Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Sister, where are we going now?" Shanling asked. "Back to the residence? Although we have the key, is it appropriate at this time?"
"No, let's go to Tian Zhuang," Yun Kexin replied. "The Young Lord has already been with me. If we spend the night at Tian Zhuang and return to the residence early tomorrow, it won't raise any suspicion."
"Understood," the three maidservants replied in unison.
"By the way, Young Lord, in the urgent situation earlier, I forgot to ask," Shan Yue looked at Feng Yinxiao curiously and said, "Weren't you at the Training Ground? Shouldn't you be returning to the residence?"
"Your information is accurate," Feng Yinxiao teased as he walked. "It's just a bit too 'dead'—I had something come up and returned to the residence early. I might go back to the Training Ground tomorrow or the day after."
Shan Yue was momentarily stunned before she reacted and explained, "I'm sorry, Young Lord. We didn't mean to pry into your whereabouts; it's just that—"
"Enough of that," Feng Yinxiao made a shushing gesture. "Let's talk about it when we get to Tian Zhuang. Right now, we need to focus on getting there..."
Upon entering Tian Zhuang, Shan Yue lit the lamps while Shining arranged chairs for Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin to sit down. Shanling went to pour water. As the faint yet warm candlelight filled the room, everyone finally felt they had escaped danger and let out a sigh of relief. Shining served tea to the two masters while looking at them and asked:
"Young Lord, Sister, how did you two meet?"
"Oh, I hid in the Young Lord's Study as you taught me, and not long after, he came in."
"I told you, the Young Lord's Study is the safest place," Shan Yue said with a smile. "However, we later saw those searching for you heading towards the Study. Did they not go in?"
"They did," Feng Yinxiao replied briefly after taking a sip of tea.
"They did?" Shanling exclaimed in surprise. "Then didn't they make things difficult for Sister?"
"No, I was hiding," Yun Kexin said without hesitation. "They didn't see me."
The three maidservants were increasingly astonished. Shan Yue widened her eyes and said, "Young Lord, I remember your Study is spacious but doesn't have any hiding spots." She looked at Yun Kexin and asked, "Sister, where did you hide that they couldn't find you?"
"I... I hid... hid in..." Yun Kexin stammered, feeling embarrassed as she lowered her head and twirled her teacup in her palm before finally managing to say three words: "In the beams."
Feng Yinxiao nearly spat out his tea, barely managing to suppress a laugh. He opened his mouth to ask Shining again, but quickly interjected, "I helped Seventh Sister hide upstairs... Ever since you all left the residence, I had the servants tidy up the Study a bit."
Shanling, Shining, and Shan Yue still wore puzzled expressions, as if this answer was full of flaws and could not convince anyone. It wasn't until Feng Yinxiao subtly shook his head at them that the three maids finally smiled in realization. Shanling said:
"Sister, you and Young Lord can chat for now; we will go prepare your sleeping clothes and bedding."
Yun Kexin seemed to have just returned from a journey, raising her head with an embarrassed smile.
The three maids left the room and went to a room on the south side of the courtyard—that was tentatively designated as Yun Kexin's sleeping quarters.
Once Feng Yinxiao saw them walk away, he turned to Yun Kexin and said, "Yun Kexin, the Martial Examination is coming up; do you want to go?"
"Of course," Yun Kexin replied with a smile. "Does Young Lord have a way to help me enter the palace?"
"I've thought it through. Yun Kexin can disguise herself as my Attendant and accompany me into the venue," Feng Yinxiao said, his face beaming with joy and excitement. Just thinking about meeting Yun Kexin made him thrilled for quite a while. "But you need to behave and listen well when the time comes, okay?"
Yun Kexin rubbed her forehead: why did he always use that tone as if she were a child? Was she really that noisy and rebellious? Perhaps in his eyes, she truly was just a nine-year-old "child." She felt a bit disappointed; she had hoped he would mention Zhuo Min but realized he hadn't brought it up at all.
"Don't worry, Young Lord," Yun Kexin said with a bright smile. "I'll listen to you."
Feng Yinxiao nodded with a smile. At that moment, the three maids returned; the bed was already made, ready for rest.
"Take good care of Seventh Sister; I must return immediately," Feng Yinxiao said as he stood up. "It's getting late; I fear there may be changes."
"Young Lord, please be careful on your way," Yun Kexin also got up from her seat to see him off.
After sending off Feng Yinxiao, Yun Kexin entered the bedroom to rest with Shanling and the others accompanying her.
The next day, at dawn, when Yun Kexin returned to Duke of E State Mansion, she found everyone from Third House waiting for her. First House and Second House were also present; perhaps her "absence for one night" had caused quite a stir.
"Kexin, where have you been?" Yun Yang asked, seeing Yun Kexin finally return with three maids behind her, his expression filled with reproach. "The maids only discovered this morning that you were missing from your room and were alarmed, searching everywhere for you. The servants nearly turned the estate upside down but couldn't find you or Three Maids. They even asked the servant who kept watch last night, but he didn't see you... Where did you go last night?"
"A young lady staying out all night is quite scandalous," Fu Lianyin admonished, putting on a stern face while being insincere. "If this gets out, Seventh Young Lady's reputation will be ruined."
In truth, she was secretly pleased with Yun Kexin's "mistake."
"Seventh Young Lady, everyone has been worried about you," Madam Sun Rulan said softly. "Please don't do this again."
Second Madam silently looked at Yun Kexin, her gaze lacking reproach but filled with more concern: it was one thing for outsiders to talk, but now Third House would have something to say.
"Seventh Sister, we believe in you," Yun Ke said gently and clearly, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room. "Don't be afraid, take your time."
Yun Kexin felt a warmth in her heart as her thoughts drifted back to eight years ago when she was adopted. Six-year-old Yun Ke, in front of the clan elders, bravely stood up for her, his powerful question "Where did the adopted come from?" still echoed in her ears, stirring her emotions—having Elder Brother Yun Ke in both lives was a blessing she had earned over two lifetimes. Now, even if it cost her life, she would ensure her brother's safety forever.
"Shanling, Shining, Shan Yue, what are you doing?" Yun Kexin barely had time to respond when Yun Ran scolded them indirectly. "With Seventh Sister missing for a night, you didn't even try to stop her? Just let her run wild? But as Father says, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked!"
"Father, Mother, Aunt, and Auntie," Yun Kexin treated Yun Ran's barking like a dog and chose not to argue. She calmly addressed the elders, saying, "Daughter went to Tian Zhuang last night and stayed there for a night."
Yun Yang felt relieved—this wasn't like the wild rumors from the Fu Family and Fifth Young Lady Du Zuan. However, upon hearing she went to Tian Zhuang, his expression tightened again.
"Seventh Young Lady, why did you go to Tian Zhuang again?" Yue Clan frowned. "Auntie told you that place is now a hotspot for trouble; it's not safe—"
"Kexin, you're too reckless," Yun Yang said disapprovingly, glaring at her.
"Daughter missed Second Uncle" said Yun Kexin, her eyes reddening as she choked on her words. "Since the murderer has been brought to justice, I didn't think too much about it and took three maids with me."
"Then you should have at least informed your father," upon hearing this, Yun Yang softened his tone and his gaze showed more tenderness. After a pause, he added, "Father also wanted to go see him."
"Daughter knows she was wrong," Yun Kexin said softly. "I will remember to tell Father next time."
"Well, I was early. Sister Seven is becoming more and more capable as she grows up," Yun Ran rolled her eyes and snorted, "The older she gets, the more opinionated she becomes. Now, no matter what she does, she only cares about her own enjoyment, completely disregarding the feelings of others." She lowered her head, her gaze passing over Yun Kexin and directly confronting the three maids behind her, speaking with a hidden edge in her words, "However, no matter how willful Sister Seven is, she is still the master. Those three servants are so bold as to not put Mother and Father in their eyes. If they don't want to work anymore, they must be tired of living!"
"Fifth Young Lady, shut your mouth," Fu Lianyin raised an eyebrow, warningly yet not quite a warning. "This is not a place for you to speak! Whether Seventh Young Lady and those three maids have disrespected Mother and Father, we are well aware." After saying this, she turned to Yun Kexin with a different expression and said warmly, "Yun Kexin, don't be nervous. Mother was just worried about you earlier, so she spoke a bit harshly. Don't be angry."
"Daughter dares not; please allow Kexin to explain," Yun Kexin nodded calmly and said, "The contracts of those three maids clearly state that they must obey their master's orders without question. That is why they did not inform Mother and Father before complying. Therefore, if Mother and Father have any dissatisfaction, you can punish me; it has nothing to do with the servants."
Yun Yang suddenly remembered that Yun Kexin's three maids were not truly servants in the traditional sense; they were all skilled women with martial arts abilities. Thinking of how Seventh Young Lady had not returned all night but had those three accompanying her eased his anger considerably. Seeing that Yun Yang seemed inclined to "let Yun Kexin off," Yun Ran was furious, her nostrils flaring with rage. What infuriated her most was that Shanling, Shining, and Shan Yue were completely unscathed; judging by Father's expression, he even seemed to approve of them, which made her tremble with anger.
"Father, you always taught us that 'if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked,'" Yun Ran said coldly, unwilling to back down. "These three maids are clearly taking advantage of Seventh Sister's disrespect towards Mother and Father. Yet you not only fail to punish them but seem to approve of their behavior. Daughter does not understand!"
Fu Lian smirked coldly: this Fifth Young Lady was indeed suitable to be a scapegoat; some words she had been holding back had come out through her mouth—her years of "teaching by example" were not in vain.
"Fifth Young Lady, Seventh Sister has already made things very clear," Yun Yang finally understood why he was becoming increasingly impatient with Yun Ran; he could always see Fu Lian's shadow in her, which repulsed him. Perhaps it was the result of years of being influenced by her. He couldn't help but worry about Yun Xiao as he thought about it. "Servants are here to obey their masters; they simply failed to inform the Third House in time. How can that be considered disrespect?!"
Yun Ran bit her lip, her face flushing red then pale as she turned away, desperately trying to suppress her anger.
Once the room full of masters had finished their "venting," Shanling stepped forward at the right moment:
"Thank you Three Elders and Third Madam. Eldest Sister is correct; there were indeed misunderstandings due to lack of timely clarification but absolutely no intention to offend. The servants are willing to accept punishment."
Comment 0 Comment Count