The entire hall was stunned.
Such audacious words—as if anyone who dared oppose County Princess Changle would face the annihilation of their entire family!
All eyes involuntarily turned to Empress Pei, only to find her deep in thought, making no move to intervene.
Chu Ruoyan’s heart pounded like a drum, her cheeks burning as if scorched by fire.
This Third Yan—how utterly reckless!
To make such bold threats before the empress, imperial concubines, and all the noblewomen of the capital!
Did he not fear attracting envy and resentment by standing out so brazenly?
She hurriedly tried to explain, but Empress Pei spoke first, her voice measured: "The Marquis of Anning is deeply devoted, going to such lengths to protect his divorced wife. I am profoundly moved."
"May all men take him as an example—to cherish their wives and treat them with respect!"
With the empress’s endorsement, the crowd had no choice but to bow and echo, "Your Majesty is wise!"
Thus, the two farces finally came to an end.
As the banquet began, the courtyard regained its lively atmosphere.
Xie Yaozhi and Jiang Yi approached with fruit wine: "Sister Chu—no, we should call you Sister Changle now. Though today had its twists and turns, the outcome was favorable. Let us toast to you!"
Chu Ruoyan hastily raised her cup in return.
Xue Ling also sidled over, teasing: "Cousin, the Marquis of Anning treats you quite well, doesn’t he? Just listen to him—'Whoever dares lay a hand on you is an enemy of the entire Yan Family'... If any man were to stand up for me like that, I’d swear loyalty to him for life!"
Chu Ruoyan retorted with mock exasperation: "Oh? So your Xie Zhizhou isn’t good enough?"
At the mention of Xie Zhizhou, Xue Ling’s expression darkened.
Xie Yaozhi quickly interjected: "The Xie Family has wronged Sister Xue... Ah, it’s all my grandmother’s fault!"
Puzzled, Chu Ruoyan followed Xie Yaozhi’s gesture and spotted Old Madam Xie accompanied by a delicate, fragile-looking young woman.
"That’s our cousin from the countryside, Liu Hui. Grandmother insisted on bringing her here, claiming she’s orphaned and helpless. She’s been pressuring my brother to accept her for days. Today, she even dragged her along despite his objections..."
Seeing Xue Ling grow paler, Chu Ruoyan cut Xie Yaozhi off, squeezing Xue Ling’s hand: "Cousin, don’t dwell on it. Matters of the heart are fated. Look at me and Yan—the Marquis of Anning. Didn’t we still end up divorced?"
Xue Ling managed a weak nod, and Jiang Yi swiftly changed the subject, lifting the mood.
Meanwhile, Old Madam Xie, who had been watching them coldly, hissed: "Do you see her now? That’s the Xue girl your cousin is infatuated with!"
Liu Hui stole a glance and bowed her head: "Yes, Grandmother..."
"Good. Memorize her every word and gesture—use them to win your cousin over. Hui’er, don’t say I never gave you a chance. If you fail to secure his affection, there will be no place for you in the Xie Family!"
Liu Hui trembled: "Understood, Grandmother."
Midway through the banquet, Chu Ruoyan slipped away on a pretext.
As expected, Meng Yang was waiting outside the courtyard.
"Young Madam!"
Chu Ruoyan hushed him: "Quiet! What if someone hears?"
Meng Yang obediently corrected himself: "Yes, County Princess."
She glanced around but saw no sign of a familiar figure: "Where’s your lord? Didn’t he come?"
"No. Though the Duke isn’t here, there are too many eyes. If word reached him, it’d only stir trouble."
Chu Ruoyan grimaced.
True enough. If Yan Zheng actually showed up at the Duke's Mansion, her father would likely storm over demanding answers!
"Fine. We should avoid meeting these next few days while Father’s on guard. Tell Yan Zheng that Princess Ansheng invited me to visit her in two days... I suspect she’s connected to the Yan Family’s affairs. I plan to go—tell him not to worry. I’ll share what I learn."
Meng Yang acknowledged and left.
By evening, Chu Huaishan returned from the palace, exhausted.
Chu Ruoyan asked worriedly: "Father, why were you gone so long?"
He waved a hand: "Border emergencies—the southern barbarians are..." He cut himself off and changed the subject. "Never mind that. How was your ceremony today? Any mishaps?"
Lady Jiang the Younger entered with supper and cheerfully summarized the day’s events.
Chu Huaishan slammed the table: "Outrageous! Princess Jiahui and that Lu girl are one thing, but what was Yan Zheng thinking, making you a target like that?"
Chu Ruoyan had no idea how her father reached that conclusion. Lady Jiang soothed: "My lord, don’t be angry. The Marquis of Anning seemed sincere..."
"Sincere or not, it’s unacceptable! From now on, no one from Yan Zheng’s household is to set foot in the Duke of Chu's Mansion!"
Chu Ruoyan: "..."
Her father’s prejudice ran deep.
Late that night, as she drifted in and out of sleep, the door creaked open—someone was approaching!
She jolted awake, grabbing the sword hidden under her pillow, but before she could strike, a hand caught her wrist: "It’s me!"
Blinking, she recognized the soothing scent of medicinal herbs: "Yan Zheng?"
The figure nodded. Meng Yang lit a lamp and discreetly withdrew.
From the outer chamber, Yulu mumbled sleepily: "Miss? Are you awake?"
Bathed in lamplight, Yan Zheng’s face looked impossibly handsome, softened by the glow. Chu Ruoyan’s throat went dry. She shook her head and called out: "I lit the lamp! Go back to sleep—I’ll read for a while."
Yulu, too drowsy to question, fell silent.
The night was still.
Chu Ruoyan was about to ask why he’d come when she realized the awkwardness of the situation.
She lay half-reclined in only her inner robe, while Yan Zheng’s wheelchair was parked beside the bed. His hand still gripped her wrist, and from his angle, glimpses of her exposed skin were unavoidable...
Flustered, she yanked her hand back and hastily wrapped herself in the quilt.
Yan Zheng’s ears reddened. He coughed and averted his gaze: "I... didn’t see anything."
"Then why are you looking away?"
He turned back, bewildered.
"Still staring?" she hissed, mortified.
So... should he look or not?
He swallowed the question and turned around, waiting until she’d thrown on a middle robe before murmuring: "Done?"
Chu Ruoyan scowled: "Third Lord Yan, what are you doing in my room at this hour? That wheelchair—did Meng Yang haul you over the wall?"
Outside, Meng Yang was deeply touched. Young Madam truly understood his struggles!
Yan Zheng’s lips twitched. His brow furrowed: "You’re going to Princess Ansheng’s residence?"
"Yes," she whispered, sitting at the table. "Princess Ansheng is no simple figure. She knowingly allowed Imperial Son-in-law Cao’s schemes, and she was aware of my visit to Princess Qingping’s manor. She’s the most dangerous person I’ve ever encountered. I must take this risk!"
Yan Zheng’s expression darkened: "You are not going."
"Why?" she asked. "The Residence of Princess Ansheng is usually as impenetrable as a fortress. Now that there's finally a chance to investigate, I must—"
Before she could finish, the man abruptly wheeled his chair toward her, his icy eyes filled with frost. "I said, you are not going!"
Chu Ruoyan was baffled.
Yet he seized her wrist again, his grip painfully tight, his voice low and furious. "Ah Yan, why must you always be like this?!"
