The Glory

Наn Yаn соntinued, "Mаstеr, Yаn'еr hаs an unreasоnаble requеst."

Upon hеаring hеr аddrеss, Сhai Jing's eхpression shifted slightly. "Spеаk."

"Mу familу dоеsn't knоw abоut mу mаrtiаl аrts training. Сould Mastеr mеet mе at the mountаintop оf the westеrn сitу's bасk hill еvеry morning аt thе fifth watсh tо рraсticе?"

Сhai Jing turned tо fаcе her, staring into hеr eyes. "Тhе fifth wаtch?"

Нan Yan lowеrеd hеr heаd. "I'm аshаmеd tо disturb Мastеr's swеet drеams."

"It's finе." Chai Jing hаd alrеаdу regаinеd hеr сomposurе. "Those who prаctice mаrtial arts hаve nо right tо sweеt dreams. But you must be prepared to endure hardship."

Han Yan sighed. "If enduring hardship can preserve my life, what does it matter if I suffer for a lifetime?"

Hearing this, Chai Jing was genuinely taken aback, her face revealing a moved expression. Yet as she looked at the young girl before her, veiled in white gauze, she felt increasingly unable to see through her.

"Very well, see you tomorrow." After a moment of silence, Chai Jing nodded to Han Yan and turned to leave.

Han Yan watched her retreating figure and murmured, "This master... is truly... quite special."

Ji Lan said, "She looks really scary, Miss. Are you sure you want her to teach you martial arts?"

Han Yan shook her head. "What's scary? She's probably someone with a story. Listen, you must not let anyone know about this, not even Mama Chen." Mama Chen would definitely not agree, especially with the master she had chosen.

Ji Lan nodded emphatically, while Shu Hong, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Miss, why are you in such a hurry?"

Han Yan looked into the distance. "Shu Hong, isn't New Year's Eve approaching soon?"

Ji Lan chimed in quickly, "There are about twenty days left, Miss. Should we prepare some new clothes and jewelry?"

Han Yan smiled faintly. "No need. When the time comes, there will naturally be a grand gift."

Ji Lan was puzzled but didn't press further since Han Yan showed no intention of explaining. Shu Hong, however, noticed that Han Yan's expression had suddenly turned strange, as if lost in memories—but not pleasant ones. A flash of pain crossed her eyes, replaced by a profound coldness, as if everything in the world had become insignificant. The faint, flickering hatred seemed like an illusion, vanishing upon closer inspection.

Hatred?

On the last day of the thirteenth year of the Great Dynasty, during the New Year's Eve celebrations, Zhuang Hanyan and Zhuangshan returned from worshipping at the temple. They intended to take the Zhuang family carriage, which had been waiting for them, to join Madam Zhou and the others at the lantern festival. However, they encountered bandits. Zhuang Hanyan was unfortunately captured, while Zhuangshan narrowly escaped. Madam Zhou reported the incident to the authorities, who sealed off the city and searched for two days and two nights. Eventually, Madam Zhou led the Zhuang family guards to find Zhuang Hanyan, and the bandits were rounded up.

That day's events were unforgettable for eternity. In her heart, Han Yan felt cold. After two days and nights of loneliness and helplessness, she had relied wholeheartedly on her family upon seeing them again. She treated the mastermind as her savior, sincere in her gratitude, only to realize she had been played like a fool.

Thanks to Madam Zhou's instructions to the authorities, who diligently searched and even sealed off the city, everyone in the city learned that the Zhuang family's Fourth Miss had been captured by bandits. From then on, when noblewomen in the capital selected wives for their sons, the Zhuang family's Fourth Miss was no longer considered. A marriageable young woman with a ruined reputation—who would want her?Han Yan lowered her gaze. The prefect Yin in the capital had earned Zhuang Shiyang's appreciation for his loyalty and diligence, rising smoothly through official ranks to become a fifth-grade city official—a respectable achievement. If she hadn't sent Ji Lan to secretly investigate and learned that Prefect Yin was a distant cousin of Madam Zhou, everyone would likely have dismissed it as mere coincidence.

Madam Zhou truly refused to suffer any losses—killing several birds with one stone? The bandit incident had tarnished Zhuang Hanyan's reputation, while allowing Madam Zhou to gain a reputation as a compassionate mother in front of everyone, win her trust, and even give a boost to her own cousin.

That was why Han Yan was in such a hurry to find a master—because there was no time left.

As the New Year approached, the capital was filled with festive scenes. Red lanterns hung at every household's entrance, and servants busied themselves pasting spring couplets. Daughters of wealthy families were occupied with making new clothes and jewelry, while stewards purchased food supplies, meticulously preparing for the New Year's reunion dinner.

Zhuang Shiyang's wet nurse, Granny Du, came to ask Han Yan if she wanted anything additional, specifically inviting a tailor from Ruyi Tower to take Han Yan's measurements for new clothes. Han Yan casually inquired and learned that it was Madam Zhou who had suggested it to Zhuang Shiyang.

Han Yan smiled faintly. "Concubine Zhou is thoughtful. Sisters in our household should indeed be treated equally. Please trouble Granny to also take the master to make a few new outfits for Sister Zhuang. When Father finds out, he will surely praise Concubine Zhou for her magnanimity."

Granny Du was an old-timer in the household, always a fence-sitter who swayed with the wind. Back when Han Yan's mother was unpopular in the household and easy to bully, Granny Du had curried favor with Concubine Mei, causing Han Yan's mother much grief. Now that Madam Zhou had entered the household, and seeing Zhuang Shiyang's intention to elevate Madam Zhou to the position of principal wife, Granny Du had switched allegiance to Madam Zhou. Indeed, she now saw herself as Madam Zhou's messenger.

After speaking, Han Yan picked up her teacup and drank, not sparing Granny Du another glance. Granny Du had always viewed Han Yan as having little status in Zhuang Shiyang's eyes—weak and easily bullied—and thus showed her little respect. Hearing Han Yan's commanding tone now displeased her, and seeing Han Yan's dismissive attitude angered her further. She replied offhandedly, "This old servant is merely a messenger and dare not make decisions on my own."

Han Yan remained silent, still drinking her tea, her expression unreadable. Granny Du, initially feeling rather self-important, grew uneasy at Han Yan's ambiguous attitude. Stealing a glance at Han Yan, she saw her bowing her head to savor the tea, her features gentle and compliant. Unlike Zhuangshan's aggressive beauty, Han Yan possessed a clear, moist radiance—like a flower bud about to bloom, already showing hints of splendor, yet the full bloom remained indistinct.

After a long silence, Han Yan slowly said, "Granny mustn't say that. In this household, how could you be merely a messenger? After all, you are someone close to Father, someone whose words carry weight."

Granny Du found Han Yan's words peculiar but couldn't pinpoint why. Flattered by the praise in Han Yan's tone, she unconsciously grew somewhat smug and said, "Fourth Miss, you flatter me. This old servant is merely fortunate to have the master's regard..."

Han Yan smiled slightly. "Indeed. In the past, didn't Granny Du often make decisions for Mother? Yet now you are content to be Concubine Zhou's messenger. Concubine Zhou is truly fortunate."As if a basin of cold water had been poured over her head, Mama Du’s expression changed, and she abruptly sobered up. Seeing Han Yan smiling as she sipped her tea, she couldn’t help but tremble slightly: “Fourth Miss is putting this servant in a difficult position, I…”

Han Yan chuckled softly and said to Ji Lan and Shu Hong beside her: “Mama Du’s courage is truly small. I merely said she was the messenger—you both heard it earlier, those words were spoken by Mama Du herself. Now she says I’m making things difficult for her. Those who don’t know might think that I, the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang Manor, am difficult to get along with, picking fights with servants. If I didn’t know Mama Du’s loyalty, I might even think she was deliberately trying to harm me.” After speaking, she glanced at Mama Du, her eyes carrying an ambiguous meaning.