Chapter 25: Mother, Don’t Stop the Medicine

"Whack!" Yun Feiyue struck out, and a large bump inevitably formed on Little Mumu’s head.

Little Mumu clutched the big bump on his head, looking pitifully at Yun Feiyue. “Feiyue, you’re not even cute anymore when you don’t take your medicine!”

“Even without my medicine, I’m still cute,” Yun Feiyue replied, landing another punch on his forehead.

Another bump swelled up on top of the previous one.

Little Mumu stroked his head, now swollen into the shape of a gourd, and wondered inwardly if his mother really should take her medicine. His grandmaster had said that when she was irritable, she shouldn’t stop taking it!

The Dowager Concubine Yun gazed at Little Mumu with pained affection, scooping him into her arms. “My dear child, you mustn’t be too strict with little ones. I find Little Mumu quite adorable—if you don’t love him, I certainly do!”

“Does it hurt?” Dowager Concubine Yun gently stroked the bump on Little Mumu’s head.

Little Mumu shook his head. “Little Mumu’s pain is already gone.”

“Feiyue!” the Dowager Concubine glared at Yun Feiyue.

Yun Feiyue grimaced—she was in trouble now! She’d forgotten how protective the elderly were. At once, she flashed a dazzling smile. “Aunt, I did go a bit hard on him. Heh heh…” As she spoke, she pulled Little Mumu back from the Dowager Concubine’s embrace.

Little Mumu’s special constitution meant bumps appeared quickly but faded just as fast. Already, the swelling was subsiding.

“Hmph! You just don’t know how to care for a child. Just the other day, your mother and I were discussing organizing a grand husband-selection event for you. This time, there are no restrictions on status, age, or birthplace.”

“What?” Yun Feiyue covered her ears. No restrictions on status or birthplace were one thing, but no age limit—what was that about?

What if it ended up being some seventy- or eighty-year-old grandpa? Surely a bunch of highly skilled old masters would sign up! The thought of such a scene filled Yun Feiyue with sorrow.

“Aunt, can we not do this? I already know I was wrong! From now on, I’ll be the most virtuous mother!” Yun Feiyue raised her hand, nearly swearing an oath to the heavens.

Only then did the Dowager Concubine break into a sudden smile. “Enough, matters of the young are for you to decide. Your mother and I were merely discussing it. Besides, a few days ago, she mentioned someone from the Mo family. She seemed to approve. You should think it over.”

Yun Feiyue’s face darkened; her mother must have inherited her uncle Yun Hai’s gift for spreading news!

Little Mumu waved his hand with an air of maturity. “Don’t worry, don’t worry—Feiyue has high standards for a partner! That one’s just a candidate!”

The Dowager Concubine’s expression changed at once. “A candidate?”

Yun Feiyue shook her head. “Just a child’s nonsense, Aunt. I see time’s getting on. The evening banquet will start soon, so I’ll take my leave now, all right?”

Speaking of candidates, the elders could never understand Yun Feiyue’s grand ideals—to devote herself to the greater good, to tame calamity for the sake of all people. Best not to mention it…

The Dowager Concubine waved her hand. “Go on, then. Just don’t cause any trouble. The Gongsun and Nangong families are just waiting for a reason to be rid of our Yun family. Don’t give them any handle.”

Yun Feiyue grinned, glancing back at her aunt. “Rest assured! I’ll be sure to leave them speechless. Aunt, you must come to the Imperial Garden during the banquet—the show will be well worth seeing!”

Though the Dowager Concubine didn’t quite follow Yun Feiyue’s meaning, the girl’s confident air suggested that something would certainly happen in the garden that evening.

Yun Feiyue left the Dowager Concubine’s chambers and made her way to the rear hall of Longhua Palace. At that moment, Nangong Zhishi was dozing off.

“Hey, wake up!” Yun Feiyue tapped Nangong Zhishi’s head with her folding fan.

Nangong Zhishi woke with a start, leapt to his feet, and, recognizing Yun Feiyue, was astonished. “It’s you!”

Yun Feiyue smiled. “It’s me.”

“Well, Miss Yun, what a coincidence.” Nangong Zhishi’s face broke into a sly grin.

Yun Feiyue sighed and shook her head. “So happy to see me? Or do you want another taste of stripping naked in front of all the high officials and martial masters?”

Nangong Zhishi’s expression changed instantly. “You! How shameless! Don’t you dare!” He had been prepared for this ever since he saw Yun Feiyue’s name on the invitation.

First, he would expose Yun Feiyue as having a son; next, he’d make sure Beichen Yi saw she was nothing but a useless failure. Then, Yun Feiyue would surely fall from grace, the people would see her corrupt character, and she’d become an outcast, scorned by all.

Yun Feiyue tilted her head, watching the ripples of emotion on Nangong Zhishi’s face. She knew he was lost in his schemes. “So you’ve developed a sense of shame? Show it to me—let’s see if it’s worth eating. The sun is setting, and the evening banquet will soon begin. After we’ve eaten our fill, let’s meet in the Imperial Garden.” Beichen Yi would certainly be there; it was his long-standing habit.

When Nangong Zhishi heard Yun Feiyue inviting him to the Imperial Garden, suspicion flashed across his face. “What’s with you? Don’t tell me you’ve really fallen for me? Want to test my skills? I’m the little saint of the gambling halls—the bane of lovers everywhere.”

Yun Feiyue smiled gently, instantly transforming into a charitable elder sister, a soft glow of kindness radiating from her. “Well, I only just noticed how dashing you are. Last time, I didn’t know your identity, and we had a misunderstanding. I feel very sorry about that. This time, I want to talk things over and make peace.” Suppressing her urge to gag, she lightly patted Nangong Zhishi’s shoulder.

Nangong Zhishi looked at her in surprise. Was she truly trying to reconcile? He remembered Yun Daoxin and felt a twinge of fear. “No bodyguards.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t bring any.”

“At dusk, then.” That was when the Emperor would pass through the Imperial Garden.

“Agreed.” That suited Yun Feiyue perfectly.

She smiled at Nangong Zhishi—he must have come prepared, too.

“In that case, I’ll head to the main hall first. The banquet’s about to begin.”

Yun Feiyue led Little Mumu to the front of the hall, where the banquet had already started. The evening feast was livelier than the midday meal, with more entertainment—there was even a sword dance. People watched the performances, eating, drinking, and boasting merrily.

Yun Feiyue and Little Mumu lost track of time until they heard someone calling them from behind. Turning around, Yun Feiyue caught sight of Nangong Zhishi, who pointed toward the Imperial Garden, then led the way with a red lantern in hand.

“Feiyue, are you going?” Little Mumu tugged at Yun Feiyue’s wide sleeve, his small eyes gleaming with mischievous anticipation.