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This prison break incident at Dali Temple shocked the entire capital. The corpses strewn across Dali Temple turned it into a true hell.

"Lord Fu, how could things have come to this?"

"It seems that the pirate who slaughtered Danzhou is no ordinary person."

"But... but what should we do now?"

"Have the Five Cities Garrison seal off the city gates. We must capture these ruthless bandits."

"Yes, sir! I will go and report right away."

However, these pirates who broke into the prison seemed to appear out of thin air and disappear just as suddenly, leaving no trace for the soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison.

Although Fu Yunxi had always suspected Su Ning, the owner of "Sanwei Bookstore", he unfortunately had no evidence.

He also dared not provoke Su Ning, after all, Su Ning was now an earl, not an orphan like Zhuang Hanyan.

No trace of the notorious bandits could be found, and the case became an unsolved mystery, casting a shadow over the hearts of everyone in the capital.

……

Snow blanketed the capital, and the Zhuang family mansion was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations on New Year's Eve. The newly pasted peach charms on the vermilion gate were dazzling.

Zhuang Hanyan stood under the corridor, watching the busy servants in the courtyard, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the hardened mung bean cake in her sleeve.

This is the last piece I brought from Danzhou three years ago; it was a token of my father Zhuang Shiyang's affection, sent from afar.

"Miss, it's time to go to the front hall," the maid Qingxing gently reminded her, interrupting her thoughts.

Zhuang Hanyan withdrew her gaze and straightened the collar of her moon-white jacket and skirt.

The eighteen-year-old girl had a slender figure, but her eyes held a coldness that was incongruous with her age.

She stepped into the front hall, her embroidered shoes making a soft crunching sound on the snow.

Three banquet tables had been set up in the front hall. At the main table, Old Madam Zhuang sat at the head of the table, flanked by Zhuang Shiyang and his second wife, Zhou Ruyin.

Zhuang Hanyan's gaze swept over the two empty seats, which were her and her birth mother Ruan Xiwen's seats.

"Han Yan has arrived." Zhuang Shiyang smiled warmly, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. "Please take a seat, we've been waiting for you and your mother."

After bowing to her elders, Zhuang Hanyan sat down, catching a glimpse of Zhou Ruyin's faint, cold smile out of the corner of her eye.

This stepmother had only been in the family for five years, yet she had already given the Zhuang family two children: fourteen-year-old Zhuang Yushan and ten-year-old Zhuang Yuchi.

"Why hasn't the mistress arrived yet? Is she ill again?" Zhou Ruyin asked in a soft, charming voice.

He pinched Zhuang Yushan hard, and the boy, wincing in pain, immediately shouted, "That's right! Aunt Ruan is always late and has no manners at all!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

Grandma Zhuang slammed her teacup down on the table, making a crisp clinking sound.

"Yushan!" Zhuang Shiyang shouted sternly.

But then the beaded curtain at the doorway fluttered slightly, and Ruan Xiwen, dressed in an indigo blue dress, gracefully entered.

The 35-year-old woman had a slender face and beautiful features, and she possessed an air of neither arrogance nor servility as she walked.

"Sorry I'm late." Ruan Xiwen nodded slightly to everyone, her gaze lingering almost imperceptibly as it swept over Zhuang Hanyan.

Zhuang Hanyan lowered her eyelids, deliberately avoiding her mother's gaze.

Three years after returning to Beijing, Ruan Xiwen remained cold and distant towards her, and even reprimanded her in public on several occasions.

As the banquet began, the maids served one exquisite dish after another.

Ruan Xiwen suddenly clapped her hands, and two maids carried in a mahogany box.

"With the New Year approaching, I've prepared some small gifts." Ruan Xiwen opened the box, took out the gifts, and distributed them one by one.

The old lady Zhuang received a string of sandalwood prayer beads, Zhuang Shiyang received a Duan inkstone, and Zhou Ruyin received a pair of jade earrings.

When it was Zhuang Hanyan's turn, Ruan Xiwen handed her a brocade pouch: "You have an impatient nature, this Bodhi seed bracelet can help you calm down."

Zhuang Hanyan took it; it was icy cold to the touch.

She suppressed the bitterness in her heart and whispered her thanks.

For the past three years, her mother has given her nothing but Buddhist scriptures and prayer beads, as if she were some kind of sinner who needed to repent at all times.

Halfway through the banquet, a maid brought out a plate of mung bean cakes.

Zhuang Hanyan's heart skipped a beat. This was a specialty of Danzhou, which her father used to send to her often.

"Isn't this mung bean cake from Danzhou?" Zhuang Yushan grabbed a piece, took a bite, then frowned and spat it out. "Pah! It's so rough, how can anyone eat it!"

Zhuang Hanyan clenched her fist tightly, her nails digging deep into her palm.

That was her father's sentiment, her only solace when she was alone in Danzhou.

“If you don’t like it, then don’t eat it.” Ruan Xiwen suddenly spoke, her voice as cold as ice. “The mung bean cake from Danzhou is made with local green sand beans. Although it’s not refined, it has a unique flavor.”

Zhuang Hanyan looked at her mother in surprise. This was the first time Ruan Xiwen had defended things related to her in front of everyone.

The banquet ended in an eerie atmosphere.

On her way back to her room, Zhuang Hanyan was stopped by Ruan Xiwen.

"Deliver this to Jing'an Temple first thing tomorrow morning." Ruan Xiwen handed over a bundle. "Be sure to give it to the abbot personally."

Zhuang Hanyan took it and smelled a faint medicinal fragrance: "What is this?"

“It’s none of your business.” Ruan Xiwen turned to leave, but then stopped. “Remember, no matter what happens, never go back to the Zhuang family in the capital. The Su Ning you chose may not be a good match for you.”

These words were like a dull knife, slowly cutting into Zhuang Hanyan's heart.

It's always the same, always the same. Her mother's words to her are always full of warnings and distance.

"Mother, I already know your secret with Uncle Yuwen. Do you want to fight Father to the death?"

"Who told you this? Yuwen Chang'an, right?"

"No! It's my fiancé, Su Ning. He knows a lot of secrets."

"What? Just who is this Su Ning? How does he know all this information?"

"I don't know either! Su Ning said you didn't want to drag me down, so you wanted me to stay away from the bookmakers."

"Since you know all this, why don't you leave with Su Ning?"

"Mother, could it be that you've misunderstood Father?"

"Han Yan, you don't understand! As for whether it's a misunderstanding, Su Ning should have told you, right?"

"But I still can't believe it."

"You're the kind of person who won't shed a tear until he sees the coffin."

"Mother……"

……

The next morning, before Zhuang Hanyan had even set off for Jing'an Temple, a group of imperial guards suddenly stormed into the Zhuang residence and took away Zhuang Shiyang and several visiting officials.

The entire Zhuang household was in chaos, the servants were in a panic, and Old Madam Zhuang fainted on the spot.

"Quiet down!" Ruan Xiwen stood on the steps in front of the hall, her voice not loud but extremely intimidating. "Granny Chen, go and fetch the servants' registration documents."

Before long, Granny Chen returned carrying a black lacquered wooden box.

Ruan Xiwen opened the box, took out the papers inside, and distributed them one by one: "From today onwards, you are no longer servants of the Zhuang family. These deeds are returned to you; go and make a living on your own."

The servants looked at each other in bewilderment. Several of the older servants had already knelt down and kowtowed, crying and refusing to leave.

Zhuang Hanyan stood on the veranda, observing coldly, not understanding why her mother had dismissed the servants at this time.

"What are you doing?" Zhou Ruyin rushed forward, her voice shrill. "The master has just been taken away, and you're already trying to tear this house down?"

Ruan Xiwen didn't even glance at her, continuing to distribute the household registration deeds: "The Zhuang family is about to face a great calamity; keeping them around will only implicate innocent people." The last person to receive a deed was Qingxing, her eyes red-rimmed as she looked at Zhuang Hanyan: "Miss, what will you do if I leave?"

Before Zhuang Hanyan could speak, Ruan Xiwen said sternly, "She has her own place to go, you don't need to worry about her!"

After the last servant left, Zhou Ruyin suddenly knelt before Ruan Xiwen: "Sister, I know I was wrong. Over the years, I have been the one who usurped the family's position. Now that the Zhuang family is in dire straits, I beg you to take over the family business again."

She took off the key chain from her waist and offered it with both hands, saying, "I voluntarily confine myself in the side courtyard, only asking that you protect Yushan and Yuchi."

Ruan Xiwen was silent for a moment, then took the key: "You're quite clever, knowing who can save the Zhuang family at this time."

Zhuang Hanyan watched this scene with a cold eye, her mind filled with doubts.

The mother seemed to have anticipated this change, and she took each step with composure.

Three days later, Yuwen Chang'an led his troops to surround the Zhuang residence, claiming that he wanted to search for Pei Dafu's adopted son.

The entire household was herded to the front courtyard. Yuwen Chang'an, clad in black armor, swept his gaze across the crowd like a hawk.

“The Pei Dafu treason case has far-reaching implications. According to investigations, his adopted son is hiding among you officials’ families.”

Yuwen Chang'an's voice was icy cold, "If no one confesses voluntarily, I will kill one person every hour."

Old Mrs. Zhuang, née Wei, fainted on the spot and was carried back to her room.

Zhou Ruyin hugged her two children tightly, her face deathly pale.

Only Ruan Xiwen stood ramrod straight, her expression so calm it was almost eerie.

Zhuang Hanyan secretly observed her mother's reaction, and her doubts grew deeper and deeper.

She quietly moved closer to Ruan Xiwen and whispered, "What does Mother know? Why doesn't she tell everyone?"

Ruan Xiwen glanced at her, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "The less you know, the safer you are."

The soldiers began searching the entire prefecture, and the sound of objects breaking could be heard intermittently.

Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from the backyard: "There's a hidden door here!"

Yuwen Chang'an immediately led his men to the scene. Zhuang Hanyan followed and discovered that the wall of the kitchen had been pushed open, revealing a dark passageway.

"This is..." Zhuang Shiyang's pageboy trembled, "I had no idea there was a secret room here..."

Yuwen Chang'an ordered his men to light torches and took the lead into the passage.

About fifteen minutes later, he returned with a grim expression: "The Pei family's private residence is at the end of the passage. The evidence of Zhuang Shiyang's collusion with the rebels is irrefutable!"

"What?!" The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Zhou Ruyin collapsed to the ground, and the two children cried in fright.

Zhuang Hanyan looked at Ruan Xiwen and noticed a barely perceptible smile on her mother's lips.

“Three years ago, Granny Chen and I accidentally discovered this secret room.” Ruan Xiwen suddenly spoke, her voice so clear that everyone could hear her. “We walked deeper in and came directly to the Pei family’s residence. From that moment on, I knew Zhuang Shiyang’s true colors.”

Zhuang Hanyan was struck dumb.

It turned out that Mother had indeed known all along, but had endured it all this time, just to seek justice for the Ruan family.

Yuwen Chang'an ordered that all the members of the Zhuang family be taken to the Dali Temple.

Before leaving, Ruan Xiwen suddenly grabbed Zhuang Hanyan's wrist: "Remember my words, don't go back to Danzhou!"

"Why?" Zhuang Hanyan finally asked the question that had been buried for many years. "Why did you send me away when I was little? Why are you so cold to me after I returned to the capital? I am your daughter!"

A flicker of pain crossed Ruan Xiwen's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "It is precisely because you are my daughter that you must stay away from all of this."

The officers and soldiers roughly separated them.

Zhuang Hanyan was locked in a separate room, while Ruan Xiwen and the others were taken to prison.

In the stillness of the night, Zhuang Hanyan took out the brocade pouch her mother had given her from her sleeve.

After opening it, besides the string of bodhi seeds, there was also a yellowed piece of paper—an adoption document, dated two years ago, showing that she had been adopted by Zhang Youchang in Danzhou.

"So that's how it is..." Zhuang Hanyan's tears finally fell.

The mother's deliberate estrangement over the years, and her parting words, "Don't go back to the capital," made everything clear.

Ruan Xiwen had been preparing for this day for a long time, using every means to sever her daughter's ties with the Zhuang family.

The following morning, Yuwen Chang'an read out the imperial edict: Zhuang Shiyang, Old Madam Zhuang, Ruan Xiwen, and Zhou Ruyin and her son were sentenced to immediate execution.

When Zhuang Yushan questioned why Zhuang Hanyan's name was not on the document, Yuwen Chang'an showed him the adoption certificate.

"Zhuang Hanyan was no longer a member of the Zhuang family two years ago, so naturally she is not implicated."

"what?"

After the gang members were taken away, Ruan Xiwen finally avenged her great grudge and had no regrets in this life.

Zhuang Hanyan, who had just experienced the warmth of maternal love, was about to face the pain of losing her mother.

She walked alone on the street, and in a daze, she seemed to see herself barefoot when she went to the farmer's house, but now it was all in vain.

She couldn't accept that her loved ones were leaving her one by one.

The newly reorganized Dali Temple has risen to prominence once again, and Fu Yunxi is ordered to lead men to raid the Zhuang family's estate.

“Lord Fu, you must have known the inside story all along, but I never expected you to have concealed it so well.”

"Third Miss, does it still matter now?"

"I swear I will go to the prison to save my mother, even if it costs me my life."

"Don't take any risks. You can stay at the Fu family's place or go to seek refuge with that loyal and diligent Earl."

"No! Su Ning will always respect me. He supports me in rescuing my family through my own means."

"..."

Fu Yunxi couldn't understand Zhuang Hanyan's stubbornness, but since things had come to this point, he had no better options.

Zhuang Shiyang suddenly asked to see Zhuang Hanyan one last time.

"Father, what exactly is that secret passage?"

"Alas! The matter of the secret passage was forced upon me by Pei Dafu. I, a mere minor official, had no power to refuse."

"Mother says you're the one who ruined the Ruan family, is that true?"

"How could that be? Those were all the sins committed by Pei Dafu. Your mother misunderstood me out of anger and resentment."

"This……"

"Han Yan, please help me pass on this message and help me get out of trouble."

"it is good."

When Zhuang Hanyan walked out of the prison, she went straight to the housekeeper.

According to the matchmaker, the original owner of the Zhuang Mansion was Wu Youzhi, the Prince of Shunping of this dynasty.

At this moment, she suspected that Prince Shunping was the mastermind behind all the conspiracies, which also matched the image of Pei Dafu as a rebellious son.

If we can find Wu Youzhi, we can definitely save the dealer.

Upon learning that Wu Youzhi had disappeared and only the princess remained in the palace, she disguised herself as a maidservant planted by the prince and came before the princess to inquire about the prince's whereabouts.

The princess mistook the prince for returning and was so frightened that she trembled with fear.

From her expression, it was clear that the princess was afraid of the prince. It turned out that she had been subjected to domestic violence and that her marriage to the prince was merely a formality. She wished that the prince, who had disappeared, would never come back.

The prostitutes in Hongliuyuan were actually the prince's legal wives.

……

(End of this chapter)