Chai Jing nodded, her gaze falling on Han Yan, “How is your Mei Hua Ci (Plum Blossom Strike) coming along?”
Han Yan shook her head shamefully, “It’s quite unfamiliar. This student is slow to learn.”
Having no martial arts foundation, even though Chai Jing had chosen the easiest Mei Hua Ci for her, she still struggled with it. Although she practiced daily with the Mei Hua Ci on her person, when it came to crucial moments, her strikes still lacked proper form.
Chai Jing frowned, her voice turning cold, “Your body is too weak for martial arts. Yet you refuse to learn techniques for strengthening your body. Martial arts cannot be mastered overnight – what exactly do you want to learn?”
Han Yan took a deep breath and said, “I want to learn from Master how to kill.”
Chai Jing hadn’t expected this response and was stunned. Previously, when Han Yan practiced martial arts, she avoided techniques that required long-term training. But martial arts valued persistence – her rush for results didn’t seem like the actions of someone who truly appreciated martial arts.
“Why?” she asked.
Han Yan sighed, “Killing is merely for self-defense. Han Yan knows her limitations very well. I can’t learn those elaborate techniques, so I only want to learn defensive moves.” She looked up at Chai Jing with a smile, “One doesn’t need martial arts to kill, right?”
Chai Jing’s expression shifted slightly, “You want to learn assassination?”
“If Master is willing to teach.” Her expression was respectful, not joking.
“I’ll start by teaching you hidden weapons,” Chai Jing said after a long silence.
Han Yan quietly expressed her thanks.
Chai Jing was a good teacher. Though somewhat eccentric in personality, she was extremely dedicated to teaching Han Yan. Grateful to her, Han Yan said while bidding farewell, “If Master ever needs Han Yan’s help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Hearing these words, Chai Jing’s lips moved as if wanting to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back, merely turning away with a “mm.” Ji Lan seemed displeased, but Han Yan just smiled and shook her head.
Chai Jing must also be someone with secrets.
Upon returning to the Zhuang Manor, Han Yan saw rows of purple-robed armed guards at the entrance. She was puzzled, noting several luxurious sedan chairs beside the guards, suggesting noble visitors. Han Yan had only said she was meeting Deng Chan when she left, not expecting so many guards to appear. Ji Lan approached a servant at the door, slipping him some silver pieces, and smiled, “Brother, what’s happening?”
The servant knew Ji Lan and, weighing the silver in his hand, seeing no one watching them, whispered in Ji Lan’s ear, “It’s Prince Wei’s people. The second Young Lady was rescued today by Prince Wei’s men, and now Prince Wei is speaking with the master in the main hall. Second Young Lady is truly fortunate.”
Ji Lan smiled after hearing this and returned to Han Yan to relay everything the servant had said. Han Yan frowned – Prince Wei’s timing was quite convenient. Could Madam Zhou have sought Prince Wei’s help? But how could Madam Zhou have such influence? Though with Prince Wei’s intervention, the street rumors wouldn’t dare be too brazen now.
“Let’s go in,” Han Yan decided, striding through the door.
In the main hall, Prince Wei and Zhuang Shiyang sat on opposite sides of the main seats. Zhuang Shiyang’s face showed gratitude: “Regarding Yu’er’s matter, we’re deeply thankful for Your Highness’s help. The Zhuang family doesn’t know how to express our gratitude.”
Prince Wei narrowed his eyes, “We’re friends, no need for thanks. Though I notice your Second Young Lady seems quite shocked and needs proper rest.”
Zhuang Shiyang nodded in agreement, then spotted Han Yan entering with Ji Lan and Shu Hong. She stood at the door and bowed, “Han Yan greets Father.”
Zhuang Shiyang, usually cold towards her, surprisingly showed unusual warmth today, “Yan’er is back. Quickly pay your respects to Prince Wei and the Crown Prince.”
Upon entering the hall, Han Yan noticed Wei Rufeng to one side. She found Zhuang Shiyang’s attitude strange, but maintained a smile as she bowed to both men, “This commoner greets Prince Wei and Crown Prince Wei.”
Prince Wei laughed heartily, “No need for formalities, Yan’er. Your father and I are good friends, you and Rufeng are of the same generation. It’s been a while – Yan’er has grown into quite a young lady.” He continued nostalgically, “I remember holding you at your full-month celebration. Time flies – it’s been over a decade, haha, time waits for no one!”
Han Yan noted his intentional effort to establish closeness with the Zhuang family, even using “I” instead of formal speech. Hearing him repeatedly call her “Yan’er” with such familiarity, she felt contempt.
Seeing Han Yan unmoved, Prince Wei had a thought and looked at Wei Rufeng, “Actually, when bandits kidnapped your Second Young Lady, it was Rufeng who saved her. I was in my sedan chair and unaware of the situation outside. Rufeng happened to hear someone calling for help – initially thinking it was some random young lady, but later learned from her it was your Second Young Lady. Quite a coincidence.”
Han Yan smiled, feigning innocence, “It seems those bandits didn’t harm Sister, since after a whole day, Yu Shan Sister still had the strength to call for help.”
At these words, Prince Wei’s face showed some embarrassment. Wei Rufeng spoke up, “It was all coincidence. This Crown Prince is also puzzled how the delicate Second Young Lady could be kidnapped by bandits – truly malicious thinking.”
Was he calling her malicious? Han Yan remained unmoved, even finding it somewhat amusing, eventually laughing out loud, “In that case, surely those bandits have been captured. I trouble the Crown Prince to send them to the authorities for proper questioning – we must seek justice for Sister Yu-Shan.”
Like punching cotton, Wei Rufeng’s mockery did not affect Han Yan. Looking back, he saw Han Yan smiling while staring at the room’s brazier, not sparing him a glance. This caused a flash of displeasure across Wei Rufeng’s usually refined face. Since the beginning, Han Yan hadn’t looked at him once – he had never been so ignored in his life. He felt some resentment towards Han Yan. Combined with her public mockery of him yesterday, Wei Rufeng even detected a hint of disgust in her eyes.
This greatly insulted his pride – the more he was ignored, the more he wanted Han Yan’s attention. But this unique young lady truly had no interest in him.
Prince Wei, being the old fox he was, immediately noticed the undercurrent between Han Yan and Wei Rufeng. His smile deepened, “Regarding the Second Young Lady’s matter, Rufeng will surely give the Zhuang family an explanation – we’re all family after all.”
Han Yan furrowed her brows, certain there was something she didn’t know. Seeing Zhuang Shiyang’s ambiguous smile, an idea gradually formed in her mind.
Zhuang Shiyang said, “Since Prince Wei personally escorted Yu’er back today, why not stay for lunch?”
Although Han Yan expected Prince Wei to decline, he surprisingly accepted immediately. She pondered – Prince Wei was a high-ranking court official who did not need to curry favor with Zhuang Shiyang, a third-rank official. Yet today’s events clearly showed Prince Wei deliberately accommodating Zhuang Shiyang in this alliance. Could Zhuang Shiyang hold some important leverage?