Chapter 184: Born with Rebellion
Zhu Zhuyun quickly understood one thing: whoever this person was, at the very least, he held no malice toward her or her sister. Otherwise, they both would've been forced to kneel alongside everyone else in his terrifying aura.
Still, she was confused about his intentions. As a Titled Douluo, his presence was undoubtedly powerful and dangerous, yet she couldn't recall hearing of a Titled Douluo fitting this man's description. But as she observed him more closely, his face looked familiar, and suddenly, a realization struck her.
"Ye Wen, the Master of Tianxing Academy!"
Yet Zhu Zhuyun was even more puzzled now. Ye Wen was known for his strict neutrality so why had he suddenly chosen to involve himself in matters concerning the Star Luo Empire's internal affairs?
"Don't overthink it," Ye Wen replied calmly. "I'll explain everything once we're done here. For now, tell me which of these people work for Davis?"
The situation left Zhu Zhuyun with little choice but to comply. Reluctantly, she pointed to the recently arrived guards as Davis's men, except for the elderly woman who had aided Zhu Zhuqing.
Without hesitation, Ye Wen swept his hand, and with a silent, crushing force, Davis's followers were flattened into the ground, leaving only Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing, and the old woman standing. Ye Wen raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting from them to a rocky cliff.
A thought passed through his mind, and moments later, the three found themselves on a cliffside overlooking the forest below.
Ye Wen offered a courteous smile, giving a brief bow. "Ye Wen, Master of Tianxing Academy, at your service."
The three women exchanged glances, unsettled by his politeness. His calm demeanor felt disarming in contrast to his deadly power, leaving them hesitant and unsure of what he intended.
Amid the tense silence, Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing remained alert, though their flushed cheeks and perspiration betrayed their exhaustion. Their beauty, made even more striking by the chase and tension, caught Ye Wen's eye. If he were closer to their age, he might have pursued them yet, as the father of three, such notions were absurd and quickly dismissed.
"Now then," he began, "I'm sure you're wondering why I've decided to get involved in the Star Luo royal family's affairs?"
The three women nodded, perplexed. Tianxing Academy's neutrality was widely known, and it had remained detached from any political entanglements.
A playful smile tugged at Ye Wen's lips as he looked at Zhu Zhuyun. "Before I explain, Miss Zhu Zhuyun, perhaps you can answer something for me first: why were you pretending to chase Zhu Zhuqing? After all, if she were out of the picture, wouldn't your future as Davis's queen be secured?"
He paused, letting his words sink in. "How about it? I could eliminate Zhu Zhuqing here and now, and in return, once you become queen, you'd do me a few favors to settle the debt."
His words carried a devilish allure, as if enticing them into a wicked pact. Zhu Zhuqing froze in shock, her face blank with disbelief.
Zhu Zhuyun's expression shifted through shades of anger and frustration as she ground her teeth, glaring at Ye Wen. Yet the old woman who had been protecting Zhu Zhuqing showed little reaction, only glancing at Ye Wen in mild surprise.
"Sister…" Zhu Zhuqing's voice trembled as she looked at Zhu Zhuyun, torn between hope and apprehension.
Zhu Zhuyun's gaze flickered with a mixture of disgust and resentment before her expression hardened.
"Kill her? You think I'd lay a finger on my own sister?" she shouted. "I may be part of the imperial family, but I'm not a monster!"
Her voice was raw, her words spoken from the depths of her heart. Hearing this, tears welled up in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, finally realizing that despite the royal family's coldness, her sister's love had never faltered. The oppressive world of court intrigue had merely forced her to hide her true feelings.
Ye Wen applauded, his slow, mocking claps echoing around them as the sisters, now reconciled, embraced each other. They were indeed a striking pair; the contrast between their outwardly calm exteriors and their inner warmth made their closeness all the more alluring.
Though the sight of reunited family members was indeed moving, Ye Wen's attention returned to the matter at hand. As much as he valued loyalty and kinship, his own experiences with royal intrigue made him aware of its inherent dangers.
"Enough tears for now," Ye Wen interjected, eyeing the sisters with a soft smile, though his tone was firm. He then directed his gaze toward the elderly woman.
"Zhu Zhuyun," he continued, "or shall I simply call you Zhuyun? This lady here she serves your father, correct? Can she be trusted completely? What I'm about to discuss cannot reach any third parties without severe repercussions."
Zhu Zhuyun hesitated, looking at the old woman, who had been Zhu Zhuqing's caretaker since childhood. As her father's most trusted attendant, she had served their family loyally for years. Yet, Zhu Zhuyun shook her head, the harsh realities of royal life making her reluctant to place her trust in anyone completely.
Ye Wen studied the old woman's face, which had grown paler under his scrutiny. Then, with a gesture, he summoned her to his side and placed his hand on her forehead. The faint glow of soul power surrounded them, and in an instant, the woman's body sagged, unconscious, at Ye Wen's feet.
"I simply erased a few of her recent memories," he said, noting the relief that washed over the sisters. "She will be able to return to her duties as usual, but tell your father to keep an eye on her."
Having dealt with the old woman's knowledge, Ye Wen turned back to Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing. Nervousness filled Zhu Zhuyun's gaze. Though she was young and her sister more so, both sensed that a Titled Douluo taking interest in them could only lead to something significant.
Ye Wen continued, "Now, I believe your father assisted with this little escape plan?"
Zhu Zhuyun was silent for a moment before she nodded, acknowledging her father's covert aid. Zhu Zhuqing looked at her sister, stunned. Her father had secretly supported her escape all along? She had felt isolated and trapped, but now, warmth blossomed within her as she realized she hadn't been abandoned after all.
Noting Zhu Zhuyun's confirmation, Ye Wen allowed a small smirk. "It seems the Duke's household has its own brand of rebellion ingrained deep in its bones."
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