The Glory

"Han Yаn, it's bееn sо lоng since I last sаw уou." Thе girl in yellоw сlung tо Наn Yаn's hand, her fаce brimming with joy.

Han Yаn gаzed аt the girl bеfоrе hеr, her thоughts drifting fаr аwау.

Deng Сhan was her сlоsest сonfidante. In hеr previоus life, aftеr thе inсidеnt with thе bаndits, shе had staуеd cоnfinеd tо her rеsidenсе day аftеr daу, and only Dеng Chan had still bееn willing tо seеk her out to рlау. Thеir bоnd rаn dеер, but unfortunаtеly, lаter оn, Minister Dеng madе а mistаke thаt аngеrеd The Emрeror and was demоted to the sеventh rank. Dеng Chаn mаrried аn official from the Hanlin Academy, and within less than a year of her marriage, she fell ill and passed away.

Deng Chan had always been in good health, so when Han Yan first heard the news, she could hardly believe it. Later, she learned that the Hanlin official had some shameful habits, and rumors spread that Deng Chan had been tormented to death by him.

Minister Deng had only one daughter. After Deng Chan's death, he became deeply depressed and soon passed away. A year later, Madam Deng also departed. The once glorious Minister's residence fell into decline just like that.

At this thought, Han Yan's heart tightened, and she grasped Deng Chan's hand. "I've missed you so much!"

Deng Chan was startled and quickly asked, "Why are your eyes red? I wanted to come see you after your mother passed, but I was at my uncle's house. I heard that woman is your stepmother—did she mistreat you?"

Han Yan had only lost her composure because she was overwhelmed with emotion at seeing someone who had perished in her previous life now standing before her, safe and sound. Seeing the clear concern written on Deng Chan's delicate face warmed her heart, and she smiled at her. "How would a mere concubine dare to mistreat me? I'm fine. I'm just so happy to see you."

Deng Chan was taken aback. When she had seen Han Yan during the Zhuang family's funeral, Han Yan had been clutching her hand and weeping, her eyes filled with despair. But now, for some reason, Han Yan seemed full of vitality. They were close enough that any change in Han Yan was immediately noticeable. The Han Yan before her now seemed to have gained something—a sense of steadiness. Although she had appeared innocent and adorable when facing the Empress Dowager earlier, Deng Chan couldn't help but feel that Han Yan wasn't as obedient as she seemed on the surface. Beneath her obedience, something else was hidden. Now, hearing Han Yan speak of Madam Zhou, there was a confident, assured air about her. That radiance was both unfamiliar and dazzling, leaving Deng Chan momentarily stunned.

Seeing her dazed expression, Han Yan laughed. "Why are you staring at me without saying anything? Is there something on my face?"

Deng Chan snapped back to reality, telling herself she was overthinking things. Even if Han Yan had truly changed, it was for the better. A vibrant Han Yan was far more precious to her than a lifeless one. Sincerely, she said, "I was afraid you might not be able to move on, but now it seems you've stepped out of the shadows. I'm truly happy for you."

"Life must be lived one day at a time," Han Yan shook her head. "If I grieve, it will only bring joy to those who harmed me and worry to those who truly care for me. So why cause pain to loved ones and delight to enemies?"

Deng Chan was puzzled. "Those who harmed you?" Before she could finish, a soft voice interrupted. "Fourth Sister, why are you only talking to this young lady and ignoring your elder sister?"

Earlier, due to the Empress Dowager's attitude and Zhuangshan's behavior, the ladies and young misses present had already taken notice of them. Although everyone was now engaged in their own conversations, their gazes still drifted over intentionally or unintentionally. Zhuangshan's voice was not soft, immediately drawing the attention of several nearby ladies.Han Yan frowned. This Zhuangshan really knew how to bring trouble upon herself.

As if oblivious to Han Yan's expression, Zhuangshan walked over and affectionately linked arms with her. "Sister Yan'er, you usually don't like to move around the manor, staying in your room all day embroidering and writing. I hardly ever get to see you. Now that we're out together, we should have a good chat."

Deng Chan had been observing Han Yan, her newly arrived sister, and felt displeased upon hearing these words. What was this? Saying she hardly saw Han Yan in the manor implied that Han Yan liked to put on airs and make things difficult for her, a concubine-born sister! In front of so many ladies and young misses, she was trying to give Han Yan a reputation for being difficult to get along with and mistreating her concubine-born sister!

Sure enough, the gazes of several nearby ladies toward Han Yan immediately changed.

Han Yan took all of this in without showing any emotion, sighing inwardly. This was how the world worked—people were always eager to latch onto gossip they heard rather than believe their own eyes. Although Zhuangshan was a concubine-born daughter, if Han Yan made things difficult for her, she would lose the grace expected of a young lady from a respectable family, appearing narrow-minded and even malicious. These ladies, leading mundane lives in their daily routines, were always eager to stir up drama upon hearing about others' family affairs, just to satisfy their gossipy hearts.

Deng Chan grew anxious and was about to speak up for Han Yan when she felt a gentle tug on her hand. Startled, she saw Han Yan already meeting Zhuangshan's slightly smug gaze with a faint smile. "Why would you say that, Sister Yu Shan? Ever since my mother passed away, my health hasn't been good. I stay in my room to avoid spreading illness to others in the manor. To be honest, I've been eagerly hoping Sister Yu Shan would come and talk with me these days. Perhaps you've been too busy settling into the manor to spare time for me."

Zhuangshan was taken aback, her pretty face instantly flushing bright red.

Han Yan's words were clear: it wasn't that she refused to leave her room to see others, but that she was bedridden with illness and didn't want to infect anyone—a sign of a kind heart. As for her concubine-born sister, the ladies now looked at Zhuangshan with disdain. How improper it was for her not to visit her legitimate younger sister when she was ill!

Deng Chan breathed a sigh of relief. Zhuangshan tried to defend herself: "I didn't... Your illness has long since healed."

Han Yan lowered her head, concealing the emotions in her eyes, as if troubled. "Sister Yu Shan, everyone in the manor knows about my illness. After my mother's recent passing, I've been grieving and haven't fully recovered."

The ladies present were all mothers themselves, and almost all knew that Han Yan had recently lost her mother. Seeing her lowered eyelids and still-childish face, they couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. They thought to themselves that this child was filial and pitiable for losing her mother at such a young age. When they looked at Zhuangshan again, they felt a wave of disgust—just a concubine-born daughter, yet she dared to stir up trouble and spread rumors!

Madam Zhou had already sensed something amiss with Zhuangshan and quickly called her over. Han Yan was also relieved not to have to see Zhuangshan's face anymore, feeling much more at ease.

After Zhuangshan left, Deng Chan whispered into Han Yan's ear, "I don't think your sister is someone to be trifled with. She clearly intended to slander you."

Han Yan shrugged. "Just a clown jumping about. Who would bother with the likes of them?"Deng Chan then smiled with pursed lips. "It's been a few days, and your tongue has grown quite sharp. I wonder who taught you that."

Han Yan smiled without answering, but as she looked up, she saw another elegant lady in palace attire enter from outside, followed by several palace maids. The lady smiled gracefully at everyone present. "Honored ladies, Her Majesty is already waiting in the Plum Garden. May I trouble the Empress Dowager and the ladies to join her in admiring the plum blossoms?"