“I did not plot against the Family Head!”
“Plot against Father?”
Hongliu and Yan Changqing exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with shock.
Yan Changfeng looked at Third Sister’s stunned face and breathed a slight sigh of relief. She likely did not know that Yaoniang intended to harm Father.
Meanwhile, Yan Changqing’s heart churned with turmoil. She was not entirely witless and instantly connected this to the recent bandit disaster.
While she was unaware of Zhang Mingshun’s schemes, she did know that her mother was involved with him. However, she had once advised Concubine, who had promised to cut ties with Zhang Mingshun. How could she…?
It was impossible. She simply could not believe her mother would do such a thing. Father had treated her well—what reason could she have to betray her own family?
Yan Changfeng asked Hongliu, “If you did not plot against the Family Head, why did you help her send letters outside?”
Hongliu had not expected Second Miss to know even these details and immediately felt a pang of guilt. “I… I was following Yaoniang’s orders to deliver letters to the Zhang family’s concubine.”
Yan Changfeng pressed, “Why would delivering letters to the Zhang family’s concubine require such secrecy?”
As Yaoniang’s personal maid, Hongliu had long sensed that Yaoniang was involved with someone outside, though she had never been certain who it was. It was only this time that she vaguely realized it might be the Zhang family’s master.
Previously, Yaoniang had always maintained a facade of propriety, never taking the initiative to arrange meetings. It was always the Zhang family’s concubine who invited her out. This time, however, she had taken the initiative and acted in secret, clearly indicating something was amiss.
But Hongliu knew nothing beyond this. Fearing she would be implicated, she abandoned her attempts to flirt with Third Young Master and hastily defended herself, “I truly only delivered letters on orders! I had no idea what Yaoniang was planning. Second Miss, please investigate thoroughly. Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I would never dare to plot against the Family Head!”
Hearing this, Yan Changqing could no longer cling to any hope. The thought that her birth mother had committed adultery and plotted against the Family Head made her wish she had never been born into this world.
Was it not enough to be born into a lowly status? Why must she also be burdened with such a mother?
Yan Changfeng glanced at Third Sister’s expression and guessed that she was aware of Yaoniang’s affair with Zhang Mingshun.
However, if she had only concealed this matter, it was somewhat understandable. After all, it was her birth mother—some selfishness was only natural.
She turned back to Hongliu and asked, “Hongliu, you still haven’t answered me. What did Yaoniang promise you that made it worth risking exposure in front of guests today to warn Third Young Master?”
Hongliu bit her lip and refused to speak.
Yan Changfeng did not waste time with her and asked directly, “Did Yaoniang promise you to Third Young Master?”
Both Hongliu and Yan Changqing were stunned.
Yan Changfeng knew from Hongliu’s reaction that she had guessed correctly.
For a girl with no parents, the most compelling temptation was future wealth and status. As the future head of the Yan Family, being with Third Young Master, even as a concubine, would ensure a life of glory and respect.
However, Third Young Master seemed unaware of this, which explained why she was even more shocked than Hongliu.
“Did Concubine really promise you that?” Yan Changqing stared at Hongliu, demanding confirmation.
It was as if, without Hongliu’s own admission, she could not bring herself to believe that her birth mother could be so despicable.
Adultery, plotting against the Family Head—was that not enough? After failing, she even encouraged a maid to sow discord! If she had been any more foolish, would she have ended up severing ties with the family?
Hongliu stammered, unable to meet Third Young Master’s gaze, silently admitting the truth.
Yan Changqing clenched her fists tightly, glaring at Hongliu as she demanded, “What else did she do? Speak the truth!”
Hong Liu trembled all over in fright. Even she, as foolish as she was, now understood that Yaoniang's power had collapsed. Her life and future were in the hands of Second Miss and Third Young Master, so she dared not hide anything further. "Although Yaoniang was locked in the Punishment Hall, Second Miss showed compassion and allowed those of us who served her closely to bring her clothes and necessities. Yesterday, when I delivered the items, Yaoniang instructed me to find a way to notify Third Young Master as soon as he returned, preferably in front of others. She told me to say she had suffered injustice, to make Third Young Master resent the family, and that she would then find a way for him to establish his own household…"
If Yan Changfeng had not interrupted, Yaoniang's clever scheme would have almost succeeded.
By this point, Yan Changqing felt utterly ashamed and even more disheartened. Due to his background, he had always been cautious and diligent at home, never daring to slack off, hoping to make up for his status shortcomings through his own efforts. Now that his birth mother had committed such a disgraceful act, all his efforts were in vain. He feared he would never be able to hold his head high again in this lifetime!
Seeing Third Sister's despondent appearance, Yan Changfeng sighed silently. She instructed Old Wu to keep a close watch on Hong Liu, then led the dazed Yan Changqing out of the dark room.
Outside, she asked, "Concubine is right next door. Do you want to see her?"
Yan Changqing shook his head. His heart was heavy, and he didn't know how to face her.
"Then come with me first. I have something else to ask you."
Yan Changfeng led him to the study. Upon entering, she first went to the tea table and poured two cups of cold tea, handing one to Third Sister and downing her own in a few gulps to relieve the heat that had built up over the past half-day.
After her younger brother finished drinking, she asked, "Changqing, today I saw you and Zhang Ruyan exchanging glances several times. Have the two of you been in contact privately?"
Yan Changqing's fingers tightened around the teacup. Instinctively, he thought Second Sister was interrogating him. His mother had an affair with Master Zhang and plotted against Father, and he himself had dealings with the Zhang family's young lady… Then surely the two of them, mother and son, were of one mind, both harboring sinister ambitions.
"You and Father were ambushed on this trip. I suppose you've guessed that it was Zhang Mingshun's doing."
Yan Changqing lowered his head even further.
Seeing him like this, Yan Changfeng couldn't continue. She had to set aside her previous line of questioning for now. "Changqing, when I went out of the city to welcome you back, I originally intended to tell you about Concubine's matter right then, but Father didn't allow me to. You should understand why, right? Mother has also been reminding me these past few days to persuade you properly, not to let this incident affect your state of mind."
Yan Changqing, who had almost buried his head in his chest, suddenly looked up. He had always known that his parents and sisters in the family cared for him, but subconsciously, he believed it was a necessary act to win people's hearts.
If the Mistress of the Household had her own children, she might not necessarily show genuine affection toward others' children. You must always be cautious in speech and action, and not take others' kindness for granted—this was the lesson Yaoniang had taught him when he was young.
At the time, he actually didn't take these words seriously, because everyone treated him well, and he couldn't sense any falsehood. But perhaps due to his nature, these words had taken root in his heart, intentionally or unintentionally. Usually, there was no sign of them, but whenever something happened, they would surface to disturb his mind. Over time, this unreasonable statement inevitably became a truth to him.
He believed that Yaoniang had betrayed the Family Head, and in the eyes of ordinary people, as her son, he would inevitably be implicated. Therefore, the main family could no longer trust him, even if he was the only male heir in the household.
What likely awaited him was being driven out of the family.
But now, Father, Mother, and Second Miss were all considering his situation, which made him feel as if he had been thinking like a petty person.
"Second Sister, I… I'm sorry."
Yan Changfeng patted his head. "We're family—no need for such words. As for you and Zhang Ruyan, I don’t know whether the two of you came together on your own or if someone intentionally brought you together. But it’s clear that she is only interested in the possibility of you becoming the Head of the Yan Family in the future, and she is always ready to find someone better."
"Second Sister, I didn’t…"
"I know you didn’t scheme for the family fortune, but that doesn’t mean others won’t take advantage of you and use you to do certain things," Yan Changfeng interrupted him. "I suspect you told her in a letter roughly when you would return today and that you were accompanied by the Prince of Shu and Second Young Master Pei. That’s why she timed her visit today—not to see you, but to make connections with influential people. If those influential people found out that you had leaked their whereabouts, do you know what the consequences would be? Your trust in Zhang Ruyan could lead to a crisis of credibility for our entire Yan Family."
Yan Changqing’s youthful face drained of all color. The shame brought by his mother’s disgrace might have been indirect, but the heartless betrayal by the one he loved was the most direct and merciless blow.
The boy, not yet fifteen years old, crumbled under the successive blows, finally breaking down in tears before his second sister.
Yan Changfeng was not skilled at comforting others, but perhaps it was her calming presence that allowed her to silently accompany her younger brother as he cried. After a while, he said, "Second Sister, from now on, I’ll listen to you and to Father and Mother!"
Yan Changfeng knew then that the boy had been brought back and saved.
"Changqing, even though you’re hurting, there are still some things you must face," she continued. "Concubine has made a mistake this time, and she likely won’t be easily forgiven."
"Second Sister, I know. You don’t need to worry about me. Whatever punishment you decide for her, I won’t object." Yan Changqing had no face left to ask for anything, even if it meant the whole world knowing he had such a disgraceful birth mother.
Yan Changfeng reassured him. "I’ll discuss it with Father and try not to put you in a difficult position."
Just as they were speaking, a maid outside called, "Second Miss, is Third Young Master there?"
"What is it?" Yan Changfeng opened the door.
"Second Miss, it’s time for the meal. Madam sent me to call you and Third Young Master to come quickly."
Yan Changfeng was puzzled. "Am I to join the table as well?"
The nobility of Beidu were quite particular about etiquette between men and women. It was said that unmarried women could not dine at the same table with unrelated men.
The maid smiled. "It was the Prince of Shu who said so. He said we’re all family and shouldn’t stand on ceremony."
Yan Changfeng hummed in acknowledgment. "Alright, I understand."