Chapter 019: The Bloody Zhaidou Drama of “You Love Me, I Love You,” Sweetness and Harmony at the Houfu

At the end of You Hour, a luxurious four-horse carriage traveled along the road. The carriage was tall, almost as large as half a regular room, and its door was not a simple curtain but two outward-opening wooden panels. The upper half was carved with peony branches, and the open spaces were covered with thin gauze. From a distance, the four horses pulling it side by side made a rather ostentatious sight. The carriage roof was carved with upturned eaves, on which crouched ridge beasts, and below them hung jade bells. When the wind blew, the jade bells tinkled and swayed.

The wheels rumbled and clattered, rolling over the neatly laid bluestone slabs of the district, leaving behind a lingering, orderly echo in the alley.

In the You Hour of summer, the red clouds at the horizon seemed ablaze, and the setting sun melted into gold among the clouds.

The Zhongyi Hou Mansion’s carriage swayed and rocked, pressing against the thick, crimson-gold sunlight spilled over the bluestone slabs, and slowly came to a stop at the main entrance of the Houfu.

An old nanny dressed in a brown, coin-patterned cross-collared long skirt had long been waiting at the entrance. It was Qin Chanyue’s confidante, Nanny Zhao.

Seeing the carriage arrive, Nanny Zhao hurried forward to greet it.

As soon as the carriage stopped, the coachman nimbly jumped down, set up the footstool, and a maid beside him quickly climbed onto the carriage and pushed open the carriage door.

A moment after the door opened, a tall and voluptuous figure slowly emerged from the carriage—it was the wife of Zhongyi Marquis, Qin Chanyue.

Lady Qin wore a mountain-green, cross-collared long skirt today. The color was bright and rich, like a piece of jadeite. On her head, she wore gold hairpins and ornaments, exuding an air of grace and luxury, her demeanor dignified and proper.

As she stepped down from the carriage, her peach-blossom-shaped face showed no trace of unease or sorrow. With an indifferent expression, she walked toward the mansion.

Nanny Zhao reached out to support Qin Chanyue’s arm. The two proceeded from the entrance of the Houfu, bypassed the screen wall, and as they walked along the corridor over the lotus lake, Nanny Zhao whispered to Qin Chanyue about what had happened in the mansion while she was away.

“Concubine Fang and Zhou Wenshan seem to have discovered the Eldest Young Master’s actions and took the Marquis to confront him. The Marquis initially didn’t believe it, but he couldn’t withstand Concubine Fang’s hysterics and followed her to investigate.”

“When they arrived, they happened to see—” Just then, a gust of wind blew, rustling the lotus flowers outside the corridor. Nanny Zhao glared at the maids behind them, and as they stepped back, she lowered her voice even further: “They happened to see the Eldest Young Master and Miss Bai engaging in indecent acts.”

Qin Chanyue raised her delicate eyebrows, a hint of mockery in her tone: “How did they end up together in such a disgraceful manner?”

She had been proud all her life and despised competing with others for the same man. Had she known about the foolish things Zhongyi Marquis had done a few years earlier, the grass on his grave would have been three zhang tall by now. Thus, she truly couldn’t fathom what kind of bewitching potion her two sons, who had been outstanding all their lives, had been fed. Knowing full well that Bai Yuning was involved with someone else, they still rushed headlong into such disgraceful behavior.

Nanny Zhao whispered beside her: “This old servant wasn’t there at the time, so I didn’t witness it firsthand. But I heard that it seemed the Eldest Young Master forced Miss Bai, and she resisted, even receiving several slaps to the face. Her condition was said to be quite pitiful.”

“Later, when the Marquis and Concubine Fang entered, they immediately confronted the Eldest Young Master. Naturally, the Eldest Young Master denied everything, but Miss Bai seized the opportunity and rushed forward, claiming she had evidence that the Eldest Young Master had framed the Third Young Master.”

As she spoke, a flicker of heartache crossed Nanny Zhao’s face. She said, “Madam, you’ve returned just in time. The Marquis has gathered everyone in the main hall for questioning. Your return now is perfect to support the Eldest Young Master. Our Eldest Young Master was merely momentarily confused about Miss Bai—it’s understandable—but something like murdering his own younger brother is absolutely impossible. It must be Miss Bai and Concubine Fang spreading nonsense together!”

Nanny Zhao had remained in the Houfu managing household affairs and was unaware of Zhou Yuanting’s actions outside. She genuinely believed Zhou Yuanting had been framed.

Although Zhou Yuanting had done many wrong things… he was still the child they had watched grow up, Madam’s own flesh and blood. When a child makes mistakes, adults shouldn’t hold grudges; they should protect them when needed. How could they stand by and watch Zhou Yuanting be wronged to death?

After all, he was flesh from Madam’s own body! Nanny Zhao also regarded him as half her own son.

As she spoke, Nanny Zhao’s words carried a tone of persuasion: “Madam… Shiziye is still young; he will change in the future. If you take a step back, Shiziye will surely respect you in all matters from now on. If mother and son live in harmony and we send that Miss Bai away, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

At that moment, they were descending the long corridor. The vibrant brocade skirt brushed against the wooden steps as they rounded a red wall with green tiles, revealing a straight, broad path ahead—the courtyard of the main hall. Nanny Zhao’s voice filled the path leading to the front courtyard.

The main hall courtyard of the Houfu was extremely spacious, paved with white marble. Though called a “hall,” its scale was no different from a palace. Glazed beasts crouched on the hall’s ridge. As they approached, the setting sun shone on the ridge beasts, casting them in a rainbow of colors—a hue unique to summer evenings.

Amidst the shimmering summer light, Qin Chanyue curled her lips noncommittally.

She knew Nanny Zhao had made the same mistake she had in her past life.

This is how mothers are: even when their child is beyond saving, they can’t help but reach out to pull them up. If the child truly can’t climb out, they’re even willing to lie down and let the child step on their body to escape.

People may distrust anyone, but they always believe in their own child. Unless they fall to the very bottom, they refuse to believe their child would truly abandon them.

So she didn’t say anything harsh or unpleasant to Nanny Zhao, only softly replying, “Yes, he must have been framed. I’ll go save him now.”

All she needed to do was tear off Zhou Yuanting’s mask and show it to everyone in this world. Then they would be disappointed in him and cease giving him any affection.

As they spoke, they had already reached the entrance of the main hall.

All the maids outside the main hall had been cleared away. Only a few elderly private soldiers stood guard at the door, all of them trusted confidants of the Zhongyi Marquis.

The old nannies who had served the Zhongyi Marquis for many years were all attending to Zhou Yuanting in Shuhai Courtyard. Later, Qin Chanyue found excuses to send them to the rural estates, and they still haven’t been recalled. Now, when trusted aides were needed, the Zhongyi Marquis found himself without a single person to rely on, so he simply used private soldiers to guard the place.

Upon seeing Qin Chanyue approach, the private soldiers bowed their heads in salute.

When Qin Chanyue entered the main hall, supported by Nanny Zhao, the atmosphere inside was tense and confrontational.

Zhongyi Marquis Zhou Ziheng, dragging his ailing body, sat in the main seat of the hall. Concubine Fang sat weeping in the secondary seat, while Zhou Yuanting knelt on the floor of the hall. Beside him knelt Bai Yuning, who had already changed into a fresh set of clothes.

As Qin Chanyue entered the hall, she heard Zhou Yuanting kneeling on the ground, speaking earnestly and resolutely: “Father, please believe me. I absolutely did not plot against Third Brother. Bai Yuning betrayed me first, and now she claims to have evidence. She must be framing me. Concubine Fang, do not be deceived.”

As he spoke, Zhou Yuanting glanced at Bai Yuning.

He didn’t know why Bai Yuning dared to say she had “evidence against him,” but he absolutely could not admit to anything. Besides—how could Bai Yuning have evidence against him? He had entrusted all these matters to his trusted aides, and not a word had reached anyone else’s ears. How could Bai Yuning know?

That was why he dared to resolutely claim it was “deception.”

Bai Yuning knew Zhou Yuanting didn’t believe she had evidence, but… she truly did.

Others saw her as helpless and isolated, but in reality, she had the backing of the Second Prince’s faction. She was aware of many things happening within the Houfu.

For example, that Liu Yandai was no simple character! With her foolish-looking face, she had managed to lure Zhou Yuanting to Huage that day, where he happened to catch Bai Yuning and Zhou Chiye in an intimate act. It was clearly premeditated, and everyone had been deceived by her!

Another example: Zhou Yuanting, unwilling to relinquish the position of Shizi (Heir Apparent), had secretly employed many schemes. Although his efforts to ask his circle of young masters to lure Zhou Wenshan out were discreet, they couldn’t escape the notice of the Second Prince—some among these young masters also sought to curry favor with the Second Prince and were naturally willing to pass on such information.

Thus, this information eventually made its way to Bai Yuning.

Although the Second Prince couldn’t openly provide her with much assistance, she had secretly learned many secrets.

Before being forced by Zhou Yuanting, Bai Yuning, though aware of these matters, had no intention of getting involved in the Zhaidou turmoil. The Second Prince still had use for her in the Houfu—she was to stay and find a way to locate a map. Now that Zhennan Wang had returned, staying in the Houfu might allow her to gather more information. The Second Prince placed great hopes in her, so she needed to lie low and avoid causing any trouble.

But unexpectedly, Zhou Yuanting dared to tarnish her innocence!

Thinking of how Zhou Yuanting had slapped her, torn her clothes, and forced himself upon her, she gritted her teeth in hatred.

Deception—once she presented the evidence, Zhou Yuanting would know whether she was deceiving him or not!

“Deception?” At the same time, Concubine Fang viciously repeated the word, her piercing gaze sweeping from Zhou Yuanting to Qin Chanyue, who had just entered the hall.

As a concubine, she should have risen from the secondary seat, as it was the rightful place of the primary wife. Her sitting there was already a breach of propriety.

But she refused to yield. Instead, she sat upright in her chair, lifting her chin high. Her gaze shifted from Zhou Yuanting kneeling on the floor to Qin Chanyue standing nearby, glaring fiercely at Qin Chanyue as she pointed at her while scolding someone else: “You’re not my own son! Who knows what wicked schemes you harbor in your heart? The heart is hidden behind the belly—why should I trust you? You must be plotting to harm my son and seize my family’s Juewei!”

She sat high and mighty, as if she had transformed from a concubine into the mistress of the house, as though the Houfu were rightfully hers by nature.

Qin Chanyue had just entered the hall from outside when she heard these words. Her expression remained indifferent as she glanced at Concubine Fang, then turned her gaze to Zhou Ziheng seated in the main position.

Zhou Ziheng pursed his lips, his eyes cold and fixed on her.

He had aged considerably in recent days. Once a handsome and refined gentleman, he now seemed drained of vitality. His fair, delicate skin sagged slightly, making his eyes appear sinister and icy, like a snake lurking in the shadows, its venomous fangs ready to strike.

At the sight of Zhou Ziheng’s expression, Qin Chanyue understood—he believed Concubine Fang’s words.

He had always favored Concubine Fang, and now, burdened by guilt, his bias only deepened. He could accept Concubine Fang being subordinate to Qin Chanyue as a concubine, for behind Qin Chanyue stood the formidable Qin Mansion and the unyielding Qin Family Army, forces he could not oppose. But he could never accept the possibility of Concubine Fang or their child being harmed by Qin Chanyue or Qin Chanyue’s child.

If it ever came to that, he would show Qin Chanyue no mercy.

If things truly were as Bai Yuning had said, Zhou Ziheng would not spare Zhou Yuanting or Qin Chanyue—even though Zhou Yuanting was his child, in his heart, Zhou Yuanting was not as important as Zhou Wenshan, just as Qin Chanyue was not as important as Concubine Fang.

“Concubine Fang, your words are mistaken,” Qin Chanyue said, her gaze sweeping across everyone present before settling on Concubine Fang’s face. “What do you mean by ‘not being blood-related means the heart is hidden behind the belly’? Zhou Wenshan is not my own son either, yet I was willing to yield the Shizi position to him. I have given my all for your son, yet you say my son is ‘not blood-related’—what kind of reasoning is that?”

Her tone was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it left Concubine Fang momentarily speechless, her face flushing red without a word to retort.

On the floor, Zhou Yuanting turned his head and, upon seeing his mother arrive, immediately lowered his head, putting on an expression of utmost grievance. “Mother, I truly do not know what has happened,” he said.

Zhou Yuanting knew how fiercely protective his mother was. Although she had grown distant from him due to his cold treatment of Liu Yandai and his pursuit of Bai Yuning, in her heart, he remained her most important child!

A surge of delight filled Zhou Yuanting, and he felt a faint sense of triumph.

His father was gravely ill and nearing death. His mother loved his father so deeply that she had humiliated herself to bring a concubine into the household, all for his father’s sake. Surely, she had been blinded by her love for him. Now that she saw her own son being wronged, she would never stand idly by!

Sure enough, upon hearing his words, Madam frowned and said to her husband, “I was away from the mansion today after receiving news of Zhennan Wang’s return, so I was unaware of what happened here. However, since it is said that Yuanding harmed Wenshan, let’s see the evidence. If it is true, I will certainly punish him severely without leniency.”

When Qin Chanyue mentioned “Zhennan Wang,” Zhou Ziheng’s eyelids twitched twice, and he exclaimed in disbelief, “Chu Heng has returned?”

Since falling seriously ill and resting at home, he had rarely concerned himself with court affairs. Instead, he had been immersed in Fang Qingqing’s tender affection and the familial bond with Zhou Wenshan, paying little attention to the happenings in Chang’an. Moreover, Qin Chanyue had subtly trimmed his influence, making his access to information less timely. Thus, he had only just learned of such significant news.

Upon hearing this, the first thought that crossed Zhou Ziheng’s mind was: Could Chu Heng be here to settle scores with him?

Back when he married Qin Chanyue, Chu Heng had made it explicitly clear to him: if he ever wronged Qin Chanyue, Chu Heng would take his life.

He had thought that he would not live much longer this time, and with Chu Heng stationed far away at the border, there would be no time for him to settle accounts. Who would have thought that Chu Heng would return now, while he was still alive? Wasn’t this just waiting for Chu Heng to come after him?

It was widely known that Zhennan Wang Chu Heng was a man of unyielding integrity throughout his life, with only one adopted sister as his weakness. Although Zhou Ziheng was a marquis, he was merely a nobleman enjoying a leisurely life in Chang’an, far inferior to Chu Heng, who commanded a powerful army. If Chu Heng truly went mad, he would surely meet his end!

“Indeed,” the elegant Madam stood upright in the main hall of the front hall, seemingly oblivious to the panic and shock on Zhou Ziheng’s face, and replied calmly, “I have just visited him. Would you like to go and see him as well?”

Zhou Ziheng immediately rose from his seat. “Of course, I must go and see him. I have been ill and failed to go out of the city to welcome him. It is truly a fault. I hope my elder brother will not take offense.”

Not only did he stand up himself, but he also made Fang Qingqing, who was beside him, rise. He even scolded her in a low voice, saying, “As a concubine, how dare you disrespect Madam? Step back and stand aside!”

Fang Qingqing stood up in confusion at his scolding, watching Zhou Ziheng’s sudden change in demeanor with some bewilderment.

She did not understand why her husband had suddenly treated her differently. Just moments ago, he had allowed her to sit, but now she could only step back and watch as her husband walked down to welcome Qin Chanyue to the secondary seat in the front hall.

As Qin Chanyue was escorted forward, she did not glance at Fang Qingqing, but Fang Qingqing’s gaze remained fixed on her. She watched Qin Chanyue’s composed expression and the swaying red silk skirt as Qin Chanyue took the seat she had just occupied.

When Qin Chanyue was helped into the seat by Zhou Ziheng, Fang Qingqing felt a wave of humiliation wash over her, and her face flushed red.

Previously, she had believed herself to be the most important and the only one loved in Zhou Ziheng’s heart, regardless of her status as a concubine. She had often overstepped her bounds and taken pride in it, considering it a unique proof of Zhou Ziheng’s love for her and her superiority over Qin Chanyue.

Previously, Qin Chanyue had remained silent, so Zhou Ziheng pretended not to notice. But now that Zhou Ziheng suddenly intervened, the stark contrast made Fang Qingqing’s head spin with frustration. She even stomped her feet and cried out, “Husband! No matter who has returned, you must stand up for our son!”

Zhou Ziheng stiffened at her outburst, first snapping, “Be quiet!” before anxiously glancing at Qin Chanyue’s expression.

Qin Chanyue had always been domineering by nature, only tempering herself out of deep affection for him and further yielding due to his severe illness. This did not mean she was weak or easily bullied. Fang Qingqing, knowing little of this, dared to provoke her so openly, and Zhou Ziheng genuinely feared Qin Chanyue would lose her temper.

Normally, he could still manage her anger, but now that Chu Heng had returned, no one except the one sitting on the dragon throne could restrain her!

Yet the voluptuous woman seated calmly in the secondary seat showed no trace of emotion on her face. Her tone remained even as she said, “Concubine Fang is right. No matter who arrives, it cannot stop today’s affairs. I, Qin Chanyue, am clear about right and wrong and have never wronged anyone. All debts under heaven must be settled eventually. Now, let us settle them properly.”

As she spoke, Qin Chanyue’s gaze fell upon Bai Yuning, who was kneeling on the ground. She asked, “Miss Bai claimed to have evidence that Zhou Yuanting framed Zhou Wenshan. Bring it forth then. Regardless of any disputes between you and Zhou Yuanting, as long as you present the evidence, I will deal with Zhou Yuanting without favoritism.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Bai Yuning.

All their previous arguments had been mere speculation. Only Bai Yuning, who insisted she had “evidence,” held the key.

Bai Yuning knelt on the ground, dressed in a pale green round-neck, strapless gown, her hair tied up with a simple jade hairpin. She appeared elegant and ethereal, yet her face bore several shocking slap marks, and even her neck showed a bruised, purplish handprint, making her look utterly pitiful.

Under the collective gaze, Bai Yuning’s expression grew anxious. Her slender, fair fingers nervously clutched at her sleeves, and a flush spread across her cheeks before she lowered her head and began recounting slowly, “Three days ago, I wanted to visit the Ancestral Hall to see the Second Young Master. Since he was under house arrest, I went secretly, avoiding people along the way.”

The expressions of those present varied, inevitably tinged with disdain.

A young lady meeting a man privately late at night was a grave offense in any respectable household. At best, she would be sent away under the pretense of recuperating in a manor, never to return, left to grow old and die in obscurity. At worst, she would be drowned in a pond to preserve the family’s reputation for propriety.

Bai Yuning naturally knew how shameful her words were, trampling her dignity as a young lady from a respectable family underfoot and inviting scorn. But without this explanation, she could not justify how she had uncovered Zhou Yuanting’s secret flaw. Thus, she had no choice but to press on with her story.

“Just a few days ago, while avoiding patrolling private soldiers, I passed by an artificial rockery landscape. Someone approached, so I quickly hid. By chance, I overheard the newcomers—Zhou Yuanting and his servant. I heard Zhou Yuanting instruct his servant to find a way to add a spice called Mazao into Zhou Wenshan’s personal sachet. This spice can cause horses to become agitated, and the rider will be thrown off, suffering severe lifelong injuries at best or immediate death at worst.”

Part of what Bai Yuning said was false—the part about eavesdropping—but another part was true—the part about Mazao. The mixture of truth and falsehood made it seem exceptionally convincing.

Beside her, Zhou Yuanting had initially been scornful, watching her with an air of confidence and superiority, curious to see what lies she would fabricate. But when Bai Yuning mentioned “Mazao,” it truly made him gasp in shock.

Because he had indeed used Mazao!

This substance was something he had acquired at a high price from a merchant who had come from Ximan. In Chang’an, there were only a handful of such items, and very few people knew about it. How could Bai Yuning, a woman confined to the inner quarters, possibly know of such a thing?

This should have been a flawless scheme, yet Bai Yuning had torn a hole in it with her bare hands!

His astonishment was impossible to conceal. It took nearly two breaths before he snapped back to reality, hurriedly refuting, “You—what nonsense are you spouting! I have never spoken such words to any servant, nor have I ever heard of any Mazao! You are simply talking rubbish!”

Bai Yuning, standing nearby, did not even glance at him. Instead, she fixed her gaze directly on Concubine Fang, who stood to the side, and said, “Whether such a thing exists or not, why not search the young master’s person? Find that sachet, see if it contains Mazao, and the truth will be clear.”

As she spoke, Bai Yuning finally turned her head slowly, her face bearing a bruised and swollen slap mark, and stared directly at Zhou Yuanting, whose forehead was beaded with sweat.

She enunciated each word deliberately: “If that sachet happens to be lost, how interesting it would be. Why, of all things, would it be the sachet that goes missing? Then, Concubine Fang, you could investigate the Eldest Young Master’s recent expenditures. Mazao is expensive—he would have needed to spend a large sum of silver. Check his outings, see which market he visited. Finally, interrogate the servants around the Eldest Young Master and those around the Third Young Master under severe torture. Apply some interrogation methods, and you will surely get the truth.”

The servants around Zhou Yuanting might be loyal enough to endure for his sake, but what about Zhou Wenshan? The servants around him were temporarily assigned and held no loyalty to Zhou Wenshan, let alone any affection for Zhou Yuanting. With just a bit of pressure—costing half a life or an arm—they would surely tell the truth.

Bai Yuning was clever and ruthless, laying out every possible scenario. If even one person revealed the slightest clue, it would be enough to crush Zhou Yuanting completely.

And Zhou Yuanting had indeed sent someone to take the sachet—this was the simplest logic. Since he had tampered with the sachet, he would remove and destroy it, leaving no evidence.

After all, who would care about a missing sachet?

Before Bai Yuning brought it up, no one had cared. But after she mentioned it, suddenly claiming the sachet could not be found would seem suspicious. If they truly investigated as Bai Yuning suggested—

Zhou Yuanting’s back began to prickle with hot sweat, his entire body itching. A sense of urgent desperation seemed to scream from his bones, bursting through his flesh and blood with a silent cry: Say something, say something!

He could not lie down and wait for death. He had to say something to defend himself! But the words of defense stuck in his throat, unable to change the situation.

Just as Zhou Yuanting was flustered and uneasy, the Madam seated in the main position finally spoke.

“Search the Third Young Master’s person,” Qin Chanyue said. “See if there is any sachet.”

Nanny Zhao, standing nearby, nodded in acknowledgment, while Concubine Fang, fearing they might tamper with the evidence, quickly added, “I will go as well.”

Zhou Yuanting shot a glare at Concubine Fang but ultimately said nothing.

Concubine Fang then followed Nanny Zhao out of the front hall.

With their departure, only two couples remained in the hall: a husband and wife who were estranged and scheming against each other, and a pair of former lovers who had turned into bitter enemies, each wishing the other dead.

The four of them stood in the front hall, each calculating silently in their hearts. Their faces remained calm, but beneath the surface, their minds were racing with schemes, sparks flying from their hidden machinations.

In the main seat at the front hall, Zhou Ziheng had been patiently probing Qin Chanyue, trying to find out why Zhennan Wang had come. Meanwhile, on the wooden floor below in the front hall, Zhou Yuanting knelt, gritting his teeth as he whispered accusingly to Bai Yuning, “What exactly do you want? Who told you about Mazao? Who sent you to cause trouble for me?”

He refused to believe that Bai Yuning, a woman who knew nothing, could have learned these things on her own!

Bai Yuning knelt expressionlessly.

No one had sent her to cause trouble for Zhou Yuanting. She had never intended to stir up trouble. It was Zhou Yuanting who refused to leave her a way out, forcing her into a desperate fight to the death.

The slender and elegant young lady turned her head to stare at Zhou Yuanting for a moment, then offered him a faint smile. Her eyes appeared curved, but held no trace of warmth. The corners of her lips slowly lifted, revealing a chilling, piercing coldness.

It was like a beautiful flower quietly blooming, but at the very center of its pristine petals lay not a stamen, but a human-faced spider—fanged and venomous. Using her refined appearance to deceive everyone, she would silently spin deadly threads, wrapping her prey into a cocoon, slowly consuming their life within. Then, she would lay her eggs in their flesh and blood, using their body as a nest to hatch snow-white larvae that would joyfully devour the enemy’s corpse.

Such a woman—how utterly terrifying!

Her soft, glossy lips pressed together slightly, silently forming a single word.

“Die.”

Zhou Yuanting stared at her face in terror, his entire body trembling violently. The once handsome and elegant young master seemed to have his backbone suddenly ripped out, his posture slumping as if weighed down.

At that very moment, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door. With each step, Zhou Yuanting’s heart pounded fiercely against his chest, waves of despair spreading through him.

The sachet had long been destroyed by him, impossible to find. If they investigated according to Bai Yuning’s claims, he would be finished!

Regret flooded over him like a tidal wave, washing away his composure. Kneeling in place, cold sweat beaded densely on his forehead. He hardly dared imagine his fate.

If this matter were exposed, his father would never spare him. He had crippled Zhou Wenshan—how would Concubine Fang retaliate against him?

What would become of him?

What would become of him!

Brothers turning against each other, fighting to the death—according to Jiafa, he would be expelled from the family! Stricken from the Jiapu!

By then, by then—he would be nothing!

The fear of losing everything surged into his mind. Zhou Yuanting’s throat felt as if blocked by a stone, choking his soft tongue and throat. His body reacted with a dry heave, but he could not vomit.

He could not show any abnormality. He must never admit it. Even if everything were uncovered, he had to grit his teeth and insist, “I was framed.” Only then could he have a chance at survival.

So he clenched his lips and tongue tightly, almost biting until blood foamed in his mouth. At that moment, Nanny Zhao strode in from outside the door.

Besides Nanny Zhao, she was followed by a private soldier captain from the estate. After entering, the private soldier captain remained standing by the door, head bowed, while Nanny Zhao walked straight ahead.

Nanny Zhao had been a female soldier in her youth, trained in martial arts. Unlike Qin Chanyue, who only learned superficial skills, she was truly capable of fighting. In her younger days, she could wield a blade and kill; in her old age, when quarreling with the other nannies in the courtyard, a single slap from her could knock someone unconscious. Even in her sixties, she remained a robust and fierce old woman. Her footsteps were heavy when she walked, and as she entered, she seemed to bring a gust of wind with her.

Everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned toward her, and they saw Nanny Zhao holding her chin high as she pulled a bloodstained Moonlight Brocade sachet from her sleeve.

Clutching the sachet, she raised it high, its surface stained with blood. After entering, Nanny Zhao stopped two steps in front of Zhou Yuanting and Bai Yuning, bowed, and presented the sachet, saying, “Reporting to the Marquis and Madam, this old servant just went with Concubine Fang to the sickbed of the Third Young Master. After the Third Young Master returned and changed his clothes, I found this sachet from the hands of a servant in the laundry room. Upon opening it, I discovered only ordinary spices inside, with no trace of anything called Mazao. I respectfully request the Marquis and Madam to examine it.”

As Nanny Zhao’s voice fell, the expressions of those around varied.

A maid nearby stood up to take the sachet and present it. Qin Chanyue’s expression remained indifferent, while the two kneeling on the ground felt as though their world had been turned upside down in an instant.

Zhou Yuanting and Bai Yuning both fixed their eyes on the sachet. The former thought with fear and panic: How was it found? I clearly threw it away!

Meanwhile, Bai Yuning wondered: Did Zhou Yuanting actually not discard it?

The situation seemed to be veering in an unknown direction, and both Zhou Yuanting and Bai Yuning felt a moment of hesitation and unease.

Today’s confrontation had been orchestrated by the two of them, but they had long lost control of it. It was like a massive whirlpool, and they could only be swept along, tossed about by its currents.

At this moment, Zhongyi Marquis Zhou Ziheng glanced around and asked, “Where is Concubine Fang?”

When they had left, Nanny Zhao had taken Concubine Fang with her, but now only Nanny Zhao had returned, inevitably raising suspicions.

“Replying to the Marquis,” Nanny Zhao answered, “When this servant retrieved the sachet, Concubine Fang refused to believe there was nothing wrong with it. She threw a tantrum, grabbing the servant from the laundry room and refusing to leave. She even slapped the laundry servant several times. She is still causing a scene in the laundry room, so this servant had to return first. Additionally—”

Nanny Zhao’s sharp gaze pierced Bai Yuning before turning to the private soldier captain who had followed her to the door. “This old servant has brought the captain of the private soldiers responsible for patrols and guard duty. Earlier, Miss Bai claimed to have overheard the Eldest Young Master and his servant conversing outside. I ask Miss Bai to specify which day it was, which patrol of private soldiers she avoided, which route she took, and behind which rockery she hid. Once these details are verified, we can identify which servant of the Eldest Young Master it was. Let us examine each and every detail to see who is truly lying.”

Because the sachet had been successfully found and contained no Mazao, the situation had reversed, and the focus now shifted to Bai Yuning.

Bai Yuning’s face abruptly changed color.

Just as Zhou Yuanting could not withstand scrutiny, neither could Bai Yuning. Zhou Yuanting had indeed committed those wicked deeds, and Bai Yuning had indeed told lies.

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly which path in the Houfu she had come from, and in a moment, she couldn’t even identify which servant boy it was. Stumbling over her words, she couldn’t utter a single coherent sentence, making it obvious to anyone with eyes that she was lying.

Nanny Zhao, standing nearby, glared fiercely at Bai Yuning’s face and scolded, “Our Madam, out of pity for you as the daughter of an old friend, has shown you endless affection, kept you in the residence for many days, and treated you as an honored guest. And what have you done in return? First, you entangled yourself with the Eldest Young Master, causing discord between him and his wife and disrupting their marriage. Then, you developed feelings for the Second Young Master, turning brothers against each other. And now, you falsely accuse our Eldest Young Master of framing the Third Young Master. What exactly does Miss Bai want to do?”

Bai Yuning couldn’t utter a single word in rebuttal.

Her misdeeds were numerous, and she had already reached a dead end!

For a moment, everyone looked at Bai Yuning with utter contempt.

In contrast, Zhou Yuanting, who had been cornered, now found a way out. He stood up from the ground, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and spewed a stream of words: “Father, Mother, this woman is malicious and must not be let off lightly! My loyalty is as clear as the heavens and earth!”

He made no mention of his own attempt to force himself on Bai Yuning, focusing solely on her lie: “If the sachet had been lost at that moment, I would have had no way to defend myself and could only atone with my death!”

Bai Yuning knew there was nothing left to say and could only grit her teeth and hold her ground.

At this point, it seemed the “truth” had come to light: their Eldest Young Master was innocent, and it was this woman who had framed him.

Just then, a commotion arose outside the door. Everyone looked up to see Concubine Fang sobbing as she rushed in. Her makeup was smeared from crying, and as she entered, she tripped over the threshold and fell heavily to the ground.

After falling, she was in so much pain that she couldn’t stand up immediately. Instead, she crawled forward, weeping and shouting, “Husband, husband! Don’t believe these people—they must have switched the contents of the sachet! Our son was killed by them! Husband, you must seek justice for our son!”

Concubine Fang was originally delicate and slender, like a lovely white pear blossom under the moonlight, exuding the gentle grace of a modest beauty. But as she threw herself to the ground, wailing like a madwoman, that serene beauty was completely shattered, revealing a disheveled and ugly face.

Her hysterical screams resembled those of a shrew from the village streets, utterly destroying the gentle image she had always maintained in Zhou Ziheng’s mind and making him feel deeply embarrassed.

After all, she came from a humble background—how could she disgrace herself like this? She had no sense of propriety at all!

“The truth of the matter is already clear. Stop making a scene,” Zhou Ziheng waved his hand and said, “Guards! Take Concubine Fang away!”

People from outside came in to help Concubine Fang up, but she refused to rise, instead throwing herself to the ground and screaming, “Husband, husband! That was our child!”

Zhou Ziheng only felt ashamed of her and refused to look at her further. Meanwhile, Zhou Yuanting put on a show of compassion, saying to those dragging Concubine Fang away, “Be gentle. Concubine Fang has just encountered this tragedy and is understandably distraught. Don’t be too harsh on her.”

As Concubine Fang was dragged away, Qin Chanyue sat high in the master’s seat, watching the scene unfold with a calm and indifferent expression.

In a daze, she recalled a distant memory—when her adoptive brother died, leaving her without support, Zhou Ziheng immediately turned hostile and drove her out of the Houfu. At that time, Fang Qingqing stood proudly, surrounded by a crowd, while her two children circled around Fang Qingqing. She was expelled from the Houfu like a wretched dog, a scene that felt as though it had happened just yesterday.

And now—

Her gaze shifted away from Concubine Fang and slowly settled on the two other figures in the hall.

Zhou Yuanting had already risen to his feet, his face glowing with confidence and composure, while Bai Yuning remained kneeling, her face pale as a sheet. The contrast between the one standing and the one kneeling made it clear who had won and who had lost.

With Concubine Fang gone, the entire front hall fell silent. The battle had drawn to a close at this moment, leaving nothing left to argue about.

Qin Chanyue stood up, bringing an end to today’s farce. She declared, “Escort the Eldest Young Master back to Shuhai Courtyard to rest—and pack Miss Bai’s belongings. She is to leave the Houfu today.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuanting immediately rose and quietly took his leave.

As he departed, he cautiously glanced at Bai Yuning but dared not linger, hurrying away instead.

Two matters weighed on his mind: first, how had the sachet, which he had clearly sent out, found its way back? Second, how had Bai Yuning come to know about the sachet? These two questions gnawed at him, and he would not find peace until he understood them. The second matter was easier to handle—Bai Yuning could not escape. Once she left the Houfu, he would send someone to follow her, corner her in a secluded place, and interrogate her however he pleased. He was certain he could extract the truth. As for the first matter—the sachet—he needed to investigate his servants thoroughly and find out how it had resurfaced.

While Zhou Yuanting departed with these heavy thoughts, Qin Chanyue kept her eyes fixed on Bai Yuning.

She had actually intended to keep Bai Yuning around, knowing she was a pawn of the Second Prince. Keeping her within the Houfu would have been more useful than expelling her. However, she had not expected Zhou Yuanting to act against Bai Yuning before she could.

But perhaps it was for the best.

Once Bai Yuning left the Houfu, the real drama would only just begin. Outside the Houfu, Bai Yuning would be able to do even more, and Qin Chanyue, operating from the shadows, would be able to observe far more.

Upon hearing Qin Chanyue’s order to expel her from the Houfu, Bai Yuning felt a dull ache in her heart—a mix of the humiliation of defeat and a faint sense of reluctance.

She had lost this battle against Zhou Yuanting and was destined to leave this place. Yet, once she left, she would no longer be able to see her beloved Zhou Chiye, nor would she be able to continue delivering messages for the Second Prince.

Unable to conceal her sorrow, she rose to her feet, forced herself to perform a final bow, and then departed from the hall.

Nanny Zhao personally followed behind her, vigilant every step of the way—today, she would not allow this woman to cause even the slightest disturbance. Even if Bai Yuning were to faint now, Nanny Zhao would drag her out by the scruff of her neck and toss her out!

Once Bai Yuning had left, Qin Chanyue could no longer be bothered with the remaining people. She rose from her seat, descended the steps, and allowed a maid to assist her as she walked out of the front hall.

Zhou Ziheng wanted to follow her and ask a few more questions, but Qin Chanyue merely waved him off, saying, “The Marquis should spend more time with Concubine Fang. Her beloved son is crippled, and her heart is aching.”

Zhou Ziheng thought of Concubine Fang’s mad state and felt a pang of heartache and helplessness, but he lacked the energy and inclination to comfort her, only letting out a low sigh.

Concubine Fang was dragged away, Bai Yuning was driven out, Qin Chanyue and Zhou Yuanting had both left, leaving Zhou Ziheng alone in the front hall for the moment.

The Marquis, his face pale with illness, frowned in thought for a while but ultimately did not go to see Concubine Fang again. Instead, he returned to Qiufeng Hall to rest, instructing someone to send over some ginseng and deer antler to help her recover.

He only hoped that Concubine Fang would soon come to terms with reality and stop her madness. Even if Zhou Wenshan was disabled, he could still provide him with plenty of money, allowing him to live a life of leisure and comfort.

But while Zhou Ziheng had resigned himself to fate, Concubine Fang had not.

Zhou Ziheng had three children, but Concubine Fang had only this one. Zhou Ziheng could accept losing one son because he still had two others, but Concubine Fang had no more.

She stayed by the bedside day and night, watching over her son.

This was the flesh she had given birth to, the treasure she had raised. Part of her life belonged to Zhou Ziheng, but everything else belonged to her son. How could she accept her son becoming disabled, confined to a bed for the rest of his life?

What fueled Concubine Fang’s hatred even more was that after Zhou Wenshan woke up, he repeatedly insisted that he had been harmed, that he had heard the words spoken by those people with his own ears.

Concubine Fang believed her son would not lie—Wenshan would never deliberately frame anyone—so it must have been Zhou Yuanting who did it!

As for why the sachet hadn’t been discovered… it must have been Qin Chanyue covering up for Zhou Yuanting!

Her son had been harmed, yet everyone called it an accident, everyone turned a blind eye! The thought of these people secretly mocking her and her son made her feel as if her heart were being torn apart.

Concubine Fang gritted her teeth so hard they nearly bled, and for the first time, she showed no kindness toward Zhou Ziheng. All the tonics he sent were thrown away by her, and that wasn’t enough—she went to Zhou Ziheng every day, making a scene and demanding that he reopen the investigation and settle the score.

Zhou Ziheng went from comforting her at first, to feeling helpless in the middle, and finally to annoyance, all within just three days.

He seemed to love Concubine Fang deeply, but he himself didn’t realize that he only loved the Concubine Fang who obeyed him. Once she stopped obeying and even caused him trouble, his love began to wane.

Before, when Qin Chanyue had pressured and beaten him, preventing him from taking concubines, he thought Concubine Fang was perfect in every way. Now that Qin Chanyue had loosened her grip and allowed him to bring concubines into the Houfu, he began to feel that Concubine Fang wasn’t so special after all.

The more unattainable something is, the more one desires it, but once it’s truly within reach, it loses its sweetness.

Unfortunately, Concubine Fang didn’t sense this. She genuinely believed Zhou Ziheng loved her and that everyone in the Houfu had been deceived by Qin Chanyue. She thought that as long as she uncovered the truth, she could avenge her son, so she kept making trouble without end.

This concubine, consumed by hatred, pestered Zhou Ziheng day and night, causing him to gradually grow distant from Concubine Fang and lose interest in seeing her. The people in the Houfu were all shrewd and cunning, each with a tendency to flatter the powerful and scorn the weak. When Concubine Fang was favored, they fawned over her endlessly, praising her to the skies. Now that she had fallen out of favor, no one paid her any attention, leaving her increasingly resentful and bitter.

As Concubine Fang and Zhou Ziheng drifted further apart, the Houfu was far from peaceful, with one incident after another occurring.

First, there was Zhou Chiye. He had been confined in the Ancestral Hall, cut off from news of the outside world. By the time he learned what had happened, it was already too late—Bai Yuning had been driven out of the Houfu!

All the details of the confrontation in the front hall were tightly concealed. Nanny Zhao warned everyone involved one by one, and the servants who had witnessed the events kept their mouths tightly shut. No one could pry a single word from them, leaving Zhou Chiye completely in the dark about what had transpired.

Why was Bai Yuning driven out of the Houfu after all?

Zhou Chiye anxiously paced around the Ancestral Hall, yet no one gave him an answer.

In his urgency, this young man skilled in martial arts actually broke through the private soldiers surrounding the Ancestral Hall and rushed all the way to Qin Chanyue’s Shangyue Garden.

At that time, Qin Chanyue was applying makeup before the mirror, preparing to go out to Qingtian Ward to visit her Adoptive Brother.

These past few days, she had been visiting her Adoptive Brother daily. Zhou Ziheng also wanted to go, but Qin Chanyue wouldn’t take him, and he himself didn’t dare to go. Meanwhile, Liu Yandai had been left in the manor all along, and she was quite content with that.

It was currently the hour of Chen.

In the summer at the hour of Chen, the sky was bright, with a layer of white clouds floating on the distant horizon. Golden light leaped upon them, the warm glow emerging from the heavenly mountains amidst the vast sea of clouds—it was truly a fine time.

The brilliant sunlight passed through the eaves, warm and gentle as it fell through the window, landing inside the wooden window frame. It passed through the narrow-necked glazed vase on the tall wooden stand beside the window, illuminating Qin Chanyue’s face.

Outside the window grew a row of flowers competing in splendor, blooming beautifully in the summer. A glance upward revealed a riot of vibrant colors, yet none of the flowers outside the window were as radiant as the Madam inside.

The Madam was born beautiful, dazzling and bright, like a lotus aflame. She wore a Floating Light Brocade bright blue round-collar over-the-shoulder water-sleeve dress, with a matching embroidered cluster of bright flowers adorning her hair—real flowers.

The people of Dachen loved flowers, often decorating their hair with real blooms. Proud of attracting butterflies with floral fragrance, they would insert exotic flowers into their dark, glossy locks. Official households often kept Flower Servants in their manors, with the more exotic the flower, the more sought after it became. A single real flower could be worth a hundred gold pieces—fresh and delicate today, rotten tomorrow—more precious than ordinary gold ornaments.

With real flowers worn, no other adornments were needed, except for a pair of matching porcelain flowers dangling from her ears.

Blue porcelain, white neck, full bosom and rounded waist wrapped in bright blue brocade, exuding a ripe, mature charm. Another glance at that beautiful face in the mirror was enough to captivate one’s soul.

She had just finished her makeup and was about to rise when she heard a commotion outside. Before the Madam could even look over, and before her maid could step forward to inquire, the person outside had already barged in.

Qin Chanyue did not rise but instead sat in her chair, turning her head to look.

Through a beaded curtain, she saw the person who had rushed in—it was her second son, Zhou Chiye.

Zhou Chiye had been kneeling in the Ancestral Hall all these days, seemingly suffering, but in reality, no one dared to deprive him of a single meal. Moreover, he had been secretly frolicking with Bai Yuning behind the scenes, tasting the joys of intimacy for the first time. His days had been quite comfortable, and the Ancestral Hall had practically become another world for him.

Who knows what the ancestors of the Houfu, watching from the heavens, must have thought—their coffin lids probably couldn’t stay shut.

“Mother!” Yet Zhou Chiye outside the beaded curtain was completely unaware of any wrongdoing on his part. As he rushed over, he violently flung aside the beaded curtain. Amidst the clattering beads, he shouted, “Why did you drive Bai Yuning away? Didn’t you promise me you would keep her?”

That shrill, accusatory voice was like a sword unsheathed, carrying the unique sharpness of youth, piercing straight toward Qin Chanyue.

Qin Chanyue suddenly recalled the time in her previous life when she had driven Bai Yuning out.

Back then, both Zhou Yuanting and Zhou Chiye had fallen in love with Bai Yuning, fighting tooth and nail for her. After she forcibly expelled Bai Yuning, her two sons had come to question her in the same way.

They said she had “wronged Bai Yuning,” that none of this was Bai Yuning’s fault, and that she was “heartless.”

“How could a delicate woman like Bai Yuning survive outside the Houfu?”

“Mother completely disregards past affections—she’s too heartless!”

Recalling the events of her past life, Qin Chanyue felt an urge to laugh. Driving Bai Yuning away had somehow become her fault.

Now, Zhou Yuanting had come to his senses, but Zhou Chiye remained as stubborn as ever.

Listening to Zhou Chiye’s relentless questioning, Qin Chanyue turned to look at him and said, “Since you insist on asking, I’ll make it clear for you.”

As she spoke, Qin Chanyue gestured with her chin toward a young maid waiting nearby. “Tell the Second Young Master what Bai Yuning did while he was confined.”

The kneeling maid then recounted the events that had taken place in the Ancestral Hall in fluent detail—how Bai Yuning had framed Zhou Yuanting.

Zhou Chiye listened in shock, his sharp and handsome face filled with disbelief. He immediately shook his head and retorted, “Impossible! Bai Yuning isn’t that kind of Young Lady!”

During this period, Zhou Chiye had spent time with Bai Yuning and knew well that she had been avoiding Zhou Yuanting, unwilling to have any further connection with him. If that were the case, how could she possibly frame Zhou Yuanting?

There must be something else involved! A good Young Lady like Yuning must have been wronged by someone—perhaps even by Concubine Fang!

“If you don’t believe it, go ask your father or your elder brother,” Qin Chanyue said, already weary of arguing with him. The striking Madam rose from the round stool, tossed out these words, and walked away.

She still needed to check on her Adoptive Brother and had no time to debate with an ingrate like Zhou Chiye. Someone would surely deal with him later.

The spirited young man stood there, disheartened, for a moment before turning to summon his trusted servant. Through a mix of threats and promises, he finally coaxed a few words from the servant that others dared not speak.

“We truly don’t know what happened in the main hall. At the time, us younger servants were all sent away, and only a few trusted matrons remained inside. But… we did hear something else.”

The kneeling servants stammered as they recounted the events that had taken place before the confrontation in the main hall.

Before the confrontation, the Marquis had taken Concubine Fang to the Guest Wing Room to find Zhou Yuanting, where they had caught him attempting to take advantage of Bai Yuning. When the door opened, many accompanying maids and servants had witnessed it. Although orders were later given to keep it quiet, word still spread among them.

Zhou Chiye had always believed Bai Yuning must have been wronged and forced into this. Hearing this now, a surge of anger rose in his chest.

So it was true!

If Bai Yuning hadn’t been wronged, why would she falsely accuse Zhou Yuanting? Mother must have been protecting Elder Brother by pinning all the blame on Bai Yuning!

Just because Bai Yuning was weak and helpless, they bullied her like this! Elder Brother was like this, and so was Mother! Heartache and sorrow piled up inside him, giving rise to a sudden wave of resentment.

They all knew how much he loved Bai Yuning—why did they have to treat her this way?

He thought, how could such people still be considered his family?

Since they treated him this way, they shouldn’t blame him for treating them the same!

The tall young man went straight to Shuhai Courtyard without a word.

He was like a violent gust of wind, bursting out of Shangyue Garden, passing through the flower garden, sweeping past a Baoping Gate, circling around the long corridor, crossing the lotus lake, and in just a moment, he blew into Shuhai Courtyard.

When Zhou Chiye arrived at Shuhai Courtyard, Zhou Yuanting was sitting on a low couch, holding a book in his hand.

The book was bound with fine Yunyan Paper, on which Hui Ink was used to write about court policies, supplemented with examples to facilitate understanding. He needed to study and memorize it thoroughly so that when he entered the imperial examination in the future, he would know how to answer questions related to court affairs.

This was the confidence of a scion from a noble family. What ordinary people might never learn in a lifetime, they studied from childhood, naturally giving them threefold more ability than others.

Normally, Zhou Yuanting loved reading such materials to broaden his knowledge, but today, though he appeared to be reading, his gaze never truly focused on the book. For one or two hours, he did not turn a single page.

His mind was preoccupied with the sachet that had appeared in the front hall the other day.

——

Ever since he returned from the front hall that day, he had begun having his subordinates personally investigate the origin of the sachet. That same night, he summoned the servant he had assigned to destroy the sachet and interrogated him carefully.

The servant knelt on the ground, more panicked than he was, his face pale as if drained of blood, trembling like a sieve, and said, “This servant truly does not know.”

At the time, Shiziye had instructed him to place Mazao inside the sachet, and he had followed every order. Afterwards, he had secretly taken the sachet away and burned it. He had personally carried out this series of tasks, so who could have known why the sachet had inexplicably reappeared!

He had already burned that sachet! But then, where had Nanny Zhao found an identical one?

It was as if ghosts were at play!

The servant knelt on the ground, and even in the summer, cold sweat seeped through his back. He dared not wipe it, only tremblingly said, “This matter… perhaps we should ask Madam.”

Nanny Zhao was Madam’s person, and everything Nanny Zhao did was under Madam’s orders. Since there were doubts, it would be better to ask Madam directly.

Even a servant could figure this out, so how could Zhou Yuanting not understand?

But Zhou Yuanting dared not go.

The handsome young man sat by the window, staring at the book in his hand. On the surface, he appeared calm and composed, but deep down, he was filled with anxiety. His fingertips unconsciously rubbed the Yunyan Paper in his hand, wrinkling a small patch of the pristine paper.

He did not know how to face his mother.

He had always insisted to his mother that he had not framed his third brother, only to have her catch him with evidence. Given his mother’s black-and-white, righteous, and impulsive nature, she should have tied him up, thrown him into the Ancestral Hall, reported his deeds to the ancestors of Houfu, and then severely punished him.

But his mother had done nothing, even covering up for him afterward.

This was completely unlike his mother’s usual behavior.

In other households, one might think, “Isn’t it natural for his own mother to stand by his side and clean up his mess? Mother and son are one; when there are other concubines in the household, they should join forces to compete for benefits. After all, the position of Shizi is a tangible Juewei!”

But his mother had never been like that.

Zhou Yuanting understood his mother’s temperament. She was an upright and honorable person, straightforward and true to her word. While she might employ tactics when dealing with outsiders, she had never acted this way toward her own family.

No matter what conflicts arose within the household, she would always handle everything fairly and properly, never showing favoritism toward anyone. Yet now, his mother had become a different person, making him feel somewhat… fearful.

Zhou Yuanting himself had done wrong, but he didn’t find himself frightening. He believed he had acted to protect his own interests. But when his mother did the same things he had done, he suddenly grew afraid.

His mother was no longer the upright and honorable woman she once was. She had started using tactics! This realization filled him with panic.

No matter what wrongs he committed or how wicked he became, he felt it didn’t matter. But his mother was different. He wanted her to remain the upright and honorable mother she had always been—direct and straightforward with him, punishing or scolding him openly, not scheming against others behind their backs.

This panic likely stemmed from a sense of empathy. If his mother could treat his third brother this way, and treat Fang Qingqing this way, could she also do the same to him? If he disobeyed in the future, would his mother make him end up like his third brother?

He didn’t know whether he was afraid of his mother’s change or afraid that she might use such tactics against him. Regardless, this unease coiled around him like a cold snake, startling him awake even at midnight.

Thus, Zhou Yuanting was restless and uneasy, not daring to confront his mother, let alone go out to provoke Bai Yuning. He could only retreat into Shuhai Courtyard and bury himself in books.

As he read, he suddenly found himself missing Liu Yandai.

A few days earlier, after Zhennan Wang suddenly returned from the borderlands, Liu Yandai had gone to the Prince of Southern Pacification’s Mansion and had not returned to the Houfu since. Zhou Yuanting hadn’t seen Liu Yandai for a long time.

Of course, he didn’t love Liu Yandai. He simply thought that since his mother favored Liu Yandai so much, and Liu Yandai was madly in love with him, if Liu Yandai were here, he could send her to his mother’s side to gauge her attitude. A woman as foolish and transparent as Liu Yandai couldn’t deceive him anyway.

But Liu Yandai wasn’t here.

Zhou Yuanting pondered, thinking, perhaps he should pay a visit to the Prince of Southern Pacification’s Mansion?

He had always studied literature, and although he rarely saw his maternal uncle, since he had married his uncle’s adopted daughter, they were now even closer kin. Meeting him shouldn’t be too difficult.

Just as he thought of this and set down the book in his hand, he heard a commotion outside, as if someone had barged in.

Zhou Yuanting had just risen from the low couch and hadn’t yet stepped out when a figure in dark robes swept in like a gust of wind and punched him squarely in the face.

With just that one punch, Zhou Yuanting could no longer stand straight. But it didn’t end there. The assailant struck him again and again—on his face, his body—until Zhou Yuanting soon collapsed to the ground.

As he fell, he strained to lift his neck and saw the person pinning him down.

It was his second brother, Zhou Chiye.

Zhou Chiye said nothing, his sharp, cold face ashen with rage. He gripped Zhou Yuanting’s neck with such force that in an instant, Zhou Yuanting’s face turned a mottled shade of purple and red!

He was being strangled to death by his own younger brother!

Zhou Yuanting lay on the ground, struggling to reach out and pry Zhou Chiye’s hands away, but those hands clamped down on him like iron tongs. He wanted to speak, but not a single sound could escape his throat.

He could only stare at Zhou Chiye with a gaze filled with shock, resentment, and a faint hint of pleading.

Zhou Chiye looked down at Zhou Yuanting expressionlessly. His slightly upturned fox-like eyes held nothing but a heavy, pitch-black chill. In that moment, his mind went blank, as if only one thought remained.

Kill Zhou Yuanting, to avenge Bai Yuning.

He looked at Zhou Yuanting as if gazing upon a dead man.

This was his own elder brother, but from this day forward, Zhou Yuanting would no longer be his brother!

“Second Young Master!” The servants and maidservants outside arrived belatedly, rushing forward to tear at Zhou Chiye’s arms.

A chorus of screams and shouts erupted, blending into a cacophony that roared in his ears, pounding against his eardrums. Someone cried out, “Miss Bai is now staying at the Lily Workshop in the outskirts of the city!” jolting Zhou Chiye back to his senses.

Seeing Zhou Yuanting’s face, now purplish and almost tongue-protruding, his heart jolted, and his grip loosened—though he wished he could kill Zhou Yuanting, when it came to actually doing it, he couldn’t help but hesitate.

Zhou Yuanting erupted into a fit of earth-shaking coughs.

Amidst the coughing, Zhou Chiye gradually regained his composure.

Looking down from above, he shook off the servants and maidservants beside him and tossed out a warning: “If you dare touch her again, I’ll kill you.” Then, Zhou Chiye turned and strode away resolutely.

He was going to find Bai Yuning.

As Zhou Chiye left, Zhou Yuanting remained on the ground, coughing uncontrollably, his gentlemanly demeanor completely gone. The maidservants nearby hurriedly tried to report the incident to Qin Chanyue, but Zhou Yuanting stopped them with a firm grip.

“Stop,” Zhou Yuanting gritted his teeth, watching his younger brother’s retreating figure, his voice hoarse. “What happened today must not be told to anyone!”

He still hadn’t figured out the matter of the sachet, nor did he dare to investigate it further. Naturally, he didn’t want the situation to escalate—who knew what his mother might do if pushed to the brink?

So he’d rather swallow this humiliation, pretending nothing had happened, to keep the peace.

But having suffered such a loss, he couldn’t help but feel aggrieved!

Zhou Yuanting slammed his fist heavily against the ground, thinking bitterly that once his father died and he inherited the title of Shizi (Heir Apparent), there would be plenty of time to settle these scores.

For now, the most urgent matter was to test the waters with his mother.

After being helped up slowly by the maidservants, Zhou Yuanting’s first order was to have someone fetch some snacks from the kitchen and deliver them to the Prince of Southern Pacification’s Mansion for Liu Yandai.

He had originally intended to go himself, but given his current battered state, he couldn’t leave the house. All he could do was send a message.

—

After leaving Shuhai Courtyard, Zhou Chiye first returned to his own Jianming Courtyard. There, he wrote a letter in blood, denouncing his mother and elder brother’s actions and making a vow.

[My mother is biased, favoring my elder brother in everything she does. I cannot bear this injustice for Yuning! If my mother refuses to apologize to Yuning, I will never return to the Houfu again!]

After writing this letter, he left it behind, abandoned the servants following him, and rushed out of the Houfu without looking back, heading straight for the Lily Workshop.

The servants were terrified out of their wits and hurriedly took the letter to Qin Chanyue.

Qin Chanyue was not in the Houfu—she had gone directly to the Prince of Southern Pacification’s Mansion to visit her adoptive brother. The servant had no choice but to deliver the letter directly to the Zhongyi Marquis.

——

Inside Qiufeng Hall, the Zhongyi Marquis was having his pulse checked by a doctor.

The Marquis had been severely troubled by Concubine Fang these past few days and had been confined to bed rest. He had originally thought his health was beyond recovery and that death was near, but for some reason, his condition had actually been improving over the past few days, even showing signs of a gradual recovery—mainly because Qin Chanyue felt the Houfu was lively enough and didn’t want him to die too soon, so she hadn’t been bringing him soup every day.

“The Marquis’s health has greatly improved!” The completely unaware doctor said with delight. “It truly is heaven’s blessing! The Marquis is deeply favored by fortune!”

The Marquis was also overjoyed. His illness had come inexplicably and left just as mysteriously, but regaining his life was always a good thing!

No sooner had he received this good news than he was met with bad news. A maid requested an audience outside and relayed something that made his chest ache with anger.

His two sons had fought over Bai Yuning again, and the second young master had even left behind a blood-written letter before departing!

Zhou Ziheng was furious and shouted, “Go! Send someone to bring the second young master back! Enforce the Jiafa!”

Being a young master in the Houfu has gone to his head! If he still won’t listen, just lock him up and send him to the military camp for the Zhennan Wang to discipline properly!

The maids acknowledged the order and left.

Just as the matter with Zhou Chiye had been arranged, Zhou Ziheng had barely calmed down for a moment when someone came to report from outside.

“Concubine Fang is outside, demanding to see you. She says she wants to seek justice for the third young master.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ziheng’s face flashed with barely suppressed disgust—over the past three days, Fang Qingqing had been repeatedly causing disturbances. No amount of coaxing could calm her down. At her mildest, she would weep and wail; at her worst, she would smash bowls and chopsticks. It was utterly endless, as disgraceful as a market shrew!

He truly didn’t understand how Fang Qingqing had become like this! If he had known earlier, he would never have brought this woman back to the Houfu!

The mere thought of Fang Qingqing’s face filled him with immense irritation.

Amid the annoyance Fang Qingqing brought him, he suddenly began to miss Qin Chanyue.

Qin Chanyue had never lost her composure. She was dignified and proper, always the most presentable no matter the situation.

Moreover, Chanyue loved him so deeply, unlike Concubine Fang, who was not only useless herself but also constantly caused senseless disturbances, utterly shaming him.

He must have been gravely ill and out of his mind back then to have brought Concubine Fang back to the Houfu! Causing so much trouble!

The more he compared these two women, the more he appreciated Qin Chanyue.

Zhou Ziheng could no longer sit still.

He felt his health had mostly recovered, and there was no need to stay in Qiufeng Hall any longer. Why not move back to Shangyue Garden?

Thinking of Shangyue Garden, he recalled Qin Chanyue’s full, voluptuous figure, her soft waist, the tender, pale flesh of her thighs that seemed to drip with moisture, and those captivating, moist fox-like eyes.

Since falling seriously ill until now, he had not tasted Qin Chanyue’s charms. Now that he thought of it, he actually felt a pang of longing.

I gaze at the green hills with deep yearning; the green hills gaze back at me with the same sentiment. Having been recuperating in Qiufeng Hall all this time without accompanying Qin Chanyue, he imagined she must be missing him terribly!

Perhaps his health had improved, for Zhou Ziheng felt a surge of strength out of nowhere, making him feel lighter. He stood up and said to the maid beside him, “Move the things back to Shangyue Garden. I’ve rested enough, and tonight I’ll sleep with Madam.”