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"We at First House have no objections, let's proceed as Lord Hou suggests," Sun Rulan said with a smile.
"That's a good idea. Taking turns to care for the old man will also allow us to manage the affairs of each house, achieving the best of both worlds," Yue Ziyun nodded in agreement.
"The Third House also agrees," Fu Lianyin coldly responded.
With unanimous agreement reached, Yun You felt relieved. Before his death, Duke E had repeatedly instructed him to adhere to two points: first, not to split the family; second, to take care of the Third Master in his old age. Yun You had promised and now was the time for him to fulfill his filial duty without ambiguity.
"Since everyone has no objections, let's go with this," Yun You said with a smile. "Elder brother, Sister-in-law, Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, you all should return to your rooms; it's getting late."
The masters and mistresses of each house returned to their respective courtyards. Walking beside Yun Yang was Yun Kexin, who felt that the disputes arising from Third Uncle were far from over. Moreover, what was her mother Yun Ke planning by participating in the martial examination next year? Wasn't she supposed to focus on the imperial examination to bring glory to their family? Upon reflection, it made sense; in her previous life, her brother had been a general—first passing the martial top scholar examination before being promoted. However, in her past life, Yun Ke had passed the martial top scholar examination in the twenty-third year of Taihe, by which time Second Madam and the Second Master had both passed away. Could it be that her brother had "abandoned literature for martial arts" due to this double blow?
The next day, Yun Kexin went to the Second House to visit her brother Yun Ke. From a distance, she saw Yun Ke wearing a white long robe and morning attire with a red silk belt around his waist practicing martial arts on the large lawn—practicing swordsmanship and archery. Several attendants kept a distance while occasionally accompanying him in practice or handing him arrows.
Yun Kexin smiled and called out softly, "Cousin—"
Yun Ke was drawing his bow to shoot an arrow when he heard her voice. Turning around and seeing Yun Kexin, he looked very pleased.
"Seventh Sister, what brings you here?"
"I came to see you, Cousin," Yun Kexin replied with a smile as she walked over.
Standing in front of Yun Ke for the first time, Yun Kexin took a good look at her brother. At fourteen years old, Yun Ke had already become an exceptionally handsome young man—his face was rosy with defined features, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes full of spirit.
She remembered that the martial examination required not only skills in long spear techniques, mounted archery, foot archery, and weightlifting but also demanded certain talents and eloquence from candidates. Therefore, her brother's talents and looks should easily allow him to pass.
"Seventh Sister, what are you smiling about?" Seeing Yun Kexin standing there looking at him with a silly grin made Yun Ke laugh as well, revealing a row of neat white teeth.
"No," Yun Kexin lightly shook her head and smiled, asking, "Why does brother suddenly want to take the martial examination?"
"It's nothing, I just feel," Yun Ke paused, seeming hesitant, "the Duke's residence has been filled with civil officials for generations, Uncle, my father and Third Uncle are still civil officials, so I've decided to become a military general; that's not bad."
"But cousin, military generals have to go to the battlefield in the future. Aren't you afraid?" Yun Kexin asked earnestly.
"Why should I be afraid?" Yun Ke replied with surprise, "As a man, one should go to the army for training, not hide in a big house. I want to learn from my uncle."
Yun Ke's "uncle" refers to Yun Chen, the eldest son of the second elder, who has already died on the battlefield.
When Yun Ke said the last sentence, there was disdain in his tone, even a hint of impatience.
"Do Second Uncle and Auntie agree with you doing this?" Yun Kexin thought that her parents wouldn't just watch their only son learn martial arts and go to war, so she casually asked.
"At first, of course they disagreed," Yun Ke looked at Yun Kexin earnestly and said, "I am the eldest son of the Second House and also the only son of Mother and Father. But later I convinced Father and Mother," Yun Ke's expression suddenly turned anxious and even depressed, "But what about you? Good sister, if I go to the battlefield..."
Brother is worried about her being in the Third House and can't say it directly?! Does Yun Ke know about that night when she recognized her parents from the Second House?
Yun Kexin smiled gently to comfort him, "Brother, don't worry. I'm not a child anymore. Also, some facts are just facts; no matter how much we cover them up, they can't change the truth."
Yun Ke was very intelligent and naturally understood what his sister meant. However, looking at the six-year-old girl in front of him, his brows furrowed again.
"Seventh Sister, brother has been wanting to ask you something," Yun Ke pulled Yun Kexin to sit on the lawn. After dismissing those around them, he continued, "The household is spreading rumors that you and Young Master Fu are 'childhood sweethearts with no suspicions.' Is it true?"
Yun Kexin bit her lip; she really didn't know who was spreading such rumors. Just as she was about to explain, Yun Ke continued to ask and answer himself: "Seventh Sister, brother just hopes you will agree that no matter how good you think Young Master Fu is, you should let brother become his friend first so I can understand this person better later. Is that okay?"
Yun Kexin was startled: she had gone to great lengths to prevent Fu Yihang from dating Yun Ke, hoping her brother could escape the calamity of his past life. Yet now, her brother had taken the initiative to propose being friends with Fu Yihang. Wasn't this a path to self-destruction? But in the end, wasn't it all for her, this unworthy sister?
Then she thought again; in her previous life, she had been naive and ignorant, which led her to fall for Fu Yihang's tricks. This time, things were vastly different. She was well aware of everything, so what was there to fear? Moreover, the Second House might have always been worried about this matter. If Fu Yihang and Yun Ke became friends, and her brother was a witness, then all the gossip about "childhood sweethearts" would naturally fall apart, and the Second House would no longer have to worry about it.
"I understand, Cousin," Yun Kexin said, firming up her earlier thoughts with a smile. "If Cousin Fu comes to the Duke's residence again in the future, I will introduce you as friends."
Only then did Yun Ke smile slightly as if a weight had been lifted from his heart and changed the subject—
"By the way, Seventh Sister, I heard from our parents that you recently took on a mentor? And it's Lord Tong?"
"Yes," Yun Kexin said, lowering her head with a shy smile. "I am very grateful that Lord Tong accepted me as his student without any reservations."
"I've heard of the Tong family from Mother and Father; they are all exceptional individuals," Yun Ke said, looking at Yun Kexin with a smile. "They are also an upright family. Seventh Sister should study hard and not waste this opportunity."
"I will," Yun Kexin replied, raising her head with crescent-shaped eyes full of joy. "By the way, Brother, who is your master?"
Yun Ke was taken aback: "Master?"
"Aren't you going to participate in the martial arts examination? You must have a teacher who teaches you martial arts," Yun Kexin said cheerfully.
Only then did Yun Ke understand and smiled lightly: "Of course I have a teacher; it's Feng Yinxiao!"
Feng Yinxiao?! Yun Kexin took a deep breath, her eyes widening in surprise as her heart skipped a beat: how could it be him! In terms of age, he was two years older than Yun Ke; how did he become her brother's teacher?
"Brother, how old is Feng Yinxiao?" Yun Kexin cautiously controlled her volume and curiosity, pretending to know nothing as she asked. "A person who can be your teacher must be quite experienced, right?"
"No, he just turned twelve this year," Yun Ke did not feel ashamed at all. Instead, he had a calm and ordinary heart as he patiently said, "Sister, don't look at his age; although he has not yet reached adulthood, 'heroes emerge from youth.' I am ashamed to be compared to him."
Yun Kexin felt that her brother was exaggerating a bit and disagreed in her heart. She pouted and casually said, "Does he have that ability? A twelve-year-old child!" Her tone was filled with disdain.
Yun Ke couldn't help but laugh and gently replied, "Because Seventh Sister doesn't understand, Feng Yinxiao has undergone very strict training, excelling in both literature and martial arts. Now he not only excels in archery, horseback riding, and various weapons but is also well-versed in military strategy. There is no one of his age in Great Taihe who can compare to him."
Yun Kexin's curiosity about Feng Yinxiao deepened with her brother's rare praise. She wanted to know more but feared being misunderstood by her brother, so she simply smiled at him, hoping he would take the initiative.
"Seventh Sister, if it weren't for my 'quirky' nature as a 'teacher,'" Yun Ke seemed to see through Yun Kexin's thoughts and teased with a smile, "I would really want you two to meet."
Yun Kexin was taken aback and blurted out, "Quirky?"
"He doesn't like girls," Yun Ke said, somewhat puzzled. "No, to be precise, he is not good at dealing with girls. When I go to the Yan Guogong mansion for lessons, I am not allowed to bring female companions; only servants are permitted. Aren't you curious about that?"
Yun Kexin suddenly understood; no wonder their mother said there was a shortage of servants last night.
"Then how did you two meet?"
"After I made up my mind to become a military general, Father took me to the Yan Guogong mansion where I met him," Yun Ke said with a smile full of admiration. "At first, I was a bit unconvinced, but later when Feng Yinxiao quietly demonstrated his martial arts skills, I was convinced. However, he doesn't allow me to call him 'teacher' because it sounds awkward; just calling him by his name is fine. But do you know? He is now a first-class sword-bearing guard in front of the palace; his name is not something just anyone can call..."
Yun Kexin secretly chuckled: this was more like it. At the same time, she was surprised: her father had introduced him; it seemed that the Second House had some significant connections with the Yan Guogong mansion.
"How long ago was that?"
"More than a few months."
"Where do you go every time?"
"Of course. If I go less, my 'teacher' won't be happy."
How proud.
"It's a pity. If it weren't for my brother being such a strange 'teacher,' I would really want to go see him practice martial arts," Yun Kexin said with a shrug, smiling regretfully.
"There will be opportunities," Yun Ke suddenly leaned closer to Yun Kexin and whispered, "I heard that the Emperor is going hunting at Qilin Mountain with the Civil and Military Officials this August. Feng Yinxiao wants to take me along, so I need to practice martial arts well these few months."
Yun Kexin was surprised again: Hunting? Is it the same hunting trip where Feng Yinxiao single-handedly infiltrated the enemy camp and saved the Emperor and the Crown Prince in her previous life? Listening to her brother, Feng Yinxiao is twelve years old this year, so it must be right. In her previous life, he achieved that remarkable feat at the age of twelve, establishing an unparalleled merit.
But will her brother be in danger on this trip? What was that premeditated hunting trip about?
Yun Kexin's calm mood was once again stirred up.
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