Тhis wаs just perfесt. Наn Yаn shot Zhuo Qi a glаrе—this man reаlly was а trоublеmаkеr. Вut to havе provoked the authоritiеs, what еxасtlу wаs his identitу?
Тhеrе wаs no timе to think it over. Shе рushed Zhuо Qi into the inner rоom, shushed him, аnd her gazе instаntlу turnеd grаvе. "If уou don’t wаnt tо die, dоn’t mаkе a sоund."
Nevеr bеfore hаd hе beеn threatenеd like this, espесiаlly bу a young girl whо hаdn’t еven соmе оf аgе. His wоlf-likе eуes grеw deeр and unfаthоmаble, his hаndsоmе fеatures taking оn an unusually sinister edgе.
Very well. Тhis little thing was аn uneхрeсted gain from this incident. If possible, he might as well take her back with him.
The Zhuang residence was brightly lit throughout. The two Zhou sisters draped their clothes over their shoulders and walked into the courtyard. Zhuangshan had also woken up. Seeing the soldiers surrounding the residence with torches held high, she felt a pang of fear. "What’s going on?"
Zhuang Shiyang was equally puzzled. The leading officer saluted him. "Apologies for the disturbance, Lord Zhuang. We are here under orders to search for an assassin."
"An assassin?" Zhuang Shiyang was shocked. "Where did an assassin come from?"
The officer replied, "The Emperor was attacked tonight. We pursued the assassin all the way here and saw him enter your residence. That’s why we’ve come to trouble you."
Concubine Mei, heavily pregnant, was startled by the news and clung fearfully to Zhuang Shiyang’s side. "Master, this frightens me terribly. Since there’s an assassin, let the officers search. If he’s hiding in our residence, it would be dangerous."
Given that it concerned the Emperor, Zhuang Shiyang naturally dared not refuse. Moreover, he was deeply wary of the assassin himself and hastily nodded. "You’ve all worked hard."
The officer continued, "We saw the assassin enter the southeastern area…"
"The southeastern area?" Before he could finish, Madam Zhou exclaimed, "Isn’t that where Fourth Miss lives?"
"Then let’s hurry and check. Yan’er is to become the Xuan Qing Prince Consort in the future. If anything were to happen to her…" Madam Da Zhou said with concern, though a hint of barely concealed delight flashed in her tone.
Zhuangshan quickly chimed in, "Fourth Sister is usually the most delicate. Father, let’s hurry to Qingqiu Garden to see."
Concubine Mei, watching all this unfold, couldn’t help but smile knowingly. If the assassin wasn’t in Han Yan’s Qingqiu Garden, that would be one thing. But if he was… Han Yan would be branded a criminal for harboring an assassin, a crime that would condemn her for ages. Even if she hadn’t harbored the assassin, if word got out that she had been held hostage by one or had shared a room with him, her reputation would be ruined. How could she ever enter the Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion in the future?
The two Zhou sisters certainly had a clever plan in mind.
Thinking this, Concubine Mei smiled and said, "I think so too, Master. Why don’t we go to Qingqiu Garden and see?"
Zhuang Shiyang glanced at Zhuang Hanming, who stood nearby clenching his fists in silence, and nodded.
Perhaps, among this group, only Zhuang Hanming was genuinely worried about Han Yan’s situation.
Meanwhile, the large group made their way to Qingqiu Garden. The rooster had just crowed, and the sky was beginning to lighten. The bright torches illuminated Qingqiu Garden with startling clarity. The soldiers quickly surrounded the garden, startling an old nanny who had just risen. She hurried off to fetch Han Yan.At this moment, the Clear Autumn Courtyard was silent and desolate, showing no signs of anything unusual—everything was just as it had always been. Ji Lan finished dressing and entered the inner room. Soon, the sound of a woman just waking up came from inside: "What is it?"
The voice was delicate and timid, carrying a hint of drowsiness, as if she had just risen from sleep. The officer in charge raised his voice: "Apologies for the disturbance, Miss Zhuang. We are here under orders to search for an assassin. We hope Miss Zhuang will cooperate."
From inside came Han Yan's puzzled voice: "An assassin? I haven't seen any assassin."
Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Fourth Miss, the officers are only concerned for your safety. Everyone is here now. Why not cooperate and let them in?"
Han Yan's voice sounded flustered: "Then allow me to change my clothes..."
Immediately afterward, a rustling sound came from the room, but Han Yan neither opened the door nor spoke.
"Fourth Miss?" The officer grew impatient. Seeing that Han Yan still hadn't opened the door, he began to suspect something.
Madam Zhou was overjoyed, certain that Han Yan had been taken hostage by the assassin. Though she was somewhat wary of the assassin, her delight far outweighed her fear. If word got out that a young lady had been held captive by an assassin in her own bedchamber, there was no way the Xuan Qing Prince would still want her. By then, she would no longer be able to flaunt her status as she did now.
Madam Da Zhou's eyes lit up. Exchanging a glance with Madam Zhou, she called out to the room, "Yan'er, Yan'er, why aren't you answering? Has something happened?"
Seeing this, Zhuangshan also raised her voice anxiously: "Fourth Sister, don't scare us like this. Everyone is here. Are you alright?"
Zhuang Shiyang was extremely tense, though not out of concern for his daughter. He was merely shaken by the thought of an assassin appearing in his own residence. He took a few steps back, fearing he might get hurt.
Zhuang Hanming was also deeply anxious but couldn't show it. He only touched the soft sword hidden in the waistband of his inner robe, resolving in his heart that if Han Yan truly had been taken hostage, he would risk his life to rescue her from the assassin's hands.
Despite the calls from outside, there was still no movement from within. The officers had long grown impatient. Seeing this, Madam Zhou said, "Officers, it seems Fourth Miss may have been taken hostage... Perhaps you should just force your way in."
The officers, already suspicious due to the lack of response, wasted no time upon hearing Madam Zhou's suggestion and prepared to break down the door.
"Stop!" It was Zhuang Hanming who blocked the officers' path. "My sister is still in her bedchamber. If you barge in recklessly like this, what will happen to her reputation?" Zhuang Hanming glared furiously at the two sisters, Madam Zhou and Madam Da Zhou, wishing he could tear them to pieces. If Han Yan had been taken hostage and was in disarray... how could she possibly face being seen by so many male officers?
Madam Da Zhou, however, waved her hand dismissively. "Young Master, don't say such things. The officers are only acting in Yan'er's best interests. If Yan'er is in the hands of that villain and we delay rescuing her, she could be in grave danger. Besides," she said, looking at Zhuang Hanming with gentle affection, "Yan'er is to become the Princess Consort of the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion in the future. Who would dare tarnish her reputation?"These words were truly audacious, and the soldiers present all heard them. Accustomed to bullying others with their power, they couldn't help but reveal lecherous expressions upon hearing this. If the woman inside were disheveled, wouldn't they get to witness the beauty of the Xuan Qing Prince Consort? This was a rare treat indeed. Without further hesitation, they kicked the door open with a forceful blow. Zhuang Hanming tried to stop them but failed, watching helplessly as the door was forced open. The soldiers crowded around the entrance, and the leader, followed by two guards, strode in first.
Madam Da Zhou, murmuring "Yan'er," followed them inside, her face filled with worry. Zhuang Hanming, equally concerned, naturally followed without hesitation. Although Zhuangshan and Madam Zhou were somewhat fearful, the thought of seeing Han Yan humiliated and her reputation ruined brought them immense satisfaction, so they too entered. Only Zhuang Shiyang, Concubine Mei, and Concubine Wan and her daughter remained outside. Zhuang Shiyang dared not take the risk, while Concubine Mei watched with amusement, hoping to benefit from the conflict between Madam Zhou and Zhuang Hanyan. After all, Zhuang Hanyan was not an easy target to manipulate.
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