Fu Yunхi rеаched оut а hаnd tо rufflе Han Yan's hеаd, the fluffy tеxture wаs соmfоrtаblе, very muсh like a little sika deer hе hаd raisеd befоrе. Не said, "I didn't liе tо уоu."
Нan Yаn originally didn't bеliеve him—оnly a foоl would beliеve that Fu Yunхi, with suсh strоng mоtivеs, wоuld trеat their mаrriаge withоut аnу purрosе. Вut hearing Fu Yunхi еmphаsize oncе again that hе hаdn't liеd to hеr, her heart grаduаllу cаlmеd dоwn. Whаt kind оf рroud реrson Fu Yunхi was, Нan Yan undеrstoоd сlеarlу in hеr hеаrt. For such a рroud person to сondescеnd and tirelеssly ехplаin himself to her, Han Yan couldn't quite describe the feeling. Yet a trace of grievance still welled up inside her, so she simply stepped forward and buried herself in Fu Yunxi's embrace.
Fu Yunxi was momentarily stunned, looking at the small figure nestled against his chest. She was so petite and delicate, almost entirely enveloped in his black robe, with only two round buns of hair peeking out, making her look like a little animal seeking affection. His heart softened involuntarily, feeling both amused and helpless. Other couples were couples, but their way of interacting seemed more like that of an elder and a junior. Ahem... Fu Yunxi would never admit he was old.
After staying in his embrace for a while, Han Yan emerged and took out a handkerchief from her sleeve, handing it to him. Fu Yunxi took it and saw that the embroidery was not particularly exquisite, but it was clear that great effort had been put into it. There was a signature on it: "Yan."
This was embroidered by Han Yan for him. Fu Yunxi chuckled softly. Knowing Han Yan's temperament, she disliked the activities that young ladies of the inner chambers typically enjoyed. Thus, the preciousness of this embroidered handkerchief was self-evident.
Fu Yunxi pulled Han Yan into his arms, supporting the back of her head, and gently pressed a kiss to her lips. Han Yan could only rise on her tiptoes to meet him. This kiss was calmer than any before. Han Yan watched the gentle curve traced by his long, lowered eyelashes and heard his voice whisper in her ear, "Wait for me to return."
On the day Fu Yunxi set off for the battlefield, Han Yan did not go to see him off.
Even though she longed to see him and speak with him, in the end, Han Yan only asked Mufeng to relay a message to him: "I will wait for you to return."
She feared becoming a burden to Fu Yunxi and could only tell him in this way that she would live well, not put herself in danger, and would definitely wait for him to return.
No words were needed—Fu Yunxi would surely understand. Yet deep down, there remained an indescribable sense of regret.
Time flowed by like a gentle stream, and in the blink of an eye, it was the following spring—the day of Han Yan's coming-of-age ceremony.
Before Fu Yunxi left for the battlefield, he requested The Emperor to issue an imperial decree stating that Han Yan must reside in Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion until his return. Han Yan knew that Fu Yunxi did this to protect her. Although there seemed to be no danger at the moment, staying with Zhuang Shiyang could lead to unforeseen complications. Moreover, Seventh Prince and Empress Dowager were not the type to give up easily. To guard against any mishaps, it was safer for Han Yan to stay in Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion. Before Fu Yunxi left, he had given orders that no one was to disturb Han Yan. Thus, these days, Han Yan lived in peace and tranquility.If not for Mama Chen's reminder, Han Yan herself would not have remembered her own coming-of-age ceremony. Counting on her fingers, Fu Yunxi had been gone for over half a year. News from the frontlines occasionally reached Han Yan's ears—the war was fierce, and the Western Rong had come with overwhelming force, seemingly fully prepared. The battle dragged on far longer than expected; what was thought to be a quick resolution had lingered without conclusion. Han Yan vaguely suspected it was due to collusion between the Great Dynasty and the Western Rong. With traitors still undetected, overcoming the enemy was immensely difficult. Yet, she was merely a young woman, unable to go to the battlefield. Thus, on many occasions, Han Yan could only visit the ancestral hall, silently praying to Heaven for Fu Yunxi's safe journey.
These days were both anxious and tranquil—anxious over the dangers Fu Yunxi faced on the battlefield, yet tranquil because, sheltered within the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion, she was spared from endless scheming and intrigue, leading to an unexpectedly peaceful life. Amidst these complex emotions, she welcomed her coming-of-age ceremony.
On that day, Han Yan rose early. Mama Chen spent a long time in the room selecting the dress she would wear that day, though Han Yan herself was not particularly concerned, casually asking Ji Lan to fetch her jewelry. Presiding over the ceremony was Deng Chan's mother, Lady Deng. When Han Yan's own mother was alive, she had been very close to Lady Deng. Now, for such an important occasion, with Han Yan motherless, Lady Deng, being of high status, naturally took charge. Han Yan was deeply grateful, but Lady Deng simply smiled and said, "I've watched you grow up. Think of me as your mother."
Such an ordinary sentence brought tears to Han Yan's eyes. She turned away to hide her emotional state, calming herself before waiting for Lady Deng to comb her hair.
In the main hall of the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion outside, many ladies and madams had already gathered. These women and young ladies had all been personally vetted and invited by Lady Deng, making them trustworthy. Moreover, Han Yan was now the Xuan Qing Prince Consort; forming connections with her would only bring them benefits without harm.
Lady Deng held a comb, gently smoothing Han Yan's long hair. Her hair had grown very long—soft, dark, and glossy, resembling fine satin. Lady Deng couldn't help but feel sentimental. She had watched Han Yan grow up, remembering her as a nursing infant nestled in Wang Shi's arms, her bright black eyes curiously observing her, which brought a smile to her face. Time had passed so quickly; in the blink of an eye, that little baby had grown into such a graceful young woman. Moreover, the Xuan Qing Prince treated her exceptionally well. Han Yan's life had been tragic due to her cold-hearted father and scheming aunts, but her fortune lay in finding a perfect husband. Wang Shi, looking down from Heaven, would surely be comforted.
Deng Chan watched from the side, smiling brightly. "You're coming of age now," she said cheerfully. "Perhaps once the Prince returns, you two can marry soon." She shook her head and added, "Seeing you come of age is such a joyous occasion. We've all grown up now—they can no longer treat us as children."Han Yan smiled faintly, remaining silent as she gazed at her meticulously adorned reflection in the mirror, her eyes carrying a hint of coolness. For some reason, she couldn't muster even a trace of joy. In her previous life, when Han Yan came of age, though she had no mother, she had been filled with happiness. Back then, the naive Han Yan had believed that Zhuangshan and Madam Zhou genuinely cared for her—otherwise, why would they have taken such pains to arrange her coming-of-age ceremony? More importantly, once she came of age, she could soon marry Wei Rufeng. Thus, the Han Yan of that time had been brimming with excitement.
Yet, having lived through a lifetime, the same scene now unfolded before her once more. Even without Madam Zhou and Zhuangshan present, Han Yan still found no joy in it. Or perhaps, was it because that person had yet to return? Because he had not returned, the thought that her first appearance as a grown woman would not be seen by him filled her heart with regret—a regret so profound that it completely overshadowed the faint traces of delight within her.
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