Just then, a servant beside Zhuang Shi Yang suddenly rushed in, shouting, “Master, something terrible has happened!”

On the second floor of Wangjiang Tower, each family’s section was partially concealed by crystal screens, allowing familiar ladies to move about freely. At the servant’s cry, everyone in the hall turned to look at Zhuang Shi Yang.

Zhuang Shi Yang glared at the servant in anger and said deeply, “What matter requires such panic?”

The servant wiped the sweat from his forehead and stammered, “Se-Second Young Miss’s carriage has returned!”

Originally, Han Yan and Zhuang Yu Shan had taken separate carriages. Now Zhuang Yu Shan’s carriage had returned, but there was no sign of Han Yan’s. Zhuang Han Ming’s hand trembled as he immediately stood and grabbed the servant’s collar: “Where is my sister’s carriage?”

“Zhuang Han Ming!” Zhuang Shi Yang greatly disliked this impulsive behavior, especially manhandling someone in front of him as a father—it showed complete disrespect for elders.

Only Madam Zhou was secretly overjoyed, though her expression showed extreme worry: “What exactly happened?” Her tone was urgent and anxious, slightly too loud. The other nobles in the hall watched them intently, some with schadenfreude as if enjoying a show.

Before the servant could answer, Ji Lan and Shu Hong stumbled in, their eyes red as if they’d been crying intensely. Seeing Zhuang Shi Yang, they fell to their knees with a thud, crying loudly: “It’s all our fault! We couldn’t protect Young Miss, and now she’s… been kidnapped by bandits!”

At these words, the room erupted in chaos. An unmarried daughter kidnapped by bandits meant her reputation would be ruined! Immediately, the looks toward Zhuang Shi Yang changed.

Zhuang Qin watched them, her expression flickering briefly before returning to indifference, her pale face showing no emotion, like a lifeless puppet. Concubine Mei was somewhat bewildered—how could something happen when Han Yan and Zhuang Yu-Shan were just going to pray at the mountain?

Zhuang Shi Yang’s expression was extremely ugly. Others assumed he was heartbroken over his daughter’s misfortune. Only Zhuang Shi Yang knew this wasn’t true. Earlier he had been genuinely worried but had relaxed when hearing Zhuang Yu Shan was safe. Now he was merely angry at Han Yan for being careless and making him lose face in front of so many capital nobles, wondering what rumors would spread through the capital tomorrow.

Not a hint of worry for his daughter!

Seeing Zhuang Shi Yang’s evident impatience toward them, Ji Lan and Shu Hong felt their hearts grow cold—how heartless to have such a father!

Seeing events unfold according to her plan, Madam Zhou could barely contain her joy. Thinking of how Han Yan would become the capital’s laughingstock tomorrow, never able to hold her head up again, viewed by others as a woman of questionable virtue, she felt immensely satisfied.

However, Madam Zhou was puzzled—where were the guards? With a tragic expression, she spoke sorrowfully: “How could this happen to Fourth Young Miss, such a clever girl…” Two clear tears rolled down her beautiful face, creating a stunning picture of beauty in distress. The others in the hall sighed in sympathy—this concubine truly cared for her non-biological daughter. Previous rumors about Zhuang Shi Yang’s new concubine opposing the legitimate daughter now seemed like malicious gossip.

Concubine Mei was internally mocking her and about to make some cutting remarks when a familiar clear voice reached their ears: “Aunt’s concern makes Han Yan ashamed, but Aunt is mistaken. The one kidnapped by bandits wasn’t Han Yan, but Sister Yu-Shan.”

Hearing this voice, Madam Zhou looked up in disbelief to see Han Yan standing before her in a light green fur jacket, two long braids hanging neatly over her chest, standing gracefully, gently, and pretty.

“No… this is impossible…” Madam Zhou stepped back. Han Yan couldn’t be here—it must be an illusion. Looking up again, she saw Han Yan’s eyes were red and glistening, her expression very sad, but that faint smile on her lips clearly showed mockery.

Impossible, this couldn’t be happening. If Han Yan was here, where was Yu’er? Where was she? What had Han Yan just said? That the one kidnapped was Yu’er? What did that mean?

Seeing Madam Zhou’s dazed expression as she stared at Han Yan muttering something, the surrounding nobles found it strange, and Zhuang Shi Yang was also confused. Only Concubine Mei showed a knowing smile—Madam Zhou had thought Han Yan was kidnapped and had been putting on an act, but instead, it was Zhuang Yu-Shan. She cursed internally: Serves you right, you worthless woman!

Just as Madam Zhou was about to question this, another maid stumbled in—Yun’er, Zhuang Yu Shan’s maid. She knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing and crying: “Madam, Young Miss has been kidnapped! Your servant has already reported to the authorities, Madam…”

Madam Zhou swayed, feeling dizzy. She turned back suddenly as if realizing something, looking at Han Yan who stood with a lowered head, and snarled: “It was you! You harmed Yu’er! It must be you, you framed her…”

Zhuang Han Ming reacted first, stepping forward to shield Han Yan behind him, his tone severe: “Madam had better not falsely accuse my sister. What frame-up? Didn’t you hear what the maids just said? Your daughter was kidnapped by mountain bandits!”

“Slap!” Madam Zhou struck Zhuang Han Ming’s face: “You’re all in this together. You’re just an unfavored bastard—what are you so proud of? You have no right to speak in the Zhuang manor!”

Everyone in the hall was dumbfounded.

What had started as a case of bandits kidnapping a young lady had suddenly turned into the concubine accusing the legitimate daughter of framing her, and now the concubine had slapped the legitimate son and called him a bastard. The people in the hall were now thoroughly entertained—such scandals in wealthy families were exactly what they loved to hear about.

Seeing Madam Zhou slap Zhuang Han Ming, Zhuang Shi Yang showed no reproach, instead feeling extremely dissatisfied with Zhuang Han Ming’s questioning of Madam Zhou. Even Concubine Mei couldn’t help but show surprise—though she had been in the manor for many years and didn’t think much of Zhuang Han Ming, she would never dare strike the legitimate son. This was subordinate defying superior!

Zhuang Han Ming bit his lip silently, his gaze toward Madam Zhou growing increasingly dark. Standing behind him, Han Yan felt conflicted about the small body in front of her so determinedly protecting her.

Her gaze swept around the hall, taking in everyone’s expressions. She gently pushed Han Ming aside and faced Madam Zhou directly, speaking slowly: “If Aunt believes Han Yan framed Sister, please provide evidence. Baselessly ruining someone’s reputation is not taken lightly even by the authorities.”

Han Yan’s face was expressionless as she continued: “Aunt believes Sister Yu Shan was framed by Han Yan. May I ask who arranged for Han Yan and Sister Yu-Shan to go to the mountain together yesterday?” She paused: “It was Aunt. Does Aunt think Han Yan has the power of prophecy, knowing in advance that Aunt would arrange for Han Yan and Sister Yu-Shan to visit the temple together, and arrange for bandits to kidnap Sister Yu-Shan?” She lowered her head, somewhat mockingly: “Han Yan is just a sheltered young lady who rarely leaves home. I truly don’t know how to command ruthless bandits, heh heh. I lack Aunt’s keen insight, able to determine this was a frame-up without even hearing the full story.”