Chapter 088
Chapter 88: Are You Sure You Won’t Turn Into an Idiot?
“Moonlight opens in my hand, and a child smiles in my arms; cloud drifts sleepily before my eyes; the spring breeze cannot topple my willow waist—within this Peach Blossom Spring, I skip and leap with joy.”
“Young one, don’t let your heart long for home too soon. Even the swallows have returned in pairs; peach blossoms bloom, banana leaves turn green. No matter the wind, rain, or lonely night, new blossoms shall still fade…”
The gentle prelude of Peach Blossom Smile swept Yun Wan Yao into a world filled with fluttering petals and birdsong—a paradise of carefree delight where all troubles were forgotten.
She almost began to hum along before catching herself, quickly slapping a hand over her mouth and choking back the sound just in time. If she had slipped, her secret would have been exposed today.
And it wasn’t just her. Even Madam Yun and Yun Wan Ye were utterly entranced, swept up by the melody’s charm, marveling that such an enchanting tune could exist in this world.
Yun Wan Ning had only hummed the song twice before falling silent, yet the three of them were left unsatisfied, the lingering notes still echoing in their ears.
It was, without doubt, what people called a melody that lingered long after the music ended.
…
By noon—
Yun Wan Ning lay lazily atop the beauty couch, the sunlight casting a warm haze upon her. She drowsily opened her eyes and peeked out the window toward the sky.
Azure blue stretched endlessly, dotted with soft, drifting clouds, but the sun itself was hidden behind the beams of the room.
[The time feels about right, but both Second Brother and Elder Sister are here. Who should I control?]
[Hmm… I’ll go with Second Brother. If Elder Sister were alone, then I’d have no choice. But since he’s here, Second Brother it is.]
[The Duke’s manor is enormous. Getting to the center of the estate won’t be easy—especially while carrying me. Elder Sister doesn’t have the stamina for that and would suffer needlessly.]
Her gaze shifted toward Yun Wan Ye.
The moment she looked his way, Yun Wan Ye felt a chill crawl down his spine. His entire body tensed, face crumpling with silent misery. [Why is it always me?]
There was another very important concern: was he absolutely sure he wouldn’t turn into an idiot?
He didn’t mind being controlled by his little sister, not really. What he did mind was becoming a drooling fool afterward!
[Little Sister, if you turn me into an idiot, then you’ll have to take responsibility for the rest of my life!!!]
With a face as tragic as one headed to the execution block, Yun Wan Ye slumped in defeat.
Meanwhile, Madam Yun and Yun Wan Yao were already puzzled by Yun Wan Ning’s inner thoughts, and when they saw Yun Wan Ye’s expression, their confusion only deepened.
What was Little Fourth up to?
Why did she want to control Yun Wan Ye?
And why did she need to go to the center of the estate?
The two women turned to Yun Wan Ye with questioning eyes. He let out a sigh, pressed his lips together, and couldn’t say a word.
With Little Sister still present, how could he possibly explain something this bizarre?
Better to wait and talk to Mother afterward.
But just as this thought surfaced, a strange and vast force surged into his mind. His consciousness immediately turned blank—and then everything went dark.
His body rose on its own, stepped toward the window, and effortlessly lifted Yun Wan Ning into his arms.
“Mother, I’m taking Little Sister out to play,” he said.
[Hopefully Mother won’t stop us. If she does, I’ll have to control her too.]
Madam Yun: “……”
Yun Wan Yao: “……”
Their minds went blank for a moment. Madam Yun regained her composure first and quietly swallowed the words she’d nearly spoken.
“Alright. Be careful. Don’t drop Little Fourth, and don’t play too long. Come back early.”
She had no idea what her milk bun of a daughter was up to, but after hearing her inner voice, she knew it was something that must be done—so how could she bear to stop her?
Besides, even if she wanted to, she probably couldn’t. Didn’t Little Fourth just say that if she tried to stop them, she’d be controlled too?
So… Ye’er was currently under control?
“…Okay.”
The youth’s tall, lean figure soon vanished from sight.
Madam Yun continued staring in the direction they’d gone, dazed even after they disappeared completely.
“Cough—Mother, what is Little Sister up to? Why do I get the feeling that she and Second Brother are hiding something really important from us?” Yun Wan Yao asked, choking on her own saliva but determined to finish her sentence.
Her eyes were filled with awe. Ever since Little Sister was born, it seemed that strange, fantastical things followed her wherever she went.
Madam Yun looked at her and slowly shook her head, her voice calm yet resolute. “I don’t know what Little Fourth is planning, but I believe—whatever she’s doing, it won’t be to harm us.”
“Hehe, Mother, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just curious, that’s all. Of course Little Sister wouldn’t hurt us. If anything, she’d risk everything to help us if we were in trouble.”
Yun Wan Yao laughed and explained herself.
Madam Yun reached out and gently stroked her daughter’s hair. “Mm. I trust you, and I trust Little Fourth too. So for now, let’s not meddle. We’ll ask Ye’er when he returns.”
“Little Fourth isn’t really a baby anymore. She has her own ideas and knows exactly what she’s doing.”
Yun Wan Yao nodded repeatedly. “Yes, I understand, Mother.”
…
At the heart of Duke Ning’s estate stood a three-story crimson tower.
This building housed the Yun family’s treasured books, their most valuable artifacts, and even Yun Zheng’s study. It was the highest structure in the manor and also the most heavily guarded.
Yun Wan Ning released her spiritual power, swept her senses across the area, and pinpointed her destination. Then she directed Yun Wan Ye to gather his qi and leap onto the roof.
This sudden movement startled the hidden guards, who immediately drew their blades and surrounded him.
“Se-Second Young Master? What are you doing here? And with the Fourth Young Miss?” The lead guard hesitated, lowering his weapon in surprise.
Yun Wan Ye, holding Yun Wan Ning in his arms, responded with a calm—if slightly vacant—expression, “The view here is quite lovely. Mother told me to bring Little Sister to enjoy the scenery. All of you, withdraw.”
His tone was steady, but if one listened closely, it carried a hint of emptiness. His eyes, too, were dull and unfocused. But the guard captain failed to notice.
Hearing this, the captain quickly bowed. With a wave of his hand, he led the guards away, vanishing back into the shadows.
Once they were gone, Yun Wan Ning picked her spot and tossed a spirit jade down.
Buzz!
The moment the jade touched the green tiles of the roof, it vanished, like snow melting in flame or a stone sinking into a lake. Waves of invisible energy rippled outward.
Countless beams of unseen light shot skyward, weaving together into a massive barrier that enclosed the entire Duke’s estate in a protective dome.
Along the surface of this barrier flowed profound and mysterious runes, exuding an awe-inspiring pressure.
Outside the gates of the estate, Yun Zheng and Yun Zhan had just dismounted when they both suddenly felt something strange.
They instinctively turned their gazes skyward.
Though there was nothing visible, both men shared the same eerie sense—something had changed.
Something inexplicable had taken root in the heart of Duke Ning’s manor.
“Big Brother, I think… I just felt something—some mysterious force,” Yun Zhan murmured, eyes narrowed as he looked toward the sky.
At those words, Yun Zheng’s brows drew together, his gaze sharpening with sudden frost.
Could it be… that the system had finally set its sights on the Yun family?