CHAPTER 392: CHAPTER 254: AMBIGUITY

"I almost forgot, Xia Wenxu came to the Medicine Hall looking for you today. He insisted that you must attend the birthday feast at the Yun Residence in a few days. When did you meet him?" Ye Beiming informed Yun Sheng of Xia Wenxu’s visit, his words carrying a hint of inquiry.

Of course, he didn’t tell Yun Sheng about the provocation and mutual disdain that had transpired between them.

Xia Wenxu insisted that she must attend the Yun Residence’s birthday feast?

Could it be that something significant is going to happen at the feast?

Yun Sheng was playing the lute when she heard the news, and her hands faltered.

The sharp strings cut a wound across Yun Sheng’s delicate white fingers.

Ye Beiming’s eyebrows tightened slightly, and he reached out to grab Yun Sheng’s fingers.

The smear of red on her fingers slowly spread out to view.

Yun Sheng was about to say it was nothing; she had the Shennong Medical Bracelet, and such a small wound was insignificant.

Who would have thought, a warm wetness touched her fingertip—Ye Beiming’s lush lips had already landed on her finger.

His tongue traced over her finger.

A weird sensation spread from the bottom of Yun Sheng’s heart, like a stone thrown into a pool of still water.

"You!" Yun Sheng was both embarrassed and flustered.

"Don’t move. When the Empress Dowager was alive, this is how she would treat my wounds," Ye Beiming licked the blood clean from Yun Sheng’s finger.

Her blood, unlike the foul stench of magical beast blood, seemed to carry a faint delicate fragrance, just like her.

It made Ye Beiming’s heart ripple inadvertently.

When mentioning Empress Li, Ye Beiming’s voice finally fluctuated slightly.

For some reason, Yun Sheng didn’t pull her hand back. Her other hand, as if possessed, rested on Ye Beiming’s hair to pat it, as though comforting an injured wild beast.

The two fell silent for a moment, yet neither felt awkward.

It wasn’t until the blood on Yun Sheng’s finger stopped that Ye Beiming finally let go of her hand.

Looking at the broken lute string, Yun Sheng pursed her lips. Her eyes, calm and deep, casually spoke as if discussing mundane matters, "I won’t go. If it were you, would you be happy to return to the Imperial Palace for so-called family banquets?"

The Imperial Palace to Ye Beiming is what the Yun Residence is to Yun Sheng; she is reluctant to return.

That’s why Yun Sheng would rather hide in the Martial Arts Hall than go to the Medicine Hall.

Between Uncle Yun and her second uncle, her ears could be nagged into calluses.

"The Imperial Palace is a place that devours people without spitting out bones, but the Yun Residence is not. If it were before, I would also advise against your return to the Yun Residence. However, this message is from Xia Wenxu, which holds a different significance. I’m afraid something might happen to General Yun," Ye Beiming put aside his personal grudges with the Magic Temple for the moment, but Xia Wenxu’s Heavenly Vision was indeed very effective.

Even though he disliked Xia Wenxu, Ye Beiming would never allow any potential harm to come to Yun Sheng because of his personal dislikes.

For Yun Sheng, the Yun Residence represents her roots.

Ye Beiming was very clear in his heart that Yun Sheng was typically stubborn but soft-hearted. Her temperament, much like General Yun’s, was exactly the same.

She repeatedly said she disliked the Yun Residence, but considering her last assistance to Tang Yu, one could see that the place held in her heart for the Yun Residence was probably no less than that for Little Ci’en Hall.

"You mean there might be an accident at General Yun’s birthday feast this time?" Yun Sheng’s complexion changed after hearing this.

"Better safe than sorry. If you do not wish to attend as a descendant of the Yun Family, then go in the name of Wuxuan Wuji Hall," Ye Beiming reminded her.

Yun Bahe and Wuxuan Wuji Hall have no ordinary relationship, and Vice Hall Director Zhan Li was also promoted by Yun Bahe himself. Zhan Li will surely attend the feast this time.

Yun Sheng pondered for a moment but still couldn’t make up her mind.

Time flew by, and before long, the day of Yun Bahe’s grand sixtieth birthday arrived.

On the birthday itself, the Yun Residence was filled with celebration and joy.

Yun Bahe himself had dressed up early in celebratory garb suited for the birthday honoree. Accustomed to battlefields and clad in armor all year round, he felt quite uneasy without his armor.

For the Martial Saint General’s grand sixtieth birthday, there was a constant stream of people coming to give their well-wishes.

Yet, deep down, Yun Bahe was hoping to see his granddaughter Yun Sheng return to recognize her ancestors and family lineage.

Yun Canglang also hurried back, but since he had left the General Mansion, he did not attend to the guests as the host.

Yun Cangxue, assuming the role of the hostess of the General Mansion, welcomed guests from all directions.

"Why are you alone?" Yun Bahe was visibly upset when he saw Yun Canglang by himself, huffing and puffing his beard.

"The brothers from the Hunting Corps are outside. They said there are too many people and didn’t dare to barge in," replied Yun Canglang.

Yun Bahe shook his beard and glared with wide eyes.

As they were speaking, they suddenly heard the gatekeeper shout, "Guests have arrived! Elder Chen and his family are here."

Yun Bahe’s expression darkened even more, mumbling, "Those who should come have not, but those who should not have arrived."

However, Elder Chen’s face was full of congratulations, "General Yun, congratulations, congratulations. This modest gift does not fully express my respect."

Behind him, a whole progeny followed, among whom the most outstanding was naturally the future Crown Princess Consort, Chen Lianlian.

I’m celebrating my birthday here and you bring a whole flock of descendants; what are you trying to imply?!

Yun Bahe felt his anger rising upon seeing this.

After Elder Chen finished his congratulations, he pretended to look around, "Hmm, why don’t I see the Emperor? And the Empress hasn’t come either? It seems like even the Crown Prince hasn’t arrived?"

When a senior court official celebrates his birthday and the Emperor of Great Zhou does not come personally, but only sends a gift through a eunuch from the palace, it appears that Tang Yu’s incident has had a not insignificant impact on the Yun Family.

Yun Bahe’s face lost its luster, and just as he was about to erupt, he suddenly heard the gatekeeper announce, "Guests have arrived, Noble Princess Consort Wenren has arrived."

The imperial concubine?

This Noble Princess Consort Wenren, aside from the Empress, was the most beloved concubine of the Emperor of Great Zhou.

She also, apart from the Empress, was the only noble concubine to have borne sons, yet despite her family being considered a noble family in Yujing City, the Noble Princess Consort Wenren was known for her low profile and rarely interacted with court officials outside her own clan.

This time, however, she personally left the Imperial Palace to come to the Yun Residence to celebrate, which was indeed a rare occasion.

"For the Old General’s grand birthday, I have specially brought a South Sea jade coral," said the Noble Princess Consort Wenren, who looked charming. Her features resembled Wenren Xu by about seventy to eighty percent.

Her visit was actually on account of Wenren Xu.

Her troublesome brother had said earlier that Yun Sheng from the Yun Family had helped him greatly, asking her to take care of the Yun Family when she could. When the incident with Tang Yu happened earlier, it coincided with the Fourth Prince’s illness, and being overwhelmed with her concerns, she did not meddle.

This time for General Yun’s grand birthday, she came personally to convey her best wishes.

Though the Emperor and Empress did not come, the presence of a noble concubine still afforded Yun Bahe some face.

Elder Chen snorted, and Yun Bahe straightened his back a bit more.

No sooner had they welcomed Noble Princess Consort Wenren inside than they heard another announcement: "Gifts have arrived, Yujing Hunting Soldier Alliance presents a congratulatory gift."

The gift from the Hunter Soldier Alliance was due to the dual connections with Yun Canglang and Yanyun.

The Hunting Soldier Alliance has connections with the Yun Family too?

The guests were abuzz with discussions, not expecting the reportedly shaky General Mansion to have quite a number of powerful connections behind it.

**Thank you to Book Friends Xi, 070, and 960 for the rewards. On Monday, twisting and turning for votes, and more updates to come in the afternoon.**