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墨書 Inktalez
"Are you not going to Tong Mansion for class? Are you planning to stay at Tian Zhuang?" Yun Yang asked inexplicably. "Kexin, what happened? Can't you talk to Father?"
"Nothing happened," Yun Kexin looked up at her adoptive father, Third Uncle, feeling a mix of emotions that she couldn't articulate. She simply said, "Father, during Second Uncle's lifetime, I never fulfilled my duty as a junior to honor him. Now that he has passed away, I feel ashamed and want to stay in the place where Second Uncle lived to accompany him..."
"I understand that, but why aren't you going to Tong Mansion for class?" Yun Yang looked at her in confusion.
"I... I..." Yun Kexin was at a loss for words and didn't know how to respond. After hesitating, she stammered, "'A woman without talent is virtuous.' I have learned enough."
"Nonsense!" Yun Yang glared at Yun Kexin. "Who says a woman without talent is virtuous? Seventh Young Lady was doing very well in her studies before; even Lord Tong praised you. He would be very disappointed to hear such things from you."
Yun Kexin frowned in distress. Helplessly, she thought of a "compromise":
"Father, ever since I returned to the capital from Fan City, many things have happened one after another. I am really a bit tired and would like to take a break from school. Is that okay? Besides, I often study with Fourth Uncle now; he also teaches me reading and writing frequently. What do you think?"
"How can that be the same? Your Fourth Uncle is just a merchant," Yun Yang still disagreed. "How can he compare with Lord Tong's knowledge?"
"I know; I'm not comparing Fourth Uncle with Lord Tong," Yun Kexin said anxiously. "What I mean is that during my break from school, following Fourth Uncle won't make me fall behind too much in my studies."
Seeing the sincerity in Yun Kexin's eyes, which did not seem like an excuse for playing or being lazy, Yun Yang softened his tone: "Since Seventh Young Lady does not wish to explain the reason to Father, I can only go along with you. But Kexin must remember that if it is something important, you must not hide it from Father, understood?"
"Understood, Father." Yun Kexin found it difficult even to smile.
"As for staying at Tian Zhuang, can we postpone it?" Yun Yang suggested. "It would be best to wait until Kexin has celebrated her tenth birthday."
Celebrating her tenth birthday? That would be in February next year. That works; as long as she doesn't have to go back to Tong Mansion for class and has no further interactions with Prince Qin Ke—Yun Kexin nodded in agreement.
"That being said," Yun Yang continued, "Seventh Young Lady still needs to accompany Father to Tong Mansion to inform Lord Tong. It would be very disrespectful not to say goodbye."
"Of course," Yun Kexin finally smiled sweetly and said, "I will go with Father to Tong Mansion right away."
After lunch, Yun Yang took Yun Kexin to Tong Ye's residence. This time was different; Qin Ke and Tong Zhichen were not at home, only Tong Ye and his wife, Madam Chen. Both were surprised to see Yun Yang arrive, as it was usually Yun Kexin accompanied by three maidservants.
"Lord Tong, I am here to apologize," Yun Yang said with a bow.
"Oh? What happened?" Madam Chen asked first.
"Let me handle this," Yun Kexin said as she left her seat and walked up to Tong Ye and Madam Chen, expressing her apologies. "Teacher Tong, Madam, I have come to take my leave—I request a temporary leave of absence from my studies. Therefore, I will not be visiting your residence for some time. Please do not hold any resentment."
"Why do you want to take a leave of absence?" Madam Chen looked at the nine-year-old girl sitting across from her with concern. "What has happened?"
"I dare not deceive you," Yun Kexin replied with a slight nod. "Because my Second Uncle's case has not yet been resolved, I have lost my focus on my studies. I hope Teacher Tong can forgive me."
Tong Ye and Madam Chen exchanged glances before Tong Ye spoke up.
"If Seventh Sister feels this way, then I cannot blame or hinder you. However," he paused, a look of regret in his eyes, "although you are a girl, your understanding is quite good; you are a talent that can be cultivated. You must not waste this opportunity."
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Tong; I will keep it in mind," Yun Kexin said. "Taking a leave does not mean abandoning my books; it is merely a temporary pause. Currently, my mind is troubled, and I truly cannot focus on my studies. However, in the future, I will still need your help and guidance for many things."
"Adjust your mood before returning to class," Madam Chen said with a gentle smile. "Ever since the incident with the Second House's master, Seventh Sister has been distracted in class. This is something both the master and Chen Er have noticed; he has been wanting to find time to talk with you."
"Madam, this is one of my concerns as well," Yun Kexin bowed again before looking up. "If I force myself to stay in class without focus, I will learn nothing and may disappoint the teacher due to misunderstandings."
Tong Ye nodded, recalling his wife's wise words. He then addressed Yun Yang: "Since your daughter has stated her reasons clearly, let it be as she wishes. Lord Yun need not worry; we understand."
"Thank you, Lord Tong and Madam Tong," Yun Yang said respectfully. "When my daughter has adjusted her state of mind in the future, if Lord Tong does not mind, she would still like to study under your guidance—"
"What? Yun Kexin, you are not going to class anymore?"
A voice interrupted from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Qin Ke and Tong Zhichen standing at the entrance; it was Tong Zhichen who spoke. Tong Ye, his wife, and Yun Yang all stood up to greet them, but Qin Ke walked straight up to Yun Kexin with a furrowed brow and asked, "Seventh Sister, why do you suddenly want to take a leave of absence?"
Yun Kexin had to repeat what she said about the Tong Couple earlier. Unexpectedly, halfway through, Qin Ke interrupted her:
"That's not right! During the time when Second Master passed away, Seventh Sister's condition was indeed not good, but later she was fine. At least during the last Riding Ground event, I saw you were doing well. How could there be such a sudden change?"
"That was just me putting on a brave face," Yun Kexin said, her eyes reddening. "But now I don't want to pretend anymore. Your Highness, I really have no interest in class right now; I just want to be alone and think about some things."
"But during the last class, Yun Kexin, you were doing quite well," Tong Zhichen said, his round face showing confusion. "Father asked many questions and you answered them correctly. You were also very familiar with your recitations. Why are you suddenly out of sorts?" He paused and then spoke softly, "Yun Kexin, are you blaming me for taking you to the Riding Ground last time and causing you to fall off the horse?"
Yun Kexin couldn't help but laugh: it was rare for Tong Zhichen to be so "stubborn." She had already clarified countless times that he shouldn't take the Riding Ground incident to heart. Unexpectedly, he was still being so "cautious." In her helplessness, she had to use another approach:
"Young Master Tong, do you think I'm the kind of person who is petty and insincere? Someone who agrees with you verbally but harbors resentment in their heart?"
Tong Zhichen was taken aback by Yun Kexin's gentle smile. "Of course not. I just... I just..." He looked at Yun Kexin, his eyes filled with reluctance. Seeing so many people around them, he changed the subject and asked softly, "Yun Kexin, where will you go during your leave from school? Can I come find you?"
"Naturally at home," Yun Kexin replied lightly. "But sometimes I need to go out with my maid."
"Where do you go?" Tong Zhichen stared intently at Yun Kexin, seemingly forgetting where he was. His mind was filled with thoughts of Yun Kexin leaving here—he wondered if it would be convenient for her to go back to her residence.
"Well, that's not good," Yun Kexin hesitated. It wouldn't matter if Tong Zhichen came to play with her; the problem was that he was Qin Ke's study companion, and they were almost inseparable. What was the point of her "leave"? "Sometimes at the market, sometimes in the mountains and forests, sometimes at Fourth Uncle's shop..."
Tong Zhichen's starry eyes suddenly dimmed, and his youthful round face lost its vitality:
Was she avoiding him? Otherwise, why would she be so evasive and unwilling to reveal her whereabouts?!
Tong Zhichen's unusual behavior caught the attention of the Tong Couple—they had actually noticed their son's feelings long ago but chose not to address it. They just wanted things between the two to develop naturally and planned to propose to Yun Yang when the time was right. Who would have thought that Yun Kexin would suddenly make such a decision, creating this subtle distance? It was no wonder their son felt "out of sorts."
Yun Yang seemed to sense something as well and helped soothe the Tong Couple: "Young Master Tong, don't be sad. Seventh Young Lady is only taking a short break from school; she won't stop studying forever... During Kexin's leave from school, she will spend most of her time at home. Young Master Tong can come find Seventh Young Lady to play."
Only then did Tong Zhichen look up and smile at Yun Yang: "Lord Yun, is that true? Can I go to Duke's Residence to find Seventh Sister?"
"Sure." Yun Yang said with a casual smile, "But Young Master Tong is the Crown Prince's companion, serving His Highness. Besides, I spend most of my time in the palace and cannot personally entertain you."
"Don't worry, my father and mother don't allow me to visit the residences of certain court officials, nor do they permit me to interact with their children," Qin Ke suddenly interjected lazily. "So since coming to the capital, I only know Young Master Tong." He playfully glanced at Tong Zhichen. "Young Master Tong, if you see Seventh Sister, make sure to invite her out. I'll bring Zhen'er along, but don't just indulge yourself without caring about others."
Yun Kexin smiled at Qin Ke's sharp tongue while pondering that the emperor's restriction on the Crown Prince's interactions with court officials was a form of protection, fearing he might be used by them and subconsciously unwilling for them to leverage the Crown Prince against his "dragon throne."
"You're the one who talks the most," Tong Zhichen couldn't help but retort. "I really don't know how she puts up with you."
Qin Ke smiled faintly, not taking offense, but his gaze gradually turned serious as he looked at Yun Kexin.
"Seventh Sister, Zhen'er wants to see you," Qin Ke seemed to only have this serious demeanor when it came to Zhen Girl. "You left a good impression on her; she wants to be good sisters with you. What do you think?"
Yun Kexin thought: This Crown Prince is truly infatuated; he's willing to do anything for Zhen'er. Although she had decided not to get too close to him, having Zhen Girl involved would make things very different, especially with Tong Zhichen around!
"Thank you, Your Highness, and Zhen Girl for thinking so highly of me," Yun Kexin replied with a smile. "I would also be happy to have such a sister. Could the Crown Prince tell me where Zhen'er lives? I would like to visit her myself if possible."
Crown Prince Qin Ke was taken aback for a moment, then thought it over and agreed.
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