The circumstances of her separation from Yan Zheng were well-known among the nobility in the capital. However, since Yan Zheng now held power and was at odds with her father, the Duke of Chu, nearly everyone present had sided with the Yan family.
"No wonder Chief Minister Yan divorced her. A jealous matriarch violates one of the Seven Grounds for Divorce!"
"And she’s unfilial too—even someone as kind as Grandma Yan couldn’t tolerate her!"
"I heard her younger sister even tried to seduce Prince Qin. The Duke of Chu’s household clearly lacks proper upbringing..."
At these words, Chu Ruoyin’s face paled slightly, while Chu Ruoyan’s gaze darkened.
With a mocking smile, Chu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow at Grandma Yan. "Grandma Yan speaks so righteously, yet it seems you’ve forgotten how you once labeled him a 'jinx' and tried to expel him from the ancestral clan."
Grandma Yan choked on her words, and before Lady Xue could interject, Chu Ruoyan cut her off.
"And Second Madam Xue—have you forgotten how you fought for family assets, took Grandma Yan in, then refused to pay for her upkeep, all while eyeing my dowry?"
Lady Xue’s face flushed crimson, and the room fell into stunned silence.
These noblewomen usually upheld a facade of civility—no matter how much they loathed one another, they maintained polite smiles and avoided giving any cause for criticism.
But Chu Ruoyan? She spared them no dignity whatsoever.
Princess Jiahui’s eyes darkened. "What a sharp tongue. Then what about your jealousy, refusing to let Second Miss Rong enter the household?"
In the crowd, Rong Su’s delicate face turned red, and she waved her hands in protest. Though she admired Third Brother Yan, if Princess Jiahui’s words were taken seriously, wouldn’t it imply they’d been involved long before?
But Princess Jiahui ignored her protests, dragging her forward. "Second Miss Rong grew up with my cousin Zheng. Her elder sister even married Zheng’s eldest brother—they were a perfect match until you, the jealous wife, tore them apart. What do you say to that?"
Chu Ruoyan ignored her, instead fixing her bright eyes on Rong Su. "Second Miss Rong, is this true?"
"I—"
Before Rong Su could speak, Princess Jiahui tugged at her sleeve. "Don’t be afraid. Just tell the truth. Once this is settled, I’ll ask my aunt to fulfill your wish!"
Rong Su hesitated. She had loved Yan Zheng for years, but lately, her father forbade her from seeing him. If the Princess intervened...
Just then, a cold voice cut through the air. "My lord and Second Miss Rong share a spotless reputation. Princess Jiahui, do not slander them."
The women startled as Guard Meng, Yan Zheng’s personal attendant, strode in.
Princess Jiahui stammered, "I—I didn’t—"
But Meng Yang ignored her, giving Chu Ruoyan a slight nod before leaving.
No one dared utter another word.
Chu Ruoyan understood Meng Yang’s glance—it confirmed Yan Zheng’s safety, easing her worries.
Chu Ruolan huffed and pulled her aside. "Elder Sister, why bother with them? They’re just spineless sycophants, flocking to the Yan family now that they’re in power. Even Fubao has more integrity!"
Chu Ruoyan burst into laughter, while Chu Ruoyin whispered, "Elder Sister, there was no need to argue. Now your reputation—"
It went without saying—by tomorrow, County Princess Changle’s sharp tongue would be the talk of the capital.
But Chu Ruoyan didn’t care.
She had reached her limit. Yan Zheng faced peril at every turn in An Sheng’s court, and instead of aiding him, his family flaunted their influence and stirred trouble...
What infuriated her most was how these women squabbled over trivial rivalries while the situation teetered on the brink of disaster.
Just then, a girl of thirteen or fourteen, dressed in foreign attire, appeared before them with a soft "Ah!"
The girl had deep chestnut hair, emerald-green eyes, and an innocent, doll-like face. She gazed openly at them and asked, "Which of you is the Third Miss Chu?"
Her Xia language was flawless, without a trace of an accent.
Chu Ruoyan tensed, but Chu Ruolan, ever oblivious, stepped forward. "You’re looking for me?"
The girl beamed, revealing two dimples. "So you’re Sister Ruolan! No wonder Zhao-ge keeps talking about you..."
"Zhao-ge? Who’s that?" Chu Ruolan frowned in confusion.
The girl beckoned her closer. "Come here, and I’ll tell you~"
Her voice seemed to carry a hypnotic quality. Chu Ruolan’s mind fogged, and she dumbly leaned in.
In that instant, the girl’s silver needle flashed toward Chu Ruolan’s neck.
Snap!
Chu Ruoyan caught her wrist mid-air.
Chu Ruolan jolted back to her senses, leaping away. "Wh-what are you doing?!"
The girl stared at Chu Ruoyan, surprise flickering in her eyes before she pouted. "Let go! You’re hurting me!"
Chu Ruoyan released her without expression. "Princess Mengji, this is Xia, not the Southern Barbarians."
The two sisters gasped.
"Princess Mengji?!"
The envoy sent by the Southern Barbarians for peace talks—was this young girl?!
Unfazed by the exposure, Mengji studied Chu Ruolan briefly before turning to Chu Ruoyan. "So you’re Third Young General Yan’s woman?"
Chu Ruoyan remained silent.
Mengji scrutinized her and nodded. "Not bad. My elder brother said Third Yan was despicable—even while fleeing, he managed to turn Uncle against him, forcing my brother’s recall to the royal court. I’ve always wondered what kind of woman could match such a man."
"Seeing you now, I think you’ll do."
She spoke with earnestness, then frowned when Chu Ruoyan didn’t respond. "I praised you. Shouldn’t you thank me?"
Her pout resembled a child denied candy. But recalling the lethal intent behind that needle earlier, Chu Ruoyan massaged her temples.
Just as Third Yan had warned—Princess Mengji appeared sweet and guileless, but beneath lay ruthless cunning.
Coolly, she replied, "Thank you for your praise, Princess."
Mengji’s eyes sparkled. "Good! Then you’ll sit with me later!" She seized Chu Ruoyan’s hand, leaving no room for refusal.
Chu Ruolan moved to stop her, but a silver-masked figure blocked her path—a young man whose height and build seemed eerily familiar.
She blinked. "You—?"
That fish she’d once tied up—why was he here now?
But the boy ignored her, mechanically trailing after Mengji and Chu Ruoyan.
Chu Ruoyin whispered, "Third Sister, do you know him?"
Chu Ruolan nodded, puzzled. "That damned Yan Zhao... Why does he act like he doesn’t recognize me?"
