“Alright, I won’t ask anymore. Oh, Brother Lu, do you have any books? I want to read.”
Seeing how nervous he was, Yun Xi couldn’t help finding it amusing, but she stopped pressing him about the forbidden mountain.
“Books?”
Yun Lu looked at her strangely.
“Since when did you know how to read? Weren’t you the one who refused to study no matter what?”
That made Yun Xi awkward. She didn’t know the original Yun Xi was illiterate.
“Oh… I secretly learned a little from Father. Now that I have nothing to do, I want to learn more. It might be useful in the future.”
“I see. Village Chief is the most educated man in our village. It makes sense if you learned from him. But shouldn’t your family have books? Why borrow from me? Only the village chief owns books.”
Yun Lu grew even more puzzled.
Yun Xi stiffened.
“Oh… I forgot about that. I’ll check at home later.”
“I forgot you lost your memory. Asking you so many questions… Xier, the wind is strong outside. You’d better go back and rest. You’ve just recovered from a serious illness—you shouldn’t wander too much.”
“Okay, I’ll go back now.”
Yun Xi also wanted to end the conversation before slipping up more.
After parting with Yun Lu, she returned to her room, her thoughts lingering on the forbidden mountain. She wondered if her father’s books might contain any clues.
Quietly, she walked to the east room—her parents’ room. The furnishings were as simple as hers, except for a black wooden cabinet and a storage chest. Since her parents were still out, she had the rare chance to satisfy her curiosity.
Opening the cabinet, she found only clothes. She closed it without rummaging further.
Then she opened the chest.
Inside were stacks of old books, their yellowed pages showing their age. At the very bottom lay a box wrapped in yellow cloth. Yun Xi tried to open it but found it locked, so she let it be.
She picked up a random book and was surprised to find the text written in simplified Chinese. The book described customs and scenery of unknown nations, along with various anecdotes. Other books were similar—geographical records, historical notes—all seemingly written before the founding of Fengli Kingdom.
She wanted to flip through more, hoping to find something about Yun Village or the secret of the back mountain, but she suddenly heard footsteps at the courtyard gate.
Yun Xi quickly returned everything to its place, composed herself, and stepped out.
“Mother, you’re back?”
Madam Yun looked puzzled seeing her come from the east room but didn’t question it.
“Xier, why are you out of bed? Hurry and lie down. The wind is strong.”
“I’m fine, Mother. My body is almost recovered.”
Although she was weak, she wasn’t sick.
“That won’t do. Go rest. I went up the mountain earlier and picked some wild vegetables. I’ll stir-fry them later.”
Looking at the basket of wilted greens with barely any leaves, Yun Xi felt bitterness rise in her throat. Eating these tasteless wild plants every day—her taste buds were forgetting what real food was.
“Mother… do you know what’s in the back mountain?” Yun Xi asked quietly.
“What? Xier, don’t ask about such things. People will scold you if they hear.”
Madam Yun glanced around nervously before relaxing.
“But why can’t anyone ask?”
“You’re a child. Don’t ask about these matters. I don’t know much either. Only that the village’s rule is clear—no one may enter the back mountain, and no one may speak of it. Enough, now. If your father hears, he’ll say you’re being mischievous.”
“Then, Mother… I want to read. Do we have any books?”
“Why are you thinking of reading all of a sudden? Yes, we have books, but they’re your father’s treasures. He barely lets anyone touch them. If you want to read, wait for him to come back and tell him.”
“Xier wants to learn something… I can’t help with anything right now.”
“Xier really has grown up and become sensible.”
Madam Yun sighed with relief and pride.