Tong Xiyan sat there in a daze, unexpectedly conjuring the image of Jiang Shilin in her mind.

Once upon a time, a man had told her the same words, and she believed she had found happiness, never anticipating that they would drift further apart, leading to love turning into hate upon their next meeting. Unconsciously, she took a step back, but just then, her hand was grasped by someone, Madam Jiang smiled at her.

Tong Xiyan’s heart settled slightly, and the image of Zhou Bohan appeared before her, turning to look at her with eyes pure and sincere, devoid of the slightest distraction—steadfast and confident, making her feel inexplicably calm in that moment...

She had always believed in love, thinking that if she couldn’t marry her true love in this life, she would rather live alone until the end, without regret or loss. But now, she suddenly felt shaken.

"Sister-in-law." Tong Xiyan leaned against Madam Jiang’s shoulder, asking in a low voice: "Should I agree?" Madam Zhou’s words were so earnest; she didn’t force her, only showed the best side of Zhou Bohan, sincerely proposing marriage. Just as she said right before leaving, the final choice remained in her hands.

"Fourth sister." Madam Jiang replied: "I was only twelve when I got engaged to your brother, knowing nothing at that time, spending days embroidering and reading quietly, thinking I would wait calmly for the day I got married. But I never imagined the many twists and turns to follow: first your brother mourning, then me mourning too. I was so scared then, as my family gradually declined, having to let the Lord wait for me for three years; I feared Lady wouldn’t wait and would cancel the engagement, living in constant anxiety." She said, holding Tong Xiyan’s hand with a smile: "You know, when I heard the Lord refused to cancel the engagement, saying he wouldn’t marry anyone else, I was so overjoyed... I remember hiding under the covers, laughing and crying."

Tong Xiyan sat straight, looking at Madam Jiang.

Tears already graced Madam Jiang’s eyes, she smiled and said: "Before that, we hadn’t even met, knowing each other only through hearsay, so I am certain that the Lord did not say such things out of love for me." She gazed at Tong Xiyan: "It’s because of responsibility... some people never make promises lightly, yet whatever they utter, they’ll strive to fulfill it with all their might—the Lord is such a person. So I feel my perseverance, effort, and dedication are all worthwhile. Even if I were to die for him, I would do so gladly, for I know this man would never betray me in this life."

Tong Xiyan looked confused, but Madam Jiang continued: "However, some people speak sweet words daily that make you swoon, but once faced with trials, their changes and retreat are swift—such people are unreliable... Fourth sister, I don’t know Lord Zhou, so I dare not determine what kind of person he is..." She sighed lightly: "I’m just telling you to trust your intuition to decide, sister-in-law supports you."

"Sister-in-law!" Tong Xiyan hugged Madam Jiang, not speaking for a long time.

What should she do? Madam Zhou pleading like that made it impossible not to feel softhearted; Zhou Bohan, handsome and upright, naturally swayed her, but all this couldn’t instantly erase her inner fears, leaving her hesitant, confused, and at a loss!

Tong Xiyan sighed deeply, holding the key Madam Zhou gave her, becoming lost in thought!

The next day, Zhou Family’s proposal to Vice Minister Tong Mansion caused a stir across half the city; had it been an ordinary couple’s wedding, there would not have been such commotion. But Zhou Bohan and Tong Xiyan were different—those in the know were aware that Zhou Bohan and Tong Xiyan had been engaged years ago, then separated and married elsewhere, only to each end up divorced and widowed. Nobody expected the Zhou Family to propose again at Tong Mansion.

It seemed like a joke, but it left many sighing in amazement, pondering its implications.

"Old Fourth." Han Cheng lay slumped over in Fourth Master Xiao’s study, the gray stubble on his chin accentuating his already weary face. He downed half a jar of wine after throwing aside the bottle, lamented: "I hate myself."

Fourth Master Xiao frowned deeply, glancing at Han Cheng, recalling Xiqiu’s words; the issue wasn’t what Madam Hong said, but rather herself.

Indeed, Xiqiu was not wrong—Madam Hong was indeed extraordinary.

"Let’s drink. I’ll drink with you!" Fourth Master Xiao came over, toasting Han Cheng with the wine jar, then patted Han Cheng’s chest: "When did you become so indecisive? This doesn’t resemble the Han Cheng I know."

Han Cheng frowned deeply, filled with agony, holding his head and said: "Years ago when you promised your wife never to take a concubine in this life, I made fun of you. Now I finally understand your feelings."

"What feelings, don’t speak such nonsense," Fourth Master Xiao drank with him, then said: "Either go to Tong Mansion now, or go home and sleep. This is nothing, yet better than Zhou Bohan, just a scholar!"

Han Cheng didn’t raise his head, waving his hand: "Old Fourth, you don’t understand!" He sighed: "Those two kids she left, I swore at her grave to take good care of them, even if I remarry, never to favor one over the other, but now..." His face was filled with depression, struggling to continue.

Fourth Master Xiao’s brows furrowed, kicking him lightly: "What do those two kids know? You don’t find solutions but wallow in self-pity here." He waved his hand: "Get out, get out, stop blocking my sight!"

Han Cheng paused, glancing at Fourth Master Xiao, who continued: "Even if it’s not Fourth Miss Tong, it could be another woman. Are you planning never to remarry? If you intend not to, then I’ll say nothing. If you don’t intend that, then this issue endures—how long do you plan to escape?"

Han Cheng suddenly stood, intensely gazing at Fourth Master Xiao, nodding: "You’re right. Even if I remain a widower, those two rascals need to be dealt with." He said, stepping away broadly.

Fourth Master Xiao moving his eyebrows, shaking the wine jar, casually tossing it onto the table, heading into the inner courtyard.

Jiang Shilin dipped his brush, a drop of ink fell onto the document, his heart felt sharply pierced, making his mind fuzzy.

Is she getting married?

In panic, he dropped his wolf hair brush, staggered out of the government office, blind to greetings from colleagues on the way, who looked puzzled behind him, murmuring: "What’s wrong with Lord Jiang? Did the Emperor reprimand him?"

"It’s not even noon, and he hasn’t entered the palace—how could the Emperor have reprimanded him?" Another person raised an eyebrow, lowering their voice, pointing toward Hanlin Academy’s direction: "I suspect it might be related to Lord Zhou?"