Chapter 071
Chapter 71: Happy New Year
[Really? Really?]
[Dad, do you actually have good news to tell us or not?]
Yun Zheng raised a brow, the corners of his lips curling slightly.
Was Little Fourth just that sharp at reading people? Or was it that he was being too obvious? Somehow, she had seen through him at a glance.
“Lord husband, did something good happen today?”
Madam Yun turned to him after hearing Yun Wan Ning’s heart voice and indeed saw the joy at the corners of his eyes, the smile tugging at his lips no matter how he tried to restrain it.
Could it be, just as Little Fourth guessed, that the false accusation had been resolved?
[See, I knew it. Mother is always my voice.]
[Every time I start wondering something, she’ll speak up on my behalf.]
[Having a voice like hers is amazing. I don’t even have to ask things out loud. I just listen, and she does it for me. Otherwise, I’d be here stewing in my thoughts.]
Yun Wan Yao: “…”
[Little sister, you’re far too naïve.]
[You have no idea that when you grow up and realize Mother—and many others—can hear every single heart voice of yours, and that you have zero secrets in front of us, you might not find it so amazing anymore.]
[Dad, hurry up and say it! I’m dying of suspense over here!]
With her ears perked and eyes wide, Yun Wan Ning stared fixedly at Yun Zheng, her face utterly focused on listening, which made Yun Zheng chuckle.
He couldn’t help reaching out to pat her chubby little cheek again, then gently laughed as he began recounting what had happened at court today.
“Yesterday, several officials from court were ambushed. At the scene, they found evidence—namely, guard tokens—linked to the Su family. So this morning, led by the Chancellor himself, several high officials jointly submitted a report accusing Su Jian of conspiring to harm his colleagues.”
“His Majesty has now issued a decree. Su Jian is forbidden from attending court for the time being and must instead focus all efforts on proving his innocence.”
“If he fails, he’ll be lucky to escape with his skin intact.”
“Even if His Majesty chooses not to punish him personally, the Chancellor’s faction won’t let this go. There’s going to be quite a spectacle in the capital.”
[What?]
[Su Jian targeting the Chancellor’s faction? That makes no sense!]
[He might hold military power, but there’s no way he could mobilize a full army to attack like this. The capital’s troops answer directly to His Majesty—any military movement without imperial order would be considered treason.]
[Even if he used his private guards or the secret troops he’s been raising, or called in help from the Wang clan, it wouldn’t be enough to launch coordinated strikes on multiple high-ranking officials. Especially since each one of them is heavily guarded.]
[The Wang clan already helped him teach that princess a lesson. Although they framed my father for it, it was only a smokescreen to divert suspicion. No one seriously believes my father led an assassination attempt—especially not while carrying his own family’s token.]
[So to avoid exposure, the Wang clan’s death assassins went into deep hiding. No way they’d dare act again so soon.]
[Just with Su family’s few men? What, did Su Jian knock his own brains loose? Why would he strike the Chancellor’s faction now, of all times?]
[No… This definitely wasn’t Su Jian.]
Yun Zheng: “…”
[My daughter’s too clever. Listen to her reasoning—step by step, thorough, grounded.]
Just thinking about how all the ministers had been arguing endlessly over the same issue this morning made him feel helpless. A court full of seasoned officials, and none of them could see as clearly as his month-old daughter.
But the very next moment, he could no longer smile.
Because he heard his little milk bun’s inner voice continue without pause:
[The more I think about it, the more I feel like this can’t possibly have nothing to do with my dad.]
[And the way he came home today all cheerful and smug—he looks exactly like an old fox who just pulled off a successful scheme. No doubt about it. He definitely did it.]
[He must’ve found out Su Jian was the one who tried to frame him, and this was his payback.]
Yun Zheng: “…”
Mother and daughter: “…”
An old fox whose scheme had succeeded?
Well… now that she mentioned it, the resemblance was striking.
Seeing Yun Zheng’s completely speechless face, both mother and daughter couldn’t help but laugh, finally understanding what had truly happened.
Clearly, Little Fourth had guessed everything right.
Su Jian had walked straight into her father’s trap.
[Wow, give my dad a round of applause—this move was brilliant!]
[If others don’t wrong us, we don’t wrong them. But if they do, then I’ll make sure their whole lineage pays.]
[As the saying goes: return a favor with a favor, and a blow with a blow. Su Jian was the one who first smeared mud all over my father’s name, all petty and underhanded.]
[So don’t blame my dad for using the same trick to make him taste his own medicine.]
[In the original story, Seventh Uncle didn’t know Su Jian was behind it, so he only dragged all the other officials into the mess, stirring up chaos across Haojing. He didn’t go after Su Jian personally.]
[But my dad? He went straight for the throat, hitting Su Jian so hard that now the entire Chancellor faction sees him as a common enemy.]
[From now on, whether he clears his name or not, those officials will be watching his every move. With so many eyes on him, it’ll be almost impossible to pull off anything shady again.]
[Compared to Seventh Uncle, my dad’s method is way smarter. And if he could drag the Wang clan into this too, that’d be even better.]
[Once the Wang clan gets dragged into the mud, they’ll be too busy saving themselves to act as Su Jian’s lapdogs.]
[But how exactly did Dad trace this back to Su Jian? And more importantly, did he cover his tracks?]
[If he leaves any evidence behind, and Su Jian catches wind of it, that’ll be a huge problem. Attacking court officials isn’t something you can brush under the rug.]
The more she thought, the more concerned Yun Wan Ning became. She looked up at Yun Zheng and saw that all three adults—Father, Mother, and Elder Sister—were now wearing odd expressions.
Especially Yun Zheng.
He had never imagined that Little Fourth would deduce not just his motives but also his methods—and even anticipate that dragging the Wang clan into the mix would be ideal.
Such a mind… was terrifying.
Thank the heavens this little one wasn’t his enemy. Otherwise, he doubted he could win.
[Huh? Just a second ago, they were all fine. Why do their faces suddenly look so weird?]
[What happened? Did I miss something?]
Seeing her suspicious gaze, Yun Wan Yao quickly snapped out of her thoughts and turned to Madam Yun, saying, “Mother, I don’t think Little Sister is full yet. You should keep feeding her.”
“Oh, right. Yao’er is right. Little Fourth hasn’t had much yet. Come, Little Fourth, have some more.”
Madam Yun also recovered from her daze, scooped up a spoonful of milk, and brought it to Yun Wan Ning’s lips.
[Mother, I don’t want to drink anymore. Maybe later.]
[The milk’s a bit cold. If I drink it now, I’ll get an upset stomach. I really don’t want diarrhea.]
Yun Wan Ning took a sip and immediately shut her mouth tight, refusing to open it again.
Only then did Madam Yun realize how much time they’d wasted chatting and listening to her heart voice. The milk had gone cold.
She touched the bowl and sighed, putting it aside and gently wiping Yun Wan Ning’s mouth with a cloth.
“Never mind. Looks like she’s full after all—and the milk’s gone cold.”
[Yes, yes, no more.]
Just as that thought echoed in her mind, Yun Wan Ning was lifted into Yun Zheng’s arms again.
He sat down on the couch with her nestled in his lap and resumed his story, this time describing the chaos outside the court as Su Jian was besieged with furious scoldings by his fellow officials.
The Chancellor’s faction was seething with rage. They surrounded him tightly, blocking every path. His allies couldn’t even get close. Perhaps afraid of provoking the Chancellor’s camp and being publicly beaten to a pulp, that scoundrel actually endured it all—he just stood there and let himself be scolded until he was drenched in insults, like a dog in the rain.
Yun Zheng raised a brow, his lips curling with satisfaction: “Just thinking about that bastard’s face while he was being scolded makes me feel completely refreshed.”
[Oh, if Father is putting it like that, then I can totally imagine how thrilled he must’ve been watching Su Jian getting roasted by the whole crowd.]
[Father and Su Jian have always been at odds. Neither of them can stand the other. If Father saw him make a fool of himself, he probably felt so smug he could’ve taken off flying.]
[Wait—oh no. I think I have to pee.]
[Father, let me go, quick!]
“Waaaahhh—”
The urge hit like a crashing wave. Yun Wan Ning’s expression shifted in an instant, her little heart screaming in panic. She burst into tears—but it was already too late.
Even though she had a diaper on, Yun Zheng’s ceremonial robe still got soaked.
A large wet patch spread across the violet qilin-embroidered court garment. Yun Wan Yao stood frozen in place, her wide eyes staring at the suspicious stain on their father’s official robe.
[Wuwuwu, I peed on Father’s robe.]
[Wuwuwu, I’m so embarrassed I could die.]
“Waaaah…”
Yun Wan Ning wailed louder, her shame bursting into a flood of baby sobs.
“It’s alright, it’s alright, Little Fourth, don’t cry. You just wet yourself, that’s all. No big deal. Your big brother, your second brother, and your elder sister—all of them have done the same.”
Seeing her cry so pitifully, Yun Zheng’s heart ached. He quickly chuckled, softly comforting her.
Yun Wan Yao’s cheeks flushed scarlet, her expression a mix of mortification and disbelief. Their father was seriously unbelievable. If he wanted to comfort the little one, fine—but why drag her into it too?
She was already grown, and he just had to bring up that kind of thing? Did he not care about saving face for her at all?
“That’s right, Little Fourth, don’t cry. If you wet your father’s robe, it’s his good fortune. Come, Mother will change your diaper.”
Madam Yun quickly stepped in to console her as well, gently taking Yun Wan Ning from Yun Zheng’s arms and carrying her into the inner chamber.
[Hmm? Why does it feel like Father and Mother somehow knew I was crying because I wet myself?]
[Oh, right, how could I forget—they’ve raised three children already. Of course they’d be experienced.]
[So that means… just now, I acted exactly like an ordinary baby?]
[No way, seriously? I’ve only been reborn for a short while, and I’ve already devolved to the level of a regular infant?]
Yun Wan Ning’s eyes grew wide, her mind falling into a deep spiral of self-doubt.
As she changed the diaper, Madam Yun softly shook her head and chuckled. Little Fourth would rather doubt herself than even consider that everyone could hear her inner voice.
Which made sense—who would ever imagine such a thing?
Later that afternoon.
Yun Wan Ning basked by the window in a pool of warm sunlight while Madam Yun and Yun Wan Yao sat at the table checking account ledgers. After finishing, Madam Yun glanced over at Yun Wan Yao’s clothing.
That outfit looked like it had been worn for quite some time.
“There are only a few days left before the winter banquet. Do you have anything to wear? Would you like me to make you a couple of dresses and match them with some jewelry?”
Madam Yun didn’t believe in excessive luxury, but she would never allow her daughter to be shortchanged.
Yao’er was, after all, the legitimate eldest daughter of Duke Ning’s household. Her husband worked himself to the bone for the sake of their children. Wasn’t it all just so they could live well?
In the capital, noble girls loved to compete and compare. She wouldn’t let Yao’er be outshined or become gossip fodder for those other pampered girls.
Yun Wan Yao was about to decline when she suddenly remembered—she had already given the gown she’d prepared for the winter banquet to that young lady hidden in her big brother’s courtyard.
And she’d promised to send two more sets later. That meant… she didn’t have much left for herself.
Just as well—now that her mother had brought it up, she didn’t have to awkwardly mention it herself.
“Yes yes yes! Mother, forget the jewelry, just help me make a few pretty dresses!”
She walked over to Madam Yun’s side and hugged her from behind, acting spoiled.
Madam Yun patted her arm, letting out a helpless laugh.
“Alright, I’ll take your measurements now. Tomorrow, I’ll have Nanny Wang find a few skilled seamstresses and get your dresses done as soon as possible.”
[Oh right, the winter banquet is coming up soon. Elder Sister promised she’d take me. I wonder if she’s going to forget…]
[Elder Sister, if you don’t take me, I’m never going to trust your words again.]
Yun Wan Yao: “…”
Madam Yun turned her head and looked at her daughter with a suspicious expression, clearly asking with her eyes: What is this about?
Little Fourth would be just over two months old at the time of the banquet—not even a hundred days yet. How could Yao’er dare to take a baby to such an event?
When had she made that promise?
And why hadn’t she mentioned it earlier?
Caught by her mother’s gaze, Yun Wan Yao’s confidence shrank.
She had only said it to coax information about the winter banquet out of her little sister last time. That’s why she’d claimed she’d bring her along.
But now that she’d said it… she had to keep her word. Otherwise, what would she do if her little sister stopped trusting her?
“Mother, about the winter banquet… I’d like to bring Little Sister with me. Is that okay?”
[Yes yes yes! It has to be okay!]
[Mother, I want to go! Please say yes to Elder Sister!]
Not far away, upon hearing her elder sister’s words, Yun Wan Ning began screaming internally.
Seeing how eager she was, Madam Yun didn’t have the heart to reject her—but she didn’t immediately agree either.
“Winter banquet is an event for unmarried young men and women. What would it look like for you to bring a baby along?”
“Besides, Little Fourth needs to be fed every hour or so, and her diapers have to be changed frequently. It’d be extremely inconvenient to bring her out.”
Right. What now?
Yun Wan Yao was completely stumped. She’d never taken care of a child before, so she hadn’t thought of any of that.
[It’s okay, Mother! Just let Elder Sister bring the wet nurse too. When I get hungry, I’ll be sent back to the carriage for feeding.]
[Have the wet nurse bring everything—she’ll take good care of me. Don’t worry.]
[The winter banquet is one of the female lead’s highlight moments. If I miss it, I’ll regret it forever.]
[Mother, I want to go, I have to go. I need to witness the heroine’s epic face-slapping scene.]
Madam Yun: “…”
With things said to this extent, how could she possibly refuse?
“Mother, then… how about letting the wet nurse come with us? I’m not sure if Big Brother will go to the banquet, but I’m sure Yun Wan Ye will. He and I can take turns looking after Little Sister.”
Seeing that Yun Wan Ning had already addressed every concern through her heart voice, Yun Wan Yao immediately followed her lead and said it all aloud.