099 She Misunderstood Him

Curled up into a tight ball on the bed, Yun Xueyan felt the room’s heat pressing down on her until it was almost unbearable. She had wrapped herself in a quilt, yet all she knew was pain and cold.

If it had been before, she would have been grateful to Duan Nanyu for bringing her mother here, sparing her from remaining in the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Back then, she had truly believed she would always revere him as though he were heaven itself.

But now everything had changed beyond recognition.

She did not want her mother to see her like this. She was afraid her mother would worry.

"Your Highness, your mother has arrived," Zi Yu announced from outside.

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Yun Xueyan rose and looked toward the doorway. Soon, her mother and Zi Yu entered together.

"Mother." Yun Xueyan’s soft call trembled with delight at seeing a loved one, and all the grievances in her heart surged up at once. Tears gathered in her eyes, bitter and stinging.

Liu Yun looked at her haggard daughter and, heartbroken, drew Yun Xueyan into her arms.

Why was her daughter so pitiful? Life had already been hard enough in the Grand Tutor’s mansion, and even here she still had to endure humiliation.

It was her fault. She had failed to secure her daughter a place in the Grand Tutor’s mansion, and had even had to watch her accompany her elder sister to Prince Xiao’s residence as part of the dowry.

"Yan'er, I’m sorry. I’ve been useless." Holding Yun Xueyan, Liu Yun wept softly. She did not dare cry aloud, afraid that it would only make Yun Xueyan even sadder.

Swallowing the resentment that clogged her chest, Yun Xueyan shook her head. "Mother, I’m fine. Look at me—I’m doing well enough, aren’t I? His Highness... he is kind to me too. Just look at Morninglight Pavilion, and you’ll understand."

The bitter smile at the corner of her lips stiffened, and Yun Xueyan forced it to seem natural.

Morninglight Pavilion.

Duan Nanyu had changed her quarters here because he did not want her mother to see where she lived, had he? How thoughtful of him. Only, she was not worthy of such kindness.

Wiping her tears, Liu Yun seemed to believe Yun Xueyan’s words, perhaps because she too could feel Duan Nanyu’s consideration. Holding Yun Xueyan’s hand, her voice remained thick with emotion.

"Yan'er, do you know that Xiao'er is coming back? He has even earned military merit. I heard people in the manor say that the vanguard position looked dangerous, but in truth it was a chance Prince Xiao secured for Xiao'er to win merit. Now he can truly be said to have made a name for himself."

A smile lit Liu Yun’s face as she spoke.

In the Grand Tutor’s mansion, only Yun Qixiao had ever truly looked after the mother and daughter, so she was sincerely happy for him.

"Oh, and I heard that Xiao'er has become betrothed to Xiao Chenxue, one of the capital’s famed beauties. The Emperor has decreed the marriage, and once he returns, they will wed."

Yun Xueyan took an unsteady step back, her expression going blank with shock. Had she... mistaken him all along?

Then why had he never explained it to her?

She had thought... he meant to send Yun Qixiao to his death.

With a desolate sigh, Yun Xueyan closed her eyes and shook her head. Even if she knew the truth now, what could it change? They could never return to the past.

If only...

She did not dare continue the thought, because there was no longer any if only. What might once have been possible had already become the past, and the past could not come back.

She was already worn out by suffering, and could not persuade herself to forgive him.

They had walked in opposite directions, growing farther and farther apart...

"Mother, as long as Second Brother is well, that is enough. He must be very happy now. Xiao Chenxue and he are a perfect match." Pretending to be relaxed, Yun Xueyan gently smoothed her mother’s hair, now touched with gray. "Mother, Yan'er will take good care of you from now on and never let you suffer again."

Those pale silver strands wound around her heart, binding it tight. It was time for her to fulfill her filial duty.

In the dim room, Yun Xiyin sat in a corner where no light could reach. Her face was twisted with malice, and one hand rested lightly over her belly.

"She’s back?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Yicui replied in a low voice, frightened by the present Yun Xiyin.

"Good. Then she’s not far from death." With a cold, deranged laugh, Yun Xiyin looked out through the crack in the window. "Go prepare everything."

"Yes." Yicui drew a sharp breath and hurried away.

Left alone, Yun Xiyin closed her eyes and leaned back against the soft couch. Very soon, everything would belong to her.

No one would ever take it away.