Chu Ruoyan was about to explain when Yan Zheng stepped in first: "Duke Chu, I must apologize for any offense caused earlier."
He didn’t want Ruoyan to reveal the truth about the assassination attempt, lest her father assume he was leveraging the favor for personal gain.
Chu Huaishan’s expression softened slightly as he recalled the events of the past few days. "You risked your life as bait, while we obstructed you repeatedly. It is I who should apologize. By the way, when Young Master Su ambushed you tonight, did the Chief Councillor sustain any injuries?"
Young Master Su?
Already calling him "Young Master" so familiarly?
Yan Zheng’s brow twitched, though his face remained composed. "No serious injuries, just nearly lost my life."
Chu Huaishan was taken aback. The man’s articulate demeanor hardly suggested someone who had narrowly escaped death.
Chu Ruoyan also glanced at him. Though he had indeed been poisoned with the "Qianji Powder" and nearly died, wasn’t it already known that the incident was linked to the remnants of the previous dynasty?
He himself had said Su Tingyun was merely being manipulated. Why bring it up again now?
"Ahem, Minister Su... misunderstood the Chief Councillor’s intentions. It was not done with malice. How about this—allow me to host a gathering later, inviting both the Chief Councillor and Minister Su to attend? He can offer his apologies in person. What do you say?"
Yan Zheng replied decisively, "Agreed!"
But the conversation reminded him of Staffer Song, who had sprinkled the "Qianji Powder" on him. He turned and gave Old Xu a few instructions.
Old Xu immediately understood—there was likely a third party taking advantage of their conflict with An Sheng to stir trouble. Without delay, he took Shadow and left to investigate.
Meanwhile, Chu Huaishan asked, "Ruoyan, are you hurt?"
Chu Ruoyan shook her head. He continued, "Since the major affairs are settled, Ruoyan, return home with me."
His tone carried a hint of displeasure, clearly referencing her earlier escape from the estate...
Chu Ruoyan obediently lowered her head. "Yes, Father..."
"Wait!" Yan Zheng interjected. "Duke Chu, if not for your daughter’s timely intervention tonight, I would have long become a ghost haunting the underworld. I beg you not to punish her!"
Chu Huaishan raised an eyebrow. "Chief Councillor, are you implying that governing the court isn’t enough for you? Now you wish to meddle in my household affairs as well?"
The sarcasm in his words was unmistakable. Chu Ruoyan grew anxious and tried to intervene, but Yan Zheng remained unfazed. "If the Duke insists on assigning blame, punish me instead. She bears no responsibility in this matter."
Before the palace gates, the Chief Councillor and the influential Duke stood in tense opposition.
Chu Huaishan studied him coldly before suddenly remarking, "Chief Councillor Yan, do not forget—you and my daughter are already divorced."
Yan Zheng met his gaze. "The divorce was never my wish!"
"Oh? So the letter of separation was forced upon you as well?" Chu Huaishan scoffed, unconvinced. After all, back in the Fengtian Hall, before the Emperor and Empress Dowager could even pressure them into divorce, Ruoyan had already claimed he had given her the letter!
This matter had been a thorn in his heart. Now, he fixed Yan Zheng with an unblinking stare, waiting to see what lies the man would spin.
To his surprise, Yan Zheng answered frankly, "I did sign the letter of separation. But to this day, I regret it every single moment."
Chu Huaishan froze.
Chu Ruoyan’s hands and feet turned icy, yet her heart suddenly burned.
What did he just say?
That he regretted it... every day?
"Duke Chu, I, Yan Zheng, am no saint. I have employed underhanded schemes more times than I can count. But with her—I dare not, nor would I ever!" The man’s gaze was clear and unwavering as he faced Chu Huaishan’s scrutiny. "When the Yan family fell, she disregarded her own health to plead for our mercy. When the Yan family rose again, she walked away without seeking glory or wealth. Thus, it is my family who owes her an immeasurable debt. Duke Chu—"
Pausing, Yan Zheng suddenly took a step back, straightened his sleeves, and bowed deeply.
"I have admired your daughter for a long time. I wish to follow the three letters and six etiquettes, seek the Emperor’s decree, and welcome her back as my wife with a grand procession. If she honors me with her hand, I swear to heaven that no other woman shall enter the Yan household, and no child shall be born who does not carry her blood. I beg you, Duke, to recognize my sincerity and grant me your blessing."
Something seemed to explode in her ears. Her heart raced even as a chilling coldness spread uncontrollably.
Chu Ruoyan clenched her fists, struggling to suppress the tremors wracking her body...
Chu Huaishan, however, was genuinely stunned.
First, by the sheer weight of Yan Zheng’s vow—"no other woman shall enter the Yan household, no child not of her blood." The first part, about taking no concubines, was still plausible. But the latter, ensuring every child was hers... Given Ruoyan’s current health, whether she could even bear children was uncertain. Yet he was willing to risk having no heirs rather than seek another, despite the Yan family’s dwindling lineage. What manner of resolve did that require?
Second, given Yan Zheng’s current standing—and the fact that he had played the pivotal role in quelling tonight’s rebellion—he could have simply requested an imperial decree from the Emperor. Instead, he stood here, humbly seeking his approval...
Had Yan Sanlang truly been this serious about Ruoyan all along?
"Can you protect her?" Chu Huaishan frowned, his tone softening slightly. "Chief Councillor Yan, I do not ask this to be difficult. But the truth is, from the day my daughter married into your family, she knew no peace. She was injured time and again, and even when she was with you, she was never whole..."
Yan Zheng lifted his head firmly. "I failed to shield her before. But from this day forth, unless I die, not a single hair on her head shall be harmed!"
Only then did Chu Huaishan exhale in relief. Glancing at his daughter, he saw her bow her head shyly, her body trembling faintly from emotion...
He sighed inwardly. How could he not see her unwavering devotion to this man? Otherwise, why would she have recklessly escaped Chu Zhong’s watch tonight to save him?
"Very well. Since you are not of the imperial clan, I suppose I can..."
Before he could finish, Chu Ruoyan suddenly looked up. "Father!"
"Hm?"
Chu Huaishan turned to her, only to see her speak hurriedly, "Tonight is too rushed. Let the Chief Councillor visit another day to discuss this properly, alright?"
She turned away immediately after, as if overwhelmed.
Chu Huaishan glanced at Yan Zheng, who nodded. "I was too hasty. I shall prepare generous gifts and visit formally."
The future father-in-law and son-in-law exchanged a few more words about court affairs, but Chu Ruoyan could barely stand any longer.
Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, her entire body cold as if submerged in ice.
Finally, when her father prepared to leave, she boarded the carriage and immediately shut the door behind her. "Father... I... I wish to return alone..."
Left standing outside, Chu Huaishan chuckled. "You’ve already been married once, yet you’re still so shy?"
He assumed she was flustered by Yan Zheng’s proposal and didn’t want to face him.
But Chu Ruoyan was shaking so violently her fingers trembled against the doorframe, unable to utter another word.
"Fine, fine. Go ahead. I’ll call another carriage."
Once Chu Huaishan stepped away, Chu Ruoyan finally relaxed, leaning against the door and forcing out a hoarse whisper: "To... Tianyi Tavern..."
"What?" The coachman outside hadn’t caught her words.
With the last of her strength, she gasped, "To Tianyi Tavern! Now!"
