Chapter 33: Losing the Best Opportunity (3)

When Yun Zui entered, Tie Fan’s fists clenched tightly in suppressed anger. Yet, he suddenly remembered his curiosity about whether Chi Mie was inside the carriage. He hurried over, carefully lifted the curtain, but to his astonishment, found it empty.

Tie Fan was taken aback. How could that be? On the way back, he had clearly felt a sharp, venomous gaze upon him.

Could it have been Yun Zui’s?

Impossible. Yun Zui was always so timid and meek—though admittedly, he seemed changed now, perhaps grown arrogant under Chi Mie’s favor. Still, Tie Fan could not believe Yun Zui possessed such eyes.

Was it all a mere illusion?

Even through the curtain, the piercing intensity from within the carriage had been palpable. How could an ordinary person wield such a gaze?

With a heavy hand, Tie Fan let the curtain fall, grinding his teeth in frustration. If he had known no one was inside, he would have killed Yun Zui right there and then!

The perfect opportunity, and he’d missed it.

Now Yun Zui had entered the General’s Manor, so bold and blatant that everyone would know of his arrival. If he were to stay here, Yun Zui’s safety would inevitably fall under Tie Fan’s responsibility.

This Yun Zui was truly clever. Though danger lurked within the manor, it was the safest refuge he could find.

Cunning—far too cunning.

Yet Tie Fan did not believe this was Yun Zui’s own idea. He was certain it was Chi Mie’s. The old Yun Zui was so weak, so easily bullied, that the impression had been etched deeply in everyone’s mind, impossible to erase.

That image lingered, leaving an indelible mark upon their hearts.

Walking through the General’s Manor, Yun Zui was a stranger to the servants, but since the gatekeepers had allowed entry, he was treated as a guest. The servants greeted him with respectful bows as he passed, eyes fixed straight ahead, dignified and unflinching.

Tie Fan, though burning with humiliation and anger, dared not offend Yun Zui now. He quickly caught up from behind.

“Your Grace, would you like to rest in the main hall while I have the servants prepare your chamber?” Tie Fan asked, though inwardly, he longed to tear Yun Zui apart. For now, he had no choice but to swallow his rage.

Yun Zui paused, as if considering, then replied, “That will do. Have everyone in the manor, high and low, master and servant alike, assemble in the main hall to greet me, the Princess Dowager.”

He spoke with such natural authority, as though he truly wielded power.

Tie Fan was stunned, fists clenching once more. Did Yun Zui really think himself the Princess Dowager?

Ignoring Tie Fan’s barely contained fury, Yun Zui continued, “You have the time it takes for one stick of incense to gather everyone—no matter their duties, all must come at once to the main hall. Any who do not will be guilty of grave disrespect. The ancestral rules cannot be changed; let the General keep to proper decorum.”

With a faint smile, Yun Zui turned and, under the guidance of a maid, strode away in full command.

Tie Fan ground his teeth again. This was not the Yun Zui of years past.

He had vastly underestimated him.

In the end, Tie Fan could only choke back his anger and issue the order for all to assemble in the main hall.

Even Yun Shang could not be excused, though she was still recovering from her wounds and ought not to move. There was no choice—she too had to go.

“Endure it. She cannot stay in this manor forever. The day she leaves, I will find someone to end her for good,” Tie Fan muttered to Yun Shang in their chamber, trying to comfort her.