Han Yan spoke again, “Master, I have a humble request.”

When Chai Jing heard her form of address, her expression shifted slightly. “Speak.”

“My family doesn’t know about my martial arts training. Would Master be willing to meet me at dawn, at the fifth watch, on the western mountain peak for training?”

Chai Jing turned to face her, staring into her eyes. “Fifth watch?”

Han Yan lowered her head. “I’m ashamed to disturb Master’s peaceful sleep.”

“It’s nothing,” Chai Jing had already composed herself. “A martial artist has no right to peaceful dreams. But you must be prepared to suffer.”

Han Yan sighed. “If suffering keeps me alive, what’s wrong with a lifetime of it?”

At these words, Chai Jing was genuinely surprised, showing visible emotion on her face. Looking at the young girl with white gauze before her, she found her increasingly difficult to understand.

“Very well, see you tomorrow.” After a moment of silence, Chai Jing nodded to Han Yan and turned to leave.

Han Yan watched her departing figure and murmured, “This Master is truly… quite special.”

Ji Lan said, “She looks frightening. Young Miss, are you sure about learning from her?”

Han Yan shook her head. “What’s frightening about her? She’s probably someone with a story. Listen, nobody can know about this, not even Mother.” Madam Chen would not approve, especially considering her choice of master.

Ji Lan nodded vigorously, while the usually silent Shu Hong asked, “Young Miss, why such hurry?”

Han Yan looked into the distance. “Shu Hong, New Year’s Eve is approaching, isn’t it?”

Ji Lan quickly responded, “About twenty days left, Young Miss. Shouldn’t we get some new clothes and jewelry?”

Han Yan smiled faintly. “No need. When the time comes, there will be a grand gift.”

Ji Lan was puzzled but seeing Han Yan had no intention to explain, she let it go. However, Shu Hong noticed Han Yan’s expression becoming strange, as if lost in memories—not pleasant ones. A flash of pain crossed her eyes, replaced by complete detachment, as if nothing mattered anymore. That barely visible hatred seemed like an illusion, gone when one looked again.

Hatred?

On the last day of the thirteenth year of Da Zong, New Year’s Eve, Zhuang Han Yan and Zhuang Yu Shan returned from paying respects at the mountain temple. They planned to take the waiting Zhuang family carriage with Madam Zhou to see the lantern festival but encountered bandits. Zhuang Han Yan was unfortunately kidnapped, while Zhuang Yu Shan barely escaped. Madam Zhou reported to the authorities, who sealed the city and searched for two days and nights. Finally, Madam Zhou, leading the Zhuang family guards, found Zhuang Han Yan and the bandits were captured.

The events of that day were unforgettable. Han Yan felt cold inside, remembering how after two days and nights of isolation, she had completely relied on her family upon reunion. She had treated the true culprit as her savior, showing sincere gratitude, only to be manipulated.

Thanks to Madam Zhou’s instructions to the authorities and their thorough search including sealing the city, everyone knew about the Fourth Young Miss of the Zhuang family being kidnapped by bandits. From then on, when noble ladies of the capital chose wives for their sons, they never considered the Fourth Young Miss of the Zhuang family. Who would want a bride with a ruined reputation?

Han Yan lowered her eyes. The City Governor Yin of the capital had gained Zhuang Shi Yang’s favor due to his “devoted service,” enjoying smooth career advancement to become a fifth-rank official in the imperial court—quite an accomplishment. If she hadn’t secretly asked Ji Lan to investigate and discover that Governor Yin was Madam Zhou’s distant cousin by marriage, everyone would have considered it a mere coincidence.

Madam Zhou truly never let herself be disadvantaged, killing several birds with one stone. The bandit incident ruined Han Yan’s reputation while earning Madam Zhou a reputation for being a caring mother, gaining Han Yan’s trust, and helping advance her own relative’s career.

This was why Han Yan was so urgent to find a master—because time was running out.

As the New Year approached, the capital bustled with festivities. Every household hung red lanterns and servants busied themselves putting up Spring Festival couplets. Daughters of wealthy families prepared new clothes and jewelry, while stewards bought provisions for New Year’s reunion dinners.

Du Mama, Zhuang Shi Yang’s wet nurse, came to ask if Han Yan wanted anything new, mentioning that tailors from Ruyi Tower had been invited to take her measurements. Upon inquiry, Han Yan learned this was Madam Zhou’s suggestion to Zhuang Shi Yang.

Han Yan smiled. “How thoughtful of Aunt Zhou. Our family’s sisters should indeed be treated equally. Please trouble Mama to have the master make some new clothes for Sister Zhuang as well. Father will praise Aunt Zhou for her consideration.”

Du Mama was an old servant who had always been opportunistic. When Han Yan’s mother was not favored and easily bullied, she curried favor with Concubine Mei, causing Han Yan’s mother much grief. Now with Madam Zhou in the household and Zhuang Shi Yang likely to elevate her to primary wife, Du Mama had switched allegiance to Madam Zhou, acting as her messenger.

Han Yan simply picked up her teacup after speaking, ignoring Du Mama completely. Du Mama had always looked down on Han Yan, seeing her as powerless in Zhuang Shi Yang’s eyes and easy to bully. Hearing Han Yan’s commanding tone now displeased her, and seeing Han Yan’s dismissive attitude angered her further. She retorted, “This old servant is merely delivering a message, I dare not make decisions.”

Han Yan continued drinking tea silently, showing no expression. Du Mama initially maintained her arrogance, but seeing Han Yan’s ambiguous attitude made her uneasy. Stealing glances at Han Yan, she saw her drinking tea with downcast eyes, her features gentle—different from Zhuang Yu Shan’s aggressive beauty. It was a kind of clear, moistening grace, like a flower bud about to bloom, showing hints of brilliance yet remaining undefined.

After a long silence, Han Yan slowly said, “Mama shouldn’t say that. In this household, how could you be just a messenger? You’re Father’s trusted servant, your words carry weight.”

Du Mama found Han Yan’s words strange but couldn’t pinpoint why. Hearing the apparent flattery in Han Yan’s words, she became somewhat pleased with herself, saying, “How can Fourth Young Miss say that? This old servant merely has the master’s trust…”

Han Yan smiled slightly. “Indeed. Before, weren’t you always making decisions for Mother? Now you’re content being Aunt Zhou’s messenger. Aunt Zhou is truly fortunate.”

As cold water poured over her head, Du Mama’s expression changed as she suddenly came to her senses. Seeing Han Yan smiling while drinking tea, she trembled almost imperceptibly. “Fourth Young Miss is making things difficult for this servant, I…”

Han Yan laughed softly, speaking to Ji Lan and Shu Hong, “Du Mama is so timid. I merely called her a messenger—you all heard earlier, those were her own words. Now she says I’m making things difficult for her. Others might think I, a legitimate daughter of the Zhuang family, am unreasonable and pick fights with servants. If I didn’t know Du Mama was completely loyal, I might think she was trying to harm me.” She finished by looking at Du Mama, her eyes holding an indecipherable meaning.