"Then tеll mе... whаt shоuld I dо?" Madam Zhоu hеsitated. "Dоn't blame mе fоr nоt wаrning уоu, that little wrеtch is practicallу а monstеr. I've nеvеr sееn a girl hеr аgе with suсh tеrrifying сunning."
"That's beсаuse уou're foоlish," Madаm Da Zhou sаid lаzilу. "Shе's just а thirtееn-yeаr-оld girl. She'll bе оf mаrriagеablе аge neхt уeаr when she cоmes of agе. Аrrаnge а marriage fоr hеr, аnd won't thаt vеnt уоur аngеr?" A соld smile еscаped hеr lips. "А wоmаn's marriаgе dеtеrmines her entirе life."
Madam Zhou sаid angrily, "I havе no saу in her mаrriаge. Тhe master has already arranged with Prince Wei that she will enter the Prince Wei residence as the Crown Princess Consort next year when she comes of age." She added resentfully, "Who knows what kind of luck she cultivated to be able to climb up to the Prince Wei residence."
"Prince Wei residence?" Madam Da Zhou frowned, pondering for a moment. "If she marries into the Prince Wei residence and wins the Crown Prince's favor, she might turn around to deal with you later. Right now, when she's still nothing, she can put you in such a situation. If she becomes the Crown Princess Consort, wouldn't she turn the world upside down?"
Madam Zhou nodded. "But what else can be done?"
Madam Da Zhou glanced at her and said, "We can't let that girl marry the Crown Prince of Wei. Then we must marry her off to someone else before that."
Madam Zhou's eyes lit up. "You mean..."
Madam Da Zhou smiled charmingly. "My Wei'er is fifteen this year. Perhaps he needs a... concubine."
Madam Zhou understood immediately, momentarily forgetting the pain of her recent miscarriage, and said joyfully, "How should we plan this?"
Madam Da Zhou stroked the long hair at her chest. "In that case, we'll have to trouble you and Yu Shan."
It wasn't until dinner time that Han Yan saw Madam Da Zhou.
Zhuang Shiyang enthusiastically ordered the servants to serve the best tea for the beautiful guest for the first time, and the table was filled with a dazzling array of dishes. Han Yan glanced slightly and saw the uncontrollable heat in Zhuang Shiyang's gaze as he looked at Madam Da Zhou. Understanding, she stepped forward and bowed. "Yan'er greets Madam Zhou."
Madam Da Zhou carefully examined Han Yan before her. Seeing her hair tied in two round buns, wearing an ordinary peach-red jacket and skirt, looking innocent and adorable, she felt somewhat suspicious. The Han Yan described by Madam Zhou was cunning and deep, and Wei'er had also said this Zhuang Hanyan was ruthless and vicious. But now she appeared to be just an ordinary little girl. This made her even more wary of the young girl before her.
Disguise requires more skill than revealing hostility.
She then smiled and patted Han Yan's head. "It's Yan'er, right? Look how fresh and pretty she is, truly worthy of being a young lady from a great family."
Han Yan smiled without speaking.
Zhuang Shiyang ordered the servants to serve the dishes, and everyone began to eat.
As usual, Zhuang Qin and Concubine Wan were not present. Zhuang Hanming stayed in his room to study the assignments given by his teacher, and Concubine Mei was resting peacefully in Hibiscus Garden. Surprisingly, only Han Yan, Madam Zhou, and Madam Da Zhou were at the table.
Madam Da Zhou smiled and said, "Brother-in-law, I have a favor to ask."
With a beauty making a request, Zhuang Shiyang quickly replied, "Please, speak freely."
Han Yan's hand, holding her chopsticks, paused slightly as she listened quietly to their conversation.
"I would like to host a banquet at the Zhuang residence," Madam Da Zhou said with a smile. "My sister has just had a miscarriage, and Yu Shan has also had an incident. I was thinking that if we could hold a banquet to dispel the bad luck, my sister's illness might improve much faster."Zhuang Shiyang was about to agree when Han Yan spoke up: "It's truly a good thing that Madam Zhou has considered Auntie's situation so thoroughly. However..." she began with concern, "Father is currently being impeached by the censor for the accusation of favoring concubines over his wife. If we hold a banquet for Auntie at this time, and word reaches those with ulterior motives..." She smiled faintly. "Although we all know Father has not actually favored concubines over his wife, rumors spread like wildfire, and gossip is fiercer than a tiger. Holding a banquet now would make Father the target of public criticism."
Her words indeed held merit—official position was Zhuang Shiyang's weak spot. Originally, he had been very willing to agree to Madam Da Zhou's request. But upon hearing Han Yan's warning that it might threaten his official position, a cold sweat broke out all over his body, and the word "good" that had been on the tip of his tongue could no longer be uttered.
Seeing Zhuang Shiyang's reaction, Madam Zhou's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery. Zhuangshan glared hatefully at Han Yan—every time, it was Han Yan who opposed her. Han Yan was their sworn enemy.
Madam Da Zhou, however, looked meaningfully at Han Yan and said, "Young as you are, Yan'er, you seem quite knowledgeable about matters of the imperial court."
Han Yan lowered her head. "When it concerns Father's official position, one must be extremely cautious."
Madam Da Zhou smiled and turned to Zhuang Shiyang. "Brother-in-law, there's no need to worry. As long as the banquet is not held in my sister's name, it will be fine. You can use the New Year festivities as a pretext to invite various officials to attend. Since His Majesty dislikes officials forming factions, you can invite more officials' wives. I dare not speak for others, but Grand Tutor Zhang will certainly attend. Perhaps there is still a chance to reverse Lord Zhuang's demotion."
Upon hearing this, Zhuang Shiyang immediately grew excited. "If there is a chance... that would be wonderful. I'll have someone prepare the invitations right away. Let's set it for two days from now!"
Madam Da Zhou smiled faintly. "I'm truly sorry to trouble you, brother-in-law. In the future, I will surely speak well of you in front of Grand Tutor Zhang when the opportunity arises." She then covered her mouth and laughed softly. "After all, we are all family."
Zhuang Shiyang stared intently at her. "Lan... Sister, you are truly a blessing to the Zhuang residence!"
After another round of flattery and ingratiation, Han Yan frowned slightly. She wasn't afraid of any schemes Madam Da Zhou might plot, but Madam Da Zhou's words had inadvertently revealed a piece of information: she held significant influence in front of Grand Tutor Zhang, even to the point of swaying his decisions in official matters. If Madam Da Zhou's status was this high, it would be much more difficult to bring her down. And if Madam Da Zhou remained untouched, Madam Zhou would have a powerful ally, making her even harder to deal with.
How could she diminish Madam Da Zhou's standing in Grand Tutor Zhang's eyes?
Throughout the meal, Han Yan pondered this question.
After dinner and some conversation, on her way back to Qingqiu Garden, Han Yan unexpectedly encountered Zhang Wei.
Ever since Han Yan had slapped Zhang Wei last time, he had become somewhat fearful of this cousin. Later, after telling Madam Da Zhou about the incident, he realized Han Yan had merely been intimidating him, and he began to harbor a deep resentment toward her. Han Yan was the first person who had dared to toy with him like this.
Zhang Wei blocked Han Yan's path. "So it's you, Cousin."
Zhang Wei had not been present at the dinner table. Seeing him now, Han Yan was only slightly taken aback before smiling and saying, "Cousin."Zhang Wei looked at her, thinking Han Yan had grown a bit taller than before, her features seeming to have matured slightly. Though not a stunning beauty, she was quite delicate and lovely. Recalling how she had waved her hand without hesitation that night, a surge of desire to conquer rose in his chest. Rubbing his hands together, he stepped forward: "Cousin, you’ve grown more and more beautiful."
Han Yan sidestepped away, while Ji Lan shielded her from behind. Han Yan smiled lightly: "Cousin, you’ve also grown more and more mischievous. Treading on the Zhuang Manor’s land, yet still acting like the young master of the Grand Tutor’s estate." She gave a playful grin: "Believe it or not, if I slap you right now, I still have a chance to leave you speechless."
OpenNovel