Chapter 241: Yiyi, can’t guess
The sky gradually darkened, and lanterns were hung in the corridors of Yun Mansion, but there were still many Sword Sect disciples patrolling inside.
On the balcony of the main hall’s second floor, Yun Yiyi, draped in a cloud-patterned blanket, knelt in front of her favourite ancient qin. With her jade-like fingers, she played melodies that echoed like fairyland pavilions.
Occasionally, she would steal glances at the young man beside her, who was listening to the music. On his cold and handsome face, his deep purple eyes were like beautiful gems, seemingly able to attract the gaze of countless women yet revealing no emotion.
Yun Yiyi liked Ye Anping’s expression, but she also felt a bit troubled by it. She couldn’t figure out Ye Anping’s thoughts.
And if asked, did Ye Anping like her?
Yun Yiyi needed more confidence to answer yes. She could tell that Ye Anping didn’t seem to care much about her. It felt more like he was forced to marry her according to his parents’ wish.
On the day of the incident at the pavilion, his junior sister from the Hundred Lotus Sect seemed to have chased after him, publicly declaring her desire to marry him. After that, he secretly went out to meet his junior sister…
Thinking of this, Yun Yiyi stopped plucking the strings, her hands pausing on the strings.
—Could it be that in Ye Anping’s eyes, she was the one who ruined his relationship with his junior sister?
—Should she ask?
—But if she asked him, he wouldn’t tell the truth and would only feel more awkward.
However, Yun Yiyi could understand. His junior sister had been his childhood friend, growing up together and spending many years together. She had only been with Ye Anping for about a month.
It was normal for Ye Anping not to be interested in her now. But she would show Ye Anping her kindness and slowly shift his attention from his junior sister to her. It just needed time.
Yun Yiyi furrowed her brows slightly, suddenly remembering what Zhuang Yan had said a few days ago when she and Yun Jiujiu were locked in the dungeon. Zhuang Yan seemed to have kidnapped them for Yun Kunwu.
In other words, this wasn’t an attack by outsiders on the sect but rather an internal matter of the Sword Sect. As they said, family issues should stay within the family. Ye Anping, due to this internal affair of the Sword Sect, was implicated and nearly lost his life. How would he view himself because of this? And what about the Sword Sect?
“Master Ye, I promise you that the events of the past few days won’t repeat themselves,” Came the assurance.
Upon hearing this, Ye Anping paused his tea drinking, shook his head, and replied, “I’m not bothered. Who could have predicted that thieves would infiltrate the Moon Shadow Sword Sect to abduct someone? As a prospective husband, I should have been by your side that night, shielding you. If anything, it was Miss Yun who narrowly escaped harm, and I should…”
At this point, Yun Yiyi interrupted him by raising her hand to his lips with her index finger, saying, “Master Ye, by marrying into my family, you become my husband. As the hostess of this place, I must ensure you feel at home. Instead of words of comfort like yours, I’d rather hear your grievances.”
“Grievances!” Ye Anping queried.
“Yes… like…” Yun Yiyi paused, then jokingly said, “What’s the deal with your Sword Sect? Why drag me into your family troubles? Why can’t the disciples of the Sword Sect handle anything properly? Things like that…”
Ye Anping smiled and shook his head in response, saying, “I’ve never thought of it like that.”
“Really!” Yun Yiyi shook her head incredulously. “If you did, you could just say it outright.”
Ye Anping sighed faintly, pondered for a moment, and asked, “I don’t harbour any complaints, but this matter is indeed peculiar. Miss Yun, you, the second miss, and the third miss were all attacked on the same day. The perpetrators only sought your lives and nothing else. What could their motive be?”
Yun Yiyi furrowed her brow in thought for a moment, feeling somewhat perplexed. “When my second sister and I were imprisoned in the dungeon that night, Elder Zhuang told us that neither I, nor Jiujiu, nor Yun Xi were qualified to lead the Sword Sect. Yun Kunwu was his only disciple. And the inner disciples who were killed in the sword pavilion before were all from Yun Kunwu’s lineage.”
“Yun Kunwu!” Ye Anping queried.
“Yes, the eldest young master of the Yun family, who is like my elder brother. But as far as I know, he’s long gone, supposedly killed by a thunderstorm. Yet, Zhuang Yan claims he’s imprisoned in the Sword Sect’s forbidden area…”
“Shouldn’t we send the elders to the forbidden area to investigate?” Ye Anping suggested.
“The Qianjian Pond, the Sword Sect’s forbidden area, is heavily restricted. Unless my father personally lifts the restrictions, no one can enter,” Yun Yiyi explained.
Ye Anping followed her line of thought and added, “So if only Master Yuntian can lift the restrictions, isn’t Zhuang Yan’s effort in vain?”
“Yes, therefore, I find it puzzling,” Yun Yiyi agreed. “He was so confident when he spoke, clearly indicating he had a way to release Yun Kunwu from the forbidden area. But how did he bypass my father’s traps…”
“Then shall we just wait and see?” Yun Yiyi asked.
“It’s hard just to sit idly, but we don’t have any more leads for now,” Ye Anping replied calmly.
Yun Yiyi sighed slightly, feeling a bit weary. She pursed her lips and scooted closer to Ye Anping, tilting her head.
“Let’s not dwell on that,” She said. “Young Master Ye, could you join me for a bath in the hot spring pool tonight?”
Ye Anping remained composed and didn’t respond immediately, shifting his gaze to Huang Quan, who stood nearby. Meeting his gaze, Huang Quan understood instantly and gathered her courage to step forward. “Miss, isn’t this inappropriate? You and the young master aren’t married yet.”
Upon hearing this, Yun Yiyi furrowed her brows, shooting a glance at Huang Quan. Was this girl suddenly feeling brave? How dare she interrupt when the masters are talking?
“Huang Quan…” Yun Yiyi started to say.
Huang Quan immediately recoiled, but after glancing at Ye Anping and recalling the secret he shared with her, she summoned her courage and continued, “Miss… it’s just a word of advice, but…”
Ye Anping quickly stepped in to help, saying, “Miss Yun, Miss Huang Quan’s advice, though hard to hear, is indeed wise. It’s not appropriate to be so open before the wedding.”
Yun Yiyi pursed her lips, shooting Huang Quan another glance before forcing a smile and saying, “Well… it’s not very appropriate, indeed. Young Master Ye, I’ll go back to rest. Could you accompany me to Sword Wine Peak tomorrow? I’d like to see Yun Jiujiu.”
“I will accompany you,” Ye Anping replied, understanding her intentions. He stood up, bowed, and said, “Then, I’ll take my leave.”
With that, he turned and walked down the stairs, heading back to his room.
Seeing Ye Anping leave, Huang Quan’s face turned pale. She could already anticipate the scolding she would receive from the young lady later.
But for the sake of her brother-in-law, enduring a scolding was nothing!
“Huang Quan…” The young lady called.
“Ah… I’m here,” Huang Quan responded, steeling herself for what was to come.
And so, the events unfolded, with Huang Quan prepared to face the consequences for the sake of her brother-in-law.