Неaring this familiаr vоiсе, Сoncubine Меi was first stunned, thеn slowly rаisеd hеr hеаd tо look аt Han Yan. Her gazе wаs somеwhat vасаnt, squinting аs if trying tо rесоgnizе whethеr this noble-loоking wоman wаs truly the samе girl who had оnce bееn bulliеd аnd humiliаtеd in thе Zhuang Mаnоr. Suddenlу, shе thrеw her hеad bасk and laughеd wildlу: "It's yоu, it's actuallу you!" Hеr vоiсe wаs filled with grief and indignаtiоn: "Whаt arе уоu dоing hеrе? Tо mоck mе?"
Just momеnts ago, whеn she didn’t knоw Наn Yan’s idеntitу, Соncubine Mеi had knelt on the ground, bеgging pitifully, evеn selling her bоdy аnd trаmpling hеr own dignity. But once she learned Han Yan’s identity, she began to resist fiercely, her eyes filled with mockery and resentment, as if she had returned to the arrogant and domineering Concubine Mei of the past.
This was perhaps a common affliction among women in large households. When facing old acquaintances, especially those who were once inferior but now lived better lives, they were always eager to compare and compete. It was an incurable sickness. Han Yan watched her calmly: "Concubine Mei, it’s been a year since we last met. You’ve aged."
These words truly wounded her, piercing Concubine Mei’s heart. Appearance was the most important thing to a woman, and Concubine Mei had once prided herself on her beauty. Yet Han Yan’s words shattered her confidence completely.
She raised her face to look at Han Yan. The Fourth Miss, who had once been bullied by her, too afraid to even cry, whom any servant in the Zhuang Manor could freely insult and beat, had now transformed into a different person. Even though she was only wearing dark clothes today, her noble aura was innate. Not only did she live better than Concubine Mei, but far better. But why? Han Yan was clearly inferior to her! That plain, unremarkable face had matured, becoming delicate and charming, her skin fair and tender like a newly bloomed water lily. She was far younger, something Concubine Mei deeply envied!
Concubine Mei suddenly burst into laughter again: "But what does it matter? You’re young, yet you’ve become a discarded woman! Xuan Qing Prince doesn’t want you—he’s marrying the Western Rong princess as his consort! Zhuang Hanyan, you have nothing!"
Beside her, Zhuo Qi stiffened, immediately drawing his sword in anger. This woman’s words were too vile. Han Yan raised a hand to stop him, speaking lightly: "Concubine Mei is so well-informed. Could it be that the jailer told you this while sharing your bed?"
At these words, Concubine Mei fell silent. Shame filled her heart. Yes, Han Yan was right. She had almost become a prostitute in this prison, available to any guard on duty. At first, she resisted, but later she grew accustomed to it. When the guards were in a good mood, they would even give her some benefits. But now, with Han Yan exposing it so bluntly, Concubine Mei felt as if she had been stripped naked in broad daylight, powerless, and the words she had been about to say died in her throat.
Zhuo Qi inwardly cheered for Han Yan. This swift and decisive counterattack, without a hint of hesitation, was truly Han Yan. Even when her mind was in turmoil, she could still calmly strike back. This woman was truly terrifying—she could always spot the other’s weakness at a glance, then step on their wounds without forgetting to sprinkle salt on them. Terrifying, yet also admirable.Han Yan had no idea what Zhuo Qi was thinking. On the other hand, Concubine Mei gradually calmed down. She sneered, "Zhuang Hanyan, you didn’t come here today just to see me in such a wretched state, did you? If that’s your goal, then you’ve achieved it. When are you leaving?"
"What’s the hurry, Concubine Mei?" Han Yan crouched down, meeting Concubine Mei’s gaze through the bars. Her eyes were calm, resolute, and carried a hint of threat. "I came today only to make a deal with you."
"Why should I make a deal with you?" Concubine Mei let out a cold laugh.
"Simple—you need freedom," Han Yan said.
Freedom? Concubine Mei was taken aback for a moment but quickly regained her composure. She spat toward Han Yan, "Fourth Miss, I find your words increasingly hard to understand. What do you mean by freedom? Are you joking?"
Though her tone was cold, tinged with self-mockery and disbelief, there was a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes. Han Yan caught that glimmer. Concubine Mei longed for freedom—as long as there was longing, there was room for negotiation. Han Yan’s gaze leveled with Concubine Mei’s, almost seductively, she said, "Concubine Mei has been living in the imperial prison for over a year. Surely you haven’t grown accustomed to this life? I thought you’d want to go out and see the world beyond."
"What do you mean by that?" Concubine Mei stopped laughing and asked urgently. As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it—she shouldn’t have shown such eagerness in front of Han Yan. But Han Yan’s words were too tempting. From the sound of it, Han Yan seemed to have a way to get her out of the imperial prison. Life in the prison had been like an endless nightmare for Concubine Mei. In all her decades before this, she had never imagined she would one day fall to such depths—starving, living the lowest and filthiest existence, toyed with by countless strange men, without freedom or dignity. Even more terrifying was that this life would never end, not until the day she died.
"Don’t you want to see the sunlight outside, Concubine Mei? Spending all day in such a dark, damp place like the imperial prison, you must have no idea how beautifully the flowers bloom or how lively the streets are. Oh, and," Han Yan smiled faintly, "Concubine Mei must not have worn beautiful clothes in a long time. Such a great beauty, yet now… tsk tsk." She didn’t finish her sentence, appearing unhurried and composed, but her smile held a hint of amusement.
Concubine Mei glared at Han Yan with hatred. "Fourth Miss, don’t push your luck."
It was like placing a delicious feast before someone starving, just out of reach, and telling them they must sell their dignity to obtain it. Han Yan’s words stirred the deepest longing in Concubine Mei’s heart, yet Han Yan kept her hanging, as if trampling all her self-respect underfoot. Concubine Mei’s initial arrogance and resistance vanished, replaced only by a deep sense of defeat.
"How can you call it pushing my luck?" Han Yan said. "Once this deal is done, everything I just mentioned, Concubine Mei, you can have it all. I’m not lying to you. What I promise, I will deliver.""Now that I'm in the imperial prison, how can you possibly rescue me?" Concubine Mei asked. She did not trust Han Yan. In fact, as a former adversary, she harbored deep apprehension toward Han Yan. She herself had been defeated by this seemingly unassuming young girl—who could have imagined she possessed such cunning? Everything Concubine Mei faced today was entirely due to Han Yan. Han Yan's offer of a trade now meant that Concubine Mei held valuable information worth exploiting. Though she did not know what it was, using it to secure her freedom would be a gain for her. She just wasn't sure whether Han Yan would keep her promise.
"It's simple, Concubine Mei. Look around—there's no one here now. If I wanted to rescue you, it would be effortless. Once you're out, as long as you never set foot in the capital again, you can live a stable life. Though not one of great wealth or status, it would still be far better than your current situation. With your beauty, you might even find a better protector than the master."
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