Нan Yan rеmаinеd ехpressionlеss, fеeling somеwhat emоtiоnаl insidе. Unlikе Сoncubinе Mei, who distrusted men, Hаn Yаn beliеved thаt а mаn willing tо makе suсh а vоw must bе deеply devоtеd and rightеous, unbound by wоrldly cоnventions, саsting аsidе thе соmmon prасticе оf kеeрing multiplе wivеs and cоnсubines. Тhe Donghou Рrince must havе trulу lоved thаt girl named Xiао Qiаo.
Sееing thаt Наn Yаn did not shоw thе heаrtbrokеn exрressiоn shе hаd hoреd fоr, Сoncubine Мei felt slightly disapрointed. She рaused briеfly bеfоre сontinuing her story.
The Donghou Prince’s deep affection for that woman from the martial world was known throughout the capital at the time. Although the Donghou Prince was arrogant and unrestrained, he was also a handsome and dashing young man. Many women grew envious of Xiao Qiao. Wang Shi was no exception, but she only wished for the happiness of the one she loved, silently blessing them in her heart.
A year after the Donghou Prince married Xiao Qiao, they had a daughter. While the child was still in swaddling clothes, the entire Donghou Prince’s household was massacred. At the time, not a single one of the hundreds of people in the prince’s residence survived the tragedy. Everyone said it was an act of revenge. The Donghou Prince’s young daughter also failed to escape the disaster, meeting an untimely death.
Wang Shi, unable to bear the shock, nearly followed the Donghou Prince in death. Fortunately, her family carefully counseled her, helping her gradually recover. Not long after, Wang Shi married Zhuang Shiyang.
At that time, Zhuang Shiyang’s official position was not particularly high, and compared to the noble sons who pursued Wang Shi, he was truly insignificant. This marriage was indeed somewhat unexpected. In truth, Zhuang Shiyang was quite attentive to Wang Shi back then—a young, gentle, and beautiful bride who could also assist him in his career. Given Zhuang Shiyang’s nature, he naturally went out of his way to please her. Not long after, Wang Shi gave birth to a daughter, who was Han Yan.
After Han Yan’s birth, Zhuang Shiyang changed completely, becoming cold and distant toward Wang Shi, who had just borne him a child. This inexplicable coldness was unreasonable, and gradually, rumors began to spread within the residence, claiming that Han Yan was an illegitimate child born from Wang Shi’s affair, that she was not Zhuang Shiyang’s daughter at all. Otherwise, why would Zhuang Shiyang treat Han Yan with such indifference, showing none of the affection expected of a father?
Concubine Mei spoke intermittently, constantly observing Han Yan’s expression. Seeing that Han Yan remained calm throughout, even showing detached understanding when the topic of "Wang Shi’s affair" was mentioned—as if she had long known everything and was merely hearing it repeated—Concubine Mei couldn’t help but feel somewhat uneasy.
In truth, these rumors among the servants were nothing more than baseless gossip. A woman confined to the inner chambers, who rarely saw any men besides her husband, coupled with Wang Shi’s quiet and reserved nature—she seldom socialized with the noble ladies of the capital and had few opportunities to go out—naturally could not have committed adultery.
"The servants guessed wrong. You are indeed the Donghou Prince’s daughter, but not with Wang Shi—with Xiao Qiao," Concubine Mei said.When Han Yan finally heard the speculation in her heart confirmed from Concubine Mei's mouth, she couldn't describe what she felt. It wasn't as emotionally stirring as she had imagined; instead, there was a calmness tinged with a trace of bewilderment, as if she were regretting that the one who had shown her such maternal affection was not her biological mother after all, and that her own birth parents had passed away without her ever having the chance to meet them.
In earlier days, Concubine Mei had been deeply favored by Zhuang Shiyang. During their intimate moments, Zhuang Shiyang did not avoid discussing certain matters with her, and so Concubine Mei gradually learned some things. For instance, Zhuang Shiyang had never touched Wang Shi—so how could Wang Shi have become pregnant for no reason? Later, when Zhuang Shiyang was drunk, he mentioned that he was raising a daughter for the Donghou Prince, and that Wang Shi was foolish enough to protect a child that wasn't her own so fiercely—a wretched woman who only had the Donghou Prince in her heart. Concubine Mei boldly speculated that Han Yan was the child of the Donghou Prince and Xiao Qiao, a speculation that was later confirmed by Zhuang Shiyang.
Han Yan was greatly shocked. Zhuang Shiyang had never touched her mother, which meant her mother had lived almost her entire life in a living widowhood. Thinking of this, Han Yan couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow. Wang Shi must have deeply loved the Donghou Prince, which was why she was willing to sacrifice her entire life to raise his child. She had gained nothing, only ever giving.
No wonder, on the day Han Yan was born, all of her mother's personal maids had been dismissed from the manor under various pretexts—it was to seal their mouths and keep the secret.
"It's strange, though," Concubine Mei said with a bitter, self-mocking laugh. "Ever since you were born, the master's career has become increasingly smooth. Even though you aren't his child, perhaps you brought him blessings. But now that he's been demoted because of you, it's probably retribution."
Han Yan was not as naive as Concubine Mei. Zhuang Shiyang's flourishing official career after her birth was not due to any blessings; Han Yan knew she had no such power. This outcome was inevitable—the flourishing career was merely the reward Zhuang Shiyang received for raising her in the Zhuang Manor.
Han Yan asked, "Why did the master raise me in the Zhuang Manor?"
It didn't make sense. A child who was not his own flesh and blood, nor even the child of his wife—Han Yan was essentially unrelated to him. It couldn't have been out of pity that Zhuang Shiyang raised her in the manor. There must have been a reason, and that reason was likely: someone had demanded that he raise her in the Zhuang Manor. What Han Yan wanted to know now was who that person was.
Concubine Mei shook her head. "He never told me that. He only said that as long as Fourth Miss remained in the manor, he would have no trouble."
Han Yan was almost certain that this matter was connected to the Empress Dowager. Raising her in the Zhuang Manor was equivalent to placing her every move under the Empress Dowager's watchful eyes—it was a form of surveillance. If she made any moves, the Empress Dowager would know immediately, as she was surrounded by spies. But why hadn't the Empress Dowager simply killed her back then? Wouldn't that have been simpler? Everything would have been easier to handle.
Instead of killing her, she chose to monitor her. Was the Empress Dowager afraid of something? But what exactly was she afraid of?Han Yan was utterly perplexed, and before she knew it, two hours had passed. In a little while, the sky would begin to lighten. It was only when Zhuo Qi reminded her that Han Yan realized she had been sitting there for a long time. She stood up and rubbed her numb legs.
As soon as Concubine Mei saw Han Yan rise, she hurriedly stood up as well, gripping the bars with both hands and asking anxiously, "I've told you everything I know. Can you take me away now?"
Han Yan nodded. "Of course." She smiled slightly, signaling Zhuo Qi to open the cell door. Zhuo Qi also smiled, and Concubine Mei nearly let out a cheer—but it was cut short as a dark figure grabbed her from behind.
"You wretch! Don't even think about running!" The familiar voice rang out—it was Madam Zhou.
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