Chapter 78 – Reading the Letter

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General Xiao, who was usually careless, had firmly remembered the day his little granddaughters would return home this time. Almost every day, he would remind the family.

“Only a few days until the kids are back. Make sure to thoroughly clean the Distant Pavilion, light the charcoal fires early since Ping’an feels the cold, and prepare more of Yixiang Garden’s new pastries for Ruyi.”

The happier General Xiao was, the more anxious the family felt.

“Should we just tell Father the truth? Didn’t Nanny Ruan mention they planned to stay longer at the Hot Spring Villa? It’s been less than a month—how much could it have helped Ping’an’s illness?” Xiao Jingkang, having tried every possible way over the past few days to dissuade his father from bringing back his granddaughter, found himself thinking, If only my daughter weren’t so favored, life would be easier and solutions simpler.

Tong Mingyu was equally torn. On one hand, her daughter’s health hadn’t fully recovered and required familial cooperation to ensure her cure. On the other hand, she feared her father-in-law’s wrath—punishments he might impose on her youngest son, not to mention the innocent Xiao Qi. How could she, as a mother, make such a choice?

While the couple wrestled with this dilemma, Madam Qin arrived at the Elegant Garden and got straight to the point:
“I don’t think you should reveal the truth to your father now. Ping’an is already sick, and that’s an unchangeable fact. Even if you tell him the truth, will she recover instantly?

Ah-Jun and Ah-Qi are still young. Aren’t you worried about the punishment they might face? Both palms and backs of the hands are flesh—you can’t neglect them for Ping’an’s sake.

I’m already old; I don’t know how many more blows I can take.”

Madam Qin, worried about her granddaughter and protective of her grandsons, intervened out of fear her son and daughter-in-law would spill the truth to the general for Ping’an’s treatment.

Caught in hesitation, Xiao Jingkang finally dismissed the idea of confessing to his father after hearing his mother’s plea.

Tong Mingyu wrote a letter to Nanny Ruan, explaining the situation in detail and apologizing, asking her to prepare for their return in a few days.

Nanny Ruan looked at the letter in her hand, both amused and exasperated. She had never seen anyone dote on their children as much as General Xiao. His excessive indulgence left his family too afraid to tell him the truth. She could only imagine the chaos if the truth were one day revealed.

When the tenth day finally arrived, General Xiao found himself reluctantly heading to the National Academy to deal with those troublesome boys before he could pick up his granddaughters. No wonder he disliked those boys—they were always wasting his time!

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“Little Strong, Little Chubby! Long time no see!” Mu Fengwu ran toward Xiao Jun and Xiao Qi as if reuniting with long-lost relatives.

The two kids had indeed been absent for some time, drawing the Yun brothers’ curiosity as they eyed them.

Xiao Jun planned to accompany his grandfather to fetch his sister. Otherwise, he’d have avoided coming here again.

“Long time no see,” Xiao Qi greeted with a smile. His grandfather had warned them not to provoke these boys directly, so he decided to humor them.

“Here to practice martial arts with us? Doesn’t look like it!” The boys’ travel attire suggested anything but training.

“We’re going out,” Xiao Jun interjected quickly to prevent his brother from saying something wrong.

Just as Mu Fengwu was about to probe further, General Xiao called out loudly, “You lot, demonstrate the spear techniques I taught you last time. Then I’ll teach you the next two moves. No dawdling—I’ve got to pick up my granddaughter!”

As the general began teaching new techniques, Steward Feng hurried over. General Xiao frowned. Is this another ploy by my son or daughter-in-law to stop me from fetching my granddaughter?

“You all practice on your own,” he said curtly, gesturing for Steward Feng to join him under a nearby tree.

“General, the second miss has sent a letter back. She mentioned that a rare flower at the Hot Spring Villa will bloom in the coming days. The two young ladies are asking if they could stay a little longer,” the steward cautiously reported.

“Where’s the letter? Let me see!” Could this be another trick?

Steward Feng, fearing the general’s temper, handed over the letter, which the general snatched without hesitation. Even my grandsons aren’t trustworthy—what should I do?

“You, Yun kid, come over!” This one wouldn’t dare deceive me.

Yun Yichen was puzzled. Why is the old man calling me? Did the sun rise in the west today?

“Come read this letter for me.”

Steward Feng hesitated to stop him. It’s a letter from the young misses—how could an outsider read it? But recalling their ages—one five, the other four—he relented. They’re too young for social proprieties to matter. Besides, the general doesn’t trust his own family. If I object, I might not even make it home.

Yun Yichen unfolded the letter. The top half was a series of crooked characters, interspersed with phrases clearly written by someone else. The bottom featured a neatly written line accompanied by a drawing of a bowing child, labeled: “Grandfather, please don’t be angry.”

“Read it aloud,” the general ordered.

So I’m a reading servant now? Yun Yichen huffed inwardly. Whenever the old man calls me, it’s never good. Still, he dutifully read the letter, folded it, and handed it back before returning to the training grounds.

“Go home. I said I’d pick up my granddaughters today, and I will,” General Xiao declared resolutely.

“Yes,” Steward Feng answered with a resigned smile. The master and madam, I’ve done my best. But against the general’s will, my words carry no weight.

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The two hours felt like an eternity to General Xiao, but he finally dismissed the group with a curt “Go home.” Grabbing a grandson in each hand, he strode off briskly.

“What just happened?” Mu Fengwu was dying of curiosity.

“What did the old man have you read?” Yun Yifan, rarely intrigued, also asked.

“It was a letter. I think it was from his granddaughter,” Yun Yichen replied.

“What did it say? The old man didn’t look pleased,” Mu Fengwu pressed.

“She asked him to fetch them,” Yun Yichen dodged, unwilling to reveal the truth to avoid endless questioning.

After three years with General Xiao, Yun Yichen finally understood what he cherished most. If I ever meet his little granddaughters, I’d better not offend them. The old man might actually kill for them.

And that little drawing on the letter? It was amusing. Must’ve been the work of a mischievous little girl.

No wonder his father wanted him to interact with the younger Xiao generation—they were fascinating people.

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“Why are you smiling?” Mu Fengwu asked, astonished. Seeing Yun Yichen smile was a rare event.

“I wasn’t,” Yun Yichen replied, his expression swiftly returning to normal. Was I smiling? Impossible! They must be mistaken.

Mu Fengwu and Yun Yifan exchanged a look. This guy’s acting weird. He knows something—why won’t he share it with us?

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