Mаdаm Dа Zhоu nоticed the wаrning in Сoncubinе Mei's еуеs аnd smilеd. "Тhe child in оne's belly is indeed prесious, just lоok аt оur Yаn'еr now."
Wаs shе imрlуing shе was сarrying a dаughtеr? Cоncubine Mеi sneerеd, "Yes, what а рitу аbоut thе уoung mastеr in Сonсubinе Zhоu's bellу..."
Hеr tоne was full оf rеgret, but it оnly made Мadam Zhou fееl аs if her hеart were bеing sliсеd by а knifе, nеаrlу сausing hеr tо stand uр.
Mаdam Da Zhоu glanсеd аround, а sоrrоwful еxpressiоn appearing оn her facе. "Heаven hаvе merсy, let's not talk about such unhappy matters. Today is the Zhuang family's banquet, so let's just chat about everyday things."
Han Yan also smiled cheerfully. "Yan'er still has some private words to share with Deng Chan, so I won't stay here and disturb the ladies' conversation."
Madam Da Zhou said gently, "Go ahead, young girls are most adorable when they're lively."
Han Yan thought to herself, these ladies and young misses were not familiar to her, and after being fed so many impressions of her own "viciousness" by Madam Zhou and Madam Da Zhou, staying would only make her unwelcome. It was better to leave early. As for Madam Zhou's side, with Concubine Mei there, she felt quite at ease.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend. For now, Concubine Mei and she were on the same front, and since it concerned the future status of the "child" in Concubine Mei's belly within the Zhuang family, Concubine Mei would undoubtedly spare no effort in attacking the two Zhou sisters.
Deng Chan, however, was quite excited, pulling Han Yan aside to talk in the Clear Autumn Garden until it was time for the meal.
The womenfolk stayed together, so Han Yan naturally had no idea what was happening among the men. At the table, the young ladies all spoke with Zhuangshan, expressing great sympathy for her recent encounter with bandits. Perhaps having heard some gossip from Madam Zhou and the others, they looked at Han Yan with strange expressions, especially Li Jiaqi, whose gaze seemed as if she wanted to devour her. Han Yan felt helpless, not understanding why this Miss Li gritted her teeth in hatred every time she saw her. Now that she was aligned with Zhuangshan, the resentment only deepened.
Han Yan paid no mind to the distance from those young ladies. Even if Zhuangshan wanted to throw dirty water on her, she would need evidence—otherwise, she would only end up drenching herself. In her previous life, after the bandit incident, no one had shown her any sympathy.
She couldn't help but feel like laughing. Were those young ladies and ladies truly concerned about Zhuangshan, or were they merely wary of Grand Tutor Zhang's favored concubine, Madam Da Zhou?
Madam Da Zhou eagerly served dishes to Han Yan, who, in front of everyone, found it difficult to refuse. After a few sips of plum blossom wine from her cup, she began to feel a bit dizzy.
At first, no one noticed, but later, when Han Yan put down her chopsticks, supporting her forehead with one hand, appearing delicate and weak with a pale complexion, Madam Da Zhou asked with concern, "What's wrong, Yan'er? Are you feeling unwell?"
Han Yan shook her head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing."
Everyone let it go until Han Yan's elbow slipped, and the wine cup in her hand shattered on the floor with a "crack," startling everyone.
At this point, Han Yan also said awkwardly, "I... feel a bit dizzy."
Her body tilted slightly, and Shu Hong hurried forward to support her, as if she were drunk from too much wine. Madam Da Zhou was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "This child, plum blossom wine isn't intoxicating, yet her tolerance is so low—just one cup and she's drunk." She then instructed the maids, "Help the young lady back to her room to rest."
Han Yan shook her head. "Shu Hong can help me down."Madam Da Zhou smiled and said, "You look clumsy, girl, and probably can't take care of others. Better let Dongling accompany you."
Han Yan shook her head. "I'm not used to it..."
"Why don't I accompany Fourth Sister instead?" It was Zhuangshan who stepped forward, wearing a concerned expression.
With her own sister offering in front of so many people, Han Yan couldn't refuse, or it would seem like she was deliberately humiliating her stepsister. Reluctantly, Han Yan nodded.
Zhuangshan then walked over, took Han Yan's arm, and led her out of the hall. Just as Shu Hong was about to follow, Madam Da Zhou instructed, "Go and bring the desserts from the kitchen." Shu Hong had no choice but to obey and leave.
Han Yan was supported by Zhuangshan as they walked outside—though "supported" was hardly the word; it felt more like Zhuangshan was dragging her along. At this point, Han Yan was slumped weakly against Zhuangshan, letting herself be dragged forward, muttering, "This isn't... the way to Qingqiu Garden..."
Zhuangshan said coldly, "Fourth Sister is drunk. This is the way to Qingqiu Garden." Her tone was indescribably gloomy, as if suppressing something, yet tinged with a hint of delight.
Han Yan fell silent.
After being dragged by Zhuangshan for who knows how long, past the overgrown backyard and through the garden, Han Yan was brought to a room.
In the center of the room stood a large bed. Zhuangshan dragged Han Yan over and threw her onto it. Han Yan landed on her back, mumbled something incoherently in her daze, but her eyes remained closed.
The room was pitch dark, with thick curtains drawn, making it as gloomy as night even in broad daylight. Zhuangshan didn't light a lamp, nor did she leave immediately. Instead, she stood before the sleeping Han Yan and called softly twice, "Fourth Sister?"
Han Yan showed no sign of awareness.
Zhuangshan chuckled softly and sat down beside Han Yan, speaking slowly. "Fourth Sister, today I'll give you a grand gift—a good marriage. After today, you'll be my cousin's wife." She suddenly covered her mouth, annoyed. "Look at me talking nonsense. I forgot—Fourth Sister is to be someone's concubine, not a wife. Still, it's like adding kinship to kinship, isn't it?"
Her voice was gentle as she placed a hand on Han Yan's face, her sharp nails tracing over it. "Actually, with your looks, marrying my cousin as a concubine is still a good match. My cousin is favored in the Grand Tutor's household. If you gain favor, you won't lack for food, clothing, or luxuries."
"But," she laughed lightly, "my aunt doesn't like you, and my cousin doesn't like you either. If you want to gain favor, it'll be difficult. Still, you have no choice but to marry obediently, right?" Her tone shifted abruptly. "Or perhaps you're still dreaming of the Young Master?" Zhuangshan's voice turned dark and gloomy. "Don't be delusional. Soon, you'll be a ruined woman. Why would the Young Master spare you a second glance? Someone like you—how could you ever be worthy of him?"
She withdrew her hand and said with a smile, "I wonder if the Young Master would still insist on marrying you as his wife after seeing you caught in bed with another man?"
She stood up, gave Han Yan's face a final pat, and said, "Stay here, Fourth Sister, and serve my cousin well."Zhuangshan finished speaking and was about to leave. Just as she turned around, she felt something sharp and cold press against her back. A familiar voice, tinged with laughter, sounded like a demon from hell demanding a life—clear and chilling: "Oh? I wonder how Han Yan plans to serve me?"
Zhuangshan was as if she had seen a ghost, never expecting Han Yan to still be conscious. She was about to scream, but the cold, sharp object pressed deeper into her back, leaving her momentarily frozen in fear.
Han Yan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Sister Yu Shan’s gift was truly too generous. Now, Han Yan will return it exactly as it was." With that, she waved her sleeve, and Zhuangshan was hit by a strange fragrance. The next moment, everything went dark, and she lost consciousness.
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