Volume One, Chapter Five: Arrival at the Yun Residence

Hearing this, Lady Feng was caught between laughter and tears. She looked toward a youth of about fifteen or sixteen standing nearby and said, "Chu’er, come and greet your second sister."

Yun Chu collected his thoughts and walked over with a beaming smile. "Second sister, I am your younger brother, Yun Chu."

Zhao Yan glanced at Yun Chu. Though she smiled, the expression did not reach her eyes. *Heh, it seems this brat doesn’t like me.* The corners of her mouth curled upward as she reached out and pinched Yun Chu’s face.

"Nice to meet you, little brother."

Yun Chu had not expected that someone without spiritual power could have such a strong grip. But with so many people watching, he had to endure the pain, and his smile became even more agonizing than tears.

"Yan’er, from now on, you are the second young lady of our Yun family. If anyone dares to bully you, just tell your father," Yun Wuhen said, stepping forward with a look of paternal kindness. Zhao Yan fought back the urge to vomit.

"Father."

Zhao Yan replied with feigned obedience, though she was railing against him in her heart. *They left me in the countryside to live as a servant for eighteen years without a second thought, and now they put on this display of fatherly love for whom?*

"Yan’er, I am your second uncle."

"I am your second aunt."

"Second sister, I am your third younger sister, Yun Qingqing."

"I am your fourth younger sister, Yun Qinghe."

Hundreds of people swarmed forward to introduce themselves, not caring in the least whether she could remember them all. The looks they cast at Zhao Yan ranged from contempt and mockery to disdain and pity. Zhao Yan knew that their feigned friendliness was merely a performance for her unfeeling father and cold-hearted mother.

*Heh.*

"My lord, the introductions are about done. Yan’er has been traveling for a full night and must be both hungry and tired. I have already arranged a banquet in the backyard. Why don't we take her to eat and then help her settle in?"

"Let us follow your suggestion, my dear."

With the head of the house having spoken, everyone headed toward the backyard. Along the way, Feng Shuangling and Yun Wuhen showered Zhao Yan with solicitous concern until they reached the backyard, where over a dozen tables were laden with food.

Truth be told, she was truly hungry. For the past few days, she had survived on "Inedia Pills," but those could never compare to such delicacies. Zhao Yan swallowed hard.

"Yan’er, eat slowly," Lady Yun said with a smile as she watched her.

But for someone who had been starving for days, slowing down was impossible. Others cast strange looks her way, but Zhao Yan couldn't have cared less.

If you aren't enthusiastic about eating, there's something wrong with your head.

Sitting opposite her, Yun Chu watched her wolf down the food like a starving ghost, a flash of disgust in his eyes; he looked as if he wanted to grab his bowl and flee.

"Yan’er is so thin; she must have suffered a great deal," Lady Yun said, looking at her with apparent heartbreak.

Zhao Yan rolled her eyes inwardly; the chicken leg in her hand suddenly lost its flavor. *Aren't these the very sufferings you inflicted upon me?*

"It wasn't that much suffering. Just endless farm work every day, never enough to eat, never a good night's sleep, and the occasional vicious beating, that's all."

Lady Yun and Yun Wuhen stiffened slightly. Zhao Yan’s voice hadn't been loud, but everyone nearby had heard her clearly, and a strange atmosphere settled over the room.

Was she holding a grudge against the Yun family? It was understandable; she should have been a daughter of heaven, yet she had been forced to live in the countryside. Although the Yun family sent spiritual stones every year, such a poor, remote place could never compare to the Yun estate in the capital.

Just then, a shadow guard approached Yun Wuhen and whispered something.

"Head of the house, people from Snow Domain City are here."

Yun Wuhen frowned in confusion. He had little interaction with the people of Snow Domain City; why would they come to the Yun estate at a time like this?

A strange glint flashed in Zhao Yan’s eyes. *Snow Domain City? Could it be that Mo Chenlan has tracked me down here?*

*Why is this man so vindictive? It was just one touch of his pectoral muscles—how petty.*

"My dear, you go ahead and settle Yan’er in." Lady Yun nodded.

After Yun Wuhen left, Zhao Yan set down her chopsticks. "I’m full."

Led by Lady Yun, Zhao Yan arrived at a courtyard named the Falling Moon Pavilion. Looking around, she saw the grounds filled with exotic flowers and rare grasses, with a winding path leading past a pond and a pavilion toward the main residence.

Pushing open the doors, she was greeted by furniture made entirely of purple sandalwood. The interior featured carved railings and jade-inlaid walls, with white jade tiles covering the floor. The vanity was filled with fine treasures, and the curtains of the canopy bed hung low, the entire room exuding luxury and refinement.

A bronze burner in the shape of a fish’s mouth emitted a faint, refreshing fragrance.

"Yan’er, see if there is anything else you need. Tell me, and I will have it arranged for you."

"Thank you, Mother."

"As long as you like it, Yan’er."

Lady Yun clapped her hands, and four maidservants entered. Zhao Yan narrowed her eyes. *Well, well, two of them are at the peak of the Spirit King realm.*

"Greetings, Second Young Lady," the four maids said in unison, kneeling on the ground.

Lady Yun looked at the maids, her voice carrying an unspoken authority. "Leng Shuang, Bai Xue, the two of you will be responsible for protecting Yan’er. Qiu Yue, Qiu Ju, you two will take care of her daily needs."

"As you command, My Lady!"

Lady Yun had arranged everything perfectly; it looked like she was caring for her, but in truth, she was being so overbearing that she left no room for refusal. Leng Shuang and Bai Xue were clearly her spies. Why were they keeping her under house arrest? Her intuition told her it might be linked to that sister she had never met.

After dismissing Lady Yun with the excuse of wanting to sleep, Zhao Yan probed her surroundings with her spiritual sense. *Heh, I didn't expect that besides Leng Shuang and Bai Xue, there are eight other Spirit Kings lurking in the shadows.*

From Lady Yun, she had learned that in seven days, the Yun family would announce her return to the city of Baiyue and hold a welcome banquet in her honor. A welcome banquet? It was more likely a trap.

She had originally intended to use this opportunity to gather information about Yun Zhaojun, but it seemed she would have to take things one step at a time.

Meanwhile, in the main hall, a strange, heavy atmosphere hung in the air.

"My lord?" Lady Yun’s voice broke Yun Wuhen’s train of thought. "Have the people from Snow Domain City left?"

Yun Wuhen nodded, responding with a low grunt. Seeing the worry etched between his brows, Lady Yun asked, "Why did the people from Snow Domain City come here?"

Yun Wuhen opened his mouth but said nothing, only sighing heavily.

Soon, however, Lady Yun noticed that something was wrong. She narrowed her eyes. "You swore an oath on your soul?"

Yun Wuhen nodded, trying his best to mask his expression and appear relaxed. "My dear, don't worry. It is nothing major."

Recalling the man's words, Yun Wuhen felt a complex and unsettling anxiety.

For the next few days, Zhao Yan ate and drank well in the courtyard, and Lady Yun visited almost daily to chat and keep her company. She was unfailingly affectionate, but whenever Zhao Yan mentioned wanting to go out for a stroll, Lady Yun would decline, citing concerns for her safety.

Everything seemed perfectly normal—so normal that it gave Zhao Yan the feeling of a prisoner eating her final meal.

This day, as usual, after sending Lady Yun away and bathing, she had Qiu Yue help her dress, while she sent Qiu Ju to the kitchen to fetch some pastries. These were tasks Zhao Yan had assigned every day, so Qiu Ju’s departure raised no suspicion from Leng Shuang or Bai Xue.