056 Unforeseeable

The Consort with the Dowry, Reviled for Her Looks

Duan Nanyu had not come to Xuan Yue Pavilion last night, so Yun Xueyan woke early. Standing in the courtyard, she thought with delight that tomorrow morning she could go see Yun Qixiao off. As she looked up, she saw Yun Xiyin approaching from afar.

When Yun Xiyin stood before her, Yun Xueyan nodded, lowering her gaze—only to hear a sharp crack as pain flared across her cheek. Before she could react, a second slap landed on her face.

"Wretch!" Yun Xiyin shrieked, her eyes filled with venom as she glared at Yun Xueyan.

Clutching her stinging face in confusion, Yun Xueyan stared at the woman before her. She had done nothing to provoke her—why did Yun Xiyin repeatedly treat her this way?

This was too much—beyond endurance!

"It's all your fault! All of it!" Yun Xiyin's hand trembled as she pointed at Yun Xueyan, her voice rising to a piercing pitch.

"Princess, what do you mean? I have done nothing!" Yun Xueyan retorted, her voice trembling with indignation. She had stayed quietly in Xuan Yue Pavilion—why did Yun Xiyin always come seeking trouble?

"What do I mean? Yun Xueyan, what exactly did you say to the prince? Why did he send Second Brother to the front lines? Don’t you know he could lose his life at any moment there? He’s always been good to you—how could you be so heartless? It’s all because of you!"

Every word struck Yun Xueyan’s heart like shards of shattered ice, echoing in her mind until she felt dizzy and lost.

Why was this happening? Hadn't Duan Nanyu promised she could see her brother off? She had thought so well of him—how could everything change so utterly overnight?

How could he send Yun Qixiao to the front lines? Her second brother was meant to command troops, not charge into the fray!

Her chest ached as if torn open, the pain twisting her stomach into knots.

He still suspected her too much. He had given her a chance, but then punished the people closest to her. Duan Nanyu, how could you? How could you hurt me like this?

Whatever punishment she received, she could accept it without complaint. But why must he lay such burdens on her family—on her own brother?

She refused to believe it! She could not believe Duan Nanyu could be so cruel.

But in the next moment, all disbelief was smothered, replaced by a boundless, bitter regret.

"You can act so unbothered here because he’s not your real brother, is that it? So you don’t care if he lives or dies? Yun Xueyan, Second Brother has always treated you the best, and yet you repay kindness with betrayal!" Yun Xiyin’s voice was as sharp as blades, each word slicing into Yun Xueyan’s soul.

"I didn’t—I never wanted to harm Second Brother! I never…." She had never betrayed kindness with enmity. Why, then, had Duan Nanyu done this to her?

No wonder he had agreed so readily. No wonder… It was all to wound her more deeply.

"You didn’t? Second Brother leaves tomorrow! Perhaps… perhaps the only thing to return will be his corpse." At these words, Yun Xiyin choked up, unable to go on.

She cared for Yun Qixiao, but she refused to plead on his behalf. He was not worth her sacrifice. So when she heard the news, her first impulse was to blame Yun Xueyan.

It was she—because of her, things had come to this!

"I must go to the prince—I must beg him…" Yun Xueyan hurried toward the study, her heart gripped by dread. A wave of desolation and sorrow swept over her. She realized, with piercing anguish, that she had been far too innocent in her hopes.