Chapter 17: Draw Han Ji

“Heh, Third Brother’s awfully bold, proposing to the princess at the Emperor’s birthday banquet! That’s comparing yourself to a phoenix! No wonder Zhao Qin looks down on you. You’re more of a pheasant with a few stray feathers…”

“Third Brother, don’t be discouraged. Zhao Qin is a true phoenix, but she’s also a bird who’s been around the block a few times. If you work hard enough, you might still have a chance to win her over…”

“And if Zhao Qin is out of reach, there’s always the Emperor’s bed…”

Zhao Ji is the Emperor’s name.

Han Ji calmly walked past his siblings, who were openly mocking him. The outwardly glamorous third son of the Han family was, at home, a concubine’s son, bullied and insulted. As long as he remained in the Han family, this would continue.

“Alright, that’s enough. Don’t go too far,” their elder brother reprimanded, though not out of concern for Han Ji, but because their behavior was unbecoming of their status. Even though they shared the same mother, the eldest son and his siblings held vastly different positions within the family.

The two siblings who had mocked Han Ji, showing a flash of jealousy, reluctantly replied, “Yes, Big Brother.” The eldest brother reprimanded them, not for Han Ji’s sake, but because he found their words unseemly.

Han Ji, aware of this, still murmured his thanks as his eldest brother passed by, “Thank you, Big Brother, for your intervention.”

The eldest son, a calm but emotionally detached man, patted Han Ji on the shoulder. “The princess has a difficult personality, but she’s a worthy match. You must work hard and try your best to win her over. Even if she doesn’t favor you, she mustn’t favor others. Understand?”

Han Ji lowered his head submissively, “I understand.”

The siblings’ taunts ceased, and they ignored Han Ji. He avoided them and quickly returned to his room. To outsiders, he was a refined young master, but now, his face was grim with humiliation, anger, and helplessness—feelings directed at both Zhao Qin and the Han family. He resented Zhao Qin’s cruelty and the unfairness of his family, where some enjoyed comfort without effort while others, like himself, toiled endlessly and were still treated poorly.

“Squeak—” The door opened. Han Ji’s anger flared. He was used to being insulted by his siblings.

“Who allowed you in? Get out!” His gentle facade was gone, replaced by a harsh expression. If his admirers knew of this side of him, many hearts would be broken. But even if they were attracted to him, the Han patriarch would never allow his concubine son to marry into a prominent family. A concubine marrying into a prominent family would be a disgrace if the concubine couldn’t overpower the main wife, and it would cause family strife if the concubine had the support of her family. Therefore, the traditional rule was that concubines married concubines, and main wives married main wives. This rule was rarely broken unless one party was exceptionally outstanding.

A servant entered, his face obscured by shadow. He remained calm despite Han Ji’s outburst, his slightly bowed posture appearing respectful yet subtly arrogant and disdainful.

Silence filled the room. Even Han Ji recognized the servant’s hostile intent.

“Who are you?”

The servant, as if waiting for the question, straightened slightly. “My mistress sends her regards, Young Master Han. She asks: Would you trade your position in the Han family for advancement?”

Han Ji’s face paled. He stood, staring, his expression uncertain.

“I don’t understand…”

The servant’s lips curled into a slight smile. “It’s exactly what you think.”

(Xiuchundao, undoubtedly!)

Han Ji’s mind raced. Only Xiuchundao could have sent someone to the Han residence.

He had long known of Xiuchundao, the organization controlled by the eldest princess, and was aware of the intense jealousy it inspired among the family elders.

Despite initial skepticism—a belief that the Emperor would not tolerate the families’ control, and that Xiuchundao was merely a short-lived creation—the organization, founded by the first Emperor and nurtured by the princess, had grown into a powerful force within the royal family.

Without the intervention of Xiuchundao, the aristocratic families would have maintained their control over the court for a much longer time, leaving Zhao Qin and her siblings with no opportunity to rise.

“Don’t worry, my mistress values your talent. Unfortunately, you’re underutilized and constantly ridiculed…”

Han Ji’s expression hardened.

His anger nearly consumed him, but the man smiled confidently. “Are you content to be suppressed, a puppet in the hands of others? As someone once said, if you can’t control the game, you must become a powerful piece. Those who control the game move as they please, and overturn the board when they choose. The rules of this world are designed to restrain those who can be restrained, and only those who can make the rules are truly free.”

“How can I trust you…?”

“It’s just that I’ve heard Young Master Han is at odds with Young Master Ding?”

Han Ji understood the threat. Ding Mingkun, though not the heir, was a favored son. His relationship with Chen’s daughter had made him a rival.

“Are you threatening me?”

“Not at all,” the servant said, feigning incomprehension. “A mere Ding Mingkun is insignificant to my mistress. His life could be your gift to her.”

Han Ji was tempted. His eyes gleamed.

“How… how can I meet your mistress?”

…

Zhao Qin’s emissary had just finished courting Han Ji when a Xiuchundao agent appeared before Shen Shuangdao.

“Greetings, Miss Shen.” A thin, unremarkable man emerged from the shadows. Shen Fu, though she hadn’t seen him approach, recognized the agent’s aura.

Chu Baige stammered, his face paling. Remembering his casual intimacy with Shen Fu, he felt a chill run down his spine. He worried the eldest princess would hold him accountable for his behavior. He couldn’t help but blame Shen Fu; she was anything but ladylike, and he’d forgotten all about maintaining a proper distance.

Shen Fu was equally surprised. “When did you get here? I didn’t even notice you.” She was trained by Xiuchundao and skilled in stealth, yet she hadn’t sensed the agent’s presence.

“Just now,” the agent replied. “I arrived with Mr. Baige.” The agent’s skill in remaining undetected, even from Shen Shuangdao, was impressive.

“What do you want?” Shen Shuangdao asked.

“I’ve been ordered to protect you, Miss Shen.”

“I don’t need protection,” Shen Shuangdao said firmly. “Tell your superior it’s my decision.”

“I’m afraid I cannot disobey orders.”

Chu Baige, nervously, nudged Shen Fu. “Should I leave? Perhaps we should talk privately first.” He offered a reassuring smile, though the agent likely didn’t notice.

Shen Fu knew the agent was unyielding; Xiuchundao agents were known for their absolute obedience. She wondered how Zhao Qin had trained them to be so utterly devoted to their superiors.

Shen Fu suddenly asked, “What’s happening in the capital?” She couldn’t understand why her superior would suddenly assign a bodyguard.

“Everything is proceeding as usual.”

“Ah…” Shen Fu’s eyes widened, a look of understanding dawning on her face. She stated with certainty, “Is this because of my investigation into Ruyi?”