Chapter 113
Chapter 113: A Long Road Ahead
How had she been stolen away?
Madam Yun and her two children froze for a moment. This was a long story, but at least it had ended without disaster.
Seeing the confusion in the little milk bun’s eyes, Yun Wan Chen stifled the urge to explain and gave a soft cough: “Mother, let’s not stand here. I’ll take you both back to your room. Little Sister hasn’t nursed in a long while—she must be starving by now. You should feed her quickly.”
Reminded of this, Madam Yun realized with a start that she had neglected something so important. Hastily wiping away her tears, she said in a rush: “Yes, yes, Little Fourth must be famished. Let’s go back at once and feed her. It’s my fault, I can’t believe I forgot.”
[That’s only because Mother was so worried today. Seeing me all of a sudden made her emotions swing so wildly that she forgot. Usually she never forgets such a thing, and takes such good care of me.]
The brief exchange between Madam Yun and Yun Wan Chen drew Yun Wan Ning’s full attention. She quickly forgot her gnawing questions and, clutching at Madam Yun’s sleeve, replied inwardly. But before long, her brows knitted, and she confided her distress:
[Still, I really am hungry. Mother, those people didn’t give me a single drop of milk, and even complained that I cried too loudly. How hateful. If someone kept them from eating at mealtime, they’d make a fuss too. When Second Brother brings them back, I hope he doesn’t give them any food—let them go hungry for a few meals.]
Hearing this, Madam Yun’s heart ached. She silently cursed that group over and over and quickened her pace, eager to return to their room. Yun Wan Chen, meanwhile, tucked her words away in his heart.
Since this was what Little Sister wanted, he would see it done. When those people were brought back, he would personally order that they be denied food for the next two days.
Before long, they reached the Peace Keeping Courtyard. Yun Wan Yao held her while Madam Yun personally fed her. In no time, Yun Wan Ning’s belly was round and full.
Unaware she had already eaten her fill, Madam Yun continued to feed her, bringing another spoonful to her lips. Yun Wan Ning caught the spoon and pushed it gently aside, accidentally tipping it and spilling milk onto her clothes. She paid it no mind.
[Mother, that’s enough. If I eat any more, I’ll spit it back up.]
“Has Little Fourth eaten her fill?”
Madam Yun smiled, set down the bowl and spoon, then took a kerchief to gently wipe her mouth before dabbing away the milk on her clothes.
[Yes, Mother, I’m full.]
Yun Wan Ning answered in her heart, obligingly giving a tiny burp.
“Oh, Little Fourth burped. Looks like she’s had enough.”
Smiling, Madam Yun drew her close and turned to Yun Wan Yao: “It’s late. Yao’er, you’ve been worried all day and must be tired. Stay here tonight and sleep with Mother.”
“All right.”
Yun Wan Yao readily agreed, hopping toward the bed with delight—she hadn’t slept with her mother in a long time. Kicking off her shoes, she crawled in and happily arranged their sleeping places: “I’ll sleep inside, Little Sister in the middle, and Mother outside.”
But Madam Yun shook her head.
“No. Who knows if you’ll stay still while you sleep? If you roll over onto Little Fourth, what then? You can’t sleep next to her.”
“…”
Her joy deflated at once. The whole reason she was so excited to stay was the chance to sleep beside her little sister, but Mother’s reason was that she might crush her in her sleep.
“Mother, I sleep very quietly. I’d never roll onto Little Sister. Please let me be next to her. I want to.”
She clung to Madam Yun’s arm, eyes shining with pitiful appeal. Madam Yun’s heart softened but she stood firm.
“No. Little Fourth is still so small. If you roll over and cover her with the blanket, something terrible could happen.”
And it would be a tragedy beyond words. She had heard too many stories of children smothered or crushed in their sleep. Yao’er was still young and tended to move around at night—Madam Yun would not risk it.
“…”
Yao’er wanted to argue that she’d be careful, but when she looked at her sister’s tiny form, she swallowed her words. Little Sister was far too fragile. If she did hurt her by accident, she would never forgive herself. Mother was right.
“Fine. Then Mother sleeps in the middle, Little Sister inside, and I’ll be on the outside.”
Resigned, she moved to the foot of the bed.
At this, Yun Wan Ning couldn’t help laughing in her heart:
[Sister, just wait. When I’m older, I’ll sleep with you. For now, I’m too small—if you punched or kicked me in your sleep, I couldn’t take it. If it were anyone else, I’d deal with them on the spot, but you… I can’t be that rough with you.]
“…”
So in Little Sister’s mind, she was the sort who hit people in her sleep? Fine!
They slept soundly.
When the three awoke the next day, the sun was high—it was already midday. The father and sons had returned, bringing the black-clad kidnappers with them. They were now locked in the dungeon under interrogation. On hearing they were back, Yun Wan Chen went in person to order the guards not to feed them for two days.
In the room, Yun Wan Ning, now well-fed, lounged on the beauty couch while Yun Wan Yao kept her company. Glancing between her sister and Madam Yun, who was sewing nearby, Yun Wan Ning suddenly felt something was off.
[Strange. Where’s my nurse? I haven’t seen her since I was taken. Surely she’s heard about it—why hasn’t she come? Did she take leave and go home without knowing I was missing?]
She recalled that when her eldest brother brought her home last night, the gates had been crowded with servants, but her nurse was nowhere in sight. Her nurse had always been kind to her—upon hearing she’d been taken, she would never remain indifferent.
[Could it be… the nurse had something to do with me being stolen? No, no… I’m overthinking. She must be busy elsewhere.]
She tried to soothe herself, but the more she did, the more uneasy she felt.
Hearing her heart’s voice, Madam Yun and Yun Wan Yao sighed inwardly, offering her silent sympathy. The truth was, the nurse had indeed been the one.
Yesterday afternoon, while Madam Yun was away on household matters, the nurse had been alone with Yun Wan Ning. Once the child was asleep, she placed her in a basket, drugged her to keep her quiet, covered her, and carried her out.
As a hired servant, not a bonded one, the nurse came and went freely. Since she sometimes returned home, no one stopped her or noticed anything amiss. By the time Madam Yun returned and saw the empty bed, both nurse and child were gone.
Panic-stricken, she nearly collapsed on the spot and sent for Yun Zheng, Yun Wan Chen, and Yun Wan Ye. When they learned the nurse was responsible, the household erupted into chaos. The three men and Miss Yin Shuang split up to search, while Yun Zheng rushed to the nurse’s home—only to find it empty.
Now, Madam Yun could only sigh softly. How could she tell Yun Wan Ning? The child had been so fond of her nurse; knowing the truth would break her heart.
While the Yun family reeled from this, Su Qian Xue had not been idle. She had sent gifts to Mo Yuan Hao, which reached him by that afternoon. The next morning, a message came from Prince Qi’s residence—he wished to see her.
This confirmed her suspicions.
[System, the Yun family’s aim is clear: to watch my every move. If I leave the manor, they’ll try to sabotage me. But the Su family’s servants are far less scrutinized.]
The system replied:
[Of course. The Su household has so many servants—ten or more go in and out daily. The Yun family can’t watch them all. Watching you alone is far easier. But don’t get too pleased. You’ll still have to leave the manor to complete your tasks, and once you do, you’ll be watched again. This isn’t some hidden scheme—it’s an open one, and open schemes are hard to counter. Your path is still a long one.]
Su Qian Xue frowned.
[No. I already have a countermeasure.]
[Oh? Let’s hear it.]
[Simple. Mo Yuan Hao wants to see me—it means my first step worked. He’s interested, not in me, but in the full contents of those two excerpted books. If he disliked the original me so much, he wouldn’t bother. Since he wants to meet, I’ll make him come to the Grand Commandant Manor. The Yun family can’t stop me if I don’t go out.]
She was in high spirits. Since Mo Yuan Hao’s last night visit, Su Jian had doubled the guards. Even if the Yun family had skill, they wouldn’t find it easy to force their way in unscathed.
[Besides, I have a second step—giving the Yun family trouble. Right now they’re probably in chaos, too busy to bother with me.]
Thinking of the news she’d received last night, she smiled.
[What if the male lead doesn’t come? And what’s the second step?]
[If he doesn’t, I’ll leave him hanging. If he still doesn’t come, I’ll move to step three. As for step two, I’m not telling you yet.]
The system fell silent.
“Miss, Young Master Biao is here. He says it’s urgent.”
Brows lifting, Su Qian Xue felt a flicker of unease. This man had just visited last night—why return so soon? Could something have gone wrong?
“Bring him in.”
A refined young gentleman soon followed the maid inside. She dismissed the maid, who closed the door behind her.
“Cousin, something’s happened…”
Su Qian Xue’s eyes narrowed. “What is it, Cousin Hao Cheng? Tell me everything.”
“Yun family’s little girl has been found. Aside from the one who brought back the news, all our people have been captured and taken by the Yun family…”
Her face went pale. All strength drained from her, and she nearly collapsed.
“How could it be so fast?”
Less than a night, and they’d found her—hidden underground, no less. How had the Yun family managed it? Their efficiency was frightening. The enemy was far stronger than she’d thought.
“Cousin, what do we do? If they’ve been captured, will they give us away?”