Chapter 13

The night was dim, thick black clouds parted, and the moonlight cast a faint glow over Wen Yan.

Wen Yan looked back, her gaze slowly settling on the Wen family huddled together.

When their eyes met, Wen Changning visibly flinched.

She blinked rapidly a few times, then quickly lowered her eyes.

Wen Yan watched clearly as she turned and walked toward Wen Changning.

Wen Changning caught sight of the approaching figure in her peripheral vision, shrinking back instinctively, wishing she could just dig a hole and bury herself on the spot.

Wen Yan stopped in front of her and crouched down.

The others dared not blink, their eyes fixed on Wen Yan's every move, afraid she would turn ruthless and kill them all to silence them.

Wen Yan looked at no one but Wen Changning, her gaze so intense it made her tremble and stiffen.

Under the tense stares, Wen Yan suddenly raised her hand and slapped her face—but then abruptly stopped.

She was so close that Wen Changning could smell the heavy scent of blood.

From her neck to her face, goosebumps broke out.

Though the slap hadn’t landed, she already felt a burning pain.

Several onlookers twitched nervously, hearts tightening.

Wen Changning was so frightened she lost her voice, only managing a few incoherent sounds from her throat.

Wen Yan suddenly smiled, gently patting her cheek, the crimson on her palm leaving a bloodstain on her face:

“Fifth sister, third sister loves you more than anything. How could I ever hit you?”

Wen Changning’s teeth chattered uncontrollably, stammering, on the verge of tears but unable to cry.

Wen Yan’s tenderness was almost eerie:

“Fifth sister, you’re scared, aren’t you? Look, third sister has killed all the bad men.”

Wen Changning wanted to cry but dared not.

At that moment, a pale blue handkerchief was handed to Wen Yan.

Wen Yan followed the hand and saw Wen Ruxu.

Wen Ruxu forced a smile:

“Third sister, wipe it.”

Wen Yan did not refuse but took it, slowly wiping the blood from her hands.

It was an ordinary gesture, yet as the cloth passed over her skin, revealing white, jade-like flesh and slender, beautiful fingers, it stirred an inexplicable thrill.

After a while, she carefully cleaned both hands, but couldn’t bear to look at the handkerchief any longer.

“Thank you, Big Brother.”

“Third sister, no need for thanks.”

He paused, steadying his emotions:

“I should be the one thanking third sister for saving our lives.”

Wen Yan smiled politely:

“You’re welcome.”

She stood, looking toward Wen Youzhi, pointing at the corpses scattered about.

“Father, this is in your hands now. I will take my leave.”

Wen Youzhi steadied himself and said:

“You should go back. I’ll handle the rest.”

Wen Yan agreed, then before leaving, she reminded them:

“Remember to drink something to ward off the cold. It’s very chilly; be careful not to catch a cold.”

She left, but after a few steps, paused and turned back:

“By the way, the venison tonight was delicious. Will there be more tomorrow?”

Wen Hening, having just exhaled deeply, nearly choked on the cold air at her words but quickly recovered to flatter her:

“Yes, yes, third sister. I’ll get some at dawn.”

Wen Yan nodded:

“Good, then I’ll trouble fourth brother.”

Wen Hening hurried to assure her:

“No trouble at all, third sister. As long as you like it.”

Satisfied, Wen Yan departed, leaving the Wen family to face the chaotic aftermath.

Once she was far enough away, Wen Changning burst into tears.

Wen Hening quickly covered her mouth, whispering a warning:

“Don’t cry or you’ll wake third sister. She’ll come back and punish you.”

Wen Changning nodded, tears welling but silent.

After a long moment, Wen Youzhi slowly rose, steadied his weak legs, and said hoarsely:

“Changning, help your mother back inside. Don’t leave tonight; stay in the main courtyard with her.”

Wen Changning sobbed and nodded.

Wen Youzhi then addressed the remaining three:

“Ruqing, Hening, go find medicine to treat your wounds, then bring more people.”

They nodded.

Finally, he looked at Wen Ruxu:

“Ruxu, come with me to clear away the bodies that cannot remain.”

Bodies that couldn’t remain—those with grotesque injuries, like half-smashed skulls or bodies split in two—things no human could do. These had to be removed.

Wen Ruxu understood and quietly agreed.

With arrangements made, they supported each other and dispersed to busy themselves.

Perhaps having tasks made the long night bearable.

Wen Ruxu struggled along with his father to drag the unfit corpses aside.

Being scholars with no physical strength, moving bodies was exhausting, so their progress was slow.

Only when Wen Ruqing and Wen Hening arrived with help did the pace quicken.

There were only four or five people, both men and women.

Wen Ruqing whispered:

“The servants’ quarters were drugged; only the night watchman remained awake.”

Of the six main courtyards in the mansion, no one dared call Wen Yan’s side; aside from the dead, only a few remained.

Wen Youzhi sighed:

“I understand.”

…

In the Cuihua courtyard, two corpses still lay; Wen Yan took the trouble to drag them out before closing the door.

Inside, Qingyun, who had been hiding, heard the noise and peeked out. Seeing Wen Yan burst out, she called:

“Third Miss!”

Wen Yan’s feet didn’t stop:

“Go light the lamps inside.”

Qingyun hurried after her, quickly lighting the oil lamps.

The dark bedroom brightened suddenly, and Qingyun saw Wen Yan covered in blood, screaming:

“Third Miss!”

Wen Yan sank into a cushioned chair lazily:

“Don’t scream. Go fetch me some water.”

Qingyun stared blankly, clearly shaken until Wen Yan lifted her eyelids slightly:

“Hurry up.”

Qingyun snapped out of it and rushed away:

“Yes… yes…”

Despite the blood, Wen Yan’s face was far less fatigued than it seemed.

Her eyes were bright and lively, as if she had just taken a miraculous elixir.

Her whole being radiated vitality.

Yet the cold was real.

She pulled a cloak hanging nearby over herself, feeling a faint warmth.

Soon Qingyun returned with hot water from the small kitchen to fill a bath tub and helped her clean.

Blood stained her body and hair.

After countless buckets of water, she was finally clean.

Her hair still damp, Wen Yan settled back into the chair, placing a brazier near her feet, letting her hair down and covering herself with the cloak as Qingyun gently combed and dried it.

Qingyun’s movements were gentle, and Wen Yan, rocking the chair, slowly fell asleep.

She slept until the afternoon.

Many things had happened during her rest; the Wen household was lively, and all of West Jiang City was abuzz.

While eating, Wen Yan listened to the maids chatting.

From their words, she gathered how her father had handled the entire affair.

The black-clad assassins had been bandits attempting to raid the mansion.

The bandits, blinded by greed, fought among themselves and killed each other.

The Wen patriarch, drugged but awakened, seized the opportunity to lead his children and servants in capturing them all.

Only a mishap occurred: the second Miss Wen’s private treasury was completely burned in a fire, which also killed several bandits.

The remaining bandit corpses were taken to the prefect’s office for investigation.

“They deserved to burn, daring to do evil in our Wen home.”

“I heard there are two corpses at the gate, so scary.”

“Luckily, Fourth Young Master arrived quickly, or Cuihua Courtyard would’ve been breached.”

The maids, unaware of the truth, expressed relief.

Wen Yan, finishing her meal, set down her chopsticks.

“Enough idle talk; you’re disturbing third miss’s peace.”

Qingyun, pale and uneasy, interrupted them.

Wen Yan smiled warmly:

“Did I scare you, Sister Qingyun?”

The timid little maids, seeing Wen Yan’s gentle manner, smiled again and teased Qingyun under her indulgence.

Being only seven or eight years old, Qingyun was less tense now.

As they laughed, someone knocked at the gate.

A maid ran to open it, and it was several pages delivering a freshly prepared whole deer.

The maid hurried in to report:

“It’s from Fourth Young Master’s orders.”

Wen Yan said:

“Accept it. Tonight we’ll roast venison.”

The maid responded crisply:

“Yes!”

Not long after receiving the venison, the gate knocked again.

This time, Wen Ruxu’s people arrived, bringing prescriptions for medicinal stews and several sought-after storybooks.

Wen Yan accepted them readily.

After Wen Ruxu’s people left, Wen Ruqing’s and Wen Changning’s parties arrived one after another.

The two sisters brought gifts: Wen Ruqing sent a fist-sized, priceless luminous pearl; Wen Changning brought a box of the city’s most famous, delicious pastries.

Except for Wen Yan, the four siblings were all shrewd and adept at reading people.

As long as they lowered their pride to coax her, there was nothing they couldn’t achieve.

The cleverly chosen presents left at her courtyard revealed their intentions.

The maids serving Cuihua Courtyard were stunned, not knowing how so many gifts had accumulated so quickly.

Only Qingyun had some suspicions but said nothing.

In fact, these were small matters.

Each day afterward, Wen Yan received various exquisite and interesting trinkets, each thoughtfully chosen to suit her tastes.

The four siblings did not show themselves; they cautiously sent gifts to flatter her.

Compared to them, Wen Youzhi and Mrs. Lu remained unresponsive.

Wen Youzhi was secretly investigating the assassins, busy day and night.

Mrs. Lu, however, had her own thoughts.

She watched the four siblings send gifts to Cuihua Courtyard, dared not interfere, but was tormented inside and restless.

She kept her doubts to herself.

One night, after Wen Youzhi returned home and before they slept, she couldn’t hold back and poured out her suspicions.

She doubted Wen Yan’s identity and origins.

In the darkness, Wen Youzhi listened patiently to all her concerns.

After a long silence, he squeezed her hand firmly and resolutely said:

“She is.”

“She is Wen Yan, our Ah Yan, our daughter.”

“For so many years, she’s been right under our noses, rarely leaving the house. If she weren’t, with her abilities, she could have fled that night. Why risk exposing herself to save us?”

“Didn’t you always wonder why among the five children, Ah Yan seemed the dullest and least capable? Her true skill has now come forth. She is the most capable in our family!”

He took a breath and spoke softly:

“Wife, she saved our entire family’s lives. Without Ah Yan, that day we would have truly died in confusion…”