Chapter 042
Chapter 42: I’ve Yet to See Such a Majestic Empress
Yun Zhan said gently: “Little Fourth has passed her first month. It is safe for her to meet outsiders now. Tomorrow I will bring you to see her.”
[Little Fourth? He means the fourth young miss.]
Yin Shuang did not understand why he wished to take her to see the child, but she nodded: “Yes. I only worry I might frighten the Fourth Young Miss.” She lowered her head and touched the cool edge of her silver mask. The mask was fine work, but it was not a real face. The young miss was still so small. If she cried from fear, Yin Shuang would feel guilty, and Madam Yun would be unhappy.
“It is fine. Little Fourth will not be frightened,” Yun Zhan said with a faint smile. He thought of Yun Wan Ning. His Little Fourth was no ordinary child. She held memories from a former life. Why would she fear a mere silver mask. And Little Fourth liked Yin Shuang very much. When she met her Daoist master, she would be delighted. Yun Zhan’s smile deepened.
“All right,” she answered softly.
“Mm,” he replied.
That night, Yin Shuang entered with a luminous pearl in her hand. She saw Yun Zhan’s quilt smooth and his room in order, so she turned to leave. Behind her came a quiet sigh as he said: “I have told you many times to sleep at night. Why do you not listen.”
Yin Shuang turned back at once. She lowered her eyes and said with respect: “Keeping watch is my duty. I should not have disturbed Seventh Lord. Next time I will be careful.”
Yun Zhan laughed softly, a trace helpless: “Is being a maid so enjoyable that you cling to it like this. What joy is there in serving others.”
“Seventh Lord saved my life. I should repay kindness,” Yin Shuang said in a low voice as her gaze dimmed.
It was not pleasant to be a maid. But it let her stay at the Yun estate, by his side.
“Come here,” Yun Zhan said, his tone unreadable.
She obeyed at once and stood before him: “What are Seventh Lord’s instructions.”
He took her wrist and drew her to sit beside him. He turned her to face him. Their eyes met, his dark gaze deep: “Yin Shuang, if I were to die, what would you do.”
Yin Shuang frowned at once and said: “Impossible. Seventh Lord will live in safety to a ripe old age.”
Yun Zhan chuckled and patted her head: “Answer the question.”
“This servant has answered. Seventh Lord will not die.” She would never allow it.
“You know that is not what I asked,” he said with a soft sigh as his eyes searched hers.
Yin Shuang’s eyes lost focus for a breath: “Then I do not know what I would do. I have never thought about it.”
[Perhaps I would go mad.]
If it was natural, she would accept. If another harmed him, she would grind the bones to dust.
“Why does Seventh Lord ask me this,” she said, a sudden fear in her eyes.
“I am fine. I am healthy. It was only a casual question,” Yun Zhan said. Her worry lifted his mood. After a pause he asked slowly: “Yin Shuang, do you perhaps hold feelings for me.”
[Crash.]
Thunder split a clear sky inside her heart. Her fists curled tight, yet her face stayed calm: “I would not dare.”
[Dare or not dare. What empty words,] Yun Zhan thought as his heart sank. He was not satisfied.
“Are you trying to anger me. Speak truly,” he said.
“I am speaking truly,” she said.
“Fine. I understand. Go sleep. Do not come at night again. If you do not sleep well, I will not sleep well either,” Yun Zhan said as he released her wrist. Before this, he kept no close attendants at night because he disliked his rest disturbed.
“Yes,” Yin Shuang said as her fists tightened.
In the morning, when Yin Shuang rose, two young maids waited in the court. They bowed at once and said: “Greetings to Miss Yin Shuang.”
“Is there something,” Yin Shuang asked. Few came to Qing Garden save for messages and cleaning. Why were they here today. Her eyes dimmed.
“Seventh Lord ordered us to remain and care for Miss Yin Shuang,” one maid said.
Yin Shuang froze and then eased a little: “No need. I can care for myself. Please return.”
She was a maid. How could she be served.
The two did not move: “This is Seventh Lord’s command. Please accept.”
Yin Shuang fell silent.
At noon, Yun Zhan returned from court. He found her under the magnolia tree, handkerchief in hand, staring into space. He walked to her with a gentle smile and said: “What are you thinking.”
She turned. He wore deep purple court robes. His bearing was bright and handsome, like a spirit from the heavens.
“Why did Seventh Lord send maids to me,” she asked.
“Qing Garden is empty. When I go to court, you are alone. They will care for you and keep you company,” he said.
“I can manage. Also, I am a maid. How can I let others serve me. The servants will gossip,” she said with a small smile.
“My sister-in-law runs the house strictly. No one will dare wag a tongue,” he said. “From today, you are not a maid. You do not need to call yourself that.”
[She was the crown princess of Great Yu. Even fallen, she is a phoenix. Who dares degrade her.]
“But this is improper,” she said. If she was not a maid, how could she stay.
“Nothing is improper. Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law are kind, and the juniors are well-behaved. No one will object. If you are still uneasy, I have other estates. You can rest there,” he said.
“Seventh Lord, do you not wish to keep me by your side,” she asked, her clear eyes touched with sorrow.
Yun Zhan sighed: “It is not sending you away. I only do not wish you to remain a maid. Stop thinking nonsense. Come, I will take you to see Little Fourth.”
He took her hand without thinking and led her forward. Yin Shuang held still and stared at their joined hands. Like a puppet, she followed.
“Why are you so obedient,” Yun Zhan asked with a teasing curve to his lips. “Could it be I can treat you as I like.”
Yin Shuang froze. How should she answer. When had he turned like this.
“All right, I will stop teasing. Let us go,” he said.
“Wait,” she said in a low voice as she drew back her jade-like hand and turned her head aside: “Seventh Lord, please let go.”
[Someone may see us.]
[Then they will gossip about him.]
“Very well,” he said as he released her hand. Regret brushed his heart. He understood why his eldest brother always held his sister-in-law’s hand. A lady’s delicate hand seemed made to be held.
In Peace Keeping Courtyard, a maid entered to report: “Your Grace, Madam, Seventh Lord has brought Lady Yin Shuang. They are in the front court. He says Lady Yin Shuang wishes to see Fourth Young Miss.”
Heh. Yun Zheng’s eyes flashed cool light.
[Visit Little Fourth. Old Seventh’s thoughts ring loud. They ring straight in my ears.]
It was clear his younger brother wished Little Fourth to see and heal the young lady. He must care deeply.
“Good. Tell Old Seventh I will bring Little Fourth at once,” Madam Yun said with a bright smile.
[Who would have thought Old Seventh opened his heart so fast. I thought he would drag it to spring.]
Joy rose in her heart.
She walked to Yun Wan Ning. The little bun had just awakened. Her eyes were half-closed and dull.
“Little Fourth, your Seventh Uncle and Lady Yin Shuang wish to see you. Let us greet them,” Madam Yun said.
Yun Wan Ning blinked up at her. Then her gaze cleared.
[Elder Sister Yin Shuang wants to see me.]
[Good. I wanted to meet Elder Sister Yin Shuang too.]
[But Mother, remember to wipe my face and dress me pretty. I must look adorable.]
Madam Yun: “…”
Yun Zheng: “…”
“Oh my, there is milk on your face, and your clothes are dirty. Mother will clean you and change you,” Madam Yun said as she created the excuse with a smile.
[Hehe, Mother loves me most. She even noticed the milk.]
[But did I really have milk. Was I a dirty child. Good thing Mother saw, or Elder Sister Yin Shuang would dislike me.]
[Close call.]
In the front court, Yun Zhan and Yin Shuang rose when footsteps sounded. Madam Yun entered first. The Duke followed with the child in his arms. At this moment, the stern Duke looked nothing like his usual self.
“Greetings to His Grace and Madam,” Yin Shuang said with a bow.
Madam Yun stepped forward and lifted her with a kind smile: “Lady Yin Shuang, you are Old Seventh’s honored guest. Do not use such formality.”
[Wow, her voice is lovely. I am a voice-lover. How can I resist.]
[Father, hurry and let me see Elder Sister Yin Shuang.]
[I have never seen such a majestic empress.]
Madam Yun and Yun Zheng: “…”
Yun Zhan: “…”
Yun Zheng coughed and changed how he held the child so she could see, but a tiny voice still judged him:
[Father, your child-holding is terrible. Mother is far better.]
[Your arm blocks my view. I cannot see.]
[Father, practice holding me.]
Yun Zheng: “…”
[He only feared dropping her.]
He was Yun Zheng, a blade on the field and a fox in court, but today he was judged for his hold on a baby.
Yin Shuang’s eyes flickered. The air felt subtly odd.
“Big Brother, let me hold Little Fourth,” Yun Zhan said.
Yun Zheng sent his brother a long look as he handed the child over. The look carried a warning. This once. Do not make a habit of it. Yun Zhan nodded. He understood.
“Little Fourth, Seventh Uncle will introduce someone,” he said as he brought the child to Yin Shuang. “This is Lady Yin Shuang.”
Yun Wan Ning lifted her face. Her eyes shone when she saw the silver mask and the snow-like figure.
[So this is Elder Sister Yin Shuang. Her aura is captivating. I love it.]
[She is worthy of being the mightiest tragic villainess after Seventh Uncle. She is the future sovereign empress of Great Yu.]
[Standing by Seventh Uncle, she is a perfect match. My love for this pairing grows. What should I do.]
[Together, together. I must fix the regret from reading the novel.]
[When Yin Shuang was forced to die at the palace gate, my heart broke. I needed days to recover.]
[Now that I see the legend, I love her more. Oh heavens, give me the power to speak. I must save Elder Sister Yin Shuang.]
Madam Yun and Yun Zheng shared a look.
[We were worried for nothing.]
If Little Fourth knew her Seventh Uncle wanted her help to save Yin Shuang, she would faint from joy.
Yun Zhan’s heart settled. A rare smile touched his lips. He glanced at Yin Shuang and found her staring at the child.
Yin Shuang had never held a baby, but she still knew most infants feared strangers. Yet these clear eyes brimmed with joy and excitement, not fear.
[Did I imagine it.]
“Little Fourth seems to like you,” Yun Zhan said with gentle cheer. “Yin Shuang, would you like to hold her.”
Yin Shuang hesitated: “I have never held a child. What if I make her uncomfortable.”
[If I drop her, it will be terrible.]
“It is all right. I will teach you,” Madam Yun said as she showed how to cradle and support. Yin Shuang watched and learned with care.
[Good. Elder Sister Yin Shuang will hold me soon. I will secretly check her pulse.]
[Elder Sister Yin Shuang was betrayed. Her meridians were cut. Her martial arts were ruined. She was forced to swallow many poisons.]
[When she fled to Great Wu, she was deaf and mute and covered with sores. Seventh Uncle saved her. He restored her hearing and voice and mended her meridians so she could practice again.]
[But the poison that ruined her face could not be cured.]
Now, perhaps that would change.