Nine Stars Align, Phoenix Soars to the Heavens—even if she could cultivate again…
She absolutely could not be allowed to stay!
Past events were still vivid in his mind. For so many years, she had shown no concern for him and his son. Now, not only had she destroyed Xun’er’s Linggen, but she was also filled with hostility. If she wasn’t dealt with as soon as possible, what would happen in the future?
“What do you plan to do?”
Yan Beifeng glanced at his son lying on the bed and then looked at his father. “Now, there are people protecting her. We don’t know their origins, so we can’t move against her for now. However, if something were to happen at home, during the family competition…”
Although he hated Yan Wuxin for destroying his son’s Linggen, at the moment, Yan Wuxin was unknowingly surrounded by a force that could not be underestimated. No matter how much he hated her, now was not the time to act.
“She has people protecting her?” At the time, he had been too focused on his grandson to notice that Yan Beifeng had sent people to kill the father and his three children.
“Yes, and their strength is not low.”
Yan Heng lowered his head in silence, taking a deep breath with his hands clasped behind his back. This matter needed to be handled as quickly as possible. If that person were to appear… The more he thought about it, the more Yan Heng’s heart felt as if it had fallen into an abyss, unable to find peace.
The next day.
Emerging from the Kongjian, Yan Wuxin stretched lazily. Seeing his daughter appear, Yan Nantian smiled affectionately.
“You must be tired. Come, drink this chicken soup.” He was clearly a young master who lacked for nothing, yet he knew how to make a fire and cook. He was a genius, yet he had suffered humiliation because his Linggen was destroyed. And now, because of her…
“Father, if it weren’t for me, Yan Jia…”
Yan Nantian stroked her hair and said calmly, “As long as you and your brother are safe and sound, that’s all I want.”
Yan Wuxin’s nose tingled, unsure of what to say. In truth, even if Yan Nantian disagreed, she would have forced them to leave Yan Jia. That place was like a den of wolves—dark and cold.
Just then, Qiuxue walked in. “Miss, someone has arrived outside.”
Someone?
Yan Nantian pursed his lips, seemingly already aware of what was happening.
“Xin’er, today is the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Your mother was her goddaughter. Although your mother is no longer here, the Empress Dowager truly loved her.” If Yin’er had chosen the Emperor back then, perhaps she would still be alive today.
Yan Wuxin tugged at Yan Nantian’s sleeve. Although she didn’t know what had happened between her parents’ generation, in her memory, the Empress Dowager disliked, even despised, her father.
Moreover, the original owner seemed to have a marriage contract with the Crown Prince, Yuwen Qingxuan.
This trip to the palace was bound to be quite “eventful.”
A faint smile curled at the corner of Yan Wuxin’s lips. She then quickly went inside and changed into a simple, elegant outfit.
“Miss, are you really going to wear this?” Other young ladies would do anything to stand out like a single green leaf among a sea of flowers, drawing everyone’s attention. But here was her miss, dressed so plainly. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was going on a training expedition.
Yan Wuhan pursed his lips. “Xin’er, if you go dressed like this, they’ll find fault with you again.”
Yan Wuxin acted as if she hadn’t heard, tying her hair up neatly. “It’s fine. It’s better to dress simply. If a fight breaks out and I can’t win, at least I can run fast.”
“…” Yan Wuhan and the other two were left speechless. Although they wanted to say more, they couldn’t find any words to refute her. So, they could only go along with Yan Wuxin’s wishes.
“Qiuxue, stay here and keep my brother company. He has difficulty moving around, so I’ll trouble you with that.”
Originally planning to follow along, she didn’t expect Yan Wuxin to speak first. Qiuxue couldn’t say much and could only nod, “Yes.”
Outside the house, a sandalwood carriage was waiting. After Yan Wuxin and Yan Nantian boarded, the coachman set off. Along the way, they passed by the General’s Mansion. Across the street, a house caught her attention.
“Xin’er, what are you thinking about?” Yan Nantian called his daughter several times without a response. Seeing her preoccupied expression, he asked with concern.
“It’s nothing, Father.”
No matter where she was, she needed her own strength; otherwise, she would be like a fish in a tank, at the mercy of others. Yan Jia, huh! Since they liked to play games, she would accompany them to the end.
At the palace gate.
As the Yan family members stepped down from their carriage, they saw Yan Wuxin and her father also alighting. They narrowed their eyes, looking as if they wished they could devour her flesh.
“Yan Wuxin, you dare to come here,” Yan Qingyu gritted her teeth. If not for the presence of outsiders, she would have rushed forward to kill Yan Wuxin.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? Is this your home?” Yan Wuxin raised an eyebrow, a mocking smile on her face.
“…” Yan Qingyu was speechless, wanting to retort but unsure how to respond.
Yan Heng looked at the father and daughter, his anger boiling over, especially toward this son. He had invested so much effort in nurturing him back then, but who would have thought… Now that he had left Yan Jia, did he not even acknowledge him when they met?
“Yan Wuxin, keep your mouth shut later. If you embarrass the General’s Mansion, Grandfather won’t let you off when we return, and neither will my brother…”
Yan Wuxin looked up and spoke with a smile, “Your brother? What about your brother?”
“Shut up, Yan Wuxin! If it weren’t for you, Xun’er…”
Yan Heng interrupted sternly, “Enough! Let’s go inside!”
Watching the family’s disgruntled expressions, Yan Wuxin found it quite amusing. The wicked accusing first, mad dogs biting randomly—that described them perfectly! Especially this Yan Heng.
She always felt there was something off about Yan Heng!
Entering the palace gate, eunuchs and palace maids were already there to greet them. Today, the Empress Dowager had specifically ordered that men and women be separated. Although reluctant, since her father had spoken, Yan Wuxin couldn’t say much.
“Nishang, Hanxue…” Yan Qingyu seemed to recognize the young women ahead and walked over, appearing very familiar with them.
The women turned around and, upon seeing Yan Qingcheng and the others, hurried over. “Sister Qingcheng.”
Ignoring Yan Qingyu and choosing to act as if she didn’t exist, they left her awkwardly blushing. Yan Wuxin crossed her arms, her eyes filled with a hint of mockery.
“You little wretch, what are you laughing at?”
“Who’s the wretch calling someone a wretch?”
“The wretch is calling you a wretch.”
In the back-and-forth, Yan Qingyu blurted out the words without thinking. By the time she realized what she had said, it was too late. The other young women stared at Yan Wuxin in astonishment.
What a beautiful woman!
She was even a hundred times more beautiful than Yan Qingcheng, who was known as the most beautiful woman in the world!
Yan Qingcheng seemed to sense the comparison, a flash of anger crossing her heart before she introduced with a smile, “She is my fourth younger sister, Wuxin.”
“Ah?”
“She’s the one from a few days ago… ahem!” Before the words could be spoken, another young lady quickly glanced at Yan Qingyu’s displeased expression and swallowed her words.
At that moment, a palace maid walking ahead approached. “Young ladies, please follow this servant to the Peony Garden. Today, the Empress Dowager is hosting a banquet there.”
With that, the group followed behind the palace maid.
Yan Wuxin walked at the rear, watching the affected mannerisms of the women ahead. A wave of discomfort washed over him, and he unconsciously slowed his pace, turning his attention to the scenery instead.