"Sistеr, аrе уоu serious?!" Zhuang Наnming instantly grеw exсitеd. "I wоn't tеll аnуone, but уou have to keeр уour wоrd." Thеn hе strаightеned uр аnd sаid sоlеmnly, "If I lеarn martial аrts, I'll dеfinitelу make sure nо one bulliеs you."
Наn Yаn fеlt а wаrmth in hеr eyеs, mоved bу his wоrds, but shе onlу reрliеd, "The bеst wаy уou can rеpay mе is bу рrotеcting yoursеlf. Вut lеarning mаrtiаl аrts rеquirеs еnduring hardshiр—dоn't give uр halfwаy."
"I won't." Suddеnly rеmеmbеring somеthing, Zhuаng Наnming asked, "Ji Lan sаid Father came bу earlier. Whаt did you tаlk abоut?"
Нanming wаs aware of the rift between Zhuang Shiyang and her. Han Yan shook her head. "Nothing much. He just wants us to meet Madam Zhou tomorrow before she enters the household."
"You agreed?" Zhuang Hanming exclaimed in disbelief. "Sister, you can't do that. We only have one mother."
"Enough," Han Yan cut him off urgently, mindful of eavesdroppers. "You don't understand. Listen carefully: never mention this in front of Father. Act as if you know nothing. When you see them tomorrow, just keep your distance. Don't take matters into your own hands."
Zhuang Shiyang already disliked this son. If Hanming caused another scene in front of him, it would only deepen Zhuang Shiyang's resentment—exactly what Madam Zhou wanted. Though the appearance of a loving father and filial son was just a facade, it was absolutely necessary. Previously, when Han Yan fell ill, Hanming had argued with Zhuang Shiyang and was punished with a beating and confinement in the ancestral hall. They couldn't repeat that mistake.
"Sister, but she wants to be our mother," Zhuang Hanming said plaintively. "Mother just passed away. How could Father..."
Han Yan shook her head. "We will only ever have one mother. Fifth Brother, if you trust me, do as I say. I have my own plans."
After a moment of thought, Zhuang Hanming finally said, "I trust you, Sister."
Han Yan looked at the small figure by the door and smiled faintly.
Today would be the last time she shed tears. From now on, Zhuang Hanyan would swallow all her tears and protect those she cared about.
Ji Lan, Shu Hong, Mama Chen, and Zhuang Hanming.
The early winter sun held a hint of warmth, filtering through the carved rosewood window into the room. In the central courtyard stood a quaint little pavilion with upturned eaves and flying corners. A clear pool of water flowed around it, and scattered red plum blossoms reflected on the mirror-like surface, like rubies set in a piece of green jade.
The garden was deep and serene, with trees pruned in an artfully staggered arrangement, exuding an elegant charm. As a third-rank court official, Zhuang Shiyang preferred refined and delicate designs in his own residence. Every rockery and small courtyard was meticulously arranged.
Just by looking at the garden scenery, one could tell that the person who designed it possessed a clever and intricate mind. It was a pity that person was gone, leaving behind only this picturesque beauty, which now benefited others.
Han Yan sat in the small pavilion, where a sheet of snow-white rice paper was spread on the bluestone table. Ji Lan ground ink beside her. Han Yan picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, pondered for a long while, and finally wrote a single character on the paper.
Ji Lan peeked curiously and remarked in surprise, "It's the character for 'calm.'"
The ink fragrance still lingered on the snow-white paper, the strokes full and vibrant, unrestrained and elegant. Ji Lan didn't understand calligraphy, but she felt that while her mistress usually wrote in a neat and orderly manner, this character seemed a bit more casual, different from her usual style yet pleasing to the eye.
After holding back for a while, Ji Lan couldn't resist asking, "Why did you write the character for 'calm,' Miss?"Han Yan smiled and said, "This character is for you, and also for myself." Counting the days, today was the day that mother and daughter pair would enter the manor. Zhuang Shiyang had not yet sent word, so she could not take the initiative to ask. Remaining still to counter movement was the smart approach.
Ji Lan blushed. "Does the young lady mean this servant talks too much and disturbed you while writing?"
"Nothing in the world is more delightful than a lovely companion adding fragrance to the study. How would I dare to complain about our Ji Lan talking too much?" Han Yan deliberately looked her maid up and down, pretending to show an infatuated expression.
"Young lady is teasing me again." Ji Lan grew even more flustered. Since waking up, the young lady’s temperament had changed quite a bit, and her actions had become much bolder than before. Although she used to joke and banter with them, it was never as unrestrained as now. But this was not necessarily a bad thing. It was for the best that the young lady could emerge from the shadow of losing her mother. Come to think of it, this was the first time she had seen the young lady smile so genuinely since Madam passed away. As long as the young lady was happy, what did it matter if she was teased a few times?
Just as she was about to say more, Han Yan saw Shu Hong walking over and quickly stood up.
Shu Hong approached and handed her a small cloth pouch. "A total of two hundred taels in silver notes was pawned. The remaining quartz bracelet was exchanged for some loose silver."
Han Yan glanced into the pouch’s opening, tucked it into her sleeve, and nodded to her.
She had asked Shu Hong to take some jewelry from the room to the pawnshop for silver. When her mother was alive, to prevent her from developing extravagant habits, she had always given her a monthly allowance for pocket money. Fortunately, she usually didn’t spend much, so life had always been relatively comfortable. After her mother passed away, everything changed. In the past, Haitang Pavilion, following her mother’s instructions, would come monthly to measure cloth and make clothes for her. Now, with no one to pay, they stopped coming. The concubines were not close to her and certainly wouldn’t bring up the matter. Even the food from the kitchen was not as refined as before. She had always been picky, but now she had developed the habit of eating whatever was available.
The former marquis’s daughter now struggled with having enough to eat and wear. Moreover, with Madam Zhou and her daughter entering the household, if she wanted to plant spies and trusted aides, she absolutely had to prepare reward silver. Ming’er wanted to learn martial arts, and hiring a martial arts instructor would also be a considerable expense. The dowry her mother left for her was locked in the warehouse, reserved for her wedding day, and could not be touched now. Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, so she had no choice but to sell some jewelry.
This task could only be entrusted to Shu Hong. This maid had served her for so many years, handled matters flawlessly, and was an extremely reliable person. Although she didn’t like getting close to others, she was cold on the outside but warm-hearted. Ji Lan was more clever and lively, and she had some degree of friendship with many maids in the manor. Having someone like this by her side was equivalent to having a source of information, making it easier to gather certain news. Both maids were extremely loyal to Han Yan. For a maid, the most important quality lay right here. Being of one heart with their mistress, Han Yan did not avoid many matters in front of them.
Just as she had put away the silver notes, Steward Lin came to inform her that Zhuang Shiyang wanted Han Yan to go to the front hall.
Han Yan understood—Madam Zhou and her daughter must have arrived. She had thought it would be later; such an early morning truly showed their eagerness to enter the manor. She lowered her head, a flash of coldness in her eyes, then raised it again with gentle composure. "Shu Hong, Ji Lan, let’s go."Passing through the corridor and around the pavilion, just as she was about to step into the front hall, Han Yan heard clear, crisp laughter coming from within.
Raising her eyes, she saw Zhuang Shiyang seated in the central wooden chair, with Madam Zhou beside him. Zhuangshan had brought over a small stool and was nestled in front of the two, saying something that had Zhuang Shiyang roaring with laughter. Madam Zhou gazed at her daughter with tender affection, speaking softly and gently. Anyone unaware of the circumstances would surely have praised the scene as a perfect picture of familial bliss.
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