The Glory

Surе еnоugh, Zhuаng Shiуаng glared аt hеr with аn unрlеasant eхрression: "Gеt up? What dо уоu mеаn gеt up? You hаve no right to speak hеrе!"

Zhuangshаn had nоt ехрeсtеd Zhuаng Shiуаng to suddеnly changе his аttitude, аnd tears wellеd up in her еyes. Маdаm Zhоu quiсklу stеppеd fоrward tо smооth things ovеr: "Yu Shan is just соncernеd fоr Yan'еr. This child has а kind heart."

Trуing tо drаw attеntion to hersеlf? Тhis stеpmоthеr's intеntiоns wеrе so оbviоus—how hаd she fаiled to sеe it bеfоrе?

Zhuang Shiуаng turnеd his gаze to Hаn Yan and asked cоldly: "Are уou dissatisfiеd with Yu Shan? Ноw cоuld you say such inappropriate things!"

Han Yan clasped her hands behind her back, pinching her palm hard. Tears immediately filled her eyes: "Father, she has the scent of perfume on her."

Zhuang Shiyang was taken aback. Madam Zhou and Zhuangshan exchanged glances, puzzled—what was wrong with perfume?

Han Yan sobbed as she replied: "Has Father forgotten? Yan'er is allergic to perfume. Just a whiff of it makes me feel unwell all over. This sister's perfume is so strong—I could smell it from far away. Yan'er really doesn't like it."

Zhuang Shiyang immediately grew embarrassed and hurriedly said: "Of course Father knows you're allergic to perfume."

Know? Han Yan glanced at him mockingly. She had merely made up an excuse on the spot. If Zhuang Shiyang truly knew, that would be a miracle.

"However," Zhuang Shiyang cleared his throat twice, "even so, you shouldn't treat your sister like that. Get up, no need to kneel anymore."

Han Yan quickly stood up, took a few steps, and once again took Zhuangshan's hand. She smiled sincerely at her: "It was my fault earlier. Sister, please don't hold it against me."

Zhuangshan was baffled by her sudden warmth and instinctively tried to pull her hand away. Han Yan let go smoothly, her face falling: "Why did Sister push my hand away? Won't you forgive me?"

Zhuang Shiyang glared at Zhuangshan with displeasure. Zhuangshan shivered and quickly grabbed Han Yan's hand: "Of course not, I like my little sister very much."

Han Yan beamed happily: "Sister is so kind. Since Sister is so good to me, I want to give you a box of scented cream. It smells wonderful when applied, even better than the perfume Sister uses. I've seen Ji Lan and Shu Hong use it, and they can serve me without causing any allergies."

Madam Zhou had been listening to Han Yan and Zhuangshan's conversation with satisfaction, but when she heard the last sentence, her expression instantly turned ugly. Ji Lan and Shu Hong were merely two maids. Giving Zhuangshan something used by maids and claiming it was better than her perfume—was she implying that Zhuangshan was even inferior to a maid in her household? Growing increasingly furious, she glared darkly at Han Yan.

Zhuangshan also understood Han Yan's implication, but with Zhuang Shiyang right there, she couldn't openly refute it. She had initially thought Han Yan was deliberately humiliating her, but Han Yan's smile seemed sincere, as if she didn't grasp the underlying meaning.

Was this person foolish or clever?

Whether foolish or clever, today's events had already exceeded her expectations. Madam Zhou frowned. Since things weren't proceeding according to her plan, she feared further complications if this continued.

So she stood up and said to Zhuang Shiyang: "Master, it's getting late. May I be allowed to pack some clothes and settle Yu Shan in first?"

Zhuangshan was eager to leave this place. Gaining no advantage in front of this younger sister was truly frustrating. She rubbed her eyes and whined: "Mother, I'm so tired."Han Yan was also tired of sparring with them, and besides, she had already achieved the desired effect today. Staying longer would be pointless.

Zhuang Shiyang seized the opportunity to say, "Alright, I'll go with you."

How considerate—Han Yan was almost moved. She watched Madam Zhou rise from her mother's former seat, smoothing the folds of her skirt.

To be honest, Madam Zhou was indeed a stunning beauty. Even past thirty, she exuded the voluptuous charm of a young matron. Beneath her willow-leaf eyebrows were a pair of slender, upturned eyes, alluring and seductive in every glance. Her lips were full and plump, her smile unconsciously captivating. In comparison, Han Yan's mother had never been one for elaborate dressing, yet she had always been far more pleasant to look at.

Today, Madam Zhou wore a peach-colored brocade gown, cinched at the waist with an indigo silk embroidered sash that accentuated her slender figure. Over it, she draped a matching sheer silk jacket and a set of ruby jewelry meticulously crafted by Ruyi Pavilion, exuding an air of opulence.

Yet, it was also rather vulgar.

Zhuang Shiyang turned to Han Yan, who was lost in thought, and said, "I'll accompany your Aunt Zhou to look at the courtyard. You should head back early."

Watching Zhuang Shiyang in his sapphire-blue embroidered robe standing beside Madam Zhou and Zhuangshan in their peach and pink attire, the vibrant colors clashed so brightly that Han Yan's gaze involuntarily turned cold.

"Father..." Han Yan called out to him.

Zhuang Shiyang turned back, and Han Yan hesitated before speaking, "Yan'er has one more thing..." She swallowed the rest of her sentence, feigning difficulty.

Zhuang Shiyang was in a slightly better mood now and said kindly, "Yan'er, speak your mind."

"I heard from the Imperial College instructor that, according to the laws of the Great Dynasty, brightly colored clothing is forbidden during the three-month mourning period. The current emperor places great emphasis on benevolence and filial piety. Last year, an official whose ancestor had recently passed away allowed his concubine to wear a red velvet flower. He was impeached by a censor, stripped of his official position, and his entire family was exiled to the northwest. How pitiful." Han Yan's voice was clear, her gaze as pure as water. "Hmm, Aunt Zhou's attire today seems quite bright to me. But since Mother just passed away and we are still in mourning, if Aunt Zhou dresses like this while staying at our home, and if the emperor were to find out, Yan'er and Father would have to go to the northwest." Han Yan deliberately emphasized the word "staying," unsurprised to see Madam Zhou's face turn pale and then flush with anger. "Does Aunt Zhou not know the laws of the Great Dynasty? Even Yan'er knows about them." Han Yan said with a smile.

Zhuang Shiyang glanced at Zhuangshan, then at Madam Zhou, and said coldly, "Yan'er makes a good point. Why dress so brightly?"

Madam Zhou was taken aback, looking at her daughter and then at herself. She had taken great care to dress up today when entering the Zhuang residence. She never expected Han Yan's words to provoke Zhuang Shiyang's displeasure. Her efforts to please him had backfired completely.

Her gaze fixed on Zhuang Hanyan. It was all because of this wretched girl—today's plans had been ruined by her. Zhuang Shiyang's daughter was far from as simple as she appeared on the surface. Others might not notice, but she could tell that Zhuang Hanyan was deliberately targeting her and her daughter!

Han Yan, however, understood perfectly well. Zhuang Shiyang valued his official career above all else. While he might overlook other matters, anything that could jeopardize his position as an official was bound to be a sensitive issue. Yet, despite the risks, he had brought Madam Zhou and her daughter into the residence, which showed just how important Madam Zhou was to him.However, she sneered coldly. Importance did not equate to necessity—this was a truth Madam Zhou would come to understand one day.

Zhuangshan glared at Han Yan with resentment. What was there to be proud of? Father didn’t even like her. One day, the position of the manor’s young mistress would become her, Zhuangshan’s, for the taking!