Chapter Twelve: Astonishing the Foe into Retreat

The man in black actually shuddered in fear, bowed, and said, “I have offended you, miss. Please forgive me.”

Pulling Mu Yuyan aside, Yu Youwei said with a half-smile, “It’s not us sisters you’ve offended.”

“Yes, I have offended the Lord of Seven Poisons. May I ask you to introduce me, so I can apologize to him in person?” The black-clad man’s attitude grew even more deferential, his body bent like a drawn bow.

“My young master’s mood has been spoiled and he’s already left. If you wish to apologize, head to Seven Poison Mountain.” With a sly smile, Yu Youwei lowered her voice, “It seems your Fifth Young Master is also on his way there—perhaps you might still catch him.”

Beads of sweat as large as beans rolled down the man’s forehead. With a trembling hand, he produced a piece of jet-black jade and offered it humbly, “Thank you for your guidance, miss. This jade pendant wards off poisonous insects. It’s a small token of my respect—please accept it.”

“This pendant is rather exquisite,” Yu Youwei replied, taking it. “Rest assured, I won’t gossip before my young master. As for matters within the Yu family, settle them with Second Young Master Yu yourself—I’ll hold my tongue.”

Turning to Yu Shiyu, the man in black bowed again and said, “My visit to the Yu family is by my master’s command. I shall return to report to my teacher. Second Young Master Yu, forgive my intrusion.”

Yu Shiyu nodded silently and replied coolly, “I will request my elders to seek an explanation from Senior Mo.” His bearing was composed, neither arrogant nor servile—a true disciple of a prestigious sect.

The man in black knew Yu Shiyu was an elite disciple of the Sword Sect, a sect opposed to the Palace of a Thousand Poisons. Friction between the two sects was common—though the Palace of a Thousand Poisons was stronger, he cared little if Yu Shiyu brought his elders into the matter. With a faint nod and another bow, he led his men away.

Master Yu looked at Yu Youwei with anxious uncertainty, wanting to speak but hesitating.

“Father, let’s check on our ancestor first,” Yu Shiyu reminded him. Once his father hurried into the old master’s courtyard, Yu Shiyu lowered his voice, “Thank you, Ninth Sister, for today. And don’t worry—I won’t breathe a word.”

“I’ll take Yuyan to rest—exhausted!” Yu Youwei replied with a breezy smile, rubbing her waist as she wrapped an arm around Mu Yuyan and led her toward Lanwei Pavilion.

Only after the backs of the two girls disappeared did Yu Shiyu slip into the ancestor’s courtyard. Entering the main hall, he saw his father emerge from the east wing with a heavy expression, which startled him: “What’s happened to the ancestor?”

“The old master has coughed up blood again from anger—his injuries have worsened, and his cultivation has fallen back to the early Golden Core stage,” Yu Tianze said grimly.

“How did Second Uncle persuade Mo Qianfeng of the Palace of a Thousand Poisons to take his side?”

“That wretched boy’s cousin is Mo Qianfeng’s wife, Du Hongyan,” Yu Tianze answered with a trace of unease. The Palace of a Thousand Poisons was infamous for its unrestrained ways, and Mo Qianfeng was among its most notorious killers. If the Yu family mishandled this, disaster would surely follow.

“How come I’ve never heard of this before?” Yu Shiyu asked in surprise.

“Du Hongyan’s mother was a concubine. After her mother was forced to death by the legitimate wife, Du Hongyan left the family and joined the Palace of a Thousand Poisons, where she became Mo Qianfeng’s wife. Later, she killed her stepmother and all her legitimate siblings, severing ties with the Du family.”

“So that’s how it is.”

“Why is Ninth Girl now the servant of the Lord of Seven Poisons?” Master Yu frowned deeply. “If that’s the case, we can’t force her to marry that blockhead from the Ning family. Though it’s unwise to befriend those of the demonic path, it’s equally unwise to make enemies of them.”

“She isn’t actually his servant. I asked her if she wanted the old master to intervene and arrange her marriage with Ning San according to seniority. She declined—she must have her reasons. Let’s leave her be,” Yu Shiyu replied, his gaze shifting, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter further.

Trusting his son completely, Yu Tianze didn’t press him.

“Ninth Sister’s acquaintance with the Lord of Seven Poisons is for our ears only. Don’t speak of it to outsiders—or even family. As for Mo Qianfeng of the Palace of a Thousand Poisons, I’ll find another way to handle it. Father, you needn’t worry,” Yu Shiyu finished, then asked, “How did you come here alone?”

“Ning San and the others have arrived. They brought a bottle of Snow Velvet Heaven-Mending Pills, which I came to deliver to the old master. How fortunate.” Recalling how he’d nearly arrived too late, and how his son had almost fallen to his brother’s blade, Master Yu’s heart was still pounding with fear.

Yu Shiyu, however, showed no sign of fear. His face darkened as he said, “If Second Uncle could smuggle so many people in, there must be plenty of traitors on the inside. The most urgent task is to root them out—otherwise chaos is inevitable.”

Neither noticed the pure white bear cub lying under the steps outside. When father and son left, the little white bear trailed after them.

In the east wing of Lanwei Pavilion, Yu Youwei had already undressed and was preparing for bed. Seeing the little white bear enter, she sent Qiaomei and the other maids away. The bear leapt onto her bed without hesitation, sprawled across her pillow, and relayed all the news it had overheard.

The Yu family’s patriarch had failed to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, his cultivation slipping back to the Golden Core stage. That must be why the Yu family was so eager to marry their daughter into the prestigious Ning clan of alchemists—the betrothal gifts from the Ning family included the very pills the old patriarch desperately needed. Even though Yu Youwei felt little attachment to the Yu family, a heavy stone pressed upon her heart, driving away all sleepiness.

“Sister Wei, I can’t sleep,” Mu Yuyan said, pushing the door open with a troubled face.

“It’s the Yu family that’s in real trouble—what are you worried about?” Seeing Mu Yuyan’s delicate features scrunched with worry, Yu Youwei couldn’t help but laugh, soothing her, “Just be a happy little rice worm here in the Yu family. These things aren’t for you to worry about.”

Dropping her head, Mu Yuyan choked out, “I’m so stupid—I’m a burden to you, Sister Wei, aren’t I?”

Startled, Yu Youwei asked, “Who said that?” Getting no answer, she pinched her cousin’s earlobe and laughed softly, “Was it your brother? He talks nonsense! And even if you are a burden, I accept it willingly. Besides, my mother is still with the Mu family—I couldn’t just ignore you.”

“Oh wow! Where did this little white cat come from? It’s adorable!” Mu Yuyan’s attention was instantly captured by the little white bear, whose very human-like look of disdain only made her eyes shine brighter.

Yu Youwei was at a loss for words, watching with sympathy as the bear was squeezed in Mu Yuyan’s arms. She knew all too well her cousin’s mania for white, furry creatures.

“Sister Wei, can I take it to bed with me?” Mu Yuyan pleaded.

“Oh, this isn’t a cat—it’s a bear cub. I’ll need it for our trip to the Ning family, so just don’t smother it,” Yu Youwei replied with a smile.

Mu Yuyan pouted, “I only smothered Huahua last time by accident!”

The little white bear grew visibly uneasy at this, trying to wriggle free, but a sharp look from Yu Youwei forced it to settle obediently in Mu Yuyan’s embrace, though its expression was nothing short of woeful.

Yu Youwei’s smile faded as the door closed, and after a long silence, she sighed softly, “The Yu family faces dangers within and without—this disaster will be no small thing.”