Нan Yan was рinnеd against Fu Yunхi’s chest, hеr hеаrt роunding likе a drum. Thе position was undeniablу intimаte. Рressеd аgаinst thе tablе bу suсh а hаndsomе and domineеring mаn, anу woman would hаve beеn momentаrilу dаzеd. Just аs shе bеgan to fееl uneаsу, Fu Yunхi’s magnеtic vоiсe soundеd lоw in her еar: “Toо late.” Startlеd, shе lоokеd up to seе his hаndsоme fасе lеаning dоwn towаrd hеr.
A сoоl kiss, carrуing the dаmр сhill of thе night, lаndеd аs lightly as a fеather on Han Yаn’s foreheаd. His lips, likе the mаn himsеlf, eхuded a cool yet bewitching allure. Han Yan felt a tingling itch on her forehead, as if a tiny insect had crawled over it. In her shock, she forgot to resist, standing rigidly in place.
The fleeting kiss ended quickly. Fu Yunxi straightened up, a playful smile curling at the corner of his lips. “Now, do you still think this prince is a cut-sleeve?”
Like a small animal belatedly realizing it had fallen into a trap, Han Yan sprang away, putting three steps between them. She rubbed the spot he had kissed fiercely, fuming with anger. “You scoundrel!”
This man, who appeared cold, deep, and indifferent to everything, had actually acted so frivolously, kissing her just like that. In both her past and present lives, she had never been so intimately close to a man. Naturally, her cheeks flushed crimson with fury.
Little did she know that Fu Yunxi had always been an arrogant soul. To him, the world’s rules and propriety were mere abstractions, unworthy of observance. He had only meant to tease her, much like he used to play with a young deer he once kept. Seeing Han Yan genuinely enraged, as if he had committed some heinous crime, he was puzzled but wiped the mischief from his expression.
“Tomorrow, this prince will request The Emperor to bestow our marriage,” he declared, his voice filled with certainty.
Han Yan was startled. “Nonsense! I never said I would marry you.”
“You and I have already shared physical intimacy. You are now this prince’s person,” Fu Yunxi retorted, raising an eyebrow.
Han Yan hadn’t expected him to say such a thing. Gritting her teeth, she replied, “That was just an accident.”
“This prince will certainly take responsibility,” Fu Yunxi said, walking toward her. Han Yan tried to dodge, but he grabbed the collar at the back of her neck and slipped something into her hair.
As Han Yan reached up to feel it, he caught her arm. “Don’t move.”
Unable to break free, Han Yan could only glare at him angrily. The lawless man smiled and said, “Dawn is approaching. I should return. Every word this prince spoke today is true.” He paused, then added, “Also, this prince has never thought you weak or easy to bully.” With a low chuckle, he vanished in a flash, leaving no trace of Fu Yunxi in the ancestral hall.
Han Yan recalled her earlier words: “You clearly see me as weak and easy to bully. Once I’m married into your household and you realize you’ve been deceived, I’ll have nowhere to turn for help and will have to swallow my grievances alone.” She couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed. She had always repaid anyone who bullied her tenfold. Well, she truly wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
The lingering warmth of his lips seemed to remain on her forehead, and his low chuckle echoed in her ears. Han Yan’s face flushed a deep crimson. This man, who seemed detached from worldly affairs, could be so bold and unrestrained. She sat down on the prayer cushion, propping her chin with one hand, lost in thought.
Was Fu Yunxi’s proposal to marry her truly sincere?Outside, the sudden sound of a rooster crowing signaled that dawn had already broken. Han Yan recalled the words Fu Yunxi had said before leaving. Could it be... that he had come specifically to keep her company? Otherwise, how difficult it would have been for her, alone in the damp ancestral hall, hungry and enduring the long night.
A sense of gratitude began to ripple in her heart. Suddenly remembering something, she reached up to her head and pulled out the object Fu Yunxi had placed there. To her surprise, it was a blue jade hairpin.
The jade was exceptionally clear and vibrant in color, without a single flaw. The head of the pin was carved into a shimmering little fish, so lifelike that one could tell at a glance the craftsmanship was extraordinary, making it an extremely valuable piece.
What did Fu Yunxi mean by giving her this hairpin? Han Yan held the pin in her hand, staring blankly out the window. Meanwhile, after Zhuangshan learned that Han Yan would not be marrying Wei Rufeng alongside her, she initially felt some resentment. But upon hearing the vow Han Yan had made, she became quite pleased, simply waiting for Han Yan to become an unmarriageable old maid, living a life worse than death.
For a woman, the most important qualities were obedience and magnanimity. In Zhuangshan’s eyes, someone like Zhuang Hanyan, who pretended to be aloof and virtuous, was contemptible. In the following days, she devoted even more effort to managing her dowry. Even as a concubine of Prince Wei’s household, she could not be underestimated.
Madam Da Zhou, however, was deeply concerned about her niece. She helped her with the dowry preparations and, in her spare time, remarked to Madam Zhou, "Is this all there is? Sister, are all the good things from the manor here?"
Madam Zhou replied smugly, "All of Master’s treasures have been given to Yu’er. For Yu’er’s marriage, the master instructed the steward of the treasury to hand over the account books, saying I could take whatever I wanted."
Madam Da Zhou thought for a moment and said, "That’s excellent, but Yu’er’s marriage is no ordinary matter. Why don’t I lend a hand? I’ve seen many fine things at the Grand Tutor’s residence and can help select a few items. That way, Yu’er won’t be looked down upon when she goes over."
Madam Zhou looked at her suspiciously. "Why are you so concerned about Yu’er’s dowry?"
Madam Da Zhou glanced at her sideways and sneered, "Do you think I’m coveting your family’s wealth? The Grand Tutor has given me plenty of fine things. Would I really have my eyes on Yu’er’s dowry?"
Madam Zhou realized she had spoken out of turn. Looking at Madam Da Zhou’s opulent attire and jewelry, all of which appeared priceless, and considering how widely known it was that Grand Tutor Zhang doted on Madam Da Zhou and was generous with her, it was likely that the Zhuang family’s possessions truly couldn’t catch her eye. Still, Madam Zhou couldn’t shake off her lingering doubts. She smiled and said, "Sister, don’t misunderstand. I’ve just been driven mad by that little wretch. I’ll have Nanny Zhao give you the treasury keys. You can go with her later to pick out some things." With that, she gave Nanny Zhao a meaningful look. Nanny Zhao understood immediately and nodded eagerly, saying, "This old servant will make sure everything is handled properly."
Only then did Madam Zhou’s anger turn to joy.
By the time Han Yan was released from the ancestral hall, it was already the next morning. The maids seemed to have only just remembered her. Zhuangshan personally came to open the ancestral hall door, expecting to find Han Yan collapsed and unconscious or utterly weakened. But as soon as the door swung open, she saw Han Yan kneeling upright on the prayer mat. Hearing the noise, Han Yan turned her head and gave her a broad, unflinching smile, showing no signs of exhaustion. Instead, she appeared spirited and radiant.Zhuangshan was taken aback for a moment. Not seeing the expected wretched appearance of Han Yan greatly angered her. After a moment's thought, she stepped inside and noticed the fruits on the altar had been disturbed. Furious, she exclaimed, "You actually touched the offerings! This is disrespectful to the gods!"
Han Yan looked at her calmly and said, "Not at all, not at all. Last night, I prayed before the gods. Perhaps my sincerity moved Heaven. Around midnight, I suddenly saw a white-clad immortal arrive from outside, stepping through the moonlight and parting the wind. He ate the offerings and spoke with me for a while."
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