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墨書 Inktalez
Looking at the stumbling figure of Yun Ran leaving, Fu Yihang's eyes flashed with a sinister glint, and a mocking smile lingered on his lips: although she was foolish, she had come up with a good idea this time—how to forget Uncle Fu Yueheng? Uncle held the position of Deputy Minister of War, and no matter how high Feng Yinxiao's rank was, he was still under Uncle. Why not...
Yun Kexin was in the West Garden Main Hall, enjoying tea and snacks while listening to Zhou and Fu Lianyin's conversation.
"Third Madam, has Yang returned to rest in his room recently?" Zhou inquired indirectly.
"Yes, Mother," Fu Lianyin replied, sitting sideways and smiling at Zhou. "Thanks to your mediation and speaking on behalf of the Consort, Master has changed his mind."
"Then regarding the matter of taking a concubine..." Zhou asked bluntly, "What are your thoughts on it, Third Madam?" Upon hearing this, Fu Lianyin's smile faltered, lingering awkwardly on her face—she had thought that her marital relationship with Yun Yang would finally clear up, and she wanted to delay the matter of taking a concubine until Yun Yang completely changed his mind and no longer mentioned it. Little did she expect that not only the Three Elders were concerned about this matter but also the old lady, making it difficult for her to brush it off.
"Mother, this matter is weighing on my mind," Fu Lianyin forced a smile and said. "Once the Consort hears from Master, I will start making arrangements." After a slight pause, she narrowed her phoenix eyes and hinted subtly, "But I still don't know which young lady it is. Mother, could you tell me?"
"This young lady is named Water Lily, and her family lives west of Qinghe," Zhou briefly explained. "Her father, Shui Chengran, is an old friend of Yang."
Fu Lianyin narrowed her phoenix eyes: an old friend? They must have had frequent interactions. When did Master and Water Lily become acquainted? Could it be that she took advantage of the rift between Yun Yang and herself? Thinking of this made Fu Lianyin's expression darken significantly. She had heard Yun Yang mention Shui Chengran before; she had never seen his concubine daughter and didn't know how Water Lily looked or how deeply she had captivated Yun Yang.
"Mother, I will remember this," Fu Lianyin suppressed her inner turmoil and said with a pleasant demeanor. "I will send someone to Water Mansion to formalize the engagement soon to ensure that this matter is handled properly and satisfies Master."
"Mm, it's best if Third Madam has this in mind," Zhou nodded in satisfaction and smiled lightly. "However, do not delay too long to avoid displeasing Yang."
Fu Lianyin felt a surge of anger: Is there really such urgency?! I'm not at the point of being old and unattractive yet!
"Yes, Mother. It's all for the sake of giving the Yun Family's Third House descendants Branching Out and Spreading Leaves; I naturally need to put in more effort," she reluctantly agreed but then thought of a way out. "However, since Master and Consort Xiang's birthday is approaching, do you think it would be better to wait until after the birthday banquet before taking a concubine?"
After saying this, Fu Lianyin frowned at Yun Kexin and made eye gestures as if asking for help. However, Yun Kexin kept her eyes fixed on the door without any reaction: she was doing it on purpose; she didn't want to become Fu Lianyin's scapegoat. After all, last time when Yun Yang returned to Fu Lianyin's bed, Fu Lianyin thought she was one of her own people and would involve her in everything afterward—what a naive assumption!
Zhou's face turned ashen as if she had suddenly come back to her senses after being dazed for a while: "Alright then, let's discuss it again after Consort Xiang's birthday."
After Zhou left, Yun Kexin seemed to just realize what had happened and said blankly, "Has Grandmother finished talking with Mother? I'll see Grandmother off..."
Fu Lianyin didn't even get a chance to scold her; she was so angry that her teeth were itching.
A few days later, Consort Xiang's birthday was held in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. As expected of the emperor's most favored consort, it took nearly three months for the Ministry of Rites to prepare for this banquet. By the time it approached, they were almost exhausted from running around; the evening banquet was extravagantly luxurious in hopes of earning a smile from the beauty.
At the start of the banquet, Yun Kexin had no interest in enjoying the singing and dancing within the grand hall; amidst clinking glasses and lively conversations, she stood beside Cloud City with her gaze fixed intently on Consort Xiang seated at the top left side of the emperor—
Dressed in a Empress Xiang Red Purple Magnolia colored silk satin palace gown, adorned with an Agate inlaid Golden Brooch, and styled with a Morning Cloud Hairpin, her hair was embellished with a Gold Beaded Phoenix Tail Hairpin featuring Azure Wind Cloud accents. A Coral Green Stone Wax Bead Flower rested at the back of her head. Her fair and delicate oval face, with elegantly arched brows, framed a pair of bright, expressive eyes surrounded by long, curled black eyelashes.
Her waist was as slender as flowing silk, and she wore earrings shaped like bright moons. With her captivating gaze, she had already enchanted the Emperor, while the Empress beside her, despite being dressed in luxurious finery, was overshadowed by Consort Xiang. Nevertheless, she maintained her dignified presence as a motherly figure.
Indeed, Consort Xiang lived up to her reputation! Yun Kexin managed the situation while carefully observing. In the end, she noticed that Consort Xiang occasionally glanced in her direction—expressions of surprise and anger flickering across her face as if she felt that Yun Kexin had taken something from her. Suddenly, Yun Kexin realized the crux of the issue: Fourth Uncle had been holding her hand since they entered the hall and had not let go even when they returned to their places. Moreover, Fourth Uncle seemed to be deliberately avoiding Consort Xiang's probing gaze; aside from the initial toast, he mostly engaged in casual conversation with Yun Kexin, yet she could feel his palm trembling.
Was Consort Xiang concerned about Fourth Uncle's actions? What troubled past could there be between them?
After the banquet, the Emperor had drunk too much and returned to his chambers with the assistance of several eunuchs, accompanied by the Empress.
Cloud City did not wait for her elder brother and Third Brother, merely nodding at them and exchanging glances before leading Yun Kexin toward the palace exit. However, before they reached the palace gate, a maid called out to them:
“Fourth Master, Consort Xiang requests your presence.”
Cloud City's slender frame trembled slightly as if sensing something ominous; he resigned himself to fate:
“Where is Her Highness at this moment?”
“In the Imperial Garden,” the maid replied respectfully, hands clasped at her side, bowing her head. “Fourth Master, please follow me.”
“Please inform Her Highness that I will visit tomorrow; I must first escort my niece home—”
“No, Her Highness specifically instructed me to bring this young lady along.”
Both Cloud City and Yun Kexin were taken aback and exchanged glances; his eyes seemed to ask: Are you afraid?
Understanding the meaning behind Fourth Uncle's gaze, Yun Kexin lightly shook her head.
Thus, under the maid's guidance, they proceeded to the Imperial Garden, where they soon saw a brightly lit pavilion. Upon entering the pavilion, Consort Xiang instructed the surrounding guards and maids: “You may withdraw and wait outside.”
Several guards and maids complied and positioned themselves around the pavilion.
“Greetings to Consort Xiang…” Cloud City bowed deeply and offered a slight nod in respect.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Yun Kexin said softly.
Consort Xiang gazed at the tranquil Imperial Garden under the night sky, remaining silent for a long time, causing the two standing by the water table to feel somewhat awkward, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
"Is he dead?" After a moment, Consort Xiang suddenly asked in a low voice.
Cloud City was taken aback, then quickly responded as if they had an unspoken understanding, "No."
Yun Kexin pondered: Is he referring to Third Uncle?
"He should have died long ago," Consort Xiang said coldly. She slowly turned around, her charming face shrouded in gloom, then shifted her tone, "Four Elders, your attitude is becoming increasingly arrogant; I had to 'warn you three times and order you five times' to invite you."
Cloud City replied nonchalantly, "Your Highness, the Palace is a royal domain; how could a mere commoner like me come and go freely? Moreover, you are the Sovereign's favored consort; one must avoid attracting idle gossip—"
A cold and intermittent laugh from Consort Xiang echoed in the silent Imperial Garden, sounding particularly jarring: "Cloud City, of all the countless excuses you've made to avoid this, that one just now is the most foolish and false. You should know that I have never regarded this place as a palace."
Cloud City nodded silently: He remembered that for her, this place was either a birdcage or a prison.
When he looked up again, he realized that Consort Xiang had stepped right in front of him. This time her gaze lingered on Yun Kexin beside him.
"Who is she?" Consort Xiang asked Yun Yang while looking at Yun Kexin, her clear eyes sharp as hidden blades.
"My niece."
"Niece?" Consort Xiang sneered coldly, "Why do I see some resemblance to you? Could it be that you secretly had a child with some woman?"
"Your Highness!" Cloud City's expression hardened as he said seriously, "She is my Third Brother's daughter, named Yun Kexin."
"You let her speak for herself..." Consort Xiang interrupted indifferently.
"Reporting to Consort Xiang, this girl Yun Kexin is ten years old," Yun Kexin said without fear, meeting Consort Xiang's aggressive gaze calmly. "She is the Seventh Sister of the Duchess of the Duke of E's Residence. My father is Yun Yang; Cloud City is my Fourth Uncle."
A hint of appreciation appeared at the corner of Consort Xiang's mouth but vanished quickly as she turned her gaze back to Cloud City.
"You are so good to your niece, treating her like a treasure in your palm," the tone carried a hint of jealousy and dissatisfaction. Suddenly, she glanced at Yun Kexin, her meaning profound, "You should be grateful that you are just his niece..."
The latter part of Consort Xiang's warning made Yun Kexin's heart shiver: what does it mean to be "just a niece"? Does it imply that if she were a woman favored by Fourth Uncle, she would suffer? Is this the reason Fourth Uncle has hesitated to marry? She recalled the Shadow Guard who appeared at Third Uncle's birthday celebration in Duke of E State Mansion, and how for the next few years, every time she visited Fourth Uncle's shop, she could always feel the omnipresent surveillance and silent warnings...
Fourth Uncle had been living under the watch of the Shadow Guard! And for the sake of the Yun Family, to prevent innocent women from being harmed, he had silently endured being single and alone for years.
The atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly became heavy and oppressive, suspended in the deep blue night sky, as if it might explode at any moment, making it hard to breathe. Consort Xiang's gaze towards Cloud City gradually became hazy and unclear. Cloud City lowered his head—
"Consort Xiang..."
"Can't you just call me 'Xiang'er'?" Consort Xiang asked sharply yet eagerly.
"I have kept my promise," Cloud City replied expressionlessly, "I hope—"
"That depends on how you perform," Consort Xiang said, feeling old grievances and new resentments surge as Cloud City remained unmoved. She insisted, "Don't let me see you holding hands with any woman again, not even your niece!"
In her strong and resentful words lay an undeniable fragility. Yun Kexin could tell that Consort Xiang still had feelings for Fourth Uncle; they were just buried deep. But what about Fourth Uncle?
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