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墨書 Inktalez
"I knew you were still thinking about this," Yun Yan said seriously. "Seventh Sister, do you remember when I told you that if it weren't for our parents' early arrangements for your marriage, the Young Lord would be a great choice?"
"I remember," Yun Kexin replied softly.
"Then what are you struggling with?" Yun Yan asked again.
"It's not really a struggle; I just feel that the actions of the Duke of Yan's household could harm Fourth Sister's reputation," Yun Kexin expressed her concern. "If that's the case, it will be difficult for my sister to marry in the future."
"That's not the case. The Second House only mentioned it verbally to the Duke of Yan's household at that time," Yun Yan said calmly. "Moreover, the Duke of Yan's household had not formally confirmed anything; they mainly wanted to get the Young Lord's opinion before responding. Now that the Young Lord has personally come to understand the situation, how could it harm my reputation?"
Yun Kexin was surprised by Yun Yan's nonchalance. Last time at the racetrack, she saw her interacting well with the Young Lord. Now that the situation had suddenly changed, didn't Fourth Sister feel sad or even humiliated at all?
"Does Fourth Sister not feel sad at all?" Yun Kexin gazed at her sister, cautiously and curiously. "I remember you said the Young Lord is a good person..."
"Just because someone is good doesn't mean I have to marry him," Yun Yan couldn't help but laugh. "Sister Seven, that was my honest evaluation of him; it didn't involve personal feelings... Do you think the Young Lord is not good?"
Yun Kexin was taken aback and smiled lightly. "Well, I agree with Fourth Sister; he is quite good."
"Seventh Sister, what our brother and sister and mother want to see is the same," Yun Ke gently patted Yun Kexin's head with a smile. "I hope you can meet a good husband and live happily."
Similar words had been spoken to her by Yun Ke in her previous life, which she hadn't fully understood at that time. Now she realized that perhaps the Second House had always felt guilty about having to adopt her as a daughter and hoped to give her happiness through their final decision on marriage to make up for their inner 'debt.'
"I understand," Yun Kexin smiled faintly. "Father also told me to listen to Auntie in the future."
"Really? Third Uncle feels this way about Seventh Sister?" Yun Ke suddenly turned around, looking astonished.
Upon receiving a positive response from Yun Kexin, Yun Ke appeared somewhat excited: Could this be Third Uncle subtly encouraging Seventh Sister to 'recognize her roots'?!
"I'll tell Mother about this shortly," Yun Ke said with a light smile. "She will definitely be very happy..."
A little later, in the inner courtyard of the Imperial Palace for martial arts examinations, Yun Kexin disguised as a male attendant of Feng Yinxiao entered the palace to observe the competition, while her close maid waited outside.
Here, Yun Kexin saw the Emperor for the first time. He was somewhat older but not old, and he appeared to be in good spirits. Yun Yang, the Predecessor Emperor, had a preference for military generals due to his background in horsemanship, so he paid great attention to the selection of martial arts candidates. Since she was at a distance, Yun Kexin could not clearly see the Emperor's features and instead focused on the martial artists who were coming onto the stage one after another. Some were tall and strong, while others were short and stocky, but all were quite sturdy. Yun Kexin felt a bit worried about her slender brother—previously, in events like horseback archery, foot archery, flat shooting, and spear fighting, Yun Ke had consistently ranked at the top and received loud applause. However, she was genuinely anxious about the upcoming weight-bearing wrestling match.
"Yun Kexin, don't be nervous," Feng Yinxiao said while watching the competition closely. He tilted his head slightly and whispered, "Trust Yun Ke; he will do well."
"But those martial artists are so strong," Yun Kexin said as she stretched her neck to look around anxiously. "My brother seems a bit weak; I'm afraid he might—"
Before she could finish her sentence, the sound of counting echoed as her brother lost another round.
"What should we do? What should we do? If he loses one more round, it's over," Yun Kexin said anxiously, stamping her feet with her features scrunched up. Unable to cheer loudly, she could only silently urge, "Brother, hang in there..."
"Yun Kexin, trust me; Yun Ke can do it. His resilience is strong," Feng Yinxiao reassured her again.
"Young Lord, what is the name of the martial artist competing against my brother?" Yun Kexin asked as she looked at a burly martial artist facing Yun Ke with great intensity. "He looks formidable..."
"His name is Fan Kun; he studies under the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor privately," Feng Yinxiao replied.
"Crown Prince's Grand Tutor? Fu Yueheng?!" Yun Kexin exclaimed in surprise.
Suddenly remembering that her adoptive father Fu Yueheng was also overseeing the examination last time.
"Where is he?" Yun Kexin leaned closer to Feng Yinxiao and asked quietly.
"I'll tell you later; focus on watching the competition for now," Feng Yinxiao turned his face away slightly with a hint of displeasure in his eyes but smiled indulgently at the corners of his lips. "Be obedient."
Yun Kexin stuck out her tongue and looked back at the arena. As expected, contrary to Feng Yinxiao's expectations, Yun Ke displayed incredible resilience and counterattacked in a way that left everyone astonished. In the end, he defeated Fan Kun. If it weren't for her current identity as a "servant," Yun Kexin would have been so excited that she would have clapped and shouted.
The subsequent military theory section was Yun Ke's strong suit. Regardless of how difficult or tricky the questions posed by the Emperor or the military examiners were, Yun Ke always answered calmly and eloquently, citing references fluently. He even left the Emperor momentarily stunned and nodding repeatedly while occasionally glancing at Feng Yinxiao—likely realizing that Yun Ke was the Young Lord's prized student.
When all the martial arts competitions concluded, Feng Yinxiao escorted Yun Ke and Yun Kexin out of the palace—he had actually recognized his sister disguised as a boy but found it inappropriate to acknowledge her in such a setting.
"Brother, you were amazing today," as soon as they reached a carriage, Yun Kexin couldn't wait to express her joy. "You defeated your opponent so thoroughly, they were retreating step by step."
"Hey, Seventh Sister, don't speak carelessly," Yun Ke stopped her with a smile. "We haven't gone far from the palace gate, and the martial artists might be unhappy about it. Besides, they are not to be underestimated; each of them is a Martial Arts Master."
"What good is a Martial Arts Master if they only have flashy moves?" Yun Kexin pouted and teased. "In terms of military talent, I don't think anyone compares to you, brother. Didn't you see how the Emperor praised you?"
"That’s just you overestimating me, Seventh Sister," Yun Ke said with a helpless yet affectionate smile. "The martial examination has just concluded; it's still uncertain who will take the top spot. You shouldn't jump to conclusions."
"Yun Ke, stop being modest," Feng Yinxiao squinted and smiled. "I think you have a good chance."
"That's also thanks to Young Lord's excellent teaching..."
"Indeed, the younger generation is formidable!"
A voice with a strange tone came from behind them. The three turned around simultaneously and saw a middle-aged man walking toward them. As he got closer, Yun Kexin could see him clearly: he wore a crown scarf and was dressed in a dark blue and purple patterned brocade robe. He had a square face, slightly raised eyebrows, fierce eyes, and a full beard that made him look quite intimidating.
Yun Kexin felt that this person looked familiar but couldn't recall where she had seen him. Just as she was about to ask Feng Yinxiao, the man approached and said, "I've met Young Lord." She quietly stepped behind Feng Yinxiao without drawing attention.
"We are colleagues, so there's no need for pleasantries," Feng Yinxiao nodded and then introduced Yun Ke. "Yun Ke, this is the current Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, Fu Yueheng, brother of King Han."
Yun Kexin lowered her gaze. Upon hearing this, she almost raised her head in shock: Fu Yueheng, her Second Uncle, who in her past life had never even acknowledged her as family or considered her kin. Yun Kexin clenched her fists tightly in her sleeves—gathering courage, she slowly looked up and silently observed Fu Yueheng. Although he was not yet thirty years old, he had risen to the position of Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and was titled Marquis Wu'an. In her past life, he even became Deputy Minister of War. It was evident how capable the Fu Family was; no wonder every time he visited the Third House, he acted so high and mighty as if he believed that her adoption into the Third House was climbing the social ladder. She held no fondness for him and even harbored deep-seated resentment.
"Young one pays respects to Grand Tutor," Yun Ke knelt on one knee and bowed.
"No need for formalities!" Fu Yueheng glanced lazily at Yun Ke kneeling before him with a mocking expression. "I saw your performance just now; truly impressive—outshining your predecessors! The younger generation is indeed formidable!"
"Thank you for your praise, Grand Tutor," Yun Ke stood up calmly, his expression serene without any flattery or servility while still being respectful. He pointed at Feng Yinxiao and said, "All of this is thanks to Young Lord's guidance."
"Oh, so you're under the commander's tutelage," Fu Yueheng changed his previously aloof demeanor and turned back to smile at Feng Yinxiao. "Then it’s no surprise that Fan Kun would lose to Yun Ke; it would indeed be an honor for him to be defeated by the commander's student."
Yun Kexin curled her lips in a cold smile.
"Grand Tutor is exaggerating," Feng Yinxiao said modestly with a slight smile. "I only offered Yun Ke a bit of advice due to our friendship, and it is not as exaggerated as a 'master-disciple' relationship. The outcome is still uncertain; who can claim the top position remains to be seen, but the Emperor will make the judgment."
"That is natural. If the Emperor cannot be trusted, who else can we believe?" Fu Yueheng suddenly restrained his expression, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. "But in my opinion, this time's martial arts champion—" he paused slightly, glancing at Yun Ke, "is likely to be him... Yun Ke should prepare early."
Yun Kexin felt suspicious: What does Fu Yueheng mean by this? Is it a provocation? An attempt to extract information? It was clearly the latter, but what trap did he want to set for Yun Ke? What was his purpose?
"Thank you for your kindness, Grand Tutor," Yun Ke replied calmly with a faint smile. "I appreciate it, but my thoughts and those of Young Lord should be decided by the Emperor."
Fu Yueheng's expression softened slightly. "In that case, I won't disturb you two any longer. I must return to the palace to discuss other matters with the Emperor. Farewell."
"Send off the Grand Tutor!" Feng Yinxiao and Yun Ke both nodded in farewell.
"Yun Ke, don't worry. As long as I'm here, that certain someone won't have things go their way!" Feng Yinxiao coldly threw out a remark while watching Fu Yueheng's departing figure.
Yun Ke, however, replied with indifference, "I trust Young Lord and I trust the Emperor!"
Yun Kexin felt worried: Her brother was only fifteen and merely the third young master of the household; he probably couldn't grasp the dangers of court politics. She needed to remind him at the right time.
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