Seeing his uncertain expression, Han Yan clapped her hands and said coolly, “Now, can you step aside?”

Hearing this, the guard quickly moved aside to let Han Yan pass—a reflexive action—but he still felt resentful. Having decided to side with Western Rong Princess Ai Lin Na, and knowing she and Han Yan were opponents, he naturally wanted to curry favor with Ai Lin Na by making things difficult for Han Yan. Although Han Yan’s words had frightened him somewhat, she would soon be leaving the prince’s mansion because… He said quietly, but with a hint of schadenfreude: “Does Young Lady Zhuang know? Last night, someone saw you sharing a room with a strange man at an inn, for the entire night.”

Han Yan whirled around, her gaze cutting toward him like a knife.

The guard initially flinched but then thought to himself that an eight-foot-tall man shouldn’t fear an unarmed girl, so he defiantly met Han Yan’s gaze.

Han Yan glared at him, asking coldly, “Where did you hear this?”

“It’s being talked about everywhere in the streets,” the guard replied. Seeing Han Yan’s reaction, he became more convinced of her guilt and felt even more contempt for her. As soon as she knew she couldn’t become Princess Consort, she got involved with another man—truly an immoral woman. The Prince was fortunate not to have married her. What man would want a wife who made him a cuckold before even entering the household? With this thought, he added: “The Prince already knows about this matter and has sent people to look for you. Unexpectedly… Young Lady has returned on her own.” His words were dripping with sarcasm, condemning Han Yan’s impropriety and impurity inside and out.

Han Yan stood there in a daze, her mind in chaos.

Fu Yun Xi knew about this? How had news spread so quickly? This guard probably wasn’t lying, but yesterday when she was with Zhuo Qi, she had worn a veil and had been extremely careful not to let anyone notice anything unusual. They had returned to the mansion early this morning—how could so many people know about this in such a short time? Unless someone had deliberately spread the news. But nobody had been following her yesterday; if someone had been, they would have been detected. With Zhuo Qi’s martial arts skills, it seemed impossible for someone to go completely unnoticed.

Could Zhuo Qi have done this? Had he deliberately leaked the information? But what benefit would that bring him?

Han Yan couldn’t sort out the connections for a moment, but Fu Yun Xi had ordered people to search for her—wasn’t this just making the situation worse, letting everyone know she had spent a night with a strange man? What would the people of the capital think of her? Han Yan’s anger and shock gradually subsided, leaving only desolation flowing from her heart. Perhaps in this life too, she had misjudged people, misjudged Fu Yun Xi. He was only protecting himself, willing to push her into the fire, letting the capital’s people think she was a loose woman while he avoided any negative commentary.

How pitiful she was!

Seeing Han Yan’s expression growing increasingly dark, the guard became bolder and spoke even more freely: “Perhaps Young Lady Zhuang was too hasty. If you wanted to meet someone, you should have waited until after leaving the prince’s mansion. Remember, it was Young Lady who asked to stay here initially, yet now you act like this—perhaps you want to leave already?”

Ji Lan and Shu Hong had been listening in shock from the side. Shu Hong particularly regretted not insisting that Han Yan return to the mansion last night. If she had been more persistent, today’s situation wouldn’t have occurred, and Han Yan wouldn’t have given others ammunition to use against her. To think that even a gate guard could mock her about this—it was her oversight. Now, Han Yan must be heartbroken.

Ji Lan’s eyes reddened with anger. From the start, she had been furious with this foul-mouthed guard. He was a lackey trying to please that Ai Lin Na. How dare he bully their Young Miss like this! Hearing his increasingly offensive words, she rolled up her sleeves: “Shut your mouth!” She was about to rush forward to fight.

“Stop!” Just then, a voice came from behind. The guard’s hand froze, and he quickly lowered his head: “Guard Mu.”

Han Yan followed his gaze and saw Mu Feng standing a few steps away, quickly walking over. He looked at the guard, then at Ji Lan, showing an expression of understanding. He coldly told the guard: “You may leave. Someone else will take over.”

“Guard Mu…” The man wanted to protest, but Mu Feng’s rank was far above his, and he was close to the Prince. No matter how dissatisfied he was, he dared not speak out. He could only glare viciously at Ji Lan before leaving angrily.

“Oh, if it isn’t Guard Mu.” Ji Lan looked at Mu Feng sideways. Now everyone around Fu Yun Xi appeared detestable to her—whoever bullied her Young Miss was the worst sort of person. She smiled insincerely: “How dare we trouble someone of your status? Please don’t diminish yourself for us.”

Mu Feng dropped his usual lively enthusiasm and looked helplessly at Ji Lan, saying softly: “Don’t be like this… I…” Unable to find words to convince Ji Lan, he turned a pleading gaze toward Han Yan, hoping she would smooth things over. But to his disappointment, Han Yan just stood quietly, looking at him without any emotion, as if she were looking through him or seeing nothing at all.

This side of Han Yan was rare. At least before, she had usually smiled at Mu Feng and Mu Yan, and even in very thorny situations, she rarely showed such a cold expression to those close to her. It was as if they had no connection at all. Mu Feng felt a wave of sadness; he could imagine Han Yan’s feelings, but there was nothing he could do—he was just a servant after all.

Ji Lan walked past him, deliberately bumping his shoulder: “Hypocrite!”

“Please trouble Guard Mu to inform the Prince,” Han Yan suddenly spoke, looking at him coldly. “We will be leaving the prince’s mansion today. Farewell.”

Mu Feng was startled: “This…”

Although Shu Hong and Ji Lan were very surprised by Han Yan’s decision, Ji Lan was quite happy. For her, watching Han Yan suffer here was far worse than facing neglect at the Zhuang residence. She said, “Then Young Miss, shall we go pack now?”

Han Yan nodded. Mu Feng hesitantly glanced at Ji Lan and said: “You should tell the Prince yourself. The Prince… he might have something to say to you.”

“Is that necessary?” Han Yan coldly dropped these words. For some reason, she felt no emotion now, only cold, so very cold. She had always told herself that if she achieved her revenge and continued living in this world, she should smile often, even if only for Fu Yun Xi’s sake. She should love those around her and not hate easily. Hating someone was too bitter. But she hadn’t expected that when a person’s heart grows cold, even hate becomes a luxury. She could neither hate nor love.