Наn Yаn wаs stаrtlеd at first, but as shе turnеd аrоund, hеr exprеssiоn graduallу coоlеd. "Whеn did thе еstеemed рrince of Western Rong dеvеloр an intеrеst in еаvesdrоррing оn оthers' сonversatiоns?"
Stаnding befоre Han Yаn was nonе other thаn Zhuо Qi. Тоdау, hе wore а dаrk blue rоbе, аpрeаring fаr less dishevеlеd than during thеir previous еncounters. Ноwеver, his аbility to cоmе аnd go frоm thе Zhuаng rеsidеnсe аs if it wеre unguаrded still irritаted Hаn Yan.
Zhuо Qi, оn thе othеr hаnd, smilеd triumрhantly. "I was mеrely here to сlear my mind аnd hapрenеd tо ovеrhear the princess consort confessing her feelings to the prince. Ah, I truly envy that Xuan Qing Prince, having a little beauty like Yan'er so devoted to him. If it were me..."
"Master Zhuo certainly has interesting hobbies, risking so much to come to my Zhuang residence just to discuss this," Han Yan replied indifferently.
Zhuo Qi took a step closer. "For you, I would do anything."
Han Yan glared at him. This Western Rong prince was an extremely dangerous man. He had fled to the Great Dynasty to escape Tuer Mu's pursuit, yet he seemed entangled in some scheme. Regardless, he was not someone on her side. Such a person was best kept at a distance, but for now, she could not act rashly.
Han Yan forced a smile. "If you could promise never to come to the Zhuang residence again for my sake, I would be even more heartless."
Zhuo Qi stared at her. "Such a heartless little girl." With that, he stepped back and, in the blink of an eye, leaped onto the roof. Looking down at Han Yan in the courtyard, he laughed. "Truthfully, I was just passing by today. But compared to that Wei heir, I still prefer your prince husband." He waved at Han Yan. "Stay away from that heir from now on, little girl." With a flash, he vanished.
Han Yan stood in the courtyard, both angry and amused. This man's attitude was inexplicable, making it hard to tell whether he was friend or foe. However, Han Yan remained highly vigilant and knew she could not let her guard down around Zhuo Qi.
Meanwhile, Consort Chen's birthday was approaching. This time, Zhuang Shiyang had also received an invitation, which he saw as a sign of hope for his promotion—something he eagerly desired. The invitation specified that Zhuang Shiyang's two daughters were to attend. Han Yan was now the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, and Zhuangshan was the heir's secondary consort. Only Zhuang Qin remained, spending her days in the Buddhist hall with Concubine Wan. Their meetings had grown increasingly rare.
One day, while strolling in the mansion's garden, Han Yan happened to see Zhuang Hanming followed by a girl of about eleven or twelve. Han Yan found the girl unfamiliar, unlike any maid in the mansion. Curious, she called out to Zhuang Hanming.
When Zhuang Hanming saw her, he called out, "Sister," and walked over to her. Han Yan's gaze fell on the little girl behind him.
She was a very delicate-looking girl. Though young, her features were distinct and lovely, promising great beauty as she grew older. The girl was dressed like the other maids in the mansion, but her demeanor was timid. She dared not look up at Han Yan, hiding behind Zhuang Hanming with a pitiable expression.
Han Yan asked, "This girl doesn't seem familiar."
Zhuang Hanming smiled and cast a sympathetic glance at the little girl. "Her name is Ying Zi. I rescued her from some villains on my way back from the Imperial Academy last time."
Han Yan frowned. "How did you rescue her from villains?"Zhuang Hanming noticed her expression was off and quickly said, "That villain wanted to sell Ying Zi into a brothel. I couldn't stand by and watch, so I drove him away."
Han Yan's tone was already very serious: "Anyone who sells children is bound to be ruthless and vicious. You're still young—how did you manage to drive him away?"
"I've learned martial arts!" Zhuang Hanming smiled. "He couldn't withstand my fists and kicks."
Seeing the faint hint of pride in his eyes, Han Yan couldn't help but shake her head. After all, Zhuang Hanming was still young and naive, unaware of the dangers of the world. Now that he thought he had a skill to rely on, he was feeling smug. Little did he know that there were always people more capable than oneself. The other party had been in this business for a long time—how could they be easily intimidated by a child? After a moment's thought, she turned to the little girl who had remained silent from the start. "Ying Zi, tell me, who were your parents? And how did you end up being sold to a brothel?"
Ying Zi immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Han Yan, her voice soft and timid: "Miss, Ying Zi's parents died long ago. I was living with my aunt, but she passed away recently. My elder sister voluntarily sold herself into a brothel to buy a coffin and bury my aunt. I wanted to find my sister, but those people caught me."
As she spoke, tears trickled down her little face, evoking pity in anyone who saw her.
But Han Yan didn't even blink, continuing to ask, "Then tell me, where did your parents live, and where is your aunt buried?"
Ying Zi was taken aback, then a look of grief and indignation appeared on her face. "Miss, you don't believe Ying Zi. I would rather die to prove my innocence!" With that, she stood up and rushed headlong toward a pillar in the room. Her movement was so sudden that Zhuang Hanming swiftly stepped forward, grabbed Ying Zi, and pulled her back, shouting at her, "What are you doing!" Though his tone was angry, it still carried concern and worry. Han Yan's heart sank—sure enough, Zhuang Hanming turned to her and said, "Sister, Ying Zi is already so pitiful. Why are you pushing her like this?"
Han Yan was stunned, not even bothering to smile. Instead, she looked coldly at Zhuang Hanming, her tone icy: "I only asked about her family background. What did I do wrong? Every servant who enters this mansion is questioned about their origins. The Zhuang household is large and complex. If someone of dubious background were to cause trouble, who would take responsibility?"
She was usually all smiles and rarely lost her temper, especially toward Zhuang Hanming, whom she treated with gentleness and kindness. Never before had she faced him with such coldness. Zhuang Hanming looked at her with disappointment. "I always thought you were a kind-hearted person, but now, your actions are becoming more and more incomprehensible to me. Now you even suspect a mere maid. Ying Zi is different from the other servants in the mansion. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility!"
"So, you're going to oppose me because of her?" Han Yan stared intently into Zhuang Hanming's eyes. This younger brother was the first person she had vowed to protect in this new life, yet now he was questioning her like this for the sake of a stranger.Zhuang Hanming was furious. He had never imagined that the sweet and pitiful Ying Zi would be treated this way by Han Yan. Ying Zi had lost her mother at a young age, and her fate of relying on her sister for survival made Zhuang Hanming feel a deep resonance, as if they shared similar hardships. Bringing Ying Zi back to the manor was also his way of hoping she could live a healthy life. But now, with Han Yan acting like this, he simply couldn’t understand.
"You are utterly unreasonable!" Zhuang Hanming pulled Ying Zi up and shielded her tightly behind him. Meeting Han Yan’s incredulous gaze, he said angrily, "No matter how many schemes you have in mind, don’t assume everyone else is as despicable as you!"
Han Yan swayed slightly as Zhuang Hanming turned and left with Ying Zi. Shu Hong supported Han Yan, saying, "Miss..." The young master and the young lady of the manor were quarreling, and as a mere maid, she truly didn’t know how to speak up.
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