Chapter 28: Trying to Make a Show of Force?

Yan He-Ru had little to say to Han Xing-Zhou; she merely offered him an apologetic smile before heading to the Yan residence. Her feelings upon returning this time were entirely different from when she had lived there before.

Upon arrival, she found the two gatekeepers unchanged, though their demeanor was noticeably more respectful.

"Sixth Miss has returned. Please, come in." Though impatience still lingered on their faces, their words were now tinged with deference.

Yan He-Ru had no intention of dwelling on trifling matters, so she let it pass without comment.

No sooner had she stepped into the courtyard than a bucket of water was flung in her direction. Fortunately, she dodged swiftly. Looking up, she saw the culprit was Lin, her stepmother. Yan He-Ru's brows drew together in a silent, cold laugh.

Her stepmother, it seemed, had no fear of losing face, personally coming to the gate to cause trouble for her.

"Oh! Sixth girl?" Lin exclaimed, feigning surprise, quickly setting down the bucket and approaching Yan He-Ru.

"I truly didn't know you were coming back so suddenly." Lin seized her hand with an affectionate air, projecting the image of maternal tenderness—an illusion for any onlooker.

Yan He-Ru smiled faintly and unobtrusively withdrew her hand. "Mother, why are you attending to such chores yourself? If others witnessed this, they might think the Yan household so neglected that its mistress must fetch water herself."

Lin laughed awkwardly. "Well..."

"If we're speaking of shame," came another voice, "no one can surpass Sixth Miss in that regard. Her scandal is now the talk of all of the capital." Yan He-Ru looked up to see Cheng, her father's concubine, famed for her arrogance. Lin, though domineering herself, always yielded before Cheng.

Cheng sashayed over, adorned in finery, her movements exaggerated. Seeing Yan He-Ru, she covered her mouth with a handkerchief and sneered, "Sixth Miss, how do you still have the face to return?"

Yan He-Ru was not angered; she smiled. "Why shouldn't I return? I wonder which of you committed those filthy deeds and tried to pin them on me. Did you think that, as a dead woman, I would let myself be slaughtered?"

Cheng was incensed by Yan He-Ru's words and raised her hand to strike her. The maids at Cheng’s side, unlike Lin’s before, made no move to intervene; their eyes glittered with anticipation for the spectacle.

Yan He-Ru, however, was not the sort to be bullied. Cheng would do well to reconsider her actions before attempting to strike her.

With ease, Yan He-Ru dodged, subtly extending her foot, causing Cheng to fall flat on her face.

Lin burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. "Ha ha ha ha!"

Cheng glowered at Lin, who subdued her laughter somewhat, but it was too tempting an opportunity to mock her rival.

"Oh dear, Sister Cheng, how careless you are! Perhaps age is affecting your health?" Lin moved to help her up, but Cheng shoved her away, causing Lin to fall as well.

"You!" Lin glared at Cheng.

Cheng, emboldened by her favor, retorted, "What about it? Why blame me for your own fall? If word gets to the master, who knows whose fault it will be."

"You!" Lin was so furious she could not find words to rebut, and rose, ready for a fight.

As the situation devolved into chaos, the maids of both mistresses could no longer stand idly by, and pandemonium erupted.

Yan He-Ru had no interest in watching two madwomen bicker. She brushed the dust from her sleeves and made her way toward the residence of the Yan matriarch.

She suspected it was the old lady who had orchestrated her downfall, though she lacked evidence. The old matriarch had no clear motive for such malice.

In the memories of her predecessor, Yan He-Ru saw that the matriarch was not one who cherished her children. Her only concern was the Yan family—so long as the family thrived and its lineage endured, that was enough for her.

Lost in thought, Yan He-Ru arrived.

She stepped into the matriarch’s courtyard, a familiar place, though only through the memories of her predecessor. It was her first visit in person.

The courtyard was tranquil, lush with greenery; beyond, bamboo grew in the rear garden, lending an air of quiet elegance.

"Sixth Miss." A maid tending the flowers looked up and greeted Yan He-Ru.

Unlike the other servants, this maid was genuinely respectful toward Yan He-Ru—a testament to the matriarch’s shrewdness. Even if she disliked Yan He-Ru, she maintained appearances. Lin and Cheng, by contrast, were fools, their petty schemes written plainly across their faces.

"Nurse Wang, is Grandmother within?" Yan He-Ru placed the gifts she had brought on a stone table.

"The old lady is resting. She’s caught a bit of chill, so it’s best that Sixth Miss waits here a while," Nurse Wang replied politely.

Yan He-Ru nodded and sat on a nearby stone bench. She had not brought Mo Yi to accompany her this time.

If the culprit behind the scenes saw someone from the prince’s household, they might become cautious, making it harder for her to find clues. Thus Mo Yi and Shen Yi protected her from the shadows.

Yan He-Ru waited in the courtyard for a full hour before Nurse Wang returned with news.

"Sixth Miss, the old lady is still unwell. Please return to your quarters for now," Nurse Wang said with a smile.

Yan He-Ru understood the wisdom of not rebuking those who greet her kindly. The matriarch was clearly avoiding her.

Her return to the Yan residence was no secret; Lin and Cheng had both been waiting at the gate to confront her, so the matriarch could not have been unaware.

Having kept her waiting in the courtyard for an hour, this was a deliberate slight.

Yan He-Ru composed herself. "If Grandmother is unwell, I will not disturb her. Please, Nurse Wang, take good care of her. I shall visit again this afternoon."

Nurse Wang nodded, watching Yan He-Ru depart.