Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Twenty-Four: Years Will Have Passed (Part Five)
Late at night, the candles in every alley and lane of Yanyun had been extinguished, leaving only the main streets dotted with a few dim lights that barely pierced the darkness. The yellow sand danced gracefully in the varying winds, its shifting shadows beneath the candlelight resembling swarms of fluttering ants.
The Prince of Yanbei’s residence was ablaze with light. Those who knew of the Fourth Prince’s matter were like ants on a hot pan, restless and anxious. The servants unaware of the situation sat uneasily, wondering what turmoil had struck Yanbei this time.
Little Grass, the maid, glanced at the housekeeper, questioning her with her eyes. The housekeeper glared back fiercely, meaning she had no answers.
Yun Wan-yan sat at the edge of her bed, gazing in silence at the city shrouded in darkness.
Feng Muyun and Feng Qi had yet to return.
Indeed, the death of the Fourth Prince was a cruel blow, and it was only natural that Feng Muyun and Feng Qi were busy.
If only Yang’er were here. Though he was neither as clever as Qi’er nor as seasoned as Muyun, his clarity and keen observation always proved helpful.
But he had already departed for Tai Xuan Mountain.
Perhaps it was for the best; even if His Majesty’s wrath fell, at least Tai Xuan Mountain and the Snow Cloud Sect would remain safe.
“Aunt Zhou,” Yun Wan-yan spoke, her voice soft yet steady.
The housekeeper hurried forward. “Miss, what are your orders?”
Though Yun Wan-yan was now the Princess Consort of Yanbei, the housekeeper preferred to call her ‘Miss’. She had served the Yun family for nearly forty years before Yun Wan-yan married into the Feng family. The Yun family had not prepared a dowry, but Yun Wan-yan’s only request was to bring this housekeeper, a testament to her reliance.
“Where is Bai Jian now?” Yun Wan-yan asked.
“According to Steward Fei, General Bai is at Qi Yun Pavilion,” replied Zhou.
Yun Wan-yan raised her brows, thinking it was better to seek her than that girl.
Zhou, who had watched Yun Wan-yan grow up, understood her thoughts and quickly protested, “Miss, you mustn’t.”
Yun Wan-yan gazed at her quietly.
Zhou looked around, hesitating.
Yun Wan-yan waved her hand.
The other maids, relieved, quickly withdrew.
Zhou spoke, “This is the Master’s condition.”
Yun Wan-yan replied, “Was it not clear to you, Aunt Zhou, why I left the valley back then?”
Zhou said, “Steward Fei has mentioned that even you, Miss, may not be able to save General Bai.”
Yun Wan-yan responded, “If I cannot, how could that girl succeed?”
Zhou replied, “When Second Young Master was gravely ill, you were forbidden to enter Jiangnan. Though the Master appears magnanimous, he is quite narrow-minded. If he discovers you’ve broken the agreement, who knows…”
Her expression was exaggerated, but she stopped herself from voicing what she intended, instead conveying her urgency and opposition with her eyes.
Yun Wan-yan was silent for a moment, then sighed, “Aunt Zhou, I truly wish to live as a quiet princess consort—and I have done so for more than ten years.”
Zhou responded, “Miss, you can continue to do so.”
Yun Wan-yan smiled and shook her head, her gaze gentle, almost indulgent.
Zhou asked, “Why not?”
Yun Wan-yan softly answered, “The man I chose is a hero unmatched. As his wife, I cannot remain a mere ornament forever.”
Zhou said, “No one sees you as an ornament.”
Yun Wan-yan replied earnestly, “Yet no one believes Yanbei needs me.”
Zhou wished to say more, but Yun Wan-yan gave her no chance. “Where is Bai Jian now?”
Zhou knew she could no longer dissuade Yun Wan-yan. With a sigh, she relayed all the news Steward Fei had brought back, then began pondering what might unfold.
If word reached the Medicine Valley, the Master would likely arrive at the Prince’s residence the very next day.
The secret would no longer be hidden.
What criticism would Miss then face?
She looked at the chair Yun Wan-yan had just occupied, worry clouding her eyes.
The chair was empty.
Yun Wan-yan had vanished.
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“Nonsense! Pairing Star Branch with Spring Grass—even a living soul would be overwhelmed by such potent medicine,” Yun Wan-yan muttered, frowning as she entered Qi Yun Pavilion, assaulted by the thick aroma of herbs.
The pavilion was deserted; its residents had clearly been evacuated.
A weary voice sounded, “A living soul indeed cannot bear such domineering drugs. But what else can be done when he’s dying?”
Yun Wan-yan followed the voice and saw a girl of sixteen or seventeen slumped on the stairs, her pretty face pale, forehead beaded with sweat, her hands and feet trembling involuntarily.
She was exhausted, all for someone she barely knew.
Was it truly necessary? Yun Wan-yan thought, though urgency pressed her, seeing the girl’s desperate efforts made her ask, “Spring from a withered tree?”
The girl's voice was rough, “I’ve only cultivated it to the fourth level; it can’t save him.”
Yun Wan-yan paused, her gaze turning resolute.
She ascended the stairs, her footsteps echoing softly on the wooden steps.
Behind her, the girl called out, “You know what this means, don’t you?”
Yun Wan-yan’s figure halted briefly, but without turning, she continued upward, soon vanishing from sight.
The girl watched Yun Wan-yan’s back, a bright smile breaking out. “Welcome back, Senior Sister.”
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