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“Mother, my son is just ‘helping those in need,’” Feng Yinxiao racked his brain and finally found what he thought was an impeccable excuse, chuckling, “I just helped her a bit.”
“‘Helping those in need?!’” The Duchess laughed even more heartily, “To make my son feel protective and willingly become the Protector of Flowers, this is the first time I’ve heard it in your life. I still remember when your father and I used to go out in the carriage, how many beautiful women threw flowers and fruits into our carriage, and you, well, you threw them all out of the carriage… I’m really becoming more and more interested in this Yun Family Seventh Sister.”
Feng Yinxiao felt embarrassed!
“Mother, I beg you not to…” Feng Yinxiao stammered, struggling to find the right words. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t just refuse his mother outright; he was just anxious about it, saying, “I don’t think we should rush into this. Let me think about it some more.”
“What else is there to think about?” The Duchess laughed dismissively, “Do you think you’re unworthy of her, or that marrying her would lower your status?”
Feng Yinxiao was truly anxious. He remembered that Yun Ke had mentioned that Second Master had already arranged a marriage for Yun Kexin before his unfortunate incident. Just thinking about it made him feel inexplicably heavy-hearted. Moreover, his parents seemed unaware of the incident involving the Yun Family’s Second Master; otherwise, they wouldn’t be discussing such an inappropriate matter at this time. But how could both families have connections yet remain completely uninformed? Feng Yinxiao was puzzled.
“Please listen to me,” Feng Yinxiao felt that there was no need to avoid the topic any longer. To prevent his mother from proposing marriage and causing a scene, it was better to stop it in time. He looked around to ensure no one was listening before speaking up, “Mother, Yun Family’s Second Master Yun You was murdered a few days ago.”
“What?” Ling Chen’s previous teasing demeanor vanished entirely, replaced by shock, confusion, and helplessness. “Second Master was murdered? Xiaor, is that true?”
“It’s absolutely true, and the funeral has already been held,” Feng Yinxiao looked at his mother with curiosity and said, “Mother, Duke of E State Mansion and Duke of Yan's Residence have connections; why are they completely unaware of this matter?”
“There were connections in the past, but they have faded over time,” Ling Chen pondered for a moment before replying. “However, that shouldn’t affect their interactions. This is such a significant event; how could Duke of Yan's Residence not have heard any rumors?”
“Shouldn’t Father know about this? Is he avoiding it for some reason?” A glimmer of light flashed in Feng Yinxiao’s eyes.
Ling Chen seemed not to hear her son’s question; she squinted her eyes and muttered to herself, “How could that be? This doesn’t seem like his character. Isn’t this the time when she needs comfort the most?”
“Mother, what are you thinking?” Feng Yinxiao was confused by the Duchess’s ramblings.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” At this point, Ling Chen had completely lost her earlier playful mood. Her mind was filled with the shocking news brought by Feng Yinxiao. She looked up at him seriously and said, “No matter what reason your father has for avoiding this matter, Xiaor, don’t ask any more questions. Leave this matter to me.”
"Yes, Mother." Feng Yinxiao was surprised by Mother's completely opposite attitude but did not delve deeper. The mother and son exchanged a few more words, and just as Feng Yinxiao was about to take his leave, he suddenly paused and said, "Mother, please do not mention my engagement with the Yun Family's daughter at this critical moment; I fear it would bring shame upon me."
"Silly son, with the Duke of E State Mansion in such a situation, how could Mother even think about that?" Ling Chen frowned and replied irritably, "Even if we were to consider it, it would have to wait until after this year."
Feng Yinxiao left with a flushed face.
After leaving the pavilion, Feng Yinxiao sought out one of his accompanying guards, Ma Minghao.
"Did you report my itinerary to Mother?" Feng Yinxiao's face was as cold as water, showing no signs of anger, but internally he was furious. "Was it you who mentioned my chance encounter with Seventh Sister in Fan City?!"
Although Ma Minghao felt ashamed, he straightened his back and said, "Young Lord, I did not intend to 'snitch.' It was the Duchess who specifically asked me about it; she knows I am close to you, so..."
"This time it was Mother asking questions. As her subordinate, you indeed find yourself in a difficult position," Feng Yinxiao turned aside and stood with his hands behind his back. "However, you must remember that in Duke of Yan's Residence, you cannot casually disclose my itinerary to anyone."
Ma Minghao's heart sank as he immediately understood the implication of Feng Yinxiao's words. He replied solemnly, "Yes, Young Lord, I understand."
"Have you tried to find out what has been happening in our residences while we are away from the capital?" Feng Yinxiao feigned indifference as he asked.
"I did not inquire specifically, but I have heard some discussions," Ma Minghao stepped closer and whispered to Feng Yinxiao. "After the incident occurred, the Duke originally intended to pay his respects but was stopped by Jiangyin Marquis."
"Jiangyin Marquis? Uncle?" Feng Yinxiao's eyes widened in surprise before narrowing slowly. "Why would he stop Father from paying his respects?"
"I do not know the reason," Ma Minghao said while glancing around cautiously and lowering his voice further. "I heard that Jiangyin Marquis and Duke of Yan talked for a long time inside. After that conversation, Duke of Yan seemed indifferent to everything that happened at Duke of E State Mansion and forbade anyone in the residence from discussing it. The lady just returned from an outing with Concubine Li and is unaware of the situation."
Uncle sought Father for a discussion? What could they have talked about that would make Father disregard their friendship?!
"I understand," Feng Yinxiao slowly opened his mouth, his brows tightly knitted. "Continue to keep an eye on the movements in the mansion, and be careful not to let anyone notice... For now, follow me to the Duke of E's residence."
Ma Minghao nodded, indicating that he understood.
Feng Yinxiao and Ma Minghao first went to the Second House to find Yun Kexin. They intended to hear about the situation at that time but were surprised to find that everyone from the Yun family, except for the three old masters, had gathered at the Second House, so they did not ask. Just as everyone was about to pay their respects, Feng Yinxiao raised his hand to stop them and allowed them to continue. It was clear that Yun Yang was trying to understand the events that had transpired at the Second House. Yun Yang nodded in greeting and then asked Yue Ziyun:
"Sister-in-law, why did Second Brother go to the estate alone?"
"I don't know; he just wanted to stay at the estate for a while," Yue Ziyun, still immersed in her grief over her husband's death, choked up several times as she spoke. "But he hadn't been there long before something happened..." She took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. "It's all my fault; I should have gone with him."
"How long did he stay?" Yun Yang asked again.
"Three days," Yue Ziyun replied.
Standing next to the Yue Clan, Yun Kexin listened carefully. She vaguely felt that her mother actually knew the reason why her father went to the estate to "stay"; otherwise, she wouldn't remember it so clearly.
"Kexin, how did you discover Second Brother's body?"
"Replying to Third Uncle," Yun Kexin stepped forward and said respectfully and sorrowfully, "I went to the estate because I had something to discuss with Father, but I found him lying face up on the ground. When I got closer, I saw that he had already lost his breath."
"Was a report made for the coroner's examination?"
"Yes."
"What was the result?"
"Father has marks of being attacked by a sharp sword on his throat, chest, abdomen, and legs," Yun Ke closed his eyes, seemingly unwilling to relive the shocking scene, filled with grief and anger. "There are knife wounds all over his body, and the fatal blow was to his throat; Father died on the spot."
"Is there anything else?" Yun Yang asked, furrowing his brow and deep in thought.
"That's all there is," Yun Ke nodded.
"Could this person be someone Second Brother knows?" Yun Yang squinted slightly and suddenly blurted out.
"Master knows?" Yue Ziyun was surprised and sat up straight. "How does Third Brother determine that?"
Everyone else in the room who had been silent shared the same question as Yue Clan in their hearts.
"He knows, but not well," Yun Yang looked at Yue Ziyun and added, "Second Sister-in-law, you know that while Second Brother may not have much skill, he is not completely defenseless. From what I have seen in the reports from the scene, there are not many traces of a struggle; it seems he was killed when he was caught off guard. If he didn't know the attacker, how could this happen to him?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Yinxiao nodded repeatedly, agreeing that Yun Yang's reasoning was quite sound.
"Then who could it be?" Yun Ke asked eagerly.
"I don't know yet," Yun Yang replied calmly. "I need some time."
"Thank you, Third Brother," Yue Clan said with a sorrowful smile. "You've worked hard; you must find out who the murderer is and avenge Master."
"Second Sister-in-law, rest assured, Third Brother will do his utmost," Yun Yang stood up and nodded to Yue Clan, saying goodbye. "For now, it's not just about Yun Clan, even the Sovereign is extremely furious and has ordered me to thoroughly investigate this case and bring the murderer to justice! Second Sister-in-law, I need to clear my thoughts, so I will take my leave."
"Third Uncle, go ahead. If you need anything, feel free to come to Second House to find us."
Yun Yang left his seat. Yun Kexin, who had been deep in thought, looked up at Yun Ke and said:
"Brother, besides seeing Father's corpse at the scene, did you notice anything else unusual?"
"Other than Father's numerous stab wounds, there was nothing," Yun Ke said painfully. "My intuition is the same as that of the Ministry of Justice; the murderer is someone skilled in martial arts."
"Auntie, where is Tian Zhuang?" Yun Kexin suddenly asked. "What kind of place is it?"
"It’s a beautiful spot ten miles outside Duke's Residence, bought by your grandfather to provide Master with a good environment for studying and self-cultivation," Yue Ziyun said, her face suddenly turning slightly red. "It’s also where I met Master."
"I want to go see Tian Zhuang," Yun Kexin blinked.
Yue Ziyun was surprised. "Seventh Young Lady, what do you want to do at Tian Zhuang? A murder just occurred there; it’s not safe!"
"Auntie, don’t worry," Yun Kexin said calmly in a soft voice. "Kexin is not going for fun or on a whim; I just want to see the place where Second Uncle spent his life."
After saying this, Yun Kexin nearly burst into tears. She didn’t dare hope to find any clues; she just wanted to know where the place was that led to Father’s untimely death.
"I'll accompany you," Feng Yinxiao quietly interjected.
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