4. Retaliation Without Mercy

As soon as the words were spoken, the room fell silent for a moment.

Even Madam Yin, experienced and knowledgeable as she was, felt a wave of awkwardness. As for Tong Youyu herself, her face flushed deep crimson, her ears burning, utterly at a loss.

Yin Zijian ground his teeth. “Mingyan, if you can’t keep your mouth shut, then don’t speak.”

Yin Mingyan immediately covered her mouth, realizing she had spoken out of turn. “Luckily, no one else heard that, or Brother’s secret would be known to all…”

“Heh, with you around, that was bound to happen sooner or later,” Yin Zijian sneered coldly.

Madam Yin cleared her throat softly, took Tong Youyu’s hand, and said, “Old matters are best left in the past. Yuyu is a good child.”

“I-I am very sorry...” Tong Youyu knew well that she had caused trouble as a child, but to have bitten someone so hard as to draw blood and leave a clear mark… no wonder Yin Zijian still harbored resentment. He probably recalled her mischief every time he saw her.

Besides, boys tend to care about their pride, and for a teenage boy to bear a bite mark from a little girl, it was easy for others to gossip and mock him privately.

After seeing Madam Yin off, Tong Youyu finally grasped the root of their childhood feud.

Although Yin Mingyan spoke without filters, her words held truth; this was something Tong Youyu could never remedy.

If she sought some miraculous medicine to remove the scar, the Yin family, being a lineage of military generals, surely had an ample supply of remedies for external wounds and scars.

Returning to Fenghe Garden, Shen Cheng was already waiting for her.

“Yuyu, it was my negligence. When the Yin family returned to the capital, we should have brought you to pay them a visit.” Since her niece had lost her memory, he admitted he had been careless.

Tong Youyu shook her head. “Uncle, you didn’t know, so you couldn’t have stepped forward recklessly. The Yin family returned victorious, and their doorstep has nearly been worn down by visitors.”

The world was never short of those eager to bask in reflected glory. The Yin family’s prestige was at its peak—many sought to ingratiate themselves.

The Shen family was a modest official household, not related by blood or marriage, and dared not recklessly forge connections.

Shen Cheng himself was unaware of the friendship between his sister and Madam Yin; besides, once a person is gone, it’s like a lamp extinguished—years without contact most likely faded any ties.

The two families had met in humble circumstances over a decade ago in Youzhou, when General Yin was just a minor clerk and Tong’s father had not yet become the prefect.

So many years had passed; people and things had changed. It was impressive that Madam Yin still remembered the sisterly bond from back then.

After some sighing, Shen Cheng advised Tong Youyu to get along well with Miss Yin at the academy.

Then he muttered, “Your mother… hasn’t betrothed you in childhood marriage, has she?”

“Uncle!” Tong Youyu was startled by his blunt question, hastily waving him off. “Impossible.”

“What a pity…” Shen Cheng had just noticed Yin Zijian’s impressive bearing. Though he spoke little, he was obedient and steady before his mother, a capable commander skilled in warfare, and a filial son—truly rare qualities.

Fearing that her uncle might say more nonsense, Tong Youyu quickly bid him to rest.

Once he left, she leaned on the table, slowly settling onto the low couch.

“Miss, have some honey tea to soothe your throat,” Jin Kui brought a tray forward.

Seeing her mistress’s troubled expression, concern crept into her tone. “Miss, you have offended such a formidable person; what will you do?”

“Don’t worry,” Tong Youyu curled her delicate palms inward. “I’ll avoid him. I reckon he won’t dare openly harm me.”

“True enough, the young general is tall and strong; who would dare bully the lady?” Jin Kui set down the tea. “But I worry Miss Yin might stand up for her brother.”

Today, she had witnessed Miss Yin deliberately collide with her, nearly causing her to fall down the steps.

And this was right under Madam Yin’s watchful eyes. What might happen at the academy was anyone’s guess.

Jin Kui’s concern echoed Tong Youyu’s own worries. After thinking it over, she said, “Go and inquire about any effective scar-removing remedies.”

“Miss means…” Jin Kui hesitated, “Scars left from childhood, after so many years deeply embedded in the flesh, are difficult to remove.”

“Spend some silver to investigate,” Tong Youyu resolved. She had to make some effort.

Shen Lianyin and Shen Yumu, the two sisters, had arrived late, missing the chance to meet the distinguished guest, and they complained bitterly.

“Who in the capital wouldn’t want to meet a young general? Mother sent Old Liu to fetch her but forgot about us!”

Shen Yumu huffed, “She treats our cousin better than us!”

“We would have returned long ago if not for your deliberate delay to make our cousin wait,” Shen Lianyin retorted.

It turned out that since Old Liu had taken their cousin away, they had wasted time in the academy, only to overhear the news from the coachman outside.

“Who asked her to shamelessly cling to us and ride in the same carriage?” Shen Yumu sat down in a huff. “Ever since she arrived, she’s taken everything from us. Grandmother favors her; the tutor gives her half the lessons; Mother even specially hired a dance teacher for her…”

Shen Lianyin chuckled at this. “I didn’t know our third sister liked dancing?”

The three had originally learned dance together, but Shen Yumu struggled with the basics and soon gave up.

Without hardship, there is no mastery of dance.

Now that Tong Youyu had made some progress, especially with her changed figure—from a chubby little girl to a graceful young lady—they couldn’t help but feel jealous.

“Second sister, are you deliberately picking on me today?” Shen Yumu stamped her foot angrily.

“When have I ever not supported you? Am I not on your side?” Shen Lianyin stood. “But if you keep whining like this, it’s just tiresome.”

She was growing weary of mediating.

She knew her younger sister’s temperament well: a childish spirit fond of competition and a tinge of envy.

They were her sisters, after all, so she wouldn’t side with outsiders. Still, Tong Youyu was their cousin—a relative by blood.

As long as it didn’t go too far, it was no big deal.

“The Hidden Mountain Academy will soon be bustling. Third sister, you’d better keep a close eye.”

“Keep an eye on what? On her making friends with princes and princesses?” Shen Yumu snorted.

Shen Lianyin’s face darkened. “Watch your tongue. What if Mother overhears?”

Shen Yumu bit her lip and fell silent.

The once-promising young lady possessed a certain dignity. Madam Peng had painstakingly raised her children not to tolerate shamelessly seeking favor with the powerful and wealthy.

Just like today, if the general’s wife didn’t pay a call, she wouldn’t take her niece to ingratiate themselves with the Yin family.

Madam Peng’s favorite maiden was Lu Runing—the Shen sisters knew this well.

Shen Yumu chose not to mention making friends with royal princes and princesses anymore and slipped into the study. “I’m going to memorize my lessons!”

*******

The Hidden Mountain Academy was indeed lively, with many splendid carriages parked outside, among which the most eye-catching was Princess Changhui’s.

There were also noble scions within the academy, all with notable backgrounds, but none matched the grandeur of the royal family.

Princess Changhui stepped down in embroidered shoes studded with pearls, her headdress adorned with jade and emerald, her jade pendants tinkling. Yet, before entering, she was stopped.

The academy forbade overly extravagant attire.

Lin Jinzhù, having learned the news firsthand, ran to tell Tong Youyu with a grin, “Our Hidden Mountain Academy does not fear authority and is quite bold!”

Hearing this, Tong Youyu worried, “Surely they won’t blame us for speaking disrespectfully to the princess?”

“Not at all. The princess has come to study and understand propriety. Once inside, she must obey the academy’s rules,” Lin Jinzhù lowered her voice. “If the word got out, even His Majesty would reprimand her.”

Tong Youyu roughly understood why Princess Changhui dressed so flamboyantly—likely, as the saying goes, a woman dresses to please those she admires.

That day, by chance, she had seen Yin Zijian hiding beneath the stairs, trying to avoid the princess.

From their words, it seemed she had quite an interest in him and cared little for Madam Yinfei’s status as his mother.

The Yin siblings also arrived at the academy for registration today. The class assignments were surprising: Yin Mingyan, Princess Changhui, and the Third Prince were placed in the Tian Class, while Yin Zijian was assigned to the Huang Class.

The Tian, Di, Xuan, and Huang classes were arranged in order, with the last class consisting mostly of unruly playboys and younger students who had not studied long.

Lin Jinzhù cupped her round face, exclaiming, “Could the young general be as inattentive as I am?!”

She truly studied hard, burning the midnight oil night after night, but knowledge simply wouldn’t settle in her mind!

Tong Youyu pondered. “I’ve heard he’s well-versed in military strategy and tactics. Even Duke Yu of Yu has praised him highly; he must have read quite a few books.”

Duke Yu was a military man who had risen through the battlefield, earning his title through countless victories. Now retired, his sharp eyes never failed to judge people accurately.

Nearby, the heir of the Duke of Gongjing leaned over and laughed, “He’s read many books, but all on warfare. Ask him anything else, and he knows nothing. His learning might not even surpass mine!”

He snorted proudly.

“Fang Feiai, you dare to brag about your learning in front of the young general?” Lin Jinzhù said incredulously. “Looks like he really needs to study more.”

“What’s wrong with me? How dare you call me by name?” Fang Feiai snapped at her impertinence. “Everyone says Yin Zijian is formidable, but I’m no less so!”

“Such nerve,” Lin Jinzhù whispered to Tong Youyu. “Fang Feiai must be irritated by constant comparisons.”

Yin Zijian was the paragon of ‘other people’s child,’ while Fang was undoubtedly one of the capital’s notorious playboys.

As they spoke, the subject of their discussion appeared, following Master Yuan into the Huang Class.

The room fell silent instantly; countless eyes turned to study Yin Zijian—a tall, dark-skinned youth radiating vigor.

He was like a sleek black panther entering the grazing grounds of timid herbivores.

“Surely this young man needs no introduction,” Master Yuan, stroking his small mustache, smiled. “The young general is tall and strong, but it’s a shame he must sit in the last row.”

“Thank you, Master,” Yin Zijian saluted politely and took his seat.

Many turned discreetly to greet him, clearly anticipating many followers in the future.

Most students in the front rows were thirteen; the fifteen-year-olds, including Tong Youyu, sat in the back. Coincidentally, Yin Zijian’s seat was directly behind hers.

He looked at her expressionlessly as he passed by and sat down behind.

Though silent, the oppressive aura he exuded was overwhelming, making Tong Youyu break out in a cold sweat, as if sharp needles pricked her back.

Noticing her unease, Lin Jinzhù asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

The volume was just right, but Yin Zijian’s keen ears caught it. He replied, “Perhaps she has a guilty conscience and fears retaliation.”

“Huh?” Lin Jinzhù was puzzled.

Yin Zijian continued, “I am vindictive and always believe in an eye for an eye, a debt paid in blood.”

His half-lowered eyes held a chilling coldness that could intimidate.

Tong Youyu truly panicked, her heart trembling as she suddenly turned around. “You… you won’t dare bite me!”

Her small hands clutched her chest tightly, her bright, watery eyes glaring at him, feigning calm but inwardly trembling.

Yin Zijian followed her gesture, glanced over the rounded, heavy swell of her chest, then his expression darkened instantly, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.

“Who said I want to bite you!”