, he deliberately recounted this matter, saying: “I don’t know what they were thinking. They rushed to the door, asked one question, then rushed away again.”

Nanny Qian had grown up in the palace. She had once been a notable figure beside the Empress. How could she not understand such things? She immediately thought the worst: “Oh my, don’t you understand? They’re treating Shanjun as easy to bully, putting on an act of caring so their conscience feels better. But if they truly cared, since they chose to take it, they should wait for her to return home and properly console her, discuss compensation. They absolutely wouldn’t come to someone else’s residence to mention it.”

“Those who don’t know would think Shanjun is a selfish person who can’t even tolerate her brother borrowing a blade.”

Hearing this, Lady Shou also frowned: “These years, Zhu Shi has become increasingly muddled.”

Only Lan Shanjun’s mind was in chaos, still sorting through the old monk’s matters, and didn’t pay much attention to this.

She slowly calculated in her mind: with those thirteen scars, with that phrase “the King of Hell won’t take him yet, thirteen blades are like drinking water,” and with Prince Qi saying he would “give him A Point of Daylight and break his bones,” she had about fifty percent certainty that Duan Boyan was the old monk.

But calming down, there was still fifty percent uncertainty.

She couldn’t truly confirm.

Don’t make a mistake about the person at this critical juncture.

She felt both a sense of the dust settling and a sense of ephemeral existence.

She took several deep breaths, rubbing her face with her hands to make herself more alert.

Even if the old monk was him, what of it?

She had always believed in one saying: when hexagrams are cast and the future known, know but don’t avoid.

When Yu Qingwu came over again, he discovered she was in much better spirits. She even had the leisure to ask about his previous matters.

This truly flattered him. He heard her ask: “I just saw the prescription you wrote. Your calligraphy is very good.”

Yu Qingwu: “Teacher says my characters have the heart of inner aloofness but lack the spirit of outward assimilation. I still need to practice more.”

Lan Shanjun: “Is your calligraphy taught by Elder Wu?”

Yu Qingwu nodded: “Yes, but Teacher’s calligraphy is much better than mine.”

Lan Shanjun: “You needn’t be discouraged. It’s natural for a teacher to be better than a disciple.”

She paused, as if consoling him: “Just as Elder Wu’s teacher must certainly be better than him.”

Hearing her words, Yu Qingwu couldn’t help but feel pleased. Though he had never been distressed that his calligraphy wasn’t as good as Teacher’s.

So Miss Shanjun’s heart was just too tender and kind.

But Lan Shanjun didn’t notice his expression. She just continued probing: “I remember you also said today that Elder Wu studied under Grand Tutor Zhe?”

“He was the former Crown Prince’s grand tutor. Thus it seems Elder Wu and the former Crown Prince were fellow students—”

Yu Qingwu nodded: “Should be considered so.”

Lan Shanjun: “To be grand tutor to the Crown Prince, his calligraphy must be the best. Following in order, it’s equivalent to your calligraphy also being the best.”

Yu Qingwu smiled.

He said: “Not really.”

He thought for a moment and said: “If speaking of the best calligraphy, it should belong to the General Who Pacified the South.”

Lan Shanjun’s breathing stopped. She had indeed wanted to lead him to speak of this. She hadn’t expected him to bring it up first.

Speaking of Duan Boyan, it came readily to him: “He and His Majesty were taught by the same teacher. I heard that in his youth he was quite wild and once claimed his calligraphy was the best in the realm.”

Lan Shanjun couldn’t help but laugh hearing this.

She had seen the old monk’s calligraphy.

Only seen it once. That time when he got drunk and took her to drunkenly pound on the old Taoist’s door.

But back then she couldn’t read yet.

Those eight characters—she didn’t recognize them, didn’t know they read “All who are born must end, since ancient times none escape death.” She just thought they were very beautiful.

Beautiful things, she wanted them all. Other things were fine—they required silver to buy. But these characters the old monk clearly knew how to write. Why wouldn’t he write them for her?

Back then she was also stubborn. She cried rolling on the ground, wailing loudly. While crying she watched the old monk. Seeing he showed no reaction, she went to roll in the mud.

The old monk stood helplessly in the courtyard washing her clothes, calling out: “Shanjun—stop crying, stop rolling! If you get your clothes dirty rolling around, how can these old arms and legs of mine handle such washing?”

In the end, she still didn’t practice calligraphy with the old monk.

But she thought, if Duan Boyan’s calligraphy were placed before her to look at, perhaps she could recognize it.

After all, in her memory, there was still a vague impression.

Reading and literacy were also her obsessions. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have encountered Su Xingzhou.

She said to Yu Qingwu: “Hearing you speak like this, I’m quite curious. I’d like to see it.”

Hearing this, Yu Qingwu felt some joy rise in his heart: “What’s so difficult about that? Though over ten years have passed and hardly anyone remembers him, Teacher has his manuscripts. He even showed them to me when I was young. I’ve kept them. If Miss wants to see them, I’ll send them to you.”

Lan Shanjun thanked him repeatedly: “My calligraphy isn’t good. If I could admire his, perhaps I could write better.”

Yu Qingwu also remembered her master’s calligraphy.

He said: “Was your calligraphy also taught by your master?”

Lan Shanjun: “Yes.”

She was even willing to write a few strokes for him.

Her calligraphy was learned from Mother in her previous life. Later, feeling Mother’s characters were too soft, she bought books to trace, learning this and that. In the end, Mother’s style accounted for fifty percent, various other messy styles accounted for fifty percent. In any case, it was neither fish nor fowl, but at least it had developed its own style.

In any case, it definitely didn’t resemble the old monk’s.

She picked up the brush and wrote a few characters to the side.

“The 48th year of Yuanshao, spring.”

Seeing this, Yu Qingwu still praised: “Your characters have great vigor.”

But he couldn’t praise anything else.

Nanny Qian came over to bring them pastries. Hearing this, she secretly rolled her eyes.

—If it were her, she could praise it into a bouquet of flowers with her eyes closed.

This old woman definitely had to set an example for the young people. So she specifically walked over, exclaimed, picked it up to look: “Look, look at these horizontal and vertical strokes, look—without over ten years of practice, one couldn’t write such characters.”

Lan Shanjun: “…”

She said with amusement: “I don’t know if Nanny is praising or criticizing me.”

Nanny Qian said awkwardly: “Back when I praised people, I was also very sincere. It’s just that after so many years following the old lady cursing this and cursing that, I’ve lost quite a bit of ability.”

One could see that no matter what skill, it required long-term cultivation.

When Lan Shanjun was about to leave, Nanny Qian also said to her: “Next time if someone bullies you, have me go stand up for you. It’s a good chance to practice my mouth.”

Lan Shanjun knew what she was talking about. She was afraid she would be wronged when she returned home today.

So sometimes, even chance encounters could overcome mountains and seas.

She said gratefully: “Don’t worry, Nanny. I know what I’m doing.”

——

Zhu Shi had been waiting in the main hall early.

She didn’t even dare sit down!

She felt guilty, so naturally she was on pins and needles.

When Lan Shanjun returned, her first words were an apology: “It really was urgent circumstances. I couldn’t refuse, so I could only let your Third Brother take it.”

Lan Shanjun: “Then what does Mother want me to say now with this attitude?”

Zhu Shi stammered and couldn’t get words out.

Lan Shanjun: “Has Third Brother not returned yet?”

Zhu Shi quickly nodded: “With so many people, perhaps he made a few good friends and went to drink wine.”

Lan Shanjun: “If that’s the case, there could be many accidents along the way. Did Mother consider it might be lost? Did you send someone to retrieve it first?”

Zhu Shi was startled: “What?”

Lan Shanjun looked over with a half-smile.

Zhu Shi’s face flushed red with shame: “No.”

She explained softly: “I already warned him. Though your Third Brother’s mouth is rash, he’s steady when out and about. He certainly won’t lose your belongings.”

Lan Shanjun: “Then that’s best.”

She sat quietly in the main hall: “I’ll wait here for Third Brother to return.”

Zhu Shi discovered that Lan Shanjun’s attitude today was very cold.

A while ago she had felt she was always gentle and moderate, remarkably distant. But compared to today’s attitude, those previous days were truly amiable.

Zhu Shi’s face also couldn’t stay on. She just felt Shanjun was still too rigid.

No matter what, she shouldn’t act as if they were about to break off relations completely.

She sighed heavily, but it was hard to say anything. She herself was at fault first and really had no face.

But in just this short time, Huihui and Third Young Madam also came over.

Seeing the atmosphere between the two wasn’t harmonious, Third Young Madam immediately found an excuse to leave. After she left, Lan Hui asked directly: “What’s going on?”

Lan Shanjun picked up her teacup, took a sip, then set it down with neither light nor heavy force, making a neither light nor heavy sound. She said: “Mother and Third Brother stole my blade.”

Hearing this, Zhu Shi suddenly raised her head, feeling that sound just now was like a thousand pounds: “Shanjun—how can you say ‘stole’?”

Lan Shanjun smiled slightly: “It was stolen.”

While she was kneeling in Grandmother’s courtyard, they sneakily took it away, then sneakily returned it.

She knew nothing.

She said: “Taking without permission is theft. This is what the ancient sages said, not what I said.”

Zhu Shi’s face flushed red, but being confronted by her such firm attitude, she couldn’t say anything in rebuttal. In the end, she could only murmur: “Didn’t I have someone tell you? I was acting urgently in the circumstances. You child, why are you so unforgiving? After all, we’re family. You should be mindful when speaking so we can get along…”

Lan Shanjun smiled slightly: “Mindful or not, getting along or not—but taking without permission is theft.”

One sentence choked back all of Zhu Shi’s long discourse.

So when one has reason on one’s side, why listen to what others say?

As elders toward children, they always had many crooked reasoning.

But whether to listen to this reasoning depended entirely on one’s conscience.

Her conscience now didn’t have much left.

Lan Hui roughly understood what had happened.

She wanted to mediate but was afraid that opening her mouth would either hurt Mother or hurt Sixth Sister. She simply sat to the side cursing Third Brother—at least that couldn’t be wrong!

Just as she was cursing, Third Young Master Lan returned.

Third Young Madam accompanied him, her face quite embarrassed. Clearly she had also learned on the road why Lan Shanjun and Zhu Shi had quarreled.

She was truly mortified. In her natal family, not even in the entire clan had such undignified things been done.

Sixth Sister had a fierce temper. She had thought her husband would be scolded as soon as he returned. But instead, she saw her just quietly receive the blade and hold it in her hands, continuously looking at it.

Then she asked: “Third Brother, did the heir of Prince Qi praise this blade?”

Third Young Master Lan hadn’t been scolded and felt somewhat guilty. He said: “The heir of Prince Qi didn’t look. He was very busy.”

“But others praised it quite a bit. Where would they have seen a precept blade? They’d only heard of them.”

So he had great foresight—he didn’t steal the spotlight but found another way and also had some glory.

He said: “The heir of Prince Wei was especially good to me and said next time he’d invite me to drink.”

Then thinking about it, he said: “Even the Imperial Grand Grandson held this blade to look at it.”

Lan Shanjun raised her head: “The Imperial Grand Grandson?”

Third Young Master Lan was very proud, raising his head high: “Yes.”

He said: “The Imperial Grand Grandson even asked about this blade’s origins. I even spoke well of you before him—”

Lan Shanjun’s heart sank bit by bit.

The blade in her hands was gripped tighter bit by bit.

She had been thinking about one thing all along.

Why would Song Zhiwei marry her?

Why was there no sound or movement for the first ten years, bearing children with her, treating her with mutual respect? Then that one day, he sent her to Huailing.

Now, though she didn’t know the specific circumstances, she had some vague answers.

Perhaps someone had helped her behind the scenes, perhaps someone had used her from behind.

But no matter what, it should also have started with recognizing her.

Perhaps it was this very time? Because Mother didn’t like her past, didn’t like her practicing with the blade, every time she went out she was proper and well-behaved, never bringing the blade out.

All the various speculations in her heart retreated at this moment, leaving only an inexplicable surge of anger and endless grievance.

Her hand gripped the blade tightly, then suddenly she stood up and struck down toward Lan San’s hand.

Zhu Shi panicked and immediately moved to shield him, protecting him behind herself.

Lan Shanjun’s blade stopped at her chest.

Zhu Shi broke out in a cold sweat and said loudly: “Shanjun, the blade went and returned, completely undamaged—do you know what you’re doing?”

Lan Shanjun only felt she had heard a joke: “Then Mother, do you know what you did?”

Do you know those days I don’t know how long I persisted are called A Point of Daylight?

In that difficult period, even in the most painful moments, after regaining her reason she had never truly hated the Duke Zhenguo family for not rescuing her.

Everyone has their difficulties. She knew that.

She clenched her teeth and said in a heavy voice: “But what gives Mother the right to steal my blade without even telling me—what gives you the right to think it’s just the blade going and returning, completely undamaged?”