Chapter 589: Chapter 556: Turned Mute (Second Release)
The white-clothed man spoke while bending down to pick up the kicked ball. The silver threads on his shoulders and cuffs, embroidered with cloud patterns, gently unfurled with his movements. As he lifted his head, the vermilion spot between his brows was vivid and striking.
Elegant demeanor, noble and graceful like an orchid.
Xu Jiaâs gaze slightly focused.
Cloud patterns, vermilion mark.
Even if she hadnât met him before, she could guess who he was from these two signifiers, especially since they had a brief encounter six months ago.
The vast majority of women who practice martial arts dream of the Jianghu and possess a heart that desires justice.
Xu Jia is one of those many.
And Yun Six Lang is the dream of Jianghu daughters.
He became famous at a young age, becoming the Yun Family Head at eighteen, with over a hundred disciples.
When it comes to the Suzhou Yun Family, there are likely few in the north or south who havenât heard of them.
Earlier, Wen Wan mentioned having a guest today, which probably refers to Yun Six Lang.
Looking at the kicked ball in his hand, the phrase "Mrs. good skills" seemed to linger in the air. Recalling accidentally offending him six months ago, Xu Jiaâs cheeks warmed slightly, she curtsied to the man approaching slowly, "Apologies if Yun Six Lang found it amusing."
Wen Wan exclaimed, "Oh, you know each other?"
Before Xu Jia could answer, Yun Huai had already spoken, "We had a brief encounter when I returned Ah Yin to the Capital last time."
His words covered up her embarrassment from six months ago, and Xu Jia secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Wen Wan suddenly realized and promptly introduced Tang Yuan, "This is Yun Six Lang from the Suzhou Yun Family, visiting the Capital to bring disciples for the martial arts examination, and since his nephew Ah Yin is friends with our familyâs Yuanbao, Yuanbao specially arranged for them to stay at our mansion for a while."
Tang Yuan cupped his hands in greeting, "I am Tang Yuan, and Iâve long admired Yun Six Langâs reputation."
Yun Huai also cupped his hands in return.
As Tang Yuan lifted his head, his gaze swiftly passed over Xu Jiaâs face, his eyes slightly dimmed.
Itâs not surprising for such an outstanding person like Yun Huai to have many admirers, but when that admirer might be his newlywed wife, Tang Yuan couldnât quite describe the feeling in his heartâit was sour and bitter, overall unpleasant.
Wen Wan smiled and said, "These two have business with Mr. Song, Iâll take them over first."
Yun Huai softly acknowledged with a slight, polite smile.
After Xu Jia and the others left, Xue Yan finally arrived, seeing Yun Huai holding the kicked ball he had just kicked away, he felt a bit uneasy, "Uncle..."
Yun Huai handed the ball to him and asked if he was feeling unwell today.
Xue Yan gradually relaxed, shaking his head, "No, just played ball with Yuanbao for a while, feeling sticky, I want to go back and take a bath."
Yun Huai nodded, "Go ahead."
...
Song Wei was sitting in the garden pavilion with his daughter at this moment. The weather was cold, and the little baby was dressed warmly, with her fair chubby face exposed, her eyes were quite beautiful like two black pearls.
Wen Wan only breastfed Jinbao at birth, but when Qi Bao came, she directly prescribed a potion to return her milk, leaving it to the nursemaids.
Therefore, Qi Bao has three nursemaids who rotate between early morning, noon, and evening, and when Qi Bao grows older, only one will remain.
Currently, Nanny Qin was reporting the situation of the little baby to Song Wei over the past few days.
Song Wei occasionally chimed in a word or two.
As he spoke, his mouth moved and the little baby watched her fatherâs mouth attentively.
Nanny Qin hadnât left long before Wen Wan brought Tang Yuan and his wife along with their child Tang Yong over.
Song Wei was somewhat surprised to see them.
After everyone sat down, Wen Wan spoke, "Husband, they seem to be here about the mechanical beast."
Song Wei nodded, his gaze turned to Tang Yuan, "Go on, what happened?"
Tang Yuan had no choice but to relay what he had previously mentioned to Wen Wan again, resulting in Song Weiâs silence.
Tang Yuanâs heart tightened, "The Tang Family has caused a major incident this time, if the Holy Emperor finds out, heâll surely impose punishment, I hope Mr. Song can help mediate."
As he spoke, he glanced at his nephew, softly saying, "Yongyong, quickly make amends to Mr. Song."
Unexpectedly, Tang Yong shook his head and remained seated.
Tang Yuan thought he was being stubborn, lightly frowned, "A little man must have responsibility. You broke the mechanical beast and even if youâre too young to bear the consequences, you should apologize, be good, listen to your second uncle and say sorry to Mr. Song."
Tang Yong still shook his head.
As he shook his head, he began to sob.
Wen Wan noticed something was off, "Was he frightened last night?"
Xu Jia replied, "The room that caught fire was his, so he was definitely frightened."
But no matter how startled, itâs unlikely heâd be unable to speak, right?
The child hadnât spoken since early morning and the more Xu Jia thought about it, the stranger it seemed.
"Little guy," Wen Wan called him, "Say âahâ for your aunt to see."
Tang Yong looked at Wen Wan and seemed to confirm she meant no harm before opening his mouth with an "ah" sound.
Wen Wan leaned in and looked closely but found nothing. She asked softly, "Have you lost your voice?"
It was like hitting a nerve; Tang Yong suddenly burst into tears, his little face full of grievance.
Tang Yuanâs face changed drastically.
Even Xu Jia was deeply shaken.
Has Tang Yong become mute?
Why?
Was it from the smoke last night, or did someone deliberately mute him?
Wen Wan herself was once mute, and she particularly understood the despair upon realizing one could not speak. She moved closer and gently caressed Tang Yongâs head, "Donât be afraid. In the Capital, there are so many doctors; someone will surely heal you."
Tang Yong cried and threw himself at Tang Yuan, his shoulders shaking as if evading something.
Tang Yuan gently patted his small back, "Be good, your second uncle is here."
Xu Jia squinted her eyes.
Tang Yongâs strong reaction wasnât just because of the fire; something must have happened before that fire.
Jiang Qingyu, crazed, wanted to use her sonâs life to win Tang Yuanâs sympathy; Xu Jia could guess that. But why mute Tang Yong?
Could it be that this little guy knows some incredible secret?
At this moment, Song Wei spoke, "Since the child canât speak, donât force him. I will talk to the Emperor personally about the mechanical beast. No matter how busy the Hanlin Academy is, Second Young Master Tang should still spend some time on family affairs."
These words left Tang Yuan feeling utterly embarrassed.
...
As they were leaving, Xu Jia was suddenly called by someone. She turned around to see someone with a clean appearance dressed as a servant approaching.
Xu Jia didnât recognize him and asked in confusion, "Do you have something to say?"
It was Ah Gui. He seemed hesitant for a long time before speaking, "Madam, have you ever lost a Blood Jade Pendant?"
"It happened many years ago," Xu Jia nodded but suddenly felt something was wrong, "How do you know?"
"I..." Ah Gui was about to explain.
"Second Madam," Tang Yuan returned, frowned, and interrupted Ah Gui, looking at Xu Jia, "There are a bunch of things at home that need dealing with. Letâs return early."
Xu Jia found this person inexplicable.
A lot of things at home? Doesnât it all stem from his own infidelities causing trouble? How does it concern her? Does he have to interfere even when another man speaks to her?
Sensing the tension, Ah Gui didnât continue.
Xu Jia spoke gently, "You are a servant here, right? Itâs okay, when I have time another day, I will specifically visit Mrs. Song, and you can tell me more then."
With that, she followed Tang Yuan out of the Song Mansionâs side door.
In the carriage, Tang Yuan looked at the silently seated Xu Jia beside him and couldnât help but speak, "Why can you be amiable to others, but only cold towards me?"
Xu Jia sneered, "Whatâs the reason, doesnât the Second Young Master have any idea?"
Tang Yuan almost blurted out, "Last nightâs incident wasnât what you think."
"What do I think?" Xu Jia raised her brows.
"I just went to save people innocently."
"Yes, yes, youâre innocent." Xu Jia laughed meaningfully, "Innocent enough to secretly visit the estate every now and then to see sister-in-law. Whatâs the relationship between you two? Exciting?"
Tang Yuan didnât expect her to pierce through directly, his face flushed red. He stared at her for a long time, and weakly rebuked, "What nonsense are you talking?"
Xu Jia ignored his anger, "You have your own unobtainable romantic obsession, yet you wonât allow me to speak amiably to others. Tang Yuan, I gambled my life to marry into the Tang Family. Do you truly think I willingly came to mourn the love you never obtained?"
Tang Yuan pressed his lips, unsure why he wanted to explain, "I admit, I did go to the estate to see sister-in-law, but thereâs nothing between us."
Xu Jia didnât believe him, "How the Second Young Master feels is clear to you, thereâs no need to explain to me."
Tang Yuan said no more.
Upon arriving at the Tang Mansion, Xu Jia directly went back to Zilan Courtyard.
Tang Yuan took Tang Yong to his study and instructed the servants to call the doctor.
Looking at his tear-filled nephew, Tang Yuan felt heartache, constantly comforting him not to fear. It can surely be cured.
Tang Yong sat beside Tang Yuan on an embroidery stool, his eyes vacant, unresponsive.
Until a servant entered and said, "Second Young Master, the main madam is outside requesting an audience."
Upon hearing this, Tang Yongâs face instantly turned pale, desperately hiding behind Tang Yuan.