Unable to sort out her thoughts, Han Yan bid farewell to everyone and returned to Qing Qiu Garden.
Madam Chen had just returned from Fu Rong Garden, having delivered some children’s toys to Aunt Mei on Han Yan’s behalf. She mentioned that Madam Zhou had sent Aunt Mei many food supplements. Madam Chen said, “She’s quite daring, though Aunt Mei probably won’t use anything from her.”
Han Yan picked up an embroidery frame and examined it, “Illness enters through the mouth, trouble comes out through the mouth. Since she sent food, her true purpose must not be about the food itself.”
“Then… could she be trying to frame Young Lady?” Madam Chen worried.
Han Yan smiled, “What’s there to fear? Aunt Mei isn’t really with the child anyway. We can just watch the Tigers fight. I want to see Madam Zhou’s next move – she should be calling for reinforcements soon.”
As promised, Prince Wei stayed for lunch at the Zhuang Manor. The dishes were extremely sumptuous and exquisite. Prince Wei praised them endlessly while Zhuang Shiyang looked approvingly at Madam Zhou, who was serving him, “You’ve worked hard, sit down and eat with us.”
Madam Zhou sat beside Zhuang Shiyang, lowering her head, “It’s my honor to prepare dishes for Prince Wei. Prince Wei saved Yu’er – he’s our lifesaver. A mere meal is nothing in comparison.”
Prince Wei laughed heartily, “That’s entirely Rufeng’s merit.”
Madam Zhou took the opportunity to nudge Zhuang Yu Shan beside her, “Quickly thank Crown Prince Wei.”
Today, Zhuang Yu Shan wore a plain white silk dress with red embroidered roses at the hem. Her usual allure had faded, her face pale, her hair loosely pinned up, making her face appear only palm-sized, so delicate that one glance would evoke sympathy. Perhaps the kidnapping had taken its toll – her voice had become incredibly weak, “Yu’er thanks the Crown Prince for saving her life.” After speaking, her watery eyes gazed at Wei Rufeng.
Meeting Zhuang Yu Shan’s gaze, Wei Rufeng’s lips curved into a gentle smile, “It was nothing, Second Young Lady need not take it to heart.” His gaze unconsciously fell on Han Yan.
Han Yan was savoring her food with relish – after all, business doesn’t belong at the dining table. She had no interest in watching Zhuang Yu Shan and Wei Rufeng perform their beauty-and-hero drama before her. Nor did she care to watch Zhuang Shiyang and Prince Wei’s drinking and revelry. Zhuang Qin and their Late Aunt were absent due to poor health, while Aunt Mei was having special nutritious meals prepared separately in Fu Rong Garden. There truly wasn’t a single person at the table she liked looking at.
Zhuang Yu Shan noticed Wei Rufeng’s gaze on Han Yan, and jealousy and hatred flashed in her eyes. She hadn’t forgotten that her kidnapping was all thanks to Han Yan. Although those men hadn’t done anything to her, the fact of her kidnapping was known throughout the capital, ruining her reputation. Now at a marriageable age, her dream of marrying into a noble family was shattered! Mother had told her to be patient – she would make Han Yan suffer ten times what she had endured, make Han Yan wish she were dead.
Wei Rufeng’s way of looking at Han Yan made Zhuang Yu Shan incredibly jealous. Wei Rufeng had saved her from the bandits. This refined gentleman had immediately won her favor, and learning he was Prince Wei’s heir had only deepened her affections. She was confident in her beauty – weren’t all men creatures of temptation? She had hoped to win Wei Rufeng’s admiration, but instead, he only had eyes for Han Yan. How could she not hate this?
Han Yan had stolen her position as a legitimate daughter, caused her kidnapping, and now wanted to steal her beloved. Zhuang Yu Shan swore that one day she would make Han Yan lose everything and kneel before her, begging!
After lunch, Zhuang Shiyang and Prince Wei remained in the study to discuss matters, while Zhuang Yu Shan showed Wei Rufeng around the manor. Han Yan felt drowsy and intended to take a short nap, but as she reached the corridor, a voice called out, “Fourth Young Lady Zhuang.”
Hearing this voice, Han Yan paused, turned around somewhat resignedly, and curtsied to the speaker, “Crown Prince Wei.”
“You seem quite disappointed about Second Young Lady’s rescue?” Wei Rufeng carefully observed every expression on Han Yan’s face, but to his disappointment, she showed no anger, only a slight curve of her lips.
“Han Yan is disappointed that Crown Prince Wei waited a night before rescuing Second Young Lady.”
Seeing her lifted lips holding a hint of mockery, Wei Rufeng’s voice darkened, “You think you’ve done everything perfectly?”
Han Yan replied neither humbly nor proudly, “Han Yan dares not be so presumptuous.”
Finding that dealing with Han Yan was like handling a smooth stone without edges, his usually gentle expression became somewhat agitated, “Do you dislike me that much?”
Han Yan gave him a strange look, truly not understanding what the Crown Prince was thinking. Living a second life, she saw many things now. She had gradually let go of what she couldn’t part with in the past, especially after yesterday’s victory – she had decided to bid farewell to the past. Wei Rufeng was no longer the perfect gentleman she had imagined. The closer she got, the clearer she saw that he wasn’t as good as she had imagined. Some of his behavior was quite shameful.
“I don’t understand why the Crown Prince would say this. Han Yan has only met the Crown Prince a few times – how could there be any question of liking or disliking? The Crown Prince need not dwell on this. Between Han Yan and the Crown Prince, we’ll only be nodding acquaintances in the future.”
Han Yan felt she had spoken enough while leaving sufficient room for courtesy. She and Wei Rufeng, like the Seventh Prince and Crown Prince, would eventually stand in opposing camps. By then, they would likely be enemies – what friendship could there be?
Hearing these words, Wei Rufeng’s expression changed. He stared at Han Yan for a long while before speaking coldly, “You may be mistaken. Nodding acquaintances? Fourth Young Lady will be my Crown Princess in the future.”
Han Yan almost loudly objected but steadied herself and said slowly, “The Crown Prince jokes. Please think thrice before speaking such words in the future, lest you damage Han Yan’s reputation.”
She spoke righteously, but Wei Rufeng, seeing her apparent unwillingness to have any connection with him, found it even more irritating and sneered, “Doesn’t Fourth Young Lady understand after today’s events? Father intends to betroth you to me, just waiting until you come of age. Lord Zhuang has already agreed to this matter.”
Han Yan clenched her fists tightly, deeply hating Zhuang Shiyang’s shamelessness – willing to sell his daughter just to climb the social ladder through the Wei family. And Wei Rufeng before her… As the tragic scene from her wedding night in her previous life surfaced in her mind, Han Yan’s eyes turned cold. No matter what, she would never marry this man again!
“Why does the Crown Prince want to marry me?” Han Yan suddenly asked softly.
Hearing this, Wei Rufeng uncomfortably turned his head away, “We are of equal status – marrying you is only natural.”
“There are many young ladies from noble families in the capital. Han Yan is not the only suitable match, is she?” She smiled slightly, “Thank you for your favor, Crown Prince, but Han Yan truly has no feelings for you.”