Chapter 45: Whistling for the Loyal Hound

From the highest point of the pavilion, one could look down and see the scene of the teacher selection—there were many people… Yun Feng and Yun Hai were overseeing the process.

After pondering for a moment, Yun Feiyue shifted her gaze toward the pavilion closest to Feihua Pavilion—Yan Yang Pavilion.

Yan Yang Pavilion was reserved for honored guests and was usually unoccupied; in recent days, Mo Feiyuan had been staying there. She wondered if it was possible for her signal to reach him.

Yun Feiyue instructed Chunhua to fetch a whistle, then blew it in the direction of Yan Yang Pavilion. Although she wasn’t sure whether this dog-calling method could summon a person, she decided to give it a try—she could always try something else if it failed.

Little Mumu leaned by the window, looking at Yun Feiyue with a helpless expression. “Mother, do you really think Uncle Iceberg is a loyal dog? That he’ll come running at a whistle…”

Just as the words left his mouth, the so-called “Iceberg” emerged from Yan Yang Pavilion. Yun Feiyue hurriedly waved, “Over here!”

Mo Feiyuan’s expression paused for a moment. He easily leapt over the guards and, with impressive agility, crouched before Yun Feiyue’s window. His voice was cold, “What is it?”

Yun Feiyue smiled at him. “Oh, nothing, nothing. I’m just locked up in here.”

Mo Feiyuan was, of course, already aware. “And?”

“Come in and keep me company for a while,” Yun Feiyue said, a sly smile tugging at her lips.

Mo Feiyuan didn’t reply, but slipped into Yun Feiyue’s room through the window—a first in his life. He sat down, unsure how to act in such a situation, never having spent time with a woman in this way before.

Yun Feiyue waved her paw and cast a look at Little Mumu. “Go keep watch. Let me know if anyone comes.”

“I won’t!” Little Mumu protested, resolute.

“How about I ask Yun Hai to choose you a master with a generous bosom?”

“Deal!” Only an offer like that could tempt Little Mumu, after all, his mother’s chest was nothing worth mentioning.

Reluctantly, Little Mumu shuffled out. Now, with only the two of them left in the room, the atmosphere grew even more awkward.

Mo Feiyuan asked casually, “You’ve always taken care of Little Mumu? These past years… I heard you disappeared.”

Yun Feiyue turned to sit on the stool, crossing her legs carelessly. “Lord Hidden Immortal, your concern for me is overwhelming—I’m flattered.” There was no way she’d tell Mo Feiyuan anything about herself. “Want to know about me? Only if you promise to help me with something first.”

Mo Feiyuan nodded without hesitation. “Name it.”

“You’re not going to set any conditions?” Yun Feiyue looked at Mo Feiyuan with a hint of curiosity. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world; Mo Feiyuan’s easy compliance made her feel something was off.

“I’ll save it for later.” The two words slipped from his lips, his gaze turning toward Yun Feiyue. His black eyes were clear and icy, yet beneath them lingered a trace of tenderness.

Yun Feiyue squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them again, relieved to find she’d only imagined it. “Very well. Right now, I need to know the latest developments concerning the Gongsun family and the Nangong family.”

Although Beichen Yi had recently granted greater power to both the Gongsun and Nangong families, she couldn’t shake her unease. The greater the power, the greater the ambition, and for both families, the Yun family was an obstacle that had to be eliminated.

Whether the Empress Dowager Nangong’s death was real or not, and whether the Yun family was involved, the Nangong family would surely blame the Yun family.

And the Gongsun family had long hated the Yuns. Though they had suffered no real losses yet, they would certainly seize the chance to destroy the Yun family as soon as conflict flared between the Nangongs and the Yuns.

The relationship among these families had always been irreconcilable, and the Empress Dowager’s sudden, violent death was the fuse that would soon ignite the struggle.

With the Celestial Martial Ranking Tournament set to begin, if war broke out between the two sides now, the competition would be missed, and they’d have to wait another four years for the next chance.

“Rest assured, Beichen Yi won’t make a move against you. The Nangong family won’t act against the Yuns either,” Mo Feiyuan replied with certainty.

Yun Feiyue eyed him suspiciously. “Why are you so sure? What if—”

“There are no such ‘what ifs’ in this world. A god’s predictions are never wrong.”

“Why are you so certain, then? Why did you put Beichen Yi on the throne? What are you planning?” Yun Feiyue finally voiced her doubts.

Mo Feiyuan seemed not to hear her. “I’ll be going now. You needn’t worry about these things—someone else will handle them.”

Someone else? Who?

Three days passed, and Yun Feiyue hadn’t stepped beyond Feihua Pavilion, yet she’d heard a series of reports.

On the first day, the head of the Gongsun family, Gongsun Wei, had been appointed Commander of all six departments, wielding power over the entire court and granted a royal title.

On the second day, the head of the Nangong family, Nangong Fu, had been made Director of the Secretariat, alternating with Gongsun Wei in reviewing memorials, and likewise granted a royal title.

Today, Beichen Yi summoned Yun Kuang. The outcome was unknown—some said he would be promoted, others, that he would be sentenced to death. Everyone watched with bated breath.

Just as Mo Feiyuan had said, neither the Gongsun nor the Nangong family had moved against the Yuns. But what was Beichen Yi planning?

This reckless political struggle had clearly ended in Beichen Yi’s defeat, and naturally, the Yun family gained nothing from it either.

If now Prince Chu—Beichen Yu—returned to the palace, the court would certainly be thrown into chaos. Yun Feiyue gazed at the distant clouds and the blazing sun hidden behind them, her eyes narrowing.

“Mother, what are you thinking about?” Little Mumu nestled against her chest, rubbing his cheek against hers.

Yun Feiyue shook her head. “Nothing. But your mother plans to go out today.”

“To the palace to see the sickly ghost?”

“No, just going to watch the spectacle.”

As Yun Feiyue stepped out of Feihua Pavilion, a cold flash of sword light suddenly slashed toward her—the attacker was her own bodyguard, Yun Dao.

“Young Miss, Master said you’re not to leave.”

“Not allowed? Then don’t blame me for being impolite.” Yun Feiyue’s eyes turned cold, her aura so powerful that Yun Dao was forced to retreat.

Yun Dao shook his head; he could not yield. “Master said you must not take a single step outside Feihua Pavilion. It’s too dangerous out there—someone wants your life.”

Ha! She sneered, “I’ll say it again—don’t block my way, or I won’t be polite.”

“If that’s the case, Young Miss, then Yun Dao will also not be polite! Shadow Guard Corps, move in!” A group of shadow guards surged forward, launching a coordinated attack on Yun Feiyue.

This time, their assault was fierce—they were staking their lives to keep her from leaving. Yun Feiyue was unwilling to kill them, and so she was forced back into her room. It seemed the old master had indeed arranged for several top experts to ensure she remained under guard.

She lounged on her chair, helpless, her gaze drifting to the fading scenery outside, her expression lost.

“Mother, why not summon Brother Iceberg? He’ll definitely get you out,” Little Mumu offered earnestly.

That’s right—Yan Yang Pavilion was so close. Seeking out Mo Feiyuan was a good idea.