Chapter Twenty-Five: The Sin of Carnal Compromise

Yan Heru returned to the prince’s residence in a daze, and upon arrival, she couldn't help but notice the peculiar way everyone looked at her. The servants had never truly respected her, but at least they’d refrained from staring at her with such strange expressions.

This unsettled Yan Heru. Was there something odd about her today? Had something dirty gotten on her face?

Puzzled, she quickened her pace and hurried straight to her chamber. Sitting before the bronze mirror, she examined her reflection; her face was clean, and her attire was neat and proper.

If there was nothing amiss about her appearance, then the odd glances from the servants must have another cause. Determined to get to the bottom of it, Yan Heru set out to investigate, for being stared at inexplicably left her feeling uneasy.

Outside the kitchen, she overheard the staff whispering, prompting her to stop and eavesdrop from behind the wall.

“Did you hear? Our princess apparently had improper relations with someone before,” one of the kitchen maids murmured furtively, glancing around before speaking to another.

“You mustn’t say such things! Where did you hear that? If the prince or princess finds out, you’ll lose your head!” the other maid whispered back, hastily covering the first one’s mouth.

But the gossipy maid quickly brushed her hand aside and continued, “I only dared tell you because I heard it from someone important.”

“So who told you?”

“It was Miss Cen. You know how much the prince values her—how could she make something like this up? Besides, I overheard it by accident when she let it slip.” The maid grinned, her face alight with the thrill of gossip.

The other’s curiosity was piqued, and the two of them launched into a lively discussion.

Yan Heru no longer cared to listen. What truly puzzled her was how Cen Changjing had come to know about such a matter. Had she simply fabricated it, or had she unearthed something from the Yan family…

Though the story was false, a lie, once spread from ten to a hundred mouths, could become accepted as truth. Yan Heru was not about to let her reputation be ruined by such rumors; she had to get to the bottom of it.

She went straight to the source—the very person at the center of the gossip: Cen Changjing.

Due to her recent fainting spell, Cen Changjing had not yet been expelled from the prince’s residence and was currently admiring flowers in Cen Changxiao’s courtyard. Cen Changxiao was out socializing with the prince, so the residence was quiet.

When Yan Heru arrived, she found Cen Changjing sitting serenely in the courtyard, sipping tea, gazing at the blossoms, and occasionally glancing at the sky, where a streak of fiery cloud lingered as dusk deepened. She appeared calm and tranquil.

“You’re here,” Cen Changjing said softly, setting her teacup down and looking at Yan Heru.

Yan Heru paused at the doorway, her brow furrowed. “Did you already guess I would come?”

“With rumors like these swirling, there’s no way you wouldn’t. I haven’t known you for long, but I know you’re not the kind to swallow an insult quietly,” Cen Changjing replied in an even tone.

Yan Heru felt that Cen Changjing had changed in these few days—her restlessness seemed to have faded, replaced by a certain restraint.

“If you knew I’d come, you must have something you wish to say to me,” Yan Heru said, taking a seat on a stool across from her.

“What I want to tell you is: there’s only one way to stop these rumors—leave Hezhi for good.”

“Oh? Are you worried I’ll steal his affection away from you?” Yan Heru teased, amused by Cen Changjing’s posturing.

Cen Changjing’s eyes flashed with malice. “I’m not worried you’ll steal him—he doesn’t like you at all. Your presence here is unnecessary. But I don’t tolerate threats around me. You’re a threat, so I need you gone.”

“Do you really think I can’t clear my name without you? That I came here to beg for your help or to make peace?” Yan Heru retorted, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

If there was one thing Cen Changjing couldn’t stand, it was the air of command Yan Heru carried—a mere illegitimate daughter, yet so brazen and arrogant! She, Cen Changjing, was Hezhi’s childhood companion, and it was only because of Yan Heru that she’d lost his favor. Though she kept her resentment hidden, had Yan Heru known her thoughts, she would have laughed outright.

Did Hezhi like her? Yan Heru doubted it. They had little true connection, and with no emotional ties between them, Yan Heru could see Hezhi for who he was: a man with a coldness that ran to his very core, a man who didn’t even love himself—how could he love anyone else?

“If you won’t seek my help, then why not see what happens if you let the rumor spread?” Cen Changjing challenged, unafraid.

“If you insist on this, Cen Changjing, then don’t blame me for what comes next,” Yan Heru said coldly, turning to leave.

As she watched Yan Heru’s retreating figure, Cen Changjing clenched her hands so tightly her cup nearly shattered. But recalling everything she’d done that day, and what might yet happen, she slowly relaxed her grip and a triumphant smile emerged.

Yan Heru, let’s see how long your arrogance lasts.

All the way back, Yan Heru pondered her next move. If handled poorly, this matter could irreparably damage her reputation. She had only just managed to be accepted into the Shengjing Medical Pavilion—she could not afford to have her plans derailed by such a scandal.

Whether Cen Changjing had invented the story or learned something from the Yan family, one thing was clear: the Yan family had once tried to use this very matter against her, so there were surely traces left behind. Should anyone with enough intent investigate, they would find the clues.

She had no choice but to return to the Yan household and clear her name.