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墨書 Inktalez
Yun Kexin's rosy face was covered with a layer of gloom, standing there as if she had lost her soul, not saying a word: no wonder she hadn't seen Dai Chun Ni around early in the morning lately!
Sun Rulan and Yue Ziyun noticed her sudden daze and her poor complexion, feeling puzzled and thinking that she might be unwell.
"Xiner, Xiner..." Sun Rulan gently shook Yun Kexin's shoulder and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I'm fine," Yun Kexin came to her senses, shook her head and smiled, "Aunt, when will Uncle return home?"
"If there’s nothing particularly urgent in the palace, he should be back for lunch," Sun Rulan said curiously, "Does the Seventh Young Lady have something to discuss with Uncle?"
"My niece has something to consult Uncle about," Yun Kexin said seriously.
Sun Rulan stared at Yun Kexin for a long time, trying to figure out what was going on, but saw her suddenly break into a silly smile, which made her laugh too: "Alright then, I'll have someone inform Xiner after Uncle returns home at noon."
"No need, after everyone has lunch, my niece will go to the Eastern Garden by herself."
Then, Yun Kexin bid farewell to Yue Ziyun and Sun Rulan and let Granny Feng carry her back to the Third House.
As soon as she stepped into the Western Courtyard, she ran into Dai Chun Ni wearing a flowing floral mist green pleated skirt, styled in a double-looped bun adorned with a peacock feather hairpin. Her originally dark skin now glowed pink from the floral-scented powder she had applied. She walked gracefully with an unusual smile, perhaps this beautiful outfit gave her a lot of confidence.
Yun Kexin felt suspicious: she had never seen the Substitute Concubine wear this outfit before; it must be brand new. The entire ensemble including accessories and makeup would cost at least ten taels of silver. Where did she get the money?
Normally, Dai Chun Ni would often look down on servants like Granny Feng as if they were invisible "passersby." Even when Yun Kexin was accompanied by maids or servants, she would avoid greeting them or would do so with a frosty expression as if they owed her money.
But this time was different. First, she was wearing a beautiful dress; second, knowing how much the master of the Third House favored Yun Kexin, she naturally had to pretend to curry favor.
"Oh, isn't this the Seventh Young Lady? Out for a morning stroll?" Dai Chun Ni flicked her hair and smiled, "How are you feeling? Better?"
"There's nothing serious anymore, thank you, Concubine," Yun Kexin smiled foolishly in Feng Grandma's arms. "Where is the Substitute Concubine going so early in the morning?"
"To the market to buy some fresh vegetables and fruits, and to get some nourishing food for the Second Madam," Dai Chun Ni replied with a smile after pursing her lips. "It's what Madam specifically instructed me to do."
Yun Kexin nodded thoughtfully and then looked up, saying, "Substitute Concubine, can I go with you to the market to buy vegetables? I want to learn more from Concubine..."
Dai Chun Ni hesitated slightly but then thought this was a good opportunity to please Yun Kexin. Perhaps it would even be "useful" later on—
"Alright, Sister Xin can come with me today," Dai Chun Ni said, her eyes darting as she glanced carelessly at Feng Grandma. When she looked at Yun Kexin, her face was full of smiles as she said, "Come here, Concubine."
Thus, Yun Kexin was led by Dai Chun Ni to the market to buy vegetables, wandering here and there.
She noticed that Dai Chun Ni always chose the cheaper items: not fresh vegetables and fish. When selecting supplements for the Yue Clan, her choices were surprisingly rough; she even bought nearly spoiled animal organs at a low price! Additionally, Dai Chun Ni would visit shops selling accessories and cosmetics. Each time she stepped into a store, it was as if she had nails under her feet, unwilling to move. Her eyes lingered on the dazzling array of hairpins, pearl hair ornaments, and cosmetics.
The greed and predation reflected in her gaze were startling to behold!
During lunch, Yun Kexin barely managed not to expose her in public because she understood that since Dai Chun Ni dared to cut corners and act recklessly while taking her to the market, it was clear she had calculated that there was no one else around at that moment. Moreover, Yun Kexin was only four years old; how could she discern the freshness of vegetables and fruits or know that those items were spoiled?
Since the Yun family knew these things, they would never take a four-year-old's words seriously... Exposing this recklessness would not only make her seem "mischievous" but also give Dai Chun Ni an advantage while raising suspicion against her! After weighing it in her heart several times, she decided to hold off while also formulating a plan.
After finishing lunch, Yun Kexin expressed her desire to go to the First House to play jump rope with her cousins Yun Jie and Yun Yao. Although the Fu Family had long regarded the First House and Second House as "cut from the same cloth," her wariness and resentment towards the First House would be directed at the Second House. Therefore, without much thought, she agreed.
Upon arriving at the East Courtyard, Yun Kexin asked Feng Grandma, who accompanied her, to wait outside the hall while she walked in. Coincidentally, Lord Yun Ci from the First House was also waiting there; she thought perhaps Aunt was with Uncle.
Yun Kexin walked slowly and happily towards Yun Ci, bowing as she smiled and said, "Xin'er has come to see you, Uncle."
"Dear niece, there's no need for formalities," Yun Ci said with a chuckle. "I heard you called for me, but I wonder what Xiner is looking for me about?"
"Xiner has come to ask Uncle for advice," Yun Kexin said, her eyes sparkling with cleverness as she blinked her long eyelashes. "Uncle, what would happen if someone ate spoiled food, such as pig liver, beef or lamb kidneys, black fungus, or red dates?"
"Spoiled items are inherently harmful and should never be consumed," Yun Ci replied, looking at Yun Kexin seriously. He spoke slowly, as if pondering why she would ask such a question. "Animal organs are even worse—spoiled pig liver or beef and lamb kidneys could very well be from sick animals, and most pathogens originate from the liver. Eating them could lead to mild symptoms like infection, diarrhea, and fainting, or severe cases of poisoning and death..."
Yun Kexin gasped in shock, her eyelids twitching involuntarily—Dai Chun Ni had been haggling secretly with a meat seller earlier. Could it be...? She furrowed her brows and asked urgently, "Then what if a pregnant woman with anemia eats diseased pig liver or beef?"
Yun Ci's eyes widened in realization as if he understood the implication of Yun Kexin's words. He grabbed her shoulders and asked sternly, "Who has the audacity to commit such a heinous act?!"
Everything became clear! Yun Kexin didn't have time to explain; she simply said, "Uncle, I have something to attend to. Please don't tell anyone I asked you these questions. Thank you."
Then she turned and ran out of the hall without looking back, searching for Yun Jie and Yun Yao in the eastern courtyard. Just then, the two were heading to the hall to speak with Father, and they crossed paths.
Yun Kexin wanted to go play jump rope in the back room. Yun Jie and Yun Yao weren't fools; seeing her relaxed demeanor masked with urgency made them realize she had "other intentions." So they took her to the back room and instructed Grandma Feng to wait outside the door—no one was allowed to enter without permission.
Once the door was closed, Yun Kexin shared her suspicions and next steps with her two cousins. They listened in shock, their eyes wide open in disbelief, nodding repeatedly to show they would definitely follow through.
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