Chapter 063
Chapter 63: Why Is Mother’s Face Suddenly So Red?
[Everyone at the banquet was stunned, only then realizing that the good-for-nothing legitimate daughter of the Su family—the one known for being utterly useless—was, in fact, astonishingly beautiful.]
[But that was only the beginning.]
[After Jiang Zi Tang, the famed pinnacle muse, recited two improvised poems as per custom, the female lead then took up her brush and offered her own verses.]
[Snow had fallen the night before the winter banquet, so to suit the season, Jiang Zi Tang’s first poem was titled “Winter Banquet · Snow Over Rivers and Mountains”—“Snow dances as a scroll of rivers and mountains unfurls, inked in watercolors of soaring pride. Facing the wind and defying the snow, poetic inspiration surges, and the charm of a thousand miles of snow calls forth the spring breeze.]
[Her second poem was “Winter Banquet · Falling Plum”—“Fallen petals understand not love’s sorrow, they drift and tumble to winter’s soil. A strand of silver threads through the bloom’s grace, dancing deftly in the cold wind’s song.]
[In the Great Wu Dynasty, literary standards were not high. Compared to the Tang or Song dynasties, the gap was like night and day. So, Jiang Zi Tang’s poetic skill fully deserved the praise of being the era’s foremost prodigy maiden.]
[But then she encountered the transmigrated female lead…]
It was happening—it was finally happening! Yun Wan Yao couldn’t help but feel excited. Through her careful guidance, she had at last awakened fragments of her little sister’s memories and thoughts. Her efforts hadn’t been in vain.
Realizing the scene ahead might be a key turning point, Yun Wan Yao instantly sharpened her focus, ears pricking like a vigilant fox.
[The female lead deliberately avoided quoting immortal poets like Li Bai, Du Fu, Meng Haoran, and Bai Juyi. Instead, she boldly presented works by two historical emperors of humble birth: Zhu Yuan Zhang and Huang Chao.]
[Snow bends the bamboo low, yet it does not touch the mud. When the red sun rises, it still stands equal to the heavens.]
[This “Ode to Bamboo”—how majestic it was!]
[Zhu Yuan Zhang, the founding emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, had driven out the nomadic invaders and restored Huaxia’s legacy. The spirit behind this poem was far beyond the imagination of ordinary scholars.]
[Every scholar in the capital was shaken by the line: “It still stands equal to the heavens.” That sweeping pride pierced their hearts.]
[Before they could recover, the female lead dealt her second killing blow.]
[When autumn arrives on the ninth of September, my bloom outshines all others. Its fragrance pierces Chang’an’s walls, and the city is clad in golden armor.]
[Since Haojing was also known as Chang’an or Great Xing, the female lead didn’t even bother changing the place name. She simply recited it directly.]
[Huang Chao, who once ruled as emperor for four years during a rebellion, had slaughtered countless nobles and erased the aristocratic clans that had dominated Huaxia for thousands of years. It was because of him that commoners had a chance to rise.]
[His “Chrysanthemum Ode After Failing the Exam” overflowed with dominance and bloodlust. Its mood and power were overwhelming. Even if it didn’t quite match the winter banquet’s theme, who had ever said poetry must suit the occasion?]
[And now, these two masterpieces had become the female lead’s.]
[By borrowing the words of two emperors, the female lead utterly crushed Jiang Zi Tang, rising from a dismissed good-for-nothing heiress to the new pinnacle muse. Talented men across the capital became fervent admirers, and she completed a stunning reversal.]
[After this banquet, her name resounded across the realm.]
[The male lead, Lu Huai Jin, Gu Heng, and the others all fell for her dazzling talent and beauty.]
[…]
Yun Wan Ning, as if a hidden switch had been flipped, fell headlong into the story, utterly absorbed. She didn’t even notice Yun Wan Yao’s utterly stunned expression.
[When the red sun rises, it still stands equal to the heavens…” “The city is clad in golden armor…]
Even Yun Wan Yao had to admit, the grandeur and ambition of those two poems far surpassed A’Tang’s work.
A’Tang, as a young lady, always composed with delicate, refined grace. But when compared to such sweeping ambition and boldness, her flowery verses were left utterly defeated.
No wonder the title of pinnacle muse had been taken away.
But those poems weren’t the female lead’s own creations—they were stolen works. If they were her originals, Yun Wan Yao would have accepted the loss on A’Tang’s behalf.
Yet now, how could she bear to just sit and watch A’Tang be defeated?
[Huh? Why isn’t Elder Sister saying anything?]
[Weren’t we just talking about the winter banquet?]
[Did I space out and miss the ending?]
[Oh well, since I already know all about the winter banquet, I suppose it’s fine. But Elder Sister really is taking me to the winter banquet, right?]
[Aaaah! Really? Really?!]
[I want to go! I want to go! I want to see the female lead’s shameless brilliance firsthand, to witness every man in the capital falling at her feet!]
[…]
“……”
Yun Wan Yao was jolted back to reality by the noisy stream of heart voice listening. She pressed her fingertips to her temple and, resigning herself, continued speaking about the winter banquet as she held the little milk bun.
More than half an hour passed before Madam Yun finally arrived.
Yun Wan Ning’s internal voice lit up once again.
[Mother’s finally awake?]
[Thank goodness for the nanny. Otherwise, baby me would have starved to death. Truly, a couple’s love is real, but children are just afterthoughts.]
[Okay okay, I’m not blaming Mother!]
[What I mean is, Father and Mother love each other deeply. If Mother had to spend all her time caring for me, she wouldn’t get to enjoy those sweet moments with Father, and I’d feel guilty for getting in the way.]
[Maybe that didn’t sound quite right, but that’s what I meant~]
Madam Yun: “……”
Yun Wan Yao: “……”
Even Yun Wan Yao felt secondhand embarrassment. She cast a sidelong glance at her mother—sure enough, her face was flushed crimson, her expression tinged with awkwardness.
[Eh? Why is Mother’s face suddenly so red?]
[Is it hot in here? I don’t think so. I’m not hot, and Elder Sister doesn’t seem hot either.]
[So why is Mother blushing like that? And looking kind of weird too?]
[Could it be… she just thought of something… blush-worthy?]
[Could it be? Maybe? Hehehe~]
Those last few chuckles were far too mischievous. Madam Yun’s cheeks burned even brighter.
This Little Fourth! She was so small, yet her mind was full of such nonsense!
Aaaaah! She was going to lose it!
After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself, Madam Yun composed her expression, then stepped forward and took Yun Wan Ning from Yun Wan Yao’s arms as if nothing had happened.
“Mother has nothing to do today, so I’ll take Little Fourth out to bask in the sun.”
[Yes yes! Sunbathing helps build strong bones. With my tiny frame, I need all the sun I can get.]
[Today, I’ll cultivate spiritual power and inner power while soaking up the rays. The path ahead is dangerous—gaining the ability to protect myself is the true way forward.]
[Even if I’m just a cannon fodder, since I know the plot, I still want to struggle a little.]
[…]
Nestled in Madam Yun’s arms, Yun Wan Ning’s thoughts were a swirling storm of resolve.
Watching them walk away, Yun Wan Yao’s expression grew serious once more.
She frowned in thought for a moment, then turned and ran quickly toward Yun Wan Ye’s courtyard—only to find it completely empty.
“Reporting to young miss: Second young master isn’t here, he’s gone to the heir apparent’s courtyard. If you’re looking for him, you can go there instead.”
“Oh, alright, I understand.”
Lifting her skirt slightly, Yun Wan Yao turned and made her way toward Yun Wan Chen’s Moon Seizing Pavilion.
Moon Seizing Pavilion~
Cang Yan and Cang Xuan stood shoulder to shoulder, swords in hand, their postures sharp and steady.
Seated in a wheelchair before them, Yun Wan Ye appeared lazy and disinterested, but his gaze was fixed on the white-robed man strolling slowly across the courtyard. Excitement flickered faintly in his eyes.
Just then, a flutter of soft pink burst into the scene.
Yun Wan Ye’s gaze shifted, and when he saw that it was his foolish little sister Yun Wan Yao, he casually withdrew his glance.
Yun Wan Yao, however, was utterly stunned by the sight before her. She covered her mouth, frozen in place as her eyes locked onto the figure bathed in moonlight’s brilliance.
[Big brother… he…]
Snapping back to her senses, she lifted her skirt again and ran forward in quick steps. Standing before Yun Wan Chen, she tilted her head up, eyes gleaming with joy.
“Big brother, you can stand now? You can walk again? Are you fully healed?”
Yun Wan Chen gave her a light smile, his brows lifting gently as he replied, “Yes.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Hearing such a firm answer, Yun Wan Yao could hardly contain her joy. Her excitement poured out like a spring overflowing its banks.
“That’s wonderful! Truly wonderful! Big brother is finally healed—this is the best news I’ve heard! I’m so happy—so, so happy~”
“Mm.”
Watching the young girl lose herself in glee, Yun Wan Chen’s cold expression softened. He chuckled quietly, reaching out to pat her head.
“Yao’er, what brings you running over here? Did something happen?”
“Oh, right! Yes—yes, something did!”
His question reminded Yun Wan Yao of her original purpose. She turned and pointed toward the lazy youth nearby.
“I was looking for him. But since big brother is well now, it doesn’t matter who I ask. Either of you can help. I really need your help—this is important. Please, please say yes!”
“Go ahead.”
“Well, it’s like this—”
But her voice came to a sudden halt.
She had just noticed the two black-robed youths standing silently behind Yun Wan Ye. Flustered, she swallowed her words and glanced at them awkwardly.
“Cang Yan, Cang Xuan, would you mind stepping out for a moment?”
The two exchanged a glance, then vanished with a flicker of shadow.
“Big brother—”
“Come with me.”
Before she could say more, Yun Wan Chen had already turned and begun walking toward the inner chamber.
“Oh.”
Scratching her head, Yun Wan Yao followed quickly behind.
As she passed Yun Wan Ye, still lounging lazily in her big brother’s wheelchair, she frowned and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t even think about slacking off. You’re coming too.”
That clever mind of his—it would be such a waste not to put it to good use.
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
Yun Wan Yao dragged him along, half pulling, half coaxing. Together, the three siblings entered the room, and the door was shut tightly behind them.
“Can I speak freely now?” Yun Wan Yao glanced toward the sealed door, still a little uneasy.
“Go ahead.”
“It’s like this—winter banquet is coming up soon…”
She began to recount everything she knew about what would happen at the winter banquet.
“Big brother, second brother, please help me think of a way to expose the female lead and protect A’Tang’s reputation. I’m begging you. This is really important to me.”
Yun Wan Ye looked unimpressed. “From what you’re saying, it’s Jiang family’s eldest daughter who’s going to be humiliated by the female lead. What does that have to do with you? Got too much time and energy, huh?”
That made Yun Wan Yao angry. She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him.
“A’Tang is my close friend! Of course I’ll help her if I know she’s about to be wronged.”
“And besides—A’Tang is also the princess’s elder cousin. If she’s embarrassed by the female lead, the princess will be heartbroken. Don’t you like the princess? Are you really okay with watching her suffer?”
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
Great. So now the whole family knew about him and the princess, huh?
All thanks to this blabbermouth little sister, always running her mouth and practically shouting his secrets to the whole world.
“And don’t forget the situation between our family and that so-called female lead. Don’t you get it yet?”
“If she rises to fame during this banquet, charming a whole crowd of admirers, do you really think that’ll be good for us?”
“You may not care about A’Tang, but don’t you even care about our own family?”
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
He had only said one sentence, and she came back at him with all that? When did she become so sharp-tongued?
Watching the two siblings bicker, Yun Wan Chen’s eyes glimmered faintly with amusement.
“Yao’er, did Little Fourth happen to mention what the two poems were about?”
If they knew the exact contents, then dealing with the situation would be much easier. If not, they’d have to use a more direct method, though that would be far less effective.
Yao’er was right. The female lead was fated to clash with them, utterly incompatible with their family. There was no way he could allow her to shine at the winter banquet.
He would definitely step in this time.
“She did—she did! Little Fourth said the two poems were written by emperors.”
“One was from the founding emperor of Great Ming, named Zhu Yuan Zhang. The other was by a rebel leader from the late Tang era, Huang Chao. He ruled for four years and famously slaughtered the noble families of his time, giving rise to the common-born heirs.”
“I think Great Ming and late Tang are dynastic titles. The two poems are…”
Yun Wan Yao carefully recited both poems, even specifying who had written each one.
She had prepared deliberately, coaxing the details out of Yun Wan Ning with great care and memorizing every word.
As expected, both Yun Wan Chen and Yun Wan Ye were shaken by what they heard.
Astonishment rippled through their eyes, and they stood in silence, unable to speak.
Because men tended to interpret ambition and power differently, their reaction to these verses was even stronger than Yun Wan Yao’s.
Someone capable of writing such grand, awe-inspiring lines, someone with such vision and ambition—it was no wonder they had become emperors and rebel kings.
They could already imagine the uproar these poems would cause if presented at the winter banquet.
No wonder Su Qian Xue would win the admiration of every scholar in the capital, gaining a host of suitors.
Unfortunately, ambition shaped talent, and women rarely created such bold masterpieces. What had impressed the capital’s elite men most… was precisely that.
“Don’t worry, Yao’er. Big brother will handle this.”
Yun Wan Chen unfurled a scroll and dipped his brush in ink. With flowing strokes, he copied the two poems down, ink spreading like drifting clouds.
With that promise, Yun Wan Yao was completely at ease.
She trusted her big brother’s abilities deeply.
The day passed swiftly.
As night fell, Yun Wan Ning was carried away by her nursemaid.
After her bath, Madam Yun wore a robe of rouge-pink silk and sat before her vanity, slowly brushing her thick black hair.
With a creak, the door opened. The man who had just returned from official duties stepped inside, striding over before locking the bolt behind him.
Madam Yun turned slightly, glancing at him, then resumed brushing.
Suddenly, the comb was taken from her hand. The man sat beside her, Adam’s apple shifting as he spoke in a low, hoarse voice, “Madam, let me.”
Madam Yun turned toward him, catching his hand that held the comb. She smiled gently and said, “Husband, did you forget something?”
“Did I?” he replied. “I don’t think I did.”