Her words seemed casual, but upon careful consideration, they were startling. Indeed, Elder Zhou visited the Zhuang Manor daily—even for sisters, it was excessive. After Zhuang Shi Yang’s affair with Elder Zhou began, he couldn’t wait to see her every day.
For a woman engaged in an affair, frequently visiting her lover’s house wasn’t unusual. What was strange was that despite Grand Tutor Zhang’s apparent devotion to Elder Zhou, during her long stays at the Zhuang Manor, no one ever came to summon her home! Elder Zhou’s face stiffened, and she lowered her head in apparent embarrassment. “The Grand Tutor knows of my deep sisterly bond and is very understanding. He hasn’t sent anyone to fetch me so I can spend more time with my sister.”
Han Yan let out an “Oh” and gave her an ambiguous smile. “The Grand Tutor’s love for Madam is indeed true, to be so thoughtful. But even if the Grand Tutor doesn’t miss you, surely our cousins must think of their mother daily. Who would have thought the Grand Tutor would be willing to let the young masters suffer, just so Madam can stay here to comfort Sister-in-law—how incredibly thoughtful indeed.”
Though her words seemed proper, she emphasized “incredibly thoughtful” with particular clarity, giving them a different flavor. For a concubine to abandon her sons and husband, staying at another’s manor without her husband or sons summoning her, was too unusual. Though Zhuang Shi Yang favored Elder Zhou, his years in officialdom immediately helped him catch the suspicion in Han Yan’s words. Even if he was reluctant to part with Elder Zhou, if she and Grand Tutor Zhang were plotting against him, she couldn’t be allowed to stay. His gaze toward Elder Zhou instantly lost its previous warmth, replaced with doubt.
Elder Zhou hadn’t expected Han Yan’s single comment to make Zhuang Shi Yang suspicious. She was both annoyed and hateful but had no way to refute it. She could only look at Zhuang Shi Yang with apparent hurt. Though suspicious, seeing his beauty’s distress made his heart soften, and he waved his hand. “Enough talk, everyone return to your rooms.”
Han Yan smiled slightly. She wanted them to panic, to feel that if they didn’t eliminate her soon, major problems would arise. Only then would the Zhou sisters desperately try to bring her down, and in their desperation, they would be most likely to make mistakes.
This return to the Zhuang Manor was to collect her debts.
Zhuang Qin gave Han Yan a thoughtful look, her eyes darkening, but said nothing. Zhuang Han Ming moved his lips, but since Han Yan’s gaze never fell on him, he swallowed his words. Zhou glared hatefully at Han Yan before leaving arm-in-arm with Elder Zhou. Han Yan walked gracefully toward Qing Qiu Garden. At the very least, she had now planted a thorn between Zhuang Shi Yang and Elder Zhou. When this thorn would choke Zhuang Shi Yang depended on Elder Zhou’s actions.
The people of Qing Qiu Garden were overjoyed to see Han Yan return. Now that she was the Xuan Qing Wang Fei, and the Xuan Qing Wang’s evident doting on her had been witnessed several times, they all stood taller. In just this short year, Han Yan had imperceptibly gained status in the Zhuang Manor. Those who used to bully the mother and daughter now didn’t dare mock them easily.
Upon returning to her room, Han Yan first sought out Mama Chen. Seeing Han Yan unharmed, Mama Chen first sighed in relief, then held her for a long while. Finally, Han Yan smiled and asked her, “Has anything significant happened in the manor these days?”
Mama Chen reported truthfully. During Han Yan’s absence, things had been relatively peaceful. Concubine Mei focused on her pregnancy, and Zhou rarely left Gong Tong Garden to rest, but Elder Zhou and Zhuang Shi Yang’s relationship had become more blatant. The servants didn’t dare comment, especially as Zhuang Shi Yang’s temperament had grown increasingly gloomy. Here, Mama Chen found something puzzling: “Neither Concubine Mei nor Zhou are pushovers. With the Master and Elder Zhou so intimate, even if Zhou won’t speak against her sister, how could Concubine Mei let it be?”
Han Yan smiled slightly. Concubine Mei was currently struggling to protect herself. While others saw her belly growing daily, expecting a child’s birth, Han Yan knew Concubine Mei wasn’t carrying the Master’s child. She was trying to figure out how to conceal this fact—how could she worry about Elder Zhou?
Seeing that Concubine Mei showed no signs of planning to adopt a child from outside, could she be planning that route? Thinking this, Han Yan frowned. “Mama Chen, has Concubine Zhou spoken with Concubine Mei recently?”
Mama Chen thought carefully. “Now that Young Miss mentions it, this old servant recalls that Concubine Zhou did visit Fu Rong Garden several times recently. The servants say it’s because Concubine Zhou has given up hope of becoming the principal wife and is trying to curry favor with Concubine Mei. Concubine Mei, perhaps seeing that Concubine Zhou can’t cause much trouble now, was quite cordial to her. But they’ve grown distant again these days.” Mama Chen looked at Han Yan, seeing her thoughtful expression, and asked, “Does Young Miss suspect something?”
Han Yan shook her head. “Mama Chen, please keep an eye on Concubine Zhou and Concubine Mei’s activities. If they meet, have two maids follow them.”
Though Mama Chen didn’t understand, she nodded. After she left, Han Yan turned to Ji Lan and Shu Hong. “What do you two think of this?”
Ji Lan tilted her head in thought. “Concubine Mei and Concubine Zhou have never gotten along. Being cordial is impossible no matter what. Moreover, Concubine Mei is harsh by nature, and now that she’s pregnant, she’d be even less likely to regard Concubine Zhou highly.”
But Shu Hong said, “Young Miss, both of them have conflicting interests with you. Now… we must proceed carefully.”
Han Yan sighed deeply. “I underestimated her. Human hearts are unfathomable—she wants to break our alliance.” Han Yan smiled. “Very well, we’ll deal with her too.”
Her round little face had grown thinner, now barely the size of a palm, her eyes so bright they could drown someone, but carrying a deadly coldness.
Ji Lan and Shu Hong exchanged glances, both flashing with joy. Somehow, since spending more time with the Xuan Qing Wang, their Young Miss had acquired that kind of arrogant nobility, refusing to compromise with anyone. She acted more decisively than before and showed an indescribable courage. As servants, they were naturally pleased to see Han Yan’s transformation—their Young Miss had endured long enough. It was time to let those people see what kind of person their Young Miss truly was.
That afternoon, Concubine Zhou, accompanied by two maids, came to Fu Rong Garden.
Fu Rong Garden’s furnishings had become more exquisite than before, with added luxurious items. Since Concubine Mei’s pregnancy, the Master’s rewards have been constant. Currently, Concubine Mei was reclining on a couch, listlessly drinking flower tea brought by a maid.
This tea was specially prepared on the Master’s orders, and contained many precious medicines. The more she drank, the more troubled she became. She looked at her belly, where a round small pillow was stuffed, making it look exactly like a real pregnancy.