Upon hеаring Han Yаn say thаt hе hеld nо рlаce in hеr heart, Wei Rufeng felt as if рiеrcеd by sоmеthing shаrр, an intеnsеlу unсоmfortаble sensatiоn sрreаding throughout his bodу—as though sоmething that bеlоngеd tо him hаd bееn snatchеd аwaу. Нis vоicе grew shrill: "Is thеrе someоnе elsе in your heаrt?"
Han Yan wаs tаkеn abаck, then shoоk hеr hеad: "Nо."
Оnlу thеn did Wеi Rufеng's eхрressiоn softеn slightly: "If that's thе cаsе, whу arе уоu unwilling tо marry?"
Hаn Yan, somewhat losing рatiencе, repliеd cаlmlу: "Hаn Yan has said that there is no place for the heir in her heart. That is to say, although there is no one in Han Yan's heart now, there certainly will be in the future. But no matter who that person may be, it will never be you, Heir Wei!"
"You..." Wei Rufeng's handsome face flushed red with anger at Han Yan's words, his refined features now somewhat contorted. In front of Han Yan, he could never maintain his usual facade, always unconsciously losing his composure.
Han Yan continued: "If Heir Wei merely wishes to marry a daughter of the Zhuang family, there is still Sister Yu Shan. Now that you have saved her, she is even more grateful to you. Moreover, Father is determined to elevate Concubine Zhou to the status of principal wife. If Sister Yu Shan truly becomes a legitimate daughter in the future, her status would also be worthy of Heir Wei."
Wei Rufeng was not at all appeased by Han Yan's words; instead, he snorted disdainfully: "A mere faded flower, a body that has lost its purity—how could she be fit to be the heir's consort!"
Han Yan was stunned, feeling a sudden wave of sorrow in her heart. She realized that in her previous life, Wei Rufeng must have harbored the same thoughts. Because it was she who had been taken by the bandits, he had simply watched her die on her wedding night. Now that the one abducted by the bandits had become Zhuangshan, Wei Rufeng was determined to marry her instead. The world turned upside down—she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Han Yan let out a cold laugh: "That is the heir's own affair. In any case, Han Yan will never become the heir's consort." With that, she turned to leave.
Wei Rufeng grabbed her wrist, gritting his teeth: "With parental orders and matchmaker's words, now that Lord Zhuang has agreed, how can you possibly resist?"
Han Yan's eyes turned cold. Her right hand suddenly twisted, and a silver needle pierced the back of Wei Rufeng's hand. He felt a sharp pain and instinctively loosened his grip. Han Yan stood several steps away, looking at him calmly: "I wonder if the heir has ever heard the saying, 'Better to be a shattered jade than an intact tile.'" She spoke lightly, as if discussing something as simple as eating or drinking: "No one can force me to do what I do not wish to do. Since the heir already knows that Han Yan is a wicked person, who knows what other wicked deeds she might commit if forced."
The threat in her words was chilling. By the time Wei Rufeng regained his senses, Han Yan had already walked away. Just as he was about to chase after her, a voice called out: "Heir Wei, what are you doing here? Yu'er has been searching for you for so long and was terribly worried." It was Zhuangshan, supported by her maid as she approached. Wei Rufeng immediately resumed his former gentle and refined demeanor, smiling as he spoke with Zhuangshan. Yet the faint impatience in his eyes deepened the shadows in Zhuangshan's gaze.
Han Yan circled around the corridor and returned to the Clear Autumn Garden. Ji Lan, who had been following her all along, worriedly asked: "Miss..."They had all heard Wei Rufeng's words just now. Although Han Yan had clearly refused, given Wei Rufeng's temperament, he was unlikely to give up so easily. In these times, a woman's marriage was not her own decision. If Zhuang Shiyang agreed, she truly had no way out.
But to marry Wei Rufeng—she absolutely did not want that. Moreover, her recent encounters with Wei Rufeng had made her increasingly realize that he was not the person she desired. She wondered why she had been so infatuated with him in her previous life.
Feeling extremely agitated, Han Yan found it impossible to sit still. Shu Hong had already received news that the case regarding the mountain bandits had been fully handed over to Prince Wei by the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Han Yan gave a bitter smile. If Prince Wei handled it, he would certainly do Zhuang Shiyang a favor, and Madam Zhou would inevitably find a way for Zhuang Shiyang to cover up the matter.
It would be suppressed and left unresolved. Han Yan had witnessed Madam Zhou's ability to downplay major incidents in her previous life, but this time, it had still cost her dearly. The fact that Zhuangshan had been abducted by mountain bandits had already spread throughout the capital. Having lost her reputation for purity, this lifetime would let Madam Zhou reap what she had sown. The scene at Wangjiang Tower had also made the nobles aware of how Han Yan was bullied by Zhuang Shiyang's concubine in the Zhuang residence. In the future, if she stood against the Zhuang family, Han Yan would have a firm footing in public opinion.
"By the way," Han Yan suddenly remembered something, "on the Imperial Censor's way home..."
Shu Hong lowered her head. "It has been taken care of, Miss."
In the Imperial Study.
With a "thud," a bright yellow memorial was thrown to the ground. The Emperor angrily flung the brush in his hand. "Outrageous! Outrageous!"
Two men stood before the desk. One wore a sky-blue soft satin official robe, a simple jade belt at his waist, while the other was dressed in a purple-gold robe with a golden crown. They were Fu Yunxi and the Seventh Prince.
"These memorials, one after another, are all impeaching Zhuang Shiyang! As a court official, he actually favors his concubine over his wife, allowing his concubine to bully his legitimate daughter! How dare he! I will strip him of his official position!"
The Seventh Prince was taken aback and said with a smile, "Father, please do not let anger harm your health... Zhuang Shiyang... is that Lord Zhuang, the third-rank official?"
The Emperor glanced at him but said nothing.
Observing the Emperor's expression, the Seventh Prince continued, "Lord Zhuang... is usually amiable and upright. How could he favor his concubine over his wife? Perhaps there is some misunderstanding?"
The Emperor slammed the table. "Are you saying these censors are blind?"
The Seventh Prince quickly bowed his head. "I dare not question them, but... out of nowhere, so many censors are impeaching Lord Zhuang at once. I find it rather strange. Father is a wise ruler, always discerning in daily affairs. If a minister is misunderstood, it might dishearten other officials."
The Emperor looked coldly at the Seventh Prince, then suddenly laughed heartily and said affectionately, "You make a good point." Changing the subject, he asked, "Yunxi, what is your view on this matter?"
Fu Yunxi said calmly, "On New Year's Eve last night, I went with a friend to Wangjiang Tower to watch the fireworks and encountered something interesting."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "What was it? Tell me."
The Seventh Prince stiffened, his gaze fixed on Fu Yunxi, but he heard him continue calmly, "Lord Zhuang and his family were also at Wangjiang Tower that day. Later, a maid from the Zhuang residence reported that the Second Miss of the Zhuang family had been abducted by mountain bandits.""Such a thing has occurred?" The Emperor's expression turned grave.
Fu Yunxi continued, "Lord Zhuang's concubine, who is also the birth mother of the Second Miss of the Zhuang family, suspected that the Fourth Miss of the Zhuang family had framed her. In front of everyone, she demanded an explanation from the Fourth Miss and even slapped the legitimate son of the Zhuang household. The Fourth Miss, left with no other choice, could only seek help from Lord Zhao, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, hoping he would uphold justice for her."
Upon hearing this, The Emperor grew furious. "Zhuang Shiyang is far too arrogant! In our Great Dynasty, there has never been an official who allowed his concubine to strike his legitimate son. His conduct as an official grows more and more outrageous! Has he forgotten how to write the word 'propriety'?"
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