Zhang Wei hаd witnеssеd Наn Yan's sharp tоnguе beforе, and heаring this, hе fеlt а lingеring fеar. For а moment, he couldn’t gaugе Нan Yаn’s true dерth аnd dаred nоt stер fоrwаrd.
Hаn Yan still held the Рlum Вlossоm Thorn in her slеeve. Тhese dауs оf аrduоus рrаcticе hаd finallу уiеlded sоme rеsults—dеaling with a раpеr tiger like Zhang Wеi was more thаn еnоugh. Seеing Zhang Wei’s hesitаtiоn, shе smiled аnd sаid, “Соnсubinе Zhou is сurrеntly rеsting in bed. Сousin, why nоt go аnd shоw sоme соnсеrn? She often sрeaks of you. Lаst time, when she сlashed with mе, somеthing unfоrtunatе happened to her—perhaps I have the blessing of the Bodhisattva. If I were to clash with you again now…” She shook her head, her voice tinged with regret. “Who knows what the Bodhisattva might think?”
Zhang Wei was usually a frivolous young master, unlearned and lacking in ability. Han Yan’s words made him wary, so he simply said resentfully, “It’s getting late today. I’ll take my leave.”
Han Yan waved at him. “The road is dark and slippery, Cousin. Be careful not to trip.” She giggled softly behind him.
Ji Lan was somewhat annoyed. “That young master cousin is no different from a lecher.”
Han Yan shrugged. “That’s exactly what he is. Let’s go.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Wei returned to Dove Tree Courtyard and told Madam Da Zhou everything that had happened. After listening, Madam Da Zhou pondered for a moment and said, “She is indeed quite clever, but too arrogant.”
“Exactly!” Zhang Wei said indignantly. “Last time, she slapped me. I must settle that score. She’s just an unfavored daughter—even her father won’t stand up for her.”
Madam Da Zhou looked at her eldest son and tapped his forehead with her finger. “In that case, how do you want to punish her?”
“Well…” Zhang Wei was at a loss for words. He truly didn’t know how to deal with Han Yan to vent his anger.
“How about making Zhuang Hanyan your concubine?” Madam Da Zhou suddenly suggested.
Zhang Wei was startled. “How is that possible? She’s the legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family…” Although he was favored, he was still a son of a concubine. Marrying her as a principal wife might be possible, but as a concubine—that seemed like a joke.
Madam Da Zhou’s smile deepened. “Just tell me, do you want her or not?”
Zhang Wei’s mind involuntarily conjured up Han Yan’s delicate, pretty face. He had played with many women, but none were as bold and unique as Han Yan. Though her looks weren’t the best, as a concubine, she would be under his control in the future. He could hit or scold her as he pleased. Thinking this, he couldn’t help but swallow and said with gleaming eyes, “Mother, do you have a plan?”
Madam Da Zhou said softly, “Once she loses her purity to you, even a princess would have to become a concubine.”
The banquet at the Zhuang residence was extremely lively.
Ji Lan leaned close to Han Yan, chattering nonstop. “The guests include the Helian family, Minister Deng’s household, Grand Tutor Zhang, the Seventh Prince, the Right Chancellor…”
Han Yan smiled. “All important figures.” Zhuang Shiyang truly had the nerve, but the Seventh Prince… always made Han Yan feel somewhat uneasy.
Shu Hong said from the side, “Miss Deng will be arriving soon. Should the young lady change her outfit?”
Han Yan initially wanted to refuse but, after a moment’s thought, nodded. “Help me get that emerald-green velvet deerskin jacket.”
Ji Lan styled Han Yan’s hair into a bun, muttering in puzzlement, “It’s always a bun. The young lady truly loves buns, but I’ve run out of ideas for new bun styles.”Han Yan chuckled, "Who told you to worry about that?"
Ji Lan protested, "Miss must dress beautifully so that in the future, you can marry a loving husband and live a good life."
Han Yan smiled, but her heart felt a touch of melancholy at Ji Lan's words. In this lifetime, could she still trust and love someone? Merely surviving was already so difficult, let alone the distant prospect of love.
After Ji Lan finished dressing Han Yan, they heard Deng Chan's voice from afar: "Han Yan!"
Han Yan saw her running over excitedly, immediately asking, "Finally, I get to see you. I haven’t had a chance to speak with you since the palace banquet. I heard that on New Year’s Eve at Wangjiang Tower, you were bullied by a concubine from your household—it made me so angry. And then later, that concubine had a miscarriage. I think it was heaven punishing her! Is that true? Are you alright?"
Han Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but her heart felt warm. She took Deng Chan’s hand and said, "I’m fine."
Deng Chan patted her chest, "I’m relieved you’re alright. You’re just too easy to bully." She glanced around, "Today, your father is hosting a banquet at the mansion and has invited many court officials. My father said even the Seventh Prince is here. Is that true?"
Han Yan shook her head helplessly, "I’m not too sure about that either. Let’s talk as we walk."
When they reached the garden, the womenfolk were gathered together chatting. Some of the ladies were familiar to Han Yan, while others were complete strangers. Zhuang Shiyang had invited court officials of various ranks this time. Han Yan’s expression turned cold—she wanted to witness something. If it wasn’t Zhuang Shiyang’s idea, then it must have been Madam Da Zhou and Madam Zhou’s instigation. What were they trying to witness?
Han Yan lowered her head and smiled. Well then, let’s witness something.
Madam Da Zhou saw her arrive and quickly greeted her, "Yan’er is here." Her demeanor made it seem as though she were the true mistress of the Zhuang household. To Han Yan’s surprise, Li Jiaqi was also there, sitting beside Zhuangshan. When she saw Han Yan approaching, she snorted, her disdain unconcealed. Madam Zhou sat beside Madam Da Zhou, and because of Madam Da Zhou’s influence, the ladies were enthusiastically conversing with her. Han Yan didn’t know how much Madam Zhou had slandered her, but the way these ladies looked at her was telling enough.
Madam Zhou also waved at her, "Fourth Miss is so late. It must be because some lazy maid delayed the message."
Han Yan looked at her with a half-smile, "Concubine, you’ve wronged the maid. It was I who went to the small kitchen on Father’s orders to arrange for Concubine Mei’s nourishing meals. Since Concubine Mei is now carrying the Zhuang family’s heir, her diet must be carefully managed."
As expected, after Han Yan finished speaking, Madam Zhou’s face paled slightly. Madam Da Zhou’s expression shifted, and she smiled, "Indeed, she should be well nourished. When a woman is with child, she becomes especially precious."
"What’s precious isn’t the woman herself, but the child in her belly." A spirited voice came from behind. Turning around, they saw Concubine Mei, draped in a golden silk brocade cloak and supported by a maid, gracefully approaching.
Han Yan smiled inwardly. Concubine Mei’s arrival was perfectly timed—at the very least, it would irritate Madam Zhou for quite a while.Leaving aside Madam Zhou's resentment upon seeing Concubine Mei's prominent belly, Concubine Mei was currently observing Madam Da Zhou with great care. Recent gossip in the mansion suggested an ambiguous relationship between Grand Tutor Zhang's favored concubine and Zhuang Shiyang. Having followed Zhuang Shiyang for many years, she had indeed felt his coldness toward her these past few days. If it was mere suspicion before, seeing Madam Da Zhou in person confirmed that the rumors were not unfounded.
Women understand women best. In Madam Da Zhou's every gesture, there was a deliberate seduction—a kind of allure all too familiar to Concubine Mei. Instantly, anger surged within her. What a fine Madam Zhou! Having lost her own son, she actually sent her own sister to seduce Zhuang Shiyang. Truly, the whole family is despicable!
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