Chapter 2, Imperial Edict (3)

As the incense case was being prepared, a middle-aged eunuch dressed in a purple robe entered, accompanied by four young eunuchs. Yun Yuan immediately recognized him as the currently most favored eunuch in the palace, Chief Eunuch Cao. He couldn't help but feel puzzled. What matter could possibly have summoned the esteemed presence of Chief Eunuch Cao?

Dingxiang opened her mouth to call out again, but Yun Feifei quickly covered her mouth with his hand and whispered, "Don't shout, or the guards outside will hear you"

Yun Cong has come to his senses and exclaimed: "Quick, prepare the incense table, quick, prepare the incense table!" While hurrying to welcome.

Yun Yuan hurriedly asked, "Where is the young lady?"

Yun Yuan and his son hurriedly brought their entire family to kneel respectfully, listening to the elder announce the decree

Yun Feifei weakly asked, "Which kid?"

Little servant

Yun Yuan and Yun Cong, father and son, were busy calling for someone to find the young lady, yet they could only exchange glances, unsure of when Yun Feifei had established a connection with the royal family, and even more uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse

Yun Cong, sensing the situation was not favorable, quietly approached Lord Cao, reached into his sleeve, and stuffed in a stack of items. Lord Cao, who had already been frowning, glanced down slightly at that moment and turned his face into a smile, saying: "Enough, enough, enough. There are many matters in the palace, and I do not have the time to wait here. You all should receive the decree on behalf of the young lady and make proper arrangements."

Yun Yuan's eyes were almost bursting with fire as he asked, "Where have you gone?"

He suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood with a "poof," which dripped onto the burning sandalwood, extinguishing it instantly, releasing a strange, charred aroma of blood that lingered in the hall.

Yun Yuan is very frustrated; how could he have such a granddaughter?

Yun Feifei's face turned dark as she threw down her pen and said: "What is he singing?"

Earl Cao exclaimed "Hi" and said, "What nonsense! Did we not say that we must invite the young lady to receive the decree?"

Dingxiang said with a grimace: "Miss, I thought you were unaware that there are people guarding outside"

Ah? I, I should... be able to...

In the spacious study of the Yun family, books are stacked one upon another on the teak shelves, exuding a fragrant scent of ink

The maid, frightened, shook her head repeatedly and said: "I don't know, I don't know, even Dingxiang has disappeared!"

However, Yun Feifei felt utterly nauseated. She had been locked in the study for a full two days. Staring at the dense black characters of "Nü Fan," she felt as if her eyes were filled with swarming flies, her head spinning, and the pen in her hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, making it impossible to write any further. At this moment, Dingxiang came over and whispered, "Miss, that fellow is still drinking!"

After Lord Cao finished his proclamation, he turned and returned to the palace, while Yun Cong respectfully saw him off. With the support of the attendants, Yun Yuan slowly stood up and murmured, "Fei Fei? Entering the palace to become a noble lady?"

Yun Feifei rolled her sparkling eyes and said, "Could it be poetry? Don't tell me I've rescued a great talent! Come on, Dingxiang, let's go see this strange person together"

Yun Yuan was taken aback and said, "My Fei Fei? She should be in the study at this time!"

The bronze incense burner in Boxshan has been prepared, and the delicate smoke rises gently, with a faint sandalwood fragrance silently wafting through the hall. Lord Cao is slowly arranging the golden silk ribbon on the imperial edict, waiting for Yun Fei to arrive so that the decree can be announced.

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: It has been heard that the daughter of the Yun family, Zhen Wan, is virtuous and gentle, possessing both beauty and wisdom. She is specially chosen as a noble person. A date will be selected for her to enter the palace and serve at court. Thus it is decreed.

A few maidservants quietly moved back, leaving only one who was slightly slow to react standing still. When she raised her eyes, she saw Yun Yuan glaring at her. Looking left and right, she realized she had already positioned herself at the front, and hurriedly knelt down, saying: "Old Master, the young lady is not in the study!"

Dingxiang raised her hand and gave her young lady a playful knock on the head, saying: "Young lady, you’ve been so distracted while copying the text, isn’t that the drunkard we picked up from the street? You were worried he would starve, so you instructed me to bring him food every day. A couple of days ago, he was quite peaceful, just lying in the straw without saying a word. But today, when I went to check on him, he seemed quite lively, actually wearing the clothes I had stolen from the manor for him, and trading them for wine with the villagers from down the mountain! When I tried to pull him away, he actually laughed! Laughing and singing at the same time."

Yes, my good Dingxiang, you are so clever, you wouldn't be unable to get even two sets of servant's clothes, would you

Dingxiang pondered for a moment and said, "I don't understand, what clock, what red, what peach blossom..."

Earl Cao cast a glance over and exclaimed, "Oh, where is the young lady from your esteemed family?"

Half an hour ago

Yun Feifei chuckled and said: "I know someone is guarding the door. However, there is no one guarding the window at the back of the study, right?"

After a long time, several maids approached together, yet hesitated to speak up

Yun Yuan and his son knelt in reception, merely kneeling in a daze, as if they were caught in a dream

The tyrant... the despotic ruler... Yun Yuan muttered in a low voice, ultimately not daring to speak loudly. A pair of old eyes gradually filled with desolate tears. Meanwhile, his body had slowly slumped down.

Her eyes lit up, and she said, "Jump out the window?" Then she shook her head and said, "No, we are still far from the side door, and it is impossible not to encounter anyone on the way. Everyone knows that the young lady is under house arrest by the old master; if they see her, they will definitely stop her."

Yun Feifei smiled and said: "Indeed, everyone knows that the young lady is under house arrest by the master, confined to the study. Even if a stranger servant walks past them, they would never suspect that the young lady has slipped out, would they?"