It was morning the next day when Zhi Wan awoke.

She froze when she saw the round fan lying by her pillow.

She had dreamed again last night. Dreamed of that man...

A complicated feeling welled up inside her as she recalled the scene from her dream, just before she’d fallen asleep: the man holding this very fan, cooling her with a gentle breeze.

’Does he really want to marry into my family, or is he just toying with me?’

’Should I... give him a chance?’

The thought had barely crossed her mind before she shook her head, dismissing it.

’No.’

’That man’s status is anything but ordinary. Why would he ever willingly marry into someone else’s family?’

’Besides, I could never handle him.’

’To build a life together, it’s better to find someone honest and dependable—someone I can at least manage.’

With that, she resolved to find a suitable candidate and marry as soon as possible.

’Once I’m married and have a husband, I’m sure I won’t dream of that man anymore.’

’Then, he’ll have no power over me.’

’And if he were to somehow find me in the real world, he’d have no choice but to give up once he saw I was married.’

Zhi Wan had just finished breakfast when Lady Wei arrived. She personally applied ointment to Zhi Wan’s wound, then watched her drink her medicine.

"Aunt, my injury is nothing serious now. Please don’t worry," Zhi Wan said, trying to comfort her aunt, who still wore a deep frown.

Lady Wei sighed. "This is all my fault. You were dragged into this because of me."

"How could this be your fault, Aunt? Please don’t say that." Zhi Wan frowned. ’If anyone’s to blame, it’s that Lu Xuan. To be so vicious at such a young age, carrying a dagger and trying to kill Aunt...’

’Seeing what was happening, I couldn’t possibly stand by and do nothing.’

’I’m just glad I reacted quickly enough. Otherwise, the dagger in Lu Xuan’s hand would have found its mark in Aunt.’

"Don’t you worry. I won’t be letting that little whelp out," Lady Wei said gravely.

Zhi Wan heard this with some apprehension. "But what about Uncle...?"

Lu Xuan was her uncle’s son, after all. Her aunt could lock the mother and son up for a few days, but it wouldn’t be a long-term solution.

Even setting her uncle aside, Old Madam Lu would never permit it.

She didn’t want her aunt to face their accusations on her account.

"He won’t say a thing. It was that mother and son who were in the wrong to begin with," Lady Wei said coldly.

"Has... has Uncle spoken with you?" Zhi Wan asked.

Lady Wei nodded, not hiding the truth from her. "Yesterday, Old Madam Lu summoned your uncle back. But on this matter, he was clear-headed enough. He didn’t plead for that mother and son. He even said I could handle it as I see fit."

Zhi Wan breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "See? Uncle’s heart is still with you."

Even so, it was still a sore spot for Lady Wei. Not wanting to discuss Lu Zhenbei further, she changed the subject. "You just focus on resting. As for the candidates for a live-in husband, we can go look at them once you’re feeling better."

Zhi Wan’s heart leaped at her words. "Aunt, you have more candidates?"

Lady Wei nodded. "I had someone find quite a few candidates while you were in Yangzhou. I thought things might work out with either Shen Longjin or Bai Yi, but I never expected... Well, never mind them. You get some rest. I’ll head back for now and come see you again later."

Zhi Wan felt a sense of urgency. She wanted to say they could arrange to meet them today, but she held her tongue, afraid her aunt would think her too desperate.

Just as Lady Wei left, Dongxiang walked in, her eyes red from crying.

"Miss, what happened between me and Master Bai Yi... it’s not what they think. I didn’t..."

"Dongxiang, what do you think of Bai Yi as a person?" Zhi Wan interrupted.

Dongxiang froze, but answered truthfully. "Master Bai Yi... he’s a decent man."

"If he’s a decent man, then you shouldn’t worry about what others say. Go and build a good life with him. I heard from Shuang’er that he came to the residence today to ask my aunt for your hand. She has already given you your deed of indenture, so you are a free woman now. Whether or not you wish to marry him is your own decision." As she spoke, Zhi Wan had Shuang’er fetch some Silver Tael and handed them to Dongxiang. "Thank you for taking care of me all these years. Please take this silver as my contribution to your dowry."

At these words, Dongxiang burst into tears. "I want to keep serving you, Miss! I don’t want to get married yet..."

"The Miss is kind and isn’t holding this against you. You should quit while you’re ahead. Take the silver and go," Shuang’er said irritably, stuffing the money into her arms.

Since things had come to this, Dongxiang bit her lip and finally accepted the silver.

Looking at the Miss seated in her chair, she choked back a sob and couldn’t stop herself from saying, "Whether you believe me or not, Miss, I did not try to seduce Master Bai Yi at the theater yesterday. Something struck my leg. The pain made me lose my balance, and that’s why I fell into his arms.

I am foolish, and I must thank you for your tolerance all these years, Miss. I will take my leave now." With that, she gave Zhi Wan a heavy kowtow, then retreated in tears.

Zhi Wan’s brow furrowed at the sight.

’Was what Dongxiang said true?’

’Something struck her leg?’

She was suddenly reminded of the incident at the restaurant in Yangzhou, when Zeng Jiayi had abruptly tumbled down the stairs.

She knew that Jiang Shi had been behind it that time.

’So what about this time?’

The method was so similar. She immediately thought of Chen Jiu.

In their section at the theater yesterday, besides Bai Yi, there were only members of the Lu Family.

Among everyone there yesterday, besides Bai Yi, only Chen Jiu knew martial arts.

Bai Yi was just an ordinary junior officer in the army. He shouldn’t possess the skill to strike Dongxiang’s leg so stealthily.

’So, it had to be Chen Jiu!’

Zhi Wan found the realization incredible.

’Why would Chen Jiu do such a thing?’

’Dongxiang is usually well-behaved and hasn’t done anything wrong.’

Suppressing her doubts, she said to Shuang’er, "Go see Dongxiang off. She’s been loyal enough to me over the years. Try not to be so harsh with her; you’ll only hurt her feelings."

Shuang’er recalled Dongxiang’s good qualities over the years and felt a pang of guilt. "Then I’ll go see."

"Mm," Zhi Wan nodded.

A short while later, Shuang’er came running back.

"Did Bai Yi come for Dongxiang?" Zhi Wan asked.

Shuang’er nodded, speaking rapidly. "He did. I saw her into the carriage. But something’s happened at the residence!"

Zhi Wan was taken aback and quickly asked, "What happened?"

"Just now, a man claiming to be Aunt Wang’s lover showed up at our door, saying Lu Xuan is his son!" Shuang’er’s voice was tinged with excitement. "The front courtyard is in an uproar. Even Old Madam Lu has been drawn out by the commotion. Miss, do you want to go see?"

Zhi Wan was stunned. She nodded at once. "Let’s go. We have to see this."

By the time the two of them reached the front courtyard, Lady Wei, Old Madam Lu, Lu Zhenbei, and the members of the Second Household had all gathered.

A man of average height and plain appearance was causing a huge commotion.

"This child... Wang Shuya bore him for me! How can my son call another man ’father’? Wang Shuya, you heartless woman, taking my son and having him call another man father! Duke, you must give me justice!" The man finished speaking and dropped to his knees, a grown man crying his eyes out, snot and tears streaming down his face.

Aunt Wang and her son had been released as soon as the man arrived. Hearing his words now, Aunt Wang trembled with fury and roared, "You’re spouting nonsense! How could Lu Xuan possibly be your son? Don’t you dare slander me!"

Zhi Wan was watching the spectacle unfold when Chen Jiu suddenly approached and said in a low voice, "Miss, the Princely Heir already knows you were injured. Rest assured, he will not allow you to be wronged."

Zhi Wan froze. She turned to him in astonishment. "My cousin knows?"