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墨書 Inktalez
Yun Kexin glanced at Feng Yinxiao. Since there were many people around, she chose not to express her opinion and said to Yun Ke,
"Seventh Sister, I'll take you there."
"I'll go too," Yun Yan said.
"I want to go as well," Yun Ran chimed in.
"What do you have to do here?" Yun Kexin retorted coldly, glaring at Yun Ran.
Yun Ran wanted to snap back but noticed the unusually cold expression on Yun Kexin's face and the firmness in her tone, which was different from before. She felt a jolt of fear: Seventh Sister seemed even harder to deal with than in their childhood. It might not be easy for Mother to handle her; could it be that she knows about her background?
Not wanting to dwell on Yun Ran's cowardly thoughts or Fu Lianyin's astonished gaze—having witnessed Yun Kexin's previous rudeness towards Yun Ran—this time felt like a public confrontation, leaving no room for face-saving. In other words, she no longer regarded Yun Ran, her half-sister, as significant. Did the recent incident involving Second Master provoke her? What does this girl know?!
"Please lead the way, Cousin," Yun Kexin said succinctly.
Yun Ke bid farewell to the Elders present and took Yun Kexin to Tian Zhuang, located outside Duke of E Country Mi's residence. Feng Yinxiao and Yun Yan followed closely behind. Tian Zhuang was actually situated in a garden north of Qinghe, featuring shaded paths and winding trails leading deeper into the greenery. As they ascended the steps, lush bamboo groves lined both sides of the path. Further ahead, they could see the roof of a house; this was where Father had "lived" during his lifetime. Upon arrival, Yun Kexin realized the place was quite large. With green mountains and clear waters, the scenery was pleasant; the house was merely an inconspicuous part of Tian Zhuang.
Yun Ke opened the door. The four entered to find walnut trees and various flowers and plants inside. Calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls of the inner room. Yun Kexin sighed inwardly, realizing that Father was truly talented and appreciated elegance.
"I heard Second Master was a top scholar in his time," Feng Yinxiao remarked, also affected by the tranquil and elegant atmosphere. "Seeing this place he chose for studying today shows his discerning eye and cultivation. It's a pity that I only met Second Master a few times..."
"Father had a good impression of you," Yun Ke recalled after glancing at Feng Yinxiao. "That's why he entrusted me to you for martial arts training, horseback riding, and archery. Father regretted abandoning literature for martial arts; Young Lord loved literature but ended up pursuing martial arts..."
Yun Kexin lightly smiled: Feng Yinxiao was quite different from Fu Yihang; Fu Yihang aspired to be a general but was forced by his family into examinations and later became a successful candidate.
Feng Yinxiao smiled back: "Yes. I admire the extensive knowledge of scholars, their eloquence, and the elegance and refinement in their demeanor. I've always tried to avoid being 'tainted' by the coarseness and barbarism of military generals..." He paused, unable to help but glance at Yun Kexin with an expectant look as if wanting to know what impression he left on her.
"Young Lord, I've always felt you don't resemble a military general," Yun Kexin seemed to understand Feng Yinxiao's thoughts and softly replied, "I mean in terms of temperament—it's evident in your every gesture."
"Isn't this very bad?" Feng Yinxiao's calm expression couldn't hide his urgent tone. "My Father and Mother both advised me to be 'tougher'; otherwise, my subordinates won't take you seriously. But my subordinates are very obedient and dare not disobey." He said this without a hint of discouragement, but rather with a sense of pride and satisfaction.
"It won't," Yun Kexin thought for a moment and replied. "There are countless ways to manage people, but women believe that 'subduing' is not as effective as 'winning their hearts.'"
In that instant, Feng Yinxiao felt a warm current quietly flowing in his heart, nourishing his long-dry spirit: throughout his life, she was the first person to say such words to him, and she was a woman. Feng Yinxiao suddenly turned shy and looked away to conceal his restless heart. However, when Yun Yan's gaze fell on Feng Yinxiao's profile, she exclaimed softly:
"Young Master, it's you! The benefactor who saved me from the hands of human traffickers a few years ago and personally brought me to the Duke's Residence?!"
Yun Ke was taken aback, glancing at Feng Yinxiao and then at Yun Yan. "How does Fourth Sister know that the person who saved you back then was Young Lord? Over the years, I have inquired a lot but never imagined the benefactor would be right beside us."
"Actually, I recognized Young Lord because there is a tear mole under your eye just like my benefactor's," Yun Yan said somewhat uncertainly. "At that time, he was only *years old... Young Lord, is it you?"
Feng Yinxiao didn't feel it was abrupt at all; instead, he seemed prepared for this moment as he turned around and replied openly:
"It is indeed me. Fourth Sister, I hope you are well!" He elegantly nodded in acknowledgment.
"Then how did Young Lord know that the person you saved back then was Fourth Sister?" Yun Kexin had suspected years ago that it was Feng Yinxiao who saved her sister but wanted to understand the specific details.
"Naturally, I sent my subordinates to inquire later," Feng Yinxiao explained calmly as if it were an inconsequential matter. "I just wanted to know if Fourth Sister was safe."
"Benefactor above, please allow me to bow to you," Yun Yan suppressed her inner excitement and took small steps forward to kneel before Feng Yinxiao.
"Fourth Sister must not perform such a grand gesture; I was merely 'passing by,'" Feng Yinxiao quickly reached out to stop her. "It was just a small effort; there's no need for this."
"Fourth Sister, since the benefactor has spoken, you need not kneel," Yun Ke said. "Just bow to Young Lord to express your gratitude."
Yun Yan smiled gently and solemnly bowed to Feng Yinxiao, making him somewhat regretful for acknowledging his "good deeds."
As Yun Kexin watched with great satisfaction, she suddenly furrowed her brows and lightly stomped her foot. "Oh no, we've gone off track; I almost forgot why we came here!" She turned to Yun Ke and said, "Brother, take me to the scene of the incident."
Yun Ke also came to his senses, quickly calming his expression. He simply nodded and silently walked ahead to lead the way.
In a piece of uncultivated farmland, Yun Ke stepped on a patch of ground:
"When I arrived, Father was lying right here," Yun Ke pointed to various places and said in a low voice, "The ground was soaked in blood, staining the land red, but it was cleaned up later."
Yun Kexin squatted down, grabbed a handful of soil and sniffed it before putting it back. She thought to herself: Although this place is beautiful, it is indeed remote. To find this place must have been due to Father's old acquaintance, Third Uncle's connection. The murderer is someone Father knew, though not closely. But why did they suddenly come here?
She stood up and looked around at the desolate fields, feeling a deep sadness in her heart.
"Brother, I remember when we just returned from Fan City, you started a sentence that you never finished," Yun Kexin said after a long silence, gazing at the sky. "Now that there are no outsiders here, I want to hear you finish it."
Yun Ke understood and spoke straightforwardly: "I suspect the murderer came for the Brocade Box, and Father died protecting it."
"The Brocade Box is hidden here?" Yun Kexin turned around, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, because this place is secluded and only Second House knows about it," Yun Ke frowned, bewildered. "I don't understand how the murderer found this place and caught Father off guard..." Yun Ke fell silent, lowering his head.
"How did you know the murderer came for the Brocade Box?" Yun Kexin asked again.
"Because there were signs that the innermost room had been rummaged through," Yun Ke said hoarsely. "That's where the Brocade Box is hidden. When I saw that situation at the time, I was terrified, fearing that the murderer would find the Brocade Box. That would mean I failed to fulfill Father's previous instructions."
"Instructions?" Feng Yinxiao exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes," Yun Yan nodded and interjected. "Father once gathered Mother, my elder brother, and me together to share his thoughts and wishes. He insisted on protecting the Brocade Box at all costs and not letting Seventh Sister's lifelong happiness be ruined by someone with ulterior motives."
Yun Ke nodded in agreement, confirming that his sister was speaking the truth without missing a word.
Yun Kexin's heart sank: In her past life, she knew nothing about the Brocade Box. It must have been during Mother's suicide and Father's tragic death that she lost hope with Fu Yihang as her childhood friend, leaving her brother and sister disheartened. How could their youthful spirits withstand the cunning and vengeful Fu Lianyin?!
Feng Yinxiao's dark and bright eyes flickered: "The Second House is so protective of the Seventh Sister, who looks so much like the Second Madam. How could she call the Third Master and his wife 'Mother, Father'? Was she stolen away? Every time I see Yun Kexin call 'Mother' or mention 'Mother', I always feel that her silly, innocent smile hides deep mockery and extreme vigilance, completely unlike the expression and demeanor a nine-year-old should have. Only when facing the Second House does her original innocence show. Has something happened to the Seventh Sister?!
"That Brocade Box wasn't taken by the murderer, right?" Yun Kexin asked with a curious and earnest gaze. "Can I take a look?"
She saw her brother and sister exchange glances—
"The Brocade Box is safe and sound; fortunately, Father hid it deep enough before," Yun Yan said, somewhat troubled but exceptionally firm. "Father instructed that the secret of the Brocade Box should only be revealed on your coming-of-age day."
"Why must it wait until my coming-of-age day?" Yun Kexin asked anxiously. "Wouldn't looking at it now leak some 'secret'?"
"Not exactly," Yun Ke said, looking at Yun Kexin and calmly explaining, "We must follow Father's last wishes; Seventh Sister, please don't blame your brother and sister."
"I won't; I'm just curious," Yun Kexin replied softly. "I also miss Father."
Are Father and Mother worried that knowing the secret of the Brocade Box too early would put psychological pressure on her, or is the arrangement inside the Brocade Box for Marriage merely a precaution against any future interference from the Third House regarding Marriage?!
"As long as Seventh Sister doesn't blame the Second House, that's good," Yun Ke said cautiously. "The priority now is to find out who killed Father... Don't worry; as long as your brother is here, no one will be allowed to bully you." (To be continued)
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