When the tragic news reached Dingyang, the Grand Princess coughed up a mouthful of blood and fainted on the spot. She only held on for a few days before passing away.
At that time, Yun Chengxuan was only a little over six months old. The only people left by his side who still cared for and nurtured him were a few elderly momos left to him by the Grand Princess.
Even more tragically, when Yun Chengxuan was about three years old, he suddenly developed a persistent high fever one night. The momos anxiously sought medical help.
Yun You had no sense of observing the three-year mourning period for his parents. He partied every night, and at that moment, who knew which private courtyard he was fooling around in.
Meanwhile, his inner courtyard was managed by Concubine Liu.
Although Concubine Liu was of low birth, she had a charming face and a graceful figure, earning much of Yun You's favor.
It was precisely this favor that gave her ambitions for the position of the official wife. Naturally, Yun Chengxuan, the legitimate eldest son, became a thorn in her side.
She could not have been happier to hear that he was sick, wishing nothing more than for him to die from the illness. It just so happened that the estate's doctor had gone out with Yun You that night, making it an absolute golden opportunity for her.
Concubine Liu acted cleverly; she fell severely ill and slipped into a coma that very night, pretending to know nothing of the matter.
However, she overlooked one crucial fact.
No matter how much Yun Chengxuan was disliked by Yun You, he still had royal blood flowing through his veins. He was the grandson of the Grand Princess and the grandnephew of Emperor Yan!
Without Concubine Liu's permission, the momos could not even leave the estate gates. They watched helplessly as the child in their arms burned with fever for an entire night. It wasn't until the next morning that the momo managed to leave the estate to fetch a doctor.
But it was too late. The fever had already damaged Yun Chengxuan's brain.
Feeling that she had failed the Grand Princess's dying wish, the momo presented a letter written in blood to Emperor Yan.
Although the Grand Princess and Yun Shao were gone, they still had some connections left, making it possible to deliver a blood letter to the Emperor.
Jiang Tao flew into a rage and directly ordered Concubine Liu to be beaten to death. He also summoned Yun You and gave him a severe reprimand. After that, Yun Chengxuan's life became relatively better.
Zhou Sui looked with complex eyes at Yun Chengxuan, who had just finished moving the cargo. He lowered his head and smiled foolishly as he took the two coarse grain steamed buns handed to him by the employer.
As soon as he got the buns, he couldn't wait to stuff them into his mouth, ignoring the dirt on his hands, eating with great joy.
Jiang Jin felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. In the original owner's memories, this foolish nephew was closer to her than her own siblings.
The original owner spent most of her year at the Yinshan Temple, and since Yun Chengxuan was already neglected and had cognitive issues, Yun You found him embarrassing and frequently dumped him at the Yinshan Temple.
That was how the two of them became acquainted.
However, in recent years, Yun Chengxuan rarely visited the Yinshan Temple.
Firstly, as the two of them grew older, they had to avoid suspicion to some extent.
Secondly, Yun You started finding people to teach Yun Chengxuan archery, horseback riding, and martial arts.
Yun Chengxuan had inherited his grandfather's innate divine strength, and was even superior. At the age of five, he could lift a fifty-jin cauldron, and by the age of eight, lifting a hundred-jin cauldron was like child's play to him.
However, due to his special condition, his innate strength had never been taken seriously. It wasn't until he was thirteen that Yun You finally remembered this son and began finding people to instruct him.
The reason was simple: Yun You had run out of money.
He spent the first half of his life living a life of debauchery, relying on the massive savings and estates left behind by the Grand Princess and Yun Shao. Over a dozen years, no matter how large the family fortune was, he had almost squandered it all.
Thus, he remembered this son and decided to teach him martial arts and archery, then send him to the battlefield to restore the former glory of the Yun family.
He wanted his son to earn merits for him; with merits would naturally come wealth, allowing him to continue his life of drunken stupor.
Simply put, he leached off his parents for the first half of his life, and he planned to leach off his son for the second half.
Yun Chengxuan, Jiang Jin called out.
Yun Chengxuan looked up blankly at Jiang Jin. His cheeks were still bulging with food, making him look even more foolish.
Jiang Jin gave him a bright smile. It's me.
Yun Chengxuan slightly opened his mouth, and a few crumbs of the steamed bun immediately fell out. He hurriedly closed his mouth, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Gugu! A loud cry of Gugu shattered the air, and the bun crumbs in his mouth sprayed out.
He couldn't care less about the steamed bun at this moment and ran towards Jiang Jin. Gugu, Gugu, is it you?
Jiang Jin: ...Finish what's in your mouth before speaking.
Yun Chengxuan smiled foolishly at her, though his eyes were red. He obediently chewed the food in his mouth and swallowed it. Aunt, how did you become so ugly?
Jiang Jin: ... The slight sentimental feeling she just had vanished completely.
She hadn't actually disguised herself much when entering Lin County this time; she just darkened her face a bit and added a dozen freckles.
How did you grow so tall? Where is Momo Li? Jiang Jin looked up at the young man who was approaching 180 centimeters and asked.
Yun Chengxuan was sixteen, three years older than her. With her current small frame of at most 150 centimeters, she really had to look up at him.
Yun Chengxuan's mood dropped a little. She went to heaven.
The several momos were all old servants who had followed the Grand Princess. They were getting on in years, and over the past dozen years, they had passed away one after another.
In the end, only Momo Li was left to accompany him. Afraid that he would be sad, she always told him that they had gone to heaven.
Jiang Jin fell silent, not knowing how to comfort him. Yun Chengxuan wasn't actually stupid; his intelligence had simply stopped at the age of three.
Yun Chengxuan sniffled. Momo went to heaven half a year ago.
Jiang Jin really didn't know about this. She hadn't seen Yun Chengxuan for a long time.
Half a year ago, Dingyang hadn't fallen yet. Not having to experience the destruction of the city and the loss of her home was perhaps a kind of blessing for her.
Jiang Jin patted the dust off his clothes. How did you end up in Lin County?
Yun Chengxuan lowered his head. That day, many people were running out of the city. There were so many people, so much blood, and fire.
I was scared, so I ran with the crowd. I kept running and running, and somehow I made it out of the city.
After saying this, his eyes turned red again. Aunt, after leaving the city, I went to Yinshan Temple to find you, but Yinshan Temple was burned down. It was full of fire, and I thought you went to heaven too.
In his dozen years of life, apart from the few momos, the only person who had ever given him warmth was probably the original owner.
Although Emperor Yan had beaten Concubine Liu to death because of his fever, it wasn't out of any great love for him, but rather because he felt his authority and the dignity of the royal family had been despised.
Yun Chengxuan's voice continued, I yelled for a long time at Yinshan Temple, but you never answered.
Later, I went down the mountain and followed the crowd. I walked and walked, and I arrived here.
Although it was just a few words, one could imagine the hardships involved. Looking at his clothes that were practically torn to shreds, his exposed skin was covered in purple and blue bruises, and it was hard to tell whether he had been beaten or accidentally hurt himself.
Jiang Jin remained silent for a long time before finally saying, From now on, follow your aunt.
Yun Chengxuan broke into a wide smile and nodded vigorously. Of course I want to follow Aunt. Aunt, here, eat this.
As he spoke, he handed the remaining half of the coarse grain steamed bun to Jiang Jin, unable to stop himself from gulping down his saliva.
He was actually very hungry, but Aunt must be even hungrier. She was so hungry she had turned ugly.
But it made sense; a weak woman like her couldn't carry goods at all, so how could she earn steamed buns to eat?
No matter how unintelligent he was, he knew that things were different now. There was no longer anyone to make food or clothes for them; they had to rely entirely on themselves.
Suddenly, he felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier. From now on, not only did he have to support himself, but he also had to support his aunt.
He stuffed the steamed bun into Jiang Jin's hand. Aunt, don't be afraid. From now on, I will help you beat up the bad guys and earn steamed buns for you to eat.
Jiang Jin did not know whether to laugh or cry as half of a dark, grubby steamed bun was stuffed into her hands, yet she also felt a wave of warmth in her heart.
Although this kid was a bit slow on the uptake, he knew exactly who treated him well and would repay them with the purest sincerity.
She stuffed the bun back into his mouth. Auntie has already eaten. Come on, I will take you to get something delicious.
The sunset glow spilled over the street, stretching their shadows long.
Zhou Sui followed silently behind the two of them.
The three found a tavern and ordered some food.
Knowing Yun Chengxuan's appetite, Jiang Jin specifically ordered a large basin of rice for him, which he devoured until his mouth was slick with grease.
Zhou Sui fell silent. Most military officers had big appetites, and he was no exception, but he had never seen anything quite like this.
If measured by weight, the rice he consumed was at least three pounds, not to mention that most of the dishes they ordered had also ended up in his stomach.
Jiang Jin sighed inwardly; she had yet another bottomless pit to feed.
Only after he finished eating did Yun Chengxuan belatedly realize he might have had too much. He asked nervously, Auntie, did I eat too much?
Jiang Jin shook her head. Not at all.
She paid the bill without hesitation.
Hearing the clinking of copper coins, Yun Chengxuan scratched his head. Auntie, did you have to carry a lot of heavy sacks to earn this much money? I will carry more sacks from now on, so I can definitely support Auntie too.
Jiang Jin emphasized, I do not carry sacks.
Night fell, and the moon began to rise.
The granary in Lin County was dead silent; only the faint murmur of conversation drifted from the gatehouse.
Standing on a ladder she had propped up outside the perimeter wall, Jiang Jin stared at the rather shocking scene unfolding inside.
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