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Liang Siwen survived, but Qin Ke died beyond saving.

The death of Great Wei's God of War crushed the Wei army's morale, and the powerful Northern Barbarians seized the border city. Grief-stricken, Liang Siwen matured with startling speed. Only after weathering countless hardships did he lead the army to reclaim the border city, becoming Great Wei's new fierce general.

Though he had not known Qin Ke well, the death of such a man was still regrettable. Rong Xi knew he alone could not stand against them, but he wished to offer what little he could.

"Young Master, what are you doing?" Liu He watched him hold Glass up to the sunlight and move it up and down until a bright point finally fell upon the paper.

"Uncle Liu, take a ruler and measure the distance," Rong Xi instructed carefully.

Liu He did as told and measured the distance. Rong Xi recorded it, then switched to another lens.

He repeated the process again and again, recording every set of data on the paper.

Once finished, he drew it out with his brush, then took the blueprint by carriage to Jiang Family Ironworks to meet Jiang Weiping and explain his purpose.

Jiang Weiping naturally did not refuse, nor did he ask what it would be used for. He merely said it would be ready in three days.

At that time, Rong Lian received a letter from Shengjing.

Judging by the handwriting on the envelope, it had to be from Liang Siwen.

He had gone all the way to Linxi, first to study and second to avoid Liang Siwen. Yet after only a few peaceful days, he was immensely stirred the moment he saw the letter.

When he had left the capital, he had not bid Liang Siwen farewell. Could Liang Siwen's letter contain resentment toward him?

"Second Young Master, aren't you going to open it and have a look?" Seeing him remain silent and motionless, Xi Yan could not help asking.

Rong Lian placed the letter at the corner of the desk, seeming unwilling to read it. Xi Yan saw that his mind was elsewhere and, afraid of disturbing him, left the room and closed the door.

In any case, now that there were Glass windows, the study remained bright even with the door shut.

After Xi Yan left, Rong Lian held a book in his hands but had no mind to read. His peripheral vision kept falling on the letter, and his heart felt as though cat claws were scratching at it, hooking away his very soul.

After a long while, he finally could not hold himself back and reached out to unfold the letter.

He had expected a flood of complaints, never imagining it would concern Rong Estate. He read it closely, and the farther he went, the colder his heart became. His hands trembled faintly.

So Eldest Brother had humiliated Liang Siwen because Fourth Brother had threatened him!

He had not attended the banquet that day. Later, after hearing the news, he returned home and saw Eldest Brother black and blue, thinking Liang Siwen had punished him in a fit of rage.

He had never expected that Fourth Brother would disregard all brotherly affection and use violence and their mother's keepsakes to force Eldest Brother into committing such a vile act.

Liang Siwen had been dragged into it and was the most innocent of all. Eldest Brother had been threatened and intimidated, then sent away to Linxi. Though it was not the conduct of a gentleman, it was understandable.

Fourth Brother was the true chief villain!

Thinking of the slander Eldest Brother had endured over the past months, and the grief of having his birth mother's keepsakes stolen away, Rong Lian felt magma churning through his chest. He was consumed by guilt and heartache.

He abruptly rose and rushed outside, intending to find Rong Xi.

Just then, Rong Xi returned home. The two met, and Rong Lian immediately blocked Rong Xi's path.

"Second Brother?"

The lofty, arrogant manner he had once worn had vanished without a trace. Rong Lian pressed his lips together and said nothing. He carefully examined Rong Xi anew, seeing his calm and gentle expression and his clear, tender eyes. Where was there even the slightest trace of lewdness or indecency?

Why had no one believed Eldest Brother when he explained himself before? Or rather, no one had been willing to give Eldest Brother the chance to explain.

Clutching the letter, he took a deep breath and said word by word, "For my former prejudice, I solemnly apologize to Eldest Brother. Si Wen made it clear in his letter that Eldest Brother was forced by Fourth Brother to do such things."

Seeing the faint surprise on Rong Xi's face, he continued, "The family did not listen to Eldest Brother's defense and instead joined outsiders in condemning you. I am deeply ashamed."

Rong Xi finally understood what he meant and said seriously, "Second Brother, you think too highly of it. I have always remembered the kindness of the silver you gave me that day."

If not for Rong Lian, the original owner of this body would never have reached Linxi with Minister Rong giving him only a chest of books.

Hearing this, Rong Lian's heart sank even further. Eldest Brother mentioned only him and not Father, Mother, or anyone else. Had he already begun to harbor resentment?

"Eldest Brother, you previously hired Worker Feng to transport Glass to Shengjing. Where was it being sent?" Rong Lian suddenly asked softly.

By now, he was no longer so naive.

"Second Brother," Rong Xi sighed softly, "you should focus on your studies. The matters of the inner household soil the ears. You need not see them, and Father need not see them either. Only those trapped within know what it feels like to enter an ice cellar, chilling one to the bone."

His words were meant to redress the original owner's grievances.

Though he did not say everything, Rong Lian already understood. He stood rooted to the spot in a daze.

Eldest Brother had already become estranged from the family. What was to be done? Only now did he realize just how partial Father had been.

If what Liang Siwen wrote in his letter was true, then Father's failure to mention Eldest Brother even once that day was enough for him to understand that Father had never held Eldest Brother in his heart.

Father often became angry over Eldest Brother, not because he worried about him, but because Eldest Brother had disgraced Rong Estate.

Seeing his shaken expression, Rong Xi could guess some of what he was thinking. Remembering Rong Lian's future fate, he could not help sighing inwardly.

Though he would become an important minister, because of feelings that defied propriety, Minister Rong would berate him and drive him from the estate, severing their father-son relationship.

Only then would Rong Lian understand that, in Minister Rong's heart, the face of Rong Estate mattered more than anything else.

Rong Xi reached out and patted his shoulder, saying solemnly, "Second Brother, do not worry about me. Study diligently—not to bring glory to the family name, but for yourself."

"For myself..." Rong Lian's gaze trembled.

Seeing that he was still confused, Rong Xi decided to show his support. "When you pass the imperial examinations and enter office, if one day you hold power in your hands, why fear others' reckless gossip? Whether you marry a wife or whom you wish to be with, what business is it of anyone else?"

"Eldest Brother!" Rong Lian was stunned.

What did Eldest Brother mean? Could it be that he knew Rong Lian's feelings? Impossible. He had never spoken of them to anyone. How could Eldest Brother know?

To his surprise, Rong Xi suddenly leaned close. "Life is short. You must strive for what you want with all your strength, so that no regrets remain. Besides, Young Master Liang will surely head to the battlefield in the future. Swords and arrows have no eyes on the battlefield. You must cherish him while you can."

Rong Lian: "..."

Seeing that he did not dare speak for a long time, Rong Xi smiled encouragingly and returned to his room on his own.

Rong Lian alone remained, standing stupidly in the courtyard. His heart roiled like rivers and seas overturning, leaving him nearly speechless.

Three days later, Rong Xi went to Jiang Family Ironworks to collect the device.

Upon hearing the news, Hu Yulin hurried over from the Glass kiln with great excitement. "Eldest Brother, I heard you made another new device. I came to take a look."