Han Yan withdrew the hairpin she had pressed against Zhuang Yu Shan’s back. She dragged Zhuang Yu Shan onto the bed, removed her shoes, socks, and outer garments, and pulled the already thick curtains tightly shut. Only after completing all this did she leisurely walk out of the room.
This was a room located in the center of the garden, normally used when someone spilled tea while appreciating flowers, where they could change out of their soiled clothes. Han Yan had been suspicious from the beginning, and now her suspicions were confirmed, making her feel more at ease.
What a vicious scheme Madam Da Zhou had devised – arranging for her to be alone with Zhang Wei in one room, planning for the ladies to discover them when they came to admire flowers in the garden after the banquet, finding some excuse to enter this room and catch them in the act. Han Yan’s reputation would be completely ruined. With her virtue compromised and branded as dissolute, no family would dare take her except Zhang Wei. Once Zhang Wei took her as a concubine, he would surely torture her endlessly.
In her previous life, Han Yan had always been somewhat afraid of Madam Da Zhou. Though she always wore a smile and treated people with gentle kindness, whenever Zhuang Han Ming and Zhang Wei had conflicts, Madam Da Zhou would first blame Zhang Wei, yet Zhuang Han Ming would inevitably end up being punished. She always managed to subtly shift all responsibility onto others. Grand Tutor Zhang had seen many beauties – perhaps Madam Da Zhou’s current position wasn’t achieved through beauty alone.
The war between her and Madam Da Zhou had now begun. However, at present, Zhuang Yu-Shan would reap what she sowed – someone else’s reputation would be compromised. One could only wonder how Madam Zhou would react when she found out.
As Han Yan walked toward Qing Qiu Court, she suddenly felt a cold wind from behind. Having spent time with Chai Jing lately, her senses had become sharper than before. She managed to dodge swiftly, barely catching a glimpse of the person.
It was someone in black clothes.
The black-clad figure had their face covered, showing only their eyes. Han Yan’s heart went cold, and she almost cried out about an assassin, but then considered how to explain her drunken presence here, and why Zhuang Yu Shan was lying on the bed in the garden room. If Madam Da Zhou turned this against her… While these thoughts raced through her mind, the black-clad figure came straight for her, arousing her suspicions.
Usually, an assassin discovered in the mansion would try to escape by any means necessary – why would they pursue a mere girl? Moreover, this assassin was empty-handed, not seeming intent on killing, but rather on restraining her specifically. Could they be Madam Da Zhou’s people?
But the situation left no time for contemplation. Han Yan had little martial arts training, and she had already used all the sleeping powder hidden in her sleeve on Zhuang Yu-Shan. She had nothing but a plum blossom needle left on her person. However, the attacker’s martial arts were clearly on a different level – even if she drew out the plum blossom needle, it would be like an ant trying to shake a tree.
Seeing that Han Yan had managed to avoid two strikes, the attacker’s eyes flashed with surprise, and their attacks became even more merciless. Han Yan had no choice but to draw out the plum blossom needle, but she couldn’t even touch the hem of the black-clad figure’s clothes. She was greatly alarmed – like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, she had now become that mantis. For all her calculations, she hadn’t anticipated this black-clad figure appearing out of nowhere!
With a “ding,” her plum blossom needle was knocked away by a pebble. Now unarmed, Han Yan saw the black-clad figure lunging toward her in a flash. Finding nowhere to dodge, she could only clench her fists and prepare to cry for help.
At this critical moment, a gust of wind swept past from behind her – two green leaves from a tree flew straight toward the black-clad figure’s knees. The attacker hadn’t expected anyone else to appear and couldn’t dodge in time. Their legs weakened as the seemingly gentle leaves carried an immense force. Their heart went cold, and in the next second, two cool fingers pressed against their neck meridian, squeezing hard and instantly rendering them unconscious.
Han Yan stood frozen as the suddenly appeared man in blue clothes turned his head, slightly frowning: “What’s going on?”
It was Fu Yun Xi.
Han Yan shook her head, indicating she didn’t know either. She watched as Fu Yun Xi searched the black-clad figure, apparently finding something. After pondering for a moment, he walked over to her.
“That person…” Han Yan looked at where the black-clad figure had fallen, feeling uneasy about leaving such a person in the mansion. Fu Yun Xi gestured for her to look, and she saw a guard-like figure picking up and carrying away the unconscious attacker. She was surprised but seeing Fu Yun Xi’s composed manner, she knew he would handle it properly and felt reassured.
Seeing this wasn’t a place for conversation, Han Yan walked toward a small path leading to Qing Qiu Court. This path was rarely used and had become practically abandoned. Han Yan had intended to talk with Fu Yun Xi, but as they walked, she felt a strange sensation, as if she were having a secret meeting with him. Lost in these thoughts, she wasn’t watching where she was going and bumped straight into Fu Yun Xi’s chest as he had stopped to wait for her.
“Ouch, what are you…” Han Yan rubbed her head, looking at Fu Yun Xi somewhat reproachfully, wondering why he had suddenly stopped. Looking up to see Fu Yun Xi staring intently at her with an unreadable expression, she felt inexplicably nervous and swallowed the rest of her words.
She always felt somewhat afraid when facing Fu Yun Xi. Having died once, Han Yan had become much braver – even when facing the Empress Dowager or being bullied by others, she hadn’t felt as heavy-hearted as she did in Fu Yun Xi’s presence. It was as if before him, she was just a thirteen-year-old girl, the guileless Han Yan, with no thoughts of revenge. He, too, seemed like a true elder, looking at her as one would look at an ignorant child.
After a moment of silence, Han Yan wanted to break the awkward atmosphere and searched for something to say: “Why is Your Highness here?”
Fu Yun Xi replied: “I also received an invitation from the Zhuang family.”
Han Yan was first stunned, then understood. Zhuang Shi Yang sending Fu Yun Xi an invitation was unexpected. The Zhuang family and the Seventh Prince’s faction had always disapproved of the Crown Prince’s party. Fu Yun Xi, as a trusted ally of the Crown Prince’s faction, was naturally a thorn in their side. Thinking further, she couldn’t help but smile – Zhuang Shi Yang was probably truly afraid of the Emperor’s suspicion, and being at a critical moment, naturally needed to lay low. Having Fu Yun Xi come could reassure the Emperor.
“It seems every time I’m in trouble, I encounter Your Highness,” Han Yan sighed, wondering if the Xuan Qing Prince was some kind of harbinger of misfortune, as they only met when she was in dire straits.
Fu Yun Xi caught her meaning and reminded her: “It was I who saved you.”
Han Yan blushed and muttered: “Who knows who wanted to ambush me.”
“They were the Seventh Prince’s people.”
Han Yan was shocked and looked up at Fu Yun Xi, who narrowed his eyes and said quietly: “The Seventh Prince has people watching you.”
“I… don’t have any grievances with him,” Han Yan hesitated, carefully reviewing in her mind the few times she had encountered the Seventh Prince, confirming she hadn’t revealed any weaknesses or had any direct conflicts with him.