The sound of the slap rang out in that instant, and Yan Yiqing tensed her arms, ready to flip over the wall and burst into the room at any moment. But below—there were no further unusual noises.
It was like a deflated sandbag.
Mother and daughter faced off, gray dust lingering in the air.
“The killer who murdered your father has long been executed. The Deposed Crown Prince was ruthless, colluding with foreign enemies to harm court officials.” The same words had repeated in her mind thousands of times, and when Wang Jinlan spoke them aloud, her expression showed no ripples.
“Mother believes this narrative?”
Wang Jinlan had put her full strength into that slap, and even now, her fingers still throbbed with numbness. “This narrative was reviewed by the Three Departments and affirmed by His Majesty.”
Zhao Huairen withdrew her gaze impassively, her voice calm. “I don’t believe it.”
“If nothing can be changed, knowing more will only bring needless suffering.” Time had worn away her sharp edges, grinding down her unwillingness and resentment night after night until her youthful sharpness was gone. Exhaustion filled the depths of Wang Jinlan’s eyes. “You’re a smart child. Surely, Mother doesn’t need to explain the principle of a mantis trying to stop a chariot.”
“So, Mother has always harbored suspicions about the true culprit?”
Hearing this abruptly made her scalp prickle as if pierced by fine needles. Facing her daughter, who was as clever as a demon, Wang Jinlan felt both bitter and sour. “Huairen, listen to Mother’s advice. Don’t get involved in these matters.”
“The Zhao family is already in the thick of it. How could I stay out of it?” A faint sigh escaped her throat, and Zhao Huairen parted her lips. “Even stepping back ten thousand steps, does Mother think the Meng family and the Eastern Palace can rest easy?”
“The Deposed Crown Prince dominated the court, with all the officials praising him to the skies.”
“But what was the result?”
Not a single person from the Eastern Palace survived.
Three hundred and seventy-two people, and the stench of blood lingered even now.
“The current situation is different. The Wang family controls the Forbidden Army, and the Crown Prince holds the two key ministries of Revenue and Punishment.” Wang Jinlan’s brows furrowed tightly as she looked at Zhao Huairen. “Your uncle will protect the Zhao family.”
“Mother bases this on—” Meeting Wang Jinlan’s gaze, Zhao Huairen suddenly lost the will to argue.
Her mother was the Wang family’s cherished pearl.
After Father and her brothers met their ends, they had initially relied on her uncle to steady their footing.
“My trip to Yumu County is like an arrow loosed from the string—it must fly. Even if Mother is unwilling, I will set out tomorrow.” Conflicting emotions bound Zhao Huairen’s heart like a spider’s web. Her long lashes concealed the complexity in her eyes as she lifted her face and said softly, “If Mother still harbors any pity for me, then punish me as you see fit when I return to the capital.”
The slightly upturned phoenix eyes were identical to her own.
Huairen appeared gentle on the surface, but her stubbornness ran deeper than her own had in youth.
Her daughter, with skin as fine as jade piled upon agar, now had a red, swollen handprint covering most of her cheek—it was a shocking sight.
“You don’t need to deliberately play the pitiful card.” Wang Jinlan closed her eyes briefly, walked to the soft couch, and sat down. Her voice slowed and deepened. “Acting first and reporting later means you’ve cornered me—I can’t do anything to you.”
“Daughter is unfilial.” Zhao Huairen lowered her gaze.
A shadow of gloom hung over her brows. Wang Jinlan picked up her prayer beads and said coldly, “Late May is your brother’s death anniversary.”
“Daughter will return to the capital on time.”
“Mm.” Wang Jinlan acknowledged with a sound and sighed. “Go and eat. The meal has been prepared.”
Zhao Huairen’s gaze hesitated on her. “Mother…”
“Eat by yourself.”
“After this incident, how could I possibly have an appetite?”
Unsurprised by Wang Jinlan’s response, a faint shadow of dimness passed through Zhao Huairen’s eyes. She silently clenched the hand hanging at her side and rose. “Yes.”
It was only after Zhao Huairen stepped out of the room.
That the fingers twirling the prayer beads finally slowed to a stop.
With the cub she protected at the tip of her heart now gone, the sneaky mother eagle naturally had no reason to linger. More agile than a raccoon cat, Yan Yiqing lightly leaped down from the rooftop. Yet a stifled breath clogged her chest.
…
Night had fully fallen.
Branches swayed, casting moon shadows, and the daytime heat had completely dissipated.
It was as if the matchmaker had tied a red thread between them. Just as Zhao Huairen was about to enter Linzhu Courtyard, Yan Yiqing happened to approach from the opposite direction. Seeing Zhao Huairen, surprise colored her dark, glossy peach-blossom eyes. “What a coincidence?”
It felt like some fated pull in the dark.
Every time, she would run into Yan Yiqing by chance.
Zhao Huairen pressed her lips together and lowered her head. “After you, Young Master Yan.”
“The courtyard gate is so wide—why worry about who goes first?” Her eyes flashed, and Yan Yiqing stopped in front of Zhao Huairen, greeting her boldly. “Come on, Heir Apparent.”
Even if she hadn’t seen it tonight.
The marks on her face would still be impossible to hide come morning.
Zhao Huairen no longer demurred. She nodded lightly and entered Linzhu Courtyard side by side with Yan Yiqing.
“What happened to the Heir Apparent’s face?” A flash of heartache passed through her eyes, but Yan Maomao feigned ignorance as she exclaimed in surprise.
The woman’s voice was clear and crisp. “It’s nothing. It’ll heal in a couple of days.”
“That won’t do!” After hearing Zhao Huairen’s reply, Yan Yiqing widened her eyes disapprovingly and said solemnly, “Tomorrow’s relief team includes some of my former subordinates. What if they think the injury on your face was my doing?”
“I will explain on Young Master Yan’s behalf.” Zhao Huairen said.
“Absolutely not.”
Zhao Huairen frowned. “Why?”
“I’ve already dared to lay hands on you. With my black heart bullying you, forcing you to clear my name would be all too easy.” Yan Yiqing spoke as if it were gospel truth, her delicate features scrunching up as if deeply troubled.
Though it sounded somewhat far-fetched, Yan Yiqing’s concern… seemed to hold some logic. After her expression shifted several times, Zhao Huairen lifted her gaze to her and asked evenly, “What does Young Master Yan hope I do?”
“You’re really lucky.” Yan Yiqing glanced at her and pulled a medicine packet from her sleeve, saying casually, “I happen to have some medicine on hand. Take it and use it.”
Taking the medicine packet, doubt flickered in the beauty’s eyes.
“This ma chi jian was originally prepared for myself. Those who march often pick some before a long journey.” The improvised excuse was a bit clumsy, and Yan Yiqing felt a twinge of guilt inside, but she didn’t show it on her face.
Seeing Zhao Huairen hesitate, her heart tightened. She frowned and urged, “What, does the Heir Apparent fear I’ve poisoned the herbs to harm you?”
“How could that be.” Zhao Huairen shook her head.
It was just too coincidental.
Her luck had never been—
particularly good.
“It’s not some valuable thing anyway, so why dawdle?” After speaking, Yan Yiqing couldn’t help adding, “Remember to use it. Crush it and apply it. I don’t want others thinking I bullied you.”
From her past behavior.
She had thought Yan Yiqing didn’t care about others’ opinions.
Sure enough… navigating this world, how could one completely ignore others’ gazes.
Zhao Huairen rubbed the medicine packet with her fingertips. Her long lashes fluttered, concealing the emotions in her eyes. “In any case, thank you, Young Master Yan.”
“Don’t overthink it.” Yan Yiqing hurriedly cut her off. “I-I’m doing this for myself.”
The hand gripping the medicine packet tightened unconsciously, and Zhao Huairen said softly, “I understand.”
“Good that you do.” Yan Maomao sneaked a peek at Zhao Huairen and, seeing her calm expression, quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Facing a flower she cherished like treasure.
The little cat wanted to draw closer but feared startling her.
The bright moon hung in the night sky, pure and luminous. Standing in the moonlight, Yan Yiqing finally saw Zhao Huairen’s injury clearly. A sour heat stung her nose, and she bit her tongue, muttering, “I’m heading back to my room. You should rest early too, Heir Apparent. We have to set out early tomorrow.”
Zhao Huairen nodded in salute.
She turned and left, not even daring to glance back.
Her heartbeat escaped her control, and the fingers holding the medicine packet turned slightly pale. Zhao Huairen pressed her thin lips tight, but Yan Yiqing’s figure lingered in her mind.
Red suited her well.
Flower green matched her too.
Or rather, she made all these colors look good.
The evening breeze buried her inexpressible feelings.
The budding affection between lovers was nibbled away bit by bit by soft drifting clouds.
The one who said she was returning to her room didn’t. Instead, she stood pitifully under the bare wisteria tree, gazing wistfully at the woman’s retreating back.
Huairen ran so fast.
Like fleeing a plague, unwilling to linger even a moment longer.
“You say… when will she ever turn back to look at me?” Yan Yiqing turned to the tree that symbolized their bond with Huairen. Her callused fingertips tapped irregularly against the trunk.
“Am I being too greedy?”
“That she’s alive should be enough for me to feel grateful.”
As she spoke, her movements suddenly halted. Her ear tips flushed with warm red, and her voice grew coy. “But whenever I see her, I can’t help wanting to get closer. I want to…”
“Young Master Yan, what’s wrong?” Zhichun had been watching from nearby for a while and finally couldn’t hold back from calling out.
“Ahem.” Yan Yiqing coughed lightly and calmly dusted her fingers. “There was a bug on the tree. I was helping chase it away.”
Helping a tree chase bugs?
What a strange woman.
But good—surely the Heir Apparent wouldn’t like such an oddball.
“You scared this servant half to death.” While scorning her, Zhichun also felt relieved. “Muttering to yourself—I thought Young Master had wandered into a ghost wall.”
“I’m fine.” Yan Yiqing replied calmly. “The Heir Apparent is back, and her face seems injured. Go check on her.”
“The Heir Apparent is injured?!” Zhichun perked up instantly.
With Huairen’s temperament, even if she gave her the medicine, she might not use it obediently. But if she sent Zhichun in… Her mind settled, and Yan Yiqing sighed. “Yes, it looks like it might scar.”
Was the lady’s heart made of stone? How could she bear to mar such a perfect face?
It was like a devoutly worshipped icon being trampled.
Unfortunately—the other party was an existence she couldn’t shake.
Zhichun had no time for sorrow. She sniffed and hurried toward the study. “Heir Apparent!”
Before long.
A figure appeared at the study’s window.
Her fingers at her side twitched slightly. Envy and a touch of relief mingled in Yan Yiqing’s eyes. If even Duke Rui’s Mansion had no one who truly cared for Huairen, she really would… consider just snatching her away.
Moonlight turned to frost on the woman’s shoulders.
Yan Yiqing didn’t know how long she stood there before finally turning toward the main building.
–
After that day, Yan Yiqing rested on the soft couch, because as long as she turned her head, she could see the candlelight from the study.
Through two layers of windows.
The firelight was hazy and faint.
Her ink-jade pupils were as clear as a spring. Yan Yiqing propped her head on one hand, admiring that glow like a beautiful vista.
Mantis arms against the chariot?
To reduce a first-rank duke’s mansion to a mantis, in all of Great Yong, probably only that one person could do it.
It seemed her Huairen.
Was destined in the future—to stand with her.
