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墨書 Inktalez
As soon as Fu Yihang reached the door, he was called back by Yun Kexin. He turned around and asked her what was the matter. Yun Kexin said:
"Cousin, did you buy a gift for Third Uncle when you went out with Elder Sister Five last time?"
"I did! Would you like me to go get it for you to see?" Fu Yihang asked with a smile.
Yun Kexin quickly stopped him, saying, "No, I meant did Elder Sister Five buy one too?"
"Oh, she... hasn't yet," Fu Yihang replied, looking at Yun Kexin with confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Then you should take some time to accompany her to buy one," Yun Kexin said calmly.
The purpose of this was to give Fu Yihang "something to do," so he wouldn't keep coming to find her.
"That sounds good," Fu Yihang smiled. "Since Seventh Sister has spoken, I will go."
Yun Kexin raised the corners of her mouth, indicating her appreciation for Fu Yihang's smile.
Watching him walk away, she sighed in relief, finally able to think without interruption.
Yun Ran was wandering around the Rockery alone, feeling bored. As she walked, she noticed Fu Yihang approaching her direction and immediately brightened up. However, her enthusiasm quickly cooled: he had stood by silently while their mother scolded her before; what was he doing here now?
"Fifth Sister, when we went to the market together last time to buy a gift for Third Uncle, did you get one? If not, I can accompany you to buy it," Fu Yihang asked nonchalantly as he got closer.
Yun Ran felt pleased but pretended to ignore him. Fu Yihang curiously asked again, and Yun Ran stole a glance at him before looking away. Fu Yihang understood and frowned in annoyance:
"Since Fifth Sister has already bought a gift, I won't bother anymore. Farewell."
He turned to leave without paying her any mind. Yun Ran thought Fu Yihang would try to coax her back, but to her surprise, he had no patience for her at all. She hurriedly chased after him and apologized:
"Brother Fu, I was wrong; please don't be angry... I really haven't bought Third Uncle's gift yet. Will you accompany me to get it?"
Yun Ran looked at Fu Yihang shyly like a girl in love. If it were Yun Kexin standing in front of him, Fu Yihang would find her very cute and feel protective of her. But it was Yun Ran instead, which made him feel quite the opposite. He immediately felt goosebumps and couldn't bear to look at her. He quickly shook off Yun Ran's hand as if brushing off dust and said indifferently, "Let's go, Fifth Sister."
"But what if Mother asks about it?" Yun Ran exclaimed in surprise and fear. "She doesn't allow me to walk with Brother Fu!"
"It's fine; I'll explain everything to Aunt when we return," Fu Yihang said without looking back as he continued walking.
Yun Ran happily followed behind Fu Yihang.
The Western Courtyard returned to tranquility, and Yun Kexin was glad that she could finally think quietly without being disturbed. However, before she could immerse herself for long, Granny Feng arrived at the door to inform her that the Second Matriarch had come.
Yun Kexin felt a sense of doubt: the Second Aunt! What was she doing here? While pondering this, the silver-haired yet radiant Second Matriarch Qian Hanqiu entered with the help of the maid Li, calling out warmly, "Seventh Young Lady, Seventh Young Lady..."
Yun Kexin approached with a sense of surprise and politely said, "Second Aunt, what brings you here? I was worried about you."
The two took their seats by the table, and Qian Hanqiu took a breath. With a light laugh, she said, "I heard you put Third Madam under house arrest, so I came to take a look." As her gaze shifted, Qian seemed somewhat apprehensive while looking at Yun Kexin.
Since childhood, she had been put under house arrest by Fu Lianyin no less than five times, but it was the first time for Qian to come to "visit." Wasn't this Second Matriarch someone who wouldn't come without reason?
"It's nothing; Mother is just looking out for me," Yun Kexin said with a sincere smile at Qian. "Xiner also has her faults in this matter; being under house arrest doesn't mean I can't eat or sleep."
Qian Hanqiu smiled and gave a knowing glance to the maid Li. Li understood and placed the basket she was holding on the table, taking out some snacks—candies, preserved fruits, and pastries meant to please children.
"Seventh Young Lady, please eat first. After you eat, Second Aunt will talk with you," Qian said with a heavy heart.
Yun Kexin observed Qian: dressed in a camel-colored floral silk robe with her hair neatly styled and wearing a pair of red gold shell-shaped earrings. The red gold bracelet on her wrist shone so brightly it could reflect her own image. She sighed inwardly: Qian still refused to grow old, unwilling to lose to the younger generation in attire and appearance. Reflecting on the adoption issue, Qian's gaze towards her mother Yue Ziyun was filled with complex jealousy. Moreover, before Yun Kexin was born, because both the First House and Third House had taken concubines one after another while the Second Master refused to do so, this became a frequent topic of gossip for Qian during tea time...
Yun Kexin suppressed her displeasure and symbolically took a piece of milk-flavored rice cake into her mouth, hoping that Qian would finish quickly and leave to avoid further annoyance.
Seeing that Yun Kexin had eaten enough, Qian smiled meaningfully and said, "Seventh Young Lady, Second Aunt just saw Young Master Fu and Eldest Sister leave..."
Thinking that Yun Kexin would be furious and throw down the pastry in anger, she was surprised when Yun merely stared blankly at her while chewing on the pastry and muttered an "oh."
Yun Kexin's reaction disappointed Qian; she had no choice but to be blunt: "Seventh Young Lady, Second Aunt only hopes you can marry into a good family in the future... Once this opportunity passes, there won't be another like it. Xiner, you need to pay attention..."
Qian then signaled to the maid again. Li understood and opened the bundle she had brought along from the table. When she took it out, it turned out to be two sets of children's clothing—one for a boy and one for a girl.
Isn't this too rushed? Yun Kexin frowned as she thought about how to respond.
"Second Aunt, what are you doing?" Yun Kexin widened her eyes and pretended to be confused as she asked.
"You forgot that I should have given you a gift for your birthday," Qian lied smoothly without blinking an eye. She even smiled to cover up her inner panic. The lies flowed easily from her lips without hesitation or pause. "Now that your Third Uncle's birthday is approaching, I thought I should make you some clothes. Coincidentally, Young Master Fu is here as well; I thought it would be nice to present a small gift. So I had someone make each of you an outfit. It would be more presentable when you wear them to attend Third Uncle's birthday celebration."
Yun Kexin lowered her gaze to examine the two outfits. From the material to the color and style, they were surprisingly identical, except that the woman's was a dress and the man's was a long robe.
She bit her lip lightly: this Qian family really knows how to do things! If she and Fu Yihang wore these outfits in public, wouldn't it announce their "relationship" to everyone?! Thankfully, she had been reborn; otherwise, she would have fallen into this carefully laid trap. But a voice in her subconscious told her that Qian Hanqiu's intentions were far more than just wanting to "matchmake" her with Fu Yihang.
"Thank you, Second Aunt," Yun Kexin said, looking up and speaking politely but succinctly.
Seeing that Yun Kexin was no longer as foolish or resistant as before, Qian Hanqiu became bolder and more brazen. She leaned closer to Yun Kexin and lowered her voice, saying, "Sister Xin, you may not know yet, but your Cousin Fu comes from a prominent family. His father is a favored official in front of the current emperor. It’s only a matter of time before he is granted a title; at that point, Fu Yihang will be the Heir Apparent. Isn’t that wonderful for you?" Noticing Yun Kexin's silence, Qian Hanqiu took on a mentor-like tone to teach and entice her. "If you become Consort Heir, the Yun family will benefit from your glory. This is truly a win-win situation."
Ah, so it’s all about bringing glory to the elders of the Yun family. But my grandfather is already a Duke of E, my father is Wei Qihou, and my mother is a lady of high rank. What more glory do they need? Perhaps it’s you who are eager for a share of this pie. Besides, Aunt Yun Qingtang is already the Princess of Lanling; how can she not be satisfied?
Qian Hanqiu had no idea that beneath Yun Kexin's naive exterior lay a heart that had long diverged from hers. They were both lost in their own thoughts as Yun Kexin maintained an innocent smile. Qian Hanqiu mistook this for understanding and smiled back with relief, appearing ten years younger even as the wrinkles on her face betrayed her age.
"Seventh Young Lady, Second Aunt has one more thing to tell you," Qian Hanqiu suddenly lost her smile and spoke somberly. "Some things are definitely not as you imagine; you mustn't listen to rumors." She lowered her eyes, fixing her gaze on a point on the table as she continued sadly, "Second Aunt truly hopes you grow up quickly; then I can tell you everything."
Yun Kexin looked at Qian Hanqiu, who was so engrossed in her own schemes that she forgot to slander others even while acting. She almost laughed out loud! In her previous life, after being adopted by the Third House and losing both biological parents in succession, Qian Hanqiu didn't even show up! Now the situation had taken a turn; she came visiting and was speaking ambiguously here as if "repenting." Did she think that because she was close to the Second House and Fourth Master Yun knew the truth, he would call Yun Kexin over when he returned? Thus planting the seed of suspicion in everyone's mind about her being an illegitimate child? They were worried about things being exposed and came to the Third House to "speak first," just like everyone else before them. Qian Hanqiu was the type who kept her eyes open even while sleeping; she certainly wouldn’t want to be confused in this world. After all, the matter of adoption was decided by the Council of Elders; what reason did Qian Hanqiu have to bear it alone? The ones feeling guilty were these people!
Qian Hanqiu finally raised her head and looked at Yun Kexin with hope that she would say something understanding.
"Sister Xin understands," Yun Kexin replied with a faint smile. "Please don't worry, Second Aunt."
Inside, she felt quite annoyed; facing someone who had caused her great suffering, she still had to smile sweetly and offer comfort just because she was older? Should she forgive her for bringing disaster upon herself and the Second House?!
Yun Kexin clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves.
"This is good; this is good," Qian Hanqiu seemed to relax as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She sighed with relief and continued repeatedly, "Second Aunt knows Sister Xin is a wise child; you understand quickly... Then I will take my leave now. Try on this outfit and see if it fits."
"Yes, Second Aunt." Yun Kexin was already tired of dealing with these scheming individuals; the further away they were, the better. She replied coldly, "Take care."
As Qian Hanqiu trembled on her old legs with Li's support just outside the Western Courtyard, Li couldn't help but ask:
"Second Matriarch, why are you so afraid of Seventh Sister?"
"What? Me afraid of her?" Qian Hanqiu shook off the maid's hand and laughed coldly. "A child is just a child; they need some sweet words now and then."
Li was startled and looked at this elderly woman who was past sixty yet still unwilling to fade into obscurity. The latter only smiled meaningfully again before handing her hand back to Li. Li trembled as she took it, her mind filled with thoughts about Qian Hanqiu's ever-changing expressions... (To be continued)
Thank you to Pei Xue Wang Chen for the pink ticket! Also, thanks to the partners who supported me with rewards yesterday!
Recommended book by a partner:
Author: Xiao Qiqi
Title: Competing for a Husband
Book Number: 18678
Synopsis: Compete for a father before marriage, compete for a husband after marriage, and compete for a child if the husband dies.
In her past life, she never saw her husband's true face before she was killed along with her family—
Since she has been reborn, such a thing cannot happen again!
She cannot choose her father, but she can choose her marriage; pick a good husband and find shade under a big tree!
Is the wicked sister cruel? Are the elders snobbish? Is the noble lady overbearing?
Then she will deal with them all without mercy. However—
Hey, who are you, always meddling and making things worse!
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