Hanyan was startled at first, then turned around as her expression gradually cooled: “When did the esteemed Prince of Xi Rong develop an interest in eavesdropping on others’ conversations?”

Standing before Hanyan was Zhuo Qi, wearing a navy blue robe today. Compared to their previous encounters, he no longer appeared disheveled. However, his casual entry into the Zhuang manor as if it were no man’s land still irritated Hanyan.

Zhuo Qi smiled smugly: “I merely came for a stroll and happened to hear the Princess Consort’s declaration of love for the Prince. Ah, I truly envy that Xuanqing Prince, having such a beautiful young lady so devoted to him. If it were me…”

“Prince Zhuo must be in good spirits, taking such risks to come to our manor just to discuss this,” Hanyan replied neutrally.

Zhuo Qi stepped closer: “For you, I’m willing to risk anything.”

Hanyan glared at him. This Xi Rong Prince was an extremely dangerous person. He had fled to Da Zong to escape Tu’ermu’s assassination attempts, yet seemed to be involved in some kind of scheme. Regardless, he wasn’t someone on her side. It was best to keep such people at arm’s length, though she couldn’t act rashly now.

Hanyan raised a smile: “If you could stay away from the Zhuang manor forever for my sake, I would be even more grateful.”

Zhuo Qi stared at her: “Such a heartless little girl.” He stepped back, and in an instant, leaped onto the roof tiles. Smiling down at Hanyan in the courtyard, he said: “Actually, I was just passing by today. But compared to that Young Master Wei, I prefer your Prince husband.” He waved at Hanyan: “Stay away from that Young Master in the future, little girl.” With that, he vanished in a flash.

Standing in the courtyard, Hanyan felt both annoyed and amused. This person’s attitude was inexplicably strange now—it was hard to tell if he was friend or foe. However, Hanyan remained extremely vigilant about this matter and couldn’t afford to let her guard down with Zhuo Qi.

Meanwhile, Noble Consort Chen’s birthday was approaching. Among the invitation cards sent out, Zhuang Shiyang had received one, which he saw as a hopeful sign for his promotion prospects. The invitation specifically requested the presence of his two daughters. While Hanyan was now the Xuanqing Princess Consort and Zhuang Yushan was the Young Master’s Secondary Consort, only Zhuang Qin remained with Late Concubine, spending her days in the Buddhist hall, seen increasingly rarely.

One day, while Hanyan was taking a walk in the manor’s garden, she happened to see a girl of eleven or twelve following behind Zhuang Hanming. Finding the girl unfamiliar and unlike the manor’s maids, Hanyan felt curious and called out to Hanming.

Seeing her, Hanming called out: “Sister,” and walked over. Hanyan’s gaze fell on the little girl behind him.

She was a very pretty young girl who, despite her youth, had distinct and lovely features—surely to grow into a beauty. Though dressed like the manor’s maids, she appeared timid and didn’t dare raise her head when she saw Hanyan, instead hiding behind Hanming, looking pitiful.

Hanyan said: “I don’t seem to have seen this maid before.”

Hanming smiled, casting a sympathetic look at the little girl: “Her name is Ying Zi. I rescued her from villains on my way back from the Imperial Academy.”

Hanyan frowned: “How did you rescue her from villains?”

Seeing her concerned expression, Hanming quickly explained: “Those villains were trying to sell Ying Zi to a brothel. I couldn’t stand by and watch, so I drove them away.”

Hanyan’s tone turned very serious: “Those who sell children are usually desperate criminals. You’re still young—how could you drive them away?”

“I know martial arts now!” Hanming smiled proudly: “He was no match for my fighting skills.”

Seeing the hint of pride in his expression, Hanyan shook her head. Hanming was still young at heart and didn’t understand the world’s dangers. Now that he had some skills, he had become overconfident. Little did he know there were always stronger opponents and people in that trade wouldn’t be easily intimidated by a child. After some thought, she looked at the silent little girl: “Ying Zi, tell me about your parents. How did you end up being sold to a brothel?”

Ying Zi quickly knelt and kowtowed to Hanyan, her voice soft and timid: “In response to Young Miss, Ying Zi’s parents died long ago. I was living with my aunt, who passed away recently. My sister voluntarily sold herself to a brothel to buy a coffin for her aunt’s burial. When I tried to find my sister, those people caught me.”

As she spoke, tears rolled down her small face, evoking sympathy.

But Hanyan didn’t blink, continuing to ask: “Then tell me, where did your parents use to live, and where is your aunt buried?”

Ying Zi froze, then her face showed indignation: “Young Miss doesn’t believe Ying Zi. I would rather die to prove my innocence!” She stood up and attempted to dash her head against a pillar. Her movement was so sudden that Hanming flashed forward to pull her back, shouting: “What are you doing!” Though angry, his voice still carried concern. Hanyan’s heart sank—sure enough, Hanming turned to her and said: “Sister, Ying Zi is already so pitiful! Why are you pressuring her like this?”

Hanyan was stunned, dispensing with even a smile, and instead coldly looked at Hanming, her voice like ice: “I merely asked about her family background. What’s wrong with that? Every servant who enters this manor is questioned about their background. With so many people in the Zhuang manor, if someone of dubious origins enters and commits a crime, who will take responsibility?”

She usually maintained a smiling face and rarely showed anger, especially treating Hanming with gentleness and warmth. When had she ever been so cold? Hanming looked at her disappointedly: “I originally thought sister was a kind-hearted person, but now, I increasingly can’t understand your actions. You even suspect such a small maid. Ying Zi is different from other servants—if anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!”

“So, you’re choosing to oppose me because of her?” Hanyan stared intently into Hanming’s eyes. This brother was the first person she wanted to protect in her second life, yet now he was questioning her like this for a stranger.

Hanming was still angry. He had never imagined that the docile and pitiful Ying Zi would receive such treatment from Hanyan. Ying Zi’s early loss of her mother and dependence only on her sister for survival reminded Hanming of his situation, creating a sense of shared suffering. Bringing Ying Zi back to the manor was his way of trying to ensure she could live healthily. But now Hanyan’s actions were incomprehensible to him.

“You’re being completely unreasonable!” Hanming grabbed Ying Zi’s hand and held her protectively behind him. Meeting Hanyan’s incredulous gaze, he angrily said: “You may have many schemes, but don’t assume everyone is as despicable as you!”

Hanyan swayed on her feet as Hanming stormed off with Ying Zi. Shu Hong supported Hanyan: “Young Miss…” As a maid, she truly didn’t know what to say about the young master and young miss quarreling.