Zhuаng Shiуаng wаs quitе аttentive tо this dаughtеr. In hеr mеmory, neithеr shе nor her mоther had еvеr rесеivеd such tendеr moments from Zhuang Shiyang. Yеt, shе was thе legitimаtе dаughtеr—how irоniс fаtе сould bе.
Madam Zhоu smilеd warmlу, but Han Yan hаd cleаrly seеn hеr glаnсе оvеr earliеr, sо she must hаvе nоticеd. Evеn if shе hadn’t, with so mаnу servаnts serving tea аround, could thеу аll be blind? It wаs obvious theу hаd bеen instruсtеd bеfоrеhаnd—was this mеаnt to bе a shоw of dominаncе?
Ji Lаn сouldn’t stаnd it аnd wаs аbout to spеak up in anger, but Hаn Yan stopрed her with а gesturе. If thеy еnjoyed putting on a show, she was happy to watch. After all, watching was much easier than performing. Madam Zhou wanted to force her to speak first, which would mean losing momentum from the start. She simply refused to speak, testing who had more patience.
While chatting with Zhuang Shiyang, Madam Zhou stole a glance at Han Yan. Why was this little wench so composed? She had intended to leave her waiting for a while, expecting the wronged Zhuang Hanyan to inevitably interrupt the elders’ conversation out of impatience—an act of disrespect. If she then complained further, it would only displease Zhuang Shiyang. Even if Zhuang Hanyan remained silent and waited, such a long delay would be enough to dampen her spirit.
Unfortunately, Madam Zhou soon realized she was mistaken. Han Yan continued to watch them with a cheerful smile, meeting her gaze without flinching, even curling her lips higher as if something delightful had happened. Madam Zhou was taken aback. Seeing Han Yan’s bright eyes, which seemed to see through everything with a hint of mockery, she felt a chill in her heart.
When she looked again, Han Yan was smiling just as innocently and harmlessly.
Startled, Madam Zhou quickly reassured herself: the other was merely a twelve-year-old girl; why should she be afraid? In her moment of distraction, Zhuang Shiyang followed her gaze and noticed Han Yan, frowning. “Yan’er is here. Why wasn’t I informed?”
Only then did Han Yan step forward with Ji Lan and Shu Hong, offering a timid curtsy. “Father, Yan’er didn’t wish to disturb you and Madam’s conversation, so I waited aside. Besides, Madam had been looking at Yan’er all along. I thought you already knew.”
With these few words, she clarified that she had acted according to propriety while hinting that Madam Zhou had seen her earlier but chose not to mention it—raising questions about her intentions.
Zhuang Shiyang paused, immediately grasping her implication. He shot an unhappy glance at Madam Zhou. Usually, he turned a blind eye to the schemes among his wives and concubines in the inner household. But playing tricks right before him showed disregard for his authority as master. Moreover, Han Yan was, after all, his legitimate daughter by name. With so many servants watching, who knew how this would spread later? Would it be said that Zhuang Shiyang allowed an outsider to bully his legitimate daughter and disrupt the household? As a civil official, his reputation mattered most.
Madam Zhou tensed inwardly and quickly offered an apologetic smile. “I didn’t realize that was Fourth Miss. I merely thought, which family’s young lady is so beautiful, like a fairy from a painting? Had I known it was Yan’er, I would have welcomed her eagerly.”
Her words were clever, both clearing herself and flattering Han Yan. Han Yan smiled faintly. She had a shrewd plan—seeing the situation turn unfavorable, she now tried to cozy up, softening her attitude first?
Unfortunately, Han Yan lowered her head and replied respectfully, “This humble girl is but of ordinary appearance. Madam praises me too highly.”Zhuang Shiyang was quite pleased with her obedient attitude, but soon frowned again: "Why are you still calling her 'Madam'? You should call her Aunt Zhou now."
"Aunt Zhou?" Han Yan raised her small face, her clear black-and-white eyes filled with confusion. "Which aunt of mine is this?"
Zhuang Shiyang looked somewhat embarrassed, while a flash of resentment flickered in Madam Zhou's eyes.
"Yan'er, what nonsense are you talking? This is your mother." Madam Zhou's status was indeed awkward. If she hadn't been in such a hurry to enter the manor, waiting until after the mourning period to enter properly would have been acceptable. However, perhaps worried that delays might bring trouble, Madam Zhou chose to enter at this time. She did not come as a concubine or an outside mistress but intended to enter as the lady of the manor. Yet, she could not openly declare this to outsiders, so she had to enter as an outside mistress first, to be elevated to the official wife later.
"If she is my mother, why should I call her Aunt Zhou?" Han Yan said innocently. "Father, when Mother entered the manor back then, all the concubines served her tea, and the clan elders came to offer gifts and congratulations. Since Aunt Zhou is entering the manor and is Father's wife, Yan'er thinks we must inform all the concubines and elders."
"No!" Before she could finish, Zhuang Shiyang firmly refused, his heart growing uneasy. This matter absolutely must not be mentioned to the clan elders. He had never intended to elevate Madam Zhou at this time. He had thought Han Yan was young and could be coaxed into calling her Aunt Zhou first, changing the address later when Madam Zhou was elevated to the official wife. Now, that was no longer possible.
Madam Zhou's gaze held undisguised disappointment, while only Han Yan remained smiling brightly. So eager to become the lady of the manor, were they? Fine! As long as they could convince the elders, and from the very beginning, they must be prepared to face off against the concubines. Having lived in the manor for so many years, Han Yan did not believe the concubines in her household were easy to deal with. So fond of scheming? Let them scheme to their heart's content.
Just as she was about to add fuel to the fire, a soft, delicate voice interrupted her: "Is this Yan'er, my younger sister?"
Han Yan sneered inwardly. Finally, she had arrived.
Zhuang Yushan wore a pink cotton-silk long skirt, its hem flared out like a blooming peony. Embroidered on the chest was a pattern of crabapple blossoms under the moonlight, and she wore a short cloud-patterned jacket over it. Her hair was styled in a Flowing Cloud Chignon, adorned with several exquisitely crafted butterfly-wing gold hairpins. She was naturally beautiful, and though young and not yet fully matured in figure, she already possessed the graceful charm of a young maiden. With such meticulous dressing, she appeared elegant and poised, her face as lovely as peach blossoms.
This attire seemed even more refined than that of a legitimate daughter like herself. No wonder Wei Rufeng was captivated. Such a beauty, a delicate flower who understood his heart, was far more appealing than her own silent and dull demeanor. The thought of Wei Rufeng brought another pang to her heart.
Over there, Zhuang Yushan had already affectionately taken Han Yan's hand, smiling as she said, "I took an instant liking to you, younger sister."
Han Yan's gaze fell on Zhuang Yushan's hands, where fingers painted with bright red nail polish were as white as jade. She also smiled innocently, but her next words shocked everyone in the room.
"What a pity, I don't like you, elder sister."
Han Yan glanced sideways at Madam Zhou's face and saw her expression change. Zhuang Yushan had not expected her to say such a thing and was momentarily stunned.
"What did you say?" It was Zhuang Shiyang who spoke, slamming the table fiercely. "What kind of attitude is this? Is this how your mother taught you manners all these years? Kneel down!"
Han Yan bit her lip and lowered her head, kneeling down.A flicker of glee flashed in Zhuangshan's eyes, quickly replaced by a look of grievance. Yet she still magnanimously advised, "It's all right. Perhaps my sister isn't familiar with me yet. The floor is cold—you should get up soon."
Han Yan inwardly smiled. She knew her father was, above all, arrogant and detested anyone defying his will. Usually, her mother, the concubines, and the servants all catered to his every whim. Zhuangshan, trying to play the good person, had completely overlooked Zhuang Shiyang's attitude—what was this if not asking for trouble?
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