Chapter 3: An Apology

The woman no longer cared about appearances—she rushed out of the room and went straight to the holly bush, shoving its branches aside.

All she found was a torn scrap of brocade.

This fabric—she recognized it. It was from the very clothes that little wretch had been wearing today.

There were only a few bolts of this brocade in the entire Yun Manor!

“You’d better pray I don’t catch you!” Zhou Qiulan hissed through gritted teeth, her nails digging deep into her palm.

Her perfectly painted face twisted into a mask of fury.

Her eyes, laced with venom, swept the courtyard like a knife.

“Find out! Find out exactly who was here just now!” Zhou Qiulan snapped as she strode back into the room and barked at the terrified old servant.

No matter who had overheard her—she would never let them go!

She slammed the window shut with a heavy bang.

---

By the rockery.

Qingyan pressed herself against the stone wall, shielding the little one in her arms.

Yun Tang’s small body leaned against her shoulder. The thrill of secretly eavesdropping still hadn’t completely faded from her.

Her tiny face was buried in Qingyan’s neck, her little fingers tugging lightly at Qingyan’s collar. “Qingyan…”

“Yes, little master.” Qingyan’s voice was kept very low.

She shifted slightly, carrying Yun Tang away from the scene under the rockery’s cover, retreating swiftly and silently.

“That person just now…” Yun Tang sniffled and raised her wet, round eyes. “She said… I should have died from the fall… and that everything in the storeroom should have been hers…”

Her little brows knitted tightly, as though this was the most confusing thing in the world. “She’s bad!”

Qingyan’s steps faltered slightly. She gently patted Yun Tang’s back. Her voice was calm and soothing. “Don’t be afraid, little master. As long as the Duke is here—and I am here—no one will hurt you.”

She deliberately took a longer route back, making sure they weren’t being followed, before finally returning quietly to Tanghua Courtyard.

---

In the second branch courtyard.

“Go.” Zhou Qiulan stared at her pale, distorted reflection in the mirror. “Bring Third Young Master here at once!”

Before long, Yun Rui came in, rubbing his still-red palms, sniffling pitifully. “Mother…”

Zhou Qiulan yanked him closer, her voice sharp. “Cry? What are you crying for! Worthless thing! Just a few slaps on the palm from a little girl and you’re bawling?”

Yun Rui grimaced in pain. “Mother! She… she’s the little grand-aunt…”

“What little grand-aunt!” Zhou Qiulan’s roar cut him off. “She’s just a toddler who can barely walk! She dares lord over you just because of her seniority, and you just accept it? Are you willing to be trampled on by a little brat like her? Don’t you want to remain the young master of the Duke’s Manor?!”

Yun Rui stared at his mother, stunned, forgetting his pain.

“Rui’er.” Zhou Qiulan suddenly crouched down, gripping his shoulders tightly. “Don’t you want revenge? Don’t you want to pay her back tenfold, a hundredfold, for humiliating you? To make sure she never dares meddle with you again?”

Yun Rui’s eyes lit up, but he hesitated. “But… but the Duke…”

“What are you afraid of?” Zhou Qiulan cut him off coldly. “Listen to your mother. I’ll teach you a way to make her suffer, and the Duke won’t even be able to say a word! Next time she sees you, she’ll run and hide! Do you dare?”

Yun Rui hesitated only for a moment, then nodded hard. “I dare! Mother, I’ll listen to you! I want revenge!”

Zhou Qiulan smiled in satisfaction, leaning close to whisper in his ear. “That’s my good son.”

---

Back in Tanghua Courtyard.

Yun Tang was sitting by the window, watching a little sparrow hopping on the branch outside.

“Qingyan,” she said in her sweet little voice, pointing at the bird. “I want one. I want to keep one.”

“Little master is still recovering. In a few days, this servant will have someone bring a few gentle, tame sparrows into the manor,” Qingyan coaxed softly.

Suddenly, an older maidservant walked in quickly and reported in a low voice, “Miss Qingyan, Third Young Master Yun Rui is waiting outside the courtyard, saying he’s here to apologize to the little master.”

Yun Tang’s brows furrowed.

Apologize?

That disobedient little grand-nephew, repenting so quickly after just a few slaps?

Who would believe that!

Qingyan’s expression turned cold. “Tell him the little master just took her medicine, is too tired to see anyone, and needs peace and quiet. No visitors.”

The maid left with the message.

But soon she returned, looking troubled. “Third Young Master refuses to leave. He says he truly knows he was wrong and has come to kowtow and apologize. He also says… he’s brought a rare treasure to present as an apology. He insists that the little master at least take a look before he leaves.”

Yun Tang’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

A rare treasure?

She tugged Qingyan’s sleeve. “Qingyan, what treasure?”

Qingyan looked down at her, only to find her big eyes full of innocent curiosity.

After a brief hesitation, Qingyan asked, “Does the little master wish to see it?”

Yun Tang nodded her little head eagerly. “Mm! But just look! We’ll stay far away!”

Understanding, Qingyan carried her to the covered corridor, stopping far from the main gate.

The courtyard gate opened just a crack, letting Yun Rui’s chubby figure squeeze through.

He was indeed holding a tray covered with a red silk cloth, wearing a smile so forced it made Yun Tang uncomfortable just looking at him.

“Nephew Yun Rui is here to kowtow and apologize to little grand-aunt!” Yun Rui set down the tray and properly knelt to knock his head on the ground.

“Get up,” Yun Tang said in her soft little voice from afar. “You said… you brought treasure?”

“Yes, yes!” Yun Rui quickly stood and, like presenting a prize, lifted the red cloth. “Little grand-aunt, please look! I searched so hard to find this just for you!”

Yun Tang lowered her eyes to look.

On the tray lay a pure white jade rabbit, its carving unusually fine and lifelike.

The jade was smooth and warm, glimmering softly under the light.

Even its eyes were inlaid with tiny rubies, vivid and full of spirit.

It truly was a rare piece.

Yun Tang’s eyes lit up. “Wow! Such a white little bunny!”

Qingyan’s gaze swept over the jade rabbit, then landed on Yun Rui’s face—he was clearly trying to hide his nervousness.

“Does little grand-aunt like it?” Yun Rui stepped forward eagerly. “This jade rabbit is said to be calming and nourishing. It’s perfect for little grand-aunt to play with. I brought it to cheer you up—please, take it!”

He made as if to move closer with the tray.

“Stop.” Qingyan’s cold voice rang out. She stood still, holding Yun Tang. “If it’s a gift, leave it there. The little master’s health is delicate—no one may approach.”

Yun Rui froze. “But… but this rabbit must be seen up close to truly appreciate its craft…”

“Leave it.” Qingyan’s tone brooked no argument.

Feeling chilled by her gaze, Yun Rui reluctantly placed the tray on the stone bench in the courtyard. “Then… then little grand-aunt must remember to play with it! Nephew will take his leave now!”

He bowed quickly and practically fled the courtyard.

Once he was gone, Qingyan carried Yun Tang over.

“Qingyan,” Yun Tang said, staring at the rabbit, “check if there’s anything wrong with it.”

Qingyan nodded slightly, then wordlessly drew out a slender silver hairpin and gently probed a nearly invisible hole in the rabbit’s belly.

When she withdrew it, a fine trace of pale powder clung to the tip.

Qingyan’s expression changed instantly. “Little master, there is indeed something strange about this jade rabbit.”

Yun Tang’s little hand waved sharply, the embroidered crabapple blossoms on her sleeve dancing in the air. Despite her childish voice, her tone was stern. “Bring Yun Rui back to me!”

Soon, Yun Rui was dragged back by two sturdy servants.

His legs shook, his face was pale as paper, and his lips trembled—he was terrified.

Yun Tang’s chubby cheeks were slightly flushed with anger. She pointed at him like a little cat with bristling fur. “Yun Rui! How dare you try to poison your little grand-aunt!”

She turned to Qingyan. “Give him ten more slaps—let him remember this lesson!”

Qingyan stepped forward, lifting the switch high.

Smack!

The sharp sound of the ruler striking flesh echoed through the courtyard, mingling with Yun Rui’s wails.

When the tenth blow landed, Yun Rui stared down at his palms, now swollen like steamed buns. His mouth trembled before tears finally burst forth in fat drops.

Yun Tang waved her tiny hand like she was shooing away a fly. “Go. Don’t let it happen again.”

Yun Rui, as if granted a pardon, turned to run—only to freeze when her voice rang out again:

“Wait.”

He stiffened, nearly sobbing out loud.

“Take your rabbit with you.” Yun Tang added.

Yun Rui could no longer hold back and burst into loud, wailing cries. Clutching his red, swollen hands, he stumbled out of the courtyard, screaming, “Mother! Save me! Little grand-aunt is going to beat me to death!”

---

That night.

Yun Tang tilted her porcelain-white face up. The candlelight danced, casting golden flecks in her clear, bright eyes.

Though they looked innocent, there was a clarity in their depths far beyond her years.

She reached out with her soft little hand and gently tugged Qingyan’s sleeve. “Qingyan, go tell Big Nephew… tell him everything that happened today. Especially what I heard by the window. Not a single word is to be left out.”

Qingyan gave her a long look, then knelt in respect. “Yes. This servant understands.”

---

An incense stick later.

In the Duke’s study.

Stacks of military reports and official documents were piled high on the desk. The candlelight cast half of Yun Hengzhi’s face in shadow.

He sat in silence, his long fingers tapping the sandalwood table one by one.

The sound echoed heavily in the still room.

Qingyan stood several paces away, straight-backed, hands at her sides.

Her voice was even and calm. “…Second Madam also said that everything in the storeroom should have been hers…”

With each word that fell, Yun Hengzhi’s face grew darker.

Then, his fingers abruptly stilled.

A suffocating aura of killing intent burst from him in an instant.

The temperature in the study seemed to plummet.

Qingyan lowered her head even more.

Yun Hengzhi slowly raised his eyes.

There was no expression on his face—only the dark, fathomless depths of his gaze, where an all-consuming fury surged like a hidden tide.

Finally, after a long moment, his deep, icy voice rang out:

“Investigate.”

Just one word.

Qingyan bowed at once. “Yes!”

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