The Young Marquis Regrets Too Late - Chapter 72

The news that the senior grand secretary had fallen seriously ill quickly spread.

That day, after Wang Shun coughed up a mouthful of bl00d, his already poor health condition took a turn for the worse. He couldn’t attend court assemblies anymore. All his work from the Grand Secretariat had to be sent to his residence to be handled. 

The emperor showed compassion for his teacher and granted him permission to work from home. As such, he didn’t have to worry about going out of his residence to work.

The emperor even personally visited the Wang residence to check on his teacher.

The emperor’s thoughtfulness earned him widespread praise from his court officials.

Emperor Taihe visited Wang Shun ten days after he coughed up bl00d.

Wang Shun’s complexion was still terrible by then. He looked as if he’d aged decades in mere days. He could still maintain a semblance of vitality not long ago, but now, he showed an unmistakable air of someone nearing his end.

When Wang Shun saw the emperor come, he attempted to stand and greet him properly, but the emperor stopped him.

The emperor gave him a gentle smile. He appeared more gentle than ever before.

He said, “No need for that, Teacher. We can talk while you’re seated.”

After hearing this, Wang Shun didn’t insist further, either.

His body was indeed in no condition for such formalities. Ever since that day when he learned of that matter, he had found it increasingly difficult to hold on.

Wang Shun couldn’t figure out why Emperor Taihe had come today. He no longer believed their bond as teacher and student was strong enough for such a personal visit.

Since the emperor had come, he must’ve come with bad intentions.

It all boiled down to power—there was nothing else left for them to discuss besides that.

But now, Wang Shun no longer cared for anything, except for Jiang Nan’s death.

Nothing else mattered to him anymore.

Jiang Jingchun…

His granddaughter. 

Well, even though he now knew she was his granddaughter, what did it matter anymore? Could he be so shameless as to acknowledge her now?

Where would he get the courage to do such a thing from?

Moreover, how would Jiang Jingchun feel after knowing that he was her granddaughter?

She would loathe him and detest him. She wouldn’t have time to feel anything else about him.

Besides, things had changed for him now. Being connected to him wouldn’t bring any good to her.

Wang Shun pushed those thoughts aside and looked up at Emperor Taihe. He asked, “Your Majesty, for what purpose have you come today?”

The emperor didn’t answer the question directly. Instead, he smiled and asked, “Teacher, what’s happened to you? Did you hear something that shocked you or upset you? How did you become like this so suddenly?”

Wang Shun looked at the Emperor. In truth, he couldn’t see any genuine concern in the emperor’s eyes.

Well… of course.

If he died, the emperor would gain his freedom.

But then again, could an emperor ever be truly free? 

What did freedom mean to the emperor? Was it to wield absolute, unchallenged power?

Wang Shun smiled faintly and said, “Your Majesty, you have long wished for my death, haven’t you?”

Hearing this didn’t cause Emperor Taihe to grow angry or embarrassed. He simply said, “Teacher, you are already over sixty.”

Wang Shun no longer wanted to beat around the bush. He got straight to the point and said, “I only want Jiang Nan dead. As for everything else, whatever Your Majesty desires, I will not fight.”

Could he even fight it now? He was already dying—what more could he fight for?

He had lost this battle. 

Emperor Taihe might not ‘win,’ but he certainly wouldn’t lose, either.

Wang Shun said, “I won’t touch the Jiang family. Whether Your Majesty uses them or not, I won’t interfere. I will also withdraw my involvement from the northern frontier. But Jiang Nan… I must see him pay. It was because of him that Qiongzhang died. Your Majesty and Qiongzhang were close; surely, you cannot bear to see his tragic end go unpunished.”

Emperor Taihe showed little emotion in reaction to Wang Shun’s words. He merely raised his eyebrow, slightly, but didn’t reply with anything definitive. He said, “Hmm. The Jiang family will stay—they’re still needed to support the new reforms.”

As for Jiang Nan, his life or death meant little to the emperor. If Jiang Nan died, there would always be Jiang Runchu to take his place.

The emperor smiled again, then said, “Teacher, you’re right. Like you said, Qiongzhang and I were close.

“Qiongzhang was so close to me that he told me everything.”

His smile carried an inexplicable meaning, one that Wang Shun couldn’t ignore.

Qiongzhang told him ‘everything.’ What did he mean by that?

Emperor Taihe continued, “Teacher, I’ve already defeated you.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Shun finally began to piece things together.

His pupils trembled as he stared at the emperor. He asked, “You knew all along?”

He knew everything all along, didn’t he!?

Yes, considering how close Qiongzhang and the emperor were, Qiongzhang would have told him everything. His relationship with the dancer, their worshipping of Heaven and Earth after that, and the birth of their daughter—he must’ve told Emperor Taihe everything.

Wang Shun felt a wave of despair crash over him. He couldn’t understand—if the emperor had known all this time, why hadn’t he told him sooner!?

If he’d already known about Qiongzhang’s wife and daughter, why didn’t he tell him earlier?

If he had told him, he wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation.

As he thought about this, his eyes reddened. He said to the emperor, “Why did you do this, Zhengze? I admit it—I manipulated you, tricked you, deceived you. That was my fault. But Qiongzhang… Qiongzhang never wronged you. Why did you do this to him? Why did you do this to his wife and daughter?”

Zhengze… Qiongzhang…

What the emperor disliked most was to hear these two names together.

The smile on his face slowly faded.

He said, “Teacher, you are mistaken. The one who wronged Qiongzhang’s wife and daughter wasn’t me—it was you. 

“If you had been gentler with Qiongzhang, would he have hidden things from you? If you had been more mindful and investigated back then who the child taken by the Jiang family belonged to, wouldn’t you have discovered Qiongzhang’s wife and daughter? 

“If I had wanted to interfere, I would have ensured you uncovered nothing. But I did nothing. I merely watched as you made mistakes without giving you any warnings, just as you once coaxed me little by little into handing the authority over the six ministries into your hands… I merely stood by and watched the fire burn from the other shore.

“But it wasn’t me who started that fire. It was you.”

It was Wang Shun. It wasn’t him.

By this point, Emperor Taihe had nothing more to say to the teacher who had guided him for decades.

From the moment that he had stopped being the imperial tutor and became the senior grand secretary, their relationship had begun to take a turn. From that point on, they were destined to fight a battle that’d end only with death.

Now, everything had finally reached its conclusion.

Emperor Taihe rose. He looked down at his former teacher with an air of dominance. He said, “Teacher, regarding Jiang Nan’s matter, I will not intervene when the time comes. However, I hope you will hold true to your word.”

With that, Emperor Taihe left.

After Emperor Taihe’s departure, Wang Shun’s mood worsened considerably. He looked far worse than he had even before the emperor arrived.

He summoned Wang Fu and asked, “Is Gu Huaisheng recovering from his injuries?”

He was naturally aware that the assassins had nearly taken Gu Huaisheng’s life that day.

He’d almost killed her granddaughter’s husband.

If Gu Huaisheng had really died, he would never, ever be able to show his face before Jiang Jingchun again.

She had already suffered so much. She couldn’t lose anyone else.

Wang Fu replied, “His life is no longer in danger. He is currently recuperating at home.”

Wang Shun, who was leaning against the headboard of his bed, slowly nodded upon hearing this.

When he raised his head to look outside the window, the sight of snow covering the ground greeted him. The ground was blanketed in white. It was cold and silent out there.

He feared he wouldn’t make it through this winter.

—

It was almost the end of the first month.

Since Gu Huaisheng’s injuries were quite severe, he spent most of his time lying in bed. The time for the New Year celebration passed in a blur for him.

While he was bedridden, Jiang Jingchun ran around tirelessly to care for him. During the early days, when he was hovering between life and death, she almost treated him like a revered ancestor. She was afraid that even the slightest neglect might hinder his recovery.

Fortunately, Gu Huaisheng’s condition improved. His injuries healed well, and later, he was able to get out of bed and steadily return to his former self.

Today was the twenty-fifth day of the first month. Excluding the days off for the New Year holiday, Gu Huaisheng had missed more than ten days of work due to his sick leave. The post-holiday workload was already heavy, and now case files from the Censorate were piling up one after another at the Gu family residence. He Chuan had even personally made a trip to deliver them. With Gu Huaisheng out of commission, the Censorate felt as if its operations had ground to a halt—he was practically indispensable.

Gu Huaisheng wasn’t one to shirk his duties, either. He had already begun tackling his work affairs from time to time.

Jiang Jingchun had gone to the courtyard kitchen to prepare a bowl of soup for him. When she returned, she found him sitting at his desk and processing some official documents.

The sight instantly made her bristle. She didn’t even set down the soup before she said, “Gu Huaisheng, what are you doing? Is this the time for you to be working? Can’t you wait until you’ve fully recovered?”

She really couldn’t take her eyes off him for even a moment. The second she turned her back, he started exerting himself again.

She was nearly driven to fury. It was one thing for him to throw himself into work recklessly when he was healthy, but to do so while recovering from an injury? She had worked herself to exhaustion taking care of him, yet he didn’t seem to care—he just kept pushing himself.

She set down the bowl of soup on the desk with more force than necessary. It clattered slightly.

Gu Huaisheng felt a pang of guilt upon seeing her upset. He knew he had been the one bedridden, but it was Jiang Jingchun who had borne the brunt of the fatigue during this time. It was natural for her to get angry at the sight of him working again.

He tried to placate her. “It’s fine, really. I’m almost fully recovered. Didn’t the physician say I could get out of bed? There’s so much official business to handle—it’s been piling up for nearly a month…”

But Jiang Jingchun remained irate. “Is it really so urgent that it can’t wait? Are there no other people left in the yamen? You’d gotten stabbed by a sword, yet they still keep sending work your way!”

The more she spoke, the angrier she became. “They’re not the ones looking after you. If you wear yourself out again, do you think they’ll care? Go on, then—keep pushing yourself! The next time you fall ill, don’t expect me to take care of you.”

Just looking at him made her angry now. After saying this, she refused to stay any longer. She turned on her heel and headed for the door.

Gu Huaisheng immediately stood and tried to follow her. He intended to coax her back. However, she spun around and stopped him in his tracks before he could. She said, “You’re not allowed to follow me! I need some peace and quiet, alone.”

Since he was going to work on official matters regardless of her objections, why waste time coming after her to appease her?

He’d better just finish dealing with those matters early so he could rest early.

She pointed to the bowl on the desk and said, “Just finish the soup quickly before it gets cold.”

After saying this, she went away.

Gu Huaisheng stood there for a moment. Then, he decided against chasing after her. He obediently drank the soup and returned to his work. 

The sooner he finished his work, the sooner Jiang Jingchun would calm down as well.

Since Gu Huaisheng was still injured, he could only bear working for about half an hour. At that moment, Shuliang came in from outside.

He came bearing news about Cen Yin.

He said to Gu Huaisheng, “Young Master, we have found information about Cen Yin.”

Gu Huaisheng set down his pen and looked up at him.

Shuliang continued, “Cen Yin was a dancer in a brothel…”

He had pored over the household registry records to search for Cen Yin’s name. It had been more than a decade since the events in question, which made the investigation challenging, but after much effort, he had finally uncovered something.

Shuliang continued, “She was purchased by Director Li from the brothel. He’d taken her to his home.”

Purchased by Director Li…?

Gu Huaisheng’s eyebrows furrowed deeply after he heard this.

If Cen Yin had been purchased by Director Li, did that mean she’d become his woman? Did this mean Director Li was Jiang Jingchun’s father?

No… Something didn’t seem right…

Gu Huaisheng couldn’t shake the feeling in his heart that something about this was strange.

When Gu Huaisheng was still a child, he’d once seen that woman—Cen Yin. The residence she lived in was lavish and luxurious beyond measure. It far exceeded anything that the Li family could have afforded, even when they were at the height of their prosperity. Moreover, even if they could afford it, a person like Director Li wouldn’t have spent so much money on a woman.

How could a man like him, who used women and discarded them as he pleased, treat a female dancer like her so nicely?

Moreover, before her death, Cen Yin had seemed deeply attached to her husband. Gu Huaisheng couldn’t believe that someone like Director Li could inspire such devotion. 

After mulling it over, he instructed, “Track down Director Li immediately. Ask him if he remembers Cen Yin. Use whatever means necessary—threats, coercion—just make him tell the truth.”

Shuliang understood the urgency of the matter and quickly left to carry out the order.

Gu Huaisheng pondered for a while. Then, just as he was about to get up, he saw Jiang Jingchun coming back from outside.

She was frowning, and she looked as if she was holding her breath from anger. After entering, she first kicked off her embroidered shoes, and then climbed onto the chaise. She picked up a storybook and read it. While she ‘read,’ she turned the pages loudly, one page after another. The pages turned faster than she could actually read them.

Gu Huaisheng couldn’t help but chuckle. He walked over to the chaise, crouched down, and neatly arranged her discarded shoes before leaning closer to her.

He said, “I’ve only worked for half an hour. I’ll stop now.”

Jiang Jingchun ignored him. She seemed focused solely on her storybook, though it was obvious that she was still angry towards him.

Gu Huaisheng reached out and took her wrist. His thumb brushed lightly against her skin. 

“I’m really almost fully recovered,” he assured her. “I used to work for entire afternoons without a break. Half an hour is nothing.”

Jiang Jingchun sarcastically replied, “Oh, yes, you’re so capable. Who says you can’t sit there for an entire afternoon this time either? No one’s stopping you. Go ahead, sit. I’m not going to stop you.”

So she said she wasn’t going to stop him? If he really did as she said, she’d probably beat and kick him, maybe even flip the entire room over.

After she said this, Jiang Jingchun flung his hand away.

Gu Huaisheng, whose hand she had shaken off, dramatically collapsed onto the chaise lounge.

She had merely shrugged off his hand, but he acted as though he’d been stabbed with another sword.

“Oh, it hurts so much, Cousin…”

He lay on the chaise, and his face contorted in pain.

Jiang Jingchun suspected he was faking it. After all, all she had done was shake off his hand. She hadn’t pushed him, nor had she touched any of his injuries. How could he feel hurt?

She anxiously looked at him. “Gu Huaisheng, what’s wrong with you?”

Gu Huaisheng gazed at her and said, “As long as you stop being mad at me, I won’t hurt anymore…”

As soon as he said this, Jiang Jingchun was certain he was putting on an act.

“How can you be like this!?” she scolded angrily.

Gu Huaisheng didn’t dare to keep the act up anymore. He quickly sat up and hugged her. He knew he’d upset her, so he immediately softened his tone as he said, “I was wrong. I was just afraid you wouldn’t pay attention to me. I swear I won’t pretend anymore…”

His voice carried a hint of pleading, and Jiang Jingchun found herself unable to stay mad. In the end, all she could do was grumble, “You’re always like this. You never take care of yourself…”

Gu Huaisheng froze for a moment. Hearing this, he nuzzled his face into her neck and said softly, “I really am almost fully recovered. Don’t worry, I know my limits. You’ve been taking care of me all this time. How could I bear to let myself fall apart and make you suffer?

“Please don’t be mad at me anymore…”

Jiang Jingchun didn’t respond right away. After a long silence, she finally let out a muffled ‘Mm.’ Her arms slowly wrapped around him as well.

She added, “And one more thing—don’t you dare pretend to be sick and scare me again. You nearly scared me to death.”

—

The Ministry of Personnel soon completed their grand evaluation. They had been busy with it since the last month of last year, and even after returning from the New Year celebrations, officials from the ministry were still occupied with the matter. Finally, by the end of the first month, the assessments and promotions or demotions of officials from various ministries and regions were completed.

Some time ago, Song Xuanjing had spoken to Secretariat Elder Song about the matter Wang Shun had instructed him to bring up. Unexpectedly, the old man had truly taken it to heart.

Secretariat Elder Song had long considered purchasing an official post for Song Xuan’an, but later, Song He opposed the idea, and Song Xuan’an himself was unwilling.

In Secretariat Elder Song’s eyes, while Song Xuan’an had been diligent lately, he feared it was only a momentary burst of enthusiasm, spurred by the incident with Jiang Jingchun. Whether he could sustain it for a year was uncertain, let alone for three years.

Rather than gambling on the next provincial-level imperial exams, he thought that it would be better to take advantage of this Ministry of Personnel evaluation and secure a position for Song Xuan’an in the Ministry of Revenue. He himself would remain in office for another three years and could keep an eye on him, which was far more reliable.

He did not discuss this matter with Song Xuan’an. The boy had his own youthful ideals and likely wouldn’t appreciate such arrangements. Better to keep quiet—once everything was settled and finalised, there would be no room for objections.

He sought out Jiang Nan.

Jiang Nan felt that this wasn’t entirely appropriate, but he did not refuse. After all, Secretariat Elder Song had once helped him a lot.

Moreover, it was just a minor position under the Ministry of Revenue… nothing of consequence.

If questioned, he could always say that he gave the position to Song Xuan’an because of his family elder’s great merits.

However, in recent years, the emperor had been emphasising the imperial examination system. Although he had not explicitly banned such appointments, he largely disfavoured and rejected them.

What they were doing was exploiting a loophole.

As long as no one publicly denounced it, there would be no issue.

At present, Wang Shun was gravely ill and unlikely to interfere.

With this thought, Jiang Nan no longer felt apprehensive.

That evening, after finishing dinner, he returned to his study. The Ministry of Personnel’s grand evaluation had concluded, and once he wrapped up some final matters, he would be completely free.

The room was already lit with candles.

Without Jiang Nan noticing, the ink on his desk had run out. He didn’t feel like going out and summoning a servant, so he walked over to the storage shelf to retrieve a new ink stick.

But then, his eyes fell on something placed on the nearby rack.

He picked it up and examined it. Then, his hands began to tremble. 

What was meant to come had finally arrived.

The bitter fruit sown over a decade ago had at last returned to devour him.

That night, he summoned Jiang Runchu.

Jiang Runchu had no idea what had happened or why Jiang Nan had suddenly called for him.

They were seated face to face as Jiang Nan instructed him, “When I am no longer here in the future, you must support the Jiang family well. Maintain good relations with the Gu family. Do not quarrel with Fuyan. Your aunt is kind-hearted and has always had a good relationship with me. As long as you don’t act foolishly, even if something happens, the Gu family will help you…”

Jiang Nan’s tone was unsettling, and Jiang Runchu quickly sensed that something was wrong.

What did he mean by ‘when I’m no longer here’? Why wouldn’t he be here anymore? Why did he sound as if he were leaving final instructions, as though he were giving a farewell testament?

Jiang Runchu frowned. He looked at Jiang Nan in confusion and asked, “Father, why are you saying all this…?”

Jiang Nan didn’t answer him. He just continued giving his instructions.

He said, “In the future, His Majesty may implement the reforms that Shen Changqing once proposed. You must support them. Follow Secretariat Elder Song’s lead…”

Jiang Runchu grew anxious and interrupted him. His voice carried a hint of panic as he said, “Father, what exactly are you doing? Why are you saying all this?”

After hearing Jiang Nan speak this way, how could Jiang Runchu not be afraid?

Jiang Nan looked at him with a gaze that was devoid of emotion. At the moment when his fate was about to be sealed, he only felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

In these past days, he had finally come to understand—truly understand.

Karma would never fail to catch up with someone.

He had killed people, spent half his life covering up crimes, and committed nearly every atrocity imaginable. Now, his retribution had come.

He did not answer Jiang Runchu’s question. He merely said, “I must go where I ought to go. From now on, the Jiang family is in your hands.”

“Take care of your mother. And… your sister. Treat Xiaohui well—make sure you treat her well. Her first ten-odd years have been a complete mess.”

Jiang Runchu wanted to say more, but Jiang Nan dismissed him.

No matter how Jiang Runchu questioned him, he remained silent.

In the end, Jiang Runchu saw no way forward, so he stopped speaking, rose, and left.

---

Three days after the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation concluded, the results of the officials’ promotions were announced.

Gu Huaisheng, who had previously served as the left assistant censor-in-chief at the Censorate, was promoted this year to left vice censor-in-chief.

The left censor-in-chief retired after the New Year and returned to his hometown instead of resuming office. As such, his position was filled by the former left vice censor-in-chief. The former left vice censor-in-chief’s position was vacated, and Gu Huaisheng naturally stepped up to take his place.

Despite his young age, his promotion to a third-rank official post sparked no objections. His capabilities and achievements were evident to all—if anyone wished to challenge it, they would first need to prove themselves more competent than him.

Thus, Gu Huaisheng became the left vice censor-in-chief.

The news arrived while he and Jiang Jingchun were having lunch.

Upon hearing it, Jiang Jingchun beamed with delight. “Gu Huaisheng, you’ve been promoted again.”

All his days of hard work had not been in vain.

Gu Huaisheng didn’t feel much upon hearing the news, but seeing Jiang Jingchun happy made him smile as well.

At the same time, however, another piece of news spread—

It was said that Jiang Nan had committed dereliction of duty and accepted a bribe, and that someone had reported him for it. The Embroidered Uniform Guard raided the Jiang family residence and found incriminating evidence. Now, Jiang Nan was imprisoned in the prison of the Censorate.

Gu Huaisheng and Jiang Jingchun exchanged a glance.

Jiang Jingchun’s eyes showed a hint of shock…

How could this be? Why would Jiang Nan commit dereliction of duty and accept a bribe?

Though Jiang Jingchun wasn’t particularly close to him, he had a general understanding of Jiang Nan’s character.

He wasn’t the type of person to do such things.

What was going on?

After questioning the messenger, they learned that Secretariat Elder Song had bribed Jiang Nan to secure a position for Song Xuan’an in the Ministry of Revenue.

Someone with ulterior motives reported this to the Censorate, and later, evidence of the Song family’s bribery was found in the Jiang family residence.

If there had been no bribery involved, Jiang Nan and his people could have argued that it was an appointment made through the merits of the person’s elders. In that case, the decision of whether to punish him or not would have been entirely up to the emperor.

But if bribery was involved, then the situation was much more difficult to justify.

It was expected… Ever since the autumn hunt, when Gu Huaisheng discovered Jiang Jinghui’s connection to Wang Shun, he had foreseen this day coming.

He had warned Jiang Nan, but clearly, Jiang Nan hadn’t taken his words to heart.

Or perhaps, Jiang Nan had already resigned himself to his fate.

---

After Jiang Nan was arrested, both the Jiang and Song families descended into chaos.

For now, the Song family remained untouched. Jiang Nan’s case and theirs were not on the same level. Besides, Secretariat Elder Song was still a secondary grand secretary in the Grand Secretariat. 

Moreover, Wang Shun had been bedridden due to illness for quite some time. People had already keenly sensed the shifting political winds; it seemed unlikely that Wang Shun would survive the winter. Many had begun secretly turning their allegiance towards Secretariat Elder Song.

Secretariat Elder Song was untouchable, so they simply arrested Song He as a scapegoat to settle the matter.

They were all from the Song family anyway. The case was about the Song family’s bribery, and they had never actually specified to the public exactly who from the Song family had done it. What difference did it make whom they arrested?

Jiang Nan was locked up in prison. Upon hearing the news, LadyLi fainted on the spot. When she came to, she immediately sought out Gu Huaisheng’s connections to visit Jiang Nan in prison.

Lady Li and Jiang Jinghui arrived at the Censorate Prison.

Night had fallen, and the torches on the prison walls flickered dimly.

Jiang Nan curled up in the corner. He shivered under a single thin cotton blanket.

Upon hearing movement behind him, he turned and saw Lady Li and Jiang Jinghui. He slowly got up.

Jiang Nan first looked at Lady Li, then at Jiang Jinghui behind her. He remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head.

Just a few days ago, he had been fine—how had things come to this so suddenly?

Lady Li’s eyes reddened at the sight.

Upon hearing her sobs, Jiang Nan hung his head even lower and said, “Stop crying…”

His words only made Lady Li angrier. She immediately scolded him, “How could you accept a bribe!? If you don’t care about your own life, that’s one thing, but do you want to drag our entire family down with you? Do you want us all to die!?”

She simply couldn’t understand why he had done such a thing.

Jiang Nan replied, “Don’t try to save me. Go and beg A-Ruo, beg Fuyan—so that the rest of the Jiang family won’t be implicated in this case.”

The mistake was his alone.

Hearing this, Lady Li became even angrier. She had been racking her brain for ways to rescue him, yet he had already resigned himself to his fate and was now telling her not to bother saving him.

He even said there was no need to trouble Gu Huaisheng anymore. The evidence was irrefutable, and seeking help would be futile.

Seeing his demeanour, Lady Li realised that he had long anticipated this outcome. She demanded, “You say not to save you—but if you die, what will happen to the rest of our family!?”

Jiang Nan merely lowered his head in silence and offered no response.

Seeing him like this, Lady Li’s heart burned with frustration. No matter what she said, he just sat there like a lifeless log.

She stopped speaking, turned around, and took Jiang Jinghui with her to leave.

But just as they reached the door, Jiang Nan called out to Jiang Jinghui.

He said, “Xiaohui, Father has something to say to you. Stay behind, just for a few words, alright?”

Jiang Jinghui turned to Lady Li and said, “Mother, please step outside first. I’ll speak with Father alone for a moment.”

Hearing this, Lady Li didn’t insist on staying. She turned and left, giving them space to talk.

Jiang Jinghui was the one to break the silence first. Her gaze was cold as she looked at him and asked, “Didn’t you already figure it out? Why did you still let yourself be arrested?”

She had placed those two land deeds from the Song family in such an obvious spot. Did he not understand what he needed to do? Instead of handling the evidence, he had foolishly allowed himself to be captured. Was he a fool?

Jiang Nan said nothing. Instead, he looked at Jiang Jinghui and asked a question he had posed once before—during the autumn hunt, he had asked her if she remembered anything from when she was three years old.

Jiang Jinghui had said she didn’t remember.

She didn’t remember, so today, he would tell her about the life their family of four once had.

Jiang Nan said to her, “When you were first born, the midwife told me you were a girl. I was so happy because your older brother was too naughty, and I didn’t like that. I thought, if I had a daughter, she would surely be obedient and well-behaved, much more lovable than your brother.”

Jiang Jinghui looked at Jiang Nan. She didn’t understand why he was suddenly bringing up these old memories. Yet, just hearing these words made her eyes sting with unshed tears.

She turned her head away and stopped looking at Jiang Nan.

Outside, the cold wind howled like a mournful wail. The chill seeped through the small prison window, which made the entire cell unbearably frigid.

Jiang Nan’s voice, carried by the wind’s sorrowful cries, seemed to awaken a long-buried memory in Jiang Jinghui’s mind.

When she was first born, she hadn’t been very pretty. Her entire face was scrunched up and wrinkled, so ugly it was almost laughable. However, Jiang Nan had looked at her and loved her just the same. If his daughter was beautiful, he would love her. If she wasn’t, he would still love her.

When Jiang Jinghui grew a little older, she became fair and plump, and even more lovable.

By the time she was two, she could say simple words. The first word she spoke was ‘Father.’

When she learned to crawl, she would always make her way to the doorway around the time Jiang Nan was due to return home. She would sit by the doorframe, waiting for him, and no one could carry her away.

When she learned to walk, she ventured even farther. Every day, she loved running to the courtyard gate to wait for him.

Jiang Nan adored this clingy child from the bottom of his heart. Every time he came home from work, the first thing he did was hoist her onto his shoulders and carry her around.

Their father-daughter bond was so deep that even Lady Li found it excessive.

During that time, the four of them lived happily together. At that time, Jiang Nan had almost forgotten what he had done. He nearly forgot that those days of happiness were stolen from someone else, built upon another’s life.

His family was whole, and his career was flourishing. He no longer had to worry about going hungry. His mother no longer had to starve herself just to save food for them. In the capital, those who used to mock them as a declining noble family were growing fewer and fewer…

He was living well, but someone had died beneath the deep lake for it.

Until one day, that brief happiness was shattered.

Xiaohui was kidnapped.

In the end, Jiang Nan paid the price for his actions.

He had always known. The moment Jiang Jinghui went missing at the age of three, he already guessed—it was Wang Shun’s doing.

He had killed a man and finally obtained everything he wanted. But in the end, his daughter bore a calamity in his place.

For his own selfish desires, he had murdered Wang Yu.

And then, his daughter was taken because of it.

For over ten years, Jiang Nan searched for Jiang Jinghui. For ten whole years, he had oscillated between hope and despair. He never stopped looking for her.

Not a single day passed without him thinking of finding her.

At last, he received news of Jiang Jinghui. His Xiaohui had finally returned.

But this time, it seemed she had come for revenge.

Jiang Nan couldn’t fail to notice it. Gu Huaisheng had even warned him very explicitly the last time. However, he had still chosen to turn a blind eye.

And then, one day, in his own room, he found something that did not belong to him…

It was two property deeds from the Song family.

Two courtyard residences, worth about three thousand taels.

They were more than enough to warrant a death sentence.

Jiang Nan pretended not to see them.

If Wang Shun’s revenge against him was through Jiang Jinghui, then it had to be said—he had succeeded.

Jiang Nan had killed his son.

Wang Shun had taken his daughter and used her against him.

A life for a life.

Even if Jiang Nan had come to understand fate in the end, he was still destined to die in this confrontation.

He decided to die. And when he made that decision, a deep sense of relief filled his heart.

These ten years were finally over.

Jiang Nan looked at Jiang Jinghui. His eyes were already filled with tears, though these tears were not for himself.

He said, “Xiaohui, all the suffering you endured is your father’s fault. What happens to me today is what I deserve. From now on, look ahead. Keep looking forward—your life will always get better…”

Even now, he was still urging her to move on.

Jiang Jinghui didn’t know when the tears had begun streaming down her face. Eventually, she could no longer stay. She turned and ran outside.

Only now did Jiang Jinghui realise—she had personally destroyed the one who loved her most.

But it seemed this realisation… it was already too late.