At Jiaxiang House, after dinner, Zhao Jiazhen knew that Yin Furen and Xu Nian’an had something to discuss, so she took Xuan Jie’er to her room for a chat.

After the two left, Yin Furen asked Xu Nian’an, “What do you plan to do about that girl?”

Xu Nian’an replied, “Si Shenshen helped us smooth things over on the surface, so it wouldn’t be right to punish her. However, keeping her in the residence would lead to gossip, which isn’t appropriate. She has been with me through thick and thin since childhood and has no family to rely on. I plan to release her indenture and arrange for her to work in one of the Xu Family’s shops. After some time, I’ll find her a suitable marriage match, which would be a way to honour the years of master-servant bond between us.”

Yin Furen nodded and said, “That girl is fortunate to have such a kind-hearted master like you. But what surprised me the most today was your Si Shenshen. In the past, when she sided with the Fifth Branch against us, she often couldn’t justify herself and ended up red-faced every time you refuted her. Yet today, in front of Lao Taitai, her reasoning was sound, her arguments seamless and natural. Even baseless matters were presented by her with such clarity. It truly makes one see her in a new light.”

Xu Nian’an replied, “Perhaps after being betrayed by the Fifth Branch, Si Shenshen has genuinely ‘wised up’.”

Hearing this, Yin Furen couldn’t help but laugh, and Xu Nian’an joined in with a chuckle.

The mother and daughter-in-law were still laughing when Qianhe entered and reported, “Taitai, Rong Wu Yé from the Fourth Branch requests an audience.”

Yin Furen looked at Xu Nian’an, who was equally puzzled, wondering why he would come at this time.

Yin Furen said, “Let him in.”

Zhao Huanrong entered the main room, saluted both Yin Furen and Xu Nian’an, and said, “Da Bomu, Dimei, forgive me. Today’s matter arose because of my cowardice and foolishness, causing trouble for you both.”

Yin Furen kept a stern face and said, “You should apologise to your legitimate mother. If it weren’t for her intervention today, this matter would have been impossible to resolve.”

Zhao Huanrong nodded. “Yes.”

“And why have you come at this moment?” Yin Furen asked.

Zhao Huanrong glanced at Xu Nian’an and said, “I wish to ask Dimei to release Yisu’s indenture.”

“Release her indenture, and then what?”

“I plan to head north to join the army. If she’s willing, I’ll take her with me. Once we arrive, I’ll find a proper family to acknowledge her as kin, and then marry her as my wife,” Zhao Huanrong said.

Xu Nian’an was taken aback.

Yin Furen was equally astonished. After recovering, she said, “How can that be appropriate? Yisu is Huanxi’s wife’s maid. If you marry her, wouldn’t Huanxi’s wife have to call her own maid ‘Tang Sao’?”

“Da Bomu, once I leave, I’ll settle down there. Unless something major happens, I won’t return. If anything does, I’ll come back alone and won’t bring Yisu along. I wouldn’t dare cause trouble for Dimei,” Zhao Huanrong said.

“You won’t come back?”

“No.”

“Have your parents agreed to this?”

“Zufu has approved.”

Yin Furen: “……”

She turned to look at Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an looked at Zhao Huanrong and asked, “Yisu is just a maid, and according to her, you’ve only met her twice. Why is Tang Xiong willing to go to such lengths for her?”

Zhao Huanrong said, “I mean no disrespect to my legitimate mother, but ever since my Yiniang passed away, I’ve never again worn clothes that clearly showed the care and effort put into making them, like the ones Yisu gave me. All I seek is someone who will genuinely treat me with sincerity, regardless of their status.”

After he left, the mother and daughter-in-law were momentarily speechless.

A young master from a noble family marrying a maid—even if he is an illegitimate son—was something unheard of.

However, as he explained, if he were to take Yisu and escape to the northern regions, to a place where no one knew them, allowing Yisu to assume a new identity and never returning again, it seemed there wasn’t much to object to.

Yin Furen remained silent for a while before saying to Xu Nian’an, “You may go.”

Xu Nian’an didn’t say much either. She rose, bowed to Yin Furen, and slowly walked out.

Yin Furen stared at the ground where the moonlight and lamplight intertwined at the doorway, a wave of desolation surging in her heart.

She felt that, in some sense, her entire life had been lived in vain.

When Xu Nian’an returned to Shenhui Courtyard, she immediately sent someone to summon Yisu.

It was evident that Yisu had cried her heart out again after returning, as her eyes were swollen beyond recognition. She knelt before Xu Nian’an, her head bowed, silent and ashamed.

She couldn’t bear to face Xu Nian’an.

“He just came to see Yin Furen and me. He said he’s heading north to join the army. If you’re willing, he’ll take you with him. Once there, he’ll help you assume a new identity and marry you properly. He said he’ll never return to the capital for the rest of his life,” Xu Nian’an said.

Yisu froze for a moment, then suddenly lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes shining as she looked at Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an softened her tone. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the authorities to settle the matter of your indenture. Go with him. It’s rare, even for a young man from an ordinary family, to be willing to give up everything and leave his home for someone. You’ve made a mistake in this matter, but you didn’t place your trust in the wrong person. I’m happy for you.”

“Xiaojie…” Yisu couldn’t help but burst into tears.

“The northern regions are cold, and the customs, including the diet, are vastly different from here. Starting anew and establishing a household will surely be difficult for the two of you. If you encounter any troubles, you must write to me.”

“Xiaojie, forgive me…” Yisu sobbed as she shuffled forward on her knees and leaned against Xu Nian’an’s lap.

Xu Nian’an, knowing that this departure likely meant she and Yisu would never meet again in this lifetime, felt a deep ache in her heart. Holding back the tears welling in her eyes, she reached out to touch Yisu’s hair and said, “From now on, you don’t need to live up to me, just live up to yourself, and that will be enough.”

Three days later, Zhao Huanrong left the capital, taking the now-freed Yisu with him.

When Mingli returned from seeing them off, her eyes were red from crying.

Xu Nian’an asked her, “Did you slip it to her?”

Mingli nodded. “Tucked it into her bundle. She’ll see it as soon as she opens it.”

Xu Nian’an felt slightly relieved and said, “No matter what happens, having money in hand will always make it a bit easier to overcome difficulties.”

Zhao Huanxi returned for his ten-day leave, and Xu Nian’an told him about the matter.

At that time, the young couple was lying on the bed, too afraid of things getting out of hand, so they didn’t dare to hug and only held hands while facing each other.

Zhao Huanxi asked Xu Nian’an, “Do you envy Yisu?”

Xu Nian’an: “……” She hadn’t expected Zhao Huanxi to ask such a question.

Envy Yisu? To be honest, she did feel a little envious. Although the road ahead was predictably difficult, it also promised a foreseeable freedom.

The two had gone to the North, effectively severing ties with their family and all forms of restraint, needing only to look after each other. Such a life, even if tough, was something she was willing to embrace.

She didn’t reply, but Zhao Huanxi said, “In the future, once I enter officialdom, I’ll definitely strive for an opportunity to be assigned to an outpost. Dong Jiejie, I can’t give you a lifetime of such carefree freedom, but I can give you a few years. I don’t want to let the title of Guogong to go to Zhao Huanxu. I need this title to protect you, my mother, and my sisters. If others don’t try to harm me, I won’t harm them either, but not everyone thinks that way. I can’t entrust your safety entirely to the whims of others.”

Xu Nian’an felt that her ten months hadn’t been wasted. Smiling, she nodded and then asked, “How have you been at Canglan Academy lately? Have you more or less adapted by now?”

Zhao Huanxi nodded. “Other than missing you, which I can’t help, all other issues have been resolved. It’s just that ever since Lu Feng got engaged to San Jie, he’s been acting like a Jiefu, managing me more diligently than Wenlin ever did. Dong Jiejie, after spending more time with him, I feel Lu Feng isn’t quite the person I imagined him to be.”

“Oh? How is he different?” Xu Nian’an asked.

“Before getting to know him deeply, I always thought he was the kind of upright and proper gentleman, someone who would follow the rules in everything he said or did. But who would’ve thought that just before class ended today, he actually asked me if I had any way to make San Jie go alone to meet him by the Jinming Pool tomorrow, and even tried to tempt me with Wang Xiange’s “River and Mountain Painting” to help him.”

Xu Nian’an couldn’t stop laughing and asked him, “So, did you come up with an idea for him?”

Zhao Huanxi replied smugly, “Of course I did. After all, he’s already a sure thing as my Jiefu, and meeting San Jie isn’t a big deal. Coming up with an idea and getting a painting for free, only a fool would refuse.”

Laughing, Xu Nian’an playfully punched him and asked, “So, what’s your plan?”

“After lunch tomorrow, I’ll take you and Xuan Jie’er out to play. A while later, I’ll send someone back to tell San Jie that Xuan Jie’er got lost by the Jinming Pool and that we’re searching for her. San Jie will definitely come over to help look for Xuan Jie’er,” Zhao Huanxi said with a sly grin.

Xu Nian’an suppressed her laughter and nodded. “Hmm, San Jie really didn’t spoil you for nothing.”

Zhao Huanxi, embarrassed and irritated, reached out to tickle her. “You’re teasing me again!”

The young couple ended up laughing and playfully wrestling on the bed.

The next afternoon, Zhao Huanxi took Xu Nian’an and Xuan Jie’er to the General Zhenbei Residence in the north of the town to fetch Nie Guocheng. The four of them went to the opera house to watch a play, but they asked Zhi’er to go to Xiangfeng Building to inform Zhao Jiazhen that Xuan Jie’er had gotten lost by the Jinming Pool

At that time, Zhao Jiazhen was arranging decorations inside the Jinyu Liangyun, which was renamed to “Zhenbao Pavilion”. Upon hearing the news, she hurried to the Jinming Pool. She wasn’t afraid of anything else, but she was worried that this mischievous girl had fallen into the pool. Although she was skilled in martial arts, whether she could swim was unknown.

In the evening, Zhao Huanxi had to rush back to the academy, so after playing at the opera house or a while, they returned to Jing Guogong Residence, had an early dinner, and then Zhao Huanxi went back to the academy. He felt sorry for Xu Nian’an, as the carriage ride took a long time both ways, so he didn’t want her to send him anymore and went by himself with several guards.

Zhao Jiazhen didn’t return until it was almost dark, her ears tinged with a faint blush. As usual, she greeted everyone with a calm expression.

Yin Furen asked her, “Is the shop very busy? Why are you back so late?”

Zhao Jiazhen struggled to resist the urge to look over at Xu Nian’an, nodding and saying, “I’ve re-arranged and re-planned the entire Zhenbao Pavilion. There was a lot to do.”

Yin Furen said, “Take your time, there’s no rush. Don’t overwork yourself and wear your body out.”

Zhao Jiazhen nodded, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. The light illuminated her face, but Yin Furen didn’t notice.

While Xuan Jie’er was bathing in her room, she sighed and said to Zhao Jiazhen and Xu Nian’an, “That reckless father of yours is probably thinking of coming back. Over the past two months, he’s written six or seven letters, saying that he’s been ill. I dare not hide it, so I went and told your Zufu. He hasn’t said anything yet, but it seems like he’s a little worried and might send someone to check on him. If he really is sick, he might even bring him back to recuperate.”

The hint of hidden tenderness in Zhao Jiazhen’s eyes faded, and she didn’t say anything.

After a brief silence, Xu Nian’an said, “We should hurry up and find a match for Jiarong.”

The three of them chatted for a while before going back to their respective courtyard.

Xu Nian’an was walking through the narrow alleyway leading from Jixiang House to Shenhui Courtyard when someone suddenly stepped out from the corner and blocked her path.

Startled, Xu Nian’an recalled that the last time someone jumped out from here, it was Zhao Huanxi. However, Zhao Huanxi wasn’t home this time.

Under the moonlight, she looked closely and realised it was Zhao Jiahui.

Zhao Jiahui is the daughter of Zhao Mingkun and Concubine Du. So she's Zhao Huanxi's shu sister.

“Forgive me, San Saosao. Did I scare you?” she said, bowing to Xu Nian’an.

“Not at all. It’s so late, and you’re here alone waiting for me. Do you have something to say?” Xu Nian’an asked her.

Zhao Jiahui nodded. “There are some things I want to speak to San Saosao about privately.”

Xu Nian’an then instructed the maids following her to go back first.

“San Saosao is quite bold. Aren’t you afraid I deliberately sent them away to harm you?” Zhao Jiahui said, looking at the woman in front of her.

Xu Nian’an smiled and said, “Even though you’re a shu daughter, you’ve still been raised as a pampered young lady of a noble household. If we were to fight, you might not be my match.”

Zhao Jiahui also smiled and took two steps closer. “San Saosao, I wish to make a deal with Furen. For it to succeed, I need your mediation. Would San Saosao be willing to help?”

“I’m all ears,” Xu Nian’an replied.

Zhao Jiahui said, “I know Da Ge and Er Ge have been scheming lately to bring my father back. If Furen agrees to take charge of my marriage arrangements, I can ensure my father won’t return, and I can cause Zufu to despise Da Ge and Er Ge even more and make it impossible for them to rise again under Furen’s control.”

Xu Nian’an looked at her in astonishment and said, “You mean to say…”

“Is San Saosao surprised that I would betray my own father, mother, and brothers for the sake of my marriage?” Zhao Jiahui gave a bitter smile. “But do you know that without the support of Jing Guogong Residence, they plan to send me to be a concubine for Gongxian Junwang? Gongxian Junwang is already eighty-three years old. If they truly get their way, it’s not hard to imagine my future. Either I’ll be tormented to death by the people in his household, or I’ll live out my days in desolation as a lonely widow.”

A 郡王 (junwang) was usually a member of the imperial family, such as a grandson of the emperor, or occasionally a meritorious official granted the title. The title is a rank below a 亲王 (qinwang), the The title Junwang is usually granted to the son of a Qinwang.

At this point, she paused to steady her breath, suppressing the trembling in her voice, and continued, “I never asked them to bring me into this world. But since I was born as a human being, they have no right to treat me as a mere object to be trampled on at will. These words, I cannot say to Furen, because San Jiejie was also forcibly married off to the Ding Guogong Residence by father. San Saosao, this is where I need your mediation. I need you to be the messenger between me and Furen. If this succeeds, I will sever all ties with my father, mother, and brothers. From then on, the only ones I can rely on will be Furen and San Ge. My father won’t return, and Furen will gain an additional shu daughter to use for a strategic marriage. It’s a deal that will benefit her.”

“Strategic marriage? Do you trust my mother-in-law that much?” Xu Nian’an asked her.

Tears shimmered in Zhao Jiahui’s eyes. “No matter how bad it gets, it won’t be worse than becoming a concubine for Gongxian Junwang, right?”

Xu Nian’an held her gaze for a long moment before slowly nodding. “Very well, I will be your messenger.”

Zhao Jiahui curtsied. “Thank you, San Saosao.”

The next morning, Xu Nian’an went to Yin Furen’s room. After watching her finish handling household matters, she asked the servants to leave and recounted the events of the previous night when Zhao Jiahui had sought her out.

Yin Furen was so astonished that she nearly spat out her tea. She stared at Xu Nian’an in disbelief and said, “She has the nerve to do this?”

Xu Nian’an nodded. “She hasn’t gone into the specifics yet, but if she wasn’t driven to utter despair, I don’t think she’d dare to take such a risk. If Mom is interested, you could call her over and question her in detail.”

“No rush.” Yin Furen raised her hand thoughtfully and said, “Could this be part of their scheme?”

Xu Nian’an said, “Last night, after returning, Erxi thought it over carefully. The likelihood of it being a scheme is quite low. Firstly, if Mom agrees to this deal, we would certainly need to bring her before Zufu and have her speak for herself. If it were a scheme, at most she could do is to say many bad things about Gongdiē and her two elder brothers before Zufu, then later claim that you forced her to do so. But such a scheme would have little effect. After decades as Zufu’s daughter-in-law, doesn’t he already know what kind of person you are? How could he believe her over you? Secondly, whether Gongdiē can return is still uncertain. As the legitimate mother of the family, if you wanted to involve yourself in a shu daughter’s marriage, it’s entirely within your rights. For Zhao Jiahui to risk going against the legitimate mother to participate in a scheme that causes little harm is highly unlikely. Besides, she doesn’t strike me as someone lacking intelligence.”

Yin Furen looked at her and asked, “So, you’re suggesting we go through with this deal?”

Xu Nian’an nodded. “We should first see what cards she actually holds. If she can truly help Mom suppress the concubine-born side and ensure that Gongdiē can’t return, then can she, a shu daughter who has already turned against her family, be able to get out of Mother‘s hands?”

Yin Furen furrowed her brows, holding a handkerchief and speaking reluctantly, “If that’s the case, it seems I will have to find her a suitable marriage as well.”

Xu Nian’an said, “The family background doesn’t need to be too impressive, just find someone decent. After all, we’re not counting on her to pave the way for us. A family where she can live peacefully will do. If, in the future, Gongdiē and her two brothers put pressure on her husband’s family, and she can’t handle it, she’ll naturally come to Mother for help. That way, Mother won’t have to worry about Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang using Jiahui’s in-laws to counter.”

Yin Furen slowly nodded. “You make a good point. Qianhe, send someone to inquire if Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang are home. If they’re not, have Jiahui come over.”

Qianhe acknowledged the order and left. Not long after, Zhao Jiahui arrived. She entered the main room, respectfully bowed to Yin Furen, and then lowered her head, standing quietly, waiting for instructions.

Yin Furen naturally had no good feelings toward the daughter of Concubine Du. However, considering that over the years, both of the shu sons and daughters-in-law had caused trouble, but she had remained quietly obedient, it was difficult to muster too much animosity toward her.

She set down the teacup and spoke, “Your San Saosao has told me about your request. Now, tell me, what is your plan to ensure that your father doesn’t return and make Zufu dislike your two brothers even more?”

Zhao Jiahui, having made up her mind to risk everything for her future, spoke without hesitation, “Furen, I’ve placed people in my Da Ge’s room, and I overheard him and Er Ge discussing sending money to Father to bribe the local doctor in Pingliang to feign an illness so that he can return. Once Father is back and Zufu goes north to fight, they plan to send me to Xianping Junwang as a concubine. They even said that with Xianping Junwang as their backing, they would have Father divorce you. When that happens, Zufu won’t be home, and Zumu won’t be in charge. You will have no way to make a fuss.”

Yin Furen was so enraged that the veins on her forehead stood out, and her temples throbbed. She gritted her teeth and managed to hold back her anger, asking, “Is that all?”

Zhao Jiahui continued, “When Father was still at home, he entrusted his private savings to my Da Ge, asking him to invest in pawnshop moneylending. It led to someone’s death. Father and Da Ge used their connections to cover it up, so no one in the family knew. Later, after Jiarong was engaged to the Ni Family, Da Ge invested money into a gambling den run by the Ni Family’s relatives. Er Ge had an affair with the widowed second daughter-in-law of the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Transport. They often met secretly at Zhaohua Temple. And… “

Zhao Jiahui poured out everything she knew about Zhao Huanchao and Zhao Huanyang’s sordid actions, leaving Yin Furen and Xu Nian’an speechless with shock.

After Zhao Jiahui finished speaking, Yin Furen quickly asked, “Do you have any proof of what you’re saying?”

Zhao Jiahui shook her head. “I don’t have proof, but I believe Zufu doesn’t need proof.”

Yin Furen realized the gravity of the situation. Indeed, what Zhao Jiahui had said was detailed and sordid, and with such damning accusations, how could Guogong Yé possibly face investigating it? He would likely erupt in anger instead.

She worked hard to control her expression and told Zhao Jiahui, “Just to be safe, stay here with me this afternoon. When your Zufu returns from his duties, I’ll take you to see him directly.”

Zhao Jiahui obediently bowed. “Understood.”

After Zhao Jiahui was escorted to the side room, Yin Furen leaned back in her chair, staring out at the door, silent.

Xu Nian’an understood that, if Zhao Jiahui hadn’t turned against her family, and if the situation had progressed to the point of Zhao Huanchao and his brother’s plan being carried out, Zhao Mingkun might indeed be capable of disregarding everything and divorcing Yin Furen.

Guogong Yé could control it for a time, but he couldn’t control it forever. If Yin Furen wanted her later years to remain as peaceful and smooth as they were now, the only solution was to ensure that Zhao Mingkun never returned.

✦

At Canglan Academy, after the last class in the morning, Zhao Huanxi ran to the classroom where Lu Feng and the others were, waiting outside. As soon as he saw Lu Feng come out, he immediately went up to him and asked for a drawing.

Lu Feng replied, “You won’t miss out, I’ll give it to you after we eat.”

The two of them met Xu Moxiu halfway and went to the cafeteria together.

After getting their food, Zhao Huanxi looked at Lu Feng, who was sitting seriously across the table, and suddenly became curious about how he interacted with his third sister. So he asked, “Lu Xiong, what did you talk about with my San Jiejie yesterday?”

Lu Feng glanced at him and, dragging his tone, said, “Most of the time, she was asking about you. She asked how your meals at the academy were, how your studies were going, how your clothes were washed, whether you had someone to help you bathe, what time you wake up in the morning, what time you go to bed at night, and whether you take naps at noon.”

Xu Moxiu suppressed a laugh from the side.

Zhao Huanxi said, “Why are you looking at me like that? Isn’t it because you can’t make my San Jie happy, so she keeps talking about me because she has nothing else to say to you? When I’m with Wenlin’s sister, she never asks about Wenlin.”

Xu Moxiu: “……”

He propped his chopsticks and looked at Zhao Huanxi, saying, “Have you considered the possibility that I don’t need my sister to worry about me, while you…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but his meaning was clear.

Zhao Huanxi: “……”.

Lu Feng said, “Don’t listen to him. Tell me what your San Jie likes, and next time I’ll cater to her preferences. That way, she definitely won’t keep talking about you.”

Zhao Huanxi thought for a moment and said, “Telling you my San Jie’s preferences isn’t impossible, but it’ll cost you extra.” His bright, sparkling eyes blinked as he looked at Lu Feng with anticipation and asked, “What other paintings do you have at home?”

Lu Feng: “……”

At Jing Guogong Residence, Zhao Jiazhen and Xuan Jie’er returned from the jewellery shop. After having a meal with Yin Furen and Xu Nian’an, Yin Furen had some free time and pulled Xuan Jie’er aside to teach her how to read account books. Meanwhile, Zhao Jiazhen invited Xu Nian’an to sit in her room for a chat.

Once they settled in Zhao Jiazhen’s elegant and cosy boudoir, Zhao Jiazhen handed over a booklet and said, “This is something I compiled over the past two months based on the reports from Hu Gang. Take a look.”

Xu Nian’an took it and flipped through the pages one by one.

Zhao Jiazhen sipped two mouthfuls of tea, set her teacup down, and glanced at the booklet in Xu Nian’an’s hands, saying, “I went through it carefully, line by line, and didn’t find any issues. Could it be that you made a mistake?”

Xu Nian’an carefully read through all the daily trivial matters recorded in the booklet from start to finish, then looked up and asked Zhao Jiazhen, “The people from the Second Branch have gone to the Jiang Family more than ten times in the past two months. Does San Jiejie know if that Biao Xiaojie from the Jiang Family has given birth yet?”

Zhao Jiazhen replied, “I haven’t paid attention to that.”

“Have someone discreetly inquire about it,” Xu Nian’an suggested.

Zhao Jiazhen agreed but couldn’t help asking Xu Nian’an, “Among the four Shenshens in the household, Er Shenshen is the least inclined to get entangled with the other branches. She has always kept to herself, living her own quiet life. Er Shufu and the cousins from the Second Branch are also among the most successful in our family. Why do you suspect Er Shenshen?”

Xu Nian’an closed the booklet and said, “The first time I suspected Er Shenshen was when Mother mentioned the incident from when Sanlang was nearly struck by lightning as a child. Mother said that afterward, a servant reported seeing branches erected on the eaves and snakes coiled around the columns. I researched ancient texts and learned that placing rod-like objects at high points can attract lightning, and metals like copper or iron can conduct electricity. From this analysis, it’s clear that Zhisi being struck and killed by lightning under the corridor, with Sanlang being affected as well, was no coincidence, it was a deliberate design.”

Zhao Jiazhen, vividly recalling the incident, said, “That’s right. At the time, Mother suspected that Du Yiniang was behind it, but there was no evidence.”

Xu Nian’an shook her head. “It couldn’t be Du Yiniang. According to our dynasty’s customs, shu sons cannot inherit noble titles. What benefit would Du Yiniang’s branch gain from killing Sanlang? Sanlang is Mother’s lifeblood. As long as he’s around, Mother has leverage. If he’s gone, Mother loses her hope and thus her leverage, which would harm Du Yiniang’s branch rather than benefit it. If someone argues that killing Sanlang was meant to devastate Mother emotionally, leading her to collapse or even pass away, that makes even less sense. Even while Mother is alive, Gongdiē favours his concubine and neglects her, and Marquis of Jinling Residence (Yin Furen maiden family) cannot openly stand up for her. But if their wai nephew and daughter were to die one after the other, would Marquis of Jinling not come to demand justice? When Guogong Yé pursues the matter, could Du Yiniang bear the consequences?”