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墨書 Inktalez
The next morning, Yun Kexin discovered that the Duke's residence had returned to its original state. The chaotic scene from yesterday, where the guest had panicked and fled, leaving tables and chairs in disarray, seemed to have vanished like a dream. However, the atmosphere in the residence still felt tense, as everyone acted cautiously. Breakfast was served in the North Courtyard dining hall, but since the Third Old Master had not yet come out to eat, all the maids and servants sent to call him were sent back without exception. The Old Master and the Second Old Master had no choice but to have the nanny bring food to his room.
Yun Ran had not forgotten that Yun Yang wanted to speak with her yesterday. She hurriedly took a few bites of food but was stopped by Yun Yang as she reached the threshold: "Fifth Young Lady, come to my study in half a stick of incense's time, and also bring Seventh Young Lady."
Yun Kexin wondered what business she had there. However, she said nothing and continued eating. Yun Yang noticed her thoughts and added, "Your mother is about to send off the Fu relatives who are leaving for Fan City. She wants you to go say goodbye, and Second Aunt will be there too; she wants to talk to you."
Let them go; what’s there to say goodbye for? She figured Second Matriarch would want to see her, but wasn't it a bit hasty? Did she have something to say in front of Fu Family Member so that they wouldn’t “wrong” her? Yun Kexin sneered.
Seeing that Yun Kexin was "accompanying" her, Yun Ran felt less anxious and even somewhat gleeful—Yun Kexin had really gotten off too easily yesterday. She had made a fool of herself while trying to "protect" Fu Yihang, turning into a laughingstock of the Duke's residence. This disparity made her feel somewhat psychologically unbalanced. Now that Second Aunt and Fu Family Member wanted to talk to Yun Kexin, watching her embarrass herself—was there anything more satisfying than that?!
After finishing breakfast, Yun Kexin and Yun Ran followed Yun Yang's instructions to the Purple Twilight Courtyard in the Western Courtyard where guests were being entertained. Fu Lianyin and her family members, along with Second Matriarch Qian Hanqiu, had risen early and were waiting there after having breakfast.
"Seventh Young Lady, come say goodbye to Uncle, Aunt, and Cousin," Fu Lianyin waved at Yun Kexin with a smile. "It's not easy for them to come here; who knows when they can visit again?"
It would be best if they never came back!
She walked up to Fu Family Member and smiled while bowing: "Uncle, Aunt, Cousin, Xiner is here to bid you farewell. Please come visit the Duke's residence often."
"Cousin Kexin, I will definitely come back," Fu Yihang looked at Yun Kexin with reluctance in his eyes and pulled her arm. "And you will have more friends in the future; you won't forget me, right?"
Yun Kexin shook her head: "No, Xiner will always remember Cousin."
A sweet smile revealed a chilling intent: Fu Yihang, no matter who I forget, I will never forget you; I’ve “remembered” from my past life!
"By the way, I just remembered something," Second Matriarch suddenly seemed to recall something and tapped her forehead. "Seventh Young Lady, I heard from Fifth Young Lady that you didn't wear the outfit Second Aunt gave you because you thought it was ugly? Is that true?" Qian Hanqiu spoke warmly as if trying to get close to her juniors, but there were traps hidden within her words. "I’m truly sorry; this old woman doesn’t know how to pick clothes; I must have embarrassed you."
"That's not true," Wang Ling sitting on a chair smiled flirtatiously. "That outfit is made of top-quality fabric; I haven't even had a chance to thank you yet. As for Seventh Young Lady not wearing it," Wang Ling curled her red lips into a cold smile. "Perhaps she thinks wearing the same outfit as our Hang'er would embarrass her? How noble is Seventh Young Lady? The Duke's daughter, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Third House—our Hang'er... doesn't deserve it!" The emphasis on those last two words was heavy and sharp like a blade aimed at someone.
At this moment, Wang Ling’s familiar Danfeng eyes narrowed into a straight line as she glared at Yun Kexin coldly and maliciously!
Yun Kexin thought that she had already explained in front of many people why she didn’t wear that outfit yesterday; Fu Family Member couldn’t possibly have not heard it. Wang Ling was either pretending not to hear or trying to regain some face for her son Fu Yihang!
In Wang Ling’s eyes, only Fu Yihang had the right not to wear it while Yun Kexin was only meant to comply. Now that the situation had reversed, how could she not be furious!
"Xiner cannot bear such praise, nor can she withstand such criticism," Yun Kexin said, her eyes as clear as a calm autumn moon, meeting Wang Ling's sharp gaze that seemed ready to strike at any moment. She smiled calmly and continued, "Aunt, it is true that I am the daughter of the Duke's residence, but I am not noble. Everyone knows I am ranked seventh; above me are several young masters and sisters from various branches. I am not worthy of my cousin."
Wang Ling snorted through her nose and said nothing further.
"What does it matter about worthiness?" Qian Hanqiu said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I originally intended to give Seventh Sister a birthday gift, but then I thought since Young Master Fu is a guest, this old woman should show some hospitality. However, I couldn't think of what to give him at the time. Just as it happened that the old third master’s birthday was approaching, I wondered if he had bought clothes yet and decided to make him a set as well. Who would have thought it would lead to everyone being unhappy? Truly, good intentions can lead to bad outcomes."
Yun Kexin scoffed inwardly: This Second Aunt really thinks she can wash her hands clean! Does she take everyone for fools? Even if she wanted to give clothes, why did they have to be identical? The intention behind it could be seen through by anyone; she thinks her plan is so clever.
Since the role of the "black face" had already been established, there naturally had to be a "white face."
"Second Aunt, please don't be like this," Fu Lianyin said sweetly as she served tea to the Second Matriarch. Then she smiled and added, "I heard Seventh Young Lady explain yesterday that she wasn't rejecting it; she just realized that her outfit was the same as her nephew's. It wouldn't be appropriate for them to appear together at the birthday celebration."
"This is my oversight for not being as attentive as Seventh Young Lady," Qian Hanqiu said, seeing that Fu Yueze had remained silent and Wang Ling had comforted her a few times. She felt less anxious but was still annoyed that Yun Kexin hadn't worn it, which caused her plan with Third Madam to fall through. "However, regardless of whether the outfit is suitable or not, there’s no reason to give it to Fifth Young Lady..." The Second Matriarch paused slightly and then sneered, "That silly girl Yun Ran didn’t think much before wearing it either, leading to misunderstandings among the Fu family relatives. They don’t know whether this is Seventh Young Lady expressing dissatisfaction with the clothes or with me!"
Yun Kexin frowned: This Second Matriarch is truly something else; she wasn’t even present at the time yet seems to know everything! Understood—rather than coming here to bid farewell to the Fu family members, it seems more like this group is here to settle scores with her!
"Second Aunt is exaggerating," Yun Kexin said with a silly smile. "Who told you I gave the clothes to Elder Sister Five? Or did Elder Sister Five say so herself? I only remember putting the clothes in the wardrobe before dinner on the night before the birthday celebration; they were gone by morning."
"Sounds like a thief!" Qian Hanqiu tugged at her lips and laughed coldly.
"Or perhaps it's a ghost!" Yun Kexin wasn't intimidated by Qian's family but pretended to be dazed and said, "Elder Sister Five came into my room to sleep together. Before sleeping, she even took out the clothes for me to see; they were gone by morning."
"Seventh Sister, what do you mean by that?" Yun Ran could never keep her composure; perhaps feeling guilty for being caught in wrongdoing, she jumped in front of Yun Kexin with an expression of deep insult and said in a sharp voice, "Be clear!"
"What should I be clear about?" Yun Kexin replied nonchalantly.
"That outfit was clearly given to me by you! Last night in front of Uncle and Aunt, you said it was from you; you didn't deny it then, but now..."
"I didn't deny it? Ha," Yun Kexin said with a sympathetic smile. "Elder Sister Five, I was just giving you face; I didn't want you to feel embarrassed in front of Mother, Father, and our relatives. Do you want me to point out in front of so many people that you stole the clothes?"
"You... you... are just arguing!" Yun Ran's face turned red with anger as if she had suffered great injustice and was left speechless.
"Who is arguing is clear in their own heart," Yun Kexin's words were light yet resonated like drums striking deep within one's soul—exciting yet oppressive. "Some people are so desperate they dare confuse right and wrong in front of everyone else and openly frame others for incidents like the dead eagle incident; what else are they capable of doing?"
Everyone in the hall was taken aback, their gazes all turning towards Yun Ran, who appeared incredulous. Yun Ran's voice was sharp and spirited, yet lacked confidence as she said, "Seventh Sister, who are you... framing me!"
"Whoever frames me is the one," Yun Kexin replied coldly.
The incident from last night had already been a source of anxiety for Yun Ran, and with Yun Kexin's words, her unease intensified. Desperately swallowing to ease her dry throat did little to help; she stumbled over her words and, in a panic, began to lash out:
"I understand now, I finally understand," Yun Ran laughed maniacally as if she had grasped a hold over Yun Kexin. "That dead eagle incident must have been your doing. You blame me for taking your clothes, so you swapped my birthday gift to harm me—"
"Elder Sister Five is now admitting that she took my clothes, isn't she?" Yun Kexin seized the opportunity to retort cheerfully. "As for that dead eagle, weren't you very certain last night that it was the Substitute Concubine's doing? How come you've suddenly 'awakened' to think of your Seventh Sister?" At this moment, Yun Kexin's words were like daggers—swift, precise, and mercilessly mocking. "It turns out that distinguishing right from wrong is just a matter of twisting your tongue, Elder Sister Five. Would you like to go to Third Uncle to 'clear the case' for the Substitute Concubine?"
Yun Ran understood perfectly well the ridicule in Yun Kexin's taunts. She bit her lip, forcing herself to swallow even harsher words and ran to Yun Yang and Fu Lianyin to cry for help and protection—
"Father, Mother, look! Seventh Sister... is getting more and more bullying," Yun Ran completely disregarded the presence of Fu Family relatives as she sobbed, her eyes brimming with tears. "Ran'er begs you, Mother and Father, to stand up for your daughter."
"Fifth Young Lady, there are no outsiders here," Yun Yang ignored Yun Ran's pleas and shifted the conversation. "Tell Father if what you said to Third Uncle yesterday was true."
"Father, do you doubt your daughter too?" Through her tears, Yun Ran looked at Yun Yang with grievance, unable to believe her ears. However, under Yun Yang's serious gaze, she lowered her head more and more until her face burned red like fire.
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