Upon arriving at Mingyue Pavilion, Yan'er swiftly helped Yi Shangyun change into a newly made lotus-pink dress, then draped a heavy red brocade cloak embroidered with white plum blossoms over it. Finally, she pulled up the hood before helping her hurriedly leave.

The courtyard was completely quiet, except for the occasional soft rustling sound of the wind blowing snow off a few white plum branches.

The master and servant walked along the corridor leading to the front hall. Yi Shangyun glanced around quietly and, seeing that no one else was around, lowered her voice and instructed, "Yan'er, if anyone comes looking for me later, tell them that I have some important business to attend to and will be back soon. Ask them to leave their address, and I will keep my promise and go to meet them."

Upon hearing this, Yan'er immediately remembered that Yi Shangyun had mentioned a few days ago that he had made an appointment to stay up together on New Year's Eve, and asked with delight, "Miss, are you talking about Young Master Yi?"

"Shh..." Yi Shangyun immediately put her finger to her lips and looked into Yan'er's eyes, signaling her to speak softly.

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Yan'er quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Then, the two of them tilted their heads and looked around again.

After a moment, Yan'er whispered, "Miss, please go with peace of mind. Yan'er knows what to do."

Looking at Yan'er's precocious appearance, Yi Shangyun smiled without saying a word, only gently stroking her nose with her finger. Then, with a smile and a sense of relief, she continued walking towards the main hall.

After she returned to the front hall, Yi Shangkun hurriedly got up and personally saw Yi Shangyun and Manager Xue out.

But as soon as she came out, Yi Shangyun saw a carriage parked next to the entrance of the Yi residence that seemed somewhat familiar, but she was not sure if it was because of the darkness of the night.

Just as she hesitated and wondered, Manager Xue smiled and urged her, saying, "Miss Yi, please get in the carriage!" After saying that, he reached out to help her.

At this moment, Yan'er quickly ran up from behind Yi Shangkun and helped him into the carriage.

Yi Shangyun, sitting in the car, winked at Yan'er, who nodded knowingly in response, indicating that she could rest assured.

Just then, Manager Xue smiled, cupped his hands in farewell to Yi Shangkun standing beside him, and said, "Master Yi, farewell."

Yi Shangkun nodded and bowed politely in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."

Shopkeeper Xue smiled and nodded gently before turning around and getting into the carriage.

Then, a young driver slowly lowered the curtain of the carriage, and skillfully drove the carriage away, gradually disappearing into the hazy night.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Yi Shangkun let out a long sigh.

I thought to myself, I really hope this hermit can heal this poor child. I wonder if her life has been fortunate or unfortunate. So much has happened in just over a decade, and she's encountered so many people she shouldn't have…

As he pondered, he shook his head, seemingly with a sense of helplessness.

Yan'er, standing beside him, pouted and asked with a mixture of sadness and curiosity, "Master, do you really think there's a hermit who can heal Miss's legs? Miss's legs have been getting worse lately; she can barely stand for a short while each day. Although she always tries her best to hide it from me, to avoid upsetting me and to prevent you and Madam from being heartbroken, I've actually seen everything. How can Miss be so kind and strong? If an ordinary young lady from a wealthy family were in this situation, she would either be utterly despondent and give up on herself or be constantly furious. But Miss has endured it all alone for so long. Does good people really not get good rewards?" Yan'er finished speaking with tears in her eyes.

"Always selfless for others, she's just like her poor mother back then..." In this situation, coupled with Yan'er's heartfelt words, Yi Shangkun was clearly a little distracted. However, as he was speaking, he suddenly stopped, a look of unease on his face.

"With her poor mother from back then? What do you mean by that, sir?" Even so, Yan'er still sensed something amiss, and now she tilted her head and stared into Yi Shangkun's eyes as she asked.

Yi Shangkun realized he had momentarily lost his composure and misspoke, and that the young maid had noticed. His eyes darted around slightly, and he only managed a perfunctory reply, "What I mean is that before the Yi family mansion existed, things were difficult, and the madam was very pitiful."

Just as Yan'er had been brushed off, she suddenly asked, "Actually, even though Master doesn't say it, he's exceptionally kind to Miss, isn't that right?"

At this moment, Yi Shangkun seemed to have adjusted himself and replied, "What parent in the world would treat their children badly?"

However, Yan'er instantly became dejected and saddened, saying, "Of course they are. Yan'er's parents were not good to her. Yan'er is so grown up now, she can't even remember what her parents look like, whether they are tall or short, fat or thin, rich or poor. Why didn't they want Yan'er and abandoned her? If they didn't want Yan'er, why didn't they cruelly end Yan'er's life at birth and leave her to live alone in this world, all alone and helpless? If it weren't for the master, mistress and young lady taking her in, Yan'er would probably still be a beggar on the street, being bullied by everyone."

Seeing that Yan'er was saddened by the past, Yi Shangkun comforted her, saying, "Your parents must have had their own unspeakable difficulties. Everyone in this world has times when they feel isolated and helpless, and everyone has things they are powerless to change."

However, Yan'er couldn't stop herself at this point and continued to vent, "Isolated and helpless... powerless... can these be used as excuses for their irresponsibility? They can't even protect the safety of their own flesh and blood, what right do they have to be parents?"

Speaking of protection, Yan'er suddenly thought of her little master, who was her only family. When Yan'er was just a newborn baby, her face was poisoned in front of her parents.

Suddenly, a look of extreme resentment appeared on Yan'er's face. She glared fiercely at Yi Shangkun in front of her and questioned, "Master, why didn't you protect Miss when someone poisoned her face, causing her to be disfigured and suffer the humiliation of being rejected after marriage and enduring the cold stares of the world, and why did you ignore her and not care about her at all?"

Suddenly, Yi Shangkun felt a loud bang in his ears, like thunder, which made his head ache. He frowned and hurriedly asked, "Where did you hear all this? Does Miss know about it too?"

Yan'er didn't avoid his questioning. She nodded in response, her eyes brimming with tears, trying hard to hold them back. She looked at him with pleading eyes, resenting him, thinking about her and her young master's tragic fate. Finally, she couldn't hold back the tears any longer, and they streamed down her face like beads from a broken string.

Yi Shangkun pondered. At this point, it was pointless for him to question or investigate how such a closely guarded secret had been leaked.

But upon closer reflection on Yan'er's words, it seems they are still unaware of the most crucial part, otherwise they wouldn't have asked him that question. It appears we must be more cautious in the future.

Then, his expression gradually returned to its usual seriousness, and he said only to Yan'er, "Yan'er, some things you see and hear may not be the truth. Only your own heart is the truest. So in everything, follow the truth in your heart, and you will have no regrets in this life, understand?"

Tears streamed down Yan'er's tender cheeks, her eyes darting around, but she didn't wipe them away, letting them flow freely. She also seemed confused by what Yi Shangkun was saying.

Looking at her, Yi Shangkun felt a pang of heartache for her, but it seemed there was nothing he could do. For some reason, Yan'er seemed to have amnesia, with almost no memory of her parents or home, and even if he wanted to search for it, he had no direction whatsoever.

So, he helplessly placed his hand on Yan'er's narrow and delicate shoulder and patted it gently twice. He looked up at the sky and comforted her, "It's getting late, and it's windy at the entrance. Go back quickly."

After saying that, he walked in through the door, leaving Yan'er standing there in a daze, looking pitiful and tearful.

The night sky was as dark as ink, with a crescent moon in the center. As the carriage passed, clouds of dust billowed up, and the young coachman steered the horse at breakneck speed.

Yi Shangyun sat upright in the carriage, her hands clasped at her knees, lost in thought. How could anyone possibly heal her leg? Now, this pointless matter had delayed her promise to Yi Junhao, and she feared he would again blame her for breaking her promise. Lost in thought, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh, "Alas!"

Shopkeeper Xue sat down beside Yi Shangyun with a friendly smile. Seeing her looking worried and letting out a long sigh, he asked with concern, "Why did you sigh so sadly, Miss? Is something on your mind?"

Yi Shangyun bit her lip and finally couldn't help but say, "Manager Xue, to be honest, I had an appointment with someone tonight, but unexpectedly, you found a master at this time, and time is of the essence. I haven't informed my friend in advance, and I'm afraid he will be angry with me."

After a brief pause, feeling utterly desolate and hopeless, and thinking about being blamed, her nose suddenly stung with tears. She said dejectedly, "Actually, even if Hua Tuo were to be reborn, he might not be able to save Yun'er's leg. I'm afraid the shopkeeper has wasted his time again, and I feel very bad about it."

Despite her words, Manager Xue smiled and advised her, "Miss, how can you be so pessimistic about life?! You are still young, you must believe that miracles always exist in this world."

Before he could finish speaking, Yi Shangyun sneered, "A miracle? Yun'er's life has truly been a miracle. She inexplicably arrived in a place she knew nothing about, encountered many inexplicable people, and now inexplicably is about to become a cripple. Who knows how many more inexplicable things will happen next..."

Shopkeeper Xue assumed she had just been to the palace and had experienced many unpleasant things, and was grumbling because of her leg ailment. He listened patiently, unaware of the true meaning behind her words.

He continued to comfort her, saying, "Young Miss is kind-hearted and will surely be protected by Heaven. She will definitely be able to escape this calamity. This hermit master said that he can definitely cure the cold poison in Young Miss's legs. Don't worry, Young Miss."

Yi Shangyun simply didn't believe it and wouldn't listen to any advice. After a while, she slightly raised her head, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffed, and tried to compose herself.

Suddenly, the sound of fireworks and firecrackers came from outside. She quickly lifted the carriage curtain and looked out the window.