47, why is it you?

Jiang Shuwan said to Gu Xin beside her through gritted teeth, her voice low, "Let's go."

Gu Xin also knew this was not the place to talk and followed behind her.

Lady Li watched their retreating figures, her eyes turning deep and dark.

It seemed that Gu Xin had developed feelings for Jiang Shuwan. As long as she kept this in mind, even if Jiang Shuwan married into the Marquis's Mansion, she would not live a peaceful life.

Jiang Shuwan and Gu Xin walked across the courtyard to a rockery, where her expression turned thoroughly icy. "Your Highness, why did you say Lin Rou's miscarriage had something to do with me?"

Thinking of the child he and Lin Rou had conceived during this exact same period in their previous life—though he never cared for Lin Rou, the memory of Gu Lin's sweet and sensible nature from back then made Gu Xin feel an ache in his heart now that the child was lost.

"Jiang Shuwan, if you dislike children, I could have simply kept her confined to her courtyard. Why did you have to be so cruel as to destroy her unborn child? That was a life too. How could you be so heartless?"

"If the Heir Apparent has no evidence, do not speak nonsense," Jiang Shuwan said coldly.

"Your constant targeting of Lin Rou—isn't that evidence enough? Younger Sister Wan, mistaking your identity was my fault. I never wanted to marry Lin Rou; the only person I have ever wanted to marry is you."

With those words, he stepped forward and pulled Jiang Shuwan tightly into his arms.

Jiang Shuwan felt a wave of utter nausea. She struggled free and struck him hard across the face.

"Gu Xin, before long I shall be your stepmother. Please conduct yourself with dignity. I had nothing to do with Lin Rou's miscarriage. If you dare to act recklessly again, I will report all of this to the Dowager and your father, and it won't be just a slap you have to deal with then."

With a burning sensation stinging his cheek, Gu Xin stared at her in utter disbelief.

Jiang Shuwan did not spare him even a glance, turning on her heel and walking away with long strides.

Gu Xin called out to her retreating back, "Younger Sister Wan, haven't you always liked me? Why did you agree to marry my father?"

Suddenly, something struck him square on the forehead. Pain washed over him like a flood. Clutching his brow, he looked around frantically and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Who is it? Who the hell is out there? Show yourself to this Heir Apparent!"

Yet, after shouting for a long while, no one appeared.

Cursing under his breath, he had no choice but to leave.

Jiang Shuwan walked in a wide circle around the courtyard. Looking at the unfamiliar scenery, she felt a vague sense of bewilderment.

Although in her past life she had married Gu Xin and lived in the Marquis of Pingning's Mansion for the better part of her life, she had rarely stepped outside her quarters and was truly unfamiliar with the layout of the sprawling estate.

"Why is this mansion so huge? Where on earth is the exit?" Jiang Shuwan muttered to herself.

Abruptly, she bumped into a solid figure. Arms wrapped around her waist, catching her by surprise. Jiang Shuwan gasped and tried to step back, but the embrace tightened around her, the faint scent of sandalwood brushing against her nose.

Jiang Shuwan raised her head just as a ray of sunlight pierced through the canopy, casting a hazy golden glow over the man, making him look like a descending deity. Yet, those familiar contours were unmistakably etched in her memory.

"Why is it you?" Jiang Shuwan asked in astonishment.

"What? Who were you hoping it would be?" Gu Yunting's eyes deepened noticeably.

Jiang Shuwan asked tentatively, "Did you see everything?"

"What are you referring to?" Gu Yunting's grip on her waist tightened by a fraction.

"Ah, nothing," Jiang Shuwan forced an awkward smile. "Since the Marquis has returned, I shall take my leave."

Regardless of whether he had witnessed her entangled with Gu Xin, since Gu Yunting chose not to expose it now, it was best for her to leave as soon as possible.

Otherwise, given his astute mind, there was no telling what he might deduce.

Her conscience was clear, but if he let his imagination run wild, it would do her more harm than good.

The moment Jiang Shuwan turned to leave, Gu Yunting caught her by the wrist. "Are you really in such a hurry to leave the moment you see me?"

"No, it's just that..."

"My lady, my lady! The Earl says to hurry, they are waiting for you at the entrance to return home!"

Before Jiang Shuwan could finish her excuse, Lusu hurried over.

Jiang Shuwan let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "Marquis, you heard her, my father and the others are waiting for me. I must be going."

Without daring to linger a moment longer, she turned and hurried away.

Watching Jiang Shuwan's retreating figure, Gu Yunting's eyes grew deep and inscrutable.

Utterly unaware of his gaze, Jiang Shuwan only relaxed once she confirmed he was not pursuing her.

"My lady, wasn't I clever? I found a way to rescue you," Lusu said, fishing for praise.

She had originally been standing guard not far away for Jiang Shuwan, but in the blink of an eye, her mistress had vanished. After searching frantically in all directions for quite some time, she finally spotted Jiang Shuwan. She had intended to come forward, but upon seeing Gu Yunting approach Jiang Shuwan, she had wisely stayed at a distance.

Seeing the anxious expression on Jiang Shuwan's face, she had stepped in to break the tension.

"You are the cleverest of all," Jiang Shuwan said, raising a finger to gently tap Lusu's forehead.

Pleased, Lusu beamed foolishly.

Lusu led Jiang Shuwan toward the main entrance.

Upon stepping outside, however, the area was completely deserted—the Jiang family members had long since departed. Looking at the empty space, the corners of Jiang Shuwan's mouth curled into a cold smile.

Lusu indignantly voiced her grievance, "They went too far! Leaving the young miss behind again."

"Let's go."

Jiang Shuwan had expected this maneuver all along, having long since ceased to harbor any expectations toward them.

The moment they returned to their own estate, a servant hurried over to summon Jiang Shuwan to the Hall of Benevolence.

Upon entering, Jiang Shuwan found both Jiang Xunian and Lady Li present, while the Dowager's expression looked exceptionally grim.

Gracefully stepping inside, she offered formal greetings to each of them in turn.

The Dowager said coldly, "Kneel."

Jiang Shuwan looked calmly at the Dowager and remained standing. "Grandmother, may I ask what wrongdoing your granddaughter has committed?"

Seeing the once obedient and endearing Jiang Shuwan now daring to defy her, the Dowager, whose temper had already been stoked by the girl's recent actions—especially regarding the incident with Lin Rou—felt her anger flare anew.

Pointed a trembling finger at her, the Dowager snapped, "You still have the face to ask? Your mother says you embezzled funds from the household to purchase grain."

So Lady Li had found out about that. It seemed she was keeping her under surveillance every single moment.

Jiang Shuwan walked over to a nearby chair, picked up a teacup to take a sip, and set it back down on the table before speaking. "Grandmother, your granddaughter merely felt that with natural disasters occurring continuously these past years, storing away some provisions would be wise in case of an emergency."

Jiang Xunian said with an agitated expression, "Some provisions? That is a million shi of grain! It's enough to feed our family for generations. Are you trying to squander away the entire family fortune before you're satisfied?"

Saliva flew from Jiang Xunian's mouth as he ranted, much of it spraying right before Jiang Shuwan.

With a look of utter disgust, she pulled out a handkerchief to cover her nose, her eyes filled with revulsion.

Before she could reply, the Dowager cut in directly, "Shuwan, you will go immediately and sell off that grain at a loss, and return every coin. If you do this, we will pretend none of this ever happened."

Jiang Shuwan lowered her handkerchief and refused without a moment's hesitation, "As your granddaughter said, that grain is reserved for times of disaster and cannot be sold."