Chu Ruoyan turned her head to glare back, only to see that annoyingly handsome face peeking out from the carriage.
"You—you shameless rogue!"
"Hmm?" Yan Zheng raised a brow, his slender fingers leisurely brushing over his lips. "A-Yan, I didn’t quite catch that. Say it again?"
Chu Ruoyan’s face flushed red with anger as she glared at him. Yan Wenjing’s little head popped out beside him. "Auntie, what’s wrong? Did someone bully you?"
"That’s right, A-Yan. Did someone bully you?" Yan Zheng echoed with a smirk, his shamelessness making her grit her teeth. She scoffed. "No, just got bitten by a dog!"
With that, she turned and stormed into the Duke of Chu's Mansion, leaving Yan Wenjing blinking in confusion. "A dog? Where’s the dog?"
Yan Zheng’s eyes flashed as he patted the boy’s head. "Adult matters aren’t for children. Let’s go home."
Meng Yang acknowledged the order, while Yan Wenjing muttered, "I’m not a child anymore," but obediently climbed back into the carriage.
---
At the Duke of Chu's Mansion, Chu Ruoyan had just returned to the Bodhi Courtyard when a deep voice rang out. "Where have you been?"
Her head snapped up to see Chu Huaishan sitting in the courtyard, with Yulu and Nanny Zhou standing silently beside him, heads bowed.
Her heart sank. "F-Father… why are you here?"
Chu Huaishan’s expression remained stern. "I asked where you went. Were you with that Yan Zheng again?"
Chu Ruoyan stiffened. If her father found out she’d not only been with Yan Zheng but had also been kissed by him, he’d probably grab a sword and go after the man immediately.
"No, no! Father, I went to Cuiping Mountain and ran into Lord Su!"
"Lord Su? Su Tingjun?"
"Yes! He even escorted me back. You can ask him if you don’t believe me!" She quickly used the nobleman as a shield.
Chu Huaishan studied her suspiciously before finally relenting. "As long as it wasn’t Yan Zheng…"
Chu Ruoyan exhaled in relief and changed the subject. "Father, did you come here for something?"
Chu Huaishan stroked his beard. "It’s about your uncle… You know he was injured in a collision this morning, right?"
She nodded, and he continued. "Your mother and I visited the Cao Family. The injury looks worse than it is—not too serious. I asked if tomorrow’s family banquet should be postponed, but he insisted it proceed as planned. However, your aunt is busy tending to him and can’t manage the preparations, so she asked if your mother and you could assist. What do you think?"
Chu Ruoyan had been meaning to speak with him anyway and agreed immediately.
---
The next day, before dawn, she and Lady Jiang the Younger set out. Upon boarding the carriage, she found Chu Ruolan already inside.
"This child has been spoiled rotten and knows nothing about household affairs," Lady Jiang explained. "I thought she could come along to learn, so she doesn’t embarrass herself after marriage. What do you think, Ruoyan?"
Chu Ruoyan glanced at Chu Ruolan, who immediately raised her fingers in a vow. "I promise I’ll behave and not cause trouble!"
Amused, Chu Ruoyan replied, "Whatever Mother decides." She closed her eyes to rest, only for a timid voice to interrupt.
"Elder Sister… are you asleep?"
She didn’t open her eyes, and the voice grew bolder. "If you’re asleep, then it’s not my fault! I never thanked you for what happened at the polo grounds. That Zou Yue is vile—she betrayed our friendship and framed me! And Sister Gu too… She didn’t know the details, but she still wrote to me, telling me to forgive Zou Yue!"
"Hmph! I may not like using my brain, but I’m not stupid! Even the Empress reprimanded that snake Zou Yue. So I wrote back to Sister Gu, saying anyone who helps her is defying the Empress!"
Chu Ruolan prattled on, and Lady Jiang, hoping to foster sisterly bonds, didn’t stop her.
Suddenly, Chu Ruoyan spoke. "Did Gu Feiyan reply?"
Chu Ruolan shrieked. "Y-You—you’re awake?!"
"When did I say I was asleep? Answer the question—did she reply?"
Flushing at her earlier gratitude, Chu Ruolan stammered, "She did… but it was worse than no reply. Same old nonsense about ‘forgiving petty grievances’ and ‘not stooping to Zou Yue’s level’!"
Chu Ruoyan’s gaze sharpened thoughtfully.
Zou Yue’s reputation was ruined, and her only hope was Chu Ruolan’s public forgiveness. Gu Feiyan pleading on her behalf wasn’t surprising—but for the proud Gu Feiyan to humble herself repeatedly? That suggested outside influence.
It seemed the Gu and Zou families were connected…
Before she could ponder further, the carriage halted.
---
The three women stepped out to find Chu Jing waiting at the gate.
"Sister-in-law, Ruoyan, Ruolan—thank you for coming."
After exchanging pleasantries, they entered. Chu Jing added, "The stewards are all here. Sister-in-law, feel free to delegate. Ruoyan, your cousin hasn’t seen you in days—come with me first."
Understanding that Cao Yang wanted to speak privately, Chu Ruoyan bid Lady Jiang and Chu Ruolan farewell and followed Chu Jing to the study.
"Auntie, how serious is Uncle’s injury?"
Chu Jing paused, silent for a long moment.
"Auntie?"
Finally, she turned, weariness and worry etched into her face. "Ruoyan, his injury isn’t severe, but I’ve never seen him like this… These past two nights, he’s combed through every law code of Great Xia, word by word."
"I don’t know what he’s searching for, but I can sense it—he’s fighting for someone’s life. Ruoyan, tell me the truth… Is the Cao Family in danger?"
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together, her aunt’s distress nearly loosening her tongue—until footsteps sounded behind them.
Cao Yang emerged. "Madam…"
Chu Jing rushed to support him. "Husband, why are you out of bed?"
Wrapped in a thin robe, his head heavily bandaged, Cao Yang looked years older, his eyes sunken with exhaustion.
He patted her hand. "Our niece is here. It’s cold—let’s go inside."
---
In the study, the fireplace crackled.
After helping Cao Yang into an outer robe, Chu Jing said, "Husband, Ruoyan, I’ll leave you to talk. I should check on Sister-in-law."
She left with forced composure, her heartbreak evident. Watching her go, Cao Yang stared at the door for a long time before turning back.
"Is it… the second son?"
Four simple words, spoken with immense difficulty.
Chu Ruoyan nodded firmly.
Cao Yang swayed, bracing himself against the desk. "Are you certain?"
"...Yes."
He shut his eyes in anguish. "I suspected… During the collision, I realized the timing and force were too precise—they weren’t trying to kill me. But how could he dare?!"
Chu Ruoyan quietly recounted the events at Cuiping Mountain.
Cao Yang listened with a deepening frown until, as if drained of all strength, he collapsed into his chair. "He's dragging the entire family to their doom!! What did the Marquis of Anning say?"
