As Yanli and her family stepped out of the palace gates, the tension in the air was palpable. Her father, Lord Yan, walked ahead, his back stiff with contained rage, while her brothers, Yan Chen and Yan Liwei, stayed close on either side, their expressions dark and unyielding. Yanli, though silent, felt the weight of the day's humiliation settle heavily on her shoulders.
Once inside the estate's protective walls, Lord Yan finally spoke, his voice low but brimming with anger. "This… insult will not go unanswered," he ground out. "The Yan family is not one to be trampled upon."
Yan Chen, her elder brother, was pacing back and forth like a caged lion. "That Hanyu…" he spat the name as if it were poison. "To think that our sister was once promised to him! That snake of a man does not deserve even a moment of your time, Yanli."
Yanli glanced up, meeting her brother's fierce gaze. "Don't worry, Chen-ge," she said, her voice steady. "I have no intention of wasting any more time on him. This was a lesson learned—a harsh one, but valuable. I'll make sure he regrets it more than we do."
Her younger brother, Yan Liwei, who was usually light-hearted, clenched his fists. "You shouldn't have to learn such lessons in the first place, Yanli," he muttered, his voice uncharacteristically dark. "If I were stronger, if I held more power…"
Yanli placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, offering a small, reassuring smile. "We're all strong in our own way, Liwei. Don't think for a second that I'll let this defeat me. I have my own path now."
Her father nodded approvingly, but his face still held a trace of worry as he studied his daughter's expression. "That's my girl. But know this, Yanli—we're here for you. This family will protect its own."
As the warmth of her family's support bolstered her, Yanli's gaze hardened. "I won't need protection for long. I'm done being naive."
At that moment, the head steward approached, his eyes cast down. "My Lord, my Lady… Xiolan awaits her punishment, as you commanded."
The name alone was enough to bring Yanli's anger surging back to the surface. She remembered how she had betrayed her in her life and decided it was better to remove her from her side to avoid future complication. "Bring her forward."
A moment later, Xiolan was dragged to her knees before them, her face pale, eyes wide with terror. She trembled violently, but Yanli's gaze remained steely.
"Xiolan," she began, her voice calm but laced with an edge, "you were one of the few I trusted. And yet, you chose to betray me. Did you think I wouldn't find out?"
Xiolan's face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pressed her forehead to the ground. "My Lady… I never… it wasn't…" she stammered, her voice choked with sobs. "Please… forgive me…"
Yanli's expression didn't soften. "Forgive you?" She shook her head. "In the palace, a servant's loyalty is their most valuable trait. You've shattered that trust. Betrayal in the Yan family does not go unpunished."
Yan Chen stepped forward, his face twisted with disdain. "Xiolan, you're lucky my sister is dealing with you and not me. Were it my decision, your punishment would be far harsher."
Lord Yan inclined his head. "Make sure to follow the family rules, I disloyal servant is a threat to the family" . According to the rules in the Xia kingdom of China, a servant who is disloyal is punished by hitting them thirty times with a cane and sold the slave traders or brothels.
The head steward signaled two guards, who escorted Xiolan out, her desperate sounding as she was dragged away. A silence hung in the air after she was gone, a silence filled with unspoken resolve and a newfound understanding of how treacherous palace life could be.
Yanli felt a wave of exhaustion hit her, though she stood firm. She met her father's gaze. "Thank you, Father. I understand now… this was a necessary lesson."
Lord Yan nodded slowly. "Remember this feeling, Yanli. You'll need it in the battles to come."
Yan Chen and Yan Liwei each gave her a reassuring nod. She managed a faint smile before excusing herself, retreating to her chambers to gather her thoughts.
When Yanli entered her room, she was met by her confidant, Meiyu, who waited quietly by her side. Meiyu, always intuitive, took one look at Yanli and seemed to understand the toll the day had taken on her.
"My Lady," Meiyu said softly, her voice filled with compassion. "Shall I prepare a calming tea for you?"
Yanli shook her head gently. "Thank you, Meiyu, but there's something else I need first. Can you bring me my personal savings, my accessories, everything we've stored over the years?"
Meiyu looked momentarily surprised but quickly nodded. "Yes, of course."After breakfast, Yanli retreated to her private study to go over the notes she'd started gathering in preparation for her next steps. Her fingers trailed over a map of the capital, her mind already planning the network of allies and resources she'd need to make her family untouchable.
Moments later, Meiyu entered the study, her quiet presence grounding as always.
"My Lady, the items you requested are prepared. The personal savings and jewelry are all accounted for," Meiyu said, setting a small chest on the table.
Yanli smiled slightly, grateful. "Thank you, Meiyu. I need to know exactly where we stand financially. There are expenses ahead—bribes, alliances, information. If we're to secure ourselves, I'll need more than just connections."
Meiyu's brow furrowed in thought. "Are you sure you wish to move so boldly, My Lady? It's not that I doubt your abilities, but there will be powerful forces watching every step you take."
Yanli nodded, resolute. "There will be, and that's why we can't afford to wait. The longer we remain passive, the more vulnerable we are. Hanyu and those around him think we're defeated, that we'll stay silent." Her eyes hardened. "But they'll soon learn how mistaken they are."
Meiyu's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then I will do everything in my power to assist you, My Lady."
"Good," Yanli replied, appreciating her loyal friend's support. "Once we finish counting and planning, I'll begin reaching out to the right contacts."
As they sorted through her jewelry and other valuables, an idea struck her. "Meiyu, you know the merchant family, the Jiangs? They owe Father a debt from years ago."
Meiyu's eyes brightened. "Indeed. I could arrange a discreet meeting."
"Perfect. With a little persuasion, they might become very useful to us," Yanli said, marking down the Jiangs as potential allies in her notes.