Chapter 146: Secrets of the Cheng Residence
Hua Shuya felt dizzy, almost dropping her sword.
The mysterious woman’s fragrance was intoxicating, her touch gentle as water, her laughter and whispers like a seductive spell. For a moment, she felt as if she was enveloped in a warm and comforting embrace, unable to resist.
A wave of drowsiness washed over her, a yearning to let go of all thoughts and drift off to sleep.
She even felt a sense of familiarity and longing.
“Sister Yun, Miss Hua doesn’t know you yet! This is too sudden!”
Mao Ruoyu quickly pulled her away.
Hua Shuya shook her head, regaining her senses. She saw a tall and beautiful woman with long flowing hair standing before her. Even a glimpse of her face was enough to mesmerize, her beauty captivating.
But the words she heard made her even more surprised.
This mature beauty was Madam Mao’s sister?
A distant relative, or…
“I was too hasty. Please forgive me, Miss Hua.”
Yun Yue smiled apologetically and curtsied. “My name is Yun Yue. I’m here to pay you all a visit.”
Hua Shuya quickly composed herself and was about to return the gesture when she suddenly froze.
“…”
Mao Ruoyu blinked her beautiful eyes. “Miss Hua, are you feeling unwell?”
“Why is… Sister Yun…”
Hua Shuya’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she averted her gaze. “She’s only wearing a thin silk robe.”
Mao Ruoyu was stunned.
“Ah.”
Only then did she realize that Yun Yue’s attire was far too revealing for ordinary people.
“—Aah!”
Mo Duan’yan, who was sitting in the pavilion, screamed and covered her blushing face, hiding behind a pillar.
Clearly, the child was frightened.
Yun Yue looked confused, tugging at the translucent fabric that barely covered her ample bosom. “Is this outfit inappropriate?”
Mao Ruoyu hurriedly took off her outer robe and wrapped it around Yun Yue, her face flushed. “At least wear something similar to mine! If the neighbors see you like this, Sister Yun, your reputation will be ruined!”
“I rarely go out. I usually wear this at home…”
“But we have guests sometimes! Just put it on!”
For once, Mao Ruoyu’s assertiveness silenced Yun Yue, who shrugged and nodded obediently. “A-alright.”
Hua Shuya watched them, speechless.
This Madam Yun Yue was truly… unique.
…
As the sun set, peace returned to Changling County.
The Cheng residence was no exception. The servants had finished their dinner and retired to their rooms, leaving only a few maids and kitchen helpers cleaning up. The atmosphere was quiet and serene.
In the secluded backyard, two young girls were sitting together.
They were both dressed in beautiful robes and adorned with exquisite jewelry, their youthful beauty radiant. They even shared a slight resemblance, clearly the two daughters of the Cheng family.
But one of the girls was frowning.
“Sister Yuqing, I’m so bored these days.”
She leaned against the stone table, her chin resting on her hand, and grumbled. “I used to be able to chat with the other young ladies, but now even the tea parties have been canceled.”
She had prepared some music and poems to share with the other girls, but her plans had been ruined.
She was stuck at home with nothing to do, spending her days drinking tea and embroidering, feeling restless and frustrated.
“Elder Sister is overreacting. What does it have to do with us that those hypocritical scholars are wasting their time in brothels? We don’t interact with them anyway. We just chat with the other respectable young ladies in town.”
A hint of resentment appeared on the girl’s face.
“You’re right, Xiudan. It’s been quite dull lately.”
Cheng Yuqing sipped her tea gracefully and sighed. “But there might be something strange happening in town these days. Elder Sister must have her reasons. We shouldn’t talk about her behind her back.”
As she spoke, she picked up a piece of silk and resumed her embroidery. “After all, she sensed those bandits coming last time and made us hide in the cellar. She saved our lives.”
“Ah…”
Cheng Xiudan’s face stiffened slightly, and she mumbled a few words, but didn’t say anything more.
As daughters of the Cheng family, they didn’t have much affection for their elder sister, Cheng Yishi.
Although Cheng Yishi had always been polite and kind to them, always wearing a gentle smile, and even helped their father manage the family business, there was still a huge gap between them. Even under the same roof, they were like strangers.
After all, they were born from different mothers, their family relationships already strained. And after their father and Cheng Xinyin died tragically in the cellar, the situation became even more apparent.
Although no one said it out loud, many suspected that Cheng Yishi was behind it, wanting to seize control of the family fortune.
But out of respect, no one confronted her directly.
However, rumors and whispers still spread behind her back.
But…
Two months of peace had lessened the animosity.
Especially after their near-death experience and seeing Cheng Yishi wielding an axe, covered in blood, as she drove away the bandits…
The girls had been terrified, but something had touched their hearts.
They stopped making snide remarks and even developed a grudging admiration for their elder sister.
At least they wouldn’t have dared to face those vicious bandits alone.
“Sister Yuqing, what are you embroidering?”
“Peony flowers.”
Cheng Yuqing smiled faintly, pulling the needle through the handkerchief. “I’m just trying to embroider a handkerchief to pass the time.”
Xiudan asked curiously, “Do you have someone special in mind, Sister…”
“D-don’t be silly.” Cheng Yuqing blushed. “I’m embroidering this for Elder Sister.”
“Elder Sister?”
“She’s been working very hard lately. I always see her room lit up at night, and I often hear her sighing.”
Cheng Yuqing lowered her eyes and sighed. “Managing the household must be much more difficult than we imagine. And she also has to worry about the safety of everyone in the Cheng residence.”
“But my embroidery skills are poor… I can’t really help her, so I thought I could at least give her a small gift.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her face flushed. “Although Elder Sister isn’t really interested in embroidery.”
Cheng Xiudan was speechless, a hint of guilt flickering in her heart.
They were living comfortably at home, while their elder sister…
But then her eyes lit up as she remembered something. “I heard that Elder Sister is quite close to that… Master Lin in town?”
“I’ve heard that too. She often goes out alone.” Cheng Yuqing tilted her head slightly. “But I haven’t met Master Lin yet. I heard he’s a handsome and talented man?”
“I asked Elder Sister’s personal maid. He’s quite charming.”
Xiudan clasped her hands together, her eyes shining with excitement. “I really want to meet him! If they get along well… maybe we’ll have a brother-in-law soon?”
Cheng Yuqing paused, looking down at the half-finished handkerchief, her expression troubled.
“Should I embroider something that symbolizes love and good fortune?”
“Yuqing, Xiudan, what are you two talking about?”
A soft sigh startled the two girls, and they quickly stood up and turned around. “E-Elder Sister?”
Cheng Yishi walked towards them gracefully, her beautiful face showing a hint of helplessness. “Why are you talking about my personal life?”
Cheng Yuqing blushed and looked down, while Cheng Xiudan chuckled awkwardly. “We’re just bored at home, Elder Sister. Please don’t be angry.”
“It’s… fine. I’m not angry.”
Cheng Yishi walked over and said softly, “It must be boring for you two to be stuck at home all the time. If you’re feeling restless, I can take you out for a walk tomorrow. And if you see any pretty jewelry, I’ll buy it for you.”
“N-no need to trouble yourself, Elder Sister. We can endure it.”
“Elder Sister.”
Cheng Yuqing looked up timidly. “Sister Qingyu has been confined to her room for the past few days. Is she really alright?”
Cheng Yishi’s eyes flickered. “Of course she’s alright. She just caught a cold. I’m letting her rest.”
“That’s good.”
Yuqing nodded slightly, but she quickly hid the handkerchief behind her back.
Seeing her subtle movement, Cheng Yishi’s expression turned complex, but she still smiled faintly. “Yuqing, I’m looking forward to your little gift.”
“…Mm!”
…
After giving her sisters some instructions, Cheng Yishi left the backyard alone.
As she walked through the empty corridors, the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
She pressed her hand against her chest and sighed softly.
“Yuqing and Xiudan are good girls at heart.”
Perhaps she had neglected her sisters too much.
But…
She stopped abruptly, standing in front of the most secluded room in the Cheng residence.
She clenched her fists, her expression conflicted. After a long pause, she finally knocked on the door.
“Come in~”
A lazy voice responded from inside.
But Cheng Yishi’s expression darkened as she pushed the door open. She stepped inside and quickly closed the door behind her.
“Hehe, is Elder Sister feeling guilty?”
A mocking voice echoed through the room.
At the far end of the chamber, a young girl knelt on the ground, her limbs bound by iron chains, her clothes torn and disheveled.
But the most terrifying sight was…
The countless black markings that covered her body, like demonic runes. Her face was twisted into a sinister smile.
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