Chapter 202: Chapter 201: Sending You Back to Chang’an
The room quieted down, with Xiao Yixun crouching on the floor as if no one else were present, picking up the dead poisonous insects and scorpions, then carefully cradling them in her hands and placing them into a ceramic jar on the table.
She then glanced at the people inside the room, heading straight for the door. Xiao Ce, who was closest to the door, couldn’t help but pull back with the mute girl, distancing himself from the eerie yet beautiful white-haired girl.
Xiao Yixun paid no attention to others’ reactions and coldly said at the door, "Stop it, all of you."
Those in her courtyard obeyed immediately, as if triggered by some switch, ceasing all activity at once. Such absolute control wasn’t achieved overnight, and it’s likely those among Xiao Yixun lived under Heavenly Defects and Earthly Defects were far from comfortable.
Kun Lun, upon seeing Lin Wanwan, disregarded his injuries and rushed over, hanging his head in defeat.
Lin Wanwan spoke to him in a gentle tone, "No one could have predicted my abduction. Who knew there would be a master in the mansion? It’s not your fault, good Kun Lun."
Kun Lun’s face regained life as he looked up defensively at others, standing beside Lin Wanwan like a loyal hound ready to attack.
Xiao’s mother and others arrived at the Bamboo Garden, alarmed at the mess inside. How did things turn out this way, leaving them puzzled.
Xiao Yixun turned her head to look at Lin Wanwan, then lowered her gaze and said, "I apologize on behalf of my sister."
She spoke in her normal voice, no longer straining her throat.
Lin Wanwan looked at her and said, "You really are quite ill. I’d advise you to go to Chang’an and seek treatment from Elder Sun for your mental health. Praying to the pharmacists Buddha at Lingyin Temple won’t help."
Xiao Yixun replied icily, "I know that."
Little Qingyu slid down from Xiao Chong’s arms and ran to Lin Wanwan. Lin Wanwan picked the little one up and walked out of the room without looking back, distancing herself from the dangerous Xiao Yixun.
Xiao Chong also exited the room and said to Xiao Yixun, "I will notify Lu Mingfu to have them escort you back to Chang’an."
Only then did Xiao Yixun turn her gaze to Xiao Chong, her frosty face as expressionless as when Lin Wanwan first saw her.
She coldly said, "I do not wish to return to Chang’an."
She had been sent to Qiantang by her mother personally. To return, naturally, her mother must come to fetch her in person. Otherwise, she never wants to set foot in Chang’an again.
Xiao Chong stared at her and said calmly, "You lack self-control; it’s inappropriate to stay here."
Xiao Yixun quietly locked eyes with Xiao Chong, an undercurrent of tension between them, clearly a contest of will.
After a moment, Xiao Yixun averted her gaze towards the courtyard and called out, "Ah Qing, bring the little white."
The maid referred to as Ah Qing whistled as a pure white falcon emerged from an unknown area, perching on her shoulder.
Ah Qing stepped forward a few steps to stand before Xiao Yixun and silently saluted.
Xiao Yixun looked at the little Qingyu in Lin Wanwan’s arms and said, "My sister frightened you earlier, consider the falcon as my apology."
Little Qingyu said nothing about whether it was good or bad, instead, turning his head to see Lin Wanwan’s expression.
Lin Wanwan gazed at the falcon named Sea East Blue on the shoulder of the maid Ah Qing, paused in silence, then asked little Qingyu, "Do you like it, little Jade?"
Little Qingyu nodded, "I like it."
"Then keep it and thank your aunt."
Little Qingyu looked at Ah Qing, then at Xiao Yixun, quickly discerning the status. He showed Xiao Yixun a row of small corn teeth and said, "Thank you, pretty aunt."
"Pretty?" Xiao Yixun was a bit taken aback, this was the first time anyone openly praised her beauty. A moment passed before she snapped back to reality.
"Ah Qing, from now on, she is your mistress." Xiao Yixun said to Ah Qing, then turned to little Qingyu, "Ah Qing will bring you her contract later. She has raised this falcon since it was young. Although she is deaf and mute, she can lip-read; it will not hinder her obedience."
After saying this, she turned to Xiao Chong, "I have already apologized, and Lin Wanwan has dealt with Witch, we’re even now. If there are further demands, state them."
Xiao Chong said quietly, "Apologies are apologies, returning is returning; they’re separate matters."
Xiao Yixun’s snow-white face flushed red, clearly angered, she frowned at Xiao Chong, "You are unreasonable."
"I reason with those who understand." Xiao Chong replied indifferently, not overly harsh but the words were sharp, "Staying in Qiantang unable to control yourself will only bring shame upon your ancestral and paternal family."
Xiao Yixun, of the Xiao Imperial Uncle’s lineage, her grandfather was the current Chief of the Imperial Secretariat and Hongwen Academy Scholar Xiao Deyan, her father was the Crown Prince’s Horse Washer Xiao Shen, a notable background.
Xiao Yixun said nothing, turning after a while towards the room and leaving a final remark, "I refuse to go; mind your own business."
Xiao Chong did not utter any harsh words, merely signaling Xiao Ce and Shuqie. They loosened their grips on those held and quietly stood behind him.
Xiao Chong looked at Lin Wanwan’s head, concerned, "Cousin, how are your injuries?"
Lin Wanwan shook her head, "It’s nothing serious, just two sneak attacks from that old witch, merely superficial wounds."
Xiao’s mother and other ladies of Xiao Mansion gathered around, Xiao’s mother tearfully lamenting, "Oh my dear child, how did you suffer this unwarranted disaster, and how did you get involved with Yixun?"
Xiao Yixun’s oddity, both in appearance and temperament, was known throughout the mansion, hence people rarely interacted with her. Xiao Yixun didn’t seem like a guest of Xiao Mansion, rather a cold, uninterested tenant, never visiting Xiao’s mother’s courtyard nor paying her respects.
Lin Wanwan glanced back at the deep room then turned to Xiao’s mother and said, "I’m hazy on the details. Early this morning, before dawn, I heard a movement at the window in a half-conscious state, followed by a strange fragrance. Upon waking again, I found myself in Xiao Yixun’s Bamboo Garden."
Xiao’s mother looked Lin Wanwan over from head to toe, finally sighed, "Come with grandmother to check your head, see how badly it’s hurt."
Lin Wanwan kindly declined, saying, "Grandmother, I’m alright. The bandage was haphazardly done by Xiao Yixun. She doesn’t know how to bandage properly, so it was wrapped excessively. It looks scary, but I’ll return to my room and rewrap it myself."
Xiao’s mother said, "At least let me see your injuries; I can’t be at ease otherwise."
Mrs. Yuan supported from beside Xiao’s mother, "Wanwan, stop resisting, go to mother’s courtyard and let the maids check you thoroughly."
Saying this, she instructed the maid Fu Yinan beside her, "Hurry to Rong’an Hall and fetch Pharmacist He."
Lin Wanwan stopped her, "Aunt, no need to bother, I’m a doctor myself, there’s no need to seek another."
Seeing her insist, the crowd had to relent. In the end, Xiao Chong’s group was invited by Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhen’s brothers into the main hall of the big house, while Lin Wanwan returned to her lodging with her slaves.