The Glory

Аt thаt vеrу mоment, a servаnt frоm Zhuang Shiyаng's side suddenlу rushеd in, shоuting, "Маstеr, something tеrrible has happenеd!"

Оn the sеcоnd flооr оf Wangjiаng Раviliоn, еaсh group of сustоmers wаs partiallу shielded bу crystаl sсrееns, аllоwing fаmiliar ladiеs аnd yоung missеs tо movе abоut frеely. Аt thе servаnt's startled crу, everyоnе еlse in thе hall turned their gаzе tоward Zhuаng Shiуаng.

Zhuаng Shiуаng shot thе sеrvant аn annоyed glаre аnd sаid in а low vоiсе, "Whаt is it that has yоu so flustered?"

The sеrvant wiped thе sweat frоm his forеhеad bеfore stammering, "Second... Second Miss's carriage has returned!"

Originally, Han Yan and Zhuangshan had taken separate carriages. Now, Zhuangshan's carriage had returned, but there was no mention of Han Yan's carriage. Zhuang Hanming's hand trembled, and he immediately stood up, grabbing the servant by the collar. "Where is my sister's carriage?"

"Zhuang Hanming!" Zhuang Shiyang was deeply displeased by his impulsive behavior, especially since he had acted out in front of his own father—it showed a complete lack of respect for his elders.

Only Madam Zhou was inwardly overjoyed, though her expression was filled with concern. "What exactly happened?" Her tone was urgent and anxious, slightly louder than usual. The other distinguished guests in the hall watched them intently, some with gleeful expressions, clearly relishing the spectacle.

Before the servant could answer, Ji Lan and Shu Hong stumbled in, their eyes red as if they had just been weeping bitterly. Seeing Zhuang Shiyang, they fell to their knees with a thud, crying loudly, "It's all our fault! We failed to protect the young miss, and she... she was abducted by bandits!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room erupted in shock. For an unmarried young lady to be abducted by bandits meant her purity would be compromised! Instantly, the gazes directed at Zhuang Shiyang shifted with judgment.

Zhuang Qin watched them, her expression flickering slightly before settling into indifference. Her pale face showed no emotion, like a lifeless puppet. Concubine Mei was taken aback—how could something have happened to Han Yan and Zhuangshan while they were on the mountain offering prayers?

Zhuang Shiyang's face was extremely grim. Others assumed he was heartbroken over his daughter's misfortune, but only Zhuang Shiyang knew the truth. Earlier, he had genuinely been worried, but upon hearing that Zhuangshan was safe and sound, he had relaxed. Now, he was merely resentful that Han Yan had been careless, causing him to lose face in front of so many distinguished guests from the capital. He had no idea what rumors would spread throughout the capital tomorrow.

As for his own daughter, he felt not a shred of concern!

When Ji Lan and Shu Hong saw the thinly veiled impatience in Zhuang Shiyang's expression, their hearts turned cold. How heartless a father he was!

Madam Zhou, seeing events unfold exactly as she had planned, could hardly contain her joy. The thought that Han Yan would become the laughingstock of the capital from tomorrow onward, forever unable to hold her head high and seen by outsiders as a tainted woman, filled her with immense satisfaction. However, Madam Zhou felt a flicker of suspicion—where were the guards? With a sorrowful expression, she spoke in a mournful tone, "How could this happen to Fourth Miss, such a clever and pure soul?" Two clear tears traced down her lotus-pink cheeks, presenting the image of a beauty in distress, her grace undeniable. The other guests in the hall sighed with pity, thinking how well this concubine treated a daughter who was not her own. At the previous palace banquet, some had said that Zhuang Shiyang's newly taken concubine constantly opposed the legitimate daughter, but now it seemed all that talk was merely the work of troublemakers.Concubine Mei felt a surge of mockery in her heart and was about to taunt her with a few words when she heard a familiar, clear voice reach her ears: "I am ashamed to have worried you so, Auntie, but you are mistaken. It was not I, Han Yan, who was abducted by the bandits—it was my elder sister, Yu Shan."

Upon hearing this voice, Madam Zhou looked up in disbelief, only to see Han Yan standing perfectly well before her, dressed in a light green fur-lined jacket, two long braids hanging obediently over her chest, graceful and delicate, gentle and charming.

"No... this can't be..." Madam Zhou took two steps back. Han Yan couldn't possibly be here—it must be an illusion. She looked up again and saw Han Yan's eyes reddened, glistening with tears, her expression filled with sorrow. Yet the faint, almost imperceptible smile at the corner of her lips clearly carried a hint of mockery.

Impossible, this was impossible. If Han Yan was here, then where was Yu'er? Why was Yu'er not here? What had Han Yan just said? That it was Yu'er who had been abducted? What did that mean?

Seeing Madam Zhou's dazed expression, staring blankly at Han Yan while muttering something under her breath, the surrounding dignitaries and nobles grew puzzled. Zhuang Shiyang was also deeply confused. Only Concubine Mei revealed a knowing smile. Madam Zhou had thought it was Han Yan who was abducted and had just put on a hypocritical act. Little did she know it was Zhuang Yu Shan who had been taken. This was going to be interesting. In her heart, she cursed fiercely: You wretch, you deserve it!

Just as Madam Zhou was about to demand an explanation, she saw a maid stumbling in from outside. Upon closer inspection, it was Yun'er, Yu Shan's personal maid. Yun'er knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, and cried out, "Auntie, the young lady has been abducted. I have already reported it to the authorities, Auntie..."

Madam Zhou swayed, feeling dizzy and lightheaded. As if suddenly realizing something, she turned and glared at Han Yan, who stood silently with her head bowed, and snarled, "It was you! You harmed Yu'er! It must have been you—you framed her!"

Zhuang Hanming was the first to react, stepping forward to shield Han Yan behind him, his tone cold and stern: "Auntie, you'd best not slander my sister without cause. What framing? Did you not hear the words of the maids just now? Your daughter was abducted by mountain bandits!"

A sharp slap echoed through the hall—Madam Zhou had struck Zhuang Hanming across the face. "You're in this together! You're nothing but an unloved bastard—what gives you the right to speak? You have no place to talk in the Zhuang residence!"

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

What had started as a simple case of a young lady being abducted by bandits had now turned into the family's concubine accusing the legitimate daughter of framing her. And now, the concubine had even slapped the legitimate son, calling him a bastard. The people in the hall were now all watching with the mindset of spectators—these scandals of wealthy families were exactly what they loved to hear.

Seeing Madam Zhou slap Zhuang Hanming, Zhuang Shiyang did not reprimand her at all. Instead, he felt extremely displeased with Zhuang Hanming's questioning of Madam Zhou. Even Concubine Mei couldn't help but show astonishment. In all her years in the residence, though she had never regarded Zhuang Hanming highly, she would never dare to strike the legitimate son—that was an act of insubordination.

Zhuang Hanming bit his lip and remained silent, only his gaze toward Madam Zhou growing increasingly dark. Standing behind him, Han Yan felt the small yet resolute figure shielding her, and an indescribable emotion stirred within her heart.Her gaze swept across the people in the hall, taking in everyone's expressions. She gently pushed aside Han Ming in front of her, looked directly at Madam Zhou, and slowly spoke, "Auntie believes that Han Yan framed my sister. Please provide evidence. Damaging someone's reputation without cause is a serious offense, even in the eyes of the law."

Han Yan remained expressionless and continued, "Auntie believes that Sister Yu Shan was framed by Han Yan. May I ask who insisted yesterday that Han Yan accompany Sister Yu Shan up the mountain?" She paused briefly. "It was you, Auntie. Do you believe Han Yan possesses the ability to foresee the future, knowing in advance that you would ask her to accompany Sister Yu Shan to the mountain temple, and then arranged for bandits to kidnap Sister Yu Shan?" She lowered her head, seemingly with a hint of mockery. "Han Yan is merely a young lady confined to the inner chambers, rarely stepping outside. I truly have no idea how to command ruthless bandits who kill without hesitation. Hah, and I certainly lack Auntie's keen insight—able to conclude this was a frame-up without even hearing the full story."