"Father?"
Chu Ruoyan's face paled at these words. She turned to look at Yan Zheng, who also wore an expression of shock.
"Oh no, oh no! After I saw you that day, he warned me not to meet you privately again. If he finds out now, everything is over!"
The usually composed and graceful young woman instantly transformed, her entire body tensing like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
Yan Zheng stared at her, momentarily dazed, but as she pushed open the door to rush out, Chu Huaishan was already ascending the stairs!
"Come back!"
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside, while Meng Yang swiftly closed the door behind them.
"What do we do? There's no escape now!" Chu Ruoyan paced anxiously. "Should I jump out the window?"
Yan Zheng shook his head, still holding her wrist. "If we can't avoid it, I'll face him."
Inwardly, he thought that getting caught might not be so bad—enduring a few scoldings would mean no more sneaking around in the future...
Chu Ruoyan saw through his thoughts. "My father is stubborn. If he disapproves, he’ll do everything in his power to keep us apart!"
Yan Zheng’s expression darkened, and he called out, "Meng Yang!"
The latter rushed over, helping him onto the bed and drawing the curtains closed. Then, he flung open the window and leaped down with Yan Zheng’s wheelchair—
Bang!
The door burst open as Chu Huaishan stormed in, his face thunderous.
Chu Ruoyan forced a smile. "F-Father, what brings you here?"
Chu Huaishan eyed the room suspiciously. "Are you alone?"
"Y-Yes, of course..."
"Then why are there two cups? And two servings of tea?" He pointed at the table.
Yulu quickly interjected, "Master, it was me! I said I was thirsty, so the young mistress kindly offered me a cup!"
Chu Ruoyan shot her a grateful look.
Still unconvinced, Chu Huaishan paced a few steps before suddenly demanding, "What are you hiding behind you?"
Chu Ruoyan’s heart skipped a beat—how could she have forgotten she was still standing in front of the bed?
But it was too late to move now. She lowered her eyes and murmured, "Father, I was tired earlier, so I rested on the couch..."
Chu Huaishan scoffed. "Yan’er, you’ve always lowered your head when lying since you were little. Step aside. I want to see what kind of wild fox has bewitched you into sneaking out day after day!"
Chu Ruoyan’s legs trembled. Her usually quick-witted mind was now utterly blank.
She stubbornly refused to move, but Chu Huaishan strode forward. "Move!"
Her heart sank—this was the end!
As he yanked the curtains open, Chu Ruoyan squeezed her eyes shut—
"Young mistress!"
Instead of the expected outburst, Yulu’s voice rang out in surprise.
Chu Ruoyan spun around—Yan Zheng was gone. Only the rumpled bedding remained, as if she had indeed been resting there.
Relief washed over her, and she turned away, covering her face.
Chu Huaishan faltered. "Y-Yan’er..."
He stammered as he watched his daughter’s shoulders shake, her voice trembling with hurt. "Father doesn’t trust me. I have nothing more to say... If that’s the case, please assign guards to follow me at all times, so you can rest assured..."
Chu Huaishan couldn’t bear this. He quickly embraced her. "I was wrong! I shouldn’t have doubted you! It’s just that your mother mentioned you’ve been leaving the house frequently, and I thought—since you’ve met Yan Zheng before—what if old feelings resurfaced?"
Chu Ruoyan nearly rolled her eyes but maintained a heartbroken expression. "If that’s how it is, perhaps I should never leave the house again..."
"No, no! I was wrong! I promise I won’t be so suspicious from now on, alright?"
After much coaxing, Chu Ruoyan finally relented.
"By the way, Father, aren’t you supposed to be at court today?" she asked casually.
Chu Huaishan smacked his forehead. "I nearly forgot the main matter! You must return home immediately. The Empress Dowager has decreed that your investiture ceremony will be held tomorrow."
"What investiture ceremony?" Chu Ruoyan was baffled.
He flicked her forehead. "How can you be so indifferent to your own affairs? The imperial decree was issued days ago—His Majesty has named you the County Lady of Changle. The Empress Dowager said it’s been too long since the capital last honored a county lady, so she wishes to host a grand ceremony in your name, inviting all the noble ladies of the capital."
Chu Ruoyan had genuinely forgotten. She hurried home with her father, only to be intercepted by Lady Jiang the Younger the moment she stepped inside.
"My dear girl, you’re finally back! The household is in chaos! Come quickly—we must prepare your attire for tomorrow. There’s no time for new measurements, so I’ve ordered the tailors to make adjustments based on your previous fittings."
Before she could finish, Yuetao rushed over. "Madam, the Nanping Earl’s family has replied—Old Madam Xie will be attending with Lady of Nanping Earl and Miss Xie, along with a cousin... The Jiang, Zou, and Wang families have also confirmed. One banquet table won’t be enough!"
"Notify the accountants to revise the guest list immediately! Prepare additional seating and clear the west courtyard as a backup!"
Just as Chu Ruoyan was about to offer help, another servant dashed in. "Madam, word from the palace! The Empress Dowager, Consort Xue, and Concubine Shu will all attend! Prince Qin, the Second Prince, Third Prince, Fifth Prince, and even Princess Jiahui are coming too!"
Lady Jiang the Younger nearly fainted. Were they relocating half the imperial court to their home?
Chu Ruoyan was equally stunned. "An investiture for a county lady warrants such extravagance?"
Chu Huaishan gave her a sidelong glance. "You’re the first county lady to be honored in the capital in two years. A grand celebration is only fitting." He unconsciously puffed out his chest.
Behold—this was his daughter, Chu Huaishan’s prized jewel! What other noble maiden in the capital could rival such glory?
And with this spectacle, suitors would flock like fish to a net...
His triumphant musings were cut short when Lady Jiang the Younger pinched his arm. "My lord, why are you still standing here? I can’t possibly host Prince Qin and the imperial princes alone!"
Chu Huaishan hastily agreed and threw himself into the preparations.
For the rest of the day, Chu Ruoyan was trapped in her chambers, endlessly trying on elaborate ceremonial robes.
By the day of the investiture, she was numb with exhaustion, allowing herself to be dressed and primped like a puppet.
When she finally stepped outside, the estate was already abuzz with chatter.
"Did you hear? This new county lady once defied the Empress Dowager!"
"What? And the Emperor still granted her the title?"
"You don’t understand—she had the foresight to marry into the Yan Family, helping the Marquis of Anning clear his name. That’s why she’s in His Majesty’s favor now."
The speaker’s tone was sour, prompting someone else to mutter, "If I’d known, I would’ve..."
"You would’ve what? Back then, all the Yan men had died in battle, and the Marquis was crippled. Don’t pretend you’d have married him!"
"Well... I suppose she’s earned this honor."
Hearing these murmurs, Chu Ruoyan remained unruffled, her heart as still as a tranquil lake.
The events of that day now seemed like a lifetime ago...
Yet with Imperial Son-in-law Cao's recent suicide and the truth still shrouded in mystery, she had no patience for these tedious formalities.
Just as she wondered when this ordeal would end, a sudden announcement echoed from beyond the doors:
"Princess Ansheng has arrived—"
