Liu Ying stood to the side, her fingertips twitching slightly, ready to lend a hand should her young mistress fail to snatch it. Uncle Fu snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain.
Under the gaze of everyone present, Yun Yan was trapped, unable to back down, yet he gritted his teeth and held on. The result was—
“Slap!”
The moment the jade buckle snapped open, Yun Yan frantically grabbed his loosened sash, while Yun Pianpian had already swiftly snatched the Storage Pouch, her fingertips deliberately brushing over it with feigned disgust.
“Thank you, Second Brother~” She smiled radiantly, “Consider this a welcome back gift, plus a belated Birthday present.” After a pause, she delivered another blow, “Hmm… it still carries Second Brother’s Body Temperature.”
Yun Yan’s vision went black, his chest feeling as if struck by a heavy hammer—that Storage Pouch contained all his accumulated wealth from these years! Rare Spirit Herbs, High-Grade Spirit Stones, and that First Grade High Rank Spirit Sword he had worked so hard to obtain!
His lifeblood!!!
Overcome by sudden fury, a sweetness flooded his throat, and he promptly fell backward—
“Yan’er!!”
Yun Qingsong’s face was ashen. Looking at his useless son, overwhelming rage and unwillingness churned in his heart, but he had to suppress it, forcing out a smile laced with apology: “Eldest Niece, please inspect everything slowly. I will take this Rebellious Son back to the residence to treat his injuries first.”
“Farewell!”
Yun Pianpian was eager for them to scram. The items were secured; who had the patience to continue acting with them? She wasn't about to invite them to dinner, was she?
She, along with Liu Yun and Liu Ying, executed a crisp ninety-degree bow, their voices clear and loud: “Take care~ We won’t see you out~”
Yun Qingsong’s face darkened enough to drip ink; he practically dragged the unconscious Yun Yan and fled in disarray. The palace Guards, seeing this, quickly followed suit and beat a hasty retreat.
Once that group had shamefully departed, only Yun Pianpian and her two maids, along with Uncle Fu, remained in the Courtyard.
“Pfft—Hahahaha!” Liu Ying finally couldn't hold back her laughter, clutching her stomach and unable to stand straight. “Eldest Miss, you are too amazing! Second Young Master’s expression!”
She wiped away tears of laughter, “Seeing how heartbroken he looked, that Pouch must be filled with treasures!”
A sly smile curved the corner of Yun Pianpian’s lips as she weighed the Spoils of War in her hand. The moment her Divine Sense probed into the Storage Pouch, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise—
A dazzling array of Spirit Tools, piles of Elixirs, rare Spirit Herbs... No wonder Yun Yan preferred fainting to giving them up!
“Now—” She suddenly spread her arms wide, shouting up at the sky, “It’s all mine!”
Sunlight spilled onto her, illuminating her bright, smiling face, even her hair tips seemed to dance with joyful Golden Light.
Uncle Fu and the two maids were infected by this joy. Liu Yun covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, while Liu Ying stomped her feet excitedly. Even the well-traveled Uncle Fu couldn't help but be shocked by the rich haul.
“Miss,” Uncle Fu stroked his beard, his eyes full of relief, “How do you plan to dispose of these treasures?”
Yun Pianpian spun lightly, her skirt unfurling like flower petals, tracing a graceful arc in the sunlight. She stopped, her slender jade finger pointing directly at the pile of Spirit Stones emitting a soft luster, her eyes brimming with spirited energy.
“Of these ten million Mid-grade Spirit Stones, Uncle Fu, take one million to renovate the residence; this dilapidated state is unacceptable.” As she spoke, she wrinkled her nose, her gaze sweeping over the mottled pillars in the courtyard.
“Allocate another million to me; I have a marvelous use for it.” She winked mysteriously, lightly tapping her chin with her fingertip, “The remainder will stay in the public account, reserved for unforeseen needs.”
Just as Yun Pianpian and Uncle Fu were enthusiastically planning the use of the Spirit Stones, the sound of light footsteps approached from nearby. From the shadows of the Corridor, three figures gradually became distinct.
Two females and one male—they were the children of Second Uncle’s Branch: the illegitimate younger sister Yun Yao, Yun Jiao Jiao, and the Eldest Brother Yun Chen. Sunlight filtered through the carved railings, casting dappled shadows upon them.
The leading youth wore an ink-blue long robe, his sleeves fluttering lightly in the wind; this was Yun Chen, the eldest son of the Second Branch.
A complex emotion flashed through his deep eyes, and his thin lips parted slightly: “I truly didn't expect this.”
Hearing this, Yun Pianpian turned, her dark hair dancing lightly in the breeze. She slightly raised her delicate eyebrows, a playful smile curving her red lips: “Didn’t expect what?”
At this moment, Yun Jiao Jiao, who had been hiding behind, timidly stepped forward a few paces. She wore a light green top that made her skin look as crystal clear as fresh snow. Her long Eyelashes trembled lightly like butterfly wings, and her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s whine: “E-Eldest Older Sister… Eldest Brother didn’t mean it like that. We are all very happy that you returned….”
Yun Pianpian’s heart softened. In her memory, this illegitimate sister was always so well-behaved and lovable, one of the few people in the entire Yun Family who was close to her.
The light green top made her look like a tender willow sprout. She reached out and gently stroked Yun Jiao Jiao’s hair: “Jiao Jiao’er be good, Sister will take you out to play in a few days.”
Upon hearing this, the girl’s eyes immediately lit up, like Stars suddenly illuminated in the night sky. That light was filled with pure joy—it turned out her Eldest Older Sister was still the gentle Yun Pianpian she remembered.
A sharp, piercing sneer suddenly stabbed from behind, like a needle in the ear.
Yun Pianpian turned back to see Yun Yao standing under the corridor in a pink dress. The hibiscus embroidery on the garment was lifelike, shimmering faintly in the sunlight, as if it might break free from the Brocade and bloom at any moment.
The girl slightly tilted her chin, her almond eyes glancing sideways, a thin layer of mockery floating in their depths. Her red lips curved slightly, her voice sweet yet laced with malice—
“Eldest Older Sister has quite the imposing manner. You haven't even entered the residence, but your reputation precedes you. Are you afraid people won't know you’re back?”
Before the words finished, Yun Chen sharply reprimanded her: “Yao Yao, shut up!” His brow furrowed tightly, and his gaze instinctively swept toward Yun Pianpian, meeting the frost condensed in her eyes—it was bone-chillingly cold.
The corner of Yun Pianpian’s lips lifted, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Oh? Did they come here looking for trouble?
Reprimanded by her brother, Yun Yao did not restrain herself; instead, she seemed provoked into defiance. She pursed her red lips and threw out another barb: “I heard you even broke off the engagement with the Second Prince? If the Duke finds out…”
Yun Pianpian had initially dismissed it as childish petulance and couldn't be bothered to argue, but the moment the word "Grandfather" was uttered, a trace of coldness flashed through her eyes.
Before the words were finished, Yun Pianpian’s figure flickered, instantly moving like a phantom to stand before Yun Yao.
The corners of her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes seemed quenched with ice. Her voice was soft, yet every word was like a knife—
“My affairs are none of your concern. I will explain everything to Grandfather myself.”
She lightly raised a fingertip, brushing Yun Yao’s lapel almost imperceptibly, her voice suddenly turning sharp and severe: “Mind your own business. If there is a next time…”
The unspoken threat hung like a suspended blade, its chill piercing the bone.
Yun Yao’s face instantly turned pale. The fingers clutching her handkerchief turned white at the knuckles. Under the surprised or amused gazes of the onlookers, she stomped her foot hard, her skirt sweeping out a sharp arc, and turned to leave. Before departing, those almond eyes still glared resentfully at Yun Pianpian, filled with venom.
Yun Chen showed an apologetic expression and said in a low voice: “Eldest Miss, Yao Yao has been spoiled since childhood; please do not take it to heart.”
After speaking, he hurriedly chased after Yun Yao, his back looking slightly rushed.
Yun Jiao Jiao glanced around, twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingertips, and said timidly: “Eldest Older Sister… Then, I’ll be going too…”
Once everyone had dispersed, Yun Pianpian’s expression was indifferent. She merely waved her sleeve, ordering someone to put the Spirit Stones into storage, then turned and headed toward Duke Yun’s courtyard.