Fu Yun Xi’s rescue had been unexpected.

The warmth of his fox fur robe still lingered on her shoulders. What a strange person, Han Yan thought. Perhaps he had mistaken her for someone else? This thought brought an odd feeling – if he realized his mistake, would Prince Xuan Qing continue showing such care for her? Her chest felt heavy, and after tossing and turning, Han Yan finally fell into a deep sleep late at night.

The next morning, Han Yan woke up late, feeling somewhat dizzy. After Ji Lan helped her wash up, Shu Hong returned from outside, reporting that Madam Zhou was causing a scene at Hibiscus Garden.

Han Yan smiled: “Let’s go see.”

Approaching Hibiscus Garden, they saw a white porcelain vase shatter on the ground. Madam Zhou, far from her usual gentle demeanor, appeared disheveled and haggard, her eyes red from exhaustion. She croaked hoarsely: “I must see the Master! Let go!”

Two maids restrained her. Han Yan noticed one was Jiao Meng, Concubine Mei’s maid.

“What’s happening here?” Han Yan asked curiously after watching enough.

Seeing Han Yan, Madam Zhou’s gaze darkened with bone-deep hatred. Through gritted teeth, she said: “Fourth Young Miss.”

Han Yan smiled at her: “Why are you in such a state, Concubine? Sister Yu Shan’s whereabouts are unknown – if she returned to see you so haggard from worry, she would surely be distressed.”

The mention of Zhuang Yu Shan was like salt in Madam Zhou’s wounds, instantly agitating her: “Shut up, you illegitimate…”

A sharp “slap” rang out, shocking onlookers as Han Yan clapped her hands – yesterday’s slap from Zhuang Han Ming was finally repaid.

“You… you dare strike me?” Madam Zhou held her cheek.

Han Yan smiled, standing calmly beside Aunt Chen: “This isn’t insubordination. As the Zhuang family’s legitimate daughter, I cannot bear Concubine’s ‘illegitimate’ label. If legitimate daughters are ‘illegitimate,’ what does that make Sister Yu-Shan or Concubine Mei’s unborn child? Concubine Zhou, by speaking thus, where do you place Father? You’re merely a concubine, yet you dare mock a court official. I’m simply disciplining an unruly servant on Father’s behalf.”

“You… you unfilial child!” Madam Zhou trembled with rage. How ironic – after beating this goose all its life, today she was pecked by it, one that hadn’t even grown all its feathers.

“Why do you say that, Concubine? Filial piety is for parents. You’re just a concubine – should I treat you as the main wife? Don’t break protocol!” She enunciated each word, smiling but haughty, her glance at Madam Zhou full of disdain.

“You…” Finding herself helpless against Han Yan, Madam Zhou’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice tragic: “Yu’er has been kidnapped by bandits, her fate unknown. Fourth Young Miss, why must you kick someone who’s down? You and Yu’er are sisters, now…” Her tears flowed more strongly as she nearly fainted from crying.

Han Yan watched her calmly: “While Concubine’s emotional state is understandable, Concubine Mei is inside. She carries Father’s child, my brother – a joyous occasion for the entire household. Concubine Zhou doesn’t offer congratulations, instead crying and wailing in Hibiscus Garden, disturbing the unborn child. One wonders if it’s intentional.”

At these words, the inner door opened and Zhuang Shi Yang emerged, displeased: “What’s all this commotion? Mei’er needs rest in her condition. Why are you making such noise?”

He must have heard Han Yan’s words.

Madam Zhou felt even more wronged, her hatred for Concubine Mei and Han Yan intensifying. Early this morning, servants had been gossiping. She’d sent a maid to investigate, only to learn that news of Zhuang Yu Shan’s kidnapping was widespread, with all of Beijing discussing the Second Young Miss’s lost virtue.

Initially, Madam Zhou didn’t believe it. While she had indeed arranged matters with Magistrate Yin, they had specifically targeted Han Yan. If someone else had been taken, understanding the strange circumstances, they would have rushed to conceal it rather than spread rumors.

Further investigation revealed that while Magistrate Yin was handling cases, he’d heard someone beating the drum of injustice outside. Seeing a maid, he’d assumed it was Madam Zhou’s arrangement and loudly offered to help her before many witnesses. But the maid had announced Second Young Miss’s kidnapping, and with so many witnesses, he couldn’t retract his response and had to investigate. Thus, it was unclear who had spread the news.

More infuriatingly, market gossip had many versions, some claiming Zhuang Yu Shan had been violated immediately upon capture, her clothes torn – her virtue surely lost. After a night, there seemed no hope for redemption.

Thinking of Zhuang Yu Shan, grief overwhelmed Madam Zhou. She confronted Han Yan: “Today’s rumors say Yu’er lost her virtue during the kidnapping, her clothes torn. Only Fourth Young Miss was with Yu’er on the mountain – why did you frame Yu’er this way?”

Hearing this, Zhuang Shi Yang’s displeasure with Madam Zhou vanished as he looked suspiciously at Han Yan: “Yan’er, what’s this about?”

After yesterday’s events, Han Yan knew she could no longer maintain even superficial peace with Zhuang Shi Yang. His tolerance of Madam Zhou slapping Zhuang Han Ming had shown her everything. Rather than false courtesy, better to make a strong statement. She smiled coldly: “Concubine forgets – besides me, there were twelve guards present.

I bear no ill will toward Sister Yu Shan, or I wouldn’t have accompanied her to pray. Now that Sister Yu Shan is missing, Concubine’s grief has clouded her judgment, so I won’t hold it against you. However, those twelve guards cannot be forgiven. Please, Father, punish them severely – surely we can get the truth from them.”

Madam Zhou started, inwardly furious. She had arranged those twelve guards herself and knew they hadn’t erred, but Han Yan was shifting all blame to them. With so many witnesses, Zhuang Shi Yang would likely punish them. Though this shouldn’t affect her directly, if the guards talked under pressure, she would be finished. Zhuang Shi Yang genuinely cared for Zhuang Yu-Shan. If she was exposed for causing this trouble, especially with that “vixen” now pregnant, she couldn’t risk it. She softly said: “I was foolish. Yu’er’s situation has overwhelmed me – it’s my fault. I’ve offended Fourth Young Miss and Master. The guards are Zhuang household members, surely loyal. It must be outside rumors.”

Han Yan shook her head disapprovingly: “Concubine misunderstands. Even if they didn’t spread rumors, they failed to protect Sister Yu Shan and should be punished for dereliction. Without punishment, other guards will follow their example. Today it’s bandits outside; tomorrow if bandits enter our compound, how can we rely on these guards? Who will protect Father’s safety?”