"Young Master, it's you!"
"You're finally back!"
Seemingly still somewhat unable to believe what he was seeing, the servant pulled up his sleeve and vigorously rubbed his eyes.
Then, he saw that behind Yi Shangjun was none other than his own family head.
"master!"
From then on, there was no more doubt. The servant shouted and opened both doors at once with a whoosh, completely disregarding the need to close them again.
He immediately turned around and ran towards the corridor leading to the backyard, shouting as he went.
"Master is back!"
"Young Master is back!"
"Master and young master are both back safe and sound!"
The noise was so loud that it probably woke up even the neighbors from their dreams.
In an instant, the entire mansion was brightly lit.
Aunt Lan, supported by snow on her clothes, stumbled out of the house to greet them, crying and calling out.
"master!"
"My Jun'er!"
Her clothes were already covered in tears, and she was a tearful mess.
"Father!"
"elder brother!"
In an instant, the four of them hugged each other tightly.
When Nian, who came out right after them, saw the four of them finally reunited, he was also moved to tears.
As soon as Yi Shangkun glanced at her silently shedding tears on the side, he slowly released Aunt Lan's and Yi Shangxue's hands.
Then he slowly walked towards Nian's side. When he reached her, their eyes met, and silence spoke volumes. They then embraced tightly.
Overjoyed, Ms. Nian wept, repeatedly saying, "It's good that you're back! It's good that you're back!"
Yi Shangkun felt as if he had escaped death this time, and everything seemed like a lifetime ago. He said apologetically, "These past few days, I've made you worry about me!"
Upon hearing this, Nian finally closed her eyes and tightened her grip on Yi Shangkun's robe.
Yi Shangjun and Yi Shangxue held onto Aunt Lan's arms and looked at the two of them. Surprisingly, no one made a fuss anymore, and for the first time, they were deeply moved by it.
As if they had been reborn from the ashes, Yi Shangkun and his son Yi Shangjun took a bath, changed their clothes, and put on clean cotton robes.
The entire household busied themselves preparing breakfast for their master.
"You may all leave now. Make sure no one comes into this courtyard to cause any disturbance."
At that time, Yi Shangjun dismissed all the servants, leaving only his family to gather in the flower hall to discuss matters.
Even now, Aunt Lan still feels restless and uneasy.
What has been troubling and perplexing her is: "Master, why did the Emperor summon you and Jun'er to the palace one after another? Why did he keep you in the palace for so many days?"
Yi Shangkun glanced at Yi Shangjun, who shook his head slightly and gave him a subtle wink.
Yi Shangkun stroked his beard, hesitated, and said, "Well, this old man..."
Seeing Yi Shangkun hesitate, Aunt Lan anxiously asked Yi Shangjun, "Jun'er, now that you are a general, do you not know the Emperor's will?"
Yi Shangjun said, "The Emperor's intentions have always been difficult to fathom. But Mother, don't worry too much. The Emperor only asked Father and me some questions about our official duties and didn't do anything to us. Now, aren't we all back?"
Aunt Lan frowned upon hearing this, and asked with some skepticism, "Are you telling the truth? Are you really just inquiring about official duties, and you're not lying to me?"
Just then, Yi Shangxue could no longer contain herself and interrupted Aunt Lan's thoughts, saying, "Father, brother, what you're saying can't be true. I've already asked at the Prince of Qin's residence..."
Before she could finish speaking, Yi Shangkun and his son questioned her in unison.
Yi Shangkun: "Who told you to go to the Prince of Qin's residence?"
Yi Shangjun: "You went to see His Highness the Prince of Qin?"
Startled, Yi Shangxue quickly retreated behind Aunt Lan to hide.
Aunt Lan immediately saw through their deception: "Xue'er was just worried about you and wanted to go to the Prince of Qin's mansion to ask around. Why are you two reacting so strongly? And you still say you have nothing to hide from me?"
In desperation, Yi Shangkun had no choice but to shout and order: "Alright, stop arguing. I said it's nothing, so it's nothing. From now on, no one is allowed to bother the Prince of Qin's residence again, or else they will be punished according to family rules!"
After saying that, he got up and went inside alone.
"Father!"
"master!"
No matter how Aunt Lan and Yi Shangxue called to him, he never turned back.
Watching Yi Shangkun leave, Yi Shangjun also planned to leave, so he gave the mother and daughter a final warning: "Remember, in the future, don't ask questions you shouldn't ask, and don't say a word you shouldn't say. Otherwise, you'll definitely get burned!"
Although this son was spoiled and willful from a young age, he had never spoken to me in this way.
At this moment, Aunt Lan exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, Jun'er, how have you changed so much..."
Yi Shangxue pouted, as if trying to coax him, "Brother!"
However, Yi Shangjun ignored them all and walked away quickly, not giving the mother and daughter a chance to finish their conversation.
Finally, once again, only three women remained in the living room.
Aunt Lan glanced at Madam Nian, who sat silently in her seat, never uttering a word from beginning to end, but always with a furrowed brow, and wanted to vent her anger on her.
"This family is probably going to fall apart. Ever since that bitch woke up, it's no longer like a home!"
Upon hearing this, Ms. Nian suddenly stood up, but then slowly took a step and left on her own.
Seeing that after learning of Yi Shangyun's death in Lu County, Nian Shi fell seriously ill and became so taciturn, as if even her emotions had been reduced to indifference.
Aunt Lan seemed to have no rivals left. After watching her leave, she asked Yi Shangxue beside her, "What...what did she mean by that? Did I say something wrong?"
Even Yi Shangxue seemed unable to bear it any longer, so she advised, "Mother, let it go. She was a pitiful person too! As a woman, she never had a child of her own, and even the child who wasn't her own is now dead!"
Hearing Yi Shangxue's words, Aunt Lan felt even worse and regretted it: "Oh, look at my mouth! I'm just angry because of your father and brother. I know I shouldn't have said that to her. After all, without her, your brother would probably have lived a muddled and unproductive life!"
Yi Shangxue nodded in agreement: "Alright, in the future, it's okay to be angry, just be careful what you say. Let me help you back to your room!"
"Yes, Mother will remember this, and will pay more attention in the future!"
Seeing the changes in her clothes, Aunt Lan patted her hand gently with great satisfaction and agreed.
Ever since the family parted on bad terms in the flower hall, Yi Shangkun had locked himself in his study.
After much deliberation.
He was certain that this incident was related to Yi Shangyun.
But then again, if Yi Shangyun didn't die, then where is she now?
Perhaps only by finding her can all the mysteries be solved.
As night fell, I rose and stood by the window, and saw a bright candlelight emanating from the Mingyue Pavilion in the corner of the backyard.
So he opened the door and walked out.
Pushing open the door, one could see Madam Nian sitting in front of Yi Shangyun's dressing table, holding a red wooden comb in her hand, examining it intently.
So he went up to her and asked, "Madam, what are you doing here? It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Mrs. Nian said calmly, "That day, I used this comb to comb her hair myself, covered her veil, and watched her get into the bridal sedan chair and be taken away by the man she had chosen."
Unexpectedly, as she was talking, her nose suddenly stung, and tears blurred her vision.
“I thought she would never be like me, with a powerful and influential person by her side who regarded her as his own life. She would never share a husband with another. But I heard that His Highness the Prince of Qin has already married the daughter of Lu Xian from the Western Qin Academy as a concubine, is that right?”
Yi Shangkun listened but dared not respond at all.
This matter is of great importance, and he truly dares not reveal a single detail.
The lack of any response was, for the Nian family, the answer.
So she continued, tears streaming down her face, "I thought that she had really changed after she woke up. Her medical skills are so good, she has saved so many people, she is no less than the master. After marriage, she will definitely have her own children and will not grow old alone like me."
"But later, she really did become pregnant. Do you know how happy I was for her, sir!"
"But why..."
"Why……"
"Why did that child end up like us back then...?"
"Although she is not my biological daughter, I have treated her as if she were my own child since she was a child."
"It's not because that woman helped your career back then."
"For me, it's not just because I can't let down such a strong woman, who left me with her dying wish."
"And also, I truly love this child. No matter how difficult the past was, as long as she was by my side, I would do anything willingly..."
"I gave my all to raise her to adulthood and watch her get married, but in the end, I am truly unwilling to accept it."
"My Yun'er, how could she..."
"How could this be..."
"So, sir, tell me the truth, is Yun'er really gone?"
Seeing that Madam Nian was so heartbroken, Yi Shangkun placed both hands on her shoulders and finally made up his mind: "Madam, let's retire and return to our hometown!"
Unexpectedly, this time, Madam Nian didn't ask any questions, and simply agreed, "Okay!"
Just then, Ishigami Shun, who had overheard their conversation outside the door, composed himself and called out, "Father!"
Yi Shangkun was startled and looked up at the door. He said, "Jun'er, what brings you here? I have something I'd like to discuss with you..."
As Yi Shangjun stepped in, he confessed, "Jun'er has heard everything just now, and I agree with Father's decision!"
Yi Shangkun paused for a moment, then asked, "Then Jun'er, you..."
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