Chapter 128: Royal Affairs (1)

Zhuang Han Ming never expected Han Yan to take action personally. In his impression, Han Yan was a gentle and amiable person who, even when angry or resentful, would never resort to physical violence as per the rules of a well-bred lady. Moreover, to punish a servant in such a way—where did that leave him, Ying’s master, in terms of face?

“Young Master, save me! Save Ying, Young Master…” That Ying reacted quickly. After being doused by Han Yan, she immediately crawled to Zhuang Han Ming’s feet and clutched his leg. Her small face was covered in scalding tea and tea leaves, her fair skin reddened from the burns, and her wet hair dripped water with some tea leaves still clinging to it.

Seeing her like this, Zhuang Han Ming’s dissatisfaction with Han Yan grew stronger. He suddenly shouted at Han Yan, “How dare you raise your hand?” Before his words could fade, there was a crisp “slap,” and Zhuang Han Ming felt his cheek burn, five bright red fingerprints distinctly visible.

Looking over in disbelief, Han Yan calmly lowered her raised hand and looked at him as if he were a stranger. Her voice was colder than the bitter snow outside: “I have two rules.”

“First, no one touches my people.” Her gaze fell softly on the unconscious Ji Lan and Shu Hong. The people she had decided to protect, even Zhuang Han Ming couldn’t harm them easily. Since Zhuang Han Ming had hurt them, she would seek retribution.

“Second, I never admit to things I haven’t done.” She glanced at Ying kneeling at Zhuang Han Ming’s feet. Ying’s hair covered half her face, but Han Yan didn’t miss those eyes full of venom. She smiled faintly: “If someone insists on making me take responsibility for something I haven’t done, then I’ll make that thing come true.” Hearing these words, Ying’s body trembled involuntarily. She felt that the woman before her, looking down from above, had a knowing look in her eyes, yet was quietly waiting for something. Like a hunter who had spotted rare prey, unhurriedly watching as it walked into a trap.

Could this woman have some other move planned?

Zhuang Han Ming was choked speechless by Han Yan’s words. Though unwilling to accept it, Han Yan’s gaze made his heart tremble—that gaze was cold and frosty. It seemed she no longer held any hope for him, yet there was a hint of sorrow as if she were losing something most precious.

He wanted to say something more, but Han Yan merely adjusted the cloak on her shoulders and said: “Get out.”

She had never treated him like this before. Zhuang Han Ming was stunned for a moment, but today, Han Yan had not only slapped him but also told him to get out. He gritted his teeth. Han Yan had already turned away, so Zhuang Han Ming snorted coldly, yanked Ying up from the ground, and left in anger.

After he left, Han Yan said to Mu Yan: “Please trouble yourself to take these two back to their rooms and have a doctor examine them properly.”

Mu Yan nodded, picking up Shu Hong in his arms and letting Ji Lan rest on his back. He hesitated, looking at Han Yan once. It was unusual for her not to go with them. She treated Ji Lan and Shu Hong like sisters and was willing to face off against her brother for them, yet now she seemed completely unconcerned… Han Yan waved him away, appearing somewhat weary: “Go on.”

Mu Yan looked at Han Yan again. This young lady, not yet of age, appeared so delicate, yet what he had just witnessed showed her to be decisive and efficient. Even he, as stoic as stone, had almost called out in approval at how she handled Ying with that cup of scalding tea. This was the kind of person worthy of being a Princess Consort. Only such a person could catch the Prince’s eye.

When Mu Yan’s figure disappeared into the courtyard, Han Yan suddenly collapsed onto the stone bench, feeling an intense pressure in her chest. She quickly pressed a handkerchief to her mouth, “Mmph…” but that mouthful of blood still spurted out. The white handkerchief was spotted with blood stains, and before her eyes floated memories of childhood—when she, Han Ming, and Mother would whisper together in their room. Even though she had been reborn, why did Mother still pass away, and why had she and her brother grown so far apart? How had they, brother and sister, become like this?

Han Yan slowly clenched her fist, holding the blood-stained handkerchief in her palm, her lips alarmingly red.

Thus, there was no turning back now.

Meanwhile, as Zhuang Han Ming was leaving the manor with Ying, he caught sight of a snow-white figure.

That figure was tall and sharp, and even from a distance, Zhuang Han Ming could feel an aura of killing intent. He hesitated, then saw the person turn around, revealing a face as beautiful as a painting. Only then did Zhuang Han Ming realize this was the master of the Xuan Qing Prince Manor, Han Yan’s husband, the current Prince Xuan Qing, Fu Yun Xi.

Fu Yun Xi stood with his hands behind his back. Seeing him, his gaze first fell on the disheveled Ying, and he asked coolly: “What happened?”

Seeing such a handsome young man, Ying couldn’t help but blush, her heart racing. It was no wonder everyone in the capital said Prince Xuan Qing was peerlessly elegant. How many common people could get this close to him? Up close, he appeared even more refined and noble, no less than any imperial prince. His cold and elegant demeanor made people unable to help but fall for him.

So before Zhuang Han Ming could speak, Ying said coyly: “Young Master and the Princess Consort… had a small misunderstanding…” She didn’t explain further, cleverly avoiding Zhuang Han Ming’s disrespect toward Han Yan. Just these few words, coupled with Ying’s pitiful appearance, would make anyone uninformed immediately think Princess Consort was arrogant and bullying a servant. Their impression of Han Yan would naturally not be good.

But what Ying was most uncertain about was Fu Yun Xi’s attitude toward Han Yan.

If she were truly clever, just seeing how Fu Yun Xi personally brought Han Yan and her two maids to the Xuan Qing Prince Manor when she was in trouble would show how much he cared for his young Princess Consort. Ying’s words had touched his reverse scale.

Sure enough, Zhuang Han Ming didn’t even see how Fu Yun Xi moved. In the blink of an eye, there was a “thud” as Ying was sent flying. Fu Yun Xi’s snow-white sleeve moved slightly as if he hadn’t been the one who struck just now. He glanced at Zhuang Han Ming and said: “Get out.”

In the deep palace halls, a woman wore a floor-length rouge-colored gauze dress with double-sided gold embroidery. Her black hair was arranged in an exquisite celestial bun, her skin fair and beautiful, truly graceful and extremely alluring.

The maid beside her brought over some fragrant cream. Imperial Consort Chen extended her delicate jade fingers to dab some on the back of her hand, making her hands appear even more soft and boneless. It would be some time before the Emperor arrived. She raised her head to take a sip of tea. Having just bathed, her entire body’s skin appeared lustrous and tender, truly like a fairy from a painting. In the back palace, aside from the Empress and Empress Dowager, she was the most noble woman. The Emperor’s most beloved woman. While others fought for favor and love, she had obtained the Emperor’s love, but that wasn’t enough. What she wanted was that position.

She stood up gracefully and said to the palace maid at her side: “Let’s go to the outer courtyard.”