Old Madam Yun called the Eldest Madam over to discuss several important matters. Old Master Yun left first, and before leaving, he coldly gestured for Elder Master Yun to take Yun Wenfang to the study to see him.

Yun Wenfang was wondering if this was a good opportunity to slip away and avoid the elders’ lectures, when Old Madam Yun, who was speaking with the Eldest Madam, suddenly said: “Everyone else may withdraw, but Fang’er, you stay. Grandmother has something to say to you.”

Elder Master Yun looked at his mother, then still left Yun Wenfang behind and went to the study to see Old Master first. The others also withdrew as instructed.

In the entire Yun residence, Yun Wenfang only listened somewhat to this grandmother who had doted on him since childhood, so when Old Madam Yun spoke, he stayed, waiting for his grandmother and mother to finish their proper business. Then Old Madam had the Eldest Madam withdraw as well.

Only the grandmother and grandson remained in the room.

Old Madam Yun’s expression softened somewhat as she beckoned to Yun Wenfang: “Come, let grandmother have a look. Why do I see that you’ve gotten thinner and darker?”

Yun Wenfang walked over and sat on Old Madam Yun’s arhat bed, letting his grandmother turn his head left and right to examine him, wearing his usual charming smile.

Old Madam Yun suddenly frowned, feeling something at his hairline above his ear: “You were injured on your head? When did this happen?”

Only after Yun Wenfang reached up to feel it himself did he remember, saying carelessly: “I was injured before. It’s nothing, just scraped the skin a bit.” In the army, who didn’t get injured? He had many wounds on his body, far more serious than this.

Old Madam Yun touched that scar and looked at Yun Wenfang for a long while before finally sighing.

“You never suffered hardships since childhood. We all thought that if you suffered outside, you would come back on your own, but never expected… Fang’er, tell grandmother what you’re thinking. Are you serious about this path you’re taking, or are you just playing around?”

This was the first time Old Madam Yun had talked about “serious matters” with Yun Wenfang instead of just caring about his daily needs. This made Yun Wenfang, who was used to joking around in front of Old Madam, feel unaccustomed.

“What if I’m serious? What if I’m just playing around?” Yun Wenfang asked his grandmother with a smile.

Old Madam Yun wasn’t angry: “If you’re serious, the family will naturally support you.”

Yun Wenfang curled his lips: “That’s not necessary. The path I want to take, the Yun family can’t help me with. I’ve never done anything for the family, so naturally, there’s no need for the family to interfere with my future.”

Old Madam Yun looked at Yun Wenfang for a long while, her expression somewhat complex. She finally understood that although this grandson appeared much the same as in his youth when in front of her, he had indeed grown up.

Yun Wenfang was somewhat curious and asked: “Grandson has always been puzzled about something and would like grandmother to clarify.”

“What is it?” asked Old Madam Yun.

“Since childhood, your attitude toward me and your elder brother has been different. Don’t all elders hope their children and grandchildren will achieve great things? You don’t seem to think this way about me.” Yun Wenfang looked at Old Madam Yun.

Old Madam Yun was silent for a long time before finally sighing: “Do you still remember the dog you raised as a child?”

Upon hearing this, Yun Wenfang couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. His elder brother had also mentioned this incident.

“I remember. It bit me, then was beaten to death by the steward.”

But Old Madam Yun shook her head, looking at Yun Wenfang: “You know clearly in your heart that it wasn’t the steward who killed it, but me.”

“And then you had the steward’s legs broken.” Old Madam Yun sighed. “How much power a person has in their hands determines how big things they can accomplish, and also determines how big mistakes they can make. Fang’er, you’re intelligent and determined—these were originally your strengths. But you’re too stubborn, you don’t understand giving up and compromising. When you could only command two or three servants, you could already punish the grandmother’s confidant with a beating for the sake of an animal you liked. What would happen if you held greater power in your hands?”

Yun Wenfang couldn’t help but be somewhat stunned and incredulous: “Just because of this incident, you decided to raise me as a wastrel?”

Old Madam Yun frowned, seemingly disapproving of Yun Wenfang’s description, but she still said nothing, only asking: “Let me ask you, if you were the Yun family heir, with half of the Yun family’s power and most of the family’s people at your command, what would you have done when Young Master Xiao married?”

When Yun Wenfang heard Xiao Jingxi’s name, the expression in his eyes turned cold.

Old Madam Yun looked at her grandson and shook her head with a bitter smile: “If there was even a fraction of hope for success, you would have competed with Young Master Xiao for her, wouldn’t you? You wouldn’t have retreated because of Young Master Xiao’s status and the Yanbei Prince’s power. Fang’er, with you being like this, how could grandmother feel at ease putting the Yun family in your hands?”

Yun Wenfang remained silent with a cold face.

Old Madam Yun gently touched Yun Wenfang’s head: “Fang’er, don’t resent grandmother. Grandmother is the head of the entire Yun clan and really cannot gamble with the family’s fate. Otherwise, when grandmother grows old and goes to the underworld, how would I have the face to meet the Yun family’s ancestors?”

“No wonder you’ve been so indulgent with me all these years. Compared to dragging down the Yun family, those small mistakes were nothing at all…” Yun Wenfang sneered and curled his lips mockingly.

Old Madam Yun looked at this naturally rebellious grandson, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Yun Wenfang said, “Then, when you just asked about my plans, saying the family would give me support, that was just casual talk?”

Old Madam Yun shook her head: “No, Fang’er. The reason I said that is because you’ve grown up now, and perhaps grandmother did some things incorrectly before.”

Yun Wenfang nodded and curled his lips: “You’re right. I indeed learned my lesson, and it’s one I’ll never forget. You don’t need to worry anymore that I’ll drag the Yun family down to be buried with me for any person or matter. Some things only need to be experienced once to be enough. I don’t have anything worth persisting for anymore.”

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Yun didn’t show happiness: “I always hoped you would understand this principle, but now that you truly understand, I’d rather you didn’t.”

Yun Wenfang couldn’t help but smile at this and even spoke softly: “That’s because you love me.” As he said this, he started to get up to take his leave.

But Old Madam Yun suddenly asked: “Where exactly is Ting’er? Will he… come back?”

Yun Wenfang turned to look at Old Madam Yun and said seriously: “Grandmother, elder brother has already sacrificed so much for the family. Can the family let him off this once? Compared to an unfilial son like me, he doesn’t owe the Yun family anything.”

Old Madam Yun shook her head: “He is the eldest legitimate grandson. The Yun family is a responsibility he should shoulder and cannot escape from. Let him go out and get some fresh air for now. Let him have his fun and then come back—I won’t punish him.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Wenfang suddenly smiled, somewhat roguishly winking: “Grandmother, how do you think I am?”

Old Madam Yun looked at Yun Wenfang with some confusion.

Yun Wenfang said half-seriously, half-jokingly: “You don’t only have him as a grandson. You said I’ve grown up now. Just because I couldn’t do certain things before doesn’t mean the current me can’t do them, right? Elder brother’s heart isn’t in this—what’s the point of forcing him to stay confined?”

Old Madam Yun looked at Yun Wenfang for a long while and frowned: “Are you serious?”

Yun Wenfang smiled: “Naturally, I’m serious. How would I dare joke with you, grandmother?”

Old Madam Yun frowned even more deeply: “Fang’er, your temperament isn’t suitable…”

Yun Wenfang waved his hand dismissively: “Whether it’s suitable or not can only be known after trying. When I first went to the military camp, did you think I was suitable? Yet didn’t I do very well?”

Old Madam Yun fell silent.

Yun Wenfang didn’t continue discussing this matter. Grandmother always said he was too persistent, but wasn’t she the same way?

“It’s getting late. Grandson will go rest first.” After traveling for several days and having no rest after returning, even Yun Wenfang’s iron constitution was somewhat overwhelmed.

Old Madam Yun, who had been frowning in thought, came back to her senses and quickly said: “Since you’ve returned, stay home properly and don’t wander around. Lady Meng is now living in your courtyard—go see her. Since you’ve grown up, you should act like an adult. Even if you don’t like Lady Meng, you must consider the Meng family behind her. Don’t act impulsively anymore.”