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墨書 Inktalez
The Master of the First House, the Madam, along with the Cousin and Younger Cousin, all dressed in coarse mourning garments, stood in a row to welcome them.
Yun Kexin ran forward recklessly, stopping in front of them and crying out, "Auntie, Cousin, I'm sorry for coming back late!"
"The Seventh Young Lady is back, that's good, that's good..." Yue Ziyun said with swollen eyes, her voice hoarse. "Auntie doesn't blame you, really!"
Mother, you don't blame Daughter, but that is enough to make me feel guilty for a lifetime. I didn't even get to see Father's last face!
"Seventh Sister, Father... Father died because..." Yun Ke almost blurted it out but was stepped on by Yun Yan, forcing him to hold back. "Let's not talk about that now; let's go to the mourning hall to see Father."
At this moment, the people from the Third House had already approached. Yun Ci looked at them and choked out, "Third Brother, Third Sister-in-law, Second Brother... he has gone..."
"Big Brother, take me to see Second Brother."
"We're going; Mother is inside, and Fourth Brother has returned too." Yun Ci supported Yun Yang's shoulder and led the way forward.
After a while, amidst the sounds of mourning, the Duke of E State Mansion completed the funeral for Second Master Yun You. Yun Kexin would never forget the moment her brother Yun Ke looked at Fu Lianyin with bone-chilling hatred as he fell into despair. Did Father's death have anything to do with the Fu Family?!
After sending off a steady stream of grieving relatives and friends as well as court colleagues, Yun Kexin once again went alone to the mourning hall. Father's portrait was right in front of her—handsome and youthful, always wearing a gentle and tolerant smile—he was not yet forty years old. How could he have passed away so young?
He was gentle and humble by nature, disliked conflict with others, and rarely got into disputes. Who could have killed Father? And for what reason did they strike?! Yun Kexin's fingers turned white as she gripped the edge of the table: she had thought her rebirth would allow the Yun Clan to avoid past disasters and protect her loved ones. Yet Father still could not escape his past calamity and died an untimely death. How could she not feel disheartened and guilty! She retreated a step and sat down beside her, peeling peanuts and placing the peeled peanut kernels in a plate next to her: Father loved eating peanuts most during his lifetime. He also enjoyed various foods made from peanuts. He once said that if he retired one day, he would be content to be a peanut farmer or a merchant dealing in all things related to peanut products. Now that wish remains unfulfilled while he has already passed away.
The evening light spilled into the mourning hall, casting shadows over two plates piled high with peanut kernels that looked like golden beans—adorably yellow. Not long after, two long silhouettes appeared on the ground before Yun Kexin; she knew someone had entered the mourning hall but paid no attention and continued mechanically peeling her peanuts—ever since she learned of Yun You's death, she had been in this "half-alive" state: silent and uncommunicative, hurriedly eating just a few bites before retreating to her room. She avoided seeing anyone—her fear of the unpredictability of many things and her inability to control the future had nearly crushed her.
"Seventh Sister, are you thinking about Father?" Yun Ke's voice broke through. "Mother misses him too; Brother and Yun Yan miss him as well. We've been together for over ten years. Suddenly he is gone; it feels like everything has collapsed."
If only she hadn't gone to Fan City this time... perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided? Even if she had returned just a day or two earlier, maybe she could have saved Father! She had repeated this thought countless times in her mind.
Yun Kexin still did not respond but silently noted every word from Yun Ke in her heart.
"Before you went to Fan City, Father wanted to show you the Brocade Box," Yun Ke continued when he saw that Yun Kexin remained silent. "It contains your Marriage arrangements..."
Yun Kexin's hand paused while peeling peanuts; her eyelids flickered but showed no further reaction.
"Seventh Sister, do you remember what you promised me?" Feng Yinxiao also started peeling peanuts. Concerned for her but trying not to show it too obviously, he casually remarked while focusing on his peanuts, "Whatever you decide to do, make sure to treat yourself well."
Yun Kexin heard his voice, but at this moment, she really didn't want to talk. She just wanted to be alone for a while, to be quiet. However, she knew that her Yun Clan family was worried about her, so she didn't "chase them away" and patiently listened.
"You know, Father hardly sleeps at all because of what happened in Fan City," Yun Ke recalled calmly, though there was an indescribable sadness in his tone, and his voice faltered. "He fears something might go wrong with you, and by then it would be too late." He looked up at Yun Kexin, his face full of kindness. "Seventh Sister, lift your head and look at your brother." When Yun Kexin raised her head, Yun Ke spoke with a slightly serious expression, "Remember, Second Uncle and Auntie care for you very much. The Second House has never done anything wrong to you, Seventh Sister. Your cousin hopes that some of your future decisions won't hurt the Second House."
Yun Kexin felt a deep sorrow: could this be what Father kept hidden in his heart until his death, unable to express it to her?
"Brother, I understand," Yun Kexin finally broke the silence. She firmly and definitively dropped the "cousin" title when addressing Yun Ke, saying with double meaning, "I've always known that many things are hidden in my heart. Brother, I look a lot like Auntie, don't I?"
Both Yun Ke and Feng Yinxiao were taken aback, especially Yun Ke, whose pupils contracted as he suddenly recalled a day when Father and Mother had vaguely hinted that "Seventh Sister knows everything." It was he who had been disturbed by Father's sudden departure and had always thought that Father was worried about whether Sister Seven understood her background. Now he understood: what truly worried Father was whether it was "safe" for Sister Seven to return home with the Third House. Given Yun Kexin's age and naivety about the world, he feared she might be schemed against by a member of the Fu Family!
Realizing this, Yun Ke wore a complex expression on his face—joyful yet sad and comforting.
This scene was keenly observed by Feng Yinxiao. As perceptive as he was, after meeting with Second Madam Yue Ziyun, he had gained some clarity about the intricate relationships involved when he encountered Yun Kexin. However, he couldn't directly ask about it because he felt that the Yun Clan must have their reasons for concealing some truth; asking recklessly might "startle the snake in the grass."
"Yun Kexin, don't worry," Feng Yinxiao said, knowing what she needed most at this moment. He reassured her, "Lord Yun is the Minister of Personnel in our dynasty; he won't sit idly by while your Elder Brother is killed without reason. And as a close minister, I will not stand by and watch such a tragedy happen!"
His calm yet powerful voice resonated like a drumbeat that stirred the heart, solemnly promising support while conveying a sense of encouragement and restraint that made Yun Kexin feel assured.
"Thank you, Young Master." After a moment of hesitation, she turned to look at Feng Yinxiao.
After bidding farewell to Yun Ke and Yun Kexin, Feng Yinxiao returned to his home at the Duke of Yan's Residence, located north of Qinghe City. Upon entering the residence, he learned that the Duchess had been waiting for him in the pavilion for quite some time. He instructed the accompanying attendant to leave first and went alone.
The Duchess of Yan was named Ling Chen and appeared to be around thirty-five years old. She looked youthful and was an elegant and graceful beauty.
"Mother," Feng Yinxiao walked into the pavilion on foot and greeted her respectfully. "I heard from the servants that you were looking for me?"
"Is it wrong to look for you if there's nothing else?" Ling Chen took a sip of tea and lifted her eyelids with a serene smile.
"Oh no," Feng Yinxiao chuckled lightly and explained, "I just thought you seemed to be discussing something with Father, avoiding me lately. When you suddenly called for me today, I became curious."
"I'm not looking for you because of anything else," the Duchess said while gazing at her handsome son with pride and affection. "You're already grown up but still single."
Caught off guard, Feng Yinxiao quickly understood what his mother meant and blushed slightly. "Mother, I'm only thirteen this year; I'm not even of marriageable age yet. There's no rush."
"I understand what you mean," Ling Chen smiled, looking even younger, "Thirteen is indeed too early, but your father and I think it's time to find you a Concubine Maid—"
"No, no, Mother, absolutely not," Feng Yinxiao exclaimed, his dark eyes brightening as if facing a great enemy, shaking his head repeatedly. "Son has already said that there is no need for a Concubine Maid."
Upon hearing this, Ling Chen's expression became serious as he said, "I am also worried that you might get sick from holding everything in."
Feng Yinxiao's face flushed red as he tried to clarify gently to avoid embarrassment. "Mother, Son is really doing well. There’s nothing wrong, and I have no interest in such matters while going back and forth in the palace."
"Oh? How come I hear from several Attendants that you've been frequently visiting the Duke of E State Mansion these past few days?" The Duchess suddenly smiled mysteriously, with a hint of teasing in her tone. "Could it be that you've taken a liking to some sister from the Yun Family? Come on, let Mother hear about it; I’ll help you out..."
Feng Yinxiao's heart raced suddenly, shocked: How did Mother know about his frequent visits to the Yun Family? She seemed to misunderstand his actions. If she really started matchmaking, it would be terrible. But why did he feel his ears burning when Mother asked if he had taken a liking to a sister from the Yun Family?!
"No, Mother, where are you getting this from?" Feng Yinxiao's face turned even redder; he didn't dare lift his head for fear of revealing the faint feelings in his heart. "Son... Son is interested in Yun Ke. He is about to participate in the Martial Scholar Selection soon, and recently—" He then recalled the passing of Yun You and felt his heart sink again, not continuing further.
"But I heard from several servants in the mansion that you secretly went to Fan City this time and met the Yun Family's Seventh Sister," Ling Chen didn't notice her son's flustered state and continued teasingly. "It's fine; our Duke of Yan's Residence has connections with the Duke of E State Mansion as well. Come on, let Mother hear about it..."
Growing up in front of Mother, Feng Yinxiao had never felt as flustered as he did this time. He stumbled over his words, making it seem as if he truly had something to hide. (To be continued)
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