Zhou Shi’s expression changed. Once the figure was far away, she spat viciously on the ground: “What trash! Nothing but a neglected cheap woman, yet she dares to give me such looks!”
Lady Li at her side glanced around the room and said: “This old servant sees that Concubine Wan doesn’t know what’s good for her. Madam honoring her with an invitation was elevating her status, yet she shows such poor judgment. Truly foolish.”
“Enough,” Zhou Shi said impatiently. “Say less. I see there’s not one easy person to deal with in this household. Let’s return to our courtyard—we have matters to discuss.”
Meanwhile, Han Yan walked to the flower beds before Wan Xiang Pavilion. The early winter plum blossoms were on the verge of blooming, adding to the scenery’s beauty. A subtle fragrance drifted through the air, complementing the secluded greenery with fresh elegance.
A game of Go was set up on the central stone table. Han Yan’s interest was piqued, and she pulled Zhuang Qin over: “I’ve heard Third Sister is exceptional at Go. Why not play a match with me?”
Zhuang Qin spoke softly: “It’s not so impressive—I’ve just studied a bit. Fourth Young Miss shouldn’t exaggerate.”
Han Yan frowned briefly but quickly smiled: “Why say so much? Come, let’s set up the board.”
On the side, Zhuang Yu Shan was thoroughly dejected. For some reason, Han Yan remained extremely cold toward her. Though they were supposedly touring the garden together, from start to finish, Han Yan held Zhuang Qin’s hand and talked with her, leaving Zhuang Yu Shan aside. When she tried to join the conversation, Han Yan would casually deflect or ignore her, seemingly deliberately maintaining distance.
Zhuang Yu Shan sensitively perceived Han Yan’s hostility. But why? She had followed her mother’s instructions, trying to please and get close to her, yet Han Yan maintained the airs of a marquis’s daughter in exile. It was truly hateful. Without Han Yan, everything would be hers—no, everything should have been hers to begin with! Why should Zhuang Han Yan possess it all? Mother said she…
As Zhuang Yu Shan’s resentment grew, her pretty face twisted. Han Yan, still playing Go, observed this all while calmly placing a white stone on the board.
Yun’er, the maid attending Zhuang Yu Shan, said angrily: “Young Miss, how can they treat you this way?”
Hearing this, Zhuang Yu Shan’s heart jumped, and she gradually calmed down. Turning her head to see Han Yan and the others absorbed in their game, paying her no attention, she grew angry again. She had always excelled in everything, always the center of attention wherever she went. But since entering this household, she couldn’t wear beautiful clothes, had to hide her talents, and even had to lower her head to curry favor with the girl before her—it was truly unbearable. She turned decisively to Yun’er: “They’re enjoying themselves so much, I won’t stupidly wait here. Never mind them, I’ll explore on my own.” With that, she strode into the flower garden.
Yun’er hurriedly followed. Han Yan didn’t even lift her eyes, but Shu Hong, who had been serving tea, handed the teapot to Ji Lan and left.
Han Yan seemed completely immersed in the game. After a long while, her right hand holding a stone hesitantly hovered over a spot, only to have a black stone immediately placed in response.
“I lost,” Han Yan sighed, making a bitter face. “It’s the fifth game, why do I keep losing?”
Zhuang Qin smiled: “You’re too eager for results. Though you think before placing stones, you only consider the immediate moves. I’ve been planning since placing my first stone. For every move you make, I already had counters prepared.”
Han Yan started, looking up to see the young woman holding a stone, seemingly casually saying: “Life is like Go—once a stone is placed, there’s no taking it back. So every game must be played with sincerity, leaving nothing to chance.”
“Third Sister is truly skilled,” Han Yan said with a smile. “I accept my defeat wholeheartedly.”
Zhuang Qin shook her head. Perhaps due to their games together, the distance between them had invisibly shortened, and her speech grew more cheerful: “Let’s stop here for today. Concubine Mother is waiting for me to make osmanthus cakes with her.”
Han Yan smiled: “Concubine Wan treats you like a child.” Then added softly: “Actually, I envy you…” At least your mother is still alive.
Zhuang Qin started. Before her, the young girl with two round buns showed maturity and sadness in her expression that didn’t match her age. Her heart softened, and she patted Han Yan’s head: “Everything will be fine.”
This intimate gesture first stunned Han Yan, then warmth filled her heart, and she smiled: “I hope so.”
Zhuang Qin looked around and asked: “I wonder where Young Lady Yu Shan went?”
The title “Young Lady Yu-Shan” naturally indicated that in Zhuang Qin’s heart, Zhuang Yu Shan was merely an outside concubine’s daughter, an unrecognized status. Han Yan smiled: “No need to mind her. Let her wander as she wishes—stopping her would only make her resent us.”
Zhuang Qin said no more and left with her maid.
After Zhuang Qin left, Han Yan stood in place, lowered her head in thought for a while, and muttered to herself: “I never knew Third Sister was so wise.”
Ji Lan draped a cloak over Han Yan: “This servant remembers Young Miss used to follow Third Young Miss around when you were little, but as you grew older, interactions with Furong Garden became less frequent.”
There must be some hidden story there. Han Yan raised an eyebrow—though memories of her childhood were blurred, Zhuang Qin’s wisdom contrasted sharply with her usual presentation as a plain, timid concubine’s daughter.
Why hadn’t she disguised herself in front of Han Yan? Han Yan propped her chin with one hand, secretly considering. And what were Zhuang Qin’s words about Go trying to hint at?
Still pondering, she saw Shu Hong return from outside.
“Anything to report?” Han Yan asked.
Shu Hong shook her head: “Young Lady Yu Shan just walked around the flower beds before returning to her courtyard, but…”
Han Yan’s eyes brightened: “But what?”
“But this servant saw Lady Li from Concubine Zhou’s side talking with Steward Lin for a long time. Lady Li gave Steward Lin a gold hairpin. This servant was too far to get closer.”
Ji Lan exclaimed in surprise: “Lady Li just entered the household—how is she already so familiar with Steward Lin?”
Han Yan’s eyes grew cold. Steward Lin had served in the household for decades and was a longtime retainer. When Mother was alive, he helped with all manner of affairs. Zhou Shi came with ill intent, and her servants naturally weren’t good people. That gold hairpin wasn’t an ordinary item—Lady Li giving it to Steward Lin must have been on Zhou Shi’s orders, payment for his cooperation.
However, as Ji Lan said, Zhou Shi had just entered the household—how could she be so familiar with Steward Lin already? Even if Steward Lin was a weathervane who followed the wind, anyone with sense would cautiously observe for a few days first. So, did Steward Lin have a connection with Lady Li before Zhou Shi entered the household, or was he bought afterward?