But how could a young girl always have the upper hand? It was strange. Now hearing Han Yan mention intuition as her reason, Yang Qi found himself somewhat convinced. However, he wouldn’t completely agree with Han Yan based on just this, so he said: “So what? How can you prove it?”

Han Yan looked at him and suddenly smiled: “Well then, Elder Yang, shall we make a bet?”

“What kind of bet?” Yang Qi asked.

“Let’s set the deadline for three days from now. On that day, there will be a heavy rainstorm in the capital,” she said.

Yang Qi was first stunned, then laughed dismissively: “Girl, you’re speaking too carelessly. Who can predict heaven’s affairs? Let alone three days from now. Don’t be hasty with your words.”

Han Yan looked at him with complete confidence: “I told you, my intuition has always been accurate. Therefore, Elder Yang, let’s meet again in three days.”

Yang Qi stared at her confident demeanor. Han Yan didn’t appear to be lying, but making such a prediction about three days later was truly hard to believe. Though somewhat shaken inside, Yang Qi still said: “I hope you won’t be crying in three days.”

“We’ll see in three days,” Han Yan bowed to him: “I’ll take my leave for today.” She had known today wouldn’t go smoothly, but at least Yang Qi’s attitude wasn’t as firm as before. As long as there was hope, everything could be worked out. Han Yan turned away, knowing that at least in three days, she wouldn’t return disappointed.

Yang Qi watched the three women’s departing figures, deep in thought. He knew Fu Yun Xi well, even intimately. Fu Yun Xi bringing back Western Rong Princess Ai Li Na also puzzled Yang Qi greatly. This wasn’t something Fu Yun Xi would do. Fu Yun Xi wasn’t one to be troubled by feminine charms, otherwise he wouldn’t have ignored Ai Li Na’s advances on the battlefield years ago. Comparatively, Yang Qi also preferred Han Yan – this girl was intelligent, without the arrogance common to other women, appearing innocent yet very composed. She seemed quite compatible with Fu Yun Xi. Who would have thought… Yang Qi sighed. Young people’s affairs were beyond this old man’s understanding. But if Han Yan was right about Western Rong having a plot, that would be different. But would it rain in three days?

As they left Shun Chang Martial Arts Academy, Ji Lan couldn’t help asking: “Miss, will there be a storm in three days?”

Han Yan smiled slightly: “That remains to be seen.” Of course, it would rain – Han Yan remembered clearly that in her previous life, on the fourth day after her coming-of-age ceremony, a huge storm hit the capital, even causing floods that left many capital residents homeless. At that time, Prince Wei Manor had specially sent people to check on Han Yan’s situation, and she had been deeply moved by Wei Ru Feng’s apparent concern. Back then, Han Yan had completely trusted Wei Ru Feng, not knowing how things would change later. Now thinking back, Wei Ru Feng and the events of her previous life seemed very distant. Yet Han Yan was now experiencing similar circumstances again. She didn’t want to live foolishly like in her previous life, only understanding the truth when dying. This time, she had to be more proactive – if she truly believed in Fu Yun Xi, understanding what had happened was most important, wasn’t it?

Shu Hong asked: “Miss, where should we go now?”

Han Yan thought for a moment: “Let’s just wander around.”

Currently, Han Yan truly doesn’t know where to go. She didn’t want to return to the Zhuang Manor, and at the Xuan Qing Prince Manor, Ai Li Na’s daily provocations were better left unseen. But in this vast capital, she didn’t know where else to go. Visit Deng Chan? She didn’t want to face Madam Deng’s sympathetic gaze. It was truly troublesome.

Shu Hong seemed to notice Han Yan’s mood wasn’t good, but walking on the main street risked being recognized by acquaintances, which could be problematic. After some thought, Shu Hong confidently suggested: “Miss, if you’re feeling down, would you like to walk in the eastern hills?”

She remembered how when Han Yan was young, whenever she felt wronged, she would run to the eastern hills and have a good cry. Though she hadn’t gone there recently, the hills were still a very quiet, good place. Han Yan’s eyes immediately brightened: “Good idea.”

Since Fu Yun Xi left, Chai Jing had also disappeared, and she hadn’t gone to practice martial arts in the hills. Living as the Xuan Qing Princess Consort made it inconvenient. Now with Shu Hong’s suggestion, Han Yan remembered she could visit the hills. It was quiet and deserted there – right now, with her mind unsettled by Fu Yun Xi’s sudden return, if she could calm her thoughts there, that would be very good.

No sooner said than done, the three-headed toward the hills.

This was Han Yan’s first visit to the eastern hills in a year. The scenery hadn’t changed at all. The last time she came, Fu Yun Xi had accompanied her. It was here that she first met Ai Li Na when Fu Yun Xi had protected her and treated Ai Li Na coldly. Now their positions had reversed. Though she suspected there must be some hidden reason, thinking about it still made Han Yan very sad.

She simply sat down by the lake. The clear water perfectly reflected her entire figure. She reached out her hand – the Han Yan in the water also reached out – and Han Yan smiled. Ji Lan and Shu Hong kept their distance, thinking Han Yan needed to have a good cry to release her grievances. Han Yan was too proud to let others see her in such a state, so they stayed away.

Han Yan pulled out the hairpin she was wearing, the blue jade fishtail pin that Fu Yun Xi had given her. The carving was so lifelike it truly looked like a real fish. Han Yan looked at her hairstyle, still in two round buns. Yesterday’s coming-of-age ceremony hadn’t been completed, yet she still insisted on wearing these buns – she didn’t know what she was persisting for.

She had predicted that Fu Yun Xi would eventually marry Ai Li Na in her previous life but didn’t expect it to be the same this life. Was this truly unchangeable? But… Han Yan remembered that Fu Yun Xi had been severely injured when returning from war last time, yet this time he wasn’t injured at all. This didn’t make sense – what had gone wrong?

Lost in thought, she suddenly saw a handsome face appear on the clear lake surface, smiling at her. Han Yan was startled and almost fell into the lake, but the person quickly grabbed her. Han Yan’s body involuntarily leaned toward him, almost falling into his embrace, and the hairpin slipped from her hand into the lake.

The man seemed to thoroughly enjoy having Han Yan in his arms, one hand firmly holding her waist: “Little girl, why so passionate today, throwing yourself into my arms as soon as you see me?”