Li Yuxin was leaning against a high-backed yellow pear wood chair, holding a travel journal. On the other side, Sheng Wei was sitting upright at the desk, concentrating on writing on the paper. The room was filled with quiet and harmony under the warm yellow candlelight.

From time to time, people were entering and exiting the inner room behind the curtain. Maids, servants, and doctors moved frequently, but their footsteps were quiet. After about an hour, Cuizhi, the head maid, came forward and whispered, "Madam, the master has awakened."

Li Yuxin put down her travelogue and saw Sheng Wei had already put down his wolf-hair brush and stood up, letting his tutor tidy up his appearance. Li Yuxin had changed out of her bloodstained clothes before dinner, and Cuizhi was busy straightening out her clothes. When they were both ready, they went to the inner room together.

The bed in the study was not big. After Sheng Huaizhong lay down, it could only accommodate half of a person. Sheng Huaizhong was being served medicine by a maid. When he saw the two people come in, he turned away. Li Yuxin took the medicine bowl from the maid and was about to serve Sheng Huaizhong. Sheng Huaizhong raised his hand and knocked the medicine bowl over. With a click, broken porcelain pieces were all over the floor. Li Yuxin's face did not change. She stood up and said to Sheng Wei with a smile: "Your father is still angry. You can go down first."

Sheng Wei was about to speak, but when he looked at Sheng Huaizhong's angry face, then at Li Yuxin's serious expression, he bowed and left.

Seeing Sheng Wei leave, Li Yuxin ordered everyone, "Hurry up and bring another bowl of medicine, and clean up the floor. What are you standing there for?"

The servants each went about their duties. Li Yuxin sat on an embroidered cushion nearby, her expression unchanged. Sheng Huaizhong sneered, "Is this how you take care of your husband while he's in bed?"

Li Yuxin lowered her head, expressionless, and said softly, "Husband, is your leg okay?"

Sheng Huaizhong was so angry that his eyes rolled back and he almost fainted. He pointed at Li Yuxin and kept saying, "You, you, you..."

People were coming and going, and Li Yuxin didn't want to say anything more. She took the newly served medicine bowl, pinched Sheng Huaizhong's chin, and drank the whole bowl of medicine straight down. Sheng Huaizhong was not paying attention and choked on the scalding medicine. He coughed for a cup of tea before stopping.

He glared at Li Yuxin fiercely and cursed loudly: "Bitch, are you going to burn me to death? Get out of here!"

Li Yuxin covered her face with a handkerchief and ran out. She stopped only after leaving the yard and walked slowly back to the inner courtyard. Cuizhi, who was chasing after her, looked at Li Yuxin's indifferent expression and silently closed her mouth as she was about to speak.

Li Yuxin hadn't intended to serve Sheng Huaizhong in the first place; the sight of his face made her feel uncomfortable. He was such a heartless, ungrateful person, abandoning his wife and children without any moral principles. If it weren't for Wei'er's path to the imperial examination, Li Yuxin would have sent him off long ago.

A maid led the way, holding a lantern to illuminate the dim path. Li Yuxin held Cuizhi's hand, walking slowly and unhurriedly. As they passed the rockery in the small garden, they faintly heard the intermittent panting and shouting of men and women. Li Yuxin paused for a moment, then glanced at Cuizhi, who nodded and walked over with her maid.

"Ah! Ugh!" After a moment, several screams were heard from inside, followed by deathly silence. The chirping of insects in the grass could be heard clearly, as well as the sound of clothes rustling.

Li Yuxin looked at the crescent moon in the sky, wondering what was going on inside. Traveling in the middle of the night always led to encountering strange and bizarre things. Li Yuxin tightened her brocade cloak around her, held onto the hand of the little maid, took two steps forward, and then stopped.