The saying “a mother’s status rises with her son” was perfectly demonstrated in the Zhuang household. Through the child in her womb, Concubine Mei’s status transformed from that of a mere courtesan to the future presumptive mistress of the house.
Concubine Mei and Madam Zhou exchanged pleasant smiles, and Zhuang Shi Yang, seeing the harmony among his concubines, was naturally extremely pleased. Grand Tutor Zhang was also among the guests, saying he came to see his sister-in-law. For such an occasion, Zhuang Yu Shan naturally had to return home, and Wei Ru Feng, as the Zhuang family’s noble son-in-law, was certainly on the guest list.
Prince Wei and the Seventh Prince had also come. The Zhuang mansion had never been so lively. It was strange, though—Zhuang Shi Yang was merely a fifth-rank official, yet all his guests were high-ranking officials. The hidden implications of this were anyone’s guess.
In Qing Qiu Garden, Ji Lan was combing Han Yan’s hair when she heard the maids’ discussions outside. She wondered aloud: “They say all the nobles and officials have come, but why hasn’t the Prince arrived?”
Han Yan froze. She hadn’t seen Fu Yun Xi for quite some days, and he hadn’t even sent anyone a message. At this thought, a faint emotion arose in her heart—some dissatisfaction, some confusion, and some longing. They say a day apart feels like three autumns, and though Han Yan didn’t consider herself that fond of Fu Yun Xi, there was still a trace of yearning in her heart.
Through their interactions these days, Han Yan had come to understand what kind of person Fu Yun Xi was. Though he appeared cold on the outside, he was very considerate. His absence these days must mean he was busy with his affairs. If he had encountered some trouble… if he had encountered some trouble… Han Yan started, wondering why she had thought of this, and couldn’t help but smile. If he had encountered any trouble, with Fu Yun Xi’s capabilities, he could probably handle it himself.
Ji Lan continued chattering: “I heard that after Second Young Lady returned, she became quite arrogant. All the maids talk about how much Young Master Wei dotes on her. That’s because they haven’t seen how the Prince cherishes our Young Lady. The Prince’s status is far above Young Master Wei’s—they’re just blind to it.”
Han Yan laughed with a “chi” sound: “You’re so young, why are you so concerned with vanity? Let them compete among themselves; we needn’t pay attention.”
Even the usually silent Shu Hong couldn’t help speaking up: “How could Young Master Wei compare to the Prince? It’s like comparing jade to pebbles—they don’t know their place.”
Han Yan was startled, not expecting Shu Hong to think this way too. She suddenly realized that she had indeed been somewhat cold regarding matters concerning Fu Yun Xi. While everyone thought she had struck incredible fortune in securing Fu Yun Xi as a husband, she hadn’t considered that Fu Yun Xi himself was something to be proud of. She could use the title of Princess Consort of Xuan Qing to intimidate, threaten, and gain advantages, but all of this was because of Fu Yun Xi himself.
Fu Yun Xi himself was a resource, one more impressive than “thousands of acres of good land or countless gold and silver.” Like all women, she had some vanity, and once she understood this point, Han Yan smiled slightly: “Since you all think so highly of the Prince, it would be a waste of my position as Princess Consort not to use his name to have some fun.”
Ji Lan and Shu Hong started, both looking up at Han Yan, quite confused.
Han Yan patted her skirt and stood up: “With such festivities today if we don’t join in, people might say the future Princess Consort of Xuan Qing doesn’t know proper etiquette. Let’s go.” Her smile darkened: “We’ll have to face them anyway.”
In the main hall of the Zhuang mansion, the Zhou sisters were talking with Zhuang Yu Shan, while Zhuang Shi Yang was fawning over Prince Wei and the Seventh Prince, along with Grand Tutor Zhang and others. The men engaged in grand discussions while the women chatted pleasantly. Anyone who didn’t know better would think this was simply a harmonious celebration, never seeing the sharp edges hidden beneath the calm surface.
As soon as Han Yan entered the hall, the conversations unconsciously quieted.
This Fourth Young Lady of the Zhuang family was now the apple of Prince Xuan Qing’s eye. It was said she had even saved the Crown Prince’s life. She could no longer be treated as an ordinary young lady.
Today, Han Yan wore a light apricot-colored thin jacket with a sky-blue outer robe, and beneath it, a gold-embroidered butterfly pattern skirt. Her long hair was styled into two round buns, adorned with a blue jade fishtail hairpin, and on her wrist was an excellent quality emerald bracelet. Her skin was fair, her smile warm, and her eyes curved like crescent moons, making others want to smile along with her. Her lips were slightly curved as if smiling, but that smile contained a hint of mockery. Her black eyes were like fine jewels, carrying a light that seemed to see through everything. Though not an extravagant outfit, even rather simple and modest, it couldn’t hide her natural nobility. Standing among the crowd, she was like a crane among chickens, immediately outshining others.
Zhuang Yu Shan watched Han Yan standing there, a flash of jealousy crossing her eyes. She deliberately moved closer to Wei Ru Feng, softening her voice: “Fourth Sister, why have you come so late? I thought that becoming the Princess Consort of Xuan Qing meant you no longer considered us sisters worthy of your attention.”
Han Yan smiled slightly, surprisingly not refuting, just quietly staring at her. Zhuang Yu Shan gradually lost face, as she hadn’t expected Han Yan to embarrass her publicly. In the past, though they didn’t get along, Han Yan had always maintained appearances, at least not challenging her in front of so many people. But she didn’t understand that after everything Han Yan had been through, her status had changed. What was once necessary compromise was no longer needed, and with Fu Yun Xi’s protection, she naturally wouldn’t show mercy.
The atmosphere became tense. Zhuang Yu Shan was extremely embarrassed and harbored a deep hatred for Han Yan. She could only turn her pleading gaze toward Wei Ru Feng, but was stunned when she saw him—Wei Ru Feng was staring intently at Han Yan, with eyes for no one else.
Zhuang Yu Shan’s heart churned with misery. Since entering Prince Wei’s household, the Prince had despised her low birth and never valued her, while Wei Ru Feng only used her as a tool for pleasure. Zhuang Yu Shan knew Han Yan was the one in Wei Ru Feng’s heart. After her initial infatuation with Wei Ru Feng, she gradually faced reality and no longer adored him as before, only seeing him as someone to rely on to secure her position. But Wei Ru Feng didn’t even give her that chance. She wasn’t in his eyes at all, and her marriage to Prince Wei’s household was practically like being a widow. Worse still, she had to endure knowing that her husband’s beloved was the very person she despised most.
Han Yan didn’t know all these thoughts in her mind, but seeing Zhuang Yu Shan’s hostile gaze, she understood that this sister wasn’t harboring good intentions.
From the moment Han Yan entered, Wei Ru Feng’s gaze hadn’t left her. Somehow, he felt that this seemingly unremarkable woman was different every time he saw her. As she grew, she became more beautiful, more intelligent, more irresistible. That air of nobility about her gradually became impossible to suppress, as if it were innate, flowing from her very bones. Though just an ordinary young lady, her every movement was like that of an elegant noble, so similar to that person… that person was so alike.