The Battle of the Noble Ladies (Book 2)

Chapter 129 - Motive

It was a time of blossoming greenery and chirping birds, and groups of people were out enjoying spring. The famous Ten-Mile Peach Blossom Grove in Tongzhou attracted many, so much so that the pavilions at the foot of the mountain were completely occupied.

Han Zhi, who had recently stirred up quite a bit of gossip, seemed utterly unaffected by the commotion outside. Paying no attention to the lively atmosphere beyond, he focused entirely on a book in one hand while holding a chess piece in the other, playing against himself.

He had barely sat in silence for a moment when a man with a handsome, refined appearance and a gold-embroidered belt casually took a seat beside him. Without hesitation, the man picked up Han Zhi's teacup and took a sip, his tone both familiar and relaxed. "What's this? Mourning Wei Yanjun's death so deeply? You've kept a cold distance from everyone these past two years—don't tell me it's because of national mourning."

Han Zhi placed his book down casually, lifted his eyes to glance at him, a hint of emotion crossing his gaze, though he quickly lowered his head again. "Why are you here?"

"Why shouldn't I be? I'm not the same person I used to be. Do you think I'm still that young master, tightly bound by my family?" He let out a mocking laugh, eyes fixed on Han Zhi. "Thanks to you and that noble prince of yours, I'm now nothing more than a merchant with forged documents."

Han Zhi's lips tightened, a hint of guilt and restraint appearing on his usually expressionless face. He unconsciously dropped the chess piece in his hand, not even noticing until the man beside him turned to leave. He hurriedly stood up, grabbing the man's arm with a voice full of suppressed affection, "Run'er!"

Zhang Run finally stopped, his back to Han Zhi, standing in silence for a long moment.

Seeing him pause, Han Zhi felt a surge of relief, his tone softening further. "Run'er... you know my feelings have never changed... If Wei Yanjun hadn't been your man, I wouldn't have touched him at all..."

"What's the point of saying this now?" Zhang Run suddenly turned, glaring at Han Zhi, who stepped back a few paces under his cold stare. With a bitter laugh, Zhang Run pointed at him, asking, "I've already lost my family and everything—now you want to tell me this?"

Han Zhi pressed his lips together, lowering his gaze but keeping a firm grip on Zhang Run's arm. "Your father... he only lost his official position; he didn't have to die..."

Zhang Run grew even angrier at the mention of his father, Zhang Yuan. He yanked his arm away, the veins on his neck visible in his fury. "Losing his position made his life worse than death! You talked about how we'd be together for a long time, about finding a way to get my father's approval. Was this your plan? Sending me off to study abroad, while secretly conspiring with the Directorate of Palace Affairs to expose the Songjiang Cloth Incident... Don't think I don't know. Every year, they sent the same things to the Directorate; how much silver did they receive? But last year, they couldn't resist blowing it all up! Han Zhi, did you really think I'm that naive?"

Han Zhi sighed softly and moved to stand directly in front of Zhang Run, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on him. "If I thought you were naive, I would have distanced myself from the whole affair. I truly did make an effort back then. My father hinted many times for your father to align with us, but he remained firmly with Prince Gong... I had no choice. You know I can't sway things in between. Do you think my father or that noble figure in the Eastern Palace would listen to me?"

"Listening to you makes me sick!" Zhang Run sneered. "Don't make it sound so noble. You couldn't do anything? Haven't you taken enough secrets from me and my sister? All the connections and intelligence you gathered from me? Without the evidence you obtained through me about my father's illegal smuggling of tribute fabrics overseas, would they have pulled off this scheme so smoothly?"

Han Zhi's lips moved, but in the end, he lowered his head and said nothing.

There was, in fact, nothing left to say. Extracting information from Zhang Run was a fact, and through Zhang Run and Zhang Han, he had indeed passed valuable intel to Zhou Weiqi. Now, with the Zhang family ruined, Han Zhengqing was eager to sever any ties...

When he'd tried to defend himself earlier, Zhang Run had been furious. Now, with nothing left to argue, Zhang Run felt only sadness. Thinking of his always-kind mother and his once-gentle sister, it was as though a thousand knives pierced his heart.

How could he have been so blinded to fall for someone like Han Zhi? And how could he betray his conscience by getting involved with his sister's fiancé?

His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms, but he felt no pain. His vision blurred with a bitter smile as he asked, "Why did you let me live? Wouldn't it have been better for you if I'd died?"

He already knew the answer—Zhou Weiqi would indeed have preferred his death, but Han Zhi was different. They had shared three or four years of intimate moments in the academy. As heartless as Han Zhi was, he still held onto a sliver of compassion.

Han Zhi indeed sat back down and took Zhang Run's hand in his. "Run'er, I would never let you die. As long as I draw breath, I'll ensure you survive."

Zhang Run pulled his hand away, though his expression softened somewhat. "Even if you don't want me dead, what difference does it make? Back then, I was still the young master of the Zhang family, and even then, we were impossible. Now, I'm just a merchant with forged documents. Lady Han could crush me with a wave of her hand..."

Looking at Han Zhi, whose expression shifted subtly, Zhang Run continued, "Besides, if I'm not mistaken, both His Highness and Lady Han are pressuring you to marry now, aren't they? Given your family's ambitions, you won't be marrying anyone from a low station. If she ever learns of us, do you think she'll tolerate me? What do you intend to do with me? Like you did with Wei Yanjun?"

That question struck a nerve in Han Zhi, and he immediately protested, "I would never treat you like I did him! Rest assured, I already have a plan. I'll ensure she serves as a quiet shield between us..."

"You think I'm a child?" Zhang Run laughed mockingly. "A noble lady from a prestigious family, willing to play the shield so we can have our way?"

At least he wasn't dwelling on the Zhang family's downfall, instead focusing on the future. That was better than being consumed by past grudges.

Relieved, Han Zhi held onto Zhang Run's hand firmly. "Others might not, but the one I have in mind will be willing. Give me some time; I'll prepare everything well. Once she willingly takes on that role, even my family won't have reason to hound us."