Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Soon, Fu Yihang also noticed this. Yun Ran's reckless behavior truly surprised and angered him: not only because of Yun Kexin's reputation but also his own. If this were to spread, how could he silence the gossip? Only the two of them knew what they were doing, but those who didn't would start daydreaming and speculating about their supposed misdeeds. Yun Kexin, quick to react, took the initiative to approach, and Fu Yihang followed closely behind.
"Aunt, why have you come?" she greeted with poise, showing no signs of tension in her tone.
Before the Second Matriarch could respond, Yun Ran had already jumped in: "It's like this, Seventh Sister. This evening, Second Aunt came to the Second House for a visit and wanted us to join her for a walk in the garden. However, since we couldn't find Fu Shizi or your shadow, I volunteered to accompany her. Who would have thought we would have this 'chance encounter'—"
Fu Yihang glared fiercely, wishing he could tear Yun Ran's mouth apart. However, constrained by the Elder's presence and unable to lose his temper, he merely smiled coldly and said, "It truly is a 'chance encounter.' I thank Fifth Sister for her 'thoughtful intentions.'" His face and voice were shrouded in a dark mist that sent chills down one's spine.
In fact, Yun Ran had hesitated several times before deciding to do this. She was unsure if Fu Yihang would appreciate it; after all, if someone witnessed him with Seventh Sister in a compromising situation, his reputation would surely suffer. But thinking that this could tarnish Yun Kexin's reputation and leave her unable to show her face again, she decided to "give it a try." She informed the Second Matriarch that Fu Shizi was having a "private meeting" with Seventh Sister in the garden. The Second Matriarch followed with skepticism and saw from a distance Fu Yihang and Yun Kexin "pulling at each other." Displeasure arose within her—though she had once held high hopes for these two, how could they meet privately in the residence before anything was accomplished, especially at night? If this got out, people would say that the Duke of E State Mansion had no family rules and that its children were uneducated—a disgraceful place. Yet before the Second Matriarch could admonish them as an Elder should, she saw Yun Kexin greet them openly without any attempt to hide herself. This clearly indicated that there might not be as much impropriety between Seventh Young Lady and Fu Yihang as Yun Ran suggested.
"Seventh Young Lady, what is going on here?" Qian Hanqiu asked coldly, her initial tension dissipating but still wearing an unpleasant expression.
"Second Aunt, I was just taking a walk with Seventh Sister in the garden," Fu Yihang replied calmly with a faint smile. "It was all my fault; I should have gone to bid farewell before leaving the residence."
Qian Hanqiu's expression softened slightly as she glanced at Fu Yihang and then turned her gaze toward Yun Kexin. With a hint of sarcasm in her voice, she said, "Seventh Young Lady, although you are young, you are already ten years old and should understand what is appropriate between men and women." She paused briefly before continuing sharply, "Is it necessary to be 'pulling at each other' while walking?"
Yun Kexin felt disgusted: if "appropriate behavior" was so important, then why didn’t they say anything when Fu Yihang and Yun Ran were being affectionate in the North Courtyard? It was simply because I refused to marry into Han Wangfu that I ruined your dreams and thus incurred your displeasure!
"No, Second Aunt, it's not what you think," Fu Yihang protested helplessly, feeling even more hatred toward Yun Ran's foolishness that only caused trouble. "There is really nothing between me and my cousin; I was just teasing her."
The Second Matriarch's gaze flickered as she looked at Yun Kexin, pursing her lips in silence as if waiting for her to "lower her head and admit fault." Unexpectedly, Yun Kexin merely returned her gaze calmly without saying a word: at this moment, anything she said would only make things worse!
Seeing that Yun Kexin did not back down or speak up or blush—her eyes clear without a hint of panic—Qian Hanqiu sneered: "Kexin, don't blame Second Aunt for being talkative; I'm just looking out for your reputation!"
"Kexin understands," Yun Kexin finally smiled and said. "I do not blame Second Aunt; it's just that Fu Shizi has already explained the situation so there is no need for me to elaborate."
"That's good; Seventh Young Lady is a smart person," Qian Hanqiu said with a half-smile. "I won't continue nagging." She turned around with a stern face to scold Yun Ran: "Fifth Young Lady, it’s clear that the Heir Apparent and Seventh Sister are just walking around the residence reminiscing; how could you run into my room and add fuel to the fire?—" She suddenly stopped herself and said irritably, "Forget it; just be more careful next time."
"Yes, Ran'er knows she was wrong and has caused trouble for Second Aunt as well as the Heir Apparent and Seventh Sister," Yun Ran nodded repeatedly with apologies. "I'll escort Second Aunt back."
She hurriedly grabbed Qian Hanqiu and fled as if escaping. She knew that if she didn't leave now, Fu Yihang would surely break her bones. It might be better to come back later and explain to him.
"Cousin..." Fu Yihang saw Yun Kexin feeling misunderstood and wronged, and he didn't know how to comfort her. He could only awkwardly meet her gaze and say, "I'm sorry."
"Fu Shizi, I only ask you for two things," Yun Kexin turned her back, her face like frost and her tone cold. "First, don't come looking for me again; second, if you really have something to discuss, please do it during the day. If it must be at night, choose the West Garden Main Hall, not in this dimly lit place where we might get entangled in thoughts. Farewell!"
Fu Yihang watched Yun Kexin's delicate figure drift away, feeling furious towards Yun Ran.
The next day, Fu Yihang visited the Duke's Residence again but dared not approach Yun Kexin. He could only look at her from a distance. Yun Ran, seeing this, felt both jealous and resentful. She wanted to take the opportunity to comfort him gently, but remembering how she almost dragged him into trouble yesterday made her hesitate and refrain from any fantasies.
Finally, after enduring until Dusk, Yun Ran knocked on the door of Fu Yihang's temporary room.
"Brother Fu, Brother Fu..."
Sitting at the desk reading, Fu Yihang recognized Yun Ran's voice. He lifted his eyelids slightly, a cold smile creeping onto his lips. "The door isn't locked; come in."
Yun Ran gently pushed the door open, closed it behind her, stood there, and whispered, "Heir Apparent..."
"You dare to come!" Fu Yihang raised an eyebrow and glared at Yun Ran, asking with a sneer.
"Brother Fu, I know you're still angry," Yun Ran tried to step closer as she spoke. "But Ran'er did all this for your own good—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Fu Yihang suddenly stood up, strode over, and grasped Yun Ran's chin with one hand, his gaze fierce.
"For my own good?! You almost put me in an unjust position and caused Seventh Sister to be criticized. A slight misstep could lead to my ruin..."
"Brother Fu, please let me explain—"
"Slap!" A heavy, cold, and crisp slap landed on Yun Ran's face, interrupting her words. Yun Ran fell to the ground, wide-eyed in shock, her face flushed: she had anticipated Fu Yihang would shout at her or even curse, but she never expected him to resort to violence—how ruthless!
Swallowing the endless humiliation in her heart, Yun Ran crawled to Fu Yihang's feet, hugging his thigh and crying like a rain-soaked pear blossom:
"Brother Fu, Ran'er was wrong, but I truly only wanted Elder to see the Heir Apparent and Seventh Sister alone at night, solidifying your 'secret meeting,' so that she would have no choice but to follow you in the future."
"You brainless fool!" Fu Yihang bent down and gripped Yun Ran's chin with enough force to crush it. "You still dare to say it's 'for my good'—"
Accompanied by a "Get lost," Yun Ran received another slap on her left cheek and fell to the ground again. Desperate, Yun Ran got up once more and clung to Fu Yihang's legs, sobbing pitifully:
"Fu Shizi, I know you're angry and resentful, blaming me for not considering things thoroughly and not helping you, which has caused a rift between you. Ran'er deserves to die."
Hearing this, Fu Yihang's anger intensified. He looked down at her, ready to scold her again, but Yun Ran continued to sob: "Brother Fu, do you know how close Seventh Sister is with Feng Yinxiao from the Duke of Yan's Residence? I suspect Seventh Sister is ignoring you because of him."
"You still haven't forgotten to slander others!" Fu Yihang pretended to raise his voice as if trying to extract more information. "You really are incorrigible!"
"No, no, I'm not slandering," Yun Ran shook her head vigorously, her voice hoarse. "Fu Shizi knows they met long ago in Fan City, and from what I've observed, their relationship was already quite unusual back then. Brother Fu, please believe me..."
Fu Yihang's handsome face turned pale as he recalled Yun Kexin's expression when she heard the words "Young Lord." She had shown such a daughterly demeanor; when he told her about Feng Yinxiao's "misdeeds," she not only failed to show gratitude but also vigorously defended him as if protecting her husband.
She was so attached! For Feng Yinxiao, she even dared to "confront" him and stand against him! Realizing this made Fu Yihang take a sharp breath; his face grew even paler as he clenched his fists tightly in his sleeves.
"Then I am inferior to him," Fu Yihang admitted reluctantly while smugly speculating. "Cousin Kexin likes warriors, while I am just a mere scholar..."
"Brother Fu, I have a way to keep that Feng Yinxiao away from Seventh Sister so he won't interfere with you anymore."
"Just you?!" Fu Yihang looked down at Yun Ran with disdain and curled his lips in contempt. "With your brain, I really can't trust you with anything important; you'd embarrass yourself and almost hurt Seventh Sister... You truly undervalue yourself!"
"No, Fu Shizi, Ran'er can tell you the method first," Yun Ran raised her eyes to meet Fu Yihang's cold, icy expression, her heart trembling. "If you think it's feasible, there's no rush to act."
"What method?" Fu Yihang straightened up, asking coldly and indifferently.
"This matter requires Second Uncle to personally come forward and assist," Yun Ran narrowed her eyes and slowly spoke.
"Uncle?" Fu Yihang was taken aback, then lowered his head again, looking at Yun Ran with suspicion. He furrowed his brow unwillingly and said, "Get up."
Yun Ran felt as if she had been granted a reprieve, stumbling to her feet. She whispered a few words in Fu Yihang's ear, and he nodded while listening, a strange joy spreading across his pale face.
"This method is quite good; it won't harm Seventh Sister," Fu Yihang said with a smile, " Uncle often visits the royal residence these days. I will bring it up when I see him tonight; I hope everything goes smoothly."
"Heir Apparent, don't worry. This is nothing for Second Uncle," Yun Ran saw that Fu Yihang's anger had dissipated and praised her own idea enthusiastically. She felt elated and continued, "Moreover, it won't hurt you or Seventh Sister. Why not do it?"
"Mm!" Fu Yihang's smile didn't linger on his face for long before it faded. He unceremoniously issued an eviction order, "You've been in my room for quite a while now. If you stay any longer, people in the residence might start gossiping..."
Yun Ran bit her lip, but having witnessed Fu Yihang's temper today, she didn't dare to resist. Turning to leave, she was called back by Fu Yihang: "Wipe your tears clean and tidy up your hair and clothes so that when you go out, people won't think I've mistreated you!"
Comment 0 Comment Count