Chapter 104
Chapter 104: Second Brother’s Crafty Smile
What was going on?
Brimming with curiosity, the two brothers walked toward the bedchamber door. Once inside, Yun Wan Ye used his inner power to drive away the cold from his body, then quickly stepped to the bedside and bent to lift Yun Wan Ning into his arms.
“Little sister, second brother hasn’t come to see you for days, did you miss me?”
[Miss you? Not exactly. But there is something I need to praise you for.]
[That day, when Su Qian Xue tried to crawl through the dog hole into Prince Qi’s residence to get close to Mo Yuan Hao, it was you who suddenly appeared and knocked her out, ruining her mission.]
[That was beautifully done.]
[Second brother, you’re amazing!]
Yun Wan Ye: “???”
Wait, how did little sister know about that? Her spiritual power couldn’t extend that far, and he had never told anyone. The family only knew he was secretly watching Su Qian Xue—they had no idea what he had actually done. Which meant the only explanation was that, after being knocked out, Su Qian Xue’s system recognized his identity.
That meant Su Qian Xue would know he’d been sabotaging her missions all along.
This was bad. Wouldn’t she suspect him of what happened today as well?
A glint flickered in Yun Wan Ye’s eyes. He had thought today’s matter was seamless and unnoticed, but despite never showing himself, he had still exposed his hand. If so, Su Qian Xue would surely guard against him in the future. He would have to be more careful.
“Why does little sister look like that? Are you praising me?” he asked, masking his thoughts as he pinched her cheek on purpose.
Her eyes lit up instantly; she nearly nodded hard enough to rattle her head.
[Yes, yes, I’m praising you! You understood me perfectly. Wow, you’re amazing!]
With her approval, Yun Wan Ye finally felt satisfied, lips curling in a pleased smile. All those days and nights shadowing Su Qian Xue had been worth it.
“Here, let me hold her.” Yun Wan Chen stepped forward. Yun Wan Ye hadn’t had enough yet, but with big brother speaking, he reluctantly handed her over.
In Yun Wan Chen’s arms, Yun Wan Ning immediately reached up to pinch his face.
[Big brother, hurry, tell me—what happened at the Xiangming Tea House today? Did Su Qian Xue meet with Pei Yu there? I’ve been craning my neck all day waiting for news.]
Yun Wan Chen: “……”
He knew she was eager, but this eager?
“Chen’er, what happened?” Madam Yun set down her needlework. She knew how much this mattered to the little one and asked on her behalf.
At her words, Yun Wan Ning beamed and turned toward her.
[Ah, only mother understands me! I love you, mother, mua~]
Madam Yun: “???” Did her little bun just kiss her in her heart?
“Mother’s dream was truly remarkable,” Yun Wan Chen said softly as he sat on the bed with her. “When I went to the Xiangming Tea House, I did indeed find Su Qian Xue meeting Pei Yu in Heaven Room Six.”
[So the plot hasn’t completely collapsed. Many things are still unfolding as originally planned.]
[That means I need to be more vigilant, not just rely on elder sister.]
[Ah, I’m thinking too far ahead. I’d better hear what happened after big brother caught them.]
Her ears perked as she stared at him expectantly.
Instead of speaking, Yun Wan Chen only brushed her cheek.
[Big brother, don’t just touch my face—talk! I’m waiting!]
The three adults: “……”
Madam Yun chuckled and asked for her, “And then? I told you to ruin their meeting if you found them.”
“Uh… Ye’er should tell that part. He was with me.”
[So secretive?] She looked to Yun Wan Ye.
As if summoned, he leaned in, took her small hand, and kissed her palm.
“Mother, big brother and I were going to cause trouble, but someone beat us to it. Someone put something in their tea, and then the two of them… heh heh!”
In a few blunt sentences, Yun Wan Ye recounted how they were drugged, ended up in a compromising scene, and were recognized by onlookers, leaving Yun Wan Ning and Madam Yun dumbfounded.
[No, second brother is smiling like a sly little fox. This is definitely more than he’s letting on.]
[I bet the one who drugged them was second brother. And making sure they were caught half-dressed? Definitely him.]
[But why would he do that?]
[Mother told us to sabotage them, but instead, he pushed Pei Yu and Su Qian Xue together and made sure everyone knew.]
[This could force Pei Yu to marry Su Qian Xue, cutting off her chance with Mo Yuan Hao.]
[Compared to Mo Yuan Hao, Pei Yu is much easier to deal with.]
[Yes, that must be it—divide and conquer.]
[But how does second brother know about Su Qian Xue’s connection with Mo Yuan Hao? Did elder sister tell him?]
No, it was you who told him, Madam Yun thought privately.
Yun Wan Ye’s throat tightened in shock. She had guessed his plan perfectly. Yes—Pei Yu was easier prey than Mo Yuan Hao, and he owed Yao’er a debt. Drug them, let the scandal spread, then manipulate rumors until Pei Yu had to marry Su Qian Xue. That way, Mo Yuan Hao would have no reason to turn against the Yun family, and Pei Yu’s reputation would be ruined.
This was killing several birds with one stone. He hadn’t known his little sister’s mind was as sharp as her martial and medical skills—sharper than any Yun family woman, more like a Yun family man.
Yun Wan Chen was unfazed. He had long known she was a prodigy; no one could master the Nine Channels and spiritual power without exceptional intelligence.
“I see,” Madam Yun said at last. “If my dream came true, the rest may follow. Keep a close watch on Pei Yu. If necessary, we’ll find an excuse for your father to remove him.”
“Yes, mother,” Yun Wan Ye agreed readily. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.”
“Good. And tonight, both of you will dine here with us. I haven’t seen you in a while, Ye’er.”
“Gladly. Just have the kitchen make more of my favorites.”
[Ahhh, good food, I want some too! When will I be weaned? I want braised pig’s trotters, spicy duck tongue, crayfish, hairy crabs, mutton hotpot, beef hotpot, spicy skewers…]
[Stop thinking about it, I’m drooling. When will this miserable life end? If I’d known being reborn with my memories was this painful, I’d have drunk the Meng Po Soup instead. I can endure anything—except not eating delicious food!]
The three adults: “……”
They laughed and ached for her. Even a formidable little bun could be undone by food. But without teeth or a developed throat, even a grain of rice was a deadly risk.
Just then, Yun Wan Yao came in from outside. Seeing her brothers, she brightened.
“Oh, big brother, second brother, you’re both here.”
[Elder sister’s back.] Yun Wan Ning turned to see her in a jade-green gown, hair styled elegantly.
[Wow, elder sister went out? She’s so beautiful.]
Yun Wan Yao smiled, pinched her cheek, and said, “You’re awake? Good. I have a gift for you.” She rolled up her sleeve to show a pair of ornate gold armlets, took them off, and offered them. “Pure gold. Do you like them?”
The glittering gold made Yun Wan Ning’s mouth water, but she quickly looked awkward.
[Uh-oh, elder sister knows I love money. How embarrassing.]
Everyone else: “……” They all knew she was a little miser.
But Yun Wan Ning was still thinking.
[Wait, weren’t these from Pei Yu? In the plot, elder sister loved them. Why give them to me? I like gold, but I can’t take what she treasures. She should keep them—they look better on her.]
She pushed the gold back toward her sister. The sight made the others burst out laughing.
“I see, little sister doesn’t want them?” Yun Wan Yao laughed until her eyes watered.
[Exactly, you’re smart, sister.]
“Why not? Is the design ugly? I can have it remade.”
[No, you keep it. Father, mother, and brothers have given me plenty of gold. I’ll earn more when I grow up.]
“Yao’er, where did you go today?” Madam Yun asked, eyeing her daughter’s gown.
“I won’t hide it from you, mother. I went to Prince Qi’s residence.”
Everyone looked startled, even Yun Wan Ning.
[What? Why? Does she still love Prince Qi?]
[If she does, fine. I’ll just erase Prince Qi’s intelligence and turn him into an idiot. An idiot can’t bully her.]
Yun Wan Yao: “……” Why did her back feel so cold all of a sudden? She remembered her little sister once said she’d erase her memory if she still loved him.
“You went to Prince Qi’s for what?”