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墨書 Inktalez
The next day, Yue Ziyun's family came to the Duke's residence for a visit—her brother Bochao, sister-in-law Zheng He, and her nephew and niece: Yue Yanbin (male) and Yue Shuzheng (female).
In fact, Yue Ziyun also had an older sister, Yue Ziting, but she had not returned yet as the family was having a meal at their home.
In the center of a black lacquered square table was a red lacquered plum blossom tea tray, which held a complete set of exquisite tea utensils. The tea leaves were Xinyang Maojian and Lushan Yunwu, and around the tea tray were plates of snacks: sunflower seeds, almonds, willow leaf candy, osmanthus sugar steamed chestnut flour cake, auspicious rolls, and cream puff pastries.
More than ten people sat together, drinking tea, snacking on sunflower seeds, and chatting.
“Bochao, how is your preparation for next year's imperial examination going?” Yue Ziyun asked while pouring tea into each person's Hetian Jade teacup. She smiled at her brother and encouraged him, “If you have any questions, feel free to ask your brother-in-law.”
Bochao replied with a smile, “Thank you, sister. I owe much to my brother-in-law for his guidance before the exam in previous years. I managed to achieve the top rank then. This time I hope to do even better and would appreciate more advice from my brother-in-law.”
“Of course! Your brother-in-law is a top scholar who graduated in the top three of the imperial examinations and works at the Hanlin Academy,” Zheng He said as she paused from eating sunflower seeds to take a sip of tea. She smiled and added, “If my husband can enter the Hanlin Academy as he wishes, we will be counting on your brother-in-law for more support.”
“The achievements of my nephew depend on his own intelligence and hard work,” Yun You said as he delicately sipped from his Hetian Jade teacup with a humble smile. “I’ve merely offered some verbal guidance; it’s not much credit to me.”
Everyone present laughed at this exchange, but five-year-old Yue Shuzheng suddenly asked:
“Aunt, I heard from Mother and Father that you had a younger sister. Why haven’t we seen her?”
Yue Ziyun's hand trembled slightly while pouring tea from the kettle; she almost scalded herself. Yun You quickly reached out to take the kettle from Yue Ziyun's hands and placed it on the table, showing concern on his face.
“It’s my fault for forgetting to tell the children when we came,” Zheng He said with a furrowed brow and an apologetic tone. “I’ve always wanted to explain it but didn’t know how to approach it since they are still…”
"Sister-in-law, this is not your fault," Yue Clan said with a bitter smile, her beautiful face shrouded in sorrow, her voice slightly choked. "If Yun Ke and Yun Yan were born after Xin Jie, I wouldn't know how to explain this to them."
Yun Ke felt sad and helpless seeing his mother's sorrowful expression. He had thought of many ways to let Seventh Sister know her true identity, but each time his father stopped him.
This was not allowed under the adoption rules; if discovered by the elders of the Yun clan, it would be seen as disobedience. Moreover, it would not be fair to his own brothers. Therefore, despite his deep reluctance, Yun You still honored his promise and never revealed a hint of it in front of his daughter.
Of course, the Second House was completely unaware of the Third Lady's original intention behind the adoption; they only thought it was to comfort the Third House regarding their "unsettled offspring" and to strengthen the bond between brothers.
"Brother-in-law, you are also a Wei Qihou appointed by the Emperor," Bochao said while eating peanuts, looking at Yun You with confusion. "Why do you still have to consider the opinions of those three old men? Can't you make your own decisions?"
"Regardless of Great Taihe's governance based on filial piety, the current Emperor also prioritizes filial piety above all else," Yun You replied with a respectful demeanor when mentioning the Emperor. "As subjects, how can we not follow suit? The elders of the Yun clan have contributed greatly over three generations; as a descendant of the Yun family, how can I act against them? It is unacceptable!"
Yue Ziyun and Zheng He did not dare to interject; they simply sat quietly beside them, pouring tea and serving fruit.
"...But this concerns one's own flesh and blood," Bochao said, although he always respected Brother-in-law, he would not hold back on necessary words. "I have seen adoptions before and even think it's quite normal; it can strengthen brotherly ties. However, if we cannot clarify the identity of the adopted child, this is truly my first time hearing about it." At this point, his words became sharp. "Brother-in-law, why don't you ask the Yun clan relatives for clarity..." implying that Brother-in-law was being too restrained in his role as a marquis.
"I have asked. Third Uncle said this adoption is different from previous ones; it is an exception," Yun You took the water jug from Yue Clan's hand and poured himself a drink gently. "The Third House's offspring are unsettled; the adoption was decided before Xin Jie was born in hopes that it would bring blessings for future descendants. If we reveal Xin Jie's identity now, on one hand, she might favor her biological parents over her adoptive ones and thus be unfilial. What meaning does 'adoption' hold then? Even if Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law do not mind, we cannot bear it in our hearts. On the other hand, Xin Jie is still too young to understand this matter. If our explanation confuses her instead, she might misunderstand that we rejected her and gave her to the Third House out of disdain. This could leave a shadow in her heart that would hinder her growth..."
Yue Ziyun scoffed and shook her head: Third Uncle's words were always so watertight; he took all good and bad remarks upon himself—what could others do?
"The marquis and I both believe Third Uncle's reasoning makes sense, so we did not insist further," Yue Clan felt dissatisfied but did not express it in front of her family; she merely stated calmly. "Otherwise, if the Third House misunderstands later and fails to gain Yun Kexin's understanding, then neither side will benefit... Fortunately, at that time, the marquis had proposed conditions to those three old men; at least there is an opportunity to make amends with Seventh Young Lady."
Zheng He grew curious and asked what those conditions were. Yue Ziyun then explained that "adoption condition" to her brother and Sister-in-law. Hearing this made Bochao praise its cleverness repeatedly. From then on, he felt he should not say much more; after all, this was a matter concerning the Yun family. No matter how close he was to the Second House, he remained an outsider in regard to the Yun clan and it was inappropriate for him to intervene—especially since things had already reached a point of no return.
"Dad, Mom, can we go to the Third House to see my cousin?" Yue Yanbin said, although he understood the implied meaning in the adults' words, he still protested, "I haven't seen this sister since she was born, and I just want to know what she looks like."
"We promise not to say too much..." Yue Shuzhen blinked and smiled cleverly.
The four adults exchanged glances, revealing faint smiles, which was a tacit approval. Yun You then said with a smile:
"Since my brother and Sister-in-law are here for a rare visit, let's all go to the Third House for a visit."
At this moment, Yun Kexin was in Yun Yang's study learning to recognize characters. On the green-blue sandalwood incense table lay a copy of "Three Character Classic."
Yun Yang sat on a purple sandalwood chair carved with peony patterns, with Yun Kexin sitting in his lap. He pointed at the characters in the book and read them aloud for her. He read one line, and she followed him patiently. Every time Yun Kexin correctly read a character, Yun Yang would smile as a form of encouragement.
Beside them, Fu Lianyin watched with jealousy and resentment: it's not even his biological daughter; does he really need to be so attentive? He had never been this patient with himself!
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