Chu Ruoyan felt her mind explode with a deafening roar.
Everything before her eyes blurred into indistinct shapes...
Chu Huaishan rushed to steady her, but she clung desperately to his arm: "Is he still alive?"
"Yan'er, calm yourself!"
"Is he alive? Father, I beg you—tell me if he's alive!" Her lips trembled, her eyes filled with a terror and helplessness he had never seen before.
Su Tingyun, witnessing this, clenched his fists: "County Princess Changle! He’s gone mad—he’s not the Third Yan you once knew!"
But Chu Ruoyan paid no heed, her gaze fixed pleadingly on her father.
Chu Huaishan’s heart grew heavy. Unable to bear her anguish, he relented: "He’s alive... though gravely injured..."
Air rushed back into her lungs as Chu Ruoyan finally gasped for breath.
Alive—he was alive! That was all that mattered.
Ever since he had become Chief Grand Councilor, she had lived in constant dread—terrified An Sheng would uncover him, or worse, that he’d perish at the hands of his own allies before overthrowing An Sheng.
Now that the floodgates of worry had opened, one desperate thought surged forth unchecked: "I must see him!"
Chu Huaishan’s expression darkened. "Absolutely not!"
Chu Ruoyan said nothing, only stared at her father with stubborn defiance.
As Chu Huaishan scowled, on the verge of anger, Jian'an Count suddenly interjected: "Brother Chu, this might not be entirely unwise..."
"Xiao Haiping!" Chu Huaishan shot him a dagger-like glare, but the count pressed on: "Hear me out. After the assassination attempt, the Chief Grand Councilor’s faction will surely visit him. This is our chance to assess his vulnerabilities and identify his allies..."
Noting Chu Huaishan’s worsening expression, he hastily added, "As for your daughter’s safety—she’d be visiting as a concerned friend. Given their past ties, even if Yan Zheng has lost all reason, he wouldn’t harm her."
Chu Huaishan scoffed, scanning the room. "Is this what you all think?"
The officials remained silent, tacitly agreeing with Jian'an Count’s logic.
They had all witnessed the Chief Grand Councilor’s ruthlessness. Without exploiting this weakness, defeating him in court would be impossible.
Only Su Tingyun objected firmly: "Duke Zou, confronting Yan Zheng is our duty. Any sacrifices should be ours to make—not young women from the inner quarters! Besides, County Princess Changle wouldn’t recognize the officials there. Even if she went—"
Before he could finish, a soft yet resolute voice cut in: "Ruoyin can."
All turned to see Chu Ruoyin, veiled beneath a gauzy hood, gliding forward with measured steps.
She curtsied gracefully. "Father, Uncle Xiao, esteemed lords—I once studied portraits of the court officials during my time in the inner palace. I can identify most, and for those I cannot, I can sketch their likenesses for reference."
Su Tingyun stiffened. Jian'an Count slapped his thigh in delight: "Exactly! Brother Chu, your second daughter has been to the palace, possesses a photographic memory, and wields a masterful brush. Let her accompany her sister—no one would suspect them!"
Chu Huaishan shot him a glare, then turned his ire toward Chu Ruoyin. But before he could speak, his usually obedient daughter knelt. "Father, allow me to go with Elder Sister. She won’t rest until she sees Chief Grand Councilor Yan’s condition with her own eyes."
Chu Huaishan glanced sideways and saw his eldest daughter's face deathly pale, her eyes faintly revealing a desperate resolve...
"Enough, just this once. Say whatever you need to say to him. After this, you will never meet again!"
Chu Ruoyan let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Father!"
The carriage departed from the Duke of Chu's residence, heading straight for the Yan family's estate.
Inside the carriage, Chu Ruoyin grasped her sister's hand and reassured her, "Elder Sister, don't worry. Chief Minister Yan is the Princess's son—he will surely have the finest imperial physicians attending to him."
Chu Ruoyan managed a faint nod. "About today... I haven’t yet thanked you..."
"Elder Sister, there’s no need for such formalities between us. When that incident with Prince Qin happened in the palace, didn’t you also help me then?"
The sisters exchanged a knowing smile. Chu Ruoyan then cautioned, "When we arrive, don’t force yourself to remember everyone. Just note down what you can, and above all, don’t involve yourself unnecessarily."
"Don’t worry, Elder Sister. Ruoyin understands."
Upon reaching the Yan residence, the gatekeeper recognized the Duke of Chu’s carriage and hurried inside to announce their arrival.
Yet, no one came out for quite some time.
Just as Chu Ruoyan began to fear that Yan Zheng was avoiding her, Gong Shang, the maidservant serving An Sheng, emerged.
"Ah, County Princess Changle has arrived. Her Highness says the County Princess once showed kindness to our young master and cannot possibly be turned away. Please follow me inside."
The Yan estate was bustling with visitors.
During her time living there, Chu Ruoyan had never seen so many guests—from high-ranking officials of the first rank down to minor ninth-grade functionaries. The lavish gifts they brought nearly overflowed the courtyard, a sight that left one astonished.
Gong Shang led them through the halls into the inner chamber, where only a handful of people remained seated.
Chu Ruoyan’s gaze swept briefly over them—Duke Zou from the Ministry of War, Lord Dou from the Ministry of Justice... The others were less familiar, so she averted her eyes. Together with Chu Ruoyin, she curtsied toward the host. "We pay our respects to the Princess. May Your Highness live a thousand years."
"Ah, Changle has come. Rise, please." An Sheng descended gracefully and personally helped her up.
Chu Ruoyan looked at those impeccably maintained jade-like hands and shuddered inwardly, though her expression remained composed as she withdrew slightly. "Changle is unworthy of such courtesy. We came only upon hearing of Chief Minister Yan’s injury and wished to offer our regards."
She signaled to Chu Ruoyin, who promptly presented several rare medicinal herbs.
An Sheng smiled and ordered them to be accepted. "How thoughtful of you, Changle. Since that’s the case, let the servants escort you to the rear courtyard."
Her every gesture exuded the air of a woman who regarded herself as the rightful mistress of this household.
Remembering what she had done to the Yan family, Chu Ruoyan felt a chill and hastily agreed before retreating toward the rear courtyard.
Outside Yan Zheng’s quarters, Meng Yang crouched by a medicine pot, tending to the brew.
Hearing footsteps, he turned—and his eyes widened in shock. "Y-Young Madam?! Why have you come?!"
Chu Ruoyan’s gaze fell on the bloodied bandages discarded beside the pot, and her heart clenched.
Meng Yang hurriedly blocked her view. "It’s—it’s nothing serious, just a minor wound!"
Chu Ruoyan didn’t believe a word. She pushed past him and barged inside.
Meng Yang moved to stop her, but Gong Shang called him away with a knowing smile. "Lady Chu the Second, Guard Meng, let the young master and the County Princess speak privately. We shouldn’t linger where we’re not needed..."
The outside emptied swiftly, leaving the room in silence.
Chu Ruoyan’s eyes settled on the figure lying motionless on the bed, his chest wrapped in thick bandages, still seeping blood...
He seemed to hear a noise and struggled to rise, but even the slightest movement tugged at his wound.
The bloodstain spread instantly, and he let out a muffled groan, his brow furrowing in pain.
Yet the moment his eyes lifted and landed on her, his gaze froze. His pale, cracked lips parted slightly before he uttered a bitter laugh. "You shouldn’t have come."
