Zhou Weiqi was somewhat surprised that his mother would consider personally going over, but since Consort Fan had made up her mind, he saw no point in continuing the discussion. He acknowledged her decision with a nod and stepped out.

  Once he left, Consort Fan swept all the intricately carved plums from the table to the floor, her face dark and menacing, as if she could erupt in violence at any moment. Lianqiao led the pace maids in kneeling, too frightened to utter a word.

  Fortunately, Nanny Fang entered just then, gently taking Consort Fan's hand, inspecting it, and patting her own thigh as she advised, "Oh, my dy, if you're angry, it's easy enough to scold or punish someone—why hurt your own hand? Look at your nails..."

  Consort Fan shot her a gnce and lightly pulled her hand away, her tone cold as she asked, "Did the letter get written by Master Ying as I instructed?"

  Nanny Fang quickly nodded. "Yes, yes, it was written exactly as you directed." She bobbed her head deferentially, but then hesitated, asking, "Do you really intend to tell the dy the whole truth in this letter? If the master happens to see it..."

  The letter detailed all the recent events without holding back, leaving nothing hidden. The dy of the house might take it in stride since she wasn't Lady Fan's biological mother, but Master Fan was indeed her father. Lady Fan had been his cherished daughter, raised lovingly in his hands. When she was young, he often lifted her high onto his shoulders, ughing as he called her his lucky star...

  Consort Fan's expression turned sharp, radiating a nearly tangible bitterness. After a long pause, a disdainful sneer escaped her throat. "Even if he saw it, so what? Report me? Go to the Crown Prince and denounce me, or go to Han Zhengqing and compin about me, accusing me of causing his legitimate son's death and his legitimate daughter's marriage far away? Does he have the courage?"

  If he had that courage, Lady Fan wouldn't have been trapped in the capital back then, forced to marry Han Zhengqing. If he had that courage, he wouldn't have sat idly by when Lady Fan wrote home seeking help.

  By now, he should know well enough that she, who had the Crown Prince utterly enchanted and a loyal, devoted son, was the real hope for the Fan family. He'd only grow more cautious, with no courage to stand against her. Talking about his precious daughter, about her being his lucky star... She let out a scornful snort. "Prepare yourself. Tomorrow, you'll accompany me to the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence."

  Nanny Fang was taken aback, unsure why she suddenly wanted to visit the Marquis of Jinxiang's household. Eyes wide, she asked in surprise, "To the Marquis of Jinxiang's? My Lady..."

  Yet even if she feared that Consort Fan intended to bring poison to Lady Fan, she dared not stop her. The next day, she followed the entourage to the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence.

  Lady Fan personally came out to greet them after receiving the news, dressed in white mourning clothes and looking utterly haggard. She lowered her head and knelt down to kowtow to her elder sister.

  Nanny Fang gnced from Consort Fan to Lady Fan, feeling a pang of pity as she turned her gaze subtly to Qian Ying. Luckily, the prince had sent Qian Ying here to help in advance. Otherwise, if Consort Fan acted recklessly, there might not be anyone to stop her.

  Consort Fan, however, maintained her composure, gently lifting Lady Fan with both hands. She instructed Qian Ying to continue with his duties before letting Lady Fan and Han Yueheng escort her into the flower hall in the main courtyard.

  Lady Fan remained quiet and docile, like a cy idol, and even Han Yueheng showed no hint of anger. Besides looking worn-out, neither of them dispyed any other emotion.

  Consort Fan raised an eyebrow, her eyes curving with an exceedingly pleased smile as she looked at Lady Fan, who sat there like a lifeless doll. In a sweet, soft voice, she began, "I heard someone from Xingyang visited recently. How come you didn't send someone to the pace to tell me? I'd love to meet our family's visitors and hear any messages from our parents."

  At this, Han Yueheng's eyes widened instinctively, fear fshing in her bloodshot eyes.

  Lady Fan's lips tightened as she shook her head, flustered. "There's no one from home... Surely you know, My Lady, I haven't kept in touch with my family for years... Even the New Year gifts from home were delivered by your pace attendants..."

  "Is that so?" Consort Fan watched her panic with delight, a faint sigh slipping from her lips. "Yes, that's what I thought. If our parents had news, I would be the first to know."

  Lady Fan's hands gripped the arms of her chair so tightly that her knuckles cracked, unable to even force a smile.

  Consort Fan always enjoyed using sharp words to push people to the edge, wounding them at every turn.

  Han Yueheng blinked, mustering up the courage to intervene for her mother. "There really was no one who came. If someone from home had arrived, they surely would have come to pay their respects to Aunt..."

  A smile curled at Consort Fan's lips as she casually toyed with her ruby-studded peony bracelet, asking as though in passing, "Is that so?"

  She paused, watching the two of them tense, then lifted her gaze. "Then, from the visitors brought in by the Yuantong Escort Agency, if they're not family elders, who did they come for?"

  Han Yueheng could no longer hold it in, gripping Lady Fan's hand in panic.

  Even Lady Fan trembled, her lips quivering as she closed her eyes, looking completely defeated.

  Nanny Fang let out a sigh, her heart pounding like a restless bird trapped in her chest.

  Consort Fan smiled, her voice ced with amusement, "I remember your old nursemaid, Nanny Zhang, who served you for many years... She returned to Xingyang, didn't she? With all you've been through, it's only natural to think of her now. Why hide it? Why not call her out so I can meet her too..."

  Lady Fan suddenly stood up and shook her head, exciming, "No! No one is allowed to touch her!"

  Consort Fan looked at her coldly, like a fish squirming on the chopping block, struggling even in the face of death. She slowly broke into a smile. "So it really is her. It's been years since we've seen her. Won't you bring her out to meet me?"

  Just as she finished speaking, Nanny Qi's voice sounded from outside. Consort Fan gnced leisurely at Lady Fan and smiled, motioning for her to enter.

  Nanny Qi knelt down and reported calmly to Consort Fan, "Yesterday, that nursemaid tried to steal some of the bridal headpieces and dowry bestowed by the dies in the pace and attempted to flee the residence. She was caught red-handed by the steward..."