"Yоu shоuld still gо sее His Highness." Мufеng insisted. Hе too rеgrеttеd thе situаtiоn todaу. This might be the last method thаt сould hеlp Наn Yаn. If Нan Yаn аnd Fu Yunхi соuld reсoncile, wоuldn't еverуthing be resolvеd smoothlу?
It could bе sаid thаt Мufеng wаs, аfter all, rаthеr simplе-mindеd, whiсh was whу he соuld have suсh а naivе idea. If she сould have sроkеn prоperly with Fu Yunхi, whу wаit until now? Fu Yunхi wоuld hаvе sаid whаt neеdеd to bе said lоng ago. Тhe рrоblеm betwееn thеm wаsn't just a lack оf words or a single reаson.
Howеver, Mufеng's words аlsо remindеd Han Yan that although Fu Yunxi still hadn't told her many things, she should also make things clear with him. If Fu Yunxi insisted on marrying Irina or showed such intentions, once enough time passed and Han Yan completely gave up hope, she would choose to let go.
And now, she was already on the verge of giving up.
"Let's go." she said to Mufeng. Mufeng was delighted and hurriedly led the way. Ji Lan and Shu Hong went back to pack their things. Mufeng's expression along the way was very awkward. Perhaps he wanted to comfort Han Yan, but knowing he was in the wrong, he really didn't know what to say. After a long while, he cautiously asked, "Miss Zhuang... what exactly happened last night? Did you really... with a strange man..." He didn't finish the sentence, just watched Han Yan's expression.
Han Yan sneered coldly: "Didn't you hear it all? The whole capital knows. I spent the night with a strange man."
"That can't be true." Mufeng said seriously, "Miss is not that kind of person." In his heart, Han Yan was someone who cherished her reputation. Back when His Highness sought to marry her, Han Yan didn't agree immediately. There was no one better in this world than His Highness. If she kept her distance even from His Highness, how much more so from other men. Besides, someone who proposed "no taking concubines or keeping mistresses for a lifetime" and demanded loyalty in relationships would surely be faithful herself.
"Do you think you understand me well?" Han Yan smiled, her lips curling with an indescribable coldness. "Even your master doesn't understand me. What do you know? What happened last night was indeed true."
Mufeng stiffened, looking at Han Yan with disbelief. Han Yan had already stepped forward and walked ahead.
When the two arrived at the study one after the other, Mufeng was about to announce their entry but was stopped by the guards stationed outside. Mufeng was taken aback, frowning as he said, "I have something to report to His Highness."
That guard probably meant no harm. Mufeng's rank was higher than his, and he was usually always cheerful and joking. Who would have thought he'd be in a bad mood today after enduring a bellyful of anger? His tone was naturally a bit sharp. The guard said awkwardly, "His Highness has ordered that no one is allowed to enter... and..."
Before he could finish, a clear voice interjected: "So it's Miss Zhuang."Han Yan turned around to see a brightly dressed, pretty maid looking at her, the corners of her mouth unable to suppress a smug smile, her tone full of arrogance: "My princess is inside speaking with His Highness. If the young lady cannot wait, perhaps it would be better to return first." Han Yan regarded her calmly. Fu Yunxi's study was usually off-limits to others—she had known this for a long time. Back when she and Fu Yunxi were on good terms, he had even specifically instructed the guards at the door not to stop her when they saw her. Occasionally, Han Yan would even see Fu Yunxi's friend General Cheng Lei in the study, leading her to believe it was a place for discussing important matters. But now, Fu Yunxi had actually allowed Irina inside—this was truly baffling.
That maid was Irina's personal attendant, Linlang, who had long disliked Han Yan intensely. It was well-known throughout Western Rong that Irina had feelings for Fu Yunxi, but later the princess learned that this woman was about to become the Xuan Qing Prince Consort. If she had been a beauty, Irina might have felt somewhat better, but this woman was utterly ordinary—in terms of looks, there were many in Western Rong far more stunning than her. Moreover, Linlang herself had long harbored feelings for Fu Yunxi. Although the customs of the Great Dynasty differed somewhat from those of Western Rong, it would still be quite nice if she could be taken in as a chamber maid. For all these reasons, Linlang naturally held great resentment toward Han Yan, and thus her expression toward her was filled with disdain.
She was determined to knock Han Yan down a peg. Unfortunately, Han Yan merely watched her impassively, not showing even a hint of anger. This puzzled and infuriated Linlang. Women in Western Rong were bold and fiery; if angered, they would naturally engage in a fierce confrontation. She and Irina had been in the Great Dynasty for quite some time, and the women here were delicate and fragile, often bursting into tears at the slightest provocation—truly easy to bully. But this Zhuang Hanyan—why was there no reaction after hearing her words? Wasn't it said that those who had fallen from high positions found it hardest to maintain a calm heart? They would feel dejected, angry, and resentful. Yet the woman before her didn't seem to harbor even a trace of resentment.
It wasn't that Han Yan hadn't heard Linlang's words; it was simply that they had no effect on her. Linlang's aim was merely to provoke her. But patience was something Han Yan had learned long ago while surviving in the Zhuang residence. Compared to Concubine Mei and Madam Zhou, Linlang's tactics were nothing in Han Yan's eyes. What concerned her was the commotion inside Fu Yunxi's study.
Earlier, Mufeng's announcement, coupled with Linlang deliberately calling her name loudly, should have reached the ears of those inside the room. Yet there was no sound of anyone rising to open the door. If Irina hadn't been there, it would have been one thing, but since she was, and Fu Yunxi still refused to open the door, the answer was almost obvious: the Western Rong princess had stopped Fu Yunxi, intending to make things difficult for her by keeping the door shut.Once this thought crossed her mind, Han Yan almost laughed out loud. She stared calmly at the tightly shut door before her, realizing that once she treated this matter as a struggle for survival—just like fighting against the concubines and even her own father in the Zhuang Manor—there was actually not so much sorrow left. Because immersing oneself in the "struggle" within the household could also carve out a place for oneself. One must not be weak; if someone dares to trample over you, can you simply endure it? Of course not.
Han Yan smiled faintly. Very well, so you want to drag Fu Yunxi down and prevent him from opening the door? Then I will make you come out on your own.
Linlang probably noticed that Han Yan had been lost in thought all along, completely ignoring her presence. In a fit of anger, she glared at Han Yan and said, "Why aren’t you speaking? You’re so rude! No wonder the prince doesn’t want you and is marrying our princess instead!"
Linlang’s words would have been nothing out of the ordinary in the Western Rong, and even in the former Great Dynasty, they would have been insignificant. But she had to say them now, right in front of Han Yan. And so, what was once nothing became something.
Mufeng and the guards at the door were both hesitant and troubled, but then they saw Han Yan ask Mufeng with a half-smile, "Mufeng, you’ve been in the prince’s manor for so many years. Let me ask you something."
Mufeng’s heart skipped a beat. With Han Yan asking like this, he was almost certain she was about to stir up trouble. Although this Linlang was detestable, she was no match for Han Yan. He looked at Han Yan respectfully and asked, "What is it?"
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