CHAPTER 34: 031 KEEP QINGSHAN MOUNTAIN

At six in the morning the next day, Yun Ya opened her eyes and looked at Yun Miao sleeping beside her, suddenly feeling a sense of unreality.

She got up and walked to the window, drawing the curtains open, allowing the first ray of morning light to bathe her entire body. The faint warmth and light symbolizing hope gradually dispelled the gloom in her heart.

Remembering Yun Shen’s words at last night’s dinner table, a chill struck Yun Ya’s heart, nearly submerging her in an instant.

"Your grandmother is coming tomorrow; she used to live in our old home, but from now on, she will live with us. Both of you must listen to grandmother’s words."

"Yes, Daddy." Without questioning where this grandmother suddenly came from, she obediently complied, and she saw the deep satisfaction in Yun Shen’s eyes.

At that moment, holding Yun Miao’s hand, her heart felt chillingly cold.

At seven o’clock, Yun Shen headed to the company. Downstairs, the nanny’s footsteps sounded back and forth, as though preparing to welcome The Empress Dowager’s arrival.

Ji Die realized something was amiss. After circling downstairs and returning, her face confused: "What old lady? How come I didn’t know the Ji Family had an old lady?" The old master was an orphan, and the young mistress’s mother died early, so the title of the old lady never existed in the Ji Family. When did this old lady suddenly emerge?

Yun Ya stared at Ji Die and said solemnly, "It’s Father’s mother, mine and Miaomiao’s grandmother. Starting today, she will live in the Ji Family Manor."

Ji Die exclaimed in surprise, "The master has a mother? Why has he never mentioned her?" She had always thought he was an orphan, but apparently, he still had a mother. What is he trying to do at this time?

Yun Ya curved her lips into a cold and mocking smile.

"There are many things you don’t know, Aunt Die. Listen to me, no matter what happens in the future, don’t act rashly. Remember what I said: as long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

Ji Die nodded, looking at the lonely and slim back of the little girl with slightly moist eyes, and nodded resolutely.

"Okay, I’ll remember."

Quarter past nine.

Outside the Ji Family Manor, a sedan drove up slowly. Butler Uncle Feng hurried over to open the car door, greeting respectfully, "Madam."

A lustrous white hand emerged first from inside the vehicle, the nails painted a vivid red that made her slender fingers seem even more delicate. Once she stood under the sunlight, she was irresistibly striking to behold.

Dressed in a moon-white cheongsam, with a plush fox fur draped over her shoulders, her raven hair was coiled at the back of her head, pierced by a White Jade Hairpin. The tail of the hairpin was adorned with silvery tassels that danced around her pale neck as she moved, casting a somber shadow. Standing there quietly, she embodied regal elegance like the peony embroidered on the hem of her dress—vibrantly in bloom, exuding refined beauty.

With eyebrows like willow-leaf ink paintings, a high-bridged nose and cherry lips, her dark eyes seemed to harbor too many stories. Yet they also looked like a still pond, unsettlingly tranquil and evoking alarm.

She looked up at the luxurious manor before her, caressed her temple with her hand, her voice flowing tenderly like water, "Where is Yun Shen?"

Uncle Feng replied, "The master went to the company early in the morning. Before he left, he instructed that everything was in order, please, Madam."

Yun Shu smiled and stepped toward the manor.

This was her first time stepping into the Ji Family Manor, and also the abode of the man she had detested for half her life. She moved with composure, without glancing sideways as she walked through the long corridor. In the parlor, she encountered two children as exquisite as carved dolls.

Those identical eyes brought forth unpleasant memories that rushed into her mind. She began to laugh, her gaze tender like ripples on water, softening one’s heart like the slender willows in the smoky haze of March.

Gracefully approaching the two, she crouched beside them, her gaze sweeping over their faces: "Are you Yun Ya, and you Yun Miao?"

Yun Ya looked at the woman in front of her who seemed to be specially favored by time—her skin was white and flawless, perpetually dignified and elegant, full of grandeur. She always wore a gentle smile, yet it was a knife that bled her over and over again without shedding blood, telling her all the while that everything she did was for her own good.

She could never forget the moment her soul felt estranged, her nonchalant voice.

"If dead, then so be it, such bad luck!"

Rage surged in her chest, yet on her face bloomed a sweet smile, like that of any pure five-year-old child.

"Hello, Grandmother, I’m Yun Ya."

Yun Shu touched her head with a smile.

"Good girl, not bad." She turned to Yun Miao, who was shy and instinctively disliked this woman, hiding behind Yun Ya.

Yun Shu narrowed her eyes, her smile growing even gentler.

"Grandmother, Miaomiao is a bit shy. Once he spends more time with you, he will surely like you."

Yun Shu’s gaze made just a brief sweep over Yun Miao’s face before resting on Yun Ya, such beautiful eyes, so familiar that she couldn’t help wanting to gouge them out...

"This child is fine, what a pity..." Her tone seemed regretful, yet Yun Ya didn’t miss the fleeting mockery.

Casting her gaze downward to hide the coldness within, Yun Ya laughed silently to herself.

Yun Shu, in this life, I will no longer be foolishly manipulated by you. I will endure your cunning ways and tear off your hypocritical mask.

Yun Shu disliked Yun Ya and Yun Miao because these children carried the blood of that woman in their veins; it disgusted her.

And the first impression Yun Ya gave her was uncomfortable; the five-year-old girl was too smart. Although she concealed it well, the intelligence and resentment hidden beneath the sweet obedience couldn’t escape her eyes.

She detested her.

It was not a question, but a certainty.