Yun Pianpian moved with light, graceful steps, her skirt flowing like a stream of light across the floor, slowly approaching Yun Sheng under everyone's gaze. She leaned slightly, her crimson lips close to Yun Sheng's ear, her breath fragrant like orchids, but the words she spoke were like icy blades dipped in poison:
"Whatever big sister doesn't want, you can just pick it up—"
The voice was so soft only the two of them could hear it, yet it made Yun Sheng tremble, the joy on her face instantly freezing over.
"Since this matter is concluded, this official will take my leave first."
Yun Qingsong, his face ashen, flicked his official robe, ready to leave this place that had caused him to lose all face. However, he saw Yun Pianpian spread her wide sleeves, blocking his path like a stream of light.
"Third Uncle, don't be in a hurry~"
The young lady's smile was like a blooming flower, yet her eyes held the frost of a thousand years. She lightly stroked the entwined branch pattern embroidered on her cuff, her tone gentle to the point of being terrifying:
"There is still one 'small matter' that needs to be 'informed' to Third Uncle."
—What an 'inform'!
Yun Qingsong's back molars ground together with a loud clicking sound, his hands beneath his official robe clenched tightly. His niece dared to speak to him with such a condescending tone now!
Yun Pianpian sneered internally: Only now does he remember to put on airs as an official?
She turned elegantly, her slender jade fingers lightly tapping the desk.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Each sound struck Yun Qingsong's heart like a hammer blow.
"During today's inventory of the storeroom, we found some... interesting entries in the ledger." Her fingertips paused, and when she looked up, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes, "The accountant said they were 'borrowed' by Third Uncle."
"But now in the Residence... Grandfather..."
She sighed softly, and an account book slid out from her sleeve, "Even the Spirit Stones for buying medicine for Grandfather must be carefully accounted for."
Fine sweat beaded on Yun Qingsong's forehead, and just as he was about to speak—
"Five million."
Yun Pianpian's crimson lips parted slightly, uttering a number that changed the expression of everyone present:
"Mid-grade Spirit Stones."
"Nonsense!"
Yun Qingsong staggered as if struck by lightning, his body leaning precariously. He had clearly only used three million; where did five million come from?!
Yun Pianpian slowly opened the account book, lightly tapping the jade finger:
"Did Third Uncle perhaps forget?"
"Supporting Father is a duty of a son." She suddenly dropped her smile, her gaze sharp as a knife, "Now that Grandfather is under my care, the expenses for these years and those to come..."
"Or perhaps—" She suddenly smiled sweetly, but it sent chills down their spines, "Third Uncle intends to become a faithless wretch?"
The last sentence struck like a heavy hammer; Yun Qingsong's vision went black, and he finally understood—
This five million today was not just about collecting a debt...
It was about making him lose all reputation in public!
Seeing Yun Qingsong's face ashen and his lips pale, Yun Pianpian continued unhurriedly, "Furthermore, regarding the danger I encountered recently, I discovered that the Second..."
"Silence!" Yun Qingsong suddenly roared, a hint of panic in his voice.
He knew well that since this girl had managed to return alive, it was not surprising that she might have uncovered some clues.
But absolutely not—the Second Prince must not be implicated!
He forced himself to calm down: "Let this matter end here. The Spirit Stones will be delivered in full tomorrow." He paused, then asked coldly, "May this official leave now?"
Seeing that her objective was achieved, and not being one to force people to stay, Yun Pianpian gave Liu Ying a meaningful look.
The Second Prince saw this and assumed the farce was over, preparing to leave with Yun Qingsong. Today's events were suspicious in every aspect and required careful consideration. Who knew that by the time he reached the door, Yun Qingsong had already vanished outside, and he himself was blocked by a slender figure.
Liu Ying was seen leaning against the doorframe, one leg bent and propped against the opposite frame, her skirt swaying lightly like a stream of light. It was clearly the posture of a charming young girl, yet it exuded an unyielding authority.
"Insolence!" The Second Prince was furious, his eyes seemingly ready to spew fire. The humiliation suffered today far exceeded the limit his noble status could endure.
Yun Pianpian turned upon hearing this, her gaze flowing over the Second Prince's gloomy face like water.
Suddenly, she broke into a bright smile, as radiant as the spring sunlight of March: "What a coincidence, Your Highness and my Third Uncle truly share a connection. Since the engagement is broken..." Her slender finger lightly tapped her crimson lips, feigning thought, "The previous expenditures should also be settled properly."
She deliberately paused before slowly saying, "The total comes to five million and two hundred and fifty Mid-grade Spirit Stones. Considering our past relationship..." Before she finished speaking, she was interrupted by the Second Prince through gritted teeth:
"Unnecessary!"
A hint of cunning flashed in Yun Pianpian's eyes, and her crimson lips parted: "So, Your Highness prefers the number 'two hundred and fifty'?" She covered her face with her sleeve, her shoulders trembling slightly, and the sound of silver bells spilled out between her fingers, "Very well, a gentleman helps others achieve their desires; Pianpian shall fulfill Your Highness's wish."
Immediately after, she raised her hand and took out a stone shimmering with flowing light and overflowing color, her voice crisp and pleasant:
"Everything that just happened, I have recorded using a Shadow Recording Stone. Tomorrow at Chen hour, I will be waiting for you both in the front courtyard of the Duke's Residence."
"So, you two may leave now."
The Second Prince's face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh: "I never realized Eldest Miss Yun was so calculating. I will give you the Spirit Stones—let's see if you can handle them!"
After throwing out the harsh words, he turned away in anger and stumbled out with Yun Qingsong.
"Tch, who are you trying to scare?" Yun Pianpian snorted lightly, deliberately raising her voice to shout after their retreating figures, "Don't forget—tomorrow, I will personally inspect them!"
The footsteps of the two men paused, and they nearly twisted their ankles climbing the steps; they looked utterly pathetic.
Meanwhile, Yun Pianpian was in high spirits and high spirits, even high-fiving Liu Ying in celebration.
"This is just collecting the interest," Her gaze turned slightly cold, a sneer curving the corner of her lips, "If they weren't guilty, why would they agree so readily?"
This was only the beginning. Those who harmed the Original Owner, the blood debt they owed, not a single one would escape! She was determined to collect it all back, with interest!
Little did they know, on the eaves of a distant pavilion, a man in snow-white robes sat perched, lazily propping up his chin, letting out a low laugh: "Truly... marvelous."
Having dealt with these matters, Yun Pianpian thought of visiting Xiao Wu and headed towards Shuhua Garden with Liu Ying and Fang Hua.
Along the way, she constantly felt a gaze falling on her faintly, but every time she turned back, there was no one there.
"Is there a ghost?" she muttered, feeling inexplicably uneasy, "This is truly bizarre..."
Liu Ying noticed her strangeness and stopped, "Miss, what is wrong?"
Yun Pianpian couldn't quite explain it, so she just waved her hand, "Forget it, it's nothing, let's go."
Upon reaching Shuhua Garden, Yun Pianpian did not ask Fang Hua to announce her arrival and pushed the door open directly.
What met her eyes were bare walls—besides a bed and a table, there was nothing else.
Yun Pianpian frowned, cursing inwardly: Damn it, I should have extorted a bit more!
The youth on the couch rose upon hearing the sound. Though he could not see, he had already sensed Yun Pianpian stepping into the courtyard. By the time the Carved Wooden Door creaked open, he had already straightened his clothes to welcome her, his pale, slender fingers pointing precisely in her direction.