Zhuang Hanyan's graceful walk and her now restored beauty, enhanced with just a touch of makeup, exuded the aura of a noble lady. Zhou Ruyin couldn't help but sigh in admiration, contrasting her with her own rebellious daughter, Zhuang Yushan.
"Hurry, get up, don't tire yourself out!" Madam Wei and Zhou Ruyin quickly offered their concern.
After bowing to the elders, Zhuang Hanyan rose slowly and walked towards Wei Tingyu. "This girl thanks the Duke for saving my life," she said, bowing to him with a look of such pitiful charm that it would melt anyone's heart.
Even Wei Tingyu, a man with a harem full of beauties, was touched. Each of his heroines had their own unique charm, but Zhuang Hanyan's was her unparalleled elegance. She embodied the words "noble lady from the capital."
"Rise," Wei Tingyu said with a slight nod. "Are you feeling better, Third Miss?"
"Thank you for your concern, Duke," Zhuang Hanyan replied with a weak smile. "I'm much better, but I'm still a little tired."
Zhuang Hanyan's acting was so convincing that even her maid, Shu Hong, joined in. "I tried to get her to rest, but she insisted on coming to thank you personally, Duke."
"The Third Miss is very thoughtful," Wei Tingyu said, playing along, even though he knew she was feigning weakness.
Their exchange was so natural that everyone in the room sensed a connection between them. Madam Wei was the happiest of all; her only goal was to marry into the Duke's family. If the Duke didn't want Zhuang Yushan, Zhuang Hanyan would do just as well. She couldn't hide her joy, her face beaming with delight.
"I heard... Minister Fu... was looking for me," Zhuang Hanyan said, turning to Fu Yunxi with Shu Hong's support.
"Yes," Fu Yunxi said, nodding. "There are some things about Danzhou..."
Before he could finish, Zhuang Hanyan began to cough violently and collapsed. Wei Tingyu, who was prepared, quickly stepped forward and caught her. Everyone's eyes widened. Zhuang Hanyan was stunned; she had intended for Shu Hong to catch her.
She couldn't struggle, so she continued to feign weakness, coughing and gasping for air. Wei Tingyu, without a word, scooped her up in his arms. He turned to Fu Yunxi and said, "As you can see, Minister Fu, the Third Miss is not in a condition to be questioned. Please come back in a few days. Otherwise, I will charge you with a crime for seeking merit at the cost of a human life."
He then asked Shu Hong, "Where is the Third Miss's room? I'll take her there."
Shu Hong was flustered. A man was not supposed to enter the back quarters. But the Third Miss was in his arms. Madam Wei, however, was quick to react. "What are you standing there for?" she snapped at Shu Hong. "The Duke is helping our Third Miss! Lead the way!" Madam Wei wasn't worried about the gossip. On the contrary, she hoped it would spread throughout the capital, ensuring her granddaughter would become the Duke's wife.
Wei Tingyu carried Zhuang Hanyan all the way to her room. She lay in his arms, her eyes fixed on his face. She was at the age of first love, and having a reliable man like him as a protector was a wonderful feeling.
Once in her room, Wei Tingyu placed her on a chair instead of the bed. Zhuang Hanyan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your help, Duke," she said, rising slowly. "I am truly grateful."
"The Third Miss's illness comes and goes quickly," Wei Tingyu said with a smile. Shu Hong was the only other person in the room, so he dropped the act.
Zhuang Hanyan's lips curled slightly. Her tricks had been seen through. "Shu Hong, you may go," she said. Shu Hong nodded and left, but stood by the door, close enough to watch but not close enough to hear.
"Don't worry, Minister Fu won't bother you for a few days," Wei Tingyu said, breaking the silence. He had seen the wheels turning in her head. "The murder of your uncle and aunt has been reported to the Dali Temple. It's a hot topic in the capital. Naturally, Fu Yunxi would come to question you. But have you prepared your story, Third Miss?"
Zhuang Hanyan's eyes flashed with a hint of panic before she quickly hid it. "What story?" she asked, trying to sound calm. She had thought she was safe after getting rid of Fu Yunxi, but Wei Tingyu was not so easily fooled. He was asking direct, probing questions, not out of idle curiosity, but because he genuinely wanted to know the details of her fabricated story.
She couldn't admit to killing them. "If the Third Miss doesn't want to tell me, I won't force you," Wei Tingyu said, feigning an exit. "But since this has nothing to do with me, I may not be able to protect you if Minister Fu or other officials come to question you again."
"Wait!" Zhuang Hanyan said, her head shooting up. She needed a powerful ally. Since the Duke believed they were destined to meet, she had to take advantage of his offer of protection. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, but there are many things to consider," she said, offering a serene smile. "But you saved my life, Duke. I shouldn't keep anything from you. Ask me anything you wish, and I will tell you everything."
Wei Tingyu nodded and sat back down. Zhuang Hanyan sat in the chair next to him, ready to answer. Wei Tingyu knew she would lie, but he wanted to see how well-crafted her story was. He was essentially helping her patch up any holes in her alibi.
"How did you escape?" he asked, taking a sip of tea.
Zhuang Hanyan didn't answer immediately. Her eyes drifted to the falling snow outside, her expression one of deep sorrow. After a few seconds, she spoke.
"I will never forget that day," she said, her voice trembling with fear and panic. "The bandits broke into our house with knives... My uncle and aunt... they blocked the bandits' path for me... giving me a chance to escape." She visibly trembled, as if reliving the moment. "They died so tragically... all to save me."
She lowered her head, her eyes losing their luster, portraying a girl with no hope. Wei Tingyu was amazed. She was indeed the heroine of the story. Her acting was flawless, far surpassing any modern actress. She was literally acting for her life, and it showed.
"The capital has thousands of houses, and even those with family have trouble finding their way," Wei Tingyu continued, probing. "How did a girl who has been away for a decade recognize the Zhuang manor and coincidentally faint at its gate?"
Zhuang Hanyan was momentarily stunned. She hadn't thought of that. But she was a quick thinker. "It wasn't hard to find out... cough, cough," she said, covering her mouth and pretending to cough violently.
Wei Tingyu was impressed. She was quick on her feet and used her "illness" to deflect his question. She had an innate talent for manipulation.
"What did the bandits look like? What were they wearing?" he pressed on, turning the subject back to the non-existent bandits. "Tell me the details."
"There were seven or eight of them. Their language was strange, I couldn't understand them... They looked normal, but they were wearing dark blue clothes... and had some strange tattoos."
Zhuang Hanyan's face showed a mix of memory and fear. A single tear rolled down her cheek. Wei Tingyu felt a pang of guilt. It was getting harder to continue questioning her without feeling like a villain.
"You remember a lot, considering it was a fleeting moment of terror," he said.
"My uncle and aunt had no children, they treated me like their own daughter," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "I will remember their faces and those of their killers to identify them if they are ever caught."
Zhuang Hanyan was pouring her heart and soul into this performance, but Wei Tingyu remained impassive. This made her wary, but also determined. She sensed that his questions were not just out of curiosity but held a deeper, more complicated meaning. She was certain he wasn't just being nosy.