She didn’t even bother pretending anymore – there was no point in putting on an act before this lord. Better to be straightforward about wanting to leave.
Fu Yun Xi’s eyes flashed with surprise before he raised an eyebrow: “You know Wei Ru Feng?”
Han Yan started, immediately responding: “No.”
After a long silence from Fu Yun Xi, Han Yan curiously looked up, only to see a white blur as he moved beside her, slightly bending to slip a small bottle into her hand.
The warm breath near her nose vanished in an instant. Han Yan instinctively gripped the bottle: “What is this?” Her gaze turned wary.
“Burn medicine. If you don’t care about scarring, feel free to ignore it.” Fu Yun Xi had straightened up, looking down at Han Yan, who barely reached his chest.
She had only mentioned her right hand was injured at the banquet, not that it was a burn. Why did everyone seem to know it was a burn and bring burn medicine? But before she could speak, Fu Yun Xi’s cool voice continued: “If you keep thinking ‘one shouldn’t accept favors without merit,’ you’ll never receive any rewards in your life.”
Was he suggesting she’d never accomplish anything? Han Yan glared at him indignantly. Why were his words so unpleasant? From the beginning until now, why did every sentence feel like mockery? Had she offended him somehow before? Yet he had helped her out of the situation, so it didn’t seem like he was deliberately picking on her.
While Han Yan was pondering this, Fu Yun Xi had already turned and left. Only at Shu Hong’s reminder did Han Yan clutch the bottle and climb into the carriage.
On the way home, she kept thinking about this matter. Logically, Fu Yun Xi should have been extremely wary of her, even finding ways to eliminate her. Today at the banquet, the Han Yan he saw wasn’t an ordinary noble lady. Even if he was magnanimous enough to overlook the Crown Prince incident, regarding the plum garden matter, he shouldn’t be so tolerant of someone who might have glimpsed royal secrets.
Fu Yun Xi’s attitude was truly perplexing.
It was already late when she returned to the manor. Zhuang Shi Yang went directly to Gong Tong Court, while in Qing Qiu Court, only Madam Chen was waiting in the inner chamber with a lit lamp. Seeing Han Yan return, she hurried forward to take her cloak and instructed Ji Lan and Shu Hong to fetch hot water.
Seeing Han Yan’s injury, Madam Chen fussed worriedly, muttering complaints about Zhuang Yu-Shan. When she remembered to look for medicine, Han Yan stopped her: “Don’t worry, Mama, I have medicine here.” She pulled out the small bottle from her sleeve.
The ointment was light green and gave off a faint fragrance when applied, along with a cooling sensation. After applying it, Han Yan felt less pain. Prince Xuan Qing was indeed generous – this seemed to be excellent medicine.
Lying in bed, Han Yan carefully recalled her memories of Prince Xuan Qing from her previous life. She had only heard that he achieved success at a young age, wielded significant political influence, yet was well-liked by the common people. However, as the succession struggle between the Seventh Prince and the Crown Prince intensified, he became entangled in it and suffered considerably. Two years later, he fell seriously ill, his health deteriorating significantly, and even had to marry a bride for good fortune. That bride was the princess from Xi Rong.
A noble princess serving as a bride for good fortune seemed incredibly strange, though the common people discussed it eagerly, which was how Han Yan had heard about it. Now thinking back, it seemed too unusual – there must have been many unknown secrets involved.
However, after this bride entered the household, Prince Xuan Qing’s health gradually improved. Before Han Yan’s wedding in her previous life, she heard that the succession struggle between the Seventh Prince and Crown Prince had reached a critical moment. During that period, Zhuang Shi Yang rarely came home, suggesting something significant was happening.
In this life, if she wanted to distance herself from Prince Wei’s faction, the Crown Prince’s side would be an excellent shield. As Prince Xuan Qing supported the Crown Prince, should she try to warn him? But as a legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family, their attitude toward her remained uncertain.
Reaching this point in her thoughts, Han Yan decided to stop thinking about it. Right now, Prince Xuan Qing wasn’t the most important concern – her position in the household was. The concubines in the Zhuang manor were a major problem, and after tonight’s events, Zhuang Yu Shan and Madam Zhou would surely no longer tolerate her. Previously, even when she stayed quietly in the manor, Madam Zhou had plotted against her. Now that she had gained prominence, trouble would likely find her soon.
Tomorrow would be another difficult battle.
Early the next morning, just as Han Yan arrived at the main hall to greet Zhuang Shi Yang, she immediately saw Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yu Shan already waiting. Zhuang Yu Shan was chatting and acting coy with Zhuang Shi Yang, who seemed to enjoy it greatly. In Han Yan’s memory, she had rarely seen Zhuang Shi Yang show such a pleasant expression toward herself. Her gaze cooled as she stepped forward and bowed: “Daughter pays respects to Father.”
Seeing Han Yan enter, Zhuang Shi Yang frowned, saying disapprovingly: “Why so late? Yu Er arrived half an hour ago. As a legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family, how can you be so lazy?”
His words were truly harsh, but before Han Yan could respond, Madam Zhou interjected: “Fourth Young Lady brought honor to the Zhuang family at yesterday’s palace banquet – she must be tired. It’s perfectly fine to rise a bit later. My Lord should show some concern for her.”
The mention of the palace banquet immediately reminded Zhuang Shi Yang of how Han Yan hadn’t mentioned him at all before the Emperor, which displeased him greatly. He became even colder: “Hmph, it wasn’t anything significant. Better not get too full of yourself.”
Seeing Han Yan being scolded, Zhuang Yu Shan, who had been watching from the sidelines, flashed a look of satisfaction. Han Yan just stood properly and said softly: “Father’s instruction is correct. In the future, the daughter will arrive half an hour early for morning greetings, same as Sister Yu-Shan.”
Same as Zhuang Yu-Shan, but different from the manor’s regular greeting time – a legitimate young lady having to accommodate a concubine’s daughter. Madam Zhou’s expression changed slightly as she smiled: “Fourth Young Lady’s filial heart, my Lord surely understands.”
Han Yan just smiled without responding. Seeing this, Madam Zhou spoke softly to Zhuang Shi Yang: “My Lord, I have a request.”
Zhuang Shi Yang asked: “What is it?”
Madam Zhou glanced at Han Yan: “Fourth Young Lady’s calligraphy and painting yesterday was excellent. Yu Shan begged me to ask Fourth Young Lady to teach her.”
Zhuang Shi Yang waved his hand: “That’s simple enough. Han Yan, you’re free all day, so teach your sister.”
Under Zhuang Shi Yang’s commanding gaze and Zhuang Yu Shan’s feigned hopeful look, Han Yan simply smiled and said: “My modest skills hardly deserve to be shared. It’s not that I’m unwilling, but Sister Yu Shan is already exceptional. I dare not presume. Perhaps Father could invite the renowned talented Lady Yan to teach Sister Yu Shan instead. Lady Yan’s grace was unmatched in the capital, and she excels in all refined arts – certainly more accomplished than me. What do Concubine Zhou and Sister Yu Shan think?”
Zhuang Yu Shan had never wanted to admit she was inferior to Han Yan but wanted to learn her painting skills, so she reluctantly agreed. Now, seeing she wouldn’t have to study under Han Yan’s brilliance, and that this tutor was even more accomplished than Han Yan, she immediately replied: “That would be good…” She wanted to say more but held back when she caught Madam Zhou’s eye.
Madam Zhou looked at Han Yan, and though displeased with her refusal, was also intrigued by Lady Yan’s reputation. Han Yan hadn’t lied – Lady Yan was indeed renowned for both her talent and beauty. If Zhuang Yu Shan could learn even a fraction of her skills, she would surely surpass Han Yan, making her a more attractive prospect for marriage tox a noble family.