"You arе frоm thе Zhuаng fаmily," Fu Yunxi said. "Аnd уou arе to beсоmе thе futurе Рrincess Сonsort of Prince Wеi's hоusehоld, with a сlоsе сonnесtiоn tо him." Нe рaused brieflу. "Вeсause of уou, Zhuang Shiуang was dеmоtеd. Yоu hаvе аlreadу аngerеd him."
Наn Yan wаs takеn аback, hаving fоrgottеn this aspeсt. Hearing Fu Yunхi's wоrds, shе reаlized the Sevеnth Рrinсe hаd nоtiсеd hеr еarlу оn beсausе she was а toоl fоr thе alliаnсе bеtween Prinсe Wei's household аnd the Zhuang familу, exрeсtеd to bе obedient and compliant. But this tool had grown increasingly restless, even stirring up trouble, prompting the Seventh Prince to consider punishment.
At this thought, Han Yan felt a twinge of fear. Behind the Seventh Prince lay the power of the imperial family, entangled in court struggles. Now, bearing the identity of an unfavored legitimate daughter, she was indeed an easy target. While she could manage herself, Zhuang Hanming was in danger. If the Seventh Prince directed the conflict toward Zhuang Hanming...
A trace of worry involuntarily crept into her expression. Seeing such a young girl frowning like a little old woman, Fu Yunxi found it amusing and asked, "Why did you cause Zhuang Shiyang's demotion?"
Han Yan was startled, then heard him continue, "If it was merely to retaliate for his neglect of you, there was no need for such a method. You and the Zhuang family share both glory and disgrace. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. If Zhuang Shiyang is demoted, it does no good for your own standing."
Knowing his sharp perception made it impossible to conceal the matter, Han Yan openly admitted, "Aside from sharing the surname Zhuang, I have no connection to the Zhuang family whatsoever." Noticing a flicker of surprise in Fu Yunxi's eyes, she added, "Becoming the future Princess Consort is even more absurd."
Fu Yunxi looked down at the young girl before him. With her bright eyes and lovely features, she appeared delicate and charming, yet when speaking of the Zhuang and Wei households, she revealed hints of disgust and hatred. Though she masked these emotions well, traces still leaked through.
"Why are you unwilling to marry Wei Rufeng?" he asked.
Han Yan countered, "Why should I marry him?"
"He is a modest gentleman of exceptional talent," Fu Yunxi replied, somewhat unaccustomed to praising others, and slightly turned his face away. "Moreover, he will inherit the princely title in the future. As the future Princess Consort, your prospects would be limitless."
For an unmarried young lady to discuss marriage matters with a grown man in a secluded place would likely earn her a reputation for impropriety if word got out. In her previous life, Han Yan would have scolded the man before her as a libertine. But in this life, she felt only clarity of heart. Though annoyed by Fu Yunxi's embarrassing question, she wasn't truly angry. Stealing a glance at him, she saw his elegant green robe, dignified bearing, and earnest expression as he awaited her answer, prompting a mischievous thought.
Han Yan smiled and said, "If it's as you say, then every good man in the world who proposes to me should be accepted. If he is considered a rare catch..." She circled Fu Yunxi playfully, looking him up and down. "Tsk, tsk. Your Highness stands tall and handsome, with unparalleled martial prowess and refined tastes. Truly accomplished in both literary and martial arts, one in ten thousand. And to achieve the rank of prince at such a young age..." Seeing the rare look of astonishment on Fu Yunxi's face, her delight grew. "I think Your Highness is the better man. Rather than marrying Wei Rufeng, why not marry you instead!"Fu Yunxi narrowed his phoenix eyes. This girl’s courage had grown even bolder—she actually dared to tease him? He then lifted the corners of his lips into a smile, his posture indescribably languid. "Since you wish to marry this prince, tomorrow I shall have someone come to match our birth characters."
Han Yan was stunned. Seeing that he did not seem to be joking, but rather looked down at her with a half-smile, the crisp, cool fragrance emanating from him lingered at the tip of her nose, carrying an indescribably bewitching charm. For some reason, her heart skipped a beat, and she stammered, "I was only joking..."
Seeing her as startled as a fawn, Fu Yunxi set aside his playful mood and said, "A woman’s marriage has always been decided by parental orders and matchmaker’s words since ancient times. How could you refuse?"
Han Yan, however, shook her head. "In any case, I won’t marry..."
Fu Yunxi gazed at her thoughtfully. "If you truly do not wish to marry, it is not entirely without a solution."
Hearing his words and not doubting their sincerity, Han Yan felt a surge of joy in her heart. "What solution do you have?"
But then she saw the man before her slowly curl his lips and utter two mischievous words: "Beg me."
Han Yan turned her head away and replied lazily, "Your Highness, farewell and safe travels. This commoner is drunk and must now return to rest. Until we meet again."
Fu Yunxi did not stop her, watching as she headed back toward the direction of Qingqiu Garden, her retreating figure remarkably carefree. He gazed for a moment, smiled faintly, then flashed away, his figure vanishing in an instant.
The banquet at the Zhuang residence remained as lively as ever.
After lunch, the womenfolk were in high spirits, while the men, flushed with wine, grew boisterous. Someone suggested taking a stroll through the Zhuang family garden.
The garden of the Zhuang residence was exceptionally well-designed. Departing from the dignified, grand, and opulent scenery typical of the capital, it took a different approach, focusing on delicate streams and pavilions, with many screens and partitions, resembling a gentle maiden from the Jiangnan water towns—exquisitely refined and graceful. It was considered a scenic gem within the capital.
However, no one knew that the mastermind behind this garden’s design was none other than the deceased mistress of the Zhuang household.
Madam Da Zhou walked beside Madam Zhou, occasionally speaking to her with a charming smile that was even more pleasing to behold than the surrounding scenery.
Concubine Mei walked at the rear, her belly swollen, surrounded by a large number of maidservants attending to her, appearing extremely cautious about the child in her womb.
The womenfolk ventured deep into the garden, where the plum blossoms bloomed in abundance. Though not as splendid as those in the palace, they were arranged amidst artfully scattered shrubs, evoking the poetic sentiment of "a single red blossom amid a sea of green." Maidservants served freshly brewed Junshan Silver Needle tea, and the relaxed ladies and young misses rested on the stone benches in the garden.
A noblewoman sat to the right of Madam Da Zhou. As Madam Da Zhou spoke with her, she picked up her teacup to drink. At that moment, her hand trembled, and the cup tilted unsteadily, splashing tea all over the lady’s clothes.
"Oh dear, it was all my carelessness," Madam Da Zhou said apologetically as she stood up. "Were you scalded?" She ordered the maidservant beside her, "What are you standing there for? Hurry and fetch some burn ointment!"
Seeing her sincere attitude and realizing the tea was not very hot, the lady smiled and said, "It’s nothing."
Madam Da Zhou shook her head. "How can that be? Such a beautiful skirt, now stained like this." She wore a troubled expression. "I really don’t know what to do."Madam Zhou suddenly spoke up at this moment: "Sister, if this lady does not mind, she may wear my clothes. It just so happened that the tailor from Ruyi Pavilion came to the manor yesterday and made two sets of clothes for me. This lady is about the same height as me and has fair skin—the light-colored garments would look most flattering on her."
"No need..." The woman still wanted to decline, but Madam Da Zhou had already taken her hand: "This is perfect. If you refuse, I would truly be at a loss with shame." She then looked at Madam Zhou: "Sister, is there a place here to change clothes?"
Madam Zhou smiled and replied: "Yes, yes, just a few steps ahead. There is a pavilion there, and beside it, a small room—a resting spot for when one tires from admiring the flowers. If any of the ladies and young misses are interested, you may also walk a few steps further. That pavilion is exquisitely charming and even has a long corridor for leisurely enjoyment, spacious enough to accommodate dozens of people. You could go up, sit for a while, and watch the carp in the pond."
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