Chapter 25 – Children of the Zheng Clan (Part 2)

"The Empress is already on her way to your courtyard now."

Zheng Qing Yao's expression turned grim as he looked at Mu Yin wordlessly.

Mu Yin knew what he was thinking, and quickly shook her head in denial.

"It could not have been leaked out from our side. No one is allowed to leave the mansion since that day."

Qing Yao frowned. He asked curtly, "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Without my authorization, they would not have dared to let anyone out…" Mu Yin paused when she suddenly realized something.

She sucked in a breath of chilly air to calm herself. A cold glint flickered in her eyes when she remembered who else was able to leave the mansion without her permission. Within this mansion, other than Zheng Qing Yao, her words were absolute. The servants and maids were all carefully selected and brought into the mansion to be trained since young. There was no doubt of their loyalty as they had been with them for many years.

There could only be one possibility for the news to reach the ears of Zheng Huo Yan so quickly.

"Ah Rong…," Mu Yin muttered in disbelief. Qing Yao heard her too but he did not look too surprise.

"I remember Ye Rong is very close to Shui Yang before she followed my sister to enter the palace."

Mu Yin, Jin Di, Shui Yang, and Ye Rong were all orphans adopted by the previous Zheng Master, the father of Zheng Huo Yan and Zheng Qing Yao. The old master was an incredibly famous physician who constantly travel all over the world during his youth to help people. They were all children who lost their family at a tender age and were later taken in by the old master. If not for him, they would have starved to death on the street, or killed by their family's enemy… So, they were very devoted to the Zheng family.

Mu Yin was one of the first few children taken in by the old master. Shui Yang and Ye Rong came later and were a lot younger than her. It was probably because of her instinct as an elder sister, thus she treated them like her own sisters, especially Ye Rong, who reminded her a lot of her own blood sister. However, Shui Yang and Ye Rong were very close because they arrived almost the same time and their age were very similar to each other.

When Zheng Huo Yan married, Jin Di and Shui Yang followed her to the palace, but Mu Yin chose to stay at the mansion to take care of Zheng Qing Yao. Ye Rong initially wanted to follow Zheng Huo Yan but changed her mind at the last minute. Her reason was to keep Mu Yin accompanied, and after most of them left the mansion, Mu Yin and Ye Rong became even closer than ever.

"How can she… This is my fault. I will deal with her later." The disappointment on her face was palpable.

Zheng Qing Yao smiled bitterly as he shook his head and said, "No wonder Jin Di would dare to act so impulsively. She must have given him permission. She knew about Meng Yu's background… Ye Rong must have told her everything."

He closed his eyes and exhaled heavily, "It's my fault for overlooking this matter."

Originally, when Meng Yu first arrived at the Silver Sky Mansion, her origin was kept secret, and only a few people in the mansion knew where she came from. Ye Rong was one of the few who knew about this because she was very much trusted by Mu Yin and Zheng Qing Yao. Indeed, Ye Rong would have never betray them.

Unfortunately, between Zheng Qing Yao and Zheng Huo Yan, she was much more loyal to the latter. When Meng Yu raised the suspicion of Jin Di and Shui Yang previously, they must have interrogated Ye Rong, and then reported everything back to Zheng Huo Yan. Zheng Huo Yan probably felt that someone like Meng Yu was too dangerous, thus letting Jin Di to use such ruthless method to eliminate her.

After Meng Yu left the mansion, Zheng Qing Yao had gone to see Zheng Huo Yan. They argued about what happened, and Zheng Qing Yao had also made his stance firmly to her. Regardless of what she thinks, he had warned her not to get involve in his matter anymore. However, it seemed that Zheng Huo Yan was not someone who would back down easily.

Knowing that she would not easily accept defeat, he had told Mu Yin to keep the matter of them finding Meng Yu secret. However, Zheng Huo Yan had personally come to the Silver Sky Mansion to see him – it clearly indicated that she must have known about Meng Yu's presence in his mansion. Her purpose was crystal clear. She was adamant of not letting Meng Yu off this time.

"What will come will come. There is no point in trying to escape from the inevitable. I will talk to her." Zheng Qing Yao said resolutely.

Mu Yin nodded as she retreated into the side room wordlessly, leaving only Zheng Qing Yao and the servant at the main room. After a short moment, an entourage arrived at the courtyard, led by Ye Rong. With Shui Yang by her left side, and Ye Rong by her right side, Zheng Huo Yan stepped into the main room elegantly.

Zheng Qing Yao stood up to greet her. Zheng Huo Yan was his elder sister, and yet she had maintained her youth so well that she looked even younger than him. Her skin was fair and delicate, and her sleek black hair was combed upward in a very graceful style. Her eyes were radiant, and captivating, and her posture was lofty and noble. She sat down right opposite of Zheng Qing Yao, and dismissed everyone except for Ye Rong and Shui Yang.

She was smiling warmly at the Zheng Qing Yao, but her gaze carefully swept through the room, and stopped right at the side room entrance.

"It is very rare for Sister to leave the palace." Seeing no outsider in the room, Zheng Qing Yao dropped the formalities.

Zheng Huo Yan frowned as she replied, "This is because you keep refusing my invitations."

Indeed, during these two days, Zheng Qing Yao had turned down all the invitations from the palace.

"You know why I am here today. Qing Yao. I told you before, that person is too dangerous to keep."

"She has never done anything-"

"But she attracts trouble."

Zheng Qing Yao tried to explain but was cut off by her. Zheng Huo Yan sent a glance to Shui Yang, who immediately took a step forward toward the side room.

"Don't move."

Zheng Qing Yao frowned as he casted a grim look at Shui Yang. Shui Yang did not proceed further but turned her head around to look at Zheng Huo Yan for further instruction. No matter what, Shui Yang still respected Zheng Qing Yao.

Zheng Qing Yao turned his attention back to Zheng Huo Yan. "This is my decision. Whatever happen in the future will be my sole responsibility to bear."

"You should remember every little action of yours will affect the entire Zheng clan." Zheng Huo Yan warned sternly.

Zheng Qing Yao smiled wanly as he replied, "The Zheng clan only left you and me, but your status is no longer the same as previously. Whatever happen to the Zheng clan will not affect you."

Zheng Huo Yan trembled slightly upon hearing his words. It seemed like his words had jabbed at her sore spot, but she did not anything showed on her face. Deciding that going hard at him was useless, she softened her voice and said, "Qing Yao, you are the only family I have left. I will not let anyone or anything hurt you!"

Zheng Qing Yao shook his head. There were traces of sorrow and disappointment in his eyes as he spoke again, "I am an adult now. I am capable of taking care of myself. I cannot stop you from doing what you want… so you should not bother too much with what I am doing. Meng Yu is under my care now, and I forbid anyone to hurt her… even if that person is you. If you insist, then please do not blame me."

Zheng Huo Yan stared incredulously at him. Zheng Qing Yao rarely defied her, and yet today, he threatened her for the sake of an outsider.

"Why are you so persistent? How much do you know about her past?" Zheng Huo Yan asked in exasperation.

"I don't know, and I don't need to." He answered calmly.

"Qing Yao… I am doing this for your own good. You will definitely understand my reason one day. Shui Yang!"

Alarmed, Zheng Qing Yao stood up, but a shadow already flew in front of him in a blink of an eye. He felt his body weakened as he fell back down onto the chair. Someone had immobilized him by sealing his acupuncture point. Raising his head, he saw Ye Rong standing apologetically in front of him, as Shui Yang had already rushed into the side room.

With a loud bang, someone flew out from the room, and crashed backward on the wall. Shui Yang gasped in pain as she clutched her chest tightly. Taken aback, Zheng Huo Yan stood up to see who was walking out of the room steadily. Her eyes widened to see Mu Yin staring back coldly at her.

"You never change, do you?" Mu Yin asked in disappointment. Her words were directed toward Zheng Huo Yan. Her eyes were filled with despise and disgust. Zheng Huo Yan was of noble status, and no one dared to disrespect her like this, but Mu Yin was speaking to her as if she did not worth anything.

"How dare you disrespect your own master! Quickly release him!" Mu Yin growled at Ye Rong indignantly. Her rage was palpable, but it was unlike the cold and detached look she gave Zheng Huo Yan. Ye Rong was overwhelmed with shame as she quickly released Zheng Qing Yao acupuncture point, before immediately kneeling down on the floor tearfully.

"I am sorry!" She cried weakly, not daring to look at Mu Yin nor Zheng Qing Yao.

Zheng Huo Yan did not say anything as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.

"Not everything should go as how you want it to be. Not every time. You should leave now." Mu Yin said determinedly. Zheng Qing Yao let out a soft sigh as he stood up. "Sister, please respect my decision."

Zheng Huo Yan let out a cold desolate laughter as she finally spoke, "I am sorry, Qing Yao. I am really sorry, but I can't."

The two of them seemed to sense something was amiss, and as suspected, a loud crash could be heard in the side room. Mu Yin whirled around abruptly, but she was obstructed by Shui Yang who threw herself at her.

"Sister Mu Yin, it is too late!" she shouted her lungs out.