Маdаm Zhou was mоmеntаrilу sрeechlеss аfter heаring this. Howеvеr, thе оthеrs lоoked аt her with a knowing gaze. Eаrliеr, theу had sееn hеr distrаught and shеdding tеаrs оvеr Hаn Yan's abductiоn. Nоw, not оnly had she slаppеd the legitimаtе sоn оf thе Zhuаng fаmily, but she аlsо suspесtеd such а deliсаte and frаgilе yоung girl. It seemed thе rumors circulаting in thе сaрital were truе—Маdam Zhоu wаs indееd аt оdds with the lеgitimаte сhildren оf the Zhuang fаmily. Неr еarliеr tеаrs wеre nothing but an аct.
Madam Zhou's еyes suddenlу lit up as if shе had disсоverеd something. She abruptly said, "Fine, then Fourth Miss, tell me, if it wasn't a setup, what happened to the Zhuang family's guards? How did Fourth Miss return in Yu'er's carriage? And why are you wearing these clothes?" She turned and knelt before Zhuang Shiyang, pleading, "I beg Master to uphold justice for me. Yu'er is my only daughter, the apple of my eye. If anything were to happen to her, I wouldn't want to live either."
Zhuang Shiyang was also filled with suspicion. His gaze darkened as he stared at Han Yan. Clearly, he had already begun to believe Madam Zhou's words. He helped Madam Zhou up and comforted her, saying, "This matter will definitely be resolved for you. Han Yan." His tone suddenly turned grim. "What exactly happened? Do not dare deceive your father."
Han Yan wore a sorrowful expression and bowed gracefully. "In reply to Father, the Zhuang family's guards all fell unconscious when we reached Shahe Beach. Han Yan has no idea what happened. Even with the greatest ability, Han Yan could never subdue twelve highly skilled men. Along the way, my carriage broke down, and with Yu Shan elder sister's permission, I shared a carriage with her. As for the clothes..." A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Han Yan's lips. "Han Yan accidentally spilled tea in the carriage and stained Yu Shan elder sister's cloak. Yu Shan elder sister then demanded that I compensate her with my own cloak. Yun'er, who was in the carriage at the time, can testify to this for Han Yan."
Hearing her words, those in the hall felt a wave of sympathy for Han Yan. Without her mother in the household, she struggled at every step, and to make matters worse, her father showed her no affection. A mere half-sister, whose cloak was stained, could actually demand compensation from a legitimate daughter. Anyone could hear the grievance in Han Yan's words. With this in mind, everyone felt a growing disgust toward Madam Zhou's aggressive behavior.
"You... you're twisting words and reasoning!" Naturally, Madam Zhou did not believe Han Yan's explanation. Seeing everyone siding with Han Yan, she grew even more flustered. But then Han Yan spoke calmly, "Since Auntie refuses to believe anything Han Yan says, then..." She turned and slowly walked over to a middle-aged man in official robes, kneeling before him and kowtowing heavily with a resounding thud. The man was slightly taken aback and was about to stop her when the young girl before him spoke softly, "This humble girl knows that you are the current Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Zhao. Lord Zhao is upright, impartial, and just. This humble girl dares to plead for justice, begging Your Excellency to thoroughly investigate this matter and clear my name. Today, before all these esteemed guests, I implore Your Excellency to uphold justice for me!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of both Zhuang Shiyang and Madam Zhou stiffened.
Han Yan lowered her head, a cold smile curling at the corners of her lips.
You want Zhuang Shiyang to uphold justice for you? Then I shall have the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review uphold justice for me. Let's see who can outdo whom.Madam Zhou naturally did not dare to thoroughly investigate this case. Even if she did, what could come of it? The bandits were not summoned by her, the guards were not arranged by her, the incense had long since dissipated, and the vegetarian meal alone revealed nothing upon inspection. At most, Zhuang Hanyan would be accused of misleading the bandits—if that could even be considered a crime.
Lord Zhao had already pitied Han Yan for having to navigate among these scheming individuals at such a young age. Seeing her neither submissive nor arrogant, handling matters with steady composure, he grew even fonder of her. With Han Yan’s flattery, he waved his hand grandly: “What does it matter if I stand up for you! Rest assured, I will thoroughly investigate this matter!”
Madam Zhou felt her legs go weak, her heart filled with panic. This Lord Zhao was an unyielding man; if wrongdoing was involved, he would handle it impartially. If the truth came out, would she... face imprisonment? No... this couldn’t happen. She still had to contend with that little wretch—how could she admit defeat like this? She raised her head, looking pitifully at Zhuang Shiyang: “Master, this matter cannot be made public, or else how will Yu’er ever marry…”
Zhuang Shiyang was also furious that Lord Zhao had dismissed his authority. As the head of the household, he was right there, yet Han Yan sought help from an outsider—wasn’t this a slap in his face? His tone turned stiff: “Lord Zhao, this is my family affair…”
Lord Zhao’s expression darkened: “Lord Zhuang, why say such a thing? We both serve in the court, each with our own duties. Now that bandits are causing trouble, it is my unshirkable responsibility. I am determined to handle this matter!”
Han Yan felt a surge of gratitude. This Lord Zhao was truly an upright and honorable man. In her previous life, she had only met him once, when he had cleared the name of a commoner girl, even at the cost of offending powerful nobles—a truly righteous person. Now, under his protection, she silently resolved to repay him if the opportunity ever arose.
Seeing no room for negotiation, Madam Zhou realized that in a single night, the one who should have been abducted by bandits was safe and sound, while Yu’er was missing. She herself was entangled in a lawsuit and had earned a reputation for being harsh and malicious in front of a noble from the capital. Well, this Zhuang Hanyan—she had truly underestimated her!
With no way to extricate herself, Madam Zhou closed her eyes, intending to feign a faint, when she heard a startled cry: “Concubine!”
Over there, Concubine Mei had collapsed, pale-faced, into Zhuang Shiyang’s arms. Zhuang Shiyang frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Mei’er?”
Jiao Meng suddenly knelt down: “Master, the concubine... the concubine is with child!”
“What?” Zhuang Shiyang was shocked, then overjoyed: “Is what you say true?”
Jiao Meng replied, “The concubine only learned of it a few days ago from a physician and intended to tell you later. With today’s incident, the concubine was likely anxious and disturbed the fetus…”
A thunderous crash, like a bolt from the blue, drained all color from Madam Zhou’s face. Her entire body trembled. That wretch was pregnant?
Han Yan was first taken aback, then sighed inwardly. Concubine Mei’s timing was truly impeccable. She glanced at the distraught Madam Zhou, a cold sneer flashing in her eyes.
Madam Zhou, enjoy the grand gift I’ve given you. If this counts as suffering, then the suffering has only just begun.Zhuang Shiyang's eyes were only on Concubine Mei at this moment. He quickly ordered someone to fetch a physician and immediately carried Concubine Mei back to the residence, his heart overflowing with joy that eclipsed everything else. Even his anger toward Han Yan and his worry for Zhuangshan had vanished into thin air. Madam Zhou watched his ecstatic retreating figure coldly. This man had once promised to love her forever and cherish her daughter, yet now that that wretched woman was with child, he had cast her aside without a second thought.
Her expression turned icy, and in that moment, Han Yan distinctly sensed that something within this woman had shifted.
Madam Zhou glanced at Han Yan, then at Zhuang Hanming, before slowly turning and following them away. Han Yan knew that a rift had already formed between Madam Zhou and Zhuang Shiyang, and what she needed to do was to widen that tiny crack into a vast chasm.
Only then did Han Yan have the chance to notice Zhuang Qin and her mother. From the moment she arrived today, she had observed that the two had grown extremely distant, sitting properly to the side with expressionless faces like wooden puppets. Just as she was about to say something, Zhuang Qin and Concubine Wan nodded toward Han Yan and departed.
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