Chapter One

  Han's aunt left quietly, and although Xianyi had mentally prepared herself beforehand, she couldn't help but feel a little melancholy. After all, they had been together for so long, and even if there was some coercion from Jin Fenghua, Han's aunt had indeed treated her well. It was truly a pity that she had passed away so early.

  The lady of the house learned that Auntie Han had passed away, and her first reaction was to feel a sense of bad luck. Just as they were celebrating the good news of her son passing the imperial examination, the gloomy atmosphere caused by Chen's death was lifted. Who would have thought that in just a few months, Auntie Han wouldn't be able to hold on? Even if it didn't affect the second son's fortune, what would happen when the eldest son got married in a few months? She died at this critical juncture, and people from the bride's side would think... Fortunately, it was just an aunt who passed away, not a senior relative, so there was no need to postpone the wedding.

  It's just that, regarding the request made by Mrs. Han before her death, the madam was very displeased, but it wasn't good to directly go against the old lady, so she could only say in private: "Why did you choose a nice dress? She's barely passed away, even if it's not necessary for a servant to observe mourning rites, it's still not suitable for two people to be together during the mourning period."

  Zeng Yiniang did not expect that Han Yinian would have such a move. Originally, she wanted to keep Xianyi in the mansion to suffer, to vent her hatred. But now, Xianyi cannot be a concubine, but instead will become the young master's wife. It's really fortunate for this little girl. However, Zeng Yiniang also understood that since the old lady had agreed, the old master would not refuse. This matter temporarily has no room for maneuvering, so she advised: "It's just a little girl, anyway, it's better to be sent to Han Yinian's courtyard as a wife than as a concubine."

  "What did he say?" The madam asked with interest.

  "Think about it, madam. If Xianxian were to become Third Master's concubine, the position of wife would be vacated, and there would be a great change in circumstances." Zeng Yiniang said with raised eyebrows.

  The madam nodded slowly, if the old master had a hot head and found an official's illegitimate daughter for Lao San, no matter what status she had, at least Lao San would have a wife's family, which would be troublesome. Moreover, in the capital city, many wealthy families married their illegitimate sons to slaves or maidservants in their households, not wanting them to have any chance of rising up. This was an unwritten rule in Beiguo.

  "It's also true that Chen Ayi is no longer around, and now it's up to us to rely on our own family. I reckon that stinky little brat won't be able to turn things around, but...” The madam's mind flashed back to what her eldest daughter had once said to her - if someone took a liking to the third son, he would already be married and how could they possibly send him away? However, this thought only lasted for an instant. After all, it was rare for the Shu country to give away their illegitimate children, and moreover, her husband had just been promoted, so the higher-ups wouldn't have such intentions. If they were to do something like that, they would probably be ridiculed by others."

  Zeng Yiniang didn't see through the thoughts of the madam and continued to say: "However, Old Lady also promised Auntie Han that she would return to Linqing for her ancestor's tomb. Should...madam keep Xianxian here?"

  The madam's eyes turned cold, but thinking that the dead woman would be a concubine even if she entered the ancestral tomb, she shook her head and said: "It doesn't matter, they're not going to stay away forever. Besides, Xianxian's sale contract is still in my hands, as long as they don't get married, they can't cancel their registration. It's just right for Xianxian to keep an eye on the third one and prevent him from playing any tricks."

  Zeng Nainai actually wanted to let Xianyi stay, anyway San Shao Ye was not there, she could still take action, and it's not that she couldn't even marry the young master. To be honest, she thought it would be better for Lu Er to marry San Shao Ye, so later on she could control these maids more easily. However, since Da Furen had already said so, she also felt that there was a long future ahead and could only say: "Still, Furen is wise, Xian Xian has always listened to Furen's words, I suppose this time she won't refuse either."

  The old lady leaned back, thinking about the attitude of Chen Ayi who had gone to Xian Yi's place, and after hearing what Zeng Ayi said, she felt a bit uncertain in her heart. After thinking for a moment, she added: "You find some time, go and knock on Xian Xian's door, let her understand that now that her mother is gone, the only one she can rely on is me."

  Zeng Nainai saw that her goal had been achieved, so she smiled and agreed. However, in her heart, she was thinking about how to convey this message to Third Young Master. Even if Xian Yi married Third Young Master, if the two people were not of one mind, their future days would not be good. At that time, she would let Xian Yi understand that even being a concubine-born Third Lady was not easy.

  Soon, Xian Yi saw Zeng Nianiang again, who was busy and flustered at the moment. Due to the mistress's disregard, the old lady's lack of energy, the master's indifference, and Han Niangniang's funeral being handled so simply, Xian Yi had no choice but to seek help from the former deputy manager in the front yard who used to be friends with her father. She also took charge of the account room herself, handling tasks such as selecting coffins, setting up tents, and preparing for the funeral. Fortunately, Jin Fenghua was not as incompetent and penniless as he seemed on the surface; otherwise, whether Han Niangniang could have a smooth burial would be a problem. It can even be said that Han Niangniang's funeral was not as grand as Chen Nianiang's fake funeral.

  Then, Zeng's scolding was like a gust of wind that blew past Xianyi's ears and was gone. Xianyi didn't take it to heart at all. How could she control Jinfenghua? Don't be ridiculous! Her entire family's fate now rested on Jinfenghua's shoulders, even her own mother was in his grasp. It can be said that the night Jinfenghua defeated the old eunuch, he deeply imprinted himself on Xianyi's heart. For her, the master and mistress were no match for Jinfenghua's single finger. Even if Jinfenghua had a mental illness and stayed here to provoke people, it was impossible to ignore the fact that he had killed Long Xingwei, the commander of the Dragon Guards, yet nobody came to cause trouble until now. The Jin family was nothing compared to him.

  However, Xian Yi didn't take it to heart, but that doesn't mean Zeng Yiniang didn't tell others, so Jin Fenghua soon found out about the mistress's intentions and Zeng Yiniang's search for Xian Yi. Unexpectedly, not only did he not create a rift with Xian Yi, but he also provided several methods for controlling himself, even telling Xian Yi how to send messages to the capital, as if he wasn't planning to scheme against him at all, his whole brain circuitry was different from others. Xian Yi was just startled at first, then threw it aside and let him play with his own imagination.

  It took many days for the funeral of Mrs. Han to come to an end, and as for the banquets for guests, they were simply impossible in the Jin Mansion. Fortunately, Jin Fenghua didn't care about it either, she just waited for Master Jin to set a date, and then they could leave the Jin Mansion and head to Linqing.

  I don't know if it was because she was about to leave the Jin Manor, so her mind was restless, or if it was because she had been too tired recently and slept too much afterwards. Xian Yi couldn't sleep at all that night, so she got up from bed. Since she was engaged to Jin Feng Hua, the small courtyard where she and her mother used to live was taken back, and the courtyard of Han Niang's was temporarily sealed off due to Han Niang's passing. Now, Xian Yi lived in a single room in the fifth courtyard, with conditions much worse than before, not even comparable to Yun Shuang's, but for Xian Yi, this place was just a temporary residence, and she hadn't even unpacked her luggage.

  She got up and poured herself a glass of water, only to find Jin Fenghua standing by the window in her room, the moonlight shining on his face, making him look rather pale. She didn't know if it was because Madame Han's courtyard had been sealed off and Madame Han was no longer around, but Jin Fenghua really had nowhere else to go at night, so he would often sneak into her room in the middle of the night, standing by the window for hours on end, sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night and discover him, other times she wouldn't find out if he came or not until dawn broke.

  Jin Fenghua poured another cup of water, and Xian Yi walked over with the tray to hand it to him. For the past few nights, she had already said all the comforting words she could think of, now she was speechless.

  Jin Fenghua took the teacup and looked at the hot air on the surface of the tea, saying: "When I was young, my mother would also get up in the middle of the night to pour water for me. At that time, I didn't feel cold at all."

  Xian Yi saw him and thought he was just nostalgic, without any tears in his eyes, nor did he know if it was because his heart was too hard or if the wound didn't show.

  "It seems he didn't expect Xian Yi to respond, and he continued: 'It's good that she left, at least it won't be so painful.'"

  Xian Yi could understand such feelings, and what's more, the living are forever more painful than the dead. She softened for a moment, then said: "Madam Han also hopes you're well, besides, we have to leave here too, I'm sure she'd rather return to Linqing."

  "She had wanted to leave long ago, if not for the fact that she couldn't let go of that person, I would have taken her away already." Jin Fenghua said this, but his eyes were filled with confusion and incomprehension. He couldn't understand why his mother still insisted on staying in this cold courtyard after all the evil things the old master had done to her, as if only when she died could she return to their hometown of Linqing, and only then would that obsession disappear.

  The love and hate of a deceased woman can no longer be clarified, even if Xianyi cannot understand why Han Niang was divorced but still returned to the manor as a concubine after being humiliated. However, no one can deny that she made the best decision for her son at the end of her life, despite having been wronged all her life.

  "Xian xian......" Jin Fenghua suddenly said.

  Xian Yi responded with a sound, looking at him in confusion.

  "My mother may be gone, but I promised her that I would fulfill everything she said." Jin Fenghua looked up at the empty moon and thought of his mother holding his hand with a warm smile. Even though his heart could no longer understand such warmth, he had been reborn to this day, and what he wanted most was to fulfill every wish in her heart, which was what he owed her from his past life.

  Xian Yi took a step back, her eyes wide with surprise, and forced a laugh: "Third Young Master, you're not joking, are you?"

  Jin Fenghua suddenly turned his head, looking at the little girl opposite him who was trembling like a quail, with an expression as if the sky was about to fall. His originally unpleasant mood miraculously improved, and perhaps following his mother's idea, having her tied to his side wasn't something unbearable after all.

  "I wasn't joking, after the mourning period is over, you'll be my wife." Jin Fenghua narrowed his eyes, mischievously gazing at Xian Yi's petrified expression.