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Zhuang Yuchi's coffin was placed in the main hall, and the white banners fluttered in the night wind.

Zhou Ruyin stroked her newly changed gold-embroidered horse-face skirt, a garment reserved for the principal wife, her fingertips pinching deep pleats into the hem.

At this moment, she no longer felt the joy of being officially hired; all she felt was endless regret and sorrow.

"If Chi'er has a spirit in heaven, she will be happy for her mother." She murmured to herself, but couldn't help but smile.

"My brother's body is barely cold, and my mother is already in a hurry to dress him in red and green?"

Zhuang Yushan's voice came from behind the curtain.

The girl was dressed in plain white, with only a white velvet flower in her hair, which made her face appear even paler.

Zhou Ruyin turned around abruptly, the golden phoenix hairpin in her hair flashing a blinding light: "Who gave you permission to dress like this? Your brother hates white the most!"

“Then Mother should go to the underworld to teach him a lesson.” Zhuang Yushan grabbed a handful of paper money and threw it into the brazier. “After all… it was you who personally pushed him under Zhuang Hanyan’s knife.”

The fire pit crackled and popped.

Zhou Ruyin raised her hand to hit her, but her daughter grabbed her wrist.

To her astonishment, she discovered that this timid and cowardly illegitimate daughter had a chillingly fierce flame burning in her eyes.

"Let go!" Zhou Ruyin struggled a few times but couldn't budge. "Your father only has you as his child now, don't think..."

"Father?" Zhuang Yushan suddenly burst into laughter, startling the crows guarding the eaves. "Do you really think he would care about a daughter?"

She leaned close to Zhou Ruyin's ear, "I heard everything he said when he was drunk that night..."

Zhou Ruyin's expression changed drastically.

Of course she remembered Zhuang Shiyang's drunken ramblings that night: "I am not the only adopted son of Pei Dafu; Fu Yunxi is the one who is the most secretive."

"What do you know!" Zhou Ruyin shoved her daughter away abruptly. "If it weren't for all these years I've done..."

"All these years you've been playing dumb, haven't you? It was all for this day!" Zhuang Yushan stroked his brother's memorial tablet. "Now that Chi'er has risked her life to earn your position as his legal wife, do you really dare to accept it?"

"I……"

There were footsteps outside the door.

The mother and daughter fell silent at the same time, watching Zhuang Shiyang walk in dressed in mourning clothes.

His gaze swept over Zhou Ruyin's luxurious dress, and a hint of approval appeared on his face: "Madam, this is a very good outfit. Wear it when you receive the imperial decree tomorrow."

"Receive the imperial decree?" Zhuang Yushan keenly grasped the key phrase.

Zhuang Shiyang personally lit incense for his eldest son: "His Majesty, remembering my merit in compiling the 'Secret Records of the Pei Party,' has granted Zhou the special permission to be elevated to the position of principal wife."

He turned to Zhuang Yushan, "As for you... I've arranged a good marriage for you."

The ashes in the incense burner suddenly moved on their own without any wind.

Zhuang Yushan looked at the strange smile on his father's lips and suddenly realized: "Is he Consort Miao's nephew? The one who beat three wives to death..."

"Shut up!" Zhou Ruyin interrupted sharply, "It's your good fortune to marry into the Miao family!"

Zhuang Yushan grabbed the scissors from the offering table and pointed them at his own throat: "Then I'd rather go and join Chi'er!"

"Go ahead and cut it!" Zhuang Shiyang slowly and methodically adjusted the mourning bandage. "Even if you die, I will still send you there."

The scissors clattered to the ground.

Zhuang Yushan slumped on the prayer mat, watching his parents walk away hand in hand.

Moonlight shone through the white banner onto Zhuang Yuchi's memorial tablet, where a dark red mark slowly flowed down where the paint was still wet, much like the blood at the corner of his brother's mouth when he breathed his last.

However, she had already gotten used to obeying this father, after all, Aunt Zhou's influence on her was very strong.

……

At this time, Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi were still searching for evidence of Zhuang Shiyang's crimes.

“The Inspectorate suffered a fire last year.” Fu Yunxi kicked open the charred file cabinet. “The sandalwood box that Lord Yuwen mentioned is probably already ashes.”

Zhuang Hanyan wiped the ash from her face and picked up half a gilded lock from the ruins: "Not necessarily."

She pointed to the engravings on the inside of the clasp, "This is the mark of the Yuwen family. The box must have been taken away."

Fu Yunxi suddenly pulled her behind a pillar.

Footsteps approached from afar, and several clerks carrying torches patrolled the area.

“Miao Guifei’s people,” Fu Yunxi said in a low voice, “It seems we’re not the only ones eyeing the evidence.”

After the footsteps faded away, Zhuang Hanyan took out a golden phoenix hairpin from her sleeve. The tip of the hairpin gleamed with a faint blue luster in the moonlight: "Uncle Yuwen said that if the box is not here, we should go and find the person the hairpin is guiding us to."

Fu Yunxi stared at the fine, hair-like patterns on the hairpin. They were not decorations at all, but miniature layouts of the imperial palace.

His fingertip paused on the words "Imperial Pharmacy": "Consort Miao has been frequently summoning Imperial Physician Tan recently."

"Lord Tan is too tight-lipped," Zhuang Hanyan shook her head. "Unless..."

“Unless we have a reason for him to speak.” Fu Yunxi took out a secret letter from her bosom. “Three years ago, in the Imperial Medical Academy’s corruption case, this Imperial Physician Tan substituted ginseng with arsenic.”

Zhuang Hanyan's eyes lit up, then dimmed again: "But Consort Miao is in dire straits herself. This morning I heard from the maid that five ministers jointly impeached her for interfering in politics..."

Fu Yunxi suddenly gestured for Zhuang Hanyan to shut up.

A soft clatter came from the roof tiles, and a dark shadow flashed by.

Only after confirming that the danger had passed did he release his grip: "It's not five, it's six. Minister Deng is just the nominal leader."

The moonlight cast their shadows onto the ruins, weaving them into eerie patterns.

Zhuang Hanyan suddenly laughed: "Then we'll help the Imperial Concubine... trim these six fingernails."

Just as the night watchman in the backyard of the Deng residence turned the corner, two dark figures scaled the wall.

When Zhuang Hanyan landed, she stepped on a dry branch. Fu Yunxi quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, and the two of them pressed against the shadow of the rocks, almost able to hear each other's heartbeats.

"The one with the light on in the east wing," Fu Yunxi whispered in her ear, her warm breath brushing against her neck, "The joint memorial should be hidden there..."

“In the box containing the Zhenguan Zhengyao.” Zhuang Hanyan replied, feeling the arm around her waist stiffen. “Madam Deng was an old friend of my mother’s. She loved to use this kind of box to store important items.”

A look of surprise flashed in Fu Yunxi's eyes, which then turned into admiration.

Just as he was about to act, Zhuang Hanyan stopped him, saying, "Damn it! You should save your skills for dealing with the secret guards."

Before Fu Yunxi could respond, she had already crouched down and darted toward the light.

The shadow of Minister Deng was reflected on the window paper, and sure enough, there was a sandalwood book box on the desk.

Zhuang Hanyan took the golden phoenix hairpin from her hair and gently opened the window latch.

"Who?" Minister Deng looked up alertly.

Zhuang Hanyan slipped in, pressing the tip of her hairpin against the old man's throat: "My lord, please don't be alarmed. This junior has come to retrieve something."

"The Zhuang family girl?" Minister Deng suddenly realized, "I should have thought of it sooner... Consort Miao and Ruan Xiwen..."

"Hmph! You are not worthy to mention my mother's name." Zhuang Hanyan snatched the book box, inside which were six neatly stacked memorials.

She quickly flipped through the pages and saw a familiar name on the last book—Zhuang Shiyang.

Minister Deng suddenly coughed violently: "Zhuang Hanyan, actually your father... is... the real mastermind..."

Blood seeped from between his fingers. "He wants to use this memorial... to exchange for the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince..."

The sound of whistling arrows piercing the air came from outside the window.

Fu Yunxi kicked the door open and entered, blood dripping from the tip of her sword: "The secret guards are dealt with, but the guards have been alerted!"

Zhuang Hanyan stuffed the memorial into her bosom and was about to leave when she saw Minister Deng struggling to point to a hidden compartment behind the bookshelf. After hesitating for a moment, she took out a yellowed letter as the old man pointed.

"Let's go!" Fu Yunxi grabbed her and leaped onto the roof beam.

Behind him came Minister Deng's last murmur: "Miss Ruan... from the Imperial Pharmacy back then..."

The torches of the guards illuminated the courtyard as bright as day.

Zhuang Hanyan was carried by Fu Yunxi as they flew across the rooftops, the memorials and letters in her arms burning her heart.

As they landed in the dark alley, the distant sound of a watchman's drum, like a death knell, signaled the approaching midnight. There were still six hours until Consort Miao's birthday.

……

Zhuang Shiyang has been forcing Fu Yunxi to bring people to protect his safety, which naturally leaves Zhuang Hanyan powerless.

However, Zhuang Hanyan still managed to get the emperor to set a deadline for Zhuang Shiyang's compilation, which meant that the protection of Zhuang Shiyang could not last long.

"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims—"

The eunuch's shrill voice pierced the morning tranquility of the Zhuang residence. Zhuang Shiyang knelt on the bluestone slab, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

When he heard the words "within ten days," the hem of his wide official robe trembled slightly, like water rippling in a pond in the wind.

"Your subject Zhuang Shiyang receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

Zhuang Shiyang accepted the bright yellow silk with both hands, and when he turned around, he was facing Zhuang Hanyan, who was standing under the corridor.

She wore a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) today, with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair, which gleamed coldly in the morning light.

"Father doesn't look too good." Zhuang Hanyan walked slowly closer, her fingertips lightly tracing the edge of the imperial edict. "I think Grandfather's expression was no different when he passed away that day."

Zhuang Shiyang suddenly grabbed her wrist: "You rebellious daughter! Do you know that the crime of deceiving the emperor is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family? Do you really want to make our entire Zhuang family suffer?"

"Nine generations?" Zhuang Hanyan chuckled, her gaze sweeping over the Imperial Guards with swords in the courtyard. "Who's left of my nine generations? I'm now the Lady of the Marquis of Zhongqin, and besides, my parents are those two dead ghosts from Danzhou."

"you……"

At that moment, a series of hurried footsteps broke the standoff.

Zhou Ruyin hurried over, lifting her skirt. Her newly changed official robes dazzled in the sunlight: "Master, the Prince Qi's mansion has sent a visiting card."

A glint flashed in Zhuang Shiyang's eyes. As he released Zhuang Hanyan, he casually straightened her sleeves: "Hmph! I'll talk to you later."

Zhuang Shiyang is now almost at his wit's end, so the Prince of Qi has become his lifeline.

……

In the secret chamber, King Qi kicked over a rosewood armchair: "What a fine daughter you've raised! Consort Miao now holds me hostage, all thanks to Zhuang Hanyan!"

"Your Highness, please calm your anger." Zhuang Shiyang knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold gold brick. "This humble official...this humble official also has a daughter, who is gentle and kind..."

“Zhuang Yushan?” King Qi narrowed his eyes, suddenly recalling the girl in the apricot-colored dress at the Lantern Festival. “She’s more sensible than that Zhuang Hanyan.”

Zhou Ruyin, standing outside the door, covered her mouth and dug her nails deep into the door frame.

Hearing the departing footsteps of the Prince of Qi, she straightened her clothes and entered the secret chamber: "My lord, that girl Yushan is stubborn, perhaps I should..."

“You are now the legal wife.” Zhuang Shiyang rubbed his temples wearily. “You should know what to say and what not to say.”

"Yes! Master."

Then Aunt Zhou explained the situation to Zhuang Yushan, which naturally shocked Zhuang Yushan so much that his eyes widened.

"Mother, have you gone mad?" Zhuang Yushan smashed the dressing case on the ground, scattering her hairpins everywhere. "Who doesn't know how the Prince of Qi's first three wives died?"

Zhou Ruyin bent down and picked up a golden phoenix hairpin, gently placing it in her daughter's hair: "The first fell from a horse, the second had a difficult childbirth, the third..."

She leaned close to Zhuang Yushan's ear and said, "They discovered the affair between Prince Qi and Consort Miao."

"Then why are you making me jump into this fire pit?"

“That’s why.” Zhou Ruyin pressed down on her daughter’s trembling shoulders. “Your father has their secret correspondence. As long as you marry into the family, the Prince of Qi will not only not dare to touch you, but will also have to treat you like royalty.”

In the bronze mirror, the faces of the mother and daughter overlapped eerily.

Zhuang Yushan suddenly grabbed his mother's hand: "Mother, are you doing this for me or for my father?"

"Silly girl." Zhou Ruyin's smile was somewhat distorted in the mirror. "Only when you become a princess can your mother remain the principal wife forever. Then..."

She lowered her voice, "Even Zhuang Hanyan has to kneel before you, after all, she is only the Lady of Zhongqin now."

"This……"

At this moment, Zhuang Shiyang's voice suddenly rang out, "Yushan, come to your father."

The air in Zhuang Shiyang's study was filled with the gentle fragrance of incense.

He took Zhuang Yushan's hand and placed it on his lap, his eyes reddening: "Yushan, actually, Dad is reluctant to part with you..."

“Father…” Zhuang Yushan’s voice choked with emotion, “Your daughter is willing.”

"Nonsense!" Zhuang Shiyang slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup rattle. "I'd rather risk my life than let you jump into this fire pit!"

Tears finally streamed down Zhuang Yushan's face as she knelt before her father, saying, "I cannot bear to see you suffer. I am willing to marry the Prince of Qi!"

"She is indeed her father's good daughter."

Zhuang Shiyang stroked his daughter's hair, his gaze passing over her as he looked out the window.

Under the pear tree in the corner of the courtyard, Zhou Ruyin was making a gesture towards him.

In the stable, Zhuang Yushan removed all the saddles and harnesses from his beloved white horse.

This horse, named "Ta Xue," was a gift from her father when she came of age.

"Let's go!" She lashed the horse with her whip, and it neighed as it bolted out the side gate. "Don't ever come back..."

The saddle in the brazier gradually turned to ashes. Zhuang Yushan wiped away his tears and turned to walk towards the brightly lit front hall.

There, the betrothal gifts from the Prince of Qi's residence had piled up into a small mountain.

Meanwhile, on the highest pavilion of the Zhuang mansion, Zhuang Hanyan was gazing in the direction where Ta Xue had gone, toying with a gilded token she had brought from the Deng mansion in her hand—the front was engraved with "Qi Prince's Mansion," and the back with "Made in the Jiaxu Year."

“The year of Jiaxu…” she murmured to herself, “the year Consort Miao entered the palace.”

The night wind dispersed the smoke from the burning saddle and carried the distant sound of the watchman's clapper.

There are nine days left until the deadline stipulated in the imperial edict.

Soon the protection of Zhuang Shiyang will disappear, and then I can avenge my mother.

"Do you regret it?"

“My husband, I should have listened to you back then, then my mother might not have been harmed.”

"I'll give you a surprise once this is all over."

"My mother is gone! I feel like my life has lost its luster."

"Han Yan, have you forgotten that I am an omnipotent demon? Actually, it would be very easy to resurrect your mother and Yuwen Chang'an."

"What? My husband, you can resurrect my mother and Uncle Yuwen?"

"Of course! This is my surprise for you."

"Husband, thank you."

"It's almost over! Enjoy the thrill of revenge!"

...(End of chapter)