The lights in the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence stayed on the whole night. Han Yueheng clung to Lady Fan, her head resting on her shoulder as she shivered, her face streaked with tears. "I'm going to be married off far away, and now my brother is in this mess... What will happen to Mother?"

  Over time, she had come to understand Lady Fan's precarious position. Every time Consort Fan sent pace servants with supposed rewards, they came with arrogant expressions and condescending words, constantly bringing up her impending marriage to Japan, as if they hoped to see Lady Fan humiliated to the point of spitting blood.

  The annual gifts from her maternal grandparents, which once seemed adequate, now felt insubstantial. Since she was preparing for marriage, she had started learning how to manage her dowry, and she could immediately tell that the gifts this year were cking in weight—although Lady Fan's status was higher, the favoritism shown by her grandparents was too obvious. Compared to what was sent to the Eastern Pace, what they received seemed pitifully insignificant, and the brief words in the accompanying letter were equally dismissive.

  She finally understood why her mother disliked her grandparents' family and why she kept a distance from her aunt. With family like this, how could anyone grow close?

  But just as she came to realize this, she was about to be sent far away in marriage, unable to help her mother. And now, her brother was entangled in this mess... She raised her head to look at Lady Fan. "I'll write to Father... ask him to find a solution..."

  Otherwise, if Mother were left alone in the capital, who knew how much suffering she would have to endure at the hands of her aunt?

  Qiuju, who was watching, felt her eyes sting with tears and was about to say something when a knock sounded on the door. She hurried out and returned with Qiulian.

  Qiulian csped her hands together, keeping her voice very low. "Madam, Miss, Guan Hai has returned."

  Lady Fan immediately stood up. "Bring him to the front parlor. I have questions for him!"

  Guan Hai was pacing back and forth in the parlor, so preoccupied that he didn't even notice Lady Fan enter. It wasn't until Qiuju coughed that he snapped to attention, immediately reaching out to Lady Fan. "My Lady, quickly, prepare some silver notes for me!"

  Lady Fan's heart pounded as she ordered Qiuju to fetch silver notes and coins, then asked him, "What on earth happened? Why did the Jinyiwei suddenly come for the young master?"

  Without wasting time, Guan Hai whispered that trouble had arisen at the gambling den and added, "The young master advised against seeking help from Consort Fan or the Prince of Commandery. He also asked that you write a letter to inform the Marquis about everything happening in the capital."

  Trouble at the gambling den? The den had been running smoothly for years; how had things suddenly gone wrong? Even if something had happened, wasn't there a nominal manager to take the fall? How had they managed to trace everything back to Han Zhi?

  For Han Zhi to suggest avoiding Consort Fan and Zhou Weiqi meant he knew they would not be implicated and would not intervene.

  The true owner of the gambling den was Zhou Weiqi, with most of the profits going to the Eastern Pace each year, yet now her son was the one to take the fall. First, it was Han Yueheng, and now it was finally Han Zhi's turn.

  Consort Fan was clearly putting her through hell, leaving her with no way out.

  Lady Fan's heart churned with hatred, but her expression remained calm. After years of keeping a straight face, it had become her habit, impossible to change. After a moment, she nodded and calmly instructed Guan Hai, "Tell the young master I understand. He should go far, far away. I will handle things here."

  Guan Hai, however, didn't take her words seriously. Handle it? Lady Fan had always been like a cy idol—decorative but useless. What could a woman do to handle this?

  Not to mention this involved Consort Fan and the Prince of Commandery. He wanted to say more, but Qiuju entered with a bundle and reported to Lady Fan, "I've gathered some valuables, silver notes, and loose change..."

  Lady Fan lowered her gaze and instructed her to give it to Guan Hai, telling him to slip out through the back door. "The Jinyiwei only just left; they're probably still watching our every move. You'll be spotted if you leave alone, so I'll send out several people at once. Slip out during the chaos. If you manage to reach the young master, tell him not to return."

  What was there to return to? To be a puppet with nothing left? It would be better to live under an assumed name elsewhere than to face these so-called retives who were worse than beasts in the capital.

  Guan Hai was somewhat surprised that the marquis's wife actually showed some cleverness, not only carrying out the young master's instructions but also demonstrating foresight in recognizing that they couldn't rely on Consort Fan this time. However, there was no time to waste; he nodded hastily, grabbed the bundle, and followed Qiulian out. Han Zhi was still waiting for him, so he needed to return quickly.

  Inside, Han Yueheng paced back and forth, unable to calm down. She rushed forward as soon as she heard the door open, grabbing her mother's hand. "How was it? What did Guan Hai say? How is Brother?"

  Lady Fan shook her head, gently stroking Han Yueheng's hair, her expression eerily calm. "It's likely he won't be coming back."

  The Marquis of Jinxiang's residence would no longer have its young master.

  Han Yueheng's heart ached, and she turned to embrace her mother. "If the marquis's household is implicated... what will happen to Father and Mother? When that time comes..."

  Her maternal grandparents were already so cold towards Lady Fan; if the marquis's household fell on hard times, it would be even more unlikely they would receive any assistance from them.

  A strange smile appeared on Lady Fan's lips, and she let out a hoarse chuckle before ughing out loud. "Silly girl, the marquis's household won't be implicated. Don't worry; nothing will happen to the household."

  As long as Han Zhengqing and Lady Fan remained, the Marquis of Jinxiang's household would stand.

  Consort Fan's goal all along had been to see her dead, and as for Han Zhengqing, the loyal hound that he was, she wouldn't bear to touch him.

  Since Guan Hai had come in a hurry, bringing urgent news about Han Zhi, the household servants were busy cleaning up the mess left by the Jinyiwei, and no one paid much attention to anything else. Han Yueheng, forgetting her cloak, stood on the corridor watching the servants bustling around, clearing away the wreckage in the chaotic courtyard. Suddenly, a shiver ran through her body.