Chapter Forty-Six: Lord Yue’s Warning

“Doesn’t this scene seem familiar? Miss Yan, do you recall five years ago when someone said the very same words to me? Yet, five years have passed, and I am still living well—and thriving, even more so. Tell me, why do you think that is?” Yan Ziyu’s left lip curled slightly upward as she leaned close to Yan Ruqing, looking down on her with an almost imperious gaze. The two were so close that one could almost hear each other’s breath.

“If you please, kindly inform General Yan that there’s no need to count me among the guests at the manor’s banquet. I fear that seeing those repulsive people would only make me nauseous…” Yan Ziyu’s face was almost pressed against Yan Ruqing’s, her icy eyes sharp as blades, filled with disdain and mockery.

Ruqing took two steps back and met Yan Ziyu’s gaze squarely. “That won’t do. If my sister does not attend, won’t the banquet lose some of its luster? I’m quite eager to see you once again dazzle everyone with your unparalleled charm!” Without Yan Ziyu’s presence, the banquet simply could not proceed. Not only would she refuse to agree, even her father would not consent.

After exchanging a few more words, Yan Ruqing gracefully turned on her delicate feet and left, a faint, triumphant smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“Your Highness, perhaps you shouldn’t attend that banquet at all. Who knows what schemes they might be plotting?” Qiu He’s concerned face betrayed her unease.

Yan Ziyu said nothing, lazily reclining on the soft divan, eyes half-closed. “No matter. Qiu He, stay in the courtyard with Ali and Rui’er. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Your Highness, please be careful yourself!” Qiu He knew how important the young master was to the princess. Entrusting him to her care was a sign of trust. The only thing she could do was not to betray that trust.

Both mistress and servant were wary of the banquet the following evening, suspecting treachery. Little did they expect trouble would come knocking today.

At dusk, Yan Ziyu dined with Rui’er and Ali at a tavern outside the general’s manor. A number of the manor’s guards followed behind them, a condition set by General Yan for their departure from the estate.

“Xiaoyu, this braised fish is delicious. You have to try it…” Ali stuffed his mouth greedily with the dishes before him, not forgetting to pick out the bones from his favorite little fish to feed her, his innocent face suffused with a subtle tenderness.

“Mm.” Yan Ziyu smiled at him, taking a bite of the fish he offered, then carefully picked a boneless piece and placed it in Ali’s bowl. “Eat slowly. No one’s going to snatch it from you.”

“Ali is a tiger! A hungry tiger… hee hee…” Rui’er teasingly stuck out his tongue and made clawing motions, mimicking a tiger’s roar. It was utterly adorable.

Ali finally swallowed his mouthful and growled at Rui’er in a deep voice, “I am the big tiger, and I’m going to eat the little kid… Grrr… I’m going to eat you, little kid…” As he growled, he rubbed his head against Rui’er’s face and gently nipped at his soft pink ear.

“Ahahaha… ticklish… Ali, stop! Ticklish… hahaha… mommy, help me!” Rui’er laughed so hard his stomach hurt, pleading for help.

Those two… Yan Ziyu shook her head helplessly, her eyes full of warmth as she gently chided them, “Stop fooling around and eat your food. If it gets cold, it won’t taste good anymore. Got it?”

“Oh, Xiaoyu.”

“Yes, mommy, hee hee…”

…

“Rui’er is as lively and adorable as ever. Anyone who sees him can’t help but like him!” Just as Yan Ziyu felt at a loss, a refined, elegant voice reached her ears. Looking up, she was surprised to see someone she had not expected sitting before her.

“What brings you here?” Her expression was anything but warm; there was simply no reason to be friendly.

“It’s been a long time. Your Highness remains as genuine as ever. I have never stopped thinking of you. This chance encounter is fate, so why push me away so coldly?” The visitor was none other than Young Master Yue, the man who had made her a three-month promise.

Seven days had passed since that promise, and during these days, she had been subjected to numerous plots and schemes, nearly as he had predicted—she might not survive these three months.

How could she greet with a smile someone so eagerly wishing her death? Only a fool would do so.

“Master Yue is a man of great affairs. How could he waste time on a mere woman like me? I dare not delay your precious time. If you have business, speak plainly. If not, please forgive me for not detaining you.” Her polite dismissal and displeased expression made her meaning clear to anyone.

At this point, Young Master Yue ceased his persistent pursuit and spoke directly. “I know you are residing at the general’s manor now, and I know your intentions. But you must leave immediately and return to the Xiao residence, or the consequences will be dire. I’m sure you don’t want your efforts to be in vain, only to sew someone else’s wedding garments.”

“You went to the general’s manor intending to retrieve something, didn’t you? I doubt you think that all hopes rest solely on you.”

Yan Ziyu’s expression shifted subtly. Her deep eyes fixed on him as she answered coldly, “I don’t understand what you mean. Purpose or no purpose, I simply want to return to my mother’s home for a few days. Does that require your permission? Don’t you think you’re meddling too much?”

Could it be that Wu Yuexuan’s visit to the general’s manor was also to steal that thing?

Even he had been gravely wounded, which proved the manor’s defenses were indeed formidable. What could possibly require such a grand mobilization, enough to make the imperial consort and the powerful Prince Xiao so desperate to obtain it?

“I believe you are smart enough to understand me. One last warning: the waters at the general’s manor run very deep. If you wish to win our bet, it’s best not to get too involved. If you’re still there in three days, I’ll prepare a fine red sandalwood coffin for you and your child to move into.” His words were a warning, but the final sentence dripped with provocation.

After saying this, Young Master Yue rose and left as abruptly as he had come, leaving her no chance to question him—only his retreating back.

He was warning her not to stay at the general’s manor too long. The sooner she left, the better. Otherwise, someone would come for her and Rui’er’s lives. Was that so?

Could General Yan really be so bold as to keep her, still the princess, and the child of Prince Xiao, at the manor? Was he not afraid of incurring Xiao Longyan’s wrath? Or was this matter something Xiao Longyan himself was involved in?

The more she pondered, the colder her heart grew. She lowered her head and brooded for a long time without making a decision.

“Ali, what’s wrong with mommy? She looks troubled.” Rui’er tugged softly at Ali’s sleeve and whispered curiously.

“I don’t know either.” Ali shook his head honestly, his gaze inadvertently flickering toward where Young Master Yue had departed, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

Rui’er’s voice did not escape Yan Ziyu’s ears. Suddenly looking up, she asked him, “Rui’er, this is complicated. Everyone says something different. Who do you think I should listen to?” She wanted him to help her decide.

“If everyone’s saying different things, then listen to them all! The teacher says that to learn, one must listen more, ask more, and learn from others’ words!” Rui’er answered innocently, without hesitation.

Listen more, ask more, learn more…

That’s it!

Excited, Yan Ziyu hugged Rui’er tightly and kissed him. Rui’er truly was her little treasure; his words had awakened her.

Instead of listening only to the opposing views of Consort Rou or Young Master Yue, why not ask others as well? The more she asked, the sooner the cracks would show—and the lies would be exposed.

She had been foolish. Rui’er was smarter than her. Truly, the new waves push the old, and she, the old wave, would soon be overwhelmed.

Having made up her mind, her heart was finally at ease.

The next morning, Yan Ziyu went early to see General Yan. They stayed in his study for a long time. No one knew what they discussed, but they surely reached some agreement. Otherwise, Yan Ziyu would not have immediately left the manor with Rui’er to return to the Xiao residence.

Meanwhile, during Yan Ziyu’s absence, several significant events occurred at the Xiao residence. First, the prince took a concubine—the young lady rescued by the prince recently had now become the seventh consort. Second, the prince’s biological mother, the elderly consort, was to stay at the Xiao residence for a while.