Yi Zixing stopped abruptly, staring in surprise at Yun Shu, who stood before him.
She likely hadn't expected to encounter Yun Shu on a street with so few people passing by, late at night.
"Miss Yun Er?" he asked, somewhat uncertain.
In the moonlight, the woman's appearance was so clear, yet upon seeing her, he felt as though he were in a dream, illusory.
Unreal.
Yun Shu gave a soft hum. She noticed Yi Zixing was dressed in night-traveling attire and seemed to be in a hurry.
Suddenly, she recalled Xie Jin's words. Could he be going to see his mistress kept elsewhere?
Was his furtive movement at night to avoid the Zhongyong Marquis's men following him?
Yi Zixing's gaze flickered, somewhat hesitant to meet Yun Shu's eyes directly. Fortunately, the darkness hid the evasiveness in his eyes. In truth, beneath the evasion, a wave of confusion washed over him – why should he feel guilty?
"I have urgent matters to attend to. We shall meet another day," Yi Zixing said, glancing back and offering Yun Shu a somewhat apologetic look.
Yun Shu nodded. "Alright."
She stood with her hands behind her back, not rushing to leave, but watching Yi Zixing's figure recede into the distance.
In the darkness, his figure appeared exceptionally hurried.
Indeed, not long after Yi Zixing departed, some commotion arose ahead.
Yun Shu's heart stirred. She directly leaped onto the wall, sitting atop it, and watched a group of people riding horses approach in the distance, pursuing Yi Zixing's direction.
It seemed the Zhongyong Marquis likely did not approve of Yi Zixing's mistress.
She withdrew her gaze and then leaped down from the wall.
She then made her way in the direction of the General's Mansion.
Upon her return to the General's Mansion and as she was about to retire for the night, she discovered Jing Heng was not present.
It was rare for Jing Heng to be absent.
She had been busy with matters over the past two days, and had asked Jing Heng to discreetly investigate some things as well.
Her eyes moved, and she turned towards A'cha's room.
She knocked twice.
There was no response from A'cha.
Normally, A'cha would open the door immediately upon hearing a sound, so was A'cha also not here?
Yu Le, groggily, opened the door and came to Yun Shu. "Miss, were you just knocking on A'cha's door? A'cha seems to have gone out with Jing Heng. They asked me to tell Miss that they've gone to handle some matters and that Miss shouldn't worry."
After speaking, Yu Le yawned.
"Jing Heng has been very attentive to A'cha lately?" Yun Shu suddenly felt a surge of interest.
It was rare for Jing Heng to care so much for A'cha. Seeing this situation, should she perhaps start preparing A'cha's dowry?
Perhaps A'cha would even get married before her.
Yu Le also perked up, no longer sleepy. She nodded repeatedly and looked around. The entire General's Mansion was quiet, the servants were all asleep. She immediately spoke without reservation: "Miss, although A'cha doesn't say it, this servant can see that she likes Jing Heng very much. Of course, Jing Heng also doesn't say it, and usually maintains a cold expression, quite frightening. But when he speaks to A'cha, his tone becomes very gentle! I was shocked, Miss!"
"Excellent, excellent, Yu Le. Help me prepare the dowry in private. Prepare two sets, one for you and one for A'cha. It appears A'cha will marry before you." Yun Shu thought for a moment, feeling that she should start preparing from now.
To avoid being flustered later.
Yu Le was startled. "This servant... prepare a dowry for me too?"
She would actually have one?
Immediately, her eyes turned red, glistening with tears. "Miss, how could this servant be so fortunate."
She had never imagined that one day someone would think of preparing a dowry for her. She dared not even dream of her own marriage. In fact, being by Miss's side like this already made her very happy, something she had never dared to imagine before!
"You are someone by my side. I consider both you and A'cha as my younger sisters. Your dowries should have been prepared by me anyway. I cannot let you follow me for nothing. You have always been steady and intelligent. With you here, many things do not trouble me. Yu Le, you deserve it," Yun Shu said softly.
Yu Le's eyes reddened even more. "Miss! This servant doesn't have anyone particular I like. This servant feels there is no man in this life worthy of this servant's marriage. This servant's dowry can wait; it can be prepared for A'cha first. This servant will stay by Miss's side forever!"
"Silly Yu Le, don't speak too soon. This young lady predicts you will have someone you fancy in the future. It's late, go get some rest," Yun Shu said with a smile.
Yu Le wiped away her tears and nodded obediently. "This servant will go to sleep. Miss, please also rest as soon as possible. If you need anything, just command this servant."
"Good, go."
The next day.
Yun Shu woke up when the sun was already high in the sky.
While having breakfast, she saw that A'cha had already returned.
Her complexion seemed somewhat unusual.
After finishing breakfast, Yun Shu kept A'cha behind.
"Miss, yesterday, this servant went to see my father with Jing Heng. He still didn't recognize me, thinking I was the daughter of my aunt's family. I pretended to be my aunt's younger sister and asked him where I was. He was still lying, saying I had already found a good family, and that family did not wish for my past to be known to outsiders, asking me to keep it a secret," A'cha said, her expression appearing very cold as she recalled this past event.
It was even colder than when she had previously spoken of her father.
"I don't know if it was because he saw me, but he seemed a bit guilty. He actually went to the prison. Upon learning that I had died in prison long ago, he went to a tavern to drink and celebrate. Truly a beast in human form."
"So... last night, I asked Jing Heng to help bring him out. He still didn't recognize me, desperately trying to explain to me that he doesn't know A'cha's specific whereabouts now, but she must have already found happiness. He said she doesn't contact family now probably because she fears being implicated by her family. It was he who caused me to suffer all this hardship, causing me to live like neither human nor ghost these past years! Yet he spreads rumors!"
As A'cha spoke, tears streamed down her face.
Yun Shu listened quietly, reaching out to gently grasp A'cha's somewhat cold hand.
Although A'cha was crying, she still managed a smile and shook her head. "Miss, I am crying for my past self. I know he has always been this cruel and heartless, so I revealed my identity to him. He was stunned speechless, still crying and arguing defiantly, saying he had no choice, that it wasn't that he didn't want to send me to prison, but that his vicious wife couldn't tolerate me. He said he always kept me in his heart, dreaming of me and my mother day and night, and that everything he did these past years was out of necessity!"
"Nonsense."
Standing by the door, Jing Heng, who had been silent, could no longer hold back and cursed.
Yun Shu glanced at Jing Heng.
Jing Heng probably felt that just saying "nonsense" was not enough, and added, "He doesn't deserve to be a man, nor does he deserve to be a father."
"Yes, he absolutely doesn't deserve it!" A'cha sneered.