“I was just scaring her,” Han Yan smiled. “A Princess is far more prestigious than him.” Han Yan no longer called Zhuang Shi Yang “Father,” partly because he had failed in his paternal duties both emotionally and responsibly, but also because Han Yan had subconsciously begun to believe he wasn’t her biological father. The information that the late A Bi had revealed, intentionally or not, made her suspect there was more to the story.

This reminded her of the embroidered handkerchief she’d given Fu Yun Xi a year ago. After discovering it belonged to someone from the Tang clan, there had been no further developments. Later, Fu Yun Xi went to war, and the matter was gradually forgotten. Though Fu Yun Xi had returned now, given their current relationship, he probably wouldn’t help her investigate further. So, she would have to investigate herself.

But how to investigate?

“Miss,” Shu Hong interrupted her thoughts, “shall we go?”

Han Yan nodded, picked up her bundle, and stepped out first. Strangely, she didn’t feel sad. There were many things she couldn’t judge right now, but one thing was certain – sitting idle wasn’t her style. If she didn’t clear things up, only heaven knew what would become of her continuing in confusion.

As she walked through Prince Xuan Qing mansion’s main gate, Han Yan felt someone watching her from behind. She turned around, but there was nothing there, just emptiness. Ji Lan and Shu Hong looked at her questioningly. Han Yan smiled, “Let’s go.”

Perhaps it was her imagination – in that illusion, someone watched her leave silently, perhaps with a lingering gaze that made her heart ache.

In the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor sat high in the hall, his dragon-embroidered yellow robe trailing to the ground. Compared to a year ago, his face showed more weathering, his brow heavy with concern, as if facing an intractable problem without a solution.

A silver-armored general knelt in the hall. Cheng Lei kept his head down, kneeling silently. With no movement from above, he dared not rise, just knelt quietly. After an unknown time, a leisurely voice came from above: “General Cheng.”

“Your servant is here!” Cheng Lei respectfully answered.

The Emperor spoke slowly: “We hear Zhuang Han Yan has voluntarily moved out of Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion.”

Cheng Lei’s body trembled. So soon? But why would Han Yan voluntarily…

“She knows her place,” the Emperor’s tone was indiscernible between pleasure and anger. “We thought she would wait for Our decree before leaving.”

Cheng Lei didn’t respond; at this point, anything he said would be wrong – he could only listen silently. But the Emperor clearly had no intention of letting him off, immediately asking: “How do you think We should deal with Zhuang Han Yan?”

“Your servant… your servant doesn’t know!” Cheng Lei replied. The Emperor’s thoughts were always unfathomable, especially this one, Fu Yun Xi’s brother, who was never foolish.

“Don’t know?” The Emperor laughed coldly. “Hasn’t Prince Xuan Qing mentioned how he wants Us to deal with Zhuang Han Yan?”

“The Prince has never mentioned it to your servant,” Cheng Lei said.

This was true – Fu Yun Xi hadn’t told him his plans about this matter, so Cheng Lei didn’t know what he was thinking. But in the current situation, Fu Yun Xi surely wasn’t feeling well either. Yet how could they have known so much would happen later?

The Emperor looked at him, his tone sinking: “We know you’ve always been close to Prince Xuan Qing. In the future, keep an eye on his actions. If anything happens, report to Us.”

This was almost explicitly suggesting Cheng Lei become the Emperor’s spy. Cheng Lei neither refused nor agreed, but suddenly spoke: “Your Majesty, your servant has something he’s unsure whether to say.”

The Emperor coldly looked at him: “If you know you shouldn’t say it, then don’t.” Seeing Cheng Lei fall silent, he irritably rubbed his temple: “Speak!”

Cheng Lei respectfully said: “Yes!” Then continued: “Your Majesty acts with the Prince’s interests in mind, but having followed the Prince for many years, I know his nature – he’s never been one to be controlled. Even if you can control him to do certain things now, nothing in this world can constrain him forever. When he breaks free later and becomes uncontrollable, what then?”

These words were extremely subtle, seemingly only comprehensible to the two of them. Hearing Cheng Lei’s words, the Emperor’s expression immediately darkened. “Are you questioning Us?”

Cheng Lei replied: “Your servant wouldn’t dare.”

The Emperor coldly said: “This isn’t your concern. You may leave.”

Cheng Lei bit his lip: “Yes.” He bowed and withdrew. The Emperor sat high in the hall, his expression inscrutable. Cheng Lei’s words weren’t without reason. Fu Yun Xi had always been proud as the heavens – what in this world could truly constrain him? But he had no choice. Even without this matter, Zhuang Han Yan and Fu Yun Xi couldn’t be together. Fu Yun Xi’s love for Zhuang Han Yan was his first love. Members of the imperial family shouldn’t be so emotional – having a love-struck child wasn’t necessarily good. He sighed deeply, his eyes showing rare melancholy. Even the Emperor, who held absolute power over life and death, showed unusual vulnerability. “Mother, is what I’m doing right or wrong?”

At the Zhuang Mansion.

Qing Qiu Garden remained unchanged, except the rooms were covered in dust, showing the servants hadn’t bothered to clean – they had completely abandoned this area, or rather, abandoned her. On the way back, though the mansion’s servants dared not say anything openly, their mocking expressions made Ji Lan very uncomfortable. Fortunately, Zhuang Shi Yang wasn’t home today, apparently visiting some colleagues. This was curious – Zhuang Shi Yang’s career prospects had been virtually hopeless a year ago, yet colleagues still invited him. This was indeed strange. Han Yan pondered – this colleague’s timing was too convenient, inviting Zhuang Shi Yang just as she returned to the mansion. Perhaps, she lowered her head, she’d lived peacefully for too long, so long she’d almost forgotten there were still many people watching her like tigers eyeing their prey.

It took an entire afternoon to clean Qing Qiu Garden. Zhuang Shi Yang hadn’t returned, and evening had fallen. Han Yan had the kitchen prepare some simple dishes, ate casually, and then moved a rattan chair to the courtyard to drink tea.

She didn’t want to drink tea – she just couldn’t sleep. The cool breeze outside helped clear her mind. She had many things to do. In two days would come her bet with Yang Qi about the torrential rain and flooding. Once Yang Qi believed her words, she could learn information from him.