Shang Shiyan hid her hand behind her back. “Cousin, don’t worry, the wound has healed.”
But Qi Yanyu firmly grasped her arm. The skin was still swollen and red, not yet fully recovered.
“Aunt, are we really going to let Ah Yan’s injury go unpunished?” Normally gentle, Qi Yanyu’s face was now cold and grim.
“I’ve already beaten Shang Jing and Shang Yunzhong. As for the Crown Prince, he cannot be touched. And Shang Yunrou—she isn’t my own child, yet my two foolish sons insist on protecting her.”
Whenever Shen Zuizhi thought of this, it was like a thorn in her throat. She couldn’t understand how her sons could be so biased, always shielding Shang Yunrou.
As for the Marquis, whenever she brought up defending Ah Yan, Shang Changhe would brush her off with excuses—claiming she wasn’t dead yet, so there was no need.
Shen Zuizhi was deeply disappointed in the entire household.
“In your letter, Aunt, you said that if not for Prince Lin’an bringing Ah Yan back to the capital, she might not have survived. This matter cannot simply be brushed aside!” Qi Yanyu’s face darkened with anger.
“The Crown Prince, who is supposed to be Ah Yan’s fiancé, abandoned her at the bottom of a cliff and brought another woman back to the capital. A man like that is not worth having!”
Realizing his emotions had gotten the better of him, Qi Yanyu quickly looked at Shang Shiyan, worried she might be hurt. After all, her feelings for the Crown Prince were something the family had long been aware of.
But the Crown Prince was truly not someone worthy of trust.
“You’re right, Cousin. A man like that is not worth having.” Meeting Qi Yanyu’s gaze, Shang Shiyan’s eyes were resolute. “I will annul this engagement as soon as possible. I won’t let Mother and Cousin worry anymore.”
“Ah Yan, you…” Qi Yanyu was stunned and confused, turning to Shen Zuizhi. “Aunt, what has happened to her? Has she been provoked?”
Under her mother’s tender gaze, Shang Shiyan smiled. “Cousin, I haven’t been provoked. I’ve simply thought it through. I’ve wasted enough time pressing my warm face against a cold heart. Since the Crown Prince loves Shang Yunrou, there’s no point in me standing between them.”
Shen Zuizhi understood Shang Shiyan’s current resolve. She felt relieved, though she knew the Empress would be difficult to persuade. That was her only remaining worry.
The Empress already regarded Shang Shiyan as her future daughter-in-law, her identity firmly established. All that remained was the wedding ceremony.
Qi Yanyu glanced at Shen Zuizhi and immediately understood her worry. After a moment of silence, he said, “Grandfather has great merit. If A’yan wishes to annul the engagement, let Grandfather petition the Emperor for a decree of annulment. Then this marriage will be over.”
“Cousin.” Shang Shiyan knew he was thinking of her, but for something like annulling an engagement, she didn’t want to trouble her aging grandfather. He deserved peace and rest. “I have a way to make the Empress agree to the annulment. Cousin, you needn’t worry for me.”
Qi Yanyu looked at her in surprise. “You have a way?”
“Yes. Do you trust me?”
“Of course I trust you.” Seeing the determination in her eyes, he said no more. Let Ah Yan try first. If it failed, then they would intervene. One way or another, the engagement would be dissolved.
“You have only one month left before graduating from Shengting Academy. This Tongyan Hui ink is for you. It’s impossible to buy outside—I learned to make it from Grandfather. I don’t know how it will work, but you must practice your calligraphy diligently. Grandfather says you have talent, but your handwriting lacks his refinement. If you can improve, you’ll be counted among the finest young women of Great Sheng.”
Shang Shiyan felt a little embarrassed. Her handwriting wasn’t terrible, but compared to the delicate, elegant small script currently in fashion, it was somewhat rough. She accepted the ink box, opened it, and saw inside a rare piece of Tongyan Hui ink—made by her cousin’s own hands, impossible to buy anywhere else.
“Thank you, Cousin! I’ll make sure to achieve excellent results in the graduation exam and not disappoint you!”
Seeing her smile, her eyes bright and sparkling, Qi Yanyu felt that all the nights he had spent burning oil to make the ink had been worth it.
As long as Ah Yan was happy, that was enough.
During her recuperation, Shen Zuizhi wanted to take Shang Shiyan to personally thank Gu Peice, but since he was injured and not accepting visitors, the matter had to be postponed.
Once Shang Shiyan had mostly recovered, she returned to the academy.
“Look! Shang Shiyan has come!”
“She still has the face to show up here? If I were her, I’d stay home crying all day. That way, when the engagement is annulled, perhaps the Crown Prince wouldn’t be so ruthless!”
“I’ve never seen such a shameless woman. The Crown Prince has already said he dislikes her, yet she still clings to him. Isn’t she just relying on the Empress’s favor? Without the Empress, with her upbringing and manners, could she even secure a proper marriage, let alone become Crown Princess?”
As soon as Shang Shiyan arrived at the academy, she heard the mocking laughter and ridicule from the noble girls.
Her gaze quickly fixed on one of them—Yu Yao. Her father was a Vice Minister of Works, and she herself was a concubine-born daughter of low status, with a strong streak of jealousy. She shared the same temperament as Shang Yunrou and was her most loyal lackey. Every time someone led the taunts against Shang Shiyan in the academy, it was Yu Yao.
“Don’t go too far! At the coming-of-age ceremony, it was my lady who *voluntarily* proposed breaking off the engagement!” Qiuyue suddenly spread her arms, blocking in front of Shang Shiyan, her face full of indignation as she tried to defend her.
But that only made things worse—the laughter grew louder.
“Voluntarily breaking off the engagement? Isn’t that just to win the Empress’s sympathy? We’re all girls here—do you think we don’t understand what your lady is really after?”
Shang Shiyan cast a cold glance at Qiuyue. A servant who betrayed her, yet was still eager to serve Shang Yunrou. “Get out.”
Without giving her any kindness, Shang Shiyan ordered her to leave.
Qiuyue’s face went pale. She raised her hand and slapped herself. “I’m sorry, Miss. I spoke out of turn.”
“Shang Shiyan, you’re far too arrogant! Your maid was defending you, yet instead of appreciating it, you told her to leave. Having a mistress like you is truly unfortunate!” The speaker was Su Wenyan, the legitimate daughter of Duke Ding’s household.
Unlike Shang Shiyan’s father, Marquis Huainan, who held no real power, Duke Ding was a pillar of the court, a high-ranking minister. Su Wenyan, pampered since childhood, was the apple of her father’s eye. As the daughter of a military family, she had been trained in martial skills. Whenever she disliked someone, she simply fought them. Her martial ability was strong, though her wit was lacking.
Such a person—powerful, straightforward, with solid background—could be a tremendous ally if brought into one’s camp.
Shang Shiyan’s eyes met Su Wenyan’s. “So you mean I was wrong?”
Su Wenyan lifted her chin, her gaze threatening. “Wasn’t it wrong? Apologize to your maid!”
But Shang Shiyan curved her lips into a smile. “Alright. If you want me to apologize to her, let’s make a bet.”
Su Wenyan blinked in surprise. “What kind of bet?”
Shang Shiyan stepped forward, leaned close to her ear, and whispered a few words.
Su Wenyan frowned after hearing them. “You’re talking nonsense. How could she be that kind of person?”
“Just wait and see.”