At first, hearing the laughter, there was a hint of surprise.
The laughter sounded somewhat familiar.
Looking out the carriage window and seeing the carriage of General Zhennan’s mansion, Yun Ying’s expression turned cold.
“We’re about to be punished, and yet Father is so happy!”
Upon hearing this, Yang shi followed suit, peeking out from the lifted carriage curtain.
Her face also darkened immediately. “You can laugh now, but you won’t be able to soon.”
She felt a pang of dissatisfaction that their departure had not affected Yun Changfeng and Yun Shu, allowing the father and daughter to still laugh.
Could it be that they knew their carriage was nearby and were deliberately pretending?
She supposed that was possible.
Yun Shu and Yun Changfeng, the father and daughter, were oblivious to the thoughts of the three people in the adjacent carriage.
They hadn’t even noticed the other carriage.
Soon,
Everyone entered the palace in an orderly fashion.
By this time, the sky was approaching dusk.
The horizon was tinged with red.
Those outside the palace had their identities verified at the palace gates before entering one by one.
This was Yun Shu’s first time seeing an ancient imperial palace.
The former host’s impression of the palace was rather vague. Perhaps every time she entered the palace, many embarrassing things would happen, subconsciously lowering her impression of the imperial palace.
Therefore, Yun Shu was very interested in the palace.
She admired the scenery within the imperial palace along the way.
The vast palace was resplendent with gold and jade everywhere.
And strict palace regulations were also evident everywhere.
After entering the palace, Yun Changfeng put away his smile. He had to face the consequences of losing the military seal. Who had quietly entered the general’s mansion and stolen the military seal right under his nose?
What was their intention?
Even if the military seal was stolen, it couldn't command the soldiers. It would only lead to his punishment.
Was it aimed solely at him?
Yun Changfeng’s mind raced with countless conjectures.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the imperial garden.
A crowd had already gathered in the imperial garden.
The arrival of Yun Shu and Yun Changfeng attracted a multitude of gazes.
Everyone looked at Yun Shu and Yun Changfeng with curiosity.
Today, the news had spread throughout the capital.
Yun Shu sensed the gazes and curved her lips slightly, her eyes filled with a gentle and confident smile.
Originally, everyone had expected to see Yun Shu making a spectacle of herself again. To their surprise, after five years, Yun Shu had become so radiant!
So breathtakingly beautiful!
Her presence seemed to overshadow everyone else, making their own brilliance dim.
The faces that had been anticipating a show turned grim.
“Look, how come Yun Shu today…”
“No matter how beautiful she is, she’s still a fool!”
One person sneered, their words dripping with mockery.
But this reminded everyone that Yun Shu was a fool! Her beauty today, her normal appearance, was merely because she was entering the palace with her general father.
However, it didn’t change the fact that she was a fool.
Following this, everyone’s expressions returned to normal.
Yet, the men found it difficult to tear their eyes away.
However, upon hearing the discussions of the women beside them, they all wore expressions of regret.
Such beauty, truly the most beautiful woman in the world.
It was a pity, she was just a fool!
When Yun Shu heard someone call her a fool, she subtly raised an eyebrow.
She followed Yun Changfeng and took her seat.
After sitting down, Yun Shu noticed Yun Changfeng’s somber expression, with a trace of anger lingering on his face.
She chuckled softly, “Father, why bother with these frogs in a well?”
Yun Changfeng’s brows unfurled upon hearing this. “Shu’er is right. Why should I bother with them? After today, they will all shut up.”
Today, the entire capital would know that Shu’er was not foolish.
The next moment, Yun Dezhi arrived with a beaming smile.
Those in the capital who were privy to the situation knew very well why Yun Dezhi was in such high spirits – it was because he had a good daughter! Many officials in the court envied Yun Dezhi for being able to form a connection with the Regent. Moreover, it was rumored that Yun Yueyin was very important to the Regent.
This made them even more jealous.
In comparison, everyone felt that the one who would soar to success in the future was not Yun Changfeng, but Yun Dezhi.
Some, not understanding the situation, even believed that Yun Dezhi was the one who had achieved merit on the battlefield in recent years, considering him an overlooked and underestimated general.
Of course, this was all spread intentionally by Yun Dezhi after returning from the battlefield, all to embellish his own image.
And during these years, even though Yun Changfeng had heard some rumors, he didn’t care. What he cared about was finding his daughter.
Yun Shu lightly tapped her fingers on the table.
She looked at the tea in front of her.
The tea rippled gently as she tapped.
How interesting, someone had tampered with her tea.
She glanced at Yun Changfeng’s teacup.
Just as Yun Changfeng was about to pick it up, she pretended to accidentally knock it over.
“I’m sorry, Father,” Yun Shu immediately apologized.
The scent of the tea wafted to her nose.
Nothing had been done to it.
That meant the tampering must have occurred when the palace attendants poured her tea as she sat down.
They were indeed quick.
However…
She picked up the teacup without any concern and took a few sips.
From the corner of her eye, she looked towards the direction of the newcomers.
People kept arriving, but Zhan Tianye and Zhan Xiaoli had not yet appeared.
She was so looking forward to seeing Zhan Xiaoli.
That was her son.
If only Zhan Tianye hadn’t come along, she could have more freely acknowledged her son.
“Shu’er, what’s wrong?” Yun Changfeng saw Yun Shu looking distracted, thinking she was bothered by the occasional glances from people nearby.
Yun Shu withdrew her gaze. “Nothing, Father.”
Both she and Yun Changfeng had excellent hearing and could hear the discussions around them.
But such gossip held no power over her, and she didn't need to pay it any mind.
“Sister.”
A voice sounded beside her.
She turned her head.
Yun Shu smiled.
“Sister, are you worried about what will happen to you in the future? Why don’t you beg me? I’ll go and beg Grandmother for you, and she might take you in out of consideration for me,” Yun Ying said in a low voice.
At this moment, Yun Ying was elaborately dressed, appearing more radiant than usual.
“Scram,” Yun Shu replied, still smiling.
Yun Ying’s expression changed, and she gritted her teeth. “Are you sure you won’t beg me? Don’t be so stubborn! When you’re imprisoned, you won’t even have the chance to beg me.”
Then, Yun Ying turned to Yun Changfeng and said, “Father, this is the last time I will call you Father today. You’ve never had me, your daughter, in your eyes. I didn't dare to say it before, but now I must say it, I hate you! I will never call you Father again!”
After saying this, she felt a long sigh of relief.
It felt incredibly comfortable.
Yun Changfeng merely cast a distant, indifferent glance at Yun Ying.
Yun Ying felt utterly ignored and angrily bit her teeth hard.
“You’re done talking, get lost. I’m in a good mood today and can’t be bothered with you,” Yun Shu said sternly.
In her peripheral vision, she saw Zhan Tianye.
He was being pushed in a wheelchair, accompanied by Zhan Xiaoli.
Her precious son, as delicate as jade!
That cold little face, so adorable no matter how she looked at it!