Chapter Thirty: A Family United in Joy

“Father, please try this. I made it myself tonight,” she said.

He laughed heartily, “Good, very good.”

Yan Heqi and Master Yan were getting along splendidly.

“What a harmonious scene. Why didn’t anyone invite me to dine? Is it because you think, as the Ninth Prince’s Consort, you’re unworthy to share a meal with me?” Yan Heru said, pulling up a chair for herself and settling at the table.

Everyone was stunned by Yan Heru’s sudden intrusion. How shameless could she be? How could she claim they were unworthy to dine with her? Clearly, they simply didn’t want to include her.

Madam Lin was about to lose her temper, but Yan Heqi restrained her. Madam Cheng, however, could not hold back, nor was her daughter as clever as Yan Heqi.

Madam Cheng rose, pointing at Yan Heru’s nose, and began to scold her, “You little wretch, you really don’t know your place! Do you think you belong here?”

Yan Heru took a bite of food, chewed leisurely, and replied, “Oh? I don’t belong here?”

Madam Cheng was about to retort, but Master Yan pulled her back firmly. She sat down, resentment simmering in her heart, but faced with Master Yan’s glance, she dared not speak further and could only glare at Yan Heru in fury.

“Since you’ve returned, join us for dinner. No one invited you simply because we’ve grown used to your absence. We forgot, that’s all. Come, eat,” Master Yan said, his tone neutral, betraying no emotion.

Yan Heru smiled and nodded, beginning her meal.

Perhaps she was the only one truly enjoying the meal; the others wore dark expressions, and the earlier atmosphere of warmth vanished completely.

As she ate, Yan Heru pondered why everyone in the Yan family disliked her so much. Master Yan was a sensible man; even if Yan Heru had committed some fault in the past, she was now married to the Ninth Prince—a union that could elevate the Yan family’s status.

Master Yan valued interests above all, so even for the sake of this small advantage, he should not treat Yan Heru so coldly.

There was no deep-seated enmity between them, so it was all rather strange...

After dinner, Yan Heru left contentedly, leaving the room full of sullen faces behind.

But she did not return to her own quarters. That morning, she had wanted to visit Old Madam Yan but had been refused. Now, at this hour, perhaps she would not be turned away.

Arriving at the old lady’s residence, she found only Granny Wang in the courtyard. Yan Heru glanced at the brightly lit rooms—clearly, the household had not retired for the night.

“Granny Wang,” Yan Heru called sweetly as she entered the courtyard.

Granny Wang heard Yan Heru’s voice, and a flash of impatience crossed her eyes, though she tried to hide it. Yan Heru noticed anyway. “Granny Wang, working so late? Let me help you,” Yan Heru offered.

“No, no, that won’t do! You are the Ninth Prince’s Consort,” Granny Wang quickly stopped Yan Heru from reaching for her tools.

“It’s enough that you have the thought, Your Grace.”

“I wish to see my grandmother. Has she retired for the night?” Yan Heru asked, peering inside, but Granny Wang blocked her path repeatedly.

“Your Grace, the old lady has been feeling quite unwell lately. Perhaps now is not the best time for a visit. Since you’ve decided to stay in the residence for a while, don’t be in such a hurry to disturb her,” Granny Wang said, polite yet firm in her refusal.

“I see. Very well, then please convey my regards to grandmother for me.”

“As you wish.”

Yan Heru departed. Though she had guessed she would be refused again, she hadn’t expected Old Madam Yan to so thoroughly avoid even the pretense of civility. The rooms were aglow—clearly, she hadn’t retired for the night.

But it hardly mattered now. Her original plan to probe the old lady for information was not so easily accomplished. Now, she had found a better candidate for extracting secrets.

...

Yan Hemiao had been smashing things in her own quarters ever since returning. Her maid knelt on the floor, terrified, not daring to make a sound.

“Why did she get to join us for dinner? Does she even realize what her status is now? Disgusting!”

“I wish I could smash her to death!!”

Furious, Yan Hemiao destroyed most of the objects in her room. As Yan Heru approached the doorway, she heard the sound of porcelain shattering and felt a twinge of regret.

Judging by the clatter, these must have been expensive items—such wastefulness.

Yan Hemiao’s maids watched her closely, fearing she might do something drastic in her rage. None stood guard outside, so Yan Heru slipped in easily.

She lingered at the doorway, watching Yan Hemiao’s tantrum, unable to suppress a smile. Then, she drew a silver needle from her sleeve.

This needle had been specially coated with a drug—her own secret recipe.

“I’m so angry, so angry! I must find a way to get rid of her once and for all! Fortunately, Mother holds enough evidence to destroy her completely! Hmph!”

With this thought, Yan Hemiao grinned triumphantly.

Outside, Yan Heru suddenly paused—not because of Yan Hemiao’s words, but because she remembered there were two maids in the room as well.

If she used only one needle, the maids would certainly notice. She needed to deal with them too. So she drew two more silver needles from her sleeve.

Yan Heru aimed at the two maids and flung the needles. She had no martial skills, but had trained her wrist strength specifically for this purpose.

It was easy enough to lodge the needles in their bodies.

Yan Hemiao, caught up in her fury, didn’t notice at once when the maids collapsed suddenly.

Yan Heru seized the moment, launching the needle meant for Yan Hemiao. It struck her squarely.

Yan Hemiao felt darkness descend, and then nothing.

Yan Heru, seeing her target hit, and confirming the room was empty, stepped inside.

Yan Hemiao stood motionless, her eyes vacant. Yan Heru circled her, smiling.

“I ask you, what is your name?”

“Yan Hemiao.”

“Who is your mother?”

“Madam Cheng.”

Yan Heru nodded in satisfaction. The drug on her needle compelled truthfulness; those struck would lapse into a dazed state, oblivious to what had happened or what they had said.

They would only believe they had been exhausted and slept deeply for a long time.