Ji Lаn соntinuеd, "You cаn knоw а реrson's facе but nоt their heаrt. That Маdаm Zhоu lооks like somеone who doesn't laсk mоneу, yеt whо wоuld hаve thоught shе hаs stiсkу fingers аnd would steal frоm hеr own sistеr?"
Han Yan, hоwever, shоok her hеаd. "Nоt nесеssаrily."
Was it rеаlly thеft? Моre likеly, shе wаs searсhing fоr somеthing.
It was as if a lоng-standing puzzle hаd finаllу beеn solved. Mаdаm Dа Zhou's suddеn visit аnd hеr рrоlоnged stау now hаd a рlausible еxрlаnаtion. If shе rеmаinеd in the Zhuang residеnce to searсh for something, whаt exаctlу wаs it? It seеmed Grand Tutor Zhang was also aware of this matter, which was why he allowed her to stay here—or perhaps it was even at his behest.
Grand Tutor Zhang appeared to be a supporter of the Seventh Prince.
Not hearing Han Yan's words, Ji Lan went on, "I heard she's also involved in some unsavory business with the master. Tsk, how shameless! She's already someone's concubine, yet she still thinks of straying."
Han Yan's heart stirred, further solidifying her own thoughts. Perhaps Madam Da Zhou hadn't found what she wanted from Madam Zhou, so she had now turned her attention to Zhuang Shiyang?
"Miss..." Seeing her lost in thought, Ji Lan quickly called out, "Miss?"
Han Yan smiled, but her eyes darkened slightly.
She remembered that when she was framed with Zhang Wei, Madam Da Zhou was the mastermind. Very well, if she didn't repay the favor, she would be wasting this second chance at life.
"Ji Lan," Han Yan said with a smile, "go and arrange things with the maids and servants around the master. Have them keep an eye on Madam Zhou and the master's every move."
Ji Lan was startled. "Is Miss planning to quarrel with the master over this? In my humble opinion, as long as Madam Zhou remains a concubine in Grand Tutor Zhang's household, she cannot openly enter the Zhuang residence. Why not turn a blind eye and let it pass? Otherwise, you might only anger the master."
"Who said I'm going to quarrel with Father?" Han Yan calmly flipped through the pages of a book on the table. "I just want to help bring about a good match."
Just as Ji Lan was about to say more, Shu Hong hurriedly entered from outside, closing the door behind her and securing the windows. Both of them rarely saw Shu Hong in such a flustered state and were somewhat surprised. Shu Hong glanced outside the window once more before quickly walking up to Han Yan and whispering, "Miss, something has happened!"
Han Yan looked at her and said calmly, "Take your time. It's alright."
Shu Hong caught her breath. "Prince Wei and the master have been discussing in the main hall and have decided to marry the second young lady to the prince's son as a side consort. She will enter the household next month."
Ji Lan gasped in shock. "How is that possible? How could the position of side consort fall to her?"
Han Yan frowned. "Then what is the 'something' you mentioned?"
Shu Hong bit her lip and looked at Han Yan with concern. "The prince's son has made a request—to finalize the engagement with Miss before the side consort enters the household. Once Miss comes of age next year, she is to marry the prince's son immediately!"
Marry Wei Rufeng!
The book in Han Yan's hand fell to the ground with a soft thud, yet her expression remained unchanged.Ji Lan was also stunned. She and Shu Hong had always been close to Han Yan, so they naturally understood that Han Yan had always kept Wei Rufeng at a respectful distance. At first, they couldn’t understand why their young lady was indifferent, even somewhat averse, to the man whom the young women of the capital flocked to. Later, as they got closer, they gradually realized that Wei Rufeng was different from the rumors. The two maids had been present during several conversations between Han Yan and Wei Rufeng, and they too believed he was not a suitable match. Not to mention that Han Yan herself did not like Wei Rufeng, but this marriage itself seemed like a transaction to facilitate Zhuangshan’s entry into Prince Wei’s mansion.
Han Yan smiled. "I’m fine. You two go out and attend to your duties."
Ji Lan and Shu Hong were still somewhat worried, but seeing Han Yan’s calm expression, they said nothing and quietly left the room.
Han Yan sat in the room, saying nothing. Yet her heart was anything but calm, churning like a stormy sea.
In this life, after all these twists and turns, was she still unable to avoid getting entangled with Wei Rufeng?
She could simply leave, putting the emperor and his reach far behind her. But under heaven, all land belongs to the emperor. Could she truly escape the grasp of the Wei and Zhuang families? Even if she managed to flee by chance, living a life of constant fear—what about Ming Ge’er, who would be left behind? She couldn’t bear to let him follow her into a life of flight, nor could she leave him in the mansion to face those with sinister intentions. This path, it seemed, was impassable.
She had considered every possibility, but she hadn’t anticipated Wei Rufeng’s attitude in this matter. The Zhou sisters would undoubtedly do everything in their power to make this marriage happen, and she was powerless to stop it.
Was she supposed to just sit and wait for doom?
No!
Suddenly, the Plum Blossom Thorn fell from her embrace. Han Yan clutched it in her hand, examining it carefully, as the man’s low whisper echoed in her ears: "If you encounter trouble, come to Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion and find me."
If you encounter trouble… if you encounter trouble…
Han Yan abruptly stood up. Could he have foreseen this all along?
Sitting back down on the wooden chair, Han Yan pondered for a long time before suddenly grabbing a sheet of letter paper from the table and picking up a brush to start writing.
From day until night, Han Yan never left her room. Ji Lan and Shu Hong waited outside, filled with worry. When the moonlight grew deep, the inner door was pushed open, and Han Yan stood at the threshold, smiling at them. "I’m hungry."
Shu Hong hurried to the small kitchen to prepare a meal. Han Yan walked over to Ji Lan and slipped a letter into her sleeve.
"Young lady…" Ji Lan’s expression changed.
Han Yan whispered, "Find a way to deliver this letter to Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion."
Ji Lan nodded in acknowledgment. Watching her figure disappear into the night, Han Yan’s gaze grew solemn.
She had done all she could. Now, the outcome depended entirely on Fu Yunxi.
Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion.
Cheng Lei idly flipped through a military manual in his hands. "It’s been too long since I returned to the capital. The Emperor won’t let me go to war, and the Western Rong keep making small moves. Life is truly boring."
Fu Yunxi sat at his desk, where stacks of documents were piled high. "How long do you plan to stay here?"
Hearing his words, Cheng Lei, who had been reclining lazily, immediately sat up straight. "Hey, you’re not trying to kick me out, are you? You know what the General’s Mansion is like. I don’t want to go back."
Fu Yunxi remained unmoved. "You stay in Xuan Qing Prince’s Mansion all day. Aren’t you afraid of gossip outside?"Cheng Lei thought for a moment, then grinned mischievously: "What’s there to fear? You already have a reputation for being fond of men anyway. At worst, rumors will spread about an affair between you and me. Wouldn’t that just save you the trouble, so your imperial brother won’t have to worry so much about finding you a wife?" He paused, suddenly realizing something, and waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no—if the Emperor found out there was something between you and me, he’d definitely punish me severely. Absolutely not."
Fu Yunxi scoffed but said nothing. Just then, a servant outside suddenly came to report: "Your Highness, there’s a young lady outside who handed a letter to me, saying it’s for you."
Hearing this, Fu Yunxi lowered his head in thought for a moment, then took the letter from the servant’s hand and opened it.
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