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墨書 Inktalez
But in the end, Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin decided to buy some clothing and supplies on the road, as going back to pack would create too much noise and raise suspicion. They needed to leave a letter for the Fourth Master to pass on to their families. Yun Cheng listened to their opinions and urged them to write the letters quickly.
At dusk, as the sun set behind the mountains, Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin finished writing their letters in a pavilion. Yun Cheng prepared simple bundles and provisions for them, waiting for nightfall to set off.
The three exchanged heartfelt words of encouragement until the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight deepened. It was then that Yun Cheng took advantage of the shop emptying out to join the disguised Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin in a prepared carriage, ready to head south toward the riverbank where a boat awaited.
Upon reaching their destination, there indeed was a boat docked by the riverside. Feng Yinxiao and Yun Kexin exchanged smiles as he assisted her while walking behind the Fourth Master, stopping only when they reached the front of the boat.
"Parting is inevitable after sending you this far," Yun Cheng said while bidding farewell and giving instructions. "The money in your bundle should be enough for a while, and there's a compass so you won't get lost. Find a peaceful place to settle down, Young Lord; I entrust Seventh Young Lady to you."
Yun Kexin's eyes turned red, her voice choked with emotion. "Fourth Uncle, this happened so suddenly that I didn't have time to explain things to Father or Second House. Everything at home will depend on you."
"Don't worry; I'll think of something," Yun Cheng replied, feigning ease. "Just focus on living well. Also, to avoid drawing attention, I haven't hired a boatman, Young Lord. You'll have to bear with being a 'laborer' this time."
"Fourth Master, you've arranged everything so meticulously; I'm truly grateful," Feng Yinxiao said with emotion. "Rowing a boat is nothing difficult for me; don't worry."
Yun Cheng nodded with a faint smile. "It's getting late; we shouldn't delay any longer. We need to board quickly because once dawn breaks, there will be many merchant ships passing by, which could cause complications."
Feng Yinxiao hesitated no more. He took Yun Kexin's hand and jumped onto the boat, then began rowing as it drifted away from the shore. Yun Kexin stood on the deck, waving goodbye to Fourth Uncle Yun Cheng until the boat moved farther away and he disappeared from sight.
At night, with strong winds on the river, Feng Yinxiao stopped rowing and led Yun Kexin into the cabin to rest. She lit a candle, filling the dark cabin with a warm orange glow.
"Young Lord, thank you for your hard work," Yun Kexin said as she sat beside Feng Yinxiao and took out a handkerchief to wipe away his sweat.
"It's no trouble at all," Feng Yinxiao replied with a smile as he held her hand that was clutching the handkerchief, gazing into her misty eyes with sweetness in his heart. "Yun Kexin, having you by my side is better than anything else."
Yun Kexin smiled but suddenly felt sorrowful when thinking about an uncertain future.
"Young Lord, do you really not regret it?" she asked seriously as she met his gaze. "From now on, your status will plummet; you'll become an ordinary citizen."
"I have no regrets!" he replied softly yet firmly.
"The Young Lord could have lived a life of luxury surrounded by beauties but now has to learn how to wield a hoe and labor like this while remaining loyal only to me—are you truly unrepentant?" Yun Kexin felt guilt and confusion swirling within her.
"I have no regrets!" He fixed his gaze on her, his expression unchanged, his heart as solid as a rock. "In this life, having you is enough for me. Besides, I have already expressed my intention not to take a concubine. Have you forgotten, Yun Kexin?"
"But all of this is because of me. If it weren't for me, Young Lord—" Yun Kexin's autumn eyes glimmered with tears.
"Yun Kexin, just answer me: Do you regret it?" Feng Yinxiao's ink-black eyes shone even brighter in the dark night, his voice gentle.
"No!" Yun Kexin replied decisively.
Feng Yinxiao smiled with relief and gently pulled her into his arms, his cheek brushing against her soft hair.
"Then don't think too much about it. Come with me to the Cape of the End of the World. With you by my side, all the fame and fortune are just fleeting clouds."
She was so moved that she couldn't speak anymore, only leaning against his broad chest, listening to the sound of the wind and flowing water outside the cabin. Her heart felt unprecedentedly open and clear.
Just as dawn broke, Yun Kexin opened her eyes to find Feng Yinxiao's long robe draped over her, but he was nowhere to be seen. Feeling the boat "moving," she thought Feng Yinxiao was rowing. Stepping out of the cabin, she saw him standing on the deck with his hands behind his back, facing the river wind, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Young Lord!" Yun Kexin approached him quietly.
"Yun Kexin, you're awake," Feng Yinxiao turned around quickly upon hearing her voice. "Why didn't you put on a cloak? I'll get one for you."
"No, Young Lord," Yun Kexin said as she tugged at Feng Yinxiao's sleeve. "I'm not cold."
"Your face is all red from the wind; how can you not be cold?" Feng Yinxiao took her hand in his. "As soon as we dock, I'll buy you something to eat."
"Young Lord, I saw you frowning just now. What were you thinking about?" Yun Kexin asked anxiously. "Is it about matters in court?"
Feng Yinxiao smiled openly. "Yes, I was thinking about court matters. But what I was really wondering is whether the Ministry of War has seen my resignation letter."
Yun Kexin was taken aback. "Resignation letter?"
Feng Yinxiao nodded and gazed thoughtfully at the endless sea before them.
"Yes, I entrusted the position of Commander to Yun Kexin. I wonder what the Ministry of War thinks and whether the Emperor agrees."
Yun Kexin appreciated Feng Yinxiao's meticulousness, even at such a critical moment, he still remembered to "let a virtuous friend" take charge.
"Cousin Yun Kexin's abilities were fully recognized during the battle three years ago. I trust the Emperor's judgment and decisions," Yun Kexin said with a confident and calm smile.
However, Feng Yinxiao was not as optimistic as Yun Kexin. With a serious expression, he said, "I also trust the Emperor, but I am worried about Deputy Minister of War Fu Yueheng."
Yun Kexin was taken aback, her smile froze, and an ominous premonition enveloped her heart.
"Why does Young Lord suddenly have such concerns? No matter how much power he holds, he is still a subject of the Emperor," Yun Kexin cautiously restrained her emotions. "Could he really go against the Emperor's will and act unilaterally?"
"Yun Kexin does not know," Feng Yinxiao said, narrowing his dark eyes through layers of mist, his voice becoming deeper and hoarse. "Three years ago, Yun Kexin killed Fu Yueheng's beloved general Fan Kun on the battlefield. I am worried—"
Yun Kexin gasped in shock and exclaimed, "Will he hold a grudge against Yun Kexin because of this? Will he seek revenge?"
Feng Yinxiao nodded with difficulty.
"Why did Yun Kexin kill Fan Kun?"
"Fan Kun fled in battle; punishing him according to military law is not excessive, and it was my order," Feng Yinxiao closed his eyes, his handsome brows furrowing even deeper.
Yun Kexin was stunned, feeling as if the ground was spinning beneath her. Dark clouds loomed overhead: in her previous life, did Yun Kexin end up being framed and imprisoned by Fu Yueheng because of this grudge? Ultimately implicating the entire Yun family?
The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became; the more she thought about it, the more afraid she felt: previously, she had only focused on escaping from trouble and resisted becoming Consort Qin, almost neglecting Yun Kexin's fate. At that time, she simply thought that if she could survive this calamity, she could return later; now reflecting on it made her feel deeply ashamed—she escaped, but what about the Duke of Yan's residence? The Duke of E's residence could hardly escape blame either. How would the guardians of the First House, Second House, and Third House face this situation—there was even a possibility that Fourth Uncle would be blamed! They would all be thrown into turmoil because of her alone!
"I'm sorry, Young Lord; I cannot go with you," Yun Kexin said, her eyes shimmering with tears as she spoke with a choked voice. "It's not that I am untrustworthy. It's just that there are too many unresolved grievances in my heart, and I cannot stand by while the fate of the entire Yun family hangs in the balance."
Feng Yinxiao's expression changed. Although he was worried about Yun Kexin, he never imagined things would escalate to this point and did not expect her reaction to be so intense. Her words left him confused; he thought she might be ill. He quickly reached out to support her hand while placing another hand on her forehead with concern.
"Yun Kexin, are you feeling cold? Do you have a fever?"
"No, I didn't catch a cold, and I'm not sick," Yun Kexin shook her head and cried loudly, "Young Lord, haven't you always been 'interested' in my matters? Fine, I'll tell you everything," Yun Kexin said emotionally, "I am not the biological daughter of the Third House; I was adopted by my aunt from the Fu Family through a conspiracy to use me to take revenge on the Second House. The 'Second Uncle' and 'Auntie' I often mention are actually my biological parents. Yun Ke and Yun Yan are my biological older brother and sister..."
"I actually heard about your adoption from Yun Ran three years ago," Feng Yinxiao said unexpectedly calmly. "At that time, I was still skeptical..."
"Yes, Yun Ran is right. I am the culprit who has become a pawn for others, harming my own family," Yun Kexin's anger surged upon hearing Yun Ran's name, and her inner fury grew uncontrollably. She shouted at him, "You're all a bunch of idiots! This has been the case in both this life and the last. Feng Yinxiao, are you satisfied now? If you regret it now, it's not too late—"
"Why should I regret?" Feng Yinxiao grabbed Yun Kexin's hands and placed them on his broad chest, gazing deeply into her eyes. "Do you feel any moment of regret right now? I just finally understand your pain and am glad that it is me by your side and not any other man." Seeing the surprise and confusion in Yun Kexin's almond-shaped eyes, Feng Yinxiao continued in a gentle tone, "Yun Kexin, what did you just mention about 'this life and the last'?"
Yun Kexin was momentarily stunned into silence by Feng Yinxiao's steady demeanor before slowly speaking up:
"I am a reborn person. In my previous life, I was adopted by the Third Madam of the Fu Family through despicable means, used in my youth to cause the death of my biological parents, leading to my sister being sold to a brothel." Reflecting on her past experiences, Yun Kexin felt as if a knife had been plunged into her still-healing wounds; her beautiful face twisted with pain, regret, hatred, and determination. "In the end, I also died from the 'Death-Ending Drink' used by Prince Heir Fu Yihang."
Feng Yinxiao gasped sharply and exclaimed, "The 'Death-Ending Drink'? The poison used in the palace to execute concubines?!"
"Yes!" Yun Kexin replied with a near-cold smile. "I died on my wedding night."
"Your wedding night?" Feng Yinxiao was taken aback and didn't immediately respond. "Who did Yun Kexin marry?"
Yun Kexin's smile grew increasingly tragic and cold: "Of course it was my good husband Fu Yihang. He used the 'Death-Ending Drink' as toasting wine to lure me into drinking it, then my half-sister Yun Ran appeared and 'kindly' revealed the truth as if it were a joke..." (To be continued)
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