Chapter 25
Deep Affection

Jiang Xingjian arrived at Xiu Yan Pavilion and saw that Lin Jiayue was indeed very ill.

“Brother Xingjian…”

Lin Jiayue lay on the couch, her cheeks flushed with high fever. In just a few days, she had lost a lot of weight, and her cat-like eyes looked even bigger, making Jiang Xingjian feel pity.

“How did you suddenly get sick?”

Lin Jiayue pursed her lips, looking at him with tearful eyes.

She couldn’t eat well or sleep well all day long. During the day, she was beaten and scolded, and at night, she was frightened and worried. How could she not get sick? Before seeing Jiang Xingjian, she even hated him, but upon seeing him again, Lin Jiayue realized how much she liked him.

“Jiang Xingjian…”

“I’m here.”

Lin Jiayue suddenly burst into tears, “I like you, do you know that? I like you so much that I endured so much suffering for you, but did you see it?”

“Because I like you, I followed you from Suhe to Shangjing. Because I like you, I stayed in the Marquis’ mansion to learn those rules. Because I like you, I was willing to wrong myself.”

“But Jiang Xingjian, are you worth my liking?”

Burning with high fever, Lin Jiayue licked her tight and painful cheeks, which showed no signs of injury, and cried even harder.

The rhinoceros horn ruler was thin and tough, and the cloth soaked in water indeed showed no injuries on the surface, but she had neuralgia every night. Her teeth hurt, her head hurt, her feet hurt, and there was no part of her body that didn’t hurt.

No matter how much she learned the rules, she could never become a lady like Song Wan. Even if Nanny Li taught her for ten years, or even a hundred years, she could never become the noble lady they required!

“I like you, but I can’t live a life of being coerced for you, Jiang Xingjian.”

“Jiang Xingjian, where have you been these past few days? Where were you when I was sick and suffering? Were you with Song Wan?”

“Jiang Xingjian, I really can’t stand the life in the Marquis’ mansion.”

“I regret it, I regret it.”

Lin Jiayue struggled to get up, and the scalding tears fell into Jiang Xingjian’s palm, making his heart ache.

“Jiayue…”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to neglect you.”

Jiang Xingjian wrapped his arms around Lin Jiayue’s waist and lifted her horizontally into his embrace.

The girl’s skin was burning hot; her whole body flushed abnormally red due to the high fever. She had been crying continuously but without making a sound, only occasionally letting out a soft whimper when the sobbing became too intense.

Lin Jiayue had always been lively and noisy, never this fragile.

Carefully placing her back into the quilt, Jiang Xingjian frowned and asked, “Why didn’t you call for the mansion doctor when you were this sick?”

“The mansion doctor was waiting in the courtyard, but Concubine Lin said he couldn’t come in without seeing you first.”

Jiang Xingjian glanced at the girl in the quilt and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Let him in.”

The mansion doctor prescribed medicine for Lin Jiayue, and after taking it, she finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

In the middle of the night, she slowly woke up.

“You’re awake?”

Lin Jiayue responded with a nasal “hmm.”

Jiang Xingjian lifted the bed curtain and sat beside her. Lin Jiayue turned away, unable to hold back her tears.

“I’m sorry for making you suffer.”

She buried her head in the quilt, biting her lip to release her pain.

Jiang Xingjian pulled her out and held her tightly in his arms. He looked ahead with a blank expression and said softly, “I know you have feelings for me, and I feel the same.”

“But the marriage alliance between the Jiang and Song families is well-known in Shangjing. Song Wan married into the Marquis’ mansion with a memorial tablet and has been a widow for six years. The Marquis’ mansion cannot possibly dismiss her and remarry.”

Lin Jiayue seemed to struggle, but Jiang Xingjian tightened his grip. “I promise you, I will do my best to give you what you want.”

“Do you mean I can have the position of the Marquis’ wife?”

Jiang Xingjian remained silent but did not refuse.

Lin Jiayue waited for a long time without hearing him speak, and her nose tingled with sadness. “Are you just comforting me, or do you have a plan? Can I still trust you?”

“Trust me.”

Jiang Xingjian gently stroked her hair, soothing her, “I will move into Xiu Yan Pavilion tomorrow.”

For those born into noble families like Jiang Xingjian and Song Wan, whether male or female, they are supported by the entire clan. They bear the rise and fall of the family on their shoulders and cannot disregard the safety of the entire clan for personal reasons.

Moreover, the enmity of a father’s murder cannot be forgotten, and conflicts are inevitable. Only one of the Jiang and Song families can survive.

Regardless of which family wins or loses in the future, he will ensure Song Wan’s safety and well-being, honoring their childhood friendship.

This is all he can do.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xingjian felt a sudden pain in his heart. He believed that if A Wan were in his position, she would make the same choice. After all, children of noble families have never had control over their own lives, let alone matters of love.

After coaxing Lin Jiayue to sleep, Jiang Xingjian went to his study alone.

The painting of Hehe Erxian, which Consort Yun sent, was kept in a brocade box. Jiang Xingjian took it out and examined it for a long time, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

The man carefully traced the painting from top to bottom as if trying to engrave it into his memory.

“First Master.”

Ling Yun entered with a brass basin. After placing it on the ground, Jiang Xingjian said, “Move my things to Xiu Yan Pavilion tomorrow.”

Ling Yun looked up in surprise, but seeing his determination, she silently complied.

Jiang Xingjian still held the painting in his hand. After carefully examining it, he took the candle on the table and lit the edge.

The flames quickly consumed the painting, turning it to ashes. A masterpiece was thus reduced to smoke and dust.