As soon as the words were spoken, Chu Ruoyan fixed her gaze intently on his eyes.
In her dream, he had raised an army, slaughtered the imperial family, and stood just one step away from that throne...
With the slightest shift in his thoughts, and now with An Sheng's assistance...
The supreme power of the realm would be within his grasp.
Her heart leaped to her throat, but the man only chuckled lowly, his expression inscrutable as he looked at her. "Do you know what I did?"
Chu Ruoyan froze, but then he continued, "At Hangu Pass, on the solitary rope bridge, my elder brother told me not to look back. But I couldn’t help it—I turned around and saw him."
"Arrows and blades had pierced him like a sieve, his face and body drenched in blood, yet he was still smiling, shouting the same words at me over and over—‘Run!’"
In an instant, Chu Ruoyan understood.
He would never make a deal with those who had killed his brother.
Meng Ze had to die. An Sheng even more so!
She exhaled in relief, then remembered another matter. "What about the southern barbarians? The Yan family army has killed many of their people over the years. And why is Meng Ze so determined to bring Yan Xiaoliu back? Surely it’s not just for his sister’s sake?"
Yan Zheng sneered. "Is there anyone in the world besides Yan Zhao foolish enough to believe that? Though I’ve never met Princess Meng Ji, she shares the same mother as Meng Ze. And Meng Ze—when he was fighting his dozen brothers for the position of young khan, some ended up dead, others crippled, and two even driven to idiocy. Rumor has it Princess Meng Ji played no small part in that. Do you really think she’s some innocent, virtuous maiden?"
"Then why would she take a liking to Yan Xiaoliu?" Chu Ruoyan blurted out. Yan Zheng narrowed his eyes. "I suspect the southern barbarian siblings are playing some game. They told Yan Zhao about the true culprit, likely to use him against An Sheng while testing whether I, as his elder brother, would intervene. The murkier Great Xia’s waters, the better for them."
Chu Ruoyan frowned. "And you still let him go back?"
With Yan Zhao’s empty-headed warrior mentality, wouldn’t he be toyed to death by that pair?
Yan Zheng smirked. "He insisted on playing the hero. Who am I to stop him? Besides, if he doesn’t taste the bitterness of failure himself, how will he ever learn? Stay out of it—pretend you never met him."
Chu Ruoyan almost laughed.
So he was sending his brother off for a harsh lesson?
Still, it made sense. If the southern barbarians valued Yan Zhao so much, it meant he still had use.
As long as he was useful, they wouldn’t kill him. A little suffering, though? That was inevitable.
Just then, Meng Yang entered, reporting that the outside had been dealt with.
Chu Ruoyan stepped out to check—the courtyard was spotless, as if no blood had ever been spilled.
Yan Zheng said, "You must be exhausted after tonight. Go rest."
She nodded, then called out as he turned to leave, "Wait a moment."
Hurrying back to her room, she retrieved a newly made sachet from her dressing table. "You gave me that mutton-fat jade last time. I’ve been wanting to return the gesture but couldn’t find the right thing. I made this sachet a few days ago—see if you like the mugwort scent..."
Yan Zheng took it without hesitation. "I do."
His lips curved slightly as he noticed the character "Chu" embroidered at the bottom. "Ah-Yan, did you stitch your name into it?"
Chu Ruoyan nearly said no.
She had originally made it for her father, but he couldn’t stand the mugwort fragrance, so she’d settled for regifting it...
But seeing the man’s pleased expression, she decided it was better left unsaid.
"Well, if you don’t like it, I can make another—"
"No need." He carefully tucked the sachet into the left side of his robe, closest to his heart. "I cherish it."
His earnestness made her feel a pang of guilt.
Had she been too careless?
"Then... keep it for now. Next time I find something better, I’ll save it for you."
Yan Zheng’s gaze softened. "Alright."
The next morning, Chu Ruoyan brought her father a large bowl of calming tea.
Thanks to the incense, Chu Huaishan was suffering a splitting headache and had rarey missed the morning court session.
When she arrived, Chu Ruolan was also delivering soothing tea to Lady Jiang the Younger. Spotting her elder sister, the younger girl stuck out her tongue playfully.
Chu Ruoyan blinked back—both sisters silently acknowledging last night’s events.
Lady Jiang said, "My lord, you’ve been so occupied with court affairs lately, we barely see you. Now that you’re home, perhaps you could advise us—what do you think of Chief Advisor Han’s eldest son, Han Zhiyuan?"
Chu Huaishan paused, setting down his cup. "The one serving in the Ministry of Personnel now?"
"Yes."
The elder man stroked his beard. "The boy is well-read and learned, if a bit lacking in wit. Still, he’s an honest gentleman. If you’re considering him for Ruolan, it wouldn’t be a bad match."
Lady Jiang brightened at once, but Chu Ruolan’s face fell. "I won’t marry him!"
Both parents turned to her. Lady Jiang scowled. "What nonsense is this? We’ve discussed this match before!"
The younger girl inexplicably recalled the fish she’d bound up last night and stubbornly retorted, "I refuse! That Han fool’s drowned in his books—I won’t spend my days listening to him drone on about ‘thus and such’!"
Lady Jiang raised a hand to slap her, but Chu Huaishan intervened, amused. "Oh? Then who would our Lan’er wish to marry?"
"Anyone but him!" Chu Ruolan huffed, then peeked at her sister. "Actually... someone like Eldest Sister’s husband, a military man—"
Thud!
Chu Huaishan’s smile vanished as he slammed the table. "My daughters may marry anyone—except soldiers!"
He shot a warning glare at his eldest. "Especially anyone surnamed Yan!"
Caught in the crossfire, Chu Ruoyan could only lower her head, suppressing a laugh.
Lady Jiang chimed in, "Quite right. Forgive this mother’s negligence—it’s been too long since the eldest’s divorce, and we’ve yet to find her a new match. When I visit Lady Han to discuss Ruolan’s betrothal, I’ll bring Ruoyan along. Lady Han has extensive connections—perhaps a suitable candidate will appear."
Chu Huaishan nodded firmly. "Make it so."
Leaving their parents’ quarters, both sisters wore equally grim expressions.
Chu Ruoyan side-eyed her sister. "Why drag me into it? You know Father can’t stand hearing ‘Yan’ these days."
Chu Ruolan drooped like a wilted flower. "I had no choice! Mother’s dead set on marrying me into the Han family. Eldest Sister, I really don’t want this. You’ve always been clever—help me think of a way out!"
Remembering Lady Jiang’s words, Chu Ruoyan sighed. "I’m barely keeping my own head above water. Between County Princess Changle’s affairs and Yan Xiaoliu’s mess, how can I spare energy for matchmaking?"
Just as the sisters reached their wits’ end, Eunuch Yin Shun unexpectedly appeared.
His face was tense, and upon seeing Chu Ruoyan, he merely greeted County Princess Changle before urgently rushing forward.
"Duke! His Majesty summons you to the palace at once!"
Chu Huaishan hurried out. "Eunuch Yin? Why have you come personally? Is it about the southern barbarians...?"
Yin Shun shook his head, casting a glance at Lady Jiang the Younger behind him before lowering his voice. "Not the barbarians. It’s your second daughter—she was caught in Yu Xiu Palace engaging in an illicit affair by Her Majesty the Empress!"
"What?!"
