"What is this crap?"
Yun Lei was reading books in the library as usual, like he had been doing for the last couple of days. The book in his hand had made him slow his reading speed out of sheer shock. As he read more, that shock quickly turned to disgust.
"Shit like this doesn't deserve to be in the Yun Family's library!" The book was unceremoniously thrown out of the pavilion and landed right at the feet of Yun Shu, who was on the verge of tears.
Yun Lei's behaviour within the library had already been disrespectful enough but at least he wasn't harming the books or tossing them out. But now, it looked like he would do that too.
"Little Ancestor, are you trying to get this old dog killed??" Yun Shu quickly picked up the book and dusted it off. "The Charming Prince of the Night?"
If the old man had to be completely honest, he very much wanted to know what kind of book it had to be for that little nightmare to toss it out like that. After flipping through it, he had pretty much the same reaction as Yun Lei.
The book in question was a fiction novel, featuring an incredibly handsome prince with charming powers. For the entire story, he would go around raping women and using his charm techniques to add them to his harem. From daughters of common shopkeepers to noble daughters of important families, no one was safe from the menace of the Charming Prince of the Night.
The old man quickly lit a fire with his profound energy and removed all traces of it from existence. If anyone found out such a book was in the library, it would undoubtedly hurt the honour of the Yun Family. Harming books of the library could get you a death sentence but he didn't think anyone would object to his decision a single bit.
But that had made Yun Shu realise something. The little rascal had only picked up the book for a mere 10 breaths before tossing it. Did it mean that he had read a decent chunk of the book in such a short time?
Curious, he went to a shelf the Young Master had already gone through and picked up a random book. He flipped a few pages before speaking out loud. "What is the common herb Red Clover used for?"
He didn't expect the young man to answer but trying couldn't hurt.
"It's a blood thinner, improves blood flow. Mortals use it to alleviate symptoms of menopause, night sweats, hot flashes."
Yun Lei didn't look up from the book he was reading from but answered the question.
"What is menopause?" It was like the old man was wondering to himself rather than asking a question.
Yun Lei couldn't help but look up this time, a look of sheer bewilderment on his face. He didn't say much but pointed to a particular book on another shelf.
"Oh, so that's how it works." Yun Shu read through the book and spoke with a little embarrassment. He had read through the entire book, aptly named "Female Reproductive System", in just half an hour.
It was an impressive feat but now that he had confirmed that the young man wasn't just flipping through the books and was actually reading through them, he felt it was nothing much. After all, in that half an hour, Yun Lei had already gone through twenty or so books.
No wonder the Head Elder hasn't kicked this brat out of the library already, Yun Shu finally came to that realisation.
"Do you remember everything you read?" He couldn't help but ask. After all, it was the first time in his life he had come across someone whose reading speed was even faster than his.
"Basic Herbs for Beginner Alchemists, page 68," was all Yun Lei chose to say.
Yun Shu finally admitted defeat. This little brat is indeed a monster, he thought while shaking his head and walked out of the pavilion. Now that he knew, he had no wish to disturb the young man who was diligently reading.
It was already dark out by the time several maids approached the library courtyard. The old man who had come out to get some fresh air immediately recognised Situ Yue and figured out that they were Yun Lei's personal maids.
"Lord Yun, Young Lady Yun has commanded us to fetch the Young Master."
"I'll go tell him; it isn't my problem if he doesn't listen."
For the past few days, Yun Lei had spent almost all of his time at the library. Several times, there were people who came for him.
Mostly the maids, who were there to remind him to eat his meals. Sometimes it was Granny Chu, sometimes it was Su Ning. Since none of these outsiders were allowed in, Yun Shu had been turned into a glorified message boy.
"Your wifey sent people to fetch you." He grumbled.
Almost opposite to his expectations, Yun Lei instantly stopped what he was doing and walked towards the group of maids.
While the old man was breathing a sigh of relief that the day had ended without any incident, Yun Lei was inquiring about why the maids were there.
"Reporting to the Young Master, the Patriarch has invited Young Lady Yun and her husband to dinner. Young Lady Yun has tasked us to help you get ready." Situ Yue was the one who spoke.
After spending a few days around him, Situ Yue was able to speak without stuttering but the other maids still had some difficulties. So she was the one who normally spoke up when needed.
"Lead the way." Yun Lei was expecting the Governor to invite him to dinner quite soon. The invitation wasn't very shocking to him. After all, his only son-in-law had woken up from an eight month long coma and they hadn't even had a chance to sit down and talk. Given that the Governor was a busy man, the delay of a few days was inevitable.
Yun Lei had been dressed in a pure white robe that made his black hair stand out even more. The robes were simple yet noble and elegant. There was a jade tablet hanging from his hip with the word 'Yun' on it.
His hair was held in a loose braid, and he wasn't wearing any jewellery but then again, he hardly needed it. He was already handsome enough to knock many young ladies off their feet.
Finally, a ceremonial sword was attached to his hips and he was ready. The sword in question wasn't much of a weapon, it mostly symbolised his position as the Yun family's son-in-law.
"How do I look, Ning'er?" The young master asked with a smile.
"Young Master, stop teasing me!" Su Ning said with a huff, turning away from where she had heard Yun Lei's voice.
After he had woken up, Su Ning almost exclusively stayed in the Princess' courtyard. The maids took care of her well and during the night, both Yun Lei and Yun Meili would return to the room. Hearing their breathing slow down as they fell asleep beside her put her heart at ease.
Yun Lei walked towards her and gave her a peck on the cheeks before she could even react.
"I'll be back soon. Take care, Ning'er."
It was the first time Yun Lei was going to a different part of the manor, other than the Princess' Courtyard and the Library. The maids surrounded him from all sides while escorting him, Situ Yue at the lead, as usual.
"Where's Meili?"
"Reporting to Young Master, Young Lady Yun is busy with other affairs. She will be with you in the dining hall directly."
Yun Lei was instantly doubtful of the maid's words. It was the first time her husband was meeting her father. Given her personality, she would definitely want to be there, regardless of what other matter she was busy with. This led him to the conclusion that the Governor wanted to meet him alone.
Yun Wei was quite fat, the wrinkles on his face showed his age and a small smile almost always hung on his lips. To describe his looks in one word, friendly would be most appropriate. He was the type to make people put down their guards.
But of course, how could anyone who ruled over a city be a simple person? And he wasn't just the Governor of the Ether Cloud City, he was also the strongest man in the entire Eastern region of the kingdom. As a Cultivator in the Blood Cleansing Realm, he had killed his fair share of people.
He sat on the dining table, at the head chair and waited for his son-in-law. The table was covered with lavish dishes and the dining hall had been heavily decorated.
As Yun Wei was observing the hall to determine if anything was lacking, a sweet voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Father-in-law." Yun Lei was bowing his head at the entrance of the hall.
"Ah, my good son-in-law, come in, come in." Yun Wei hastily got up from his seat to welcome Yun Lei.
As the two men sat down, several maids came forward and poured wine for them. The maids started plating some food before Yun Lei waved them off. He wasn't feeling very hungry. The maids immediately lowered their heads and backed up.
Yun Wei couldn't help but be surprised at the interaction. He had heard several rumours floating about the manor and seeing how deferential the maids were being, he could see there was some truth to them.
For the last fifteen years, there was one rule that all servants followed as gospel. They must never displease Young Lady Yun. Although she was kind and gentle most of the time, her punishments were extremely harsh.
After Yun Lei had woken up, a second rule was quickly established. Dying is better than displeasing the Young Master.
Stories of how Yun Lei could make servants wet themselves by simply staring at them were scary enough already. On top of that, it was clear to all the servants that if the Young Master were to ever be displeased, they would face the wrath of the Princess.
"To father-in-law's good health!" Yun Lei raised his cup in a toast.
"My good son-in-law, I should be the one saying that. You have just gotten better from your affliction. I hope you have been accommodated well."
"Of course, I've been treated very well here, father-in-law." Yun Lei said with a smile. "A toast to the good health of every member of the Yun Family then."
This time, Yun Wei had no objections as the duo downed the contents of the cup in a single gulp.
"Good wine!" The Young Master complimented. He had heard from his wife that her father very much enjoyed wine, despite it having no effect on him. He was rather proud of the wine Yun Family produced.
Of course, Yun Lei wasn't just being a sycophant. He genuinely did think the wine was very enjoyable.
The Governor had probably heard more empty praises of the Family's wine than the days he had even been alive. Saying pleasing words that he didn't mean would simply lower his father-in-law's opinion of him.
"I wished to invite you to dinner as soon as I heard you had woken up but I couldn't get away from my responsibilities. I hope son-in-law doesn't mind."
"Of course, I don't mind. You shouldn't be bothered about such small matters, father-in-law. I was quite enjoying my time in the library, anyways. The selection of books there is extremely impressive, to say the least."
The Governor let out a hearty laugh. "The Yun Family Library has been expanded with the hard work of generation upon generation of Yuns. It is good to see someone so young take so much interest in books."
"Books are the legacy passed down by the old generation to the new. They are the means through which one can learn the wisdom of their ancestors without having to experience the same hardships they went through. All young folk should have some interest in books."
Yun Lei's said with a smile however the Governor didn't miss how serious he was being. Yun Wei was a bit stunned by this, after all, he hadn't expected to hear such a wise thing from his son-in-law.
When he came to know that the young man had barged into the library, he had been a bit angry. When his daughter had come to ask permission on her husband's behalf, he had no choice but to let go of his anger but he had ended up forming a negative impression of the boy.
He had thought that the young man was frivolous and wanted to do whatever he pleased while hiding behind his wife.
However, the more he learnt about his new son-in-law, the more his opinion had begun to change. He had found it strange that the Grand Elder hadn't immediately kicked him out of the library but hearing him speak now, he could understand the Elder's actions.
From the attitudes the servants had towards him to how he had presented himself in front of his father-in-law, Yun Wei had to admit, this unassuming young man in front of him was anything but simple.