Yun Wenfang’s words caused everyone present to fall silent.

Yun Qiuchen’s body convulsed, and she opened her mouth but couldn’t make a sound – she had been struck quite severely.

The guards looked at each other uncertainly. The lead guard glanced at Ren Yaoqi, and seeing her standing there quietly without speaking, he thought for a moment, then gestured for someone to drag away the servant’s corpse first, while he led his men to discreetly position themselves in front of Ren Yaoqi. He feared Second Young Master Yun might go mad and attack others as well. As for how the Yun siblings wanted to torment each other, that wasn’t his concern – he was a guard, not a steward. Wherever his master pointed, that’s where they’d strike.

Yun Wenfang stared at Yun Qiuchen for a long time. Yun Qiuchen’s maids wanted to come forward to check on her condition, but they were too frightened by Yun Wenfang to approach, only able to worry anxiously from the side.

Though Ren Yaoqi very much wanted to turn and leave, letting them sort out their mess, she couldn’t. She sighed inwardly and instructed the attendants behind her: “Go lend a hand and escort Miss Yun back, and call for a physician.”

Hearing the voice, Yun Wenfang raised his head slightly but didn’t look over. He seemed to be thinking about something, or perhaps waiting for something. This time, when the attendants and Yun Qiuchen’s maids came forward to help her up, Yun Wenfang didn’t move or try to stop them.

The maids and attendants worked together to help Yun Qiuchen to her feet, when a group of people hurried over from that direction. Though the sky had grown somewhat dark, Yunqi Pavilion was surrounded by wall lamps that illuminated the area as bright as daylight. Ren Yaoqi could see that it was Princess Consort and Eldest Madam Yun approaching.

Seeing the situation from afar, Eldest Madam Yun quickly apologized to Princess Consort, then ran over in small steps. Seeing Yun Qiuchen’s wretched appearance, she covered her mouth and cried out: “Chen’er—”

Though Princess Consort frowned as she approached, her expression remained relatively calm. Her gaze swept over the faces of those present, then looked toward Ren Yaoqi.

Ren Yaoqi walked over and quietly described the general situation that had just occurred.

Princess Consort nodded, waved for Ren Yaoqi to stand behind her, then looked toward Yun Wenfang, who was standing there watching the anxious Eldest Madam Yun.

“Wenfang, go wait for me in the flower hall of Yunqi Pavilion first. Everyone else, disperse.” Princess Consort said calmly.

Yun Wenfang glanced at Princess Consort and casually pulled at the corner of his mouth, about to head toward Yunqi Pavilion, when Eldest Madam Yun suddenly rushed over and viciously slapped Yun Wenfang across the face, crying and scolding with red eyes: “You scoundrel!”

Today Yun Qiuchen had been heavily slapped by Yun Wenfang in front of everyone – what was injured wasn’t just her face, but her dignity, and it would probably be impossible to repair in the future. Eldest Madam Yun had always treasured Yun Qiuchen like a precious jewel; how could she bear this?

Yun Wenfang didn’t even move his head, taking Eldest Madam Yun’s slap silently and expressionlessly.

Eldest Madam Yun somewhat lost control of her emotions, pointing at him and scolding: “Look clearly! This is your sister! If you won’t protect her, fine, but you even humiliate her publicly. You scoundrel blinded by pig fat, you’re truly possessed…”

Hearing this, Yun Wenfang raised his head, interrupting his mother’s words to ask: “Mother, how do you think I should protect her?”

Eldest Madam Yun was interrupted and momentarily stunned, unable to think of words to respond.

Yun Wenfang laughed mockingly, glanced at Yun Qiuchen being supported by her maids, and said sarcastically: “She tricked me into coming here to help someone elope – I should follow her arrangements and comply with her wishes to count as protecting her?”

Eldest Madam Yun hadn’t expected to hear this from Yun Wenfang’s mouth and was stunned on the spot.

The girl who had been secretly watching the excitement and admiring Yun Wenfang boldly asked: “Young Master Yun, who did Miss Yun want you to help elope with?”

Though those present didn’t speak, they all stared intently at Yun Wenfang, wanting to hear this shocking gossip from his mouth.

Yun Wenfang glanced at her, blinked, adopting a romantic and unrestrained manner: “Hmm, seems to be someone surnamed Yan? Unfortunately, she’s too ugly, not as pretty as you. This young master wasn’t interested, so I refused.”

The girl being teased immediately blushed.

Yun Qiuchen, whose ears had been ringing loudly, suddenly looked toward Yun Wenfang.

Eldest Madam Yun trembled with anger: “Shut up! Stop spouting nonsense here! Why would your sister want you to do such a thing with Miss Yan for no good reason?”

Yun Wenfang stood there with arms crossed, staring coldly at Yun Qiuchen, but his lips curved in a strange smile: “Because she wants to marry into Prince Yanbei’s mansion like our great-aunt did, but she thinks Miss Yan has the same intention and has the Empress Dowager’s backing, so she’s afraid she can’t compete. That’s why she asked me to help clear the obstacles.”

Yun Qiuchen struggled, trying to say something. Yun Wenfang looked at her with a half-smile, but his right hand moved to his waist. After Yun Qiuchen met his gaze for a while, she opened her mouth but ultimately couldn’t say anything.

At Yun Wenfang’s waist was a small dagger.

Eldest Madam Yun was so angered by her son’s reckless words that she nearly fainted, pointing at him: “You… you…” for a long time, her face turning pale.

Princess Consort then spoke: “Enough, Wenfang. Stop deliberately angering your mother. Acting like a child at your age! Speaking such nonsense!”

With one sentence, Princess Consort attributed Yun Wenfang’s earlier words to nonsensical jokes. But Yun Wenfang’s joke today was rather excessive, though people didn’t say anything outwardly, whether they believed it in their hearts was hard to say.

Yun Wenfang didn’t say anything more and entered Yunqi Pavilion without looking back.

From his appearance to the end, he never once looked in Ren Yaoqi’s direction.

No one saw that the Second Young Master Yun, who had just been fearless and outrageously violent, had red eyes the moment he turned around, nor did anyone see his face mixing despair, ruthlessness, pain, madness, suppression, and various other emotions.

Yun Qiuchen did indeed understand Yun Wenfang well. He was still that scoundrel who would stop at nothing for what he wanted, disregarding anyone’s feelings and unafraid of hurting anyone – this had never changed. It’s just that the brilliant strategist Miss Yun ultimately misjudged human nature.

On a tree not far away, a black-clad, athletic man expressionlessly lowered the crossbow in his hands, then quickly and nimbly jumped down from the tree, landing silently.

A large black palm silently reached out from behind him, but before that hand could touch the athletic man’s shoulder, the man, who seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, grabbed it and twisted the person’s arm against the tree trunk.

The tall, dark-faced man who had attempted the sneak attack silently cried out in pain, revealing a mouthful of blindingly white teeth.

The athletic man looked at him for a long time and said expressionlessly, “Do you know why you couldn’t become a shadow guard back then?”

The dark-faced man was stunned and forgot about the pain, quickly asking: “Why?”

Every man has a wound in his heart that he doesn’t want outsiders to touch. His greatest regret in youth was not becoming a mysterious and impressive shadow guard – who could understand him?

The athletic man looked at the man facing the moon with a melancholy expression and said flatly: “Because your mouth alone could blind enemies. Too obvious a target.”

The person who could blind others: “…”

The athletic man ignored him, packed up his crossbow, and turned to leave. The dark-faced man rubbed his face and hurried to follow: “Hey, hey, Xiao Hua, could you have gone through with it just now? That’s the Grand Consort’s great-nephew, Princess Consort’s nephew!”

Xiao Hua nodded expressionlessly: “If he had said one wrong word.”

The dark-faced man stroked his chin: “Tsk, so his luck is pretty good – took a trip to the gates of hell, huh?”

Xiao Hua didn’t speak.

His orders were that if anyone dared speak carelessly, they would be killed without mercy, regardless of who they were.

Earlier, when that servant was about to implicate Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Hua’s crossbow was ready to fire, but Yun Wenfang silenced him first. The servant only managed to say the character “Ren” – those present didn’t hear clearly and thought he said “ren” (person).

Just now, whether it was Yun Qiuchen or Yun Wenfang, if either had dared splash dirty water on Ren Yaoqi, they would have died under Xiao Hua’s crossbow without exception. As Prince Yanbei’s mansion’s top expert, Xiao Hua never missed his target within a hundred paces. Yun Wenfang unknowingly saved Yun Qiuchen’s life and unconsciously preserved his own.

“Why are you following me?” Xiao Hua looked at Mu Hu with confusion.

Mu Hu scratched his head and laughed awkwardly: “Heh heh, heh heh, well… I just wanted to ask… where did Nan, Nanxing go?”

Mu Hu glanced at him: “Don’t know.”

“Hey, hey, wasn’t she your subordinate before? How can you not know?”

Xiao Hua complained inwardly, expressionlessly: You know it was ‘before”! You used to like Hong Ying! Where Nanxing is has nothing to do with you!

Mu Hu sighed and looked up at the stars in the sky, melancholically: “I finally figured it out, but she ran away.”

Xiao Hua glanced at him and couldn’t help asking: “You figured it out?”

Mu Hu nodded tragically: “When I was in so much pain I couldn’t eat or sleep the other day, I finally understood. Not every kind of pain can make someone accept it gladly – only when I was being beaten by her did I hurt willingly.”

“Were you injured the other day?” Xiao Hua looked at Mu Hu over.

Mu Hu shook his head, somewhat embarrassed: “No, it was hemorrhoids…”

Xiao Hua: “…”

“Hey, hey, don’t leave! You haven’t told me where my wife is!”

No one knew about this interlude.

Princess Consort had Yun Qiuchen sent back and dispersed the crowd of onlookers. She told Ren Yaoqi to return as well, while she and Eldest Madam Yun entered Yunqi Pavilion.

Ren Yaoqi crouched down to pet Silly Girl, who had been lying obediently nearby without moving, and couldn’t help but sigh.

Nanny Duan soon arrived with people and took Silly Girl away.

Ren Yaoqi returned to Lanyue Pavilion with her maids and attendants. Xiao Jinglin returned quickly as well. When Ren Yaoqi asked about Grand Consort Yun’s condition, Xiao Jinglin said Grand Consort Yun was much better and claimed her earlier discomfort was due to drinking too much cold tea in the afternoon.

Ren Yaoqi then told Xiao Jinglin about the evening’s events.

After listening, Xiao Jinglin was silent for a while, but didn’t mention the conflict between the Yun siblings. Instead, she said: “Though the guards at the hot spring villa’s outer gates aren’t as strict as the inner courtyard, not just anyone can sneak in. I suspect Yun Wenfang might have entered by following the physician’s carriage that came to treat Grandmother.”

Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi frowned, and she and Xiao Jinglin exchanged glances but didn’t speak.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jinglin shook her head: “Though my grandmother’s temperament is somewhat cold, she’s not the type who can’t distinguish right from wrong. No matter how much she likes Yun Qiuchen, she wouldn’t help her do such things. The old lady might have been manipulated as well. This matter needs to be thoroughly investigated. If she dares to scheme against even my grandmother…”

Ren Yaoqi knew tonight’s events were probably aimed at her, but she really couldn’t intervene in handling this. Besides, this was only Xiao Jinglin’s speculation without evidence.

Xiao Jinglin said, “Yun Wenfang is somewhat unpredictable.”

Ren Yaoqi sighed. She also couldn’t see through Yun Wenfang, but regardless of his motives today, he had ultimately helped her once.

Understanding the connection between Yun Wenfang and Ren Yaoqi, Xiao Jinglin didn’t pursue the topic when she saw Ren Yaoqi remaining silent. After Ren Yaoqi retired for the night, she went to find Xiao Jingxi.

When Xiao Jinglin arrived, she happened to see Xiao Hua coming out of Youlan Pavilion. Standing at the door, she could see the light still on in Xiao Jingxi’s room, his silhouette cast on the window paper as he sat with his head slightly bowed, either reading or doing something else.

Originally coming to find Xiao Jingxi, Xiao Jinglin stopped when she saw Xiao Hua and gestured to him. Xiao Hua silently followed her out of the courtyard.

“Were you just reporting about the Yun siblings?”

Xiao Hua bowed his head: “Yes, County Princess.”

Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment: “What’s the situation?”

“Not long after Miss Yun was sent back to her courtyard, her maid came to report to Princess Consort that Miss Yun had some problems with her ears.”

Xiao Jinglin was stunned: “What problems?”

Xiao Hua said expressionlessly, “She can’t hear from her left ear.”

It turned out that after being slapped, Yun Qiuchen initially only felt her left ear ringing loudly, but after being helped back and lying down for a while, though the ringing stopped, she couldn’t hear anything from that ear. Princess Consort had been talking with the Yun mother and son in Yunqi Pavilion when this news came, and Eldest Madam Yun fainted on the spot.

Xiao Jinglin raised an eyebrow: “Yun Wenfang struck that hard?”

Xiao Hua stated matter-of-factly: “Second Young Master Yun’s slap contained internal energy. The force could break a grown man’s rib. Miss Yun only lost two molars and went deaf in her left ear.” The implication being that Xiao Hua thought Miss Yun was very fortunate – otherwise, if her neck had been broken by the slap, she’d have lost her life.

“What did the physicians say? Can it be cured?”

Xiao Hua thought for a moment: “The physicians who came are temporarily at a loss. The Princess Consort has already gone to invite other physicians. Grand Consort Yun later had Miss Yun and Madam Yun sent back to the city.”

Xiao Jinglin was silent for a moment: “Didn’t you investigate how Yun Wenfang got in?”

Xiao Hua glanced at Xiao Jinglin and expressionlessly repeated: “Grand Consort Yun later had Miss Yun and Madam Yun sent back to the city.”

Xiao Jinglin fell silent – she understood.

Her grandmother’s meaning was that she wanted to protect Yun Qiuchen and prevent further investigation.

“No wonder she went to such lengths to invite my grandmother back – she was afraid that if the matter was exposed, no one would plead for her. Quite a clever scheme.” Unfortunately, Yun Qiuchen overestimated herself. She thought she could control Yun Wenfang, but ended up being backlashed.

“With Grandmother protecting her like this, I’m somewhat grateful to Yun Wenfang,” Xiao Jinglin said quietly.

She had previously thought Yun Wenfang was too harsh on his own sister, but now she felt not a bit of sympathy. Indeed, evil people have other evil people to grind them down. Otherwise, they would have suffered this loss for nothing.

Xiao Hua stood aside expressionlessly, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything, but inwardly grumbled: If not for Yun Wenfang’s slap, even if Miss Yun had the Jade Emperor protecting her, they could only collect her corpse.

“What about Yun Wenfang? How does your master plan deal with him?” Xiao Jinglin asked curiously.

Xiao Hua replied straightforwardly: “Second Young Master Yun left on his own. Master didn’t say to stop him, so this subordinate didn’t.”

Hearing this, Xiao Jinglin was somewhat surprised, more expressionless than Xiao Hua: “Did you… miss something?” Is your master really that magnanimous? Back then, Yun Wenfang was lucky to survive that palm strike.

Xiao Hua was quite dissatisfied with this obvious questioning of his master’s character and his professional competence. Though he was naturally unable to express emotions, he defended his master: “Young Master is kind-hearted.”

Xiao Jinglin glanced at Xiao Hua and secretly rolled her eyes: “Hasn’t your master’s hands been stained with blood?”

Xiao Hua said seriously: “Excluding those who sought death themselves… no.” If Yun Wenfang had sought death today, he’d already be dead.

Xiao Jinglin: “…”

This conversation couldn’t continue.

Xiao Jinglin knew Xiao Jingxi must have instructed Xiao Hua to answer all questions, otherwise, these people wouldn’t be so forthcoming. Having asked enough, she decided not to seek out Xiao Jingxi and turned to leave.

After respectfully seeing her off, Xiao Hua thought for a moment and returned to Youlan Pavilion.

The room was filled with a medicinal fragrance. Xiao Jingxi was holding a bowl of cold, black medicinal liquid, watering potted plants.

Xiao Hua was used to this scene. His young master had refused to drink medicine obediently since childhood. Without supervision, he’d secretly use medicine to water flowers. This habit hadn’t changed in over ten years, even though he was about to marry.

Xiao Jingxi put down the bowl: “Did she return?”

“Yes, Young Master. The County Princess has returned,” Xiao Hua replied formally.

Xiao Jingxi nodded and wiped his hands with a towel.

“The County Princess asked how you planned to deal with Second Young Master Yun.” This was also why Xiao Hua had returned to find Xiao Jingxi. As the young master’s chief confidant, he needed to confirm whether certain people had already sought death, were currently seeking death, or would seek death in the future.

Xiao Jingxi returned to the couch by the west window, his fingers lightly tapping the low table, perhaps contemplating.

“When is Yun Wenfang and Miss Meng’s wedding set?” Xiao Jingxi suddenly asked.

Xiao Hua was stunned.

Tong Xi, who had been silently standing aside, immediately replied: “Young Master, it’s this October.” Tong Xi was clearer on such matters than Xiao Hua.

Xiao Jingxi nodded and smiled: “Prepare a generous gift for me then.”

Tong Xi bowed and accepted the order.

Xiao Hua waited a bit longer, and seeing Xiao Jingxi had no further instructions, silently withdrew.

Once alone in the room, Tong Xi couldn’t help asking: “Young Master, you’re just letting Second Young Master Yun off like this?”

Due to his background in Prince Xian’s mansion, Tong Xi had different feelings toward Ren Yaoqi, so he greatly detested Yun Wenfang, who repeatedly troubled her.

Though Yun Wenfang hadn’t harmed Ren Yaoqi today, Tong Xi didn’t believe he had infiltrated the hot spring villa in night clothes just to tour gardens. Yun Wenfang simply hadn’t found an opportunity to act.

Given his master’s temperament, he shouldn’t let Yun Wenfang off so easily.

Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi didn’t even lift his eyes, only saying calmly: “I never intended to do anything to him. He’s the one who can’t get along with himself.”

In Xiao Jingxi’s mind, Yun Wenfang wasn’t worthy of being his opponent.

However, his decision not to pursue Yun Wenfang today was made considering Ren Yaoqi’s feelings.

Regardless of Yun Wenfang’s purpose for coming to the hot spring villa, he had ultimately protected Ren Yaoqi once. He knew Ren Yaoqi was someone who clearly distinguished between gratitude and resentment and disliked owing favors. If he had done something to Yun Wenfang today, it would make him appear petty before Ren Yaoqi. The wise and mighty Second Young Master Xiao would never allow himself to make such an error that boosted others’ prestige while diminishing his own before someone he liked.

As for Yun Wenfang… even if Xiao Jingxi didn’t deal with him, given his temperament, he’d torment himself plenty. Xiao Jingxi no longer bothered with direct action.

So don’t think Second Young Master Xiao had a moment of kind-hearted mercy. He was the type too lazy to dig pits when trapping people.

After leaving the hot spring villa, Yun Wenfang didn’t return to the Yun family. Yun Wenting didn’t find him until midnight, when Yun Wenfang was half-drunk at a shabby tavern outside the city. The tavern’s proprietor and servers were nowhere to be seen; only empty wine jars of various sizes surrounded him.

Yun Wenting looked at him for a long time, then walked over to take away the wine jar from his hands, sniffing it. This place naturally wouldn’t have good wine.

The drunk Yun Wenfang had less of his usual arrogance, his drunken appearance somewhat childlike. When Yun Wenting took his jar, he didn’t resist.

“You’ve never outgrown running away after causing trouble,” Yun Wenting said calmly.

These words seemed to startle Yun Wenfang awake. He slowly came to his senses, and after a long while, focused on the person beside him, then laughed mockingly, unclear if he was sober: “Causing trouble… I didn’t have time to…”

“What did you originally intend to do?” Yun Wenting’s tone revealed no emotion.

Yun Wenfang curved his lips, as if deliberately trying to anger Yun Wenting: “I originally wanted to kidnap the woman I like and elope together, but I couldn’t find her. Instead, I nearly got used by Yun Qiuchen. Does a young master kidnapping a woman need some fool carrying a bundle of silver to keep watch?”

His words were clear and logical, not seeming like those of a drunk person.

After listening, Yun Wenting didn’t get angry, only asking: “Did Qiuchen help you enter the hot spring villa?”