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墨書 Inktalez
After serving Brother Fu and Sister-in-law, Fu Lianyin went to find Yun Ran, explaining the tasks she needed her to do. The cunning Fu Lianyin naturally wouldn't reveal her plans to Yun Ran, as she knew very well the feelings Fifth Young Lady had for Fu Yihang. If she told her directly, it would surely lead to something "unclean" and expose her intentions. So, without leaving any traces, she simply instructed Yun Ran to bring Fu Yihang and Yun Kexin to a certain place.
The next day, the Han Wangfu was bustling with activity as everyone prepared for the evening banquet. Tables and chairs filled a courtyard, and Fu Yihang, Yun Kexin, and Yun Ran hurriedly moved among the busy servants, helping set up bowls, chopsticks, spoons, and placing sunflower seeds, peanuts, candies, and other snacks on the plates, enjoying themselves immensely.
Today, Yun Ran acted towards Yun Kexin as if they were "as good as new," greeting her with a smile and showing warmth and courtesy, which made Yun Kexin's hair stand on end.
Fu Yihang recalled his father and mother’s "instructions" from yesterday and felt very pleased: Wang Ling advised him that in order to prevent Princess Li Yurong from seeing any unpleasantness between Yun Kexin and Yun Ran at the banquet, he could take the two of them outside for a walk first and return later.
“Cousin Kexin,” after finishing everything, Fu Yihang smiled at Yun Kexin and said, “Let’s go over there to rest for a bit; you look quite tired.”
“I’m not tired; I’m fine,” Yun Kexin replied lightly as she walked beside Fu Yihang. “Cousin, which guests are being invited to the banquet this time? Are there any from the palace?”
By then, they had reached a pavilion and sat down at a stone table. Fu Yihang thought for a moment before honestly replying: “I heard my father and mother mention that due to last year's incident, everyone in the court has been silent out of fear of being accused of 'forming cliques for personal gain,' so they don’t interact much. This time, my father is inviting colleagues from Fan City along with some friends and distant relatives; no one else will be present.”
Just as Yun Kexin was about to ask when Princess Li Yurong from the Jin Wangfu would arrive, Yun Ran came running with a bag in each hand.
“Brother Fu, Seventh Sister, let’s go play on the mountain!”
“Play on the mountain at this time?” Yun Kexin asked suspiciously with furrowed brows. “Aren’t we supposed to attend the banquet?”
Fu Yihang was secretly amazed at Aunt's understanding of his cousin; she could predict that she would ask such a question. Fortunately, Aunt had already prepared an answer for him:
“Cousin Kexin, please don’t mind,” Fu Yihang said with a slight pause and an embarrassed smile. “My father and mother mentioned that the banquet won’t start until later; it will take another hour or two. They suggested I take you and Fifth Sister to play on a nearby low mountain for a while. What do you think?”
“What are you holding?” Yun Kexin asked warily. “Are we just going up the mountain with the three of us?”
“This is barbecue food and equipment, along with a mat,” Yun Ran said cheerfully as she raised both hands. “Seventh Sister, of course it’s not just us three; there’s also a maidservant, a servant boy, and another attendant. We are young masters and young ladies of the household; how can we go without attendants?”
Yun Kexin relaxed her guard slightly. Although the reasons given by the Han Wang and Wang Fei were somewhat forced, she still complied out of curiosity about what tricks the Fu family was up to.
The low mountain they were heading to was located not far from the outskirts. The three young masters and young ladies sat in a carriage while their attendants drove it. They soon arrived at their destination—a wooden house nestled among trees. They set up a frame in an open area near the wooden house, laid out mats, and took out their ingredients...
Meanwhile, on the road leading to Fan City, a handsome young man rode swiftly on a chestnut horse. His hair flowed gently in the July summer breeze, sometimes brushing against his fair skin and at other times gliding over his slightly parted lips. His beautiful nose stood out under the moonlight's glow. Beneath his two sword-like eyebrows were eyes like black jade—bright stars in the deep blue night sky—shining brilliantly as he rode on. The sword at his waist glimmered coldly in the moonlight while clashing against its scabbard produced crisp sounds that echoed through the tranquil valley.
Running alongside him were several Attendants, who, despite their excellent horsemanship, were still somewhat out of breath. They couldn't help but glance back at their master, who showed no signs of fatigue—having run all night yet still looking so spirited was truly extraordinary.
When they finally entered Fan City, a long sound of the reins being pulled echoed, "Huh—"
The beautiful young man's melodious horse call.
"Young Lord, it's not far to Han Wangfu from here," one of the Attendants disguised as a servant glanced at the market in Fan City under the dusk and turned back with a cautious tone, saying, "Shall we go in?"
"No," Feng Yinxiao replied slowly. His gaze was sharp and his expression solemn as he looked into the distance, decisively stating, "This banquet set by Han Wang is to avoid suspicion; no officials from the capital have been invited, including my Father. Moreover, I have important matters to attend to this time."
"I dare to ask, Young Lord, what brings you here in such haste from the capital?"
"On someone's behalf!" Feng Yinxiao slightly parted his lips and answered succinctly.
"Who entrusted you?" asked an Attendant on the right. "However, if this matter is of great importance, Young Lord need not answer; I will follow your orders."
Feng Yinxiao moved his wrists a bit, furrowed his brows, and after pondering for a moment said:
"You few should disguise yourselves as buyers or servants sent from the capital to offer congratulations and find out if Seventh Sister is at home. Report back to me quickly!"
"Seventh Sister?" The Attendants were slightly taken aback; their master had not mentioned her during the journey but did not dare to ask further. They replied, "Yes, Young Lord."
The Attendants quickly turned their horses around and galloped away. Feng Yinxiao dismounted and found a nearby spot to sit down, drinking tea while waiting.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, four or five Attendants returned after inquiring. Seeing Feng Yinxiao's horse tied to a post at a nearby resting place, they knew their master was inside and waved at the door for him to come out.
"Report to you, Young Lord: According to our inquiries, neither the Heir Apparent of Han Wangfu nor the Eldest Sister and Seventh Sister of the Yun Family's Third House are at home," one articulate Attendant smoothly concluded.
"Not at home?" Feng Yinxiao was surprised and blurted out, "Where have they gone?"
"One of them said that the three children and several servants went to the mountains outside for a barbecue."
"This is impossible!" Feng Yinxiao narrowed his eyes, his sword-like brows furrowing tighter as his mind raced. "The banquet is about to start; how can they let the children go out to play? Is this normal?"
"The meaning of Young Lord is—" the attendant held his breath and focused.
Because he was familiar with their Young Lord: his insight was astonishing! Whenever he uttered the words "how is this possible," it meant that his sixth sense was warning him about something.
"Have any servants from the manor gone to which mountain?" Feng Yinxiao asked again.
"There is Emei Mountain in the outskirts; it's not high and should be at the foot of that nearby mountain."
"Let's split up to search. Two of you come with me to Emei Mountain, and the rest check other mountains."
"Yes, Young Lord."
The sun gradually sank in the west, and the afterglow of sunset filtered through the dense branches, casting light on a clearing in the forest—Fu Yihang, Yun Yun Kexin, and Yun Ran were crouched in front of a barbecue grill, holding skewered quail with chopsticks over the fire. The fire had been prepared by a maid, and the ingredients were neatly arranged on the ground by a servant who had just returned from fetching spring water nearby. The rich aroma of grilled meat wafted through the air, enticing everyone and making their mouths water.
The maid had initially suggested letting them do the grilling, but since it was the first time for the three young masters and sisters, they were eager to try it themselves, with the servants merely guiding them.
"Heir Apparent, your quail needs to be turned over; otherwise, it will burn..."
"Eldest Sister, get a bit closer; otherwise, it won't cook properly..."
"Seventh Sister's is the best; it should be done soon," said Mama Ruan, who had come with Third House to take care of the two sisters from Fan City. "Give it to me; I'll put it on a plate to cool down before dipping it in sauce."
Yun Yun Kexin nodded with a smile and continued grilling. Watching the ingredients under the red flames, smelling the delicious aroma of grilling meat, and listening to the sizzling sound of oil dripping into the fire, she suddenly felt an immense longing inside: if it weren't for her past life's calamity, she would truly enjoy this carefree life in the mountains. Unfortunately, she feared that her current life was destined to be devoid of peace and tranquility.
"Seventh Sister, are you having fun?" Fu Yihang handed over his finished quail meat to Mama Ruan for dipping in sauce and smiled at Yun Yun Kexin. "Your quail is almost done; pay attention so it doesn't burn."
Yun Yun Kexin didn't respond but nodded to indicate she understood.
However, Yun Ran grew increasingly anxious. According to Fu Lianyin's previous instructions, she needed to trick Fu Yihang and Yun Yun Kexin into the wooden house before sunset to seize an opportunity. Yet during this process, seeing Fu Yihang and Yun Yun Kexin being "intimate" and "chatting happily" made her heart ache even more. Reflecting on Fu Lianyin's actions this time, it was clear that she intended to use such disgraceful means to force Yun Yun Kexin into submission, ultimately making her marry Fu Yihang, leaving Second House unable to control Yun Yun Kexin's Marriage.
"Why wasn't I the one who was designed? Why not me?" Yun Ran thought angrily. "Aside from being the Concubine Daughter, what makes me any less than the adopted Seventh Sister!"
The more she thought about it, the more unwilling and irritated she became! She had experienced things that Yun Kexin could never have, so why not take action without hesitation?! With this thought, Yun Ran's face turned as terrifying as a ghost.
Taking advantage of the moment when Fu Yihang was talking to Yun Kexin, she quietly stood up and left, giving a glance to the maid and the servant, signaling them to come over. She whispered a few words to them, and the servant was startled, shaking his head repeatedly. However, when Yun Ran threatened that it was "Mother's instruction," he had no choice but to comply.
"Brother Heir Apparent, Seventh Sister, you see there are still so many ingredients left, but we're running out of firewood," Yun Ran said with a smile as she approached the two, casually adding in an eerie tone, "Why don't I go gather firewood with Brother Fu while the maid and servant stay here to accompany Seventh Sister?"
"Why do I have to go with you?" Fu Yihang said impatiently, his eyes fixed on the campfire.
"Brother Heir Apparent, I'm helping you give Seventh Sister a surprise," Yun Ran replied with a smile. "But you have to come with me; otherwise, I won't go."
A surprise? Yun Kexin scoffed inwardly: I don't care for that!
Upon hearing this, Fu Yihang felt a stir of excitement. He wanted to try anything that could please Yun Kexin. He glanced at the sky; it wasn't completely dark yet, and then he said to Yun Ran, "Alright, but we need to be back before it gets dark. I want to take Seventh Sister home."
"Yes, Brother Fu." Yun Ran put on her sweetest and gentlest demeanor.
But inwardly she sneered: Take Seventh Sister home? Brother Fu, by the time you return here, you'll witness an exhilarating scene that might make you never want to see Yun Kexin again!
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