Their eyes met, and suddenly, everything became clear.

This is the nature of a man’s possessiveness; the things that are mine, I may choose to abandon or discard, but it doesn’t mean that just because I’ve thrown them away others are allowed to pick them up... The two of them understood this as they watched Jiang Shilin stumble away unsteadily.

Jiang Shilin returned to Jiang Mansion, and standing at the entrance, thoughts of the women inside filled him with irritation, causing him to leave without a backward glance. He made his way to Hongyan Building, where it was lunchtime and the place was bustling. The main topic of conversation, of course, was the peculiar fate of the Zhou and Tong families. Though nothing was finalized, it provided plenty of material for their gossip.

Qian Xiaolian smiled as he sipped his drink, his eyes landing on Jiang Shilin as he ascended the stairs, a look of surprise crossing his face. Then, recalling the rumors circulating on the street today, he immediately understood the reason. He sneered in amusement... He and Jiang Shilin had also fallen to similar misfortune.

"Mr. Qian, let’s substitute tea for alcohol." His friend beside him invited him with a smile, "You’re a blessed individual; although your marriage hasn’t been finalized, you are apprenticed to Lord Tong, and have a close friend like Lord Tong Junior. As long as you succeed in the examinations, your future will be limitless."

"Not at all!" Qian Xiaolian responded courteously, noticing Jiang Shilin sitting by the window. He ordered a drink and began to drink alone.

It wasn’t until sunset that Jiang Shilin finally staggered out of Hongyan Building, his eyes unfocused as he unwittingly arrived at the entrance to Tong Mansion. Fueled by alcohol, he knocked loudly on the door. The gate boy saw him, startled, then smelled the heavy scent of alcohol on him, cautiously asking, "Vice Minister Jiang? Do you have any business here?"

"I want to see Tong Xiyan." He waved his arm, pushing aside the boy: "Did you hear me? I want to see Tong Xiyan." He crossed the threshold, entering the mansion, leaving the boy looking perplexed. Considering Jiang’s relationship with Tong Mansion and his own status, the boy was unsure whether to stop or welcome him. After some thought, he called for a maid and instructed her, "Quick, inform the Master and First Young Madam that Vice Minister Jiang, Lord Jiang, is here." The maid quickly went into the courtyard.

"Lord Jiang, Vice Minister Jiang..." The boy hesitated, not daring to stop him but equally afraid to let him proceed, caught in a dilemma.

Jiang Shilin roughly shoved him aside: "Get lost!" He strode inside, raising his hands as if trying to discern the location of the West Courtyard within Tong Mansion...

Surely the inner courtyard wouldn’t let him barge in recklessly. Soon enough, seven or eight maids and servants surrounded Jiang Shilin, hesitant to use force but determined to prevent him from advancing further...

Before long, the First Master issued orders: He instructed the two personal servants and Manager Lai to escort the drunken Lord Jiang back to his mansion.

Right now, Jiang Shilin had only one thought in mind: he wanted to see Tong Xiyan. He didn’t have a reason; he didn’t even know what he wanted to say to her—he just wanted to see her.

The outer courtyard was abuzz, and Jiang Shilin charged forward fueled by alcohol, with others hesitant to harm him, allowing him to hold the upper hand for the moment.

"What exactly does he want?" Tong Xiyan stood up abruptly, anger evident on her face as she grasped Daiju’s hand: "Come on, let’s go out and see."

"Miss!" Daiju hesitated with a worried expression: "It’s crowded out there right now, and if word spreads tomorrow..." The Miss was already well-known in the Capital, and if this incident with Lord Jiang were to leak out, it would surely become even harder to manage.

Tong Xiyan furrowed her brows tightly: "Are we just going to let him continue causing a ruckus?" Without further word to Daiju, she exited the room without looking back and headed toward the second gate.

Daiju watched Tong Xiyan’s back with a sigh, knowing that the Miss still hadn’t truly let go of Lord Jiang!

Jiang Shilin leaned against a wall, staring at the people in front of him with blurry vision. He squinted for a long time before recognizing the face in front of him, and suddenly he sobered up slightly, murmuring, "Xiyan!"

Tong Xiyan looked at the disheveled, sloppily dressed Jiang Shilin, appearing like a drunkard, and frowned. Watching him step closer, she suddenly felt he was a stranger, so unfamiliar that she began to doubt whether they had ever known each other and if he was indeed the man she once loved deeply.

Tong Xiyan took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief, while Jiang Shilin stared at her, confirming: "Xiyan... how have you been?"

Tong Xiyan’s voice was icy, devoid of emotion: "I’m very well, thank you for your concern, Lord Jiang."

Tong Xiyan’s indifference left Jiang Shilin startled. He reached out to try and touch her, but Tong Xiyan sidestepped his hand, angrily saying: "Lord Jiang, please show some respect." She paused and then added: "It’s late; Lord Jiang should head back soon."

"Xiyan," Jiang Shilin said, "I just wanted to talk to you, just to see if you’re living well."

"Escort Lord Jiang back." Tong Xiyan turned coldly and glanced at Jiang Shilin: "Lord Jiang should return soon; otherwise, the Imperial Censor might have another charge against you tomorrow." She paused, turned, and instructed sternly: "Go to Jiang Mansion, inform Madam Jiang that Lord Jiang is drunk, and have her send someone to bring him back." Finished, she entered through the Ruyi Gate without looking back.

Seeing her leave, Jiang Shilin rushed after her: "Xiyan, Xiyan!"

Tong Xiyan had already stepped inside, and as she turned away, tears began to fall. She thought that the love she had guarded would remain in her heart for a lifetime, unforgettable till death—even if hurt, it would be a wound never easy to heal or face. But she hadn’t realized that somewhere along the way, everything had been quietly changing...

Love was no longer love, not even hatred remained. How could she be so calm, calmly facing Jiang Shilin, calmly reflecting on all they had shared, without the slightest ripple in her heart...

She suddenly remembered what Xiqiu had said: "Time is the best remedy in this world..."

Has she been healed by time?

Jiang Shilin was pushed and dragged to the gate by Tong Mansion workers. A carriage was ready outside, and Manager Lai, ignoring Jiang Shilin’s struggle, directed several men to lift him onto the carriage. With a snap of the whip, they headed straight for Jiang Mansion.

Madam Jiang had heard the news early on, waiting at the Yimen entrance with maids and matrons. Old Madam Jiang, along with Madam Mei and Madam He, approached from another side, and upon seeing Madam Jiang, Old Madam Jiang furrowed her brows with displeasure.

Madam Jiang didn’t have time for squabbles, constantly reflecting on the messenger’s words: The Second Young Master had gotten drunk and ran to Tong Mansion, insisting on seeing Fourth Miss, causing a scene before being thrown out.

Thinking of this, Madam Jiang felt a burning shame, as if slapped across the face, boiling with anger.

She had heard about Tong Xiyan and Zhou Bohan’s matter and considered it merely entertainment, hoping for a laugh, but she hadn’t expected that before they became a joke, she herself had become the laughingstock of others!