Han Yan felt puzzled as the Zhuang household members quickly vacated the main hall. After a moment’s pause, she turned and gracefully bowed to those remaining in the hall, saying politely: “I apologize for disturbing everyone’s enjoyment of the fireworks today. I have urgent matters at home to attend to, so I must take my leave.” She took out a banknote from her sleeve and handed it to Ji Lan: “Please have Wang Jiang Tower serve everyone some fine tea as my apology.”
The observers, noting her young age, were impressed by her composed behavior. Despite being humiliated by her father’s concubine and receiving cold treatment from her father, she maintained remarkable poise – a rare display of refined upbringing.
Some of the ladies began studying Han Yan’s appearance, noting her delicate features that carried both gentleness and spirit. She resembled a young Guanyin from a painting, clearly blessed with good fortune. They began making mental calculations, thinking that in a few more years, she would surely become one of the capital’s exceptional beauties.
After bidding farewell, Han Yan discovered that the Zhuang family carriage was no longer waiting at the bottom of Wang Jiang Tower. Zhuang Han Ming stood beside her, furious: “How could they treat Sister this way! They didn’t even leave the carriage – they’ve just abandoned us here!”
Han Yan stopped him, smiling: “Father has just gained a son, and the household will likely soon celebrate this joy. Naturally, they can’t be concerned with us. Don’t say more – we’ll simply find another carriage.”
Zhuang Han Ming remained confused: “Sister, something feels strange about today’s incident with the bandits.”
Han Yan smiled: “What’s strange about it? Zhuang Yu Shan just had bad luck. Did the slap she gave you hurt?”
Zhuang Han Ming paused, understanding what she meant, and lowered his head: “It didn’t hurt, but her slandering you was truly despicable.”
Han Yan sighed: “It’s my fault for involving you.”
“Sister,” Zhuang Han Ming suddenly said, “I understand you less and less now.”
Han Yan felt moved, turned to look at him, and seeing the deep disappointment in his expression, said: “You only need to know that I am your sister, and in this world, we two rely on each other.”
Ji Lan found a carriage with an elderly, honest-looking driver. Zhuang Han Ming got in, but just as Han Yan was about to board, she froze.
Through the night air, on the fifth floor of Wang Jiang Tower, through the gauze curtains and rising smoke, she could see a tall figure standing distinctively among the others.
That silhouette was all too familiar to Han Yan, and even from this distance, she could sense the winter-like frost and chill.
Fu Yun Xi – why was he here?
Han Yan was surprised, and as her gaze shifted, she suddenly noticed another woman in purple clothing. If it had been anyone else, it wouldn’t have mattered, but Han Yan had seen this beautiful woman not long ago, speaking with a servant in the east city!
Han Yan stared intently in that direction, feeling something grip her heart tightly. That woman had mentioned “Seventh Prince” in her conversation – could she be associated with the Seventh Prince? If someone connected to the Seventh Prince was near Fu Yun Xi, what could they be planning? Fu Yun Xi might be in danger – better safe than sorry.
With this thought, Han Yan hesitated briefly before decisively telling Zhuang Han Ming: “You and Ji Lan head back first. Shu Hong, you come with me.”
Both Ji Lan and Zhuang Han Ming were startled. Zhuang Han Ming anxiously asked: “Where are you going?”
Han Yan shook her head at him: “I have some matters to attend to. Don’t worry, and don’t say more – just go.” She urged the driver to depart, and before Zhuang Han Ming could speak further, she had already turned and left.
Shu Hong followed Han Yan silently. Seeing Han Yan heading back into Wang Jiang Tower, she hesitated: “Young Miss…”
Han Yan looked at her seriously: “Shu Hong, once we’re inside, stay alert.”
Seeing Han Yan’s gravity, Shu Hong nodded: “This servant understands.”
Since people had seen Han Yan’s appearance earlier, this time she took the back entrance, contemplating as she went. Though she and Fu Yun Xi had only met a few times and couldn’t claim any special relationship, he had helped her several times. Moreover, as an important force opposing the Seventh Prince, any mishap with him would be unfavorable to her.
More importantly, she harbored no ill will toward Fu Yun Xi.
In the fifth-floor private room of Wang Jiang Tower, several men sat by the window. Behind a screen, a woman played the konghou, its sound pleasing to the ear. A woman in purple danced gracefully to the music. She was incredibly beautiful, her dance movements fluid and ethereal.
Even Jiang Yu Lou, who had seen countless beauties, couldn’t help but show admiration. Every gesture and smile of the woman exuded charm, and as her waist swayed, she cast seemingly timid but amorous glances toward Fu Yun Xi. Any other man would have melted at such autumn-pool eyes.
But the intended recipient hadn’t even properly looked at her, his deep phoenix eyes remained indifferent as he lazily reclined against the cushions, idly playing with his wine cup.
“Hey,” He Lian Yu broke the silence: “Why come to Wang Jiang Tower when we could be at Jiang’s Ruyi Tower? The view here is far inferior. Yu Xi, why did you come here?”
Fu Yun Xi ignored his question. Jiang Yu Lou chuckled, took a sip of wine, and said leisurely: “Wasn’t Your Highness here to watch a show? The performance we just saw isn’t available at Ruyi Tower.”
“A show?” He Lian Yu looked at him suspiciously: “What show?”
Jiang Yu Lou pondered for a moment: “Ah, let me think… it should be… the drama of Fourth Miss Zhuang escaping danger, being falsely accused, then having someone clear her name. Brilliant! Brilliant!” He waved his folding fan and glanced at Fu Yun Xi: “Your Highness, wouldn’t you agree?”
Fu Yun Xi gave him a bland look, his lips moving slightly: “If you enjoy watching shows so much, you should stay in the theater.”
Jiang Yu Lou immediately fell silent. He Lian Yu understood and followed up: “Well, that Fourth Miss Zhuang is truly formidable. Yu Xi, do you think what we saw at the Sand River Bank was also part of her plan?”
Fu Yun Xi remained silent, a faint smile appearing on his lips. They had been hiding earlier, watching everything that happened on the second floor. Han Yan’s actions had been both unexpected and anticipated. The young girl seemed to effortlessly resolve various crises, almost as if she could predict events, turning situations around on her opponents. Throughout today’s confrontation, she hadn’t shown even a trace of panic. Instead, she remained composed, gracefully handling Madam Zhou’s provocations and ultimately causing Madam Zhou to suffer a major setback.
She was like an actor performing from a pre-written script, and while the audience was engrossed in the performance, she remained like a detached observer, watching coldly.
“She doesn’t seem like a typical teenage girl,” He Lian Yu commented beside him: “Such scheming – many grown women couldn’t match it.”
The dancing girl, hearing their casual conversation, remained silent, but as the music grew more intense, her dance became increasingly spectacular, looking like a blooming purple peony from afar. Her movements deliberately brought her closer to Fu Yun Xi.