Chapter 051
Chapter 51: I’d Bet He’s Just Trying to Scheme You
[Seventh Uncle, goodbye now.]
Nestled in the nanny’s arms, Yun Wan Ning lifted her tiny hand and waved at Yun Zhan. She assumed he would not notice such a small gesture, and even if he did, he would not think much of it. Yet the moment her little hand swayed and her heart voice brushed his mind, Yun Zhan smiled, and his heart softened completely as he thought: [If only Little Fourth were my daughter.]
He let the thought fall away with a sigh and watched the nanny carry her off until she vanished from sight, then he turned and walked toward the storeroom.
[Nanny, why did you leave me with Seventh Uncle? That was really strange. Mother, Nanny, and even Big Sister Little Tao were all nearby, so why give me to Seventh Uncle instead? Is it because everyone is going to die soon and you want him to raise me, so you are sending me early to bond with him? Ooh, Duke Ning’s manor is so pretty, with vermilion beams and carved pillars, fragrant halls and flying pavilions that shine with color, and great courts stretching far and wide. Every five steps there is a gazebo, every ten a tower. It takes your breath away. The layout looks different from the full moon banquet. The manor must be enormous.]
Since the nanny could not hear her thoughts, she had no idea how busy the little one’s mind was.
Back in Peace Keeping Courtyard, the nanny fed Yun Wan Ning, then carried her into Madam Yun’s bedchamber. Hearing her daughter’s bright inner greeting, Madam Yun set aside the ledger and reached out to take her as she asked softly: “Your Seventh Uncle said he had nothing to do today, so he took you to visit. You did not cry when you woke up in a new place, did you, Little Fourth?”
[I did not cry, Mother. So Seventh Uncle was only bored. No wonder he wanted to see me. I really am adorable and beloved.]
Madam Yun’s mouth curved, and though she could not answer the thoughts, her heart replied all the same.
Just then, Hua Wu, Yun Wan Yao’s personal maid, stepped in and curtsied as she reported: “Madam, the Princess and Miss Jiang ask to visit Fourth Young Miss. My lady sent me to announce them.”
[The Princess and Miss Jiang came to our house? Right, Miss Jiang did not attend the full moon banquet. The plot said she stained her skirt with her first period and was too embarrassed to come in, afraid to offend the nobles. She sent a maid to greet Big Sister instead, but the message was so vague that Big Sister panicked and ran out. That was when the Princess moved against the heroine, only to suffer for it. So many people were there that I forgot about Miss Jiang. Come on, Mother, let us meet the famed prodigy of Great Wu, the foremost talented lady of the realm.]
Yun Wan Ning tugged Madam Yun’s sleeve with a soft, eager hand. Madam Yun glanced down at the little paw and asked in a mild voice: “Where are they?”
“They are in Young Miss’s courtyard,” Hua Wu replied.
“Very well,” Madam Yun said, and she carried Yun Wan Ning toward Yun Wan Yao’s quarters.
She had meant to hand the child to the nanny, but the nanny went white at the word Princess and begged not to go. She had never served in a noble house before this and knew little of court manners. The most important people she had ever seen were from Duke Ning’s household, who were gentle with others. Royals, to her, were tigers. She dared not face a princess at all. Seeing the woman so shaken, Madam Yun had to go herself. Rumors of the Princess’s bold temper were everywhere, and it was not strange that a common-born woman would fear her.
She had just stepped through the moon gate when a tall youth in dark blue came striding toward her. He was handsome and full of spirit. Madam Yun shifted the child in her arms and began to explain with a calm face: “The Princess and Miss Jiang are here to see Little Fourth…”
But Yun Wan Ning was already muttering in her heart: [Oh no, Mother, you were tricked. I would bet anything he is scheming you. He already knew the Princess and Miss Jiang were visiting Big Sister. He wants to see them, but he is too proud to go uninvited, so he has been lurking to bump into you. The moment he heard the Princess asked to see me, he set an ambush and waited to run into you halfway. Mother, he is using me as a tool to get close to the Princess. Watch him. With Second Brother’s nature he will say sweet things to butter you up, then pretend he is helping you by offering to carry me. When we reach Big Sister’s place, he will say he met you on the road and you had other matters, so you asked him to bring me.]
Madam Yun’s gaze slid to her son. Yun Wan Ye’s ears burned scarlet, the blush creeping down his neck until his beauty shone brighter, like rouge brushed onto his cheeks. He wanted to disappear. How did his little sister pin down every thought and move with such accuracy? Even knowing her origin, he found it hard to believe. He began to suspect she might hear his heart voice too. Otherwise, how could she be so exact? He had not said a word, he had only staged a casual meeting, and she had stripped it bare and aired it to Mother.
“Enough,” Madam Yun said at last, lifting her chin with quiet dignity as she added: “The Princess and Miss Jiang are waiting. Go do whatever you need to do.”
It was best to keep him far from the Princess for now. She was engaged. If he met her without stirring trouble, that was one thing, but if anything happened, it would be beyond repair. The Yun family walked a tightrope, with the heroine before them and scheming nobles behind. This was no time to invite scandal.
She turned, crushing the last of Yun Wan Ye’s hope with a single sentence, and carried the child away. Watching her vanish, Yun Wan Ye sank into gloom. She had heard his sister’s inner words and knew his feelings, yet she still chose to stop him. It was her way of saying she disapproved, that he should give up and stop chasing what must not be touched. Because of that cursed engagement. His jaw tightened as one dark thought flashed hot: Lu Huai Jin could not be allowed to live.
“Auntie Ye is here, and Little Sister is here too,” a clear voice called.
The moment Madam Yun entered the courtyard, a girl perched on the vermilion railing sprang down with light steps. She wore a blazing red palace gown and moved like a bright flame. She leaned close to the baby, her eyes laughing as she said with tender pride: “Little Sister, do you remember me? We met at your full-month banquet, and I held you then.”
Jiang Zi Tang laughed and added with clear warmth: “Princess, she is so small. How could she remember you?”
She came forward to greet Madam Yun with a proper bow, and Madam Yun returned it with a gentle smile before the Princess puffed her cheeks and said with a grin: “Elder Cousin, you do not understand. Little Sister has the brightest eyes. One look and you know she is clever. She is not like other babies. Of course she remembers me, right, Little Sister?”
[That is right, Princess, you are absolutely right. I am very smart and not like other babies at all, I do remember you.]
Yun Wan Ning smiled up at Mo Zhao Zhao. Though her infant face could not shape fine expression, the joy in her eyes was plain.
“Move a little, let me see Little Sister too,” Jiang Zi Tang said, curiosity shining.
She leaned in, and her breath caught. The little milk bun was a jade snow doll, soft and pink. No wonder the Princess was smitten. She was smitten too. She smiled and greeted the babe with bright courtesy as she said: “Hello, Little Sister. I am your Elder Sister Zi Tang.”
[Hello, Elder Sister Zi Tang. It is an honor to meet you. I did not meet the four great ladies of past ages, but today I have met the First Talented Lady of Great Wu. How surreal. Elder Sister Zi Tang is graceful and elegant, a national beauty. The text said she wields a brush that births blossoms, her talent flows like spring water, she is master of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her poetry comes with effortless charm. No wonder her name spreads far. It is a pity. Such a perfect figure was written only to be a stepping stone for the heroine. In half a month, at the Winter Banquet, Elder Sister Zi Tang’s title will be taken by the heroine. The uproar will be huge. She will gather admirers and blazing fame, laying the road for her rise in trade and court. Gu Heng, Lu Huai Jin, and the rest of those soon-to-be adoring fools begin to fall for her glow at that banquet. Sigh, the three great villainess cannon fodder are all here now.]
Jiang Zi Tang and Mo Zhao Zhao, unable to hear the child’s heart, continued happily playing. Madam Yun and Yun Wan Yao, however, had gone very still. Their faces grew grim. So this was the so-called Daughter of Destiny. To make her shine, the story would set so many outstanding women underfoot. First Yun Wan Chen and Yun Wan Yao, then the Princess herself, and now even Jiang Zi Tang. Who next. How many more would line up to be trampled.
Just then, Mo Zhao Zhao clapped her hands as she told Madam Yun with bright enthusiasm: “Auntie Ye, the tribute cloud brocade and silks from Nanzhou this year are lovely. They are perfect for little ones, so I brought a few bolts for Little Sister. They are in A’Yao’s room. Have someone make her a few outfits when you have time.”