Figures circled the General's mansion, as if to probe the situation within.
These figures had just leaped over the wall.
The next moment.
A flash of blade cut through the air.
"Who are you?"
A challenge caused the faces of the intruders to change drastically.
When had the General's mansion acquired such formidable guards?
With no time to verify, the men in black threw out lime powder and seized the opportunity to escape.
A moment later, the guards went to report the matter to Yun Shu and Yun Changfeng.
Upon hearing that someone had attempted to breach the General's mansion.
There was no surprise.
Father and daughter exchanged glances and simply smiled.
Having left the Dali Temple safely today, neither of the two charges had managed to keep them there.
Therefore, some people were getting anxious.
...
At the same time.
Outside the capital city.
In a small mountain village.
Lived an old man and a boy of four or five years.
The elder and the child had moved in not long ago.
The location was very close to the capital, a mere half-day's walk.
Hence, the villagers were not curious about the arrival of the old man and the boy.
In the village, many families resided in the capital, and many, tired of city life, came to the small mountain village for peace and quiet.
The old man possessed medical skills.
However, for some unknown reason, he rarely treated people.
In the two days they had been there, the courtyard was filled with various strange herbs. Villagers who tried to touch them were warned that the herbs were poisonous and should not be handled carelessly.
The timid villagers naturally dared not touch them.
However, those who knew were curious why the old man, despite his medical skills, had only poisonous plants spread out in his courtyard instead of medicinal herbs for healing.
Moreover, the child accompanying the old man was quiet, spending his days engrossed in a book.
Despite his young age, he appeared to have learned many characters.
Even late into the night.
The boy did not sleep, but instead, leaned over the table, reading.
The old man sat nearby, holding a stick.
Whenever the boy felt drowsy, he would use the stick to tap the boy's back.
"You must finish this book tonight. I will test you tomorrow," the old man said.
The boy yawned, forcing his eyes open to read.
He hoped to absorb all the knowledge from the book.
However, he was truly tired.
"Gu Xiaofeng, do not forget. You promised the Regent and Miss Yun that you would inherit my legacy, mastering all poisons and concocting antidotes that no one else can," Elder Yin said sternly.
Even though he was speaking to a child, he showed no mercy.
This was because the person he was training was destined to serve the Regent.
And he would not let his own reputation be tarnished.
Upon hearing the words "Miss Yun," a look of resilience flickered in Gu Xiaofeng's eyes. No matter how difficult, he could persevere.
He could not let down his foster mother!
"Yes, I will remember!"
Elder Yin, looking at Gu Xiaofeng's strong will, was pleased.
"Good. Remember, the people who are best to you in this world are the Regent and Miss Yun. Their enemies are your enemies. Those they command you to deal with are your enemies. You must be loyal to them your entire life, never wavering."
Gu Xiaofeng nodded vigorously. "Yes, Master, your disciple understands! Your disciple will surely heed your teachings."
From birth, he had been abandoned by his biological parents to be fed to dogs. If his foster mother had not saved him, he would have died long ago.
He hated his biological parents.
But he was grateful to his foster mother!
He wanted to repay his foster mother!
...
The next day.
The General's mansion.
Jing Heng returned from outside.
He appeared silently before Yun Shu.
Bringing with him a piece of news.
"Master, Ruan Xi sent a message saying that someone has been inquiring about your whereabouts recently and seems to have discovered you are in the capital. They say this person has spread word that if you save him, he will agree to any amount of silver or any request. Ruan Xi says he cannot currently identify the messenger, but it is undeniable that the person seeking you, like Ruan Xi, has encountered an incurable poison."
Hearing this, a smile immediately flashed in Yun Shu's amber, glass-like eyes. "It seems they are quite wealthy."
"Master, should we save this person?" Jing Heng asked.
Yun Shu shook her head. "Let's talk about it when I'm short on money."
"Alright. Also, Elder Han should arrive in the capital in about ten days," Jing Heng added.
Yun Shu nodded.
"Ruan Xi has been too meddlesome. He learned that the Regent and Yun Yueyin have returned, so he investigated Yun Yueyin. The informants in the Yun family say Yun Yueyin is dissatisfied with her current residence. Ruan Xi suggests that Yun Yueyin might already be trying every means to return to the General's mansion." Jing Heng reported.
The smile in Yun Shu's beautiful eyes deepened.
It was extremely profound, yet it seemed to carry a hint of chilling coldness.
"Ruan Xi said the Regent is ruthless, with deeply entrenched forces behind him. You must be extremely careful. However, these are his words. With just one command from you, Master, I will go and kill Yun Yueyin directly." As Jing Heng spoke, he had already drawn his sword.
He had polished and sharpened this sword daily, so much so that if one accidentally brushed their fingertip against its tip, it would leave a deep gash.
This blade had accompanied him in countless killings.
Yun Shu's lips twitched. "Jing Heng, we must be gentle and considerate. No matter how wicked Yun Yueyin is, and no matter how many wrongdoings she has committed, she is still a woman. Gentleness, use a gentle approach, alright?"
Jing Heng looked annoyed, as if it were troublesome.
"She is currently the apple of the Regent's eye. This matter cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, the method towards her must be gentle, very gentle," Yun Shu slowly narrowed her eyes, her tone very soft.
But Jing Heng, who had followed Yun Shu for many years, could detect the chilling murderous intent in her words.
Yun Shu lowered her gaze. "Yun Xiaojing is with Ruan Xi. Is he behaving himself?"
"Ruan Xi, fearing he might escape again, has assigned many people to watch him. He should not be able to run," Jing Heng replied.
Yun Shu nodded. "Yun Xiaojing must have a secret. He must have gone somewhere these past few days. Could it be..."
Jing Heng looked at Yun Shu.
Yun Shu, however, frowned and shook her head. "It's unlikely. If he truly went to see Zhan Tianye, given Zhan Tianye's style of handling matters, he would definitely investigate Yun Xiaojing's identity."
"Could he be trying to avenge the young lady? Investigating Yun Yueyin these past few days?" Jing Heng's mind raced.
He had heard Yun Xiaojing mention frequently of late that he wanted to avenge his mother.
He was determined to make that wicked woman, Yun Yueyin, pay the price.
Yun Shu's eyes narrowed. "Have Ruan Xi keep a close eye on him."
"Yes."
...
Ruan Mansion.
Yun Xiaojing, with a sly grin, presented a large apple to Ruan Xi.
"Uncle Ruan, I suddenly realize your face has faintly shown a label, and that label reads 'work harder, and you can become Yun Xiaojing's father.'" Yun Xiaojing smiled obsequiously.