Last night, she had vaguely sensed Fu Yun Xi by her side. Not seeing him upon waking left her feeling somewhat disappointed.
Ji Lan, still tearful but smiling, said: “Don’t worry, Young Miss. His Lordship didn’t leave your side for a moment yesterday. He even personally wiped your wounds and changed the water. His Lordship truly cares for you. He left early this morning for court, likely to report yesterday’s assassination attempt to His Majesty.”
Hearing how Fu Yun Xi had stayed by her side, Han Yan couldn’t describe her feelings. She realized that every time she was in danger, Fu Yun Xi would come to save her. She couldn’t deny being moved, yet in that moment when she thought death was imminent, she had found herself thinking: “Someone else will have to be the Xuan Qing Princess now.” This thought brought an extremely uncomfortable feeling as if someone were trying to take what was hers.
While lost in thought, she heard a familiar voice from outside: “Sister!”
Han Yan turned to see Zhuang Han Ming standing at the doorway, his face full of shame, hesitating to enter. Han Yan remained silent, watching him quietly.
Tears welled up in Zhuang Han Ming’s eyes. Yesterday, when the crowd began to riot, Ying Zi had suddenly pulled him aside. At first, he hadn’t noticed anything amiss, until he realized she was dragging him toward the center of the chaos. When he tried to break free, she pressed a knife against his back. Zhuang Han Ming’s heart had turned cold, followed by intense anger. He had never doubted this girl, even arguing with Han Yan for her sake, but now he understood she had come with ulterior motives. After Ying Zi held him hostage for a while, she suddenly kicked him in the back – a kick too powerful for a fragile young maid, clearly from someone trained in martial arts. At that moment, a man with a sword rushed forward and began beating him. Strangely, they didn’t seem to want his life, while Ying Zi shouted in apparent panic from the side as if it were all an act. He eventually lost consciousness and knew nothing of what happened afterward. When he awoke at the Zhuang manor, he learned from the maids about how Han Yan had risked her life alone to save him and the Crown Prince.
A flood of shame, regret, anger, and sorrow overwhelmed him. He came to the Xuan Qing Prince’s manor, learned of Han Yan’s injuries, and felt even more anxious. While worried about her injuries, he also felt too ashamed to face her. Seeing her now brought relief that her condition wasn’t serious, but her cold indifference pained his heart.
Han Yan sighed: “I’m fine. You should go home now.” Though she said this, her tone remained distant. Zhuang Han Ming felt bitter but dared not anger her, knowing he had hurt her by trusting a stranger with ill intentions. After cursing himself a thousand times internally, he finally said: “Sister, I’ll go then.” He glanced at Han Yan once more, saw her staring out the window, then steeled himself and left.
Ji Lan and Shu Hong dared not speak. They sided with Han Yan in their hearts. Since childhood, she had deeply loved this young master, and after their mother’s death, she had thought only of his wellbeing. Yet last time he had argued with her unreasonably, and this time he had caused her such misfortune. They couldn’t help but harbor some resentment. However, seeing Zhuang Han Ming’s dejected state, Ji Lan couldn’t help saying: “The Young Master looks quite pitiful.”
After all, this young master who had never experienced great hardship had suddenly lost his mother in her prime, had an uncaring father, and despite his pure heart, had been suddenly deceived, losing his sister’s affection. Perhaps now Zhuang Han Ming would need to think carefully about things.
“This is for his good,” Han Yan sighed. “I could protect him once, but not for a lifetime. I hope he can see now…” Zhuang Han Ming still didn’t understand the world’s dangers. If someone were to manipulate him, he could easily become another’s pawn. Previously, she had focused only on caring for him, forgetting that once she married into the Xuan Qing Prince’s manor, he would be alone and vulnerable in the Zhuang household. At such times, only by becoming strong himself could he avoid being poisoned by others. This incident could be considered a lesson – at least from now on, Zhuang Han Ming would be more cautious in similar situations, and not so reckless. Great households were places that devoured people, full of either open strife or life-and-death struggles. Han Yan hoped Zhuang Han Ming could see their position as siblings.
Seeing her mood, Shu Hong quickly changed the subject to distract her, and soon they were laughing again.
After chatting for a while, it was nearly noon. Ji Lan and Shu Hong went to help in the kitchen, leaving Han Yan sitting alone, sighing as she recalled yesterday’s events, lost in thought.
The Seventh Prince and Empress Dowager caused such a commotion – did it mean they couldn’t wait any longer? But how could the Emperor remain uninvolved? He would surely be furious. Weren’t they afraid of being discovered? Han Yan frowned.
Moreover, why did the Western Rong have connections with the Da Zong people, even willing to die for them? Who had ties to Western Rong – the Empress Dowager, the Seventh Prince, or someone else? Unconsciously, she thought of Zhuo Qi. As members of the Western Rong royal family, could they have been involved? As she pondered, her expression grew serious, becoming lost in thought.
“Hey!” A voice suddenly rang out in the room, startling Han Yan. Looking up, she saw it was the Crown Prince.
Today, the young Crown Prince wasn’t wearing his usual golden attire but instead wore a begonia-colored robe. He looked like a finely carved jade doll, less imposing than before and more innocent. He looked at Han Yan with displeasure: “I called you several times. Why didn’t you answer?”
Han Yan inwardly sighed. No matter how he dressed, the Crown Prince’s temperament hadn’t changed at all. She replied helplessly: “I was lost in thought earlier. Please forgive me, Your Highness.” Though she said this, neither her expression nor her actions showed any trace of fear as if she truly didn’t take the Crown Prince seriously.
“How dare you!” The Crown Prince’s face turned red with anger. Seeing Han Yan’s unconcerned expression, he suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon and sat down on a nearby stool: “I came today to thank you.” He cleared his throat: “Bring in the items.” The guards waiting outside carried in three large chests.
Han Yan was stunned, not expecting this. She couldn’t help asking: “What is this for, Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince gestured for them to open the chests. The first was filled with silver. Han Yan felt a headache coming on – the Xuan Qing Prince’s manor certainly didn’t lack for silver. Though more silver was always good, whether for personal savings or to support Zhuang Han Ming, she absolutely couldn’t accept it coming from the Crown Prince.