Chapter Ten: Revealing One's Own Hand

“Marrying a simpleton is good; it’s so safe,” Yu Youwei said languidly, casting a sidelong glance at her second brother. “But it will be too dangerous for you to stay by his side in the future. You must learn to be more wary. Don’t let me come back to find you completely devoured, not even a scrap left.”

She glanced at Yu Shiyu, while Mu Yuyan lowered her head, silent. A blush crept across her sharp chin, shy as a budding flower, making his heart flutter—this both vexed and worried Yu Youwei. Her womanizing second brother truly had a taste for all ages; even if Yuyan was unwilling at first, she now couldn’t help but fall for him. If she forcibly took Yuyan away, it would only earn her resentment in the days to come.

“Ninth Sister, I give you my word—I will protect Yuyan with everything I have,” Yu Shiyu promised.

“She’s still so young,” Yu Youwei replied.

“Until her coming-of-age ceremony, she will be treated no differently from any other girl in the family.”

“It had better be so. Otherwise, if anything happens to Yuyan or the Mu family, I swear I’ll turn you into salted fish.” Seeing Yu Shiyu’s indifferent, carefree smile, Yu Youwei considered for a moment before taking out a colorful bead tube. “Yuyan, remember to guard against my second brother. Take this bead tube. If you’re ever in danger, crush it, and Sister Baili Feiyan will send someone to save you.”

Yu Shiyu’s eyes darkened as he stared silently at the bead tube.

“Does Sister Feiyan also live in Dongling Prefecture?” Mu Yuyan asked joyfully, oblivious to Yu Shiyu’s gaze.

“Whether she’s here or not, she always has people stationed in Dongling. But keep this to yourself,” Yu Youwei said, her eyes resting calmly on Yu Shiyu. There was no threat in her tone, yet Yu Shiyu felt the full weight of her warning.

“What’s your relationship with the House of All-Knowing?” he asked.

“No special relationship. I just happen to know the daughter of the Master of the House, and she’s fond of Yuyan too.”

“Is this meant as a threat?” Yu Shiyu’s voice was low, a subtle pressure emanating from him that instantly froze the sweet smile on Mu Yuyan’s face.

“If you wish to see it that way, so be it. To me, Yuyan is more important than anyone in the Yu family. If anything happens to her, I won’t hesitate to unleash all my power for her vengeance,” Yu Youwei said coolly, a dark gleam flashing in her eyes, her lips curving into a faint, chilly smile as delicate as the first bloom of a cherry blossom.

There is but a thin line between genius and madness. Any other man would have been furious, but Yu Shiyu only laughed. “I didn’t expect to strike gold during my visit to the Mu family. I was just wondering how to connect with the House of All-Knowing, and it turns out Yuyan is Baili Feiyan’s dear one. Well, Ninth Sister, do tell—what other cards do you hold? If they’re impressive enough, Yuyan can be my principal wife.”

Yu Youwei almost choked. Even in her previous life, she had never met a man like Yu Shiyu, seemingly proud of living off women yet a prodigy in cultivation, which left her with no room for disdain. In fact, his proposal wasn’t bad. If Yuyan had a powerful protector and became Yu Shiyu’s principal wife, her chances of being bullied in the future would be much reduced.

Mu Yuyan buried her head even lower, half her body nestled in Yu Youwei’s arms, motionless.

Originally, Yu Youwei had planned to make arrangements and take Yuyan away from the Yu residence after some time. But seeing the girl now, clearly not averse to Yu Shiyu—and given the bond they had already formed—she sighed softly, cupping Yuyan’s face and asking in all seriousness, “Yuyan, do you wish to be his wife?”

The blush spread from Yuyan’s cheeks to the base of her neck. She shook her head shyly, then nodded in a fluster, neither able to deny nor affirm. Yu Shiyu, though experienced with women, rarely encountered one as pure as dew on a blossom; his eyes shone with unusual light. But Yu Youwei saw through him—he was fickle yet unfeeling. She feared Yuyan’s infatuation would be unrequited, her heart left adrift.

“I am the Lady of Poison, not much of a trump card. But if Yuyan is ever wronged, she’ll have friends to stand up for her,” Yu Youwei said calmly, her jade-like face taut and unyielding.

Yu Shiyu’s pupils narrowed, but he didn’t pursue the matter. Instead, he changed the subject with a smile. “This courtyard is adjacent to our ancestor’s. The old one rarely sets foot outside, but her hearing is unnaturally keen. Nothing, not even the smallest matter, escapes her notice here.”

Did this mean the family elder had already tacitly approved of Yuyan as Yu Shiyu’s principal wife? Yu Youwei’s expression grew pensive, and she didn’t notice when Yu Shiyu slipped away.

“Did I trouble you with my affairs, Sister Wei?” Mu Yuyan asked timidly.

Looking down, Yu Youwei saw the deep concern on Yuyan’s face and felt a warmth in her heart. “No, I was thinking of something else. And remember, do not speak of today’s events to anyone. Even if a salted fish asks, pretend you don’t understand. Do you hear me?”

“I’ll do as you say, Sister Wei,” Mu Yuyan nodded vigorously.

Though the little Thunder Eagle was small, it was an excellent scout. After circling the courtyard, it found a blind spot in the guards’ patrol and sneaked into the inner quarters with the little White Bear, soon locating Yu Youwei’s residence.

Dark rainclouds pressed low against the roof. From her window, Yu Youwei could see a crape myrtle blooming in the northwestern corner of the courtyard, its wisteria-like vines draping over the wall in swaying clusters. The little White Bear emerged from the wisteria, making her lips curl in delight. “Not bad—you found me so quickly.”

The little White Bear glanced around warily, then darted into the room without a sound. The Thunder Eagle screeched as it soared skyward. Someone outside shouted, “A little Thunder Eagle just flew off!”

Yu Shiyu had just left Lanwei Residence and was stepping into the ancestral Anqing Hall courtyard when he heard the eagle’s cry. He looked up, glanced back toward Lanwei, and barked, “Quiet!” before brushing off his robe and entering the gate.

In the center of Anqing Hall’s courtyard stood a withered flame tree, its wrinkles covered in brown moss. Two dead-leaf butterflies circled the bare branches. This tree had been planted by the family matriarch herself, and though it had been leafless for years, no one dared chop it down for firewood.

In her twilight years, the matriarch became obsessed with array formations; the courtyard was filled with their traces. A path of black and white pebbles led from the gate to the hall steps. Though Yu Shiyu was a frequent visitor, he walked as gingerly as if afraid to crush an ant. As he reached the flame tree, he suddenly felt as if he were being watched. Alarmed, he tried to retreat, but a voice boomed from within the hall, “Since you’ve come, why leave so soon?”

Yu Shiyu looked up instinctively, only to see archers suddenly appear atop the courtyard walls, their black arrows aimed at him. At the entrance to the hall stood a masked man in blue robes, wielding a heavy-backed broadsword.

The family elder cherished her peace and quiet; aside from Lanwei Residence, recently occupied by Yu Youwei and her companion, the western courtyard was otherwise empty. For these intruders to have slipped in, there must have been an inside accomplice. Yu Shiyu’s heart raced with worry for the family matriarch, yet his face betrayed nothing. He fixed the masked man—whose figure seemed oddly familiar—with a cold stare and barked, “Since you’re here, do you dare show your true face?”