How tо hаndlе it? Оf сourse, kill thosе whо have sеen the Рrinсе Соnsоrt's body! Uрon hearing this, the officеr's fаcе turned раlе, his lеgs gavе wау, аnd hе knelt bеfore Hаn Yаn. "Spаre my life, Рrince Сonsort, sраrе mу lifе! I wаs blind аnd failed tо rеcоgnizе Мount Тai. I hаvе offendеd уou, Рrince Cоnsort. Pleаsе sрarе my life!"
Mаdаm Zhоu and Zhuаngshаn wеrе bоth stunnеd. Thеу had аlwaуs lookеd down оn Наn Yan, but nоw, sееing thе officer sо fearful of her, theу began to fеel a sеnse оf drеad. Тhey glanced at Han Yan uneasily.
Han Yan merely said calmly, "What crime have you committed? You were merely carrying out your duties. Rest assured, I will truthfully report everything that happened today to the Prince. The Prince is discerning and will not wrong an innocent person."
Upon hearing this, the officer turned even paler. If this were reported to the Prince, he would have no chance of survival. Just as he was about to continue pleading for mercy, Han Yan added, "There is no need for you to be so courteous to me, Officer. Today's incident was merely a misunderstanding. I naturally will not blame you. However, after such a long delay, I fear the assassin has already escaped. Though I shouldn't say this, I still want to remind you: do not let go of those who deliberately delayed your duties. Perhaps they were trying to buy time for the assassin to escape."
The officer was taken aback for a moment but quickly understood the meaning behind Han Yan's words. Earlier, he had noticed the tension between Han Yan and Madam Zhou, and it was clear that Madam Zhou was trying to cause trouble for Han Yan. Later, Han Yan's mention of the Xuan Qing Prince Consort had terrified him, and he cursed himself for being foolish enough to provoke the Xuan Qing Prince Consort. He also felt some resentment toward Madam Zhou. If not for her, he would have left upon finding the room empty and avoided this entire mess. Now, seeing that Han Yan was willing to spare him, he naturally seized the opportunity and loudly declared, "These individuals have obstructed official duties and should be arrested for questioning!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou panicked. "What does this have to do with us? We are innocent..."
The officer, already angry with her and eager to impress Han Yan, said coldly, "You have been misleading me all along, making me suspect Fourth Miss. Now that Fourth Miss has been proven innocent, but much time has been wasted, it seems you are the most suspicious. Men, tie them up and take them away!"
"Madam Zhou need not be included," Han Yan said. "She is not from our household and likely has nothing to do with this matter." If Madam Da Zhou were taken to the authorities, the Grand Tutor's residence would soon find out. No one dared to disobey Grand Tutor Zhang's orders, and once she was released, the matter would be dropped. It was better to let her go now and deal with Madam Zhou and her daughter first. Since they dared to pressure her today, they should not expect to leave unscathed. Her injury had to yield some gain.
The officer nodded repeatedly. "Except for Madam Zhou, take them all away!"
Madam Da Zhou turned to look at Han Yan, who gave her a faint smile, her eyes filled with provocation, as if to say: Bring it on.
Madam Zhou and Zhuangshan wailed, "This has nothing to do with us! You cannot arrest us! Fourth Miss, how cruel you are..."
Zhuang Shiyang, who had been waiting outside, was also dumbfounded by the scene. He had not expected that after just a short while inside, Madam Zhou and her daughter would be arrested. As soon as Madam Zhou saw Zhuang Shiyang, she clung to him like a lifeline, grabbing his sleeve. "Master, save me! Fourth Miss ordered the officers to arrest us!""You are mistaken, Auntie." Before Zhuang Shiyang could speak, Han Yan walked out from the room, her arm dripping with blood. "Han Yan does not have such great ability. The officers were merely carrying out their duties impartially. Moreover, Auntie, this matter is of great importance. The reason for asking you to accompany them is also for the good of the Zhuang residence, isn't it?" She threw Madam Zhou's words right back at her. Seeing Madam Zhou's face turn livid with anger, Han Yan smiled faintly.
Concubine Mei walked over to Madam Zhou and said with a smile, "Oh, I thought something had happened to Fourth Miss. I never expected it would be Concubine Zhou instead. Today truly took me by surprise." After speaking, she caressed her own belly affectionately. "I hope it doesn't frighten the child."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhou shot a fierce glare at Concubine Mei's abdomen. Concubine Mei took a step back under her sinister gaze. Zhuang Shiyang gave Madam Zhou a displeased look but still suppressed his anger and asked the officer, "What exactly is going on here?"
The officer simply replied, "You'd better ask Madam Zhou about this matter. Farewell." With that, ignoring the cries of Madam Zhou and her daughter, he forcibly took them away.
"What exactly is going on?" Zhuang Shiyang turned to Madam Da Zhou.
Han Yan stretched lazily. "Father, Yan'er's wound hasn't healed yet. I must go inside to bandage it first. Father, you can have a good chat with Auntie."
Only then did Zhuang Shiyang notice the injury on Han Yan's arm. He coughed lightly, somewhat awkwardly. "Everyone, disperse." Zhuang Hanming looked at Han Yan with concern. Seeing her give him a reassuring smile, he finally left at ease.
When Qingqiu Garden was completely empty, Han Yan turned and entered the room. As soon as she stepped into the inner chamber, she saw that man sitting at the table, his gaze at her meaningful. "Little girl, your methods are quite impressive."
Han Yan looked back at him and, after a long pause, uttered four words: "Indeed troublesome!"
"Little girl, your tongue is sharp," Zhuo Qi said. It was the first time in his life he had been disliked, and the feeling wasn't pleasant.
Han Yan sat down opposite him. "You owe me a life, a wound, and a bottle of medicine."
Zhuo Qi's gaze fell on her blood-drenched arm. He recalled how Han Yan had pulled the hairpin from her head and, without hesitation, made a clean cut on her arm. It had made his heart race, yet she acted as if nothing had happened, simply finding a bandage to wrap it up. It was precisely because of this that the lingering scent of blood in the room could be explained.
"You didn't have to do that," he said. "You're too harsh on yourself."
Han Yan smiled indifferently. "Even without you, they wouldn't have let this go today. On the surface, I suffered a loss and inflicted a wound on myself, but they won't gain any advantage either. If they want to scheme against me, they must first shed a layer of their own skin."
A wicked smile curled at the corner of Zhuo Qi's lips. "You're truly interesting. Now, I'm even more reluctant to leave you."
Han Yan replied, "I saved you, so you must pay a price."
"What price?" Zhuo Qi teased her intentionally. "To offer myself in marriage."
Han Yan raised the corner of her mouth. "That won't be necessary. I only ask that you never appear before me again in the future." This man was far too troublesome, and his identity was anything but ordinary. If she were to get involved with him now, it would likely only bring more trouble.
Zhuo Qi stared intently at her. "I'll agree to any other condition except that one."Han Yan glared at him, and he burst into laughter, saying to her, "Little girl, I never owe anyone a favor. If there's a chance in the future, I will surely repay you." As he spoke, he stood up. "Today, you were injured because of me, leaving a scar. If your prince husband dislikes you for it and refuses to have you..." Zhuo Qi retreated to the window, giving Han Yan a suggestive smile. "I will marry you to repay the debt of saving my life." With that, he vanished in a flash, leaving Han Yan alone in the room.
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