Chu Ruoyan looked up to see a flamboyant figure in red descending from the sky—it was Yun Lang.
His gaze softened as it landed on the young woman, and Chu Ruoyan’s heart sank. "What did you call her?"
Yun Lang raised a playful brow. "What’s wrong? Are your eyes and ears both failing you now?"
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together, but Princess Roumin hastily interjected, "Brother, please don’t speak like that. The County Lady is my benefactor—"
"Benefactor?" Chu Ruoyan coolly interrupted. "Princess Roumin must be mistaken. I, Chang Le, have never crossed paths with the County Lady."
"No, it’s true! You and the Chief Minister thwarted the Princess’s conspiracy, preserving the foundation of Great Xia. You are not just my benefactor but the savior of the entire realm. The Dowager Noble Consort taught me to always regard you, County Lady, as the model of womanhood."
Her words were spoken with such sincerity that even Yun Lang chuckled. "Alright, alright, I’ll listen to my little sister. Little Blind, this lord offers his apologies~"
He gave a casual salute, and only then did Princess Roumin relax. Turning to Chu Ruoyan, she added, "Please forgive my brother, County Lady. He has always been unrestrained in speech. I offer my apologies on his behalf."
Chu Ruoyan narrowed her eyes.
Their display of sibling affection made her feel like an outsider.
But she didn’t voice it, only casting a cool glance at Yun Lang. "Lord Yun, might I borrow a moment of your time?"
Before Yun Lang could respond, the young woman hurriedly said, "Since the County Lady and my brother have important matters to discuss, I shall take my leave—" She turned to go, but Yun Lang grabbed her wrist. "Why leave? Didn’t I say when I acknowledged you that there’s nothing you can’t hear?"
To Chu Ruoyan’s surprise, Princess Roumin pulled free. "Brother, the County Lady is your old acquaintance. She must have something urgent to discuss. Go on!"
"My sister is truly considerate!" Yun Lang laughed smugly. "Come on, Little Blind. Let’s hear what you have to say. Have your eyes suddenly improved, and you’ve realized my charm rivals that husband of yours?"
Amidst his teasing, the two moved to the rear hall.
Chu Ruoyan composed herself and fixed him with a steady gaze. "What exactly are you thinking?"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn’t Meng Yang tell you? The timing of Princess Roumin’s birthmark discovery was too coincidental—it reeked of deliberate orchestration!"
The implication was clear: Princess Roumin had arranged it. Yun Lang’s playful expression faded, and after a pause, he murmured, "I know."
"You know?"
"Princess Roumin told me. The Dowager Noble Consort once informed her that she had an elder brother still alive, identifiable by the butterfly-shaped birthmark on her neck. She had no chance to search while secluded at Mount Wutai, but upon returning to the capital, she couldn’t resist using the Chief Minister’s influence to find me..."
Given the Dowager Noble Consort’s ties to the previous dynasty, it made sense she knew of the Yun siblings’ origins.
Chu Ruoyan’s eyes darkened—she found no flaw in the explanation.
Yun Lang continued, "She said she’s been alone for too long and longed to reunite with family... She also knew you’d see through it, so she asked me to apologize. She didn’t mean to exploit you."
Chu Ruoyan laughed bitterly. "Lord Yun, knowing you, I’d think you’re not the type to take her words at face value?"
After all, birthmarks could be faked, evidence could be fabricated—anything visible to the eye could be a lie!
Yun Lang fell silent before finally saying, "You’re right. So I had people investigate thoroughly. Not only is the birthmark on her neck genuine, but her entire history—when she ended up at the Duke of Chu's Mansion, when the Dowager Noble Consort took her in—all of it aligns perfectly..."
"Even the small scar on her right pinky finger. That was from when I took her to catch fireflies at age two, and she was bitten by a venomous insect. Not even our eldest brother knew of that scar, let alone outsiders. It couldn’t have been forged."
Chu Ruoyan stiffened, instinctively glancing at her own hand.
Her pinky was smooth and unblemished—no trace of a scar.
Yun Lang’s gaze dimmed. After a moment, he smiled wryly. "Little Blind, I once thought you were Miaomiao. In my heart, I wished you were. But with all the evidence before me, no matter how much you resemble Mother with makeup, you’re not her."
"I know you called me aside out of concern. I can tell Princess Roumin is scheming something. But as her brother, as the Yun family, we failed her. We left her alone in the world, blind and suffering... So whatever she wants, whatever she plans, I’ll protect her and give her everything. I hope you understand."
Chu Ruoyan’s heart ached sharply. She wanted to argue but had no standing.
After all, she was an outsider—how could she meddle in their sibling affairs?
Clenching her fingers, she still couldn’t hold back. "Lord Yun, I know you pity your sister, but your identities are dangerous. If exposed, there’ll be no refuge under heaven. So—"
"I know," Yun Lang cut in softly. "I know. Even if it costs my life, I’ll protect her. It’s what I owe her."
With that, he turned and left. At the courtyard gate, he paused to add, "Let’s not meet again. You and Third Yan—live well."
He waved without looking back, his flamboyant red robes vanishing from sight.
Chu Ruoyan wanted to chase after him, but a sudden wave of nausea hit. By the time she recovered, he was gone.
"Miss, what should we do with this chest of clothes?" Yulu asked.
Chu Ruoyan’s eyes turned icy. "Burn them."
"Burn them? Miss, isn’t that too—" Nanny Zhou gaped, clearly reluctant.
Chu Ruoyan only grew firmer. "Every last piece. Leave nothing."
That blind princess had visited just once, yet even seasoned retainers like Nanny Zhou were taken in.
Upon closer inspection, her methods surpassed even the Princess’s—no, it was those sightless eyes that won her endless sympathy!
By evening, Yan Zheng returned from duty.
Hearing she hadn’t eaten, he went straight to her chambers without changing out of his court robes.
Chu Ruoyan’s mind was in turmoil—Yun Lang and Princess Roumin, her second sister and Prince Qin—her thoughts spun endlessly until the door creaked open. "Leave. I don’t want dinner."
Yet the footsteps didn’t retreat. Instead, they came closer.
Annoyed, she turned—only to be swept into an embrace.
A strong arm circled her waist, lifting her effortlessly. "What’s wrong? Skipping meals over the Yun siblings again?"
Recognizing Yan Zheng, she relaxed. "No, just... my chest feels heavy. Put me down."
But he ignored her, carrying her out. "No matter how heavy, you must eat. I had the kitchen prepare congee. Have a few bites—consider it keeping me company."
