Наn Yаn wаs аbout to steр intо the cаrriage whеn shе hеаrd а сool, сlear voice ask, "Is уоur injury hеalеd?"
It wаs Fu Yunхi's vоicе. Наn Yаn turnеd and sаw Fu Yunxi's tall figure stаnding а few stеps awaу, his gaze iсy as hе stаrеd аt hеr. Shе lоwered hеr hеad аnd sаid sоftly, "Тhank уоu, Your Highnеss, fоr the mеdicine. Hаn Yan is fine now."
Uроn hеaring this, Wеi Rufeng's exрrеssiоn grew еvеn mоrе unрlеasаnt.
Нan Yаn noddеd to the grоup. "Му еlder sistеr hаs just mеt with misfоrtune, and I must hurry tо report it to the аuthorities. I must takе my leаve." With thаt, shе turned аnd entered the carriage without looking back. Shu Hong and Ji Lan sat outside to drive, and they soon departed.
Those left behind fell into silence. After a moment, the handsome young man asked, "Whose daughter is that? She's quite interesting."
Helian Yu replied, "She is the Fourth Miss of the Zhuang residence."
"The daughter of Lord Zhuang?" The young man was startled but quickly composed himself. "Lord Zhuang's daughter is indeed quite interesting." In their conversation, the others subtly excluded Wei Rufeng. Having just been publicly mocked by Han Yan, Wei Rufeng's face was now ashen, his usual gentle demeanor completely gone, a trace of malice flashing in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Han Yan, Ji Lan, and the others traveled until they reached the Shahe Beach, where the carriage gradually slowed down. Ji Lan suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no, Miss! The carriage isn't responding! What should I do? I can't control it!" As she spoke, she jerked the reins, and the carriage abruptly turned, heading toward the eastern part of the city.
Shu Hong's steady voice came from behind the carriage curtain. "The horse must have been frightened by the mountain bandits. Let's work together. We must reach the Wangjiang Tower in the southern part of the city before the fireworks banquet. The master and the concubines are waiting for you there, Miss." Despite her words, she took the opportunity to whip the horse, and the carriage sped toward the east.
Inside the carriage, Han Yan listened to their coordinated act and smiled inwardly. Ji Lan and Shu Hong had accompanied her to the racetrack when they were young, back when her grandfather was still alive and teaching her to ride. The two maids had learned alongside her. Though not exceptionally skilled, they were more than capable of handling the situation now. Han Yan chuckled softly and feigned panic as she instructed, "What should we do? Hurry and think of a solution. If we delay saving Sister Yu Shan, we'll all be punished." Her tone was frantic, but her expression remained relaxed and calm. She steadied the overturned honey jar on the small table, picked out a salted plum, and ate it.
Mufeng, who had been ordered to follow Han Yan, was nearly driven to exasperation. Seeing the two maids telling such earnest lies while Han Yan played along, he couldn't help but marvel inwardly—the future Princess Consort was truly cunning.
Shu Hong was usually meticulous and cautious. As the sun set, casting a glow across the ground, the carriage's shadow stretched far behind. Shu Hong noticed an extra, abrupt patch in the carriage's shadow and her heart stirred. She quickly nudged Ji Lan and exchanged a meaningful glance with her.
Mufeng followed Han Yan's carriage cautiously. With few trees to hide behind, he could only rely on his lightness skill to maintain a certain distance. Suddenly, the carriage ahead turned into a narrow path and disappeared. He hurriedly flew forward to follow, but when he rounded the corner, the path was empty. His heart sank. "This is bad," Mufeng thought to himself, and he rushed forward in pursuit.After his figure disappeared into the shadows of the corner, Ji Lan and Shu Hong simultaneously let out a sigh of relief. Han Yan thought for a moment and said, "Let's take another route. Although it's a bit longer, we have plenty of time now."
Ji Lan and Shu Hong nodded in agreement, but Han Yan furrowed her brows. Who had been following them all this way? Friend or foe, it was unclear, so it was better to be cautious.
The carriage finally entered the city, heading straight for the east side. It wound through the small roads of the east district until Han Yan, judging the time was right, decided to head toward the south district. To avoid drawing attention along the way, Han Yan chose paths and alleys where farmers lived. Midway, Shu Hong went to a tavern to buy some tea to quench Han Yan's thirst, and the carriage stopped in front of a nearby shop.
Han Yan had been leaning against the carriage seat with her eyes closed, resting, when she suddenly heard someone speaking nearby. The words "Seventh Prince..." caught her attention, and she instantly sat up, her heart churning like a stormy sea. She quietly tugged at the curtain, peering through the gap to look outside.
She saw a richly dressed servant and a beautiful, charming woman standing together, talking. Han Yan frowned, feeling that the woman looked somewhat familiar, though she couldn't quite place her. They stood very close to the carriage, likely assuming it was empty since there had been no movement inside for a long time.
Earlier, Han Yan had heard them mention "Seventh Prince" and thought it might be related to the Seventh Prince, but she hadn't caught the details clearly. Now, as she tried to listen more carefully, the two had already finished their conversation and were heading into the tavern.
Han Yan focused her thoughts. Though she didn't know what the Seventh Prince was planning, she couldn't shake a sense of unease. Ji Lan and Shu Hong emerged from the tavern, handed her the tea, and then drove the carriage away.
The south district was unusually lively today, as the annual fireworks banquet was to be held that night. Countless young women and men had gathered to enjoy the festivities, admiring the fireworks and strolling through the lantern festival—a truly delightful affair. The nobles and officials had arrived early at Wangjiang Tower, securing the best seats to enjoy the view from the perfect angle.
The closer they got to the south district, the more Ji Lan and Shu Hong's carriage seemed to swerve and jostle through the crowd, drawing attention. Both maids wore panicked expressions, their clothes disheveled as if they had rolled in the dust.
Inside the carriage, Han Yan smiled faintly. With a wave of her arm, she swept the jars and teacups from the small table onto the floor, mixing tea and snacks into a messy pile. She then took off her cloak, folded it neatly, and placed it on the back seat of the carriage. After finishing these preparations, she straightened her collar and sat up properly.
On the second floor of Wangjiang Tower, many nobles and officials had already taken their seats. Zhuang Shiyang had reserved a window seat two days earlier. Though expensive, it offered a rare opportunity to enjoy such a splendid view. However, Han Yan and Zhuangshan had yet to arrive, causing him to frown with concern. "Why haven't Yan'er and the others returned yet?"
Madam Zhou, who was speaking with the wife of a fifth-rank official, comforted him, "Perhaps they were delayed on the way. The two young ladies are still young and might have gotten caught up in play. They brought plenty of guards, so nothing will happen."
Zhuang Shiyang felt slightly reassured by her words. On the other side, Concubine Mei rolled her eyes but smiled as she said, "The master is worried about the two young ladies. If something were to happen to the eldest daughter of the Zhuang family, what would we do?"The words "legitimate child" made Madam Zhou's expression stiffen. Zhuang Shiyang shot Concubine Mei a displeased look, while only Zhuang Qin and Concubine Wan on the side remained indifferent, as if none of this concerned them.
Zhuang Hanming stood with his friend from the Imperial College, feeling somewhat uneasy inside. Seeing that his sister had not yet returned, a trace of worry appeared on his face.
Madam Zhou was also puzzled. By all accounts, Zhuangshan should have returned by now. Why was there still no sign of her? Could something have happened? At this thought, her heart began to pound. She quickly reassured herself—it couldn't be. Everything had been arranged perfectly. Unless Han Yan had grown wings, how could she possibly escape twelve guards and those bandits?
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