A tube of ointment for soothing redness and inflammation lay in the maid’s hand. When Jian Huan saw the instructions for its intended use, a deep blush crept up her neck to the tips of her ears. The heat of her blush still hadn't faded by the time she reached the main hall. The memorial, though a private family affair, was arranged with solemn grandeur. Amidst wreaths of yellow and white flowers stood two black-and-white portraits: Lou Xiao’s parents. The Lou family had never given an official statement on the cause of their deaths, but rumors circulated that they had been killed during a riot abroad. The moment Jian Huan found her place, her mother-in-law, Jiang Yalian, fixed her with a disapproving stare. Her brow was furrowed, her dissatisfaction plain to see. Too proud to reprimand her in front of everyone, Jiang Yalian simply shot her a sharp glare before turning away. At her side, Lou Jingyang hissed under his breath, “Are you trying to make me look bad on purpose? Every branch of the family has been here for hours. Ziying spent the whole morning helping Mother, while you were sleeping in. Have you no decency?” Jian Huan glanced over at Jiang Ziying, who was weaving through the crowd with a tray, serving tea to the elders. A cynical smile touched her lips. “Our cousin is certainly resourceful. Works day and night, it seems. I can't compete.” “You say that again, I’ll—” Lou Jingyang’s threat died in his throat. Old Master Lou had arrived, with Lou Xiao at his side. Lou Xiao showed no sign of weakness, bearing no resemblance to a man who had been injured. The crowd parted instinctively to make way for them, and Jian Huan stepped back with the rest. As Lou Xiao passed, she caught the scent of smoke mingled with something herbal on him, and her heart stuttered. Suddenly, Lou Xiao stopped. Old Master Lou, walking ahead, paused as well, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?” A cold dread washed over Jian Huan, prickling her skin from scalp to sole. If he said something truly outrageous, she was certain she’d have a heart attack right then and there. Lou Xiao’s gaze swept past Jian Huan before settling on Lou Jingyang next to her. “Jingyang.” All of Lou Jingyang’s usual arrogance vanished in Lou Xiao's presence. He stammered, “Second... Second Brother.” A slow smile spread across Lou Xiao’s face. “Did you have a good night?” Every eye in the room turned to Lou Jingyang. “I… last night, I…” He nearly bit his tongue. He had spent the entire night with Jiang Ziying, with Jian Huan in the very next room—the thrill of it had been intoxicating. Why would Lou Xiao bring this up? No, why would Lou Xiao even care about what he did? That’s not right either. You couldn't predict Lou Xiao’s motives with normal logic... Lou Jingyang's mind turned to mush. Jiang Ziying, equally terrified, was standing nearby, her face ashen. The two of them looked sicker by the second. Just as Lou Jingyang felt he might pass out, Lou Xiao casually tapped a finger to his own neck. “Looked pretty intense,” he remarked coolly. The color drained from Lou Jingyang’s face as he instinctively clapped a hand to his neck. Jiang Ziying had deliberately left a hickey there last night, meant to spite Jian Huan. He never imagined Lou Xiao would notice. Jiang Ziying swayed on her feet, but her mind raced. As long as she kept her mouth shut, no one would know it was her. Just as she predicted, all eyes shifted to Jian Huan. Jiang Yalian’s glare was particularly venomous, as if she wanted to skin her daughter-in-law alive. Forced to take the blame, Jian Huan glared at Lou Xiao’s retreating back, a wave of rage so intense it made her vision swim. - At a quarter past nine, the memorial service began. After the lengthy ceremony, members of the Lou family came forward one by one to pay their respects. Everyone wore an expression of profound grief, lamenting the couple’s untimely death. The room was filled with sorrow and somber reflection. Everyone, that is, except Lou Xiao. He stood apart, a detached observer with a cold, unreadable smirk playing on his lips. Eager to make an impression, Jiang Ziying laid down her flowers and then broke into a fresh bout of loud sobs. Having bustled about all morning, she had already earned praise from the elders. Seeing her cry so emotionally now, someone remarked, “That Ziying is such a kind-hearted girl.” Wiping her tears, Jiang Ziying adopted a pitiful look. “I grew up in the Lou household. It's only right that I do my part.” Hearing this, Jiang Yalian shot a pointed look at Jian Huan, her words dripping with insinuation. “Ziying is so thoughtful. She came early this morning to help prepare. She was raised in this family, after all. She understands propriety and respect.” Jiang Ziying’s heart swelled with pride, feeling she had won the day. She redoubled her weeping efforts. “Grieving for them?” The man’s voice was a low, seductive drawl. Jiang Ziying’s head snapped up. Lou Xiao was watching her, a ghost of a smile on his lips. Her heart gave a violent thud, and she swallowed hard. Could it be? Had her kindness and devotion finally impressed him, made him see her in a new light? Jiang Ziying nodded eagerly, her expression a mask of pitiable sorrow. “Yes. Second Uncle and Second Aunt were such wonderful people. It breaks my heart to think they passed so young, and I never even got to say goodbye.” “Is that so?” Lou Xiao drew out the words, his eyes raking over her face, making her blush and her heart race. “Then how about I send you to join them?” “What?” Jiang Ziying didn't understand. Lou Xiao’s smile was captivating, but his voice was colder than ice. “You miss them so much, don't you? Then go be with them.” He paused. “Should I do it, or will you?” Jiang Ziying’s face drained of all color, and she stumbled backward. “I… I…” “Lou Xiao!” Old Master Lou’s voice was sharp with warning. “Just a joke.” Lou Xiao held up a hand in a gesture of mock surrender, his attitude utterly flippant. He let his gaze sweep across the room. “But… if anyone here truly can't bear to be without them, I wouldn't mind helping them on their way.” The already somber hall fell even quieter. The weeping subsided, as if everyone feared that this unpredictable man might actually make good on his offer. Jiang Ziying scurried to the back of the room, not daring to draw any more attention to herself. It was Jian Huan’s turn. She placed her flowers on the altar, then knelt on the cushion before it. Watching her posture, Lou Xiao’s mind inappropriately drifted to another scene. Only then, his hands had been gripping her waist. And her tears, he recalled, had been far more genuine than anyone’s here. Jian Huan, unaware of his thoughts, focused on the black-and-white portraits on the altar. They weren’t what she’d expected. Lou Xiao’s parents both looked like gentle, cultured people. His father, in particular, wore glasses and had the air of a scholar. She couldn’t fathom how parents like these had produced a son like Lou Xiao. - Halfway through the memorial, Lou Xiao took a call and left. Though Old Master Lou was clearly displeased, he said nothing. After Lou Xiao’s departure, the pace of the ritual quickened, devolving into a mere formality. The performance had been for the living, and now that the most important spectator was gone, no one bothered to keep up the pretense. When the memorial concluded, Jian Huan was summoned back to Meiyuan. When Jian Huan entered, Jiang Yalian was sitting on the sofa, her face a thundercloud. Jiang Ziying stood behind her, massaging her shoulders and murmuring placatingly. “Auntie, you've had such a long day. Let me work out some of this tension.” “It’s not the exhaustion, it’s the humiliation!” Jiang Yalian’s voice was shrill, a testament to her fury. “All the Lou family elders were there, and she, a junior, arrives later than her own mother-in-law!” she seethed. “And another thing! Knowing full well it was an important day, she had to go and seduce Jingyang, letting him leave a mark like that! And for Lou Xiao to point it out in the middle of the service! We’re lucky he didn't lose his temper, or our whole family would have paid the price!” Without missing a beat, Jiang Ziying continued to fan the flames. “Maybe sister-in-law just loves my cousin too much. Just a couple of days ago, she even ran away from home because she felt he wasn't paying her enough attention. He was worried sick.” “What? She dared to—” “Mother.” Jian Huan’s sudden appearance cut Jiang Yalian off mid-sentence.