The Glory

It wаs nоnе оther than Zhuangshаn.

Тhe maid, unаware оf whаt hаd hаррened, сautiously retreatеd tо the dоor, fеаring thаt this рersоn might suddеnlу gо mаd. Yet, in thе darkness, she sаw Zhuаngshan grаdually lowеr her heаd, as if lost in bоundlеss mеmоriеs.

Тhе names Хuаn Qing Prinсе аnd Zhuang Нanуаn seemеd nоt to hаve been sрoken in Zhuangshаn’s рrеsenсe for a lоng timе. If nоt for thе mаid mеntiоning it tоdаy, Zhuаngshаn might evеn havе thought that Zhuаng Hаnуаn had nеvеr ехisted at all, аnd that everything in the Zhuаng residencе was merеly а drеam shе had conjured. She had been confined in this small, dark room, living in complete isolation, for an entire year.

A year could bring about many changes. For instance, her once-rising status in the Prince Wei’s residence had finally been replaced by the Prince Wei’s consort, Li Jiaqi. For instance, Wei Rufeng had not visited her even once in the past year. For instance, her own son was no longer hers. For instance... she had become someone in the Prince Wei’s residence even lower than a servant.

All of this had been changed by nothing more than a single Li Jiaqi.

After Li Jiaqi entered the household, she occupied the position of Wei Rufeng’s legitimate wife and acted with unbridled arrogance. Back when Zhuangshan was still an unmarried maiden and had interacted with Li Jiaqi, she knew this pampered daughter of nobility was not an easy person to deal with. However, at that time, Zhuangshan was more inclined to use Li Jiaqi, for although Li Jiaqi was domineering, she was also foolish. Allying with her to deal with Han Yan could save a lot of trouble. But when this arrogant and foolish person became her adversary, trampling over her, Zhuangshan realized something was amiss.

Li Jiaqi was intensely jealous, especially in the early days after her arrival, when she monopolized Wei Rufeng almost daily, leaving Zhuangshan no opportunity to approach him. Although Zhuangshan did not love Wei Rufeng, he was her means of climbing higher. For a woman in the inner courtyard, once she lost a man’s favor, she would find herself unable to move an inch. Zhuangshan thus tried every means to get close to Wei Rufeng, which only deepened Li Jiaqi’s displeasure upon seeing it, escalating the conflict between the two.

Not long after, Li Jiaqi became pregnant. At this time, Zhuangshan also discovered that she was pregnant as well. Panic-stricken, she dared not tell anyone. If she and Li Jiaqi were both with child, everyone would inevitably shower their concern on Li Jiaqi’s child. And after the children were born, her own child would be a concubine’s son, while Li Jiaqi’s child would be the legitimate heir. She knew all too well the distinction between a legitimate son and a concubine’s son. She hated Zhuang Hanyan precisely because Han Yan had the status of a legitimate daughter, which she herself lacked. How could she let her own child tread the same path she had?

Thus, Zhuangshan devised a plan to cause Li Jiaqi to miscarry.

In truth, her methods were rather sophisticated. Having learned from the Zhou sisters through long exposure, Zhuangshan, though repeatedly defeated by Han Yan—largely because Han Yan had experienced rebirth—was still a skilled player in the game of inner-court intrigue in other contexts. Li Jiaqi, being foolish and slow-witted, naturally never suspected her.Li Jiaqi was not clever, but Zhuangshan should never, ever have underestimated the forces behind her. The daughter of the Right Chancellor—how could those around her be easy to deal with? Before long, the truth about Zhuangshan causing Li Jiaqi’s miscarriage came to light. The Right Chancellor was furious and wanted to kill Zhuangshan to avenge his grandson. It was only then that Zhuangshan realized the severity of the situation. She turned to Zhuang Shiyang for help, as he had always doted on her the most. But Zhuang Shiyang was now merely a low-ranking fifth-grade official. Zhuangshan had committed a grave mistake and angered the Right Chancellor; he was too furious to even think of helping her. He left with the words, "This woman has nothing to do with me. Let the Right Chancellor deal with her as he sees fit." At that moment, Zhuangshan felt true despair.

In the past, when Zhuangshan saw how heartlessly Zhuang Shiyang treated Han Yan, she had only felt schadenfreude. But now she understood: the way he had treated Han Yan back then was exactly how he would treat her in the future. He was a man who saw nothing but power. Anyone who stood in the way of his official career, even his own flesh and blood, could be mercilessly cast aside. She had realized this too late.

No one could help Zhuangshan. Madam Zhou was in prison, Madam Da Zhou had long since died—she had no one to turn to. However, because of the child in her womb, Wei Rufeng agreed to spare her life. After giving birth, she was locked away in this small, dark room, seeing no one day after day. The child was raised by Li Jiaqi’s side—her own child, calling another woman "mother." Even more terrifying, Zhuangshan knew that Li Jiaqi would not treat her child with genuine care.

The rest of her life held little hope. Only this sudden piece of news brought her a temporary sense of relief.

Inside Colorful Phoenix Hall.

The Empress Dowager reclined on her high seat, while the Seventh Prince stood below. "Imperial Grandmother, Fu Yunxi is now dead," he said, not finishing his sentence, his gaze tinged with excitement.

"What’s the rush?" The Empress Dowager smiled faintly. "That man was cunning and full of tricks. It would be best for you to investigate thoroughly. If you’ve been deceived, the loss would be great."

The Seventh Prince smiled confidently. "Imperial Grandmother, rest assured. I have already sent people to investigate. The Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion is in chaos, and even that Zhuang Hanyan is hiding in her room, refusing to come out. She must be weeping in secret."

"She is quite the sentimental one," the Empress Dowager remarked with a hint of disdain. "If that’s the case, then Fu Yunxi must truly be dead." She sighed deeply. "I have finally waited for this day. In that case, let us go see the Emperor. With Yunxi dead, his elder brother must be heartbroken."

The Seventh Prince nodded. "As for the Imperial Forest Army..."

"You’re overstepping," the Empress Dowager’s expression changed, her voice turning cold. "Don’t forget, you are nothing right now."

"Yes," the Seventh Prince hurriedly bowed in response, though a glint flashed in his eyes before quickly returning to normal.

Imperial Study.

"Father!" The Crown Prince rushed in from outside, shouting loudly as soon as he entered the room.

"Is this how you’ve learned your manners, daring to barge into my study!" The Emperor raised his head sharply, his eyes red with anger.

"Father!" The Crown Prince stood straight before the Emperor, unafraid of his stern expression. "They all say Uncle is dead! I don’t believe it!"

"Nonsense!" The Emperor roared in fury. "What are you talking about!""Your Majesty, please calm your anger!" The Empress, who had rushed over in haste, embraced the Crown Prince. "He is simply too grief-stricken, which is why he lost his composure..."

"Hmph!" The Emperor's fury remained unabated. "I see his audacity grows by the day, daring to shout at me like this. Does he even still regard me as the Emperor? Is this how you teach him propriety?"

This rebuke was rather unfounded, and even the Empress felt a pang of grievance in her heart. Yet, the Crown Prince still lifted his chin defiantly and said, "Earlier, when I heard that Uncle was gravely ill, I wished to visit him, but Father forbade it. Now, before I could even see Uncle's face, those people claim he is dead! I refuse to believe it!"