After her meal, Zhi Wan went to the deck for some fresh air.

She had been worried about running into her cousin, but after walking a full circle around the ship, she saw no sign of him.

She relaxed and leaned against the railing, enjoying the breeze.

It was overcast today, with no sun, but the air was hot and muggy.

Watching the dark clouds churning on the horizon, Zhi Wan figured it was about to rain.

"Miss, this watermelon has been chilled on ice. It’s very refreshing. Please, have some." Just then, Chen Jiu came over eagerly, carrying a fruit platter.

Zhi Wan was feeling a bit thirsty. Seeing the sweet, refreshing watermelon on the plate, she reached out and took a slice. "Thank you, Ah Jiu."

"You’re too kind, Miss." Chen Jiu smiled so widely his mouth nearly reached his ears. "It is my honor to be of service to you."

Zhi Wan was about to bite into the watermelon when his words made her glance at him in surprise.

’Why is Chen Jiu being so polite today?’

Noticing her scrutiny, Chen Jiu paused and touched his face. "Is there something on my face?"

"No." Zhi Wan shook her head. After a moment’s thought, she asked, "Ah Jiu, where did my cousin go?"

"The Princely Heir hasn’t gone anywhere. He’s in his cabin, sleeping," Chen Jiu replied.

Zhi Wan was astonished.

’It’s still morning. How could my cousin, who’s always so busy with official duties, be sleeping?’

Recalling the exhaustion on her cousin’s face when he had entered her cabin earlier, she paused and asked, "What has my cousin been busy with these past two days? He looks very tired."

Chen Jiu hesitated before answering, "Well, yesterday, when the Princely Heir learned you were leaving the Capital City, he was so anxious that he skipped the morning court session. Although he made an excuse, he was still reprimanded by the Emperor. Afterward, he spent the entire night investigating a case and only just now found time to rest."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan recalled how her cousin had used the investigation as a pretext to blockade the docks yesterday, and a complicated feeling stirred in her heart.

’Since my cousin already guessed I was going to Yangzhou, and he himself has to travel to Jiangnan on official business, why was he in such a rush to catch me yesterday?’

’My cousin has always been so level-headed, always prioritizing his duties. How could he make such a mistake this time?’

’Skipping court and even getting reprimanded by the Emperor!’

"Also, Lady Wei and the others now know that you left the Capital City. We didn’t manage to intercept the letter you left for her, so it caused a bit of a stir in the Duke Mansion yesterday. But the Princely Heir has already suppressed it." After some thought, Chen Jiu decided it was best to let the Miss know the situation at the mansion, lest someone spread gossip to her in the future and upset her.

’Besides, the Miss ought to know what the Princely Heir has done for her.’

Zhi Wan’s heart sank. ’A stir in the mansion because of me?’

"What kind of stir?" she asked anxiously. "Did I cause trouble for my aunt?"

Chen Jiu paused before speaking. "Yesterday, after Lady Wei saw your letter, she was frantic and wanted to assemble the servants to find you. I don’t know who started it, but a rumor spread that you... that you had actually eloped with someone..."

"What?" Zhi Wan swayed, her fingers clenching into fists.

"But don’t worry. The Princely Heir has dealt with all the people who spread the rumor. No one dares to gossip recklessly now," Chen Jiu said quickly, seeing the color drain from her face.

In truth, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say a storm of blood swept through the mansion yesterday.

When the rumor emerged, the Princely Heir had people swiftly investigate and root out the source. Furthermore, he purged everyone who had spoken ill of the Miss.

Now, no one in the mansion dares to say a single bad word about the Miss.

’The Princely Heir truly cares about the Miss.’

Despite his words, Zhi Wan’s heart remained heavy. She asked, "What did... my aunt say about it?"

What she cared about most was Lady Wei’s opinion of her.

She had left the Capital City for two reasons: first, to avoid her cousin; second, to prevent her aunt from being disappointed in her after learning about their affair, looking at her strangely, and thinking her indecent for seducing her own cousin.

But she had never expected her departure would be twisted into a rumor about eloping.

’My aunt must be so disappointed in me after hearing that.’

"Lady Wei naturally didn’t believe it. Besides, the Princely Heir has already told her that you are with him, so she’s very relieved," Chen Jiu said hurriedly.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan felt not relief, but a new wave of anxiety.

’My cousin actually told my aunt that I’m with him? How could she not read into that?’

「At the Duke Dingguo Mansion.」

Lady Wei was cooling off in the courtyard pavilion when Lu Lan suddenly requested an audience.

"What is she doing here?" Though puzzled, Lady Wei still had Lu Lan brought in.

"Greetings, Aunt." As soon as Lu Lan entered, she bowed to Lady Wei.

Lady Wei nodded. "You wished to see me? Is something the matter?"

Lu Lan hesitated. "I... I have been hiding something from you, Aunt."

At this, Lady Wei gave her a surprised look. "What have you been hiding from me?"

Lu Lan lowered her eyes. "Yesterday, when I heard Sister Zhi Wan had left without a word and those rumors started circulating in the mansion, I grew worried about her..."

Hearing this, Lady Wei’s brow furrowed. "This has something to do with Wan’er?"

Lu Lan nodded lightly. "I thought about it all night and decided I must tell you, Aunt, to prevent Sister Zhi Wan from making a terrible mistake."

"What has Wan’er done that would be a terrible mistake?" Lady Wei frowned, eyeing her suspiciously.

Lu Lan clutched the handkerchief in her hand and said in a low voice, "It has to do with my elder brother."

"How is Jinzhi involved in this?" Lady Wei’s expression darkened slightly.

A flicker of something passed through Lu Lan’s eyes. With a troubled expression, she then said softly, "Actually, the last time Little Aunt Jinglan and I were in Yangzhou, I saw my elder brother enter Sister Zhi Wan’s courtyard. Their relationship... it didn’t seem ordinary. Many people thought they were... husband and wife."

"What?" Lady Wei was aghast.

Lu Lan hastily knelt. "I should have kept this to myself, but after what happened yesterday, I am truly worried about Sister Zhi Wan. I’m afraid she’ll... be taken advantage of. That is why I’m telling you this, Aunt, hoping you can persuade her to return to the right path."

After hearing her out, Lady Wei’s face was a mask of shock.

’Ah Zhan and Wan’er?’

’How is that possible?’

"You’re spouting nonsense!" Snapping back to her senses, Lady Wei slammed her hand on the table and roared.

Lu Lan’s shoulders trembled. She lowered her head and began to sob softly. "I also hoped I was just overthinking things. I agonized for a long time before daring to come tell you, Aunt. I was afraid you would be angry and scold me, but Sister Zhi Wan has always been kind to me. I couldn’t bear to just stand by and watch her go astray, so I mustered the courage to come..."

She paused, then continued, "Sister Zhi Wan is so beautiful; anyone who sees her would be smitten. And my elder brother... he is only a man."

Lady Wei’s face was dark as a thundercloud.

’Lu Lan’s words, both spoken and unspoken, were all implying that Wan’er had seduced Ah Zhan.’

’Wan’er is a girl I raised with my own hands. How could she be so shameless?’

Lady Wei was incensed. "Guards! Slap her face, hard!"

Servants immediately stepped forward and held Lu Lan down.

SLAP, SLAP, SLAP...

The sound of slapping echoed ceaselessly.

Only after her fury had subsided somewhat did Lady Wei wave her hand. "Enough!"

The servants stepped back.

Lu Lan’s body went limp, and she crumpled to the floor. Her cheeks were swollen high, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.

A venomous resentment flashed in her eyes.

’Why does everyone have to torment and humiliate me like this?’

’I was only telling the truth.’

’There has always been something improper between Zhi Wan and my elder brother.’

’But instead of investigating them, my aunt is taking her anger out on me.’