“You… you’re spouting nonsense!” Madam Zhou was furious. While she dared not offend the Seventh Prince, she found herself unable to refute Han Yan’s words. Yet, she couldn’t allow Han Yan to continue speaking such nonsense, as it would leave her no room for maneuver.
The Seventh Prince stared intently at Han Yan, realizing that today’s plans were likely ruined. He had originally come just to watch the drama unfold, and if Han Yan could be eliminated in the process, he would have been delighted. Han Yan was simply too clever, having deliberately or unknowingly thwarted his plans several times. Without realizing it, the Seventh Prince had come to view Han Yan as a thorn in his side. Now, this Han Yan had even dragged him into the mess, making it difficult to extract himself cleanly.
“If Concubine speaks this way, Han Yan truly doesn’t know what to do.” Her gaze fell upon Prince Wei and the others, first casting a casual glance at Zhuang Yu-Shan. Zhuang Yu Shan knew that Han Yan had outmaneuvered them again, and her expression had turned quite unsightly. Though she wanted to save Madam Zhou, she dared not act rashly, after all, she was now part of Prince Wei’s household, and one wrong move could bring trouble to the Prince’s estate. Han Yan paid no mind to such concerns. None of those presents who knew the truth would escape today, she thought as she smiled cautiously: “Han Yan fears others might say she’s bullying people by relying on the Xuan Qing Prince’s estate. Why don’t we let Young Master Wei judge today’s matter?”
Wei Ru Feng was startled, not expecting Han Yan to throw this difficult question at him. He immediately looked at Han Yan, who was watching him with a half-smile, her gaze thick with mockery.
This question was not easy to answer. If he said there was nothing wrong with the Taoist priest, it would indirectly acknowledge that the Zhou sisters were indeed evil spirits. Since Zhuang Yu Shan was his secondary wife, if the Zhou sisters were compromised, Zhuang Yu Shan’s reputation would suffer as well. How would the capital view him for marrying a demon woman? Wei Ru Feng had always placed utmost importance on his face, being someone who cared deeply about others’ opinions. He would never do anything that might damage his reputation. But if he questioned Master Jing Xu, wouldn’t that implicate the Seventh Prince? After all, this Taoist priest had been invited with the Seventh Prince’s calling card. Both choices were wrong, and Wei Ru Feng could not afford to offend the Seventh Prince. Thinking of this, he bowed slightly to Han Yan: “Miss Zhuang, this is ultimately a family matter of the Zhuang household. This Young Master cannot make a judgment. Please decide for yourself, Miss Zhuang.”
Han Yan didn’t get angry, she just smiled and turned to Zhuang Shi Yang: “What does Father think?”
When she called him “Father” now, it was cold and emotionless, merely a formal address. To Zhuang Shi Yang’s ears, it was particularly jarring. But at this moment, how could he care about such things? Zhuang Shi Yang was already at his wit’s end, not knowing what to do. He absolutely could not admit to the affair with Elder Madam Zhou, and he didn’t know how today’s events had turned out this way. First, Concubine Mei had miscarried, then a Taoist priest came saying Han Yan had summoned evil spirits, but the birth date turned out to be Madam Zhou’s, and evidence was found of his affair with Elder Madam Zhou. Everything was a fatal blow to him. Now the only thing he could do was firmly deny any relationship with Elder Madam Zhou.
“I have no relationship with Madam Zhou,” Zhuang Shi Yang emphasized. “Someone must be framing us.”
“Someone is framing you?” Han Yan appeared puzzled. “Madam Zhou says someone is framing her, Concubine Zhou says someone is framing her, and now even Father says someone is framing him. Hehe.” She turned her head toward the rigid and silent Master Jing Xu: “Then, Master, why don’t you explain?”
Master Jing Xu was already trembling in fear. Despite the early spring chill, he was drenched in sweat, his gray Taoist robe half-soaked. Now when he looked at Han Yan, his gaze had changed from initial lustful thoughts to one of fear and trepidation. He hadn’t expected a simple scheme to suddenly turn on its head, with himself becoming the disadvantaged party. The person who had paid him beforehand hadn’t mentioned that this young lady was such a formidable character.
“Master has also heard, the Seventh Prince just said this is our Zhuang family’s private matter,” Han Yan helplessly spread her hands and said, “If Master doesn’t explain clearly, then I won’t know whose words are true, and whether there was any framing involved. I’ll have no choice but to tell the Prince and let him decide. However…” She smiled slightly. “The Prince rarely involves himself in such trivial matters, and might very well let the officials handle it instead. You know those officials are quite fierce, and once you’re in prison, who knows what terrible methods they might use on those who won’t speak.”
Her words were unhurried, carrying a hint of playfulness, yet contained an underlying chill that made one’s heart tremble. She had deliberately detailed the possible terrible consequences in prison. Master Jing Xu, who had always been a fraud, had never been caught before and had never experienced life in prison. Being cowardly and fearful, as soon as Han Yan mentioned sending him to the officials, his heart immediately collapsed. He fell to his knees, repeatedly kowtowing to Han Yan: “Miss, please spare me! Miss, please spare me! This lowly one only took money to do someone else’s bidding, the mastermind isn’t this humble servant.”
Finally, he confessed. Han Yan mentally applauded herself. After talking so much and working so hard for half a day, now she could finally close the net. It’s easier to invite spirits than to send them away – now that Master Jing Xu had been invited by the Zhou sisters, it would be difficult to send him back. The Zhou sisters would have to face the consequences of their actions.
The Seventh Prince tightly clenched his fist, looking at Han Yan with an extremely dark expression. He didn’t know why this woman was always so lucky, or perhaps… she had known everything about the plan all along, which was why she could so casually turn the tables. Thinking of this, his gaze toward Han Yan became even more terrifying. A clever opponent wasn’t frightening; what was frightening was a clever opponent who could predict everything. The Seventh Prince recalled every time he had seen Han Yan – whenever she was in trouble, she never showed panic or helplessness but remained as composed as if she could control the entire situation. She had won every battle beautifully, as if she knew everything that would happen in advance. Once or twice could be a coincidence, but too many times made it extremely frightening.
Zhuang Yu Shan bit her lip hard, preventing herself from doing anything crazy to Han Yan. She could only watch as her mother and aunt were countered by Han Yan, left powerless to argue and at a disadvantage. Why! Why could this woman so easily resolve difficult situations? She was truly her nemesis! Even in such circumstances, she could turn the situation around! Why!
Sensing Zhuang Yu Shan’s hatred, Han Yan merely smiled slightly. Madam Zhou and Elder Madam Zhou had collapsed to the ground, unable to think of anything now. Today’s events had happened too suddenly, and the crimes laid at their feet – adultery, bringing harm to father and husband – were each extremely serious. Being too emotionally involved to think clearly, even the usually scheming Elder Madam Zhou couldn’t think of a way to respond.