Before even returning home, Jiang Yuanxi had already fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Trailing behind her was a long procession of flowers, flowing like a river.

The Jiang family members were utterly bewildered.

How could there be so many flowers at this time of year?

Even though he was a rough and straightforward man, he could still tell that these flowers were extraordinary.

Jiang Yuanran was overjoyed.

“Lotus in June, osmanthus in August, chrysanthemums in September… Scholars love these the most!”

“Mother, where did all these come from?” Jiang Yuanran asked excitedly.

Jiang Yuancheng found it odd. “Aren’t they just flowers? Why are you so thrilled?”

Jiang Yuanran picked up a potted plant.

“Purple begonia, worth a thousand gold!”

Then he pointed at another. “Imperial-grade peony, worth ten thousand gold!”

Jiang Yuancheng’s mouth fell open in shock.

Had their mother brought back the most precious flowers in all of Yufeng?

Was their family already wealthy enough for this?

Everyone turned their eyes to Madam Chen, seeking an answer.

“Wife, what is all this about?” Jiang Fengyuan asked.

Madam Chen sighed gently, gazing at the sleeping girl in her arms with warmth.

“The Grand Princess gifted them to Yuanxi.”

Even they were merely benefiting from the little one’s good fortune.

Madam Chen suddenly thought of something and whispered a few words to Chun Zhi.

Chun Zhi happily left.

…

– Duke An Mansion

Wu Cuirou was carried to the gates of Duke An’s manor, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

The Duke and the old madam rushed to the entrance in panic.

Wu Cuirou’s face was pale, and blood from her wounds had seeped through her clothing, staining it red.

“What on earth happened?!” the old madam cried, nearly stomping her feet in frustration.

She had only attended a banquet—how had things come to this?

Jiang Ruowei knelt before them.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, Mother was beaten by the Grand Princess. Jiang Yuanxi has become the legitimate granddaughter of the Duke of Han’s household, and Aunt has secured favor with the Grand Princess.”

“Mother falsely accused Jiang Yuanxi of stealing flowers, and this is the consequence.”

Now, not only had they offended Duke Han, but also the Grand Princess.

The old madam was so furious that she nearly fainted.

The Duke of An pointed at Wu Cuirou and cursed, “Ignorant, foolish woman!”

The passersby shook their heads and chuckled.

“Duke An cast out his eldest son, but now that son’s family has the backing of Duke Han and the Grand Princess.”

“That’s a fortune most people could only dream of!”

“Tell me, do you think Duke An has gone senile? Ignoring such an enormous opportunity and picking up trash instead?”

“Who knows!”

“But one thing’s certain—the Jiang family is now beyond their reach!”

Duke An’s face darkened.

Jiang Qisheng seethed with rage but knew he couldn’t argue with commoners.

“Father, don’t worry. Brother’s current glory is only temporary. Our Duke An’s household has deep foundations. Sooner or later, he will come crawling back to us.”

“We just need to wait patiently.”

“Soon, Hui’er will return. You know his talent. Do you really think he’s inferior to Jiang Yuanran?”

Duke An finally looked a little relieved.

With a flick of his sleeve, he ordered, “Let’s go home!”

..

A shadowy figure in black slipped into Duke An’s manor under the cover of darkness.

Soon, the Jiang family received word of it.

Jiang Yuanran was anxious. “Father, Brother, our people saw the figure enter Duke An’s estate and then vanish into the fireworks alley.”

“Should we have the Han family’s soldiers surround the alley?”

If they blocked the exits, the intruder would have nowhere to run.

“Third Brother, the people in the fireworks alley are entangled with many court officials. If we act rashly, we’ll offend far more than just one household,” Jiang Fengyuan said, frowning.

“For now, the Han family’s forces cannot be exposed to the public.”

“Then what should we do?” Watching the enemy move freely before them and doing nothing felt unlike their usual style.

“Have you considered why this person suddenly appeared?” Jiang Yuansheng asked.

“Of course—it’s because they’re afraid of being discovered!” Jiang Yuanran replied.

Jiang Fengyuan’s expression stiffened.

After a long pause, he said in a grave tone, “They must have noticed someone investigating the events of the past.”

If that was the case, Second Brother and the Chen family were in danger.

Eliminating threats at the root was a well-known strategy.

“Father, I’ll send people to Liangzhou to assist Second Brother,” Jiang Fengyuan said, immediately heading toward his study.

Jiang Yuanran looked at his elder brother. “Brother, are we really just going to do nothing?”

Jiang Yuansheng poured himself a cup of tea, his expression calm. “Keep monitoring the fireworks alley, but do nothing else.”

He had a feeling that the waters ran deep.

Right now, they had only touched the surface.

He wanted to see who was truly pulling the strings.

..

Chun Zhi came rushing in, gulping down three bowls of water as soon as she arrived.

Chun Tao laughed. “What’s got you in such a hurry?”

Chun Zhi panted. “Madam, guess what I found out?”

Madam Chen was curious. “What?”

Jiang Yuanxi perked up her ears to listen.

“Second Madam Wu Cuirou attended the Grand Princess’s banquet wearing borrowed clothes. She ruined them and had to pay a hefty sum. Not only that, but there are now multiple creditors at Duke An’s doorstep.”

“Duke An’s household shut their gates, but the debt collectors surrounded them. The old madam was so furious that she couldn’t even get out of bed!”

Chun Zhi laughed heartily. “Retribution at last!”

“Let’s see how they bully Madam now!”

“Good job, Tao Tao! Amazing!” Jiang Yuanxi cheered.

“That was a great story!”

Excited, Chun Zhi picked Jiang Yuanxi up and smothered her with kisses.

“Our young lady is truly a lucky star. Yesterday, the Grand Princess sent gifts, and today, Duke An’s household suffered a disaster!”

Madam Chen covered her mouth, laughing.

Chun Tao also found Chun Zhi’s words quite reasonable.

Ever since their young lady was born, the fortunes of the main branch had visibly improved.

Even their once timid Madam had grown stronger.

Many of the creditors at Duke An’s doorstep had been sent by Madam Chen herself.

Duke An’s household had secretly taken high-interest loans, causing an uproar in the court.

There were strict regulations forbidding officials from borrowing such funds.

While some had no choice but to do so, no one had dared to make it public.

When the emperor found out, he was furious.

He decreed that Duke An’s household could not return to court until they repaid their debts.

He also rejected their petition to have Jiang Qisheng’s son granted the title of heir.

“What nonsense!” The emperor slammed the petition onto the ground.

“That useless fool knows nothing but eating, drinking, and playing, yet he wants to be a noble heir?”

“Dream on! I’m not dead yet!”

Eunuch Cao knelt. “Your Majesty, please calm down!”

The emperor sneered. “It seems Duke An has grown old and senile.”

Eunuch Cao nodded along. “Indeed, Your Majesty. His eldest son, Jiang Fengyuan, holds a fourth-rank official position, and his grandson, Jiang Yuansheng, is one of the brightest scholars in Yufeng. Either of them would be more qualified than Jiang Qisheng.”

The emperor suddenly remembered something. “Where is my great general? Why hasn’t he attended court recently?”

Eunuch Cao glanced at him and thought to himself, Your Majesty, you truly have a short memory.

But he only dared to complain inwardly.

“Your Majesty, ever since the Tian Shan Academy incident, you ordered General Zhengyuan to reflect at home.”

The emperor smacked his forehead.

With all the recent memorials piling up, he had forgotten.

“Summon my great general! Tonight, we shall drink until dawn!”