Concubine Mei stared intently at Han Yan, while Han Yan gazed back at her without the slightest hesitation. Instead, it was Concubine Mei who began to feel uneasy. She knew Han Yan’s capabilities well enough—indeed, arranging her escape now would be a simple matter. Yet nothing in this world comes free. With Han Yan offering such generous terms, what exactly would she demand in return?
“What does Fourth Young Lady want me to do?” Concubine Mei asked seriously, setting aside her hesitation. By this point, she had already made up her mind—as long as she could leave this cursed place, anything was possible. Since Han Yan had the ability, she needed to seize this opportunity. Future complications could be dealt with later; there was no need to rush.
“My birth father is not Zhuang Shiyang,” Han Yan stated.
Concubine Mei was startled. She hadn’t yet learned to conceal her emotions, appearing far less composed than the Zhou sisters. The shocked expression that flashed across her face was instantly caught by Han Yan. Han Yan’s heart sank—indeed, Concubine Mei’s reaction seemed to confirm many things.
“You…” Concubine Mei was rendered completely speechless, only able to look at Han Yan with a mix of shock and fear.
“Concubine Mei should know who my birth father is, or rather, what my true identity is?” Han Yan asked unhurriedly.
Zhuo Qi was surprised, not expecting Han Yan to question Concubine Mei so directly in his presence. What he didn’t know was that Han Yan felt there was no need to hide this matter. What difference would it make if Zhuo Qi learned of her background? After all, he wasn’t part of the Great Zong Dynasty’s court; there weren’t so many conflicting interests at play.
Concubine Mei shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Han Yan didn’t give her a chance to continue, immediately saying, “In that case, the deal is off. Let’s go.” She turned to leave.
“Wait!” Concubine Mei hurriedly called out. She hadn’t expected Han Yan to turn away so decisively. When Han Yan had first raised this question, Concubine Mei had hesitated—this matter was of utmost importance, not something she could speak of carelessly. She had kept this secret for years to protect herself from trouble. Now she was being asked to trade this secret for freedom; both choices were difficult. Concubine Mei had hoped to buy time and consider further, thinking Han Yan’s urgency might lead to better terms. She never expected such a swift abandonment of negotiations. This completely contradicted Concubine Mei’s expectations, leaving her no time to react before hastily calling Han Yan back.
Han Yan, with her back to Concubine Mei, smiled slightly. She naturally understood Concubine Mei’s intentions. However, if Concubine Mei thought she could use this information to gain the upper hand and threaten her, she was gravely mistaken. Han Yan wouldn’t allow herself to be disadvantaged in this transaction, knowing that any sign of weakness would only embolden the other party, ultimately hampering her investigation of the entire matter. Right now, Concubine Mei needed her—she was her only hope. Concubine Mei wouldn’t easily let this chance slip away. By targeting her weakness, how could Concubine Mei not take the bait?
Zhuo Qi watched from the side, amazed. If Han Yan were to go into business, she would surely flourish. Her sharp mind, grasp of psychology, and subtle pressure tactics were impressive—yet her target remained unaware, even believing they had found a great opportunity.
Han Yan turned back, asking with feigned confusion, “Concubine Mei, if you don’t know anything, there’s no basis for a deal. Why did you call me back? Unless you do know something—in that case, what exactly are you trying to do?”
Concubine Mei realized she had no room left to maneuver. Bargaining with Han Yan would be unwise, as this young girl held complete control over her fate. Despite her resentment and fury, she couldn’t risk destroying her only hope for the future. So she said, “I was mistaken, Fourth Young Lady. I do know about this matter.”
“Knowing about it makes things simpler.” Han Yan sat down by the prison bars. “We have plenty of time. These guards won’t wake for at least three hours. Concubine Mei can tell the story at her leisure.”
“I can tell you,” Concubine Mei fixed her gaze on Han Yan. “But you must ensure I can get out and live well.” She was still uncertain, perhaps because this stroke of fortune seemed too sudden to believe.
“Of course,” Han Yan looked at her. “I’ll also give you some silver. Though not a huge amount, it will be enough to live comfortably for several years.”
“Fourth Young Lady is indeed generous.” Concubine Mei smiled a smile that revealed traces of her former beauty, showing glimpses of the stunning woman she once was.
“But that depends on whether Concubine Mei’s information proves valuable,” Han Yan said slowly. “If I discover you’re lying, the deal is void. Concubine Mei should know that I excel at detecting lies.” She gradually increased the pressure, causing a flutter of panic in Concubine Mei’s heart. This panic eliminated any remaining thoughts of deception. She began to speak, and through her words, Han Yan learned an earth-shattering secret—one that concerned her entire life and would alter her future destiny.
Han Yan’s mother, Lady Wang, had once been a beautiful young woman innocent to the ways of the world. Well-known in the capital for her talents, she was a gentle and beautiful unmarried lady of a good family background. Naturally, suitors had worn down her family’s doorstep. However, Lady Wang’s heart belonged to only one person—her childhood sweetheart, the Eastern Marquis Wang.
The Eastern Marquis Wang was an unruly man who didn’t follow conventional rules. Even the Old Eastern Marquis couldn’t control him. However, Eastern Marquis Wang possessed limitless talent and showed particular aptitude in political matters. The Previous Emperor greatly appreciated him, and given that the Old Eastern Marquis and the Previous Emperor were brothers-in-arms who had conquered the realm together, the Previous Emperor often turned a blind eye to Eastern Marquis Wang’s behavior.
Eastern Marquis Wang had done many unconventional things in his life, but perhaps the most shocking was marrying a woman from the martial arts world as his wife. At that time, the court and the martial arts world were opposed to each other. Given the Eastern Marquis Wang’s illustrious family background, he was expected to marry an outstanding woman of matching status and character. While Lady Wang’s family background was respectable, everyone assumed Eastern Marquis Wang would marry a princess, so Lady Wang kept her feelings of love hidden in her heart. Unexpectedly, Eastern Marquis Wang ended up marrying a woman of unknown background from the martial arts world.
This woman’s background was mysterious, but Eastern Marquis Wang called her: Xiao Qiao.
When Eastern Marquis Wang married Xiao Qiao, many opposed the union, including the Old Eastern Marquis and the Previous Emperor. The Previous Emperor had wanted to marry his daughter to him, but Eastern Marquis Wang firmly refused and made a vow before all under heaven that in this life, he would have only Xiao Qiao as his wife—he would neither take another primary wife nor keep any concubines.
At this point in the story, Concubine Mei lets out a derisive laugh, saying contemptuously, “It was nothing but sweet talk. How can a man’s vows be trusted?” She cast a meaningful glance at Han Yan. In Concubine Mei’s mind, Han Yan was also someone who had received vows from Fu Yunxi. Back then, every woman in the capital had envied Han Yan, but now look at her situation—expelled from the Xuanqing Prince’s Manor, watching Fu Yunxi marry a princess from another country.