On the way back to the Duke of Chu's Mansion.
Chu Ruoyin gazed worriedly at her elder sister, whose reddened eyes betrayed she had just been crying.
Before she could offer comfort, Chu Ruoyan spoke in a hushed tone, "Aside from today's list, tell Father one more thing when you return—say you overheard it from Duke Zou: they plan to strike during the state banquet half a month from now."
Chu Ruoyin stared blankly for a moment before gasping, "Elder Sister, what—?!"
"Don’t ask how I know. Just do as I say."
Chu Ruoyan closed her eyes, exhaustion written across her face.
But Chu Ruoyin misunderstood, her expression filling with solemn admiration.
Upon arriving at the Duke of Chu's Mansion, Chu Ruoyin went to report to their father, while Chu Ruoyan returned first to the Bodhi Courtyard.
Catching sight of bloodstains on her collar in the bronze mirror, she frowned and tore off the entire section.
Just then, Yulu’s startled cry came from outside the courtyard: "Lord Su! Lord Su!"
In the next moment, Su Tingyun barged in. The moment he saw her torn collar, he averted his gaze, his voice thick with barely suppressed fury: "That beast Third Yan—did he lay hands on you?!"
Chu Ruoyan, draping an outer robe over herself, froze. "What are you talking about?"
Su Tingyun turned back, taking in her disheveled hair and reddened eyes. A feral rage surged within him. "When Second Miss brought back that intelligence, I knew something was wrong. After pressing her repeatedly, I learned it came from you… County Princess Changle, how could you be so reckless? Third Yan, that lecherous fiend, would dare anything even while gravely injured—how could you indulge him?"
Chu Ruoyan was genuinely stunned this time. It took her a moment to grasp his meaning. "You think I… compromised myself to extract this information?"
The words "compromised myself" made Su Tingyun’s gaze darken with anguish. Chu Ruoyan found it absurd. "You’re overthinking it."
Yan Zheng’s wound was less than an inch from his heart. If he could rise from such an injury, half the noble families in the capital would be clamoring for his secret.
But Su Tingyun took it as evasion.
After a hesitant pause, he stepped back and bowed deeply. "County Princess Changle, I have long admired you. If you would not disdain me, I wish to unite our families in marriage, that we might never part. I swear to heaven—I will take no concubines, only you, for the rest of my days!"
Every word was heartfelt. Chu Ruoyan looked up in shock—only to see her father enter as well.
Chu Huaishan’s expression was grave. "Nephew Su has already spoken to me. I’ve given my consent, provided you are willing—"
"I am not!"
Chu Ruoyan suddenly thought of Third Yan, of that near-fatal wound. "I am honored by Lord Su’s affection, but I have sworn an oath to heaven—I will never remarry in this lifetime!"
Chu Huaishan sighed helplessly. Su Tingyun pressed urgently, "Why? If it’s because of Third Yan, I don’t care that you—"
"But I do." Chu Ruoyan’s voice was calm. "Lord Su, Father, even if Yan Zheng dies, I was once his. That fact cannot be changed."
"And Lord Su, have you forgotten your father? In a way, he died by my hand."
Each cruel word struck like a blade. Chu Huaishan snapped, "Yan’er! Silence!"
But Chu Ruoyan paid him no heed. Watching Su Tingyun’s face pale, she continued, "Not just your father—your entire family was ruined because of me. Would you cast aside your blood feud to be with your father’s killer?"
Su Tingyun staggered back as if physically struck. Every syllable pierced his heart, clashing violently with the Confucian ethics he’d been raised on. Within moments, he turned and fled in disarray.
Chu Huaishan looked at his daughter, utterly at a loss.
Yet she spared him further trouble, curtseying obediently. "Do not worry, Father. To avoid affecting my sisters’ marriage prospects, I will take the tonsure at Guardian Temple. I won’t make things difficult for you."
"Nonsense!" Chu Huaishan was livid, but faced with this daughter—hardened further after her visit to the Yan household—his anger found no outlet. "If you’re so eager to ‘cultivate,’ do it at home! And you will not attend the state banquet in half a month!"
Chu Ruoyan acquiesced.
Yet half a month later, Chu Huaishan’s plans were thwarted.
The palace’s guest list explicitly named the Duke of Chu and County Princess Changle among the attendees.
Lady Jiang the Younger spent two days preparing their formal attire.
Chu Ruoyan wore a lake-green narrow-sleeved ruqun in county princess regalia, draped with a crimson cloak—dignified and elegant.
Chu Ruoyin chose a floral-patterned pleated skirt, while Chu Ruolan opted for a lotus-hued cloud-patterned satin gown. Both younger sisters wore pale pink cloaks, radiating youthful charm.
"Once we enter the palace, mind your words—especially you!" Lady Jiang the Younger glared at Chu Ruolan. "This is a state banquet. Rumor says even the Southern Barbarians’ envoys are attending. Don’t embarrass us. Understood?"
Chu Ruolan pouted. "When have I ever—"
Chu Ruoyin soothed, "Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll keep an eye on Third Sister."
Lady Jiang gave her a conflicted look, but a palace eunuch arrived to escort them before she could say more.
The banquet was held outside Autumn Water Palace. Since noblewomen wore veils, no screens separated the sexes.
Before the hall, rows of seats flanked the open courtyard. While ministers remained at the Hall of Heavenly Favor with the Emperor, only titled ladies and noble daughters were present thus far.
Among them, Grandma Yan stood out most conspicuously.
Thanks to Yan Zheng’s rise, she, along with Second Branch’s Lady Xue and Third Branch’s Li Yu, were treated like celestial bodies orbited by lesser stars. Even the Lady of Duke Zou and Lady Pei fawned over them.
Lady Jiang was summoned by the Empress Dowager’s attendants immediately. Chu Ruoyan, unwilling to engage, moved toward a corner—until Lady Xue spotted her.
"County Princess Changle!"
Every gaze swung toward her. Forced to acknowledge them, Chu Ruoyan inclined her head. "Lady Xue, Lady Li, Grandma Yan. My respects."
She’d hoped to leave it at that, but Lady Xue seized her arm. "Why so distant? You were once our Third Master’s wife—come greet Grandma Yan properly!"
The implication hung heavy. This wasn’t an invitation; it was humiliation.
All knew she’d divorced Yan Zheng when he was merely the undistinguished Marquis of Anning. Now, within months, he’d become Grand Secretary—second only to the Emperor himself.
Did she regret it?
Grandma Yan sniffed. "This old woman dares not accept County Princess Changle’s ‘respects.’ When you were in the Yan household, you—"
Her deliberate pause invited speculation.
The Lady of Duke Zou, long at odds with Chu Ruoyan, pounced. "What does the Elder mean? Did County Princess Changle fail in her filial duties?"
Two sentences, and the label of "unfilial" was firmly affixed.
Chu Ruoyan curled her lips in disdain as Princess Jiahui’s haughty voice rang out once more: "Not only is she unfilial to her elders, but she’s also insanely jealous—that’s why Cousin Zheng divorced her!"
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
