Chapter 020
Chapter 20: Our Yun Family is Their Greatest Obstacle
Passing the blame was one thing, but to fan flames after. Sending an evergreen as a gift? If that spread, where would Duke’s Manor put its face?
Madam Yun’s breath hitched. She was ready to scold when a voice chimed in her ear, bright with approval.
[Wow, as expected of my father. A perfect move.]
[An evergreen means lasting freshness and blessings. It is meaningful and kind to the earth, far better than gold and silver. Of course, those gold and silver things should still be kept for ordinary folks like me.]
Madam Yun: “…”
Her anger vanished. She could only smile helplessly. Father and daughter left her speechless. Fine. Let it be, even if slightly improper.
Midnight fell; dreams shattered beneath the lattice; starlight glittered beyond.
In the Grand Commandant Manor’s finely dressed chamber, rouge and jewelry littered the table. Candlelight wavered.
On the bed, the young lady who had burned with fever for days snapped her eyes open and sat up, dazed and confused.
What was this place?
She had only been tricked out by her top ranking big brother, drugged, and kidnapped. How had she woken in this strange, lavish room?
“Young Miss is awake. Quick, Young Miss is awake,” cried a small auntie at her bedside, eyes bright with tears.
Moments later, a group rushed in, led by an elegant pair. The woman grabbed her hand, weeping and calling her Xue’er, fussing over every breath.
Su Qian Xue stared. Had her big brother sold her to a film crew?
If he had such a good opportunity, he could have asked. She would have cooperated gladly. Why kidnap her? Big brother, kidnapping is illegal.
Forget it. For all the gifts he had given her and for landing her this role, she would not report him until after filming.
But where was the script?
How could she act without knowing her lines?
Her eyes rolled; she turned to Madam Su and whispered in a flattering tone: “Elder sister, could you ask the director to pause for a moment? I want to read the script. I should at least know what scene we are shooting.”
Such a rare chance should not be wasted. She had to prove to her top ranking big brother that his taste was excellent and that choosing her would be the best decision of his life.
Silence fell like frost. Her words stunned everyone.
Madam Su stared, then tears spilled anew. Had fever damaged her daughter’s mind?
What should she do?
“Quick, summon an imperial physician,” Madam Su urged Su Jian in panic.
Su Qian Xue: “???”
She had only asked to see the script. Why was this lady still so deep in her role that she dragged in an imperial physician? How were they supposed to keep acting?
Duke’s Manor.
When Yun Zheng finished his affairs, he called Yun Wan Ye and Yun Wan Yao to Peace Keeping Courtyard to dine with Madam Yun.
“I heard the Su girl woke last night, but her mind seems damaged from the fever. She spoke nonsense and frightened Madam Su into calling an imperial physician at midnight,” Yun Zheng said casually after the meal, gently laying bait for Little Fourth’s heart voice.
Sure enough, Yun Wan Ning, who had been woolgathering, snapped to attention and focused all her inner commentary on the Su girl.
[What brain damage. Father, that is the heroine’s arrival.]
[The gears of fate have begun to turn. Next, the heroine will dazzle the world and tangle with Prince Qi in love and hatred.]
[But their love is doomed to hardship by their identities and existing engagements. Sacrifices are inevitable.]
[Sadly, our Yun family is their greatest obstacle. To be together, they will surely seek our destruction.]
[…]
Everyone wore calm faces while their hearts sharpened knives.
Yun Wan Yao tightened her fists beneath her sleeves. Breath shortened; confusion pressed like a mountain. Mo Yuan Hao was the male lead, but she was not the female lead. Even if she wanted to let go, could she? The engagement was bestowed by the late emperor, not easily broken. What should she do?
Knowing her daughter could hear, Madam Yun glanced at Yao’er, heart aching. Yun Zheng and Yun Wan Ye’s gazes cooled.
Ha.
What Little Fourth said had not happened yet. If it had not happened, it could be changed. Male lead, female lead. Even if the Heavenly King himself came to bind the pair, the Yun family would tear them apart.
Father and son met eyes, cold resolve flashing.
“It is good she woke. If Su Qian Xue’s mind truly is damaged, perhaps we should reconsider the marriage,” Madam Yun said softly, eyes thoughtful.
Yun Zheng and the siblings looked up, surprised she voiced it first.
A heartbeat later, Yun Zheng laughed low, indulgent and gentle as he said: “Madam is right. Everything will be as Madam wishes.”
[Wow, Father dotes on Mother so much. Mother is lucky. Even the air is sweet.]
[And me, I am the crystallization of their love.]
[…]
Yun Wan Ning floated in happy shipping bliss, gazing at her perfect parents with a silly, shining smile.
“…”
Madam Yun started and bloomed with a swift blush, rosy clouds on new snow, making her even lovelier. Yun Zheng stared, briefly dazed.
Pampered at just over thirty, she glowed in a woman’s most enchanting spring.
Yun Wan Yao and Yun Wan Ye shared a secret smile. Their parents’ bond was unmatched. Throughout Haojing, where else would you find such devotion? For more than a decade, their father had loved only their mother.
Ah, how wonderful to meet a man like Father. Yun Wan Yao felt a pang of envy.
Then she froze. She had an engagement with Prince Qi. Why think such thoughts? Had she already accepted that Mo Yuan Hao would fall for the heroine?
She bit her lip, breath catching beneath a thousand weights. If only Little Sister’s heart voice were false.
“Mother, since this concerns Eldest Brother, should we wait for him to return and ask his opinion?” Yun Wan Ye said, clearing his throat and slicing through the pink haze.
His parents’ gaze had grown far too sweet. He truly could not endure it another breath.