Behind the Old Madam, six maidservants bustled about. Two hurried to dry her hair, two rushed to fetch quilts to cover her, and two wrapped heated goose-egg stones in cloth to press and rub her arms. Only then did the Old Madam’s face, pale and purplish from the cold, gradually regain some color.

She exhaled a faint cloud of cold air, lifted her eyes toward Lu Huan, and asked, “You saved me. Is there anything you want?”

At those words, the Princess Consort of Prince Ning’s expression darkened.

She had invited the Old Madam out to admire plum blossoms today, intending to please her. Who would’ve thought they’d encounter such a calamity—as if haunted by ghosts! It was bad enough that Wenxiu incurred the Old Madam’s dislike and anger, but now even Lu Huan had profited from the incident and won the Old Madam’s favor!

In the Ning Prince’s residence, the Old Madam’s word was law—even Prince Ning himself showed deference to his mother, who came from a family of military merit. If Lu Huan were to gain her appreciation, how could her own days remain smooth?

But what could he possibly want? A concubine-born son like him—what else could he ask for but to stand on equal footing with the two legitimate sons!

The Princess Consort fumed inwardly yet dared not show the slightest sign of it. She merely stood attentively beside the Old Madam, speaking gently to Lu Huan, “Since the Old Madam wishes to reward you, speak boldly.”

The Old Madam herself had her own considerations.

Though she seldom left Mei’an Courtyard, her judgment of people had never been wrong.

Of the three children in the Ning Prince’s household, Lu Yuan might be steady and mature, but he was too mediocre—utterly devoid of sharpness or brilliance! As for Lu Wenxiu, there was no need to speak—today had proven him a complete good-for-nothing!

In this grand Prince’s mansion, only this concubine-born boy possessed outstanding ability, far surpassing the other two.

Moreover, he had leapt into that freezing, bone-piercing water to save her—emotionally and rationally, she ought to reward him.

Yet the Old Madam was also perfectly aware of the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate birth. If Lu Huan asked merely for silver, that would be fine. But if he wished to stand equal with his legitimate brothers—that would be far too greedy.

She was thinking just that when she heard Lu Huan speak.

“Lu Huan prefers quiet and not noise. I only hope that in the future, no one may enter or leave my quarters at will. I ask the Old Madam’s permission.”

Both the Princess Consort and the Old Madam were taken aback—

The Old Madam stared in surprise. “That’s all?”

The boy’s voice was cool and even, devoid of emotion. “That’s all.”

Kneeling beside them, Lu Wenxiu’s face went from green to white. What did Lu Huan mean by this—preferring quiet over noise? Was he mocking him for leading a noisy crowd to frame him a few days ago? Could it be that he meant to settle that score right here before the Old Madam?!

The Old Madam had never imagined his request would be so simple—he merely wanted a quiet place to live?

But she recalled that Lu Huan’s quarters were indeed in the firewood courtyard, mixed in with the servants’ lodgings—disorderly and noisy.

Even for a concubine’s son, to be treated so harshly was excessive. Matters like these were usually handled by the steward, and it was obvious who stood behind him giving orders.

In the past, the Old Madam had never bothered with such trifles. Like Prince Ning, she simply turned a blind eye. It was only now that she suddenly realized how difficult her illegitimate grandson’s life in the household must have been.

Difficult indeed. She had just stepped out of Mei’an Courtyard today and already heard gossip—Lu Wenxiu had gone to Lu Huan’s place a few days ago to frame him, only to end up making a complete fool of himself.

No doubt Lu Huan’s request came from sheer weariness of his legitimate second brother’s endless provocations.

For a moment, the Old Madam felt a complicated stir of emotion.

She had given this boy free rein to ask for anything he wished, yet he asked only for this trivial thing—did he truly covet nothing at all?

After a brief thought, the Old Madam turned to the nanny at her side and instructed, “Tell the steward I have granted Lu Huan a separate courtyard. Have all the servants living near him moved away at once—no one is allowed to approach his quarters without permission. Anyone who dares disobey will take their punishment themselves! In addition, increase Huan’er’s monthly allowance by three taels of silver.”

The Princess Consort and Lu Wenxiu both looked distinctly unpleasant.

Even the Fourth Concubine didn’t have an entire courtyard to herself—she shared her residence with several maidservants. Yet now, Lu Huan was the first to have a whole courtyard of his own.

And as for the additional three taels of silver each month—though not much, it was at least enough for him to manage a few servants. Compared to the harsh treatment he’d suffered before, it was already a great improvement.

The servants kneeling around all lowered their eyes, their minds already turning.

Previously, they had all looked down on Lu Huan because no one in the entire Ning Prince’s Mansion cared whether he lived or died. But now that he had saved the Old Madam, they could no longer afford to treat him lightly.

It felt as though the wind within the mansion had shifted ever so slightly.

“As for you.” The Old Madam turned toward Lu Wenxiu, her face openly filled with disgust. “Why haven’t you gone back to reflect on your actions for a month? Still kneeling here, being an eyesore?”

Lu Wenxiu’s face flushed with anger and grievance. He tried to argue, “Grandmother, how can you grant Lu Huan a whole courtyard, when even I—”

Before he could finish, the Old Madam, furious, kicked him again. Coward, useless thing—he didn’t even bother to see what kind of disgraceful mess he had caused, yet he still had the nerve to show jealousy before her!

“If it weren’t for Lu Huan, this old life of mine would’ve been lost in that icy stream today, dragged down by you, you worthless boy! You should be grateful I’m not making you kneel in the ancestral hall!”

The Princess Consort of Prince Ning, terrified her foolish son would say something else to further enrage the Old Madam, quickly stepped forward to stop him. Turning to two maidservants, she said sharply, “What are you waiting for? Take the Second Young Master back to his room to reflect!”

Before being dragged away, Lu Wenxiu shot Lu Huan a venomous glare.

Lu Huan lifted his head and met his gaze directly, his black eyes cold and indifferent.

The Old Madam said no more, hurrying back to warm herself. The Princess Consort and a crowd of attendants surrounded her as they left, and at last, the people under the corridor dispersed.

Water still dripped from Lu Huan’s jet-black hair. He turned and took the young concubine-born girl by the hand, sending her back to the Fourth Concubine’s quarters first.

Meanwhile, on Su Xi’s end, the system popped up a message:

> “Congratulations: Main Quest (Gain the Old Madam of the Ning Prince’s Mansion’s Favor) — Progress 1/2. The protagonist has been rewarded with a piece of land. Rewards: +25 Gold, +3 Points.”

Seeing the main quest halfway completed, Su Xi finally let out a breath of relief.

Although she didn’t know why the quest was only half done, it likely meant there would be further connections with the Old Madam later on.

The system said, “Current points total: 11. You can unlock one more location. Where would you like to unlock?”

Su Xi didn’t hesitate for even a second—it had to be the piece of land the Old Madam had just rewarded Lu Huan with.

The process had been a little rough and exhausting, but her little Zai Zai finally had his own courtyard now. No longer just a shabby hut—he had actual land!

Su Xi was a bit excited on behalf of her game character. Now that her Zai Zai had land and a courtyard, could domination of the Forbidden City still be far away?!

Outside, a nurse knocked on the door. Su Xi wiped her face with a towel, hopped over to the doorway to receive the breakfast the nurse brought, and smiled brightly as she thanked her.

The nurse, puzzled, asked, “What’s got Bed 26 so cheerful this early in the morning?”

Su Xi just smiled, carried the breakfast back to her bed, and began eating.

After a few bites, she switched the game screen and eagerly opened the map to examine the land the Old Madam had rewarded.

It was called a “courtyard,” but naturally it couldn’t compare to the elegant Yamei Pavilion or Ya Xin’an where the Princess Consort and Lu Yuan lived, with their winding corridors and lush greenery everywhere.

This was merely a bare, empty plot of land—nothing more.

However—

It was so big!

Su Xi’s mood was buoyant—such a huge plot of land!

On the wide open ground stood only a few large firewood sheds, and beyond that stretched a grove of bamboo, now blanketed in snow.

Still, Su Xi was delighted. Though the place was simple, it was vast. If no servants or Lu Wenxiu came barging in to disturb them anymore, she could help her little Zai Zai clear some land, raise a few chickens, ducks, or fish, maybe plant some cabbage and potatoes—her Zai Zai could finally live a good life!

At the very least, he would no longer have to worry about hunger or cold.

Everything suddenly seemed full of new hope, didn’t it!

And clearly, the little game figure on the screen felt the same way. Though he was soaked from head to toe, his pitch-black eyes shone brightly, and even his steps on the way back seemed lighter.

The servants who had lived around the firewood courtyard were at that moment being dispersed by the steward. Before leaving, they whispered among themselves, recalling whether they had ever offended this Third Young Master.

A few particularly sly ones even discussed whether they should go and apologize—after all, fortunes turned fast. If this illegitimate son really became the Old Madam’s favored one, those who had deliberately targeted him before would surely have no way to survive in this household.

But Lu Huan ignored them all.

When he returned to the firewood courtyard, he went to fetch water to heat. His whole body was frozen to the bone—if he didn’t warm himself soon, he would surely fall ill.

As he lifted the bucket, the scene by the stream replayed in his mind. He frowned slightly. The situation had been chaotic; he hadn’t clearly seen how that servant had caused Lu Wenxiu to drag the Old Madam into the icy water.

Although Lu Wenxiu had indeed brought disaster upon himself, his string of bad luck lately was rather peculiar.

Could it be—like with the food incident last time—someone had been helping him in secret?

The thought flickered and quickly passed, but it left behind a faint, elusive stir of emotion in Lu Huan’s chest.

The instant he became aware of it, his expression darkened.

Helping him in secret? That faint yearning, as if hoping for such a thing—it was ridiculous.

He had no benefit worth exploiting. Why would anyone help him without seeking something in return?

When he was younger, he had still harbored a shred of trust in others. He had once helped a servant—but that servant immediately turned coat and betrayed him, allowing the Princess Consort of Prince Ning to seize the chance to punish him brutally. He had been beaten half to death, his body covered in blood. People had come and gone past him, yet not one had offered a hand. Some of those scars had never healed even now.

From birth until now, had his life not been so stubbornly resilient, he would’ve died a thousand times over.

A human life was cheap—fragile as an ant’s.

In the Ning Prince’s Mansion, survival for him was a hundredfold, a thousandfold harder than for anyone else.

He knew well—there was only one person in this world he could ever rely on: himself.

As for that person who lurked unseen in the shadows—

Lu Huan’s gaze fell upon the small brazier still burning faintly in the corner. His fingers twitched in a nervous spasm.

He forced himself to ignore that feeble trace of warmth—that subtle sensation spreading from his frozen skin into his veins, seeping quietly toward his heart. Coldly, mockingly, he turned his eyes away.

Hidden in the dark would not stay hidden forever. They would slip up, and when they did, he would find them.

He might not yet know their purpose, but he would.

To believe there existed someone in this world who would treat him kindly was something Lu Huan would rather die than do.