Chapter 064
Chapter 64: The Warm Canopy on a Cold Winter’s Night
Yun Zheng’s expression did not change. He gently withdrew his large hand from her grasp and continued combing through her long hair.
“Ah~” Madam Yun sighed helplessly when she realized he was determined to play dumb. Releasing his hand, she turned her back in silence.
This was a turbulent time for their family. Yun Zheng had already resolved not to get involved in any extra matters. But seeing his wife silently distressed like this, he couldn’t help the soft ache that bloomed in his chest.
“This matter has nothing to do with you, madam. Why must you insist on getting involved?”
At his words, Madam Yun turned, leaning gently into his arms as she spoke in a soft and delicate voice, “Husband, before Father was exiled, our home was on the same street as the Jiang family. Though I wasn’t sworn sisters with the princess consort, we knew each other since childhood. And as for Master Jiang, he once did a great kindness to my family.”
“If I didn’t know the truth, I might be able to let it go. But now that I know everything, how could I possibly watch the princess consort fall to such a cruel fate without doing anything?”
“Husband, I understand that you have many political enemies in the imperial court. It is unwise to offend Prince Jing. But I also know that if you truly wished to help, you could resolve this matter without ever showing your face. Isn’t that right?”
Yun Zheng said nothing.
“Since you think so highly of me,” he finally replied, “then it seems this matter is one I must take care of, whether I want to or not.”
Upon hearing that, Madam Yun’s eyes lit up, her brows curving with delight. “Then husband is agreeing? In that case, I thank you on behalf of the princess consort.”
Yun Zheng raised an eyebrow, his smile faint. “I’m only agreeing because I cannot bear to see my wife troubled by this. What does it have to do with that princess consort? If anyone should be thanking me, it ought to be you. Why thank me on her behalf?”
The matter had already been settled, and Madam Yun had no intention of arguing with him. He could say whatever he liked.
“Yes, yes, you’re right. Husband is helping only for my sake, so I thank you personally—”
Before she could finish, her body was suddenly swept into his arms. She was long used to these surprise embraces and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
“A mere thank-you isn’t enough,” he murmured, “If you truly want to show your gratitude, madam, then you’d best offer something a little more… sincere.”
The canopy was warm, though the winter night outside remained bitter cold.
In the blink of an eye, morning arrived.
Just as Yun Wan Ye had predicted, Mo Yuan Hao returned to the scene of the assassination with the arrowheads and blades left behind. After a thorough investigation, he discovered that all the weapons had come from the Armory Bureau.
He immediately led a group there.
The Armory Bureau’s supervising official retrieved the logs and matched the unique markings on the weapons. It didn’t take long to trace where the weapons had gone.
“Your Highness Prince Qi, this batch of weapons was commissioned and taken away by subordinates of Duke Ning half a year ago, using an official document.”
“What?” Mo Yuan Hao’s gaze darkened instantly as he stood up. “Are you certain the document was authentic?”
Sensing the shift in his mood, the official broke out in a cold sweat. “Your Highness, such documents are never falsified. Weapons are matters of national importance—each order is carefully verified before being accepted.”
Mo Yuan Hao narrowed his eyes and, after a brief pause, pressed further, “Then do you remember which of Duke Ning’s subordinates brought the document? What was his name? His position? What did he look like? His height, features?”
The barrage of questions left the official speechless. His sweat poured even more heavily as he wiped his forehead with his sleeve, panic rising fast.
“Your Highness, since the document was valid, I didn’t ask for more. We at the Armory Bureau recognize only official orders, not individuals. So long as the paperwork checks out, we simply fulfill the commission.”
“So, in truth,” Mo Yuan Hao’s face turned utterly grim, “you never cared who received the weapons, nor whether someone might be impersonating another to steal them. Is that correct?”
Before this visit, he had no idea the Armory Bureau’s system was so flawed, so vulnerable to manipulation. No wonder someone had dared make a move against a royal in the heart of the capital.
They had counted on the fact that even if the matter were thoroughly investigated, it would never lead back to them.
The implications settled like stone.
Realizing the severity, the official could feel the blood draining from his face. If Prince Qi had come in person, it meant something terrible had happened.
His knees gave way. With a loud thud, he fell to the ground. “Please, Your Highness, calm your anger. The documents truly were authentic. Besides, the garrison at Cangyun Ridge under Duke Ning’s command has always suffered heavy wear and tear on their weapons. That’s why I didn’t think too much of it.”
“Never would I have imagined someone would dare forge Duke Ning’s name to commission military arms…”
Mo Yuan Hao lowered his gaze, his eyes icy as they fixed on the trembling man.
“This is dereliction of duty. A flaw in the very system. As the supervising official, you failed to see the problem’s gravity. You are unfit for your position. Go confess your crime to the emperor yourself.”
With that, he turned and strode out of the Armory Bureau.
The official collapsed to the floor, his heart utterly desolate.
Now that the Armory Bureau lead had gone cold, Mo Yuan Hao could only refocus his investigation on Su Jian.
Prince Qi’s every move soon reached the ears of Duke Ning’s household.
Inside the study, Yun Wan Ye furrowed his brows. “Father, someone tried to assassinate the princess and forged your name to obtain a cache of military weapons. This clearly wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment attack. Shouldn’t we activate the contingency plan now?”
“Even if Prince Qi seems confident in us on the surface, hearts are hidden behind the ribcage. Who knows what he’s really thinking.”
Now that the lead at the Armory Bureau had gone dry, Prince Qi would surely start investigating them in secret.
As a member of the imperial family, he could not allow anyone to attack the royals in the capital without consequence.
No matter what, this case would be pursued to the very end.
“What about the task I gave you before?” Yun Zheng asked instead of answering directly.
“The documents you asked me to collect have all been secured,” Yun Wan Ye replied. “But the people we planted to spy on Su Jian still haven’t uncovered anything.”
“Good. Then begin laying the groundwork. If we can’t cleanly clear the Yun family’s name, then we’ll drag every influential figure in the capital into the mud with us.”
“Yes, Father. I promise to make this look clean and flawless.”
…
In Peace Keeping Courtyard, aside from Yun Zheng and Yun Zhan, the rest of the family had gathered together once more.
Seeing the whole family healthy and harmonious, Yun Wan Ning couldn’t help narrowing her eyes as she glanced at Yun Wan Chen seated in his wheelchair. Her little face creased in worry as her thoughts churned.
[Hmm? That’s strange. By now, big brother should be able to stand again. Why is he still sitting in the wheelchair?]
[Could something be wrong?]
[That doesn’t make sense. Big brother clearly completed the Free and Easy Nine Channels—his meridians should be fully healed.]
[Sigh, I don’t get it. Later, I’ll cry and ask him for a hug. Once he holds me, I’ll quietly check his pulse to see what’s really going on.]
[…]
Hearing Yun Wan Ning’s heart voice, the rest of the Yun family members who were in the know all silently turned their eyes toward Yun Wan Chen. Especially Yun Wan Yao, who let out a faint sigh in her heart.
[Sigh, big brother is really something. His legs have obviously healed, yet he insists on pretending they haven’t. He even warned me and Wan Ye not to tell anyone. What exactly is he planning by continuing this act?]
[Look at him—he’s pretending so joyfully, but our little sister is already doubting life itself.]
“Waaaah…”
Suddenly, Yun Wan Ning burst into loud sobs, raising her little arms toward Yun Wan Chen and pulling the same old trick again.
[Forget it. I won’t wait anymore—let’s do this now.]
[Something must’ve gone wrong with the treatment. That’s the only explanation I can think of. It doesn’t make sense otherwise.]
[Big brother, hurry up and hold me. I need to take a look at you.]
Everyone: “……”
“Don’t cry, little sister, don’t cry. Come here, elder sister will hold you.” Yun Wan Yao swiftly stepped forward and picked up the crying Yun Wan Ning. Though she knew the little one was faking it, her red-rimmed eyes and crystal tears still made her heart ache.
“There, there, don’t cry anymore.” She gently rocked her and whispered soothingly.
“Uuuu…”
Yun Wan Ning kept crying and continued reaching out toward Yun Wan Chen.
[Big sister, take me to big brother. I want him to hold me.]
[Big sister is so smart and knows me well. I’m sure she understands what I mean, right?]
“……”
Yun Wan Yao pursed her lips. She didn’t move toward Yun Wan Chen but turned to glance at him with uncertainty.
He was faking his injury. If little sister really took his pulse, she’d definitely find out. But what if big brother didn’t want her to know? What if he was hiding something deeper?
“She seems to want me to hold her. Yao’er, bring her here,” Yun Wan Chen said with a gentle smile.
[Wow, big brother actually figured out what I meant first this time.]
[Looks like although big sister is smart and understands me, big brother is just a tiny bit smarter… and understands me a bit more.]
Yun Wan Yao: “……”
That’s not true at all. If she hadn’t been so careful about big brother’s intentions, she would’ve already figured it out!
[Sigh. Too bad little sister will never know how thoughtful I am.]
“Here you go.” She stepped up to Yun Wan Chen and gently bent down to hand Yun Wan Ning over.
Yun Wan Chen took her into his arms and said softly, “You’ve grown a bit. You feel slightly heavier than before.”
[Of course! Babies grow fast, and I eat a lot, so naturally I’ve put on weight.]
[Big brother, I’m going to check your pulse now. Don’t put pressure on this arm.]
Yun Wan Ning clutched the arm he’d draped over her body and tugged at it with all her baby strength.
Seeing her trying so hard, Yun Wan Chen smiled faintly and subtly raised his arm a bit to cooperate.
[Sigh, no wonder they say it’s easier to deal with smart people. Look how cooperative big brother is. I only tugged on his arm, and he already understood me. Saved me so much effort.]
[This pulse…]
[This pulse is perfectly fine. No issues at all. Big brother must have recovered several days ago. So why can’t he stand up yet?]
[Could it be? No way…]
[What the heck?! He’s clearly fine! Why is he still pretending? Who is he trying to fool? Isn’t it uncomfortable to keep up the act?]
[Let me think. Maybe it’s because mother is pushing him to marry, and he’s pretending to be crippled to avoid it?]
[So then… is he pretending to escape mother’s matchmaking? Or is he testing which noble lady in the capital would still be willing to stay by his side in hardship?]
[Fine, fine. As long as big brother is healed, he can fake it all he wants. Lie if he must.]
Yun Wan Chen: “……”
Twins: “……”
Madam Yun: “……”
The others turned to stare at Yun Wan Chen in unison, eyes filled with scrutiny.
Madam Yun already knew his legs had healed—someone had immediately reported it to her the moment he stood. So she was certain he wasn’t faking to avoid her matchmaking efforts.
Then… could little sister actually be right? Could it be that he’s pretending to test the noble ladies of the capital?
The more they thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Well, such a method wasn’t entirely unreasonable. It could even be seen as a clever way to pick a wife.
Sure, it might cost him the favor of many high-ranking ladies, but those who only sought fortune and couldn’t share hardship—he didn’t need them anyway.
Noticing everyone’s increasingly strange gazes, Yun Wan Chen sighed inwardly. Clearly, they’d all decided he was doing this to select a wife.
[Hmm? Why does it feel like mother and my siblings are looking at me weirdly?]
[Did something happen? Or am I just imagining things?]
[Ah, right. It’s been a few days since the princess was attacked. Things at home have been peaceful, no disturbances at all. That probably means father wasn’t framed like in the original story.]
[Good. That’ll save a lot of trouble.]
[But… if that part of the plot didn’t happen, then I can’t be sure whether the people who attacked the princess are the same as in the original timeline.]
[…]
Hearing this, Yun Wan Ye’s body trembled ever so slightly, a glint of sharpness flashing across his eyes.
[So little sister really does know who tried to assassinate the princess?]
[She just assumed the plot changed because we never mentioned father getting framed in front of her?]
His eyes flickered with calculation.
Putting on a worried expression, he spoke up, “Mother, big brother, something has happened to father recently. It seems someone is secretly working against our Yun family.”
“You should all be extra careful these days. Try not to go out alone. If you must, take more guards with you.”
[What? What happened to father?]
[Is it really related to the princess’s assassination?]
[Second brother, can’t you talk faster? You’re killing me with the suspense!]
[…]
Listening to Yun Wan Ning’s heart voice alongside Yun Wan Ye’s sudden revelation, Yun Wan Chen’s gaze sharpened. He quickly put the pieces together.
“What do you mean by that, Ye’er? What happened to father?”
“Exactly! What happened?” Yun Wan Yao added quickly. She already knew the full story, but she wasn’t foolish. Yun Wan Ye must have a reason for saying it now. So she played along, pretending to be deeply anxious.
Only Madam Yun remained completely in the dark. When she heard Yun Wan Ye’s words, her first thought was that Yun Zheng helping Princess Consort Jing must have been exposed, and Prince Jing was retaliating.
Her face turned pale with worry as she looked at Yun Wan Ye and asked urgently, “Ye’er, what happened to your father? What do you mean someone’s targeting us? Tell me quickly!”
“Mother, don’t panic. Here’s what happened…”
Yun Wan Ye began to speak unhurriedly, carefully recounting the events surrounding the assassination attempt. Everyone listened with full attention.