The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 104 - Offense

Wei Yanjun tiptoed up to Zhui Yue Pavilion, watching Song Chuyi storm off before clicking his tongue and leaning on Han Zhi's shoulder. "Can't you go a single day without frightening people? No wonder they say offending you is like offending the devil himself. Isn't there that saying—it's easier to deal with the king of hell than the pesky little ghosts?"

Han Zhi brushed his hand off and glanced back at the distant pavilion, warning in a low tone, "There are people around; watch your words! Later, go check on that dear cousin of mine. Make sure he's not getting too comfortable, or else, how are we supposed to keep control over Miss Song?"

Wei Yanjun frowned, clearly unwilling to do the task, and was about to object when he noticed Lady Fan's attendant, Yingchun, approaching. Instantly, he straightened up, standing quietly beside Han Zhi with a compliant expression.

Yingchun, ever one to announce her presence, called out with a lively "My lord" before she even reached them. Ignoring Wei Yanjun as if he weren't there, she approached Han Zhi with a respectful bow. "My lady requests your presence... Miss Han is in quite a state."

A hint of dark displeasure gathered in Han Zhi's eyes as he glanced at Wei Yanjun. "You go on ahead," he instructed, his voice brooding.

He stepped towards Lady Fan's main residence, Chu Feng Pavillion. As he entered, he saw Han Yueheng kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Without a word, he raised his brows and sat on the nearby rosewood chair, watching as Lady Fan scolded her.

"With that attitude, you dare talk about sitting in that position one day?" Lady Fan knew Han Zhi had entered but didn't even lift her head. She kept her gaze on her freshly painted crimson nails, her voice both sweet and seductive, completely unlike a woman with children at the age of marriage. "Others are pointing at your nose and calling you uncultured, yet your father and I aren't dead. We've clearly raised you. Is it that you're too foolish, or have you simply never absorbed what I've taught? If you want people to respect you, you must be worthy of it yourself. When you planned this flower party, your aunt even arranged for an attendant from the palace to assist, and the palace's gardener came early to tend the flowers. Yet, look at the disaster you've made of it."

Han Yueheng's tears splashed on the ground as she clenched her neck defiantly. "You never care about right or wrong and only ever criticize me! Today, it was clearly Sixth Miss Song venting her anger at me, but instead of defending me, you're tearing me down!"

When Song Chuyi left, Lady Fan had even ordered someone to gift her a pot of green plum, a West Garden crabapple, and poppies. To onlookers, it certainly seemed like an attempt to smooth things over.

Lady Fan couldn't be bothered to argue further; she didn't even cast Han Yueheng a proper glance. "I'd protect you if I could, but first, you need to prove you're worthy. If today, you truly had no personal agenda and wanted to run the flower gathering properly, you should have found a way to cut off Second Miss Shen's tirade and separate her from Sixth Miss Song. Think about the foolish mess you've made instead. Were you worried others wouldn't notice your schemes? The only reason no one acts against you is out of respect for your parents. But Sixth Miss Song has no obligation to show you such courtesy. What face do you think you have?"

With a cold laugh, she looked at Yingchun. "Take her out. She's not to leave the house for the next few days, or people might assume all the ladies of the Marquis of Jinxiang's household are uncultured."

Han Yueheng felt both wronged and angry. But faced with Lady Fan's cold, detached gaze, she didn't dare to argue further. Head lowered, she sniffled and left in silent tears.

Lady Fan resumed painting her other hand's nails, entirely unsurprised by Han Zhi's silence. Suddenly, she said, "Since you spoke with His Highness about winning over the Song family, why then would you allow that girl to offend people?"

She always valued Zhou Weiqi more highly than her own children.

Han Zhi remained composed, far more at ease with Lady Fan than Han Yueheng. "Though I have this intention, I can't make it too obvious. Rest assured, I've already planned everything. I won't let a young girl get the upper hand."

Lady Fan hummed in response and fell silent, her expression as serene as a clay figurine. After a long pause, she finally spoke again in a cool tone, "It's time to consider your marriage seriously. In the capital, most your age have already settled down. If you wish to marry someone of suitable standing, you'll have to put aside those courtesans and performers for the time being."

Han Zhi didn't immediately respond. If things developed as he anticipated, he wouldn't need to give up those courtesans and performers. He could even openly be with the person he was truly drawn to.

Meanwhile, back in the carriage, Qingtao was still slightly uneasy as she poured Song Chuyi a cup of tea. She asked, somewhat nervously, "Miss, you're usually so composed. Why did you argue with another young lady today? This is the first time you've gone out alone with them..."

Though, by age, Song Chuyi was the younger girl, Qingtao always felt she should be the one holding herself above such things.

Qingying, however, chuckled and nudged Qingtao. "From an outsider's view, our Miss is indeed the younger one who deserves a bit of leniency. Besides, Miss Han didn't act as she should, so no one can blame our lady for being angry."

Qingtao, always adaptable and amiable, had previously gotten along well with Hongyu and Luyi. Now, although Qingying had recently joined and been promoted to first-rank status like Ziyun due to her being sent by the Cui family and having martial skills, Qingtao felt no resentment, even respecting her. Hearing Qingying's perspective now, she nodded and sighed. "I suppose that's true. But still, we've certainly offended her deeply."

Han Yueheng had obviously taken up Chen Mingyu's cause with Shen Huiyi, but Song Chuyi had never taken those two seriously and certainly didn't care about offending them.

What she did care about was Han Zhi.

He was devious and venomous, with a love for seeing others flustered and at a loss. Losing her composure over Han Yueheng would, in his eyes, mean she'd taken the bait, encouraging him to take things a step further.

Han Zhi, like a cat that enjoys playing with a trapped mouse, only reveals his true nature when he knows his prey has no escape. Since that was the case, she wasn't about to shy away from putting on a show of being "flustered and out of control" for him.

In the last life, he kept up his polished, dignified appearance until the very end. This time, she'd enjoy watching him stripped of his facade and condemned by everyone. Since he loved catching mice and toying with them, letting them struggle until they were exhausted, she would let him experience what it felt like to think he'd captured his prey, only to find himself hunted and destroyed in the end.