004 The Worthless Son

Little Mumu blinked his big round eyes and explained earnestly, “I’m not a ball! I’m the most handsome, invincible superstar in the universe! Feiyue’s favorite!”

Yun Kuang blew his beard and glared. His granddaughter’s favorite should be him, not this round little thing! The more he looked, the more displeased he became—this was clearly a battle for affection!

Before Yun Feiyue’s serious injury, even she hadn’t known she had a child, so the Yun family certainly had no idea. And since the Warcloud Sect never corresponded with the outside world, there had been no opportunity in the last three years to inform the family. Thus, Mumu’s identity instantly became the Yun family’s focus.

“What a lovely and lively child!” Lady Murong, Yun’s mother, scrutinized Mumu.

Mumu blinked his eyes up at Murong, “Auntie, you’re so beautiful!”

Hearing such a compliment, Lady Murong couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. After all, it's said children never lie!

“Oh my, what a sweet-tongued child! Come here, let me hold you. Feiyue, whose child is this?”

“He’s my son. So… Mother, he should call you Grandma, not Auntie…”

Ding—instantly, the world seemed to fall silent. Everyone’s gaze turned to Yun Feiyue, incredulity in their eyes.

Lady Murong opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. All eyes turned to the old master of the Yun family.

The old master’s hands trembled. His face went from pale to livid to crimson, as if he’d experienced all of life’s sorrows and joys in a single instant.

After a long pause, as if recalling something, he hurriedly asked, “Is this your child with Senior Brother? How could you marry without even sending a word home? Granted, Senior Brother is a rare talent, but our Yun family’s daughter is also the pride of heaven—we can’t be so hasty! And why didn’t Senior Brother return with you this time?”

Yun Feiyue forced a smile. “Can we talk about this later at home?”

The old master also realized this was not a matter to be broadcast, especially since Feiyue hadn’t officially married yet but had brought a child home. If word got out, it would be disastrous.

“Close the doors!”

Surrounded by her family, Yun Feiyue was escorted to the main hall. After dismissing all unimportant people, the old master began the real conversation.

Not wanting to deceive her family, Yun Feiyue told them the truth—that the child had no father.

“What? No father?” The old master slammed the table and stood in anger. “Absurd! Utterly absurd!”

Yun Feiyue instinctively shrank back. Grandpa’s emotional swings were enough to scare the child. Mumu also shrank into Murong’s embrace.

Yun Feiyue’s father had been sitting quietly this entire time, but now he stood to speak for his daughter. “Father, Feiyue has always been devoted to her martial arts and upheld propriety. It’s absolutely impossible she’d do anything improper. I suspect something happened to her after she was gravely injured. After all, when we found her, several days had already passed…”

Hearing this, the old master’s grief returned. The incident from three years ago had always been a wound in the Yun family. He didn’t want to revisit it… He waved his hand. “Enough! This matter is not to be mentioned again!”

The whole family finally breathed a sigh of relief and began making preparations to welcome Feiyue home.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Nangong Zhishi learned that Yun Feiyue was indeed the Yun family’s Feiyue, and he was so angry his teeth itched.

“Young master, what should we do now?”

“Hmph! Do what? Didn’t you say she offended Gongsun Ziyan? That woman never lets go of a grudge. There’s no need for me to make a move.”

Nangong Zhishi intended to watch from the sidelines. Given the Yun family’s current power, he could only stand aside and observe—he had no room to interfere.

The Yun family was notorious for their wealth, their fierce protectiveness, and their disregard for reason. With their immense fortune, they led the Four Great Families, surpassing even the Murong, Nangong, and Gongsun clans. It was said that the combined wealth of the entire Golden Spear Continent didn’t equal that of the Yun family. Whenever the national treasury was depleted during wartime, they would turn to the Yun family for funds, and the Yun family’s own extravagance was legendary.

One delicacy after another was brought out, but everyone only tasted a bite or two before the dishes were cleared away. Yun Feiyue felt a pang every time she saw perfectly good food barely touched.

Noticing her gaze linger on the abalone, the old master personally served her some. “Feiyue, eat more. You must be exhausted from your journey.”

Second brother Yun Hai finally couldn’t hold back and chimed in, “That’s right, Feiyue. You must be tired. By the usual schedule, you should’ve arrived two hours earlier. Do you know your second brother waited at the gate for two whole hours? Be honest, what delayed you?”

“Ahem…” Yun Feiyue was racking her brain for a plausible excuse when Yun Dao, ever the blabbermouth, spoke up. “I was just about to report, sir. On the way back, Miss passed the Ten Thousand Gold Casino, played a few rounds, accidentally beat up Nangong family’s young master, Nangong Zhishi, and threw him naked onto the street.”

“Nangong Zhishi?” Father Yun Hen frowned. The Nangong family, one of the Four Great Families, wielded significant influence at court—the current Empress Dowager was from their clan.

Yun Feiyue shot Yun Dao a glare. After all these years, couldn’t he learn to be more discreet?

Seeing his mother in trouble, little Mumu waved his small paw, his face full of righteous indignation. “He tried to take advantage of my mother!”

The old master let out a long, surprised “Eh?” Nangong Zhishi had always been known for his cultured and refined reputation—how could he do such a thing?

“Nangong Zhishi from the Grand Preceptor’s household? Are you sure there’s no mistake?” Yun Kuang confirmed.

Mumu and Yun Feiyue both nodded pitifully, looking as if they’d just been bullied, their eyes brimming with tears.

The old master couldn’t bear the sight. Feiyue was his most cherished granddaughter—he’d never so much as let a hair on her head be harmed. For Nangong Zhishi to dare bully her was unforgivable!

“It’s a mercy to their ancestors that he wasn’t crippled. From now on, mark my words: if anyone from our Yun family encounters him alone, beat him on sight!”

Yun Hai pouted in dissatisfaction. His healthy, wheat-colored skin contrasted with his unusually pale lips, giving him a mischievous air. His light blue robe was embroidered with pink cherry blossoms, matching his lip color and adding to his refined appearance.

Second brother Yun Hai was a true beauty!

He folded his arms and sighed, “Ah, when will the day come that you all react like this when I cause trouble? Feiyue really is different.”

Lady Murong closed her eyes, knowing Yun Hai’s penchant for sarcasm was acting up again. She opened her eyes, turned, and glared at him. “Can’t you keep quiet?”

With a sorrowful gesture, Yun Hai rubbed his forehead. “Mother, I’m just being honest. When I was Feiyue’s age, I never dared make trouble like this!”

Eldest brother Yun Yi laid down his chopsticks and, with heartfelt sincerity, advised Yun Hai, “Second brother, Feiyue is our family’s golden phoenix. How can you, an insignificant son, compare with Feiyue?” Though his words sounded conciliatory, there was a hint of jealousy.

Compared to Yun Hai, Yun Yi was steadier and more mature, in his twenties, dressed in beige embroidered with simple cloud patterns that matched his gentle, composed manner. His features resembled their father Yun Hen—thick brows, almond eyes, lips of moderate fullness, and defined contours. Even the way he spoke carried an undeniable authority.

Yun Hai rolled his eyes at Yun Yi and fell silent.

Third brother Yun Feng, on the other hand, continued eating, completely uninterested in the conversation. Yet, in Feiyue’s eyes, Yun Feng was the handsomest of the three brothers—about twenty-four years old, with a heroic air between his brows, dressed in deep green robes meticulously sewn with gold thread and a matching sash at his waist. Among the brothers, he exuded the most masculine energy.

Sensing Feiyue’s gaze, Yun Feng looked up and addressed the family, “Once I’ve finished eating, I’ll go cut off Nangong Zhishi’s little appendage.”

Swish—

A chill swept through the room, and the table fell silent. Yun Feng rarely spoke, but when he did, it was always shocking.

Yun Dao once more broke the silence. “After winning at the casino, Miss was planning to buy a gift for the old master.”

The old master beamed. “My granddaughter is the best—she always thinks of me.”

Feiyue nodded in agreement—Yun Dao had finally said something nice on her behalf.

“But then something happened, and Miss forgot about it.”

“…”

Silence. Endless silence…

“Ahem, old master, the second matter I wanted to report is that at the Treasure Pavilion, Miss ran into Miss Gongsun. They fought over some goods, and Miss Gongsun was beaten—almost disfigured. It’ll be at least half a month before she recovers.” Yun Dao finally finished his account, and, to avoid the old master’s wrath, quickly slipped away to the side.