When Xiang Hanyan was called to the main hall by Zhuang Shiyang, she immediately spotted Zhuang Yushan nestled beside Wei Rufeng, smiling charmingly.
Seeing her enter, Zhuang Yushan warmly called out, “Fourth Sister.”
Hanyan raised her eyes to look at her. Compared to her previous appearance at the manor, Zhuang Yushan looked considerably more radiant. Today she wore an embroidered soft red brocade feather robe, her head adorned with numerous cat’s eye stones and coral beads.
Her hands were decorated with pearls, jade, and enamel pieces, and her movements were accompanied by the tinkling of jade pendants—truly a magnificent sight. Wei Rufeng must have been treating her well. Hanyan smiled and said, “Sister Yushan, Brother-in-law.”
That word “Brother-in-law” sounded particularly grating to Wei Rufeng’s ears. His gaze fell on Hanyan. She seemed to have grown a bit taller but still wore her hair in two round buns. She wore a string of precious stone necklaces around her neck, a single bracelet on her wrist, and a blue jade hairpin. She was dressed in a peach-red jacket, pink satin vest, and white silk pleated skirt—extremely simple and modest, like an unmatured porcelain doll. Looking at her, who would know she was the Xuanqing Prince’s Consort?
Yet her smiling eyes held an unmistakable stillness, and her slight smile seemed almost mocking. The unconscious pride she emanated truly befitted the title of “Princess Consort.” Wei Rufeng found himself staring at her somewhat dazedly.
Zhuang Yushan noticed Wei Rufeng’s unusual behavior and felt a chill in her heart. Her gaze toward Hanyan turned sharp. She clung to Wei Rufeng’s arm and said coquettishly, “My Lord, let me take you to see Aunt.”
Madam Zhou was now bedridden and rarely left Gongtong Court. Wei Rufeng smiled and said, “Alright,” his voice was extremely gentle. His intimate attitude toward Zhuang Yushan clearly showed they were like glue and lacquer. Elder Madam Zhou and Zhuang Shiyang stood to the side, nodding with satisfaction. Wei Rufeng glanced at Hanyan, seeing her completely unbothered expression as if she didn’t consider him worth noticing at all, which angered him somewhat. He snorted coldly and strode out first.
Finding no reason to stay, Hanyan returned to her own Qingqiu Court.
Ji Lan said, “The Young Master used to be so devoted to our Young Miss, but now that Second Miss has entered the household, he acts like this. It’s truly disheartening to see.”
Shu Hong frowned, “Speak less of it. Didn’t our Young Miss avoid marrying him? If the Young Master is the kind of person who’s easily distracted by new things, Second Miss will be the one suffering.”
Ji Lan indignantly continued, “You didn’t see Second Miss’s expression earlier. Just because she’s a Secondary Consort, she’s acting so high and mighty, with her nose in the air. She even gave our Young Miss attitude. Doesn’t she realize our Young Miss is the Xuanqing Princess Consort but doesn’t show off like she does? What’s she so proud of?”
Shu Hong found this both irritating and amusing, “Why compare our Young Miss to her?”
“Exactly,” Ji Lan glanced at Hanyan, seeing no sign of her wanting to stop the conversation, and continued, “Didn’t she only enter the Wei Prince Manor because she had intimate relations with the Young Master? Hmph! Shameless!”
Hanyan paid no attention to her maids’ conversation. She was puzzled—Wei Rufeng had previously strongly disliked Zhuang Yushan, but now he deliberately acted like a loving couple at the Zhuang manor. Wei Rufeng certainly wouldn’t fear Zhuang Shiyang, so who was this display for?
Hanyan thought for a moment—could it be for her benefit?
She couldn’t help but want to laugh. What was Wei Rufeng thinking? If he was putting on this show for her, he was making a huge mistake. If Zhuang Yushan wanted to use her connection with Wei Rufeng to oppose her, Hanyan smiled slightly—then it was time to push forward the matter of the Right Minister’s daughter, Li Jiaqi, entering the household.
Back at Qingqiu Court, after Hanyan sent Ji Lan and Shu Hong away on other tasks, she lazily reclined on a small couch in the courtyard, sunbathing while working on a half-finished embroidery hoop.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her. Hanyan paused, seeing a tall shadow in the elongated sunlight. Thinking it was Fu Yunxi making another unannounced visit, she turned around with resignation, but was startled: “Why is it you?”
Wei Rufeng coldly looked at her: “Do you despise seeing me that much?”
Hanyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry—what had she done to despise him?
“You hide here, unwilling to see me. Is it because you still harbor resentment over the matter between me and your sister?” Wei Rufeng stepped forward, trying to detect any trace of emotion in Hanyan’s expression.
Unfortunately, Hanyan only stepped back: “Brother-in-law and Sister are a match made in heaven. I can’t even offer my congratulations fast enough, how could I harbor resentment?” In her heart though, she thought Wei Rufeng’s thinking was becoming increasingly incomprehensible. Was he so conceited to think she resented him because of his intimate relations with Zhuang Yushan?
Hearing her words, Wei Rufeng’s expression changed. After a while, he said, “Indeed, you and Fu Yunxi were in cahoots from the beginning.”
She didn’t mind him talking about her, but speaking of Fu Yunxi in such unpleasant terms angered Hanyan somehow. She coolly replied, “The Young Master is mistaken. My marriage to the Prince was personally decreed by His Majesty. Is the Young Master questioning His Majesty’s decision? If so, I can assist the Young Master by informing the Censor, and tomorrow morning at court, ask His Majesty for clarification on your behalf.”
Her words were aggressive, leaving no room for response. Wei Rufeng certainly couldn’t question His Majesty, and Hanyan’s words left him speechless. Seeing that Hanyan held no affection for him whatsoever, an inexplicable hatred rose in his heart: “You’re so fond of Fu Yunxi!”
“If the Young Master came only to question my feelings for the Prince, let me clarify once and for all, to save you from asking endlessly in the future.” Hanyan looked at him and said decisively, “Listen well—Prince Xuanqing and I share a deep love, unwavering loyalty, for life and all eternity, growing old together. I admire his valor, his outstanding talent, his uprightness, and his integrity. He is the one I’ve been searching for all my life. I admire him more than any other man in the world.” Saying such a long declaration of love, Hanyan didn’t hesitate at all—after all, Fu Yunxi wasn’t present, so she could say whatever she wanted. However, it was her first time praising someone else so openly in front of others, and she felt somewhat uncomfortable, causing her to blush. To Wei Rufeng, this blush appeared to be maiden shyness at the thought of Fu Yunxi.
“Young Master, do you understand now?” Hanyan asked, emphasizing each word.
“I understand!” These words were practically ground out through Wei Rufeng’s teeth. Having the woman he loved declare her feelings for another man to his face felt humiliating, frustrating, and jealous. Why? Why? Zhuang Hanyan should have been his properly wedded wife!
Only then did Hanyan’s lips curl into a smile: “Since you understand, Sister Yushan must be waiting for you. Please go, Young Master.”
Wei Rufeng felt that staying any longer would destroy his dignity, so he snorted coldly and stormed off. Just as Hanyan was breathing a sigh of relief at finally getting rid of this pest, a deep male voice came from behind: “Well said.”