The morning light was faint, and a ray of sunlight like a golden thread slanted through the carved window lattice, landing on Yun Pianpian's eyelids. She was dreaming of strolling among the clouds when she was startled awake by a violent shaking—it turned out that girl Liu Yun was relentlessly shaking her shoulder.
"Miss, Miss!" Liu Yun's voice was like a cheerful skylark, filled with unconcealed excitement, "Wake up quickly!" The force with which she shook was enough to rattle the bed frame apart.
In a daze, Yun Pianpian felt the world spinning. She managed to pry open her sleepy eyes, and what greeted her was Liu Yun's pretty face, close enough to touch, her apricot eyes brimming with impatient light.
"Third Master and the Second Prince..." Liu Yun's words exploded near her ear, "have already piled the Spirit Stones in the front courtyard."
"Spirit... Stones?"
Those two words struck her like a thunderclap. Yun Pianpian instantly sobered up, threw off the covers, and rushed out, completely unaware that her bare feet were stepping onto the icy cold floor tiles. Her urgent demeanor was exactly like a greedy cat that had caught the scent of fish, desperate to pounce into the front courtyard immediately.
"Miss! Your shoes!" Liu Yun chased after her, panting heavily while holding up the embroidered shoes, finally managing to grab the sash of Yun Pianpian's flowing robe just at the threshold. "Miss, you haven't even dressed up yet."
"If you go out looking like that, the entire capital will say the Eldest Miss of the Duke's Residence has gone mad by tomorrow!"
In front of the bronze mirror, Yun Pianpian's small head bobbed up and down sleepily, resembling a little chick pecking for grain. Liu Yun's nimble fingers weaved through her waterfall of dark hair, sometimes picking up a strand, sometimes gathering a lock.
The messy strands gradually became neat under Liu Yun's hands, finally transforming into a cloud-patterned bun.
"This will do, keep it simple," Yun Pianpian mumbled vaguely, her eyelids fighting to stay open.
But Liu Yun was completely immersed in the joy of hairstyling, finally solemnly pinning a light pink bead flower on top. The tassels beneath the bead flower gently swayed as Yun Pianpian nodded sleepily, tracing silver arcs in the morning light.
When Liu Yun was about to apply powder to her face again, Yun Pianpian finally woke up completely and waved her hands repeatedly: "No need for that!" She wrinkled her small nose, "It feels suffocating!"
In the end, Yun Pianpian only reluctantly allowed a touch of light crimson lip rouge. That touch of red bloomed on her lips, like cherry blossom petals soaked in morning dew, translucent and delicate, making her porcelain-white skin appear even more lustrous like jade.
While changing clothes, she was languid, like a marionette being manipulated, allowing Liu Yun to tie her sashes and smooth out the folds of her dress. She occasionally had to cover her mouth to stifle a small yawn, a hint of sleepy tears welling up at the corners of her eyes, which made Liu Yun feel both exasperated and amused.
Once everything was tidied up, Yun Pianpian stood before the bronze mirror and paused slightly. The figure reflected was graceful, completely different from her appearance yesterday—perhaps because she had officially entered the Spirit Gathering Stage, the spiritual Qi nourishing her body had subtly smoothed her previously delicate contours, and even her skin exuded a layer of radiant luster.
A simple white ruqun dress hung lightly, its dark pattern flowing like water ripples. The edges were adorned with golden threads outlining cloud patterns and a few deep blue gems, making her look like an evening primrose blooming under the moon—purely beautiful and noble. Her hair was coiled high, the bead flower tassels swaying gently with her movements, the jade pendants at her ears flashing fragmented light, and the necklace around her neck was exquisitely delicate, every bead reflecting the flowing morning light.
Her eyebrows and eyes were gentle, her gaze bright, revealing a touch of liveliness and charm that hadn't been there before.
—How could this still be that skinny bean sprout?
Liu Yun stood to the side, hands clasped over her heart, her eyes full of pride in her "masterpiece." Yun Pianpian was even more satisfied, thinking: "If I had this skill in modern times, I could film a few makeup transformation videos and definitely go viral!"
However, as her gaze inadvertently swept over her chest, she suddenly recalled the man's mocking tone from last night. Her fingertips subconsciously touched that spot, and she gritted her teeth secretly:
"From today onward, three bowls of pig trotters soup a day!"
Passing through layers of corridors, the distinct, crisp scent of Spirit Stones drifted like threads, gradually growing stronger. Yun Pianpian's nose twitched, and her steps unconsciously quickened. Turning the last screen wall, the view suddenly opened up—
Twenty vermilion-lacquered chests were lined up neatly. Half the lids were wide open, revealing the Spirit Stones stacked perfectly inside, emitting a soft blue glow in the morning light, resembling a flowing star river. Uncle Fu held an account book, meticulously counting the numbers, while Yun Qingsong and his son stood to the side, followed by several palace attendants. Their expressions were respectful, yet the scrutiny in their eyes could not be hidden.
"Niece Niece arrives quite early." Yun Qingsong forced a smile, but his eyes held a sinister glint, as if suppressing some deep resentment. To gather these five million Spirit Stones, he had sold off three manor estates overnight; his heart was bleeding right now.
Yun Pianpian acted as if she noticed nothing, casually picking up a Spirit Stone and gently rubbing it between her fingers, feeling the spiritual Qi flowing within. The corners of her lips curved up slightly, with a hint of casual mockery: "We're all old foxes here, there's no need to pretend to be close uncle and niece, right?" She paused, then suddenly smiled brightly, "But right now, Pianpian actually feels a deep bond with the Third Branch—"
"After all, Third Uncle is so 'sincere,' Pianpian feels very motivated too."
The pale blue Spirit Stone spun lightly between her fingers, refracting fine halos of light in the sun, making it seem as if starlight flickered in her eyes.
Yun Qingsong's tightly held shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly upon hearing this.
Now was not the time to tear off the facade, and besides... he secretly sized up the bright-smiling girl before him, his doubts deepening—this girl's recent words and actions were all strangely off, yet he couldn't figure out the underlying reason.
The situation was unclear; for now... he would endure it.
"However..." Yun Pianpian paused, her voice trailing off with a slight lift at the end, like a small hook, instantly pulling back the peace Yun Qingsong had just found.
Yun Yan's spine stiffened, inexplicably feeling the chill of being targeted by a poisonous snake.
"I heard Second Brother has an excellent storage pouch, you said you would give it to me for my birthday, didn't you?" She lightly tapped her crimson lips, feigning sudden realization, though a flash of cunning crossed her eyes, "Oh dear, I almost forgot."
Yun Yan: "...?!"
He didn't! He didn't!
That storage pouch was hanging conspicuously on the jade belt at his waist, the golden thread embroidery shimmering with a pearlescent luster in the morning light, impossible to hide.
He instinctively tried to cover it with his sleeve, but Yun Pianpian's eyes were sharp. Not only did she see it, but she also advanced toward him step by step, the smile on her lips seemingly pleasant, yet causing a cold sweat to break out on Yun Yan's back.
"Not that one!" He abruptly retreated two steps. The memory of his sister's bruised and swollen face from yesterday was still vivid; he didn't want to suffer the same fate.
He! Did! Not! Want! It!
In a flash, Yun Pianpian was upon him, her slender jade hand snatching one corner of the storage pouch. They each held an end, exerting hidden strength against each other. Yun Yan was horrified to discover—this sister, who used to be frail, possessed astonishing strength!
"Creak—" The storage pouch was pulled taut, the golden thread embroidery nearly snapping, and even the jade buckle on his belt began to loosen.
"Rebellious Son!" Yun Qingsong roared angrily, "Since you promised it to your sister as a birthday gift, just give it to her! Is a mere storage pouch worth you being so stingy?!"