009: One Cannot Escape the Consequences of Their Own Misdeeds

Yun Feiyue had only met Princess Night Seven once, eight years ago. At the time, she was thirteen and had taken first place on Chu’s Youth Martial Ranking by defeating every opponent. Princess Night Seven had been present that day, watching the match and exchanging a few words.

According to the rules, only those under twenty-five could be nominated for the Youth Martial Ranking. After twenty-five, they had to compete for the Celestial Martial Ranking, which was not established by Chu, but set by the Eye Realm, open to all the strongest across the Golden Spear Continent.

Those who placed in the top ten of the Celestial Martial Ranking were granted, once every four years, an opportunity to enter the Wheel of Fate and glimpse destiny itself.

At present, Princess Night Seven was ranked second on the Celestial Martial Ranking, while the first position remained unclaimed. It was said that whoever could seize the top spot might attain power close to the divine.

All this was a distant dream for Yun Feiyue. Her current physical condition was a limiting chain. Her master had said that only by finding the Lord of Hidden Divinity—Mo Feiyuan—might she be freed from these constraints.

“Chunhua, when will the Dragon Banquet be held?” Yun Feiyue asked.

Chunhua was massaging her back, answering at a leisurely pace, “I heard Young Master Yunhai mention it’ll be mid-next month. He’s quite invested in this! He’s been pursuing Princess Night Seven for years, but she remains indifferent. Poor young master!”

“Ah—ah—Feiyue, come save me…” As if summoned, Yunhai’s cries drew nearer until he burst into the hall. “Hey, little sister, where are you? Come out—”

Footsteps approached the bath chamber.

Yun Feiyue swiftly wrapped herself in a robe, and just as her feet touched the ground, Yunhai barged in, frantic.

With a thud, his head was struck hard before he’d even grasped the situation, leaving him dazed.

Yunhai gazed at her, aggrieved, his eyes brimming with tears. “Mother is right outside. I had no choice but to come in. We’re siblings, surely you won’t let me suffer? Besides, this time it’s your fault, yet I’m the one in trouble!”

“Yunhai, come out. I’ve made you osmanthus cakes…” Lady Murong’s gentle voice drifted in, soothing yet with a wolfish undertone.

Yun Feiyue looked at the pitiful Yunhai and sighed. It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t a daughter. She patted his shoulder, “Don’t worry, second brother. I’ll help you.”

Yunhai looked at her with gratitude, “Rest assured, Feiyue. If you’re injured, I’ll fetch the best physician!”

Yun Feiyue, still wrapped in her robe, stepped out to find Lady Murong holding a rattan cane—a golden one, no less, notorious for its sting.

“Mother, where are the osmanthus cakes you promised?” Yun Feiyue asked cautiously.

Lady Murong closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. Once she’d confirmed it was Yun Feiyue, she spoke, “Feiyue, never mind the cakes. Have you seen your second brother?”

Yun Feiyue shook her head. “No… Is there something you need, Mother? I can pass on a message.”

Lady Murong thought for a moment. Yunhai hadn’t done anything too wrong, just eavesdropped on her. “If you see him, tell him he’d better stay out of my sight for the next few days!”

Yun Feiyue smiled sweetly at her. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’m sure he won’t appear.”

“And you! Get the Red Lotus Token back!” Just mentioning the token made Lady Murong’s heart ache.

Yun Feiyue was equally helpless. “You didn’t tell me what kind of token it was! If you had, I’d have guarded it with my life. Anyway, rest assured, Mother—the fellow who took it… well, there’s maybe a ten percent chance he’ll return it.”

Ten percent? That was the Murong clan’s treasure! And she’d given it away just to flirt with a man. Clearly, someone needed to keep her in check.

Lady Murong composed herself and looked at Yun Feiyue. “You’re twenty-two now, old enough to be married. I’ve decided! At the coming Garden Festival, you must choose a prospective husband! I’ve had your eldest brother arrange everything. All the noble families of Chu will attend. If you can’t find someone, I’ll host an even grander selection. Make sure to dress beautifully…”

With that, Lady Murong stormed off in a huff, leaving Yun Feiyue finally able to breathe easy.

But… a selection for a husband? What on earth was that?

Yunhai emerged from the bath, his nerves instantly replaced by delight. “Feiyue, ha, Mother wants to marry you off! But you’re so fierce, who’d dare marry you? She’ll probably have to pay a hefty dowry just to give you away!”

In that moment, Yun Feiyue regretted saving him. He definitely deserved to be skinned alive!

“Get out!” She kicked Yunhai clean out of the room.

Little Mumu, having just finished his bath with cheeks still pink, stumbled over to Yun Feiyue and shook his head at the scolded Yunhai. “You brought this on yourself! Mother, Grandma treats you so well! You get to pick from a whole army of father candidates. I’ll help you screen them—all short, poor, ugly, or fat ones are out!”

His eyes sparkled with anticipation, as if he expected a parade of handsome fathers.

Yun Feiyue was instantly buoyed. Ever since arriving in this world, she’d noticed it was filled with handsome men—from her senior brother to Mo Xiangqing, even her own brothers were all striking. Surely the Garden Festival would be no different; after all, the Yun family was among the nobility.

“Mumu, I trust your judgment! I’ll hold the first round, you do the second!” And so the plan was set.

Five days later, the festival began as Yun Feiyue had anticipated.

That morning, Chunhua and several maids dressed her with care, styling her hair in a simple chignon, with a white jade ornament pinning back her locks to set off her delicate and enchanting face. Her deep crimson gown was both elegant and alluring.

Little Mumu, in a blue robe, lay atop a lovely maid’s shoulder, gazing at Yun Feiyue with pride. His mother—just one word: stunning!

As they stepped out the door, a flash of red darted by, swift as the wind. Before Yun Feiyue could process whether it was human or specter, a white figure glided past as well.

Mouth agape, Yun Feiyue wondered when Chu had become so bold, with experts flitting everywhere.

“My lady, Madam asks you to come to the front hall first,” Chunhua whispered.

Mumu was more impatient than she. “Yes, yes, let’s hurry, Mother!”

Suppressing her curiosity, Yun Feiyue started toward the front hall. After only a few steps, her path was blocked by a splash of red.

“Miss, have we met somewhere before?” a lively male voice asked, carrying a hint of earnestness beneath its playfulness.