Yun Yan felt considerable pressure, watching her grandson, Sun Zi Han, and Xue Chang Yi, now reconciled. Not only did she have to protect them, but also to constantly thwart anyone who might disrupt the marriage between the驸马 (Fuma - Imperial Son-in-law) and Xue Chang Yi.
“I wonder how the Master is doing. She misses the Master so much.”
When Sun Zi Han and Xue Chang Yi returned, they found Yun He gone. Sun Zi Han and Xue Chang Yi did not press for details, for they already knew. Yun Yan had helped them. Xue Chang Yi did not ask where Yun Yan had sent Yun He.
She didn't want to ask anymore. Her heart ached. Besides her mother, Yun He was the closest person to her. Yet, this very person spoke ill of her behind her back.
“Your Highness, please do not dwell on unpleasant things,” Sun Zi Han said.
Xue Chang Yi nodded, “I won’t.” She would no longer let irrelevant people affect her mood. Never again.
Soon, they entered the Sun family estate. This was Xue Chang Yi’s first time leaving the palace, and everything seemed novel.
Xue Chang Yi quickly bought a pile of items, and Sun Zi Han became the porter, helping her carry the goods.
Sun Zi Han looked at his brother. Three years ago, he and his elder brother were alone. Now, he and his elder brother were married. He sighed.
Suddenly, he spotted a figure, so familiar. His body trembled, and he grabbed Yun Yan, saying, “You carry these. If the Highness comes out, tell her I’ll be heading directly back to the inn.”
Yun Yan was about to refuse, but Sun Zi Han had already vanished.
“Yun Yan, I…” Xue Chang Yi emerged, finding Yun Yan holding the items, while Sun Zi Han was nowhere to be seen.
She walked over and asked, “Where is Zi Han?”
Yun Yan had no choice but to say, “The Fuma had urgent matters and left. He said he would return directly to the inn tonight.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Chang Yi stomped her foot. “He’s doing this on purpose!”
Yun Yan remained silent. At this moment, anything she said would likely cause the two, who had just reconciled, to misunderstand each other again. Faced with such a situation, it was better for her to say nothing.
Sun Zi Han looked at the endless stream of people. There, he knew he wasn't mistaken. It was her, it really was her.
“Your Highness, someone is following us,” Xue Lian pulled Xue Zi Ning into hiding behind a bun stall. She saw the man standing in the middle, her gaze momentarily fixed on him. That person…
“Your Highness, it seems to be the young master of the Sun family, Sun Zi Han,” Xue Lian whispered.
Xue Zi Ning nodded, “I know.”
“Your Highness, he’s coming this way,” Xue Lian said.
“Go from above…”
Xue Lian looked at the blocked sky and twitched her lips. “Master, it seems we cannot go from above.”
Xue Zi Ning gritted her teeth and said, “Then let’s split up and meet at the inn.”
With that, she pushed Xue Lian aside, grabbed an article of clothing that someone had hung on a bamboo pole, wrapped it around her head, and left.
Xue Lian also quickly grabbed a piece of clothing, wrapped it around her face, and left from the back.
Only when she realized no one was following did Xue Zi Ning breathe a sigh of relief. She removed the item from her head, only to discover it wasn't clothing at all, but a man's underpants.
Her face flushed slightly.
“Little lady, I didn't know you had such a hobby. However, using others’ things isn't good. If you like, mine are all yours,” Hua Yun Jin said, looking at her.
Xue Zi Ning’s ears turned red. Just as she was about to explain, Hua Yun Jin suddenly stepped forward and pushed her against the wall, placing his hands on either side of her, pinning her tightly between his arms.
“You…”
Before Xue Zi Ning could finish speaking, Hua Yun Jin leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Someone’s here.”
His warm breath tickled her face. As she was about to ask where, she heard footsteps approaching. Through the small gap between Hua Yun Jin’s shoulder and earlobe, she saw Sun Zi Han’s figure. She quickly leaned her head on Hua Yun Jin’s shoulder.
She felt Hua Yun Jin’s body stiffen. “Sir, have you seen…”
Hua Yun Jin put an arm around her head, turned to the inquirer, and coldly replied, “Don’t you see I’m busy?”
“My apologies!” Sun Zi Han glanced at the person in Hua Yun Jin’s arms. He knew it was probably just a similar build. He was just infatuated.
“Farewell!” Sun Zi Han clasped his hands in a salute and left.
“Alright, he’s gone,” as the voice fell, Xue Zi Ning felt Hua Yun Jin release her. Not only did he release her, but he also put some distance between them.
She instinctively looked up at Hua Yun Jin. Only then did she notice his earlobes were bright red. “Why are your earlobes so red?”
Hua Yun Jin froze, then leaned in. “Little lady, what do you think?”
On his jade-like face, his alluring gaze shone with a brilliance akin to fine jade. In that instant, her heart skipped a beat.
“Thank you today. We shall meet again!” Xue Zi Ning quickly flew away from there.
Watching her hasty retreat, a smile curved Hua Yun Jin’s lips.
“Your Highness, why did you return so late?” Xue Lian waited at the inn entrance and only relaxed when she saw Xue Zi Ning return.
“I…”
“Waiter, two superior rooms.”
Xue Lian looked down and quickly said to Xue Zi Ning, “Master, it’s the young master of the Sun family.”
“Back to the room,” Xue Zi Ning said in a low, cold command. The two entered the room.
“You… what are you doing?” a weak voice came. Xue Zi Ning and Xue Lian exchanged glances. It seemed they had entered the wrong room. In a wooden tub, a frail man was submerged, his eyes filled with panic.
“Young master, don't be afraid. We are just hiding from someone.”
The man suddenly opened his mouth to shout. Xue Zi Ning instinctively reached out to cover his mouth. The man could only look at her face, so close, yet utterly helpless. Suddenly, the man’s face turned bright red. She was startled, only to find the man naked, and she was in an ambiguous pose facing him.
She quickly let go of the man. The man looked at her, then tilted his head and leaned against the side of the wooden tub.
Xue Zi Ning was startled. She quickly stepped forward to check the man’s breathing. Though frail, he was still alive.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Xue Lian, who had been observing the situation outside, closed the window and said, “Master, Young Master Sun is not alone. He has brought Xue Chang Yi into the inn.”
Xue Zi Ning felt a headache coming on. One was not enough; now another was here.
“Your Highness, your appearance has already changed. Will Young Master Jin still recognize you?”
Xue Zi Ning replied, “Better safe than sorry.”
“Even if Your Highness is recognized, what of it? Young Master Sun is already the Fuma,” Xue Lian asked, confused.