The Reborn Noble Girl is Hard to Find | Chapter 41: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road
Chapter 41: Enemies Meet Again
“Was it true that you argued with him at the banquet and even agreed to compete with him outside because of what he said?”
Zhuang Hanming hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“Do you understand that if I hadn’t been here today, they wouldn’t have let it go so easily? The one who suffers would be you. How can I not worry?” Han Yan’s voice carried bitterness. “Now that it’s just the two of us depending on each other, I thought before coming here today—if anything happens to you, what reason do I have to keep living?”
The stoic Zhuang Hanming, who hadn’t uttered a sound even when being beaten earlier, turned red-eyed at Han Yan’s words and grasped her hand. “Sister…”
Han Yan patted his shoulder gently. “If you want to protect me, you must first take care of yourself. Don’t act recklessly and confront head-on. If the cousins from the Zhou family bother you again, just ignore them. Don’t get entangled. A mad dog tires out when it’s ignored. If you react too much, you’ll fall into their trap. There’s no need to waste effort on irrelevant people.”
Zhuang Hanming bit his lip and replied, “I understand.”
“Go back now.” Han Yan shook her head. “I’ll have Shuhong accompany you. It’s not convenient for me to be seen with you since I came alone. You go first; I’ll follow shortly.”
Zhuang Hanming hesitated, then nodded. As he walked away, he mumbled, “You’re only a year older than me. Why do you always worry about everything for me…”
Han Yan laughed as she called out behind him, “Even if I were just a moment older, it would be the same. I’m your elder sister.”
By then, Zhuang Hanming had gone far and didn’t hear her. Ji Lan adjusted Han Yan’s clothing. Just as they were about to leave, a young and slightly immature voice rang out: “You do think a lot for him.”
Han Yan turned in surprise to see a boy in a bright yellow robe staring at her disdainfully. “You meet this prince and don’t kneel?”
Han Yan chuckled and replied, “Your Highness, you must be joking. Officials only bow to the Crown Prince, not kneel. I’m just a humble woman—there’s no rule that requires me to kneel to you. Custom dictates kneeling to heaven, earth, and the Emperor. Between us, Your Highness is neither a ruler nor am I a minister. To kneel would defy reason. Or perhaps, Your Highness already harbors aspirations to take the throne? Though the empire will one day be yours, it is not yet the case now!”
“You—” The boy’s face flushed with anger. “Nonsense! Don’t slander me with talk of treason. My father wouldn’t believe you!” As he saw her looking at him with mockery, he fumed further and demanded, “Even if not for this, you still ought to salute me. Do you think this prince cannot punish you?”
Han Yan found it amusing. Royals were all the same—authoritative and ready to punish at any slight. Even a ten-year-old could master the posture.
“Your Highness?” Han Yan smirked faintly. “I was simply passing through the garden on my way back from the restroom. How could I have encountered the Crown Prince here? Shouldn’t you be attending the banquet instead of mingling with commoners and spectating their fights? If the Emperor were to know of this, what would he think?”
Startled, the Crown Prince’s face turned pale, recognizing the veiled threat in her words.
Han Yan continued casually, “If you’re lost, I suggest you quickly find your way back. Surely, your guards are nearby. There’s no need for me to lend you one of my maids. Farewell.”
The young Crown Prince had lived a sheltered life, never encountering someone so brazen. Her insinuations infuriated him, but before he could retaliate, Han Yan turned and left with Ji Lan.
Ji Lan marveled internally at her mistress’s audacity. Threatening the Crown Prince? That took courage. But what if he pursued the matter later?
Unbeknownst to Ji Lan’s worries, Han Yan faced an even more complicated problem.
Just a few steps away from exiting the garden, she noticed a group of tall figures standing ahead, clearly waiting. It was unclear when they’d arrived, but her earlier conversation had evidently been overheard.
Han Yan sighed internally, her mind racing. She quickly put on a bright smile and acted as though nothing had happened, attempting to walk past.
“You!” A voice exclaimed.
Han Yan froze. Her heart sank as she looked up to meet a strikingly beautiful face.
“Do I know you?” she asked in feigned surprise.
He Lianyu clenched his jaw. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten… Miss Ni.” He spat out each word with gritted teeth, clearly still holding a grudge over their previous encounter.
Suppressing her alarm, Han Yan smiled. “I’m afraid you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not surnamed Ni.” She tried to sidestep him.
“What is your surname?” a low voice interrupted.
Her heart sank further. The speaker was none other than the dreaded Xuanqing Wang. Why was he here, away from the banquet? Worse, had he overheard her threatening the Crown Prince—his nephew?
Rumored to be a man of unyielding strength and decisiveness, would he kill her on the spot for the sake of royal dignity?
Could anyone have worse luck than hers?
