"Everyone in this house knows that the Duke is going to be your future husband, Miss!" Shu Hong said, shaking her fist in indignation. "She's trying to steal your marriage for her own daughter!"
"What should we do, Miss? Don't just sit there and read! We can't let her take the Duke from you!"
Zhuang Hanyan rolled her eyes. How did it become a known fact that Wei Tingyu was her future husband? But she couldn't explain to Shu Hong.
"If she wants to take him, can she?" Zhuang Hanyan said, winking at her maid. "The Duke has his own mind. I can't control him."
"Then... you should talk to the master!" Shu Hong said, finally coming up with a solution. She was genuinely worried. Ever since Wei Tingyu's visit, Zhuang Hanyan's status in the household had risen. Even Shu Hong was treated with more respect by the other servants. She knew it was all because of the Duke.
Zhuang Hanyan was no longer so resistant to the idea of a relationship with Wei Tingyu. She had been using the Qi Qiao Hua Xue Cream he gave her, and the results were astonishing. In just two days, her old scars had faded significantly. The medicine was truly a miracle, and it showed his sincerity. To a woman, restoring her beauty was as important as saving her life.
Chai Jing, who was also using the cream, had softened her attitude towards him as well.
Zhuang Hanyan had considered that if she needed to find a powerful backer in the capital, Wei Tingyu was a good choice. When Zhou Ruyin showed her obvious intention to steal her future marriage, Zhuang Hanyan felt a little bit offended. She knew Zhou Ruyin wouldn't just turn away matchmakers. She would actively try to destroy Zhuang Hanyan's reputation with the Duke. But how? She figured the only way was to bring up the "bare-footed ghost" curse again.
"Third Miss! Third Miss! Something's wrong!" A maid ran in and knelt before Zhuang Hanyan. "The old madam... the old madam has fainted!"
Zhuang Hanyan's heart sank. She knew this was Zhou Ruyin's doing.
Meanwhile, at the Duke of Wei's mansion, Wei Tingyu was shaking his head as he listened to a report from his Golden Shadow Guard. In the original story, the Zhuang family was desperate to find a husband for Zhuang Hanyan, but now, the opposite was true. Matchmakers were flocking to the Zhuang manor, willing to risk the curse for a connection to the Duke's mansion.
He knew what Zhou Ruyin was doing, and he also knew that Zhuang Shixiang was on her side. To him, if his third daughter married into the Duke's family, his second daughter would become a valuable commodity. Wei Tingyu was disgusted by their schemes.
But when he heard that the old Madam Wei had fainted, he immediately understood. The plot was moving forward. Zhou Ruyin was using this as a new tactic to get rid of Zhuang Hanyan and put her own daughter, Zhuang Yushan, in her place. He gave his Golden Shadow Guard a new order, and then looked out into the snowy courtyard, uninterested in the beautiful scenery.
That night, Zhuang Hanyan was still awake, reading and waiting for news from Chai Jing. She was no longer living in poverty. She had good food and warm clothes. The room was so comfortable that she was getting sleepy. Suddenly, a cold gust of wind blew out her candle.
She was wide awake. The windows and doors were all closed. Where did the wind come from? She relit the candle and saw a letter on her chair. She was surprised but knew it meant no harm. She opened the letter. It read, "Fugitive Cui Aniu, from Liangguang, with a tattooed thief on both arms."
She was confused. What did it mean? Was it related to her grandmother's sudden illness?
A bird's chirping from outside broke her concentration. She opened the window, and Chai Jing appeared.
"What did you find out?" Zhuang Hanyan asked.
"I found out!" Chai Jing said. "The 'Bare-footed Ghost' incident from back then was orchestrated by a man who called himself Master Duan."
Zhuang Hanyan was silent for a few seconds. Her emotions were a mess. She was filled with hatred for the man who had separated her from her family for over a decade. But she knew he was just a pawn. The real culprit was someone in the Zhuang family.
"Has he arrived in the capital?" she asked, her eyes burning with the desire for revenge.
"Yes," Chai Jing said. "He entered the city yesterday."
"My grandmother's illness is not an accident," Zhuang Hanyan said. "Someone wants to recreate the 'Bare-footed Ghost' incident from seventeen years ago."
"Then you need to make a new plan," Chai Jing said.
"Time is short," Zhuang Hanyan said. "I'm sure that Master Duan will come to the manor tomorrow."
"What are your chances of success?" Chai Jing asked.
"The enemy is in the dark, and I am in the light," Zhuang Hanyan said with a confident smile. "But I have this." She handed Chai Jing the note. "This might be the key to our victory."
Chai Jing took the note and was surprised. She read it and looked at Zhuang Hanyan.
"Where did this come from?"
After Zhuang Hanyan explained everything, Chai Jing's face became serious. "This person seems to be on your side. Who could it be? He must have just left, but I didn't sense a thing."
Both women knew that the person who sent the letter was either the Duke of Wei or the Jade-faced Fox Gentleman. They were the only ones who could help them.
The next afternoon, the Zhuang manor was bustling. Wei Tingyu was greeted by a fast-approaching Zhuang Shixiang.
"Duke of Wei! I apologize for not meeting you sooner!" Zhuang Shixiang said, bowing deeply while discreetly looking at the other officials around him. The officials bowed to Wei Tingyu, their eyes full of envy. The number of guests was much higher than in the original story. Wei Tingyu knew it was because of the rumors about him and Zhuang Hanyan.
"Master Zhuang, you're too kind," Wei Tingyu said. He walked into the manor, and Zhuang Shixiang followed him.
"This is an honor, Duke!" Zhuang Shixiang said. "I will be cooking tonight. I hope you and the other officials will try my cooking!"
Cooking was not a respected profession, and a high-ranking official cooking for his guests was an act of flattery. In the past, he would have been mocked, but today, everyone was praising him.
"It's a great honor to taste Master Zhuang's cooking!"
"I knew coming to this banquet was a good idea!"
"I've heard about your cooking! We're so lucky!"
Zhuang Shixiang smiled proudly.
"I am looking forward to it," Wei Tingyu said. He then saw an old man in expensive clothes walking towards him with Zhuang Yuchi, who was fawning over him. Wei Tingyu knew the old man was Vice Minister Han, Zhuang Shixiang's chosen father-in-law for his son.
Wei Tingyu rolled his eyes at Zhuang Yuchi. The way he was trying to flatter Vice Minister Han was shameful.
"Duke of Wei!" Vice Minister Han said, bowing respectfully. His bow was much more dignified than the other officials.
"Vice Minister Han," Wei Tingyu said, bowing back.
Zhuang Yuchi's face fell. He hated Wei Tingyu but was now forced to bow to him.
"Yuchi!" Zhuang Shixiang said, giving his son a glare. He gestured for him to bow to Wei Tingyu.
"I'm honored to meet you, Duke," Zhuang Yuchi said, bowing reluctantly.
"A promising young man," Wei Tingyu said with a sneer. "Master Zhuang, you are a great teacher."
The words were a direct insult. Wei Tingyu was not much older than him, and yet he was talking to him like a child. Zhuang Yuchi's face turned red.
"You're too kind, Duke!" Zhuang Shixiang said, waving his hands. "My son is not as good as he should be. Please, guide him!"
Zhuang Shixiang was showing off his connection to the Duke. Everyone was watching and whispering. They all believed the rumors. This was exactly what Zhuang Shixiang wanted.