Many years had passed. When Jiang Fengyuan suddenly proposed to overturn the Chen family’s case, it barely caused a ripple in the imperial court.

But it made certain people anxious.

At the third watch of the night.

A shadowy figure once again entered the Duke of An’s residence.

The study’s lamp was still lit.

“You raised a fine son!” the man in black spat angrily.

To bring this up in court—he had broken into a cold sweat from fear.

The Duke of An sipped his tea calmly. “Relax. He won’t find anything.”

Everyone who knew the truth back then had been dealt with.

Only the two of them knew what had happened.

The man in black hesitated before speaking.

“Liangzhou must be taken care of quickly. We can’t let it ruin His Highness’s plans.”

Silently, the man in black vanished into the night.

The Duke of An narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of murderous intent surfacing.

Outside the Duke’s residence, a hidden group followed in pursuit.

Ever since successfully bringing Han Qianhua and Wu Jiping together, Jiang Yuanxi seemed to have found a new purpose.

Spring had arrived.

A season of blooming flowers and new beginnings—perfect for matchmaking.

“Hey, Blackie, what do you think of this one?” Jiang Yuanxi crouched under a tree, holding a fluffy creature in her hands.

The black snake stared at its master with a deadpan expression, completely devoid of hope.

Jiang Yuancheng rubbed his eyes. Was he seeing things? Why did it look like the snake’s gaze held disdain… and fear?

“You’re still not satisfied?” Jiang Yuanxi glared at the snake.

Sensing his master’s displeasure, the black snake slithered behind Jiang Yuancheng, trembling.

Deep down, it was terrified.

Yes, it wanted a mate. But not a giant black rat! That would be an utter disgrace to its ancestors.

Jiang Yuancheng chuckled. “Yuanxi, they’re not even the same species.”

Jiang Yuanxi pouted and let go of the rat. The rat scampered away as if it had been granted amnesty.

[Different species? That doesn’t matter! Blackie is just too picky.]

Black snake, black rat—they were a perfect match!

She remembered the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea had nine sons, each with different creatures—a turtle, an ox…

Even the Dragon King had mixed-blood children, and none of them resembled him!

Yet Blackie was impossible to please. No cows, no sheep, not even an adorable little mouse. It was so picky that it only ate vegetables.

Jiang Yuanxi sighed. Her snake was way too delicate.

[Even the pigs in Heaven weren’t this hard to take care of—just a grill would do.]

Jiang Yuanran rushed in. “Father, Brother! Our men reported that a man in black visited the Duke of An’s residence again last night.”

“Excellent!” Jiang Fengyuan slammed the table.

He had previously discussed with his son that raising the issue in court would force their enemies to act.

Now, it seemed the plan had worked. Their opponent had become restless.

“Did you find out where he’s staying?” Jiang Fengyuan asked eagerly. If they could locate him, they would seize him immediately.

Jiang Yuanran’s face fell. He shook his head. “The Han family’s troops sneaked in, but they found nothing. It’s as if he vanished into thin air.”

“Vanished into thin air?”

Jiang Yuanran nodded. “We searched every corner of the house. No one was hiding inside.”

That was odd.

The group fell into deep thought.

Just then, Chun Zhi entered and walked over to Madam Chen.

“Madam, our informant inside the Duke’s residence sent word. The second master has been secretly accepting bribes from officials—a rather large sum.”

Ever since Madam Chen had left, she had placed spies inside the Duke’s residence, ensuring she remained informed without stepping foot inside.

Jiang Fengyuan was shocked. “That old fox always looked down on officials. Looks like he really is running out of money.”

Jiang Yuancheng’s eyes gleamed.

“Father, we must let His Majesty know.”

Even if it couldn’t shake the Duke’s foundation, it would still be a thorn in his side.

“Agreed.” Jiang Fengyuan grinned. “Leave it to me.”

He wouldn’t miss out on such a satisfying moment.

“I want to go too!” Jiang Yuanxi stretched her hand out eagerly.

[Yes, yes, yes! I want to go! There’s good food outside!]

She was practically bouncing with excitement.

Jiang Fengyuan glanced at his wife. As long as she agreed, he’d take them.

Jiang Yuancheng also wanted to go.

“Alright, everyone can go.” Madam Chen smiled.

She placed ten thousand taels of silver on the table. “This came from the second house. Ten thousand taels—divide it amongst yourselves.”

Madam Chen knew her husband and sons had been tirelessly working for the Chen family, spending silver left and right.

In the end, Jiang Fengyuan took seven thousand taels, Jiang Yuancheng and Jiang Yuanran each received 1,425 taels, Jiang Yuancheng got 100 taels, and Jiang Yuanxi received 50 taels.

Jiang Yuanxi took out a small pouch her mother had sewn for her and carefully stored her silver notes.

With the silver from this and what Uncle Wu had given her before, plus her mother’s past gifts, she now had a total of 153 taels.

The money was piling up!

Hugging her little pouch, Jiang Yuanxi grinned from ear to ear.

..

Jiang Qisheng sneaked into a private room. Inside, the officials greeted him with deference.

“Young Master Jiang is as dashing as ever!” One of them flattered him while slipping silver notes into his hands.

Jiang Qisheng feigned humility, discreetly tucking the money into his sleeve. “Oh, we can’t jump to conclusions before His Majesty makes a ruling.”

Seeing this, the others rushed to compliment him and present their own “tokens of respect.”

“Young Master Jiang, there’s no need to refuse. Jiang Fengyuan is ungrateful and has turned his back on the family. The title of heir belongs to you.”

Jiang Qisheng was pleased.

Even though he knew they were just humoring him, he enjoyed the flattery.

Only here could he escape his father’s scorn and the constant comparison to Jiang Fengyuan.

“Come, let’s drink!”

…

Meanwhile, in another private room, a feast was laid out.

Zheng Guang eyed Jiang Fengyuan suspiciously.

This old fox is being too generous today.

Jiuhua Tower was one of the finest establishments in the capital—this meal wouldn’t come cheap.

“What’s your game, old man?” Zheng Guang muttered.

Jiang Fengyuan grinned slyly. “We’ve known each other for years and serve in the same court. Can’t I simply treat you to a meal?” He raised his cup.

Jiang Yuancheng smiled. “Uncle Zheng, drink up! My father is treating today.”

Zheng Guang hesitated only briefly before drinking.

Who would refuse free food—especially when this old fox was paying?

“Hmm, Jian Nan Chun wine. Not bad.” Zheng Guang was satisfied.

Jiang Yuancheng exchanged a glance with his father, then casually pushed open the window.

Outside, soft music played.

Zheng Guang nodded in approval.

Jiang Fengyuan smirked. Laugh while you can—soon, you won’t be laughing.

This meal had cost a small fortune, and his heart ached over it.

..

Jiang Qisheng, already drunk, slammed his cup down.

“Jiang Fengyuan?” He sneered. “Just a motherless child.”

“A fourth-rank general? So what? He still got kicked out of the Duke’s residence!”

In the next room, Zheng Guang turned to Jiang Fengyuan. “You’re not stopping this?”

Jiang Fengyuan leisurely took a bite of food.

“Eat, eat,” he said casually.

Zheng Guang smirked. Interesting.

Jiang Qisheng continued rambling, slurring his words.

“Chen Xinwan should have been mine! Why did Jiang Fengyuan get her?!”

CRACK!

Jiang Fengyuan crushed his wine cup in his hand.

Zheng Guang chuckled. Exposed, huh?

The real drama was about to begin.