Chapter 82
Change of Weather

After placing the Old Madam back on the soft bedding, Mother Jiang said, “Didn’t you get that ridiculous firearm recipe from that little harlot?”

“The Old Madam said that no matter what, she must hold on until you have secured your position in the Shen Shu Camp. Once you return home for mourning and the Emperor grants you leave, she will let go.”

Mother Jiang had shed countless tears over the past few days but had to keep going. Carefully covering the old lady with the quilt and placing a few goose feather pillows under her elbows, she then asked, “How is the firearm coming along? Is it enough for the Emperor to grant you leave and reinstate you, making you indispensable?”

Jiang Xingjian lowered his eyes and remained silent.

The ridiculous firearm recipe Lin Jiayue provided was immediately recognized by the military equipment researchers at the Shen Shu Camp. Despite its complexity, it was essentially just a more powerful firecracker.

The recipe was quickly discarded, but the addition of tung oil and flour was considered clever, and the craftsmen were now studying whether it could be incorporated into military equipment.

If not for the favor of the Fifth Prince and Consort Jiang, he would have been kicked out of the Shen Shu Camp long ago. Now, he went there daily, merely trying to establish himself and gain stability.

Nevertheless, leaving the Shanglin Garden was a positive outcome.

Jiang Xingjian turned to look at the old lady who had raised him, feeling immense sorrow. But when he faced his mother, he smiled faintly and said, “The firearm is remarkable. Mother, rest assured, I will handle everything in the mansion. You don’t need to worry.”

Mother Jiang wept upon hearing this.

“That’s good, that’s good. As for the Old Madam…”

Jiang Xingjian gritted his teeth, unable to look at the Old Madam. After a long silence, he finally said, “I hope Mother and Grandmother can help me hold on a little longer.”

After speaking, he couldn’t face them any longer and fled in distress.

Jiang Xingjian wandered to the outer courtyard, feeling the scorching sun unable to dispel the coldness within him.

The century-old foundation of the Marquis Mansion, passed down through generations, must not be destroyed in his hands.

Thinking of Duan Yiting’s inexplicable visit and his grandmother’s emaciated, struggling figure, Jiang Xingjian felt a heavy weight on his chest.

“Brother, are you unwell?” Jiang Yan had just come out of Yuling Studio and saw Jiang Xingjian looking lost. After some thought, he asked.

Jiang Xingjian came to his senses and realized he had arrived at the entrance of Yuling Studio.

Rubbing his face, Jiang Xingjian said, “Do you have any plans today? If not, let’s have a few drinks, just the two of us.”

Jiang Yan lowered his eyes and said, “It would be an honor.”

Inviting him to Yuling Studio, Qing Zhai and Su Mian prepared some dishes, and Jiang Yan took out a jar of wine and placed it in front of Jiang Xingjian.

“A friend gave this to me, saying it’s a fine wine I’ve never tasted. I’ve had a few cups before, and it is indeed excellent.”

Opening the seal, Jiang Yan poured the wine.

As soon as the lid was opened, the fragrance of the wine filled the air. Jiang Xingjian raised an eyebrow at the sight of the amber liquid in the cup.

“Where is your friend from?”

Jiang Yan smiled. “He’s from the countryside, with no notable background.”

Jiang Xingjian took a sip and said, “This wine is called ‘Full Hall Fragrance,’ from the imperial palace. I had the fortune to taste it when I accompanied Father to a banquet in the palace as a child.”

Jiang Yan frowned upon hearing this. Seeing that he wasn’t pretending, Jiang Xingjian said, “People from the martial world have many connections. Perhaps he didn’t know where it came from.”

“For him to share such a precious thing with you, it must be a good friendship.”

After speaking, Jiang Xingjian drank it all in one go.

The wine was intoxicating, and with his mind already troubled, he soon felt dizzy after drinking half the jar, unable to distinguish between reality and illusion.

“Brother, you’re drunk.”

Jiang Yan spoke, but Jiang Xingjian’s gaze was fixed. After a long time, he murmured, “At this moment, I envy you.”

What’s wrong with being a concubine’s son? As a concubine’s son, he didn’t have to bear the responsibility of revitalizing the family business. As a concubine’s son, he wasn’t subject to the palace’s control. As a concubine’s son, Jiang Yan could live freely and leisurely.

“What’s wrong with being a concubine’s son?” Jiang Xingjian murmured softly, and Jiang Yan lowered his eyes, remaining silent.

Didn’t he also long for the status of a legitimate son?

After a long silence, Jiang Yan drank the last bowl of wine and pointed to the already drunk Jiang Xingjian, saying, “Send the Marquis…”

“Lan Ting Courtyard, send me back to Lan Ting Courtyard.” Jiang Xingjian murmured, seemingly calling out Song Wan’s name.

Jiang Yan’s lips tightened, his face turning from red to pale upon hearing that name. He stared at Jiang Xingjian for a while, his expression gloomy, and said, “Send the Marquis to Huai Su’s room.”

When Qing Zhai went to find Huai Su, she was in her room sewing an inner garment for Jiang Xingjian. She had always been Jiang Xingjian’s personal maid, and even though she had been promoted to concubine, nothing had really changed. She knew Jiang Xingjian might have feelings for Song Wan or Lin Jiayue, but she didn’t mind. She liked Jiang Xingjian and was content just being by his side.

But Huai Su had never imagined that she would one day become his bedmate. Blushing, she helped her drunken beloved change clothes and wash up.

The next morning, Jiang Xingjian felt warmth in his arms as if he were holding a soft, fragrant jade. His mind was still foggy, and he thought he was in Lin Jiayue’s room. But as the dullness and confusion from the hangover faded, he realized the person in his arms was much more voluptuous than the ailing Lin Jiayue.

Jiang Xingjian suddenly froze, unable to believe his thoughts.

“Wan’er?”

Huai Su opened her eyes but didn’t turn around.

She was ashamed to face Jiang Xingjian, ashamed of taking advantage of the situation, and pained that the person she had served since childhood had never had her in his heart.

As soon as he called out Song Wan’s name, Jiang Xingjian realized something was wrong.

With Wan’er’s temperament, she would never let him enter her room drunk, so how could this be…

Jiang Xingjian got up on his own while Huai Su, blushing, wrapped herself in the quilt and stared at him.

“Get dressed.”

Seeing that he didn’t ask a single question about the previous night, Huai Su suddenly didn’t know whether to feel happy or sad.

“Please wait, Marquis.”

Quickly dressed, Huai Su hurriedly got up to serve Jiang Xingjian. Just as she finished helping him dress, Shi Zhu came to report that Song Yan had been waiting in the outer courtyard for a long time, and something urgent had happened.

Jiang Xingjian pressed his temples, enduring the headache, and found Song Yan. “What happened that’s so urgent?”

Song Yan lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, “It’s bad, Marquis. There’s going to be a change in the palace.”

“Yesterday, news came from the palace that Eunuch Duan suddenly died in the middle of the night, and the Crown Prince… the Crown Prince woke up.”

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

Jiang Xingjian was shocked. “Duan Yiting suddenly died? Didn’t he come to the Marquis Mansion just yesterday?”

Song Yan pressed his lips together, also looking worried.

Song Wan learned of these two pieces of news half a day later. Hearing that Duan Yiting had suddenly died, she broke out in a cold sweat.

He had clearly come to the Marquis Mansion during the day, so how could he…

Looking at the shawl from the previous day, Song Wan, trembling with fear, had Heng Zhi bring a brazier and burn it to ashes.

Watching the fire slowly consume it, she anxiously said, “The weather is changing. I hope Aunt and the Third Prince are safe.”