It was none other than Zhuang Yushan. The maid, not knowing what had happened, cautiously retreated to the doorway, fearing the person might suddenly go mad. However, in the darkness, Zhuang Yushan gradually lowered her head, seeming to sink into endless memories.
The names Xuanqing Prince and Zhuang Han Yan hadn’t reached Zhuang Yushan’s ears for what felt like ages. If not for the maid’s mention today, Zhuang Yushan might have believed Zhuang Han Yan had never existed at all, that everything at the Zhuang mansion had been merely a dream. She had been confined in this dark room, living in complete isolation, for exactly one year.
A year can bring many changes. For instance, her once-rising status in the Wei Prince’s mansion had been completely supplanted by Wei Prince’s wife Li Jiaqi. Wei Rufeng hadn’t visited her once in a year. Her son was no longer hers. And… she had become someone even lower than a servant in the Wei Prince’s mansion.
All these changes came about because of one person: Li Jiaqi.
After Li Jiaqi entered the household as the principal wife, she ruled tyrannically. Back when Zhuang Yushan was still unmarried, her interactions with Li Jiaqi had shown her that this pampered noble daughter wasn’t someone to be trifled with. However, at that time, Zhuang Yushan preferred to use Li Jiaqi, knowing that despite her domineering nature, she lacked intelligence. Allying with her against Han Yan had seemed efficient. But when this tyrannical yet dim-witted person became her opponent and stepped on her, Zhuang Yushan realized things had gone awry.
Li Jiaqi was extremely jealous, especially when she first entered the household, practically monopolizing Wei Rufeng every day and never allowing Zhuang Yushan any chance to approach him. Though Zhuang Yushan didn’t love Wei Rufeng, he was her stepping stone to power. For a woman in the inner court, once she lost a man’s favor, every step became difficult. When Zhuang Yushan tried various ways to get close to Wei Rufeng, Li Jiaqi’s displeasure only grew, and their war escalated.
Before long, Li Jiaqi became pregnant, and around the same time, Zhuang Yushan discovered she was also with a child. She was terrified and dared not tell anyone. With both of them expecting simultaneously, everyone would naturally care more for Li Jiaqi’s child. After birth, her child would be a concubine’s son while Li Jiaqi’s would be the legitimate heir—she knew well the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children. She hated Zhuang Han Yan precisely because Han Yan had the status of a legitimate daughter; how could she let her own child follow her path?
So Zhuang Yushan plotted to make Li Jiaqi miscarry.
Her method had been quite sophisticated—having learned from the Zhou sisters through osmosis, though Zhuang Yushan had always lost to Han Yan, that was because Han Yan had lived two lives. In other circumstances, Zhuang Yushan was quite skilled in household intrigue. The dim-witted Li Jiaqi naturally wouldn’t suspect her.
Li Jiaqi might not have been clever, but Zhuang Yushan’s fatal mistake was underestimating the power behind Li Jiaqi. As the Right Minister’s daughter, how could those around her be easily dealt with? Soon, Zhuang Yushan’s plot to cause Li Jiaqi’s miscarriage was exposed. The Right Minister was furious and wanted to execute Zhuang Yushan to avenge his unborn grandchild. Only then did Zhuang Yushan realize the gravity of the situation. She sought help from Zhuang Shiyang, who had always doted on her. However, Zhuang Shiyang was now merely a fifth-rank official. When Zhuang Yushan’s grave mistake angered the Right Minister, he was more angry than anything else, dropping a cold “This woman has nothing to do with me, Minister of the Right may handle her as he sees fit” before leaving. At that moment, Zhuang Yushan truly felt despair.
Previously, when Zhuang Yushan had watched Zhuang Shiyang being so heartless toward Han Yan, she had only felt schadenfreude. Now she understood that however, Zhuang Shiyang had treated Han Yan then, he would treat her the same way now. He was a man who only cared about power—anyone who blocked his path to officialdom, even his flesh and blood, he could kick aside without mercy. She understood too late.
No one could help Zhuang Yushan. Madam Zhou was in prison, Elder Madam Zhou was long dead, and she had no one to turn to. Only because of the child in her womb did Wei Rufeng spare her life. After giving birth, she was confined to this dark room, seeing no one day after day. Her child was raised by Li Jiaqi’s side, calling another woman “Mother,” and worse still, Zhuang Yushan knew Li Jiaqi would never truly care for her child.
She had no hope left for the latter half of her life. Only this sudden news provided her a moment’s satisfaction.
In Caifeng Palace.
The Empress Dowager reclined on her high seat as the Seventh Prince stood below. “Grandmother, Fu Yunxi is now dead.” He didn’t continue, though his eyes showed traces of excitement.
“Why such haste?” The Empress Dowager smiled slightly. “That man is cunning and complex. I think you’d better investigate thoroughly. If you’re being deceived, you’ll lose badly.”
The Seventh Prince smiled confidently. “Grandmother need not worry. I’ve already sent people to investigate. The Xuanqing Prince’s mansion is in chaos, and even Zhuang Han Yan is hiding in her room behind closed doors, presumably weeping in secret.”
“She’s quite the romantic,” the Empress Dowager seemed somewhat disdainful. “So Fu Yunxi is truly dead then.” She sighed deeply. “I’ve finally lived to see this day. In that case, let’s go see His Majesty. With Cloud Xi dead, his royal brother must be grief-stricken.”
The Seventh Prince nodded. “About the Imperial Guard…”
“You’re overstepping,” the Empress Dowager’s expression changed, her voice turning cold. “Don’t forget, you are nothing right now.”
“Yes,” the Seventh Prince hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment, though a glint flashed through his eyes before quickly returning to normal.
In the Imperial Study.
“Father!” The Crown Prince rushed in from outside, shouting as soon as he entered the room.
“Is this how you learned protocol, barging into my study!” The Emperor suddenly raised his head and roared, his eyes somewhat red.
“Father!” The Crown Prince stood straight before the Emperor, unafraid of his stern manner. “They all say Uncle Wang is dead! I don’t believe it!”
“Nonsense!” The Emperor’s face showed great anger. “What are you talking about!”
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!” The Empress hurriedly arrived and embraced the Crown Prince. “He’s just too heartbroken, that’s why he’s lost his reason…”
“Hmph!” The Emperor’s anger hadn’t subsided. “I see his audacity grows ever greater, daring to shout at me. Does he still see me as Emperor at all? Is this how you taught him protocol!”
This rebuke was rather nonsensical, and even the Empress felt wronged at this moment. Yet the Crown Prince still held his head high and said, “Earlier when we heard Uncle Wang was gravely ill, I wanted to visit him, but Father stopped me. Now I haven’t even seen Uncle Wang’s face, yet those people say Uncle Wang is dead! I don’t believe it!”