His mother had died, yet no one told Wen Ningxuan what truly happened. One day he was simply sent to live with Lady Wen, who treated him as an afterthought. When the boy cried, she let him weep until his tantrums grew unbearable — then locked him in a distant cottage for hours before releasing him just in time for Lord Wen's return, when she would suddenly resume her attentive facade.

During those years, Wen Ningxuan became increasingly irritable and prone to outbursts. He smashed objects or lashed out at servants whenever something displeased him. Once, he even threw an item so forcefully that it caused a gash on his elder brother Master Wen Ningchen's head during a family gathering in Lord Wen and the matriarch's presence — an unforgivable act for any child regardless of their age.

Lord Wen immediately punished the boy. Perhaps due to rebellious temperament or desire for attention, similar incidents recurred multiple times, finally leaving the entire household disillusioned. They saw Wen Ningxuan as incorrigible - a spoiled brat beyond redemption.

The patriarch ordered Wen Ningxuan's return to his late mother's courtyard, separating him from his elder brother while keeping nominal custody under Lady Wen. Servants were instructed to care for him but report any incidents directly to her ladyship.

To Lin He, these arrangements seemed bewildering — a child orphaned so young with only indifferent staff around. Yet such neglect was tragically common among aristocratic families like the Wens.

Wen Ningxuan lived in that courtyard from then on. Childhood memories were fragmented now; he himself couldn't comprehend why he once resorted to violence and physical abuse. From his first conscious recollections, he always sensed a void where affection should have been. Except during monthly family meals, he remained isolated in his domain.

Strangely enough, returning to the courtyard brought unexpected calmness. He no longer screamed or destroyed things — only sat silently, rarely speaking. The place itself was perpetually desolate, with just two elderly cooks and a few servants for chores, plus two personal attendants who never engaged him. It wasn't until accidentally overhearing their conversation that he understood.

The day Wen Ningxuan woke unusually early, there were no breakfast deliveries since the staff hadn't expected it. While wandering through an secluded garden path, he overheard two maids:

"Poor Second Master," whispered one. "So young to lose his mother... Lady Wen keeps him locked up here without allowing us even a word of comfort. What will become of him?"

"Yes," agreed another. "You can see the change in him. He used to be so lively when his mother lived. After her death, he wears that cold expression and snaps at everyone. Last time before visiting Grandmother, he lashed out randomly — now even she avoids our dear Second Master."

"Pity indeed," sighed the first maid. "But we're only servants following Lady Wen's orders. To defy would mean exile — how could my children survive without me?"

"Enough said," hushed the other. "Second Master might be waking soon. Let's prepare his breakfast."

Though a child, Wen Ningxuan grasped their words instantly. It aligned with what he'd long suspected — whenever father or grandmother was present, servants feigned affection by offering gifts. But when alone, they ignored him as if invisible.

This revelation deepened his silence and chill. His gaze became colder still, creating an endless cycle where more isolation bred more detachment. Daily tutors visited for lessons while others attended to basic needs. Most of the time he was left entirely alone — even his two attendants only delivered meals without further interaction.

When Lord Wen returned home occasionally, Wen Ningxuan tried explaining things but failed either due to poor articulation or his father's total misunderstanding. The patriarch merely checked academic progress and asked no other questions, just like how everyone pretended before his mother died.

Eventually he adapted to this life of solitude — reading endlessly, playing chess with himself, painting memories of his mother when boredom overwhelmed him. Though Lord Wen remained satisfied with his intellectual abilities, Wen Ningxuan suspected it was precisely why the patriarch didn't completely forget about him.

At age eight, Lord Wen returned from a trip bringing four boys around his own age - Ling Xiao and others. "These will be your men," he declared, "to serve you absolutely."

Initially unimpressed, Wen Ningxuan had long grown accustomed to solitude. But soon realized these four were different - they trained with martial arts, taught him techniques that made life easier: sneaking through walls undetected or protecting himself.

For the first time since his mother's death, he found true companionship — loyal retainers who spoke freely and resisted Lady Wen's bribes. Their martial prowess granted them immunity from her threats, though Lord Wen prohibited them from leaving unapproved.

Such solitude had long become second nature to him now, but at least here in his courtyard he could exist without facing hollow smiles or false affection from others.