Grandmother Jia shook her head. “Taoist Tianquan said that Xiangwan’s birth chart strengthens yours. With him by your side, you’ll be able to turn misfortune into fortune. Besides, given your current condition, you can’t do without him—his presence is what’s holding your fate in check.”

“I’ve met that child Xiangwan—handsome and well-featured. You’ve always been fond of beauty, regardless of gender. And now, you say you’re not pleased with him?”

Jia Lian shook his head. Thinking of Ye Xiangwan’s face, he had to admit he was indeed satisfied in that regard. But as the young master of a noble family, it was simply unheard of to take a man as one’s official wife. What’s more, Ye Xiangwan was far too strong—if they truly lived together, he feared things wouldn’t go well for him.

But how could he say that out loud? What was he supposed to say—that he wanted a divorce because he couldn’t win a fight against him? Grandmother definitely wouldn’t approve.

So he changed tactics.

“Grandmother, I am the eldest grandson of the Rongguo family. I’m meant to inherit the estate in the future. How could I possibly take a man as my official wife? Wouldn’t I become a laughingstock among the nobility?”

Jia Lian glanced up at Grandmother Jia, then added,

“What’s more, if he holds the position of primary wife and I have no legitimate heir—only children from concubines—that wouldn’t sound good either.”

At these words, Madam Wang paused, the prayer beads in her hands stilling. She spoke gently,

“Lian’er, that’s not the right way to think. No matter what, Xiangwan entered the household to save your life. If we cast him out the moment you wake up, people will say our family is heartless and ungrateful. If you’re concerned about legitimacy, you can always adopt a child and raise him under Xiangwan’s name. It’s the same.”

Grandmother Jia said, “Your second aunt is right. If you truly don’t like him, we’ll find a fertile concubine for you in due time.”

Still unwilling, Jia Lian pressed one last time. “Grandmother… is there really no other way?”

Grandmother Jia placed her teacup down with a firm clink and said solemnly,

“Lian’er, you need to grow up. This isn’t just about the household—it’s about you. Everything Taoist Tianquan predicted has come true. We can’t afford not to believe it. Go back and think things through.”

Jia Lian lowered his head in resignation and bowed. “Yes, I understand.”

After watching Jia Lian leave, Grandmother Jia sighed. “Such a disappointing boy!”

Madam Wang said softly, “Lian’er has always been fond of Feng’er. To suddenly find out he’s married to a man as his primary wife—of course it would be difficult for him to accept. It’s only natural.”

“If it weren’t for the sake of his health, I wouldn’t have played the villain,” Grandmother Jia said, waving her hand. “Go check in on Baoyu.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang stood up quickly, her face lighting up with delight. “Yes, I’ll go right away.”

The inner hall soon returned to silence. After a while, a long, heavy sigh echoed through the room.

When Jia Lian returned to his own courtyard, he ran into Ningbi.

Her eyes were red, and she looked at Jia Lian with a mixture of shyness and restrained emotion. Her gaze was filled with joy.

“Second Master… thank the heavens, you’re finally awake.”

She held a pink handkerchief to the corner of her eye, gently dabbing away tears. “This servant was so worried I thought I’d die.”

Jia Lian couldn’t quite recall her name. He furrowed his brow, trying hard to remember.

But his silence and expression were misinterpreted by Ningbi. What began as fake sorrow turned into real hurt. Her tears fell. “I didn’t expect that the moment the Second Master woke up, he would forget me.”

Hearing this, Jia Lian immediately understood what was going on. Without hesitation, he stretched out an arm and pulled Ningbi into his embrace. A soft fragrance wafted into his nose—soothing and delicate, the scent of a young woman. He took a deep breath; it had been a long time since he’d smelled anything so pleasant.

“How could I ever forget you?” Jia Lian cupped her chin, lips lifting into a teasing smile, his eyes glinting with flirtatious charm.

Ningbi blushed furiously, though inwardly she scoffed at Ye Xiangwan. “Second Mistress”? What a joke! Only the one who wins Second Master’s heart can claim that title. Without his affection, that one’s just a lucky stray who married in.

“Well, the Second Master certainly seems to be in a good mood.”

A cool voice cut through the tender atmosphere. Both Jia Lian and Ningbi turned to look. There stood Ye Xiangwan under the eaves, leaning against a column, smiling faintly as he gazed at them.

Jia Lian, seemingly forgetting all the pain from earlier, pulled Ningbi even closer and raised his chin with arrogant pride. “It’s easy to be in a good mood when no annoying person is around to interfere.”

Ye Xiangwan chuckled lightly and began walking toward them. They say a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass near its burrow—but Jia Lian clearly prefers it!

Though he had no romantic feelings for Jia Lian and never intended to stay long aboard the sinking ship that was the Rongguo estate, he refused to tolerate Jia Lian flirting in front of him. This was his space now—a place he’d be living for some time—and he wouldn’t stand for the discomfort.

Seeing Ye Xiangwan smiling as he approached, Jia Lian instinctively took two steps back with Ningbi still in his arms. But after a second, he straightened and raised his chin again, casting Xiangwan a scornful glance.

Was it just her imagination? Ningbi could’ve sworn Jia Lian’s arm trembled slightly as he held her.

Ye Xiangwan came right up to them. The moment he raised his hand, Jia Lian backed away frantically, thrusting Ningbi in front of himself as a human shield. His voice was strained and fierce only on the surface. “What are you trying to do?! I’m warning you—I was just going easy on you earlier. Don’t push your luck!”

Ye Xiangwan rolled his eyes when he saw Jia Lian using Ningbi as a shield.

Ningbi seemed to realize something too, but still stepped forward to shield Jia Lian. “Second Mistress! The second Master is the young lord of this household—what are you trying to do? Are you threatening him?”

“This has nothing to do with you, little girl,” Ye Xiangwan scoffed. “He used you as a human shield, and you’re still protecting him? What a loyal maid.”

Ningbi bit her lip. Of course she had noticed it too. Her girlish dreams crumbled a little more inside her heart. But thinking of her future, she pretended not to understand Ye Xiangwan’s words and kept herself between the two.

Jia Lian, seeing Ningbi’s back, thought, Such a good girl. I won’t treat you poorly.

Ye Xiangwan reached out, grabbed the hand Jia Lian had placed on Ningbi’s shoulder, and yanked her out of his arms. “Second Master, come. Let’s talk inside.”

Looking at the smiling face so close to his own, and those gleaming white teeth, Jia Lian’s shoulder began to ache again. This was absolutely a threat!

But he had no choice but to comply. If he got beaten in front of the servants, he’d lose all his dignity.

With Ye Xiangwan dragging him inside, only a confused and heartbroken Ningbi was left in the courtyard. What’s going on with Second Master?

Once they were inside, Ye Xiangwan shut the door.

He gave Jia Lian a firm shove, sending him stumbling onto the low couch. Jia Lian nearly smacked into the side table. He scrambled upright and grabbed a pillow, clutching it to his chest as a shield, eyeing Ye Xiangwan warily.

“What are you trying to do? I’m warning you—if you lay another hand on me, I won’t hold back!”

“Oh?” Ye Xiangwan raised a brow, amused. “And what exactly do you plan to do to me? Come over here and beat me up?”

Jia Lian’s face turned red, then green, then white—just like a painter’s palette. Honestly, it was a rather striking sight. He glared angrily at Ye Xiangwan. “Don’t think I’m really afraid of you! If it comes down to people, you’ll never outnumber me!”

Ye Xiangwan sneered. “You sure are capable, Jia Lian. Just woke up and already flirting with the maids? Looks to me like your spirit isn’t weak at all—in fact, it’s too vigorous. I’ll tell the kitchen to add extra Coptis Root to your medicine, see if we can’t calm that fire of yours.”

Jia Lian chuckled with disdain. “This is Rongguo Estate. You think some brat from who-knows-where can order people around here?”

“You’re my husband~~” Ye Xiangwan sang out, dragging the words sweetly in a voice so sugary it made Jia Lian’s skin crawl. He got goosebumps all over.

Still, for a fleeting moment, Jia Lian found it kind of novel. When he saw the charming smile on Ye Xiangwan’s handsome face, a ripple of something stirred in his heart. But he quickly snapped out of it and shivered hard. This guy’s a jinx! An absolute walking disaster!

“If they don’t listen to me,” Ye Xiangwan continued, “doesn’t that mean they don’t respect you either?”

Jia Lian cleared his throat, lifted his chin slightly, crossed one leg over the other, and adjusted his robe with an air of confidence. “Since you understand that,” he said smugly, “why don’t you butter me up a little? If I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll even grant you that ‘Second Mistress’ title.”

“Pfft!” Ye Xiangwan suddenly laughed. “Still dreaming, are you?”

“You—!” Jia Lian’s expression changed instantly, eyes blazing with fury.

Ye Xiangwan leaned in slightly, adjusting Jia Lian’s collar with ease. Seeing Jia Lian instinctively lean away, he gave his chest a gentle pat and smiled. “Don’t be mad. You know me—I like to solve problems at the root. If they don’t listen to me, you’re the one who suffers.”

“What are you planning?” Jia Lian growled, clutching a pillow to his chest and glaring at him with suspicion.

“Nothing complicated.” Ye Xiangwan straightened up and lounged lazily against the cushion, smiling at him. “If you want to fool around, I won’t stop you. But not under my nose. And definitely not on my turf. If I catch you, I’ll beat you. And if an arm or leg happens to get broken, well… don’t blame me for any lasting injuries.”

He blinked his clear, innocent eyes at Jia Lian, face full of mock sincerity. “Second Master, don’t let me down, okay?”

The soft tone sent shivers down Jia Lian’s spine. Remembering Ye Xiangwan’s freakish strength, he knew this was no joke. Grinding his teeth, he nodded reluctantly. “Fine. But you’d better give me face in public—no hitting, no threats.”

“Respect is mutual,” Ye Xiangwan said lightly. “You give it to me, and I’ll give it to you. Don’t worry—I won’t touch you in front of others.” (Unless I really can’t hold back…) he added silently.

“Deal!” Jia Lian agreed instantly.

Though he agreed, in his heart he still felt indignant. I only gave in because he threatened me! Stewing in frustration, he tossed the pillow aside and stormed out of the room.

“What a temper!” Ye Xiangwan rolled his eyes. If I could leave now, I’d be long gone. Like I want to stay on this sinking ship?

His expression darkened. Rongguo Estate was doomed—of that he was certain. He couldn’t just sit around waiting to be dragged down with it. If an opportunity arose, he would definitely leave.

But for now, it seemed Grandmother Jia wouldn’t allow him to go. He’d have to think of another way—find another time.

There was also the issue of the original body’s family. In the memories he’d inherited, the original Ye Xiangwan not only looked just like him, but even had the same name. The only difference was that Ye Xiangwan was an orphan, while the original had a brother and sister-in-law.

But that brother was a henpecked husband, and the sister-in-law constantly complained about the original being a freeloader. When Rongguo Estate came seeking someone to marry Jia Lian for a fortune-bringing ceremony, they agreed immediately. The brother didn’t even dare to protest—just let his wife sell off his little brother like that.

What happened after that, Ye Xiangwan didn’t know. By the time he arrived, he was already sitting inside the bridal sedan, on his way to Rongguo Estate.

The original host’s family was in trouble. He’d have to find time to deal with them—to get rid of that hidden threat.

Meanwhile, Jia Lian took one last look at the wide-open door, let out a frustrated huff, and stormed out of the courtyard. Just when I thought I got rid of the tigress Wang Xifeng, along comes a male tiger!

He went to pay respects to Jia She and Lady Xing. At least Lady Xing came out and offered a few polite words. But Jia She? Didn’t even show his face.

Hearing the flirtatious laughter coming from inside, Jia Lian was already used to it. He recited a few token greetings, then turned and walked away.

“Second Master, you’ve only just recovered. You should be resting,” Xing’er urged.

“Stop nagging!” Jia Lian snapped, full of frustration. As soon as he exited the mansion, he turned a corner—and headed straight for the Eastern Residence.