Hearing Han Yan say she had no feelings for him, Wei Rufeng felt as if struck, an extremely uncomfortable sensation spreading throughout his body as if something of his had been stolen. His voice grew sharp, “Is there someone else in your heart?”
Han Yan was startled, then shook her head, “No.”
Wei Rufeng’s expression softened slightly, “Then why won’t you marry me?”
Han Yan had somewhat lost patience and spoke coolly, “Han Yan has said there are no feelings for the Crown Prince. This means that although Han Yan’s heart is empty now, someday it will not be. But no matter what, that person will never be you, Crown Prince Wei!”
“You…” Wei Rufeng’s handsome face flushed red with anger at Han Yan’s words, his refined features now somewhat distorted. Before Han Yan, he could never maintain his usual facade, unconsciously losing his composure.
Han Yan continued, “If the Crown Prince simply wants to marry a daughter of the Zhuang family, there’s still Sister Yu-Shan. Now that you’ve saved her, she’s extremely grateful to you. Moreover, since Father intends to elevate Aunt Zhou to primary wife, if Sister Yu Shan truly becomes the legitimate daughter, her status would match the Crown Prince’s.”
Wei Rufeng showed no sign of softening at Han Yan’s words. Instead, he sneered coldly, “A ruined flower who has lost her purity – how could she be fit to be Crown Princess!”
Han Yan was stunned, feeling a deep sadness. She realized that in her previous life, Wei Rufeng must have harbored the same thoughts – because she had been the one taken by bandits, he had watched her die on their wedding night. Now that Zhuang Yu Shan was the one kidnapped, he insisted on marrying Han Yan instead. The reversal of fate – she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Han Yan laughed coldly, “That’s the Crown Prince’s business then. Regardless, Han Yan will not become Crown Princess.” She turned to leave.
Wei Rufeng grabbed her wrist, gritting his teeth, “Parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words – now that Lord Zhuang has agreed, do you think you can resist?”
Han Yan’s eyes turned cold. Her right hand suddenly twisted, driving a silver needle into Wei Rufeng’s hand. He felt a sharp pain and instinctively released her. Han Yan was already standing several steps away, looking at him coolly, “Has the Crown Prince heard the saying ‘Better to be shattered jade than intact tile’?” She spoke casually as if discussing something as simple as eating or drinking, “No one can force me to do what I don’t want to do. After all, the Crown Prince already knows Han Yan is a malicious person. If forced, who knows what malicious things Han Yan might do.”
Her threatening words were chilling. When Wei Rufeng came to his senses, Han Yan had already gone far. Just as he was about to chase after her, Zhuang Yu Shan appeared, supported by her maid, “Crown Prince Wei, why are you here? Yu’er has been looking everywhere, so worried.” Wei Rufeng immediately resumed his usual considerate and refined manner, smiling as he spoke with Zhuang Yu-Shan. Yet the hidden impatience in his eyes deepened Zhuang Yu Shan’s gaze.
Han Yan circled the corridor back to Qing Qiu Garden. Ji Lan, who had been following beside her, worried, “Young Lady…”
They had all heard Wei Rufeng’s words. Although Han Yan had refused, given Wei Rufeng’s nature, he wouldn’t give up so easily. At this time, a woman’s marriage was not her own decision. If Zhuang Shiyang agreed, she truly had no recourse.
But marrying Wei Rufeng was unacceptable to her. Moreover, their recent encounters had increasingly shown her that Wei Rufeng was not the person she wanted. She wondered why she had been so infatuated with him in her previous life.
Disturbed, Han Yan felt restless. Shu Hong had received news that the Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had handed the bandit case entirely to Prince Wei. Han Yan smiled bitterly – with Prince Wei handling it, he would certainly curry favor with Zhuang Shiyang, and Madam Zhou would surely find ways to make Zhuang Shiyang cover up the matter.
Just letting it be suppressed like this – Han Yan had experienced Madam Zhou’s ability to minimize major incidents in her previous life, but this time, she had at least been made to pay a price. The fact of Zhuang Yu Shan’s kidnapping had spread throughout the capital – with her reputation for purity ruined, let Madam Zhou reap what she had sown in this life. The scene at Wang Jiang Tower made the nobles understand the truth about Han Yan being bullied by Zhuang Shiyang’s concubine. In the future, if she stood against the Zhuang family, Han Yan would have public opinion on her side.
“Oh right,” Han Yan suddenly remembered something, “On the Censor’s way home…”
Shu Hong lowered her head, “It’s been taken care of, Young Lady.”
In the Imperial Study.
With a “bang,” a yellow memorial was thrown to the ground. The Emperor angrily threw down his brush, “Absurd! Absurd!”
Two people stood before the table – one wearing a cyan silk official robe with a simple jade belt, the other in a purple-gold long robe wearing a golden crown – Fu Yunxi and the Seventh Prince.
“All these memorials, one after another, are censors impeaching Zhuang Shiyang! As a court official, he favors a concubine over his wife, allowing the concubine to bully his legitimate daughter! He’s gone too far! I’ll strip him of his official position!”
The Seventh Prince was startled, smiling, “Father, don’t harm your health with anger… Zhuang Shiyang… is that Third-Rank Official Zhuang?”
The Emperor glanced at him without speaking.
The Seventh Prince observed the Emperor’s expression while saying, “Lord Zhuang… is usually amiable and upright, how could he favor a concubine over his wife? Could there be some misunderstanding?”
The Emperor slammed the table, “Are all these censors blind then?”
The Seventh Prince quickly lowered his head, “Your son dares not question, but… why would so many censors suddenly impeach Lord Zhuang together? Your son merely finds it strange. Father is a wise ruler, usually so perceptive – if a minister is wrongly accused, wouldn’t it discourage other ministers?”
The Emperor coldly watched the Seventh Prince, then suddenly laughed heartily, saying kindly, “You make a good point.” Then changed the subject: “Cloud Dusk, what’s your view on this matter?”
Fu Yunxi spoke calmly, “Last night on New Year’s Eve, this official went to Wang Jiang Tower with friends to watch fireworks and encountered an interesting incident.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, “What incident? Tell me.”
The Seventh Prince stiffened, his gaze falling on Fu Yunxi, who continued speaking calmly, “That day, Lord Zhuang’s family was also at Wang Jiang Tower. Later, their maid reported that Second Young Lady Zhuang had been kidnapped by bandits.”
“Such a thing happened?” The Emperor’s expression hardened.
Fu Yunxi continued, “Lord Zhuang’s concubine, Second Young Lady’s birth mother, suspected Fourth Young Lady of plotting against her, demanding an explanation before everyone, and slapped the Zhuang family’s legitimate son. Fourth Young Lady, having no choice, could only seek help from Deputy Minister Zhao of the Court of Judicial Review, hoping he would uphold justice for her.”
After listening, the Emperor was furious, “Zhuang Shiyang has become too arrogant! Our Great Dynasty has never had such officials, allowing his concubine to strike his legitimate son – his position has made him increasingly presumptuous! He’s forgotten how to write the character for ‘propriety’!”