Zhuang Han Ming hesitated, not wanting to worry Han Yan, and reluctantly bit his teeth before answering, “Yes.”
Zhang Wei snickered and turned to leave, but heard Han Yan ask again: “Fifth Brother, is this how it is?”
This time, both Zhou Wei and Zhuang Han Ming couldn’t help but look at Han Yan’s expression.
Han Yan smiled while staring at Zhuang Han Ming, her rosy lips slightly curved upward, her cheeks flushed red from the wind, her delicate features still carrying traces of childishness. But those bright, clear eyes were like exquisite colored glass—transparent yet with indiscernible hues, their light shifting and dazzling. At this moment, Zhang Wei suddenly discovered that this previously unremarkable cousin was actually a stunning beauty, and his eyes instantly filled with greed.
Looking into Han Yan’s eyes, Zhuang Han Ming suddenly felt afraid. Although his sister’s expression showed no signs of anger, her smile seemed even more terrifying. Swallowing hard, under Han Yan’s warning gaze, he finally spoke with difficulty: “Cousin… got into an argument with me.”
Han Yan let out an “Oh,” and continued smiling: “So he slapped you once, did he?”
Everyone around was confused by Han Yan’s attitude, and even Zhang Wei became somewhat wary. Seeing Han Yan ask this, he grew suspicious but then watched as his cousin turned and walked toward him with a smile.
In the lamplight, Han Yan’s face was framed by her gray squirrel fur cape, with white frost settled upon it. Two strands of black hair fell by her small ears, making her appear even more jade-like in her fairness. Combined with her perpetual smile and curved eyes, she possessed more spirit and cleverness than typical noble ladies.
Zhang Wei’s gaze became somewhat entranced. Han Yan stopped beside him, blinked her eyes, and sweetly called out: “Cousin.”
Han Yan was petite, while Zhou Wei was quite tall. Under the lamplight’s shadow, as Han Yan slightly raised her toes and looked up with a smile, their shadows cast on the ground appeared almost romantic. Zhuang Han Ming anxiously tried to speak out but was gagged by those around him, unable to move his limbs. His heart filled with alarm, fearing Han Yan would be bullied by Zhou Wei.
Zhang Wei had understood matters between men and women since age twelve, and in recent years had frequently visited brothels. He knew some women were born with a natural allure. Yet he never expected to find such allure in a twelve-year-old awkward girl. Though she made no suggestive moves, every action seemed to tickle one’s heart, almost making one unable to resist pouncing forward.
Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes and called out, “Cousin…” as his hand reached toward Han Yan’s face.
Han Yan’s eyes turned cold, and without hesitation, she raised her hand and struck. With a “pak,” five bright red fingerprints appeared on Zhang Wei’s face.
Han Yan pulled out a handkerchief from her clothes, wiped her hand with disgust, and then unhurriedly smiled at the stunned crowd: “Returning yours.”
Zhang Wei first stood there dumbfounded, but when he came to his senses, he became furious. He grabbed Han Yan and was about to punch her face when he heard her calm voice: “If cousin doesn’t want his entire clan executed, you’d better release me.”
Hearing this, Zhang Wei’s hand froze, and his face darkened: “What do you mean?”
Ji Lan and Shu Hong quickly came forward, rescuing Han Yan from Zhang Wei’s grip and protecting her behind them. Han Yan smiled at Zhang Wei unhurriedly, waiting until he was almost mad with rage before speaking leisurely: “Cousin coming here with Fifth Brother to appreciate flowers isn’t a big matter. But why bring the Crown Prince?”
“His Highness should be at the palace banquet. You privately led the Crown Prince away from his seat—that’s already a major offense. Starting a fight with Fifth Brother and striking first, polluting the Crown Prince’s eyes, that’s the second. You brought this scene of brotherly conflict before His Highness—was this deliberate instruction? If His Highness were to resolve disputes with his royal brothers this way in the future, you would be guilty of misleading teaching—that’s the third. Moreover, all these people are from Minister Zhang’s household, while the Crown Prince is alone. Since you’ve shown violence toward Fifth Brother, might you harbor other intentions toward the Crown Prince? That’s the fourth.” She spoke quickly and urgently, giving Zhang Wei no time to think, then demanded: “Palace banquets cannot tolerate the slightest error. Cousin, you can deny everything, but if His Majesty begins to suspect, your Minister Zhang’s household will be in grave danger. Let me advise you, cousin—think before you act. You should thank me for this slap today because if His Majesty inquires, you can say you quarreled with Fifth Brother and neither side came out well. Otherwise, you’d be guilty of bullying those weaker than you, breaking the rules!”
Zhang Wei opened and closed his mouth, never expecting this cousin to be so eloquent. Though he still doubted her words, he felt wary. Although Minister Zhang doted on them greatly, if there was any danger to the Minister’s household, he would likely be the first to suffer.
He lowered his head to look at this unfamiliar cousin, suddenly realizing that this little cousin had maintained a smile throughout. Inexplicably, he felt a surge of fear. His mother, Grand Madam Zhou, was an extremely capable woman who had earned Minister Zhang’s deep favor despite being just a concubine. But even his shrewd mother had moments of rage and fury, with emotions clearly shown on her face. Yet this cousin had maintained perfect control of her expression throughout, without the slightest change. It was terrifyingly flawless.
And she was only twelve years old.
Han Yan tilted her head to look at Zhang Wei, her smile sweet, like an innocent little sister coaxing her brother and said softly: “That slap was returning yours to you, cousin. Don’t trouble Fifth Brother again in the future, or cousin sister won’t just return one slap, but at least… two slaps.”
She laughed cheerfully without restraint, but Zhang Wei stepped back in shock. Though Han Yan hadn’t said anything explicitly, he had sensed killing intent.
What was this? Zhang Wei now looked at Han Yan as if she were a ghost, quickly gathering his brothers and fleeing. Han Yan watched until they were far away, then lowered her eyes to look at Zhuang Han Ming, who had run to her side.
“Sister, did anything happen to you?” Zhuang Han Ming couldn’t hide his anxiety. The previous scene had nearly frightened him to death. He had been extremely afraid Zhang Wei would deal with him but hadn’t expected Han Yan to frighten him away with just a few words.
“How did you get into an argument with him?” Han Yan’s face no longer held a smile, only deep seriousness. Zhuang Han Ming shrank back involuntarily, stammering: “He… insulted you.”
After not hearing Han Yan’s response for a long while, Zhuang Han Ming felt uneasy and looked up, saying softly: “Sister, don’t be angry. I won’t be so impulsive in the future.”
But Han Yan just sighed and patted his head: “Ming’er, in the future when you encounter such things, just ignore them. There’s no need to fuss about it.”
Hearing these words, Zhuang Han Ming felt somewhat unconvinced: “Sister…”