As Zhuang Shiyang heard her words, he found them extremely correct and immediately said in a stern voice, “Bring forth the guards who were protecting Young Lady yesterday and give them sixty lashes first.”
Sixty lashes could be fatal. Madam Zhou panicked, “My Lord… My Lord…” These men had cost her considerable silver to win over, groomed to become her trusted allies. Now they were being uprooted completely – how could she accept this?
Han Yan stepped forward and helped her warmly, “Aunt, don’t panic. These servants have been causing trouble, relying on their backing, and showing no respect to the masters of the household. This punishment will help them understand their position. With Sister Yu Shan missing, Aunt should return to Gong Tong Garden to rest.” She then instructed Shu Hong, “Bring out the gifts I brought for Aunt Mei.”
Shu Hong quickly came forward with a delicate jade box. Han Yan opened it to reveal a translucent jade Buddha pendant, about the size of a little finger, threaded with a thin red cord.
Han Yan handed the box to Zhuang Shiyang, smiling sweetly, “Actually, Yan’er came to Fu Rong Garden today to give this jade Buddha to Aunt Mei. This jade Buddha was obtained by Yan’er from a temple before – wearing it brings protection. Now that Aunt Mei is carrying Yan’er’s little brother, Yan’er wants to give the jade Buddha to Aunt Mei, hoping for the little brother’s safe delivery.”
Zhuang Shiyang felt quite pleased hearing Han Yan repeatedly mention “little brother” and unusually nodded in approval, “That’s thoughtful of you.”
Han Yan glanced at Madam Zhou, “If Aunt is worried about Sister Yu Shan, perhaps you could pray for her at the temple. The gods are watching from above, and evil deeds will surely be repaid. With Buddha’s mercy, Sister Yu Shan might return safe and sound in a few days.”
Madam Zhou found Han Yan’s words extremely eerie as if hinting at something – words within words – causing her to break out in goosebumps. She could only force a smile and say, “Fourth Young Lady speaks truly.”
Having made her point, Han Yan bid farewell to Zhuang Shiyang and left Fu Rong Garden in good spirits.
As soon as she left Fu Rong Garden, her smile faded. Ji Lan, being observant, noticed her preoccupation and quickly asked, “Young Lady, has something happened?”
Han Yan shook her head, her thoughts in disarray. This was the second time – the second time Madam Zhou had used the word “bastard.” First about Han Ming, now about her. No matter how bold Madam Zhou was, she wouldn’t randomly make up stories about Han Ming and her parentage unless there was truth to it. Moreover, where there’s smoke, there’s fire – Zhuang Shiyang’s attitude toward them indeed wasn’t what a father’s should be.
Though seemingly grasping a crucial point, Han Yan hesitated about whether to investigate further. If she did, how would Han Ming cope with not being a legitimate son? Yet it seemed unlikely that Zhuang Shiyang would willingly raise another’s son.
After a long while, she finally said, “Ji Lan, find out which servants have been in the household the longest, and if possible, get close to them and chat with them.”
Ji Lan nodded in understanding. Han Yan sighed, the joy from her earlier victory completely gone, leaving only a faint melancholy.
Meanwhile, at the Xuan Qing Prince’s Manor.
On snow-white paper, several characters still carried the fragrance of ink. Fu Yunxi held a brush but was lost in thought, appearing somewhat distracted.
“What’s wrong with you two?” Cheng Lei finally couldn’t help but ask. His straightforward nature, developed on the battlefield, wouldn’t let him watch his friend space out like this. “What’s got you so deep in thought?”
Fu Yunxi’s hand paused, and he said flatly, “Nothing.” Then changed the subject: “Any movement from Xi Rong?”
Cheng Lei looked at the table with a worried expression, “Same as always. Since Tu Er Mu became the ruler, they’ve been harassing the border villages every few days. They don’t engage in real battles, just steal small items – it’s beneath notice. When our soldiers arrive, they immediately retreat. The common people are suffering greatly, and we’re helpless. It’s more troublesome than actual warfare.”
“He’s a clever one,” Fu Yunxi said. “We’ll see how long he can hold back.”
Cheng Lei shrugged, “What about you? Seventh Prince made quite a show today, willing to kill so many noble people of the capital to create chaos, just to make people believe you were killed by bandits. However…” he shook his head, “he underestimated you.”
Fu Yunxi lowered his head to write on the letter paper, “Let him be, it’s not the first time.”
Cheng Lei smiled teasingly, “I heard there was a beauty saving a hero today. My friend, that young lady is only thirteen – aren’t you afraid people will think you’re too old?”
Fu Yunxi, unbothered by Cheng Lei’s directness, recalled those stubborn, clear eyes. He paused before saying, “I have no relationship with her.”
Cheng Lei waved his hand in disbelief, “Who would believe that? I heard everyone saw it today, right, Mu Yan?”
When there was no response, he turned back puzzled to find Mu Yan staring absently at the wound on his hand. Cheng Lei’s sharp eyes immediately recognized the handkerchief bandaging the wound as a woman’s. Wanting to tease, he called out loudly to Mu Yan, “Mu Yan, following your ice-block master, you’ve finally opened your heart today! Haha, I thought you’d be a monk like your master your whole life. Unexpectedly, such good fortune today – looks like happy events are coming one after another to the Xuan Qing Prince’s Manor.”
Mu Yan started, and his usually expressionless face showed a hint of blush. He remembered the thin, small girl’s resolute expression when she stabbed at him with her hairpin, yet afterward gently bandaged his wound. He had never been this close to any woman before and couldn’t understand these contradictory actions. He had unconsciously kept the handkerchief.
Fu Yunxi had finished writing his letter, folded it into an envelope, and threw it into Cheng Lei’s arms.
Cheng Lei was still shaking his head and sighing, “It’s not even spring yet…”
“Get out!” An inkstone flew at him.
After New Year’s Eve, the weather finally cleared.
The thick snow on the ground hadn’t melted, but the sun scattered golden threads between the mountains. The morning air in the valley was fresh and pleasant, carrying the fragrance of dew, intoxicating to breathe.
A sky bridge spanned the cliff, leading to a vast dense forest behind it. Now, a woman in black stood before a bush, holding a long sword. Three petite young women stood before her, led by Han Yan.
“Thank you, Master, for the medicine,” Han Yan bowed respectfully to her.
The incense and sleeping powder from yesterday had been obtained from Chai Jing. This master seemed to have some connection to the jianghu world, so Han Yan had tried asking, and unexpectedly, Chai Jing had agreed very readily.