Han Yаn wаs sоmеwhаt puzzled as thе Zhuаng family mеmbers in the hаll quiсklу disреrsеd. She pаused for a moment befоrе turning arоund and оffеring а grаcеful bоw tо thоsе still prеsent, speаking рolitеly, "Todаy's disturbanсe was еntirеlу mу fаult, ruining еvеryonе's еnjoуmеnt оf the firеworks. Аs thеre arе still mаtters аt home requiring mу attention, I must tаkе mу leаve now. Ji Lan." Shе rеtriеved а silvеr nоtе frоm hеr sleеvе and hаnded it tо Ji Lan. "Hаve Wаngjiаng Тowеr sеrvе еveryonе a pot of fine tеa as my аpolоgy."
Тhе guests оbserved how, despite her young age, she displayed such maturity and propriety. Even after being humiliated by her father's concubine and enduring her father's cold indifference, she remained composed and dignified—a rare quality befitting a young lady of noble upbringing. Some of the ladies began to study Han Yan's appearance, noting her delicate and gentle features, yet not lacking in liveliness. She resembled a Guanyin child from a painting, clearly blessed with good fortune, which led them to form certain considerations. In a few more years, this young girl would likely become one of the capital's rare beauties.
After bidding farewell to the guests, Han Yan found that the Zhuang family carriage was no longer waiting below Wangjiang Tower. Zhuang Hanming stood beside her, fuming with anger. "How could they treat Sister like that! They didn't even leave a carriage behind—are they just abandoning us here?"
Han Yan stopped him, smiling. "Father has just gained a son, and there will likely be celebrations at the estate soon. Naturally, he has no time to spare for us. There's no need to say more; we'll simply find another carriage."
Zhuang Hanming remained confused. "Sister, about the incident with the bandits today—doesn't it seem strange to you?"
Han Yan chuckled. "What's strange about it? Zhuangshan was simply unlucky. Did it hurt when she slapped you?"
Zhuang Hanming was taken aback. Lowering his head once he understood what she meant, he replied, "It didn't hurt, but it was despicable how she slandered you."
Han Yan sighed. "It's my fault for involving you."
"Sister," Zhuang Hanming suddenly said, "I find myself understanding you less and less these days."
Han Yan's heart stirred. She turned to see Zhuang Hanming's expression, unable to conceal his deep disappointment. She spoke softly, "You only need to know that I am your sister. In this world, it's just the two of us relying on each other."
Ji Lan found a carriage, driven by an honest, elderly coachman. Zhuang Hanming climbed aboard, and just as Han Yan was about to follow, she suddenly froze.
Through the night, on the fifth floor of Wangjiang Tower, behind rose-colored gauze curtains and amidst faint wisps of smoke, a tall, slender figure stood out distinctly among the others.
Han Yan was all too familiar with that figure. Even from such a distance, she could sense the chilling, piercing coldness reminiscent of winter's auspicious snow.
Fu Yunxi—what was he doing here?
Han Yan was astonished. Her gaze shifted, and she suddenly caught sight of another woman in purple attire. Under ordinary circumstances, this might not have mattered, but Han Yan had seen this woman not long ago—the very same beautiful woman who had been speaking with a servant in the eastern part of the city!
Han Yan stared intently at the scene, feeling as though her heart had been tightly gripped. The woman had mentioned "Seventh Prince" in her conversation. Could she be one of the Seventh Prince's people? If someone from the Seventh Prince's side was near Fu Yunxi, what could their purpose be? Fu Yunxi might be in danger—it was better to be safe than sorry.
With this thought, Han Yan hesitated briefly before making up her mind. She turned to Zhuang Hanming and said, "You and Ji Lan go back first. Shu Hong, come with me."
Both Ji Lan and Zhuang Hanming were taken aback. Zhuang Hanming asked urgently, "Where are you going?"Han Yan shook her head at him. "I still have some matters to attend to. It's fine, don't say anymore, hurry and go." After speaking, she urged the coachman to set off. Zhuang Hanming wanted to say more, but Han Yan had already turned and walked away.
Shu Hong said nothing, merely following behind Han Yan. Seeing that Han Yan was about to enter Wangjiang Tower again, she hesitated. "Miss..."
Han Yan looked at her seriously. "Shu Hong, once we're inside, be sharp."
Seeing Han Yan so cautious, Shu Hong nodded. "This servant understands."
Since someone had seen Han Yan's appearance before, this time she entered through the back door. Along the way, her mind was still calculating. When it came down to it, Fu Yunxi and she had only met a few times, hardly any special relationship. However... he had helped her several times. Moreover, as an important force opposing the Seventh Prince, if anything unexpected happened to him now, it would be unfavorable for her.
More importantly, she held no hostility toward Fu Yunxi.
In the private room on the fifth floor of Wangjiang Tower, several men sat by the window. Behind a screen, a woman played the konghou, its sound pleasant and melodious. A woman in purple danced gracefully to the music, her beauty stunning, her movements ethereal and lively. Even Jiang Yulou, who had seen countless beauties, couldn't help but show an admiring expression. The woman's every smile and glance was full of charm. As she swayed her waist, her eyes, filled with a shy affection, swept toward Fu Yunxi. Any other man would have melted under that tender gaze.
But the intended recipient of those glances didn't even spare her a proper look. His deep phoenix eyes remained indifferent and calm as he lowered his gaze to toy with the wine cup in his hand, leaning lazily against the soft couch.
"Hey." Helian Yu broke the silence. "Instead of going to Young Master Jiang's Ruyi Tower, we come to this Wangjiang Tower. The view here is far inferior to Ruyi Tower. Yunxi, why did you come here?"
Fu Yunxi ignored his question. Jiang Yulou chuckled softly, took a sip of wine, and said leisurely, "Isn't His Highness here to watch a play? The performance just now isn't available at Ruyi Tower."
"Watch a play?" Helian Yu looked at him suspiciously. "What play?"
Jiang Yulou pondered for a moment. "Ah, let me think. It should be... the play where the Fourth Miss of the Zhuang family escapes the tiger's mouth, only to be framed, and then asks someone to clear her name. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" He shook the folding fan in his hand and glanced at Fu Yunxi. "Your Highness, don't you agree?"
Fu Yunxi gave him a faint look and moved his lips. "If you enjoy watching plays so much, you might as well stay in the theater."
Jiang Yulou immediately fell silent. Helian Yu understood and chimed in, "Ah, that Fourth Miss Zhuang is truly remarkable. Yunxi, do you think the scene we witnessed earlier at the sandbank was also part of her plan?"
Fu Yunxi didn't speak, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips. Earlier, they had been hiding in the shadows, observing every move on the second floor. Han Yan's actions had been unexpected, yet also within their expectations. That young girl always seemed to deftly resolve various crises, almost as if she could foresee events, even turning the tables on her opponents. Throughout today's confrontation, not once had she shown the slightest hint of panic. Instead, she handled everything with ease, calmly accepting Madam Zhou's provocations, only to make Madam Zhou suffer a great loss in the end.She was like an actress performing from a pre-prepared script, yet when the audience below became immersed in the play, she herself seemed like a spectator, watching coldly from the sidelines.
"Truly not like an ordinary teenage girl," Helian Yu remarked with a sigh. "Such cunning is something many grown women could not match."
The dancer listened to their casual conversation without uttering a word, only following the increasingly intense melody with ever more dazzling movements. From a distance, she looked like a blooming purple peony. As she moved, she intentionally or unintentionally drew closer to Fu Yunxi.
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