The Glory

"Мiss..." Ji Lаn still wаnted to sау sоmеthing, but Нan Yan wavеd hеr hand: "Let's nоt talk abоut this аnуmоrе. Wе need tо go out."

"Go out?" Shu Hong аskеd, "Wherе to?"

"Shunсhаng Маrtial Аrts Sсhооl," Нan Yаn replied with а sеrious еxpressiоn.

Fu Yunxi's aсtions sincе his rеturn wеrе trulу susрiсious, but within the Хuаn Qing Prinсе's Мansiоn, therе wаs likely nо оne whо would tell her thе reason. Аmоng thоse Нan Yan knew whо wеrе deерlу fаmiliаr with сourt аffаirs and hеld no hоstility towаrd her, реrhаps оnlу Yаng Qi, thе owner of Shunсhang Martial Arts Sсhool and а former mаrtial сhаmpiоn, might be willing to share information. Although Yang Qi was no longer an official in the court, as a veteran who had spent his life on the battlefield, even while living in seclusion in the countryside, he would still unconsciously pay attention to military matters. He might have some insights into the doubts surrounding this war. Han Yan was at her wit's end. Stepping out might be the only way to uncover the truth of the matter.

"Shu Hong, we'd better slip out quietly. Go find two sets of clothes," she said. Indeed, if she were to go out under the name "Zhuang Hanyan" now, she would likely be spotted before even reaching Shunchang Martial Arts School. This matter could not be made public, and utmost caution was necessary.

The moment she stepped out of the Xuan Qing Prince's Mansion, Han Yan felt as if an entire lifetime had passed. The last time she walked through this door, it was because Fu Yunxi wanted to protect her. Now, as she stepped out, it was because, before long, Fu Yunxi would be expelling her. Life was always full of changes. When she was immersed in gratitude, who could have predicted such events would occur?

Shu Hong and Ji Lan carefully observed their surroundings. Both wore veils to conceal their faces. Shu Hong hired a carriage, and the three of them set off toward Shunchang Martial Arts School.

Since Shunchang Martial Arts School began accepting female students, it had frequently received visits from women. Therefore, although Han Yan and her companions were dressed as women, they did not attract much attention. Their veils simply gave the impression of young ladies from strict households who were cautious in their actions, and nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.

For Han Yan, Yang Qi had accepted her proposal in the beginning, establishing Shunchang Martial Arts School and restraining Minister Chen's family, which in turn brought some changes to Consort Chen's life in the future. Han Yan was deeply grateful to him. However, from another perspective, Yang Qi had also gained fame, fortune, and what he desired from this transaction, so their positions were actually equal. Nevertheless, since Yang Qi was Zhuang Hanming's master and an elder, she naturally owed him more respect.

When they arrived at Shunchang Martial Arts School, Xiao Li, seeing three unfamiliar women, asked with some confusion, "What brings you here, miss?"

Han Yan smiled slightly. "Please inform Elder Yang that Zhuang Hanyan has come to visit."Xiao Li knew of Han Yan, and for a moment, he was somewhat surprised. After all, news that the Xuan Qing Prince Consort was about to become a discarded wife had already spread throughout the capital. Yet this woman had chosen to leave the prince’s residence at such a time and come to the Shunchang Martial Hall. Was she not afraid of the gossip and judgmental gazes outside? Why was her expression so calm, without even a hint of sorrow? Yang Qi often praised Zhuang Hanyan, saying she was different from ordinary women confined to the inner chambers. Xiao Li had previously only thought the young lady’s smile was gentle, but to maintain such composure in such circumstances—Xiao Li couldn’t help but admire her.

“Please follow me, Miss,” he said, suppressing his other emotions and bowing respectfully to Han Yan before leading the way.

When they met Yang Qi, he was sitting alone at a table in the room, playing chess. Though he was a military man and knew little of refined arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, his chess skills were quite good. This was because warfare and chess shared the same principles—chess not only cultivated inner calm and tranquility but also taught many things useful on the battlefield.

Seeing Han Yan enter, Yang Qi looked up. “Girl, in such a situation, you still have the heart to come find this old man?” Though his words were half-joking and sounded somewhat harsh, a closer look revealed a rare concern and care in his gaze. Han Yan felt a warmth in her heart and smiled faintly. “Whether I come to find you or not, the situation remains the same. Perhaps thinking of other ways might lead to a way out, don’t you think?”

She didn’t directly answer Yang Qi’s question, but her words carried an unyielding resilience. At such a time, instead of hiding away to avoid trouble, she was thinking of finding other solutions. Having fought all his life, Yang Qi deeply admired those who could face difficulties head-on. His tone softened slightly. “Girl, what exactly brings you to me today?”

Having dealt with Han Yan several times, Yang Qi knew that this seemingly gentle and amiable young lady was actually extremely shrewd. She had braved the risk of gossip to seek him out today, surely because he could help her in some way. But what exactly could he help her with?

Han Yan smiled faintly. “Everyone says the Great Dynasty has won the war against the Western Rong. As a woman confined to the inner chambers, I naturally know nothing of such matters. But you, sir, are different. You must be well-informed about the events on the battlefield. Today, I’ve come to ask you to clear up my doubts.”

Yang Qi was taken aback. “Why are you inquiring about battlefield matters?” His expression shifted slightly. “I’m afraid I cannot help you with this.”

Han Yan’s meaning was already clear—she not only wanted to know every detail of the war but also asked Yang Qi to analyze and explain all the uncertainties on the battlefield. But Han Yan was merely a woman. How could a woman casually discuss matters of state? It was highly improper. He also wondered what Han Yan intended to do with this information about the battlefield.Han Yan looked at her: "Senior knows that Han Yan is about to become a divorced woman now. The Western Rong princess is pressuring me with her status, and I truly have no other choice but to come to you for help." Seeing that Yang Qi's gaze still held some suspicion, Han Yan continued: "Actually, the reason I want to ask about the battlefield matters has its own cause. I believe that the prince's actions are inevitably connected to this war, or rather, there is something strange about this war—the Western Rong people have a conspiracy."

"Conspiracy?" Yang Qi looked at her doubtfully: "What do you mean by that?"

"Intuition," Han Yan said.

Yang Qi laughed heartily as if hearing a good joke: "Girl, battlefield matters cannot be judged by intuition; this is no game for young ladies. To rashly conclude there is a conspiracy like this is not acceptable."

Han Yan smiled faintly: "Does Elder Yang not know that Han Yan's intuition has always been very accurate? I believe you must have heard some things about me." She looked slyly at Yang Qi, her tone turning mysterious: "Let me tell you a secret, Elder Yang—my intuition has never failed."

Yang Qi was taken aback and raised his eyes to look at Han Yan. Since becoming the Xuan Qing Prince Consort, Han Yan's life from childhood onward had inevitably been discussed by others. For a time, the capital was almost filled with talk about this young consort. Yang Qi had naturally heard some accounts about Han Yan, such as how, after her father's new concubine entered the household, she was targeted everywhere, yet each time she easily resolved the crises. At first, he thought it was because the girl was cunning or simply lucky, but upon carefully examining each incident, he found that her responses were almost flawless. She could effortlessly exploit the opponent's weaknesses to turn the tables. If it were merely a matter of scheming, this would be hard to explain. Han Yan's actions seemed more like she already knew her opponent's every move, calmly waiting for them to think they had set up a perfect trap before swooping in from behind.