What would he do? Naturally, kill anyone who had seen the Princess Consort’s body! Upon hearing this, the guard’s face turned pale, and his legs gave way as he knelt before Han Yan: “Please spare me, Princess Consort! This lowly one failed to recognize Mount Tai. I have offended you, please spare my life!”

Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yu-Shan were dumbfounded. They had always underestimated Han Yan, but seeing the guard captain’s fearful respect for her now made them feel a creeping dread. They cast uneasy glances at her.

Han Yan spoke calmly: “What crime have you committed? You were merely performing your official duties. Rest assured, I will tell the Prince everything that happened today exactly as it occurred. The Prince has keen judgment and certainly won’t wrong a good person.”

Hearing this, the guard’s face turned ashen. If she told the Prince, how could he possibly survive? Just as he was about to beg for mercy again, Han Yan continued: “Officer, no need to be so polite with Han Yan. Today was merely a misunderstanding. Han Yan won’t blame you, but we’ve wasted so much time that the assassin has likely escaped. Though I shouldn’t say this, Han Yan still wants to add: don’t let those who deliberately delayed your duties escape – perhaps they were trying to buy time for the assassin to flee.”

The guard was startled by these words but immediately understood Han Yan’s meaning. He had noticed the tension between her and Madam Zhou earlier – Madam Zhou had been trying to cause trouble. Han Yan’s mention of being the Princess Consort of Xuan Qing terrified him, and he cursed himself for being foolish enough to provoke her of all people. He also felt resentment toward Madam Zhou – if not for her, he would have left after finding no one in the room. Seeing that Han Yan was inclined to spare him, he quickly seized the opportunity, shouting: “These people have disrupted official business – they should be arrested and questioned!”

Madam Zhou panicked upon hearing this: “What does this have to do with us? We are innocent…”

The guard, already angry with her and eager to prove himself to Han Yan, said coldly: “You people misled me and made me suspect Fourth Young Lady. Now that she’s proven innocent, but much time has been wasted, you seem the most suspicious. Men, bind them and take them away!”

“There’s no need to take Madam Zhou,” Han Yan said. “She’s not from our household and should have nothing to do with this.” If Elder Madam Zhou were taken to the authorities, the Grand Tutor’s mansion would surely hear of it. No one dared disobey Zhang Grand Tutor’s orders, and once she was released, the matter would be dropped. Better to let her go now and deal with Madam Zhou and her daughter first. Since they dared to corner her today, they shouldn’t expect to leave unscathed. Her wound should at least yield some results.

The guard nodded repeatedly: “Everyone except Madam Zhou, take them away!”

Elder Madam Zhou turned to look at Han Yan, who gave her a faint smile, her eyes full of challenge, clearly saying: Bring it on.

Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yu Shan wailed: “This has nothing to do with us! You can’t arrest us! Fourth Young Lady, how cruel you are…”

Zhuang Shi Yang, who had been waiting outside, was stunned by the scene. He hadn’t expected that in such a short time, Madam Zhou and her daughter would be arrested. Upon seeing him, Madam Zhou grabbed his sleeve like seeing a savior: “My Lord, save me! Fourth Young Lady is having the guards arrest us!”

“Aunt is mistaken.” Before Zhuang Shi Yang could speak, Han Yan emerged from the room, blood dripping from her arm. “Han Yan doesn’t have such power. The officer is simply doing his duty. Besides, Aunt, this is a serious matter. Having you come along was for the good of the Zhuang family, wasn’t it?” She threw Madam Zhou’s words back at her, smiling as she watched Madam Zhou’s face turn purple with rage.

Concubine Mei walked to Madam Zhou’s side, smiling: “My, I thought Fourth Young Lady was in trouble, but it turns out it’s Aunt Zhou. This truly exceeds my expectations today.” She lovingly caressed her belly: “I hope the child wasn’t frightened.”

Hearing this, Madam Zhou shot a vicious glare at Concubine Mei’s abdomen, making her step back. Zhuang Shi Yang gave Madam Zhou a displeased look but suppressed his anger to ask the guard: “What exactly is going on here?”

The guard simply replied: “Ask Madam Zhou about this matter. Farewell.” With that, he forcibly took them away despite their protests.

“What exactly happened?” Zhuang Shi Yang turned to Elder Madam Zhou.

Han Yan stretched lazily: “Father, Yan’er’s wound hasn’t healed yet. I need to go inside to bandage it. Father can discuss this with Aunt.”

Zhuang Shi Yang finally noticed Han Yan’s injury and cleared his throat uncomfortably: “Everyone, disperse.” Zhuang Han Ming watched Han Yan with concern, only leaving after she gave him a reassuring smile.

When Qing Qiu Court was finally empty, Han Yan turned and entered the room. As soon as she entered the inner chamber, she saw him sitting at the table, giving her a meaningful look: “Little girl, that was quite skillfully done.”

Han Yan stared at him and after a long moment spat out four words: “Indeed a troublemaker!”

“Little girl, quite the sharp tongue you have,” said Zhuo Qi. It was the first time in his life that he had been regarded as a nuisance – the feeling wasn’t pleasant.

Han Yan sat across from him: “You owe me a life, a wound, and a bottle of medicine.”

Zhuo Qi’s gaze fell on her bloodied arm, remembering how she had pulled out her hairpin and decisively cut herself, making his heart skip a beat, while she had acted as if nothing had happened and simply wrapped it with a bandage. This explained the lingering smell of blood in the room.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said. “You were too harsh on yourself.”

Han Yan smiled carelessly: “Even without you, they wouldn’t have let matters rest today. On the surface, I may seem to have lost, getting myself injured, but they won’t get away easily either. If they want to scheme against me, they’ll have to pay the price first.”

Zhuo Qi’s lips curved into a wicked smile: “You’re interesting. I’m finding it harder and harder to leave you.”

Han Yan replied: “I saved you, and you must pay the price.”

“What price?” Zhuo Qi teased her: “Should I offer myself in marriage?”

Han Yan’s lips quirked: “That won’t be necessary. Just never appear before me again.” This person was too troublesome, and his identity wasn’t ordinary. Getting involved with him now would only bring more problems.

Zhuo Qi stared at her intently: “I’ll agree to anything except that condition.”

Han Yan glared at him, making him laugh heartily. He said to her: “Little girl, I never owe anyone favors. If there’s a chance in the future, I’ll repay you.” He stood up and moved to the window: “Today you were injured because of me, and it will leave a scar. If your Prince husband rejects you because of this,” Zhuo Qi’s body retreated to the window, giving Han Yan an ambiguous smile, “I’ll marry you myself to repay the debt of saving my life.” With that, he vanished, leaving Han Yan alone in the room.