As Han Yan was about to climb into the carriage, a cool voice came: “Has your injury healed?”
It was Fu Yun Xi’s voice. Han Yan turned around to see Fu Yun Xi’s tall figure standing a few steps away, his gaze coldly fixed on her. She lowered her head and said softly, “Thanks to Your Highness’s medicine, Han Yan is now fine.”
At these words, Wei Ru Feng’s expression grew even darker.
Han Yan nodded to the group: “My sister has just met with misfortune, and I must hurry to report to the authorities. I’ll take my leave.” Without looking back, she climbed into the carriage. Shu Hong and Ji Lan sat outside driving, and they quickly departed.
Those left behind remained silent. After a moment, the handsome youth asked, “Whose young miss was that? She’s quite interesting.”
He Lian Yu answered, “The Fourth Young Miss of the Zhuang manor.”
“Minister Zhuang’s daughter?” The youth was startled but quickly composed himself: “Minister Zhuang’s daughter is indeed interesting.” The group’s conversation subtly excluded Wei Ru Feng, who, having just been mocked by Han Yan in front of everyone, now had an ashen face. His usual gentle demeanor was gone, replaced by a flash of malice in his eyes.
Meanwhile, when Han Yan and the others reached Sha He Beach, the carriage gradually slowed down. Ji Lan suddenly cried out, “Oh no, Young Miss, the carriage won’t obey—what should we do? Your servant can’t control it!” As she spoke, she jerked the reins, and the carriage suddenly turned in direction, heading toward the east of the city.
Shu Hong’s steady voice came through the curtain: “The horses must have been frightened by the bandits. Let’s work together—we need to reach Wangjiang Tower in the south before the fireworks banquet. Master and the madams are all waiting for Young Miss there.” Though she said this, she deliberately whipped the horses, keeping the carriage heading east.
Inside the carriage, Han Yan listened to their coordinated act and inwardly smiled. When they were young, Ji Lan and Shu Hong had gone to the racetrack with her. Back then, when Grandfather was still alive, he taught her to ride, and these two maids had learned as well. Though not expert riders, they were more than capable of handling the current situation. Han Yan smiled and commanded with feigned panic: “What should we do? Think of something quickly—if we delay Sister Yu Shan’s rescue, we’ll all be punished.” Her tone was extremely anxious, but her expression was relaxed as she steadied the fallen honey jar on the small table and took out some salt-preserved plums to eat.
Mu Feng, who had been ordered to follow Han Yan, was nearly spitting blood. Seeing the two maids telling such serious lies and Han Yan playing along, he couldn’t help but be amazed—the future princess was truly cunning.
The usually careful Shu Hong noticed that at sunset, with the rosy clouds covering the ground, the carriage cast long shadows behind it. Spotting an odd additional shadow in the carriage’s silhouette, she quickly nudged Ji Lan, giving her a meaningful look.
Mu Feng carefully followed Han Yan’s carriage. With few trees for cover, he could only use his lightness skill to maintain a certain distance. Suddenly, the carriage ahead turned into a small path and disappeared. He hurriedly flew after it but turned the corner to find nothing. His heart sank as he realized something was wrong, and he rushed forward to chase.
After his figure disappeared, Ji Lan and Shu Hong simultaneously sighed in relief from their hiding place in the shadows of the corner. Han Yan thought for a moment and said, “Let’s take another route. Though it’s longer, we’re not short on time right now.”
Ji Lan and Shu Hong nodded in agreement, but Han Yan frowned. She wondered who had been following them—friend or foe unknown, better to be careful.
The carriage finally entered the city, heading straight for the east, winding through the small roads there. When the timing seemed right, Han Yan decided to head south. To avoid attention, she chose small alleys where farmers lived. When Shu Hong went to buy tea from a restaurant for Han Yan’s thirst, the carriage stopped in front of a nearby shop.
Han Yan had been resting against the carriage seat with her eyes closed when she suddenly heard someone say “Seventh Prince…” Hearing these words, she immediately sat up, her heart churning, and quietly pulled aside the curtain to peek out.
She saw a wealthy servant and a beautiful, charming lady talking together. Han Yan frowned, feeling the lady’s face was somewhat familiar but couldn’t place it. They stood very close to the carriage, probably assuming it was empty since there had been no movement for so long.
Han Yan had heard them mention “Seventh Prince” and thought it must be related to the Seventh Prince, though she hadn’t heard clearly. Just as she tried to listen more carefully, the two finished their conversation and walked into the restaurant.
Han Yan focused her thoughts. Though she didn’t know what the Seventh Prince was planning, she felt uneasy. Ji Lan and Shu Hong returned from the restaurant with tea, and they set off again.
The southern city was especially lively today because of the annual fireworks banquet tonight. Countless young ladies and gentlemen had come to enjoy the festivities, watch fireworks, and visit the lantern festival—truly a beautiful occasion. Distinguished officials and nobles had arrived early at Wangjiang Tower to secure the best spots for viewing the scenery.
As they got closer to the southern city, Ji Lan and Shu Hong’s carriage became increasingly erratic, zigzagging through the crowd conspicuously. Both maids appeared panicked, their clothes disheveled as if they had been rolling in dust.
Han Yan smiled softly in the carriage, and swept her arm across the small table, knocking the jars and teacups to the floor, tea and food mixing together in chaos. She then folded her cloak neatly and placed it on the back seat. After all this, she adjusted her collar and sat up properly.
On the second floor of Wangjiang Tower, many officials and nobles were already seated. Zhuang Shi Yang had reserved window seats two days in advance—though expensive, it was worth it for such beautiful scenery. However, Han Yan and Zhuang Yu Shan’s continued absence made him frown: “Why haven’t Yan’er and the others returned yet?”
Madam Zhou, who was talking with the wife of a fifth-rank official, heard this and consoled him: “Perhaps something delayed them on the road. The young ladies are young and might have gotten distracted. With so many guards accompanying them, they’ll be fine.”
Hearing this, Zhuang Shi Yang felt somewhat relieved. On the other side, Concubine Mei rolled her eyes but smiled and said, “Master is worried about the young ladies. If anything happened to our Zhuang manor’s legitimate eldest young miss, what would we do?”
At the words “legitimate,” Madam Zhou’s expression froze. Zhuang Shi Yang gave Concubine Mei a displeased look, while Zhuang Qin and Concubine Wan remained indifferent as if none of this concerned them.
Zhuang Han Ming stood with his National Academy classmates, feeling somewhat uneasy. Seeing his sister had not yet returned, worry appeared on his face.
Madam Zhou was also suspicious—by rights, Zhuang Yu Shan should have returned by now. Why was there no sign of them? Could something have gone wrong? At this thought, her heart began to pound, and she quickly reassured herself—impossible, everything had been arranged perfectly. Unless Han Yan grew wings, how could she escape from twelve guards plus those bandits?