Han Liao could not gamble with Zhou Huizhen's life. If Zhou Huizhen truly died, with Shou An Jun and the Imperial Consort stirring trouble before Emperor Yuanjia, Han Liao would find it difficult to shake off the accusation of murder. Moreover, Han Liao never intended to take Zhou Huizhen's life. After all, she was a beauty who had shared his bed for so long, and he still held some affection for her.
Since Zhou Huizhen insisted on protecting Liu Momo, Han Liao could no longer touch the old nanny. Instead, he vented his flustered anger on Lianniang, a maid he had recently acquired from his mother.
Poor Lianniang was unable to leave her bed the next day.
Han Liao, however, sternly went to the Soaring Dragon Army's military camp.
Liu Momo had been keeping a close watch on Han Liao's movements. Upon learning that he had departed, she accompanied Zhou Huizhen to visit the Marquess of Xiting's wife.
Zhou Huizhen bowed her head and complained to the Marquess about Han Liao, grumbling that he had gotten drunk and refused to accompany her back home, and that he had taken on another maid while she was away.
Because Han Liao valued his reputation and kept things tightly under wraps, the Marquess of Xiting's wife was truly unaware that her son had been beaten by Lu Zhuo. However, she knew full well that her son had returned alone, leaving Zhou Huizhen behind.
In the eyes of the Marquess of Xiting's wife, Zhou Huizhen had brought this upon herself. Who told her to rush back to her parental home and fail to look after her husband during the banquet?
Thus, not only did the Marquess of Xiting's wife not comfort Zhou Huizhen, she severely reprimanded her.
Zhou Huizhen left in tears.
Not long after, a servant came to report to the Marquess of Xiting's wife that the young mistress had ordered a carriage prepared to return to the Secluded Manor.
The Marquess of Xiting's wife sneered three times. "Let her go. In the end, she'll have to slink back on her own. Don't expect my son to fetch her."
Outside the marquis estate, only when the carriage truly set off without anyone chasing after them did Liu Momo finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Now that the young lady had come to her senses, Liu Momo feared most that the Han family would not let her go. Han Liao was a fierce and menacing man, and the longer the young lady stayed by his side, the greater the danger she faced. Even if her life wasn't at risk, why suffer needlessly if she could leave?
Zhou Huizhen stared blankly at the marquis estate's walls. Over the past two years, she had truly become a laughingstock. She had once begged her grandmother to agree to Han Liao's marriage proposal, and now she had to trouble her grandmother again to arrange a divorce from him.
As Liu Momo lowered the carriage curtain and turned back, she met Zhou Huizhen's despondent expression.
Liu Momo comforted her, saying, "Young lady, don't overthink it. You're still young, and you have the Imperial Consort backing you. First, go home and settle your mind. Once you've forgotten all the mess here, the Old Matriarch will surely find you a fine gentleman who excels in every way."
Zhou Huizhen hadn't thought that far ahead. She only hoped the divorce would proceed smoothly, without any complications.
Regarding Zhou Huizhen's return home, Shou An Jun had long anticipated it. She personally comforted her granddaughter. The next day, Shou An Jun brought Liu Momo and a few guards, making a grand entrance into the capital and heading straight for the West Pavilion Marquis Estate.
It happened to be a rest day, so the Marquess of Xiting, his wife, and Han Liao were all at home.
Han Liao was instructing his sons in martial arts. Although he had a weakness for beautiful women, he also valued the young men of his family. The Han family had led the Soaring Dragon Army for so long that the martial skills of its sons must not be neglected. His six sons ranged from the eldest legitimate son, Han Chengsi, who was already sixteen, to the youngest illegitimate son, who was only seven. However, talent in martial arts had nothing to do with legitimacy, and Han Liao showed no particular favoritism toward his legitimate son, Han Chengsi.
Just as he was maintaining his stern father demeanor, a servant suddenly arrived, requesting his presence in the hall to meet guests.Han Liao frowned. Was it worth Shou An Jun personally visiting just because he had struck Liu Momo?
Han Liao held no respect for Shou An Jun, but he had to consider the relationship between Shou An Jun and Emperor Yuanjia.
Ordering his sons to continue their martial practice, Han Liao went to the Hall with a cold expression.
The Marquis of Xiting and his wife were already present. Out of courtesy, the Marquis invited Shou An Jun to take the seat of honor, which Shou An Jun accepted without ceremony.
"Hongyuan has arrived. May I ask why the Elder Lady seeks him?" the Marquis of Xiting asked loudly after Han Liao entered, using Han Liao's courtesy name.
Shou An Jun signaled to Liu Momo with her eyes.
Liu Momo drew a divorce agreement from her sleeve and handed it to the Marquis of Xiting.
The divorce agreement contained standard phrasing, essentially stating that the couple had irreconcilable differences and would henceforth live separately.
The Marquis of Xiting frowned deeply, passing the divorce agreement to his wife seated beside him before asking Shou An Jun, "They were getting along perfectly well. Why does the Elder Lady suddenly seek a divorce?"
Shou An Jun glanced at Han Liao and said sarcastically, "Getting along perfectly well? Last night, the Young Lord nearly took my granddaughter's life, frightening her so badly she fled home at dawn. She's been having nightmares ever since. Has the Marchioness not informed the Marquis of this?"
The Marquis of Xiting's expression darkened as he sternly asked Han Liao, "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
Han Liao didn't deny it, nor did he need to look at the divorce agreement. He simply told Shou An Jun, "If she doesn't wish to remain with me, fine. I'll send her a letter of divorce. But a mutual separation is out of the question."
He knew the women of the Zhou family weren't afraid of remarrying, but he, Han Liao, wasn't like those low-born or short-lived Zhou family sons-in-law. He could discard Zhou Huizhen first, but she wouldn't easily shake him off.
The Marchioness of Xiting stood by her son, throwing the divorce agreement onto the table before vehemently listing all of Zhou Huizhen's faults.
Shou An Jun listened with an air of detached calm. Only after the Marchioness finished speaking did she smile and say, "Whatever my granddaughter's shortcomings may be, it was your Han family who twice proposed marriage and eagerly sought this union. If the Marchioness must place blame, you ought to reflect on your own judgment rather than debate with me. Moreover, I am advanced in years—some lapse in my granddaughter's upbringing is understandable. But the Marchioness is still young—how did you manage to raise a legitimate granddaughter with such a vicious heart?"
The Marquis of Xiting asked, "What does the Elder Lady mean by that?"
The Marchioness and Han Liao also looked at her in confusion.
Shou An Jun said regretfully, "I've heard the Young Lord had an illegitimate son—a boy of seven who already displayed the ferocity to hunt wolves. Pity the child was too fond of play and fell while climbing a rockery, passing away that very day."
That was Han Liao's own son, his once most beloved child—a martial prodigy who, had he lived, might have surpassed even Lu Zhuo. Whenever Han Liao instructed his other sons, he would remember this beloved son who died unexpectedly. But from Shou An Jun's tone, was she suggesting his son hadn't died accidentally, but that it was related to his legitimate daughter Han Ying?
Before Han Liao could voice his question, Shou An Jun directly stated her terms: "If the Young Lord signs and seals this divorce agreement, I will provide the clues I possess. Whatever you uncover from them, I will pretend to know nothing."
Han Liao's gaze turned icy. "And if I refuse to sign? What does the Elder Lady intend to do?"
Shou An Jun gripped her walking stick with both hands and smiled. "Then I shall help my grandson-in-law find the true culprit and see that child receives justice."The Marchioness of Xiting winked at her son. When that child had died unexpectedly years ago, both she and her son had thoroughly investigated and confirmed it was an accident. Six years had passed—what could Shou An Jun, who had brought someone with her, possibly uncover?
She had many grandsons and didn't care much about that particular one.
Han Liao disagreed. He understood better than his mother how regrettable the loss of his young son was. The women in the household could scheme against each other as they pleased, but if someone truly had been plotting to harm his sons, then whoever had struck years ago could do so again when he fathered more promising heirs, continuing to crush the Han family's hopes of surpassing the Divine Martial Army.
Even if Shou An Jun was bluffing, Han Liao was willing to take the gamble.
The Marquis of Xiting supported his son. If their granddaughter had truly caused that grandson's death, he would show no mercy.
Servants quickly brought ink, brush, paper, and inkstone. Han Liao signed with a cold expression and pressed his fingerprint.
Shou An Jun stored the divorce agreement safely and stood to address Han Liao: "When I return to the Secluded Manor, someone will deliver the witness to your residence."
Under the complex gazes of the Han family, Shou An Jun walked out unhurriedly. Servants naturally gathered Zhou Huizhen's modest dowry and loaded it onto the carriage.
By the time Shou An Jun returned to the Secluded Manor, it was already afternoon.
Han Liao finally received the witness sent by Shou An Jun—it turned out to be Amei, the younger sister of Azhen, the head maid serving his only legitimate daughter, Han Ying.
Under Han Liao's interrogation, Amei confessed everything.
Six years ago, Han Ying was just twelve. She noticed a concubine-born younger brother gaining their father's favor and worried he might grow up to usurp her own brother's future position as commander of the Soaring Dragon Army. So she devised a scheme. Han Ying first conspired with her head maid Azhen, then secretly brought Azhen's younger sister Amei into the marquis' residence during an outing to the shops.
Amei was only an eight-year-old girl at the time, but she was more mischievous than any boy, climbing trees and swimming without fear. With Han Ying providing cover, Amei hid in the marquis' garden, waiting for an opportunity. When Han Ying's half-brother went to climb the artificial hill, Amei secretly climbed up and pushed him off...
After pushing him, Amei scaled the wall like a monkey and left the marquis' residence.
Han Ying used money to secure the loyalty of the Azhen-Amei sisters. Three years later, when the matter seemed completely buried, Han Ying decided to eliminate both sisters to remove potential threats. Azhen, being close at hand, was easy to deal with. But when Han Ying tried to dispose of Amei, she discovered the girl had disappeared—some said Amei had been kidnapped by traffickers, others claimed she had eloped with a man.
Han Ying never stopped searching for Amei. Little did she expect that Shou An Jun had been hiding Amei all along!
Recalled to her maiden home by Han Liao and confronted with Amei, Han Ying naturally denied everything, tearfully begging her father not to let Shou An Jun poison their father-daughter relationship.
But when had Han Liao ever valued women?
He personally administered torture to Han Ying.
His remaining paternal affection for her manifested only after her confession—he declared Han Ying had suddenly developed madness and confined her to his private estate. As for her husband's family, he sent word suggesting her husband could remarry, thus settling the matter.
Half a month later, Zhou Huizhen finally heard about Han Ying's sudden "madness."
"Grandmother, did you have something to do with this?" Having suffered so much at Han Ying's hands, Zhou Huizhen couldn't believe her cousin would develop madness without cause.
It was then that Shou An Jun finally revealed the whole truth to her granddaughter.When Han Liao came to propose for the second time, and her granddaughter was determined to marry him, Shou An Jun had already thoroughly investigated the dark secrets of the Han residence while the matchmaker was still comparing the birth charts. The most striking among them was the death of that illegitimate son.
Having witnessed too many open and covert conflicts among imperial consorts and palace maids in the court, Shou An Jun immediately suspected Han Ying. With Han Ying’s trusted aides being few and easily identifiable, Shou An Jun ordered her people to investigate discreetly and soon uncovered A Mei. Shou An Jun then hid A Mei away, providing her with good food and comfortable living conditions, knowing that sooner or later, A Mei would prove useful.
Zhou Huizhen listened in astonishment—had her grandmother already set the chessboard in motion even before she married into the family?
“But what was her motive? How could she bring herself to harm a half-brother?”
Thinking of Han Ying again, Zhou Huizhen felt a chill of fear. To kill someone at the age of twelve—how ruthless.
Shou An Jun held her granddaughter’s hand and said softly, “She wanted to protect her full-blooded younger brother, ensuring he grew up safely and took over the Soaring Dragon Army without hindrance. But though she prided herself on her cleverness, she was ultimately a pitiable soul.”
The hateful always have their sorrows, and Han Ying’s tragedy lay in being molded into an appendage of her younger brother. In everything she did, she prioritized Han Chengsi’s interests, never once considering how she herself ought to live.
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