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Liang Siwen survived, but Qin Ke died of his injuries.

The death of Great Wei's War God crushed the Wei army's morale, and the formidable Northern Barbarians captured the border city. Grief-stricken, Liang Siwen matured swiftly. Only after enduring countless hardships did he lead the army to retake the border city, becoming Great Wei's new fierce general.

Though he had not been close to Qin Ke, the death of such a figure was still regrettable. Rong Xi knew he could not contend against the enemy with his strength alone, but he wished to offer his own contribution.

"Young Master, what are you doing?" Liu He watched as Rong Xi held a piece of Glass to the sunlight, moving 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 followed his instructions and measured the distance. Rong Xi wrote it down, then switched to another lens.

He repeated the process, recording all the data on paper.

Once finished, he drew a diagram with his brush. Then, carrying the blueprints, he took a carriage to Jiang Family Ironworks, met Jiang Weiping, and explained his purpose.

Naturally, Jiang Weiping did not refuse. Nor did he ask what it would be used for, merely saying 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 traveled all the way to Linxi, first to study and second to avoid Liang Siwen. Yet after only a few peaceful days, he became extremely agitated the moment he saw the letter.

When he had left the capital, he had not bid Liang Siwen farewell. Did the letter contain complaints against him?

"Second Young Master, aren't you going to open it and take a look?" Xi Yan could not help asking when he saw him standing there in silence.

Rong Lian set the letter at the corner of the desk, seemingly unwilling to read it. Seeing that he was distracted, Xi Yan feared disturbing him, so he left the room and shut the door.

In any case, with Glass windows now installed, the study remained bright even after the door was closed.

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

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

He had expected a string of complaints, yet it concerned Rong Estate instead. He read it closely, and the farther he went, the colder his heart became. His hands trembled slightly.

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's bruised and swollen face. He had assumed Liang Siwen had punished him in a fit of rage.

He had never expected that Fourth Brother would disregard their brotherly bond and use violence and their birth mother's belongings to force Eldest Brother into committing such an evil deed.

Liang Siwen had been implicated and was the most innocent of all. Eldest Brother had suffered threats and intimidation before being sent to Linxi. Though what he had done was not the act of a gentleman, it was understandable.

Fourth Brother was the true culprit!

Thinking of the slander Eldest Brother had endured over the past months, as well as the grief of having his birth mother's belongings taken from him, Rong Lian felt as though magma were churning in his heart. He was consumed by guilt and heartache.

He abruptly rose to his feet 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 pride he had once displayed had vanished. Rong Lian pressed his lips together without speaking. He carefully examined Rong Xi anew and saw his calm, gentle expression and his clear, tender gaze. There was not the slightest trace of lewdness or frivolity about him.

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

Clutching the letter, he drew a deep breath and said word by word, "For my previous 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, "No one in the family listened to Eldest Brother's defense. We joined outsiders in condemning Eldest Brother. I am deeply ashamed."

Rong Xi finally understood what he meant and said seriously, "Second Brother, you are being too grave. I have always remembered the silver you gave me that day."

If not for Rong Lian, the original owner of this body would never have made it to Linxi with only the chest of books Minister Rong had given him.

Upon hearing this, Rong Lian's heart grew even colder. Eldest Brother had mentioned only him and not their father, mother, or anyone else. Had Eldest Brother already grown resentful?

"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 affairs of the inner household would only sully your ears. You should not see them, nor should Father. Only those caught within them understand that it is like entering an ice cellar, chilling one to the bone."

He said this to seek justice for the original owner.

Though he did not finish speaking, Rong Lian already understood. He stood frozen in place.

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

If what Liang Siwen wrote in his letter was true, then merely from the fact that Father had not mentioned Eldest Brother even once that day, he could tell that Father had never truly cared about Eldest Brother.

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

Seeing Rong Lian's 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, he would be harshly denounced and driven from the estate by Minister Rong over an illicit love, their father-son relationship severed.

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

Rong Xi reached out and patted his shoulder, saying solemnly, "Second Brother, you need not worry about me. Focus on your studies—not to bring glory to the family, but for yourself."

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

Seeing that he was still bewildered, Rong Xi decided to show his support. "If you pass the imperial examinations and enter officialdom, then hold power one day, why fear other people's nonsense? Whether you marry a wife or whom you wish to be with, what business is it of anyone else's?"

"Eldest Brother!" Rong Lian was stunned by his words.

What did Eldest Brother mean? Could he know his feelings? Impossible. He had never discussed them with anyone. How could Eldest Brother know?

Yet Rong Xi suddenly leaned close to him. "Life is short. You must strive for whatever you want, so that you will not be left with regrets. Besides, Young Master Liang will surely head to the battlefield in the future. Blades and arrows have no eyes on the battlefield, so you must cherish him while you can."

Rong Lian: "..."

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

Rong Lian alone was left standing foolishly in the courtyard, his heart churning like stormy seas as he nearly lost the power of speech.

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

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