Chapter 21: The Truth Must Be Known

Ji Yin gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her face full of resentment.

Still, she was young now, and surely there was plenty of room for her to grow in the future, wasn’t there?

“Come here,” Ji Shaofeng beckoned to her.

Ji Yin immediately ran over and sat down across from him.

“Sit next to your eldest brother.”

She obediently moved and took her place beside him.

Sometime during their conversation, a comb had appeared in Ji Shaofeng’s hand, and he began to gently smooth out her loose hair himself.

Ji Yin felt as if she was living in a honey jar. With such a loving mother and six doting brothers, she was truly the cherished jewel of the family. Even Ji Yun, usually the strictest, was a paper tiger at heart.

“Big Brother, today Third Brother told me that you’re all leaving soon and won’t be home for a while. Then it’ll just be Mother, Sixth Brother, and me. Where are you going? What are you doing?”

“Little one, don’t concern yourself with such things. Just listen to your third brother, don’t cause trouble, and don’t make Mother worry.”

He wouldn’t tell her either?

Ji Yin pouted. The more they kept her in the dark, the more curious she became.

…

The moon hung high with only a few stars scattered across the sky as Ji Yin crept toward the main quarters, her black clothing blending seamlessly with the night. Quiet as a cat, she sneaked into the corridor outside Bai Li Yuan and Ji Yun’s room.

“Demon, what are you planning to do?” came a whisper.

“Of course, I’m here to see if there’s any useful information,” Ji Yin replied, finding a good hiding place where she could overhear the conversation inside.

“Ji Lang, has His Majesty said when they’ll depart for Weaving Cloud Mountain?” Bai Li Yuan’s voice floated out.

“Not yet. This must be handled with utmost caution. Right now, Weaving Cloud Mountain is shrouded in dark clouds, not a single ray of sunlight to be seen. No one knows what’s truly happening within. Even if there really is an ancient ruin, whether it’s fortune or calamity—who can guarantee?” Ji Yun’s tone was grave.

“Yes, you’re right,” Bai Li Yuan sighed.

“My lady, don’t trouble yourself with these matters. Try to rest early tonight.”

“Ji Lang, there’s one more thing I must tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Little Seven has discovered she’s a girl. She figured it out on her own.”

“Really? And how did she react?” Ji Yun sounded worried. This child could be clever at times, but when she was foolish, she was a match for none—she hadn’t even known if she was a boy or a girl. Well, at least now she finally understood. Perhaps she’d rein herself in a bit in the future, stop running off to brothels and teasing the courtesans!

“She didn’t seem to have much of a reaction, but I’m still a little concerned. We’ve both been so busy lately that I haven’t had any time to spend with Little Seven.”

“My dear wife, why not leave what little time you have for me instead?” Ji Yun said, scooping his beloved into his arms and carrying her into their chamber.

Hearing their footsteps fade into the distance, Ji Yin slipped away.

Back in her own room, she sat on her bed, pondering the news she had just overheard.

“Weaving Cloud Mountain? Ancient ruins?”

Could it be some priceless treasure hidden there?

Just thinking about treasures made Ji Yin’s heart ache. Back on Liusha Star, she’d spent so much time collecting rare treasures—would those people have plundered them all?

The thought filled her with pain, regret, and a gnawing anger. If she ever returned to Liusha Star, she would make those so-called righteous sects and paragons of justice pay dearly for what they’d done!

“Demon, what does ‘ancient ruin’ mean?”

“I’m not quite sure either. But now that we know about it, we must get to the bottom of it.”

…

The next morning, Ji Yin went straight to seek out Bai Li Yuan.