His gaze swept over Zhuang Yushan, then over the Zhou sisters, as he recalled Han Yan’s earlier behavior. Han Yan seemed to strongly dislike this Consort Zhou. An idea formed in his mind, and he raised his head to address Zhuang Shiyang: “Concubine? I was thinking of making Second Miss Zhuang my Secondary Consort.”

Secondary Consort? Hearing these words, not only Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yushan but even Prince Wei couldn’t help but look at Wei Rufeng in surprise. As the Crown Prince of the Wei Prince Manor, Wei Rufeng would certainly inherit the title of Prince Wei in the future.

The Crown Princess would become the future Princess, and even a Secondary Consort position was beyond what most officials’ daughters dared to dream of. When the Wei Prince Manor had previously chosen Han Yan as the Crown Princess, Zhuang Shiyang had been overjoyed, feeling they had made an excellent match above their station. Now, for Zhuang Yushan, a mere concubine-born daughter, to become Secondary Consort… this was truly unexpected!

Zhuang Yushan could hardly contain her joy. A Secondary Consort’s rank was far above a concubine’s—Wei Rufeng truly did care for her! She knew it—what man didn’t appreciate beauty? She was beautiful, and Wei Rufeng was just an ordinary man—how could he not like her? With these thoughts, she cast a coy glance at Wei Rufeng, her eyes brimming with undisguised affection.

Elder Madam Zhou, however, was suspicious. She had seen Wei Rufeng’s earlier attitude—he didn’t want to marry Zhuang Yushan. Now he suddenly said this? Madam Zhou and Zhuang Yushan might not see it, but she could tell he had some scheme in mind. How could the Crown Prince be so easily manipulated? She smiled and said, “Is the Crown Prince joking… given Yushan’s status, becoming a Secondary Consort might be somewhat inappropriate.”

Prince Wei nodded as well. He knew his son well. He didn’t like Zhuang Yushan at all, and if it was just about taking responsibility, making her Secondary Consort would be excessive. Among all the noble young ladies in the world, any of them would be more suitable as a Secondary Consort than Zhuang Yushan, a concubine’s daughter.

Wei Rufeng smiled: “Does Madam Zhou not trust this Crown Prince’s words?” After a pause, he continued, “The Wei Prince Manor had previously discussed with Master Zhuang about taking Fourth Miss Zhuang as the Crown Princess.”

At these words, Zhuang Yushan’s body stiffened, her clenched fists driving her nails deep into her palms. Why? Why did Wei Rufeng want to marry that cheap woman as his primary wife? Just because she was legitimate-born! All of this should have been hers, and now with Wei Rufeng saying this, how could she face it? Her hatred for Han Yan grew even stronger with these thoughts.

Zhuang Shiyang hesitated: “The Crown Prince means…”

Wei Rufeng moved his lips: “I agree to make Second Miss Zhuang my Secondary Consort! But I must also simultaneously marry Fourth Miss Zhuang as my Crown Princess!”

Sisters serving the same husband! With this, everyone present understood Wei Rufeng’s intention. Zhuang Yushan was furious—it seemed her position as Secondary Consort came only through Han Yan’s light. If they both entered the Wei Prince Manor in the future, she would still be beneath Han Yan, and the mere thought made her sick. What was so good about that cheap woman? Why was Wei Rufeng so determined to make her his Crown Princess?

Madam Zhou and Elder Madam Zhou exchanged glances, and Elder Madam Zhou smiled: “But given what has happened with Yushan, the marriage must be arranged quickly. However, Yan’er hasn’t come of age yet. Having them both enter the Wei Prince Manor at the same time might not be possible.”

Wei Rufeng replied: “That’s not difficult. As long as Fourth Miss Zhuang and I are betrothed, the wedding can wait until next year. As for Second Miss Zhuang…” His gaze swept over Zhuang Yushan: “She can enter the manor on an auspicious day.”

“Really?” Madam Zhou said with some excitement. After what had happened, she had thought Zhuang Yushan would be difficult to marry off. She hadn’t expected Zhang Wei to become Wei Rufeng, and now he was willing to make Yushan his Secondary Consort—this was like a gift from heaven. How could they not agree? Fearing he might change his mind, she immediately said: “I’ll go prepare the arrangements right away.”

“Wait…” Wei Rufeng stopped her movement, speaking each word deliberately: “But the prerequisite is… Fourth Miss Zhuang and my betrothal must be settled first.”

Wei Rufeng wanted Zhuang Han Yan. Although he hadn’t managed to ruin Han Yan’s reputation this time and had to marry Zhuang Yushan, he still felt unsatisfied. So he thought of the idea of sisters serving the same husband. Han Yan’s words had finally struck at his pride, and her recent cold indifference toward him had bred resentment. Knowing Han Yan despised Madam Zhou the most, making Zhuang Yushan his Secondary Consort would be a great humiliation for Han Yan. It would serve as punishment for her disregard for him.

Though Madam Zhou was displeased, she dared not show it, so she exchanged a few more pleasantries. Thus it was decided. On the eighth day of the next month, Zhuang Yushan would enter the Wei Prince Manor as the Crown Prince’s Secondary Consort, but before that, Han Yan and Wei Rufeng’s betrothal would be settled first.

After Wei Rufeng left, Zhang Wei returned, saying only that he had been knocked unconscious and didn’t know what had happened. Zhuang Shiyang happily ordered the servants to make arrangements, while Madam Zhou, her sister, and Zhuang Yushan returned to Gongtong Court. When Madam Zhou asked Zhuang Yushan about what had happened today, Zhuang Yushan told the truth. Elder Madam Zhou’s expression changed: “We underestimated her.” She had previously thought Zhuang Han Yan merely had some minor cleverness, but now it seemed she couldn’t be allowed to remain.

“But she’s going to be the Crown Princess,” Zhuang Yushan said resentfully. “After entering the Wei Prince Manor, I’ll still be beneath her. I can’t swallow this!”

Madam Zhou patted her hand comfortingly: “Mother will find a way. It’s just a betrothal for now. She still has a year before coming of age—who knows what might happen in that year? Don’t worry.”

Elder Madam Zhou also smiled: “It’s fine even if you both enter the manor—better, even. Without anyone by her side to help her, won’t she be at your mercy? Just be clever about it. She’s only a young girl, nothing to fear.”

Zhuang Yushan finally felt somewhat reassured. However, Madam Zhou remembered something and looked at Elder Madam Zhou: “Sister, why didn’t Grand Tutor Zhang take you back to his manor?” Grand Tutor Zhang’s returning alone was quite unexpected. After all, she was his most favored concubine, yet he let her continue staying at the Zhuang Manor—it was indeed strange.

Elder Madam Zhou’s expression flickered before she smiled: “The master wanted me to keep you company, saying you needed someone by your side right now, so there’s no rush to return.” She glanced outside: “Besides, looking at your current state, how can you contend with that Fourth Miss? With me here, I can help you.”

Hearing her words, Madam Zhou thought of her lost child and felt another wave of heartache, putting aside her suspicions about Elder Madam Zhou. After Zhuang Yushan offered a few words of comfort, she hurried off to prepare jewelry for her upcoming wedding, showing no sign of sadness in her actions, as if the person caught in the compromising situation today hadn’t been her. She even seemed somewhat smug.

In Qingqiu Court.

“You say she’s been searching through things everywhere?” Han Yan frowned.

Ji Lan, seeing no one around, carefully whispered in Han Yan’s ear: “The maids in Gongtong Court have seen her several times, looking through Consort Zhou’s boxes.”

Han Yan propped her chin, wondering why Elder Madam Zhou would be searching through Madam Zhou’s boxes.