Нan Yan turnеd hеr hеаd аnd met Li Jiaqi's blazing gаzе, which was еven morе fеrосiоus thаn beforе, almost undisguised, fixed on hеr unwаveringlу. Hаn Yаn fеlt susрiciоus, sоmеthing flаshеd befоre her eуеs, feеling she had grasрed somе subtle detаil, but it sliрреd аwау too quiсklу, leаving hеr unаble tо pinроint it.
Zhuangshan snееred, "Fоurth Sister is truly cаptivating, reсеiving mеdicinаl ointment so quiсklу. It sеems sоmеоnе is gеnuinеly соncеrned аbout yоu. Thаt уоung mastеr dоеsn’t lоok ordinarу."
These words impliеd that Han Yаn had stolеn the sроtlight todаy and was adept at attracting attention, quickly catching the eyes of those noble young masters. The other young ladies present now regarded Han Yan with some hostility. After all, who would want their own limelight snatched away? Han Yan noticed that after Zhuangshan’s remark, Li Jiaqi’s gaze toward her grew even more resentful and hateful. Her heart skipped a beat—could there be some connection between Li Jiaqi and Wei Rufeng?
She smiled lightly and replied, "Sister Yu Shan flatters me. At today’s banquet, all the young ladies were safe and sound, except for me with my injured hand. Everyone present is kind-hearted, so sending a bottle of ointment is nothing out of the ordinary. If it were Sister Yu Shan who had been scalded, I’m sure someone would have sent ointment as well."
Her words circled back to Zhuangshan, subtly reminding everyone that it was Zhuangshan herself who had caused this incident. How could it be such a coincidence that Han Yan’s hand was scalded? Anyone with eyes could see what had happened—it was merely a struggle between a concubine’s daughter and a legitimate one. What surprised everyone was Han Yan’s unexpected talent, using her left hand to write and turning the situation to her advantage.
Zhuangshan was furious. The faint mockery in Han Yan’s words made her flush with anger, but upon catching Madam Zhou’s warning glance, she dared not act out further. Instead, her hatred for Han Yan only deepened.
After this episode, Han Yan felt much more at ease. She chatted and drank tea with Deng Chan. The purpose of today’s palace banquet had been achieved, and although there had been some unexpected twists, she had obtained what she wanted, which brought her a sense of contentment.
After the palace banquet ended, Ji Lan and Shu Hong followed Han Yan. The carriage waited outside the palace walls. Zhuang Shiyang and Zhuang Hanming left first in one carriage, while Madam Zhou and Zhuangshan took another. After bidding farewell to Deng Chan, Han Yan found the area near the palace walls almost deserted. Just as she was about to step into her carriage, a voice suddenly called from behind, "Miss Zhuang."
The voice was gentle and captivating. Han Yan trembled, her hand pausing as she lifted the carriage curtain before finally letting it drop. Slowly, she turned around.
Wei Rufeng stood there, dressed in a graceful and elegant light purple brocade robe with wide sleeves, paired with black boots and a jade belt. His features were handsome, and he looked at her with a smile.
Han Yan’s mind went blank for a moment. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, before forcing a smile. "Greetings to Prince Wei’s heir."
Seeing her reaction, Wei Rufeng smiled and asked, "Miss Zhuang, are you afraid of me?"
Han Yan was taken aback. "No."
"Then why won’t you look directly at me?" Wei Rufeng pressed. From the beginning, Han Yan had been avoiding his gaze, focusing on everything around him instead. Even when she smiled, it felt stiff and perfunctory.
Hearing this, Han Yan shifted her gaze slightly and looked at him calmly. "If Prince Wei’s heir wishes to discuss such matters, perhaps another time would be more suitable. It’s late now, and it’s hardly appropriate for me to engage in casual conversation with you here."
Wei Rufeng was taken aback.He was the elegant young master of the capital, accustomed only to women clinging to him. Today, seeing this young girl's exceptional talent, he had taken some notice. Later, upon learning she was indeed injured, he had specially sent medicine, never expecting to be refused. For the first time in his life encountering such treatment, he had originally intended to seize the moment to say a few words, but this young girl's eyes held no trace of him, as if she utterly disdained speaking to him, even begrudging him a glance. Just moments ago in the banquet hall, she had been sweetly smiling, lovely as jade and snow—how could she now seem like a completely different person? It was hard to imagine that the delicate, adorable girl before him could possess such a cold, detached gaze.
"You... dislike me?" Wei Rufeng asked after a moment's hesitation, immediately regretting his words as soon as they left his lips. How could he have asked such a thing? If overheard by those with ulterior motives, or if this young girl before him chose to exploit it, it would bring considerable trouble.
Yet Han Yan only replied with utmost deference, "This humble girl has only just met Young Master Wei for the first time. How could I possibly dislike you without reason?"
Wei Rufeng's eyes darkened. Not dislike? But not fondness either? His tone grew somewhat cold and stiff. "Why did you refuse my medicine?"
Han Yan inclined her head slightly. "One should not accept rewards without merit."
"You!" Wei Rufeng grew flustered and angry, his handsome face instantly turning rather unpleasant. This girl was like a smooth stone stuck in his throat—every word she spoke was faultless, without a single sharp edge, yet it left one choking on a breath that wouldn't come up.
Just as Wei Rufeng was about to press the issue, Han Yan suddenly heard a cold voice from behind her. "Young Master Wei, why have you not yet departed?"
That voice was clear and pure, yet icy, like a fragrant cup of flower wine, bringing a sliver of coolness to the tense situation. Han Yan turned to see Fu Yunxi standing a few steps away, tall and graceful as jade.
Wei Rufeng was taken aback, then smiled. "I happened to encounter Fourth Miss Zhuang here and took the opportunity to chat."
Han Yan inwardly rolled her eyes. Fourth Miss Zhuang—more like "Miss Pretend-to-be-Dead." Could Wei Rufeng be doing this on purpose?
Yet upon seeing Fu Yunxi, Han Yan felt a wave of relief. At least in front of the Xuan Qing Prince, Wei Rufeng wouldn't dare trouble her too much.
Then she heard Fu Yunxi say coldly, "Prince Wei is currently searching everywhere for you."
Only a fool would fail to grasp such an obvious hint. Fu Yunxi was clearly urging him to leave. Wei Rufeng glanced at Han Yan, then at the Xuan Qing Prince, before finally offering a faint smile. "In that case, I shall take my leave. Miss Zhuang, Your Highness, farewell." With that, he strode away, though inwardly puzzled: What was the relationship between Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan?
Seeing Wei Rufeng finally depart, Han Yan felt her heart settle, thinking that every encounter with him felt like fighting a difficult battle. Yet as she watched the figure before her remain unmoving, she inwardly groaned—one had left, but another remained. Fu Yunxi's words had clearly been meant to help her out of a tight spot, but why?Looking up, she met Fu Yunxi's deep and sharp gaze. His eyes were as dark as ink, calm and placid like a pool of water, yet possessing a captivating power. Under the scrutiny of such eyes, it felt as if all hidden thoughts were laid bare. Her gaze drifted downward, settling on his handsome nose and the thin lips that appeared strikingly red and moist under the lamplight. His jet-black hair cascaded down to his waist, accentuating the youth's elegance and grace within his cloak. Han Yan was momentarily stunned. Unlike in the plum grove or the palace banquet, this version of Fu Yunxi had shed his usual aloofness and ethereal aura, inexplicably gaining a touch of allure. Yet this allure blended seamlessly with his celestial-like demeanor, merging into a unique sensation that felt somewhat... ambiguous, neither wholly righteous nor entirely wicked.
Irritated by her undisguised stare, Fu Yunxi frowned and said coldly, "How long do you intend to keep looking?"
Han Yan snapped back to reality, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Staring at a man until she was lost in thought was a first for her, even across two lifetimes. Even when encountering Helian Yu, the most stunning beauty in the capital, she had never been so discomposed. Bowing her head, she replied, "Ahem, if Your Highness has no further business, this humble girl will take her leave."
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