Jiang Wan had no desire to argue with Fu Ci over such meaningless topics.
She turned her head toward the wall, unwilling to spare him another glance.
Fu Ci felt utterly dejected, knowing full well that Jiang Wan had never been at fault from the very beginning.
From her father’s decision to join the deposed Crown Prince in rebellion, to now being forced to become his concubine.
Others had choices, but she was pushed along.
Unable to break free.
Unable to resist.
For a woman, the world was already difficult enough.
Now, without even a stable living environment, Fu Ci was filled with guilt.
Was it truly as the Fourth Prince had said—the more he treated Wanwan well, the more his grandmother would resent her?
But if he didn’t treat Wanwan well, would his grandmother become even more relentless, harming her without restraint?
And what about those wicked servants who judged people by their status? Would they take advantage of their power to bully their mistress and make things difficult for Wanwan?
If they moved out and established their own household, Wanwan would only face more gossip and judgment.
Fu Ci was caught in a dilemma, unable to find a solution.
He reached out and gently touched the back of Jiang Wan’s head. “What would you like to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it for you.”
Jiang Wan was weary, having woken only briefly before feeling drowsy again.
Hearing Fu Ci’s voice now only annoyed her. “If you can’t keep quiet, I’ll move out right now. That’s the Old Madam’s order.”
Fu Ci frowned deeply. “No one but you is allowed to live in the West Wing.”
A mocking smile curved Jiang Wan’s lips. “Do you even believe that yourself?”
“That’s how I truly feel.”
“Feelings and reality are two different things.”
Fu Ci had always known that Jiang Wan was different from other women—she was a girl with strong convictions.
Now, her words left him speechless.
All he could do was carefully hold Jiang Wan’s hand, using this small gesture to feel close to her.
Jiang Wan closed her eyes, allowing herself to drift back into a deep slumber.
Staying in one position for too long became uncomfortable.
Unconsciously, she shifted to face another direction.
Seeing that she was sound asleep, Fu Ci finally dared to gaze at Jiang Wan openly.
Her body was frail, and after enduring such hardship, her face was frighteningly pale.
Even her usually rosy lips had lost their color.
Fu Ci’s heart ached, but he had no way to ease his sorrow.
He simply stared at Jiang Wan, lost in thought.
After drinking with the three Yun brothers, the Fourth Prince stopped by the Fu residence to visit the Old Madam on his way.
He noticed the gloomy atmosphere in the household, with the servants tiptoeing around in fear.
Suspicion arose in his mind.
“Grandmother, what’s troubling you? Weren’t you feeling much better a few days ago? Why do you seem worse today?”
The Old Madam sighed. “It’s all because of your cousin.”
The Fourth Prince understood. “It’s about Lady Jiang, isn’t it?”
“Who else could it be? Your cousin used to leave early and return late, completely devoted to his duties. But ever since Jiang Wan entered the household, he rushes back whenever he has a spare moment. What kind of behavior is that?”
The Fourth Prince comforted her. “She’s just a concubine—she can’t cause much trouble. If Cousin likes her, let him be. Once the novelty wears off, you can deal with Lady Jiang. By then, Cousin won’t protect her anymore, and your relationship with him won’t be affected.”
The Old Madam wished she could do just that, but she didn’t dare take the risk.
What if Cier became more and more entangled, sinking deeper into this folly? Wouldn’t he be ruined?
By then, it would be too late for anything.
As the saying goes, family shame should not be aired in public. Even facing her own grandson, the Old Madam didn’t want to say too much.
After venting a few complaints, she prepared to rest.
“Grandmother, you rest first. I’ll go find Cousin.”
“Go on, go on, you useless boy. He’s probably in the west courtyard right now, trying to comfort someone.”
The Fourth Prince thought to himself, just how big of a fuss had this been? It had been over an hour since his cousin returned to the estate, and he was still trying to comfort someone.
“Then you rest well, Grandmother. I’ll come see you again when I have time.”
After personally tucking the Old Madam in, the Fourth Prince sent someone to announce his arrival at the west courtyard, then followed the steward toward the front courtyard.
Along the way, after learning the full story of what had happened, the Fourth Prince felt nothing but worry.
Jiang Wan was undoubtedly his cousin’s weakness. If someone used her to manipulate his cousin, they would surely succeed every time.
His greatest reliance now was his cousin. Could Jiang Wan ruin his plans?
The more he thought about it, the heavier the Fourth Prince’s heart grew.
Those in high positions cannot afford to have weaknesses—it’s too dangerous.
No wonder his grandmother was so anxious.
If his cousin could speak of living and dying together with Jiang Wan today, tomorrow he might abandon everything in the Fu family for her.
By then, he would have lost his most powerful backer.
How could he possibly compete with others then?
At this thought, not only the Old Madam but even the Fourth Prince wanted to get rid of Jiang Wan.
Just a woman—how could she compare to a bright future?
Knowing the Fourth Prince had come, Fu Ci still did not leave the west courtyard.
Instead, he had someone send him away.
This made the Fourth Prince even more convinced of the Old Madam’s words: Jiang Wan was nothing but a scourge!
When she woke again, the sun had already begun to set.
Fu Ci was not in the room; only Qiu Yue was keeping watch over her.
“His subordinates came to report official matters. Afraid of disturbing you, the master went to the front courtyard.”
Jiang Wan remembered that Qiu Yue had taken a whip lash for her. “Rest well these next few days. Come back to serve only after your injury has healed.”
Touched by her master’s concern, Qiu Yue said, “I’m strong. One lash is nothing.”
“You suffered unjustly today. Rest for a few days first.”
After hesitating for a moment, Qiu Yue added, “The master also took ten lashes.”
Jiang Wan had already fainted by then and didn’t know what Fu Ci had done after returning.
After a moment of stunned silence, she only said, “Tell the servants to be careful in their care.”
Qiu Yue felt that her mistress still cared about the master.
Being at odds with the master would do her no good.
She continued to speak up for Fu Ci, “To avenge you, the master dealt with all those maids and old women. He also ordered that no one from outside be allowed into our west courtyard in the future.”
None of these things had happened in her previous life.
Because of her rebirth, some things had changed, while others still followed their original course.
Regarding this, Jiang Wan had no intention of trying again.
Life was only given once; there was no need to make such a huge gamble.
“I’m hungry.”
Qiu Yue quickly replied, “The small kitchen has been simmering soup for you. I’ll go get you a bowl first, then you can have something else to eat.”
“Let someone else do it. You go rest.”
Qiu Yue wanted to say she was fine, but meeting those unyielding eyes, she dared not disobey.
“This servant will go arrange it right away.”
Alone in the inner chamber, Jiang Wan moved her shoulders slightly.
Whatever medicine had been applied, her back no longer burned with pain, leaving only a cool, comfortable sensation.
Lying on her stomach for so long inevitably made her chest feel tight and short of breath.
Carefully turning over, she shifted to a side-sleeping position and instantly felt much more comfortable.
Her spirits somewhat restored, the fog in her mind began to clear.
Today’s events made Jiang Wan realize that the Old Madam would not leave her a way out.
This meant she could not seek cooperation with Old Madam or Yun Yanran. If they intended to eliminate her completely, she might not even have a chance to resist.
Now she had only one path to take: to attend the autumn hunt with Fu Ci.
After ten days or half a month, she would find an excuse to return early.
Fu Ci certainly could not leave ahead of time. As long as he wasn’t by her side, everything would be easier to manage.
Jiang Wan wondered if she should treat Fu Ci a little better during this period.
That way, she could also make him lower his guard.