Jiang Yuanxi slowly opened her eyes.

Her mother lay beside her, while her father and several older brothers rested on makeshift bedding on the floor.

The mighty God of War of the Heavenly Realm had reddened eyes.

A tear slipped from the corner of his eye and fell.

[Sigh, I’ve worried everyone again.]

They had already been on high alert, barely resting with their eyes half-closed.

The moment they heard Jiang Yuanxi’s thoughts, they all woke up at once.

Jiang Fengyuan immediately picked up his daughter gently and anxiously asked, “Yuanxi, how are you feeling?” His voice was deliberately softened, afraid of scaring her.

Madam Chen, with reddened eyes, reached over to hold her daughter’s small hand. “Tell Mother if anything feels uncomfortable, okay?”

Being cared for so much once again, Jiang Yuanxi felt a warm sensation in her heart.

Seeing that his sister wasn’t speaking, Jiang Yuanyuan directly went out and carried Doctor Sun over.

Poor old Doctor Sun, with his aging body, was almost shaken dizzy.

The rest of the family stood around closely, refusing to leave.

“Move aside, let me have a look.” Doctor Sun, supporting his old waist, pushed the two aside.

He placed his fingers on Jiang Yuanxi’s small wrist and carefully checked. “Her pulse is steady, nothing abnormal. Don’t worry, she’s fine.”

Jiang Yuanxi reached out and clasped both her mother’s and father’s fingers together, feeling much more at ease.

Jiang Yuancheng gritted his teeth in anger. “It’s all that old woman’s fault.” If it weren’t for the people she sent scaring Yuanxi, she wouldn’t have had to suffer like this.

Jiang Fengyuan clenched his fists tightly, his rage surging. He wished he could crush Second House and that old woman under his fists.

“Yuansheng, Yuan’er, you two, come with me.”

With murderous intent, they all entered the study.

Jiang Yuanfan spoke first. “Father, give me a knife. I’ll cut open that old woman’s heart tonight to see if it’s red or black.”

Jiang Yuansheng turned his head in surprise.

Was this really his usually timid and cowardly younger brother?

Why did he seem so much like the second brother all of a sudden?

He advised, “Third Brother, don’t be impulsive. We’ve already captured so many people; we’ll surely get some answers. If we want to catch the mastermind, we have to strike where they’re weakest.”

“Your eldest brother is right.”

However, the first batch of captives had already been taken in, yet none of them had spoken in the past few days.

Jiang Fengyuan patted Jiang Yuansheng’s shoulder. “The imperial exam is coming up soon, you should focus on your studies. Leave the interrogations to me. I refuse to believe I can’t break their silence.”

“Father, leave them to me. I have a way to make them talk.” Jiang Yuanfan looked at Jiang Fengyuan.

If even Yuansheng couldn’t get answers, how could his third son possibly have a method?

The prison was a bloody place—what if Yuan’er got scared?

“Yuan’er, you—”

“Father, trust me.” Jiang Yuanfan’s gaze was firm.

Jiang Yuansheng suddenly recalled what his sister had once said.

In a future where they were all dead, Yuanfan had gathered an army and nearly overturned the entire Yufeng Kingdom. Such determination was beyond ordinary men.

“Father, let Third Brother try.”

“Alright, then give it a try.”

If Yuan’er ended up fainting from fright, he would just have someone carry him back.

..

With the main family returning, some people in the Grand Duke’s residence couldn’t sit still anymore.

Upon hearing the news, the Old Madam completely lost hope.

Two separate assassination attempts, and yet they hadn’t even managed to injure them!

“Useless! All of you are useless!” The Old Madam was furious.

She had spent two thousand taels! Her heart was bleeding.

“That wench’s son is truly blessed with great fortune—just like she was back then.”

“Will those people confess?” The Old Madam asked for confirmation again.

Nanny Wang lowered her voice and whispered, “When I approached them, I disguised myself and covered my face. Old Madam, don’t worry.”

However, since they had failed this time, it would be difficult to act again.

The Old Madam calmed down. “Don’t take any action for now. We can’t leave any traces.”

Nanny Wang nodded. “Rest assured, Madam. Besides, the Emperor still hasn’t summoned the eldest branch to court. It seems they’ve lost His Majesty’s favor.”

“You think the Grand Duke values Jiang Fengyuan?”

Nanny Wang looked up in shock. “Isn’t that the case?”

The Old Madam let out a cold snort. After all these years, she had long seen through the man by her side. She could even guess some of his thoughts.

“Don’t forget, the eldest branch has a scholar whose name shakes the entire capital!”

The Grand Duke wanted the entire family to stay far from the battlefield and military power.

Years ago, in order to prevent this, she had tampered with the brush given to Jiang Yuansheng, but he had accidentally discovered it.

All her schemes had fallen through. She could only watch helplessly as their status rose higher and higher.

Nanny Wang hesitated. “Could it be…”

“He wants to follow the civil officials’ path? Then we’ll see if the eldest branch agrees.” The Old Madam gritted her teeth. “And if I agree! The Grand Duke’s estate belongs to my son!”

..

Because of this illness, Madam Chen assigned Chun Zhi to take care of Jiang Yuanxi.

Chun Zhi carefully prepared all of Yuanxi’s meals to ensure they were both nutritious and healthy.

Having been away from home for so long, many things had changed within the estate.

Chun Zhi and Chun Tao went out to gather information and reported everything to Madam Chen.

Jiang Yuanxi listened carefully while sitting in her mother’s embrace.

Chun Zhi said, “Second Madam’s niece, Liu Ruqing, suddenly started bleeding a few days after we left, despite having a previously healthy pregnancy.”

“Was the child saved?” Madam Chen asked.

“Yes, Second Master called for a famous doctor and managed to save it.”

Madam Chen smiled knowingly. “Wu Cuirou couldn’t wait any longer.” Jiang Hui still had six months left in prison. During this time, she would never allow another child to be born.

“Keep an eye on her. Just don’t let her die.”

Chun Tao quickly added, “Miss Jiang Yan was framed by Concubine Hua for theft. She’s still locked up in the woodshed. I heard that Concubine Zheng has been pleading with Second Madam for days, but the girl still hasn’t been released.”

[Yan-jie is in trouble. She can’t be in trouble. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”]

[“I don’t know what Jiang Yan will become in the future, but for now, at least, she’s a good person.”]

From the way Jiang Yan had stood up against Liu Ruqing, it was clear where her heart lay.

Madam Chen sighed. “I was so focused on having her deal with Concubine Hua that I forgot she’s still just a child.”

“Mother, save her.” Jiang Yuanxi clutched her mother’s hand.

Madam Chen gently caressed her daughter’s soft face. “Alright, I’ll have someone help her.” However, she could only do so in secret.

..

Jiang Yan lay weakly on a messy pile of firewood.

She had been locked up for two days, with no food or water. She was now completely drained.

She had already resigned herself to her fate—except she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her mother behind. Her mother was already frail. Without her, she wouldn’t survive much longer.

At that moment, she heard a voice.

“Miss Yan.”

Who was it?

Jiang Yan struggled to turn her head and saw a stranger peeking through the wooden slats.

The maid slipped something through the gap. “I will bring you food every day. Please, stay strong.”

The maid left quietly.

Jiang Yan crawled to the door, unwrapping the package.

Inside was water, dried meat, and thin pancakes—all survival essentials.

She stuffed the food into her mouth, crying as she ate.

Now that she had regained some strength, she began to think carefully.

In this entire estate, only one person could have sent help.

Madam Chen was back!

Jiang Yan’s eyes gleamed.

Jiang Ruowei, this time, I will not let you off!