“Who are you calling suspicious!” Ji Lan was furious. All the frustrations she had endured in the prince’s mansion these days, all her indignation on Han Yan’s behalf, burst forth at once. She pointed fiercely at the guard’s nose: “Don’t look down on people with your dog eyes!”
The guard was initially taken aback, but after carefully examining Ji Lan’s attire, he broke into a smile. Seeing she was dressed as a servant, he sneered, “Oh, I’m so scared! Who are you? Come on, tell me!”
“You…” Ji Lan’s face flushed red with anger. This person’s attitude was atrocious. How could the prince’s mansion allow such a person to guard the gate? The mansion had become increasingly chaotic since that Western Rong Princess arrived—everything had changed.
“Ji Lan.” Han Yan shook her head at her. Every word this guard spoke showed his contempt for Ji Lan, typically looking down on others with his dog eyes. Unfortunately for him, Han Yan had always been protective of her people. Though Ji Lan was just a servant, in Han Yan’s heart, she was the warmest presence across both her lifetimes. She stepped forward, finally stopping before the guard.
“Who are you anyway?” The guard continued berating Ji Lan. Ji Lan caught Han Yan’s eye and proudly lifted her chin: “I told you not to look down on people with your dog eyes. I am the Princess Consort’s maid.”
The guard laughed as if he’d heard an excellent joke: “You lying girl, you should know who you’re talking to! I’ve seen the Princess Consort’s maids, and they’re far prettier than you. The Princess Consort looks like a celestial beauty, so her maids are naturally elegant too. How could you compare?”
Ji Lan was initially pleased to hear the guard praise the “Princess Consort’s” beauty, but then something felt wrong. Hadn’t the guard earlier mentioned the “Zhuang family’s young miss”? Why was he now saying “Princess Consort”? Could they be talking about different people? Was he referring to the Western Rong Princess?
Ji Lan started, immediately asking: “The Princess Consort you’re talking about—is it the Western Rong Princess?”
The guard nodded: “Of course, is there another Princess Consort in the prince’s mansion?”
Ji Lan gave a cold laugh. This person was flattering the Western Rong Princess—another weathervane following the wind. She said, “Sorry, but the Emperor’s decree hasn’t been issued yet. Our Young Miss is the real Princess Consort of Prince Xuan Qing.” Ji Lan didn’t know why she said this, as she despised the idea of Han Yan fighting for the title of Princess Consort. Ever since Fu Yun Xi brought back Ai Lin Na, Ji Lan felt this title wasn’t worth her Young Miss’s struggle. But at this moment, when the guard declared that Han Yan wasn’t the Princess Consort, Ji Lan felt incredibly sad and unwilling to accept it. She knew why—when something that belongs to you is coveted by others, and the real thief suddenly transforms into the mistress, it’s infuriating. Therefore, Ji Lan now desperately wanted to help Han Yan seek justice.
However, after hearing Ji Lan’s words, the guard not only didn’t back down but showed an expression of contempt: “What are you talking about? The Zhuang family’s young miss is nothing but a cast-off woman, and…”
Before he could finish, there was a loud “slap”—Ji Lan’s palm had struck the guard’s face. Her expression was furious. These words, if spoken privately, Ji Lan might have endured. But for this person to say such things right in front of her Young Miss—hadn’t all her and Shu Hong’s careful efforts to shield Han Yan from such gossip been wasted? This was the Young Miss she had wanted to protect with all her heart; how hurt must she be now? How despicable were those who hurt her Young Miss!
The guard hadn’t expected Ji Lan to suddenly strike him. After a moment of shock, he lunged at her like a hungry tiger, seemingly ready to teach her a harsh lesson. Shu Hong was startled, but just then, a voice rang out: “Stop!”
The voice was clear and frank, yet carried a subtle coldness. This coldness was deeply hidden, almost negligible, but as the sound reached their ears, its chill was omnipresent.
Hearing this, the guard involuntarily stopped, looking up to see a woman wearing a veil standing before him. Though dressed simply, her noble aura was unmistakable. Though her face was hidden, she stood there quietly, only her eyes visible—clear yet profound, gazing at him calmly.
He suddenly shivered—why did this person’s gaze so closely resemble the Prince’s?
After hesitating, he still asked: “Who are you?” With so many people coming and going into the prince’s mansion daily, he couldn’t possibly know everyone. Though this woman’s face was veiled, her natural nobility couldn’t be ignored—could she be someone important? He had always been cunning. If he offended someone he shouldn’t today, his crime would be severe. Thinking of this, he began to regret his impulsive actions. He had wanted to show loyalty to the Western Rong Princess, but offending another noble for her sake wasn’t worth it.
Han Yan’s face beneath the veil was expressionless: “Who am I?” She slowly repeated, as if asking both the guard and herself. Suddenly raising her hand, she decisively removed her veil: “I am that cast-off woman you spoke of, Zhuang Han Yan.”
Her gaze was deep and cold, suddenly becoming aggressive. The guard unconsciously stepped back from her presence. When he realized who Zhuang Han Yan was, his heart relaxed, and he said, “Oh, it’s Young Lady Zhuang. My apologies.” Though he spoke these words, there wasn’t a trace of sincerity in them; instead, they carried a hint of frivolity.
Han Yan remained unperturbed, smiling slightly: “What’s your name?”
The guard was stunned, not expecting Han Yan to ask this. He reflexively smiled and said: “Why would Young Lady Zhuang want to know this servant’s name? This servant… is just a crude person, surely not worthy of Young Lady’s attention.”
Han Yan looked at him, smiling faintly: “Who said I wanted you to be worthy of my attention? I’m remembering your name because…” Her smile grew brighter, but the mockery in it became more intense as she looked at the eight-foot-tall man as if he were a plaything: “How can I deal with you if I don’t know your name?”
This was the very definition of a naked threat. The unbridled arrogance, contempt, and audacity bursting from her heart all indicated that this woman’s mood was indeed not good.
The guard felt a chill run through him and stepped back twice. Wasn’t it said that Young Lady Zhuang was always gentle and kind, always smiling? But looking at her today, there wasn’t a trace of weakness—not someone to be trifled with. Indeed, she had grown from a motherless, unfavored legitimate daughter to someone even her father had to be wary of, and none of the concubines who had opposed her in the Zhuang household had met good ends. This woman must either be extremely lucky or deeply scheming. Her recent actions, though appearing gentle, were incredibly sharp. The guard suddenly had a feeling that the Western Rong Princess was no match for Zhuang Han Yan—if Han Yan truly wanted to fight against Ai Lin Na, the latter would surely meet a tragic end.