“Sister, do you mean it?!” Zhuang Han Ming instantly became excited: “I won’t tell anyone, Sister, you must keep your word.” Then he added seriously: “Once I learn martial arts, I definitely won’t let anyone bully you.”
Han Yan’s eyes grew warm with emotion, though she said: “Taking care of yourself is the best way to repay me. However, practicing martial arts requires endurance—don’t give up halfway.”
“I won’t,” Zhuang Han Ming suddenly remembered something and asked: “Ji Lan said Father just came by, what did you talk about?”
Young Master Ming knew about the tension between Zhuang Shi Yang and her. Han Yan shook her head: “Nothing much, he just wants us to meet the incoming Madam Zhou tomorrow.”
“You agreed?” Zhuang Han Ming exclaimed in disbelief: “Sister, this cannot be—we only have one mother.”
“Stop,” Han Yan hurriedly interrupted him, aware that walls have ears: “You don’t understand. Listen, never mention this in front of Father, just pretend you don’t know. Tomorrow when you see them, just remain distant, don’t act on your own.”
Zhuang Shi Yang already disliked this son; if Young Master Ming caused trouble in front of him, it would only make Zhuang Shi Yang despise him more, which would play right into Madam Zhou’s hands. Although the appearance of paternal love and filial piety was just a facade, it was necessary. Previously, Young Master Ming had quarreled with Zhuang Shi Yang over Han Yan’s illness, resulting in a caning punishment and confinement in the ancestral hall. This time, they couldn’t repeat that mistake.
“Sister, but she wants to be our mother,” Zhuang Han Ming said plaintively. “Mother just passed away, how could Father…”
Han Yan shook her head: “We will only ever have one mother. Fifth Brother, if you trust me, do as I say. I have my plans.”
After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Han Ming finally said: “I trust you, Sister.”
Han Yan watched the small figure at the doorway and smiled faintly.
Today would be the last time she shed tears. From now on, Zhuang Han Yan would swallow all her tears to protect those she wanted to protect.
Ji Lan, Shu Hong, Mother Chen, and Zhuang Han Ming.
The early winter sun carried a hint of warmth, shining through the carved rosewood windows into the room. In the central courtyard stood an elegant pavilion with upturned eaves. Clear water flowed around the pavilion, with red plum blossoms reflecting on the mirror-like surface, resembling rubies set in jade.
The garden was secluded, with trees trimmed in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Though Zhuang Shi Yang was a third-rank official in the court, his residence favored elegant simplicity, with every rock and courtyard meticulously arranged.
Just looking at the garden’s scenery revealed the ingenious mind of its designer. Sadly, that person was gone, leaving behind only this picturesque beauty for others to enjoy.
Han Yan sat in the small pavilion, with a sheet of snow-white paper spread on the bluestone table. Ji Lan ground ink beside her. Han Yan dipped her brush in ink, pondered for a while, and then wrote a single character.
Ji Lan curiously peeked and exclaimed: “It’s the character for ‘stillness.'”
The ink was still fresh on the white paper, the strokes full and flowing with an unrestrained style. Though Ji Lan couldn’t read, she noticed that while Young Miss usually wrote with elegant precision, this character seemed more casual, different from usual yet pleasing to the eye.
“Young Miss, why did you write ‘stillness’?” After holding back for a while, Ji Lan couldn’t contain her curiosity.
Han Yan smiled: “This character is a gift for both you and myself.” Counting the days, today was when that mother and daughter would enter the household. Zhuang Shi Yang hadn’t sent word yet, so she couldn’t actively inquire. Using stillness to counter movement was the wise approach.
Ji Lan blushed: “Is Young Miss saying I talk too much and disturbed your writing?”
“Nothing in the world is more pleasant than having a beauty assist with ink grinding—how could I find our Ji Lan talkative?” Han Yan deliberately looked her maid up and down, feigning an enchanted expression.
“Young Miss is teasing me again.” Ji Lan grew more embarrassed. Since waking up, the Young Miss’s personality had changed somewhat, becoming bolder than before. Though she used to joke and banter with them, she had never been this uninhibited. But this wasn’t necessarily bad—it was wonderful that Young Miss could emerge from the shadow of losing her mother. Come to think of it, this was the first genuine smile they’d seen from Young Miss since Madam’s passing. As long as Young Miss was happy, being teased didn’t matter.
Just as she was about to say more, Han Yan saw Shu Hong walking towards them and quickly stood up.
Shu Hong came closer and handed her a small cloth bag: “In total, there are two hundred silver notes, and the remaining jade bracelet was exchanged for some loose silver.”
Han Yan glanced at the bag’s opening, tucked it into her sleeve, and nodded at her.
She had sent Shu Hong to pawn some jewelry at the money shop. When her mother was alive, to prevent her from developing extravagant habits, she received a monthly allowance. Fortunately, she hadn’t needed much money and had lived quite comfortably. After her mother’s death, everything changed. Previously, Hai Tang Pavilion would come monthly to make clothes for her on her mother’s orders, but now with no one providing silver, they stopped coming. The concubines weren’t close to her and wouldn’t mention such matters. Even the kitchen’s food wasn’t as refined as before, but she, who used to be picky, had now grown accustomed to eating anything.
The former daughter of a marquis now struggled with necessities. With Madam Zhou and her daughter entering the household, she needed money to place informants and reward loyal servants. Young Master Ming wanted to learn martial arts, and hiring an instructor would be another significant expense. The dowry her mother left was locked in storage for her future marriage and couldn’t be touched. Distant water couldn’t quench immediate thirst, so she had no choice but to sell some jewelry.
Only Shu Hong could handle this task. Having served her for years, Shu Hong was meticulous and extremely reliable. Though not particularly sociable, she had a warm heart beneath her cool exterior. Ji Lan was cleverer and more vivacious, with connections to many servants in the manor, making her an excellent source of information. Both maids were utterly loyal to Han Yan, the most important quality in servants. With their shared devotion, Han Yan didn’t hide things from them.
Just as she secured the silver notes, Manager Lin came to summon Han Yan to the front hall. Zhuang Shi Yang wanted to see her.
Han Yan understood—Madam Zhou and her daughter must have arrived. She had expected them later; they seemed quite eager to enter the household so early in the morning. She lowered her head, a flash of coldness crossing her eyes, before raising it again with gentle composure: “Shu Hong, Ji Lan, let’s go.”
Passing through corridors and around covered walkways, just as they were about to enter the front hall, they heard clear laughter from within.
Han Yan looked up to see Zhuang Shi Yang sitting in the central wooden chair, with Madam Zhou at his side. Zhuang Yu Shan had brought a small table to place before them and had said something that made Zhuang Shi Yang laugh heartily. Madam Zhou watched her daughter with loving eyes and spoke softly—anyone unfamiliar with the situation who witnessed this scene would praise such familial harmony.