Jiang Si had a habit of taking afternoon naps. Perhaps due to staying up all night, she slept for nearly half a day, and it was almost evening when she opened her eyes.

Yu Jin was reclining on a nearby low couch, reading a book. Seeing Jiang Si awake, he put the book aside and came over, saying, “You’re awake.”

Jiang Si propped herself up and asked, “Did I sleep for a long time?”

“You slept for quite a while. You must have been exhausted from last night.” Yu Jin poured a cup of water and handed it to her.

Jiang Si took a few sips, and the feeling of weakness after a long sleep finally subsided.

“I have some good news for you.”

Jiang Si put down the cup and asked with a smile, “What good news?”

“Princess Rongyang is dead.”

Jiang Si’s smile faded.

Princess Rongyang’s death was unexpected.

“How did she die?”

Could it be that she couldn’t bear the shock and committed suicide? That didn’t seem like something Princess Rongyang would do.

Yu Jin said nonchalantly, “Cui Xu killed her.”

Jiang Si was even more surprised, “Has Cui Xu gone mad? If he killed Princess Rongyang, His Majesty will surely not spare him or the Cui family.”

Yu Jin smiled, “He doesn’t need to worry anymore. After killing Princess Rongyang, he took his own life.”

Jiang Si fell silent.

She never imagined Cui Xu and Princess Rongyang would meet such an end.

“I never thought much of men like Cui Xu, but what he did today makes me think he was somewhat of a man after all,” Yu Jin said coolly.

In his view, if one had a loved one, they shouldn’t marry anyone else even if forced by the highest authority. And if they resigned themselves to marrying someone else, they shouldn’t keep pining for their former love.

That’s why he had always sneered at Cui Xu.

But today, when Cui Xu learned that his loved one had been harmed by Princess Rongyang, he killed her and then took his own life, which made Yu Jin feel he had some backbone.

If it were him, he would have done the same.

To be able to rationally endure every time someone hurts your loved one only shows that a man’s love is a pretense.

“I want to visit the Earl’s mansion. Father should know by now.”

“Alright, I’ll accompany you tomorrow.”

The next day, they headed straight to the East Peace Earl’s mansion.

The Earl’s mansion had received the news in advance, and the main gate was already open. The steward led several people waiting at the entrance, and as soon as they saw the carriage from the Prince of Yan’s mansion arrive, they immediately sent someone to report.

Second Master Jiang and others hurriedly came to personally welcome Jiang Si and Yu Jin.

“The Old Madam has been waiting for the Prince and Princess,” Second Master Jiang said with a smile.

Yu Jin turned to Jiang Si and asked, “Where shall we go first?”

Second Master Jiang’s smile faded.

What did the Prince of Yan mean by that? Was he allowing Jiang Si to not pay respects to the Old Madam if she didn’t want to?

He had seen husbands doting on their wives, but never to such an outrageous extent.

Of course, he didn’t dare to lose his temper. Even if Jiang Si suggested going elsewhere first, he could only grudgingly accept it.

Even Princess Rongyang had lost her life when confronting this niece, what could he do?

At this moment, Second Master Jiang felt deeply frustrated: why couldn’t he raise a daughter as successful as Jiang Si?

“Second Uncle, is my father here?” Jiang Si asked.

“Your father left before we received word from the Prince’s mansion. I’ve already sent people to look for him, he should be back soon.”

Jiang Si then said to Yu Jin, “Let’s go to Cixin Hall.”

She was very reluctant to deal with her grandmother, but since they were here, she still had to pay her respects.

Old Madam Feng had been waiting anxiously in Cixin Hall. When the maid reported their arrival, she finally relaxed and put on a kind and dignified demeanor.

Jiang Si and Yu Jin entered and paid their respects to Old Madam Feng.

Old Madam Feng’s gaze fell on Jiang Si’s abdomen, and she immediately asked, “How are you feeling?”

“Quite well,” Jiang Si replied briefly.

“You must be over four months along now, but it’s not very noticeable.”

“The physician said everyone’s situation is different. Thank you for your concern, Grandmother.”

Old Madam Feng shook her head, “The Princess’s condition is different now that you’re with child. You should try to go out less in the future.”

Jiang Si said coolly, “I came to see Father.”

Old Madam Feng felt a surge of anger.

Among so many granddaughters, how did this stubborn girl with such a bad temper rise to power? She truly didn’t show any respect at all. Saying directly in front of her that she came to see her father was like pretending her grandmother didn’t exist.

Yet she couldn’t express this anger and had to put on a smiling face, “Your father left early this morning.”

“Then I’ll wait for Father to return.”

“With the New Year approaching, it’s not appropriate for your cousin to stay at the Prince’s mansion. Grandmother will send someone to bring her back.”

Jiang Si smiled, “Neither the Earl’s mansion nor the Prince’s mansion is his cousin’s home. It’s all the same wherever she stays, so there’s no need to move her again. She can keep me company.”

Old Madam Feng frowned, “But she must have caused you a lot of trouble. If I had known her brother was such a scoundrel, I wouldn’t have let him come to the capital—”

“It’s fine. Such people are just clowns who can’t stir up any real trouble,” Jiang Si said with a cool expression and an even cooler tone. “Even if some self-important big shots want to cause me trouble, it’s not that easy. Grandmother needn’t worry.”

Old Madam Feng’s mouth twitched slightly. Thinking of Princess Rongyang’s fate, she was left speechless.

Half an hour later, Jiang Ancheng returned, bringing a chill with him.

“Where did you go?” Old Madam Feng frowned habitually upon seeing her eldest son.

Jiang Si had already walked over quickly, saying softly, “Father, have a cup of hot tea to warm up.”

Yu Jin promptly handed over the hot tea.

Jiang Ancheng didn’t think much of it and gulped down several mouthfuls of the hot tea.

Old Madam Feng felt a twinge of sourness: the Prince of Yan had barely spoken to her after greeting her, but he was so attentive in serving tea to her eldest son.

Second Master Jiang’s eyes reddened even more.

His elder brother was so unremarkable, yet could command such respect from the Prince of Yan. If the Prince of Yan were his son-in-law, who knows how much help he would provide in official circles?

Such good fortune was wasted on his elder brother.

After finishing the hot tea, Jiang Ancheng said to Old Madam Feng, “Mother, let the Prince and Si’er sit with me for a while. We won’t disturb your rest.”

In the blink of an eye, Cixin Hall became empty, and Old Madam Feng nearly cursed out loud.

Rest her foot! She wanted to improve her relationship with the fourth girl, but her eldest son, who didn’t know any better, had ruined it. It truly made her furious.

The bluestone path had been swept clean, with dirty piles of snow pushed to both sides.

Jiang Ancheng walked in front, with Jiang Si and Jiang Yi accompanying him on either side. Yu Jin, quite perceptively, fell behind.

“I went to visit your mother’s grave,” Jiang Ancheng said softly in the cold wind.

Jiang Si and Jiang Yi exchanged a glance.

Jiang Yi began, “Father—”

Jiang Ancheng raised a hand, “No need to persuade me. I’m fine.”

His voice grew softer as if scattered by the wind, “I dreamed of your mother last night. She said the person who harmed her has been punished, and she has no regrets now. From now on, she’ll wholeheartedly wait for me to join her.”

Jiang Si and Jiang Yi’s expressions changed.

Jiang Ancheng turned around and, as he did when they were young, raised his hands to ruffle their hair, “Don’t worry. I still need to see Yan’yan get married, watch Si’er’s child grow up, and then bring all this good news to your mother.”

Only then did Jiang Si and Jiang Yi feel relieved, accompanying Jiang Ancheng as they headed towards Minghua Hall.