Han Yan shook her head. “If it were just arrogance, it wouldn’t be worth fearing. Did you complete the task I gave you?”

Ji Lan quickly responded, “Everything’s done according to Young Miss’s instructions… but will Concubine Mei do it?”

Han Yan smiled. “She definitely will, because she too is running out of time.”

In Fu Rong Garden, Concubine Mei wore a light blue brocade robe with large embroidered peach blossoms in coral pink climbing from hem to the waist, cinched by a water-red silk sash tied in a soft butterfly knot. The bold colors accentuated her fair skin and striking features, making her appear even more alluring.

Jiao Meng exclaimed happily, “Concubine, Master has agreed to lift your confinement. Starting today, you can move freely within the manor.”

Concubine Mei’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly asked, “Has Master thought of me?” She craned her neck toward the door: “Is Master coming to Fu Rong Garden?”

Jiao Meng lowered her head and said softly, “Fourth Young Miss pleaded with Master on your behalf.”

Han Yan? Concubine Mei froze her expression gradually darkening. Han Yan’s gesture of goodwill at this time was unexpected. Logically, when someone had fallen from favor, Han Yan should have avoided them. To show kindness to someone out of favor, unless… Madam Zhou was becoming increasingly dominant in the manor.

At this thought, her heart tightened, and she asked her maid, “Is that vixen still clinging to Master?”

Jiao Meng cautiously replied, “Master has been… spending his nights at Gong Tong Yuan lately.”

Though expected, hearing it still stung. “Crack!” A teacup shattered on the floor as Concubine Mei’s face turned pale with anger. “That seductress!”

Jiao Meng looked at her mistress, bit her lip, and resolved to speak: “Concubine if this continues, if there’s a pregnancy in Gong Tong Yuan…”

What would become of her position then? Concubine Mei raged, “Of course I know! But what can be done now?” The Master favored that vixen and the previous incident had created a rift between herself and him. Turning things around now would be no easy task.

Jiao Meng stepped forward: “Concubine, it’s not impossible. If you conceive before her, you’ll naturally regain Master’s favor. Master only has one son now. If you could bear him another son, Madam Zhou couldn’t compete with you.”

“Easy for you to say,” Concubine Mei said frantically. “If I could have borne a child, I would have done so long ago. After all these years without success, where am I supposed to find a son?”

Jiao Meng glanced outside to ensure no one was around, then lowered her voice: “This servant has heard of a secret medicine from the palace that can create symptoms of pregnancy in women. Given the desperate situation, if Concubine takes this medicine and pretends to be with the child, you could bring in an infant after ten months. And if you conceived during this time, even better.”

After hearing Jiao Meng’s words, Concubine Mei didn’t show joy, but only asked, “Where did you hear this?”

Jiao Meng trembled, explaining, “Little Hong from the laundry told me while we were talking. Her sister works in the palace and has seen such things many times.”

Seeing Concubine Mei’s silence, Jiao Meng softly continued, “Concubine, what do you think…”

“Let me think about it,” Concubine Mei interrupted, though her expression showed she was wavering, seemingly considering the idea seriously. Jiao Meng fell silent and began cleaning up the broken porcelain.

Meanwhile, Ji Lan handed a package of silver to Little Hong, a servant girl wearing a worn, yellow jacket who lowered her head upon seeing Ji Lan.

Ji Lan placed the silver in her hands: “Remember, no one can know about this, or you’ll lose your life and no one will save you.”

The servant trembled but firmly replied, “Little Hong knows nothing.”

Ji Lan nodded with satisfaction: “Hurry and take this silver to treat your father’s illness.”

The peaceful days passed quickly, and soon it was the eve of New Year’s Eve.

This time last year, her mother was still alive; now everything had changed. The Zhuang manor showed no signs of mourning its mistress’s passing. Instead, it had become particularly lively under Madam Zhou’s influence.

Unlike the brightly decorated Gong Tong Yuan, Qing Qiu Yuan had no decorations except for a single Spring Festival couplet that Han Yan had written herself on red paper: “Spring rain weaves a thousand things, Red plum dots grace rivers, and mountains.” The horizontal scroll read: “Spring’s abundance.”

Ji Lan thought the couplet was too common, but Shu Hong liked it. Han Yan smiled without comment. When her mother was alive, she always wrote profound yet melancholic couplets. Han Yan understood her mother’s suffering, but now finding herself in the same besieged position, her mindset had changed. What use were profound meanings and far-reaching fame? Better to be ordinary and live life happily.

Yet living happily might prove even harder. So many people coveted her position as the legitimate daughter, and Young Master Ming wasn’t favored by Zhuang Shi Yang. Besides her knowledge of the future, she had no cards to play.

Now she had to maximize the benefits of her foreknowledge.

Zhuang Shi Yang sent a servant to summon Han Yan to the main house. Arriving with Shu Hong, she found Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yu Shan already there. Seeing her enter, Zhuang Shi Yang said gravely, “Yan’er, tomorrow Yu’er is going to the temple to pray for blessings. Go with her.”

The same words, like time flowing backward, seemed to transport her to her previous life, to the moment she was kidnapped by bandits. Han Yan clenched her fists, feeling a strange excitement and anticipation. Tomorrow would be the turning point of this life—whether she could avoid fate, for better or worse, was up to her.

Han Yan looked up to see Madam Zhou watching her eagerly. Seeing Han Yan’s hesitation, she continued, “This concubine and Master must prepare for tomorrow’s New Year’s feast and cannot accompany her. Master worries about Yu’er going alone as a young lady. If Fourth Young Miss could go along, it would provide some protection.”

Han Yan inwardly sneered, remembering how she had responded in her previous life. When Zhuang Shi Yang first made this suggestion, she immediately agreed and even discussed preparations with Zhuang Yu-Shan.

“So Han Yan is that capable? Sister Yu Shan goes out without guards, feeling secure only with Han Yan’s company.”

As soon as Han Yan spoke, Madam Zhou realized her mistake. The sarcasm in Han Yan’s words angered her, but she couldn’t refute it. She could only look to Zhuang Shi Yang for help.

Zhuang Shi Yang’s face darkened. “She’s your sister. Why shouldn’t sisters look after each other? Enough talk—tomorrow morning, you’ll depart with Yu’er!”

Han Yan lowered her head: “I understand, Father.”

Seeing this, Zhuang Yu Shan smiled triumphantly, exchanging glances with Madam Zhou before running to Zhuang Shi Yang’s side to act coy. Recently, following Madam Zhou’s advice, she had been increasingly affectionate and pleasing toward Zhuang Shi Yang, earning his love and numerous rewards.