The Glory

Lаst night, I vaguelу sеnsеd Fu Yunхi bу my side, but upоn wаking and not sеeing his figure, I still fеlt sоmеwhаt disарpointеd.

Ji Lan still had tears on her fасe but smilеd as shе sаid, "Мiss, dоn’t worrу. Yеstеrdау, His Нighness stayеd bу yоur side without leаving for a mоment, evеn реrsоnаllу fеtching watеr аnd wiping уоur wоunds. His Нighness trulу сares fоr уou, but hе had to attеnd court eаrlу this mоrning, likelу to repоrt tо Тhe Еmреrоr аbоut yеstеrdaу’s assаssin incident."

Нeаring thаt Fu Yunхi had stауеd bу her side without lеaving, Han Yan cоuldn’t quite describе the feеling in her hеаrt. She оnly thought that every time she was in danger, Fu Yunxi would come to her rescue. It would be false to say she wasn’t moved, but at that moment when she thought she was about to die, the thought that flashed through her mind was: The Xuan Qing Prince Consort would probably have to be replaced. Thinking of this, an extremely uncomfortable feeling arose in her heart, as if something that belonged to her had been snatched away by someone else.

While lost in thought, she suddenly heard a familiar voice from outside: "Sis!"

Han Yan turned her head and saw Zhuang Hanming standing at the doorway, looking ashamed and hesitant, wanting to step inside but not daring to, so he just stood there, wavering. Han Yan didn’t speak, quietly watching him.

Tears welled up in Zhuang Hanming’s eyes. When the crowd began to riot yesterday, Ying Zi suddenly pulled him aside. At first, he didn’t notice anything amiss, but when he realized Ying Zi was dragging him toward the center of the chaos, he sensed something was wrong and tried to break free. However, Ying Zi pressed a knife against his back. At that moment, Zhuang Hanming’s heart turned cold, followed by overwhelming anger. He had never suspected this girl, even arguing with Han Yan over her. But now he understood that this girl had indeed come with ulterior motives. Ying Zi held him hostage for a while before suddenly kicking him in the back. That kick was far from the strength of a frail young girl—it was clearly the work of someone trained in martial arts. Just then, a man with a knife charged at him, punching and kicking him relentlessly. Strangely, the attacker didn’t seem to want his life, while Ying Zi stood by, shouting in panic, as if deliberately putting on an act. He eventually couldn’t hold on and fainted, unaware of what happened afterward. When he woke up, he had already been taken back to the Zhuang residence, and it was only from the maids that he learned Han Yan had risked her life to save him and the Crown Prince.

In an instant, shame, regret, anger, and sorrow all surged in his heart. He came to the Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion and learned that Han Yan was injured, which made him even more anxious. On one hand, he worried about Han Yan’s injuries; on the other, he felt too ashamed to face her. Seeing Han Yan like this now, he felt somewhat relieved, thinking she must not be seriously hurt. Yet her indifferent attitude still made him feel deeply uncomfortable.

Han Yan sighed. "I’m fine. You should go back first." Though she said this, her tone remained slightly cold. Zhuang Hanming felt miserable but didn’t dare to anger her further. Knowing he had hurt Han Yan’s feelings for the sake of a stranger with ulterior motives, he cursed himself a thousand times in his heart. Finally, he said, "Sis, I’ll go then." After speaking, he glanced at Han Yan once more, but seeing her gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window, he gritted his teeth and left.Ji Lan and Shu Hong dared not say another word. In their hearts, they sided with Han Yan. Since childhood, Han Yan had treated this young master with utmost affection. After the mistress’s death, she had devoted herself entirely to planning for the young master’s future. Yet last time, the young master had unreasonably argued with Han Yan, and this time, he had caused her to suffer such a calamity. Deep down, they still harbored some resentment. However, seeing Zhuang Hanming’s dejected appearance, Ji Lan couldn’t help but say, “The young master is quite pitiful.”

After all, the young master, who had never experienced great storms since childhood, had lost his mother in her prime for no apparent reason. His father showed him no affection. Though inherently kind-hearted, he had suddenly been deceived, and his own sister had turned against him. Perhaps Zhuang Hanming now needed to reflect carefully.

“This is for his own good,” Han Yan sighed. “I can protect him once, but I cannot protect him for a lifetime. I hope he can see clearly…” After all, Zhuang Hanming still did not understand the dangers of the world. If someone took advantage of him, he could easily become a pawn in another’s hands. Previously, she had only focused on caring for him but had forgotten that once she married into the Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion, Zhuang Hanming would be left isolated and helpless in the Zhuang residence. In such times, only by becoming strong himself could he avoid being harmed by others. This incident could indeed be seen as a lesson. At the very least, from now on, if Zhuang Hanming encountered such a situation again, he would be more cautious and not act so recklessly. The great mansions were inherently places that devoured people, filled with either overt or covert struggles, or life-and-death conflicts. What position the two siblings held—Han Yan hoped Zhuang Hanming could see it clearly.

Seeing her like this, Shu Hong quickly changed the subject to divert Han Yan’s attention. Before long, they were laughing and chatting again.

After some time of banter, it was nearly noon. Ji Lan and Shu Hong went to the small kitchen to help, while Han Yan sat in the room, sighed, and thought of yesterday’s events, gradually losing herself in thought.

The Seventh Prince and the Empress Dowager had caused such a commotion. Did this mean they could no longer hold back? But how could The Emperor stand by and watch? He would surely be furious. Were they not afraid of being exposed? Han Yan frowned. Moreover, why would Western Rong have connections with people from the Great Dynasty, even willing to serve them? Who had ties with Western Rong—the Empress Dowager, the Seventh Prince? Or was it someone else? Unconsciously, her thoughts turned to Zhuo Qi. As members of Western Rong’s royal family, could they have also been involved in this matter? As she pondered, her gaze grew solemn, and she drifted into a daze.

“Hey!” A voice suddenly rang out in the room, startling Han Yan. She looked up and saw it was the Crown Prince.

Today, the Little Crown Prince was not wearing his usual golden robes but had changed into a begonia-colored long gown. He looked delicate and refined, shedding his former air of arrogance and gaining a touch of innocence. He looked at Han Yan discontentedly. “I called you several times. Why didn’t you answer?”

Han Yan sighed inwardly. No matter how he dressed, this Crown Prince’s temper had not changed in the slightest. She replied somewhat helplessly, “I was lost in thought just now. Please forgive me, Your Highness.” Though she said this, her expression and actions showed not a trace of fear, as if she truly did not regard the Crown Prince with any reverence."How dare you!" The Crown Prince's face flushed crimson with anger, but upon seeing Han Yan's indifferent expression, he suddenly deflated like a punctured ball and simply sat down on a nearby stool. "I came today to thank you," he said, clearing his throat twice. "Guards, bring in the items." The guards waiting outside promptly carried in three large chests with a series of thuds.

Han Yan was taken aback—this was somewhat unexpected. She couldn't help but ask, "What is Your Highness doing?"

The Crown Prince gestured for the men to open the chests. The first chest was filled to the brim with silver. Han Yan felt a headache coming on. The Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion certainly had no shortage of silver. While more silver was always welcome—she could keep it as private savings or use it to support Zhuang Hanming, both of which would be beneficial—this silver was a gift from the Crown Prince, and under no circumstances could she accept it.