A Bi’s eyes widened as she collapsed to the ground.

Han Yan remained patient, waiting for her to recover before she began making heavy gestures to Ji Lan.

It turned out that in Lady Wang’s youth, she did have a childhood sweetheart – the once-renowned Duke of the East from Da Zong.

The Duke of the East came from a noble family of the Wang title. The old Duke had been close to the previous Emperor and was a legendary figure in Da Zong, known for his patriotism and loyalty.

However, the old Duke’s son, the current Duke of the East, had a dramatically different personality from his father. Unlike his father, he was extremely arrogant and daring. In battle, he once infiltrated enemy lines alone at night and emerged with the enemy commander’s head. He would boast that none could match him in the world. Despite his arrogance, he frequently visited brothels and entertainment houses, and once even sneaked into the palace kitchen at night to steal wine.

At that time, when the previous Emperor was alive, because of his relationship with the old Duke, he turned a blind eye to the young Duke’s outrageous behavior. He privately had great fondness for his friend’s son.

This Duke of the East later married, but not to Lady Wang. Lady Wang, who had loved him since childhood, fell gravely ill upon hearing the news.

Han Yan had rarely heard anyone in Da Zong mention this Duke of the East, as it was taboo. The reason for this taboo was that the entire Duke’s household had been exterminated.

It happened on a rainy Qing Ming night. City residents heard screams and clashing weapons but dared not venture out. By early the next morning, the Duke’s mansion was engulfed in flames, and the bodies of the entire family hung outside the city gates.

The scene was unimaginably brutal – the elderly, children, women, and men – anyone connected to the Duke’s household had their chests pierced with silver spears and were suspended outside the city gates.

The previous Emperor ordered an investigation, but no leads were found. Some said it was because the Duke had made many enemies through his unrestrained behavior, leading to this vengeful massacre of his entire family. However, for the old Duke, who had spent his life loyal to the country and Emperor, to meet such an end in his old age was truly tragic.

The previous Emperor fell seriously ill over this incident and passed away shortly after. He also issued an empire-wide gag order forbidding citizens from discussing the matter, perhaps finding the Duke’s death too tragic, and dealt harshly with anyone who gossiped about it.

Lady Wang married Zhuang Shi Yang shortly after the Duke’s death.

Though Lady Wang held no feelings for Zhuang Shi Yang, she hurriedly married him after the Duke’s death, as if she couldn’t wait, even against her parents’ wishes. Lady Wang had been a delicate beauty in her youth, from a wealthy family, while Zhuang Shi Yang was merely a minor official at the time. Such unexpected good fortune was naturally welcomed by him.

However, after marriage, Zhuang Shi Yang’s initial enthusiasm cooled, and he became indifferent toward Lady Wang. Lady Wang, for her part, seemed to never have truly seen Zhuang Shi Yang, and they lived together in name only.

Soon after, news spread that Lady Wang was with child.

The entire Zhuang household gossiped that Lady Wang had never consummated her marriage with the Master, so the child couldn’t be his. They said Lady Wang’s rushed marriage was because she could no longer hide her pregnancy.

Who could be the child’s father?

A Bi only knew that after the Duke’s death, Lady Wang would cry daily while holding a jade bracelet he had given her in childhood, her expression filled with boundless grief.

Lady Wang had always been resolute – if her beloved had died tragically, she would naturally have followed him, never to part even in death.

Yet she hastily married a minor official and soon became pregnant.

This, in itself, was highly unusual.

Han Yan looked at her: “You’re saying I’m the Duke of the East’s daughter?”

After gesturing this history, A Bi was in tears, but when she looked up, she was startled to see Han Yan’s expression remained undisturbed as if listening to a fictional story.

Han Yan slowly repeated: “The Duke of the East’s daughter?”

A Bi nodded frantically.

Han Yan smiled, but her fists were clenched.

An exterminated noble household, an unmarried pregnant lady, a duke’s orphan, and a mysterious background.

She stood up: “A Bi, you’ve had a difficult life these years, haven’t you?”

A Bi hesitated, then nodded.

Han Yan surveyed the dilapidated surroundings and smiled: “Your current situation – is it also because of Father?”

A Bi looked at her without responding.

Han Yan crouched down, looking directly into her eyes: “What you’ve told me – should I believe it or not?”

A Bi felt as if she was being seen through completely by Han Yan’s clear eyes, and quickly lowered her head. Then Han Yan’s clear voice rang in her ear: “Ji Lan, give A Bi a bag of silver.” Seeing A Bi staring at her, Han Yan smiled gently again: “If Mother were alive, seeing you like this would break her heart.”

A Bi’s hands trembled.

“You know, sometimes the truth can resolve many things.” Han Yan straightened up, looking down at the woman before her, saying: “Your embroidery is excellent. Back then, Mother must have chosen you because of this skill and brought you along.”

A Bi felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at Han Yan. This thirteen-year-old girl seemed unfathomable. Her clear gaze made A Bi’s back prickle with discomfort. She… looked nothing like her mother. The Lady had been gentle yet determined, always looking at others with tenderness. But this young girl before her looked at people as if examining objects – sensitive, scrutinizing, probing, with an insight that brooked no deception.

Han Yan walked to the doorway, making to leave, then turned back to A Bi, who remained kneeling: “Concealment is betrayal, A Bi.” She continued: “It’s been so long, you might have forgotten many things. I’ll give you time to remember. I’ll return in a few days, and I hope by then, you’ll have a different story to tell.”

She smiled, but her tone was piercing to the bone: “I know what you fear. If you can be honest, I promise you’ll never have to live like a stray dog again.”

When Han Yan returned to the Zhuang Manor, just as she entered, she saw the Zhou sisters drinking tea in the main hall. Seeing her return, Elder Lady Zhou called out with a smile: “Congratulations, Yan’er.”

Han Yan nodded faintly to them. Today, this simple gesture was performed with unusual slowness, her head held high, her gaze haughty – a sight that particularly irritated Lady Zhou.

Ji Lan, following her example, hurried to support her, constantly saying: “Young Miss, please walk carefully. If you were to fall and hurt yourself, the Prince would blame us servants for not taking good care of you.”

Shu Hong also spoke up: “Watch your mouth. The Young Miss is the future Princess Consort; she doesn’t need your excessive concern.”